Miss.... apologies, Mrs Morfaine-LeClerc, has the right of it. From what people are saying, the Beast's guilt is indefensible. But we have some recent experience of beating impossible odds.
"S..s...s...so you wish to register as defendants of the Beast?" the stammering Kaple responds, looking relieved. "G...g...great. I c...c...could use some h...h...help."
Tibideau snorts at B'yelka's introduction. A hyphenated name, what a scandal! He is starting to find himself a bit confused by some of her various attempts at playing his wife. He gazes sternly at his "wife" as she and Anton befriend the barrister.
Dantrian shoots an irritated glare at B'yelka and seems ready to speak before he relents and simply settles back pinching the bridge of his nose in contained frustration. He looks up as Anton interjects and regards the mousy barrister before the group. "Yes indeed, Mister Kaple, that is our intent. Could you kindly explain to us the various accusations being leveled at this so-called 'Beast'?"
"This is the man entrusted with the Beast's defense? Prejudice spares no expense as usual. He can't even finish a sentence. He'll never be able to pursuade anyone of the Beast's innocence. Whether it's true or not." Janos shakes his head in pity.
"Barrister, we need to know as much about the crimes the Beast is charged with as we can. We simply want to investigate these charges. If they are real, then there may be little we can do. If they are false, however..." The Ranger looks the man in the eye. "Then we shall rely on your talents to present those truths."
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Dear Gods. Drosil stands slack-mouthed at the man's stutter. By the time the others have finished talking, however, he has recovered enough to interject. "Perhaps once you're done with that, you can tell us how we might best be of assistance." Like maybe having B'yelka speak for the Beast instead of you. "I'm all for knowing what the Beast is accused of, but without knowing anything of your legal system - at least from this side - I feel you're the best judge of how we can help."
"If you have no questions for me, I s...s...s...suggest you go and see the b...b...b....Beast for yourself."
"The Beast is here? I...I suppose that makes sense. I just didn't think about questioning him in person. Is it safe? Have you spoken to him?" The Ranger is clearly wary of the creature.
Drosil sighs. I guess it was too much to hope that he would have interviewed the Beast and the witnesses himself. We could have saved ourselves a trip, at least. "One question, barrister. Is it enough to show that the evidence against the Beast is questionable, or do we have to prove his innocence? At this point, does the court presume he is innocent, or guilty?"
Once the group leaves the barrister's office, Drosil chimes in. "Okay, right. Let's go see the Beast and get his version of events, then go interview the witnesses in the village and figure out the places where their stories diverge. Assuming, of course, that they do."
Anton tries to keep track of everything the barrister says. Between the amount of information and the man's terrible stutter, it is more difficult than he imagined.
Mr Kaple, let me make sure I'm understanding everything correctly. The beast is accused of these various crimes. We are free to investigate the scenes but the trial has begun and we have three days to both gather and present any evidence we find?
He scratches the stubble on his chin.
Is there no way to get an adjournment, to give us time to investigate? It seems everything is stacked against this creature.
Anton then casts a glance at Drosil and Janos and sees concern on their faces also.
Mr Kaple. Gustav. My main concern is that if we are to gather evidence so quickly, and have it presented the next day, I don't think we would have sufficient time to brief you on what we find. Perhaps it would be better if we present the evidence... whilst it is fresh in our minds you understand. he tries to be as tactful as he can.
Take us to the Beast, Mr Kaple. I think we should hear what it has to say.
"A narrow time table indeed," Dantrian remarks aloud as he taps an index finger against his lips in consideration. "Time will not afford us the luxury of a carriage ride to Morast, I fear. We will need to ride in earnest if we hope to have enough time to properly investigate. Though I wonder what a year's passing might have done to obscure any possible revelations." He waves his hand dismissively at his own thoughts, then nods in agreement with Anton, "The effort may be moot but we cannot know that until after the effort has been made. As Anton suggests, let us see the accused and be on our way."
Janos is unconvinced by Kraple's assurances that the Beast is safe, but he simply shrugs his shoulders. "Let's see this Beast. Perhaps we can get something out of it."
Gustav Kaple escorts the Six into the courthouse’s cellar jail to meet the Beast of Lepidstadt. A towering abomination sits in an iron chair, bound with no less than a dozen sets of manacles. Stitching holds together this grotesque patchwork of flesh and bone, beast and man, though the wires are so taut they look as though they may fly apart at any moment. Its mouth is twisted in a permanent sneer, and a shock of lank, dark hair clings to its scalp. The creature slumps in its chair, a despondent expression upon its monstrous face. It is filthy, and flies swarm over it, crawling in its eyes and mouth while it vainly twitches trying to drive them away.
"G..g...g...good luck," Kaple says before bowing his way out of the room.
Desna's Grace. It's more a Beast than I dared imagine.
Anton moves forward toward the bars of the cell that hold this creature, careful to keep his distance. He looks over the stitched flesh, the venomous sneer.
It is easy to imagine how this thing could be capable of all the murders of which it is accused. Well, one way or the other, we will find the truth of it.
Hello. he addresses it simply, but not unkindly. I am Anton Klasnic. My friends and I are here to investigate the crimes for which you are accused. Do you understand that? Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?
He watches carefully for any flicker of emotion or comprehension.
The people of this city call you The Beast. Do you have another name?
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAgghhh! Why you hurt me? Why you no let me go! I didn't do anything! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGH!" the beast roars as it struggles against his shackles. Clearly he's having a rough time of it.
Drosil flinches at the outburst. Perhaps another couple of chains...? No, that's the wrong way to think about this... After hearing the Beast's plea, however, he tries to speak directly to the issue at hand. "Look here, you. Don't go yelling at us; we aren't responsible for your injuries. In fact, we're your best bet of being alive next week, so you'd best calm down and talk to us."
"You want help me? You want let me go? I didn't do anything bad! Please, kill flies! Drive me crazy..." he says, thrashing his head trying to get away from the insects swarming all over his face.
Janos recoils as the Beast strains against the manacles. I don't know if those will hold. If he gets out this may all turn out very badly. It was a hideous creature. Dead flesh stitched together like a patchwork quilt. Janos turns away for a moment to keep from gagging.
"Calm down! Flies will soon be the least of your worries if you don't talk to us. You are being tried for murder. Do you understand that? The Village of Morast, Herstang, Karb Isle. Do these places mean anything to you? Have you been there? They say you killed people there."
As he watches the flies crawl on the Beast's dead skin, he can only have some pity.
Seeing the Beasts slumped posture, she B'yelka wonders if it is truly a murderous monster. Now that the others have stirred up the Beast, B'yelka rallies her courage and steps towards the Beast Gods, what is this thing? What am I doing? No matter, fairytales always have something terrifying. The Diva waves a hand towards Janos and the others, and in a soft voice she says, "Please, yelling at the creature will not help." Approaching the Beast she puts on a brave face and shoos the flies away from him, careful not to touch the unrotted-dead flesh that is the Beast. "You do not know us, but we have heard of you. We know something of wrongful accusations, and want to help you, if you will let us." She waits, hoping the beast will settle down, and stop straining and testing the manacles securing it to the iron chair.
B'yelka carefully asks the Beast, "Do you have a name?" Waiting until the Beast has replied she continues, giving the Beast a chance to answer between each inquiry. "Do you know what you are accused of? What do you know of Morast? of Herstang? or of Karb Isle? If we are to help you, you must help us. Anything you know might be what saves your life."
Anton instinctively flinches back as the Beast roars and strains against its bonds.
Collecting himself he stoops, only a little due to the size of this thing, and gazes into it's disturbing eyes. He also senses that shouting at this creature would only serve to antagonize it further and would get them nowhere.
Please! I promise we will help you if we can. But that means you need to help us too, starting with these questions. Right now, we are just here to talk. We will not hurt you and my friends will see if they can do anything about those flies. So what say we just talk for a moment? Just you and us. Forget the guards or anyone else who has been down here. Tell us your name and we can just talk like friends. How's that?
This thing looks evil. There's no denying that. And a suspicious jury will find it guilty based on nothing more than it's visage. But I would know if there is evil within as well as without...
The beast calms down as B'yelka approaches it and shoos away the flies. "I no name. You can wash me? Face so dirty, flies everywhere! I no kill anyone. I didn't do it. I didn't do it. I didn't do it..."
The Beast begins to rock its head back and forth with a distant look in its eyes muttering the same phrase over and over to itself. Upon up close examination it's pretty clear to B'Yelka that guards have savagely beaten the Beast while its been bound to the chair. There are large bruises covering most of its exposed body.
Anton turns away from the Beast and whispers;
I sense no malice in this creature. I'm not sure how the things it s accused of could not leave some evil taint on it's soul. If it has one of course.
Tibideau gazes at the beast with complete pity. I can't even think of a joke. This is really sad. Even if he did kill all those children. He replies to Anton, "Well, the most important thing we can do for him is believe him when he says he didn't do it."
Even those who are guilty will profess their innocence. But I think you are right Tibi. A killer of children would have a heart as black as night and I just don't sense that.
He runs his hands through his hair.
Could it really be innocent? Where would such a thing even come from, even I know it is not a... natural creature? he asks of the more learned members of the group, but quietly out of earshot of the Beast.
Janos' eyes go wide as B'yelka steps into the cell with the Beast. "B'yelka, what ar-" He's cut off as she shoos away the flies and the creature calms down. He shakes his head and smiles. "Nothing like beauty to tame the beast, I suppose."
The Ranger slips inside the cell with the singer and the Beast, but stays back to avoid angering the creature. "Ok, if you didn't kill those people, do you know what happened to them? Were you there?" He looks back at his companions. "Maybe we can get some water and a washrag to help him?"
"Could it really be innocent? Where would such a thing even come from, even I know it is not a... natural creature?"
"I wonder if we could ask him where he came from. This is the strangest golem I've ever seen or read about. Golems normally can't communicate intelligently like this. Even Carter Crosby has never written anything about such a golem," Tibideau replies. "We should try to find out what his first memories are. Maybe he can remember something about who made him." He pauses and takes on an alarmed expression. "Well, B'yelka can ask him," he blurts out, fearing that Anton would believe he had volunteered himself to do something.
Dantrian watches quietly as the others bombard the creature with as many questions as there are flies buzzing about its head, tapping his index finger against his lips as he observes. He draws a clear flask from within his vest and passes it and a rag to B'yelka. "It is water, B'yelka. If you would be so kind as to clean his face as he requests?"
He turns back to the others, "I am afraid that my studies did not ever branch out into the intracies of golem-craft, so I cannot say as to whether or not they have souls. I do, however, believe our charge to have the mental agility of a child. Perhaps once B'yelka has calmed him down we can adjust our inquiries in that light. It may get us farther than a simple repetition of his innocence."
Janos looks back as Dantrian makes his observations. He looks back at the creature's posture. Probably right as always. The Ranger reaches into his belt pouch and pulls out a wrapped cloth package. He quickly unwraps two pieces of dried beef and a small hunk of cheese.
"Do you need to eat? I don't know if they offered you anything in here. You can have this if you want." He offers the pieces to the Beast.
With great care that she imagines a mother would take of a child, for all that my mother never did these things...maybe I can use that to empathize with the Beast? B'yelka dabs the Beast's face to clear the dirt and mess. "You do not have a name? How interesting." She looks the thing dead in it's eyes and says, "Would you like one?" What would I name this thing? Does it deserve a name? She continues cleaning the beast's face, fastidious and cautious, It would not do to aggravate any injuries... While she works, she asks Dantrian for a favor, "Mister Almaeus, can you have one of the guards fetch me a chair?" Silently she realizes the Beast does not upset her nearly as much as the Crooked Kin. How odd! Terrifying, yes, but not... disgusting. Maybe because this thing was built. The Kin were born wrong.
"Uhhh. If you want to give me name, it's okay. You're nice." The golem seems to be very pleased that he's getting washed off.
Dantrian fetches a simple stool from around the corner, offering the guard a silent stare without further explanation.
Finishing up the cleaning she perches on the stool Dantrian brought her. She stares at the Beast for a moment and then says, "Aaron. For Aroden." She glances over her shoulder to see that Mr Almaeus gets her choice. Touch the thing, girl, you decided to be brave... Cautiously she sets her hand on the Aaron's hand. The flesh feels hard and cool, not at all like living skin should feel. B'yelka suppresses a shudder and smiles at Aaron. Harking to Mr Almaeus' words about the things age, she again asks her questions. Patiently, waiting long enough between each question and replying only after the Beast has spoken. "Do you know what you are accused of? What do you know of Morast? of Herstang? or of Karb Isle?" All the while her mind is trying to flee the unreal nature of this scene. How is this thing alive, and from the dead? What horrible magics created something out of corpses!
"What is accused? I don't know Morast, or Herstang or Karb Isle, are they nice like you?"
Anton paces back and forth toward the back of the room. He listens to the exchange between B'yelka and the Beast. He cannot yet think of it as Aaron.
He casts concerned glances to Janos and Dantrian.
How can we defend this creature, if it does not even understand what it is supposed to have done. he wonders.
He pushes that to one side for a moment and deals with something more concrete. He approaches the guards and starts asking questions.
Morning. I see you've got the Beast locked up good and tight! I wonder if you might be able to tell me the circumstances of how you apprehended the creature?
The guards tell you the same story that Dr Crowl did.
Thank you. You've done a good job here. Taking this thing down can't have been easy, but now that it's locked up, there's no need to continue beating this thing. It's secure and my friends have it placated.
He claps the man on the shoulder.
We'll see justice is done. he says, and moves back to the group.
"Uh huh," the guard says, nodding to Anton. He seems to be confused as to why Anton might want to help the thing, but doesn't say anything.
Truly, as simple as a child. B'yelka smiles at Aaron and explains, "Accused is when someone says you did something. We don't think you did anything, but if you can you have to tell us what you remember. Bad people are saying you killed some people. Did you know any children? Did you light any fires?" As before, the Diva waits between each question for the Beast to answer. This may truly be a waste of time. She looks at Mr Almaeus, trying to gauge if he agrees.
"I don't know children, they don't like me. I didn't do anything," is the golem's reply.
Whispering to Dantrian, Anton says;
I feel pity for this creature but at the moment, it doesn't seem like it can help us, or itself. Given the timescale of the case, I think we should go to one of these crime scenes as soon as possible.
And to Drosil;
We'll need your keen eyes, buddy. After all this time, any little thing might be useful.
Dantrian shakes his head at B'yelka's searching glance, "If he knows nothing of the events we must investigate, perhaps he has a home or den. If there is time and he does keep such a place, perhaps there may be clues there as well. Otherwise, Anton is correct and we should acquire steeds and make haste for Morast without further delay."
Janos frowns at the golem's responses, but tries to remain calm to avoid antagonizing the Beast. Softly, he speaks to B'yelka. "Ask him about the University. What happened there, Aaron? The place where they found you to take you here."
"I don't remember, then men with sticks beating me and take me here," the golem says, seeming confused and sad. "What did I do? I didn't do anything! Aaron only want to be left alone, or to have a friend."
If he has a- ... hmmm, yes, that is a definite possibility. Interesting. If I am correct, then the one truly responsible is quite clever indeed.
"We should get moving. Any time spent here asking questions that cannot be answered is time not spent in Morast developing our case."