News of María and Pícaro's capture spread rapidly through the kingdom's magical communication network. This network, known as the "Crystal Whisper," consisted of a series of communication crystals strategically distributed in outposts and major cities. Each crystal was attuned to its counterpart in the capital, allowing for instant exchange of urgent messages.

The guard officer at the border fortress, recognizing the peculiarity of María's case, immediately activated the local crystal. With an activation spell, the crystal began to glow with a faint blue light. The officer spoke directly into the crystal, detailing the capture of an elderly woman protecting a live goblin.

In the capital, the corresponding crystal in Archmage Thorian's office illuminated, emitting a soft hum. The on-duty assistant received the message and, doubting the legitimacy of the case, relayed it to Thorian.

♢♢♢♢

María stood in the crude hearing room of the border fortress, her hands chained and Pícaro in a cage beside her. The journey from the nursing home had been brutal for the old woman, with the guards treating her like a dangerous criminal. Now, before her stood Commander Darius, a man with a severe face and cold eyes.

"María of Greenview," the Commander's voice resonated in the room, "you have been brought before me for treason. Protecting an enemy creature is a crime punishable by death."

A shiver ran down María's spine, but she remained firm. "Sir, Pícaro is not an enemy. He's an innocent being who…"

"Silence!" Darius roared, slamming his fist on the table. "You are in no position to defend your actions, woman. The law is clear."

María's heart pounded, fear threatening to overwhelm her. She looked at Pícaro, who trembled in his cage, and found the strength to speak again.

"Commander, please. If you'd just give me the chance to explain..."

Darius looked at her with contempt, but before he could respond, a young officer rushed into the room.

"Sir," the officer said, his voice trembling, "an urgent message has arrived from the capital."

The Commander frowned, taking the sealed scroll. As he read it, his eyes widened with surprise and, María noticed, a flash of fear.

"It seems your case has caught the attention of someone important, old woman," Darius growled, crumpling the scroll. "Archmage Thorian will come personally to judge you."

A murmur of astonishment swept through the room. María felt her stomach twist. Archmage Thorian was known for his hatred of magical creatures.

"Until then," Darius continued, "you will be confined to the dungeons. And as for your little pet..." His eyes rested on Pícaro with a mixture of disgust and curiosity. "He will be studied by our mages. Perhaps we can learn something useful before his execution."

"No!" María cried, struggling against her chains. "You can't harm him! He's just a baby!"

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But her protests were ignored. The guards dragged her towards the dungeons, while others took Pícaro's cage in the opposite direction. The terrified squeals of the little goblin echoed through the stone corridors, tearing at María's heart.

In the darkness of her cell, María collapsed, tears running down her wrinkled cheeks. How did it come to this? How could she save Pícaro? And most importantly, what would happen when the Archmage arrived?

The following days were tormenting. María barely ate, her mind haunted by images of what they might be doing to Pícaro. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the little goblin's terrified eyes or heard his squeals of fear.

♢♢♢♢

Finally, on the third day, her cell door burst open. Two guards escorted her back to the hearing room, now filled with high-ranking officers and mages in bright robes.

In the center, imposing and threatening, stood Archmage Thorian. His electric blue eyes seemed to pierce María's soul.

"María of Greenview," his voice resonated with power, "you stand accused of treason against the kingdom. How do you plead?"

María straightened, gathering all her courage. "Innocent, sir. I have betrayed no one. I have only shown compassion for a defenseless creature."

Thorian arched an eyebrow. "Compassion? For a goblin? Those beasts only know how to breed without measure and have massacred thousands of our people. Have you forgotten that, old woman?"

"No, sir," María replied, her voice trembling slightly. "But Pícaro is different. He has intelligence, kindness. He could be the key to changing our relationship with these creatures."

A murmur of disbelief and ridicule swept through the room. Thorian looked at her silently for a long moment, his face inscrutable.

"A bold claim," he finally said. "But words are wind..."

María felt a flash of hope. "Let me prove it, sir. Give me the chance to show that I'm right."

Thorian turned to one of the mages, who nodded almost imperceptibly. "Very well," said the Archmage, turning back to María. "We will give you a chance to prove your words. But the price of failure will be your life... and that of your little friend."

María swallowed, aware of the gravity of the situation. But she knew this was her only chance. "I accept, sir. What will my test be?"

Thorian's eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "There is a fifth mana deposit near our city, María of Greenview. One we have been observing for years but have never been able to claim. It is located in the heart of the Shadow Forest."

María's heart raced. She had heard stories about that place, whispers of unimaginable horrors lurking among its trees.

"Your mission," Thorian continued, "will be to lead an expedition to the Shadow Forest and claim that mana deposit for our kingdom. If you succeed, you and your... pet will be pardoned. If you fail..."

He left the sentence unfinished, but the message was clear.

María closed her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply. When she opened them again, there was an iron determination in her gaze. "I accept the mission, sir."

Thorian nodded, a cold smile on his lips. "Excellent. You will depart at dawn. You will be provided with basic equipment, but the rest will depend on you and your... unconventional methods."

♢♢♢♢

To ensure María wouldn't escape during her mission, Archmage Thorian ordered a special artifact to be placed on her: the Oath Collar. This collar, covered in different runes, forged with an alloy of silver and mana crystals, was placed around María's neck before her departure.

The collar emitted a magical signal that could be detected over great distances by the kingdom's mages, allowing them to know María's exact location at all times.

As María was escorted back to her cell, her mind was reeling. She knew this mission was dangerous, possibly suicidal. But she also knew it was her only chance to save Pícaro and prove she was right.

In the darkness of her cell, María allowed herself a moment of weakness, tears running down her cheeks. But then, wiping her eyes, she began to plan.

"Soon, Pícaro," she whispered into the darkness. "Soon we'll be together again. And may the gods grant us much fortune, for we're going to need all of it."