"Will you feel safe here Trinia while we check on some of your story?
And what do we say if she is found before we have found evidence of her innocence? What rationale might we present for not having brought her to the Citadel? Will it be accepted or will we find ourselves in a cell next to her?
"And my lovely starflower, can we trust you to stay here, hidden, if we do help in this way? We place our own reputations in jeopardy?"
Briar seems confused and questions pointedly.
"I do not understand why we don't turn her over as we agreed and then help Cressida in this matter. This is a cushy gig, ripe with opportunities, and I'd like not to ruin it with dishonesty or error. We agreed to this, we should complete it."
Briar addresses Trinia.
"Cressida has said that she wants to both protect and verify your story. I trust her to find the truth of the matter and protect you while she does."
And if Trinia dies in her custody then we'll know exactly how far to trust Cressida.
Barael leaves his spot by the window as Briar brings his voice to bear on the conversation. "Briar speaks truth. The last we brought in had been leading a band of cannibals, and we thought him a kind soul." Barael looks around the room.
"We're concerned with keeping Trinia safe, and quietly a guest of Cressida's while we return to the field to scout out information for vindication." Barael sizes up both Dandi and Trinia. "What if we return to Cressida 'without' Trinia? We could walk into the Citadel, 5 men and 1 woman, if we can pass Trinia for Dandi. Once alone in Cressida's office, we could reveal Trinia's true identity." Barael wags a finger, cutting off each party member at the scalp. "Unless Trinia's build is more like another of us."
Aroden, we could use eyed blinded by fatigue and inattention to non-guard guests of the Citadel. You figure you got time for that?
"However we do this, shouldn't we do this? Bring Trinia to Cressida? Like now? The sooner we have transferred protection from us to her, we're free to run the city, sniffing for leads."
Briar nods at Barael, agreeing.
That one there wants to do his job.
Dandi smiles, grateful for anything that Fondo might be able to do to make the porridge better.
"All you can spare, please."
Her brow furrows, trying to decide in her own mind the best course of action. At Barael's urging, she stands up near Trinia, her 5'7"frame a still a little lanky and coltish compared to the artist's grace but otherwise their height and build seem similar.
"She'd need a wig. And a hat. Or a hat and a wig. Not that I'm saying this is a good idea."
Fondo - the Guard knows where she's living, at least some of them do, and they're working more to contain and quiet the mob than to actually do any searching for Trinia. So they're not entering dwellings. The mob has, as yet, not done so either. To do so would likely bring the Guard and a conflict would ensue.
Briar saw a squad of Hellknights at the Citadel at one point when the riots were in full swing after the King's death. It was but temporary though, they were working with the Guard on some project or other - they were not stationed there. The main force of Hellknights is stationed at the Castle rather than the Citadel.
Trinia seems eager to be left behind here, alone, while you go searching for clues, but she's resigned to going with you tot he Guard if that's the final decision. She seems to trust that you're after her best interests. That and she doesn't have a lot of choice in the matter. You have her ring, and the window is closed...
"However we do this, shouldn't we do this? Bring Trinia to Cressida? Like now? The sooner we have transferred protection from us to her, we're free to run the city, sniffing for leads."
"Barael speaks sense."
Although I want to let her stay here.
"Although, I think we should try for a firm commitment from Cressida about when she makes her decision. I'd hate to come back too late."
Fondo considers for a moment. "Alright. Let's make our way then. Tis true the Citadel'll be safer withal than this flat or the Shingles. You have my word, lass. I'll do everything in my power to have justice done. As Desna is my fortune, I'll see it so."
It's perhaps astonishing how quickly Fondo throws himself into saving others and trusting innocent seeming fugitives. A starving man wishing meals for others.
"Jel'enadra, have you extra clothes? If we return after dark, mayhap the resemblance'll hold true. Beauty, hold my arm and shy away from the world, like a spider hugging shadows. That'll weave the guise together."
"Yes, but they wouldn't be a very good choice. I think I can do something, Prala." She runs into her room, returning a moment later with the clothes she'd been wearing and her old backpack.
"Put these on, Trinia. They should fit close enough." Having changed into her one other set of clothes, an outfit better suited for gathering attention rather than deflecting it, Dandi glares, almost daring someone to say something. "What? We couldn't very well send her out in these. When you get there, put her own clothes in the back pack, and bring back my own, please?"
Huh. It might work. Without Dandi's support, and Fondo's theater, she wouldn't pass, is my bet. Aroden, do you dance with Desna in your quiet moments? "Dandi, are you alright with this? Do you believe Trinia's story?"
"Although, I think we should try for a firm commitment from Cressida about when she makes her decision. I'd hate to come back too late."
"I agree, Nik. Cressida will see our concern. We should be able to petition her for some time at least. She's seen our work, and knows we do not spend time idly."
Barael advances to street level. He stealths as best he can, to scout for mob or knight. He doesn't forget Majenko, and tries to be the terrier to Majenko's hawk.
Barael doesn't drift far from the group. Why does this feel like a procession? She's not a bird with a broken wing. She's daggered, and she bears a soldier's protection. And yet, they would harbor her as fugitive. Is she that pretty? She's not that pretty. Pretty faces, they move men to rash decisions. Men get rashes that aren't pretty. She'll be fine.
Briar nods sagely as the party unites in plan and action.
"It might be that I can summon some magics to aid the interrogation and truth solving on the morrow. Nethys offers many gifts."
Briar leaves with the group, again happy to take the rear.
Huh. It might work. Without Dandi's support, and Fondo's theater, she wouldn't pass, is my bet. Aroden, do you dance with Desna in your quiet moments? "Dandi, are you alright with this? Do you believe Trinia's story?"
"I...I don't know." She admitted. "But I'd rather believe and be wrong, than not believe and be wrong, you know?"
"Jel'enadra, help me fix her up. Trinia, have you some practice with theater?"
"She doesn't have any ear... I mean, hair. What will we do for her hair? I'm sorry, I'm *not* cutting mine to make her a wig. I don't even know how to make a wig." Still, Dandi does what she can to disguise the girl as herself.
"No, move more quickly, uh... think angles, not all flowy grace and stuff." Clucking her tongue, she thinks and thinks,then gets a sly look in her eye. "I do know one thing that might help. I just don't know...." she eyes Fondo warily, twisting her ring nervously. They hadn't discussed "spider" things in awhile, and silently cursed herself for bringing it up. But if it would help.....
Fondo produces a brightly colored scarf and offers it to Triana. "A head wrap? Not her usual look, but it's a cold night...?"
Ugh, too many people arguing back and forth. The powers that be will take her and kill her. If we offer conflicting evidence our lives will be in danger, too. "Maybe Cressida will be able to hold the gallows at bay. Trinia will be safer under her care if she can in fact do that. That will give us time to investigate, but we'll have to act fast. When we get to the Citadel, we'll have to insist on seeing Cressida immediately and alone. This witch hunt might an inside job. I might just be paranoid." Won't be the first time for that. "Maybe we can get some information from Cressida herself."
With Majenko in the air and Barael on the ground ahead, the party manages to avoid any large crowds on their way to the Citadel. Once there you're escorted into Cressida's office quickly and efficiently.
She smiles a wry smile at the new Dandilion, "Why dear, you cut your hair."
"Trinia I presume? Well done the lot of you! I knew I could trust you with this. Well done…"
She makes a note on a document on her desk and stands gathering some manacles as she does so, "Trinia, you are bound for the killing of King Eodred II. You will be questioned buy the High Priests of Abadar and Asmodeus, and a magistrate, using all the means at their disposal and your sentence shall be determined by them. Though with high treason of this sort, you are likely to be put to death if found guilty. Soth!"
Soth enters the room and leads Trinia away, presumably to the cells below to await the tribunal. When she has left, Cressida turns to you, "The queen did put a bounty on her head though I think her goal may have been to inflame the crowd. Still, the bounty is yours." She hands over a small sack with 60 platinum in it and smiles.
As the party enters Cressida's office, with Trinia's hair bound in a scarf, Fondo is quick to speak up. Keeping Trinia in his shadow, he gives a salute that's a bit more crisp than usual. "Ma'am, we have found the accused. After some interrogation, we've reason to believe that claims of her confession are a fabrication, perhaps with political motivations. We'd ask your indulgence to let us investigate further before making her capture known within the Guard or to others."
"Off to a fair trial I presume? What is the schedule? Who will be the judge? Will she have representation?"
"I see." She still summons Soth and makes you aware of the bounty, and tells Trinia why she's bound. Then she adds, "Soth! Put her in Em'rak's care in the south cells and make it clear it is not to be discussed."
She turns back to the party, "She'll be kept out of the normal routine for the moment and only Soth, Em'rak, and we know what is going on. If your ruse was effective of course."
"Charlie, while it's true that not all trials are fair, we do our best. She'll have a priest of Asmodeus or Abadar, or even some other recognized church if she desires to act in her stead. She may even chose another magistrate to act for her in a trial of this magnitude though that is rarely, if ever, done. The judges are the tribunal I spoke of - the high priests and the magistrate chosen at random."
She continues, "So, what evidence do you have of her innocence? It would be convenient for me to be able to provide evidence along with the prisoner to the Queen."
Watching them leave, Dandi's filled with a sense of forboding. Surely, it'll be all right. What could possibly go wrong? To make herself feel better, she straightens the place, putting things away, doing up the porridge dishes. But eventually, all the reasonably can be done, is done, and the monologue in her head continues its tireless spiral.
What a day...what a week. Lamm, and the King, and the Spiders. "But we've been so good, haven't we, Wraith? So very good." He doesn't like it, you know. But he doesn't know, doesn't understand, and he isn't here to like it anyway, and who is he and who are they to tell us what to do? The spider keeps her silence, but sidles down a thread running from the nape of Dandi's neck all the way to the floor. It glitters in a stray shaft of light, iridescent flecks of promise dancing in front of Dandi's hungry eyes.
"We have leads, and wish for your leave—and some time—to follow them before her capture's announced. She's denied confessing, and gave the name of the man who hired her. A Raytune. Tis a small thread, but perhaps this Raytune'll help us weave a tapestry. It'd be a shame to hang the wrong person and let the real kingslayer go free. Alas, with Queen Ileosa also accused in the public's eye, there're more than enough courtiers could find cause to protect her..."
"My leave you have, but not time. There are riots forming in the Midlands, and people will be injured and maybe even killed in those riots. Word that she has been found must be spread to counter that situation."
She speaks warmly, "I'll not endanger the lives of my citizens, and who knows how much property damage, just to buy time for an investigation that by your own statement is so thin. I have faith that the tribunal can, and will, get to the bottom of this - I know both high priests personally and they are men of honor." She sits back and forces herself to relax a bit.
"That said, I also know Raytune, and you'll not find much there. He was aide to the King and is now a part of the Queens household as you'd expect. He's a competent man, trustworthy, and he was fiercely loyal to the King. I doubt you'd be able to gain an audience with him in any reasonable period of time - but I might as a personal visit."
"Tell me what you would ask him and I'll go now to to see him. I owe you much, and will willingly aid you in this matter - even if it turns out to be a wild goose-chase. What would you know from him?"
"Just a little, Wraith, just a bit."They'll never know, right? It'll be hours, getting there, safely, they'll have to be careful then dealing with Cressida, then back again. It could be hours. All to ourselves. And it's been so long, so good, we've been so good, and it's only a little, and I have to keep my skills up, don't I? Just in case. They'll never know..never know..just a bit, they'll never be able to tell.
Inspired, her fingers fly over the equipment, measuring carefully, but an artist in her own right, her work exceeds her expectations, giving her two doses in place of the one. For later, we'll keep this for later. But when will later be? So busy, and vital things too, not just wasting time. When will we have time like this again? Not known, can't be known, it wouldn't be wise to wait, would it? When we don't know when it could be...
Nikolay's shoulders slump a little as Trinia is led away. They slump even more as the reality of the situation sinks in.
We have nothing. We did the right thing, but we have nothing.
"Did we?" The almost real voice asks in the back of his head.
"Field Marshall, please ask Raytune who he believes killed his king and how. We are quite convinced it was not Trinia, so how was it done? Surely the king was not left alone with even Trinia for a portrait. If not for security, then surely there must have been counselors and advisors and those pleading their causes before the king while he sat for the painting. Did Trinia even touch the king? She was painting on the canvass, not on the king. In this crazy proposed scenario how exactly did she accomplish this assassination?"
"We need to ensure any evidence is secured so that it is not tampered with. Have Trinia's paints already been confiscated? Would anyone be able to tell if poison was added to them before or after they were taken?"
"Has anything been learned about the poison that killed the king? Where would an assassin obtain such a poison?
"We need to ensure any evidence is secured so that it is not tampered with. Have Trinia's paints already been confiscated? Would anyone be able to tell if poison was added to them before or after they were taken?"
"Has anything been learned about the poison that killed the king? Where would an assassin obtain such a poison?
"I cannot send troops to properly secure Trinia's home until the mob subsides. I do have a watch sergeant on the way to the apartment now that she is safe and secure, but I'll feel safer when there are a full squad on the scene doing their job."
"I am not in charge of the investigation into the murder of the King, that is being handled directly from the Castle through the Queens own forces supplemented with my own. It is not a perfect solution certainly, but that is what politics has wrought."
"Poisons are uncommon, and generally frowned upon, but not strictly speaking illegal. Sure we can roust someone for possession under the drug laws, but ultimately what makes it illegal is how it's used not simple possession. Brewing simple poisons is not overly complicated, but it is expensive so there isn't, as far as I know, a true underground for it."
There is no assassins guild that you know of, but there is a strong thieves guild. You do not know if they brew and sell poisons however.
"Ma'am, your concern for the people does you honor. But why trade riots for hasty judgement? How safe shall we leave them, if smallfolk are allowed to be freely framed to protect the Queen's good name?"
"Have you a notion of her interrogators' names? Hellknights? Mayhap an eye on them'll cast light on truth or malfeasance?"
If conspiracy's afoot, what'll Kroft do to stop it? Has she fortitude to put right before politics?
"Hasty judgement?!" Cressida sits silent a moment quashing whatever else she was going to say to that statement.
"I have agreed to meet with Raytune and will endeavor to meet with him yet today. I presume at least one of you will be here this evening. I shall let you know what I discover - and then I shall inform the people we have caught Trinia and put an end to the latest round of madness."
"Now if you'll excuse me, I must go to the Castle." She stands, the interview clearly at an end.
Charlie, it seems to you that she's uncomfortable with the Queen leading the investigation, but it's also clear that she feels she's thwarted the Queen with the capture of Trinia. The tribunal will be fair in Cressida's opinion - what would have been unfair is the death of Trinia at the hands of a mob.
Fondo shakes his head after Cressida leaves, and mutters. "She means well, I'll give her that."
He stands dumb. Are there those'll aid her defense in court?
Fondo thinks upon which high born folk have most often stood by common folk in times like this. Maybe if we ask them for help...?
"Perhaps Cressida's aides know who's accused Trinia. Mayhap we ought dig a bit more, eh?"
Briar stands silently during the exchanges, marveling at the rash actions of the pressed humanity in front of him.
"There are simple magicks that will tell the woman's truth in this matter. Why is there need for trials and tribunes at all when magic will tell of her innocence? Cressida, will the assigned clergy be allowed to divine answers to her innocence? Can I help with such a matter?"
"Briar mentioned his ability to leverage truth and interrogation with magick. Are such things commonly used during a trial? Certainly with such power, the truth will be ferreted out, and be held high in the judgment." Barael nods to himself. "Confessions are written with paper and ink, for anyone to create, but with Trinia there to speak for herself, the truth will be there at trial."
Barael hears Briar speak, and his spirits lift.
No need to ask the question, it's common knowledge that the more important trials are conducted with all manner of magics used. Cressida has said that for this trial two high priests will be in attendance, so lots of spells will be used - including likely a Commune.
Korvosa is a very lawful city. While there is possibly pressure from the Queen to find her guilty, it is likely that the trial will not be rigged. Naturally when you're the Queen, you have a lot of influence so nothing is certain.
Briar withdraws the question he never asked and words he never spoke.
"I trust the magic used in the process will lead to the correct result."
Charlie will share what he got from the sense motive. Namely:
Charlie, it seems to you that she's uncomfortable with the Queen leading the investigation, but it's also clear that she feels she's thwarted the Queen with the capture of Trinia. The tribunal will be fair in Cressida's opinion - what would have been unfair is the death of Trinia at the hands of a mob.
"Hasty judgment..." Barael tilts his head, and steers it towards Fondo. "You already got Trinia innocent, while everyone else is conspiring, and we got split ends of thread bares. And now you got Cressida upset. Hasty is right."
Barael paces as he listens to Charlie's assessment. Cressida feels at odds with the Queen. That's comforting.
Fondo puts his hand out and up at Barael's words. "You love our fair commander true, brov. How hasty's your rush to obey? We're not soldiers here. That's why she's paid us—to do and think what soldiers can't." He smiles and steps towards Barael, tapping his finger on his friend's forehead. "So start doing your job, and ask what a soldier's not meant to ask."
He turns to Briar. "You know better'n most. There's magic to reveal the truth, and there's magic to hide it. The cards reveal many things, but they still hang upon the question asked, and the meaning found." He walks toward the door. "I've given the lass my word I'll dig deeper, and I shall. Will you lot help?"
Briar smirks at Fondo's words.
"Trinia could use nothing but honeyed words to fool all of us. She already admits to being glib of tongue...mayhaps she fooled us all. Or used magic to fool us. I am more likely to believe us fooled than the God or Archons that serve them. If she has magics to fool the Archons, then we won't find a thing to prove her innocence or guilt."
Briar looks at Fondo.
"I'll join and aid you in your quest, but to think that your investigations will find things that the Gods cannot is folly."
Arrogance, too.
"To get into Midland, find Trinia, and bring her back to our Field Marshall. Those were our orders. Cressida didn't ask for counsel, didn't pay for counsel, did she? She only paid for doing, not thinking. Cherry on the top, you question the honor of her own interrogators."
Barael rubs the spot on his forehead. "We're sheep dogs to her, brov, meant to round up those stray ones like Verik, now Trinia. Don't try and put your hand on the shepherd's crook so fast."
Barael nods at Briar's words. Women don't need magick to make heads spin. "We've done what needed doing to fulfill our duty to Cressida, and if our ruse was enough for Cressida to have the time to speak personally with Rayture, what more can we do?"
"I can remain here for word from Cressida." Barael taking a seat looks not unlike a dog, finished circling.
Are the Gods now walking the streets of Korvosa, and telling their servants what questions to ask unto them? Are you now Nethys?
Fondo smiles. "I'll be thankful for your help, and your skepticism as we dig. I've merely made a promise to one who stands accused. Perhaps Desna shall lead us to some deeper understanding that sheds light on the case. Perhaps you're right, and the priests understand their Gods true."
"Is her apartment likely to be the first trickle of a river, leading to your waterfall of liberating evidence?" Barael takes a pinch of kahve grounds from his belt pouch, and tucks it in his cheek. "Do you think Cressida's already sent the Guard to stand ground there and prevent others from investigating it further?"
Briar shrugs but agrees with Barael.
"Meh. We have very few leads to pursue on this seeking of a gem in the Otyugh muck, but if we are to get lucky, we should start there. From what I understand, we didn't get a chance to examine it before the chase ensued. And she probably didn't have time to destroy any evidence before she fled."
Briar smirks.
"It's not much, but a start on this quickling chase. Well, Fondo...where did you want to start?"
"Agreed. Her apartment and the gem. No doubt any guards there will understand our mission. First I would ask Kroft's aides if they know who accused Trinia to begin with, or the names of her interrogators. Perhaps I can get Em'rak's ear, or Soth's in a pinch. Shall I catch up with you, or would you walk together?"
Fondo seeks out his targets, asserting that Kroft has given the group leave to gather more evidence. He's not entirely sure whether he's deluding himself, or that's the truth.
Briar will practice archery until Fondo is ready to leave.
Hard to believe that the apartment isn't the first stop. Who knows who might be polluting the scene? Other conspirators cleaning up the evidence? Guards doing their search? A Hellknight contingent finding it first? This is why I put my faith in magic. Mortals are rash.
"Agreed. Her apartment and the gem. No doubt any guards there will understand our mission. First I would ask Kroft's aides if they know who accused Trinia to begin with, or the names of her interrogators. Perhaps I can get Em'rak's ear, or Soth's in a pinch. Shall I catch up with you, or would you walk together?"
Fondo seeks out his targets, asserting that Kroft has given the group leave to gather more evidence. He's not entirely sure whether he's deluding himself, or that's the truth.
Em'rak is busy guarding Trinia and so is unavailable. Soth is clearly frustrated by your questions on what is for him a very busy day - especially now that Cressida is out of the office (and during a riot at that!). None the less, he does answer your questions, though unsatisfactorily.
"She was interrogated by the Queens own. I don't know who made the initial accusations, but Trinia would certainly have been a person to be questioned in any decent investigation so it may be that she was simply caught as part of a normal sweep."
"My thanks, sir."
Queen's own. Hm.
Fondo returns to his fellows. "It seems fortune shines elsewhere at present. Shall we to the apartment?" Deceits compound lies, unseen forces 'round.
The party travels with care back to Trinia's home in the Midlands. Do you stop to get Dandilion on the way - or leave her at Zellaras? Barael is remaining behind at the Citadel for word from Cressida I presume.
As the day lengthens the mob is definitely getting unruly. Their failure to find Trinia - especially after the excitement of an energetic chase in the middle of the day - is leaving them frustrated. Already you can see evidence of some damage to nearby businesses and as you get closer you can see the Guard helping a woman covered in blood. She looks to be OK, but shaken up and injured.
As you reach the building it appears that nothing has changed. It's still quiet and on the fringe of the mob's search area. You're able to take the stairs without difficulty and come to the apartment to find the door locked.
Without your lockpick Barael, what do you do? The door was unlocked when you left, but I presumed you closed it.