JACK - ANTHOLOGY OF A YOUNG WIZARD 12: Escape from Hell
We got the murderers! says a Watchman. Where are they? asks the Sheriff. They at the church at Greyfriars. It seems they confessed to the coroner and sheriffs there. Though they refuse to give themselves up, says the Watchman. Where are the jurors? asks the Sheriff. They at Alice’s place. Looking for the man, explains the Watchman. But who raised a hue to catch them? asks the Sheriff. It was a priest, William. He said he saw what happened and followed them after they ran out of here at the church at Greyfriars, said the Watchman. Shall I go assist with the arrest? asks the Sheriff. I don’t know. They are in the church and there’s three sheriffs there and a handful of watchmen, explains the Watchman. Good, then my services aren’t needed there, says the Sheriff. Wizard, wizard, Dirk pulls on me while whispering. Glad you’re back with us. They got the murderers, I tell him. What? I do not care about that anymore. How does fire not burn? he asks. Told you, magic fire is different from normal fire. It can’t harm living things, I explain. But that don’t make any sense, he says. What happened to your vocabulary? I ask. Listen here, you just change my whole life, I will use whatever word comes first to mind, now explain yourself, insists Dirk. Everyone has magic in them, like a blessing. Grass, animals, humans, birds, bees, fish, you name it, it has magic. And magic can’t destroy or harm magic. It can manipulate it to create fire, water, a block of dirt or to lift rocks, trees, houses and castles, if you’re strong enough. But, if you take two rocks and smash them, they break. Meaning magic can’t help if by nature you are dying or are able to decompose or deconstruct yourself, I explain. Wizard, you are coming with me, I hear the Sheriff yell.
Wait, no. Explain more, please, says Dirk. Sorry, but I do not want any trouble and if I remain one more second here, I think I’ll be dead meat, I tell him as I quickly leave the dungeon. I almost forgot why I even came here, says the Sheriff. Why did you have to yell that? Are you insane? I ask him. Well, it does not matter much. Since you are coming with me, says the Sheriff. Fine. Where and why? I ask. Outside. You are leaving this place. The jurors found that the man alive before dying and he left word that it was a priest. Richard Dicount is his name, you might have met him at Stephen’s Inn, says the Sheriff as we leave the prison. Then why did you bring me here? I ask. Had no other choice. You were there and you fit the perfect criteria, he explains. What do you mean you had no choice? I ask while throwing my arms up. The judge had slept until like an hour ago and the jury went to ask around, see if they can find any other witnesses. And I had to take someone in. It just happened to be you. And as it happens, the jurors couldn’t find any other witnesses. But it is beyond any shadow of a doubt that it is that Richard priest the killer. So, now you are free, he explains. But now people think I killed a man, I bemoan. Well, since you are free, they might realize that you are not guilty, he says. I have a suspicion that they won’t, I tell him. Well, whatever it will be, you will have to figure it out, he says as he gets in his carriage and leaves. What the fuck am I supposed to do now? I ask myself as I am stranded before the prison.
Something to eat maybe. Hadn’t had the chance at food yet. They brought me in after breakfast and took me our five hours later before lunch, I talk to myself as I make a right hoping that I’ll find a tavern. As I walk down the street, as it would have it the smell of food hits my nose. I look to the left of me to see a tavern. I enter the smell of onion hits my face and my stomach starts to grumble. As I got sit at a table near the window, the only other four patrons there are sitting silently waiting for their food while either drinking their ale or sitting in silence. There is one young man reading a book, the first one I’ve seen reading anything here. Finally some peace, I think as I sit down. What is it you want? asks a burly lady. Do you have whiskey? I ask. Of course, these monks bring some great whiskey from the scots. What about food? she asks. Some pottage and a couple of slice of bread, I ask the nice lady. A fine choice. I’ll bring you the whiskey in a moment, says the lady. I have yet to understand why you wanted me here, Master, I ask as I look out the window to see the Bald man. Here’s your drink, says the lady. Thank you. Can I ask who that young fellow that is reading is? I ask. John de Glenham, apprentice of law at King’s Bench. He comes here to read and visit the prison every week, she explains. I thank her again as she leaves. Here ye, here ye! We’re here for John Wolfel, the helpful innkeeper of this here inn! shouts someone as they enter. Oh no… I sigh again.
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