The Court of Fools
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 10698
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"Is that connected to the Court of Fools that you mentioned last night?"
Astra asked Simon. "Who
are they?" "Yes, that is how they mark their territory. In this remote
part of Allaria,
the King's writ does not run - not that
this region is so very different from most of the country through which we
have been
traveling in that regard. Nor,
though this is nominally part of the Duchy of Anfang, does the Duke have
any influence. For
many years - since well before I took up the life of a hermit - the Court
of Fools has
ruled here. It is said that it is so called because it was established
by an embittered former court jester to the Duke of Anfang, who
assassinated his master
and then fled to this wild region. He gradually gathered other malcontents
and criminals
to him, and the Court's numbers - and the area which it controlled -
steadily grew.
They levy taxes on those few who live here, extort tolls from travelers,
dabble in
the slave trade. In fact there are few criminal activities in which they
are not involved.
I am hoping that we can cross their territory undetected, so that we do
not meet the fate
of that poor wretch."
Simon pointed. The path ahead rose to cross a ridge. At the crest of the ridge, a gruesome sight had just come into view. From a high gibbet hung a cage with stout iron bars. Within it, not quite having enough room to stand fully upright, was an emaciated prisoner.
The previous day, well to the north, Jarlath had been telling Andrea: "The moon will rise in a few hours' time, and it will be full. We cannot reach the Lost Grove before it rises and you change...
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JH
7/8/2000 7:06:54 AM
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