“We are. This is the Oorstemothian Extra-Dimensional Enforcement Vessel Inferno,” XO Stevensword replied.
“As I suspected! In that case, I claim sanctuary under Title 12, Rule 54, Clause 139 of the Oorstemothian Code of Chivalry!” the voice yelled back.
Barabus noticed that several people, most notably Captain Cranshall, Wing Arms Master Heron and the chancellor, all reacted in shock at this reply. The chancellor in particular was blinking rapidly.
“What law is that?” Heron hissed to the chancellor, apparently not wanting to be heard by the being banging on the hatch.
“I, uhm… ” Dante fumbled, clearly uncertain and trying to think. “I am not familiar with that one; it would have to be incredibly old.” The chancellor’s brow wrinkled. “The Oorstemothian Code of Chivalry dates back to the earliest days of Oorstemoth.” The Chancellor paused for a moment. “Back during the period of the Knights of High Justice.”
“Knights of High Justice?” Captain Cranshall whispered incredulously. “That would be something like fifteen hundred years ago, the reign of Ponchas the Second, perhaps the Third.”
BANG!
“Are you still in there? Open up! It has taken you miscreants long enough to come and rescue me! I want to get out of this damn set of armor!” the voice yelled.
Captain Cranshall called up to XO Stevensword, “What do you see out there? Do you say it is a demon?”
The executive officer made a shrugging motion. “He’s not at a good angle for the porthole. I simply assumed that, being in the Abyss, this person was a demon.”
“What can you see?” Heron demanded.
“Well, a person encased in a lot of metal. Golden or perhaps bronze metal. It appears quite formal, and of a very old style. Not seeing any wings or tail. He is moving around and I just get glimpses,” Stevensword said.
“Who are you?” Captain Cranshall called up.
Barabus noted that both the captain and the wing arms master seemed to be sweating profusely. As was he himself.
“What do you mean, who am I?” the voice sounded quite perturbed. “I am the person you came to rescue! Hello! Are you daft?”
Heron looked to Barabus, who shook his head. “That is not Talarius. The voice is wrong, as is the armor.”
Barabus noted that his three knights had returned with weapons drawn.
“Could you be more specific? We have come to treat with several issues of justice,” XO Stevens called back.
Barabus swore he heard a harrumphing noise, which would be quite remarkable given the thickness of the hull.
“I am Sir Samwell, First Knight of High Justice and Sworn Champion of the Keeper of Law, Ponchas the Third!” the voice yelled back with outraged dignity.
Stevensword looked to the captain. Chancellor Alighieri drew in a sharp breath, causing the others to glance at him.
“Now open this damn hatch before I have you all tried for high treason!” the voice thundered.
“Well, he does sound Oorstemothian,” Sir Lady Serah observed.
Barabus glanced back warningly at the knight; even though he agreed with her, this was probably not the best time for snide remarks.
Heron looked to the chancellor, who was leaning against the bulkhead and looking quite pale. “I take it you recognize the name?”
Chancellor Alighieri nodded weakly. “Yes, Sir Samwell was indeed a First Knight of High Justice and Ponchas the Third’s champion. He pursued a demon into the Abyss, seeking High Justice on behalf of the Keeper of Law, and was never seen from again.”
Heron shook his head in bewilderment. “Are you telling me this chap has been down here for fourteen hundred years?”
Chancellor Alighieri gave the wing arms master an odd expression. “I am not, but that is what he seems to be saying.”
BANG! BANG! BANG!
“You are hereby notified under Title 3, Section 4, Clause 132 of Military Justice that you are in violation of a direct order from the First Knight of High Justice, Sir Samwell!” the voice yelled. “If I have to demand you to open this hatch one more time, I will find you in contempt and subject to High Justice!”
“You mean he’s going to execute us?” Gaius asked in shock. “Inside this ship? Is he mad?”
“As I said, he is definitely Oorstemothian!” Barabus heard Sir Lady Serah whisper to Gaius.
The captain had fortunately not heard her, or was overlooking the slight. “That is what he is implying,” he said, shaking his head. Let us change places, Stevensword!”
The XO dropped to the deck and the captain climbed the ladder. “Sir Samwell! This is Captain Casper Cranshall, in command of the Oorstemothian Extra-Dimensional Enforcement Vessel Inferno, under the leadership of Lord Heron, Wing Arms Master of the Oorstemothian Fleet, Lord Protectator of Oorstemoth and the Council of Justice, Duly Recognized Agent of High Justice, and Commander of the One-Thousand Four-Hundred and Thirteenth Sky Fleet of Oorstemoth. I apologize for the delay, but security protocols dictate that before allowing you to board this vessel, we must be able to vouch for your identity.”
“Argh,” the voice complained. Its owner made some sort of clanking noises and then suddenly slammed a medallion down upon the porthole. “Is this validation enough?”
“Uhm, one moment,” the captain replied before looking down at the others. “I do not recognize this medallion.”
Heron sighed and said, “Let me look.”
The captain dropped to the deck and Heron climbed the ladder and peered through the porthole. “Hmm.” He glanced at the chancellor and gestured. “Come up beside me and take a look.”
The chancellor frowned, but came forward and gingerly tried climbing the narrow ladder beside Heron, who had slid himself over and was hanging half off the ladder.
Dante made it up and peered through the porthole. “Could you please show me the other side?” he yelled.
The medallion clanked as the person outside flipped it over. Both Heron and Dante peered at it.
“It looks like the medallions the Knights of High Justice used to wear,” Dante said cautiously.
Heron nodded. “I’ve seen them in the museum.”
“Are we certain that it was not stolen from him by a demon?” XO Stevensword asked.
“Possibly. They were, however magically attuned to the wearer,” the chancellor replied.
“This is Wing Arms Master Heron! Give us one more moment before we comply!” Heron yelled.
Barabus could hear the tired sigh from the other side of the metal hatch. This fellow must be incredibly theatrical to make such loud sighs, he thought to himself.
“Very well,” the voice said.
“Scan him with everything we’ve got,” Heron ordered the captain.
Cranshall went to a nearby mirror and began giving instructions to the chief sorcery officer. They waited a few minutes before Halferth reported back.
The captain shrugged and looked to the wing arms master. “Under the new parameters, he does appear to be human, although the Inferno’s protections are keeping us from getting a good reading. He is too close, essentially in a blind spot. However, we can detect lawful Oorstemothian spellcraft upon his person.”
Heron blew air threw his compressed lips and glanced to the three knights behind Barabus. “Let us clear the boarding area; seal the hatches to this room. If you three good knights would be willing to stay in here to help us vet this Sir Samwell, that would be appreciated.”
“Of course,” the knights replied almost in unison.
“Arch-Vicar General, Diocate, Stevensword and everyone else, please clear the boarding room. Chief Sorcery Officer Halferth and myself shall do the vetting,” Captain Cranshall said. The CSO was entering the room even as the captain issued his orders.