The setting is the Rhy"Din Courthouse, housed in the same large building as Townhall, located on the Northside of town. Nine dirty, tattered and bedraggled children sit in a tight gathering on or in front of a pew set to service any of the three courtrooms. A clerk of the court stands in front of the second courtroom door, doing his best to keep from staring at the pathetic gaggle of kids while awaiting orders from the Judge inside. A soft, muted weeping leaks out from the courtroom, the only sound that permeates the too quiet hallway.
Nine sets of wide eyes are fixated on the door; it is almost as if each of them is holding their breaths in waiting.
Inside the courtroom, a woman, in no better shape then the nine children in the hallway, sits on the stand, tears streaming down her anguished and tormented face. Judge Mbutu studies the woman quietly, waiting for her to continue her tragic tale but she seems too lost in grief.
The Judge is a fit man in his later years of age. Distinguished in appearance, he has a fierce set of features that speak of his ethnic background and his expression reflects hardness won through years of trials and tribulations. Yet there is about him the air of a reasonable man. He looks from the woman to the attorney, the only other in the large courtroom and clears his throat. He would like the proceedings to progress; he doesn't have all day to waste with this one situation.
"Mister Howe, I assume there is more" Otherwise, I'm afraid I will have to stand by the Governor's decree."
"Ah, Judge Mbutu, of course there is more, indeed sir." Howe steps towards the judge's podium, moving with the air of a confident, country lawyer and sits the image orb down for the Judge to review. "As you will see, it is indeed a Dragon attacking the poor lady's husband, and their crops are already ruined by engulfing flames. Unfortunately, the orb was activated nearly too late, Judge. It only catches the murder of the poor woman's husband as he attempts to save his family from the rampaging, out of control beast."
The woman's weeping grows louder and less controlled as Howe speaks of her husband's gruesome demise. Her sobs echo hollowly through the nearly empty room. The Judge gives her a stern look but she doesn't seem to notice, too engrossed is she in her pain.
"Yes, yes, I see." Judge Mbutu nods, watching the grisly scene with a heavy scowl. "And what proof do you have that this is Mister Momus?"
"Let me show you, Judge." Howe places yet another orb before Mbutu, "As you will see, these are snippets we've been able to piece together over the past few weeks. It seems Mister Momus was going through....ah' How should I say it' A hard time, Judge. Something was weighing heavily upon him and having a rather nasty impact."
Images flicker to life presenting Tass" last few weeks in a condemning light indeed. From his losses at the Rings of Honor, to his taciturn behavior in the Inn, the images paint Tass as someone obviously going through a rough time because of? something. Gone was the gentle Tass to be replaced by one who well could have committed the atrocity he's being accused; the murder of the woman's husband and the burning of their family farm. Yes, as the images of a cold-hearted Tass continue to flicker by, Howe can see the shift in the demeanor of the Judge, he's got him in the palm of his hand!
"Also it should be noted that when my partner, Mister Dewey, and I attempted to confront him at the Red Dragon Inn, in order to serve him the papers, he fled at the exact moment we were forced to. I pledge to you, Judge Mbutu, that if Mister Momus wasn't guilty he would not have had to flee as he did, he would have had no reason. I must also point out that had he not done as he has, there would be no accusations against me and my firm for the assumed kidnapping of the man dragon.
"You will see we were under attack by the unruly mob. Certainly they must not have been aware of the man dragon's erratic behavior just a few nights before, but they did not give us time to explain before launching an attack upon us. My partner, Mister Dewey, and I had no choice but to flee for our very lives." Howe looks significantly at the folded sleeve where his missing arm once was.
"However, we know we had nothing what so ever to do with the disappearance of Mister Momus or Mister Panther, the proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn. Indeed, the proprietor was sighted in the Inn only moments afterwards, hence I put to the court that perhaps he may have evidence as to the whereabouts of Mister Momus. Perhaps he took it upon himself to hide the fellow" Perhaps they are even friends" But are there flyers all over town accusing him of kidnapping the man dragon"! I think not!
"Whatever the case, we at DCH are not to blame for such a heinous act and the Governor's highhandedness in removing our licenses to practice law in Rhydin is not only unjust but unfairly issued. I demand to see what evidence is in hand that can possibly refute ours" Without basis of proof, the Governor should not have such rights!"
"Yes, Mister Howe, I see your point. Now, present me with the rest of your evidence please."
"Here you go, Judge Mbutu." Howe slides another orb towards the Judge with a congenial, reassuring smile. "You will note that due to the rampant, unchecked usage of magic that happens in this realm, the sound has been fatally affected. My partner and I believe it's this fellow," a meaty hand points to the shimmering image of Corlanthis who seems to be struggling to cast a spell as he makes his way towards Tass. "He's a barfly known about town as Corlanthis Wystansayr, Judge, but it seems his talents are far more nefarious. I suggest he may be in league with the man dragon, Momus, or at very least, a rogue with no respect of the law."
The Judge nods as he watches the silent movie, an event that can easily be misconstrued without the effect of sound. Howe hides a sly smile as he turns his back to tightly pace towards the desk where he's laid out his papers. Meaty fingers scoop up two files and before turning back to face the Judge, Howe schools his expression to something more stoic with a hint of indignation.
"As you can see, Judge, my partner and I were merely on a mission to serve Mister Momus a summons to appear before these very courts, in the case of Mrs. Jeetters and her nine now fatherless children. By the way, Judge, they are waiting in the hallway, should you care to interview them personally. Although, here I have all of their eye-witness testimonies, affidavits" we took immediately following the incident, right here." He knows Mbutu would rather be playing golf then sitting in this dusty tomb of a building, he seriously doubts the children will be called, but the reunion of mother and her fatherless babes will be priceless and go far in influencing the Judge. "We also have a handful of credible eye-witnesses" as well." Howe passes the two files to the Judge. "The top is that of the Widow and her poor, fatherless children, the bottom is of the other credible witnesses". As you will read our witnesses" are Rufus Parker, Herman Goetz, Liddell Kirk, and George Jameson; all men of upstanding reputations in our community."
And with no Mister Momus about to naysay any of the charges levied against him, Howe feels they are free and clear. He offers the judge his most affable of smiles.
"I put this in your most capable hands, Sir, and await your ruling in these matters."
Nine sets of wide eyes are fixated on the door; it is almost as if each of them is holding their breaths in waiting.
Inside the courtroom, a woman, in no better shape then the nine children in the hallway, sits on the stand, tears streaming down her anguished and tormented face. Judge Mbutu studies the woman quietly, waiting for her to continue her tragic tale but she seems too lost in grief.
The Judge is a fit man in his later years of age. Distinguished in appearance, he has a fierce set of features that speak of his ethnic background and his expression reflects hardness won through years of trials and tribulations. Yet there is about him the air of a reasonable man. He looks from the woman to the attorney, the only other in the large courtroom and clears his throat. He would like the proceedings to progress; he doesn't have all day to waste with this one situation.
"Mister Howe, I assume there is more" Otherwise, I'm afraid I will have to stand by the Governor's decree."
"Ah, Judge Mbutu, of course there is more, indeed sir." Howe steps towards the judge's podium, moving with the air of a confident, country lawyer and sits the image orb down for the Judge to review. "As you will see, it is indeed a Dragon attacking the poor lady's husband, and their crops are already ruined by engulfing flames. Unfortunately, the orb was activated nearly too late, Judge. It only catches the murder of the poor woman's husband as he attempts to save his family from the rampaging, out of control beast."
The woman's weeping grows louder and less controlled as Howe speaks of her husband's gruesome demise. Her sobs echo hollowly through the nearly empty room. The Judge gives her a stern look but she doesn't seem to notice, too engrossed is she in her pain.
"Yes, yes, I see." Judge Mbutu nods, watching the grisly scene with a heavy scowl. "And what proof do you have that this is Mister Momus?"
"Let me show you, Judge." Howe places yet another orb before Mbutu, "As you will see, these are snippets we've been able to piece together over the past few weeks. It seems Mister Momus was going through....ah' How should I say it' A hard time, Judge. Something was weighing heavily upon him and having a rather nasty impact."
Images flicker to life presenting Tass" last few weeks in a condemning light indeed. From his losses at the Rings of Honor, to his taciturn behavior in the Inn, the images paint Tass as someone obviously going through a rough time because of? something. Gone was the gentle Tass to be replaced by one who well could have committed the atrocity he's being accused; the murder of the woman's husband and the burning of their family farm. Yes, as the images of a cold-hearted Tass continue to flicker by, Howe can see the shift in the demeanor of the Judge, he's got him in the palm of his hand!
"Also it should be noted that when my partner, Mister Dewey, and I attempted to confront him at the Red Dragon Inn, in order to serve him the papers, he fled at the exact moment we were forced to. I pledge to you, Judge Mbutu, that if Mister Momus wasn't guilty he would not have had to flee as he did, he would have had no reason. I must also point out that had he not done as he has, there would be no accusations against me and my firm for the assumed kidnapping of the man dragon.
"You will see we were under attack by the unruly mob. Certainly they must not have been aware of the man dragon's erratic behavior just a few nights before, but they did not give us time to explain before launching an attack upon us. My partner, Mister Dewey, and I had no choice but to flee for our very lives." Howe looks significantly at the folded sleeve where his missing arm once was.
"However, we know we had nothing what so ever to do with the disappearance of Mister Momus or Mister Panther, the proprietor of the Red Dragon Inn. Indeed, the proprietor was sighted in the Inn only moments afterwards, hence I put to the court that perhaps he may have evidence as to the whereabouts of Mister Momus. Perhaps he took it upon himself to hide the fellow" Perhaps they are even friends" But are there flyers all over town accusing him of kidnapping the man dragon"! I think not!
"Whatever the case, we at DCH are not to blame for such a heinous act and the Governor's highhandedness in removing our licenses to practice law in Rhydin is not only unjust but unfairly issued. I demand to see what evidence is in hand that can possibly refute ours" Without basis of proof, the Governor should not have such rights!"
"Yes, Mister Howe, I see your point. Now, present me with the rest of your evidence please."
"Here you go, Judge Mbutu." Howe slides another orb towards the Judge with a congenial, reassuring smile. "You will note that due to the rampant, unchecked usage of magic that happens in this realm, the sound has been fatally affected. My partner and I believe it's this fellow," a meaty hand points to the shimmering image of Corlanthis who seems to be struggling to cast a spell as he makes his way towards Tass. "He's a barfly known about town as Corlanthis Wystansayr, Judge, but it seems his talents are far more nefarious. I suggest he may be in league with the man dragon, Momus, or at very least, a rogue with no respect of the law."
The Judge nods as he watches the silent movie, an event that can easily be misconstrued without the effect of sound. Howe hides a sly smile as he turns his back to tightly pace towards the desk where he's laid out his papers. Meaty fingers scoop up two files and before turning back to face the Judge, Howe schools his expression to something more stoic with a hint of indignation.
"As you can see, Judge, my partner and I were merely on a mission to serve Mister Momus a summons to appear before these very courts, in the case of Mrs. Jeetters and her nine now fatherless children. By the way, Judge, they are waiting in the hallway, should you care to interview them personally. Although, here I have all of their eye-witness testimonies, affidavits" we took immediately following the incident, right here." He knows Mbutu would rather be playing golf then sitting in this dusty tomb of a building, he seriously doubts the children will be called, but the reunion of mother and her fatherless babes will be priceless and go far in influencing the Judge. "We also have a handful of credible eye-witnesses" as well." Howe passes the two files to the Judge. "The top is that of the Widow and her poor, fatherless children, the bottom is of the other credible witnesses". As you will read our witnesses" are Rufus Parker, Herman Goetz, Liddell Kirk, and George Jameson; all men of upstanding reputations in our community."
And with no Mister Momus about to naysay any of the charges levied against him, Howe feels they are free and clear. He offers the judge his most affable of smiles.
"I put this in your most capable hands, Sir, and await your ruling in these matters."