Hellhound AU

[just_aces]

Sometime round about 1900, a witch summoned a hellhound as a familiar.

He didn't mind it, hellhounds are loyal after all, and if some of her spells left him tired and drained, well, that was what he was there for, to keep her from using too much of her own energy for things. That and to eat the souls of her victims, sometimes.

But then, in the early 1970s, she ran afoul of a much stronger coven.

She was quite quickly banished to hell, but the hellhound couldn't be allowed to go with her, because, well, hellhounds are loyal and she was powerful and would have been able to use him to escape.

So the hellhound was made human, figuring that sixty, seventy, even eighty years if he was lucky would be enough time for the witch to have been consumed, so that even when the human-that-had-been-a-hellhound died, and Death herself realized that he was definitely not where, or what, he was supposed to be, she'd send him back.

But then one Charles Rowland kind of fucked up that whole plan by dying young and immediately running away from Death herself.

So the ghost-who-was-the-boy-who-was-the-hellhound has no idea what he was, or still is, under it all.

But, after a trip through hell to save his best friend (Hellhounds are loyal, after all) and time spent in a familiar position -though not a familiar kitchen- after that has been enough to knock a few things loose...

Comments

[uptightboy]

Edwin was used to reading books in far more unconventional places. So he welcomed the library and yes it could take his mind off of things. Although it was a bit weird to have a chaperone. It wasn't like having Charles around. It was more annoying. But if anything had rubbed off on him of Charles was that he was trying to be... less offending with people who couldn't help doing their jobs.

"We are officially partners since 1990," Edwin pointed at the door to their sign, explaining just how long they had been to this.

When the Night Nurse arrived, Edwin was ready to face whatever she wanted. But then he spotted Charles behind her. And everything made sense suddenly. Edwin's throat tightened as he was watching the hound being bored and not in pain. It had only been half a day and he already missed him so much. Edwin had no idea it was going to be this bad.

"Is he alright?" Edwin couldn't help but ask, raising his wide eyes at the nurse.

[just_aces]

"He's well enough, mostly he's slept. A transformation like that is," she paused, well aware that Daphne was there and probably so she could relay information to Lady Goode and the coven, "taxing, especially when one is unprepared for it." She wasn't saying anything untrue, and wasn't explicitly pointing fingers, either.

She set the files on the desk, drawing up a chair because going through with the legitimate reason for her visit was the only way to ensure they could keep doing it, "I expect he'll be back up and getting into everyone's pockets tomorrow. Making a regular nuisance of himself as only he can."

[uptightboy]

Edwin bit at his lower lip, unable to look away from Charles's form. He wasn't angry at the witches anymore. He was only worried. But... but he did feel comforted by the presence of Charles, even if it was through a door. He went to sit by his desk.

"This may take a while, do be prepared," he told Daphne as he sat by his desk, pulling up the notebook he wrote the case notes. He wanted to tell the Nurse to keep Charles safe, to care for him, to give him a ball if he wanted, or to let him roam and run about... But he didn't. He couldn't. The pen in his hand was trembling as he opened his notebook, and looked at Charles again through the door.

He could talk for hours about closed cases if needed. Maybe until the dull ache in his chest got better... Though he wondered if it ever will. If he himself was also muzzled in a way when Charles wasn't there to take that weight off of him.

[just_aces]

The case review in and of itself didn't take long, mostly because the Night Nurse had an innate sense for when something would be obviously stalling for time and when it wouldn't, but she did give a very clear, "Same time tomorrow, then." For Edwin's benefit as much as that of his chaperone, before departing, as if needing to keep up with business as usual was the most important thing even with an impending trial.

The next evening Charles was in the same spot next to the Night Nurse's desk, but he had a young boy leant against his side, apparently fully asleep, one grubby hand curled tight in the fur of his shoulder the other thumb securely in his own mouth. Charles' head was up, ears forward and alert, though he couldn't help the one fitful wave of his tail as he spotted Edwin through the open door.

By the third day -wherein Charles was seen in passing being chased by a girl with a pillowcase cape and a cardboard sword, only to keel over on his back with his feet kicking in the air when she actually managed to poke him with it- Daphne had realized the actual reason for the appointments, but as her instructions were only to report if the hound was brought back to the mortal plane -or if Edwin left the mortal plane- there was nothing wrong as far as she was concerned, and nothing for her to report. That was also the day that the Coven confirmed that Lower Parliament would be available for a full trial and also that the witch was, indeed, still in Hell, and official forms were filed for her conditional appearance at the trial.

[uptightboy]

Even if they didn't start out without hiccups with the Night Nurse, Edwin is terribly thankful for her help. He had no idea what he would have done if he couldn't have checked on Charles from time to time. It was still hard but seeing that Charles was doing well, and somehow returned to himself, even if he was still a hound, could put some ease into Edwin's chest.

The days were long, and slow and no amount of research and reading could make it better. Especially after Daphne and Lady Gooden confirmed that Charles's owner was still around. And wants her hound back. Which could have meant that she would be able to escape Hell. A rare thing to do.

And finally, there was a day appointed for the trial. However, Edwin was warned it may last multiple days due to the sensitivity of the issue. What he also was surprised by was that many others were also summoned as witnesses.

As they walked into the 'courtroom' with Daphne and Lady Goode, Edwin also had to realize that this case was apparently public, or way too many people were allowed to watch from the gallery. The room was huge as if they wanted to shove a smaller arena of some kind in the middle. And it did look like that with all the people watching from the gallery all around. None of this was helping about Edwin's nerves.

"Yes, buckle up detective, this is going to be a bumpy ride," Lady Goode said, taking a drag from her cigarette.

[just_aces]

The night before the trial there was no case review, as anyone who had been summoned as part of the trial -which included the Night Nurse- was meant to have no contact with either Edwin or Charles' original owner for a minimum of twenty-four hours just to make sure no information could be passed along that would aid either party.

The witch, still referring to herself as the Duchess Nocturna -not that she'd ever held an actual title- was accompanied by a pair of Hell's finest, or at the very least their least-busy, as her release was conditional, only for as long as the trial lasted, the only difference was that if she 'won', Charles would be returned to Hell with her.

Edwin, of course, had the Coven behind him, represented by the Lady Goode and Daphne, both smartly dressed.

While Charles, with the chain and muzzle as well as Edwin's glowing halter-rope returned to the way they'd been, with the latter cushioning the potential damage from the former, was kept in view of all parties, one of the Department's actuaries at his side, as the Night Nurse had received a summons and was no longer considered a neutral party even though the Department as a whole was. The circle he was in wasn't fully-glowing, but was still enough to keep him from jumping anyone, not that he seemed like he was going to, sitting straight, alert and aware and, perhaps most surprisingly, sporting Charles' trademark compass-star earring low on his left ear.

The gallery was an impressive collection of the London supernatural community, ghosts, shapeshifters vampires, and other curious parties and the whole thing was being presided over by Old Bailey himself, an impressive, gaunt figure in his magistrate's wig and robes. He raised both hands for silence before commencing, "It isn't often that we here in the Lower Parliament see the return of a case handled by others, but it isn't unheard of. Though the time passed since the initial case is... impressive." His voice was resonant in a way that made him easy to hear and understand even despite the size of the room, "Lady Goode, if your Coven's historian could relate the reasons for and outcome of your Coven's case against the Duchess, as a reminder for myself and the council?"

[uptightboy]

There were so many people. So many. All with the ability to see ghosts. Edwin had to realize that this may have been the first time that he was being witnessed by this many pairs of eyes since he died. His knees were shaking by the time they reached their designated spot on one end of the room. But the sight of Charles calmed him a little, especially the little dangling earring. It definitely wasn't there when they parted the last time, which was curious, Edwin wondered.

Once again, Edwin had to realize how much he had come to rely on Charles. He missed his presence from next to him, missed seeing his back in front of him as the other shielded him from everything and anything... Especially as he had to look at a witch from Hell, with two demons occupying her. The whole room smelled like the stairs of Hell, and Edwin could have sworn he could feel cold.

"Certainly, Your Honor," Lady Goode answered and motioned to one of the ladies accompanying them. Edwin had heard some of the things the trial was about but listening to the full list of what went down about thirty years before was... a lot. Calling the Duchess's work dark arts didn't even come close to what she was actually up to. Necromancy was one of the main things and the reason she was caught in the first place. Apparently, there was a taboo against using such powers on a dead witch, but Duchess Nocturna had no problem with it. Murder, torture, illegal summoning, sacrifices of the most horrid kind, that was all Duchess Nocturna. Edwin felt sick by the time the historian got to the conclusion of the trial all those years ago. Execution by being burned alive and all her possessions taken. The Hound kept separate as it was already too risky to send it back to Hell with its bonds being still so tight with its owner. The Hound was supposed to be human for a while, and the Coven had left it to Death to deal with it once its time would come. But he ran away and that complicated things.

Edwin licked his lips looking at Charles once the old trial's reminder was done. Knowing what kind of owner he had just made his heart break more. And it made him scared for their future too.

[just_aces]

Charles had had the time for his own memories of the near-century spent with the Duchess to settle some, but hearing the whole thing laid out like that was enough to have him tensing slowly, though he didn't take his eyes off of Edwin, likewise fully aware of Nocturna's eyes on him as often as not, which was not a comfortable nor a comforting thing, especially with the weight of her bonds on him still very much in evidence even despite the fact that they were corroded and worn nearly through in places as they had been when he'd first transformed back, maybe even more corroded now than they had been those few days previously.

Things were simpler, in this shape, the complexities of the trial escaped him, what he knew was that Edwin was there, and needed his support, and he knew enough to understand that if this went wrong, if he was found lacking in some way, he was going back to the Duchess and back to Hell.

The recounting was enough to have murmuring throughout the gallery, which Old Bailey let continue for a short while before raising a hand for silence again, "And making the Hound in question human, this was not meant as a punishment, correct?"
"Correct, it was simply deemed the safest way to keep it away from its banished master until the bonds had time to dissolve on their own, or until the Hound's eventual natural return to Hell."

[uptightboy]

They had no right to take the Hound away, only to keep it away until the bonds eroded. And it almost happened. Maybe ten years or so was needed. Edwin wondered what had happened then... But right now there was another issue more pressing...

Namely, the ownership of the hound. Because eroded bonds were one thing but two bonds at once were a completely different issue. After the recital of the sins of the witch, everyone was aware of the power a Hound held. Everyone was aware that owning a beast like that granted the owner power. Enough power to be summoned from Hell even for it.

Edwin looked at Nocturna as they arrived to the part of the actual trial where his issue was brought up. The so called theft. Before this, Edwin was presented with numerous ways the trial could go. Lady Goode wasn't too optimistic, saying that ownership of summoned Beasts was one of the things all the laws agreed on. Summoners owned their beasts, no question about it. So stealing one was a big deal. The issue was, nobody wanted Nocturna to have her beast back, that was the only thing in Edwin's favor and it wasn't much.

"The Hound is mine, and if this chewing toy thinks he can have it he is more stupid than I thought," Duchess Nocturna spoke and Edwin actually jumped at her voice. He couldn't explain it but it made him feel like a part of Hell was back.

[just_aces]

A growl built in Charles' throat at both the Duchess' declaration and the way it clearly discomforted Edwin, and it was only the Actuary's hand on his head, touch barely there and cautious, that kept him from actually snarling, even just that touch was a reminder of what was at stake here, even though he didn't fully understand what was going on at the moment.

He let his gaze slide to Old Bailey as the barrister spoke again, "Master Payne, we know by the dates that you were in your current state of being when you first met the human Charles Rowland. At that time were you aware of his true nature?"

It was the kind of question that the Lady Goode had done her best to prepare Edwin for, that he should only answer the specifics of the question that had been asked and not give additional information unless it was asked for as clarification.

[uptightboy]

Daphne stepped next to Edwin as he was being spoken to. She didn't say or do anything but Edwin was aware that it was her tiny way of support. He was thankful for it but it did not stop his trembling. He liked his lips, looking at Charles before he answered.

"No, I was not, Your Honor," Edwin answered. It was... kind of the truth. He had the suspicion Charles was not a proper ghost but he truly had no idea what he could be. But he did not state that. Lady Goode prepared him well for the sake of Charles and for the sake of the coven too. It wasn't like the Lady was that afraid of the Duchess but getting her off their back after the whole execution if she had his beast back would be a nightmare.

Edwin could hear some judging murmur from the gallery. Some people truly could not fathom that someone accidentally befriended a Hound. And if Edwin were honest, under different circumstances, he would be one of them. Because why would he take a hound from Hell to his side? From the place where he was tortured for seven decades? The beast smelled like Hell, ate souls and it was filled with dark energies. And it could get so angry... But it was Charles. He was the love of Edwin.

"Liar," the Duchess hissed. "Anyone who walked Hell could recognize its creatures."

[just_aces]

Old Bailey turned a truly withering look on the Duchess, the kind of look that would have made anyone else quail at least a little, though didn't seem to have that effect on her, though it was enough to have some of the gallery going quiet again as well, "The opposition will remain silent. You'll have your turn to speak."

That said he sighed, turning to Edwin and the Lady Goode again, "Lady Goode, whilst human, would anyone who wasn't involved with the initial spell-work be able to detect anything of the creature's true nature on the human Charles Rowland?"
She straightened a little, because while that wasn't exactly a question they'd been expecting, it was near enough to one, "No, your honor, even those involved shouldn't have been able to once the work was finished. He was well and truly human and would have remained so for the duration of that human life."

Charles' eyes narrowed briefly, because he'd definitely noticed that she'd referred to him as 'he' and not 'it', and he wasn't entirely sure what to make of that.

Old Bailey nodded once, the council at the bench clearly noting that information even as the barrister continued, "And master Payne, at what time were you certain of the then-deceased Charles Rowland's true nature?"
That was definitely one of the questions that Lady Goode had prepared him for, no one involved had been certain until he and Charles had actually met with the coven. Suspicions were one thing, even well-informed suspicions, but certainty was something else again, especially for a trial like this.

[uptightboy]

Edwin did wonder how was she aware that he had been to Hell but they had more important things to worry about. The question about the nature of Charles's spell was risky but it could have a positive impact on their case. If nobody could tell what Charles was, not even the ones who cast the spell, then why would anyone want to steal him on purpose? It also explained how they could lose track of him so easily.

"It was when we visited Lady Goode," Edwin said, deliberately leaving out the part 'to seek help about Charles's nature'. "About a week ago," he added. "Only then did we discover the strange nature of his bonds."

Once again, the urge to have Charles by his side gripped him so much that Edwin was sure he would suffocate if he needed air. He couldn't even imagine what would happen if he had to return to his old master. To that witch. Edwin did feel selfish for thinking that the worst thing would be him losing Charles and not a powerful witch gaining more power...

[just_aces]

Charles yawned, as widely as the muzzle would allow, which was still enough to show off the far too many teeth, tongue lolling for a moment, just snapping his jaw shut again a moment later, licking at his snout and settling down instead of sitting upright, as if realizing for the first time that this was going to take a while and he might as well be comfortable for the duration.

The answer did get another murmuration through the gallery, though it was one that passed quickly. Old Bailey gave another nod, "Very well." He turned to the Duchess, then, "Duchess Nocturna, at any point during your incarceration did you attempt to recall or recover the Hound?" It wouldn't necessarily have broken the terms of her banishment if she had done, mostly because even if she'd tried, she wouldn't have been able to do so thanks to the transformation.

"Only once." She replied, lifting an arm to indicate the chain bracelet there, "When this returned, I knew it meant that my Hound couldn't be far off, but by the time I was able to gather myself to try he had already returned to the mortal plane."

[uptightboy]

Already returned? Edwin felt cold dread grip him. She was banished and without her Hound, and there was no way for her to find him. But then... then Charles followed Edwin to Hell.

Edwin looked at Lady Goode for a second but then at Charles. He knew it didn't happen but the bare thought of what if she was faster could not leave his mind. Charles would have left him then? Did he almost stuck in Hell and did Charles almost go back to the witch who hurt him? Did they only escape by sheer luck?

Edwin was wringing his hands nervously. It was his fault this was all happening. It also alarmed him that if the Duchess called Charles to her he might go. It would be an all too conclusive proof of ownership. Edwin so wanted to speak, to ask what kind of question that was anyway, but Lady Goode prepared him well; do not speak when there was no question asked of him. And only tell what is absolutely necessary.

[just_aces]

Charles didn't particularly like that phrasing, especially knowing what he now knew about how thoroughly changed he'd been, and sure, his true nature had already been spilling through at that point, but he didn't think she should have been able to tell where he was, only that he wasn't in Hell any longer. The problem was that he couldn't put that much thought into it at the moment, and he itched to be himself again so that he could argue, so he could say that he didn't trust her and he wasn't going back and that her eye patch looked stupid. But instead he had to settle for glowering and flicking an ear in annoyance.

Luckily the barrister was good at what he did, one would think as much for as long as he'd been doing it, "And with the deceased Charles Rowland's coven-imposed transformation back in place, how is it that you knew where he'd gone when no longer in hell?"
She shook her head, "It was merely a suspicion, of course, as the summons didn't work, but a suspicion that's been confirmed by his presence here." The answer did cause some murmuring in the gallery and among the council, but it subsided before Old Bailey had to quell it himself.

[uptightboy]

Edwin heard Lady Goode hum in distaste, and murmur something under her breath he couldn't exactly catch. But it was better that way. They weren't here to point at lies they were here to bring Charles home. But...

"Is there a way she could tell Charles was with you?" Edwin couldn't help asking Lady Goode.

"I wasn't sure before, but she may have her methods. It means she's desperate and I'm not surprised," the Lady answered. "It also could mean the bonds are still strong enough for her to feel her puppy this much." Though, at the sour expression on Edwin he looked at him instead of the Duchess and continued quietly. "She may have the bonds but you have support, boy, do not forget that. The court will see it soon."

[just_aces]

The next nearly two hours progressed much the same, and while Old Bailey had to remain neutral, and was good at it, it was easy for him to let the answers to questions stand for themselves, and not just the answers, but how they were answered.

There was a short recess after that, mostly to allow things to settle again and to collect those who had been summoned, and it seemed that Edwin and the Coven weren't the only ones with support, though the Duchess' support seemed to consist of a single lesser demon -likely whoever she had annexed her space in Hell from- and a pair of imps who were likely her employees, as it were.

Once court resumed both of the imps were quickly dismissed as they had been commanded to attend by Nocturna and not properly summonsed as everyone else had been, and while the demon wasn't dismissed, his support was lackluster at best, consisting mostly of questioning why the Duchess couldn't be allowed to have her toy back as it had already returned to hell of its own accord once.

That was a revelation that had the gallery murmuring again and Old Bailey nodded, raising a hand for silence before turning to Edwin and the Lady Goode, "That does raise a good question. If the at that time deceased Charles Rowland was unaware of his true nature, why was he returned to Hell? That is not a trip to be taken lightly, even for a ghost."

[uptightboy]

It was excruciating. Answering questions and remaining calm while there were demons and imps around, without Charles, was tiring. But this was also a different kind of fight than they were used to. Edwin also idly wondered how lucky Charles was in such a form now, maybe the boredom was more manageable for him this way.

Then came that question. Edwin swallowed nervously. This was a crucial question and Lady Goode also told him that the answer could push his case in a good way with the council.

"He-" Edwin started startled at how his voice trembled. He cleared his throat then continued. "He came after me," he answered. "I was taken, on unfair grounds mind you. I was not supposed to be there and Charles came for me. He saved me."

Without summoning. Without calling. Without a stupid chain bracelet on his wrist. Charles just fled to his side without thinking. Even after all this time Edwin still felt anger over it rise in his stomach because it was so, so stupid... Yet, they both knew how it all ended.

[just_aces]

That was a question that had Charles sitting up to attention again, leaning as close to the edge of the circle as he could get, thankful that the actuary with him allowed him that much lead instead of trying to pull him back. That tremor in Edwin's voice was just wrong, he needed to be over there at Edwin's side so he didn't have to worry that way. He wasn't going back, Charles wouldn't allow it.

The answer led to the Night Nurse being called up first, both to explain how such a thing had been allowed, to which she made clear it was Charles' idea and had gone against everyone's better judgment and advice and had caused her additional paperwork on what should have been a very straightforward collection jobs.

Which in turn led to her explanation of how she knew both Charles and Edwin, and the only times she'd seen Charles anything close to dangerous was in defense of Edwin.

It was her testimony that started the collection of people who knew the pair, Crystal making clear that she'd never seen Edwin use Charles' energy for magic, and often when Edwin was doing magic Charles had been on task with her and wouldn't have been able to lend anything in the first place.

[uptightboy]

The whole thing was almost surreal, Edwin wondered. Listening to people talk about them, their friendship, and how they saw them, just to prove that Edwin wasn't a thief was a lot. As if he only did all that to keep a Hound. A beast he would have run from under different circumstances.

But while the confessions of the witnesses were a bit uncomfortable to listen to, one thing was clear. Charles had changed. He wasn't a toy of a witch anymore, he was a protector. He was a bloody hero as far as Edwin was concerned. He was fierce and always ready to jump between Edwin and danger without any orders.

Although, the Duchess had an argument about magic and ghosts as a reason for Edwin to want to keep one. Ghosts used magic in different, slightly weaker ways. Magic was more powerful when channeled through a body, even if it was dead. Ghosts had no bodies thus their magic was significantly weaker, but add a Hellhound to that equation and get a powerful ghost. Very useful to one who did not want to go to Hell where he belonged, the witch remarked.

"I did not use--" Edwin snapped before he could stop himself in time. But the accusation was so out of line and so vile. If anyone used Charles it was the Duchess. Edwin could never, not like that...

[just_aces]

Charles, likewise, hadn't realized they had so many friends, or at least acquaintances who were friendly, even the postman spoke up for them, that of all the things he'd seen in his moments in their office on his rounds, it was nothing to be concerned with or, as a civil servant, he would have reported it long before.

It was the Duchess' accusation, and Edwin's bitten-back reply that had another murmur going through the gallery, which was apparently enough to make the Duchess bold, "This is all well and good, but my Hound knows where he belongs. If it's that important, let it speak for itself." That definitely raised questions in the council, which Old Bailey considered, mostly it seemed that no one had thought of that yet, likely because no one thought that Charles would be able to regain his human form once he'd been returned to his true form. Certainly the Duchess herself didn't, or she wouldn't have been so quick to suggest it.

Finally the barrister nodded, raising his hand for silence once more, "If it will keep this from rolling over to a second day, yes, let the Hound speak for itself, if it's able."

Charles just blinked at that order, looking puzzled at first, though he'd trundled to his feet at the Duchess' initial scoffed statement. There was a long moment of anticipatory stillness in the gallery and from the council, but that was all the time Charles needed to make himself change back, once again human fingers lifting to tug the muzzle free, lifting it away from his head, nose wrinkling at the way the nails singed at his scalp and ear before it was clear and he could set it down on the floor, unfolding slowly to his feet, mostly to make sure that he was actually dressed as he did so, tugging his jacket collar straight once he was solidly himself again.

The transformation itself was enough to cause an out and out uproar in the gallery, the Duchess blanching visibly, though even with the muzzle removed, those corroded chain links were still tangled tightly around Charles' right wrist, while Edwin's golden halter was loosely looped around the left.

[uptightboy]

Edwin was ready to retort about how silly that request was. They were talking about Charles's form with Lady Goode and she had a few suggestions but that was if Charles could be returned to Edwin. Definitely not during the trial. Because it was unheard of for a Hellhound to change shape or form without any magical help. That fact scared Edwin because would that mean Charles may never be back again?

So as he was watching the hound change back and take off the muzzle, as if shedding some of his old bonds, some of Edwin's worries calmed. Though, he had little idea what this all meant for their future.

"Charles..." Edwin sighed in relief seeing the boy again. He heard Daphne gasp in delight and Lady Goode murmuring something along with curses. This was Charles, Edwin wondered, defying his nature. He defied death first and now this. Edwin hoped Charles knew just how proud he was of him.

So once Edwin settled his fluttering heart, his gaze found the Duchess again. He raised an eyebrow in a silent question: 'You were saying?'

[just_aces]

Charles worked his jaw for a moment, it had only been a week, but he had to remember how talking worked, how to form the words, how to actually say things. His voice was a little rough when it came, "I choose Edwin." He knew that he was going to have to explain himself, even as Old Bailey gave a nod, voice quieter than it had been though still just as resonant, especially in the shocked silent room, "Can you elaborate on that, Master Rowland?"

Charles nodded, jaw working again, tongue pressing against the roof of his mouth, the shape of it feeling wrong even after just a week with a maw instead, "Until last week, I had no idea I wasn't... me." A gesture with his left hand at himself, "This, just... human with a life stopped too soon who chose a friend over the unknown." His brow creased a little, words coming more easily and more clearly as he kept talking, "Or, he wasn't a friend yet, but I knew he needed one, as I explained to the Coven, Edwin didn't have anything to gain by helping me then. When I died. He put himself at risk by staying, even. He didn't know anything more than I did, then."

He swayed just a little, jaw tightening as he drew himself up again, squaring his shoulders, "In the years since he's never, not once asked anything of me I wasn't willing to give." His jaw worked silently for a moment, gathering his words once more, "When under the Duchess' control I might as well have been a tackle box full of parts that could sometimes take out the trash."

The Duchess was livid, and couldn't quite manage to hold her tongue, snapping: "But my bonds still hold. Your opinion may have weight, but you're still my Hound." It was enough to make Charles twitch, a little, but he didn't fully cringe away from her anger, despite the obvious tension coiling down his spine.

There was another murmur across the council, one of them dipping close to the Barrister, apparently to relay the wording of the law, and Old Bailey sighed, but nodded, "Unfortunately as there is no precedent for something like this, while your opinion will hold wight, it cannot be the final decision. However, as Master Payne would have had no way to know what you were at the time of your meeting, that means that no theft has occurred, this is now a matter of custody."

Nocturna cut in before he could continue, sure of herself once more, "Trial by combat." Her expression was neutral enough but somehow still managed to be a sneer, "We know the ghost isn't going to do the right thing and cede custody, which means there's only one way forward, yes?"

It was clear that the Barrister was fighting off a headache, even if it was a metaphorical one, "That is the simplest form of determination, yes, if both parties agree."

The Lady Goode had been silent after her initial frustration with Charles being able to change himself back, but she gave Edwin a barely-there nod, "Agree, choose your champion well, she has no one who will stand for her." If she did have, they would have been summoned already. Likewise Lady Goode couldn't outright tell Edwin to pick Charles as his champion, previously she would have assumed that he would do so regardless, but now she couldn't be so sure.

[uptightboy]

If anyone had any questions about Charles, all of that was answered, Edwin thought as he listened to the boy. It may have been a little out of place but his heart fluttered too.

But he did not expect the Duchess's next move.

"Combat?" Edwin repeated in disbelief. It wasn't fair. Was that justice? Was that allowed...? But then Lady Goode assured him and Edwin's hands tensed into fists. He knew quite well he was no match for Nocturna. But Charles... could he go against his master like this? Edwin couldn't know how strong the witch was, or how strong she would get if she got close to her Hound. Because the bonds seemed to strengthen by the proximity of the master; they certainly did when Edwin was close.

So Edwin hesitated still and looked at Charles. He was the brawn. He was the fighter... he always was. He was the reason Edwin could finally feel safe after running for so long in Hell. It was a simple answer and yet, Edwin's heart was heavy as he said it.

"In this unfortunate case, I choose Charles Rowland as my champion," Edwin said, his voice breaking on the last word. He knew there was no other way but he was still worried.