Barael studies Trinia as she explains herself briefly. He keeps his peace until the breach the doorway of Zellara's. "They say they have your confession. The Queen wouldn't have interrogated you personally, would she now? Who took your confession? They said you fled by jumping out a window, and I just seen that for myself." Barael pats her down for any other items, and removes her ring(s).
She speaks between sobs, "Confession? I never confessed to anything! I was dragged to the castle by Sable Company marines and put before a Hellknight Inquisitor, the Queen and a few other people I did not know. They accused me of the most horrible things - including finally killing the King with poison! Where would I get poison?" She breaks down weeping for a time...
She has mithril armor under her clothing, a pair of rings, a masterwork dagger, two potions and an empty flask, a wand, two copper bracelets with a matching necklace, and a few other odds and ends. I presume you take here gear, but divesting her of her armor will take some invasion of privacy so, for now, I'll assume she continues to wear it while you question her further.
Nikolay waits for Trinia to answer Barael's questions as he formulates his own.
"Let's start from the beginnig. Who are you? What do you do for a living? Where are you from? How did you come by such a ring?"
She struggles to get control of herself, "I am Trinia Sabor, daughter of Riyawid and Chetur Sabor of Korvosa. I paint mostly - portraits as well as landscapes and city scenes, but I also sing in the better taverns from time to time as well for extra cash. I'm from Korvosa, the Midlands. That was my home where you found me. I bought this ring from a merchant by the name of Saul." She seems to have an easier time answering the more mundane questions and her sobbing abates somewhat.
Charlie and Briar exchange looks - both of you feel she is telling the truth.
- - -
In other news...
Fondo and Dandilion do find each other one wandering the Midlands the other heading in the general direction of the Citadel. Majenko takes flight headed back to the riot zone looking for the two lost Harrowers, but he has not found them as yet.
"There you are! I've been following you forever! Dandi exclaims, finally finding the singing shepherd. Throwing her arms around him in a quick tight hug, her relief is visible, but contained quickly as she lowers her voice and continues in Elven, "اوه خدای من، معدن برادر، شما می توانید مردم را دیدم، یا چیزهایی را که برنامه ریزی برای انجام به آن زن باور نیست! او را پیدا کنید؟ می توانم او را به شما داشته باشد، پادشاه او را بکشند؟ دیگران کجا هستند؟ خوب است هر کس؟ چه اتفاقی افتاد به اژدها کوچولو، من می توانم او را برای یک ثانیه نگاه کنید و سپس او رفته بود و تو رفته بودی و حتی گل حاج ترخانی رفته بود و شما می دانید چگونه قد بلند او است و پس از آن من شنیده ام به شما می گویند شما بچه ها قرار بود در "است که دور" بنابراین من که دور رفت، اما شما وجود ندارد و یک سگ بود، و او نگاه گرسنه، چرا مردم نمی تغذیه حیوانات خانگی خود را؟ مطمئنا چیزی باید وجود داشته باشد آنها را به خوردن. موش می تواند خوب باشد. من می توانم موش صحرایی ایستاده نیست، و تماشای آنها را از بالای دیوارها، آیا می دانید که؟"
She falls in step with Fondo, locking her arm with his and asking, "Now, what was that you were singing? I don't think I know that song..."
"They called you the King's portrait artist. Is that true? Have you met the King, let alone paint him?" Barael sees the wisdom in Nik's approach to questioning. Don't bark at her, got it.
"Do you have anyone else that would step forward and vouch you safe in this dire business? We would be happy to hear them out as well."
Fondo looks a little bit taken aback by Dandi's show of relief, but smiles and quickly returns to his normal, nonchalant manner. "Ah, just a little ditty my puro dad taught me about making love in a pinch."
" with goa...never, mind, I don't think I want to know..." ...maybe goats means something else where his old dad is from. It really isn't nice to call people old, even when they are. I try not to call Briar old, and he could be ancient...
"uh yeah, I'll follow you. I think you know your way around a bit better than I do. Or at least know people that do, I guess "
Dandi watches as yet another person falls for Fondo's charm, pointing the duo in the right direction.
... poor old goats.
Briar listens, but does not yet have any questions of his own.
"They called you the King's portrait artist. Is that true? Have you met the King, let alone paint him?" Barael sees the wisdom in Nik's approach to questioning. Don't bark at her, got it.
"Do you have anyone else that would step forward and vouch you safe in this dire business? We would be happy to hear them out as well."
"Yes, it's true I painted his portrait, he was such a kind old man, a good subject. I finished the commission, was paid, and moved on. My only other contact with the castle was a request to paint a part of the Sable Company barracks there. It is still open, though I don't suppose it'll be allowed now - even if I get out of this trap somehow."
"No I have no one who can say I didn't kill the King. How do you prove that? However you'll find no one who ever sold me any poison, and there's no poison in my place - that I can assure you!"
Majenko returns after a time. "I could not find them on the back ways anywhere. I don't think the mob got them though - it's still wandering the streets... searching."
He hops on Briar's shoulder and begins to preen his wings scraping off old scales and shining up the new ones. He also takes a moment to sharpen the spike at the end of his tail as he looks at Trinia.
- - -
Fondo and Dandilion reach the Citadel. Cressida's aide, Soth, asks if you've recovered Trinia yet. It seems clear the rest of the party has not come this way. Perhaps they are still in hiding in the Midlands somewhere?
Not here yet? Hrm. Fondo squeezes Dandi's hand tightly and speaks.
"Hrm. I'm not sure what's become of her or our companions. We were split apart in the midst of a mob. They haven't returned?"
"We'd seen her running off into the Shingles, and had to split up as we gave chase. I guess we should go find them and see if they caught her."
Soth replies, "As you wish. Just do your best to return her here unharmed. I know Cressida is concerned for her safety."
Fondo gives his 'irregular' salute. "Thank you, Sir! Come, jel'enadra. Let's find our friends."
Assuming Dandi is willing, Fondo takes a circuitous route to Zellara's, bypassing it and going toward Trinia's apartment a ways. He watches for a tail. He whispers in Elven, "لقد قرروا اللعب القاضي وهيئة المحلفين مرة أخرى؟."
Fondo is unsure if Soth has noticed the lie or not. Either way he's playing bureaucrat and responding to you neutrally.
You see no one following you to Zellara's, though you do see a general increase in Guard activity in the Midland district at the edges of the mob - so near to Zellara's. There are no Guard in direct site of the building however.
Barael keeps an eye out the window, while he talks to the gathered in Zellara's sitting room. "If the confession is to stand, might be they find poison in your efficiency, whether you owned it or not." Barael sighs. "I'm ready to go, then, with our Eyes newly returned."
Barael turns to Trinia. "As Nik said, you should probably come quietly. Majenko is an excellent deterrent to you running. We escort you to a reasoned arbiter, no Hellknight court for you. Cress... Field Marshall Kroft will hear your truth." And have mercy on your plight.
Dandi nods, but keeps her mouth shut, relying on Fondo to do the talking. she tries to keep her worry to herself, but is unsure just how well that works.
Hurrying after, she slows and walks with Fondo, trying to see if they've been followed.
"دلم چرخ در خیانت مرد، برادر است.اجازه دهید ما امیدواریم که آن را بی جا است."
Briar nods, satisfied.
I have no quarrel with this one. Her story rings of truth.
"I believe her story and wish her safety. Let us ensure that both are secured."
"دعونا نأمل في أن الأخ الأصغر لا إطعامها لتشارلي."
Eventually, Fondo leads Dandi to Zellara's doorstep .
Nikolay is unsure what to make of Trinia's tale.
It could just be the practiced lies of an assassin. She is wearing more wealth than I have even after the last few days.
Despite his concerns, the voice in his head calls for him to trust her.
A little bit. For now.
"Trinia. How does a painter come by such items and why? I don't expect there is much need for armor, especially such nice armor, when doing portraits. And I doubt even the king paid you enough to buy all of this."
"Trinia. How does a painter come by such items and why? I don't expect there is much need for armor, especially such nice armor, when doing portraits. And I doubt even the king paid you enough to buy all of this."
She grows defensive "These are all mine, fair and square!" She goes through each item and describes the manner of their purchase. In most cases they were purchased immediately after a large commission or two. She does not seem to be all that good with money and rather buys baubles and trinkets as soon as the cash is in her hands.
If she's to be believed, she's had some generous benefactors and an otherwise simple existence. The math seems to add up - if her story is true.
As the party winds up its interrogation, Fondo and Dandilion burst into the room - frightening Trinia further. She is, as you would expect, quite jumpy.
"Greetings, fellows. Why did you not re—. Ah, hello, Trinia. I'm Fondo. Well met. Uh, perhaps not 'well' under these circumstances, but I trust they have been treating you with care?"
No carnivorous critters in the room. Tis a good start withal.
"So, um, what have we missed while giving chase to the mobs?"
Dandi follows Fondo back into the apartment, visibly counting up the rest of the group before turning to Trinia, "You would not believe what the mobs want to do with you, Miss. I'm glad our friends were able to get you here in one piece." ...and glad everyone else is on piece too. She hardly looks the type to be going about killing kings, whatever that looks like.
"It's alright Trinia, these two are our friends. We are all here to protect you. Who hired you to paint the portrait? How do you normally get commissions?"
Nikolay's questions keep coming with pauses between each to let Trinia answer.
"Could you sketch the people who were present at your interrogation?"
"Can anyone account for your whereabouts when the king died? Although it could be argued poison takes a while so unless you were out of town for a month it likely won't help."
"How long ago was it that you painted the king's portrait?"
"Have you ever said anything bad about the king? Anything that could be used to make you look subversive?"
"Do you have friends or family who are subversive or could be viewed that way? The artist community contains some rather radical thinkers."
"Do you have any family in Korvosa still? Will anyone protest your imprisonment?"
"It's alright Trinia, these two are our friends. We are all here to protect you. Who hired you to paint the portrait? How do you normally get commissions?"
"Usually I get my commissions through other clients - word of mouth. All the aristocrats are looking for an excellent painting. I was hired by one of the aides to the King, a petty aristocrat named Rayture. He hired me to do the work and paid me after. I haven't seen him since.
Nikolay's questions keep coming with pauses between each to let Trinia answer.
"Could you sketch the people who were present at your interrogation?"
"Can anyone account for your whereabouts when the king died? Although it could be argued poison takes a while so unless you were out of town for a month it likely won't help."
"How long ago was it that you painted the king's portrait?"
"Have you ever said anything bad about the king? Anything that could be used to make you look subversive?"
"Do you have friends or family who are subversive or could be viewed that way? The artist community contains some rather radical thinkers."
"Do you have any family in Korvosa still? Will anyone protest your imprisonment?"
She bites her lip at all the questions, but tries the best she can to answer. It is clear she feels she is fighting for her life, and is trying to impress you all.
"I am not as good at sketching as I am at painting, but I can try. I don't have any of my tools though."
You know from Cressida (though I didn't mention it at the time to save space) that the King was killed with a slow acting poison which was supposedly administered by Trinia over several painting sessions.
"I was here when the King died, but I was not with him! I finished the portrait and delivered it 9 or 10 days ago now. I've sort of lost track of time I'm afraid." She looks nervous at being unable to answer clearly.
"I am not political. It is better for my clients if I have no opinions. Really the art is all that matters. I really like painting portraits and doing set pieces for peoples homes."
"My parents are still alive - and they have protested my sentence for me though to what end I do not know. I'm sure some of my friends would protest, but they're just artists and not taken seriously by the regular community."
Charlie, the impression you get is that she's a very intelligent, if a little flighty, person who really has no idea what is going on here.
Fondo listens intently for a change, carefully taking in Trinia's testimony.
Unless he senses some dissembling, Fondo is in lined to believe the pretty artist. "Little star, what do you mean you've lost track of time? I have lost a few evenings from my memory, but how much time do you mean?"
Great. Now I believe her. Now what?
Nikolay stands there admiring the curves of her armor.
That mithral sure is nice.
Fondo finds her story honest if not compelling. She didn't 'lose time', she just lost track of time. Being a flighty artist, then getting hit hard by the Kings death, then being accused of killing him. It takes a toll.
"Well then. We've options. One's to take yo uto Cressida, and hope her hunger for truth outweighs her obligations to crown. Another's to hold you here while we hunt proof you're innocent. Rayture, was it? Then we bring you before Cressida, exonerating evidence in hand. T'other option puts us here at risk, with no guarantee you'll escape the Hellknights—we get you out of Korvosa, a mark on your head."
Toffitt frowns.
"You make illusions to cover your tracks. You have magick that helps you escape. You have fine taste in armor. All this, and we're supposed to believe you're just a painter and singer? There's more to you than greets our eyes." Barael hears what Fondo has to say. "Only one option, brov."
"Brov, mayhap you and I could fix our guest and friends some tea and porridge while we consider?" Fondo gestures toward the kitchen.
"I do not accuse Ileosa of killing the King, but can we really trust her to judge true? And Cressida, who receives visits from the Hellknights' priest? What pressures does she face? I trust Kroft well enough, but something stinks here."
While he figures out what to do next, Nikolay casts detect magic on Trinia's gear and tries to figure it out.
armor
ring
ring
dagger
potion 1
potion 2
flask
wand
copper bracelets
necklace
"Dandilion or Barael, can you tell what was in this flask?"
Briar looks at Nikolay asking others to identify magic and drubs his fingers, giving a look.
Barael sniffs the flask, then hands it to Dandi.
"Brov, mayhap you and I could fix our guest and friends some tea and porridge while we consider?" Fondo gestures toward the kitchen.
Barael recognizes the isolating technique that usually precedes a good walloping, and reluctantly follows Fondo into the kitchen.
"Precisely—setting her loose and at the mercy of the Hell Knights will only get her killed. But if we detain her while we seek out evidence of her innocence... It will mean Kroft's free of pressure from the Hell Knights, which'll mean less distraction from the task of protecting the city. That's a brilliant idea you have there, brov! We'll stall until we can truly give Cressida all that she needs." Fondo starts a flame going for the porridge.
"Oh ye of little faith! Desna'll lead us to the truth, believe me. I'm good at loosening tongues." He whisks the milk and honey into the porridge. "Keep her here or at the Citadel, as long as she's safe while we find our clues. But I fear the Field Marshall will have difficulty hiding her presence... Anyway, let's ask our companions' view on't."
While he figures out what to do next, Nikolay casts detect magic on Trinia's gear and tries to figure it out.
"Dandilion or Barael, can you tell what was in this flask?"
Dandilion takes a sip,no more than simply wetting her lip, and ponders the contents of the flask.
Trinia's possessions include a potion of jump, a potion of shield of faith +3, a wand of daze monster (10 chgs), a +1 mithril shirt, a masterwork dagger, two bronze bracelets worth 50gp ea, a copper necklace worth 100gp, a copper ring with 15gp and a ring of feather falling.
You're not certain what was in the empty flask, as it's empty. However you'd expect a non-magical liquid to leave more residue - so it's unlikely poison.
Fondo comes back out with a large bowl of heaping, not thoroughly cooked porridge, hoping that Barael remembers to bring the small bowls.
"So, it seems this Rayture deserves our attention. My friend Barael here believes Cressida'll keep you safe until we've dug and struck the truth. Me, I think we're doing the Guard and you a favor, lovely Trinia, if you stay here while we search. It's certain you need us or Kroft as shelter—I fancy you'll not get far with the Hellknights on your tail."
Fondo offers her some porridge. "Sorry, I've many other talents to show you, but cooking's not one."
Briar eyes the porridge with a raised eyebrow.
I know of some magics that enhance the flavors of food. Let us hope that has happened.
From the kitchen, "Where the spoons... never mind." Barael bobbles the stack of dishware, and lays them out around the porridge. He reaches into his front pocket to produce the spoons, and lays them out.
"I hadn't thought on it afore, and it's highly unlikely, but we could ask Cressida to come here to talk with Trinia. It would be a workable enough forest to shelter her and us from the hellknight hawks. The more I think, the more likely it is that Cressida's still floating on high tides of duty in the Citadel. It seems Fondo is not so fond o the Citadel and its denizens. I'm also not so sure it's good for others to know the exact whereabouts of Zellara's shop, since we use it to regroup often enough." Barael takes his place by the front window, and takes in the street activity.
Charlie will say a little prayer of purify food and drink before anyone has any porridge. Just in case. He will try to be surreptitious about it.
Perception
Spellcraft
"Thank you, halfblood. A wise precaution."
"Oh, I don't think someone like Field Marshall Cressida would want to come here, do you? It's a lovely little place, all told, but not exactly..." Dandi breathes a sigh of relief as Barael seems to change his mind regarding bringing Cressida to their little haven of relative obscurity.
"Yes, let's keep our haven's whereabouts to ourselves, shall we? There are already six of us, and now seven, unless you blindfolded Trinia on the way in, that's plenty." The girl gives a shudder; she's not used to so many knowing her secrets. She reaches up to scratch at the nape of her neck, a nervous tick she seems to have picked up over the last couple of days.
A pair of Korvosan Guard walk past the house on the streets and continue on deeper into the Midland district. There is also a peddler shifting his goods as he carries them to market going the other way.
The street is otherwise empty.
Fondo tastes the porridge and sticks out his tongue unpleasantly. He attempts to use some simple magic to add flavor to it—cinnamon, nutmeg and honey, to be specific.
"I'm less concerned with Citadel than with politics disguised as law. If the crown's seeking scapegoats, I'm for making sure Trinia here has a strong case for herself. Um, spice, love?"