Trial Of Aryse [draft one]

Bribery

" OK, here's the plan: we bribe Table four into taking our quest," I whispered.

" Now how are you planning to do that exactly?" Orion asked.

" I... I'm not sure. We'll figure it out. Eventually."

"Well," Cylin began," we don't have a lot of time. They leave at noon."

" Guys, I have an idea: cake!" Astrid exclaimed.

We all gave her a look that was like no. That's not gonna work.

"That is," Cylin broke the silence," the dumbest idea ever,".

Astrid went into defensive mode. " Not as dumb as your... your hair!"

Cylin got ready to fight. " Excuse me?! Don't talk about my hair!"

I stepped between them. Astrid walked next to Orion, and put her hand on his sholder. He patted her hand.

"You know what, we could just go up and ask." Orion suggested.

"They will dismiss us. Or at least me." I sighed.

"Not ask McDaniel, he would never say yes. Ask the team. My brother knows the leader, and although she seems like someone who is pretty not likely to trade, there is a chance." Orion suggested. "You guys know this is against the government rules, right?"

Astrid and Cylin nodded, but I didn't. This was something I did not know.

"No, I did not know that, let's do it anyway."

Cylin gave me a sideways look but didn't say anything.

"OK, let's go with Astrid's idea, and bake a cake!" I said. "If I'm breaking the law I'm doing it in style."

"No," Orion ,"let's just ask."

"No, let's bake a cake" Astrid argued.

"Just to get things done quicker, I think we should ask." Cylin said, and I started to agree.

"Yeah, I guess." I was seeing the benefits of asking. We can't bake a cake in an hour

"Ugh. All I wanted was some baked goods." Astrid sighed.

The leader of Table four and her group were chating, but the leaders back was turned. I'll be honest, I'm not that good in the social department, but I try. So, I awkwardly tapped her, and when she didn't respond, I whispered a tiny "hey."

She stopped talking and turned around to see me. She was a lot taller, and honestly a lot prettier than me.

"Umm, hi. I'm Pyra."

A short red head boy in the back raised his hand. "I'm Twill."

"Yes, we know Twill." Pyra was clearly annoyed.

"I didn't know that." Orion blankly said.

"Well, OK." I said. "Anyway, I kinda, sorta, need to ask a favor of you guys. Eheheh, it's kind of, well maybe..." I trailed off.

"Trade quests with us because we have never been to the capital." Cylin picked at his nails, not even looking up at Pyra.

"Umm, isn't that against the law?" Pyra looked suspicious. "Also, what's your name, you never told me. I'm not about to break the law for someone I don't know."

"I'm Aryse."

"I'm Orion, pleased to meet you."

"I'm Astrid!"

"Cylin."

"OK, You know me and Twill, the other two are Glass and Ray." Pyra introduced us.

Glass and Ray waved. They looked exactly alike. I didn't bother asking who was who.

" I will not break the law for you." Pyra concluded.

We, well not Cylin, were devestated.

"C'mon, Pyra, we have never been to the forest, and they've never been to the capital! Just this once?"

"Yeah, Pyra, the capital is soooo boring!" Either Ray or Glass said.

"Yeah!" Twill shouted.

"Shhh! Pyra hushed. "Alright, lets trade."

"Yo-you serious?" I stuttered.

"Take it or leave it." She rolled her eyes.

I was shocked, so Cylin said take for me, and dragged me away. It took me a minute to realize what happened, but in the end, we got to go to the capital. How cool is that?

As soon as I recovered, I sent my team home to pack. I got my spare quest shirt and changed shorts, looked around for some money, didn't find any, and went over to Squeeks cage to pick her up.

"You stinky girl, I'll be back soon,"

I kissed Squeek goodbye, left her a ton of food and water, and left for the limo to take us to the capital.