Post by moralhazard on Mar 24, 2019 8:10:17 GMT
Delzimmer
Evy laughed. “Sure! You’ll just lose again," she stuck her tongue out at Miri, playfully.
“I think the footwork exercises are helping,” Evy said cheerfully. “You almost had me again that fourth match. We should switch back to shortsword plus dagger soon, the form is a bit different.”
Miri groaned, sitting back on the comfortable chair. One foot was raised, resting on a cushion on a table with a cold-spelled pack across the top of it.
“You could have come with me to the healer,” Evy shook her head.
“I didn’t think I’d need it,” Miri leaned forward, lifting the pack and examining the skin beneath. “It’s not swelling.”
Evy reached forward and poked the offending joint. Miri hissed and swatted at her hand.
Evy giggled. “Oh, yeah, sure, it’s not swelling.”
Miri set the ice back down on her leg and went back to the coin she’d been playing with, flipping it slowly over her fingers, palming it then flicking it back out and beginning again, alternating between several different exercises. She kept the coin in quick constant motion, fingers always moving and always in control.
Evy, well-used to it by now, ignored the coin flashing in the light. “Well, you should go before the caravan leaves in the morning. Cathyr’ll take us a tenday and nearly half another, caravan-pace.”
Miri focused on the coin, ignoring Evy, the pace of her fingers increasing steadily, until the coin was little more than a silver flash in the light. She stopped abruptly, with a little flick that sent it spiraling into the air, caught it with her other hand between her first and second finger, and immediately re-started the exercise.
“From there, it’s a short trip by sea to Maarlith,” Evy said, lightly.
Miri looked up to see Evy’s gaze firmly fixed on her, the blonde half-elf’s head cocked, ever so slightly, to the side. She raised an eyebrow.
“Well, that’s where we’ve been heading, isn’t it?” Evy grinned, reaching out to snatch the coin away.
Miri palmed it with a laugh. “Well, sure. All the way across Faerun. Isn’t that what we said?” She pulled the cold pad off her foot and stood, wincing slightly, and crossing the room to find pants and boots.
“Sure,” Evy agreed, watching her go. “Where are you off to?”
“The healer,” Miri bent over, lacing up her boots. Her ankle ached a little more with every step. She strapped her rapier to her side, the blade now thoroughly cleaned of Evy’s blood. “Caravan leaves at dawn?”
“Of course,” Evy giggled.
“Plenty of time for a last few drinks to say good-bye to Delzimmer then,” Miri grinned back over one bare shoulder at Evy. She pulled on a gauzy magenta shirt over her black tanktop, and half-walked, half-limped to the doorway. “See you later.”
“See you later!” Evy waved, plopping back on the bed. Miri could feel the half-elf’s bright blue gaze on her back as she walked out of the door, but she didn’t look back.
“Miri!” Evy burst through the door of the jail, the guard started and clattering with his keys behind her.
Miri looked up from her seat on the windowsill of the jail cell, startled awake; it was a narrow perch, and had been thoroughly uncomfortable to sleep on, but at least it avoided the snakes that had been slithering through the cracks in the wall all night.
“Are you okay?” Evy grasped the bars of the cell, eyes wide. “Why is she even here!” She turned back to the guard, scowling.
“Law the fourth: compel not,” The guard repeated, dully.
“Stop repeating that!” Evy cried. “What does that even mean?” She turned back to Miri, eyes wide.
Miri winced, stiffly climbing off the window seat and dropping to the ground. During the day there didn’t seem to be any snakes, but the floor was thickly coated in dust, and it whirled around her as she landed. “No idea. Some kid was bothering a girl. I told him to shove off or else, and then these –” She jerked her chin at the guards, “showed up and arrested me.”
“Er,” A head peeked in at the door, a young man with an armful of scrolls. “Are you Miri Blackstone?” He asked, looking at Evy.
Evy stared at him. “No – no, of course I’m not! That’s Miri,” she gestured at the bars.
“Oh!” The man adjusted the glasses on his nose, stepping into the room. “Er – I am Feledrin. Clerk Feledrin. Lady Harlhaun sent me, Miss Blackstone. Er, to discuss your case before it comes before the kala.”
“The kala!” Evy cried, dramatically. She paused. “What’s a kala?”
“… a judge, Miss…?”
“Evy,” Evy said, firmly.
“Miss Evy. Very well,” Feledrin cleared his throat.
The guard leaned against the wall, clearly bored; he looked like he wasn’t even listening.
“Miss Blackstone, are you aware of the charges against you?” Feledrin asked.
Miri sighed, rubbing her head. Her hair was dusty, and she flicked her fingers through it, not caring just now that it would make it even wilder. “Something about not compelling. That’s all I’ve been able to get out of these idiots.”
“Yes,” Feledrin nodded vigorously, glasses slipping down his nose. He juggled his scrolls into one hand, and hastily pushed his glasses up before securing them again. “It is the fourth law of the Kauladd, which was written by the Council to preserve peace and order here in Delzimmer. It says compel not.”
“What does that mean though?” Evy asked. “What – compel not?”
“It means,” Feledrin fumbled for a scroll, then gave up. “Well, it means one must not engage in any activities which may be construed as fraud or confidence schemes. It also prohibits threats of physical violence by any means.”
“I – ” Miri groaned. “So why am I here, exactly?”
“Well,” Feledrin cleared his throat. “I have it on record here that you said to Aslyn Belark the third, and I quote, ‘Leave that girl alone, or you’ll be sorry.’”
Miri and Evy both stared at him.
“… Yes,” Miri said, finally.
“And I believe you had your hand on your sword while doing so?” Feledrin asked, looking hastily up then down again.
“My – ” Miri rubbed her face. “I was wearing my rapier, yes. I don’t know if my hand was on it. What kind of a question is that?” She scowled at him.
“W-well – it goes to the intent of the statement,” Feledrin promptly fumbled at the scrolls again. “You see Master Belark, when he cried the nagra, said that he felt most threatened by your statement, and compelled to do something which he did not wish – that is, to leave alone Mistress Eleanith Harlhand – the young lady in question – by your words and the presence of your hand on the hilt of your rapier.”
Miri stared at him. “… that… is enough to put me in jail?”
“Compel not, Miss Blackstone,” Feledrin said, firmly, then blanched. “That is – er – so the laws say. But Young Mistress Eleanith begged her grandmother – that is, Lady Harlhand – that you should have some defense before the kala, and so – here I am.”
“Look,” Miri said, firmly. “I was walking back from the healer – I saw this, Belark, I guess, corning a girl who looked deeply unhappy, and I went over and told him to leave her alone. Then he starts screaming for the nagra. But that was it! I never touched the kid.”
“I would not refer to young Master Belark as the kid,” Feledrin said, primly.
Miri groaned. “Fine. Okay. If I compelled him – which I really think is bullshit – then what is the punishment, exactly?”
Feledrin shoved at his glasses again, suddenly nervous. “… Well, it – it is a case by case basis, really. In some cases the kala will require the payment of fines equal to the extent of the injury to the injured and the city. In – other cases the punishment may be floggings and, er, jail time. Er. I should inform you that the Belarks have requested flogging and jail time of one month rather than – rather than a financial penalty.”
“A MONTH!” Evy jerked upright off the wall, eyes wide.
“Well,” Feledrin coughed. “… yes.”
Miri groaned. She grasped the bars of the cage with one hand, slowly leaning her forehead against it. “Feledrin. You’re kidding, right? A month? For telling some scrawy, hook-nosed asshole to get lost?”
“W-well, that is the punishment they have requested,” Feledrin said, nervously. “It is up to the kala’s discretion, of course. And – ah – as Lady Harlhand has requested of me, I will make a defense. Er. What is your defense?”
“My… defense?” Miri asked slowly.
“Yes,” Feledrin produced a small notepad which he balanced on top of the scrolls, along with an inked quill which had left a stain in his pocket. “Your defense.”
“I don’t – isn’t it a crime for him to corner some girl and bother her?” Miri asked, a hopeful tone entering her voice.
“Well – no,” Feledrin shrugged. “At least, Mistress Eleanith has not indicated any desire to pursue such a charge. I believe she wishes this would all just go away.”
“Okay. I wasn’t threatening him, then,” Miri said, decisively. “I just politely asked him to leave her alone. That’s all. I didn’t – this compelling stuff is ridiculous. So what if I was touching my sword? He didn’t have to run away screaming for the nagra.”
Feledrin winced, slightly. “… well, I suppose the kala have heard worse…”
Miri’s evidence before the kala had not gone well.
She was standing in the front-left of a roped-off circle, wearing a very uncomfortable pair of handcuffs. The circle was lined with nagra, swords out, looking intimidating enough that even Miri felt somewhat nervous. It was hot and dusty, and faint coughs could be heard from the crowd of onlookers.
At Feledrin’s advice, Miri had mostly stuck to saying she didn’t remember if she’d been touching her sword, and that she had politely asked that scrawny, hook-nosed idiot to leave the girl alone without any sort of threat. Had she been scowling? No, that was just how her face was. Based on the look on Feledrin’s face, she hadn’t quite followed his advice perfectly. No – it had not gone well.
Eleanith’s evidence, on the other hand, was spectacular.
Eleanith was kneeling before the kala in some sort of wide pale yellow dress that spread out on the dusty ground around her, and a neckline that dipped just a little in the middle, enough that with her at the kala’s feet and her head bowed, Miri was quite sure the judge had an excellent view. Her face was soft and her eyes faintly puffy from weeping, but rather than looking red or streaky she just looked very young and innocent and lovely. Thick dark hair curled loosely over mostly bare shoulders, spilling down her back.
“I beg of you, your honor, to show mercy,” Even Eleanith’s voice was soft and quivering. It was incredible. Miri had no idea how much of a performance this was, or whether the girl was really just that young and naïve. A single tear slipped down her cheek, quivered at her jawline, and dropped to the ground, sparkling in the sunlight, to splash against the dust.
“Please, young Mistress Eleanith, do not distress yourself so,” The kala certainly hadn’t spoken to Miri like that. He was on the far side of middle-aged, for a human, and had been scowling all morning. Well, it was hot, and Miri thought his ceremonial robes looked quite heavy. Just now, his face was soft and almost kind-looking. He knelt down, ornate robes getting as dusty as Eleanith’s pale yellow dress, and cupped her small, soft-looking hands in his. “None of this is your fault, my dear child.”
Eleanith lifted her gaze, slowly, wide golden-brown eyes meeting the kala’s. “Oh, your honor!” She whispered, trembling. “I wish so desperately that all this could be resolved.”
It took all of Miri’s strength to keep from whistling in admiration.
The kala kissed her hand gently, rising to his feet and taking Eleanith with him.
“You are beyond lucky,” Feledrin’s face looked sour, like he’d spent the morning eating lemons rather than overseeing Miri’s trial. “You – I recommend you leave Delzimmer today, and never return.”
Miri rubbed her hands over her now free wrists, grinning cheerfully. “I think that went very well,” she said.
“You – ” Feledrin huffed. “You owe a great debt to Mistress Eleanith. That’s all I have to say about it.”
“I thought you did a great job!” Evy said, cheerfully, clasping Miri’s shoulder.
“Well, I just spoke my piece,” Miri grinned at her.
“You just – you – ” Feledrin’s face was slowly starting to redden. “I – I can’t hardly believe – ”
“Miss Blackstone?” Eleanith’s voice was still soft and sweet, coming from directly behind Miri.
Miri turned, and grinned at the young lady. “Mistress Eleanith,” she bowed. “I am – most grateful.”
“Oh!” Eleanith blushed, pale red color staining her cheeks. “Oh, really, it was nothing. It was all my fault anyway, I – I was most grateful to you for interceding with Aslyn. He is – he is – ” Eleanith bit her lip, the color on her cheeks heightening a little more, and blurted out, “a brute!”
Evy turned away, shoulders shaking, stifling her giggles with one hand.
Miri grinned at Eleanith, rising from her bow. “Honestly, it was my pleasure,” she caught one of Eleanith’s slim white hands and raised it to her lips for a little kiss.
Eleanith’s color heightened considerably.
Now that, Miri thought cheerfully, was very interesting. Maybe Delzimmer wouldn’t be so bad after all…
Sneaking on to the Harlhand estate was surprisingly easy. Yes, they had guards, but they also had not especially high walls – no spikes at the top or anything – and a huge number of trees and brushes for the enterprising rogue. Miri made her way from cover to cover, crouching and creeping alternatively. Eleanith had described her balcony very well indeed, and it was easy enough to spot from the ground. They really hadn’t had enough time to talk after the trial, but Miri was preeeeetty sure Eleanith was expecting her. She had certainly hinted at it.
This was going to be fairly awkward otherwise.
Luckily too, the brick wall next to it had plenty of handholds and footholds, not to mention all that convenient clinging ivy. Miri climbed easily and effortlessly, hand over hand, and slipped onto the balcony. The door was open just a crack, the breeze making the white curtains sway. White, really? Given how dusty Delzimmer could be? Miri didn’t think she would ever understand rich people.
Miri slipped into the room.
There was a soft gasp from the bed; Eleanith sat upright against her pillows, wearing what looked to Miri like a pale gold silk nightgown, bedsheets and blankets spread in an appealing pool around her. Either it was staged, or the girl was truly a natural. Miri decided she didn’t care which.
“Good evening,” Miri grinned.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” Eleanith whispered, eyes wide.
“Why not?” Miri crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed with a smile. She wore her leather pants and a black sleeveless shirt with a dangerously plunging neckline, a nice compromise between ease of movement, stealth, and sex appeal.
Eleanith trembled.
“There’s no need to be afraid,” Miri reached out, setting one dark hand on Eleanith’s, coaxing it over, her fingers tickling the girl’s palm slightly. “Don’t you want me here?”
“Oh! Yes,” Eleanith breathed. “I – I need your help.”
Miri paused in her ministrations; her fingers had made it all the way to Eleanith’s wrist. “My help?” She smiled at the girl.
“Oh,” Eleanith blushed. “Please. It’s Aslyn, you see.”
Miri raised an eyebrow, slowly. “My help with Aslyn?” She picked up Eleanith’s hand, examining it, and gave it another soft kiss.
Eleanith shivered. “I thought – I thought perhaps you would challenge him to a duel,” she whispered. “Ask him – to leave me alone, when you win.”
Miri turned Eleanith’s hand over again and kissed her palm this time. Eleanith made another very encouraging noise, soft and sort of whimpery. “Have you ever seen a duel before?” She asked, lightly, meeting Eleanith’s eyes with her own.
“N-no…” Eleanith shivered; there was a bit of an odd light in her eyes.
Miri grinned. If Eleanith was a budding little sociopath who wanted two potential suitors to duel over her, Miri would happily oblige. Honestly, it sounded – amusing. Miri felt a little sorry for Delzimmer when the kid came of age; she thought Eleanith would probably tear a swath straight through polite society.
“I’d be happy to be your champion,” Miri’s fingers slid slowly up Eleanith’s arm.
Eleanith smiled at her, leaning forward slowly, one lock of hair tumbling over her nearly-bare shoulder. “Oh, thank you! I can’t – I can’t think how to express my gratitude.”
“Oh,” Miri’s hand lifted slowly, cupping Eleanith’s cheek. “I have a few ideas.”
Aslyn stood across the stones; even in the pre-dawn light, Delzimmer was hot and dusty, and he looked thoroughly uncomfortable in his breastplate.
Miri adjusted her leather armor.
Evy, some hawk-nosed slightly older kid who was Aslyn’s second, and Eleanith all sat on a bench off to the side of the little arena. Eleanith was leaning forward, chest rising and falling quickly, hands clenched in the lap of her dark brown cloak.
Miri glanced up, realizing Aslyn was talking – possibly had been talking for some time. “… and when I win this duel, you will leave Delzimmer, never to return!”
Miri paused. Aslyn looked at her, and she was vaguely aware of Eleanith and his second looking at her as well. “Oh, right,” she grinned. “Yes, absolutely. But if you lose, you will leave Mistress Eleanith well-alone, your paths never to cross again.”
“I’ll never lose!” Aslyn lifted his rapier. He looked about seventeen, and Miri felt a faint pang of guilt. She drew her rapier as well, pointing the blade at him.
1d20+3·1d20+2·1d20+5·1d8+3·1d20+4·1d20+5·1d20+5·1d20+4·1d20+5·1d8+3·1d20+4·1d8+4·1d20+5·1d20+5·1d20+4·1d20+5·1d8+3·2d4+2·2d4+2·2d4+2·1d20+3·1d20+2·1d20+5·1d8+3
"Match," Evy grinned, the capped tip of her rapier resting squarely against Miri's chest.
“Best three of five,” Miri said, breathing hard, lowering her rapier slowly. She took a few steps away, fetching her waterflask, and took a long drink. Two matches in a row to Evy - much the same as the last few weeks since they'd started practicing more intensely.
Evy laughed. “Sure! You’ll just lose again," she stuck her tongue out at Miri, playfully.
Miri waved a hand at her, dismissively. "Let's raise the stakes," she grinned, broadly. "No points or caps."
Evy raised her eyebrows, glancing left to the little stack of healing potions set out - in case of emergency. "High stakes," she giggled. "You sure, Miri?"
"I'm sure," Miri pulled the cap off her rapier, taking a moment to shake out her arms and leg before lifting her rapier to a guard position. "Ready?"
Evy took the cap off her rapier as well, bringing her guard up as well. "Ready!"
Miri's initiative: 8FPxE5l01d20+3
Evy's initiative: 1d20+2
They were barely ten feet apart; Miri danced forward, feet light and agile on the ground, rapier flashing out towards Evy.
Miri's attack: 1d20+5
Damage: 1d8+3
The blade nipped along Evy's arm, scoring a long neat line through her shirt, blood welling along it.
Evy grinned, eyes lighting up; she tossed her rapier to her other hand and seamlessly returned the strike, blade flashing towards Miri.
Evy's attack: 1d20+4
Miri dodged, her rapier whipping around to nudge Evy's just enough off course, with a faint metal clang that echoed through the room. "Nice try!" Miri grinned, broadly, shifting from foot to foot, feinting left and lunging with another strike to Evy's right.
Miri's attack: 1d20+5
((Miri spends one luck point to re-roll))
Miri's attack, take 2: 1d20+5
Miri realized too late she had overbalanced; just at the moment when she had overcommitted, Evy shifted neatly out of the way, easily evading the strike. She ducked, cutting inside Miri's guard, blade flashing up towards Miri's leather-clad torso.
Evy's attack: 1d20+4
Miri twisted away, feet as quick as if she were dancing, and Evy's blade slashed harmlessly through the air. She rotated her wrist, slashing the rapier down to thrust at Evy's leg as she turned.
Miri's attack: 1d20+5
Damage: 1d8+3
The blade swept solidly over Evy's leg, scoring a deep cut, and Evy winced, stumbling slightly.
"Do you yield?" Miri grinned, half-breathless already.
"Never!" Evy laughed. "What fun would that be?" She lunged forward, bearing down on Miri with her full strength.
Evy's attack: 1d20+4
Damage (non-lethal): 1d8+4
The point of her rapier sank solidly through Miri's armor, piercing and ripping at her skin; blood welled up along her skin, trickling slowly out of the hole and down her leather armor.
Miri shook off the pain, and lunged recklessly forward, well aware that this might be her last attack of the fight. Oh well, she thought; better to go down swinging than to yield.Her feet were light and quick; she wouldn't overbalance again.
Miri's attack: 1d20+5
((Miri spends one luck point to re-roll))
Miri's attack, take 2: 1d20+5
Evy deflected Miri's blade almost effortlessly with a quick motion of her wrist. Her blonde hair was streaked with sweat, her arm and leg bloody, but she bore down again, yielding just as little as Miri had.
Evy's attack: 1d20+4
Miri's stomach was wet with blood; she could feel it soaking into her leather, and her head was increasingly light. She'd bitten into her cheek at some point, and her mouth was full of the taste of blood. Some instinct guided her left, and Evy's rapier lunged past her, just missing. Miri pushed off her back foot, springing forward and thrusting in a single neat movement.
Miri's attack: 1d20+5
Damage (non-lethal): 1d8+3
Evy stumbled, once, and dropped her rapier, sinking to the floor.
Miri gasped for breath, lowering her blade. Her hand refused to work properly; the blade clattered to the floor. She wiped at her forehead with one bloody hand, smearing her blood and sweat together, then turned and limped over to the pile of healing potions. She took one for herself, chugging it and feeling the skin on her stomach knot back together.
Healing potion for Miri: 2d4+2
Carefully, Miri eased the leather open; her torso was a mess of blood, but the skin beneath was smooth and nearly undamaged, just a faint soreness to show where the injury had been, and a spot that looked almost more like a bruise. Miri walked back over to Evy, feeling a good deal stronger, and propped the half-elf's head up, pouring the healing potion down her throat.
Healing potion for Evy: 2d4+2
Evy coughed and sat up, laughing already. "Oh - okay. You won that one," she took a deep breath, flexing her arms and hands. "I'll take another of those, thank you...!"
Miri handed over a second potion, grinning as she knelt next to the half-elf. "I'm ready for round four when you are." She stretched, lithe and even, hopping back up to her feet. "We can even put the caps back on." She winked.
Evy drank the second healing potion, and launched swiftly back to her feet. "I was born ready!" She brandished her rapier, then coughed, looking down at her still bloody leg. "... Yeah, okay, caps on."
Healing potion for Evy: 2d4+2
Miri laughed and acquiesced, sliding the cap back onto her rapier. She would wait for Evy, cheerfully, and throw herself back into the fight when Evy called "Go!"
“I think the footwork exercises are helping,” Evy said cheerfully. “You almost had me again that fourth match. We should switch back to shortsword plus dagger soon, the form is a bit different.”
Miri groaned, sitting back on the comfortable chair. One foot was raised, resting on a cushion on a table with a cold-spelled pack across the top of it.
“You could have come with me to the healer,” Evy shook her head.
“I didn’t think I’d need it,” Miri leaned forward, lifting the pack and examining the skin beneath. “It’s not swelling.”
Evy reached forward and poked the offending joint. Miri hissed and swatted at her hand.
Evy giggled. “Oh, yeah, sure, it’s not swelling.”
Miri set the ice back down on her leg and went back to the coin she’d been playing with, flipping it slowly over her fingers, palming it then flicking it back out and beginning again, alternating between several different exercises. She kept the coin in quick constant motion, fingers always moving and always in control.
Evy, well-used to it by now, ignored the coin flashing in the light. “Well, you should go before the caravan leaves in the morning. Cathyr’ll take us a tenday and nearly half another, caravan-pace.”
Miri focused on the coin, ignoring Evy, the pace of her fingers increasing steadily, until the coin was little more than a silver flash in the light. She stopped abruptly, with a little flick that sent it spiraling into the air, caught it with her other hand between her first and second finger, and immediately re-started the exercise.
“From there, it’s a short trip by sea to Maarlith,” Evy said, lightly.
Miri looked up to see Evy’s gaze firmly fixed on her, the blonde half-elf’s head cocked, ever so slightly, to the side. She raised an eyebrow.
“Well, that’s where we’ve been heading, isn’t it?” Evy grinned, reaching out to snatch the coin away.
Miri palmed it with a laugh. “Well, sure. All the way across Faerun. Isn’t that what we said?” She pulled the cold pad off her foot and stood, wincing slightly, and crossing the room to find pants and boots.
“Sure,” Evy agreed, watching her go. “Where are you off to?”
“The healer,” Miri bent over, lacing up her boots. Her ankle ached a little more with every step. She strapped her rapier to her side, the blade now thoroughly cleaned of Evy’s blood. “Caravan leaves at dawn?”
“Of course,” Evy giggled.
“Plenty of time for a last few drinks to say good-bye to Delzimmer then,” Miri grinned back over one bare shoulder at Evy. She pulled on a gauzy magenta shirt over her black tanktop, and half-walked, half-limped to the doorway. “See you later.”
“See you later!” Evy waved, plopping back on the bed. Miri could feel the half-elf’s bright blue gaze on her back as she walked out of the door, but she didn’t look back.
“Miri!” Evy burst through the door of the jail, the guard started and clattering with his keys behind her.
Miri looked up from her seat on the windowsill of the jail cell, startled awake; it was a narrow perch, and had been thoroughly uncomfortable to sleep on, but at least it avoided the snakes that had been slithering through the cracks in the wall all night.
“Are you okay?” Evy grasped the bars of the cell, eyes wide. “Why is she even here!” She turned back to the guard, scowling.
“Law the fourth: compel not,” The guard repeated, dully.
“Stop repeating that!” Evy cried. “What does that even mean?” She turned back to Miri, eyes wide.
Miri winced, stiffly climbing off the window seat and dropping to the ground. During the day there didn’t seem to be any snakes, but the floor was thickly coated in dust, and it whirled around her as she landed. “No idea. Some kid was bothering a girl. I told him to shove off or else, and then these –” She jerked her chin at the guards, “showed up and arrested me.”
“Er,” A head peeked in at the door, a young man with an armful of scrolls. “Are you Miri Blackstone?” He asked, looking at Evy.
Evy stared at him. “No – no, of course I’m not! That’s Miri,” she gestured at the bars.
“Oh!” The man adjusted the glasses on his nose, stepping into the room. “Er – I am Feledrin. Clerk Feledrin. Lady Harlhaun sent me, Miss Blackstone. Er, to discuss your case before it comes before the kala.”
“The kala!” Evy cried, dramatically. She paused. “What’s a kala?”
“… a judge, Miss…?”
“Evy,” Evy said, firmly.
“Miss Evy. Very well,” Feledrin cleared his throat.
The guard leaned against the wall, clearly bored; he looked like he wasn’t even listening.
“Miss Blackstone, are you aware of the charges against you?” Feledrin asked.
Miri sighed, rubbing her head. Her hair was dusty, and she flicked her fingers through it, not caring just now that it would make it even wilder. “Something about not compelling. That’s all I’ve been able to get out of these idiots.”
“Yes,” Feledrin nodded vigorously, glasses slipping down his nose. He juggled his scrolls into one hand, and hastily pushed his glasses up before securing them again. “It is the fourth law of the Kauladd, which was written by the Council to preserve peace and order here in Delzimmer. It says compel not.”
“What does that mean though?” Evy asked. “What – compel not?”
“It means,” Feledrin fumbled for a scroll, then gave up. “Well, it means one must not engage in any activities which may be construed as fraud or confidence schemes. It also prohibits threats of physical violence by any means.”
“I – ” Miri groaned. “So why am I here, exactly?”
“Well,” Feledrin cleared his throat. “I have it on record here that you said to Aslyn Belark the third, and I quote, ‘Leave that girl alone, or you’ll be sorry.’”
Miri and Evy both stared at him.
“… Yes,” Miri said, finally.
“And I believe you had your hand on your sword while doing so?” Feledrin asked, looking hastily up then down again.
“My – ” Miri rubbed her face. “I was wearing my rapier, yes. I don’t know if my hand was on it. What kind of a question is that?” She scowled at him.
“W-well – it goes to the intent of the statement,” Feledrin promptly fumbled at the scrolls again. “You see Master Belark, when he cried the nagra, said that he felt most threatened by your statement, and compelled to do something which he did not wish – that is, to leave alone Mistress Eleanith Harlhand – the young lady in question – by your words and the presence of your hand on the hilt of your rapier.”
Miri stared at him. “… that… is enough to put me in jail?”
“Compel not, Miss Blackstone,” Feledrin said, firmly, then blanched. “That is – er – so the laws say. But Young Mistress Eleanith begged her grandmother – that is, Lady Harlhand – that you should have some defense before the kala, and so – here I am.”
“Look,” Miri said, firmly. “I was walking back from the healer – I saw this, Belark, I guess, corning a girl who looked deeply unhappy, and I went over and told him to leave her alone. Then he starts screaming for the nagra. But that was it! I never touched the kid.”
“I would not refer to young Master Belark as the kid,” Feledrin said, primly.
Miri groaned. “Fine. Okay. If I compelled him – which I really think is bullshit – then what is the punishment, exactly?”
Feledrin shoved at his glasses again, suddenly nervous. “… Well, it – it is a case by case basis, really. In some cases the kala will require the payment of fines equal to the extent of the injury to the injured and the city. In – other cases the punishment may be floggings and, er, jail time. Er. I should inform you that the Belarks have requested flogging and jail time of one month rather than – rather than a financial penalty.”
“A MONTH!” Evy jerked upright off the wall, eyes wide.
“Well,” Feledrin coughed. “… yes.”
Miri groaned. She grasped the bars of the cage with one hand, slowly leaning her forehead against it. “Feledrin. You’re kidding, right? A month? For telling some scrawy, hook-nosed asshole to get lost?”
“W-well, that is the punishment they have requested,” Feledrin said, nervously. “It is up to the kala’s discretion, of course. And – ah – as Lady Harlhand has requested of me, I will make a defense. Er. What is your defense?”
“My… defense?” Miri asked slowly.
“Yes,” Feledrin produced a small notepad which he balanced on top of the scrolls, along with an inked quill which had left a stain in his pocket. “Your defense.”
“I don’t – isn’t it a crime for him to corner some girl and bother her?” Miri asked, a hopeful tone entering her voice.
“Well – no,” Feledrin shrugged. “At least, Mistress Eleanith has not indicated any desire to pursue such a charge. I believe she wishes this would all just go away.”
“Okay. I wasn’t threatening him, then,” Miri said, decisively. “I just politely asked him to leave her alone. That’s all. I didn’t – this compelling stuff is ridiculous. So what if I was touching my sword? He didn’t have to run away screaming for the nagra.”
Feledrin winced, slightly. “… well, I suppose the kala have heard worse…”
Miri’s evidence before the kala had not gone well.
She was standing in the front-left of a roped-off circle, wearing a very uncomfortable pair of handcuffs. The circle was lined with nagra, swords out, looking intimidating enough that even Miri felt somewhat nervous. It was hot and dusty, and faint coughs could be heard from the crowd of onlookers.
At Feledrin’s advice, Miri had mostly stuck to saying she didn’t remember if she’d been touching her sword, and that she had politely asked that scrawny, hook-nosed idiot to leave the girl alone without any sort of threat. Had she been scowling? No, that was just how her face was. Based on the look on Feledrin’s face, she hadn’t quite followed his advice perfectly. No – it had not gone well.
Eleanith’s evidence, on the other hand, was spectacular.
Eleanith was kneeling before the kala in some sort of wide pale yellow dress that spread out on the dusty ground around her, and a neckline that dipped just a little in the middle, enough that with her at the kala’s feet and her head bowed, Miri was quite sure the judge had an excellent view. Her face was soft and her eyes faintly puffy from weeping, but rather than looking red or streaky she just looked very young and innocent and lovely. Thick dark hair curled loosely over mostly bare shoulders, spilling down her back.
“I beg of you, your honor, to show mercy,” Even Eleanith’s voice was soft and quivering. It was incredible. Miri had no idea how much of a performance this was, or whether the girl was really just that young and naïve. A single tear slipped down her cheek, quivered at her jawline, and dropped to the ground, sparkling in the sunlight, to splash against the dust.
“Please, young Mistress Eleanith, do not distress yourself so,” The kala certainly hadn’t spoken to Miri like that. He was on the far side of middle-aged, for a human, and had been scowling all morning. Well, it was hot, and Miri thought his ceremonial robes looked quite heavy. Just now, his face was soft and almost kind-looking. He knelt down, ornate robes getting as dusty as Eleanith’s pale yellow dress, and cupped her small, soft-looking hands in his. “None of this is your fault, my dear child.”
Eleanith lifted her gaze, slowly, wide golden-brown eyes meeting the kala’s. “Oh, your honor!” She whispered, trembling. “I wish so desperately that all this could be resolved.”
It took all of Miri’s strength to keep from whistling in admiration.
The kala kissed her hand gently, rising to his feet and taking Eleanith with him.
“You are beyond lucky,” Feledrin’s face looked sour, like he’d spent the morning eating lemons rather than overseeing Miri’s trial. “You – I recommend you leave Delzimmer today, and never return.”
Miri rubbed her hands over her now free wrists, grinning cheerfully. “I think that went very well,” she said.
“You – ” Feledrin huffed. “You owe a great debt to Mistress Eleanith. That’s all I have to say about it.”
“I thought you did a great job!” Evy said, cheerfully, clasping Miri’s shoulder.
“Well, I just spoke my piece,” Miri grinned at her.
“You just – you – ” Feledrin’s face was slowly starting to redden. “I – I can’t hardly believe – ”
“Miss Blackstone?” Eleanith’s voice was still soft and sweet, coming from directly behind Miri.
Miri turned, and grinned at the young lady. “Mistress Eleanith,” she bowed. “I am – most grateful.”
“Oh!” Eleanith blushed, pale red color staining her cheeks. “Oh, really, it was nothing. It was all my fault anyway, I – I was most grateful to you for interceding with Aslyn. He is – he is – ” Eleanith bit her lip, the color on her cheeks heightening a little more, and blurted out, “a brute!”
Evy turned away, shoulders shaking, stifling her giggles with one hand.
Miri grinned at Eleanith, rising from her bow. “Honestly, it was my pleasure,” she caught one of Eleanith’s slim white hands and raised it to her lips for a little kiss.
Eleanith’s color heightened considerably.
Now that, Miri thought cheerfully, was very interesting. Maybe Delzimmer wouldn’t be so bad after all…
Sneaking on to the Harlhand estate was surprisingly easy. Yes, they had guards, but they also had not especially high walls – no spikes at the top or anything – and a huge number of trees and brushes for the enterprising rogue. Miri made her way from cover to cover, crouching and creeping alternatively. Eleanith had described her balcony very well indeed, and it was easy enough to spot from the ground. They really hadn’t had enough time to talk after the trial, but Miri was preeeeetty sure Eleanith was expecting her. She had certainly hinted at it.
This was going to be fairly awkward otherwise.
Luckily too, the brick wall next to it had plenty of handholds and footholds, not to mention all that convenient clinging ivy. Miri climbed easily and effortlessly, hand over hand, and slipped onto the balcony. The door was open just a crack, the breeze making the white curtains sway. White, really? Given how dusty Delzimmer could be? Miri didn’t think she would ever understand rich people.
Miri slipped into the room.
There was a soft gasp from the bed; Eleanith sat upright against her pillows, wearing what looked to Miri like a pale gold silk nightgown, bedsheets and blankets spread in an appealing pool around her. Either it was staged, or the girl was truly a natural. Miri decided she didn’t care which.
“Good evening,” Miri grinned.
“I didn’t think you’d come,” Eleanith whispered, eyes wide.
“Why not?” Miri crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed with a smile. She wore her leather pants and a black sleeveless shirt with a dangerously plunging neckline, a nice compromise between ease of movement, stealth, and sex appeal.
Eleanith trembled.
“There’s no need to be afraid,” Miri reached out, setting one dark hand on Eleanith’s, coaxing it over, her fingers tickling the girl’s palm slightly. “Don’t you want me here?”
“Oh! Yes,” Eleanith breathed. “I – I need your help.”
Miri paused in her ministrations; her fingers had made it all the way to Eleanith’s wrist. “My help?” She smiled at the girl.
“Oh,” Eleanith blushed. “Please. It’s Aslyn, you see.”
Miri raised an eyebrow, slowly. “My help with Aslyn?” She picked up Eleanith’s hand, examining it, and gave it another soft kiss.
Eleanith shivered. “I thought – I thought perhaps you would challenge him to a duel,” she whispered. “Ask him – to leave me alone, when you win.”
Miri turned Eleanith’s hand over again and kissed her palm this time. Eleanith made another very encouraging noise, soft and sort of whimpery. “Have you ever seen a duel before?” She asked, lightly, meeting Eleanith’s eyes with her own.
“N-no…” Eleanith shivered; there was a bit of an odd light in her eyes.
Miri grinned. If Eleanith was a budding little sociopath who wanted two potential suitors to duel over her, Miri would happily oblige. Honestly, it sounded – amusing. Miri felt a little sorry for Delzimmer when the kid came of age; she thought Eleanith would probably tear a swath straight through polite society.
“I’d be happy to be your champion,” Miri’s fingers slid slowly up Eleanith’s arm.
Eleanith smiled at her, leaning forward slowly, one lock of hair tumbling over her nearly-bare shoulder. “Oh, thank you! I can’t – I can’t think how to express my gratitude.”
“Oh,” Miri’s hand lifted slowly, cupping Eleanith’s cheek. “I have a few ideas.”
Aslyn stood across the stones; even in the pre-dawn light, Delzimmer was hot and dusty, and he looked thoroughly uncomfortable in his breastplate.
Miri adjusted her leather armor.
Evy, some hawk-nosed slightly older kid who was Aslyn’s second, and Eleanith all sat on a bench off to the side of the little arena. Eleanith was leaning forward, chest rising and falling quickly, hands clenched in the lap of her dark brown cloak.
Miri glanced up, realizing Aslyn was talking – possibly had been talking for some time. “… and when I win this duel, you will leave Delzimmer, never to return!”
Miri paused. Aslyn looked at her, and she was vaguely aware of Eleanith and his second looking at her as well. “Oh, right,” she grinned. “Yes, absolutely. But if you lose, you will leave Mistress Eleanith well-alone, your paths never to cross again.”
“I’ll never lose!” Aslyn lifted his rapier. He looked about seventeen, and Miri felt a faint pang of guilt. She drew her rapier as well, pointing the blade at him.
Miri's initiative: 1d20+3
Aslyn's initiative: 1d20+2
Miri moved first, darting in quickly, the point of her rapier flashing out towards Aslyn.
Miri's attack: 1d20+5
"Ha!" Aslyn knocked Miri's blade aside with his own, parrying neatly. He lunged forward with his own attack.
