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I tried to control my expression so as not to show too much pleasure at being able to see the three sprites.

They seemed to have trouble being still.

It looked like they were taking turns flying straight up for a couple of feet, pacing across the table, and jumping up to land on Max’s sleeve.

Their mistletoe-green wings were taller than they were.

They wore green costumes of the same color, but each was different.

Two females. One male. All three had bright, coppery-red bedheads. Undeniably cute.

After I was settled back into my elevated position on custom comfy cushions, I said, “Counselor Pteron, would you ask your clients to approach and introduce themselves?”

He said something inaudible, then the three promptly flew to the wooden bar before me and landed. At that close distance, I could see their features perfectly. Big eyes. Upturned noses. Skin as flawless as a porcelain doll.

“I’m Beorhtsige,” said the male.

“How do you do? I’m Judge Hayworth.”

“Hello,” he said, seeming supremely unimpressed.

“And you are?” I asked one of the females.

“I’m Ry,” said one.

“I’m Tata,” said the other.

“Tell me what outcome you’re hoping will result from suing the Druids.”

The trio looked at each other, then the one self-identified as Ry spoke up. “We want the Druids to leave us alone. They’re no longer…”

“What?” I asked. “No longer what?”

“True,” said Ry. “They’re not true. They now serve personal gain.”

My smile was genuine. “Thank you for coming close enough so that I can see you well. You may return to the plaintiff’s table.”

When they made no move to leave, Max whistled. Loudly. Hearing that, the three looked his way, took flight, and took up their little exercise routines where they’d left off. I got the impression they were present because they’d drawn short sticks and couldn’t wait to get out of here.

“For the benefit of court attendees, let’s spell out the facts of the case, shall we?” I looked at Max. “Why are your clients suing the Druids?”

Max could be counted on for brevity and economy of words. Always. He summed up beautifully.

I turned to the defendants. “Who’d like to tell me your side of the story?

” The Druid at the end of the table farthest away from Ms. Merriwether raised his hand.

I could see Merriwether’s objection register on her face, but she said nothing.

I’m sure she’d prefer to manage her clients’ testimony, but people are sometimes insistent on self-sabotage.

“Alright. Stand up and state your name.”

“Talon Dax, Your Honor. I’ve been chosen to speak for our fraternity.”

“Very well. Proceed.”

“As said by Mr. Pteron, we consider it a holy duty to gather mistletoe at the beginning of the Yule season. We bless it then offer it free to all those who celebrate Yule according to the ancient tradition. One of our fraternal secrets is the key to communicating with the Mistletoe Spirits. It’s a sacred privilege far older than more modern religious practices, such as Christianity.

“We are, frankly, hurt and distressed that the Spirits have chosen to name us in this proceeding, claiming we’ve done harm when, in fact, part of our mission is to prevent harm from being visited upon nature’s blessed spirits. We are innocent and hope the Spirits will withdraw their accusation.”

“Is that all?” I asked when his silence indicated the end of his remarks.

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“Alright.” I motioned for him to sit and turned to Max. “Rebuttal, Counselor?”

“Yes, Magistrate,” Max said as he stood.

“The Druid defense serves as support for my clients’ claims. If the Druids understood that what they are doing is wrong…

If they expressed remorse and promised to refrain from asking my clients and their brethren for prognostications pertaining to wealth and power, my clients would consider dismissal.

Since those conditions are not in evidence, my clients have no choice but to ask the court to intervene and free them from a compulsion to answer. ”

“Hypothetically, let’s say I rule in your favor. By what trick or mechanism would the Spirits be freed?”

“The Bureau employs a Nature Witch who can cast a spell to confuse those who might attempt to take advantage of the Spirits in the future.”

“And this confusion effect would be specific to communication with Mistletoe Spirits.”

“Yes, Your Honor. It would be narrow in scope and pertain only to the question at hand.”

I motioned for Max to sit and turned back to the defendants. “Ms. Merriwether, you’ve heard the terms by which the plaintiff would consider dropping the suit. Would your clients like to change their position?”

“A brief conference, Your Honor?” she asked.

I nodded. “Go ahead.”

The entire gathering waited while the five people at the defendants’ table, four Druids and their attorney, stood in a huddle speaking excitedly in whispered voices.

After a couple of minutes, a furious-looking Blythe Merriwether said, “We’re at an impasse, Your Honor.

My clients do not believe they’re in the wrong.

In fact, they’d like to countersue because of the hardship of being dragged into this court.

Please accept my apology. I’m simply the messenger fulfilling my fiduciary duty.

Those are their words. Not mine. Additionally, Talon Dax has something to add. ”

“Alright. Stand up, Mr. Dax.”

“Talon Dax,” he corrected as he stood. “I’d simply like to say that times change.

Thousands of years ago, we were farmers.

Everyone was a farmer. And humanity’s biggest concern was weather.

At that time the Mistletoe Spirits provided invaluable information as an absolutely reliable almanac.

Such questions as what and when to plant in a given year was paramount.

These days, with meteorology, our biggest concern is not weather.

It’s financial survival. It doesn’t cost the Spirits anything to give us information that supports our work.

And it’s not as if we’re advocating for crime. ”

“Mr. Dax,” I said in defiance of his preferred name, just because he was making me feel ornery.

“I’m astounded that you have the nerve to claim not just that you are guiltless, but that you are innocent!

The only thing that has stopped you from the repeated commission of at least two serious crimes is the Mistletoe Spirits' refusal to be complicit.

“The first of these crimes is extortion. As unbelievable as it sounds, you’re attempting to extort sprites!

” Judging by the expressions on their faces, it seemed the Druids had lost the capacity for shame somewhere along the way.

“This sort of exploitation is the exact reason why this court exists. Sometimes there are two sides to a story. That is not the situation here. You’ve allowed this marvelous gift to become corrupted in pursuit of greed. Shame on you.”

In peripheral vision, I could see Lochlan turn and stare at me. Perhaps scolding isn’t part of the gig?

“The second potential crime is fraud. It may not harm the Mistletoe Spirits if they give you winning lottery numbers, but it does harm by creating an advantage. What about all the people who bought tickets believing that everyone has an equal, fair chance at winning? Does it harm them?” When there was no immediate reply, I said, “The answer is yes. It does. The Spirits have a higher understanding of morality than you people who claim to be a clerical order.”

“Of course, I rule in favor of the Mistletoe Spirits’ Union.

” I looked at the Druids one by one and didn’t try to hide my disgust. “Going forward, you are stripped of the privilege of communicating with the Mistletoe Spirits anytime, anywhere, about anything.” I could hear tiny voices cheering and wanted to smile, but refrained.

“Bring the Mind Sweep and get them out of here.” I pointed at the defendants so there wouldn’t be any question about what I meant by “them”.

I banged the gavel. “Court is adjourned until Imbolc.”