Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 29

Sheriff Brown has seen his share of troublemakers over the years. He prides himself in the rapid response he maintains whenever a law is broken. His only request on others is that they follow the law. Which is why he is unhappy at the exile he arrested. ...Are you going to admit that you have willingly violated your exile?

Etirn is covered in bandaging. He clearly had taken a beating, but he was found on village pathways. It was an emergency....

Someone rattles the door leading outside. Don't you see the sign on the door? The store's the other side!

A few seconds later, somebody walks into the storefront half of his house. His daughter answers. Welcome to-.

Is Etirn here?! The sheriff wonders who would be asking for an exile...?

Suddenly, the sound of boots running. One...no, two people jump the shop counter. His daughter screams. What in the world is going on here? The sheriff unties the peace bond on his sword. He sees a man in a Hunter's uniform and a girl with strange ears make their way towards him. His daughter is in the corner, cowering. Halt! I demand that you identify yourselves!

I stop. I'm a Sophmore of Motavia University.

Hunter Blades, Kadary Guild.

The sheriff appears agitated. And I'm the Light-damned law! Why are you screw ups here?

I speak, What crimes is Etirn charged with?

You don't need to know!

I recall an overview of basic laws that I studied up as a child. Under the Mahlay Directive for International Law, as agreed to by every settlement on Motavia, any law enforcement official MUST advise the detainee and his legal counsel of all charges brought against him prior to any investigation that isn't justified by the concept of 'Plain Sight.' A compulsory interrogation doesn't count as such.

The sheriff seemed unsure of me. ...He is under arrest for the crime of violating an order of exile. Being a puddle on the ground isn't an exonerating circumstance in my jurisdiction.

I think through a list of typical special cases. Is in the line of protecting another's life such a circumstance?

According to the sheriff's face, yes. There is no reason to suspect-

He was protecting me from someone.

The sheriff looks me in the eyes. Who? I don't know what to say....

Ray steps up for me. I am a witness. An unidentified man, grey hair, black, possibly brown eyes. Light skin, six and a half foot, muscular build. Weapons didn't work against him. If Etirn hadn't led us into town, she may have been attacked again.

The sheriff takes a hard look at both of us. Neither of you have anything that can be construed as an injury corresponding to your story, yet I have a corpse still breathing in my chair. I think that you two brought him here after he was beaten. That would mean that you guys are accessories to a felony infraction, which means jail, and a possible exile order for the two of you.

Ray didn't have anything to say in our defense. I decide to try breaking the sheriff's theory. Etirn was attacked last night by a villager. As proof, were there any blood trails leading into the area he was found in?

You could've covered the trail.... I could keep arguing my point, but I need something more concrete. I glance over Etirn's equipment.

Etirn, does your face thing record anything?

Pictures.... That could be the key.

Let me see your computer thingy. I take Etirn's computer, and open it. Wow, there's a lot of stuff here!

Find 'Logs'.... I start fiddling with the machine.

The sheriff turns to Ray. What is she doing?

Fuck if I knew. I was only hired for a job, and it's been extended a bit.

I manage to navigate a small white object onto a picture labeled Logs, and select it. I get another screen full of more pictures, so I select the first one. The screen suddenly shows a large picture of the sheriff yelling. I show the machine to the others. Look familiar?

The sheriff's jaw drops. Impossible!

I go back to it. Now, if I can figure this thing out.... I change to a blurry picture of someone's fist. I can't see much else, but I recognize the surroundings. Here is your proof of the fight.

I see. Who is that? The sheriff taps the fist on the screen.

I drove him off as soon as I saw what was happening. There's nothing else of the fight, but I find one of the man on the ground. I don't see Etirn's weapon, and there's an expression of anger on his face, so I show it to the sheriff. I am certain this is the same person. The sheriff's face turns white.

My...son did this? Ray helps him into a chair. I suddenly remember another part of the law I was supposed to study.

And, on the exile order, could you tell me the damages and injuries caused by the offense behind it?

The sheriff points to a cabinet as he falls into an empty chair. I open it and find a paper labeled Defendant, Bay E. Under damages, it lists no injuries, and that one footbridge was damaged and had to be replaced. What was the cost on the footbridge?

...six hundred meseta... I could see the sheriff was quite distraught.

I move in for the kill. I know some communities have higher damage floors, but according to the Mahlay Directive, the maximum punishment for damages under 1000 meseta can't have a higher punishment than 30 days' imprisonment. The exile order is illegal.

...My son......

I choose to let it sink in, but Ray speaks up instead. We will be happy to withhold the evidence against your son, should you immediately proclaim Etirn's innocence and void the exile order. I will admit, that was a good offer for him.

I.... The sheriff looks up. I have no choice...Please leave my house. I help Etirn to his feet, and we walk out. Nobody else heard the shop girl talk after we left.

Is it true, dad?

Next chapter

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