Leaving the tent, the three continued to walk through the faire admiring all of the sights. They passed an interactive puppet show, as well as many displays of medieval armor and weaponry. Hillary took copious amounts of pictures of the girls posing with mythical creatures and historical cosplayers alike, more for her sake than the kids’. As they walked past an open grassy area, Brie spotted a crowd gathered around something. "Look, what's that?" she asked, pointing.
The family walked over to get a better look only to realize the item of speculation was a large stockade. The heavy wooden structure was backed with thick boards bolted across. Two upright boards contained holes in the middle for holding ankles, while thick leather straps lined the back for securing wrists. A sign above read "Public Punishment Stocks - For law breakers".
Brie peered curiously through one of the holes. "This looks like it would really hold you in place. These straps would really pin your arms up tight."
Running her hand on the sturdy wood, Tina mused to herself "I can't imagine being locked in here, at someone's mercy."
Hillary continued the examination. "It would completely immobilize you.” She reached out to test the give of one board. "There's no way you'd be breaking free once you were in here."
Tina shivered slightly at the thought. "Being trapped like that, unable to escape whatever 'punishment' they decide on. Your captors could do anything they wanted."
Brie grinned mischievously. "If it was me, I’d just tickle you silly!"
Hillary chuckled, “Well, I’m just glad we don’t have one of these at home.”
Suddenly, Hillary felt a light tap on her shoulder. Turning, she saw a festival guard standing there. "Excuse me ma'am, I don't mean to interrupt. But I couldn't help overhearing, were you and your daughters just at Vashalla the fortune teller's tent?"
Hillary nodded curiously. "Yes, we got our fortunes read a little while ago. Is everything alright?"
"I'm afraid I have some unfortunate business to attend to regarding your group," he said in a mock serious tone.
"Oh no, what have we done?" Hillary exclaimed feigning worry. “We promise to cooperate”
The guard nodded. "It seems the fortune teller has made an official complaint about your disruptive behavior in her tent. She claims you assaulted her and drove away potential customers."
Brie and Tina started to giggle and protest, but the guard held up a hand. "I'm obliged to bring you before the magistrate to hear the charges. As a very serious and professional festival constable, it is my duty to uphold the law."
Seeing the playful twinkle in his eye, the three decide to go along without trouble, "Very well officer, lead the way. We'll face the magistrate's judgment."
As they made their way through the festival, the guard cleared a path calling out "Citizens, making way! I have miscreants to deliver to the court for sentencing."
Other attendees gathered around the impromptu stage show and peered curiously. Brie and Tina stifled giggles as they approached the makeshift courthouse. Colorful banners hung above a raised platform, upon which sat a grand wooden chair. Seated therein was the magistrate, a stately looking woman adorned in flowing robes of deep purple with golden thread woven into arcane symbols. A plunging neckline teased glimpses of bronze skin. Ringlets of dark hair crowned her lovely face as piercing eyes surveyed the crowd gathering before her.
"Bring forth the accused!" she boomed in a voice that commanded attention. The guard nudged Hillary, Brie and Tina forward until they stood directly below the magistrate's throne. When they reached the front, they were surprised to see Vashalla herself standing next to the imposing judge. The fortune teller smirked as she spotted her attackers.
"The merchant whose booth was disturbed has come to witness the proceedings," boomed the deep voice of the magistrate. She motioned for Vashalla to speak.
The air was thick as all eyes turned to Vashalla. "Pray tell, what exactly befell within your tent?"
Vashalla swept a hand across her brow in a show of agitation and drama.
"These ruffians entered seeking divination, but showed no respect for my craft!"
She gestured at Brie and Tina. "The impish ones mocked my every prediction and laughed.”
“Then without warning, they pounced upon me!"
Vashalla placed a hand over her heart.
"They tugged off my slippers and tickled the bottoms of my feet unmercifully!"
The crowd gasped and laughed, clearly amused by the tale and her rhyming prose. Brie and Tina were also holding their hands over their mouths trying not to laugh again.
“I hope the magistrate has a sense of humor.” Tina whispered.
The fortune teller turned to Hillary. "But their corruption did not end there, no!"
She pointed a trembling finger, "This one assaulted my delicate midsection to and fro!"
The accused redhead smiled politely, also trying to contain her laughter at the spectacle.
Vashalla spun to face the magistrate once more. "Your honor, such mistreatment should not stand! I demand justice for the trauma I endured at their hand...er, fingers!" She was met with scattered applause, sniggers, and whooping. Even Hillary and her family couldn’t help, but applaud her.
The magistrate considered the colorful testimony, eyes glowing with concealed amusement. Rising from her seat, she approached them, her robe swishing gracefully through the grass. Her piercing gaze scanned plaintiff and defendant alike. With a sudden spark of playfulness in her eyes, she took a seat and addressed Vashalla.
"Come now fortune spinner, lay your feet here that I may examine them closely."
Vashalla's brows furrowed in confusion as the judge patted her lap invitingly. With great reluctance, Vashalla removed her slippers and placed her bare soles in the magistrate's lap. Her feet were quite flawless to observe, and the judge regarded them thoughtfully. Using a single digit to drag up and down her light soles, the judge ruminated out loud, “Yes yes… there are clear signs of tickling on these feet. Also, clear signs of lack of hygiene.” She joked waving her hand in front of her nose, drawing chortles from the crowd. Vashalla could only blush and giggle helplessly as the magistrate’s ‘investigation’ went on.
“I see scratch marks on the arches and heels… some poking on the soles…” The magistrate acted out all the actions she called out eliciting much laughter from the fortune teller, who clutched the bottom of her seat to keep from falling off.
“Don’t forget the toes!” Brie yelled. The magistrate swept her fingers across Vashalla’s shapely digits causing her to yelp, much to the crowd’s amusement. After a few seconds, she addressed the dark skinned beauty again.
“Now, I must investigate your other claims as well." With an authoritative wave, she commanded the woman closer. Vashalla gulped visibly, hugging her midriff protectively. Knowing better than to disobey the powerful judge, she slowly made her way closer.
“I will now use my special investigation technique.” The magistrate announced to the crowd. The ‘technique’ mainly involved wildly squeezing the fortune teller’s sides. Laughter erupted from the plaintiff, defendants, and crowd alike. “Once again, I’ve found clear signs of tickle torture.” Satisfied, she turned her piercing gaze upon the accused family.
"What say you to these allegations? Do you have a defense?"
Turning to Brie and Tina, she asked. "Did you two remove yon merchant's slippers and tickle her feet, as alleged?"
Brie grinned unabashedly. "We may have relieved her of her footwear, your honor. And found her feet entertainingly ticklish, but only because the fortune she provided was no fortune at all."
“It was five dollars for something anyone could have told you!” Tina added.
The judge acted surprised, “Five dollars? She charged me fifty last time… Nevermind!”
She turned to Hillary, "And you, good woman. Did you, as accused, assault yonder merchant's midsection?"
Hillary met the magistrate’s stare. "I may have...given her navel area a bit of friendly tickle, your honor, but like my daughters said, all we got were vague generalities! And we did feel a touch overcharged."
The judge nodded understandingly. "Merchants will be merchants. But you admit the remaining accusations?"
Ducking in a dramatic fashion, Hillary confessed. "We may have gotten a bit carried away, exploring Vashalla's...unique sensitivities."
Brie laughed, “And we’d do it again if we got the chance!” The crowd roared with mirth at her clearly unrepentant attitude.
After quieting them down, the magistrate tapped a slender finger to her chin thoughtfully. "Fraud and theft, yet retaliation through mischief making. A complex case indeed.”
After a few seconds of deliberation, the magistrate boomed, "I have reached my verdict…"
The family hugged each other tightly in a theatrical manner, while the crowd held their breaths.
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