Read Lore of the Underlings: Episode 8 ~ The Trial for Free Online Page A

constable’s hand baton.
    “Now one of you yo-yos had better start
singing or I’ll bring yo’ ma and pa Yo in to question.”
    “No, no!” cried Qoqo. “Not that! I’ll do
anything…”
    “Then set your way-back machine for last
Sunnyday, and let that diary speak for itself.”
    Qoqo fanned the leaves of grass and found a
passage three dawns past. In fact, it opened on its own.
    She blushed to be in Xoxo’s head. “Forgive me
my sister,” she said. Then she read…
     
    Sunnyday, Lune 21st ~ Good morning, dear diary! It’s
finally here. Eve’s eve. Can you even believe it?!
    You know tomorrow’s my fave every year. But this
one’s gonna be THE best ever. The Revels and my b-day together.
Yay! And not just any birthday. The big sixteen. Pretty sweet,
right? You and I both know what that means, girlfriend.
    So long folk school. Adios scrollbooks. Bye-bye
bookman and your bad breath.
    By the way, at the end of rune class yesterday, Trey
did something kinda funny. He wanted to carry ‘em home for me — my
books I mean, not old man Dustum. Ew!
    Anyway, that was super weird. Weird in a good way
I’m saying. It’s just… we’ve been friends for like forever. Longer
than Layly and Vallon and me. So, why go Romeo all of a sudden? Or
am I misreading him? Guess I hope not.
    Can’t wait to see what happens today…
    Ciao for now diary. Talk to you later.
     
    Afternoon delight ~ Hey, a little update diary. Yup,
you got it. He did it again! Carried my keepsack, ten scroll rolls,
and rune board all the way home to the back of the Inn. And then he
turned red when we said goodbye, like he wanted to… like he was
gonna… Oops, that’s mother. Gotta go. Time for work. And some Trey
dreaming.
    My heart’s beating like a drum. Trey Trey Trey Trey
Trey Trey Treygyn.
     
    Qoqo tried to hide a grin. She flipped the
page. Her face turned grim.
     
    Night of the living dead ~ Help me diary. This can’t
be. I pray it’s a nightmare. Wake me please.
    Or let death take me as I sleep.
    The reaper has come to harvest my life tonight… and
love dies on the vine.
    I’m sick to my stomach. I’ve got to think. Maybe if
I write it out…
     
    Qoqo paused and checked with her sister. Xoxo
nodded to go on.
     
    It happened about an hour ago. I was minding the
tavern as usual — you know — tending to tables and dodging the
drunks. I must have been acting distracted though, cuz I dumped my
tray on Mr. Boxbo and doused Mr. Ixit in pyne tree gin. By then it
was already half past dinner when one of our Keep’s fattest cats
strolled in…
    “ Elderman Mastafard Plymix!” crowed father, “I’m
honored. Please sir, be my guest!” And he ushered the nobleman off
to our very best table, booting some plain folk first.
    “ Treasure, good innkeeper. Right by the hearth.
Now fetch me some supper and drink. I’m parched.”
    “ Straight away lordship. Xoxo! Come!”
    I knew that tone and I came running.
    “ But what delicious dish is this?” the elderman
asked. He leered at me. “I’m always looking for pretty young
things…”
    “ Beg pardon?” said father.
    “ For Fardy, I mean. A match for the hand of my
handsome son. A damsel worthy of elderdom. Comely yet motherly.
Yes, like this one…”
    “ Ah!” answered father. He grinned, plotting
something. “May I present my younger daughter. Xoxo turns sixteen
tomorrow.”
    “ Mmm…” The elder ogled harder. “So, just old
enough to wed. And you implied you had another? A home-maid buffet
or smorgasbord?”
    Father called into the gaming hall for Qoqo, who’d
been dealing cards.
    “ Here’s our first born. Runs the casino. Cunning,
if that’s what you’re looking for.”
    But Qoqo looked clueless at the moment. “There’s a
new menu,” I whispered. “We’re on it.”
    The men entered into negotiations. Mother entered
the room. She’d caught wind.
    “ A word with my dear wife, Master Plymix?”
    “ Make it a clause, my in-laws to be!”
    As they conferred, we