Jake took Finn to the outskirts of the Fire Kingdom where he asked him to stop. Finn hopped off of Jake and dug under his shirt to pull out his talismans. He wore two, one in case he was traversing the Nightosphere and the second was given to him as a badge of office. Taking the second he mumbled a quick prayer in a foreign language Jake didn't understand, then turned blue.

"Whoa! I didn't know you could use magic, dude."

"It's not magic," Finn replied, "It's a blessing. Like a clerical prayer."

"Ah," Jake said he nodded his head, "That's cool, dude" Jake understood all too well. He was a cleric before he was assigned to accompany Finn. He was hardly experienced as one, but he had learned the basic duties. His assignment was more out of having gotten to know Finn better than really being a model acolyte. He had to be initiated, however. After all, only a priest or cleric could accompany an executioner without his soul being tainted.

Jake took his religious mark and also prayed. He was rather surprised when it worked. "Huh, I never thought of this before. Usually, we're trained to use our marks to ward of undead and evil powers and stuff. But this is awesome."

Finn chuckled and entered the Fire Kingdom's territory. "Just don't abuse it."

Jake sputtered. "Pbbt, I barely used my clerical rights anyway. I'm cool with just stretching and stuff anyway."

Finn and Jake approached the obsidian-colored kingdom with fire people walking to and froe on their own business. Jake looked all around not having been in the kingdom too many times. Finn had at least been here twenty times in his time as an executioner. Of all the kingdoms, he had performed in the Fire Kingdom the least. It might have had something to do with the king's iron fist over it, but Finn expected that would mean he'd make trips regular to the Fire Kingdom, but it didn't.

Still, the superstition that surrounded the tile of The Executioner, was not absent to the people here. Seeing him made them fizzle and back away or bow their heads as he passed. There was a fear in the air wherever he'd go. As if they were afraid he was here for them.

"Sheesh, you'd think that everyone would be more used to you walking around," Jake said.

Finn sighed as he fixed the position of his bag over his shoulders. His back began to ach. "No one is used to a killer who is permitted to walk their streets, Jake." He stopped and motioned him close. "Just in case, I want to remind you. Don't use my name out here. My name is dead and to resurrect it is… well, let's say it's evil at the level of necromancy."

"Got it, Executioner," Jake winked.

Finn smiled and gave him a nod of approval then walked on. He made it to the prisons where he met the guard at the door. "Executioner, the king has been waiting for you. He was hoping to discuss the matter of today's executions."

"I have three hours before I attend the block. I'd like to see the prisoners," Finn said to the guard. "It's my duty to ensure they are healthy and well before their time comes."

"Yes executioner," Nodded the guard. He opened the door and let him in. "Be quick, the king isn't patient."

"I'm well aware of his limits," Finn assured, "Jake? In or out?"

"I'll come in. The prisoners might have some confessions anyway." This was supposedly one of Jakes duties. Other than to accompany and account for the Executioner, he, as an initiated cleric, could provide religious services.

They entered the prison and there was a small room with four guards and the warden. Finn approached the warden who was sitting at an obsidian desk. He looked up from his work and asked, "Can I help you, Executioner?"

"I'm here to see the condemned."

"Yes," The warden said, standing up with some keys, "The princess is also here for them, so mind your manners and keep your distance. I'll unlock the doors for you so you can do you check ups and religious services, but the princess's will comes first."

Finn sighed and shook his head. He was unaware that the Fire Kingdom even had a princess. Even through all his visits, he had never seen her. "I see my rare requests have affected your knowledge of the tenants. My will comes first, warden. And if you value the law, you will do well to know it. If the princess wants time with the prisoners, she can take her time before the executions as much as she wants but my business, as considered more urgent, always comes first. She would know this, I…hope…" Finn was silent once he had seen her. The princess of the fire kingdom was nothing like he expected. Her features were more human than the rest of her people. She was kneeling next to a crying fire person. One who's cell bore one of the three signs labeled condemned.

The warden scratched his head as he walked towards the first cell, next to the one the princess was nearby. "I… sorry, the laws aren't always readily available and we didn't brush up on protocol very well. I had never heard that you superseded any royal in this manner." Finn didn't reply for some time. His eyes met with the princess's, and she was watching him curiously. "Sir?"

Finn snapped out of his stupor when Jake elbowed him. "I… it's fine. It doesn't matter. Now, let's see here."

The prisoner clutched onto the princess who began whispering comforts to him. Finn stopped and raised his hands. "It's alright. You still have time. I'm only here to see you."

"Why? What good is coming here to meet me? Do you intend to insult me, Executioner?" He said frozen in fear.

The princess shushed him. "It's alright, Cain. Be strong."

"My lady, I…" He started to sob. The realization of his fate was becoming real to him. this happened often to Finn. Some stared defiantly and refused to talk. Others were preppy and peaceful and held pleasant conversations. Still, there were some sadistic ones that taunted him or the one like now who was emotional and couldn't believe this was happening.

Finn gave his bag to Jake then kneeled next to the fire person and asked, "Can you tell me your name?"

He sobbed and finally looked Finn in the eye. "Cain… My name is… Cain."

Finn nodded and smiled under his shroud. "Well, Cain, have you decided what you wanted to eat?"

"I can't decide," He replied, "I don't have an appetite. Food is the last thing I'm thinking about. I keep going over the situation in my head… How did things come to this?"

The princess stroked his head comfortingly and Finn managed to start his health check as he talked. "Well, what are you condemned for?"

"I don't know…," Cain sobbed, "I don't know what I did…"

The warden cleared his throat, trying to read the room and not be condescending. "His charges are treason against the throne, evidence supports that he was instrumental in the recent attempt on the king's life."

"I'm sure it was a misunderstanding," said the princess, "Cain is loyal to the throne. He wouldn't do it on his own volition if he could help it."

"Treason," Finn sighed and looked up at Jake. "I've been doing a lot of treason cases recently. What is going on with all these people and overthrowing their rulers. First the hotdog kingdom, then the candy kingdom, the Nightosphere even! Now the Fire Kingdom? That's four in two weeks! Three of them in three days in a row."

"That close together?" The princess asked, "Is that normal?"

"No," Finn shook his head, "It isn't."

The warden shrugged and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but the evidence is there, and we can't ignore it."

Finn sighed. "Neither can I…"

"But you haven't seen the evidence," Cain argued, "How can you kill me without knowing I am guilty for sure?!"

"Shh, Cain," the princess calmed him down and he relaxed to sob again.

"I'm not an investigator, Cain. I only preform executions. I am permitted to do nothing more and nothing less. I cannot take sides."

"Where's the justice in that?" Cain cried and tore away from Finn who had finished his checkup anyway.

"By fire people standards, he's healthy. We can…" Finn sighed as he watched Cain sob. "We can carry out his sentencing. Where is the next?"

"This way," the warden replied. He let Finn out of the cell then escorted him to the next while Jake spoke to Cain.

The princess watched Finn walk passed her then stood to her feet. "Executioner."

"Yes, my lady?" He asked bowing his head after turned around and facing her.

"Is there…" She turned her head and looked at Cain. "Is there anything you can do to delay his execution? Isn't it within your power to do so?"

"In a way," Finn nodded, "But that would require a royal petition from a third party in Cain's favor. I require a citation of delay signed by the king… or any head of judicial power. Otherwise, I am sorry. I will have to preform my duties."

The Princess dropped her head but raised it halfway. "Any judicial power? Meaning?"

Finn put his arms behind his back and explained. "Anyone who has the power to condemn the individual." Finn turned to continue to the next cell leaving the princess to gloomily drop her arms and head again. It was clear she could not get such a citation. But then he had remembered another tenant in his laws. He turned to face her one last time. "As a princess you can invoke the Right of Challenging. A written statement that forces an execution to be held back until in-depth investigations are concluded. But only if you are truly convinced that Cain is innocent." Her eyes nearly popped out of her skull.

She raced to Finn's side as he entered into the next cell. Taking the keys, she glared at the warden, "Leave us."

"But, my lady…"

"Go!" She demanded fiercely, her fiery hair burning brighter. The warden backed up and bowed then dismissed himself. The door was closed, and Finn approached the next individual. Since the princess was there and speaking to him, he saw no reason to fight him and cooperated with Finn. "Are you saying I can delay the executions? Indefinitely? Or as long as there is an investigation?"

Finn continued with his checks and replied, "Not quite, the investigator must petition a time limit. You, or anyone that is equal to your position of authority, can invoke the challenge and I will be forced to delay his execution until I am ordered otherwise."

"But my father would never let such a delay happen…" She said as she began to pace. "How can I convince him to accept something like that?"

"He doesn't have a choice," Finn replied after finishing his checkup. "He's healthy enough to carry out too."

Jake caught up with Finn and smiled, "I think Cain is ready. So, who's this, dude?"

"This is Darius. He's under the same charge as Cain. The third man who is accused is Casper. But they are loyal to my family and have served my father for I was born. They wouldn't just turn on him!"

Darius, touched by the princess's words bowed his head at her. "Thank you, my lady."

Finn stood at the cell door and sighed. "Well, unless you write that letter, they are going to die at noon. I can't delay any other way right now."

"Can you help me?" She asked gripping the bars on the other side, "I'm… not a very good writer."

Finn raised a brow. "Again, I can't interfere with the king's judgment in anyway."

"But you're helping me write a letter!" She argued, "How is that interfering? You're not the one delivering the letter, or invoking the law." She rolled her eyes upwards as if to look for loopholes above Finn's head. "I mean, it's your duty to inform us about your laws if we are ignorant to them, right? So… technically, you have to help me. Isn't there a certain way the letter needs to be written if I want to invoke all the rites carefully?"

Now both of Finn's brows were raised. She actually had a point. He looked at Jake who shrugged. "Don't look at me, man, I'm just here for confessions."

Finn sighed. "Alright, I can 'teach' you how to write the letter. But it must be in your own words, and you have to write it yourself."

"Not a problem!' She said excitedly, "Just hurry up!"

"I would but…" Finn tapped the cell door. "You have the keys."

The princess looked at the keys in her hand. "Oh… sorry." She unlocked the cell and let Finn out. "My name is Phoebe, by the way. It's an honor to finally meet you."

Finn bowed. "I am the Executioner. The honor is mine."

"That's it? Your just called the Executioner? Don't you have a name?"

"Whoa now," Jake chuckled, "I wouldn't ask if I were you. If anyone utters an executioner's name, they get in big trouble."

"Why?" She asked turned to Finn.

"It's… forbidden," Finn replied, "My name is dead, and it must remain that way. It died when I become the Executioner."

"That sounds like a sad way to live," the fire princess said, letting Finn into the next cell.

"Well," Finn said with a one-handed shrug, "It's not so bad when you get used to it."

They finished up the prison and Jake agreed to hang back so Phoebe and Finn could finish the letter quickly. She escorted him through a watch tower, so they didn't enter through the courts. Her father was talkative, and he would never give them enough time to write the proper letter. She rushed into her room, with him behind and then sat at her desk. She got a writing utensil burning parchment. "Okay, so… how do I start.

"Write "I" then state your full name and title," He replied.

"Okay, then?" She asked after jotting what he said down.

"Now write in your own words that you are invoking the Right of Challenging in the favor of the prisoners. But name each of them."

The fire princess, in her hurry was at a loss for words and shook her head. "Um…" finally something clicked, and she wrote.

I, Princess Phoebe of the Fire Kingdom, invoke the Right of Challenging for the lives of the prisoners Casper, Darius, and Cain.

"Alright, what else?"

"Write that you are against the charges."

"Just that or…"

"In your own words, Princess," He urged.

She sighed and rubbed her skull. As she wrote Finn would attempt to help her but eventually she screamed then burned the letter. Even though it was already on fire it turned to ashes. "Why is writing so hard!"

"It isn't hard, your frustrated," Finn told her. He took a deep breath and saw no other choice. "Get a new paper and write what I say. I'm going to burn either way." She did as he said but was unsure of what he meant by burn. "Ready?" She nodded. "'I,' state your title and full name." She wrote it down again. "now write, 'invoke the Right of Challenging… in the favor… of Darius, Casper, and Cain...' Do you have that started?"

"Yes," She replied, "Now what?"

"Now tell me why they are innocent."

"Because they've been loyal to my family for years. Why would they turn all of a sudden. It doesn't make sense!"

"Good, then write, 'Their loyalty… and honor… disproves… their charge… and I demand… an investigation… be placed… in the name… of justice."

Phoebe finished the letter but looked up at Finn. "But my father surely won't allow this!"

"You just invoked the authority of Justice. The king can supersede his laws but the Laws of the Executioner, which were divinely scripted, cannot be overstepped. I've already done too much for you. With your own words, place who you elect to carry out the investigation. It can be anyone."

"Anyone?" She asked.

"Yes, he nodded, "Anyone. Choose someone you trust. It could be a guard, a townsman, a court member, anyone. And they can see to the investigation the way they see fit, and go wherever they please for the purpose of the investigation. Choose wisely."

"But it can really be anyone? No boundaries?" She asked again but sighed and dropped her head on the desk. "But… who?"

"The law doesn't care if you vote for Princess Bubblegum or a criminal in the wasteland. As long as you can argue for their approval and speak for their character you'll be fine. Just know the king must except the vote. Now if you excuse me, I have to go see him. choose quickly because I will not stop this execution. Good day."

Finn snuck out of the castle ensuring no one had seen him. He was not permitted in any chamber except the antechamber. He was pushing his luck helping her. He approached the front doors where Jake was waiting.

"Finally, dude. The prisoners have all made their peace. They're ready for you, bro…" Jake sighed. "It's a real shame. They seem pretty nice, man."

"I know," said Finn.

"How did the letter work out?" Jake asked.

"I hope the best for her, but I just want this done and over with, Jake. I hate coming to these places and there's political intrigue that has to be dealt with. I always get dragged into these things."

Jake pat his back, "Don't worry, bro. I'm sure, the fire princess will deliver the letter, get this whole thing squared away, and you won't have to kill anybody."

"The Executioner is on his way!"

Finn sighed. "I don't care either way. My duty is first, then everything else."

"At last!" The king shouted boisterously. "You took your time, Executioner. What delayed you?"

"Important business in the prison cells. I had to ensure the wellbeing of the accused before I came here to discuss the details of the executions. Will they be carried out in the court or the square?"

"The court this time," replied the king as he took him to the side. "This is public but… also rather personal. I'm sure you've met my daughter, Phoebe."

"I have," He replied, "She's quite opinionated on this."

"That she is. The one's who stand accused were good friends. I take no pleasure in this, Executioner. I trusted these men with my kingdom. But they have betrayed that trust and I am doing what I must for the sake of the kingdom. I hope her… tone and rhetoric have not swayed you from your duty."

"No, it hasn't. I am here for one thing and one thing only," Finn replied as he placed his arms behind his back.

"Spoken well," The king smiled, "Excellent. We all have out duties to perform. I must do mine; You must do your, and Phoebe will learn to do hers."

"I've learned well enough, father!" She called a letter in her hand, rolled, and sealed.

"Phoebe! What are you doing here. The Executioner is here, this is unprecedented behavior, young lady!"

"I know the law, father, and I am here for the one exception. I invoke the Right of Challenging!" She held up the letter and the guards and council members of the Fire King muttered to each other. Jake's hands went to his cheeks as he gasped silently. He nudged Finn excitedly, but Finn shook his head.

The king was surprised. "Enough! Phoebe, how did you hear of this?"

"I read it from the tenants. Anyone who is second to the king, or holds a place in the justice system, can invoke the law and a second investigation must be carried out!"

"Let me see this," He grabbed the letter and unrolled it. He muttered as he read it and shook his head in understanding as he thought it well organized. "Invoke the rite… for the prisoners… demand investigation be carried out by…" The princess suddenly didn't seem too confident but only Finn saw her relapse in nerve. She stood tall but looked down and seemed to be doing a breathing exercise. The Fire King laughed. "While I am proud of your courage and admire the structure of this letter, I can't possibly honor this."

"Read it again," she demanded with no recourse silently hoping she'd keep the act up and fight him back somehow.

"It says here you wish to invoke the Right for the prisoners and are requesting the… Executioner to carry out the investigation. That's folly!"

"What?!" Finn turned towards Phoebe. She took a deep breath and stayed strong.

"My king, if I may," A councilor called, "The law states that executioner cannot walk the halls of the castle or the homes of the people! He can neither be hosted, housed, or attended to lest his curse do harm! This is an impossible request!"

"I digress. The law also gives leave to the elected to traverse anywhere within reason in all places, as long as the king allows it."

"But he could taint the castle! The city! Our home with his bloody hands and cursed soul!"

"Show me the verses that say the Executioner is an unclean man. Neither the law nor the books of the prophets state he is unclean! It simply says he endures these things as punishment!"

An argument broke out and Finn looked at Jake then deadpanned at the princess. While no one was looking, she had broken her confidence and rubbed her arm. Though Finn thought her ridiculous for trying to exploit additional loopholes, slowly, he began to feel for her. She truly believed that these people were innocent, and she was so desperate she enlisted his help. Could he really turn her away? Did she have no one else to turn too?

"Silence!" The Fire King called. His daughter took a deep breath and returned to her defiant self as she walked closer to into the light of the antechamber. "Phoebe, do you see the chaos you have made? Your narrow mindedness is causing division in my court and is obscuring you from doing your duty. What say you?"

"The law…" She squeaked and she cleared her throat. "The law… says that anyone, anyone can carry out the investigation. It did not exclude the Executioner!"

"My lord, it says here in the tenants that if any laws should conflict, it falls upon the Executioner to decide which supersedes the other."

All eyes fell on Finn. The princess turned around and she wore pleading eyes.

"What say you, Executioner? Which law is greater?" Asked another council member.

Finn weighed the options. If he says that the Right of Challenging is greater, then he'll add another plate to his table's worth of duties. But if he says the Law of Exclusion is greater, many innocent men and women could go without justice. In a literal sense, he would not be responsible for the injustice, but morally… Did he always have to set his morals aside? He sighed and covered his face. He always… always got caught up in politics and he should not have expected this to be different. Still, looking into those eyes, the princess gave him… how she begged and pleaded with them. Her hands were together in a praying fashion. He couldn't bring himself to disappoint her.

Finn's hands dropped and he replied. "For justice to be assured, the Right of Challenging takes precedence. An Executioner's duty is to exact justice. Assuring it is not too far a step away from that. As such, she is within her right to vote me into the investigation. However, the king can deny me, and he must find an agreeable replacement to satisfy her. If neither can agree, the duty will fall upon a representative of the prisoners and one of them will carry out the duty. Of course," He faced the princess, "She can resign for the sake of her kingdom's interest. After all, I am also by law, unpermitted to enter homes and the halls of the castle. Though…it doesn't specifically say I am unclean if that is what worries everyone."

"Princess, you must, for the kingdom's sake, revoke your letter!"

"Justice must be carried out, if not the Executioner then let us find another!"

"Enough!" The king shouted again quieting the room before an uproar started again. "Phoebe…?"

"I won't revoke. I stand my ground and vote the Executioner," She said confidently.

The king sighed. "I will defer. Executioner, you are hereby granted the right to walk all spaces, halls, and homes within investigative reasoning under the Right of Challenging, and the execution of the three members of the court are postponed until the conclusion of your investigation, or the relapse of your petitioned time."

"I understand, you grace," Finn bowed, "I will petition my time as…" Finn thought a moment then concluded, "three days for the investigation."

"What!?" The princess turned in shock.

The king raised his brows but smiled. "Three? Your petition is granted. You have three days' time from this hour and minute, Executioner. I wish you luck."

Finn bowed and exited with Jake behind him, who was just as surprised as Phoebe. She stormed out through a window after screaming and turning into a blazing ball of fire. Her father sighed and sat on his throne. Other business needed attending. Whatever needed done in this case was the Executioner's responsibility.

The Fire King rubbed his head and sighed. "Ugh, what a headache."


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