“Call your next witness,” Nanny Shank instructed.

“Prosecution calls Waldo Seevers,” I said. Just keep moving forward. Ignore the crowd.

Waldo stood quickly and walked toward the witness stand almost as fast. He clearly wanted to distance himself from Madigan.

I was going to try and start slower this time, “Could you please state your name.”

“You just said it to call me up here,” Waldo pointed out.

“Fair enough,” I admitted. “What do you do at the Mandir?”

“Objection: relevance,” Grimset called.

Nanny Shank looked at me.

“I am trying to build rapport?” I offered.

“Let’s stay on topic,” Nanny Shank pressed.

“Alright,” I turned to Waldo, “What is your relationship with Chet Adams?”

Waldo looked at Madigan before answering, “We are friends.”

“Okay, and what is your relationship with Travis Madigan?” I asked.

Again Waldo checked with Madigan before answering, “He is my teacher.”

“Could you elaborate on that, please?” I pressed.

Waldo’s eyes drifted back to Madigan. He waited for a nod, “He teaches me martial arts. I guess you could say he filled in after my dad died.”

“So you look up to him?” I asked.

“I guess,” Waldo said, after checking with Madigan.

“You listen to what he tells you?” I asked.

“Objection!” Grimset shouted.

“Okay I get it is more dramatic for me to ask why every time, but you need to start saying why you are objecting,” Nanny Shank said, not quite glaring at Grimset.

“Leading question, Nanny,” Grimset said, flatly.

“He has a point, Doug. Do you?” Nanny Shank turned to me.

“The relationships between the accused are core to the mechanics of the crime,” Toad offered when I hesitated. “To understand what happened to Tazia, the jury must understand the dynamics of the accused.”

“Fine but don’t waste time,” Nanny Shank said.

May as well get to the point, “Are you afraid of Madigan, Waldo?”

“Objection!” Grimset yelled again. After a moment and a sharp glare from Nanny Shank he added, “Character evidence and relevance.”

Nanny Shank looked at me.

“The character evidence side has been resolved with the previous objection, and as for the relevance. The witness has checked with Madigan before answering every question,” I said pointing back and forth from Waldo to Madigan.

This did set off a shitshow. A handful of goblins screamed abuse at Madigan. That caused people across the aisle to shout vitriol back. Which spiraled immediately.

A lot of folks saw that Madigan and Waldo just kept staring at each other.

Nanny Shank kicked the goblins that started the shouting out. Philip and several older goblins had to bodily remove one of them. After that, it took more than a little time to calm things down again. Eventually though order was restored.

It was beginning to get dark though. Brunhilda and I spent about twenty minutes of uproar crafting lamps

“Let’s get this going again,” Nanny Shank banged her hammer. “Doug, get to it.”

“Waldo, Did Madigan threaten you?” I asked.

The kid was sweating bullets as he gazed at Madigan. “I don’t want to answer that.” Waldo realized he messed up immediately.

I didn’t give him time to linger to amend, “Where were you last night?” I asked.

Waldo looked between Madigan and me several times, “I… was with Chet.” The kid was off balance.

I hated to do it, but gave him another push, “What were you doing?”

“Nothing,” Waldo said reflexively. That looked guilty as hell.

“What was Tazia doing?” I asked, keeping my voice calm.

Waldo was trying to not look at Madigan and also concerned with not looking guilty himself, “She was playing a harmonica.”

“Why did you throw her harmonica into the fire?” I asked.

“Chet approached her,” Waldo said. Before realizing that wasn’t my question. He really was quick to sell other people out. Well people other than Madigan anyway.

“And you followed him?” I pressed.

“I didn’t kill her,” Waldo said, “Chet did.”

“Who did?” I asked. This was the endgame of sorts with Waldo. His instinct to protect himself should punch through any instruction from Grimset, and hopefully Madigan.

Waldo looked over at Chet. Chet shrugged.

“Chet killed her… in a fight,” Waldo tacked the last bit on.

“Why did he do that?” I asked.

Waldo took the bait, “He doesn’t like goblins. We are always told to kill them. We were always told to take out the kids first. Stop them from breeding.” Waldo actually listened to what he just said. He frowned.

After that the crowd got excited again. It took a bit of time for things to calm down again. That was actually a problem for me. Waldo had time to realize he had just gone against Madigan. Nanny Shank restored order. She had to remove one more goblin and eight humans. The lopsided number upset some people. Those people were choosing to ignore that Nanny Shank last time around had ejected only goblins.

“We should stop questioning, Waldo,” Toad said quietly.

“He hasn’t talked about Madigan,” I pointed out.

Toad nodded, but said, “Every question past this point will simply make him look like a scared child. It will undermine our goal. Let him go.”

“Do you have any further questions?” Nanny Shank demanded. The crowd was beginning to piss her off.

“Yes,” I said, “Waldo. Did Madigan order you to kill a goblin.”

“I am not going to answer that,” Waldo said.

Maybe another pivot would work, “What started the fight?”

“I am not going to answer that,” Waldo said again flatly.

“How did you get the injuries on your arm?” I asked. Toad kicked in a quick stealthy manner.

“I don’t want to answer that,” Waldo said

“Stop asking him questions,” Toad hissed at me.

“No further questions,” I said and sat.

Nanny Shank looked Grimset. “Does the defense wish to cross examine?”

“Yes,” Grimset said. He stood smoothly, but had to hop down from the chair because I had stupidly made it human sized. Not to be diminished, Grimset strode dramatically toward Waldo.

Before Grimset could ask a question, Nanny Shank demanded, “Did I say you could enter the well?”

Grimset hopped back a few steps, “No. Sorry Nanny- your honor.”

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

“Stay out of the well and ask your questions,” She told him.

“Very well,” Grimset cleared his throat theatrically before asking Waldo, “Tell me about the injuries you received during the night of Tazia’s murder.”

“Chet, Madigan, and I were attacked and abducted by that woman,” Waldo pointed at Rachel. When she glared at him he quit pointing. “She can summon phantom copies of Snow Lions. She had them maul us and then lock us in chains. She also shot and beat Master Madigan.”

“I see,” Grimset nodded sympathetically, “what happened after that?”

“We were taken out of the Mandir and held as prisoners. They locked us in chains, and held us in Ice huts. It was freezing.” Waldo siad.

“For how long were you held in these conditions?” Grimset asked.

Waldo considered, “Twenty hours. Late last night to just before being dragged here.”

“Did they feed you or give you any water,” Grimset asked.

“Objection! relevance!” Toad shouted.

Nanny Shank looked to Grimset, “Where are you going with this?”

“I ask the court’s indulgence for this question and then everything will be made clear,” Grimset offered.

“Fine,” Nanny Shank said. She looked low on patience. “Answer the question.”

“No, I was not given any food or water,” Waldo said.

I was annoyed with Rachel, and mad at myself. I knew who Rachel was. I should have given her clear instructions.

Grimset nodded sympathetically, “So in this, injured, hungry, and cold state, Did the Titan Spawn offer you a lighter sentence if you implicated Chet and Madigan?”

“Objection! Hearsay!” Toad shouted, pounding the table.

Trouble was he did that a fraction of a second too slow for the crowd to miss Waldo say, “Yes.”

The crowd went nuts.

I mean. I knew I was acting in good faith. I knew Madigan had ordered Tazia’s death. I had approached the investigation and interaction from that perspective. The issue was stepping outside my perspective and things looked a lot less morally simple. I knew proving Madigan’s involvement was going to be an uphill battle, but I hadn’t realized how menacing my action appeared from the outside.

While everyone was having a moment. Toad took this opportunity to criticize me.

“I told you to let him go!” he hissed.

“You did,” I admitted, trying to sound contrite.

“You didn’t listen to me,” Toad continued not mollified.

“I should have. I am sorry,” I apologized.

“This is your fault,” Toad hissed

“Listen, I used to be a happily married man. I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong. I made a mistake. I am sorry. I am not going to do that again. Are you interested in punishing me or finding a solution,” we didn’t have infinite time for this.

“Did this maneuver help in similar situations?” Toad asked.

“That depended heavily on how mad I made her,” I admitted.

Toad thought about this for a moment, and then kicked me hard. He did look around to make sure no one was over fixated on us first.

Another twelve people had to be ejected from the court, before order could be restored.

Nanny Shank took a swig from the bottle of hers, “Does the defense have any further questions?”

“No, Your Honor,” Grimset said.

“We need to call Madigan to the stand,” Toad Whispered to me.

“I don’t have a good plan on how to handle him,” I admitted quietly.

“Let me manage him,” Toad insisted.

I nodded. He stood. “The Prosecution calls Tavis Madigan to the stand.” He turned dramatically to watch Madigan.

Madigan simply glared at Toad.

Grimset was whispering to Madigan to move.

Madigan turned his attention to me. I simply waited.

“Tavis Madigan, get up here,” Nanny Shank ordered.

“I do not acknowledge this court nor do I respect its authority,” Madigan said loudly.

Nanny Shank wasn’t overly interested in entertaining that shit, “Miss De Leon, If you would.”

Angelica slowly walked from the back of the court house,”I am going to ask you nicely once. Please go to the witness stand.”

Again there is an art to threats. Angelica understood it. So while she made a polite request, the words ‘or else’ hung in the air like a Sword of Damocles.

Madigan silently stood and walked to the witness stand. He sat and glared at me.

Toad stepped into Madigan’s view while maintaining distance from the well. “Monsieur Madigan, May I call you Madigan?” Toad began amicably.

“...No,” Madigan snapped.

“Very well Travis,” Toad said pacing, “Let’s get into the issue.”

Madigan glared at Toad, and after a moment spat at Toad. That's not quite right. He hawked a wad of phlegm a good twenty feet and hit Toad’s boot.

Several people in the crowd tried to make some noise but the majority shut them up pretty quickly.

“You’re Honor, I request permission to treat the witness as hostile.” Toad declared, ignoring Madigan’s ire.

“That doesn’t seem necessary, Your Honor,” Grimset tried.

Nanny Shank raised an eyebrow before scowling at Grimest, “I am going to allow the prosecution to treat Travis Madigan as a hostile witness.”

“Big fucking shock,” Madigan muttered.

Nanny Shank ignored that, “Toad, get going.”

“Thank, Your Honor,” Toad sauntered back into Madigan’s view, “Why did you order Tazia’s murder?”

Madigan sighed, before repeating, “I do not acknowledge this kangaroo court. I am not answering your question.”

Toad let that hang for a long time, “You do not care for Doug, The Left Hand of the Titan. He did embarrass you in public. Did you order Tazia’s death to spite him?”

“Objection! Prejudicial!” Grimset stepped in.

“The defense is making the claim that this entire trial is based on a squabble between Travis and the Titan Spawn. I invite the defense and the witness to clarify,” Toad responded smartly.

Nanny gazed unhappily between Toad and Grimset. “Objection overruled.

Again Toad simply waited as Madigan said nothing, “Nothing to say? Very well. Did you order Tazia’s death because she was a goblin? What was the quote from young Waldo? ‘Kill the children first. That way they can’t breed’? Was he quoting you?

Madigan glared at Toad. it was a barely contained murder rage. The crowd could see it.

Toad impassively met Madigan’s gaze, “Still nothing to say? I must continue asking questions. Tell me about your fear of the titan. Your entire defense hinges on Doug being a master of manipulation and guile,” He chuckled slightly, “Care to elaborate on your fears?”

Madigan clenched his fists.

Toad simply gazed peacefully at Madigan.

The crowd was muttering again.

Nanny Shank pounded her hammer. “Shut up!”

Toad kept waiting. Madigan’s glare sharpened

Mental Resistance Blocks the effect of Intimidation

The crowd saw Madigan try and stare down Toad. They all saw the little goblin weather the storm. Again people couldn’t help themselves. Some started whispering to each other. Then, some more told them to be quiet. Then, even more people told the second group to be quiet. That started a bunch of arguments.

As Nanny Shank tried again to restore order Toad asked quietly so almost no one but Madigan could hear, “Is it because he makes you feel short?”

Madigan launched himself at Toad. This kicked off an immediate shit storm.

Now Angelica was prepared for this. She had Madigan in an arm lock before he so much as touched Toad. Trouble is Rachel felt the need to intervene as well. Her boot met Madigan’s face with an audible “Crunch!” This set off a chain reaction. Some people cheered. Some people howled in anger. A third group took this opportunity to take a swing at the other two groups.

Chaos reigned. Violence erupted across the aisles.

I just put myself between the crowd and Nanny Shank. An enterprise man did run toward me with a knife, but they seemed to think better of it, and when they realized Sunit had entered the building they just sort of jogged out. Philip and Sunit brutally put down the agitators. Apparently maintaining order of the court required some broken knees and hands.

All said and done it was eight straight minutes of brawling. That probably doesn’t sound too extreme, but Pro-Boxing tends to have 3 minute rounds with 30 second breaks. This was several hundred people kicking off a full contact endurance match with no breaks. It was loud, and bloody.

I wanted to step in, but that was clearly a bad idea. The last thing I needed was to pummel a potential juror… and violence is bad, I guess.

Things got uncomfortably quiet as the fight ended. Other than the sound of people breathing and a few unfortunate individuals crying, it was borderline silent.

The resonate ‘Clang!’ of Brunhida slamming her gauntlets together, cut through the rolling din of the crowd. “Mass Heal!” she said.

I felt the warm wave of healing magic. Watching the injuries fade and wounds close was a hell of a sight.

Allow Nanny Shank to Mark:Brunhilda Mendusdottir as Bailiffs of the court? Yes/No

I hit yes. We needed more bailiffs.

After the brawl there was a purging of the crowd. Nanny Shank tossed about forty people out from each side of the aisle. Then she turned her eyes on Rachel.

“Why are you beating people in my court?” Nanny Shank demanded.

“He was gonna attack the little guy,” Rachel said gesturing at Toad.

Toad was clearly dealing with a serious hit of ego death at Rachel’s words, but didn’t speak up.

“Out of my court. Until we call you back in, sit in a snow drift and cool off,” Nanny Shank ordered. Rachel didn’t move until the old goblin slammed her hammer down. Rachel’s conditioning to respect authority kicked in. She spun on her heels and rather unceremoniously walked out of the court. The two soldiers who came in here with her looked lost without clear instruction.

One of them raised a hand.

“What?” Nanny Shank asked/

“What should we do?” He asked.

“Sit there quietly and listen,” She instructed, and like that, for the Chimera soldier at least, it was crisis averted.

Angelica let Madigan up off the ground, “You gonna behave?”

Madigan was silent for a long moment, “You’re a pawn. Titan Spawn always turn on their first followers.”

“Let him go,” Nanny Shank said.

Angelica considered and eventually released him.

Madigan began to slowly walk toward his seat at the defense desk rather than the witness stand.

“We are not done with questions,” Toad declared loudly.

“Madigan, get back on the stand,” Nanny Shank instructed.

“Or what? You going to have the Titan Spawn make me?” Madigan asked loudly.

I could feel the eyes of the crowd on me, “I am not some violent goon. I don’t just randomly hurt things.”

For some reason this kicked off a wave of shouting the from crowd

Notice check… Successful

Oh fuck a snow lion. It must have found its way in during the brawl… or it spawned in here because that is something they can do. Either way, I can't have something like this wandering around in here. On pure reflex, I snatched it up by the nape of its neck as it lunged at Toad. I then crushed its head with two quick punches with my free hand and dropped the body on the floor preparing for the next attacker.

Everyone was watching me. “That doesn’t count. That was a mob.” I am sure that convinced them.