11

The days became torturous to Ghwyr as he waited to be summoned by the guild master once again. He stayed on his bed at the infirmary, trying to put his bearings at ease. Even with the accompaniment of Frejr and Bjorn of the Iron Bears, the days were far from calm.

If he was ever given a chance to choose, he would’ve chosen to be done with the verdict, rather than wait for the guild’s intensely slow pace. Frejr made his time worthwhile though, smiling at him and talking to him like a close friend would. She would often make him meals and encourage him to heal faster (not that his body would do that on a whim!) and made him comfortable throughout the painful waiting and healing process.

“Cheer up, Ghwyr!” She said while cleaning his wound. “Your wounds are healing better now and just like this; Bjorn and the others should be able to gather the evidence they need to set you free from this predicament.” She sweetly smiled.

“Why would they do that far for me?” He asked. “You already healed me. I found that more than enough already.” He sighed and hid his blushing face as the healer touched his skin near the wound.

“Don’t you say that you, silly!” She scoffed. “We know you’re innocent! Uhmmm… at least, I do believe that you are.” She blabbered out.

Hearing those words crushed his hopes, but somehow there was something about the healer’s ever smiling face that made him hope even harder.

Morning finally came and his dreaded day has come. The guild master came knocking on the infirmary doors once again and called for his name. However, this time, he brought with him some capital guards. The guards brought him a wheeled chair for him to sat on, as he goes to the guild master’s office at the third floor of the building.

If given the opportunity, Ghwyr would have insisted to walk along with them, but he was still recovering and Frejr insisted that he doesn’t stress his healing wound or else, it might reopen. With that in mind, he sat on the chair as the healer placed some extra pillows on his back for comfort and a blanket to cover the lower part of the gown that he wore. After that, the guards wheeled him into the guild master’s room.

“I shall pray for you in the Cathedral!” Frejr patted his back.

The trip to the guild master’s room was supposedly a short and uneventful one. However, due to his current quandary, it became long and torturous. The steps the guards took sounded like loud heartbeats. With every inch heading towards the office, Ghwyr could already see himself being pointed at and spat on.

He could imagine the guild master’s eyes, rageful and filled with loathing for him. He knew the old man wanted him convicted and beheaded. His mind was filled with so much thought that everything else around him were nothing but noise. His vision narrowed and the beat of his own frantic heart was all he could hear as they climbed the steps towards the guild master’s office.

After the flight of stairs, they made a short turn to the right at the corridor and made it to the room at the end of it where two more guards stood. The guards made their salute and made their way into the room where the guild master stood beside his table and another man in a blue cloak standing next to him.

There was a little ray of sunshine that welcomed Ghwyr as he was brought into the room. He squinted as he looked around for anyone that had a familiar face and saw Bjorn, Narjuna, and Tersextes on the right corner, standing near the shelves. The berserker wore no smiles during that time and didn’t even acknowledge his arrival.

Ghwyr closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he was presented to the guild master and the cloaked man.

“State your name.” The cloaked said sternly. “State your name and where you’re from, now!” He ordered.

Ghwyr was taken aback by his impatient demeanor, but then again, who wouldn’t be. He might be some high-ranked official from the royal court forced to do this menial task because it was his duty. He might have better things to do, for all they know.

“My name is Ghwyr.” He began. “Ghwyr Lightfoot from the town of Gayaham, ser.” He said and bowed from his seat.

The man in the blue cloak stared at him. “Do you know why you are here, Ghwyr Lightfoot of Gayaham?” He asked.

Ghwyr looked around as he tried to think of his best answer. “Honestly, I don’t know, ser.” He said.

“Liar!” The guild master suddenly spat. “Do not lie in front of the Inquisitor!” He pointed at him.

The inquisitor turned around towards the guild master and gave him a stern look. The guild master stared back right at him, furious and undignified.

“You best not make a scene here, Coytel.” The inquisitor warned him. “One more of your shenanigans and I will put you to jail for interrupting a court officer of his work.” He said.

The old man calmed down and silently nodded. However, his eyes stared sharply at the halfling, as if he was waiting for the right moment to strike.

“As I was saying.” The inquisitor cleared his throat. “Ghwyr Lightfoot of Gayaham, you are summoned here today to answer the accusations reported to us by the guild master. If you weren’t yet informed, you have been accused of murder and collusion against the enemy.” He said. “What say you?” He stared at Ghwyr once again.

“I am innocent.” Ghwyr replied.

The inquisitor glanced towards Bjorn and Tersextes. “Does this side have the evidence to their claim?” He asked.

“We have, your honor.” Narjuna replied.

The inquisitor nodded and turned back to the guild master. “Does this side have the evidence to their claim?” He asked again.

“Yes! In fact, I shall bring him in now.” The old man impolitely answered. “Come forth!” He called out.

Suddenly a secret door opened from beside the self and a man walked out of it. Ghwyr’s eyes widened in shock as he saw the man walking out was the same man who died first during the monster’s attack.

Ghwyr was slacked jawed as he stared at the man walking towards him. The man smirked at him intently.

“State your name and where you lived.” The inquisitor ordered.

“Jonah… Jonah… of Bottom-trodden.” The man said.

“Very well, Jonah of Bottom-trodden what is the purpose of your appearance in this trial?” The inquisitor asked.

“I am a witness.” He turned to Ghwyr glaring with rage. “I have witnessed this… man…killed our group and conspired with the monsters!” He pointed at him.

“I did not!” Ghwyr almost stood up from his seat.

“Oh, you did!” The man spat. “I saw you lured us into our peril!” He screamed at him.

“No, I did not!” Ghwyr denied the allegations once again. “I did nothing of that sort! You’re supposed to be—”

“ENOUGH!” The inquisitor’s voice echoed throughout the room. “I will not have this trial mocked like it were a market!” He said.  “Separate both of them, and we shall begin this trial.” He commanded the guards.

Jonah was still staring at him while they were separated to both sides of the room. Ghwyr didn’t falter and stared back at the man. Although confused with what was going on, he was very sure that he saw the man dead that time at the tunnel and he was sticking to that truth.