Lucid Waking

Archive for August 18th, 2006

Witches Defense: The Deal

            “Somebody’s going to get your hide one of these days for defending witches,” he thanked the bartender for the drink and swirled it around the glass gracefully.
            “Well they haven’t done it yet, so I’ve got nothing to worry about. I do the best I can,” she sipped the last of her ale dry and signaled the bartender for another one.
            “Yes, but you’ve never lost a case.”
            “That doesn’t matter does it? If I’ve lost or won, is inconsequential. I’m still defending them and that is what is going to get the righteous every time.”
            “Your logic is impeccable.”
            She put down a couple of coins on the table and took a sip of ale. “Cut the small talk, why did you really want me here?”
            “I was hoping to avoid confrontation,” he put the glass down and glanced around, warily. “But I think you’re hiding something. No one can not lose a case without cheating the system or using, dare I suggest it, magic.”
            She laughed loud enough to draw a couple of people from their conversations to stare. “You’re hardly suggesting that I use something so low as bribes to get my way, are you? And what proof do you have that I’m a witch?”
           She didn’t say it too loudly but the entire room stared at them. He turned a bright red and stared at the wine glass.
            “Were you planning on charging me?” she said quieter. When he didn’t answer she turned around angrily to face the room. “Oh stop putting your noses where they don’t belong or I’ll get you all arrested for unwarranted spying,” she yelled to the crowd. Immediately conversation started again and within minutes people were laughing.
            “I’ll tell you what,” she got up and stood by the bar stool, “the next witch the town chooses to persecute, we’ll switch places and you defend, I’ll persecute. You’re just as good as I am, it shouldn’t be too hard. If she goes innocent it’s skill, if she goes guilty you can charge me with witchcraft or bribery. I’ll let you pick.”
            “You seem to have quite a bit of faith on my abilities.”
            She smiled. “There’s nothing to it. People secretly have a soft spot and with a little proof, you can nail your argument. Good night.”
            He nodded and stared into his glass. “Good night.”

part II at a later date.