Royal Benefits

The new Prince had done a lot to soften the image of the castle. The stone walls were still there, but the decorating was more modern and less oppressive.  Guards were allowed to wear more casual royal finery, and their weapons were in a more reserve state instead of at the ready. But there was one place that just can't have not feel oppressive.  And thats the dungeon.  No matter how much paint, cabinets, and tapestries you add, stone and bars just feels like you are well locked in a dungeon.

Not that I was mind you, oh no not this time.  This time I got to be the person on the other side of the bars.  When me and the twins left the ruin we came across some Ronerawth military.  Apparently they weren't as incompetent as I figured and they had tracked the initial group of jerks we dealt with to the ruins, too late to stop them (well because we'd killed them obviously), but they did spot Trix leaving us in the lurch and promptly arrested her.  Noticing there were three other horses sans riders (and not just running off after the battle) the soldiers posted a couple guards to wait for Trix's companions.  When me and the twins emerged they were hilariously relieved (I'd been introduced to the local garrison earlier, I figured at the time so they'd know who to kill when I screwed up, this time was kind of opposite of a normal Lorentino mistake.  Ergo I didn't kill everyone I know), they also told me they'd captured Trix and brought her to township for judgement.

This may surprise you but the previous Prince, despite my amazing powers of administration had kind of let the government in the area collapse (hilarious considering he started his treasonous action due to taxes he himself HAD STOPPED COLLECTING!).  Which meant there wasn't a proper prison, only a simple jail that was for the drunks and the occaisional fight.  The military not a local authority had to police the township, and the military was not good at it (shocking a group designed to fight is not good at keeping people in line with local laws and general policing). Which is to explain why in a modern government situation why Trix was in a dungeon instead of a simple jail or prison, they had no other place to put her, nor the infrastructure to determine the best place.

"Grave robbery, sounds like a lesser offense for the type of punishment you are facing." I'd strolled down to the dungeon (alone I found a nice boarding school for the twins, my adventures with them taught me I'm a terrible parent and should raise no children ever) wearing my new royal outfit, basically a purple open chested robe and some shiny black boots with silk pants.  I looked more like a local pimp than an advisor to a prince, but in a way thats how I felt more often than not.

"Royal Magical Affairs Advisor? Sounds like a lot of pomp for a bargain rate magic user."

"Oh you know my title?" We were alone, Trix was still in her ridiculous outfit, but she didn't have any visible weapons other than her female wiles, which are never to be underestimated.

"The guards informed me of it before they left, I suspect they think you will have your way with me."

"Simple fools."

"I didn't think they were incorrect." I did notice she had unbuttoned some key parts of her outfit (not that there was a lot to begin with).

"Yeah that's not why I'm here, nor am I stupid enough to fall for a trick like that." Her look soured, a woman scorned is an enemy earned has been my experience.

"Where's the artifact?"

"Safe, in a safe actually, still unopened, I told the soldiers it would be dangerous to open it as you may have booby trapped the box." She breathed a sigh of relief.

"You have to get me out of here and get that box," She seemed insistent, because well she was in a cell about to be executed, I'd been there.

"Right of course, because your buyer is upset they can't get their object? Sorry its the property of the Ronerawth government now, well it was always ours, I guess you just helped get it."

"No there is a terrible enemy coming, and we need whats in that box to stop it."

"Of course not a buyer upset but a world destroying doom? Naturally, and only the gift from the Fire God can stop it? Look Trix if you are going to lie, lie a little better next time we talk." I walked off and she cursed from her cell (which I'm sure did wonders to dispell the rumors I had my way with her) the cursing didn't make a lot of sense, but it was in some weird traveler language I hadn't heard before.

She was of course telling the truth about a devastating new horror coming, but wouldn't you know it I just didn't believe her.  Because thats how I am, always doubting the problems until they up and try and eat me. I'd work to change that, but why mess with a winning formula!