Part 67 (Patreon)

“You get our companions out. I’ll see to it no one interrupts,” Velathra said. The bystanders had cleared out. The only locals who stayed to watch were the Sheriff and the Hierophant. The priestess seemed to be waiting for the sheriff to make her move, but the threat of Velathra’s daggers kept her still as a statue.

The dwarf freed Maddie, and to her surprise, as soon as she stood up, she walked in front of the pillory and started casting a spell, as Minna worked on opening Choru’s pillory. Choru groaned, and rubbed her neck and the small of her back as she stood up. Then, her eyes fell on Maddie the same times as Minna noticed. “What are you DOING? Let’s get out of here!”

Maddie finished the spell just in time. Minna and Velathra looked on, Amazed. In place of the sheriff and the hierophant, an exact copy of Choru and Mandy stood. “Get them in the stocks,” said Maddie, picking up her dress from the coffer it was stored in and putting it on.

Velathra smiled at this turn of events. She and Minna placed their new prisoners in the stocks where they seemed to be the spitting image of her companions only moments ago. Choru tried to retrieve her armor and clothing, but found the coffer that was holding them locked. “Just load it into the wagon, we’ll get it open later,” Minna advised.  “But what am I going to wear?” Choru whined, “what about their clothes?” “Sorry,” said Maddie, “they were consumed in the spell. Besides, they wouldn’t have looked much like us wearing their own clothes, right?” Choru seethed.

Velathra grabbed the other coffer from the trial. The one that had been in front of the innkeeper. IT was full of coins. “You can’t do that!” shouted the Hierophant, “That coin belongs to the goddess Amplocopia!” “Oh, I’m sure she has plenty,” said the Dwarf as she climbed back into the wagon.

As they rolled away, they found themselves a chest of coins richer. Though still covered in cream, dirt, and bits of egg and tomato, Maddie had been able to get her clothes back on. Choru couldn’t say the same.

“Can you pick the lock?” the Cleric asked the assassin. Minna nudged Velathra, who gave her a knowing wink, “No, this lock is way too complex for me without my special tools,” the Elf bluffed, “I can try to get it open when we get back to camp.”

“I’m going to ride all this way naked?” the Cleric moaned as her reddened rear bounced up and down on the rough wooden coffer she used as a makeshift seat. “You’re not naked! You’re wearing some egg and some dirt…but you do smell like a cesspool.” Minna taunted. “Why you insolent little dwarf! I’ll have you lashed when we return to the realms.” Minna was unfazed, “You mean, ‘thank you for rescuing me, against your own better judgment?’ We can let you walk back to camp. It’s a looong way.”

Choru buried her head in her hands and was silent for the rest of the ride.