Scene Location: Santa's Hut

- You awaken to find yourself inside a cozy hovel beneath the snow. The place is decorated in ornaments and holiday things, including a small Christmas tree. -

???: He's awake!

???: Thank The Maker!

- You turn to stare at four stags standing beside each side of the bed on which you lie upon. As you sit up from your position, your vision begins to spin. You collapse to lay back on the bed. -

???: You took a mighty blow there from Santa's sled! You should rest a while!

- The voice came from a much younger stag, who had just walked into the room. He has an unusually reddish nose for a deer. -

You: Who... who are you?

- The stag giggles at your question. -

???: Who, me? I'm Rudolph! I'm a reindeer! I help Santa find his way through the thick fog on Christmas night!

- You couldn't believe what you just heard. Rudolph points towards the other 8 reindeer. - 

Rudolph: This is Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.

Donner: Howdy, champ! How's that head of yours feeling?

- You tell him that it has felt better days. -

Vixen: Oh, I feel so bad that I ran into you. Did it... hurt?

- You tell Vixen that your going to be fine. -

- A small elf comes into the room -

???: Sir! We've captured the perpetrator!

Dasher: Really! Oh, thank The Maker!

Dancer: That really made my day!

- The eight reindeer walk out of the room with the small elf. Out of curiousness, you stand up from the bed and walk clumsily out of the room. -

- By the time you reach outside, you find that the so called "perpetrator" is none other than the Wandering Merchant, Chumley! -

Chumley: But I tell you, I'm innocent! I'm just your average merchant trying to make myself a life!

Elven Guard #2: Oh really?! Then what's this?!

- The elven guard strips off the Merchant's clothes to reveal an ancient symbol that you immediately recognized as the Black Robe's trademark. -

Nuri: That's the Black Robe's symbol!

Jimon: I knew it! I knew you were more than just a good storyteller!

- Chumley begins to well tears -

Chumley: You're right! You're all right! I am a halfling! Well, half halfling! My father was a hobbit, while my mother was a giant! When I was born, I was given this symbol to show my allegiance to the New World Order! But I never believed in it! I thought it was just another old myth! A story!

Jimon: Ha! Another good story from an old wives tale! This guy's been lying right from the start!

Chumley: You have to believe me!

- The guards surrounding Chumley lower their weapons to point them at Chumley -

Elven Guard Commander: It is by the law of the land that trespassers be executed. You are a trespasser, and you must be punished! Along with your friends!

- The guards surround you, Jimon, and Nuri and point their weapons at you and your friends -

Elven Guard Commander: It is capital punishment for all of you. You trespassed on our domain, poached on our land, drove off indigenous species, hunted some to extinction, and murdered our fellow citizens.​ I hereby decree that you are to be terminated... immediately.

- Nuri turns to face Chumley -

Nuri: We trusted you! We gave you our friendship! And you lied to us. You betrayed us!

Chumley: I didn't mean to! I didn't want any of this to happen!

Jimon: Of course you didn't! You were more concerned for yourself, and your well-being! We tried to help you, but instead, you turned your back on us! You had hoped that you would get away, you didn't, and now, you'll get what you deserve!

- Chumley wells in tears once more -

Nuri: Didn't you hear anything I said? Anything at all? About friendship?

Chumley: Oh...?

Nuri: It's that you never turn your back on others, even when it means sacrificing yourself! That's what friendship is!

Chumley: I'm sorry!

Jimon: It's too late for that now! You gave us ice, and now you'll pay the price!

Elven Guard Commander: Execute them.

- The guards raise their weapons for the kill -

???: STOP!!!

- The guards stop immediately when they hear the gentle but firm voice. -

???: No more! No more fighting!

- The voice appears to come from a young furry white creature with feathered wings and a curved spiral horn on its forehead. It wears a gold tiara on its forehead, and a garland around her neck. -

Commander: Princess!

Nuri, Jimon, and Chumley: PRINCESS?!?!

- You marvel at the sight of the cute dragon in front of you. -

Commander: Princess 'liya... I have my orders...

- The Princess dragon gives the commander a stern look -

Princess: Now you have new orders! Stand down! I don't want any more bloodshed in this kingdom!

Commander: ...

Princess: If you proceed with this execution... you are no better than the Black Robes themselves.

Commander: I... I can't...

Princess: Stand down.

- The princess turns to face you. Her deep cyan eyes seem to pierce right through your very soul, revealing any and all true you may hide from her. -

Princess: Beloved savior... blessed savior... I humbly ask you a request. Santa Claus has been kidnapped, taken by the Black Robe himself. I would rescue him myself, but I've been told by him that I would never see him again if I don't defeat you.

- Nuri, Jimon, and Chumley gasp in shock -

Princess: I have no intention of fighting you. My heart has yearned for peace and love throughout the world. But greater still, I await the day that I return to the land that I once came. It is a holy, sacred land of light, where others like me dwell. Unlike your world, there is no war... no pain... no suffering. It is essentially... a Utopia.

- Although a question pops into your mind, you suppress it to listen quietly to the Princess. Surprisingly enough, she immediately answers it -

Princess: I have come from beyond the barrier, beyond space and time, from a place where light flourishes, where peace dwells, were love lives on. I come from another world... the world of Utopia.

Chumley: That's exactly how the dragons came here! From a rift in space and time!

Princess: But I don't come from their world... I come from a land beyond the farthest reaches of space and time, in a place called "the realm of light". There, light always shines our world. It gives us warmth and comfort, and wipes every tear from our eye.

- You attempt to imagine such a place to the best of your abilities -

Princess: It is not a place you can visualize. Of all the realms, and all the kingdoms, and all the ages past, there has not been one golden age that can compare to this majestic wonder. It exists on the highest plane, unreachable to flesh and blood, a place where the purest of souls reside.

- You realize she was referring to heaven -

Princess: Heaven is such a limited term. It is not a physical place, where materials or possessions mean anything. Rather, it is a spiritual place, being eternal, infinite, boundless, and forever. It is where the Holy Spirit resides, and we are called "his children"

- The Princess turns to the Commander. -

Princess: I ask that you release them at once!

Commander: I am sorry, my liege, but I cannot. You know the law of the land. If you continue to intervene, you will be as guilty as them, and thus, will be... executed... as one of them. I implore you to reconsider your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

Princess: But...!

Commander: And don't you even think of trying to stop us! We are simply following orders.

- The Princess turns and looks towards the mountains. As far as you know, she could either be considering alternatives, or simply giving up. To your surprise, she turns and comes up with an alternative solution. -

Princess: I'll go. I'll take their place.

Commander: WHAT?!

Princess: I can see the goodness in their hearts. They mean no harm. They are on a mission to free us all from the terrible influence of the Black Robe. If we carry out this execution, we will be doing ourselves in. Thus, I kindly request that I take their place as a sacrificial lamb, so that they may protect us all.

Commander: I... I am not authorized to do this...

Princess: Then take me to the person who is!

- At once, the guards lead you and the Princess to the Courthouse. -

Scene 4: ​

Scene Location: The Courthouse

​- You stand before the judge with Nuri, Jimon, Chumley, and the Princess -

Judge: The law of the land states that all citizens have the right to a fair trial. We cannot execute anyone if they demand a trial before execution. Isn't that right, Commander Gee?

- The Commander nods his head in confirmation -

Judge: And unless we can find proper evidence for these accusations, we cannot condemn these travelers to death!

- The Commander's attorney stands up quickly. -

Commander's Attorney: Objection, your honor! These people have violated the law, specifically Chapter 2, Section 4, Paragraph 1, which states that all people who walk upon this land, whether citizen or alien, must have a hunting permit in order to poach creatures! These people have poached on this land without a hunting permit! They are illegal lawbreakers, and they must be punished!

Judge: Sit... down.

- The attorney sits back down into his chair. -

Judge: It has been documented that the defendant has poached on this land. However, they poached only to protect themselves. Did you not read Chapter 2, Section 4, Paragraph 3? "A person who violates this law for the sake of defending himself or his family will not be sentenced as long as he provides proof of his defense."

- The Judge turns to face you -

Judge: Your proof?

- Nuri turns to you to whisper in your ear. -

Nuri: That's one messed up law! How can one prove his defense?!

- You tell the Judge that it would be impossible to provide proof of self-defense. -

Attorney: You heard the boy! He cannot provide proof in his defense!

Judge: Sit down right now, or I will throw the book at you​ for speaking out of turn in front of the Judge!

- The Attorney sits down in his chair again. You notice the Princess shifting uneasily in her chair, as if bothered by something. -

Judge: The court must abide by its laws and regulations. The defendant has indeed violated the law, specifically Chapter 2, Section 4, Paragraph 1, and has not been able to provide proof of his or her self defense. I must thereby ask you, the defendant, your case of action. Do you plead guilty, or do you plead mentally insane?

- Nuri whispers in your ear again -

Nuri: That's a trick question! The insane will not admit they're insane because they are insane!

- You face the judge in remorse. -

You: Guilty...

- The Judge leans back into his chair. -

You: ...provisionally!

- The judge shifts uneasily in her chair. -

Judge: The court shall hear the provisions.

You: You say that "one must provide evidence of one's own defense". But there is no way to actually do that! You also state that one must be given a fair trial. But then you say "guilty, or mentally insane"! I see no fairness in this! Surely there must be another way!
Judge: What do you propose?

- You look at the princess, who nods in approval of your thought. -

You: I propose you test us! Test us so that we may prove ourselves innocent in a fair trial.

Judge: You propose that we test you? And what if you run away?

You: Our mission has always been and always will be the welfare and safety of this world. If not for us, do it for the Princess.

- The jury gasps -

- The Princess, who has been your silent attorney the whole time, finally stands up and makes her statement -

Princess: Your honor, he's right. This is not a fair trial. You set forth these laws, and yet, you fail to abide by them, constantly contradicting yourself along the way. I humbly ask you that you test these people and let them prove to you their innocence.

- The Judge glares at the Princess -

Judge: My lady, what you are suggesting is highly improbable...

Princess: Then let them prove it! Prove it for the sake of humanity and all creature kind. If you do not trust them, then trust me instead. If they do not go, I will take their place.

- The entire jury gasps, and the people create a loud uproar in disapproval. The commander's attorney raises his voice in objection, while the commander cries outrage. The judge simply wipes the sweat off his head. -

You: My lady, if we fail, you will be the one who will be executed!

- The Princess smiles confidently at you. -

Princess: You are the child of light. You've been blessed by the Holy Spirit. You won't fail.

- You sit back in your chair, astounded by the great faith the Princess has in you. -

- The judge pounds him hammer on the desk. -

Judge: Order! Order in the court!

- The uproar falls silent -

Judge: The defendant wishes for a fair trial and prove himself innocent by a test. I thereby declare that the defendants be tested, and that Princess 'liya will be kept hostage for three days until the test concludes. -

- A gong tolls, and the entire court of people rise to their feet. -

- This is the decree of the court of order. Will the defendants stand? -

- You, Nuri, Jimon, and Chumley stand -

Judge: You are hereby sentenced to a fair "test". The test will last for three days. After the test, we will analyze the results and make the final decision. However... will the defendant's attorney please rise?

- The Princess rises to her feet. -

Judge: If the defendants should run from the test, you, Princess Awenliya, will be sentenced to death by the court of order. Your execution will be held at sundown on the third day, and nothing you or I or anyone else on that matter say or do will change it. You will be kept hostage as of right now moment, and thereby be taken into the dungeon in which where you will stay for the next three days.

- The gong tolls once more -

Judge: This is the decree of the court of order, and will remain binding until the day it is fulfilled. Court adjourned!

- At that moment, Awenliya is taken prisoner and led away. You wonder to yourself if you will ever see her again. Nuri touches your shoulder. -

Nuri: You think she'll be alright?

- You smile a fake smile and assure Nuri that Awenliya will be fine. But deep down, you already know that something awful has just happened. -

{Upon completing this quest, you are rewarded with 100 tamer points. You may now enter the Abandoned Mines.}

DV2 with Annabelinda!