Three guards sat at a round table in the room just outside the small hallway that led to Dolly's cell.  The other three cells serviced by this same hallway were empty, something of a testament to the quiet nature of the town.  The post of a constable or guard was not particularly hazardous, with boredom being a greater challenge than fear.  Between them they played a game of cards wagering meager sums of coppers to pass the time.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(65, 168, 95)">"So what ya suppose the 'good' witch Elisa is doing conversing with our murderous wench?"</span>The first guard asked, though with a certain lack of interest the betrayed it wasn't his real concern.  He brushed a strand of long greasy hair from in front of his face as he looked to the others.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"Who knows what witches think or talk about, burn 'em all far as I'm concerned."</span>The second guard gave a toothless smile as he picked up his cards, not having the best poker face in the world, the other two became wary.  The third guard, a fat balding man with a grizzled grey beard forming across his jowls,<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(226, 80, 65)">"She's got a nice little body though." </span>His tone somewhat conspiratorial, as if he were about to suggest a plan that might liven up their evening.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(97, 189, 109)">"Which one?"</span>The first guard asked, more about the emerging plan that the spoken statement, clearly he was more interested in the fledgling plan than the cards before him.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(226, 80, 65)"> "Both!" </span>The third guard said with a laugh that made his jowls shake.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(226, 80, 65)">"But I think we need to settle for the crazy one tonight, she burns in the morning no doubt, all them witnesses and poor old Hodges dyin' in agony like he did."  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)">The other two men nodded in agreement but the second still seemed worried.  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(97, 189, 109)">"You don' suppose she'll do to us what she did to ole' Hodges do ya?"  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)">His worry seemingly ahead of his desire at least for the moment, though looking to the others for moral support, they way cowards often did before setting upon those they perceived as weaker.  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(226, 80, 65)">"Nah, just keep that gag on her, least until we got something else ready to shove down her throat."</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)">  More bouncing jowls accentuated the fat guard's loathsome desire.  </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(247, 218, 100)">"We'll have our fun with the crazy bitch tonight that's fo' sure but I want that stuck up one as well, if not tonight soon.  Let's give a listen to the door, see just what evil theys up to." </span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)"> The second guard joining the plan now as he tossed his cards down and stood to go towards the door.  The second guard's instincts were right, but his timing was terrible, as they all flinched and cowered a moment at the sound of Elisa's magic.  They knew they should enter the cell room and stop whatever was going on, but they were afraid of magic, a fear which fed their hatred towards those who used it. </span><br/><br/>**************************<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(204, 204, 204)">Xavier had finished his pint and was tempted to begin another but he knew he had to face Dolly before his mind became clouded with alcohol.  He had calmed himself down at least and was ready to question her more carefully.  Not about her witchcraft, no one needed any more evidence than they already had to convict her of witchcraft.  No he needed to know about his parents, if there was any possibility that what the mad woman said was true.  Despite his loyalty to the Order, Xavier had always suspected deep down he was not the same as the others.  He knew they felt that way too, given his skill and experience, he should be leading a Troop of knights into battles by now, not patrolling the frontier alone.  He stood from the table and headed out back towards the prison such as it was.  The sun was falling into the mountains to the west, the clear sky streaked with the last gold and orange rays of the day.  He had barely turned to the direction of his destination when he heard, practically felt, a sound that he could only imagine was a thunderclap.  Another look at the cloudless sky though made him realize it could only be, magic.  His steady walk turned into a sprint as he ran towards the jail, almost positive that was the source.  </span>