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The King's Peace and Call to Court

And so it was in the time one thousand, eight hundred years since the birth of our savior the Lord Christ Jesus that the Bison, King of all Animals, called to court all creatures in his domain. None dared defy his decree, as antelope, dog, wolf, cougar, opossum traversed the vast plains and deserts of the New World under the King's own protection. All who claimed the banner of the King were to travel free from persecution or predation, where goose and fox would sit side-by-side at the court of the King.

None save Maynard.

Both and neither coyote nor dog, Maynard dared not leave the Canyon del Malaberinto that was his home, for he well knew that there was hardly a beast at the King's court that did not have grievance against him. And so did the Coydog recuse himself of court, thinking that he might help those en route and have advocates to his good will and character. Thus was Maynard absent his own trial.

The First Accusation laid by Igren the Hound

Before the court stood Igren the Hound, who stood guard of the hens that were held by man. Though the Bison had no love of men, the King found honor in the unerring protection Igren granted the hens. "Speak, noble Igren, that your complaint may be known to the court."

"My Lord the King, I take no issue with your rule or laws - indeed, your wisdom is known and honored throughout the land. None dare question your word or decree," the hound flattered.

Only after three dozen similar words of compliment did Igren turn his words to Maynard. "My complaint is not with you, your majesty, but with one of your subjects who has proven disloyal."

"Disloyal?" the King boomed, adding, "Name this fiend and his crimes, that he may be justly punished."

Igren bowed low before the King and spoke, "I speak on none other than Maynard the Coydog, who is not present. See, already he has defied your decree. But this be but one of his many crimes. Why, the first encounter with this scoundrel had I in my mother's den, whereupon he committed the foulest of crimes against my dam. While my sisters and I lay wanting for milk, none other than Maynard arrived."

The King leaned forward, his interest piqued. "Continue, noble Igren, and do not spare any salacious detail now, as the Queen is yet away and should not hear such lechery. I must hear every truth to fairly judge this Maynard."

"Of course, my Lord the King," Igren nodded. The whole court listened intently as the Hound continued his tale of woe. "Though Maynard himself were only a year older than I, if that, he set upon the six of us pups, lifting a leg that he might splash our eyes until not one among us could see. Blind were we, but not deaf. I remember with no loss of detail the sound as the scoundrel clambered upon my dam. I ask that -"

The King interrupted, saying once more, "Spare no detail, Hound, that I may judge you true or false."

Igren nodded again. "She yelped in protest but to no avail as Maynard took her, still fresh from whelping by my father, her husband. I do not mistake the sounds, my Lord, as he besmirched her honor in the very presence of her pups, while her mate, my father was away. I can only be thankful that she was not 'in that way', lest even now would I be half-siblings to his unwanted litter, for he spared nothing in his lusty pursuit of pleasure, leaving her quite full and stuck as is the way of canines as I'm sure you know, your Grace."

The King let out a heavy breath, no doubt in shock at what he heard. Licking his lips, the Bison thus spoke, "A grave crime indeed, to trespass against another man's wife in front of his very pups. What ask you to be done to this deviant for his actions?"

"Oh, that that were all, my Lord. Maynard has affronted me in many ways beyond, but the shame and betrayal he has committed against my own mother I shall never forgive, until he makes to me large amends."

The Accusations of Hember the Fox and Cullen the Bobcat

"My Lord, the King," cried Hember the Fox. "Afore you decide the fate of Maynard, I beseech you hear first my grievance as well."

"And how has the Coydog aggrieved you, Fox?"

"Your Highness," Hember bowed, his red tail raised, "In the depths of winter, long in advance of the King's Peace, I bore a scrap of meat of the pig. Mistake me not, your Grace, I had not done the deed - in fact the pig had expired of natural means and I merely wisht that the pork not go awaste, yet as I carried the strip, I came across the very Maynard of which Igren forspoke."

"So you did!" spoke the King with curiosity. "And you did not offer to share your spoils?"

"The converse, my Lord. Maynard be a near cousin of mine, and t'would be an affront to offer the Coydog any less than equal portions. But listen well, my King, for at first had Maynard_refused_ my offer."

"And you complainst toward him? Wherefore?"

"My cousin had beseeched me keep the entire stripe, for he had but an hour formerly filled his belly upon, if you will pardon my bluntness, the flesh of a hen he had caught. Of course did I accept him, and we entreated each other as to the events of our kin, whom had married whom and what kits had been born," the Fox explained.

The Bison peered down at the Fox, snorting once. "Get on, then, with the accusation, Hember; your story grows stale."

The Fox hurried on, lowering his tail. "In goodwill we had met, but did not part such. For Maynard had pointed out a bush with grapes that tempted me, but I dare not leave my scrap to be eaten by crows -"

From the court came a caw of protest, "That you dare invoke my name, scoundrel!"

The great King gazed into the crowd at the sudden outburst. "What is the meaning of this outburst? Who spake such?"

Then the Raven alighted upon the ground, his feathers fluffed in consternation. "It is I, my liege, the Raven Grym. The Fox speaks as though he is of no blame, and tho I helt my tongue as dare I able, invoking my name takes the Fox too far."

The King snorted. "Would you complainst against the Fox, you should wait until his tale has ended. I will grant you speech therefrom."

"As you wish it, My Lord King, the Bison," Grym responded, bowing with wings splayed.

"Continue, Hember."

Eyeing his feathered friend, the Fox spoke thus, "I dare not leave my scrap unguarded, but Maynard assured me he would hold its place until my return. Why should he take the pork, he who had already refused half and besides which was stuffed of hen? I took my leave, but whereafter I returned for the meat, both it and he t'were gone, and the grapes were sour besides."

Incensed, the Bison stood, swishing his tail. "Afirst were I withdrawn of your tale, Hember, but now must I agree: to treat a cousin kindly only to betray you once your back is turned is a foul and cowardly act. I will heed well your words as I consider the Coydog's fate." To the Raven, spoke the King, "As promised, you might now entreat the court."

The Raven, Grym bowed deep, 'till his beak scraped the ground, before speaking, "As you of course know, your wisest Grace, the only one I hold dearer than you, the King yourself is our dearest Lord and Savior the Christ Jesus. As a fowl of the one True Faith and Raven of the cloth, were I giving the pig last rites when upon set the Fox. No sooner had the pig stilled when Hember approached, and had I not set flight might I have joined the departed in the Fox's belly. He makes claim as if he has no blame, my Lord, when Hember had taken the scrap amidst the very burial!"

Before the King could send reply, had Hember spoken as well, saying, "Our mutual friend, the Raven claims noble purpose, yet there would be no scrap of pig had he not torn it free himself to eat."

The Raven squawked. "Lies! And even were that claim the truth, the stripe were mine before, and not Hember's to be stolen, and not to be blamed on my friend Maynard."

"Enough!" boomed the King, silencing both the bickerers. "I have heard the tale and will consider it as I will. For now, I ask that any of those among you with claims against Maynard speak up now, that I might make my decision."

"My Lord," spoke Cullen the Bobcat, "I have taken issue this very day, as was I travelling to your court, my Highness."

The King was astonished. "Maynard had caused you harm_today?_"

Cullen nodded. "I abide in the fields beyond the Canyon del Malaberinto, thus have I crossed the path of the Coydog hisself. Naturally thought I that he, as any who honored the King's Peace, was preparing to depart for court and that I had invited Maynard as a travel companion. But first he askt me and mine wife, the Dame Lynde, inside to pray. How there could I refuse, though the canyons wind and twist in such a way that at first I trembled. But with the King's decree assured was I in my safety. I entered the Coydog's abode, whereupon we sat."

The great Bison spoke, "Surely have you done right by Maynard. What ill had he then caused you?"

"We were taken to the Coydog's den, though were I to return there would I not retrace my steps. There sat myself and mine with Maynard and his wife, the Dame Hermily, and his three offspring from her. We prayed in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus, though the prayer were long and dutiful. I swear but that an hour had occurt, and mine wife, Lynde had needs privily to herself. She had begged recuse of the prayer for but a moment, and Maynard had granted her quest readily enough."

"And then?" the King spoke, leaning forward.

The Bobcat flicked his ears, testing the King's patience. The Bison spoke, "On with the accusation, and dare you not leave a single detail behind, so that I might judge your truthfulness."

"Y-yes, your Highness. I give thanks that the ladies all yet be in the other room, for what I saw were not apropos among them."

"Continue, Cullen."

Cullen flicked his tail and spoke, "Not only a minute thence, Maynard recused hisself, and I, good Christian, kept up the prayer with Dame Hermily, his wife and kits. But that mine wife had returned! Though I sat and sat, neither Bobcat ne Coydog joint us, 'till I, in my worry, recused myself politely of Dame Hermily to seek what delay had befallen she."

"And what saw you there?" the King asked, holding his breath.

"I am loathe to speak its name, tho by your demand, your Grace, I must. I found that scoundrel, Maynard, with mine wife, not two minutes distant. He was - he had her honor violated, and that of his own marriage, much less in my own eyes but the eyes of God. That he foist hisself upon the Dame Lynde whilst his own wife gave prayer -"

The Bison interrupted, "How be you sure of what you saw? Do tunnels not be dark? Speak of what you saw and mince not words - we are all honest men here."

Cullen took a deep breath and spoke, "He had violated her will, crawling upon her back that his hips had spread her tail, and doubtless she had ne a moment to shriek afore he pusht, my Grace."

"You bespoke that you came late upon them - how can you say what happened was that? Can you speak to the Dame Lynde's will, that Maynard violated 'stead of heeded her? Speak on of what you saw, Bobcat."

With flattened ears, the feline continued, "I can only presume my wife's intent, my Lord. I observt she there beneath him, and though the Dame Hermily was hardly out of earshot, Maynard had used my wife to her fullest extent. I swear by mine eyes that he violated the laws of beast and God, stuck as he was inside of her. Mine wife cried out upon seeing me, but Maynard had not the decency to stop in my presence. I swear, your Grace, had not your peace been declared, I might have ended Maynard there, and this entire complaint be made moot, for my claws be matched above a mere Coydog, and he were in rather vulnerable state."

"And what said Maynard thereupon?" the King asked, excited.

"When he were truly done and turnt to me, the Coydog dared claim she foist upon he. He had tried his best to send her off but she tacklt him and took him against his and God's will, and that then he forgave Dame Lynde as would the Lord Jesus, and would not offer plaint in court. Your Grace."

The Bison nodded. "I do say Maynard's actions are not befit of a honest Christian."

How Grym, The Raven, Spake on Maynard's Behalf

The Raven, Grym, fluttered forth and bowed, awaiting the King's acknowledge. Once given, the bird spoke thusly, "As Maynard be not here in his own recuse, allow me defend he. Though we be not cousins, I count the Coydog among my friends, and wisht to rebut these baseless accusations one-to-one."

The Bison nodded slowly. "The accused has that right. Though I see not how you can undo even one such claim against he, much less all."

"Thank you, your Grace," spoke the Raven, bowing deep. "The strikes upon Maynard's head count three, of Igren, Hember, and Cullen. T'would seem right to address the Hound first."

"As you know," the Raven continued, "As a priest pride I myself in the great knowledge of law, both thine and God's above. I shall speak of proof and circumstance, for these accusations carry deadly consequence. Igren had claimed that Maynard had entered his dam's den and bepissed the pups eyes, then had the Coydog beset himself upon the bitch. Yet how couldst the Hound be sure of Maynard once he were waxen blind? Could not another have entered the den and his mother? Per happenstance, could Igren even assert that any trespass had occurt?"

At this, the Hound growled of anger, and stepped up to court. "Why another, when Maynard were there only moments before? And I had heard the foul deed in detail utmost, from grunt to grunt, with smells befit the grave crime."

The Raven smiled at Igren, then continued apace. "A pup, just born, knows not his smells, and were you drenched besides. But even were his story true, the Hound must drop complaint. No trespass had occurred, despite his sire being 'away'. Maynard had yet to marry his wife, the Dame Hermily, and in fact, I myself had led last rites upon ye sire, who had perished shortly after the entry of Igren and his sisters into the world. Though Igren imply otherwise, the husband were dead and buried. _If_Maynard had done as you claim, and foist he upon your dam, why then did she not enter complaint?"

Igren spoke, the spittle of his anger falling on the ground. "You dare claim she were complicit in this congress? My own sire had fallen of bad meat not one more day than a month before. She was grieving yet, when Maynard sneakt in and abused."

The Raven flapped his wings and spoke, "You spake 'abuse', I spake 'comforted'. She must had needs that your sire could no more fill, that Maynard (were he there) fillt gladly. Again I ask, where be your dam, that she might make plaint? Many years have passed, yet still your dam keep mum."

At that had Igren no contest, though he walked back among the court with fur on end.

The Raven continued, "Already have I rebutted the notion of Hember the Fox. What claim can we on Maynard make, that he took of Hember what Hember took of me. It is right that evil lost that which evil won. For what man may judge Maynard that he stole of a thief? Hember had the greater crime commit, and neither Coydog ne Raven make plaint against he."

The Bison nodded slowly, much to the Fox's chagrin.

"As then to Cullen the Bobcat. Dare the cat claim Maynard leavt his own wife, the Dame Hermily, and his belovt sons Meynkin, Mossel, and the little girls Hemlyn and Hayly, that he would hunt down the Dame Lynde one cave over and betray the laws of troth and of God? This story stretch the very imagination! There then, Maynard had taken the she-cat against her wishes? When she had claws as great and fierce as Cullen himself? I dare say Cullen bear false witness, and where is the Dame Lynde to complain upon the Court of Maynard? She is here, in court with her Grace, the Queen. Speak, Cullen, would she speak the same to the court, that she somewise lay still while Maynard abused her?"

The Bobcat flattened his ears, all the eyes of the court upon he. Reluctantly spoke he, "No, but -"

The Raven interrupted, "Of course the contrary, for the Dame Lynde is true to God and to word, and surely the moment Cullen slander her with had never happened at all, and had some trespass occurt, were it she_that betempt _he. For through the feline's tale we hear only of a gentleman, a godly one with loving family, with devotion unmatched - an hour of prayer to our great Lord the Christ Jesus. In mine own actions with Maynard have I found him to brook no untruth. Nothing had he made without priest's counsel, and he nary had changed his actions upon hearing your Grace, the King's peace, for already had the Coydog never thought to harm a soul. He never fed more than once a day, living as a hermit in the Canyon del Malaberinto. He stayt true to God and wife, and for more than a year ate he no flesh, instead he sustain from alms and charity freely given he of bypassers. He and his family spend each day in great devotion to Jesus the Christ and Lord Savior, and abideth he strict under your laws, your Grace and Highness."

The King stood stunned at the eloquence of the Raven, whose words seemed to float to Heaven itself in bright bastion of Maynard the Coydog. "Who, then, keep complaint against the Coydog?" spoke the Bison, peering down at the crowd that looked most guilty for their lust to try an innocent for the crimes Igren, Hember, and Cullen false lay.

Then had occasion that Chanteer the Cock entert the court, and upon his wings lay the body of his dear daughter, Coppen the hen, her head chewn off that very day by none other than Maynard the Coydog.