Love Is Always Write Volume 4

as to why the man attacked the sheriff. Accused, tell me your version of events."
    Instead of replying, the man just looked terrified, staring wide-eyed and looking on the verge of tears. Sarrica frowned. "What's wrong?" he asked the man. "You need not be afraid, you may tell your version of events without fear of punishment for speaking."
    One of the vendors—the son who had made the formal accusation—said, "He's been that way since he was clapped in chains. Won't speak a word, just stares and acts jumpy. Half the time he acknowledges killing, the other half he denies it."
    "He can't understand what is being said," Allen interjected. "You said the matter happened at a neutral market in an area where Mesta, Outland, and Gearth intersect. That also puts it near the main port of Outland. He probably speaks very rough Outland, enough to trade, purchase food, small things. I assume you've mostly spoken Outland to him? Have you tried anything else?"
    "He only reacts to Outland," the bailiff replied, looking over his own notes. He glanced at the accused. "He looks Outland, with those eyes and hair."
    Allen's mouth tightened in irritation; it was the most emotion Sarrica had ever seen him display outside their bedroom. "What do you think?" he asked quietly.
    "I think he's a sailor, from the Far Islands," Allen said, and before Sarrica could reply he began to speak to the man in a language that Sarrica did not remotely recognize. But the way the man's face lit up, the way he began to cry openly with relief...
    It made Sarrica painfully aware that language barriers were a far bigger problem than he realized. When they finally stopped speaking, Sarrica looked at Allen in silent query.
    "His name is Tima. According to him, he thought he was buying three loaves of bread and two bits of dried meat. He handed over his coin and took his purchases, and suddenly was being accused of thieving. They bound him, threw him in a shed, and kept him there for two days until the Sheriff came by on his rounds. At that point, Tima does not know what happened. He was clapped in irons and watched as the street vendors who had him arrested handed money over to the Sheriff. He thought he was being sold back into slavery when he had only just recently obtained his freedom. He panicked and tried to get away. He says they drew their swords and tried to stop him. He claims it was not he who stabbed the Sheriff, but the son, and that it was an accident due to so much going on in such a small space."
    Sarrica nodded, not really surprised. "Would you translate for me, for all parties?"
    "Of course."
    Smiling briefly at him, Sarrica turned to the group before him and said, "The accused is set free, with the sincere apologies of the high crown for the misunderstanding. He is to be compensated thrice over. The son will face penance for the accidental slaying of a Sheriff. Trial fees will be covered by the high crown. This case is closed."
    When they were gone, Sarrica was not the only one who stared at Allen with awe. "What in the world were you speaking? I was not familiar with it at all. I suppose I should have asked what twelve languages you know, when I have only nine kingdoms."
    "Farland, which is spoken mostly by sailors and merchants. It's derived from Outland, but has changed so much over the centuries that they're only still vaguely related. It explains why he knew enough Outland to get by, but not enough to get himself out of trouble."
    "Quite the silver tongue, indeed," Sarrica murmured, pleased by the look Allen shot him at the unsubtle tease. "I don't think silver does you justice, though."
    Allen's mouth quirked with amusement. "No, Majesty? What am I, then?"
    "My golden tongue, of course. I think you will seduce away my kingdom when I set you loose upon it."
    "I don't want to seduce a kingdom, Majesty. Only a High King."
    Sarrica smiled, and took his hand, twining their fingers together. "That, you have already done, consort. Shall we move on to the next case?"
    "Bring them forward," Allen said in reply, smiling at him one last time before they went back to work.
    THE END
    Author bio: Megan Derr is a long time resident of m/m fiction, and keeps herself busy reading, writing, and publishing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. She loves to hear from readers, and can be found all around the internet.
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