Once more, the pain of a fractured rib was what roused Marie from sleep. Although, this time, it had been more like unconsciousness.

  Thick stone walls obscured most of the light in the narrow cell she was sprawled in, but thankfully that meant it cut out most of the heat too.

  Indistinct echoes filtered past the iron grating that separated her from what was surely the Watch's prison, but for the first time in more than a month, Marie wasn’t sure exactly where she was.

  So [Precise Cartography] does not function when you are knocked out.

  Feeling her head for lumps or dried blood, she was relieved to find that it must have been a Skill that the [Watch Commander] had used to send her under.

  “At least I will not have a concussion.”

  Will I?

  For a few moments, she considered calling out, but the effort and the futility of asking any questions she might have come up with persuaded her otherwise.

  She knew where she was, and why, and the chances of them telling her what her situation was were slim at best.

  Best to find out the consequences of breaking the law beforehand next time.

  As it was, she didn’t have to wait all that long before someone came, but it wasn’t who she’d expected.

  “Aelind?, what are you…oh.”

  The elven woman helped Napoleon slip through the bars, where he tottered over to lie down beside her. Grey eyes looked down on her in the dim light.

  “Probably wasn’t the best idea to assault a [Councillor], and a [Lord] at that.”

  She lingered on the skeletal dog and Marie knew which of them the elf felt most sorry for. But bringing up Lord Entoll flared her temper along with the pain in her chest as she shifted upright.

  “He deserved it.”

  “He didn’t though.” She looked at Napoleon again. “...what exactly were you trying to achieve?”

  Marie almost went to shrug, then thought better of it.

  “I am just sick and tired of the people of this town treating the allagi like they are worthless… outcasts… when they do not deserve it.”

  An opening door and a raised voice from the corridor beyond made Aelind? turn her head and wave off a query. The elf turned back to her and shook her head.

  “Well, I hope it was worth it. Not sure exactly what you’ll be charged with - Lord Entoll was spitting fire.” A wry smile played around her face before she got serious again. “I expect someone from the guild will come to talk when people have rested and sorted things out. Good luck - and look after poor Boney!”

  The elf disappeared from view and the creaking of a door came once more, giving rise to a cacophony of conversation in the brief moments before it shut and left her in silence and shadows.

  Which was fine by her for now.

  She shifted onto a rough bed of straw and rags and pulled Napoleon into her lap and began to examine him in as much detail as she could.

  —

  A clatter came from the corridor as a pair of guards passed her cell, dragging a now non-shifted allagi from deeper in the gaol out to wherever they were. The Watchhouse? As the door opened and sound flooded through, she made out a couple of voices she thought she recognised. Then there was a sudden respectful silence, before the door shut with a dull thud, followed by soft footfalls.

  Moments later, a blacker patch of the shadows beyond her bars moved and the [Watch Commander] stepped up and looked down on her, lying supine on the makeshift mattress. He stared for a full minute in silence, expression hidden in the dark.

  “You are to be put on trial for assault at some point in the next few days. You are to be held here until that point. You are entitled to know that Lord Entoll has chosen not to request a whipping, but a period of incarceration and a fine will be sought for your actions.”

  Marie took a second to process the information. When she spoke, her voice croaked.

  “Will he be there? And will there be an official record of the event?”

  “Lord Entoll will not attend personally. He'll have a representative to put his case forward, although that's more a formality, given that half the council and guild witnessed it.”

  “I will at least have the chance to speak?”

  He glowered, or at least, she thought he did. Even with her [Twilight Vision] it was hard to tell in the shadows.

  “You may be permitted to say something in your defence.”

  Marie's eyes turned to steel.

  “Good. That is more of a chance than the allagi got.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  [Watch Commander] Amit’s face was crimson as he leant in and caught a beam of light coming through a high window, hissing.

  “You keep showing disrespect and I'll ramp up those charges and insist on the whipping, no matter what Miss Entoll argues.”

  “I am the only one who is showing respect - to those that were killed.”

  “That's enough! You’ve got nothing in this. You’re no one - a visitor. A vagrant for all we know of you. We lost one of our own.”

  “And the allagi lost seven. They lost family.”

  “So did I.”

  Before she could say anything else, the slamming of the door echoed round the gaol, as the [Watch Commander] left at a pace Marie couldn't even register.

  —

  Hours later, when another shadow appeared, Marie assumed Amit had returned, but even the fading light from the solitary window overhead was enough to illuminate the outline of a mane as the [Guildmaster]. When he finally spoke, it was impossible to read his tone.

  “This wasn’t quite the way I saw the day going, Marie.”

  She stayed silent.

  Hungry and silent.

  “I’ve been wondering if I could have averted this particular escapade. Perhaps I should have mentioned that the officer who died was [Watch Commander] Amit’s niece, but somehow I don’t think that would have affected your decisions…”

  He settled down on his haunches to wait, and after a minute Marie responded, hoarse from thirst.

  “I am sorry for the man. I am also just as sorry for the allagi, but I may have… lost my temper earlier. It has been a while since that has happened. Physically at least. I do not regret what I said though, or what I did.”

  “Do you think it helped the allagi? Or you?”

  “No, but someone had to do something. The council was talking about the dead as though only one was an issue.”

  “I’m not sure throwing a mug at [Lord] Entoll will change their perception, if that was what you were hoping to achieve.”

  “I do not know. It was not… I was not really thinking of it in the moment, but maybe they will think a second time before badmouthing the alllagi.”

  “I don’t think they will.”

  Marie watched as the tabaxi straightened up until he was standing at his full height.

  “No, I do not think so either, but I could not stand by and do nothing. I should have done more. That pathetic excuse for a [Lord] deserved worse.”

  The [Guildmaster] scratched at his chin under his mane.

  “It is not my place to judge the man. Not publicly. The guild does not involve itself in politics. At least, most of us don’t.” A flash of a fang came from the black. “Having said that, I must admit that I also don’t regret what you did to him; I just hope you retain the same outlook after the trial.”

  Marie glowered.

  “I am the one being put on trial, when they are the ones who see the death of the allagi and sweep it under the rug.”

  “You did assault someone. They haven’t broken any laws, though I know you disagree with how things have been handled”

  She knew she was talking in circles, but the frustration wasn’t going anywhere.

  “It is all so unfair on their people. They are not trying to do anything wrong. It is a curse they have to live with, and everyone makes them out to be demons. They have only been welcoming and friendly to me and it makes me feel sick when I see how some people treat them. And even worse - they seem to be resigned to it. Accept it. Saying that the allagi will have to pay for the death of the woman is not just wrong, it is evil. How can they be expected to find that kind of money when they already have less than others, and when they were the ones who lost the most? The allagi broke free because of the poor condition of the lodge they were living in; they need help to fix their homes up, not punishments that will stop them affording repairs.”

  Thror didn’t reply immediately. The dark-furred tabaxi blended with the shadows so well Marie couldn’t read any expression or body language. She almost thought he might leave.

  “None of what you said is wrong, Marie; however, you either need to be strong enough to force people to listen, diplomatic enough to make them want to listen, or knowledgeable enough of the rules to get your way even when they don’t want to listen. You’re none of these yet, but give it time. You’ve gained levels faster than almost anyone I’ve known before. From nothing to level 16 as a [Secretary] in less than two weeks is…unheard of, and you picked up the guild rules quicker than I could have expected. Diplomacy…well, everyone has to have a weakness…but I’m sure you could even become a [Lady] to rival [Lord] Entoll if you put your mind to it.”

  Marie shuddered at the thought, and winced as the motion pulled at her ribs. She opened her eyes to find the tabaxi [Guildmaster] holding out a familiar looking bottle. She accepted it through the bars, uncorked it, and downed it in one. The pain in her chest faded, but didn’t entirely disappear.

  “Osric is making progress, but he has a way to go still.”

  She handed the empty glass back.

  “Certainly beats Perdy’s stuff if you didn’t even retch.”

  She sighed, and luxuriated in the ability to breathe deeper once more.

  “Do you think I will be punished severely? I know Lord Entoll dislikes me, even if Fila and I get on.”

  “You did assault him. He was rather peeved at that.” The tabaxi’s canines gleamed where they caught what little light there still was. “However, you’re a part of the guild, and if they try to overstep what the law allows, I’ll put a stop to it.”

  There was silence as Marie pondered a request, and after a few long moments she decided there weren’t many other options she could rely on. And as she was a member of the guild...

  “Would you represent me in court? Just in case. I do not know the laws of Wayfarrow yet and I fear the [Watch Commander] and others may not be entirely unbiased in their judgement of me…”

  Thror snorted.

  “I’ll be there. As long as you keep coming up with improvements to the guild, I’ll stand behind you.”

  She wasn’t sure if his smile was meant to show that he was serious, or just gentle teasing, and she was so grateful that she wouldn’t be left to handle it alone that she didn’t ask. But with their conversation at an end, the [Guildmaster] soon departed and she was left alone once more, save for Napoleon’s constant, oddly reassuring presence.

  If he survived whatever befell that place…

  The only other thing she experienced that night, beyond a bowl of cold porridge and mug of water being shoved through a slit at the bottom of her cell, were the words of [Guildmaster] Thror coming into her head as faint moonlight filtered through the high window.

  ‘Attention adventurers of Wayfarrow who participated in the events of last night. In recognition of your services to the guild, each member will be granted credit equal to their daily rate of pay - according to their rank - which can be used to purchase items from the guild store or inventory. In addition, any equipment granted by the guild for use last night is not required to be returned as previously stated. Further recompense may be granted in the future for those undertaking previously unpaid work on behalf of the guild. Speak to [Secretary] Marie after the conclusion of her trial for more information.’

  She suppressed a snort that would have taxed her healing ribs too much and lay back in the quiet of the cell with no one but an undead dog for company as exhaustion overwhelmed frustration and tension, and she fell asleep.

  [Secretary Level 17!]

  [Skill - Guildsworn Bonus gained!]

  Hi all, hope you're enjoying the story so far.

  If you'd like to leave a comment or rating I'm grateful for all feedback; it all helps me and the story grow!

  For anyone that wants to support me or read more, you can find more of the story here:.

  Thanks for reading!