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Description
Waiting on the trial was the most boring thing in the world. Being kept in this cage was like back when he was recovering from the Rakkida attack, but this time, he wasn’t injured.

Chamberlain was never allowed out of the cage. He often felt bored out of his mind. He was fed the same food three times a day. It wasn’t enough to satisfy his hunger.

Wyneth and Byron were allowed to visit him, but never allowed in the cage with him.

Queen Athya never came down to see him. Only Suth or the guards did, and they gave him nothing but awful lectures and stares. Sil would glare back or not look at them at all.

Outside of the prison, Wyneth and Byron were trying their hardest to get Sil’s name in the clear. But Bodo was the only surviving witness and he was still not talking. The one adult who had been unconscious had unfortunately died of his wounds.

The Gelflings also buried or cremated their dead too in that amount of time.

The day of the trial finally came. Many guards came with weapons at the ready should he try anything.

“It’s time for the trial, Skeksis.” Suth said.

Chamberlain was ready to get himself in the clear.

He was taken to the meeting house again. It had the majority of the Gelfling village there. He was looked upon with distain. He was taken to the middle of the floor and there he faced Queen Athya.

Witnesses were called and they all had their own bad stories to tell about Chamberlain. In many of those cases, he had only done his job as the messenger.

Then even came the female Gelfling that he had talked to.

“I had thought he was going to take my child. But he was practically advancing on me to take it from me.”

“I never did that!” Sil said.

“Enough, Chamberlain! You will get your say when you are asked, not before.” Athya said.

Sil only remembered asking that female for advice on how to care for himself while he was pregnant, though had never told he was expecting, so why would he have need to take her child?

It only seemed like Byron and Wyneth had good stories to tell about him until Athya told of some of his duties that he had done, which she had approved on. She had been proud of him being her messenger, but this didn’t excuse, in their eyes, what he had done.

At the end of it all, Sil was finally allowed to talk. He explained again like he felt he had done a thousand times already.

When he was done, he looked hopelessly up at the queen, that he hoped she believed him.

“He hasn’t changed his story at all.” Suth said.

“Chamberlain, I know you have done a lot for me, but based on these accusations, and sayings, I will render my verdict in the morning.” Athya said.

Sil was taken back to the prison. He wanted the verdict now. He hated that cell.

“So what is the verdict, my queen?” Suth asked.

“There are just so many that just don’t trust him. I don’t think it’s wise for him to stay here.” Athya said.

“You’re going to let him go? Not after what he did!” Suth shouted.

“I’m not going to have him killed, Suth. He can find another way of life away from here. He’s not going to be alone for long.” Athya said.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not going to kill him, especially when I found out from both him and Wyneth that Sil has a rather delicate condition going on.” Athya said.

“What? His mentality of what he did?”

“No. He said he’s part female too, and having been with one of the others before he was banished, he’s actually carrying a child.” Athya said.

Suth was wide eyed.

“How far along is he? Or should I say she?”

“That’s just it, we don’t know, but Wyneth is sure that he’s half way to nearly at term.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t give him the chance to have the child. It would be the ultimate payback.”

“No. I’m going to let him go on that condition.” Athya said.

“Very well, my queen.” Suth said, but he wasn’t done with Sil yet. He still had till the morning.
……………..

Chamberlain just sat in his cell again, waiting for the morning when his fate would be sealed. Not long after, he heard steps approaching.

Suth stepped into the room again.

“What do you want?” Sil said grumpily. He really hated this Gelfling.

“I heard about your little secret, Sil.” Suth said.

“What secret?” Sil knew he could be good at keeping secrets and when to tell them.

“That precious little secret that you carry inside you at the moment I was told.” Suth said.

How could he know, unless… Athya told him!

“After what you did, you don’t deserve to have that reward. If it were up to me, I would see it removed!”

“NO! You are not getting it from me!” Sil stood up, putting his arms in front of him, shielding his belly.

Suth now saw the proof of a pregnancy. He was that defensive.

Sil hadn’t wanted to kill any of the Gelfling before now, but this one was really pushing it. If he had to, he would kill him to protect his child. Why did Suth have to keep pushing his buttons? He had never done anything to him.

“I never did anything to your people! I never did anything to you. Just leave me alone!” Sil cried out at him. He turned his back to the Gelfling, for now.

“I got what I needed. To confirm you were carrying a child.” Suth replied.

Sil turned his head.

“Enjoy your time there.” Suth said as he left laughing.

Chamberlain cradled his stomach. He wasn’t going to let anyone take his child from him. Now he knew he needed to get out of here for his child’s sake.

That night, Chamberlain was deprived of food and water. Athya had ordered him fed, but it was all Suth’s idea to do it.

His baby squirmed about so much, his stomach growled constantly, and he felt his mouth get real dry. He did his best to keep stimulating saliva. It was one miserable evening for him.

Later in the night, after Chamberlain had fallen asleep, but he was awoken to a loud noise just outside the room. He heard some crashing about and thuds, and what sounded like punching and hitting.

Then, to Sil’s surprise, Byron came into the room. His eyes lit up. “Byron! What are you doing here?” He came to the door.

“Getting you out of here.” Byron said, then he held something up in his hand. It was the key!

Byron unlocked the door and let him out. “We can’t wait for the queen’s verdict. She might have you killed for something you didn’t do.”

Sil happily followed his friend out of the prison.

“We need to be quiet now, if we’re going to get out of the village.” Byron said.

“Yes.” Sil said in a low voice. He saw the unconscious guards on the way out. To see that meant that Byron had risked his life to get in here to save him.

They both stayed low and quiet and Byron led Chamberlain to the outside of the village, to Wyneth’s home, where she was waiting for them.

“It’s good to be out of the cage.” Sil finally said something.

“We can imagine.” Byron said.

“So what now?” Sil asked.

“I have all my supplies packed and ready to go.” Wyneth said.

“The Mounders are ready, Chamberlain.” Byron said.

“I’m taking a Mounder, by myself?” Sil asked.

“No. We are. You’re riding with me on mine. Wyneth is taking her own. At least since all the Gelfling women have had their babies, they don’t need Wyneth that much now. Right now, it’s your turn.”

Chamberlain was surprised that two Gelfling were this concerned about him to help him escape. And he had been charged with something he never did.

“Do you have any water or food?” Sil asked.

“You can have some water, but right now, we need to get going before those guards wake up and discover we are gone.” Byron said. He handed a wineskin to his taller friend.

Sil downed the water greedily. He was so thirsty. He just needed enough to wet his mouth.

“Ok, that’s enough. We need to go now.” Wyneth said.

Sil put the lid back on and gave it back. “Hmmm.” He whimpered in pleasure just from having his thirst satisfied.

Then the two Gelflings and Skeksis headed away from the home.

“We might be back someday, but not now.” Wyneth said to Byron.

“I don’t care if I ever come back here. I’ve always been an outsider here too.” Byron said. “I’m up for this all the way.”

Chamberlain smiled. This was one and both Gelflings he could trust. They were, after all, saving his life, again. He wouldn’t think Queen Athya would order him killed, after all he had done for her, but when she had seen and believed the other Gelfling over him, that made him change his mind. And she had given away his precious secret. It made her a betrayer.

They all filed to the field where the Mounders were waiting. Byron made a call and two of them laid down. The rest stayed standing.

“That one’s mine.” Byron said to the one in the front. “Get on.”

Chamberlain got onto its back. Byron got on next. Wyneth got on hers. Then Byron gave another sound, like a chirp, and it got them up.

The movement was something Sil wasn’t used to. He was very nervous. “Agh!”

“It’s alright, they won’t do anything. Just hold on to their hair.” Byron said.

“But should I worry about the baby?” Sil asked.

“You should be just fine, Chamberlain.” Wyneth said. “Byron, just keep the ride nice and smooth for him. I found out not long ago that he is actually carrying a child or children.”

“I didn’t know that. But okay, that’s another reason to get him out of here.” Byron agreed.
“I’ll make it as smooth as possible. Like I said, just hold on.” Then he made another signal and then the Mounders were off. They headed east.

“Where are we going?” Sil asked.

“Just choosing one direction and going there. We’ll worry about it later. We may ride all night if we have to.” Byron said.

“We’ll stop and camp somewhere when we get far enough away. He needs rest, Byron.” Wyneth said.

For Chamberlain, it was nice actually having some true friends for a change, and they weren’t slaves.

They settled into the ride, and even Sil remained quiet. He was soon able to relax on the Mounder. He hoped the movement hadn’t stressed his baby.

After riding maybe over six miles, it was nearly dawn and that was when Byron pulled the Mounders up.

“We’ll make camp here.” He said.

Sil was ready to fall asleep. “Hmmm. Tired.”

“You can sleep shortly.” Wyneth said.

The Mounders laid down and their passengers got off. Chamberlain was glad for his feet to be on the ground again. It had been a pretty smooth ride.

The Gelflings unpacked some stuff and Wyneth gave Sil something. He unrolled it and it was something to lay on.

He watched as his friends spread theirs out. Then he did the same. “Won’t they come looking for us?” Sil asked.

“I’m sure they will, but with having ridden the Mounders, we got pretty far away. The Mounders are usually what carry our people when they do go on adventures. But now, they’re all here.” Byron said.

“Here, Chamberlain. This should get some food into you for you and the baby for now.” Wyneth said, handing him a loaf of bread.

“Thanks.”

Sil managed to eat half of it before wanting to sleep. Then Wyneth wrapped it back up.

The Skeksis was out like a light once he was comfortable enough. The pregnancy and stress of the escape had wore him out.

“Send the Mounders into hiding.” Wyneth said.

Byron ordered the Mounders into the woods close by and hid themselves for sleep. They couldn’t light a fire as it would give away their hiding spot in the daylight if the Gelflings came looking for them.

Wyneth and Byron settled down to sleep too. But one Mounder remained close by to watch for any trouble.
…………….

The guards had awoken a little while after the escape and found their prisoner was gone. They alerted Suth and the queen.

“No! Let him go! My verdict was he was to be exiled anyway, for his own good. He did me a good service for awhile, but he will not be killed.” Athya said.

The guards stopped for now, but later on, it was found out that Byron and Wyneth were gone too. They were the Chamberlain’s closest allies after all.

Suth tracked the Mounders’ tracks only so far to the east. It was too far. He would let them go.

Then, many days later, when the shock finally wore off, little Bodo started talking again and he cleared Sil’s name when he said that large, black shelled creatures had killed his father and the other adults that had been with him that day. He remembered the Skeksis telling them off.

Athya couldn’t have felt more guilty that she hadn’t believed Sil. Suth felt ridiculous too. The whole village was guilty of the same fault. They all heard Sil had saved Bodo and believed him. But it was too late to tell Sil the good news.

Description
Waiting on the trial was the most boring thing in the world. Being kept in this cage was like back when he was recovering from the Rakkida attack, but this time, he wasn’t injured.

Chamberlain was never allowed out of the cage. He often felt bored out of his mind. He was fed the same food three times a day. It wasn’t enough to satisfy his hunger.

Wyneth and Byron were allowed to visit him, but never allowed in the cage with him.

Queen Athya never came down to see him. Only Suth or the guards did, and they gave him nothing but awful lectures and stares. Sil would glare back or not look at them at all.

Outside of the prison, Wyneth and Byron were trying their hardest to get Sil’s name in the clear. But Bodo was the only surviving witness and he was still not talking. The one adult who had been unconscious had unfortunately died of his wounds.

The Gelflings also buried or cremated their dead too in that amount of time.

The day of the trial finally came. Many guards came with weapons at the ready should he try anything.

“It’s time for the trial, Skeksis.” Suth said.

Chamberlain was ready to get himself in the clear.

He was taken to the meeting house again. It had the majority of the Gelfling village there. He was looked upon with distain. He was taken to the middle of the floor and there he faced Queen Athya.

Witnesses were called and they all had their own bad stories to tell about Chamberlain. In many of those cases, he had only done his job as the messenger.

Then even came the female Gelfling that he had talked to.

“I had thought he was going to take my child. But he was practically advancing on me to take it from me.”

“I never did that!” Sil said.

“Enough, Chamberlain! You will get your say when you are asked, not before.” Athya said.

Sil only remembered asking that female for advice on how to care for himself while he was pregnant, though had never told he was expecting, so why would he have need to take her child?

It only seemed like Byron and Wyneth had good stories to tell about him until Athya told of some of his duties that he had done, which she had approved on. She had been proud of him being her messenger, but this didn’t excuse, in their eyes, what he had done.

At the end of it all, Sil was finally allowed to talk. He explained again like he felt he had done a thousand times already.

When he was done, he looked hopelessly up at the queen, that he hoped she believed him.

“He hasn’t changed his story at all.” Suth said.

“Chamberlain, I know you have done a lot for me, but based on these accusations, and sayings, I will render my verdict in the morning.” Athya said.

Sil was taken back to the prison. He wanted the verdict now. He hated that cell.

“So what is the verdict, my queen?” Suth asked.

“There are just so many that just don’t trust him. I don’t think it’s wise for him to stay here.” Athya said.

“You’re going to let him go? Not after what he did!” Suth shouted.

“I’m not going to have him killed, Suth. He can find another way of life away from here. He’s not going to be alone for long.” Athya said.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not going to kill him, especially when I found out from both him and Wyneth that Sil has a rather delicate condition going on.” Athya said.

“What? His mentality of what he did?”

“No. He said he’s part female too, and having been with one of the others before he was banished, he’s actually carrying a child.” Athya said.

Suth was wide eyed.

“How far along is he? Or should I say she?”

“That’s just it, we don’t know, but Wyneth is sure that he’s half way to nearly at term.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t give him the chance to have the child. It would be the ultimate payback.”

“No. I’m going to let him go on that condition.” Athya said.

“Very well, my queen.” Suth said, but he wasn’t done with Sil yet. He still had till the morning.
……………..

Chamberlain just sat in his cell again, waiting for the morning when his fate would be sealed. Not long after, he heard steps approaching.

Suth stepped into the room again.

“What do you want?” Sil said grumpily. He really hated this Gelfling.

“I heard about your little secret, Sil.” Suth said.

“What secret?” Sil knew he could be good at keeping secrets and when to tell them.

“That precious little secret that you carry inside you at the moment I was told.” Suth said.

How could he know, unless… Athya told him!

“After what you did, you don’t deserve to have that reward. If it were up to me, I would see it removed!”

“NO! You are not getting it from me!” Sil stood up, putting his arms in front of him, shielding his belly.

Suth now saw the proof of a pregnancy. He was that defensive.

Sil hadn’t wanted to kill any of the Gelfling before now, but this one was really pushing it. If he had to, he would kill him to protect his child. Why did Suth have to keep pushing his buttons? He had never done anything to him.

“I never did anything to your people! I never did anything to you. Just leave me alone!” Sil cried out at him. He turned his back to the Gelfling, for now.

“I got what I needed. To confirm you were carrying a child.” Suth replied.

Sil turned his head.

“Enjoy your time there.” Suth said as he left laughing.

Chamberlain cradled his stomach. He wasn’t going to let anyone take his child from him. Now he knew he needed to get out of here for his child’s sake.

That night, Chamberlain was deprived of food and water. Athya had ordered him fed, but it was all Suth’s idea to do it.

His baby squirmed about so much, his stomach growled constantly, and he felt his mouth get real dry. He did his best to keep stimulating saliva. It was one miserable evening for him.

Later in the night, after Chamberlain had fallen asleep, but he was awoken to a loud noise just outside the room. He heard some crashing about and thuds, and what sounded like punching and hitting.

Then, to Sil’s surprise, Byron came into the room. His eyes lit up. “Byron! What are you doing here?” He came to the door.

“Getting you out of here.” Byron said, then he held something up in his hand. It was the key!

Byron unlocked the door and let him out. “We can’t wait for the queen’s verdict. She might have you killed for something you didn’t do.”

Sil happily followed his friend out of the prison.

“We need to be quiet now, if we’re going to get out of the village.” Byron said.

“Yes.” Sil said in a low voice. He saw the unconscious guards on the way out. To see that meant that Byron had risked his life to get in here to save him.

They both stayed low and quiet and Byron led Chamberlain to the outside of the village, to Wyneth’s home, where she was waiting for them.

“It’s good to be out of the cage.” Sil finally said something.

“We can imagine.” Byron said.

“So what now?” Sil asked.

“I have all my supplies packed and ready to go.” Wyneth said.

“The Mounders are ready, Chamberlain.” Byron said.

“I’m taking a Mounder, by myself?” Sil asked.

“No. We are. You’re riding with me on mine. Wyneth is taking her own. At least since all the Gelfling women have had their babies, they don’t need Wyneth that much now. Right now, it’s your turn.”

Chamberlain was surprised that two Gelfling were this concerned about him to help him escape. And he had been charged with something he never did.

“Do you have any water or food?” Sil asked.

“You can have some water, but right now, we need to get going before those guards wake up and discover we are gone.” Byron said. He handed a wineskin to his taller friend.

Sil downed the water greedily. He was so thirsty. He just needed enough to wet his mouth.

“Ok, that’s enough. We need to go now.” Wyneth said.

Sil put the lid back on and gave it back. “Hmmm.” He whimpered in pleasure just from having his thirst satisfied.

Then the two Gelflings and Skeksis headed away from the home.

“We might be back someday, but not now.” Wyneth said to Byron.

“I don’t care if I ever come back here. I’ve always been an outsider here too.” Byron said. “I’m up for this all the way.”

Chamberlain smiled. This was one and both Gelflings he could trust. They were, after all, saving his life, again. He wouldn’t think Queen Athya would order him killed, after all he had done for her, but when she had seen and believed the other Gelfling over him, that made him change his mind. And she had given away his precious secret. It made her a betrayer.

They all filed to the field where the Mounders were waiting. Byron made a call and two of them laid down. The rest stayed standing.

“That one’s mine.” Byron said to the one in the front. “Get on.”

Chamberlain got onto its back. Byron got on next. Wyneth got on hers. Then Byron gave another sound, like a chirp, and it got them up.

The movement was something Sil wasn’t used to. He was very nervous. “Agh!”

“It’s alright, they won’t do anything. Just hold on to their hair.” Byron said.

“But should I worry about the baby?” Sil asked.

“You should be just fine, Chamberlain.” Wyneth said. “Byron, just keep the ride nice and smooth for him. I found out not long ago that he is actually carrying a child or children.”

“I didn’t know that. But okay, that’s another reason to get him out of here.” Byron agreed.
“I’ll make it as smooth as possible. Like I said, just hold on.” Then he made another signal and then the Mounders were off. They headed east.

“Where are we going?” Sil asked.

“Just choosing one direction and going there. We’ll worry about it later. We may ride all night if we have to.” Byron said.

“We’ll stop and camp somewhere when we get far enough away. He needs rest, Byron.” Wyneth said.

For Chamberlain, it was nice actually having some true friends for a change, and they weren’t slaves.

They settled into the ride, and even Sil remained quiet. He was soon able to relax on the Mounder. He hoped the movement hadn’t stressed his baby.

After riding maybe over six miles, it was nearly dawn and that was when Byron pulled the Mounders up.

“We’ll make camp here.” He said.

Sil was ready to fall asleep. “Hmmm. Tired.”

“You can sleep shortly.” Wyneth said.

The Mounders laid down and their passengers got off. Chamberlain was glad for his feet to be on the ground again. It had been a pretty smooth ride.

The Gelflings unpacked some stuff and Wyneth gave Sil something. He unrolled it and it was something to lay on.

He watched as his friends spread theirs out. Then he did the same. “Won’t they come looking for us?” Sil asked.

“I’m sure they will, but with having ridden the Mounders, we got pretty far away. The Mounders are usually what carry our people when they do go on adventures. But now, they’re all here.” Byron said.

“Here, Chamberlain. This should get some food into you for you and the baby for now.” Wyneth said, handing him a loaf of bread.

“Thanks.”

Sil managed to eat half of it before wanting to sleep. Then Wyneth wrapped it back up.

The Skeksis was out like a light once he was comfortable enough. The pregnancy and stress of the escape had wore him out.

“Send the Mounders into hiding.” Wyneth said.

Byron ordered the Mounders into the woods close by and hid themselves for sleep. They couldn’t light a fire as it would give away their hiding spot in the daylight if the Gelflings came looking for them.

Wyneth and Byron settled down to sleep too. But one Mounder remained close by to watch for any trouble.
…………….

The guards had awoken a little while after the escape and found their prisoner was gone. They alerted Suth and the queen.

“No! Let him go! My verdict was he was to be exiled anyway, for his own good. He did me a good service for awhile, but he will not be killed.” Athya said.

The guards stopped for now, but later on, it was found out that Byron and Wyneth were gone too. They were the Chamberlain’s closest allies after all.

Suth tracked the Mounders’ tracks only so far to the east. It was too far. He would let them go.

Then, many days later, when the shock finally wore off, little Bodo started talking again and he cleared Sil’s name when he said that large, black shelled creatures had killed his father and the other adults that had been with him that day. He remembered the Skeksis telling them off.

Athya couldn’t have felt more guilty that she hadn’t believed Sil. Suth felt ridiculous too. The whole village was guilty of the same fault. They all heard Sil had saved Bodo and believed him. But it was too late to tell Sil the good news.