A Regal Encounter

(I have a friend that encourages me to write. Her name is Judy. I sent her this)


Another day dawned through the small barred window. Rays landed on the ugly gray
block wall on the opposite side of his cell. When he stood, he still couldn’t see out the
window, but he could hear the noises of the village as they awoke.

Horses clopping by the window, children jabbering as they ran by, he could even hear
the store owners walking to their shoppes and opening the doors. Early morning crows
cawed overhead. The rank aroma that the village generated and waifed through the
window were a welcome refreshment over the foul disease ridden stench of the jail.
Jammed in together in one cell with ten other putrid prisoners was too much to take.
As always, after the short reflection of the morning mayhem, his thoughts returned to his
hopeless situation. His eyes looked across the cell. He was looking for the rats. He
had named them. Scurry and Scruff were over in the corner fighting again over a
morsel of rotten food.

It has been about two months since the authorities caught him stealing an ear of corn.
He was shamed that he had to resort to stealing but the hunger pangs were to much to
bare. All he could think of was the injustice of it all. He the world had handed him
nothing but hardship and pain. With broken dreams and failed endeavors, he was at his
breaking point. There was nothing left to live for. It looked like he would rot in this
debtors prison.

The older prisoner next to him stirred. He sat up and said with most of his teeth missing
'You still here. The way you were tossing and turning last night I thought you were not
going to make it.' As he prepared to answer there was noise out in the prison chamber.
Marching boots and clanging armor and swords could be heard coming down the hall.
They stopped in front of his door and yelled, 'Richard LeBarrow front and center.' The
old man looked at Richard with frightened face. 'Good luck.' he said as Richard stood
up. Every ounce of inner strength bled from his heart. Fear shuddered within him.
With certainty he knew that shortly he would be missing his hands or possibly his head.
He mustered as much poise as he could and said 'Here.' The four poor excuses for
guards beckoned him to them. At the same time they barked at the jailer demanding
that the door be opened. Richard knew this was it. It was finally over. Maybe relief
awaited on the other side.

He made his way over the sick, moaning inmates, to the door. It swung open wide and
the guards reached in and pulled him forward. Richard's first thought about the guards
flew out of his mouth faster than he could think. 'You must spend a lot of time down
here. You smell just like they do.' The head guard was in his face faster than a fly on
stink. Richard wanted to say that the man's breathe he was worse than the smell of the
prisoners, but decided to keep his mouth shut. 'Follow me.' The guard snapped.
Richard nodded in agreement.

They other guards fell in behind him and they all marched down the hall. 'Where we
going gentlemen?' Richard asked trying to sound jovial. 'I've always wanted to see the
Queen. Do we have time to stop in and say hi?' The head guard turn abruptly and said
in a mean, soft voice. 'See the Queen you shall for that is exactly where we are
headed.' He smiled maliciously as he watch Richard face fill with horror.

It seemed like it was taking forever to get to the Palace. Excitement stirred in the crowd
as they walked him along. Someone yelled, 'a hanging, let's follow them. Shame was
something that he had rarely felt up until he had no options other than to steal some
food to survive, but shame was creeping up into the back of his throat. He was short of
breathe as dread locked onto him. The Palace was just in front of him. Inside he was
trying to muster strength to see this through until the end, but his knees gave way and
the guards had to force him to stand.

In the Palace Judgment Hall, the Queen asked the Registrar about the next case. He
had all his notes. He is Richard LeBarrow, m'lady, he comes from humble beginnings,
after asking around he tried farming for a while and was unsuccessful then took odd
jobs to take care of his family. He has no prior history of crimes and I did find out
something interesting. One of the Ocala that knew him well said he wanted to be a
writer, he scavenge for any loose paper or writing instruments that he could use. This
gentleman that was telling me this said he was a day dreamer, a recluse. In the end he
was caught stealing food from a local merchant. The queen thanked him for the
information and he bowed low and walked away backward.

As Richard entered the Palace, he was awestruck by its beauty. At least he would see
something worth seeing before he died. After a few court yards and some long, wide
hallways they arrived at the Judgment Hall. He was surprised to see a large quieted
crowd. The crowd parted and they made their way straight to the throne. She was
sitting with perfect posture. She was much shorter than what he expected. Her hair
was short blond but he could not see very much of it because of the gem embedded
tiara she wore. For some reason his fear abate. She looked serene if not peaceful.
The guards shoved Richard to his knees. It hurt because of the sores on his knees
from being in prison. The Queen stood. She commanded a regal presence. 'Your
name?' she asked. 'Richard LeBarrow, your majesty'. 'Your crime? He looked her in
the eye, 'I was caught stealing food from Mr. Hobbs store. She was silent for a moment.
'What do you have to say for yourself? Your actions are reprehensible.' Richard closed
his eyes and hung his head. 'I have no excuse, I, I, was trying feed my family.' He
looked up and the Queen was in his face with a stern look, 'HAVE YOU WRITTEN
ANYTHING LATELY??' To stunned to speak, he fell backward a little and she held he
gaze without letting up. His heart was racing, face fully flush, 'How did you kn....' The
Queen butted in, 'It's my job to know, answer the question.' 'Yes, m'lady, I have a story
I'm working on about my son growing up and one about a far away place where magical
things take place. The Queen and everyone around could see Richard's face light up
when he started talking about his writing. He looked around and realized everyone was
looking at him, he had forgotten they were even there. 'But since I've been in prison I,
well, I couldn't write anything.' He finished. What do you think your punishment should
be?' She asked. Quickly he said 'I'm confused. Why did you ask about my writing?' '
I'm allowed to ask what ever I want, when I want. She raised her voice. 'Again I say
answer the question.' He looked down again and said I am guilty ma'am. I defer to
your judgment.'

The Queen looked at him as if she were his loving mother. 'You will repay threefold for
what you stole, won't you? She said shaking her head up and down. Richard nodded
as well, still confused. 'I am asking what your punishment should be for not writing.'
Something awoke within him, he smiled and stood tall and answered, 'More writing, your
Highness, more writing.' The Queen smiled back. 'You are free to go Richard
LeBarrow, but you will report to me in one month and show me your work or I will have
you drug in and put in prison again, do you understand me?'

At the Queen's beckon the guards took hold of Richard and started to leave the
Judgment Hall. Richard held up and turned and asked the Queen her name. 'Judith' she
replied. 'I'll write fondly of The Great Queen Judy then'

After they left the Queen turn to the Registrar and said 'See that he has what he needs.
In a month bring him back to me. I want him to be my Scribe.

Rich Mollohan
Sarraphic