In the silence that filled the room, a growl issued from where the fiery Azbekt stood, but a fierce glare from the High Justicar, prevented the paladin from speaking his outrage. As one, the members of the court turned to look at the wall where Joe’s accusations and the judges' names were listed.
Rozzetta’s low voice reached Joe’s ear. “If the Speaker of Fates agrees that he must be the one to judge you, the wall will change to give you a choice of quests.”
“And how long …” Joe’s words trailed off as Hawking provided the answer. The stone slab smoothed, and new letters quickly began to fill the space. Joe heard the gnome whisper the word “Yes!” victoriously under her breath.
RIDDLES IN BLOOD [Legendary]
The Threat of the Blood King continues to grow as his Red Army consumes the neighboring lands. Find the King in Red’s weakness and help bring about his downfall.
MOONLIT MASSACRES [Epic]
For the last seven months, on the nights of the full moons, Peregrine Harbor has suffered a series of horrific murders. Find the killer and end its reign of terror.
SILENCE ON THE SHORE [Uncommon]
For the last two weeks, no one has heard from the village of Piperrill. Go and investigate why this shoreline community has gone silent.
“Joe, as the accused,” Rozzetta began quickly and loudly before Lord Meend could take the floor from her. “You have the first right of refusal. You can remove one of these options. The accusing party then chooses which other one to refuse. Those two refusals will leave you with the ordained quest from the One Above. Which one do you wish to reject?”
The choice was obvious to Joe. From everything he had heard so far, this Blood King sounded like a multi-national threat. Even though his heart still went out to the refugees, he knew he was in no way ready for some massive espionage quest to bring down Sauron and his evil army. He knew that his haphazard build and single-digit level stood no chance in a legendary-level quest.
“We are not doing ‘Riddles in Blood’. This Blood King sounds horrible and needs to be stopped, but I don’t have the skills or strength to tackle a problem that big. Especially when I have only been here in Illuminaria for a few days. There is too much I don’t know to try to face something that overwhelming.”
“High Justicar Lilgr Ogisöng. As the accuser is the Celestial Throne,” the archon stated in her toneless flat voice, “it is your right to name a warden to oversee the awarded quest. Whom do you choose?”
“It seems we have a perfect candidate here with us,” Gauldus remarked drolly, once again, peering at the room over his steepled fingers. “The choice, of course, is yours, Brother Ogisöng, but were it mine, I would surely choose the valorous paladin in our midsts. Who could be a more ordained champion than he?”
Joe groaned at the jotun’s look of glee. “I do think you are quite right, Brother Meend. Who better to wrangle this fell outlander than the very hero who captured him and brought him to our justice?”
Judge Ogisöng turned and addressed the dwarf. “Sir Azbekt, would you accept this duty, to become the guardian of the realm over this dissident, ensuring he does not incite disorder and rebellion while he completes his divine directive?”
“I do, Your Honor,” Azbetk proclaimed. “I will guarantee his good behavior until he can be banished back to whatever depraved realm he came from.” Stepping forward, the dwarf peered at the inscribed slab. “His cowardice is no surprise to me. The one task that this kingdom most greatly needs, of course, is the one he spurns.” The fanatic leveled a look of utter contempt at Joe before continuing. “He will receive no coddling from me. I refute ‘Silence on the Shore.’ A simple uncommon task is insufficient to prove his tainted nature.”
“Then ‘Moonlit Massacres’ it shall be,” Glaudus announced. “Maybe something good can come of this travesty. The good people of Peregrine Harbor have suffered these horrid killings haunting our daily lives for too long. Our mighty have sought this villain, but so far, it has eluded them. Maybe this dark heart,” he stated, flicking a finger in Joe’s direction, “can aid in finding one as equally tainted by evil. With the righteousness of Phealti’s champion holding authority over the condemned, we may see an end to this dark shadow.”
“Are you as equally optimistic when the accused is in charge, Lord Meend?” Theodanis asked with just a hint of a grin on his face. “For the quest is not led by the overseer but by the one to whom it is given to. In this case, that would be Master Morris, not Sir Azbekt.”
The nobleman frowned for a brief second before returning his mask of superiority. “Quite right, Barrister Theodanis. Yet I realize we need not limit ourselves to just one lawful champion. Given the level of the endeavor, it is allowed by law for each of the four churches to provide a champion to the questing party. It would be folly to expect the Noble Azbekt to carry this novice alone through an epic-level quest. The Ecclesia of Glauri will put forth the notable monster hunter Count Valloc Randeau as our champion. I will send word, and he will be here in the morn.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
The centaur raised one of his massive hands to his chin and tugged at his short beard. “Excellent choice Lord Meend. The tales of Count Radeau’s exploits are well known and much revered,” his deep voice rumbled. “What about you, Lady Ghan?’
“I think I will propose something a bit different. My suggestion for Onhur’s champion is one who has already shown her degree of commitment to her word. She followed her contact to the letter even though it could have easily been assumed her assignment was completed days ago. Her familiarity with both of these two men is an asset as well. I think she will be instrumental in helping these two find neutral ground from which they can negotiate. Lady Hah’roo, would you consent to be the champion of the Keepers of Truth?”
Joe couldn’t help but smile at the stunned look on the typically nonplussed rope-dancer’s face. Valek Ghan’s face was expressionless, making it impossible to tell if she knew how badly she was blindsiding the galeling woman. Joe assumed Hah’roo had planned to just make a statement if needed and then head off to wherever the wind blew her next. Now she was being drawn into this bitter feud between him and two very powerful churches. Hah’roo looked around the room. When her gaze landed on Joe, he clasped his hands together and gave her the biggest puppy-dog look he could muster. She responded with a slight bob of her head, not a shake or nod but something between the two. At the same time, the corners of her mouth cricked upward in a small smile, which Joe took as a good sign.
“I am not sure what help I will be, but I would be honored to serve the Truth Keepers. I have worked with the followers of Onhur in the past and have found your order to be fair with both your contracts and rates. We can discuss my fee after the meeting,” she replied in a very business-like tone but with a very pleased look on her face. Ghan simply raised a brow and eventually nodded her head.
“That just leaves the Righteous Hall,” Gauldus continued. “What say you, Barrister?”
Theodonus rubbed his chin and stared off into the distance. “I think I would like to deliberate on our choice for this assignment rather than choose the first champion that comes to mind. Our selection will join the accused when it is appropriate for my agent to do so.”
“Of course, they will,” Lilr Ogisöng declared with a derisive sneer. “Do not take too long to make your choice, sir. The first of the three nights of the full moon begins tomorrow night. This party has no time to waste.”
“I will determine best how justice will be served,” the centaur retorted. “Even if it is by not selecting a champion at all. I would worry more about your own champion's zealotry, Ogisöng. He seems to be spinning out of order before the quest has even begun.”
“Judges. Judges. Let us not quarrel like common rabble. It is unseemly,” Gauldus rebuked. “As for the outlander, Sir Azbekt. Until the quest begins, he remains your prisoner; though he is still under the purview of the Fourfold Court. What is your recommendation? Do we set him free on parole, or do you wish him to be held in custody?”
“That treacherous outlander? Custody, of course. If we let him loose, I am sure we would never see him again. I say we place him in the Blackyard Gaol for the night.”
Theodanis let out a tiny sigh. “One, Blackyard Gaol is for convicted criminals, not individuals temporarily being held by the courts. Two, it is days from here. How do you expect the accused to participate tomorrow, if he is still en route to a far-distant prison?”
“Fine,” the paladin spat. “Toss him in a city jail with the rest of the vagrants and miscreants. We can pull him out when you get around to doing your duty, Barrister.”
The centaur shook his huge head as if ashamed of the dwarf’s vitriol.
Joe saw his advocate about to object to his incarceration, but a whispered voice stopped her. The gnome turned and leaned close to Hah’roo. The pair brought their heads together for a quick, quiet conference.
“Mistress Ithnikcot?” the hard flat voice of Velek Ghan declared. “Are you objecting to this outcome?”
“Um, no, Your Honor,” Rozzetta replied before glancing back at the white-skinned huntress again. Hah’roo ducked her head in an affirming nod. “No, your Honor,” the gnomish lawyer reiterated, turning back to Velek. “We have no objection, at this time, to local incarceration until the quest is underway.”
Before anyone else could speak up, Gauldus Meend snatched the floor once more. “I think we have reached the end of these proceedings for now. Let us all withdraw, and we can reconvene once the Moonlight Slayer has been apprehended. I thank you all for your diligence. Good day, all.” In a flourish, the man stood and swept away from the bench, practically leading the jotun and dwarf with himself out of the chamber.
A trio of guards entered the room and surrounded Joe. Their armor somewhat reminded Joe of the mail worn by Roman centurions. The one with the most ornamentation on her sash turned to Rozzetta. “We will be escorting the prisoner to the city jail now unless you have any last-minute discussion.”
“Only a moment, Maam.” the small advocate replied. “Joe, that went better than I expected. I know it seems like we lost, but in all honesty, you are being given the lead in an epic quest with a team of very competent allies. If you keep your temper and use your head, you may come out of this scott-free and with a significant advancement. Go with these soldiers for now and try not to cause any trouble.”
“I haven’t been causing trouble,” Joe answered, holding up his hands.
“Then try not to let any more trouble find you. You seem to be a magnet for it.”
As Joe was led out of the room, he had a nagging feeling that Rozzetta was right. Trouble did seem to keep dogging his heels. On his way to the waiting cell, he hoped that, at least for one night, he’d be safe from any new catastrophes.