Fiction Gallery

In the tune of "What will we do with a drunken sailor."

What will we do with a drunken Sadow? What will we do with a drunken Sadow? What will we do with a drunken Sadow? Give him another drink of course

Way hay and no surprises Way hay and no surprises Way hay and no surprises There will be no drunken remorse

Shave their belly with a new lightsaber Shave their belly with a new lightsaber Shave their belly with a new lightsaber The Sadows do surely endorse

Way hay and no surprises Way hay and no surprises Way hay and no surprises There will be no drunken remorse

Yo ho fiddle dee dee being a drunk is really a treat Tipsy and turvy staggering to your feet Try as you might you cannot walk straight You are a Sadow

I have us a ship To lead us to a cantina nearby That is chock full of all our drinks And ready for a party

We will drink the night away Yes we will drink up the place Tatooine sunrise and the like Drink till we fall Cause we are Sadow

Yar hee riddle me three If you love to drink so deep You are a Sadow! Let's go!!

(sung to the tune of you are a pirate)

When this day is over
and our blood has dried
when the horns have sounded
and our foes have died

In halls of the fallen all our hatred fades away the stories start to come hear our father say

boy, raise your glass now toast the dead with me. girl, sing the words how their end came to be.

the names ride on the air those left in the fall leaving us behind there heeding the fate's call

feel the fire at our cheeks drink the spirits down our hearts full, our thoughts raw see our father frown

girl, raise your glass now leave that sadness be boy, sing the words how they met with glory

in the storm we have made come stand with me now drown our tears in the rain and toast the dawn loud

Set to the tune of: The Worker's Song by Dropkick Murphys

Yeah, his one's for the warriors Who've fought night and day By land and by space To pave the way

In the times long ago was a great tour de force Great Sadow's strong empire remains at it's source

In the Sith Worlds and forges are legions so vast Our traditions and knowledge descends from this past

And we're often in conflict Without and within But when time comes to end things We always will win

We're the first ones strike We're the first ones to vie For great power awaits us As long as we're spry

And we always will last When despair finds our way For our anger is boundless Hark, the clan's here to stay!

And when it gets hopeless and morale hits the floor We will gather our troops and the drinks we will pour

It's the best time to bash For our spirits will soar so let's drink up my clanmates and look to our lore

We're the first ones strike We're the first ones to vie For great power awaits us As long as we're spry

And we always will last When despair finds our way For our anger is boundless Hark, the clan's here to stay!

I saw a girl in Sepros, She stood there at the port, I tried to make her notice, My efforts came up short,

So over I went to ask, "Is this your first time here?" "The shuttle will be ages," "Come join me for a beer."

The lady turned me down flat. "I'm not that sort of lass!" "If beer's the best you offer," "I think I'd rather pass."

I said "Then name your drink," "I'll buy them by the crate!" She turned to me and smiled, "Then Sir you've got a date!"

Manually added by Warden Celevon Edraven Erinos

Manually added by Warden Celevon Edraven Erinos

Manually added by Warden Celevon Edraven Erinos

Manually added by Warden Celevon Edraven Erinos

Manually added by Warden Celevon Edraven Erinos

Manually added by Warden Celevon Edraven Erinos

This kinda needs to be read as if it's an Irish/Scots drinking song.

Oh here we sit oh brother thee, We sit and drink as one, For when the night is long and hard, We'll join together in song.

We'll sing our sorrows and We'll sing our joys, We'll sing our hearts out loud. We'll sing for brothers and our sisters boys, And for those faces within the crowd.

Our hearts may heavy and our souls are torn, Yet here we stand as one. For when we brothers march to war, We shall sing and sing our song.

Now sing ye brothers and sisters loud, Take up your drink of choice, Now sing ye Sadows one and all, Give your heart and soul a voice.

And as we drink oh brother thee, As we lift our voices loud, Remember those who never came home, Those who did us proud.

And though they may not drink with us, Though they are not here, Just raise your glass one last time, And let their spirits hear.

Now drink ye brothers, And drink up well, For this may be your last, Raise a glass oh brother thee. For our future as we honour our past.

Now drink ye brothers, And drink well, Raise your glass up high. Drink ye brothers and sisters, Drink the place dry!

All eyes were fixed on Joe as he walked out of the meeting room. Blood was still dripping from his hands. Out of nowhere Julia ran over to him and hugged him. “Oh I heard what happened!” She stated. Julia is a fellow knight in Clan Taldryan as well as Joe’s lover. “I can’t believe they killed Victoria even though she didn’t know where you were.” Julia stated with tears running down her cheeks. Victoria was like a mother to Joe and a prominent member of Clan Taldryan. Since he had found her stabbed in the abdomen and watched her slowly die in her apartment, Joe has been like a walking corpse. “The Summit has ordered me to kill Vicious and take down the Syndicate.” Joe told her. “What..by yourself?” Julia asked concerned. Joe simply nodded in return. “That’s a suicide mission!” She yelled at no one. “I’ll go with you.” Julia tried to reassure Joe. “I’ll be with you until the very end.” She continued. Joe grabbed her hand and walked towards the vacant window. “I’m sorry, I’m gonna make a bit of a scene.” He said. “But THIS, it’s something that I’VE gotta do alone!” Joe explained before leaving. “Joe do you have a moment?” Asked Rian, the Consul of Taldryan, as he pointed to the other leaders of Taldryan. “BOOM!” Suddenly there was a loud explosion and then nothing. The Syndicate, led by Joe’s former best friend and former member of Taldryan Vicious, just exploded a bomb inside the Taldryan headquarters. Hundreds of masters, knights, and apprentices were killed. Including Julia, Joe’s lover. With her death, Joe is now completely dead inside.

Several weeks later inside Joe’s apartment:

Joe’s roommates, his former master and his partner, were in the living room. “I guess Joe’s gonna be busy for a while.” Kromtal said casually. “That Joe, he was nothing but trouble, there’s no way he’s coming back.” Faye said as Kromtal continued to watch the holonet. “They may have killed him already ya know.” She stated sarcastically. “It’s possible.” Said Kromtal. “So what, you want me to go looking for him?” He asked. “Forget it, he’s dealing with his own past, it’s his fight!” Kromtal finished. “You told him to go after them!” Faye said angrily. Kromtal quickly grabbed her by her shirt collar. “My leg is busted, hell yes he was nothing but trouble and I don’t give a damn!” He yelled before releasing her and they turned away from each other. “....So what kinda woman was she, what was Julia like?” Kromtal asked after a long awkward pause. “Ordinary...the kind of dangerous beautiful ordinary that you just can’t leave alone.” Faye said looking down. “I see.” Was all Kromtal said. Several minutes later and Faye had left the apartment and Joe had returned from helping with the bombing a few weeks ago at the headquarters. Joe and Kromtal were in the living room. “Ever heard this story?” Joe asked Kromtal. His voice was raspy and sounded like Joe had been through some sort of living hell. “There once was a tiger cat...this cat died a million deaths, revived and lived a million lives.”Joe said looking down at his glass of Corellian Ale as Kromtal listened. “ And he was owned by various people who he didn’t really care for.” Joe continued. “The cat wasn’t afraid to die...then one day the cat became a stray cat and he was free.” Joe said. “He met a white female cat and the two of them spent their days together happily.” Joe continued. “Well, years passed and the white cat grew weak and died of old age...the tiger cat cried a million times then he died too.” Joe said with nothing but gloom emanating from him through the Force. “Except this time, he didn’t come back to life.” Joe finished. “Yeah that’s a good story.” Kromtal said. “I hate that story!” Joe stated. “Wha?!” Kromtal looked up in surprise. “I never liked cats master, you know that.” Joe said somehow managing to form a small smile. “Hahhahahaha!” They both shared several minutes of laughter. However, there was a sense of sad irony in this laughter not happiness. Finally, Joe stood up and began to walk towards the door. “Hey Joe!” Kromtal called out. “Yeah?” Joe questioned. “I just wanna ask you one thing.” Kromtal said. “What’s that?” Joe asked still facing the door with his hands in his pockets. “Is it for the girl?” Kromtal asked seriously. Joe turned to look at Kromtal one last time. “She’s dead, there’s nothing I can do for her now.” Joe said quietly before walking out the door to the docking bay. As Joe turned the corner, he ran into Faye who was leaning against a wall. “Look into my eyes Faye.” Joe said bending down towards Faye’s face. “If you look with the Force you’ll see more Force energy flowing through one.” Joe said looking straight into her eyes. “Since Julia died, I’ve been seeing the past in one and the present in the other.” Joe continued. “So I thought I could see patches of reality...never the whole picture.” Joe finished. “Don’t tell me things like that.” Faye said still leaning against the wall and looking into Joe’s eyes. “Ever since we’ve worked together you’ve never told me anything about yourself SO DON’T TELL ME NOW!” She exclaimed. “It felt as though I was watching a dream I’d never wake up from.” Joe said looking down, all life was gone from his eyes and his voice was cold...so cold. Faye was left speechless by how strong Joe’s presence in the Force had grown. “Before I knew it the dream was all over.” Joe finished before beginning to walk away. “My memory finally came back.” Faye said causing Joe to stop. “But nothing good came out of it.” She continued on the verge of tears. “There was no place for me to return to Taldryan was the only place I could go.” She said clenching her fist. “AND NOW YOU’RE LEAVING JUST LIKE THAT!” She yelled. “Why do you have to go why did they have to send you?” She asked trying to hold back a sob. “Where are you going?” She continued. “What are you gonna do JUST THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY?!” She yelled as she turned to face Joe. “ I’m not going there to die….I’m going to find out if I’m still alive.” Joe said finally looking up. “I have to do it Faye.” Joe said before continuing to walk to his ship in the docking bay. Faye dropped to her knees and began crying as loud, terrible sobs left her mouth.

At the Syndicate secret headquarters:

The doors to the building slid open and Joe casually strolled in with his hands in his pockets. Inside were at least 3 dozen guards on the first floor and a dozen guards looking down over the room from the second floor. They were heavily armed with blaster pistols and rifles. The ones on the first floor crowded in front of Joe with their weapons aimed. Suddenly one of them threw a thermal detonator towards Joe. Joe quickly stretched out his hand and reached out to the Force. The thermal detonator was deflected back towards the guards and Joe placed his full concentration on his Force barrier. “BOOM!” The resulting explosion blew out the entire front entrance to the building as well as killing or wounding most of the guards on the first floor. Before the guards could regain their composure, Joe took out his purple lightsaber and darted to the flight of stairs leading to the second floor. Midway up the stairs two guards from the second floor opened fire on Joe. Joe easily deflected the blaster bolts and they hit the two guards killing them. Suddenly, a guard appeared at the top of the stairs. Before he could open fire Joe, with the assistance of the Force, jumped the rest of the and landed behind the guard. Joe slashed across the guard’s neck with his lightsaber, decapitating the guard. Three guards began to run up the stairs after Joe. He bent down and picked up a thermal detonator from the guard he had just killed. He threw it down the stairs and it exploded, killing the three guards chasing Joe. Joe slowly made his way to an elevator, cutting down at least 2 dozen guards who attempted to stop him. All this time he kept quiet, not saying a single word. He turned a corner and finally found an elevator at the back of the hallway. Suddenly as Joe walked to the elevator blaster fire rang out from the hallway adjacent to the one he was in. “Ahh!” Joe grunted as he turned and managed to deflect most of blaster bolts back at the single guard in the hall. But one of the bolts managed to hit Joe in his shoulder and a stream of blood slowly crept down his arm. Joe simply kept going. The elevator made it to the top floor of the building. Suddenly Joe moved to the side and as the doors opened a series of blaster bolts hit the spot Joe had just been in. Then a thermal detonator was thrown into the elevator and Joe just barely managed to get out in time and lost his lightsaber in the process. Although he had suffered a cut to his head and blood trickle down the side of his head. Joe managed to kill the 16 guards that had wounded him with his DL 44 blaster pistol. After that Joe made his way to the big doors at the end of the hall. This is where he’d find Vicious. Joe entered the smoky and nearly destroyed room and saw Vicious sitting on a throne in the back. “I told you before Joe.” Vicious said looking at Joe. “I’m the only one who can kill you and set you free.” He finished. “Those words apply to you as well VICIOUS.” Joe replied, feeling nothing but pure hatred. “Either way it’s going to end here.” Joe said. He raised his blaster and tried to aim at Vicious but blood was getting into his eye. Even with his blurred vision he fired once and charged Vicious. A small knife fell from Vicious’ sleeve and into his hand. He threw it at Joe, managing to hit him in the thigh. But Joe didn’t stop and Vicious pulled out a metal sword and slice at Joe’s arm. Joe caught the attack with the trigger guard of his pistol. Joe fired twice. With one bolt missing and the other managing to graze the side of Vicious’ face. “Ugh!” Vicious groaned. He broke free from the blade lock he and Joe were in and swung at Joe’s other leg, managing to cut him before Joe could react. Vicious swung again at Joe. But this time Joe could feel the danger coming before it happened. He parried Vicious’ blade with the barrel of his blaster pistol. Quickly, they both attacked and this time Joe’s pistol and Vicious’ sword was knocked into the air. The sword landed next to Joe’s feet and the pistol next to Vicious’. “JULIA IS DEAD!” Joe said with bloodlust in his voice. “Let’s finish it now!” He yelled at Vicious. “As you wish.” Vicious responded. Several seconds went by with complete silence as nothing happened. Then as if on command they simultaneously slid each other’s weapon to them. Weapons in hand both tried to go for the final blow. Vicious quickly slid his sword along the floor as he swung and cut Joe across his abdomen. Just as Joe had picked I’ll his blaster pistol and managed to shoot Vicious in the chest. Both of their blood spattered our in multiple directions. A breeze of wind passed through the room as there was no ceiling. Suddenly, Vicious collapsed onto the floor face first dead. Joe simply looked up at the night sky. It’s all over..a dream. He swore he the wind whisper to him. It sounded just like Julia. “Yeah...just a dream.” Joe whispered to himself. Still looking up at the empty night sky. Joe limped his way back down to the first floor where the Syndicate forces were recovering. When they saw Joe limping down the stairs they all stopped, lowered their weapons and stared at him in disbelief. Holding his abdomen Joe reached the middle of the flight of stairs. He stretched out his hand and pointed his finger at the group. “Bang.” He said before collapsing.

Oh..that hits the spot. Joe thought to himself as he took another sip of his Corellian Ale. He had been in this cantina drinking for just over an hour and he was already drunk. “Hey bartender another bottle for my Jedi friend over here.” Said the man sitting next to Joe. “Hey thanks I...appreciate that.” Joe managed to slur out. “Don’t thank me pal, just take your drink and get outta here.” The guy said with a scowl on his face. “What’s that...supposed to mean?!” Joe yelled at the man. “It means your kind aren’t welcome around here.” The man said as he angrily stood up in front of Joe. “Something bad always happens whenever you and your Force using friends are around!” He yelled, picking Joe up by his shirt. By this point Joe had had enough of this guys disrespect. “Here ya go.” The bartender placed the bottle of Corellian Ale down on the counter in front of Joe. “On second thought, why don’t you have the drink.” Joe said picking the bottle up. “WHA..” the guy said before the glass bottle was smashed across his head. He released Joe’s shirt and collapsed onto the ground unconscious. Even drunk, a Jedi can kick your butt any day. Joe thought to himself. Just then a pair of police officers came in and approached Joe. Just my luck. Joe thought to himself sarcastically. “You there you are under arrest for assault.” The officer said before they placed Joe into cuffs and escorted him out of the cantina. Several days later Joe awoke in a cramped jail cell. Ugh I wonder what happened. Joe thought to himself as stood up and walked over to the door of the cell. There was a police officer sitting at his desk near the cell. “Hi there, would you mind explaining to me how I ended up here?” Joe asked the officer. “Ugh yeah, you attacked a guy in a cantina.” The Officer said not even bothering to look up from his datapad. “Oh and when was this?” Joe asked. “Two days ago.” The officer said. “So why am I still here?” Joe asked. “The courts are closed during weekends. You’ll see a judge this afternoon.” The officer said in an annoyed way. Well guess I have nothing to do but relax. Joe thought to himself as he sat back down onto the metal bunk. Several hours later and Joe was taken to a courtroom. “So how do you plead Knight Durham?” The Judge asked Joe. “Guilty your honor.” Joe said. “But you should know I was only defending the honor of my clan.” Joe finished. “ Ahh yes the honorable Clan Taldryan. You’re lucky me and Consul are old pals.” The judge stated. “Since you have an outstanding record of service to the Brotherhood I am only sentencing you to a 24 hour long meditation session.” The judge stated. “Now get out of my courtroom!” She yelled. Joe quickly complied. Now I’ll have Master Kromtal lecturing me throughout the whole meditation session. Joe thought to himself. “Joe there’s something we have to talk about.” Said Kromtal as Joe entered Taldryan Headquarters. Oh boy here we go. Joe sighed.

“Please don’t this!” Joe pleaded with the Twi’lek Sith Lord in front of him. The Sith currently had his lover, Alana, trapped with a lightsaber to her throat. “Submit to my will!” The Sith ordered Joe. “P..please I’ll do anything!” Joe said dropping to his knees. Strangely he didn’t sense hate coming from the Sith, instead he felt excitement radiating through the Force and it was coming from the Sith. The bastard’s getting off on this. Joe thought to himself. Suddenly Joe felt calmness wash over Alana. I’m sorry. She mouthed towards Joe. “WHA…!” Joe yelled right before Alana kicked the Sith in the shin. “Damn you!” The Sith said before slicing Alana’s head clean off of her body. “NOOOO!” Joe let out the most horrific Force enhanced scream the Sith had ever heard and could be heard throughout half the city. “What the hell?!” Shouted the Sith as he and every force sensitive within ten Star systems sensed all the agony and pain emanating from Joe. The Force energy was so potent it could knock untrained force users unconscious from all the suffering. “This is the way of the Sith, Durham all things end in death.” The Sith said. “Now you see the truth is written in blood.” He continued, pointing at Alana’s lifeless body. “YOU BASTARD I’LL KILL YOU”! Joe shouted as he jumped up and with the assistance of the Force leapt across the room to the Sith. His dark brown eyes now turned crimson with bloodthirst and filled with burning flames of pure hatred, it terrified the Sith in front of him. “S..s...stay away from me!” The Sith squealed. Before he could attack Joe with his lightsaber, Joe’s cold hands wrapped around the Sith’s throat. “Ahhh!” Joe shouted, suddenly sitting up in bed drenched in cold sweat and breathing haphazardly. Tears streamed down his face as he placed his head into his hands. “Honey what’s wrong, was it another nightmare?” Asked his lover sitting up beside him. “The same one...always the same one.” Joe whispered. “Let me help you...tell me how to help.”Alana pleaded with Joe. “That’s just it Alana.” Joe said tears still streaming from his eyes. “I don’t think you can!” Joe said before letting out a horrible sob. He laid back down and Alana followed, holding him in her arms in an attempt to calm him down. In the end, Joe cried himself back to sleep. The next day Joe set out to find his former master in an attempt to get answers about his dreams. “I’m glad you were able to make it.” Said Kromtal as Joe entered his office. “It’s good to see you to master.” Joe said. “Now What is it that’s causing you so much trouble?” Kromtal asked concerned. “What do you mean?” Joe asked taking a seat in front of Kromtal. “Judging from from the bags under your eyes I can tell you aren’t getting much sleep.” Kromtal began. “ and not to mention I can sense how distraught you are through the Force.” He finished. Joe hadn’t realized his lack of sleep had caused his Force barrier to weaken. “Master, there’s something wrong…with me!” Joe said with a sob.

Act 1.

Setting: Chyron. A night club is in the backdrop, where music can be heard coming through the doors.Enter our heroes, Raistline Majere and Catmatui into the city streets.

Catmatui: Wow, that music is loud. Should we make them lower the bass through violence or through an epic dance off?

Raistline: No my apprentice. We have to meet up with Torin Morgath. We have a low profile to keep.

Enter Torin Morgath. She runs to center screen and begins to sing "Memories" from Cats.

Catmatui: (Aside) Thats her

Raistline: (Aside) Then go to her

Catmatui moves to Torin Morgath. The rear stage lights dim, casting Raistline into darkness and illuminating Catmatui and Torin.

Torin: Are you the one?

Catmatui: The one?

Torin: The one to free me from my burden! So what happens now?

Catmatui: Keep your hand at the level of your eyes

Torin: What?

The lights dim on Catmatui and a single spotlight shines on Torin. She looks past the audience.

Torin: You come to me, yet am I ready? Do I go willingly or flee? No, I wont go back. I am tired of running. I am yours to command. So what happens now?

A second spotlight snaps on Catmatui.

Catmatui: This is my chance to prove myself

Catmatui takes center stage and sings "On my own" from Les Miserables. After the audience applause lowers the house lights return to dim, showing only spotlights on Torin and Catmatui. A runner clears the stage of flowers.

Catmatui: Then there is no other way.

Catmatui begins to choke Torin. As Torin falls to the ground a bright light flashes and a spotlight appears on Raistline.

Raistline: What have you done, 24601? She came willingly.

The lights fade.

Intermission.

Act 2

The curtains open showing Justinios sitting upon a throne. Catmatui stands stage left, looking away from the throne. Stage right Raistline stands over the body of Torin.

Torin: What have I done to deserve this? I came willingly!

Justinios: Talk to me Torin Morgath. You have been brought here manacled and beaten.

Catmatui: That sounds familiar.

Torin: I only want to help.

Raistline (gesturing at Torin): She only wants to help

(aside) We shall kill her in the third act

Catmatui: Methinks that she is terrified enough to give her life to the project.

Justinios stares off blankly. Children are brought up on the stage to try to break his stare. He only blinks.

Torin: You are all crazy. I must help you so that I may escape.

Raistline selects a female audience member and brings them onstage. After revealing to her he has nothing up his sleaves he preforms "the rope" magic trick. The lights dim and he performs the song "How can I love him" while dancing around Justinios' tranced body.

Thunder rolls. Macavity appears and steals away Torin and Justinios.

Raistline: If only we had a major hit.

Catmatui: How about a major hit song?

Catmatui begins to sing "Turn back time." Macavity reappears then dissapears. Torrin and Justinios reappear, Justinios no longer in a trance.

The full cast comes center stage to preform the Cardigan's "Love Fool."

FIN

“Grhm,” came a sleepy voice on the other end of the line. “Whoever this is better have a very good reason for contacting me at this hour,” the Empress said in a voice that mixed exhaustion with the promise of pain in equal measure. Jon winced. He’d forgotten the time difference between this backwater planet and Brotherhood space. All well, he was already in the deep end as it was.

“Your majesty! Hello!” he exclaimed. He immediately lowered his voice when he heard the aggravated hiss over the line.

“Who is this?” Elincia asked. “I’m not getting a hologram. Just audio.”

“Yeah, so the planet I’m on evidently hasn’t developed proper hologram communication yet. Go figure. I had Artemis patch in to make sure this signal got through though!.”

Elincia sighed on the other end. “Silvon?” Apparently she’d recognised his voice.

“That is I you majesty.”

“What did you do?”

“Why would you assume I-?”

“It is the middle of the night, Mercenary. What. Did. You. Do?”

Jon wasn’t sure if the vague sensation of fingers around his throat was real or purely imaginary. Could she do that from this far away? Didn’t she need to at least see him or something? Jon wasn’t sure, and he didn’t want to find out like that/. Rule #4: Never Tempt Fate. She Loves A Challenge.

“Ok, so I need bail money!” When she didn’t reply, Jon just sighed forlornly. No getting out of it now.

“It’s… a long story.” Nothing but silence on the other end. “So, it started when I went for a walk….”

“Let me get this straight,” said Raiju. The nautolan, along with Ironius, Alara, and Mune, had evidently joined in on Jon’s call at some point. The lack of visuals meant he wasn’t really certain when, but that wasn’t really his primary concern at the moment.

"Less than twelve hours after being deposited onto a backwater planet, on an unsanctioned mission no less-” “Which, I completed flawlessly! Can you really blame me for wanting to have a little...celebration, afterwards?”

“You threatened civilians, wrecked three squad cars, started a public disturbance in a nightclub,” Raiju listed off, one after another.

“Hey, in my defense-”

“Blackmailed a librarian, threw the head of the city council into the lake, left a virus on the flag ship’s computer in an attempt to increase speed,” continued Alara, without even missing a beat.

“Why is she even here? I’m not in you House, woman!”

“Unleashed all the inmates from the asylum, set three buildings on fire, knocked four down, locked the mayor in his own building, unlawfully imprisoned a group of rodians” continued Mune. Did they rehearse this? When would they have had time to rehearse this so well?!

“I had it on excellent authority those rodians were terrorists!” Jon insisted, though at this point the writing was on the wall.

“All while you were 'celebrating',” finished Elincia, in the most deadened tone he’d ever heard her speak. He wasn’t sure if that was a good sign, or a bad one.

“A very enthusiastic celebration, Your Majesty!” The crowd on the other end of the line was silent. “So, you’ll post my bail, I take it?” he finished weakly.