[The night was still and tense as Spike, Borton, and Gigi hurried through the cobblestone streets of the city. The moonlight spilled over the castle's towering walls, casting long shadows over the deserted pathways. Every step echoed with urgency as they made their way toward the castle gates. Spike glanced back, his mind still on Devena's fragile state. But they had no choice— they needed to protect the kingdom.]
BORTON – "If the bandits get away with the treasure, the kingdom's in danger," [he muttered, his eyes scanning the perimeter.]
SPIKE – "I know. But what's the plan once we're inside?" [His voice was low, but there was an edge of fear mixed with determination.]
[Gigi stopped short, turning to face them, her face set in an expression of calm focus.]
GIGI – "We split up. I'm going to find where the bandits are holed up. You two make sure the real guards aren't completely overrun. If we don't act now, they'll tear the castle apart from the inside."
[Spike nodded, clenching his fists.]
SPIKE – "Be careful, Gigi."
Without another word, they moved as one, weaving through the gates and slipping into the castle under the cover of darkness. The grand halls, usually bustling with activity, were eerily quiet. The faint glow of torches flickered on the walls, casting ominous shapes that seemed to dance and twist.
Gigi broke off from the group, her heart racing as she navigated the labyrinthine corridors. She knew exactly where to go—the servant's passages. They'd be empty at this hour, making them the perfect vantage point.
[Quiet as a shadow, Gigi moved through the narrow, dimly lit passageways, every sense on high alert. From her hidden vantage point, she spotted the bandits, still disguised as guards, gathering near the western wing of the castle. Their leader, a tall, scarred man with a cruel smile, was overseeing the looting of the royal armory.]
GIGI – "Perfect," [she thought, a plan forming in her mind. She crept closer, careful not to make a sound.]
Slowly, she reached into her satchel, pulling out a small coil of rope and a few glimmering metal caltrops. She glanced around, noting the narrow choke point of the hallway where the bandits would pass through. With practiced ease, she began setting her trap.
[First, she spread the caltrops across the ground, ensuring they were concealed under the shadows. Then, she tied the rope securely across two pillars, making a nearly invisible tripwire.]
GIGI – "Let's see how you like this," [she murmured under her breath, a grim smile forming on her lips.]
Just as she finished setting the trap, she heard the faint clinking of armor. The bandits were approaching. Gigi slipped behind a tapestry, holding her breath as the first of the disguised bandits rounded the corner. She watched as they strode forward, oblivious to the trap lying in wait.
BANDIT LEADER – "Keep moving! We don't have all night!" [His voice was harsh, commanding.]
The first bandit stepped onto the caltrops, a pained yelp escaping his lips as he stumbled forward, his boot punctured by the sharp metal spikes. Before he could react, his foot caught on the tripwire, sending him sprawling to the ground. The other bandits faltered, surprise and confusion flashing across their faces.
BANDIT 2 – "What the—?"
[But before they could recover, Gigi leaped out from her hiding place, brandishing a wooden staff she'd found earlier. She swung it with all her might, knocking the second bandit squarely in the chest. He staggered back, crashing into the others.]
GIGI – "Got you!" [Her voice rang out, filled with triumph.]
[The bandits scrambled, trying to regain their footing, but Gigi didn't give them a chance. She kicked another caltrop under the leader's feet, and he howled in pain as he collapsed, clutching his bleeding foot.]
GIGI – "Now, you're coming with me." [She leveled the staff at him, her eyes fierce and unyielding.]
The remaining bandits exchanged glances, fear overtaking their bravado. With their leader incapacitated, they knew they were trapped. One by one, they dropped their weapons, raising their hands in surrender.
[With a quick nod, Gigi gestured for Borton and Spike, who had been waiting nearby, to come help her. Together, they bound the bandits, securing them tightly.]
SPIKE – "Nice work, Gigi. What do we do now?"
GIGI – "We take them to the throne room. The king needs to see what's been happening right under his nose."
And with that, they dragged the struggling bandits through the castle halls, their boots thudding heavily against the stone floor.
[The throne room was abuzz with activity as the king's advisors, nobles, and guards gathered in a heated discussion. At the center, the king sat on his ornate throne, his brow furrowed as he listened to his son, Prince Rowan, who was speaking animatedly.]
PRINCE ROWAN – "Father, I warned you! These knights—" [he pointed accusingly at Spike, Borton, and Gigi as they entered, the captured bandits in tow] "—they're in league with these bandits! Why else would they bring them here?"
[A murmur rippled through the court as the assembled nobles turned their gaze to the three friends, suspicion and distrust evident in their eyes.]
KING – "Explain yourselves, knights," [the king's voice was calm, but there was an undercurrent of authority that demanded immediate obedience.]
[Gigi stepped forward, her head held high.]
GIGI – "Your Majesty, we captured these bandits as they attempted to rob the castle. They were impersonating guards and almost succeeded in looting the armory."
[She gestured to the bound bandits, who were kneeling on the floor, glaring up at the assembled nobles.]
BANDIT LEADER – "They're lying! We were set up!" [He snarled, but his words fell flat in the face of the evidence against him.]
[Prince Rowan's face flushed with anger. He took a step forward, his eyes blazing with fury.]
PRINCE ROWAN – "Father, I insist that they're hiding something. There's no way these knights could have thwarted such a plan unless they were part of it!"
The king regarded his son thoughtfully, then turned his gaze back to Gigi, Spike, and Borton. The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
KING – "Very well. If there are accusations against you, then we must settle this in the traditional way." [He leaned forward, his gaze piercing.]
KING – "You shall face our champion in a trial of combat. If you're truly innocent, you'll prevail and prove your worth. If not…" [He let the words hang in the air, the unspoken threat clear to everyone present.]
[The three friends exchanged uncertain glances. Trial by combat was a dangerous, often deadly affair. But there was no turning back now.]
SPIKE – "We'll do it," [he said firmly, stepping forward.]
The king nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
KING – "So be it. Prepare yourselves, knights. The trial will commence at dawn."
With that, the court erupted into murmurs, and the royal families looked on with a mix of curiosity and concern. Gigi, Spike, and Borton stood tall, their resolve unbroken despite the looming challenge.
As they exited the throne room, the weight of their situation settled heavily on their shoulders. They had captured the bandits, but now they faced a new enemy—one far more dangerous than any they had encountered before.
The trial of combat awaited them, and with it, the chance to prove their innocence once and for all.