Peter sat there and said nothing more.
The deputy who shut the door stood guard inside to prevent any escape by the prisoner while the other guarded the entrance from the outside to stop anyone from entering the inn without permission. It did not stop people cueing up outside, trying to get a look in through the windows. At the front of the window to the left were Jert, Huri, Kireth, and Braten.
Many witnesses were called for the prosecution and dismissed; a few were called for the defense, mostly Wizards and Witches. Then Peter saw the last witness to be called. He didn’t know which side she was for, though he thought he had an idea. The woman stepped up to the witness table. He recognized her immediately. He didn’t know her name, though the day before she had given him a dirty look, as if to say she knew there was something different about him. He dreaded the thought of what this old woman might say and was sure that whatever it was, it wouldn’t help him in any way. Peter felt his freedom slipping away. He couldn’t get away, for the guilt of the death of that little girl was beginning haunt him even now.
The old lady took the oath and proceeded to tell all that she had seen and how she felt about what had happened, not to mention her own opinion of what should be done.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” she said to the mayor. “This boy has done nothing wrong, and in my opinion, he should not only be set free, he should also be rewarded for his trouble. To think I voted for you. Shame on you!”
Peter’s mouth trailed on the ground as those words fell from the old lady’s mouth, and he felt pride surge though him.
When she was on her way out, she gave Peter wink and said. “Don’t worry, my lord, you’re not forgotten.”
Peter was even more surprised by this woman, who he had thought might be his downfall. And she was not the only one to stand up for him. The town was almost equally divided.
“What was that all about?” asked Peter. “Last time I saw her, she threw me the dirtiest look.”
“That is Heice. She is a Wicca and the first sent here by the Grand Wizard,” said Euol.
“I would like to get on with it now,” said the Magistrate.
Euol argued for over an hour, trying to convince the mayor that his King wasn’t at fault. “If anybody is to blame here, it’s those idiots who believed the Ledgites, not this boy. If the people of this town had any backbone or any sense whatsoever, they would have killed those things when they first stepped into the town. However, we didn’t, and yes, I say we because I am as much to blame as anyone, as I too did nothing. And I’ll tell you this, lord mayor, if anything; we are indebted to young Drago, for if he hadn’t stepped in when he did, Kayie would have had a far more gruesome death. At least now she can be with her family and friends.”
“I thought the boy’s name was Dermo?” said the mayor as he looked at Euol and then the sheriff, who looked just as confused. “So you lied about that too,” the magistrate said to Peter.
“Euol, I know you think you’re right in some way. You have to understand that I have to set an example. If I let this Wizard or whatever he is go free, that would be like telling others of his kind that they can walk all over us. I’m sorry, I can’t let that happen.”
“You let those dirty things walk into our home and not only walk all over us, you practically let them jump up and down and stamp their feet and their stink into this town and its people. Then you helped them take and take. Then, when it finally goes too far, you try to prosecute the only person who was willing to stand up for this town, and he’s not even from here. WHAT ARE YOU? COMPLETELY STUPID OR SOMETHING? THE BOY IS INNOCENT! I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT YOU HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AT LEAST!” the Wizard yelled at the mayor.
“ONE MORE OUTBURST LIKE THAT AND I’LL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE YOU REMOVED FROM THIS COURT!” shouted the mayor in retaliation.
“How quickly you forget that this building belongs to me, and if anybody will be getting thrown, out it will be you,” said Euol a little calmer.
“We will break for a recess and be back in this room in one hour’s time. And when I say an hour, I mean an hour. I’m afraid the boy will have to stay here under the supervision of the sheriff’s good deputies,” said the Magistrate. “And I suggest that you use this time to calm yourself down.”
Euol was about to protest that Peter could have easily escaped custody and could not really be held, when the boy grabbed his wrist. “It’s okay, I’ll stay here,” he said.
The Wizard nodded and left his pub, ranting to himself furiously. “The man’s an idiot, I don’t know how he ever got to be mayor,” he said to his friends just before the door closed behind him.
“Not so loud. People might hear you,” said Kireth.
“Let them hear. I don’t care.”
They walked away down the street to the only other tavern in the town, the Tidy Brook Inn. As soon as they opened the door, the very thin smell of tobacco and weed hit them. They weren’t surprised to see that the place was almost empty. They knew that most of the people were outside the Huffy Hog waiting for news. They were glad they were alone and sat in a corner.
The innkeeper saw them as they entered and left the bar to see them.
“Good afternoon,” he said. “It’s not often I see you lot in here.”
“Oh, please. We were here two weeks ago, Feruy,” said Euol.
“Well, if you say so,” said Feruy. “So what’ll it be?” the innkeeper reached into the large pocket on his apron and pulled out a piece of parchment and a small thin black box. He opened the box, and in it was a tiny quill and thin carton of ink.
“Nothing for me, thanks,” said Euol.
“Same,” said Kireth.
“I’ll have a juice, please. It doesn’t matter what type,” said Huri.
“That’s fine. And you Jert?”
“I’ll have the lunch time special and the same drink as Huri,” said the farmer.
“How can you eat at a time like this?” said Kireth.
“Well, a birds gotta fly, a fish has gotta swim, Jert’s gotta eat.”
His plump wife shook her head in disbelieve. “Jert, I’m hungry, but the thought of that poor boy in there all on his own sickens me so much that I couldn’t eat a pick,” said Huri, tears filling her eyes.
“Cancel the lunch, if you don’t mind. Just the drink please,” the farmer said to the innkeeper.
Feruy crossed the lunch order off of the small piece of parchment and headed for the bar.
“So what are we going to do?” asked Jert.
“I think we break the door down and take him by force,” said Braten.
Euol smiled. “I remember when we used to be as eager as that,” he said to Jert, “but the truth is, we promised we wouldn’t do a thing unless he says otherwise. And besides, somehow I think that if he wanted to escape, he wouldn’t need our help. No, he’s feeling guilty, and there’s also the fact that if he tries to escape, someone else could get hurt, and that would only make things worse. The only way is to convince the mayor that he’s innocent.”
“Yes, and you did a great job of that didn’t you?” said Kireth abruptly.
“I know I lost my temper. But can you blame me? The man’s impossible. All he cares about is winning the stupid town election,” replied Euol as he turned to look at his son. “Braten, go and see how the girl’s doing and stay there. If anything happens, come back and let us know. And don’t get in the way of anyone; just try and blend in to the background. The last thing those people need at the minute is any annoyance.”
“Okay, don’t worry. They won’t even know that I’m there,” said Braten. He got up and ran out of the building.
“Wait,” said Jert. “That’s it! I’ve got it!”
“I hope it’s not catching,” said Peter.
The others jumped at the sound of his voice.
“What the hell are you doing here?” said Huri. “You’re going to get in even more trouble than you already are.”
“Well
, to try and answer your question, I don’t think I am here,” said Peter.
“I think you’re right,” said Euol running his hand through Peter’s head, a blue glow radiated from wherever the Wizard moved his hand. “You must be projecting your image to us, and your body must be still in the Huffy Hog.”
“I think where I come from, they call it astral projection or something like that,” said Peter. “But that doesn’t matter. What’s your idea?” he said to the farmer.
“Be careful. He hasn’t had a good idea since we got married,” said Huri sarcastically.
“Funny,” said Jert, clearly not the slightest bit amused. Unlike his companions, who tried to hide their smiles.
“Okay, jokes aside. We’d better hurry,” said Peter. “I don’t know how long I can keep this up.”
“Yes, well, as I was about to say,” said Jert. “Euol, what you’re doing in there is wrong.”
“Everyone’s a critic,” said the innkeeper.
“No, no, you don’t understand, old friend. What I mean is, you should be doing everything you can to get Drago the death penalty.”
The group went completely silent.
“Have you gone totally barmy, or what?” said Euol.
“No, of course not,” said Jert.
“Ask a stupid question,” said Huri.
“Please think about what I’m saying. When someone gets the death sentence and it’s carried out, that means that they’ve paid for their crimes in full right,” said the farmer.
“Of course,” said Euol, quickly catching on to the plan. “Why that’s genius.”
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but I still don’t get it,” said Peter.
“Drago, do you remember when we tried to tell you everything we knew about Wizard-Elves?” the innkeeper asked the boy. “Particularly the part about the only known way for a Wizard-Elf to die.”
“Yeah, you said that the only way to really kill one of us is to cut off our heads,” replied Peter a little anxiously.
“Exactly, and the death penalty here is either by hanging or by burning,” said Jert.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t think I like either of those any more than the beheading.”
“I’m sure, but unlike the beheading, you come back to life from the others,” said the farmer.
“Oh, and another thing, if I were you, I’d hope for burning,” said Euol.
“And why’s that?” asked Huri.
“Because only magical fire can harm Wizards. The Normal variety only itches like mad,” said Jert. “I know I’d prefer that to the hanging,” he said as he took hold of his shirt collar and pulled it to one side as though acting it out.
“So that’s what we’ll do then?” said Peter.
“If you say so,” said Kireth. “We can’t make you do it if you don’t want to.”
“Good, cause I don’t think I can hold on here much longer,” said the boy.
“Then don’t fight it. Go back and I’ll see you soon,” said Euol.
There was a dim blue light, and Peter vanished.
The remaining friends sat there going over everything that was said in the pub.
“How in the name of Talwen did that arse get to be mayor?” said Jert.
“I know what you mean,” said Euol. “Well, it’s that time again.” They thanked Feruy and then headed out the door of the pub and traced their steps back to the Huffy Hog.
“Now that we’re all here,” said the mayor.
“I’m not late, am I?” asked Euol sarcastically.
“No not at all, Euol. Please take your seat,” said the mayor quite pleasantly.
“If you have no objections, I would like to confer with the defendant in private.” said the innkeeper.
“Very well, if you must,” said the Magistrate. “Well, you know this establishment better than anyone here.”
“Thank you.” The Wizard took Peter to a small storeroom behind the bar.
“What’s wrong?” asked Peter, who was alarmed by this change in plan.
“There’s nothing wrong, at the moment anyway,” replied Euol. “I just wanted to tell you that I think it would be more convincing if you pled guilty and drop the hint that you should get the death penalty. But try to make him think it was his idea, and that it’s the right thing to do.”
“Somehow, I get the feeling that won’t be too hard.”
Just then the door opened, and Jaroe stood in the doorway. “Your time is up,” said the sheriff. As the two got to where the man stood, he looked at Peter. “I hope you know that if it were up to me, you would already been set free, my lord.”
“My lord,” Peter repeated. “You’re a Wizard?”
“No, I’m a Warlock, actually. You’ve already seen my grandmother, Heice,” said Jaroe.
“Right,” said Peter, remembering the old Witch. But he still wondered why she gave him the dirty look. He didn’t mention it to the sheriff. Besides, perhaps she hadn’t, and it was all his imagination. He decided to put it out of his mind. After all, it’s not as if it truly mattered.
“So are you happy with the time given?” asked the mayor smugly.
“I suppose so,” shrugged the innkeeper.
“May I be allowed to speak?” asked Peter suddenly.
“If it’s about what we talked about, I would advise you not to say a word, my friend,” Euol lied, doing a good job by sounding grave.
Euol’s performance was so convincing that the judge felt delighted, as he now saw a chance to end the trial quickly. For if Peter admitted to the charge, he could be done before teatime. “If he wants to speak, that is completely his choice, and I have no objection,” said the mayor, not able to hide his joy.
“I’m sure, after all, you are hoping to end this farce as soon as you can,” said Euol, rising from his seat, which only made the Wizards act all the more convincing. “So you can make a great speech about how you single-handedly brought down, and I quote, ‘a great danger to our town.’ After all, this is an election year, and you need to secure your position.”
“THAT’S IT! THAT’S IT!” bellowed the mayor. “Bailiff, please take this man from my court.”
“I’ve already told you that this building belongs to me, and I will not be thrown out of my own home by someone who would destroy the life if a young man just to keep himself in power. But I assure you that you will not win the election this year if I have anything to with it.”
“You say ‘young man,’ but I think it’s quite clear to all of us that whatever he is, he is in no way a man,” said the mayor.
“Well, to tell you the truth, I’m not exactly sure that you’re a man either. More of a Yowtil,” said Euol.
Peter had no idea what that was, though he knew that it must have been a terrible insult, as the mayor jumped straight out of his seat.
“How dare you! Do you think because I’ve allowed you to act as his defense,” said the Magistrate, throwing a look at Peter, “that you can act like you’re someone special? I wouldn’t go shooting my mouth off if were you, Euol. After all, certain questions could pop up, like when Jert brought this boy to town, why did you, of all people, shack him up?” said the Judge, convincing himself that he had the innkeeper by the toes.
“I don’t know,” said Euol smiling: putting the index finger of his right hand to his lips and looking around. “Perhaps because this is an inn, and in establishments such as this people have been known to rent out rooms to those who want somewhere to stay. I mean, this wouldn’t be much of an inn if I didn’t rent out rooms, now would it?”
“YOU’RE TRYING TO MAKE ME OUT TO BE A FOOL!” shouted the mayor.
“Why would I need to bother? You’re doing a good enough job of it all on your own,” laughed the innkeeper.
“I’m losing my temper with you,” said the mayor.
“First your grip on reality, and now your temper. Wow, you’ll be losing your mind next,” said Euol.
“GUARD, TAKE THIS MAN OUT OF MY SIGHT
IMMEDIATELY!”
“Go,” said Peter. “It’s okay; I never really wanted anyone to help anyway.” the boy lied.
The Wizard said nothing; he just gave Peter a slight wink then headed for the door in the understanding that his role was now over. Before he got there, the deputy grabbed him by the arm as though to show him out. Euol pulled away. “I think I can find my own way out,” he said to the man.
“I’m sorry, I have my orders. I can’t help that,” said the guard. He proceeded to lead the Wizard out the doors. When the doors had closed, Peter stood up and pled guilty to all charges.
“And if I could have traded places with the girl, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought,” he added at the end of his confession.
“So you feel guilty, my young friend, and you wish to make amends for all that you have caused?” said the mayor joyfully. He could just see himself winning the election, for he knew that most of the townsfolk were on his side.
“Yes, I feel guilty, and I know I should be punished,” said Peter.
“Good, good. I will tell you now with regret,” lied the mayor, “that there is only one punishment that can fit the crimes in which you have committed. The penalty is death, and as you have confessed, there is nothing anyone can do to stop this sentence from coming to pass.”
“I understand,” said the boy as he felt all sorts of strange emotions run riot in his head.
“Fine,” said the mayor. “Then there is no reason for any delay. I therefore sentence you to hang until you are dead. Do you understand and accept that?”
“Yes,” said Peter, feeling a bit uncertain, for he would indeed confess that he was afraid to go through with it, in case his friends were wrong. If so, then he would die, and his family and friends would know nothing of how or even why he gave his life. But he had faith in those people; they had taken him in and told him things about himself that he did not even know. “I trust them,” he said to himself, and all doubt exited his mind as quickly as it had entered. Not only his faith in his new friends had made this happen. There was something else he couldn’t explain, a feeling of power and immortality. Then he knew that they were right. For the first time, he believed that he was a Draga-Wizard-Elf. Funny, he thought, The old Grand Wizard said this would happen, that one day I would just know who and what I am. Peter looked at the mayor. “Let’s get this over with,” said the boy confidently.
The Second Prophecy (Part 1 of the Dragdani Prophecies) Page 28