A/N: Yeah…I know this took awhile to update and usually I'm so much better at that! I could give you an excuse but I don't have one. I just kinda sorta dropped the ball since it's been so hot. Sorry. ^^;
Chapter Three: Court of justice Vs Court of miracles
Gar dragged his feet as he entered the small room at the top of the bell tower and collapsed down onto his bed. It had been a few days since the whole fiasco formerly known as the festival of fools. He knew he was in serious trouble and part of him wasn't sure if he cared. Sure he had been pelted with food, humiliated, chained down to a wheel and spun around to be mocked but before that things had been going very well. He had gotten to eat a slice of pie, heard some new material for jokes, and even managed to get a glimpse at the dancing gypsy that the town was always carrying on about.
He could see why people seemed so intrigued with her. Her eyes held something mysterious deep within them and even with her cold demeanor she seemed to have a spark of warmth. He replayed the way she helped him on the stage and how she had stood up to the Arch Deacon, something no one had ever done before. The skill she showed in getting away from the guards was just breath taking. She was pretty, agile, smart, kind, and in his opinion a wonderful woman all around.
He glanced down at his hands and felt the heat rise to his cheeks as he thought over their first encounter. He remembered the curves of her body underneath his and the surprised expression as she saw him for the first time. The look of shock did nothing to diminish her beauty. He had noticed that when she was caught off guard one could actually see the warmth hidden deep inside of her. He didn't know why but he wanted to see her again and to try and get a smile. He imagined the way she would look with happiness and laughter on her face and he smiled to himself.
Slade walked in and the green teen hide his hands behind his back like a child that had been doing something they weren't suppose to. Slade arched an eyebrow and Gar could feel his cheeks flush more. There was only silence between the two for a few moments, seeming to size the other up. Well one was sizing and the other was trying to gauge how much trouble he was in.
Slade moved his hands behind his back and slowly progressed further into the room. Gar immediately recognized the years of military training slipping into place and he went a shade of green paler. The Deacon did not look at his ward and Gar knew that this was leading to a very severe punishment. The green teen gulped.
"You disobeyed me the other day, Garfield."
"I'm sorry, master…" Gar whispered and moved to sit crossed legged on the bed, his eyes cast downward.
"Not only did you disobey me but you embarrassed me. Do you know what happens when I'm embarrassed?" Slade did not have to look over to the green teen to know that his words were making Gar increasingly nervous. The room remained in silence as Slade waited for an answer.
"I-I-I get pu-punished?" Gar stuttered. Slade let a smirk cross his lips and he moved outside onto the balcony.
"And how do you think I should do that, Garfield?"
"Er. Let me go with a warning?" Gar said, trying to loosen the tension building in the room. Slade did not chuckle and the teen regretted speaking.
"I see. Well perhaps you are right." Emerald eyes darted up and landed on Slade's back. The older man moved to turn around and the smile that he wore across his face made Gar's blood run cold. "You've been summoned to the court. They have decided to make this a public matter. Hopefully they find your jokes funnier than I do, though I doubt it."
The silver haired man moved to where the green teen sat and he tossed the letter down onto the boy's lap. Gar watched the letter as if it was the piece of paper of doom and tried to will it away. It didn't work. Slade only smirked and moved from the room, his hands still folded behind his back like a general.
"Wait! Can't you get me out of this? I mean I'm sorry! I am!" The emerald skinned teen begged. He couldn't go back out there after what had just happened. Hadn't he been humiliated enough as it was? Slade did not seem the least bit moved from the plea and did not send his charge so much as a glance as he stopped in the doorway.
"Yes. I suppose I could do something. I'll send Malchior along to keep you company." Gar's jaw dropped. That was just low. Talk about kicking someone while they were down. Slade had kicked, grinded, and poured salt into the wounds. "Good luck, Garfield. Maybe next time you'll learn to obey." He closed the door behind him and his footsteps echoed throughout the room as he made his way down the stairs.
Gar only watched the wooden door in shock. He couldn't believe it; he didn't want to believe it. He was abandoned to the wolves yet again by his own protector.
"What. A. Jerk." Said a female voice from behind him and he didn't have to turn around to know it was Kole. He nodded his head slightly in agreement. Finally he managed to pull his eyes away from the door and slumped against the wall. He grumbled and clutched the paper in his fist.
"I can't…I can't go out there." Gar said and pulled his knees to his chest, wrapping his arms around them. "I can't go through that again…" Kole frowned as she watched the green young man lower his forehead against his knees and whimpered a soft cry of help. She placed her hand on his shoulder to try and comfort him but it did nothing to help. Gnarrk and Cliff looked on with sad faces from behind the doorway. The sound of footsteps had the three statues quickly moving back out of the room, barely making it as the door flew open. Emerald eyes looked up to see a flash of white and instantly he narrowed his eyes.
Malchior stood in the doorway dressed in his finest of clothes. The black cape draped down his back and to the floor. He wore a purple tunic with red slashes up the middle and sides. The scholar strolled over to the teen on the bed and his black knee high boots tapped at the ground.
"Normally I would taunt you. However we're going to be late. I would hate to keep your fate waiting." Smirked the devious young man and Gar had to remind himself he was in enough trouble. He said nothing and slowly eased up from the bed. Malchior let his baby blue eyes watch as the jade colored young man moved to grab his cloak before they were off; the smirk never leaving the taller youth's face. In his opinion the green beast was getting what he desired and he would make sure of it.
Days ago after the events of the festival of fools, one young playwright found himself following the two gypsies and their goat. He had gotten as far as the bad side of town before he found himself turning around. Garth wanted to know more about the dark haired girl but he didn't know if he had the courage to truly walk into the rat hole of the city to simply carry on a conversation with a pretty girl. However as the days went by he had caught word that the green man was to go on trail and if the gypsy girl wanted to be spared her life she should come clean and also stand before the judge. He knew it was none of his business or his concern but he couldn't help but feel that someone should at least warn her.
So here he stood once more on the borderline of the lower part of town, twisting and untwisting his hat. It wasn't too late to turn around and go back to writing. If he could just push the thought of being a good guy from his mind he wouldn't even have to feel guilty. That was the key, not to think about it. So lost in his thought he didn't notice how his black boots moved him further into the heart of the city. He didn't notice how the chills run up the back of his neck. He did however notice as feet started to move behind him. Garth turned around to see a young man around his age standing behind him. The large green hat the teen wore covered half his head and the only thing that could be seen were his lips. He was dressed in white from head to toe with green gloves and shoes on.
"Spare some change, sir?" The dark skinned teen asked and held out a hand to the playwright. Garth only gave the boy a sad frown and rubbed the back of his head, inching away little by little.
"I'm afraid I'm broke." The teen only moved closer and kept his hand outstretched.
"Spare some change. Sir?" Garth started to feel uncomfortable and with each step back he took the teen in the green hat would match it. He tried to hold up his hand to show he was indeed broke and that's when he hit against someone. Quickly he turned around once more and came face to face with an overweight, acne ridden, and badly groomed man. The young man looked him in the eye and moved closer to him, limping on a crutch.
"Spare some change?" Garth was suddenly getting a feeling this was not a place he wanted to be. Clearing his throat he pointed the other way and started to follow his own finger. He made it a step before he bumped into another man. His deep black eyes glanced up to meet another pair of dark eyes. The man seemed to glow with an orange tint even though his skin was dark. He wore a black outfit with red trimming and said nothing as he stuck out his hand. That was enough for the young writer.
Garth ducked from the outstretched hands and started to run as fast as he could down the alley. His boots stomped on the concrete tiles and echoed throughout the narrow alleyway. He ran a little more and stopped to glance over his shoulder. He knew it wasn't possible for them to all follow him but if he could just outrun the one he would be fine. Not seeing anything he let out a loud breath of air and turned to start walking again, stopping abruptly when all three men stood in front of him. He saw the smirk along the first beggar's lips as he pushed up the green hat and winked at him. He only had time to gasp before the chubby long haired teen used his crutch and struck him over the head. Everything went black and the last thing he heard was one of the men asking if that was really necessary.
"I did not!" Screamed an all too familiar voice and pink hair swept along her eyes.
"Did too." Yelled a little girl dressed in rags. The child was looking up and glaring at the woman in front of her.
"DID NOT!"
"Yeah you kind of did." Interrupted another familiar voice but this time it was manlier.
"I DID NOT!" Screamed Jinx at the top of her lungs. Wally winced and rubbed the inside of his ear with his pinky, trying to get his eardrums to work again. Once he was certain he wasn't deaf he turned back to the fuming pink haired woman.
"Yes. Yes you did. Now it's only fair. Come on. Be a big person here." Jinx grinded her teeth together and very slowly pulled a small doll from a hidden pocket in her suit. She stuck out of her hand and turned her eyes the other way as the small girl squealed and took back her doll. The child stuck her tongue out at the female jester and skipped off to resume her play. Jinx glared down at her boyfriend and Wally only smiled, winking up at her.
"Now don't you feel better?"
"She hits me again with a ball and she gets that damn thing back in pieces." Wally couldn't help but smile and watch as his partner plopped down onto a chair across from him.
"New meat! New meat! New meat! Yay!" Screamed Timmy and he run by the jesters with the rest of the children on his heels. Jinx arched an eyebrow and glanced toward the reddish brown haired jester. Wally met her look and there was a moment of pause between them. Seconds later they were jumping up and running over to the scene, pushing each other out of the way to reach there first. Jinx smirked and knew she could never win in a fair fight so she tripped the speedster. Wally 'eeped' and fell down onto his knees as the pink haired woman run by, sticking her tongue out at him. He held up a fist to promise retaliation later before he was back on his feet and following behind, a large smirk still on his face. He really did adore her.
Jinx burst through the crowd and came to a halt to see three men carrying a black haired man between them. She arched an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest.
"What do we have here?"
"Caught him snooping around so we thought we would bring him here for judgment." Said Seemore as he tugged the green hat back up, revealing his yellow eyes.
"I hit him!" Beamed the overweight teen they had named Control Freak some while ago. No one really remembered why they gave him the name and none even bothered to try to figure it out anymore.
"Yeah but I got the trail to get us there on time since someone always lags behind." Isiah said and patted Control freak on the gut to try and prove a point.
"So you had one good idea. Big whoop." Control Freak replied.
"What was that?!" Screamed Isiah and Jinx only rolled her eyes. The kid had such an unnecessary temper.
"Calm down, Hot Spot. I think he's waking up." Wally said as he moved closer to the small group and leaned over the waking writer.
Garth groaned and felt the world spinning around him. He didn't know what had hit him but it had hurt, that was for sure. The voices drifted to his ears and he had to force his vision to focus. Gradually the world started to move into one instead of two and he realized he was surrounded by a small group that was enclosed by a large crowd. This couldn't end well.
"Wh-where am I…" Garth asked and felt a strong pair of hands helping him up to his feet.
"The court of miracles!" Said the male jester and wrapped his arm around Garth's shoulder. They started to walk a bit and Garth let his eyes move around the faces of the crowd. When his eyes would pass over them to the next set of people, the large group would smirk and grin.
"Why do you call it that?" The jester smirked and the room chuckled.
"Why. Where else could you find blind men seeing?" Seemore said and leaned in, pushing the brim of his hat up to reveal his gleaming eyes. Garth frowned and stepped back to bump into yet another beggar he had met earlier.
"Or where the mute can speak." Hot Spot said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Or the lame can walk." Control freak chimed in, spinning in a circle to seem and prove his point. Garth moved away only to have an arm wrapping around his shoulder again and he was led deeper into the cavern.
"Welcome to our lovely little home." Wally outstretched an arm and showed off the wonderment of their livelihood. Slowly the writer started to glance around.
"It's…so big." Garth looked around and saw the large cavern for the first time since he had been there. It reached on for what seemed like miles with high ceilings that curved like an archway over head. Even though it was a large space the housing was not at its best. Small little shacks lined the cavern and the place was cluttered with clothes, pulling wagons, and numerous amounts of pots and pans. Sticks were plunged into the dirt and a string stretched from one end to another as women worked on the clothesline. Animals roamed about the space as well and their masters were not too far away. Off to one end of the cavern there was a small lake that shimmered as the moonlight poured down from the small holes in the ceiling.
"Well we do what we can." Wally said and chuckles filled the room, sending chills along Garth's spine. For the second time that day he felt a strong urge to run. Clearing his throat he took the hand from around his shoulder and smiled fearfully, gently pushing it back to its rightful owner.
"Well I thank you for showing me your lovely place but you see… I have to get going now." He gave a fake chuckle and whirled around only to catch a pale skinned girl inches from his face. They watched one another for a moment before a creepy smile grew across the female jester's lips and he felt the bottom of his stomach drop. There was something about those cat eyes that told him this was going to end poorly.
"You must have misunderstood. Once you're here there's only two ways to get out." He felt the smiles growing about the room as people started to chuckle.
"Ho…How is that?" Her face lit up and his went pale.
"Either as one of us." Wally said as he wrapped an arm around the pink haired jester.
"Or dead." Replied Jinx and tilted her head to the side, flashing a sweet smile. It was concluded that these people were indeed crazy.
"Umm… you know that's funny. I can see why you two are jesters but really I have to go befor-" He startled slightly and looked down into the eyes of five children. They watched one another for a moment in silence and then Garth started to walk backwards. He was really getting tired of doing that. He knew what was awaiting him as he hit someone's chest and glanced over his shoulder to see the male jester again.
"I see its death. Too bad. You seemed to have such potential. Oh well. TO THE COURT!" Screamed Wally and started to run forward as loud cheers echoed throughout the room. The blood rushed from Garth's face and he turned to run, only making it a few feet before several group of men moved in. They grabbed him by his arms and for awhile he managed to fend them off, more men simply swarming in. He kicked someone in the face, elbowed another in the eye, and even tossed several men away from him.
Jinx and Wally watched on from the small stage in the middle of the room. Wally whistled loudly and leaned against one of the wooden poles. The other jester crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head, slightly impressed.
"He's strong." Jinx said.
"I could take him." Wally responded and Jinx arched an eyebrow. Wally chuckled and shrugged, avoiding eye contact. "I could. Come on men! Put your back into it!" Jinx chuckled and rolled her eyes. He was charming if not a little delusional.
Finally three bohemians seemed to have enough and moved in to lend a helpful hand. Both where considered two of the greater fighters among the band of thieves and bohemians. They circled the young writer and the Asian man leapt in first. They traded blows and dodged one another's attacks until finally Garth was punched in the face. Quickly the other man dressed in yellow run out and punched the writer in the stomach. Garther doubled over and the short yellow man stepped back as his large brother, dressed in blue picked up the playwright. Garth wiggled against the strong arms of the large man that resembled an ape in his opinion. It did nothing to stop any of the three men. He felt himself being lifted up and tossed onto the stage.
Garth hit the stage and rolled over until he stopped besides a pair of red and black boots. He was really sick of seeing both of those colors and he knew what awaited him before he even got up. Grunting he moved to sit up on a knee and met the smiling face of Jinx once more. Yep, he had definitely known.
"Well that was fun! Now on with the hanging!" Cheers erupted throughout the cavern and it was Wally who held up his hands to hush the blood thirsty crowd.
"Whoa wait a minute! Doesn't our king have to decide and aren't we suppose to hold a court?" Wally asked and Jinx glared, placing her hands on her hips.
"Damn the king and damn the court! Let's get on to the entertainment!"
"Well I really hope you don't mean that." A calm voice came from the back of the crowd. Instantly the horde parted and took a knee, bowing to their king. They all had a story, all knew of some type of thing that the king had done to help them gather around. Lose children finding a haven for the cruel streets. Adults begging for food and he was there to teach them to fend for themselves. They did not bow because he had authority that they had appointed. They bowed because he was the father, brother, and protector of them all. He had taken their broken dreams, their insecurities, and their shattered lives and made them into a home of safety. For that reason, they would all be grateful and follow him into the very depths of hell. He was truly their king and the only church most of them needed.
The man moved through the crowd and his black cape flapped behind him. On his face was a mask with a large skull with a red scar along the forehead. From his head to his toe he was dressed in black and he moved with the grace and elegance of someone from real royalty. One of the many reasons it was so easy for him to get around the upper society group and rob them blind. He moved up onto the stage and Wally and Jinx took a knee. Garth only watched from where he was until both jesters jumped on top of him and forced his face down onto the stage.
"Show some respect!" Whispered Wally and Red X only smirked. At least they figured he smirked since no one ever saw him behind the mask. It was simply the air around him that one could tell her was truly lighthearted.
"So what do we have here?" His voice asked in a tone that sounded playful and deadly to the writer's ears. He gulped.
"A spy, your royal kingliness." Jinx said as everyone rose up off of their knees.
"I'm not a spy!" Screamed Garth but Jinx only rolled her eyes and tossed her hands up in a shrug.
"Spy, stalker, lost guy roaming the heart of Notre Dame. All the same to us." Cheers erupted throughout the room again and Garth felt the blood rush from his face. They were crazy and he was stuck right there in the middle of it all.
"Well I guess we'll have to see if he's any good at being a thief." The children in the tavern squealed and applauded with laughter. This was their favorite event in the whole ordeal. "So. In order to spare your life would you like to become a thief?" Red X asked and walked around the still kneeling form of the blue dressed man. Garth felt his pride diminishing a bit and he gulped back the lump in his throat. Sometimes you had to do things to prolong your life before you could manage to get away. If that meant being a thief he would have to prove he could do it. How hard could the challenge be anyway?
"I would…" Garth responded. Red X stopped walking and turned abruptly, pointing out at an empty space to the side of the stage. His cape flapped wildly around him and Garth couldn't help but wonder if the pose was really necessary.
"Bring out the chair and Dummy!" Laughter and cheers echoed throughout the room as the two jesters saluted and did back flips off of the stage. Another action that seemed a little too much to Garth but again who was he to judge at the moment? Other than the one they themselves were judging. He frowned and a moment later the jesters came trotting back over with a dummy covered head to the toes in tiny silver bells. Wally placed the chair down and Garth noticed how it wobbled to one side, an inch or two missing from the back left leg. Jinx jumped with grace onto the back of the chair, keeping it balance with sheer talent. Garth couldn't help but feel slightly impressed and Red X chuckled, leaning close to the writer's ear. "Impressive isn't she? One of the best thieves by far, I assure you."
Minutes passed before the rope was around the dummy's neck and Jinx was off of the chair, back flipping to sit on the stage. Wally moved the chair a few inches from where it had been before he cart-wheeled over to where his partner sat. He leaned against the front of the stage as Jinx's legs swayed back and forth from where she was sitting.
"…Ummm I assume I have to take the dummy down from the rope?" Garth asked in a hopeful voice as they walked over to where the dummy was literally hanging. Everyone in the cavern laughed again and he knew this was going to end badly.
"Such a silly one you are. No, where's the challenge in that?" Red X flipped onto the back of the chair and kept it evenly balance even with the missing inch. The crowd ooed and ahhed as he kept balance better than Jinx had done. Jinx arched an eyebrow and let him know what she thought of his little display. She shouted a 'show-off' and the master thief only chuckled, waving her off. "You see you must get the wallet."
The black cladded thief spun on the ball of his foot and the chair wobbled and tilted over in protest. He didn't seem to notice as he spun in a superfluous circle, moving to the other side of the back of the chair. He did all of this and not once let his eyes move off of the young writer's.
"Like this." Without looking he lifted the wallet from the dummy's pocket without making one bell jiggle. Twirling he put both feet on the back bar of the chair and down it fall backwards. The king of thieves jumped in mid fall and did a delicate back flip to land like a swan onto the stage. The crowd erupted into cheering and applauding again. Red X only watched Garth and the writer swore he could see a large evil grin behind the mask. "See, easy." Garth gulped.
"You mean… not one bell can ring?" Red X nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. Garth grimaced and measured the distance between the chair and the dummy. It looked easy but he knew that when an expert made something look easy, it was anything but. He moved over to the chair just as one of the thieves was putting it back upright for him. Shakily he placed a foot on the chair and started to lift himself up, the chair tilting to it's bad side.
"STOP!" Yelled the king of thieves and all eyes fell on him. The teen dressed in black slowly lowered his hands and Garth felt relief wash over him. Maybe they weren't as crazy as he thought. Maybe the king was just a joker and that he was having his fun by picking on him. The playwright enjoyed a good joke, though he admitted this was not one of his favorites. "I need my chair." Garth frowned. He watched as the bohemians shuffled around and soon a large throne chair rose above the heads of the crowd. Easily and carefully they handed it off to one another until it was placed in the middle of the stage. The King of thieves sat down on the lush red pillow and placed an elbow on the arm of the golden chair, leaning his cheek to his hand. "Okay. I'm good."
Jinx and Wally snickered and turned back to the stranger. Garth only narrowed his eyes at the king and muttered something underneath his breath about revenge. He took a deep breath and climbed onto the chair, carefully trying to reach for the dummy. It was just out of range. Go figure. Cursing underneath his breath he shifted to place a foot on each arm of the chair. Red X seemed intrigued and leaned forward a bit on his throne.
Garth outstretched his fingers and felt them brush against the leg of the dummy. This was becoming ridiculous! No one but the best thief could do this, he was certain of it. Still, his life was on the line. Sticking his tongue out he tried to concentrate on the wallet. He envisioned himself getting the wallet, getting down from the chair, and getting out of this dreadful place. In his mind he was already out and back on the streets of the city.
In reality it was not true. His feet began to slip on the smooth wood of the chair and the chair began to wobble underneath him. He felt the sweat starting to run down the side of his face and felt the chair give way underneath his shaky legs. In a split second decision of hitting the ground or landing on something soft he found himself jumping and tackling the doll to the earth. The bells rung like crazy on the impact of both his body and the ground and he knew he had blown it. That did not stop the kids from laughing and clapping as the adults booed him on. He lowered his forehead against the doll and muttered something underneath his breath about the perfect ending to a bad week.
When he looked up again he could see the female jester in front of him and the look of mischief in her pink cat eyes. He was really starting to hate the color pink.
"Looks like you blew it." She smirked and Garth let his eyes move to the kinder jester that only shook his head. Wally shrugged and gave the writer a look of 'what can you do, rules are rules'.
"I have to say. That was very entertaining. But at last, he did not pass. You know the rules. Replace him with where the dummy once hung." Red X stopped talking for a moment and seemed to think something over before he laughed, "Play on words. Get it?" The crowd laughed and Red X only clapped his hands twice to send the crowd into a frenzy. Once more men moved and picked up the squirming writer. They brought him onto the stage and closed the trap door, one of the men tying his hands behind his back. Garth struggled but it was no use. They had seemed to learn their lesson from before and this time they held a tighter hold on him. He felt the noose around his neck and tried to thrash about harder.
"Wait! We forgot something my king!" All eyes turned toward Wally as he strolled over to the man. His blue eyes run over the other man's form and he circled around the playwright before coming face to face. "He is indeed a handsome one and I did not see a ring on his finger."
"Surely you don't want to marry him, Wally!" Screamed Jinx and once more laughter filled the tavern. Wally sent his partner a glare and Jinx only returned it with one of her coy smirks.
"No my lovely, dear." Wally said and Jinx chuckled even with the sarcasm in the sentence. He smiled and continued on. He looped an arm around the writer's neck and beamed at him. "If one of these lovely ladies will have you for their husband, you get to live!" Garth arched an eyebrow.
"Marriage is a rather big step don't you think." Wally ignored him.
"Oh come on! No one wants to marry the man, hang him and be done! No one spies on us and lives!" Screamed Jinx and half of the tavern cheered in response. It just so happen that that half was mostly all males. Wally smiled and held up his hands to tell his girlfriend to lower her voice, trying to stop the onslaught.
"Now now, calm yourselves. It's the rules and tradition. Right my King?" Wally didn't turn around and knew already that the King shrugged in agreement. Jinx grumbled and crossed her arms to turn her back to her lover.
"Fine fine. Anyone want a man?" Jinx asked and quiet filled the room. She smirked and shrugged, turning on her heels to walk to the lever. "Well you heard it. No one said anything! Let's get this over with." She went to pull the switch but Wally lightly slapped her hands away and waved a finger at her.
"Now now, we do this properly." Jinx blinked before she narrowed her eyes.
"Did you just slap my hand and wave a finger at me!?" Wally smiled and stepped around her. "Wally West you answer me!" He kept walking and started to straighten up the ruffled up blue jacket that Garth was wearing. He dusted the dirt from the black pants and Garth cleared his throat slightly at the very awkward situation. Death or marriage. He wasn't quite sure which was worse at this point.
"Alright. All cleaned up. Come on ladies look at this guy, isn't he nice looking? I mean sure, he's no me but what can you do." A few females giggled in the crowd and Jinx glowered down at them. The giggling stopped instantly. Wally only smiled his charming smile and winked at Jinx who turned her head, rolling her eyes.
Slowly one of the girls made her way up onto the stage and all eyes turned upon her. Her long black hair danced down her back and her blue eyes watched him for a moment. He said nothing and she did the same. Finally she crossed an arm over her stomach and rubbed her chin with her thumb and pointer finger.
"He's quite handsome. We all see that… but he doesn't do anything. We would die of hunger." The jesters only shrugged and the young woman made her way from the stage to leave the man to his fate. Somewhere in the crowd a teen with curly blonde hair watched on from the back. His sea green eyes looked on a moment longer before he dashed away to try and get help.
On the stage a few more girls had come and giggled, touching the man every now and again before running away. Jinx was starting to get annoyed. This wasn't a zoo.
"Okay that's it! I'm pulling the lever!" She screamed and as she started to pull a loud shout sounded from the back of the crowd.
"Friend Jinx! You will step away from that lever this very moment!" Jinx grumbled and did not budge an inch. Instead her cat eyes watched as Koriand'r made her way to the stage. The gypsy's long red hair flowed behind her as her bright eyes were full of annoyance and the same innocence they always held. They stared at one another as Kory stopped a few feet away from her magical friend. She knew Jinx liked to have her fun but sometimes it was a little too deadly and the fact that the King's rules could sometimes be a bit harsh did not help. The redheaded woman placed her hands on her hips and gave the pink haired girl the most serious look she could summon up. "Friend Jinx you will not do this!"
"Rules are rules, Kory dear. Now be a sport and move off the stage so people can get a better look at this." Jinx said, waving her hand to try and shoo the taller woman away.
"Jinx. Step away from the lever." Everyone moved their eyes to land on the dark haired girl standing at the foot of the steps. The room fell silent as Raven made her way up the stairs and did not let her violet-blue eyes move away from the jester's. Jinx grumbled underneath her breath and let her fingers tighten around the bar.
"Come on! It's been so long and he's a spy!"
"I am not! I only came to talk with you, Lady Raven!" Intervened Garth, knowing this may be his only chance to live. Kory was the only one to look at him before looking back at Jinx.
"See, friend Jinx. He has come to speak to sister Raven. All is well." Said Kory and Jinx only arched an eyebrow.
"Since when do I take orders from spies… but if you want him so badly. Marry him." The room was still and the two sisters seemed taken aback slightly by the suggestion. The tension of the shock hung in the air for a few more moments before Kory went to speak. Raven didn't allow it. The empath held up a hand to keep her taller sister silent, knowing all too well that Kory would do anything just to spare someone's life. However, Raven was not about to let that happen.
"You approved of this?" The dark haired gypsy said and glanced over at the place where Red X was sitting. The king answered with a simple nonchalant shrug of his shoulder. This was far more entertaining than the dummy or the actual hanging would be.
"We have rules. Now, are you going to marry the poor man or not?" Asked Red X. Raven narrowed her eyes at the very thought of it and knew that the king was toying with her.
"Of course not but I will not allow you to kill him! Cut him down!" Ordered the empath and Jinx did not falter from where she stood.
"Sister Raven I do not mi-" Started Kory but Raven whirled around to meet her eyes.
"I do. I do mind." The empath turned back around to see Jinx wiggling her fingers against the trigger and she narrowed her eyes. "Cut him down, Jinx or else." The words were spoken softly so only the three woman could hear and the way Jinx smiled did not cause the writer to feel better.
"Always such a serious one." Silence filled the air as everyone watched on as if it was a play and the dramatic ending was coming to a close. They watched as the jester's fingers curled around the lever and Raven watched with the same casual expression as always. Kory was the only one on the stage who seemed ready to cry and looked anxiously between the two. Finally the cat eyed girl spoke. "Alright Raven. Have it your way."
Jinx let her hands fly up and off of the lever, wiggling her fingers in the air as if she had just made something disappear. Everyone but Wally was surprise and Jinx simply strolled over to the side of her lover. Raven said nothing but let out a loud breath of air inside of her mind. That had been a close one. She knew that Jinx would never really hurt someone but sometimes she forgot she had left the life she once lived behind. So it was never certain.
Raven started to walk off of the stage as Kory took the noose from around the short man's neck. Garth smiled at her in appreciation before glancing over at the other gypsy who walked away.
"Wait! Miss Raven!"
"No need to thank me."
"I wasn't going to." Raven stopped walking and turned around to arch an eyebrow. Garth blushed and rubbed his wrist as Kory cut through the ropes that bounded them. "I mean yes, thank you. Thank both of you but that isn't what I came down here for in the first place!" The empath said nothing as Kory moved to her side and Garth walked closer to both of them. "There's going to be a trail…er… for you."
The redhead gasped and covered her hands with her mouth. Her sister would never be in trouble for the law over something as silly as the affair of the festival.
"Surely you are mistaken! My sister could never be in trouble with that of the towns enforcers!"
"Let me guess. The festival of fools? I figured as much. Not the first time they sent someone after me. It'll pass." She turned to walk away but Garth jumped in front of her. She showed no sign of shock and crossed her arms over her chest, realizing this might take awhile.
"No you must. This is more serious and the Deacon will have you hung if you do not go! You must!" Raven furrowed her eyebrows and started to walk around the man once more.
"I do not answer to or fear the Deacon." Garth frowned and tried to wrack his brain for some way to get her to understand. He only came up with the other half of the message he had seen on the poster that day.
"The green man, you know the bell ringer? He is being trailed as well!" This seemed to peak the empath's interest and her head tilted slightly to the side as she stopped in her tracks. The writer pressed on. "You must go. For both you and him. No one knows the events better than you and maybe if you show your sentence won't be that bad."
Raven said nothing as she mused over the situation quietly. This could be a trap just so the Deacon could show her who truly ran the city. Yet if it was then why would the bell ringer be on trail? He rarely ever left the tower and in her opinion he had no reason to even be trailed. However, the system of Notre Dame always seemed to be out for blood so it only made sense.
"Oh sister Raven I fear I am to blame for all of this. Please allow me go to the court of the fairness for you. I will proudly take any punishment they present. I can handle harsh conditions where I fear you can not." Pleaded Kory and Raven could lift the corner of her lips in a ghost of a smile at her adopted sibling. She was always so caring that sometimes it was too much to be near her. She placed a hand over the golden skinned woman's and shook her head.
"I can handle this. I've read more than enough books to argue a good enough cause to save myself, Kory. You just stay here and keep Jinx out of trouble." Kory frowned but slowly nodded her head in understanding. Raven turned to Garth. "When are they doing these proceedings?"
"Today at mid-afternoon… I'm not quite sure how long I've been here though."
"I don't have much time then. You stay here and get acquainted to your new home. Maybe you and Kory can come up with an act." Garth looked at her in confusion and went to ask her what she meant but she was already leaving.
"At least take Silkie!" Called Kory and Raven only waved a hand in agreement, a goat scampering behind her as they ran from the hidden grotto. Garth watched her for a moment before he turned around to see the bright expression in Kory's lime green eyes. He found himself smiling in spite of the fact he had a feeling he wasn't going to enjoy the rest of this day.
People crowded the small courtroom, rows and rows of bodies pushing to try and get into the seats. Ones that could not find a seat would linger about the aisles and by the wall, a few strays standing outside and peering in through the window. People chatted and whispered to one another about the unusual people put on trail today. Normally they had a few upper society people on the stand for wearing too much jewelry, or a child who could not pay for bread and therefore stole it. The cases were always small and the ones that were large were usually held outside of Notre Dame. So when word got out that the night side of the Sunlight and Moonlight duo was going on trail, everyone was trying to get a spot. Whether it was to simply watch the dark creature in a habitat where she would actually speak or just to gaze upon her unique beauty, few could tell. The fact that the green bell ringer was also put on trail only added to people's curiosity.
Conversation died down to whispers as they watched the gypsy make her way into the room. The black skirts she wore swished around her ankles and the dark violet blouse revealed the curves of her body. Around the midsection of her stomach she wore a lavender corset with tiny dark blue flowers imprinted on the black lace. Her dark eyes moved about the room and she arched an eyebrow as she got the feeling the whispers were about her. Silkie poked his head out from behind her and a few woman gasped at an animal in the courtroom. The goat seemed just as appalled at them and bleated in their direction until Raven placed a hand to the goat's head, Silkie going quiet. The empath said nothing and moved to one of the empty spots on the bench in the front of the room, the goat curling by her feet.
Moments later a familiar green teen made his way into the room and instantly it feel silent. It was the first time since the festival that they had seen him and for some it was the first real close up. The bell ringer wore a loose deep purple shirt and black pants. He wore black boots that went up to his knees and the tongue of the shoe was a dark purple to match the shirt. His hair was not combed and was tossed wildly about as if he had just woken up. His hands were hidden underneath gray large gloves that matched the gray belt around his torso. Slowly his eyes looked up and he scanned the room, watching as people gasped at his appearance. He would have loved to have been anywhere but here.
Emerald eyes landed on a memorable set of blue-violet and he had to keep from blushing. Hesitantly he moved to take the spot on the bench across the aisle from her and it took everything inside of him not to meet her eyes. He could feel her watching him like the rest of the room and he wasn't sure how it made him feel. He knew what she was thinking, probably the same thing as everyone else. Hoping he would get what he deserved for causing so much trouble.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll get off light. You did nothing wrong." He blinked and looked up to see her watching him. He glanced around to see if she was talking to someone else before he pointed to himself. She looked at him like he was an idiot and then gave an annoyed look. "Yes you. No one else is on trail."
"Heh…oh yeah…er…well umm I'm you're right, unless the judge hates cabbages." She only arched an eyebrow in response. He chuckled nervously and then quickly looked down on the floor. So much for trying to get her to laugh and making a good second impression.
The whispers started to build up again and the two defendants looked up to see the Lieutenant of the guard making his way into the room. A few females giggled in the crowd and Victor Stone only sent them his second most charming smile. The first he only showed for one certain female. They giggled all the same and he took a spot saved for him beside two familiar faces.
Gar could feel his heart light up as Rita Dayton sent him a reassuring smile from her spot next to the Lieutenant, Steve Dayton only shaking his head. Gar returned the actions with a confident smirk and waited till his back was turned to the two before letting his face fall. Raven arched an eyebrow again and the green teen only chuckled, shrugging. The girl looked away and Gar found his smile turned upside down.
The bailiff walked in with her face covered in some type of wrestling mask. Gar only lifted an eyebrow and watched as the black curls of her hair spilled out from the back, the large female easily the size or taller than the Lieutenant of the Guard. Despite the fact she wore a mask to cover her identity she was dressed in normal officer clothing. She cleared her throat and spoke in a deep yet feminine voice.
"Eraise fo de' judge." The sound of people shifting to their feet echoed throughout the room and Gar looked about, a bit confused at what was going on. Raven cleared her throat and he looked up to see her signaling for him to stand. He nodded like he knew that and quickly scrambled to get up as the judge walked in, twirling a cane. His black robes swayed against his feet and he sat down on the stool behind the panel. White hair sprouted out from the side as the light shinned off of his balding head. The liver spots along his skin showed his age and he adjusted the glasses that were perched upon his large nose, a British flag against the handle of the black cane.
"Ye me be seated." He said in a thick British accent. Once more the sound of shifting could be heard and the judge altered through some papers on his podium. He snorted slightly and scratched the top of his balding head, adjusting the glasses on his nose once more. "Alright, We're here in the case of the witch and the…" He squinted his eyes and once more fidgeted with the glasses, bringing the paper close. "Well well well, the bell ringer? Ere? In my court. Well this will be a treat."
Gar gulped as the old man lifted his eyes and cast them down on the green teen, a large smile growing across his lips. Oh yeah. He was in trouble. He never noticed how the violet haired girl watched him from the corner of her eyes or how Malchior smirked in the back row.
The judge slowly let his eyes drift over to where the gypsy stood and his smile faded as he saw the look of determination on her face. She would be a hard one to crack. He would have to show her who was boss in this little courtroom. He straightened up and tugged the front of his robes, sniffing again.
"La Raven is what I do believe they call you…Can't say I'm not surprised to see you."
"Are we here for conversation or to be on trail? Cause frankly I rather just get on with it and get it over with." The room filled with a gasping sound at the bravery of the exotic woman. Whispers exploded in the next second and the dark beauty did not even flinch, her eyes penetrating the old man behind the podium.
Neil Richards only narrowed his eyes and growled softly, making a note to give her a severe punishment for the comment. This was his courtroom and his word was literally law.
"Right…Seeing how you wish to get this over with…I'll save you for last, ducky." Raven glared but Mr. Richards only ignored it and turned his attention back to the green teen in front of him. "Mr… Garfield Logan is it?"
Gar stiffened at hearing his last name that he had not heard in so long. Memories of Rita and Steve holding him near and telling him stories about his parents flooded his mind. He remembered how it had been Slade who had told them that such memories were not needed and that they were no longer allowed to call him by that name. So he had simply become Garfield, Gar to his friends, and bell ringer to those who did not know him. He heard the judge call him and he was jerked out of the bitter memories. Blinking a few times he forced a chuckle and rubbed the back of his head.
"Sorry. What was the question?" A few giggles could be heard behind him and the green teen felt himself blushing. Mr. Richard did not find it amusing and the look of annoyance on his face showed it.
"Your name, duckie! What is it?"
"Oh…well depends who you ask. Some call me Gar, some the bell ringer, and the more creative call me cabbagehead." Another set of giggles and the judge glared harder. Apparently it didn't matter if you were white, black, yellow, or green. If you were a teenager you were a smartass.
"Do you think this matter to be a joke, Mr. Logan?" Gar went to answer no but that he could tell the judge one, when he remembered where he was. Lowering his hand, his ears dropped slightly and he shook his head.
"No sir…I do not…" Black eyes met with emerald and seemed to search if the answer was true. After a few more seconds the older man nodded his head and shifted through his papers again.
"You have been trailed for assault…how do you plea?" Once more he went to say a joke but he quickly stopped himself, shaking his head slightly. So many chances and not able to say a single joke. It was sheer torture!
"Guilty…I suppose…"
"It was a good hit and well overdo if you ask me!" Yelled someone from the crowded room and laughter filled the air. Malchior glared and tried to find the one who had spoken but the owner of the voice was too well hidden in the crowd. Snarling he turned around and missed the large smile that crossed over Wally's lips.
"Quiet! Quiet in my courtroom!" The laughter slowly died down and the judge went back to looking at his papers. That's when he realized that that had been the only reason for the bell ringer's presence. He frowned a bit disappointed and tossed the paper over his shoulder with a loud sigh. "Five shillings to the person you hit. Now moving on to more pressing matters."
"What?! I object your honor! This hooligan personally assaulted me and my friends and helped that witch to escape!" Malchior said as he jumped up to his feet, pointing at Gar as if he was the very reason for the plague itself.
Mr. Richards only watched the teen as if he was an idiot and most of the courtroom seemed to agree. None however said anything, knowing the teen's cruelty to those who opposed him.
"Oh get over it. He passed his sentence now sit down and shutup." Victor said and Gar couldn't help but smile slightly at having someone on his side. Malchior wasn't done.
"This doesn't concern you, Lieutenant. Your honor I-"
"Sorry duckie! I don't take advice from children. Now sit down or I'll throw you out! Moving on!" Malchior narrowed his eyes and said nothing as he took his seat. Mr. Richards watched him for a second before letting his eyes land on Raven's. He didn't hide the large grin that crossed his lips.
Gar couldn't help but practically leap for joy at the very light punishment and the fact Malchior had been told to shut up for once. It was for a lack of a better word, awesome. He could hear the white haired teen in the crowd going on about justice and it only made the triumph that much more sweet. He decided to stay put to see the outcome of the gypsy's trail. That was when he finally noticed the tension between the beauty and the old man. It was enough to cause his stomach to churn.
"Rach-"
"Raven. La Raven if you must have a last and first name." Both judge and gypsy ignored the whispers that filled the room once more. He only let his smile grow. If she wanted to keep her name a secret. So be it. It wouldn't save her in the long run.
"La Raven… you are on trail for assault of guards, assault on the Deacon, and causing havoc in the square. How do you plea?"
"…"
"I see…So it is. Guilty. Three hours of lashing in the middle of the town square. You wish to be the center of attention, duckie? So be it." He went to drop his gravel but the loud scream of objection had everyone turning their attention onto the green young man.
Gar blinked at the very loud scream that had fallen from his mouth. At least he thought it was his mouth. Had he really just leapt up and objected? By the looks of everyone watching him it appeared he had. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he felt his cheeks flush. He rubbed the back of his neck and quickly tried to come up with something.
"I…that is…it was my fault…I…I should take her place." The air in the room seemed to thin as not a person moved, all frozen in the spot from shock. Even Malchior had been seemed taken aback by the action.
"Are you crazy?!" Emerald eyes turned to the annoyed look on Raven's face.
"I…I can handle it where you seem a bit…well…er…that is…" She narrowed her eyes and arched an eyebrow to dare him to finish his sentence. Gar gulped and rubbed the back of his neck knowing he couldn't continue on that route. He quickly started to back pedal and tried to think of a nice way to put it. "Just trust me. I can handle it."
"Trust you? I don't even know you! Judge I will take my own punishment."
"But it was my fault! If I hadn't been there in the first place you wouldn't have had to come up on the stage. What you did was for me and by that logic it is my fault!" He tried to argued and she snarled slightly as if that had been the most absurd thing she had ever heard.
"I don't need your help." She spat out and he felt his temper rising.
"Well that sucks for you!" He yelled and both blinked in shock before their eyes narrowed at one another. "Look. Miss Raven. My mind is made up and you can't change that. I will take your place and that is that."
"The hell it is!" A few women gasped at the language from a young lady but Raven pressed on. "It was my decision and I will-"
"Walk off, scot-free, Duckie. The young lad will take your place." Mr. Richards smirked. Raven curled her hands into fist to keep from flying across the room at the old man. She knew he was simply doing this because she did not want it. He was trying to prove to the empath that this was his courtroom and that he was the final say.
"You can't do this!" She yelled. The judge only smiled and placed his cheek against the palm of his hand, checking his nails.
"I can and just did, luv."
"There are laws against this!" She shrieked and he met her glare head on, the smile never leaving his features.
"I am the law." She slammed the palms of her hands against the table in front of her and went to scream again but a hand rested on her shoulder. She turned on the one offering comfort and found herself staring into a sea of emerald. Gar flashed her a sad smile and she felt her heart launch in her chest.
"Please…just let me do this." She went to argue, went to tell him that he didn't need to do this because she would gladly take her punishment. Yet, she couldn't. She only watched those sad eyes and found herself nodding her head even though part of her was screaming no.
Steve Dayton had never been more proud of the green young man than he had in that very moment. To take responsibility for his own actions and even those of another, it was noble in the old Knights eyes. However, the woman sitting next to him was having other concerns.
"Steve…he's gone through enough! Do something." Rita hissed quietly and Steve thought it over for a moment. If he played 'daddy' and derailed the harsh punishment, the teen would be mocked.
"This is his choice." Rita's eyes widen in shock from her husband's words and she glanced back at where the judge was talking to the two teens. She went to speak out but only found herself remaining quiet, lowering her head slightly in shame. Steve saw it and he frowned at the pain on her face. Damn what people thought.
"Judge. I think for such a noble action that the sentence should be lighter. The teen has already suffered enough in the face of this town." Came a voice that wasn't Steve's.
"Pffffft." Malchior hissed from the back but the Lieutenant kept going. Victor stepped down from where he sat next to the Dayton's and walked over to hover between the gypsy and the bell ringer.
"I ask that his sentence be carried out in private and in my hands." The judge only arched an eyebrow and started to twirl the wooden hammer in-between his fingers.
"And why should I do that, Duckie?" Victor Stone tried not to wince at the name and cleared his throat, trying to think over the best tactic.
"Because I will be there to witness it and see that it is handled correctly." Everyone watched as Steve Dayton stepped down from the bleachers and moved to the front of the podium. He met the judge's eyes and Mr. Richards seemed to go pale for a moment.
"Mr. Dayton…I did not know that the King had relieved you for such an event…" Steve ignored the veiled insult and started to adjust the gloves on his hands.
"I would never miss such an event in Notre Dame. Maddie. After all you are such an honorable judge." The insult echoed throughout the room and Rita hid a smile behind her hand. It was common knowledge among the wealthy that 'Mad Mod' as he called himself in the slums of the city, had taken bribes for leniency in trails. Though he was mad, he was not stupid and he knew going up against the Colonel of the King's Guards was not something he could do. Well he could but he would fail.
Mr. Richards kept the very fake smile plastered to his face and spoke through a clenched jaw.
"Why when you put it that way, Mr. Dayton…I would be honored to change my sentence."
"I knew we could come to an agreement." The judge tried not to curse underneath his breath and slammed the gravel down onto the top of his desk. There was laughter from the back room and no one turned around, knowing it was from Malchior. He always got his way, one way or another.
Victor said nothing and stepped back to let the green teen walk by him, Raven never taking her eyes off of him. Slowly Gar started to walk away and only spared the empath one last sad look. They watched one another and she said nothing as the bailiff chained iron shackles around his wrist. He gave her a confident smile before moving his eyes away from her. She watched all three men move from the courtroom and soon people were dispersing behind them.
Slowly the empath moved to sit down on the bench, feeling like the smallest person in the world. She listened as the last person shuffled from the courtroom and a soft bleating sound brought her back to the present. Idly she placed a hand on the goat's head and drew in a deep breath. They sat there in silence for a moment or two before she mumbled something about a stupid green man. Who put their life on the line for someone they did not know not only once but twice? It was unheard of and not even called for! She would have to thank him as soon as she could.
Silkie bleated again and she nodded her head knowing that they should leave before someone came back. Rising to her feet she followed the dancing goat out of the courtroom and tried to push away the thought of those sad green eyes, hiding behind a large confident smile. She tried not to think of the way he seemed confused or how noble he had looked in that moment of taking her burden onto himself. She tried to do all of this and found that she could not. Instead she was haunted by that smile, those eyes, and the kind words and she wasn't sure how it made her feel. All she did know was that she had to do something about it and soon.
A/N: I know it took forever to come out and I think I have a few spelling errors in it but I edited it at like 2 in the morning. So I hope you guys liked this chapter, I loved writing the court of miracle scene. It made me chuckle. Anyway! Thank you for reading and hopefully I won't take so long with the next update. Don't forget to review and thank you for those who have! Encase you're wondering most of this chapter came from blending chapters in the book and changing a few things. Until next time! Love and Peace!