Virtue hums quietly to herself as she sorts through the latest stack of mail that arrived with the last caravan. Most of it was mundane or routine, but one particular letter catches her eye: a notice of a wanted criminal. She reluctantly opened the note and read the contents, and her heart sinks. In particular, mention is made of a pony with black fur, a red mane, red eyes, a violent disposition, a dagger and a cog for his cutie mark, huge burn scar on his side, and who always carries around an old crossbow. He is considered very dangerous.
There was only one pony in Dawnpick that matched that description, and he matched it too well to ignore: Jaxler. He was wanted for major theft... at least it wasn't for something like murder. But what would she do? Should she bring Jaxler in for questioning or ignore the new letter? Jaxler had his problems in the past, but he'd mostly come to terms with everything in Dawnpick and hadn't caused any violent upsets in a long time.
She lets out a long sigh and stares at the letter for some time. It... was probably best to talk to him about it. She wasn't convinced she was going to arrest him or anything like that... but she needed to talk to him. And if he became violent... she didn't want to be alone. She could go find Partisan or somepony else in the guard to find him, but maybe somepony in the militia would be better. He might not suspect anything if one of them asked him to come see her.
She stands and makes for the door, hoping she could find somepony in the militia mostly covertly. Jaxler was probably sleeping off a drinking binge right now anyway.
A copper-furred unicorn paced down the dark, stone-floored hallway, the only light being the greenish glow cast from her telekinetic magic. The energetic aura she emitted from her spiral horn was being used to carry her weapon of choice; a mildly-worn axe with a noticeable chip in one of its dull, silvery blades. She planned on having it sharpened after all of the use she put it through. Though it was composed of tough metal, hacking through bones year after year had taken its toll on the edge.
"Don't worry, I'll get you back into blood-spilling shape soon enough," Sarissa hummed to herself with a smirk.
As Sarissa makes her way along to the weaponsmiths to have her weapon tended to, she bumps into Virtue, who is just leaving the empty barracks. Virtue flags her down with a worried wave of her hoof and trots over to her. "Sarissa, I'm glad to see you. I... need your help. Have you seen Jaxler lately?"
Virtue cringes mentally at the small bow, but decides not to say anything. Telling ponies to stop doing it hadn't gotten her anywhere, so she was just going to have to get used to it. She gives Sarissa a nervous glance before looking over her shoulder.
"Um, thank you Sarissa. Could you go find Jaxler for me and bring him to my office? And... if you could... try not to make it a scene. Just tell him I want to see him, okay?"
She raised one of her eyebrows, "Make a scene? What'd he do, exactly?"
Her interest grows.
"I... I'm not sure. He's just... been known to be excitable is all." Virtue flounders over her words for a moment. "It's nothing, sorry, just ask him to come see me. And... come with him, please."
She was hoping for something a little more interesting than a simple retrieval task, but Sarissa would do anything for her Lady.
"As you wish, Lady Virtue."
She gives a final bow before making off to the first logical place to search; Jaxler's room.
"Looks like that sharpening will have to wait for a few minutes. Be patient, my dear," Sarissa tells her levitating axe before kissing it softly.
Jaxler woke up, he was on the floor next to his bed. He got up and realized that he had a nasty head ache and didn't remember list night. he then took in his surroundings, there was an empty barrel of booze of in the corner, and his crossbow was under it. He also noticed that there was a large dent in the wall and his cabinet was knocked over. Jaxler went over and inspected his crossbow and sighed when he found it was unharmed. Then Jaxler heard a loud knock on his door.
"WHO'S THERE?"
Sarissa's eyes narrowed in annoyance at the yelling that emanated from within the closed room.
"It's Sarissa. Your presence is required by Lady Virtue. How about opening up, huh?"
Jaxler walked up to the door and opened it up
"Aye, there Sarissa. Can you tell Virtue to talk to me tater in the day?"
He looked rough. Probably another night of drunken revelry. Pity. The unicorn moved her ax in to block the door from shutting.
"Sorry sleepy, but Lady Virtue wishes to see you now. I'm here to make sure that she gets her wish."
Jaxler gave Sarissa an angry glare
"Fine, let me go Grab my freaking crossbow."
"That's better..." the mare responded, growling internally at his bad attitude.
She stood and watched as he went back in. Now what would he want his weapon for? She would keep her eye closely on him.
Jaxler took longer than necessary to grab his crossbow, he also grabbed his quiver and some bolts and made his way back out the door.
"I don't go anywhere without my crossbow."
"After you."
The unicorn marched behind him, wary of what he may try to do. She continued thinking of possible reasons for Virtue wanting him. More importantly, why would she have wanted him escorted?
Jaxler starts walking to the keep.
"So, do you know what Virtue wan't to see me?"
"I had asked the same of her, but she wouldn't given me a straight answer. Whatever it was, it was something that seemed to make her uncomfortable. Makes you wonder why she requested for me to bring you back myself, doesn't it? Apparently she didn't want you walking there yourself. Have you done something to upset my Lady, Jaxler?"
"Sarissa, I honestly don't know what I do past 9 PM. So, if I did anything really bad recently I doubt that I'd remember it"
Kat has decided that it's time she brings the matter of Jaxler's behavior to the highest authority in the fort. Which happens to be Virtue, She stood there in front of the door in her guard's uniform for a moment, gathering herself and what she prepared to say so she won't make some sort of a mistake once inside, then Knocks on the door "Lady Virtue? Are you busy?" She called in.
Virtue trots over to the door and opens it, unsure of what she'd find. When she sees Kat alone, she replies, "Oh, Kat. I... uh, I am a bit busy. Could you wait out here for a bit? I've got to see somepony else, I'll be with you shortly."
Kat raises an eyebrow, seeing that Virtue seems to be Nervous about something "Oh, Okay Baroness. I'll just, uh, wait here. It's nothing urgent so, don't worry about it."
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me," Sarissa snorts as they near Virtue's office.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Sarissa groans.
"Do I really need to spell it out for you? You're a drunkard. Plain and simple."
Kat comes into view, though Sarissa does not realize why she is there.
"You'd be a lot better off if you learned how to criticize ponies without insulting them like a jackass."
Just as Jaxler finishes responding to Sarissa he realizes that they are close to the keep and that Kat was sitting outside the building in full uniform, which was strange.
She rolled her eyes, "I just call 'em as I see 'em, Jaxxy. I say more ponies should have the backbone to do the same."
Sarissa motioned to Kat, "Is Lady Virtue still in her office? I've done my duty as requested of her."
Kat waved slightly to both of them before answering Sarissa "Yeah, Lady Virtue's still inside. She seems nervous.. i wonder what's up."
Jaxler gave Sarissa a nasty glare. he then walked up to the keep's door and knocked on it.
"AYE VIRTUE, WE'RE HERE"
Her heart skips a beat as the moment arrives. She paces back to her seat and takes a moment to even her breathing. "Come in," she calls, trying to keep her voice level. This probably wasn't going to end well.
Sarissa enters the room as requested, although she does not take a seat. This was probably a matter strictly between Virtue and Jaxler. Besides, it may be best to guard the door, just in case anypony else might come in and interrupt them. Sarissa liked to be on her feet often just in case there is a need for rapid reflexes.
Jaxler walked in, and took a seat.
"So... Virtue, what exactly is it that you want to talk to me about?"
Virtue nervously taps her hooves together, wishing in the time she'd spent thinking up to this point she had an easy way to break this to Jaxler. Worse still, she'd completely forgotten she asked Sarissa to come inside too. She'd have to say this where Sarissa would hear it... what to do? Guess there was only one thing... "Well, it's... um..."
She slides the paper across to him. Motioning to it. "...this came in the mail bundle with the last caravan..." she began, hoping she didn't have to connect the dots for him out loud.
Jaxler started reading the paper and as soon as he realized what the document was he about panicked. Jaxler's body froze and his eyes turned to little tiny dots when he came to the realization that he practically walked into a trap. He had no way to escape for there where two armed ponies on ether side of the only exit. All he could do was sit there.
"What... I... what the hell do you plan on doing to me?"
Taking note of the unusual change in Jaxler's mood, Sarissa twisted her face in confusion. What had been on that paper?
She chews her lip indecisively for a few moments. A good question. "I... I don't know. I suppose I should first ask... is this true? And is that about you? Am I making a mistake?" she asks honestly.
"I can't answer that question."
She lowers her eyes. That's all he had to say. "I... see... I suppose that means that it is true." What now? "Jaxler... if... if this is true... then... I'm not sure what I should do..."
"If at all possible, I'd prefer to keep my life"
Now this was interesting. If Jaxler feared for his life, then he must have committed some great offense.
Sarissa's muscles tense as she mentally grips her ax more tightly with telekinetic power.
Her eyes go wide at the implication that she'd ever consider executing somepony. "Wh-what? I.. I'd never! I mean... no, the... the normal course of action would be to send you back to Coupledye for prosecution... but... I... I'm not sure... if I should..."
"Why the hell not? Does the idea of sticking me in a small, cold iron cage with no food and just enough water to keep me from dying during my deportation to Coupledye, and getting executed once reaching the city, make you feel uncomfortable?"
Virtue blinks in bafflement for a moment. "Well... yes, it does. Jaxler... I... I don't know every detail... but I don't think you deserve death. You... we've had our differences in the past... but I think you're a good pony at heart." She nervously traces a hoof across her desk. "I... don't think I'm going to respond to the letter... but I'm not sure what else to do..."
"You could burn that document and pretend this never happened."
She nods slowly, having actually considered such a thing. But now Sarissa knew about it. Or that Jaxler had done something quite bad. It was likely only a matter of time before the other ponies found out. Then what? Would they be outraged that a criminal was part of the guard, doling out justice? Much less second in command?
"I... don't know if I can do that. I fear what will happen if everypony else finds out." She motions to Sarissa. "Even if only we knew... I fear that others will get similar letters, or see them on caravans. I'm not sure if they would trust you being in the guard..."
"I'm not leaving the guard and what happens if such letters don't get sent out and nopony ever knows about this aside from me you and Sarissa?"
"Well... I... suppose..." she trails off, unsure of what she even wanted now. "...what were you charged with, exactly?"
"More accounts of grand theft then one could keep count of."
Sarissa flinches, "Wh-what?!" The unicorn's eyes widen as she looks back and forth between Virtue and Jaxler, as if searching for an explanation among their expressions. Her face then contorts into a grimace as she lowers her head, "We've have a master thief in the guard this whole time?! Have you stolen from us, too?!"
Jaxler gazed angrily at Sarissa.
"I haven't stolen anything in 7 years, and if I had stolen something, I would have fled Dawnpick the moment I got my hoofs on it. IN FACT, I came to this little outpost planning on ending my life as a thief."
Virtue feels a knot of apprehension grow inside her. Perhaps Sarissa wasn't the best pony to have present for this. She was a dedicated soldier, but from what she'd heard she was a bit... enthusiastic... about fighting. Jaxler was easily provoked too. She had to do something to ease the tension... but what could she do?
What was she supposed to do? Jaxler was a wanted criminal, and even if she wanted to just sweep all of this under a rug and pretend she'd never even seen the letter, it was too late now. Sarissa knew, and the first rule about keeping secrets is to tell nopony. The moment somepony else finds out about it, it's no longer under your control and will get out eventually. What to do... what to do...?
And Jaxler should be held accountable for his crimes. If Flux had to be held accountable for attacking Glaive, then Jaxler should be accountable for what must have amounted to an immense number of bits in theft. But if she turned him in to Coupledye, they may well kill him, and she couldn't live with herself knowing she'd signed somepony off to their death. And he didn't deserve that. But what did he deserve? He hadn't stolen from anypony here. And maybe he was telling the truth about wanting to turn over to a new page in his life in Dawnpick.
"E-Everypony... please, let's calm down. I-I need to think a moment..."
Maybe she should speak to Partisan? He might know what to do... dealing with criminals was his job, not hers directly. And he was Jaxler's captain, he deserved to know about this if anypony did.
At Virtue's request, the brown mare lowered her levitating ax, which had been subconsciously raised during her initial shock. She attempted to control the aggression in her voice, "Well...if you're looking for suggestions, my Lady, might I suggest that we lock him up until a decision is made? I don't like the idea of letting him roam freely. He could well use the opportunity to flee, and I don't think we can have that. Besides, once he is locked up we can do a thorough search of his room to determine if he is being truthful or not."
She never took her eyes off of Jaxler.
"I'm not going to let anypony search my room, but I will understand if you want me locked up. Just so long as you let me have a decent amount of booze and my crossbow, and if you promise me that I'm not going to get executed."
That was an improvement... if Jaxler was being cooperative she could at least sort this out on her own time and decide what to do. She definitely wanted Partisan's input though.
She nods slowly and stands. "I'd never execute anypony. But... I think I need to speak to Partisan about this. He's the final authority about these matters, aside from me... and I want to know what he thinks... I can't make any promises right now..."
If Jaxler didn't want them searching his room, that meant he might be hiding something. She didn't want to violate his privacy, but if she had to... she would. She wouldn't do it without Partisan's agreement though.
"Yeah, we should let Partisan know of this. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to have this little piece of information," Sarissa stated sarcastically.
The offended feelings in her heart were joined by eagerness as she slowly spun the ax around in the air, "So, shall I cage Jaxler for you, my Lady?"
"WAIT, I ain't going in no cage, I'm fine with a jail cell but I ain't going in no cage!"
"N-No... that won't be necessary Sarissa. The... the jail cells are just down there," she says, pointing off to a door at the far side of her office. She takes a moment to look Jaxler in the eyes, and lets out a deep sigh. "Jaxler... do you have anything to hide from us? If... if you tell me now... I can... lessen any penalties. I don't plan on searching your room, but if Partisan thinks we should... then I will side with his decision."
"I have some items that I cannot and will not allow any pony to confiscate."
"Define stolen..."
"I see that metaphors are lost on you, Jaxxy," Sarissa responds, in reference to her calling the jail cell a cage.
After his last line, she points a hoof at him in accusation.
"Ah ha! So you do have something to hide! Who'd you take it from? It better not be from me!"
"Stolen..." Her expression grows worried. This probably wouldn't end well at all. "...I suppose we wouldn't know if it's something stolen from somewhere other than Dawnpick, but we'll have to use our judgment. Again, I can't make any promises, about anything."
"Okay then, also I need to know if I'll be getting any booze while I'm in Jail?"
"I'll see what I can do. It probably wouldn't do you well to be cut off from it completely abruptly." She looks to Sarissa. "I suppose you should go ahead and take him down to the jails. I need to speak with Kat."
"At your will, my Lady." Sarissa motions to Jaxler with her ax, "Alright pally, time to go to the stony lonesome."
"Is it fine if I bring my crossbow with me, so long as I don't keep any bolts?"
She nods after a brief moment. "I... think that will be fine. Just leave your quiver here."
Sarissa pushes the door open, "Just don't try any funny business, or Elegy will have to take a bite out of you."
Jaxler took off his quiver and left on the ground next to him. He then walked over to the prison entrance.
"Why the hell would I try to do anything 'funny' to a pony who has full metal armor and an axe?"
"I can never be too trusting of a thief, now can I?
She taps him on the rear with the broad side of her ax.
"Now let's get a move on."
Jaxler sighed and said "I'm not a thief anymore" and went down the stairs. The place was dark smelly and didn't seem very pleasant but it wasn't the worst hole he'd even been trapped in. "So, which one of these cells is mine?"
"Um..."
Virtue hadn't told her where to put him, but all four of the cells looked more or less the same. She hoped that it didn't matter.
The unicorn groaned, "Oh, I don't know...just hop in one. Each is as gross as the next."
Jaxler walked into the closest cell
"Well, buck this isn't going to be very pleasant."
The unicorn shuts the cell door and clicks the lock into place.
"I'd say that's rather appropriate. Look at the vomit stains in there. At least that should be familiar to you, my dear wino."
Sarissa begins to trot off back to Virtue's office, wondering what kind of things Jaxler may have hidden away in his room. Would Partisan allow a search of it? What punishment would he recommend?
Jaxler sat down on the cold ground an laid his crossbow on the floor right next to him. Jaxler didn't know how long he was going to be down in the cell. He also didn't have the slightest clue what was going to happen to him now, and he didn't completely trust Virtue when she said that she wasn't going to execute him. So, all he could do now was sit down in the dark smelly room, and hope that he got a barrel of booze before his sanity gave up on him.
Sarissa's concerns were calmed for the time being. Jaxler was in jail, and even if he did escape, he didn't have any bolts with him. Unless, perhaps, he was hiding some on his person somewhere. Sarissa kept that possibility in mind...
"The deed is done, my Lady," Sarissa saluted Virtue after returning to her office, "Would you have me see if I can find Partisan?"
"Yes, please do that. Thank you," she responds, returning to her seat with a heavy drop. Every day... every day it seemed she was learning something new to stress her out... "Oh, and send Kat in when you see her, please."
With a bow of respect, Sarissa complies, "Will do, my Lady."
The unicorn mare steps outside, browsing the area for the pony aforementioned, "Kat? Lady Virtue will see you now."
With that said, Sarissa began her search for Partisan. As her girded hooves clicked against the stony floor, she thought about how Virtue's mood had change over the period that she had been here. Even though the gray mare hadn't said it aloud, Sarissa could tell that she had a lot on her mind. Obviously not the most joyful of things, either. Well, Sarissa would make sure that Jaxler wasn't going to be a problem for her. One less thing for her to worry about, she felt.
Kat nodded as Sarissa came out to tell her that she could go in now. Not really seeing Jaxler being taken to the Jail and was slightly confused when she didn't see him in the office with Virtue. But she's glad that he's not there anyway. "Lady Virtue? It's about Jaxler.." She began as she move into Virtue's office, closing the door behind them. Seeing the Obvious worries in Virtue's face, she wanted to ask what's wrong but decide against it and just focus on getting what she needs to say to be said "I'd like to Complain about him being Second in Command, Unguardly behavior and showing obvious distrust to everypony and challenging Partisan's authority. I.. don't think he should stay Second-in-Command of the guards." She managed out, keeping a calm voice so it doesn't sound like she have some personal beef going on with him.
Unaware that Jaxler just got into some serious dung already and that this would just make it worse for him.
"And Partisan seems to be going too easy on him as well." She adds.
Virtue tries to sigh inwardly, but some escapes her lips anyway. Why was this happening now? Her head is beginning to ache at the thought of where this was going, but she puts all of her effort into giving Kat her full attention. The pony certainly had a point. Jaxler wasn't a stellar example of a guardspony, although when he was on duty he did a decent job. But in light of recent events, Partisan may well want him expelled from the guard altogether. Maybe Kat did too. Maybe even Storm Cloud.
"I... see." She considered telling Kat what had just happened, but decided it best to leave that for Partisan. "I know he hasn't been the most shining example... but he does do a reasonably good job when on duty. Has anything specific happened? Have you talked to Partisan about this?"
"Well, when he's on duty he does a fine job. But the problem is, he's not on-duty as much as he should. Comes to work late daily, most of the time hung-over, And I've talked with Partisan and Jaxler about this and Partisan said he'll look into it. But it's been a while and i still don't see anything happening at all so i decide that it's best bringing it straight to you lady Virtue." Kat explained. before adding "I don't like the Idea that the guards are a laughing stock of the fort because of how our second-in-command behaves..."
After finally getting hold of Partisan, Sarissa explained the situation to him as best as she understood it. The unicorn mare insisted that this new information provided sufficient cause for Jaxler to be removed from his position. It's not like Sarissa believed him to be the best material for a guardsman anyway. What good would it do the fort if it came under attack when he was sloppy drunk? A fighter should be ready at a moments notice, she believed. Partisan stated that he would handle the matter once he had taken time to consult Virtue. Sarissa reluctantly nodded and left to attend to her original business. Time to get back to sharpening Elegy; that ax was her most valued possession here at the fort.
All valid concerns... but it wouldn't make this any easier. It should, but it wouldn't. Jaxler needed to shape up. Anyplace but Dawnpick and he'd have been dismissed long ago. By rights she should have dismissed him long ago, or had Partisan do it. She wonders for a moment if maybe Partisan was as soft as she was. She couldn't blame somepony for having the same failings as she did... and he was a good commander otherwise.
"I... understand your concerns." She hangs her head slightly. "I've sent for Partisan. I suppose we need to decide what to do about this now. Jaxler is doing a good job when he is on duty, but it will tear my heart out if somepony gets hurt or dies when it could have been prevented. If doing something about Jaxler could prevent that..."
Kat wanted to do something to comfort the baroness, maybe even give her a pat on the back. But she knew that it wouldn't exactly be the most appropriate thing for her to do right now. "Lady Virtue.. you can't carry the world on your back. Things will happens, Ponies will die. Those who were saved would still die anyway later. It would be better for everypony if you don't stress yourself too much on things that you couldn't fix, so that you'll have a clearer head to fight the problems that you can fix."
She let out a little sigh, then Smiles. Wanting to atleast put a smile, no matter how small, on Virtue's face. "But no matter what, Baroness, let it be known, Unlike Jaxler, I trust you and Partisan with my life. I Believe that you'll choose the right decision."
Kat was trying to be nice, and was mostly right, of course, but that didn't do a whole lot to help Virtue's mood. Still, the mare was trying, and she could appreciate that. "Thank you, Kat... I trust you with my life as well."
She opens her mouth to speak again, but is interrupted by a knock at her door, followed by Partisan peeking inside. "Excuse me, Lady Virtue? Sarissa said you were looking for me?"
Virtue nods and waves him in, trying to mask the extreme unease she felt. Time to get this over with. "Yes, please come in. Kat and I were discussing something about Jaxler." She searches her mind for the best way to break the news to both, and doesn't do a terribly good job. "She has some valid concerns about his performance and appearance in the guard... are... you aware of these problems?"
Partisan nods slowly and averts his eyes for a moment. "Yes... we've talked. I've been trying to find ways to get Jaxler to put a bit more pride in his position, but so far not much is working." He thinks a moment more and glances between the two mares. "I'm really not sure what to do. There's only four of us in the guard. He's a good shot too, and is quick to respond to trouble. But I do worry about it all..."
Virtue takes a deep breath and shuts her eyes for a moment. This wasn't going to be easy. At all. She opens her eyes and looks the two straight on. "I know. To make matters worse... I recently discovered that he is wanted for numerous counts of theft. He hasn't stolen from anypony in Dawnpick to my knowledge, but it still worries me to know that we have a criminal working in the guard. He says he came here to put all of that behind him, but it's something I can't just dismiss." She gives both a pleading expression. "I... don't... know what to do."
Partisan's mouth drops open and he simply stares back at Virtue.
Kat rise an eyebrow in slight surprise.
"Well.. that.. wasn't as bad as I expected." she mutters out, seeing the resigned expression on Virtue's face seems to have confused her as if she's asking a very simple question. "Um.. Lady Virtue? if you don't mind. I'd like to suggest that we live with now for the moment. Jaxler's been here for a while and if he haven't been stealing for a while then it shouldn't really matter to us anymore. What matters more is about him being in the guards and not exactly acting like one. That's what's happening now, that's what happening everyday. So what if he was a thief a few years back? I've been things worse than that years ago, But today we're the guards of Dawnpick. And that's that. But if you so think that something that have been done a long time ago should be held accountable now, then I won't object. Just suggesting that we really should focus on the current on-going problem. Not the dead ones in the past, else we'd find everypony guilty for something..."
Perhaps truer words had never been spoken. She nods understandingly, and replies, "You're right. We need to work this out... worry about that if we have to..." She turns her attention to Partisan. "What do you suggest?"
"I... well... I'd sort of intended to ask you that... but I think there's really only one thing that can be done right now." His eyes fall to the floor. "Jaxler has not shown the responsibility he should for his position. I've tried to be reasonable about it, but I think we've gone past reasonable. Storm Cloud is next in line, in terms of seniority. I'm going to place him second in command." He turns to look at Kat. "You're up after Storm Cloud, of course. Jaxler is at the bottom of the list now. If he shapes up, maybe he won't stay there if we get more recruits."
Oh, how he hated to do that. Jaxler had been in the guard nearly as long as he had, and hadn't been a bad soldier. But this wasn't the time to let personal feelings obscure the truth. Storm Cloud and Kat probably deserved the position better than Jaxler. There was more to this job than just holding a crossbow and shooting diamond dogs. Jaxler was good at that... but the rest of it he seemed to hold with relatively little respect. And it reflected poorly on all of them.
Kat looks like she was about to object Partisan's decision, quite obviously disagreeing in his choice in choosing the new Second-in-command, But choose to not take back her word in trusting that he'll make the right decision.. Although it might be the one that she don't quite agree on. She Straighten up and give him a quick Salute "Aye Captain.." She said in acknowledgement, After mentally clearing that sentence from any bitterness that might be mixed in her tone.
Virtue nods slowly at Partisan's decision. At least it was his word, not just hers. "Then it's settled... perhaps we should go break the news to him." She leads the group down to the cells and locates Jaxler in his cell. "Jaxler... we've got something we need to tell you..."
Jaxler was still siting on the ground when the group came down. he was also surprised to see that Virtue seemed more stressed now, then she did before.
"Let me guess, you're going to behead me?"
"No... of course not," she responds, shaking her head slightly. Well... she could let Partisan take all of the blame here, but it was her job to be the leader in this place, no matter how much she hated it sometimes. "...we... have decided to let you stay in the guard... but you'll be working under everypony else. Storm Cloud is now second in command, and Kat third."
"Let... me... out... of this cell..."
She had planned on doing that... but after hearing the way he requested it, she thought perhaps that would be a bad idea. "I... think perhaps it would be best if you had some time to... think about this... first." She takes a cautious step closer to the the bars. "...but I don't think we'll be holding you for the charges of theft..."
"let... me out... NOW!"
Virtue recoils at the verbal explosion. She backs away and shakes her head. "No... no, I don't think that's a good idea..." She thinks for a moment and fails to think of anything remotely good to say. Perhaps they should just leave.. come back to see him tomorrow...
"LET ME OUT OF HERE SO I CAN PUT A GOD DAMNED HOOF SHAPED RESIGNATION LETTER THROUGH PARTISAN'S BUCKING HEAD, YOU SICK BASTARD!"
She backs away from him completely up against the cells at the far side of the hall. "I... I'm sorry Jaxler... I..." She takes a step toward the stairs leading back up. "I... I'll let you three talk this through..." She hurriedly makes for the exit, incapable of taking any more of this. She hated to put Partisan and Kat through this... but they'd dealt with him before... on a regular basis.
They might have the nerves for this... but she didn't.
"LET ME THE BUCKING HELL OUT OF HERE, YOU BUCKING COWARD!"
Kat watches the enraged pony yelling and shouting, then says "You know, yelling and shouting and doing what you're doing right now isn't going to get you out of that cell any sooner. We'll just wait until you calm down first then let you out. Sounds good Partisan?"
Partisan stood there for a few seconds as he though of what to do. He looked at Kat and then slowly looked at Jaxler, rage evident on his face. "Kat, its up to you, but I would rather you stay out here. Jaxler, this was my decision. One that I, and I alone, had to make. I will take full responsibility for it. First, though, I need to know that you understand, under the normal situation, all the charges that would be against you, and what the punishment for them would be. Please repeat them to me."
"I'm... guilty... of lots of grand theft... and I'd probably be put to death... by A SICK, BUCKING, BASTARD LIKE YOU!"
"Jaxler, calm down now. That's an order." He gives the incarcerated pegasus a stern look. "Nopony is getting executed!"
"Fine."
Partisan eyes him cautiously. He looked better. "Alright then." He cautiously opens the jail cell. "You're not being charged for any of the theft here."
Jaxler got up and walked out the door. Once he got out of the cell he looked Partisan dead in the eye and said "Aye Partisan, I resign". Jaxler then flung his hoof toward Partisan's face.
Partisan is caught by surprise by the swing and takes the blow hard on his cheek. He staggers backward several steps before instinctively reaching for his crossbow. He fumbles with the weapon as he tries to clear his dazed vision, and stammers something about not believing what just happened and insubordinating foals.
"Come at me, bro!"
Kat was less surprised than Partisan and quickly whips up her crossbow, seeing that at this distance shooting it wouldn't really work so well and that she might accidentally shoot Partisan instead, she grips her crossbow like a club and charges at Jaxler, bringing a wide swing aiming for his head.
Partisan rallies and swings his crossbow at Jaxler, aiming for whatever part of the pony presented itself.
Jaxler took the blow to the forehead. He didn't even budge when the crossbow came into contact with his head. Though, he did hear a ringing in his ear and felt slightly dizzy but it wasn't more then he could ignore. Jaxler then took note that Kat was within range of his hoof and that partisan was aiming at him.
"Feel free to strike me down."
Jaxler then swung his right hoof toward Kat.
Kat spotted the incoming hoof, so she strikes up at the swung leg with her steel crossbow, deflecting the blow enough that it only flicked her ear "We will if you won't stop!" she hissed
Partisan leaps on Jaxler and attempts to pin him to the ground. "Oh no, you're not just walking away from this!"
Kat pulls out her iron bolt from her quiver and loads it onto her crossbow while Partisan tries to pin Jaxler to the ground "Now you're charged with assault."
Jaxler was still dizzy from the strike to his head and went down easily but still managed to fling his right foreknee towards Partisan.
The blow catches Partisan in the chest, but his peytral stops most of the force. He rolls Jaxler over and kicks him free, sending him into the jail cell. Without another word, he leaps to his hooves and slams the cell shut before locking it. "You'll be spending a while in here," he says to the pegasus with a barely contained snort. How he considered Jaxler such a comrade was hard to remember at this point...
Kat still kept her crossbow loaded just in case. "I Knew he was trouble.. I always knew.."
Jaxler was surprised to be knocked into the cell but still managed to stay on his hoofs.
"Up yours, Partisan. UP... YOURS... AND WHY THE HELL DON'T YOU BUCKING SHOOT ME, KAT? C'MON I'M WIDE BUCKING OPEN"
Partisan raises a hoof to forestall any motion Kat might have been planning to make. He steps up to the bar and motions to the crossbow. "Hand it over Jaxler. Civilians aren't allowed to keep weapons."
"If you take my crossbow, I'll straight up kill you."
"Handing out death threats to the guards? I knew you weren't very smart Jaxler.. but this?" Kat shook her head and sighs.
Partisan sighs himself. Well, he certainly couldn't let Jaxler keep a weapon. Especially not in this mood. But it was in the jail cell with an equicidal pony. What to do? Perhaps he should go get somepony in the militia, a unicorn who could stun him magically or something...
"You've got a choice Jaxler. You can stay in there forever, or you can give me the crossbow and stay for a long time. Because you're not getting out of there where you can get to ammo for that weapon."
"I will guard this weapon with my life. I managed to posses it before I joined that guard. I'm gonna posses it until the day I bucking DIE, and I honestly rather die than have it stolen from me. SO, ether you kill me where I stand or you let me keep MY crossbow."
"Well, you said it yourself." Kat shrugged and raised her crossbow.
"Go ahead and shoot. So, long as I get buried with my crossbow."
Partisan gives her a horrified look and tries to knock her crossbow out of line. "What are you doing!?"
"No, Partisan. I want to see if she's got the guts to shoot an unarmed pony."
Kat didn't fight to get her Crossbow back into the target. "Well, He's armed with a weapon. And you know that ponies armed with weapons are dangerous. And a Crossbow, even unloaded, is still considered a weapon so, we either disarm him or kill him. That's what we do isn't it?"
Jaxler was surprised by Kat's willingness to kill him, but he knew that she had always wanted to see him gone.
"Oh, it's okay Partisan. I'd rather die then lose my crossbow."
"We're not shooting him. He's got a crossbow, but no bolts. I'm not letting him out until he hands it over, but he's harmless like it is." He rubs his bruised cheek and adds, "I'd rather not see any more injuries today if I can avoid it."
Kat gives Partisan a little confused look, just for a brief moment, then remove the bolt from her crossbow so she shoots blank at the floor, putting the bolt back where it belongs. "As you command, Captain."
Jaxler was coming to the realization that he still felt dizzy from when Kat hit him, and that he still felt sleepy as well, but he decided to ignore it and continue to defend his most valuable possession.
"I'm not giving up my crossbow, and if that means that I get a life sentence then FINE!"
Partisan snorts and makes for the door. "Fine, if that's what you want. Come on, Kat, we'll see if he's more reasonable after sleeping this off. Sober."
Kat nodded and slung her crossbow back onto her back "Shouldn't we keep eyes on him Captain? Thieves are known to pick locks after all..."
Jaxler hits the ground face first, unconscious, and makes a loud thud.
"Best get him to the hospital... and restrained. And take his weapon to the armory." Partisan cautiously unlocks the cell and moves to disarm Jaxler and relocate him.