“Gold theft.”

  “Then what’s the problem? Thieves get hanged all the time. The law of the land is such everywhere. Everyone knows this.”

  “Yes, but I believe in this case that this particular individual is being harshly treated.”

  “You know this person?”

  “We’ve met several times.”

  “Then what would you have me do?”

  “You have your father’s royal sigil ring. Any message written with its mark in wax carries the weight of royalty. I believe this would be enough to save this person from being killed.”

  “You want me to pardon a gold thief because you’ve met this person?”

  “I’m asking you as a favor to let me use but a sliver of the royal influence you possess.”

  “It’s my father’s influence you want.”

  “Yes, but your father has unfortunately passed and you are the rightful heir to the throne are you not?”

  “I am.”

  “The please write a message to have him released into my care. With your sigil and my wax set we can deliver an official message that should be enough for them to give him over to me and save his life.”

  “What happens after he’s released to your care?” The prince asked. “We can’t travel with a prisoner.”

  “I believe he would be an asset to our group. He knows a great deal about travelling the region as well as being an experienced swordsman.”

  “Hoxley, I really don’t think we should travel with a gold thief in our midst. It’s been hard enough without having to think about having to escort a wanted man. I’m going to have to say no to your request.”

  “Please, reconsider your grace.” She begged.

  “No, Hoxley.”

  “A man’s life hangs in the balance.” She said with some agitation.

  “A thief’s life hangs on the consequences of his actions. No.”

  “Fine. If you can be unreasonable then so can I.” Hoxley thrust her hand into one of her larger belt pouches and produced the letter the prince had fabricated when she met him on the bridge. “Do you know what this is?” she asked.

  “Hey! That’s my letter! You stole it!”

  “I did no such thing. You dropped it and I picked it up and it’s in my hands now, which an unfortunate consequence as well. This letter binds me to you based on your word which you purposefully tricked me with.”

  “Out of desperation! I was going to be killed!”

  “I helped you to escape AND not be killed by Morell’s grandfather. If I destroy this letter I would have no obligation to take you a step further.”

  “That’s my letter, give it to me!” he lunged, trying to grab it out of her hand.

  “No, I don’t think I will.” She said. “But I’ll offer you a trade; write me a letter saying that you want Loxo the Fourth remanded to my care to be delivered back to you so that you can have him beheaded for crimes against the eastern crown and you can have your letter back.”

  “You want me to lie?”

  “No, I want you to help me save a life with a letter. Believe me when I say I don’t ask this easily, your grace.”

  “And if I do this, you’ll give me that letter back?”

  “Yes. I’ll dictate a quick letter for you to write in your scrawl. When you’re done, I’ll use my wax kit for you to press your royal sigil against, making the letter official. Do that for me and the letter is yours.” Prince Damron looked upon the others who’d gathered around and saw the concerned looks upon their faces. His shoulders sagged in defeat.

  “Very well, you win.” He said “Give me paper and quill.” Hoxley dug in her saddle bags and produced everything they’d need. She even let the prince use her steady back like a writing desk as he wrote the exact words she spoke. Upon being finished, Ignatius summoned a fireball in his palm to melt the tip of the small red stick of wax Hoxley held over it. After the message was sealed within the envelope, she dripped a few drops of the red thickness over the back before the prince pressed his ring against it to emboss the wax with his royal seal. When finished, the letter looked as official as any one Hoxley had ever carried.

  “Let’s hope this is enough to save poor Loxo.” She said as she handed over what she owed in return. Prince Damron took the letter and stuffed into an inside pocket of his shirt.

  “You do all this for a stranger?” Morell asked.

  “I don’t see why I shouldn’t try.” She said “I think Loxo has more living to do before he draws his last breath. His end shouldn’t be here with a broken neck. Ignatius?” she asked the witch. “Could you share some of our rations so the prince is no longer hungry? I have to return to see if this ruse is convincing enough to get to save a life.”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Hoxley returned to Woodford with letter in hand. Walking back, she passed Loxo who’d all but collapsed in his stocks, likely from want of food and water. She imagined no one had given him any. Why feed a dead man? Outside the stone building she steadied herself against what was to come. If the letter and ruse didn’t work, she could find herself in bigger trouble for attempting to jailbreak a criminal.

  She entered the small building for the second time. Again, wading into the drabness with pipe smoke thick enough to choke the lungs. Hoxley tried to breathe through her mouth. For her effort the smoke stink stuck to the roof of her mouth.

  “The messenger returns?” said the man behind the desk. “What have you come to say now?”

  “I bring decree.” She held up the small envelope and tried her best to sound convincing when she said: “By the order of the eastern throne you are to entrust the condemned Loxo the Fourth to my custody wherein he is to be taken back and summarily executed.”

  “You don’t say?” said the man, holding his hand out. Hoxley put the letter in his hand and stepped away from the desk. He scrutinized the seal, even going so far as to beckon for another man Hoxley didn’t see standing in the shadows come forth to look at it. The man looked at it closely before giving an approving nod and leaning back into the shadows. on the back before tearing it open. The paper was opened and read before placed delicately upon the desk. “Word coming way says that the old king is dead.”

  “I’ve heard there is a relative contesting the crown.” Hoxley said in a half lie.

  “I’ve heard that King Damron and his entire bloodline are dead.”

  “That may also be true.” She nodded

  “I’ve also heard that the king’s son escaped and is seeking asylum in the west.”

  “I hadn’t heard that. I’ve heard many rumors.” Said Hoxley

  “Oh? What kind of rumors have you heard?” he asked.

  “I’ve heard that the dead king’s brother has found means to put an undead lich into his service and that the evil thing uses dark magic to do his bidding.”

  “A lich you say? Dark magic?”

  “It’s true. He uses the weather to send rain that causes people to lose their minds, the dead to rise from the grave and elementals with no souls to kill mercilessly.” The entire room burst into laughter at her claim. When the snarks and giggles died down, she continued. “Some of this is true. The witches are already fleeing Spellvale to seek refuge from the lich’s magic storms.

  “Oh, who could give two figs about the witches?” the man snarked before looking at the letter again. “This letter bares the sigil of the dead king. Why should I give my prisoner to a king who is no longer alive to kill him himself?”

  “That’s a very good question.” Hoxley paused as her brain raced to find a convincing strand of bullshit to use. If the man didn’t give in, then surely Loxo would hang in the morning. She had to try. With nothing left to lose, she took a deep breath and let it fly. “A question you should answer when the king’s guards come looking for the person who denied them the prisoner they ask for. Good Sir, I am merely a messenger. It is not my place to dictate terms of kings. As far as I’m concerned, the new boss is the same as the old boss and we all answer to someone.” She pretended to reach into her saddle bags for parchment. “If you will not give me the filthy pirate that smells like a road apple then I’ll need you to write a letter addressing the king directly on why you are personally rejecting his decree and command. I will need you to sign the letter and have two witnesses in this room sign it as well as they also will be held accountable for snubbing the royal request. They should be men you trust, Sir, as they will likely be joining you in chains as you are delivered to his highness. I hear the new king has a hardened heart and has instructed his men to construct new gallows for the new kingdom. The new one can accommodate three men at once. Which of you fine men should I give this to?” She said as she waved the paper and quill about the room toward the man shaped forms lining the walls.