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  I pull my arm from the birdman’s grasp and address the judge directly: “Pardon me, your honor. My, uh, barrister never asked me about any plea deal, nor did I ever agree to one. I plead not guilty to all charges.”

  The judge looks at both lawyers and asks, “Is this true, gentlemen? Was the accused not consulted when agreeing to a plea?”

  Sam gives me a dirty look but quickly assumes a falsely-humble tone when speaking to the judge. “Well, your honor. My caseload is so large that I hardly have the time to speak to every single criminal I represent. This seemed like such an open-and-shut case that I thought the accused would be overjoyed to only get a two-year sentence. I thought I was being kind by not forcing the traumatized victim to go through a trial.”

  The judge scowls at my attorney. “Well, it seems like your client has a different opinion on the matter. We’ll be entering a plea of not guilty on the record and moving forward with the trial.” Addressing the prosecution, he continues, “Are you ready to go to trial, counselor?” The prosecuting attorney glances at my lawyer and nods that he’s ready. The judge nods back and says, “Since Mr. Ellington has obviously not had the good fortune to speak to a decent barrister, I’ll explain the proceedings for his benefit. First, both sides will give their opening statements and then present their evidence. Then, based on this evidence, I will decide if the accused is guilty or innocent. Are there any questions?”

  I raise my hand, and the chains on my wrist jingle. Judge Jody points at me, and I ask, “I noticed that the person accusing me of the crime is not present in the courtroom. Don’t I have the right to face my accuser?”

  “Yes, it is unusual that the damaged party is not present.” Addressing the prosecutor, the judge asks, “Where is the plaintiff?”

  The prosecutor bobs his bird neck once uncomfortably and answers, “Oh, well. You see, your honor, I didn’t think there was any need for my client to appear in court. I thought that the defense and I had already come to an agreement on a plea deal.”

  “Well, it seems like you were mistaken. You will produce your client by the end of the day, or I will dismiss all charges. Now, let's get this trial started.”

  With that statement, the trial for my freedom begins. The prosecution’s opening statement portrays me and my friends as a group of hooligans out for revenge against an innocent and dedicated professor. According to the prosecution, we kidnapped the professor and held him against his will in his home. Then we snuck in our gang of ruffians and tortured the poor goblin for days. It was only after a large fight broke out, and we attacked each other, that the guards were called, and they found us trying to murder the only witness, Professor Miltonha.

  My own attorney doesn’t paint a much better picture. He tries to portray me and my friends as poor, misguided urchins only looking to rob Professor Miltonha. However, when he came home early and caught us, we foolishly took him hostage. It was then that we supposedly called our gang leader, and it was he who tortured the professor, not us. We were simply accessories.

  Frustrated with the narrative being constructed here, I nearly shout, “Your honor, I object to the statements of both the prosecution and defense. What they’re saying just isn’t true!”

  The judge looks down at me with a patient look. “Son, I know that this is a bad time for you, but you will respect the procedures of this court and sit quietly. I promise that you will have a chance to tell your side of things shortly.”

  I close my mouth and try to remember that this isn’t the world I came from. The judge is right: I need to respect the way things are done here. I can’t alienate the one person in this room who seems to care about the truth.

  In the meantime, the prosecution calls its first witness, the guard captain who found everyone that night. After swearing to tell the truth, the captain reads the report he wrote and tells the judge what he saw.

  Without any emotional embellishment, he says, “We were notified by the neighbors of a disturbance earlier that evening. When a single officer was dispatched to the scene, he found a large battle and called for backup. By the time more officers arrived, the entire incident was over. All we found were the armor, weapons, and loot bags of six individuals on the first floor. When we investigated the screaming coming from the second floor, we found the accused and his group standing over a kneeling Jaxson Miltonha.”

  The prosecution brings out the other guards, who all give similar testimony. At one point, the judge, getting tired of hearing the same testimony over and over, asks the prosecution to bring out Jaxson Miltonha himself so that he can hear his direct testimony. The prosecuting attorney tells the judge that he is unable to locate the witness but that he’s sure he’ll find him before the end of the day.

  My attorney doesn’t seem to have any witnesses lined up. At all. Which is not surprising, considering that he’s never asked for my side of the events. Sam tries to tell the judge that he has no witnesses, but I insist on telling my side of things. The judge allows me to take the witness stand, against my lawyer’s advice, and I swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. A notification prompt pops up after I do so.

  You’ve sworn an oath to only tell the truth while giving testimony. All parties will be notified if you fail to do so, and appropriate penalties will be applied.

  Well, that’s a great way to make sure witnesses don’t lie under oath. I dismiss the notification and begin my tale.

  “You’re honor, it all began when the village I was living in, Restrian, was attacked by the Imperare Empire. One of the many horrid things that army did was kidnap the non-human citizens of that village and a group of kobolds with the intent of selling them off into slavery. My friends and I went into Imperare territory and rescued the kidnapped Restrians but found that the kobolds had already been sold off. Our only clue was the coded accounting books there. I learned about Jaxson Miltonha from my mentor, Lilliandra, and requested his aid when we finally made it to the college city, Trinitarian, where Jaxson worked as a professor.”

  Ralph, the prosecuting attorney, objects. “Your honor, the accused is stating facts not entered into the record. I ask that his statement be stricken.”

  “No, your honor. I can prove that we hired Jaxson.” I change the permissions on my notifications and show the court the quest notification from when we made a contract with Jaxson for ten silver in exchange for his decoding work.

  The judge looks over the notification then taps his gavel and says, “I rule that evidence be entered into the record showing that the accused did enter into an agreement with Jaxson Miltonha for decoding work.” Then, turning to me, he says, “Please continue your testimony.”

  “Two weeks later, just as we’d agreed, we meet with Jaxson to get the information he promised. Unfortunately, he was not at his office, and we found a note to meet him at his home. I didn’t think anything of it at the time since I was sure lots of people worked from home. However, when my friends and I arrived, we were ambushed by gnoll mercenaries and defended ourselves.” I look up at the judge and continue, “Your honor. I admit that we used force to get the location of the enslaved kobolds from Jaxson, but those kobolds made me a member of their family. Would you have done any different to save your family?”

  The judge considers my words for a moment. His brow furrows slightly, and I see a slight nod of his head. However, his words show his determination to be impartial. “What I would or would not do in that situation is not germane to this case. My only concern is determining the truth of the situation and applying the relevant laws.”

  I can only lower my head, disappointed at the tone in his voice. I’d hoped to have at least one person on my side in this courtroom. At least that anxious knot in my stomach has gone away, knowing that I’ve finally gotten to tell my side of the story. The prosecution, however, doesn’t let me off so easily. He grills me on each detail of my statement. Everything from what I was wearing the night of the supposed ambush to my relationship with the kobolds and why I’d be tr
ying to find them. It’s that last bit that gets me into trouble. You see, since I’d sworn I’d tell the truth, I’m forced to describe the events that led to my being adopted into the Red Claw Tribe. Everything. Including the bit about me getting the [Aspect of the Kobold] ability and the fact that I’m really human.

  The prosecutor leaps to his feet after I finish. “Your honor, I would like it entered into evidence that the accused has freely admitted to using a magical ability to look like a non-human and enter our kingdom. No doubt his intent was to murder Professor Jaxson Miltonha from the outset.”

  The judge nods and orders, “Let the record show that the accused has admitted to using a magical ability to transform himself into his current appearance with the purpose of crossing the border into our kingdom.” Then, turning to me, he asks, “Young man. Would you please deactivate your ability please?”

  I nod. I’d known that the Monstrum Kingdom was founded as a refuge for the races that weren’t human and, with the exception of special diplomats, have a no-human policy because of their war with the Imperare Empire. But I never expected the reaction I get when I deactivate my [Aspect of the Kobold] ability.

  As the red scales that cover my skin painfully recede, there are gasps and screams from the crowd watching from behind the wooden railings in the court. One man starts to yell something about dirty humans and has to be escorted out of the room while another woman just faints. Several reporters that looked bored till now run out of the room, no doubt planning on delivering the breaking news about the human who infiltrated the kingdom of Monstrum. After banging his gavel to bring the court back to order, Judge Jody releases me from the witness stand.

  Walking back to my seat, I try to reactivate [Aspect of the Kobold], if only to stop all the dirty looks I’m getting. But the silver collar around my neck heats up as it blocks the ability. As I sit, my lawyer turns away, refusing to even look or speak to me anymore.

  Not having any other witnesses or evidence prepared, my attorney instead rests his case. As does the smug-looking prosecution.

  Then the judge stands as he reads out his verdict. “In the case of Jaxson Miltonha versus Armon Ellington, on the charges of kidnapping, assault, and torture, the accused is found not guilty by reason of insufficient evidence.” I can’t help but leap up from my seat and cheer when I hear the verdict. The prosecution doesn’t look so smug now.

  However, my elation is short lived. The judge continues solemnly, “However, as evidence of an additional crime was also presented to the court, I find that I must also rule on the charges of unlawful immigration and falsely identifying as non-human.” He looks directly at me and sighs wearily. “While I applaud your efforts to help those oppressed by the Imperare Empire, I cannot overlook the laws you broke, Mr. Ellington. I’m sorry, but I must sentence you to the minimum amount of two years in a kingdom-run work camp.” With that, the judge bangs his gavel once more and leaves the courtroom.

  I’m in such a daze after hearing the verdict that I’m only partially aware that people all around me are asking me questions as I’m escorted back to the wagon by the guards. We ride back to the prison in silence, and while sight of a human being escorted through prison causes some uproar, I’m hardly aware of it. Even when I’m pushed into my cell, the only thought I can think of is, ‘Why am I going to jail if I didn’t do anything wrong?’

  Chapter 2

  While my trial had taken weeks to organize, the swift hand of Monstrum justice had me on a wagon bound for the work mines the next day. I’m told by the guards that my win in court forced the prosecution to drop all charges against my friends Mary, Vrax, and Kitsune. They’re scheduled to be released tomorrow, and while I’m happy that they’ll be free, it’s disheartening that I won’t have a chance to see them. It’s still a bit unreal that I’ve actually been convicted of a crime and am being sent to some kind of work camp as punishment. On earth, I’d never even gotten so much as a speeding ticket. I’d honestly thought that, after hearing my side of the story, the judge would let me go . . . or, at worst, simply throw me out of the country. But at least I have the comfort of knowing that my friends are free.

  The trip to the mines will take two weeks. There are three other humans who are being transported with me, but none of whom will talk to me. I name them Larry, Moe, and Curly--not because they resemble those fine comedians but because it makes me chuckle every time I think of the three slapping each other and running around like mad men. Also in the wagon is a creature with yellow skin and a long, skinny nose that looks like a goblin’s that had been stretched on a rack. He says his name is Meno and that he’s a hobgoblin.

  Most of the trip is pure tedium. Though the others ignore us, Meno turns out to be a pretty good storyteller, and the two of us eventually get around to talking about what brought us here. After I finish my tale, Meno stares at me and asks, “So, you traveled across a kingdom disguised as a lizardman, killed a bunch of monsters, and beat a goblin professor half to death all just for the chance to maybe help some kobolds?”

  I shrug. “Yeah, basically. I mean, they are my family.”

  The hobgoblin shakes his head. “Well, now I’ve heard everything. A human making some monster folks family instead of killing them.”

  I think I hear one of the human prisoners mutter something about being a ‘race traitor,’ but when I turn to see who said it, none of them are looking my way.

  I turn back to Meno and ask, “What did you get convicted of?”

  Meno laughs. “Kid, don’t you know that everyone in prison is innocent?”

  I can hear the guards driving the wagon laugh at the statement, and even the three humans chuckle. Meno leans forward, smiles, and says, “I was accused and convicted of robbery and assault. Though, the charges were bogus.”

  Larry, Moe, and Curly snicker, but Meno ignores them and continues with his story. “I was walking along the road, out for a late night stroll, when a fellow wearing a black skin-tight suit and mask ran past me. He dropped a bag when he bumped into me but ran off before I could tell him about his lost property. So, there I was, looking through this bag for some hint at the fellow’s name when the city guards found me. I tried to tell them that I just found the stuff, but they didn’t believe me. The next thing I know, I’m in court watching this overweight government official identify me as the person that robbed him.” Meno sighs like he’s used to the world kicking him around. “I’d already had two things going against me. One, I’m a hobgoblin, and we don’t generally have the best reputation. Two, they caught me with the stolen goods. Add to that the identification by that squinty-eyed slob, and that’s three strikes. So, I was convicted of robbery.”

  The two orc guards laugh at the story, and one of them adds, “Don’t forget about the assault charges, Meno. Tell him about how you got those.”

  The hobgoblin smiles, and I see that he has dark-black gums and that he’s missing several sharp teeth. “Oh, well, that happened when the fat government official came to gloat after I was convicted. It seems that some special items were stolen but never recovered. He threatened to have me beaten every day while I was at the mine unless I told him where it was.” Meno puts a hand to his chest and puts on his most innocent expression before continuing, “Now, not having committed the robbery, there was nothing I could tell the gentleman. However, I was right mad at being falsely convicted. So, I whispered a little something to the gent. When he leaned towards the cell bars to listen better, he instead found my hands around his throat.”

  The orc guards laugh again and one adds, “He made the guy turn purple before the guards could pry Meno’s fingers loose.”

  Meno, now with a contrite expression on his face, says, “I fully recognize that I shouldn’t have tried to strangle the fellow, but the poor man got his payback for falsely identifying me as the one who robbed him. It turns out the ‘special items’ were a bunch of letters from the guy’s mistress. Only a week later, the letters mysteriously turned up in the hands of the guy�
�s wife, and she divorced him and took all his money.”

  Everyone except the humans laugh at the end of the story. Though he seems pretty easy going, I think the moral of that story is that Meno is not the kind of hobgoblin you want to get on the bad side of.

  The rest of the trip passes quickly enough. As prisoners, we’re chained to the wagon most of the day with two breaks for bad meals and restroom breaks. We sleep in the wagon at night, still chained to the floor. Wash, rinse, repeat for two weeks.

  The guards dump all of us prisoners at the outskirts of the mining site after removing our manacles and chains. Unfortunately, they leave the collars around our necks that prevent us from accessing spells and special abilities.

  The five of us, now alone in the forest, just look around for a while. It’s hard to believe that we’ve just been left in the middle of the woods just outside a mine.

  One of the prisoners, Moe, says, “Well, I don’t know about you losers, but I’m not going to work in some stupid mine if I don’t have to. No one’s looking, so I’m making a break for it. Who’s coming along?”

  I’m tempted to follow him. After all, I can’t exactly wait two years to reunite with my friends and rescue those kobolds. As if reading my thoughts, Meno puts a hand on my shoulder and shakes his head. In a low whisper, he says, “Don’t fall for that trick. I’ve spent time in places like this, and they don’t give you this much freedom if they think you have a chance of escaping.”