“What a bloody commotion,” grumbled Beldrak. We were let into the town without problems, but we were hard-pressed to find an inn. There was one on the marketplace, but an angry throng of people was whirling just in front of it, and we could not get to the place without a scuffle.

“What are you doing all here anyway?” asked Trueanvil from a man who looked at us when the dwarf first spoke.

“Why, we are burning witches,” answered the fellow.

“As if more than one witch could fit into a hick town like this,” snorted Beldrak derisively. “You have most likely got some poor foolish cat’s-paw and let the real culprit away. That’s how it always happens, I have read enough about these rural witch-trials to know it.”

“That’s none of my business,” shrugged the man. “I am just here for fun.”

Beldrak spat out with disgust and continued to push and shove with us towards the inn. Then a shrill voice called on us.

“Hey, strangers! You there! You ain’t not from this town!”

The crowd parted somewhat, and we saw a town’s watch officer, the like you can find in all human settlement of the Misty Hills. Though this one was markedly shabby, it has to be said.

“Hardly a crime, is it now?” I asked with a frown.

“No, ‘course not!” the guardsman assured us. “Gods forbid! We are honest folks here, we ain’t got nothin’ against travellers!”

“Glad to hear,” answered Rhodarr. “How about you all move then, and let these cold and very hungry travellers into the inn?”

“We needs help, sir,” announced the man. “Mayor Schultheiß says we needs it badly. ‘Cause we got the wrong witches, maybe, he says. No way to know which one is real, he says.”

“All right, that’s enough, Sergeant Velario!” another voice snapped. A well-dressed fat man appeared right behind the guardsman. He was looking at us through a monocle. The mayor, no doubt. “Is a little discretion too much to ask for in this delicate situation?” huffed the man. Sergeant Velario shrugged unapologetically.

The townspeople gathered around, stared daggers at the two.

“You got the wrong ones?,” cried a woman.

“The real one might still be free?!” shouted a man outraged.

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“No, of course not!” shouted the mayor as loud as he could. “We are certain we have the real culprit! We are just not sure all three really are witches – that’s all!”

“Surprisingly sensible,” commented Beldrak. “I almost can’t believe this was supposed to be a witch trial.”

“I say we burn them all, to be on the safe side!,” yelled someone from the crowd, and others took up the cry.

“That’s more like it,” nodded Beldrak. “Now they are getting into the proper sentiment for murdering some innocents.”

“People! My friends!” shouted the mayor desperately. “Calm down! We are a small town with little experience in such matters. But here is a group of adventurers! They are none other than the famous… the famous…” the man looked at us pleadingly. I took pity of him. I took the sacks down from Gaius’ saddle and stood on his back. I made a gesture asking for silence, then started shouting.

“I am Arnold of Sky Hall, the one that slew Calcryx, the white dragon, who was known as the Terror of Oakhurst! I also killed the black dragon Nightscale, who you might have known as the Bane of the North! My companion here is Beldrak Trueanvil, the steadfast librarian, who uncovered the dangerous conspiracy of the well-known criminal, the rouge magician, Belak! And this is Jim, who slew said criminal! And there is also…” I saw Rhodarr disappearing behind the inn’s door. “Never mind, that’s plenty enough” I finished, sprang down from Gaius’ back and basked in a moderate applause.

If you find yourself before a crowd and have no idea what they expect of you, you can’t go wrong with spouting some vainglorious nonsense. That was something every Roman noble learnt early in his life.

“Thank you!” said the mayor, offering his hand. I shook it. He was a practitioner of the dead-fish-style handshake. It was unpleasant, but at least mercifully short.

“Arnold of Sky Hall and his friends will help us in the investigation!” shouted mister Schultheiß to the crowd. “As you heard, they are quite experienced in that sort of work! Now go home! I promise that by tomorrow we will know the name of the culprit beyond any doubt! Tomorrow, by sunset, we will burn the one that cursed our children!”

Grumbling and dissatisfied, but the crowd slowly dispersed. Now we could see the three women, who were standing on a dais, each of them tied to her own pole.

“Thank you for that,” repeated the mayor. “You have saved an innocent life.”

“One?” Jim raised his eyebrows. “I see three women here. If only one of them is a witch that makes two innocents.”

“There might be more than one witch” Schultheiß made a dismissing gesture. “But I am sure that one of them is innocent.”

“Your lady wife, no doubt,” observed Beldrak dryly.

“Gods forbid!” exclaimed the man. “My wife would never be even accused of such terrible deeds! The lady in question is merely a friend of mine. But I am certain she is the victim of a terrible misunderstanding. If you could come with me now to the guardhouse…”

“Nothing would make us happier than helping you out,” said Beldrak. “Right after we had had lunch.”

“Oh,” the man said lamely. “As it happens, I am also…”

“We will need to have a talk amongst ourselves,” I interjected firmly. “We have to discuss some things about our investigation. You will understand, no doubt. Go ahead and wait for us at the guardhouse. We will join you there shortly. Also, take these poor souls with you,” I nodded towards the bound women.

“After all, if all three froze to death, how would you burn them alive?” added Beldrak.