Chapter Text
He had successfully avoided capture for the past eighteen years, learning as much wild magic as he could on his travels. And now they had finally caught up to him.
Hunter had gotten a tip about sacred scrolls up by the Head. The tip ended up being a trap and the Boiling Isles Federal Law Enforcement Department (BIFLED) was waiting. He was transported to the capitol.
Now he was sitting in a cell, waiting to be brought to the floor of the Congressional Chambers in Bonesburrow.
Something was odd about his capture. He had read the new Boiling Isles constitution after taking a pocket copy of it somewhere in Latissa. He knew he should have been taken to a judge, not in front of Congress. He was supposed to get a lawyer to.
”Well” he thought, “if they put me in prison I can appeal. My constitutional rights have been violated.”
He supposed there was one up side to being put in the Conformatorium. He’d finally get some sleep, something he couldn’t get in the emperor’s coven or on the run.
Still, after all he did during the war to help ensure victory to the right side, he was being treated like this.
A guard came to get him after a few short minutes. He was escorted to the chamber floor.
He was sat down in a chair in the middle of the chamber as he took it in. All fifty senators from across the isles were present. And… President of the Boiling Isles, Mary Webster.
”Golden Guard!” She said.
”President Webster” he replied, “a pleasure to meet you. To what do I owe this honor?”
”You have evaded capture by this government for the past eighteen years. You are the last emperor’s coven member we have wanted to capture.”
”Yeah, heard that bitch Kikimora got locked in the Conformatorium. Serves her right.”
He looked around at his audience.
”Pardon my language” he said, “but when you’ve been hunted by the government for eighteen years, you tend to forget your manners.”
”Golden Guard!” Said Mary Webster.
”My name is Hunter.”
”Hunter… Belos?”
”I would prefer for that not to be my government name.”
”Mr. Hunter, for association with and being a high ranking official in the emperor’s coven, you should be serving a life sentence in the Conformatorium.”
Hunter sighed. He knew it, this was his fate. People would never see him as anything other than the Golden Guard, even after everything he’d been through.
”However” said President Webster, “repeated testimony from war heroes Eda Clawthorn and Luz Blight-Noceda have worked in your favor.”
Hunter perked up at that.
”Ms. Clawthorn and Mrs. Blight-Noceda” continued President Webster, “have repeatedly told this government of your service during the war. They have given us evidence that you served as a double agent and passed along information to the Bad Girl Coven that was essential to the defeat of Emperor Belos.
“It is my great pleasure today to grant you a full pardon.”
Hunter didn’t know what to say. There was so much to process. One thing was certain, he was free. He didn’t have to run anymore.
”Mr. Hunter, the senate and I deeply apologize for the manhunt lead against you for the past eighteen years. You can now live your life as a citizen of the Boiling Isles.”
Before he could respond there was thunderous applause from the senators in the chamber.
He was then escorted out of the chamber to another small room.
After fifteen minutes, President Webster entered.
”Madam President” he said, “thank you very much. This is greatly appreciated.”
”Don’t thank me” she said, “you can thank Luz Blight-Noceda. She advocated for you. I take Mrs. Blight-Nocedas advice often and very seriously. Do not make trouble, I took an awful risk when I pardoned you, and I would like to be re-elected again in two years.”
”I understand Madam President, before I go could I ask for one thing.”
”What?”
”Do you know how I could go about contacting Luz?”
She handed him a business card. The writing on it said:
”Luz Blight-Noceda- Human Witch/Researcher of Wild Magic for the Clawthorn Institute
237451 Owl Road
Bonesburrow, BI”
With that President Webster left the room and Hunter was escorted out of the building.
He was given back his staff when he reached outside.
His palisman, Little Rascal, chirped at him.
”Come on buddy” he said, “let’s go visit an old friend of ours.”