Alderton examined the frost formed spear. It had been well-crafted. Its design was simple, sleek, elegant.

"May I ask what you are looking for?" Frostilicus said.

"You have not yet taken my class," Alderton said gently. He squinted his eyes, looking closely at the frost spear. "So allow me to explain. All created things carry with them some essence of their maker."

Frost scratched his head. So this would be his first and possibly only class at Everwinter? In the middle of the Master's Court.

"The principle is called coinherence," Alderton said. "A mutual indwelling of creator and created. You'll note that when you frost form a thing only you can release the form?"

Frost nodded. That was true. He could never dissolve a form his father had made or vice versa. A frost form could be destroyed by brute force by an outside force. But it could not released from within. That could only be done by a form's maker. And even then, it never really died. A frost form continued to exist in the maker's mind and could be re-conjured at any moment so long as there was water nearby.

"Even for non-magical items," Alderton said. "This principle holds true in a lesser way. A personally crafted gift reminds us of the person who gave it." Alderton touched a gray ring on his left hand. It had strange markings encircling it but was otherwise very plain.

Alderton continued, "We value things when they are personally and lovingly made because a person is pouring his or her soul into the thing. More so than when something is produced thoughtlessly."

It was a touching point, but Frost still had burning questions. "But how does that help you know who made a frost object?" He wanted to know how this would prove his innocence. "A frost mage has to willingly release a form to prove it is his. He also has to willingly recreate it to prove that he is capable of creating such a form."

"Stop interrupting his logic," Elkriss said, shaking his head. "Students today have no attention span."

"It's all right," Alderton said, nodding. "As I was saying there are always clues left behind that tell us the origin of a thing. This is especially true when a creator pours his or her soul into a creation. It's unavoidable. These clues don't require magic. This is true for non-magical items as well as frost formed objects."

"Such as?" Frost asked.

"Style," Master Thomas said. "For example, the author of each book has a unique style or patterns of behavior specific to him or her. Craftsmen have ways of crafting, drawing, or weaving that give themselves away. Even the world itself has unique characteristics that give away its Maker."

"Let's not fall into intellectual deviation," Elkriss said. "Stick to your area of expertise."

"I am well within my area of expertise," Master Thomas said, pursing his lips. "And, I would suggest you are the deviant one, Elkriss." Thomas clenched his hands and stood up.

Five, was there a hidden tension between these two? Frost raised an eyebrow.

"I'll see you outside if you want to settle this now," Elkriss said, rising up from his seat. The wiry man didn't look like he would be much of a combatant, but who knew when it came to frost mages?

"I shall remind you," Alderton said. "That we are trying a student for just such an outburst. Perhaps we should convene a staff tribunal instead?"

"That shall not be necessary," Thomas said calmly, his lips forming a line. He and Master Elkriss sat back into their seats, lips curled down.

It was strange to see the distinguished professors face down one another. Human nature didn't change even at their level, Frost supposed.

"You were saying," Frostilicus said. "About style?'

"Ah yes," Alderton said, lifting a small canteen of water from his belt. He opened the lid and gestured for Frost to take the bottle. "Pull a frost form from this."

"Okay," Frost said, confused. "What shall I make? A spear?"

"Anything you like," Alderton said, nodding. "Whatever you are best at forming."

"Please, no more weapons," Ellana said, crossing her arms. "I've had enough male chauvinism for one day."

No weapons? But that was what Frostilicus was best at. He trained his entire life making weapons in his father's blacksmithery. What else could he create? Well, there wasn't a lot of water to work with, so he wouldn't be able to make anything large.

He scratched his head. Right, there might be something he could do. There wasn't a lot in his repertoire besides suits of armor and weapons. However, there was one other set of items blackmiths were highly skilled at.

Cutlery.

Frost focused on the water. It quivered inside the canteen. Gradually, it formed into a snakelike trail of floating liquid that wove through the air toward Frost's outstretched hand.

As he pulled the water into form, it solidified into a faux iron spoon. It was simple and plain but well-made. The form was exactly as he had imagined it before pulling it into existence.

He handed the newly formed spoon to Alderton.

"Thank you," Alderton said, lifting the spoon into the air and examining it closely.

He shifted his attention back to the spear, his eyes darting back and forth between the two objects.

Frostilicus tilted his head. What was Alderton doing? Suddenly, it hit him. Of course.

The geometric patterns.

The frost stars and shapes that formed along the side of the spear glistening with gently glowing blue light. There were dozens of them lining the spear and far fewer on the spoon.

Could this be what Alderton was getting at when he mentioned patterns and style? It had to be. These frost patterns must be uniquely tied to each frost mage. If the patterns along the side of the spear matched Frost's spoon, then it was his spear.

It would be a clear test of whether or not Frost had formed the spear. If it wasn't his, then he would be exonerated.

"I imagine you've guessed it by now," Elkriss sneered from the end of the table. The mathematics professor was sure of Frost's guilt. He had already passed judgment on Frostilicus even before the trial began. "Your fate, of course, is sealed. Your lies will be exposed. It was nice knowing you."

Frost curled his lips upward. He knew the truth. This was Halorax's spear. Per Frosthaven law, the guilt could not be directly imposed upon Frostilicus if Halorax injured himself with his own pull and with his own spear.

"Very strange," Alderton said, eyes widening. His mouth dropped as he looked closely at each object.

"What is it?" Mildrich said. "Let me see."

The portly professor seated next to Alderton looked closely at the weapon and then at the spoon. She too gaped as she examined the patterns on the two objects.

"I'm afraid I've never seen anything like this before," Master Alderton said Mildrich nodded in agreement with wide eyes.

What was it? Frost shifted his weight toward the edge of his seat.

"The evidence," Alderton said. "Is inconclusive."

Elkriss rose from his seat and walked over. His had a limp in his left leg. Bending over, he examined the spoon. His demeanor was calm. "Alderton," he said. His tone was grave and serious. Not disrespectful as he had been before. "You realize this challenges the fundamental question."