“I am Dalmaric of Salvath and wrongly
accused of killing the husband of my mistress.
It was not me but another man who did it, and I was blamed.” The king
nodded as the jailer closed the small window on the door of his cell. Dalmaric was discovered in the very act of
beating his lover’s husband to death.
“I am Futoras of Tolvol. I was wrongly accused of stealing coins and
goods from a house. I was only trying to
see if my neighbor was home when another saw me leave.” The king nodded as the jailer closed the
small window on the door of his cell.
The jailer informed the king, “He neglected to tell you sire that he
killed the neighbor.”
Going the third cell the man inside spat
upon the king’s calm face and screamed, “I was wrongly thrown into this filthy pit
of yours for raping women; I never did that, I only killed them. Bardos of Harad’s word is good enough for
civilized men.” The jailer was closing the window without waiting for the king’s
nod.
Going to the fourth door the jailer opened
the small barred window. Seeing no one
he yell, “Step up and see the king. Tell
him your name and why you were placed here.”
A moment later a woman appeared, “I am
Lethrah of Lindol. I was wrongly accused
to thieving purses in the market square.
I say wrongly because my husband’s debts were outstanding and my son was
caught holding my purses.”
The king smirked as the jailer slowly closed
the small window. “She stabbed four men
trying to detain, sire.” The jailer shook his head.
Rapping on the fifth and final cell and
calling the prisoner forth, the king listened once again. A bearded man gave his reply, “I am Eiron, my
lord; from the Port of Kalos. I stole
four loaves of bread, a basket of fish from the market to feed my family of
eight children. It was in taking a cloak
that was hung out to dry that got me noticed; and drug before the magistrate
who thought me worthless that I was cast into Varlendur, sire. I did these things, my lord out of
desperation and beg your forgiveness, sire.” Now all of this came from the man
as his was kneeling before the closed door, after a report was demanded of him
like the other prisoners.
A slow smile came over the king’s face as he
told the jailer, “Have this one here removed before he corrupts these other
honest ones.” After the jailer opened the door, they saw the bearded man was
still kneeling before the door. The King
told Eiron, “Rise up, you are freed. A
bag of coins and provisions will be given to you. After two days with your family, they are to
move here to Mithar. On the third day I
want to see you again, clean shaven as you will be my cup bearer – do you
understand?”
The tearful man stood, and said, “Yes my
king. May God be given all the praise
for the mercy you have shown me today, mi lord.”
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