Gray and Marg on patrol.

[Grayell]

Grayell chuckled and slipped his sword into it's sheath. He stopped beside her and folded his arms.

Well well. I thought you'd gotten away Dogrin. I certainly didn't think you'd be stupid enough to stick around after the crap you've pulled in this town.

By the way - meet Town Guard Mikael. She's new in town, but I get the feeling she'll be quite the authority figure. And I KNOW what a problem you have with authority figures. Drop the knife, you're threatening an officer.

Ogrin looked at them both with wide eyes, it was all to obvious that his mind was not keeping up. He shuffled back again, still stuck on his ass in the dirt. He bumped into the dropped lumber though and his 'escape' was cut off.

"NO! YOU RUINED EVERYTHING! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE YOU JACKASS!"

Ogrin spat, sneered and cursed aloud.

"YOU'RE NOT TAKING ME IN!"

He wasn't attacking, but was quite assertive in that he didn't seem to want to cooperate.

[Margrett]

Margrett set her jaw and picked the man up by his shirt.

Normally I would appreciate due process and whatever legal system the folks at the council have set up.

She slammed him against the wall.

But for slavers my morals are a little lax.

She pulled down her collar, exposing numbers tattooed on her chest, below the collarbone.

Look familiar? It should.

She looked to Gray.

We got a place for scumbags?

[Grayell]

Grayell grinned. His hand was rubbing his chin, it was obvious something was ticking upstairs.

You know, we don't have a jail as yet. We don't have so much as a dungeon. But I tell you what, I think we have something that will work swimmingly....

Grayell's eyes flickered with mischief and there was nothing comforting in the grin that was stuck on his face. He stepped forward, grabbed Dogrin's wrist and twisted it. The dagger fell and the man yelled in pain.

Now now Dogrin, you were also so dramatic...

"What are you planning you sick bastard? WHAT?"

Grayell had turned and was heading the way they'd came.

Bring the prisoner Margrett, I think you're going to like this idea.

[Margrett]

She glared at the slaver and slammed him into the opposite wall, before dragging him bodily after Grayell.

I'm following.

[Grayell]

Grayell wound back through the streets and stopped only when they reached a familiar building. He entered and watched in the doorway as Marg led Dogrin inside. They had returned to the site of the slave auctions.

"What the hell are you going to do with me? This isn't right? I HAVE RIGHTS!"

Grayell ignored him and waved Marg over to the far corner. He bent down, found a handle and yanked up, a creaky basement door lifting in protest.

"NO!! NOT IN THERE!!! YOU CAN'T!!!!!"

Grayell said nothing and entered the dark hole.

[Margrett]

Marg hesitated for a short moment before bashing the man against a wall. She looked into the hole and hesitated again before stepping inside.

[Grayell]

Grayell was at the bottom of a short flight of stairs and as Marg dragged Dogrin in, Grayell grabbed by his shoulder. He obviously squeezed hard, Ogrin yelped as he did. Grayell forced him in front of him and gave him a shove

Walk.

"This isn't right."

It never was. Walk.

"No, this isn't humane."

I know. Now flarbing walk.

"No! I'll pay you! We can make a deal! We can come to some sort of..."

The ridge on Grayell's hand made a wet thud as it struck Dogrin at the base of his neck. It then grabbed the man's collar and dragged him, face down in the muck and grime that covered the floor.

The tunnel went down a ways, well below the street. It was dark, very little light filtering in from what looked like drainage tunnels that led into through the roof. They reached A large wooden door, which Grayell pried open.

The room beyond was ghastly. It was littered with cages, cages that were too small for any person and yet some held sign of past prisoners that had long ago passed away. There was a foul smell, a combination of faeces, mold and rotting food. Grayell dragged Dogrin to the center of the room and dropped him like a wet sack.

He turned to face Marg.

This was the worst of it. I did what I could, saved who could be saved. Some didn't live through the ordeal. Some shouldn't have still been alive. This bastard lived it up and forced people, real people to suffer this. Slaves.

I have no love in my heart for this man or his ilk. If it were up to me, I would lock him up and walk away. But it's not. I am leaving the decision up to you.

[Margrett]

Margrett put her hammer away, and walked toward the man.

Any rational person would let you rot. Poetic irony. Especially me. My father spent eleven years in a room just like this. I spent four.

She growled and picked the man up by his collar again. She threw him against a cage, her teeth grinding and fists clenching.

He was sold for the price of a horse. A good horse, because he was strong. He was lawman before he was captured, and he never gave up on those he swore to protect. When he changed hands, he left me behind. That same day, his shackles came undone.

She picked him up again, and threw him down, putting a foot on his chest.

Anyone would have killed their captors at that moment. He could have. He had a knife, he had the strength, he had the power.

She narrowed her eyes.

But he didn't. He didn't because he knew there was a process. The land had a Law. If he killed the man other slavers would fear him. He didn't want that. He wanted them to fear the Law.

She dropped to one knee, her eyes glistening a little.

He had to show them there was a reason. That there was order. Just killing him was petty revenge. He had to show him that he was better. Because of the Law.

She was silent for a moment, before picking him up by his shoulder. She turned to Gray, but didn't look directly at him, her hat pulled down, covering her eyes.

He has to know. He has to learn.

[Grayell]

He will.

Grayell took Dogrin by the scruff of the neck again, yanked him close. He was breathing down on the slaver, his teeth grit.

You're lucky Dogrin. She has more tolerance for you then I do. You get a trial.

Grayell shoved him like a worthless toy toward the door. He wouldn't run, Dogrin wasn't quite that stupid. Grayell eyed him, threatened him with that look, then turned his attention back to Margrett.

Well then. You're not all hot air and bravado eh? You're in. In fact, I'd like you to work with me - when time allows. I think we'd make a good team you and I. As for sheriff.... well time will tell alright? Let's go.

Grayell shoved Dogrin again, got him on the move.

By the way, I'm still buying you dinner. Then I'll make sure you can whole up at the inn a while. Get your things in order and get cleaned up. It could just be the air in here, but I think you're a bit on the nose Margrett.

Grayell shot her a sly grin and shoved their captor again.

[Margrett]

The edge of her mouth curled into a smile.

Thank you. Sir.

She pulled her hat down a little, under the guise of tipping it to him.

I'm looking forward to it.

[Grayell]

The two returned to the council building where Dogrin was locked in a room - that was more of a closet really - and was made sure he wouldn't be escaping any time soon. The council would hold a trial - their first, which should be quite the interesting experience.

Satisfied that Dogrin was going nowhere, Grayell wondered about Dogrin's residence.

I suppose we should first go check on his henchmen and investigate his residence. You with me?

[Margrett]

She nodded, throwing a look to the closet.

Yep. Most of them are probably gone by now, though. The building's going to be empty.

[Grayell]

Yup. You think they took everything though?

Grayell smiled and slipped the key to Dogrin's makeshift cell in his pocket. He then walked with Marg - through the town rather than on the roofs - back to Dogrin's home of operations. The door was till open so he headed inside. The place was deserted - the body of the man he had slain inside the door. Seems the commotion outside had died off too.

You kill anyone out back?

[Margrett]

Marg looked around, thinking to herself.

There were three men out here...I smashed two of their faces in and cracked the ribs of the other one. I'm not sure if they bled out, or what.

She kneeled, checking the ground.

Blood trails. They must have gotten away, probably carrying their friend.

She looked inside.

They may have come back in and burned any evidence.

[Grayell]

I doubt it. They were hired hands, only in it for the money. Us taking Dogrin likely removed any interest they had. Let's take a look around shall we?

Grayell started in the main room. It was a general area, some simply furniture. A couple of weapons laid about, some crates and a barrel. There was the front and back door - and then two other doors on the back wall.

He looked over and under the table, finding nothing. He opened one of the crates, then the other.

Huh.

Pulling out some straw and tossing it to the floor, he then removed a bottle, examining it.

Spiced rum. Well his taste wasn't all bad.