Call for a guard and demand a more lenient punishment.

The more you think about your sentence, the more incensed you are at the injustice of it. Yes you have broken the law for your own gain, but you have never killed anyone and even have helped the downtrodden a few times, when you had gold to spare.

You call out, "Guard, guard!"

You hear through the tiny bared widow in your cell door a voice from down the hall respond, "What do you want?"

"I demand to speak to a royal magistrate. The judge's sentence isn't fair. He doesn't have the power to order a woman to be tortured in public," you yell.

At first you hear no response. Just before you go to call out again you hear the guard walk towards your cell. You see his eyes look through the window in the cell door. To your surprise they are a deep beautiful blue, and though there is strength in them, there also is compassion.

His deep, but whispered voice matches his eyes, "I am sorry Ms. Hamilton. I was surprised by the brutality of his sentence too. I am afraid there is nothing you can do. To be frank, if there was some doubt to your guilt then you might have a chance for repeal, but you and your adventures are famous. Besides, this judge has long history of severely punishing women. He seems to dislike them, in fact it is rumored he prefers other men."

Lowering your voice to match his sympathetic tone you ask, "I know I am guilty, but I thought you royalists have laws against public indecency and protecting the honor of a woman?"

"It is true, and we have had a few complaints," he responds, "but the town square will be roped off so only those who wish to watch may attend. Some of the poor have sympathy for you, but there are many rich and powerful citizens whom you have stoled from who think you are getting just what you deserve. The judge is determined to make an example of you and has even decided to charge admission, with the best seats going for five gold pieces. So many people have already paid to attend that the town council is thinking of repealing the beer tax for a year to celebrate your capture. I am afraid there is no chance of you escaping this verdict."

Normally you would continue to argue with any old guard, but the kindness and intelligent nature of this one has silenced you.

"I am truly sorry, Ms. Hamilton, I wish you had stood before a different judge. I am only allowed to bring you water, so please ask if you need some. Besides that I suggest you get some sleep, I fear it is going to be a long day for you tomorrow."