Judge Albrecht, he who upheld the law

his Story is about a good bureaucrat, a judge who knew his place. His name was Albrecht the Just, it was an ordinary day when he sentenced three murderers to death. Many people came to his chamber that day and thanked him for being so just and always careful to uphold the law. After all, he had justly sentenced three murderers today, and he was just, because Albrecht was always just and careful to find out the truth and to secure the evidence of this, and this is important because these rotten murderers almost talked their way out of it and were acquitted. But, they had not reckoned with Albrecht, who carefully examined the evidence, listened to all the witnesses and finally appealed to their conscience until they confessed their misdeeds in tears, and there are three murderers, abusers and butchers all, as it turned out. Only had to wait half a day for their punishment. For the trials of Albrecht were not only just, but also swift. Evil should not rest. Should not be allowed to lull itself into security. So Albrecht poured himself some strong liquor, he would enjoy this decent drop, oh yes he could, but sadly, it did not come to that, the judge heard a great commotion in the street and with a regretful look at the bitter drink he went to see what was going on. But, as soon as he saw what was happening the drink was forgotten. An angry mob was about to tear a child apart. A child covered all over with soot. “Stop that at once” he shouted in a melodious voice accustomed to laying down judgments. “In my town no one will be strung up without due process.” The mob remained furious, but for the moment desisted from the poor child. “Albrecht, Albrecht, that little brat, he has set fire, his whole family burned to death, we managed to contain the fire, but three houses collapsed and people died. The little boy is a murderer, a mass murderer. We want to see the little one hanged. You have to do something!” Albrecht refused to be ruffled, he ordered the child to step forward. The boy looked at Albrecht puzzled, amazed that anyone ever listened to him “Hey Kid. Tell me what happened!” “Albrecht, what are you doing!” shouted many throats. “Leave it be, I know what I’m doing” said Albrecht calmly. “So now tell me lad, how such a poor little creature as you can spread so much mischief surely it was an accident. You’re not a firebug, are you? We’ll get the mob calmed down” Albrecht said calmly. The boy could hardly look the goodman in the eyes, he knew what he had done. “Judge, judge, I did it, it was me! I burned down the houses, yes! I! I!” And so, the little one cried relentlessly. “Easy, easy now little one. First tell me why you did it” said Albrecht in his sweet voice. “They beat me. They didn’t give me food and I had to sweep the floors every day” sobbed the little one, and yes the kid really looked beaten up, the poor soul, Albrecht thought to himself, Albrecht also thought that the little boy would probably have to be locked up in a workers camp for years. He would not be able to give the little boy a milder punishment without the people lynching him. “One more question, child. How did you do it?” asked Albrecht, the judgment already on his lips. I, I, will i just thought about them all burning after all, wished for it every night! And one morning, when I was supposed to be eating the rubbish under the table, it burst out of me. I screamed burn. All of you. Yes. And then it happened.. They were all on fire” stammered the soot stained boy. Albrecht was startled; he was dealing with a loose mage here. Dear Lord, everyone in the town was in danger. “So listen to me now. Little one. You mustn’t talk anymore. Nod if you understand, for then I can help you, yes” Albrecht spoke quickly, the little one nodded in amazement. For even if he had done something bad, Albrecht had always been a good man and if anyone could help him now, it would certainly be the judge! The judge ordered, “You will all go home. The boy will be safely housed with me. Send out a crow to the great Inquisition” and he took the boy into his parlor “Are you thirsty, nod if so come. I’ll pour thee a glass of bitter liqueur after all this trauma you shall drink with me too” Albrecht held out a glass to the dirty little child “Will you toast with me, little one?” asked Albrecht wordlessly. The little boy touched the judge’s glass with his, drank and coughed hard. Albrecht drank too and sighed, “Boy, we’re going to wait three days now. You and I here in this room, you shall get to drink and to eat, but you must not talk under any circumstances. Nod if you promise” said Albrecht. The boy nodded. Albrecht stepped once more outside with the boy and spoke to the mob, which was now reverently silent as it saw the righteous judge before it “So hear me you good townspeople. The little one has fallen victim to magic and I have called the Inquisition to save him. We all know that this is just and right. So now, go back to your daily lives. I have spoken” And like children who obey their father, they went about their daily lives. One or two townspeople somewhat sullenly extinguished their previously lit torches, Albrecht and the little one returned to the judge’s writing room. So the two waited three days and three nights. When the boy slept, Albrecht stayed awake. It was a hard time, but Albrecht knew what had to be done, when his eyes threatened to close. On the third day, the door was pushed open and a man in purple and gold stood before him and said “Good day judge Albrecht. I have received your letter” “Oh there you are. The inquisition, tis here boy you shall be save,” cried Albrecht awake and happy.
The boy woke and was visibly disturbed, but he had promised not to say anything and so he said nothing.
“Albrecht, you have done good. You know whom to judge and you know when to call the Inquisition. In doing so, you have saved this poor sinner's life. The Inquisition turned to the small boy, still covered in soot “You will come with us to a monastery where you will receive your just and lenient punishment in peace. After all, you were a good boy and could not help it turn magic abused you. Besides, you kept all the instructions of the good judge that will never be forgotten. But, until you reach the monastery, you will have to carry this little stick between your teeth, because you are not allowed to talk. Understood?” Again, the boy understood and showed this with a nod. The Inquisitor continued, “It is not your fault, the magic had let you to evil, we will help you and restore the balance of magic.”
The boy was gagged with a biting stick and led away by two honorable Inquisitor guards. “Albrecht, the Inquisition is in debt to you! You have made sure that the world is a little bit fairer! We will take good care of the little one!” And so, it was, and it was good.
That day the delicate balance of magic was restored and a mage defeated, but for how long? To the end of his life, Albrecht thought proudly of the three long days, in which he saved the boy’s life.