by Paul Bellow
"This was given to me by my father. It holds all the magic our family has learned over the years."
"It's settled," I said, turning to face Omar. "You get out of this by any means necessary, and you can join our party."
Omar's eyes opened wider as a smile perched itself on his face.
"Are you serious? That's been my dream so long."
"You need to get us out of this mess first," I said. "Do you have any ideas?"
"Can I use any means necessary?" Omar asked.
I stared across the table at him.
"What do you mean?"
"They'll cheat because they want an only human realm. We need to cheat too."
I glanced over at Sarah and Bernard.
"How?" Sarah asked.
"You're a mage, aren't you?" Omar asked.
Sarah nodded.
"Yeah, but they won't allow me to cast in the courtroom, will they?"
"Maybe," Omar said as he tilted his head back and stared up at the ceiling. "We can get a private audience with the judge in his chambers. Do you have illusion magic?"
"Oh boy, does she," Evan said proudly.
"Good. What kind?"
"Become Unknowable Humanoid," Sarah said.
"Amazing. That's a wonderful spell. You can transform Drex to look like Captain Riggardo, and we'll be home-free."
Omar clapped his hands as if it were all decided.
"No," Sarah said. "It's Become UNKNOWABLE Humanoid. I can't make someone appear as another person."
"Oh..."
"I can make Captain Riggardo appear like a hobgoblin," Sarah said, sitting up. "Yeah, that might work."
"You can do it, Sarah," Evan said, then added, "Hey, no fair."
"We don't have my staff or the amulet, Evan. Be careful." Sarah turned to Omar. "We can't leave the city without our equipment."
"Yeah," Bernard added. "We need everything from the temple too."
"And do you know anyone else who might join our group?" I threw in for good measure.
Omar held up his hands, palms out.
"Hold on, already," he said, shaking his head. "This is too much for me to take in at once."
"Some wizard," Ewen said in a grumpy tone.
"You don't understand," Omar said. "When the black dragon commanded Captain Riggardo to make the entire realm human only, everything went crazy."
"Wait," I said. "He's working with a black dragon?"
"There's more than one?" Omar asked.
"Everyone hold on a second," Sarah said.
She commanded attention whenever she put effort into it. This was no exception.
"If Captain Riggardo's working with a black dragon, it's likely the same one we're after, but there's no telling. The game might throw chaos our way to confuse us."
"Yeah," I said, nodding.
"Game?" Riggardo asked. "Never mind. You can tell me once I join your adventuring party," Omar said. "We'll have much to discuss, I'm sure."
Would he turn out to be another player? And if so, from where? I decided to trust him until he gave us reason not to anymore.
"I don't know," Bernard said. "After Sylvar betrayed us..."
"Who's Sylvar?" Omar asked. "Is he relevant to the case?"
"None of this applies to the case," Sarah said. "Can we get back to the business at hand? Please?"
"Sylvar's a ranger who betrayed us in another realm," I said. "That's all."
I stared over at Sarah. She wouldn't look me in the eyes.
"Back to the case," Omar said. "So, you know, if I'm caught helping you, it's punishable by death."
"You're our attorney," Bernard said. "That makes no sense."
Nothing in the Tower of Gates made any sense.
"What about our equipment?" Sarah asked.
"I'll have it brought into the courtroom as evidence. Once we make the judge appear as a hobgoblin, you can grab everything in the confusion and we'll make our getaway. Rusty the bailiff will go out the back, bring our wagon around, and be waiting for us."
"This plan is too complicated," Sarah said, shaking her head. "Will he allow me to cast a spell?"
"Probably not, so we'll distract him," I said. "This is a decent plan."
Bernard shook his head but said nothing. Ewen tapped his fingers on the table impatiently, both him and Evan still smiling, their over-sized heads bobbing up and down.
"I need to go," Omar said, standing up. "Tomorrow, we'll find out if this works or not. If it does, I'm ready to adventure to the ends of the realm if necessary."
"We're headed to the Pit of Doom," Evan said as if it were a simple, normal thing to do.
I need to talk to him about blurting out our business.
"That's fine with me," Omar said. "I'll be happy to get out of Esterhollow and hang-out with some cool dwarves."
I trusted him a little more as he smiled, his face full of excitement.
We'd find out in less than twenty-four hours. After Omar left, guards returned two at a time and led each of us away separately. Evan cried as they carried him away first.
"Hang on, buddy," I called out.
"Bozos," Ewen said as they pulled him away next.
"We got this," I said to Sarah and Bernard.
Neither of them appeared convinced.
As the guards returned me to my cell, I wondered if we had a fighting chance. With a corrupt justice system, we might've made a mistake by not fighting our way out.
Sleep evaded me most of the night. I tossed and turned on the pile of hay on the cold, dirt floor. When they arrived, my dreams were filled with monsters and running.
()xxxx[:::: Chapter 7 ::::>
Gauntlet Fits, You Must Acquit
SARAH
I sat on the floor with my back to one of the walls of my cell, staring into space.
"Are you okay?" Charlotte asked in my mind.
Yeah, I replied without speaking. Thinking through tomorrow.
"You'll do great."
Thanks, Charlotte.
While my spider familiar had faith in me, I wasn't so sure. Had we cheated the odds by making it to level one-two without dying? Could we survive without the equipment we'd amassed?
The answers to my questions never appeared as I waited for the guards to arrive and take me to the courtroom. I hadn't touched the slimy, foul-smelling gruel they'd left for breakfast.
Water alone wouldn't keep my nourished, but I wasn't hungry or weak enough to eat what they'd left. I hoped we'd escape during the trial and be on our way once again.
As on level one-one, progress on our "easy" quest had slowed to a standstill. Would we find Axelrod in the Woodshore Forest or was it a time-based quest we had missed?
Even if we found him and picked up other party members, were we ready to take on a black dragon? I doubted we would even get that far without one or more of us dying.
"Why are you so negative?" Charlotte asked.
Excuse me?
"You heard me, Sarah. We're strong, smart, and we will survive."
I smiled and struggled to my feet.
You're right. Thanks for the reminder.
"I'm here to help you, Sarah."
Her calling me Sarah blended the lines of reality and the game even more, but I didn't mind. Part of me enjoyed hearing my favorite red sack spider say my name.
Two guards in black armor entered the room outside my cell. I wondered about the others, worried for Evan especially. He acted so young. Was he a child in real life?
A guard opened the gate.
"Get out here," he barked.
The other man snickered and leered.
"You like what you see?" I asked as I walked out.
"Stupid elf," the guard said then shoved me forward.
You okay, Charlotte?
"I'm fine, Sarah, but don't antagonize them."
Lessons on etiquette from a spider. Great.
"You're going to get what you deserve today," the guard behind me said.
I walked out of the r
oom and down a hallway. The others were being led from similar rooms. We ended up in the courtroom. Humans of all shapes and sizes packed every bench.
A long, rectangular table sat positioned in front of the room. It faced a massive and intricately carved desk raised on a stage. Captain Riggardo sat behind it.
He looked up as we entered, a smug smirk on his face. The imposing black plate mail he wore didn't help matters. I took a seat between Eric and Bernard.
The brownies were further down the table with Evan on the very outer edge. I glanced around the room and noticed the chest full of our equipment.
Someone had placed my staff against it. I missed the sense of power it game me when holding it, even if it only charged wands and allowed us to talk OOC.
"Order," Captain Riggardo yelled, slamming a gavel down repeatedly.
The chatter in the room behind us died down. It went completely quiet after he banged a few more times. He stared down at us, looking from one face to another.
I looked over at Omar on the other end of the table and asked, "Where's the prosecution?"
Our attorney frowned then turned his attention to Captain Riggardo.
"Done with the chit-chat, are we?" the menacing head of the Black Guard asked.
"Yes, your honor," Omar said. "As my clients are new in the city, they were unaware that you're prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner because we're in a state of war."
"Constant state of war," Captain Riggardo barked.
The audience behind us murmured their approval.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," Bernard said.
"That's enough talking from the accused," Captain Riggardo said. "I know the complaint, and I'm ready to pass down my judgement unless there's any evidence that backs up the defendants' claims that they're innocent."
I glanced at Omar and saw him swallow nervously.
"No, your honor," he said.
"Wait," I hissed. "The thing."
"Oh, yeah," Omar said. "We'd like to present evidence, but it's a matter of security. I request a few minutes in your chambers privately."
"No," Captain Riggardo said.
Omar glanced over, a stunned look on his face.
"Do the accused have anything to say for themselves before sentencing?" Captain Riggardo asked.
Eric stood.
Here we go.
"I do," he said. "We've got evidence, but we can't talk about it here openly."
Captain Riggardo leaned forward, intensely staring at Eric.
"Do you think I'm stupid? That's not going to happen."
I put my hand on Eric's arm, worried about what might happen next.
A commotion at the back of the room got everyone's attention.
When I turned around, I saw three guards struggling with a tall, bulky half-orc.
Josh? I wondered.
Captain Riggardo slammed his gavel down.
"Order," he yelled. "Order in my court. What's going on back there?"
"We found this orc scum openly walking through the city," a guard said.
"My name's Yokan, and I'm a half-orc," the barbarian growled. "I've got as many rights as a full human."
"Bring him forward," Captain Riggardo yelled.
"It's do or die time," I said to Eric then cast a spell.
Someone probably saw me, but I didn't care. Captain Riggardo shimmered then took on the appearance of a hobgoblin as the guards reached the front of the room.
"Hey, what's going on?" one of them yelled.
I stood on my chair, stepped to the table, then leaped forward to the chest containing all our items. Everyone in the room went nuts as Captain Riggardo, looking like a hobgoblin, stood.
"Secure the prisoners," he barked.
The guards looked at each other with a look of confusion on their faces. Eric and the others used the opportunity to run toward me and the chest near the judge's bench.
"Get them now," Captain Riggardo yelled.
"Smash time," Yokan screamed as he pushed the guards away.
I grabbed my staff and bag while Eric and the others gathered their weapons.
"Get the chest," I said, looking around the room.
Half the people in the audience had run outside while the others cowered in the back.
"Omar, we need your help," Eric shouted.
The attorney glanced up at Captain Riggardo then rushed over toward us.
Meanwhile, the half-orc had gone into a rage, punching, kicking and biting anything close.
The guards, even in their armor, fell to the floor in a heap.
"I've got the chest," Omar grunted. "The wagon is outside."
"Let's go," Eric said.
Captain Riggardo leaped over his desk and landed a few feet away from us. Yokan barreled past, knocking into him. The two wrestled as Eric led the others toward the back door.
"Hold on," I said. "We can't leave Josh."
"We can't control that barbarian right now," he hissed.
"I've got an idea..."
Before he told me not to, I cast my new Freeze Person spell. As soon as I touched the barbarian's arm, he froze, a look of confusion on his face.
Captain Riggardo pushed him away and turned.
"You're going to pay," he shouted then rushed into me.
I leaped to the side just in time for Eric to run forward. His sword slid into Captain Riggardo's stomach. The others in the courtroom were clearing out fast as I cast another spell.
Three discs of lava shot out of my palms and connected with Captain Riggardo. He cried out and fell to the floor in a heap. Blood flowed from his stomach as his clothes burned.
Eric turned.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
I nodded.
"Bernard, can you help us?" I asked.
"Of course," he said. "Ewen, Evan, watch the door and look for the wagon."
The brownies took off toward the back of the courtroom. Bernard and I each picked up one of the barbarian's legs while Eric lifted both of his arms.
"What about Captain Riggardo?" Eric asked, standing over him with sword drawn.
"Leave him be," I said. "Maybe he won't come after us. Let's get Josh out of here."
Eric put his sword away then picked up Josh's feet.
"He's too heavy," he said, breathing heavy. "How long does this spell last?"
"A while longer," I said. "Let's drag him."
We dropped Yokan to the wooden floor and dragged him toward the back.
"Are you sure we need to take a half-orc barbarian?" Omar asked.
He adjusted his grip on the chest he was holding.
"Yes," I said. "He's joining our party too."
"Well, I'm not a member yet, but..."
"Let's go," Eric grunted as he dragged the barbarian's body to the back.
I looked around at the chaos we'd caused in the courtroom. The Black Guard would come looking for us. Who would take Captain Riggardo's spot? I wondered.
"Hurry up," Eric called from the doorway. "We've got to go."
I snapped out of my thoughts and dashed to the back of the courtroom. Outside, a covered wooden wagon stood in middle of the road.
A goofy-looking guy sat in front, hands on the reins.
"Get everything inside," Eric said.
Yokan's head dragged along the ground.
"Hey, be careful," I said.
"Check out this wagon," Evan called from the doorway to our getaway vehicle. "It's terrific."
"That's great, Evan," I said as I walked over.
Eric and Bernard lifted the bulky barbarian into the wagon.
"Guards are coming," the man in front said. "We've got to go."
The wagon lurched forward.
"Hey," I yelled, running after it.
Eric hung out the open door and offered his hand.
"Come on. You got this," he said.
I grabbed his wrist and ran faster. He helped me inside as the wagon raced down the middle of the street. Men and women yelled all around
as I closed the door.
"Where's Ewen and Evan?" I asked, glancing around the packed interior.
"Up here," Evan called from an open hatch on the roof. "Cool, huh?"
I smiled, not wanting to upset him, then looked over at Eric.
"We made it," he said, grinning.
I shook my head. "Barely."
"Way too close for my liking," Bernard said as he sat on a bench, his feet resting on Yokan's chest.
I sat down across from him and looked down at the barbarian. He would be waking up soon. Had his barbarian rage ended or would he fly into another one?
Eric sat next to me while Omar took a seat next to Bernard toward the front of the wagon.
"Where's the driver going?" I asked.
Omar opened a window and called through, "Where are you going, Rusty?"
"Away from the city," the man yelled.
Evan popped his head inside and said, "We're being followed, Sarah. They're shooting arrows."
"Get in here," I said.
The brownies popped back into the wagon.
"I can't cast a spell up there if we're moving so fast, but I can try my bow."
"No," Eric said. "We're safe in here for now. Can Rusty go any faster?"
Omar shouted at the driver to hurry then screamed in pain.
"You're stepping on my toe," he shouted.
Evan stepped back, falling into my lap.
"Careful," I said.
He moved and sat between Eric and me.
"Did you see how many men are chasing us?" Eric asked.
Evan nodded.
"Three men on horses and another wagon," he said.
Ewen sat down between Omar and Bernard on the opposite bench.
"Maybe we can outrun them," Eric said. "I'm out of ideas."
"At least we got away," Bernard said. "That was close."
Yokan the barbarian stirred on the floor, slowly regaining consciousness.
"What did you do to me?" he groaned. "My head hurts."
Must be a side-effect of the spell, I noted.
"You weren't able to hear anything when you were frozen?" I asked, curious about the specifics of the new mid-level spell.
"I heard it all, Sarah." Josh sat up, rubbing his head. "You think I'm an idiot, but I'm not. This game is messed up. Hey, why didn't I get a penalty?"
"Sarah's staff," Eric said. "And our Amulet of the Party. Sorry about that last big battle, man."
"Oh, the one where you let me die?" Josh asked.
