S.Y. 317.2
(March 15, 2003)
Entrapment
By Sardel
From Sardel's
Journal
Sardel
looked up from the ledger. "I am sorry, I don't see anyway to avoid
it. The shoppe will have to close". He had been dreading to tell
the news to Ingram and Avena. They had faithfully served for years at
Scrolls by Sardel.
Ingram and Avena quietly left. They too had seen the end coming. People
no longer needed scrolls. They hoped that with their experience they
would be able to find another employer.
Sardel closed his ledger and sat there in silence. He hated giving things
up but it no longer made sense to run a business that did not make a
profit. Things had gone far enough that even the shoppe itself might
have to be sold.
A quick rap on the door drew Sardel out of his contemplation. Out of
the corner of his eye Sardel saw a time piece on the table. "Ahh..Ingram's
watch". Scooping up the watch he walked to the door and opened
it. "Here you go Ingram". Sardel suddenly stopped. The man
at the door was not Ingram. "I am sorry the shoppe is closed".
The man at the door looked closely at Sardel. "I am not here to
buy anything. I am here to see a man named Sardel. Be that ye?"
Sardel laughed to himself. Of course he had not come to buy anything.
"Yes I am Sardel. How can I help you?"
"I am looking for Sgt. Gertok. I was wondering if you knew where
he was." The man begin to twirl a small dagger while his eyes darted
around the shoppe.
Sardel thought for a moment. "Who? I am sorry, friend. I do not
know anyone named Gertok. If that is all I must be going. I do have
some important business to attend to."
"Yes, I am sure you do. However I find it odd that you have not
heard of Sgt. Gertok, he came looking for you a week ago. Yet you say
you know of no such man?"
"No I do not. Why would this Gertok be looking for me? Who are
you for that matter? You seem to know abit about my business and I know
nothing of you."
Rydoc paused for a moment. "My name is of no consequence to you.
You have bigger matters to be worried about. Namely the murder of Reebdoog,
you scum!"
Sardel's eyes widened, "Murder? Reebdoog is dead?"
Rydoc's face tightened in anger. "Enough of this foolishness. You
do not fool me. I have orders to bring you in for questioning. Will
you come peacefully?"
Sardel was starting to become angry himself. Who was this pompous ass
coming into his shoppe, throwing out wild accusations. "I think
there has been a mistake. But we had best get this matter cleared up.
I will come with you. I must grab my robe first however." With
that Sardel left to go upstairs.
Rydoc began to pace back and forth. Sardel's attempts at ignorance only
angered him further. As Rydoc began to move to head upstairs something
caught his eye. Wedged under a table was a sash that looked familiar.
Rydoc pulled the sash free and stared at the badge of the town guard
of Serpent's Hold stained red with blood.
At that moment Sardel came down the stairs. "Let us be done with
this. I have better things to do." Sardel moved to the door to
leave the shoppe.
"Aye let us be done with this indeed." Rydoc quickly slipped
behind Sardel and hit him on the back of the head with his dagger.
Sardel woke up with stars in his eyes and a ringing headache. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and felt the weight of shackles on his hands. As his surrondings came into focus Sardel found himself in a small stone room with an iron cell door.
