Part 65 (Patreon)

Still in the pillory, Maddie was becoming furious at Choru, who couldn’t seem to stop insulting the townspeople, their religion, their officials, and their legal system. It hadn’t endeared them to their strange jury, nor their judge, the hierophant.

“Your goddess is a fraud! A fat whore grasping for coin!” This proclamation was as popular with the locals as one might expect. The coins came pouring into the coffer in front of the innkeeper, who was smiling broadly, even though the money was being donated to Amplocopia, and not her.

The Hierophant made a grand gesture with her left hand to the sheriff, who grabbed a fistful of the red lace that covered Choru’s ample backside. Tugging upward, she jammed the fabric into the unfortunate Cleric’s crotch, abrading her backside, and causing a series of winces and a few small whines.

But the sheriff wasn’t finished. She pulled harder, and harder, until the lacy garment gave out. And then, she punished the bubbly cheeks she revealed with a number of sharp slaps. Maddie received the same treatment, although it seemed to her to come quicker, and was, in that way at least, more merciful. For her part, she was glad she had no clothing left to give. The trial, she thought, was at an end, and with it, its direct punishments. All that was left, she hoped, was for the sentence to be proclaimed so she’d know how long they’d be spending in the pillory at the center of Farnsfield.

Yet, Choru spouted off again, almost as if inviting more punishment. Maddie was furious with her. But then, she noticed something. As the Hierophant was using her left hand for large, sweeping gestures, her right hand was making small, hidden moves. Almost as if—it was! A cantrip. She was magically goading Choru. This trial had been fixed!

Maddie had the sense to know that calling out the subterfuge would work against her, so she watched silently. If anything, she felt less anger and more empathy for Choru’s otherwise inexplicable goading.