The Dark Corner by Christopher Pike

“What about you? We’re talking about you here. You’re the one who risked your friend’s life.”
    Watch shook his head. “I don’t remember.”
    Bloodbutton grinned and gestured to the judge. “Another three gold coins against the accused!”
    The judge pounded with his skull. “Scalekeeper, add three gold coins against Watch.”
    Foulstew stepped forward. He glanced anxiously at the jury and then at Watch. “Did you do anything noble on this first journey through the Secret Path.”
    Watch considered. “I can’t remember.”
    â€œWatch,” Adam called. “You saved my life by jumping on the back of the Black Knight in the cemetery.”
    â€œObjection!” Bloodbutton shouted. “That noble deed must be struck from the books! The defendant did not remember it himself.”
    The judge pounded his skull. “Sustained.”
    Watch frowned. “I saved Sally’s life as well by jumping on the Black Knight’s back.”
    â€œDid you risk your life to do so?” Foulstew asked.
    â€œI guess,” Watch said. “The Black Knight almost killed me.”
    â€œObjection!” Bloodbutton cried. “Same noble deed.”
    Foulstew addressed the judge. “It isn’t exactly the same deed, not technically. He was savinganother person. Also, he remembered by himself that he saved Sally. No one had to tell him.” He glanced at the angry jury and added quietly, “I think he should get some credit for it.”
    The judge considered. Then he picked up his big black book and leafed through it. The judge muttered to himself as he slobbered on the pages.
    â€œLet’s see here, what is the boon when one human risks his life to save another human? We haven’t had one of these in a long time. Ah, yes, here it is.” The judge’s face fell. “Oh no.”
    â€œWhat is it?” Bloodbutton asked, worried.
    The judge looked miserable. “By the rules, the defendant must be granted a credit often gold coins for risking his life to save another human being.”
    â€œTen?” Bloodbutton protested. “That’s absurd. A human’s life is hardly worth a single gold coin.”
    The judge glared at the prosecutor. “Are you questioning my interpretation of the law? This is what the book says.” He spoke to the Scalekeeper. “Remove ten coins from the balance.”
    Adam whispered to Foulstew, who stood nearby. “Who wrote that book of rules?” he asked.
    Foulstew shook his head. “It sure wasn’t a demon.”
    â€œIf he gets so much credit for saving a life,” Sally said to Foulstew. “Tell him to list all the times he saved our lives.”
    â€œI don’t want to do that,” Foulstew said.
    â€œIs it against the rules?” Adam asked.
    â€œNo,” Foulstew said. “I’m allowed to advise him. But if you guys all get away, the jury might eat me for dinner.”
    â€œCome on,” Sally said. “This is a chance to win the case of your life. Even if they eat you, you’ll be remembered as the greatest demon lawyer the Dark Corner ever saw. Think about that. They’ll toast your exploits with blood in every demon bar in town.”
    The idea seemed to appeal to Foulstew. He stepped forward, puffed on his cigar, and flicked the ash in the direction of the jury. Then he addressed Watch.
    â€œYoung man,” he said, “jumping on the Black Knight’s back was a brave act. Have you ever performed any other such brave acts?”
    â€œYou mean, have I ever saved my friends before?” Watch asked.
    â€œCareful what you say,” the judge said to Foulstew. But Foulstew didn’t seem to hear him.
    â€œExactly,” Foulstew said, glancing at Bloodbuttonand smiling. “Tell us about every time you risked your life for your friends.’ ”
    â€œObjection!” Bloodbutton