Admission of guilt

“You now think that I’m a monster” the man said with his head low.

“Just a fool for now.”

“I don’t blame you, that you played me like that. I deserved it.”

“I played you, yes, but the lovemaking was genuine. Yet, it’s not the important thing at the moment. The theft is.”

“You’re right.”

“That’s all you got to say?”

“I don’t know what else to say.”

“You could begin with apologies.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Not me, you fool, everyone else! It’s not too late, to fix your own mistakes. In the morning you’ll ride to the village and tell the farmers that their cattle was not stolen by orcs. My scouts are searching the area, so you can say that they’ve found the real tracks and they aren’t orcish. The real thieves will be caught soon AND you’ll repay the villagers for their loss. This way they’ll like you more and won’t think too much about the thieves.“

“Yes! You’re right! I’ll do just that.”

“And I’ll ride to the orcs and apologize for the misunderstanding. I’m sure they’ll be forgiving, but most likely not forgetful, so don’t make any more errors like this one in the future.”

“I won’t. Thank you for your understanding and your help.”

“That’s just my help. Before you get my understanding I need to learn why you’ve done this.”

“I don’t like those orcs.”

“Those specific orcs?”

“No, orcs in general. They’re brutish and barbaric and unsophisticated.”

“Not sophisticated enough to fraud a theft or too barbaric to hire crooks?”

“…”

“You don’t like them, although you’ve probably never met them. Not too mention talking to them. Have they even done as bad as to hunt in your forests?”

“No.”

“Have they committed ANY crime against you?”

“No.”

“So maybe they were dishonourable or at least rude to you?”

“They haven’t.”

“So what does it mean?”

“That I’m a fool.”

“Exactly. So don’t be a fool and fix your foolish mistakes. Now call the servants to change these oily sheets as we take a bath. I hope you’re as good at cleaning, as you are at massage. I want to have my legs kissed once more as well before we go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day.”