AN: This Chapter...Dear God this Chapter.
But more on that later. First off the answer to last week's puzzle: Second Place...I'll admit it was super easy. I'm ashamed I tried to pass that off to you intelligent readers as a puzzle. I am deeply ashamed of myself (Y_Y).
Still, congrats to the mysterious Laner for being the first to guess it right. Enjoy your cookie and your acknowledgment.
(::)
Also, thanks for everyone taking the time to review this story. I actually feel good reading your words and comments. It keeps me going.
And I drew a little something, something. I uploaded it to Inkitt (if you've heard of it). Just search 'My Craft' on Inkitt and the drawing should show up.
Puzzle: I see the graves of two father's and two sons, but there are only three tombstones. How is that possible?
Disclaimer: I don't own Minecraft. If I did, there would be a gavel item.
Beta: TheWritingReader
Chapter 22
Compromise
[Floyd]
Past the palace gates, through the antechamber, and up some steps, we were led into a large throne room. The wooden ceiling stretched several stories above us, supported by thick log columns. From it, hung a chandelier of some glowing material. A red carpet stretched before us towards an ornate wooden throne embedded with what looked like gold.
Stationed atop the throne, I presumed, was His Eminence, flanked by two diamond clad guards wearing green leather caps. It must have been the Ringwood uniform, a green leather cap, seeing as how every guard wore one. The Endward Cult's leather caps were the same way, but black. It made me wonder how the leather got that particular color.
Wynn continued to push us forward until we were in front of His Eminence. He had blonde hair with white tips, light blue eyes, a bushy beard, a golden helmet atop his head and an orange rod in his hand. Apart from that, however, he appeared more casual than king-like.
He wore a black leather jacket, a purple striped undershirt, and black knee-length shorts. And above his head was his actual name: MilesPerMinute.
I was interrupted from my observations when Wynn kicked me and Cobb's legs, forcing us to kneel in front of the throne. She then kneeled herself. "Your Eminence, I have brought the prisoner I spoke of as well as a suspected accomplice. If you'll allow me to begin, I will quickly remove this filth from your sight."
The King scratched his beard before nodding to Wynn's request.
Wynn stood up before pacing in front of us. "Exactly two days ago, I was granted a brief reprieve from my tireless work to uphold the safety of this Kingdom. However, I wasn't satisfied enough with my work and, upon receiving an anonymous lead on a dangerous criminal, decided to go undercover at a local bar. There I—"
"Undercover?" Cobb interrupted, to which I glared at him to shut up. Now wasn't the time to go pissing people off during their explanations. But he just kept on going, not even noticing my frantic glare. "You said you were just there drinking. That it was a coincide—"
"Silence!" She smacked Cobb in the face to shush him. "Your lies will do you no good here."
Cobb massaged his cheek looking aggravated while Wynn returned to her explanation. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I was undercover at the Razed Bar when this criminal," she pointed to Cobb, "walked in. And I could immediately tell how dangerous he was. He was clearly a criminal to be reckoned with."
As if on cue, a bat hanging off the high ceiling fluttered down and hovered over Cobb. He immediately began to panic and swat at the mammal before getting up and frantically running around the throne room, shrieking in fear. The bat chased after him, refusing to leave him alone.
The watching guards shared a skeptical glance while the King began chuckling at Cobb's antics. I just facefloored (an action one step beyond facepalming) in response.
However, Wynn's face grew red in embarrassment at how effortlessly her argument had been rendered useless by Cobb's behavior. He was looking more like a fool than a criminal. Maybe he purposefully overreacted to the bat to seem like less of a threat? What a smart tactic!
[Cobb]
"AGH! BAD BAT! BAD BAT! GET IT OFF! ITS CREEPY LITTLE BAT FINGERS ARE TOUCHING ME!"
I know I should have been taking the 'trial before the King' more seriously…but there was a damn bat chasing me! At that point, all common sense went out the window. It was like I had chiroptophobia…whatever that was.
Damn Normal Sense needs to fill me in on things!
[Floyd]
Wynn looked flustered as she tried to support her previous argument. "D-don't let his idiotic antics and slacker demeanor fool you! He's a criminal, dangerous as they—"
"AAAUGH! HELP! It's latched itself onto my faaaace!"
For a second, I think Wynn's left eye twitched as she whirled on Cobb, withdrawing the thin sword from her belt. She quickly skewered the small mammal, without harming Cobb's face, before it vanished in a puff of smoke.
Cobb let out a sigh of relief as Wynn roughly dragged him back over to his spot and forced him into a kneeling position. Meanwhile, the King's chuckles were growing louder.
To regain control of the case, Wynn quickly blurted out the rest of her argument. "You may think I'm overestimating this man, but I have evidence linking him to two of Ringwood's Most Wanted. The Testificate trafficker, TheAvoided, and the Black Market director, Kane." That got a reaction from the King. His amused expression morphed into one of trepidation as he scrutinized Cobb more carefully. The guards skepticism vanished to be replaced by angered glares.
Not good. I need to convince these guys that Cobb is innocent…or at least not as bad as wanted criminals. But how am I supposed to argue without knowing the full story?
The King cleared his throat. "Well Captain Wynn, you've always had the Kingdom's best interests at heart." The Captain beamed proudly at the praise. "If you think this man, this King_Cobb, is a danger to Ringwood, then I'll trust your judgment."
"Thank you, Your Eminence." Wynn bowed, shooting me a smug grin unseen by the King, before raising her head. "Based on the severity of his crimes, I recommend imprisonment for no less than 75 years. And I'm sure the dull work in the coal mines will teach him the error of his—"
"Please, wait," I interrupted to Wynn's chagrin. "As Cobb's friend—and lawyer, I guess—I have the right to defend his actions. But it sounds to me like you're already condemning him based on the sole…" –Crap! What's that word lawyers use to describe spoken statements…Oh, right!— "…testimony of one of your own. We deserve a chance to explain his side of the story! For instance what crimes is he even being charged for? Your Captain doesn't seem intent on sharing."
"Hmph," Wynn huffed in annoyance. "Knowing his crimes isn't going to change anything. And what about you?" She pointed an accusatory finger at me. "Are we meant to accept your testimony when you're an obvious associate of his? It's biased both ways."
I ignored Wynn's words and looked straight at King Miles. "Please, Your Eminence. If you'd just list his crimes, I'm sure I can clear up this misunderstanding."
The King rubbed his chin in consideration. I could tell he was mulling over my request even though Wynn was dead set on imprisoning Cobb. What did she have against Cobb anyway to want to imprison him so badly?
Finally, the King cleared his throat. "Very well. In the spirit of fairness, I'll allow you to make a defense." Wynn clenched her fists in frustration before relaxing them. "Captain, please explain to the defendant his crimes."
"…Yes, Your Eminence," Wynn agreed in an even tone.
Before she could begin, I leaned my head over. "Cobb," I whispered, "as she's explaining each one of your crimes, tell me your side of what happened. And be discreet."
He nodded and I could tell that he was truly taking the case seriously. Hopefully, I would be able to draw a defense that would satisfy everyone.
I leaned my head away just as Wynn began. "First, King_Cobb was discovered to have in his possession a counterfeit Citizenship Information. Upon further investigation, the Hall of Records has no documentation of a King_Cobb to have ever entered the Kingdom legally."
"After you entered Ringwood," Cobb explained in a hushed whisper, "some guy approached me, saying he could get me into the Kingdom without an emerald if I did him a favor. The guy turned out to be a criminal named TheAvoided and the favor was passing a message to Kane."
I processed both facts…and realized how tricky proving Cobb's innocence would be. His only defense was he didn't know, and that wouldn't be enough.
Still, I had to listen to the whole account. "Second, I discovered Cobb while undercover at the Razed Bar." Wynn continued. "He was passing a message from TheAvoided to a bartender later identified as the Black Market director Kane."
"That's…actually that's exactly my side of the story." Cobb shrugged helplessly.
Terrific.
"But by then, I had actually figured out that TheAvoided was a criminal based on some wanted posters." Cobb commented in his defense. "I even found a wanted poster for Carys if you'd believe it. Apparently she was a big danger to Ringwood."
"You knew he was a criminal and you did it anyway!?" I hissed in outrage. He was making it really hard to defend his case. "Why the hell would you pass the message then!?"
"He made me swear on my life! I had to do it!" Cobb hissed in response. Who knew that his honest promises could have such negative consequences?
Well, besides anyone with half a brain cell.
Still, that tidbit about Carys_Angel might come in handy.
I refocused on Wynn's explanation. "Then, there was an argument between the two. Kane and his goons attacked Cobb who began to set property ablaze, demonstrating an unabashed usage of fire within our predominantly wooden Kingdom. It could have easily become a situation similar to the Blaze of 420!" The guards shuddered at the mention of those words as if reliving a traumatizing catastrophe.
"I needed a distraction to try and get away…and they were just friggen tables!" Cobb conceded with an aggravated grumble.
"So, Mr. Flawwed_Floyd," Wynn strode up to me, "after hearing all of his crimes, would you care to come up with a suitable explanation?"
And just like that, I was put on the spot. My brain was working overtime trying to come up with an excuse, but no matter how I looked at the facts, I was convinced that Cobb, whether he intended to or not, broke the law. And saying that he made a mistake would do little to downplay the Captain's accusations or eliminate the King's suspicions.
"Well? We're waiting to hear your defense?" Wynn inquired sharply, already confident that she had Cobb dead to rights.
Finally, I came to a conclusion. There was only one way to prove Cobb's innocence.
A lawyer's Ace-in-the-Hole.
Lying!
[Cobb]
My eyes darted nervously between Wynn, Floyd, and the dozens of bats still hanging from the ceiling. Maybe I really do have a phobia of bats. Just like Batman.
…who's Batman again? For some reason I feel like he's some bat themed vigilante who swings around the city with a young ward.
But that's too silly to be real. I probably just imagined it.
Anyway, I couldn't see how Floyd was going to get me out without partial lying. And even then it probably wouldn't convince Captain Punishment over there. The King, on the other hand, seemed more reasonable. Surely a lie would work on him. So long as the lie was believable.
But would Floyd be willing to do that?
No sooner had that thought formed in my head before Floyd began to laugh.
It wasn't a hysterical gut-busting laugh, but more of an amused chuckle. Although I couldn't quite see what was so funny. And judging by Wynn's narrowed eyes, neither did she.
"Should I take your laughs as a sign that you've finally realized the futility of your friend's defense?" Wynn inquired in a calm voice. But Floyd just shook his head, still chuckling.
"I think I see the confusion here." Floyd turned his attention to me. "Cobb, I know you want to keep your profession a secret, but I don't think we have any other choice here. We have to tell them."
I blinked in confusion with a dumb expression on my face. What the hell was he talking about? Profession?
Wynn, the King, and the rest of the guards seemed to be wondering the same thing. While the guards and King looked intrigued to hear 'my profession' Wynn still had that suspicious glare of hers.
Floyd let out an exhausted sigh. "Alright Cobb, I'll explain it for them." He turned his attention back to his audience. "I won't lie to you, Your Eminence. The reason Cobb committed all those crimes is because he is a Private Detective."
...
Wha?
A loud silence permeated the room as the audience took in Floyd's confident statement. How exactly was he keeping a straight face when offering such a ridiculous lie…I mean, yeah, good for him for realizing a lie was the only way to prove my innocence, but could it have been more believable than that? I was of such low experience that they'd never believe I was some kind of Private Eye!
"You can't be serious." Wynn broke the silence, her voice heavy with deadpan, as she addressed my soon-to-be-ex-lawyer. "A Private Detective?"
"You mean like Sherlock Holmes?" The King spoke up, but it was with no trace of skepticism, as if he didn't believe it. It was more like he was trying to wrap his mind around the idea. Willing to give it a chance.
Also, Sherlock Holmes. Why did that name sound familiar? Some part of my mind registered him as a detective, but I had never heard that name before. And how did the King even know who that was? Was he just following his Normal Sense to pull a familiar named Detective to compare to?
Either way, the reference registered with Floyd, though he probably never heard the name either. "Exactly like Sherlock Holmes. See, Cobb has been undercover for weeks trying to uncover the identity of Kane. He has sworn to protect the innocent people of Ringwood by—"
"I've heard enough!" Wynn interrupted with a stamp of her white leather boots before she turned to re-address the King. "Your Eminence, please allow me to remove these two from your throne room so that they can no longer tarnish your ears with such ludicrous—"
"Hold on, Captain." The King held up a hand to silence her. "I would like to hear what they have to say."
Wynn's mouth hung open in shocked outrage. "But Your Eminence—"
"Do not interrupt their case." He pressed in a stern tone before returning his undivided attention to Floyd. "Please continue."
"Thank you, Your Eminence." Floyd bowed and I followed suit, finding hope in the fact that the King wanted to hear our lies.
"As I was saying…before I was so rudely interrupted," –Wynn shot him a murderous glare, her red humiliated face contrasting quite nicely with her ivory-white hair—"Cobb, upon seeing this grand and wonderful Kingdom, had taken it upon himself to combat crime and apprehend the worst of Ringwood's Most Wanted."
"For weeks, he's been working underground. Trying to get close to the TheAvoided. Working off minor leads and petty two-bit criminals until the day he earns one of the Most Wanted's trust and worms his way into the Inner Circle of Ringwood's most dangerous activities. He had to appear inexperienced to seem like less of a threat than he truly was. He needed to make it look like he'd never set foot into a Kingdom before."
"Through hard work and caution, Cobb succeeded when TheAvoided gave him a mission to make contact with the Black Market director, Kane, at the Razed Bar."
Upon hearing Floyd's tale, I noticed the King's mesmerized expression. His guards seemed to believe it too. The only exception was Wynn, whose brow rose further and further in disbelief while her arms were firmly crossed in forced acceptance. It was taking a lot of her self-control to stay silent and listen.
"Now I know what you're all thinking." Floyd spread his arms out to gesture to his captivated audience. "Why didn't Cobb just apprehend TheAvoided when the opportunity presented itself? Well, I'm sure Cobb can explain his reasoning." Floyd turned his attention back to me and made a subtle movement as if urging me to take over.
I took a deep breath and tried to appear composed…
Then I figured I'd just wing it and overplay the whole 'selfless hero' façade.
"Well, as noble and self-sacrificing as I am,"—Wynn rolled her eyes—"I was bound under oath to follow TheAvoided's mission. He made me swear on my life, so I had no other choice."
"How utterly selfless of you." Wynn mock praised, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Indeed. A man of honor, through and through." The King commented, but in a respectful tone. He had obviously missed Wynn's sarcasm.
Brain: You'd think that being in a Captain-King relationship would entail being at least remotely on the same wavelength.
Heart: I hate to agree with Brain, but yeah. Those two don't seem to understand each other at all.
Brain: Wait…Heart is actually…agreeing with me!? Oh my gosh! I never thought this day would come!
Heart: Oh, ha ha. Very funny.
Brain: Bladder! I need some confetti! And break out the wine coolers too! This is a special occasion!
"So after agreeing to his mission," one of the guards inquired with a raised hand, "you went to the Razed Bar to confirm Kane's identity, intending to deliver the information to the authorities. Correct?"
Uh. No.
"Absolutely."
But yeah, let's go with that.
Wynn whirled on the guard that asked the question. "Don't help them string their story along! They're spouting nonsense!"
"No, we're spouting some-sense. All-sense in fact!" I defended.
"Why just listen to the words they're making up! 'Some-sense!?' As if this simpleton could possibly—"
"Wynn! I told you to let them defend themselves!" The King shouted back defiantly. "How can we possibly advocate justice if we just disregard the testimonies presented?"
"But…they…he entered the Kingdom with falsified Citizenship Information! Explain that!" Wynn was desperately fighting for her case.
Floyd stepped in. "I repeat, Cobb had to appear inexperienced to fool TheAvoided. Someone like him could get an emerald no problem to pay the tolls. As a matter of fact, he did get an emerald no problem. But he instead offered it to…to a poor ill-experienced Crafter like me." Floyd exaggeratedly wiped fake tears from his eyes while his watching audience (save Wynn) adopted sympathetic expressions. "I am truly honored by his friendship."
Alright, you're overselling it a little, Floyd.
But I took over to continue the story. "The false documentation was part of the information passing deal involving Kane. I had to break the law to appear on their side. And for that I am sorry." I bowed lowly, feigning remorse. Floyd flashed me a subtle thumbs up in between his crocodile tears.
The next thing I knew, I felt a comforting hand over my shoulder. I looked up to see that the King had actually left his throne to console me. It kind of made me feel guilty since I was lying to him…but Wynn lied first. That makes it okay…sort of.
"It's alright son. I understand you did what needed to be done to uncover the truth. And your efforts helped us put away a dangerous criminal." He patted my shoulder reassuringly. "You have nothing to feel sorry for."
"Your Eminence!" Wynn protested. "Don't let yourself be fooled by their words! Are you honestly willing to trust them over me, your most vigilant Captain!?"
The King turned to Wynn, adopting a complicated expression. The argument came down to Wynn's word against ours. Sure our emotions may have swayed him to defend us, but if Wynn was alone with him, made him see reason, then our lies would be pretty obvious.
We couldn't let that happen.
We needed one more piece of information to fully convince him.
"There is absolutely no proof that King_Cobb is a Private Detective. I feel stupid just having those words come out of my mouth!" Wynn continued as she strode up to the King.
I turned to look at Floyd, silently asking him what I should say next.
He responded by mouthing the words: Carys Angel.
And suddenly, it clicked. The words were out of my mouth before I could even process them. "I killed Carys_Angel too!"
The reaction was immediate. The King, who was quietly conversing with Wynn just a moment ago, spun to see if those words had really been spoken by me.
The guards' eyes were as wide as dinner-plates before they schooled their features down to tentative wonderment.
But Wynn, of course, remained skeptical. Actually, scratch that. She just shrugged off my announcement as if it were a pesky gnat. She had already decided that everything out of my mouth was lies.
Too bad this time it was the truth.
"Before arriving here, I tried to subdue Carys_Angel." Ok that part was a lie. We were just trying to run away like little girls. "But locked in mortal combat, I was left with no other choice but to knock her into a lake of molten lava…with my trusty fishing rod."
"Oh how very convenient." Wynn interjected as she walked right up to me. "You just so happen to have knocked her into a lake of lave, incinerating her and any evidence proving your story is true. How very neat. Without her Head or her gear, we're just supposed to take your statements as facts. Is that right?"
"I'll admit that it sounds absurd for you to trust that story, but it's the truth." And for the first time, I meant it. Funny.
"Very well." Wynn smirked as if she had figured out how to disprove my argument. "Since you claim to have met her in battle, I'm sure you'd be able to tell us the name of her trusted steed?"
"Mr. Piggles." I replied without missing a beat.
Her smirk vanished, but she was still intent on tripping me up.
"Her armor?"
"Diamond."
"Her weapons?"
"Three swords and a bow."
"Sword material?"
"Diamond, Iron, Gold."
"Enchantments?"
"Um…" There was that word again. Enchantments. Carys had mentioned something like that, but what was it exactly?
"Well?" Wynn inquired sharply as she got up in my face. "We're waiting."
Brain, little help buddy.
Stomach: He can't answer right now. He's gotten himself drunk.
What!?
Brain: Heart…agreed with m-meeeee…this is…such a good, great, goo-*hic*-oood ocazion…I p-proposition a toast…to…ALCOHOL!
Heart: Quick somebody sober him up!
Brain: Liver…I know I g-give yous a lot of *hic* crap n' such…b-but I want you to know that…yeeeer like the brother I *hic* never evah…had!
Liver: I don't know. I kind of like him better this way.
Heart: Damnit Bladder, why did you give him alcohol! You know he can't handle it!
Bladder: He asked nicely.
Heart: Ugh! This is what happens when I agree with Brain! Sorry Cobb, you're on your own until we sort this—Brain get down from that chandelier this instant!
Brain: You can't *hic* make me! I'm Chandelier Maaan! Na-na-na-na na-na-na-na…I forget how the rest of it goes.
…
…
Um…
…I'll worry about that later.
Now think! What were those Enchantments called?
My story may very well depend on that piece of information…
THINK!
[That is a combination of Knockback II and Sharpness III Enchantments. It certainly packs a punch doesn't it?]
"Knockback II and Sharpness III on her…Iron sword!" I blurted out after intense concentration. My head felt a bit lighter from the effort (and hopefully not from Brain's drinking).
Wynn took a step back. She looked dazed that I had answered all her questions correctly.
Which hopefully proved to her that I was telling the truth.
"That—that's not…" She trailed off as conflicting emotions crossed her face. Relief? Disbelief? Anger? Elation? It was hard to tell what exactly she was feeling.
As for the King and guards, looking at Wynn's reaction was all they needed to gauge that I answered her questions correctly. They looked at me with newfound respect.
I knew I had fully won them over.
But someone was willing to argue to the bitter end.
"No." Wynn mumbled as her face finally settled on denial. "You almost fooled me for a second—"
"Wynn—" The King tried to calm her down.
"No!" She screamed as she pointed a threatening finger directly at me. "Let's say for a second that I believe you story. That you tossed Carys into lava with…a fishing rod…that doesn't mean she's dead!"
Wha?
"She could have had a Potion of Fire Resistance on her. She's known for handling potions."
"Fire Resistance?" I couldn't help but question and Wynn pounced on my hesitation.
"Yes. An orange liquid that surrounds the user with a fireproof coating. Completely impervious to both fire and lava."
"She didn't have any potion like that." Floyd dismissed with a wave. "I saw her fall and I didn't see her take out a…well actually I didn't see her take out anything. I was pretty far away." He conceded.
Orange…liquid… My brain had jammed and it had nothing to do with Brain's heavy drinking.
"Cobb, you were closer," Floyd asked. "Did you see her take out any potion?"
Fireproof…coating…
"N-no Floyd. I didn't see…anything like that."
There was no way…that potion she took out…I'm sure that orange tinge it had was just…just from the light of the lava! Yeah! That was it! No orange potion at all! Nope!
She's dead!
Dead, dead, dead!
Nothing to worry about now!
…
[Carys]
"Hmm?" I looked up from handing the courier my letter addressed to the hideout. For some odd reason, I felt that somebody was thinking about me.
…
Oh well! Time to leave the Kingdom.
Horseback would be the quickest mode of travel.
Though I doubt any of the sorry excuses for horses will be able to measure up to Mr. Piggles' speed.
[Cobb]
Yep! Totally 100% dead!
Cadaverific!
And yet Wynn still seemed adamant about refusing our story. "Your Eminence, I find it hard to believe that these two defeated Ringwood's most dangerous criminal, known for killing over a hundred Crafters, with nothing more than a simple fishing rod."
"But Captain," the King responded, "they answered all your questions correctly did they not?"
"…Yes, but—"
"Then how else would they know that information? And why are you arguing so intensely against their innocence?"
Before Wynn could respond, Floyd interrupted. "I think I can explain Wynn's behavior." He gestured to the Captain. "She doesn't want to accept the fact that Kane would have been arrested, regardless of her interference at the Razed Bar." Wynn just sent a perplexed stare towards Floyd. "She's convinced that she's the one solely responsible for the arrest, with no help from Cobb."
Oh, Floyd you evil genius. I thought as Wynn's face morphed from surprise to flushed anger.
"Are you implying …that I would lie to hoard the credit!?" She screeched.
"Is that true Captain?" The King inquired sharply.
"Wha…how…NO!" She sputtered, not even bothering to compose herself. "It was all me! I brought them all in!"
"It's okay Wynn, you can have the credit." I offered modestly, reveling in her increasingly angered state. And just for spite I added, "The important thing is that another criminal is off the streets. And isn't that all that matters?"
Wynn looked livid and I think her eye twitched a couple of times. "Stop that!" Stop sounding selfless as if I'm the bad guy here! You're just a lying—"
"I've heard enough, Captain!" The King boomed to which Wynn shrunk back. "This whole time you've been doing nothing but insulting this man when all he's done is defend himself! And while his methods are questionable and break a few laws, there can be no dispute that they get the job done!"
Wynn clenched her fists in anger and lowered her head so that her ivory hair obstructed her face.
"It is because of him that two dangerous criminals are no longer a threat to the populace. Therefore, I hardly think his actions would warrant a lifetime of imprisonment."
I internally cheered and gave Floyd a thumbs up. Was I really going to get away with it all?
"However, at the same time, I can see where you're coming from Wynn. He did break the law, and we cannot let him walk away scot-free." The King returned to his throne and sank into it. "Therefore, I think a simple week of imprisonment should suffice in teaching him a lesson. I'm sure the food will be punishment enough."
I could hear Wynn grinding her teeth hearing my lenient punishment. No doubt she was filled with impotent rage knowing that the prison's diet of rotten flesh and spider eyes would do little to make me regret my actions.
She had pretty much lost her case. Sure a week of prison sounded dismal, but it was a hell-of-a-lot better than a life term.
I would have felt bad for her…if not for the fact that she kneed me in the gut, knocked me out, sent me to prison, held my Inventory ransom, and actively tried to worsen my sentence.
So yeah. No pity from me.
"And Wynn. I believe you owe this man an apology." The King commented as he gripped his golden rod. "For wrongly accusing him when he was just trying to apprehend a criminal."
And there was the icing on the cake. She had to apologize to me! Oh sweet, sweet, karma…
Whatever karma was.
I take it back. Floyd can be my lawyer any day.
The Captain's head was still down, keeping her expression obscured, and I wondered if she would even offer any words of apology. What would happen if she refused?
She was probably incredibly angry and reluctant to swallow her pride.
She probably doesn't even want to look me in the eye now…maybe I should just wave off the apology.
Be the bigger person and all.
"I appreciate your concern Your Eminence," I began with an apologetic smile, "but there's no need for Wynn to apolo—"
"No."
I looked to see who had spoken that word and did a double take when I saw it was Wynn. Her head was raised and she was positively beaming at me with a warm smile.
"His Eminence is right." Wynn bowed lowly. "I was trying to hog the credit. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions when you were only trying to be selfless. Please forgive me for my actions."
She said that so sweetly and kept up her beaming smile that I was thrown off. A few moments ago she was screaming at me, but now it was like it had never happened.
"Uh…it's no problem…I understand." I forgave her easily (seeing as how I was the one in the wrong in the first place). Had she actually been convinced by our lie? Or was it the King's pressuring that caused her rapid attitude change?
"Oh, but it is a problem." She spoke with remorse in her tone as she walked right up to me and took my hand in both of hers. "I hurt you and locked you in prison solely based off my rash sense of justice."
I was honestly surprised at how sincere she sounded. I shot a glance at Floyd who merely shrugged. Apparently he was equally perplexed by Wynn's sudden change.
Just as I was about to wave off her apology, I felt her hands tighten around mine. I winced in pain as her sharp nails dug into my skin.
"It pains me," once again she tightened her grip, making me lose half a heart of health for nearly breaking my wrist, "to hear that you'll have to spend any more time in that dreadful, cold prison cell."
It pains me more that you're breaking my hand! I internally groaned as I tried to extricate it from her grasp.
Just as I thought I'd have to push her away to release me, she let go and turned to face the King.
"Which is why, if Your Eminence will allow me to rectify my mistake, I would like to propose an alternative form of punishment for Cobb. One more suited to his…selfless character." She struggled to speak that word and, as I nursed my sore wrist, I knew her proposal meant nothing but trouble.
"Um…I actually don't mind spending time in prison—"
"Very well Wynn. Since you seem apologetic, I will hear your alternative." The King interrupted.
Uh-oh.
Wynn smiled as she gestured to me. "Cobb is obviously a skilled Crafter to have tracked down one criminal and kill another in combat. And prison would be such a waste of his time. I propose he put his skills to better use for the Kingdom he so selflessly wishes to protect."
Not liking where this is going.
Wynn's smile appeared genuine and her words were nothing but praise, but I realized it was all a façade. A quick tactic change on her part so that she could have the last laugh.
But for exactly what? I did not know.
And neither did the King apparently. "What are you suggesting?"
"Simple." She placed her hands behind her back and stood up straight. "If you recall, I have an envoy mission to the Kingdom of Daymonte a few days from now. I was originally going to settle for a handful of my men to brave the difficult terrain, deadly Mobs, and dangerous Griefer packs."
Oh no no no.
"But," Wynn glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, and I saw a faint smirk adorn her face. "I would feel much safer knowing a Crafter like King_Cobb, so selfless and brave, was along for the journey. Ready to lay his life on the line to protect my men…or die trying."
…Die trying?
*Gulp*
"R-really Your Eminence…I think p-prison is a fine…"
"So you wish for Cobb to join you on your mission?" The King considered the request. Considered! As in he was mulling it over! Dear God he was mulling it over!
"Yes. And it would only take us a week to get there. Same amount of time as Cobb's term." Wynn commented happily. "Also, as an added condition to pay off his emerald debt, I would require that Cobb donate any resources he obtains during our journey directly to the Ringwood fund, thereby further assisting the Kingdom he so selflessly wishes to protect."
"Personally, I think a few days in prison would be better for me to learn my lesson! Honest!" I was raising my voice in an attempt to be heard. There was no way I could handle a strenuous journey to another Kingdom. I had barely made it to Ringwood!
Not to mention, traveling for a week with the white-haired Captain, I wouldn't put it past her to plan a little 'accident' for me along the way.
First Carys, now this.
"Oh, there's no need to be shy Cobb. I already apologized so there are no hard feelings between us." She was next to me in an instant, her arm slung over my shoulder in an image of friendship. Although really she had me in a subtle headlock and was choking me very painfully. "And maybe during the week you can show me some of your combat prowess! After all you were able to defeat the Carys_Angel."
"Look at you two!" The King smiled joyously, oblivious to my suffering. "Already becoming fast friends."
"Gak…air…need…air…" I choked out as Floyd rushed over to try and remove me from Wynn's grip.
"Alright, it's decided!" The King stood himself up from his throne as he gestured to me. "Cobb, your punishment will be for you to accompany Wynn and her guards on their envoy mission to Daymonte. You are to protect them from danger, supply Wynn with any resources you find, and follow her command for the duration of your sentence. Do you have any objections to this?"
I tried to object, but Wynn tightened her hold around my neck, cutting off the air needed to form any cohesive argument.
"He's speechless." Wynn laughed. "Obviously overjoyed by the compromise."
"Very good!" The King beamed as he clapped his hands together. "As for you Wynn, seeing how you two are already becoming good friends, you shall serve as his parole officer until the day of the envoy mission."
"WHAT!?" She screeched as she reflexively let go of me. I coughed and sputtered as sweet air entered my lungs.
Lungs: *Sigh*
I would have expressed similar outrage at being stuck with Wynn for the next few days—next bunch of days more like it—but oxygen was still making its way into my system.
"I know the few days before the mission were reserved for your vacation time, but you owe it to Cobb to be there for him." The King explained. "Besides it'll give you the chance to learn more about each other…you should even offer to let him stay in your home as an extended apology for locking him up. Doesn't that sound nice?"
"NO! He's not stepping one foot inside my home!"
"Really…I would prefer prison—"
"While I'm fine with the envoy condition, Your Eminence, please reconsider—"
"I've made up my mind. Case closed." The King slammed his golden rod into the ground like a gavel and ended our objections before they could begin.
Karma, I still don't know what you are, but you fucking suck!
"Grab your gear and make it snappy." Wynn grumbled as she shoved me towards the prison chest. She was obviously annoyed by the terms of my punishment (despite the fact that it was all her fault), but had been ordered to return my confiscated Inventory.
Floyd joined me as I collected everything. My clock, my wooden tools, my new stone sword, leather armor, fishing rod, water bucket, and piles of useless crap.
But I felt like I was missing something. Even with the chest cleaned out, there was still something that made my backpack feel emptier than it should have been.
…
Ah!
My flint and steel!
"Hey I'm missing my flint and steel. Did one of the guards take that somewhere else?" I asked.
Wynn just shrugged. "The guards stripped you of everything after you were taken here. Your false documentation was sent to the evidence room. If it's not in that chest, I'd hazard a guess saying you dropped it at the Razed Bar."
"You mean after you kneed me in the gut?" I scowled at her.
"Perhaps." Wynn smiled innocently. "But what can you do? Things happen."
I groaned aloud. Chances were I did drop it and it was long gone by now. Picked up by some curious Crafter.
I will never forget you flint and steel. May your fire inspire the hearts of Crafters with its arson capabilities.
Floyd placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I can always make you a new one."
I smiled at Floyd's support. "Thanks Floyd. And thanks for everything. If you hadn't had my back in that trial…I may have been serving a life sentence." I couldn't specify how Floyd's lies had given me the back-story needed to fake my innocence. Not with Wynn within eavesdropping distance.
Though the King was adamant about the envoy punishment, Wynn could still convince him if she found evidence contrary to our story.
Floyd waved the thanks away. "You don't need to thank me. After all, I didn't completely get you out of your sentence."
"You did your best. Which, surprisingly, was better than what I expected. Who knew a great friend could be an awesome lawyer?"
Floyd looked down and rubbed his shoulder awkwardly. "You…really think of me as a good friend?"
"Of course." I assured as I closed the chest. "Not just anyone would be willing to take a case against a King and his uptight—"
"Ahem!" Wynn cleared her throat while glaring at me.
"…uh…charming and…heroic Captain." I finished carefully.
Suddenly, talking about good friends made me realize something. "Oh yeah! What about you? Did you manage to find your friend?...Song was his name right?"
"No. His name is Soul. Lost_Soul."
"Oh…well they sound pretty similar." I shrugged. "So did you find him?"
Floyd hesitated as if he was trying to find the right words. "Y-yeah I found him…But…I don't think he wants to be my friend anymore."
"What?" I was shocked by how sad Floyd sounded. He was talking non-stop about finding the guy, so then why didn't he want to be friends anymore?
"He…how do I put this…" Floyd contemplated the best way to explain the situation. "Right now…he hates my guts."
"Why? What happened?" I honestly wanted to know what the big problem was.
But Floyd looked hesitant about explaining. "It's…complicated. I don't really want to talk about it, if that's okay."
Despite my overall obliviousness, one look at him and I could tell how uncomfortable the topic was. Something had happened between the two. Something bad.
But that shouldn't matter!
"Alright, I won't ask what the problem is. However, I will tell you the solution." I gripped both his shoulders and shook him a little. "You need to keep trying."
"Wha—no, Cobb. You don't understand. I…did something really, really terrible. And Soul might never forgive me."
"I may not get what happened between you two, but with how you've been talking about him, you really want to be his friend." I offered a small smile to instill in him some confidence. "So you need to go back to him, apologize for whatever you did, and become his friend again."
Floyd let out a defeated sigh. "It's not that simple, alright! What I did…the way he acted, I don't even know if it can be forgiven. He already thinks I'm a terrible friend."
I frowned at his statement. "Well that's obviously a lie! Would a terrible friend defend another friend who got himself involved with a crazy, justice obsessed—"
"AHEM!"
"…wonderfully…benevolent Captain? No."
"But…"
"In fact, I think I'm the terrible friend for dragging you into that mess." I considered. "Sorry."
"That's another case entirely! Look, I stuck with this because I didn't want another friendship to fall apart." Floyd conceded as he gripped the bars of the cell. "I didn't want to be a bad friend twice."
"Well it seems to me like the only part of you being a bad friend is that you're willing to give up on Soul so easily." I countered pointedly.
"Ugh, you make it sound so simple!"
"That's because it is simple." I walked over to Floyd. "Listen to this. A great man once told me, 'You only get out what you put in.' Know what that means?"
"…The basic rules of an empty box?" Floyd guessed.
"No. Funny, but no. It means that unless you put effort into what you do, you'll never get anything of worth out of it." I explained placing an arm around Floyd's shoulder. "Look at everything we've done this past week. Getting here took effort. Fighting off a Stickman took effort."
"Stickman?" Wynn questioned.
"Fighting Carys took effort. Proving my innocence…was actually quite effortless, but still!" Wynn's face heated up in humiliation. "That all took effort and from it we've pulled out tips and tricks on how to fight, eat, and survive."
"So if you really want Soul to be your friend again, you're gonna have to make that effort. And if he still doesn't want to be your friend, you say 'shut up Soul, I'm gonna be your friend again, whether you like it or not!' and give it an extra 100%."
Floyd remained quiet as my words rolled around in his head.
"He punched me in the face."
"Friends are allowed to fight. I mean, we did right? And remember how silly we felt when we resolved it?" It was over something stupid like food…and something deeper like proving oneself. "I'm sure if the two of you talk it out, you can resolve it too."
"What makes you so sure everything will turn out fine?" The blue-nette fixed his fearful purple eyes on my comforting green ones.
"Truth be told, I don't." I conceded with a grin. "Hell, half the time I usually wing it. But I know what you're capable of. And I know you can fix things. You just need to keep trying."
A silence permeated the air as my words took hold of Floyd. I could tell by his eyes that he was considering them. The fear from moments ago was replaced with determination and he smiled at me.
"Yeah…yeah you're right!" Floyd looked ready to find Soul and try again. "Thanks for that Cobb."
I shrugged. "Hey, that's what friends are for…also consider my advice payment for your legal services."
Floyd laughed and after a while I laughed too. It looked like Floyd had finally recovered from his initial failure with his ex-friend.
"Ugh…I can't stomach this melodrama!" Wynn groaned as she clutched her stomach. "If you need me, I'll be waiting outside the hall."
As she left, Floyd turned to me. "I need to go talk to Soul again. Do you mind—"
"Go on." I assured. "I'll be fine with Ivory-locks out there. Though the next few days will be brutal, I'll keep out of trouble."
"Thanks." Floyd patted my shoulder thankfully. "I'll meet back up with you tomorrow. Go to the Ringwood Park at nighttime. Head to the central pond and we'll discuss what our plans for the next few weeks will be."
I nodded in assent as Floyd hurried to leave the cell. But just as he made it to the exit, he turned back to toss some cooked fish at me. "Consider the fish as thanks for that advice. It was...really helpful. Who was the great man who told you it?"
"Oh it was…um…" I blanked at where I heard the advice. I know it was from someone important, but I couldn't for the life of me remember who it was.
Come to think of it, I didn't actually remember hearing it from anyone in Minecraftia. It felt like my Normal Sense was reminding me of something or someone.
Someone…someone of a duo…two people…a man and a woman of such importance to my life…who were there from the beginning…caring…loving…
Parental.
I couldn't remember the faces though. All that came to mind was the deeply ingrained words of wisdom they gave. One piece of advice from each person.
'You only get out what you put in.'
And…
…
Meh, I'll save that advice for a later time.
"I can't remember. Normal Sense, am I right?" I chuckled sadly, even though I didn't know what I was sad about. Maybe it was because I couldn't remember those two people.
Floyd just nodded in understanding before he took off once more. "You still owe me lawyer fees!" His voice echoed as he left the prison.
So, with all my gear in my possession, I walked out into the prison hall, ready to face my punishment with the irritated Captain.
"You finished?" I nodded. "Good, because we have a lot to do for the next couple of days…cutting right into my vacation time."
We walked past a few cells, and, being the asshole that I was, I couldn't resist taunting the inmates. "Haha! I'm outta here losers! Don't do the crime if you can't do the crime!"
I stuck out my tongue at a few growling goons…only to realize they were the same goons I had met at the Razed Bar.
Wait…if they're there…then where's Kane?
"YOU!"
Strong arms sprung out from a nearby cell and tightened around my neck, strangling me. I gazed at my attacker and saw the bartender I had unknowingly doomed to a life-term of gloominess and rotten flesh: Kane.
"YOU SCREWED EVERYTHING! IT'S YOUR FAULT SHE FOUND ME!" I tried prying his hands off me, but he was too strong. "YOU ARE A DEAD MAN!"
"Alright Kane that's enough." Wynn commented insipidly as she sharply rapped her rapier across Kane's arms, causing him enough pain to release me. "I can't have this piece of filth dying…not until he gets what he deserves outside the Kingdom's walls."
I choked and sputtered on the ground. Getting choked twice in one day!?
Karma…you have a real sick sense of humor!
But for the first time, I didn't question what Karma was.
The term, originally brought on by Normal Sense, had become part of my general understanding.
The term stuck.
Inventory (Cobb): 1 Wooden Shovel, 1 Stone Sword, 1 Wooden Pickaxe, 1 Wooden Pickaxe {Weak}, 1 Wooden Hoe, 1 Wooden Axe, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Bow {Weak}, 26 Cobblestone, 12 Flint, 4 Coal, 8 Torches, 1 Minecart, 18 Oak Wood Planks, 2 Wooden Pressure Plates, 1 Trapdoor, 3 Oak Doors, 1 Wooden Button, 1 Clock, 37 Dirt, 2 Signs, 1 Water Bucket, 12 String, 1 Bone, 2 Glass Bottle, 6 Cooked Fish, 1 Bowl, 1 Leather Cap, 1 Leather Boots, 1 Crafting Table, 3 Rotten Flesh
Inventory (Floyd): 1 Wooden Shovel, 1 Wooden Pickaxe, 1 Iron Pickaxe, 1 Iron Sword, 1 Wooden Sword {Weak}, 1 Wooden Axe, 1 Bow, 1 Flint and Steel, 1 Fishing Rod, 1 Furnace, 1 Crafting Table, 3 Sticks, 57 Oak Wood Planks, 1 Oak Wood Door, 1 Minecart, 1 Book {Miner's Warren}, 2 Flint, 2 Gunpowder, 9 String, 1 Pufferfish, 19 Cooked Fish, 10 Ink Sacs, 1 Book {Citizenship Information}, 1 Paper {Entry Pass}
AN: PHEW. THIS CHAPTER! This was probably the closest I got to not fulfilling my chapter a week deadline. I was trying not to rush it, but in the end, I kinda HAD to rush it. I finished it Monday night!
I barely managed to get it to my Beta...who is awesome for being so patient with my work. But with the semester almost over and Finals coming up, I'm gonna be hard pressed keeping up my writing. Hopefully, Thanksgiving Break will help me out. Thanks Pilgrims!
So going over what happened in this dialogue heavy chapter. Despite what you've read, please remember that lying is the WORST possible thing a lawyer can do in a case...well that and defending his client naked...but that's not the point. Lying is wrong! Morals n' stuff!
Wynn...oh boy Wynn. She was close to having a mental breakdown. And Floyd is going back to Soul for round two of friendship saving.
And Cobb's getting a better grasp of Normal Sense. If a term comes up enough times, he no longer questions what it is and simply accepts it as a term. The same goes for all Crafters.
See you all next week (hopefully). Corn Cob...Out!