The Gnat King glared around the group of lycanthropes until he was satisfied they were all paying him full attention.
"It seems that I find myself," he explained at last, "in a small amount of legal trouble with King Beeby, who allegedly rules over this domain. Further, he has exterminated my second best wasp swarm which I sent to negotiate an out- of-court settlement.
"You," Cole continued, indicating Rufferto, "will represent me. A werelawyer's unholy legal abilities and your big brown puppy dog eyes should be a lethal combination and get this trifling charge of treason thrown out of court."
Rufferto looked pained for a moment, then found himself gripping his lapels and saying "Your Honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I will show you today how my client has been wrongfully represented in the media as…"
"And you lot!" the Gnat King turned back to the wolves suddenly, making them all jump. "Just to ensure my success in court, you will form a Witness Removal Program."
The leader of the wolf pack paused in his scratching and looked quizzically at the Gnat King, who rolled his eyes.
"Go and find the witnesses and stop them testifying! Their lead witness is Orkin, now go and get him!"
Cole, the King of Gnats (and many other arthropoid species) gently but firmly led away Rufferto, who was muttering something about article 6, clause 2, sub-section 3.
The wolves, left alone, held a brief discussion, then were led off by Groo. A few moments later, the pack returned to the same spot and headed off again, this time in the opposite direction. Those that could understand the final howls and growls of the leader would have heard "I knew that! I was just testing you! Well done!"
Orkin gently lowered himself into his favourite chair. He had promised the king faithfully that he would appear before the king's court and tell everyone of his many dealings and run-ins with the one known as the Gnat King. But he was finding his old body failing him and he doubted he could make the journey to the courthouse. Perhaps after a few moments rest.
Suddenly the door was flung open and many pairs of green eyes stared in at him menacingly.
"All rise for King Beeby!"
The king walked slowly and majestically into the room and took his seat. The assembly followed suit. The king announced the beginning of the State versus Cole, the Gnat King, held at this special midnight session as befits the darkest of crimes.
Rufferto and the king's slick prosecutor, Lewie, known to all as "the strong arm of the law", gave their opening statements, both polished and promising to show their side of the story to be the true one. Cole allowed himself a slight smile. He could see the prosecution was looking anxiously towards the door of the courtroom. Without that fool Orkin to testify, the case against him would begin to crumble and then as other witnesses failed to appear...
A noise from the back of the courtroom disturbed his thoughts. He turned and stared, dumfounded. Those stupid wolves had brought Orkin here, alive!
The king smiled, then recovered his impartiality. "Ah Orkin so glad you could make it. These seem to be your lackeys, Gnat King."
"I object Your Honor!" said Rufferto with feeling. "Groo is no lackey!"
"Why is he here?" hissed Cole to the wolf-Groo in his own lupine tongue.
"You told us to go and get him! Some of the others thought you wanted to kill him but don't worry I stopped them." The wolf-Groo looked pleased with himself. The Gnat King looked merely pale.
Orkin took the stand and began to speak.
Next up:
Chapter 4 by Ed Erdelac
TRIAL AND ERR
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