Josh

??: what is the meaning of this?

???: f-fine... A few months ago I was banished from my old home in another kingdom, recently I came here and tried buying a house and the only way I could do that was to sell a watch my dad gave me before he died... A few of your guards took my watch because they though it was a weapon and I was trying to get it back and then they caught me before I could make past where the military plans were.

??: oh my goodness I will have the guards give it back to you and you can stay here if you want why would you think I would kill you?

Guard #2: M'lady, We found him with confidential papers in his hands.

??: Wait first do you have his watch?

Guard #2: No.

??: No? Is there any watch at all?

Guard #3: Not to my knowledge

??: oh okay thank you

Guard #3: yep

Guard #1: M'lady, This man was inside the castle yesterday and we caught him trying to look for our military plans

??: well why is that?

Guard #1: He won't tell us anything, We even tried hitting hiim to get it out of him

??: well that won’t work if you beat him up! Let me try to speak with him

Guard #1: ALone? Not sure that a great idea Madam

??: well I want to know if I can trust him and I bet I can make him speak with just using kindness

Guard #1: OKay fine.. But i'm not unchaining him *leaves*

??: thank you!

???: *looks up at you nervously*

??: hi there

???: h-hi

??: care to tell me what you were doing?

???: n-no I cant

??: why?

???: You'll kill me...

??: no I won’t I promise

???: I can't

??: please

???: I-i can't

??: would a please help?

???: N-no..

??: can you tell me why you can’t say?

???: You'll kill me...

??: no I’ll make sure of that

Melody: Guards! Halt! *walks over to the boy and crouches down to meet his eyes* To whom do you belong, kind one?

???: *silent*
Guard #1: I suggest you step a few feet away. He is a prisoner

Melody: I am quite aware of which he is, brave guard, and I thank you for your caution, but please let me talk to him. *turns back to the boy* Silent one, show me your name please

Guard: Fine *leaves

Melody: *smiles* come now, Silent one, we shall discard those chains and walk *the princess stands up, smoothed her dress, and then offers her diminutive hand to the boy*

Guard #1: *Unchains him and leave*
???: *take it*

Melody: why were you captured, silent one? What sun did you commit?

Guard #1: H-hit him,..

Melody: Get out of my sight and come back when you’ve gotten a slip of parchment signed with the lord’s forgiveness! *turns back to the boy* I’m so sorry, Silent one, for the treatment that befell upon you. You’ll not be treated like that again

???: T-thanks

Melody: but of course! What is your name, strong one?

???: *silent*

Melody: Do not feel pressured to speak, I can send for writing utensils if needed?

Guard #1: He won't. We even tried hitting him

Melody: *looks up, aghast* you did WHAT?!

???: Jason.
Guard #2: M'lady, May I ask why you are being so kind? We found him holding the papers.

Melody: ‘Do justice and love mercy’ were the teachings of Micah the Prophet, and as for the papers, I wish to hear his motives first

Melody: why did you have the papers Jason?