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<blockquote data-quote="Morpheus" data-source="post: 737849" data-attributes="member: 612">Forward Unto Darkness (Part I)“Actually, I was waiting for you…”&nbsp; The three men turned to look at the prisoner they shared the cell with. Somehow, his manner did not fit his attire. He seemed more capable than he let on.&nbsp; “And another, who should be along momentarily.”&nbsp; As if on cue, the door to the cellblock opened and the sound of approaching boots was heard. A key was fitted into the lock and the cell door was opened.&nbsp; “Get in there, you filthy little bugger!”&nbsp; The boot of the guard connected with the hind end of a small creature who was sent sprawling into the cell. The creature, a gobber, quickly scrambled upright; looked around and went over to a corner. It looked around in a piteous and frightened manner.&nbsp; “Ah, now that we are all here I can explain. My name is Canter Welby and I was sent here to meet you by my boss. That is, of course, if you are truly the Prophesized Ones.”&nbsp; Caltros and the others looked at each other.&nbsp; ‘The Prophesized Ones?”&nbsp; “Yes, the ones that were foreseen in the Prophecy. I must be sure. If you truly are the Prophesized Ones, you should have a birthmark on the back of your left shoulder. Let us take a look now, shall we?”&nbsp; Caltros took off his chain shirt and removed his shirt. On the back of his left shoulder was what appeared to be a mole, but on closer inspection, looked to be a small starburst. One by one, the others followed suit and an identical starburst was found to be on each of their shoulders.&nbsp; Canter looked over at the gobber in the corner.&nbsp; “You too. Let’s take a look.”&nbsp; The gobber stood up hesitantly and took off its poncho. The gobber, whose name wasPunt as it later turned out, looked over its left shoulder. Then Punt looked over his rightshoulder. Then his left. Then his right. As Punt was doing this, everyone that was notPunt got a clear look at the starburst on his left shoulder. &nbsp; “So, it is true. You are the Ones.”&nbsp; Caltros donned his chain shirt and looked at Canter.&nbsp; “So, who is your boss? How did he know about us?”&nbsp; “All will be revealed in time if you come with me to meet him. He has the information you are looking for. But first, we have to leave here.”&nbsp; Everyone looked for a part of the cell to claim as their own and settled down for the &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; night. A couple of hours before sunrise, the door to the cell block was opened and &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; boot steps were heard. The cell door was opened and then a dwarf, wearing robes with&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; the symbol of the city of Five Fingers emblazoned upon it, stepped into the cell.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Get up! It is time you went to see the judge and stopped taking up my valuable time!”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The prisoners were then herded out of the cell and down a few corridors until they came &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; to a large room with a huge podium. Behind the podium was a wizened man dressed in&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; the same robe as the dwarf.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Bring the first prisoner!”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The guards grabbed Sigurd and took him before the podium.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “Read the charges.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The dwarf unrolled a scroll and held it before him.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; “The prisoner is accused of the following: Unlawful Assembly, Disorder, Destruction of &nbsp; City Property.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The judge looked down at Sigurd.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; “How do you plead?”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; “Guilty.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; “Guilty as charged! Fine is 125 royals. Next!”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Sigurd was led away and Kariff is brought before the judge.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; “Read the charges.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The dwarf held the same scroll before him.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “The prisoner is accused of the following: Unlawful Assembly, Disorder, Destructionof City Property.”&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; “How do you plead?”&nbsp; &nbsp; “Not guilty.”&nbsp; &nbsp; The judge looked over at the dwarf holding the scroll.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Call forth the witness.”&nbsp; &nbsp; The dwarf stepped up next to Kariff.&nbsp; &nbsp; “I saw him do it, your Honor.”&nbsp; &nbsp; “Guilty as charged! Fine is 250 royals. Next!”&nbsp; &nbsp; Kariff is led away, his jaw agape. Caltros is led before the podium.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Read the charges.”&nbsp; &nbsp; The dwarf pulls a scroll from his robes.&nbsp; &nbsp; “The prisoner is accused of the following: Unlawful Assembly, Disorder, Disharmony-specifically, unwanted singing in a public place, Destruction of City Property.”&nbsp; &nbsp; “How do you plead?”&nbsp; &nbsp; “Guilty, but…”&nbsp; &nbsp; “Guilty as charged! Fine is 225 royals. Next!”&nbsp; &nbsp; Punt is dragged before the podium. He curls up and looks up at the judge, piteously.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Read the charges.”&nbsp; &nbsp; The dwarf pulls another scroll from his robes.&nbsp; &nbsp; “The prisoner is accused of Spontaneous Use of Magic in a Public Place.”&nbsp; &nbsp; “How do you plead?”&nbsp; &nbsp; Punt looks up at the judge and whines.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Call forth the witness.”&nbsp; &nbsp; The dwarf steps up to the podium beside Punt.&nbsp; &nbsp; “I saw him do it, your Honor.”&nbsp; &nbsp; “Guilty as charged! Fine is forfeiture of all personal possessions. Take them away!”&nbsp; &nbsp; The guards take the prisoners to a small room where a man is seated behind a barred window. The man behind the window looks up.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Ok, what have we here. Ah, time to pay up. Sigurd, 125 royals.”&nbsp; &nbsp; Sigurd went through his possessions and gave the man his climbing gear that he had keptfrom his days in military. He also handeped over the last of his money. He steps away from the window, dejected.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Let’s see. Kariff, 250 royals.”&nbsp; &nbsp; Kariff stepped up to the window and after a brief negotiation, gave the man his horse and most of his money. He stepped away from the window, somber.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Caltros, 225 royals. Pay up.”&nbsp; &nbsp; Caltros stepped up to the window. One finely crafted lute and all of his money lighter, hewalked back to the rest of his companions. Caltros tried to smile in an effort to encourage his companions, but it failed.&nbsp; &nbsp; The guards lead them out of the gaol. They handed over the rest of the companion’s equipment and slammed the door.&nbsp; &nbsp; Canter was standing nearby.&nbsp; &nbsp; “Now that’s out of the way, we can get going…”</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Morpheus, post: 737849, member: 612"] [b]Forward Unto Darkness (Part I)[/b] “Actually, I was waiting for you…” The three men turned to look at the prisoner they shared the cell with. Somehow, his manner did not fit his attire. He seemed more capable than he let on. “And another, who should be along momentarily.” As if on cue, the door to the cellblock opened and the sound of approaching boots was heard. A key was fitted into the lock and the cell door was opened. “Get in there, you filthy little bugger!” The boot of the guard connected with the hind end of a small creature who was sent sprawling into the cell. The creature, a gobber, quickly scrambled upright; looked around and went over to a corner. It looked around in a piteous and frightened manner. “Ah, now that we are all here I can explain. My name is Canter Welby and I was sent here to meet you by my boss. That is, of course, if you are truly the Prophesized Ones.” Caltros and the others looked at each other. ‘The Prophesized Ones?” “Yes, the ones that were foreseen in the Prophecy. I must be sure. If you truly are the Prophesized Ones, you should have a birthmark on the back of your left shoulder. Let us take a look now, shall we?” Caltros took off his chain shirt and removed his shirt. On the back of his left shoulder was what appeared to be a mole, but on closer inspection, looked to be a small starburst. One by one, the others followed suit and an identical starburst was found to be on each of their shoulders. Canter looked over at the gobber in the corner. “You too. Let’s take a look.” The gobber stood up hesitantly and took off its poncho. The gobber, whose name was Punt as it later turned out, looked over its left shoulder. Then Punt looked over his right shoulder. Then his left. Then his right. As Punt was doing this, everyone that was not Punt got a clear look at the starburst on his left shoulder. “So, it is true. You are the Ones.” Caltros donned his chain shirt and looked at Canter. “So, who is your boss? How did he know about us?” “All will be revealed in time if you come with me to meet him. He has the information you are looking for. But first, we have to leave here.” Everyone looked for a part of the cell to claim as their own and settled down for the night. A couple of hours before sunrise, the door to the cell block was opened and boot steps were heard. The cell door was opened and then a dwarf, wearing robes with the symbol of the city of Five Fingers emblazoned upon it, stepped into the cell. “Get up! It is time you went to see the judge and stopped taking up my valuable time!” The prisoners were then herded out of the cell and down a few corridors until they came to a large room with a huge podium. Behind the podium was a wizened man dressed in the same robe as the dwarf. “Bring the first prisoner!” The guards grabbed Sigurd and took him before the podium. “Read the charges.” The dwarf unrolled a scroll and held it before him. “The prisoner is accused of the following: Unlawful Assembly, Disorder, Destruction of City Property.” The judge looked down at Sigurd. “How do you plead?” “Guilty.” “Guilty as charged! Fine is 125 royals. Next!” Sigurd was led away and Kariff is brought before the judge. “Read the charges.” The dwarf held the same scroll before him. “The prisoner is accused of the following: Unlawful Assembly, Disorder, Destruction of City Property.” “How do you plead?” “Not guilty.” The judge looked over at the dwarf holding the scroll. “Call forth the witness.” The dwarf stepped up next to Kariff. “I saw him do it, your Honor.” “Guilty as charged! Fine is 250 royals. Next!” Kariff is led away, his jaw agape. Caltros is led before the podium. “Read the charges.” The dwarf pulls a scroll from his robes. “The prisoner is accused of the following: Unlawful Assembly, Disorder, Disharmony- specifically, unwanted singing in a public place, Destruction of City Property.” “How do you plead?” “Guilty, but…” “Guilty as charged! Fine is 225 royals. Next!” Punt is dragged before the podium. He curls up and looks up at the judge, piteously. “Read the charges.” The dwarf pulls another scroll from his robes. “The prisoner is accused of Spontaneous Use of Magic in a Public Place.” “How do you plead?” Punt looks up at the judge and whines. “Call forth the witness.” The dwarf steps up to the podium beside Punt. “I saw him do it, your Honor.” “Guilty as charged! Fine is forfeiture of all personal possessions. Take them away!” The guards take the prisoners to a small room where a man is seated behind a barred window. The man behind the window looks up. “Ok, what have we here. Ah, time to pay up. Sigurd, 125 royals.” Sigurd went through his possessions and gave the man his climbing gear that he had kept from his days in military. He also handeped over the last of his money. He steps away from the window, dejected. “Let’s see. Kariff, 250 royals.” Kariff stepped up to the window and after a brief negotiation, gave the man his horse and most of his money. He stepped away from the window, somber. “Caltros, 225 royals. Pay up.” Caltros stepped up to the window. One finely crafted lute and all of his money lighter, he walked back to the rest of his companions. Caltros tried to smile in an effort to encourage his companions, but it failed. The guards lead them out of the gaol. They handed over the rest of the companion’s equipment and slammed the door. Canter was standing nearby . “Now that’s out of the way, we can get going…” [/QUOTE]

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