(Vol 2) Chapter 29: Trials of the Guilty

Saving the drawing of lots and the emptying of pockets until they got back to the horses, the party set out along with their clutch of bound criminals back through the forest, all of them tied together so none could slip away, and heavily covered by ranged users if they tried anything stupid.

The freed couple were given use of two of the draft horses, though they would mostly be walking them through the wilderness. It occurred to Sammy that they’d quite likely be gifted one of those beasts, which might actually be an upgrade if it was or could be trained for farm work.

She made sure Bagatta was gagged for the journey as well. When he woke up, she didn’t want to hear from a man who knew he was going to his death. She made sure someone kept their eye on him at all times, but Janius was already inclined there.

Samantha sent Dart flying back to inform the innkeeper about the rescue and captures, and that it was open season on the group that was waiting on the ransom. She imagined they’d be getting delivered a bit more than they bargained for at that point.

The villagers tossed out insults and threats to the criminals, who were smart enough not to bite back, probably worried it would get them on the fast track to being one of the three doomed to punishment. For the most part, the talk was intended to convince the bandits to get very far away and never to return, because their faces would be remembered.

Many were adamant they wouldn’t, and further that they’d turn away from banditry, become honest folk, never steal again, become monks, etcetera. Considering they’d be without weapons, it might even be true for some of them. A good weapon wasn’t cheap, though she supposed anyone determined could make a club or staff.

Some of these are hardened criminals, but hardly the majority. I don’t see much loyalty between them as a whole. Without the leaders and the promise of payday, who knows what they’ll do. It won’t be here, though. I refuse to execute a dozen men yet it's too many to have work off debt in a tiny community. Just asks for more trouble. Catch-22 again. Hmm…

When they arrived back at the horses near a clearing, Samantha had everyone take a break while she arranged to draw lots for the criminals. When it was done, six men jumped for joy, while three looked like they stared death in the face. But a seventh was frowning even after he won, looking down at his piece of straw thoughtfully.

Sammy looked at him curiously. “What is it, naughty one?”

The man looked up at her surprised, then looked away, chewing his lip. Finally, he met her visored eyes again. “My lady, can I… volunteer… to earn any debt off? Makes more sense’n getting cut loose with… them. And with nothing.”

“You consider yourself apart from them, do you?”

His gaze broke to look down at the ground, his mouth working. “I was just here for the coin. I got no excuse worth sayin’. I ain’t any better than them… but they ain’t my kind, either. Never did this before… It was just a job. I shouldn’t have.”

“On that, we agree.” After a pause, she shrugged. “Fine. Even one more man slows us down with the horse situation, so you can replace the man of your choice, freeing him and taking his spot.”

“Not Vance. He’s a prick. Deserves this. I guess… that ugly one. Can’t remember his name.”

“They’re all ugly.”

“Scar on his lip, there. Him.”

“Alright then.” Raising her voice, Samantha pointed at the guy. “You there! I’d tell you to lose the long face, but you can’t! Instead, I’ll just tell you that you’re lucky. Your friend here is taking your place.”

The unsightly fellow grinned in response, which wasn’t a pretty sight.

They prepared to go, the plan being to release the seven men once they got to the road. But Samantha paused to address them, standing in her gleaming armor with her staff in hand. “You will leave these lands unmolested. Do not think for one second I am not watching you. Ask yourselves how this place was found if you doubt that. Every animal you see along the way? Might be my spy.”

As was her habit, she left a pause for them to think about it. “Go your separate ways if you want me placated. Disappear without event. Now. The oath.” She thumped her staff into the ground and used an illusion to make it resonate and ring ominously. The top of the staff flared with power and light. The world not immediately around the group dimmed as if all were focused on them. They were suitably frightened.

“Criminals! You will swear this oath! Your word to the goddess! Whose name you will speak. Redberry. In Redberry’s name, you will not rape, you will not murder or kill except as a soldier or in self-defense, you will not pillage, you will not kidnap innocent people. You will not be a brigand or bandit! One by one, you’ll swear this to me in her name, or may she curse you. And she will!”

Their faces turned white, and suddenly the illusion of getting off scot-free vanished like a ghost. This was a punishment all its own.

It’s real in this world, though I’ve tricked them into thinking it’s her when it’s actually me they’re promising. The curse of a goddess if they falter. Few would dare invoke her for it. Good thing I’m an insider!

She could almost feel her fellow goddess rolling her eyes.

Samantha made the highlight effect enshroud each of them as they spoke the words like the whole world was focused on them. They didn’t want to swear but thought they had little choice, and they were now utterly terrified of Dymonei, it seemed. That was exactly what she wanted.

They were no longer happy, free men walking as they began back through the wilderness of weedy plains, hills, and scattered trees. Overall, they were quiet and haunted. The three that would go back to the village suddenly seemed less perturbed in comparison.

Devero matched strides with her on the way. “Madam, that’s some piece of work you just pulled. I can’t decide in my head whether it’s a trick, you’re just crazy, or you have a special relationship with the goddess… but that would be even more madness.”

Samantha regarded him through the closed helm. “Indeed it would be. Perhaps there is just something you’re missing.”

“That is one thing I know for sure.”

When they got to the road, she had their bonds begin getting cut to release them. As she was watching and getting ready to mount her horse…

“Madam Dym!” Azure was standing by the horse that Bagatta was on. She placed her hand on the criminal’s back and shook him. “I think… I think he might be dead.”

“What?! Are you sure? Get him down now!” She rushed over and helped men unbind him from the horse to set him down on the ground. His face had gone terribly pale. He had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. She used her First Aid skill to help verify.

Samantha sat back on her rear in frustration. “Fuck! Bagatta Meritosi is dead.”

Poison, maybe…

Ianthe’s husband Siphien was scowling down at the corpse. He spat on the ground next to him. “Good riddance.”

Janius stood frowning down at that pale face, hands on his hip. “Either we behead this fucker, or we take the carcass with us, ‘cause I don’t trust faking death isn’t in his skill book.”

Devero chuckled nearby. “Well, you do have a point. Maybe so. Do you hear that in there, Bagatta? We’re about to behead your ass!”

“We’re not fucking beheading him,” Samantha snapped, glaring at Devero. “He’s dead. And I’m really wondering why and how.” It was true. She knew it. Being a goddess, being a Fate goddess, Intuition, whatever… she knew when someone’s soul was gone.

The rogue in the black hat wiped the sweat off his face with a rag, then shrugged. “Took more injury than we thought, maybe. Internal injury. Bleeding in the noggin’. Who knows.”

Samantha stood back up and began walking toward some trees. “Devero, a word. Alone. Now.”

Someone snickered at that, but she ignored it. She wasn’t in the mood to give a shit, either. Meanwhile, Devero muttered something like assent and followed behind.

When they were under cover, she rounded on him, grabbed him by the front of his coat and tunic, and pushed him up against a tree. His eyes were satisfactorily wide in surprise for a moment, and his hands came up in surrender.

“You killed all three of them, you son of a bitch! Why?!” Samantha’s voice was all poorly restrained anger and frustration.

He blinked a few times, then suddenly had a smirk. “You know, if you’re going to kiss me, you need to take off the helmet.”

Samantha did a little pullback and re-slam, just enough to make him feel it. His hat fell off. He winced and coughed a bit, muttering something about her being ‘too rough.’

“You deserved that and you know it. Now fucking answer me and enough with the fuckboi shit!”

He shook his head. “Why does it even matter? Hanging from a rope, dying along the way, they were dead as soon as we caught ‘em.”

“It matters because of fucking justice, Devero! There’s an order to things! A right and a wrong way!”

He sniffed derisively. “They deserved what they got, put down like the dogs they are. Worse, honestly. As for the rest, you’ll never get me to agree with it. There’s no order worth bothering with in this world.”

“Damn you, Devero, your problem is" — again, the other voice from Beyond suddenly spoke — “You don’t obey. Not anyone but yourself, no matter the command. You only listen to yourself. I can’t predict or plan for your play. You can ruin everything because you refuse to trust, and therefore cannot be trusted.”

For the first time, she saw a truly shocked look on his face, and maybe even fear.

Samantha let him go in an instant from the mind-bending, almost out-of-body feeling left in the wake of that voice. She all but stumbled away, turning her back to the man and finding another tree to lean on for the brief spell of lightheadedness that took her.

“What the hell was that?!” Devero asked in a shaky voice. “Who the fuck are you?!”

Damn it… Why, why now, with him? I don’t need him digging into my business! If he can’t be trusted, why the fuck did I say it?!

Finally, Samantha stood up straight, fists clenching, still not facing him. “You heard it yourself, rogue. You can’t be trusted with anything. If I can’t trust you, I won’t tell you a fucking thing! And I can’t use you.”

She turned and glared at him. Pointed a finger. “We’re done, Devero. You can’t follow simple orders and principles, so we cannot work together. I hope your little ploys were satisfying. It’s the last one you’ll get over on me.”

She stalked off back toward the horses. Devero said nothing, just picked up his hat, dusted it off, and otherwise watched her go. She doubted it could really be the end of it, but it was his play.

When she came back to the road, Bagatta’s corpse was already loaded onto the horse. Janius turned to note her singular approach and apparent mood. “Is he finally dead?”

Samantha snorted as she made a beeline for her horse. “Not yet.”

“A pity. Alright boys, let’s mount up! I’m on my third wind for the night, and I don’t think I’m getting to a fourth. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

They began down the road, mounted, though not yet taking up speed due to the darkness and road conditions. Three of the ‘freed’ men followed well behind, perhaps aiming to head to Geirkos eventually. Meanwhile, the ‘in the doghouse’ Devero took up the general rear guard, keeping to himself, lost in thought.

Odd, to know his rebellious nature, yet to still trust he is no traitor to run and tell mysteries and secrets to the wrong ears. Am I supposed to keep him close, then? I guess it’s all a lie. I have to trust him no matter what I do. Unless I kill him.

Scarily, some echoed desire from Beyond, some phantom part of her, kind of wanted to. Seriously, ironically, both… she didn’t know.

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