Jailed

Within Fred's mind he contemplated all that had passed: their journey in the Calamari and their visit with the strange Dr. Vincent; their separation as the magical operation malfunctioned; their encounter in the woods (albeit in an unplanned manner); their meeting with the so-called rogue dragon; their successful kill of the enemy dragon and the rogue as well – true it had 'helped' them, but still it was a dragon (Lord Fred had difficulty believing it's story of honor among dragons). They had accomplished the King's quest and were on their way to free themselves of the demi-curse, and now they found themselves in a prison of the unsavory town of Walants. At least Fred could console himself that the guards had not taken the crystalline gem that just very well might be their salvation. They also still retained their bags of gold and gems.

At that thought, the prison door was opened by a guard and an other attendant entered. He seemed taller than the first and had at his side a dwarf who seemed a wee bit smaller. The man wore green robes edged with silver and his spectacles glittered with the faint rays of sun that drifted into the room.

"Good day," he began. "I am your defense attorney, Master Rift."

Astra stood up while Fred still sat; his eyes upon a bulge that showed from the attendant's left hip. "We must be allowed to leave," commanded Astra.

"Oh, must you?" sneered Master Rift. "You are going nowhere for the time being. First you must tell me your names, your kingdom of origin, and your monetary value."

"That's what got us into this trouble in the first place!" spat out Fred as he stood.

"You should've answered the questions then!" came back the attendant.

Seeing no other way out both Lord Fred and Princess Astra acquiesced. Fred told of his birthplace, of the Great Kingdom and the duchy of Suffex, while Astra spoke of Aqualaria and the Amazonian warriors. They spoke of their lost wealth in their homelands and their acquired wealth in the lair of the dragon. At this the attendant raised his eyebrows some, but did not interrupt. Finally they explained that they were here to double their wealth and did not wish any troubles with the authorities, but neither did they wish to be kept from making their wealth grow. The fact that they did not mention their tainted blood, the crystal, and the one called Synizn did not ruffle neither Fred's nor Astra's feathers; they needed to give the attendant the info he wanted to hear, not the truth.

"Well now," continued Master Rift once Fred and Astra were finished. "Thank you for your cooperation, the trial shall begin tomorrow."

"WHAT?!!?" cried out the duo. "We've got to get out of here! We've complied with your demands, what else do you want?"

1. "You broke the law and you shall suffer the consequences, good day!" with that the attendant left the cell.
2. "I can arrange your freedom on one condition," began the attendant. "You take me back to the dragon's golden lair."

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