Rash stands and steps forward.

"No matter how much the two of you may deserve it... I don't want you to die after I took so much trouble to spare your lives," the half-orc says, meeting both of their gazes briefly. "What I propose is a bit of poetic justice. The two of you abducted three innocents to sell into slavery. If this is the fate you had in store for others, then I feel that the same fate for you would be a fair punishment. I could give the two of you over to the Bloodskull tribe to serve a long sentence of hard labor... I won't pretend it's a lenient sentence, but... you could eventually earn your freedom."

In truth, though he is trying to sound like he's being 'harsh but fair,' he does genuinely feel bad, particularly for the younger man, and he wants to save his life. Kunnari may have seen a bit of sympathy in the half-orc's eyes.

Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:

Cuddling the topaz egg in her palm, Spira frowns thoughtfully.  "Zentromya?  What do you think is best to do?  I can almost feel  the life in this.  I'm sure it's an egg.  And we can't be sure its parents will come back to the nest now, or if they were even alive when we found it.  But we can't be sure they won't return either.  What would be best for this little one?"

Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:

Zentromya's Wisdom check: 9

Roxana - at the trial: 

Hearing the verdict of death placed on these two men, she glances over at Gaer a moment. "They really had no chance," she says softly.  Then as Rash offers his proposal, she again shakes her head, this time speaking in a whisper. "The judge all but said they were being condemned for dealing in slaves.  And now the town itself is in the business of placing these men into slavery? It may be a greater mercy than was being offered. But it hardly seems right." 

Aidwyn - the Lathander's Temple:

The little celestial is clearly torn between the two options: "I really don't know, Spira..." she replies "If the egg doesn't need a lot of attention and, for this reason, the parents stay away for a long time, then we would by stealing... But if instead the parents are unable to return, then we would be saving a life... And I can't decide which of the two hypotheses is the most probable! I told you, I don't belong to this dimension... I don't know much about the creatures that inhabit it... And my powers, while great when it comes to healing or protection, are not strong when it comes to divination".

While the gold-furred winged miniature she-elephant remains stationary in place, the wings are flapping more rapidly, due to the frustration the situation causes her...

The trial of the Zhentarim:

Kenzo and Kunnari both looking at Rash, surprised... They are about to answer, but the solemn judge speaks first: "And Lady Aidwyn? It's right to present both options that I had heard about... Maybe it was lady Aidwyn unable to attend?” the snowflakes continue to fall slowly, in silence, so after a while the woman turns to the half-orc wizard "Sir Rash, are you by any chance aware of the option that Lady Aidwyn intended to offer? You know, today I feel merciful" (but judging from those ice blue eyes you wouldn't think so...) "and I wouldn't want to deprive the condemned of one of their possibilities..."

Meanwhile, Gaer replies to Roxana and murmurs:"I understand why you have so little crime here in Longsaddle... Anyway, yes, you're right on both points. I don't like slavery much either, and the verdict seemed already decided even before the trial... However," there doesn't seem to be too much sympathy for the two Zhentarim, in those starless-night solid black eyes "most of the accusations that the judge unraveled were perfectly founded - and proven. Some of the crimes they committed, they committed them on me and on Milo and Solitude. And the 'slavery' that Rash talks about, even if it has a name that makes my stomach turn, also has the possibility of ending, from what he says... perhaps it would be more accurate to define it 'forced labor'. Yes, well... I agree that the two are receiving a heavy punishment... but if you ask me, they deserved it".

Rash glances around at the audience. It appears that Aidwyn is indeed elsewhere. So the half-orc nods in respect to the judge and explains the second option.

"So... I'm sure the two of you remember that creepy wolf-thing Aidwyn brought with her when we left the dungeon... her proposal was to grant the two of you a fighting chance to escape with your lives. You would be released at nightfall... but the creature would hunt you until the morning. If you manage to survive the night then you would be free to go, no strings attached. But... I won't lie, I've seen that thing hunt, and I can't help but think it would just be a more drawn-out death sentence."

The trial of the Zhentarim:

Kunnari looks Rash in the eyes and replies: "I... I accept the opportunity you offer me to atone for my sins. Maybe, experiencing what I inflicted on others without thinking will make me a better man in the end. I don't know. I know that maybe my existence will still have meaning. Certainly more meaning than ending up like this, hanging from a rope or in the belly of a beast".

The boy then turns towards the judge, although visibly intimidated by the austere figure: "I thank you for this opportunity, my lady. Since I had done nothing to deserve it, I consider it an act of clemency. I will try not to let it go to waste".

Maureen doesn't seem moved... but she doesn't seem annoyed either. Inscrutable, she limits herself to enjoining him: "I hope so for you. Whatever happens, don't come back here again. Never again".

"In this case..." Kenzo begins to say, but the judge silences him with a sharp gesture of her hand and a cold look.

"You have accumulated more guilt than your partner in crime, Kenzo - during this trial, if not perhaps even before" she declares. "So, it is not right that you should be treated equally. I will deny you the choice of slavery. But I am not heartless... if you prefer it to immediate condemnation, you can take advantage of the option proposed by Lady Aidwyn through Sir Rash... You can try your luck in the night".

Kenzo's forehead is covered in sweat, despite the snowflakes that still, slowly and peacefully, continue to fall: "You... you think you can get rid of me like this, don't you? You think that that beast will be able to get me... But we'll see! So far I have survived, facing the hardships of an existence that you and the common citizens of Longsaddle can only imagine. Perhaps I will even survive tonight's hunt..."

There is hatred and threat in Kenzo's eyes... but calm and security in Maureen's icy gaze: "Of course. I am happy to offer you this chance. From the idea I have of you, you have fully deserved it".

And with that, the judge prepares to declare the trial over... unless Rash (or someone else) intends to intervene in some way.

Rash is more-or-less content with the outcome. It isn't pleasant, but it is fair.

The trial of the Zhentarim:

While Kenzo is temporarily taken back to the cell, from which he will be released at night to carry out the 'sentence', the people murmurs excitedly... many plan to gather to witness the departure of the Zhentarim's desperate escape - and many tell each other what they know, what they have heard, or what they have seen about the terrible huntress who will set out on his trail.

Meanwhile, Kunnari is held back for a moment longer, while Maureen approaches the half-orc wizard and inquires: "When do you plan to leave to deliver the condemned to your tribe, Sir Rash? I'm not asking to rush you, of course... After what you have done for my dear Martha, you may remain my guest as long as you like. I just need to know when the boy is to be released from prison and placed in your care".

"Well... I am helping Blinn Harpell craft a new spell," Rash explains. "Not counting the three days we have already been working... Blinn thinks it will probably be ready within the seven days, give or take a day or two. So, for the sake of having a wide margin of error, I will say that I can take him off your hands in 10 days' time."

The trial of the Zhentarim:

"Very good, Sir Rash" the solemn judge greets the half-orc wizard with a polite nod. "Kunnari will be ready and in good condition by that time. I thank you for your contribution to justice. And now, I do not intend to detain you any longer from your commitments" and she walks away, followed by servants carrying away the throne, from trumpeter, and the two squires who take Kunnari back to the prisons.

Apparently, Kenzo's 'flight for life' will take place that same night. You are not required to attend at all, but you can do so if you like.

Rash can't help but feel a pit in his stomach regarding Kenzo's fate... he sighs. If the court (and the court of public opinion) will allow him to, he would like to offer the bandit a little bit of magic protection before the man is forced to run for his life. It probably won't make much of a difference anyway, but the half-orc would like to at least feel like he did something for the man.

Granted, the judge is completely correct that the Zhentarim has pretty much done everything in his power to earn this fate.

The trial of the Zhentarim:

Maureen, privately contacted by the half-orc wizard, is extremely surprised by his proposal. Glaring at him with her icy eyes, she seems to want to probe his soul, as she asks him: "Now... what's the point, Sir Rash? Why do you intend to provide any chance of survival to that brazen and irreducible criminal? You don't realize that he will start again to add to the list of his crimes as soon as he has the opportunity? I was willing to agree to show leniency to the young boy, since he seemed repentant - although, between us, Sir Rash, it seems rather convenient to me, to repent when one is captured, rather than before. But overlooking this... the more mature one has shown no sign of repentance - or of the presence of a conscience in the black void of his damned soul. If I offered him the possibility of being hunted by the beast, it is so that he may be torn to pieces and die in pain and terror, as in pain and terror he must have caused his victims to die - or sent into slavery those he did not kill. Would you like me to understand, Sir Rash, what good would come to the world from the survival of that criminal?”

Rash pauses... she does have a point.

"Honestly... I doubt it will make any real difference, and I don't really think that his death would be a great loss to this world. But I remember clearly that one of my companions said to him 'help us and you live.' He dropped his weapon and he told us where to find his leader. Simply put, because he did surrender to us on that premise, I don't want to sink to his level by not even trying to honor that agreement, even if I was not the one who set the terms. If he dies after I did all that I could, then so be it and I will sleep soundly knowing that I upheld my honor and that of my companions."

(Regarding the terms of Kenzo's surrender, Roxanna told him that he would live if he helped us, per post #434)

Rash pauses again briefly, checking to make sure that judge understands how he feels.

"Of course, if you simply forbid granting any aid, then I will have done all that I could as well by making the request."

The trial of the Zhentarim:

"You kept your word to him" Maureen observes. "He lived long enough to have a trial, rather than be executed on the spot. It is obvious that your words couldn't be understood as a guarantee of acquittal at trial. You have nothing to reproach yourself for".

"However..." the solemn judge did not stop staring the half-orc wizard in the eyes for a moment "Tell me the truth, Sir Rash, you, who have personally seen this beast that will have to chase him... The magical protection that you have in mind, can make a real difference? Could it save the criminal? Or, all in all, is it just a ploy to ease your conscience?"

Rash thinks for a moment, reflecting on his observations of Balfby...

"It is nothing more than the simple spell mage armor," Rash says at last. "It might buy him some time and deflect one or two light blows... but in all honesty, I suspect it would only delay the inevitable unless he has some other way to save himself."

The trial of the Zhentarim:

"So, you will sleep peacefully tonight, Sir Rash" the woman concedes, making an imperceptible nod of agreement with her head. "To thank you for what you have done for Martha, I will allow you to cast the spell - and delay the inevitable. Go, your conscience is safe".

"Thank you, Madam," Rash says, bowing his head respectfully. "I will offer him this last mercy tonight just before the hunt begins."

Roxana watches as Rash seems to intervene, only to be spoken to by the judge out of hearing. She glances over to Gaer, "I perhaps should not have come. I should have expected this would be the result."  She stands, still watching for a moment, but looks ready to leave. She's clearly not pleased with the results however.