Jackson Barrows was an avid reader of cultivation, not that he would ever admit to it to his friends or family, mainly because explaining even half of the basics would be an ordeal. Still, he enjoyed them, movies, shows, comics, and the odd novel or two; he was an enjoyer of the concept and general execution, despite some repetitive ideas. Because of this, the moment he was forced to his knees by a man called 'The Vermillion Jade Emperor' and his gaggle of minions, he knew exactly what to do, or so he thought, and because of that, he was in prison, for the first time in his life.

  "&^%-@!."

  A small blessing was that he didn't have to listen to whatever they prattled to him about each day.

  The guard threw a half loaf onto the floor of his cell, some kind of hardtack, adjacent to him and the other prisoners. Picking it up, it wasn't so bad if you got it fresh enough, maybe the cooks were generous today and decided to throw in a bit of extra salt for flavor.

  Nibble, crunch.

  Jack stood corrected, it was last week's batch, he could tell from the bugs.

  "Pah"

  Looking at what was just in his mouth, Jack found the usual suspect, a large beetle-like insect without wings. According to the rotating prisoners they were called Scum Farmers, for reasons best left out of the imagination. Picking what he could out of the loaf, he managed to salvage what he could, nibbling again on the small strips that didn't have bugs on them.

  The guards laughed as soon as he spat the food out, pointing at his disgust and the meager remaining food. While not always like this, it was the general trend among his jailors, making it his fate to eat dirty old bread. And speaking of fate, yes, unnamed guard #9 was correct; he assumed, given their motioning, that they would be taking him somewhere. What awaited him, he did not know, but almost anything would be better, not good perhaps, but better. As the guards shackled his arms and legs, they all but dragged him out of his cell up a flight of stairs. Hallways and rooms passed as they left a large stone building, letting the sun shine on him for the first time in months. The wonderful rays felt painful on his eyes and pale skin, but he could almost feel his body drink in the rays like a man in a desert oasis. But soon after leaving one building, they entered another, this time an expensive-looking building with men and women in long flowing robes walking to and forth with scrolls and boxes, some noticed him, pointing and laughing, some ignoring, while others did not attempt to hide their disgust. Quickly moving past more rooms, he entered the most luxurious room he had seen so far, red walls and columns with green accents, gold was plenty along with filigree and imagery of many animals and people. Further in was a large wooden furniture piece with just as much over-the-top decoration as the room. It would have been at home in some book back home, but this was real, and likely where his life would be determined.

  The two guards chained him to a loop embedded in the ground, anchored into stone rather than the high-quality wood flooring. The two of them left, leaving him alone in the room for a second as a stream of different guards and robed men flooded into the room. Each of them inspected every part once and twice more by their comrades, filtering through the room as they searched him as well, searching his clothes for anything before being satisfied enough to take position at the sides of the room. A small gong sounded as a procession walked slowly from the right, as a slew of people took different spots in the room. He vaguely recognized a few of them from the quick walk here, but he couldn't be sure. A minute passed as those present went into a deep bow, and a man and woman in probably the most expensive-looking clothes he's ever seen in his life walked in, taking a seat on the wooden piece, which turned out to be a kind of judge's bench, he supposed. Quickly following them, Jack went into something of a bow, as much of one as a hunched-over man chained to the floor could anyway, if they're going to kill him, then it would be better if they did it clean.

  The man said something, and everyone stood straight again.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "?@)!+?"

  Their language sounded like an odd fusion of several Asian languages he couldn't quite put his finger on.

  Another well-dressed man in beautiful robes took the center stage as the sounds of rattling echoed through the hallway behind him. From the hallway, another person bound in chains came out, a big, burly guy who would fit in with the Vikings. The judge motioned to the other robed guy, let's call him Jimmy, causing him to begin speaking to the room, motioning to the two of us as men with scrolls transcribed every word. After a moment Jimmy finished his speech, ending with a bow to the judge as he finished his piece about us no doubt. The crowd reaction was somewhat subdued, but the judge himself and the lady next to him spoke to one another in quiet voices, not letting the others in the room hear their conversation. The judge motioned again to Jimmy, who also motioned to the guard by the door. Through the doorway came a trio of women, two were dressed rather simply, while the third they were following was in an elegant white and yellow outfit.

  She was... quite beautiful, if Jack was honest, but he shook those thoughts away, more important things to pay attention to, like his possible execution.

  Beautiful Lady stood to Jimmy's side with a slight bow, looking more at the floor than anyone else.

  Jimmy said something next, pointing to the Viking and me.

  "The lord minister commands each of you to answer him truthfully."

  Holy shit she can speak English; he might get to have a conversation with someone.

  "Aint tellin you imperial fucks a thang."

  He spat towards Minister Jimmy, but a gale force blasted both the spittle and the Viking man. Closer to the podium, a heavily armored guard held out his hand, which was glowing.

  Internally, Jack was screaming for several reasons, first someone who could talk, and now magic, what other world-shaking things would he learn?!

  The Viking man was sat back up by another guard, only to be hit over the head with a spear butt before he could do something else. Jimmy and the lady turned towards him, however, looking expectant for his answer.

  "I, uh, sure?"

  She said something to Jimmy, who nodded and said more.

  "The lord minister wishes to know of your allegiance, as well as from which tribe you hail."

  Clan- she must think he's with that guy.

  "I believe there's been something of a misunderstanding, I'm not with him."

  She relayed it.

  "The minister knows you are lying; your appearance, language, and manner are befitting of one of the savage tribes."

  "But I truly am not one of these, tribers, I-ah, come from a place to the west."

  "Where do many savage tribesmen live?"

  Fuck

  "Surely there's something I could do to prove I'm not with him, right?"

  The minister contemplated for a moment before calling the same guard whose hand was glowing to stand in front of me. With a word and nod from Jimmy, the magical guard leveled a knife against my neck, the edge of the blade turning an off white.

  Those gathered gave confused and even interested sounds, but none looked as intrigued as Minister Jimmy and the judge.

  "It appears that you are telling the truth, for now, the next question then is just who are you then?"

  "I am Jackson Barrows, of America."

  She whispered to Jim.

  "Very well, Jack's son Barrows, of America, what brought you to our lands several months ago, you were captured alongside a group of raiders from the west."

  Shit, need to come up with a story.

  "I was not with them by choice, you see, I was taken from my home and don't know if I can return now."

  The blade remained white.

  Jim and the translator both nodded to one another, looking to the judge as he gave a short answer.

  "Very well, as it stands then, you have been cleared of the charges originally planned for you, but currently that does not mean you are free to go, you must still answer some questions."

  "A-yes ma'am."

  "The minister wishes to know how your people would punish a criminal such as the one beside you?"

  "For which crimes exactly?"

  They looked a bit confused by his statement, but continued nonetheless.

  "Rape, murder, theft, and many more sins to this kingdom."

  Probably a test of some kind.

  "We would imprison them for their entire lives or kill them if the judge chose that."

  "The minister wishes to know if you would kill this man for his crimes."

  "If he showed no remorse, I would consider it."

  "The minister is satisfied for now and shall pass judgment on the tribesman."

  Jim made a cutting motion in the air, and from behind the Viking man, two guards pulled his unconscious body out of the room, the guy waking up as they traveled down the hall.

  "The tribesman has been sentenced to death, as your people would have done, but now they will discuss your position. The minister would like-"

  The judge interrupted her, speaking softly about something before walking towards Jack with several guards, scribes, and other unknown hangers-on following close behind.

  "Ahem, the Great Scarlet Jade Emperor wishes to offer a job."

  Jack felt part of his brain explode.