35 Mortimer

There were only five prisoners in the jail. Finn followed the guard past the first four as he listened to the guard's answer.

'You're right, that old man is worse than all of the others down here. He could have spread his poisoned meat over half the district if he hadn't been caught.' The guard said angrily.

'That's horrible! Who would have thought?' Said Finn in an understanding tone. 'He seemed just like your average salesman on the surface, how did you figure it out?'

Finn tried to seem as impressed as he could, but inside he was eager for more information. This was big! Somehow he still felt something was fishy about the whole thing, but his intuition wasn't enough proof for anything.

'Yeah, it was a shock to us all. His golden battle boar bacon was a city guard favorite.' The guard said with a sad face.

'The warrant for his arrest came from higher up. One of the district officers found out that what Mortimer was selling could in fact cause those who ate it to go insane. There was an incident just the other day where several people suddenly went berserk after eating at a bar. The only witnesses claimed to have seen them eating some of Mortimer's sausages right before they went mad and attacked everyone else.'

'Sounds like a nightmare!' Finn exclaimed. This was turning out worse than he expected.

'Yeah, the worst was how the madmen transformed before they died. From the moment they first went crazy they started growing stronger and larger, and by the time we guards got there three of them were already a head taller than us with bodies of solid muscle, taking them down required teaming up two or more on one. I'm just glad none of them used weapons, or had any self preserving instincts. Their unfocused red eyes gave some of the younger guards nightmares.'

At this point they arrived at the last cell. Mortimer had one foot chained to the wall and was lying on a small mat. He looked miserable. When he saw Finn, he sat up, but didn't say anything.

The guard gave Mortimer a nasty look before taking a seat. The stool he used was close enough to keep an eye out during the visitation, but far enough to give the illusion of privacy.

Finn was about to talk but was interrupted by the guard, 'no magic stuff either, we have connections to the university of magic and the mage guild and know just how to deal with that kind of situation.'

'Don't worry, I'm don't even have a little bit of magic talent. I'm just here to have a chat.'

Mortimer got up and shuffled as close as he could to the bars that held him captive, they were still out of arm's reach.

'Hello Finn, nice of you to visit.' Mortimer managed a weak smile.

'No problem, I would have brought you some food, but I don't think they'd allow it.' Finn said. 'I had to thank you for the mage hand booklet. Although I'm not magically inclined, it's been fascinating to learn a little about that world. Whenever I cast it, it ends up more like a lump than a hand, do you have any tips or advice on how to fix that'

Although slightly disappointed, Mortimer had nothing else to do so he obliged. 'Sure, I have years of experience with that spell. First of all, did you feel this? if so then do that. Usually I do this, but if you only use your inner mana, then I'd suggest doing that instead.

The guard lost interest in the conversation pretty quick, it seemed to be completely about magic and magic theory, and he didn't understand half of what was being said. It was therefore extremely boring. He got up and wandered around checking on the other prisoners, still keeping Finn in sight just to be safe.

Finn quickly changed topic when the guard was out of earshot. He asked some questions in a low voice.

'Did you sell the poisoned meat? If not, why would anyone frame you? And who could it be?'

Mortimer was a bit surprised by the sudden change, but kept a straight face so as not to draw the guards attention. This was more along the lines of what he had been hoping to talk about.

'I didn't do it. I wasn't lying when I said I had been framed.' Mortimer whispered back, 'I got involved with a group and was probably in over my head. I think they pulled the strings to orchestrate the whole deal.'

Finn thought about the response for a little before continuing.

At this point the guard was talking to one of the other prisoners, so Finn thought he wouldn't hear anything.

'When I was clearing out your warehouse, I found something. A report regarding an experimental new source of cheap meat, the rat king I killed had traits matching the description in the report. The description the guard gave me of the three who went mad are also scarily similar.'

At this, Mortimer's eyes went wide before whispering, 'so you know then, that'll make things easier to explain. I believe Future Meat, the group behind the new research, are the ones who got me arrested. I didn't want to sell their products before the testing proved it safe for consumption.'

'Why would that make them act against you?' Finn didn't understand.

'I wanted out, said they could contact me again if it was properly tested. I knew too much though, they knew I wouldn't agree to them bringing that questionable meat to the market, so I had to go.'

'Wow! That's insane, I'm just glad they didn't just hire an assassin.' Finn said in relief. He believed Mortimer, he had read the report in the office.

'Yeah, well as you know, I know a little magic. Taking care of an assassin or two would be a piece of cake, but nobody messes with the guard, they have a lot of really powerful members. I'll probably end up in the mines for the next twenty or more years, but I'll survive. I'm most sad about the three who got killed when they went crazy though. They worked for me that day, moving the new stock from the warehouse to the shop. They were good workers, I have them some meat as a thank you.'

As if anticipating the obvious question Finn was about to ask, Mortimer continued. 'The meat was fine, I had some the same day. They probably had a strong dose of the growth potion mixed into their drinks by someone at the bar.'

'What was the bar called? Maybe I can look into it?' Finn offered. 'What is Future Meat anyway? How can we prove you are innocent?'

Mortimer just smiled at Finn's enthusiasm, it felt good to know at least one person out there knew the truth, one person believed in his innocence.

'Don't get involved Finn. You're a nice young lad. The waters are too murky, and you are too inexperienced. I don't want to be in the mines worrying about your safety.'

Mortimer sighed. He hoped he hadn't already said too much, he just wanted someone to know the truth. Finn was too trusting, he wasn't suited to deal with the dark side of society.

Finn was about to argue, but Mortimer started yelling unexpectedly.

'You think you're so great! Wait till I feed you some of my special meat! If I weren't locked up without my wand I'd roast you with a fireball!! Argh!!!

The guard came running, and pulled Finn away from the bars. 'Oh no you won't! It'll be pickaxes and hard labor for you!! That's the last visitor you'll be having before we send you to the mines!'

Finn was dumbstruck by Mortimer's sudden behavior, that was some of the worst acting he had every seen. It worked though, the guard turned around and dragged Finn away, the visitation was over.

Finn looked back at Mortimer one last time as he left. The old man looked up and winked at him and smiled.

'Goodbye Finn, live well.' Mortimer mumbled quietly.