I met with the Castillian upon my arrival. He was quite to see me so quickly returned. When I stated my business, he insisted that we retire to his apartment that we might have more privacy.
“Peter, what is the meaning of this?”
“Sir, I have received reports that you hold an innocent man here in your gaol. I hope to convince you to free him that I might return him safely to his family.”
“The man that you speak of is in no ways innocent. He is a member of a band of thieves and bandits who have raided the shoreline for months. He was caught, amongst his companions, red-handed, their little slip heavy with stolen items.”
“They are a criminal crew, to be certain. The young lad I name, however, he was impressed into their service. Kidnapped from his family and required to serve them. He committed no crime other than what, at the point of a blade, he must to survive. Any of us, in similar circumstances and at that age, would have done similar.”
I was able to convince the Castillian to release the lad into my care.
He was drawn and hollow-eyed, in his little cell. When I told him that he was being released, he could scarce believe it. He embraced me and promised he would do better.
In the morning, we shall depart for Elder Pool, where he can see his family, his parents and his young sister again. It fills me with gratitude that amongst the grand projects, there are these small acts that we can enact which can have such a meaningful impact at the level of the individual.