Brother Silas passes him a note:
Ask him if Charlie has any sores or fur?
Gustav asks the question, turning to take in the surrounding audience as he does, seeing as Karl can no longer see to verify. It is quite obvious that Charlie has no sores, or fur.
Otto stands quickly, seeing the obvious doubt that the revelation brings about. Objection! We know little about the Beast or its organic structure. Its state some time ago should have no bearing upon its current state.
The chief justice seems to mull that over, then nods. Without a full examination and possible dissection to confirm that, I agree...sustained. He turns to the clerks. Please strike from the records the difference in the Beast's body from the day of the crime till now, that should have no bearing on the case.
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”Objection!” Rufus stands, knocking on the table with his hand. He exhibits a rare warmth of temperament, his nostrils flaring, though his voice is steady. ”The Defense asserts error! Your Esteemed Honors, the evidence need not determinately prove or disprove to be admissible. Its relevance is beyond reproach. It is a fundamental maxim of logic that the simplest explanation is likely the true explanation. The Beast has not, heretofore, exhibited any shape changing abilities. To the extent that it’s possible that the Beast’s form can change, it is more likely that it cannot, and therefore difference in form and structure is absolutely relevant to the determination of whether the witness has placed the accused at the scene of the crime. To support its motion to exclude, I challenge the prosecution to produce evidence that the Beast is capable of changing its form. Mere speculation should not serve as a rational basis to exclude the very real, very tangible evidence that is offered before this court.”
"Wasn't there a skin that matched that..."
The Chief Justice looks at Rufus with more than a bit of disdain, noting the vehemence of the interruption. After Rufus speaks, the gathered crowd in the gallery begins to boo, largely. Gustav sighs, then nods. He puts a hand on Rufus's shoulder and makes an attempt to ease him back down.
If I could, Chief Justice. I...I...I... He takes a breath to regain his focus. I believe that we've previously established in the courtroom records that Mr van Hildegoath is a specialist in his field. The defense requests that his testimony be taken into account.
The Chief Justice confers with the other two Justices, then slowly nods. Yes, clerks, please include the testimony from Mr van Hildegoath and add in the noted physical attributes based upon the witness testimony, and its own current state. Now, given that, the Prosecution will be able to introduce their own specialist review of this. Prosecution, do you need a recess?
Otto stands. No, Chief Justice. We have a specialist on staff and will introduce his testimony in short order.[b]
The Chief Justice nods. [b]Mr van Hildegoath, do you have anything else?
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"The defense seeks to offer into evidence various skins. These were procured by Vorkstag and Grine's Chymic Works. Records uncovered at Karb Isle Sanctuary indicated a series of transactions between the two establishments. At the Chymic Works, based on probable cause to believe that criminal activities were actively afoot, and with authority founded upon--" Rufus consults his parchment. "--III Palatinates Secundus § 4018.203(a)(2), a citizen's arrest was instituted against Vorkstag and Grines. Vorkstag's violent use of deadly force necessitated a series of self-defense procedures that resulted in Vorkstag's death. However, from his office these skins were procured. Grines himself has confessed to established authorities from the Church of Pharasma that Vorkstag wore these skins during the commission of various crimes."
"Let the record show that many of these bear a striking resemblance to some of the murders that the Beast has been accused of - the missing Miller of Hargen, the scandalous Harlot of Cerny Brothel, a respected merchant, an esteemed professor."
"And let the record show that one skin is a grotesque, deformed skin of an 8-foot tall creature of flesh, fur, and scales, covered with fungal boils and hideous puss-filled eruptions. It matches exactly the description of the perpetrator at Karb Isle Sanctuary, given by Dr. Brada's assistant, Karl."
Brother Silas is impressed.....
As soon as Rufus presents this, part of the gathered audience bursts out in boo's and angry curses. However, the majority of the audience seems quite interested, in fact many of them are leaning out precariously to get a closer look. Murmuring ensues.
Otto seems to take this in stride, in spite of the obvious revelations in Rufus's statement. He rises slowly, clearing his throat for attention. The prosecution calls attention to the presence of this party of "concerned citizens." We have among us an executioner - and an orc! His voice rises as he points at Gur, accusingly. Those already boo-ing turn to shouting outrage...as if Gur hadn't been in the court the last two days. The Chief Justice slams down his gavel, but Otto feels the momentum. And, a half-undead beast! In Ustalav, no less...perhaps we are to simply allow the creatures back into our lives? We know the history...we know where this leads!
He tries to go on, seeing how he's inciting the crowd, but the Chief Justice calls for the great gong to be rung, and a few of the guards take steps towards the prosecution.
Order! Order!
The crowd quiets down, and Otto sits, somewhat smugly, as the Chief Justice continues. The court recognizes the precedent for citizen's arrest, given evidence of threat to the people. Karl, can you confirm the relationship between the Karb Isle Sanctuary and the Chymic Works? He looks at Karl.
Yes, your honor, sir...mister Grine and mister Vorkstag were occassional visitors to the Sanctuary. They had frequent dealings with Doctor Brada.
Thank you; and have you discussed this with the defense prior to today?
Yes...yes sir...they visited my house yesterday in their investigation. I told them what I knew, sir.
Gustav nods to himself, even as Otto still seems satisfied with himself. The Chief Justice raps his gavel again. Defense, I understand that we have this "Grine" in custody. He will be questioned separately, based upon his involvement with these various crimes alleged to be by others. This is not his trial. But, I do understand that we have a written, signed statement from him that this Vorkstag is the owner of these vile skins, and of the various crimes. The defense has logged that as an exhibit.
Now, does the defense have anything further, or should we move on to closing statements?
Smaranda fights the urge to hide when the prosecutor points at her and the crowd's noise intensifies. A sideways glance, however, shows her that she was not alone. They were all fighting for justice, and to hide would mean to admit to some kind of guilt. And she was not guilty, not of any crimes alleged in this court, or of her own blood and nature. Perhaps it was time to face that, instead of running all the time.
So she grips the railing and stares Otto in the eyes as she tries to calm her pounding heart.
Leeoli, who never was great with words, was happy to let Rufus and the other take a lead in this morning's trial. Leeoli answer Rufus's glance with a slight shrug. He had nothing else to add. Hard to top a pack of gruesome human skins to titillate the crowd.
Having remained silent for most of the trial - clearly out of her element - the tolling of the gong and the movement of the guards interrupt Cassidia as she's almost on her feet, prepared to verbally browbeat the smug Otto, having to settle instead for simply watching the man like a hawk while placing a hand lightly on Smaranda's shoulder as both support and to help settle her.
She is unsure of how the trial will proceed but uses the moment to make sure her symbol of Sarenrae can be properly seen on her person. She has some uncomfortable suspicions about the prosecutor that will have to wait until the trial is concluded.
Rufus reclaims his seat, glancing at the others. After a moment he shakes his head at Gustav, indicating that he presently has nothing more.
He fidgets with his raven quill, which trembles in his grip.
With no further witnesses or evidence forthcoming, the Chief Justice calls for closing statements. After the Herald of the Court rings the great gong three times, the murmuring crowd calms down, and Otto begins with the prosecutions closing statements. He asserts that the Beast is guilty of the murders in Morast, Hergstag, and Sanctuary, and claims that the evidence to the contrary has been planted where found by a convenient band of "ruffians and ne'er-do-wells." He then claims that the Beast is a danger to society and a monster that must be destroyed. He recommends punishment in accordance with traditional law - execution by burning in the punishing man.
Gustav stands then, and asserts the evidence previously presented in each case. He says that the prosecution's limited evidence is not enough to prove the Beast guilty of the crimes in Morast, Hergstag, or Sanctuary. He recommends that the Beast be freed immediately. His assertions:
Day 1 - there were robbed graves in the Morast Boneyard; the Beast can see in the dark, so does not need an extract of darkvision; the Beast did not seem to be bit by the Caiman as indicated by the witnesses.
Day 2 - there was eyewitness testimony from the children, questioned while dead. Karin's bedroom window was not forced, and the wall outside would have been nigh impossible to climb.
Day 3 - the skins, the skins! Karl admitting that Vorkstag and Grine were connected, and your subsequent citizen's arrest.
After the closing arguments, the Chief Justice says. Now that we have heard the closing arguments, the Justices have one hour to deliberate. Court will resume in one hour. The herald then hits the gong, and Gustav turns to you.
Th...thank you, for your hard work. I'm hopeful that this will w...w...work out for us...and for him. His eyes stray to the Beast, who is standing in the great cage in before the now empty podiums.
Rufus walks to the cage, placing a gloved hand on the bar. He looks at this "beast", whom Dura named Charlie. Until recently, he had found the moniker unnecessary, for what was the use of giving names to lab mice? But suddenly it seems right, even to his scientific mind, that Charlie should have his name.
"How are you feeling, Charlie? You shouldn't believe any of the cruel things they've said about you. These people cannot understand how special you are."
He tries a smile, but just now his lips won't cooperate.
Charlie looks up, his huge face leaning forward to look at Rufus through the bars. Roofiz...friend. He looks back at the defense table. Charlie's friends...you help, I know.
He looks down at his feet. Want to go see father. Been too long.
Gur waits quietly for the verdict, trying to decide if the prosecution may be in need of his deities brand of discussoon.
Silas looks over to Charlie.
Curious and trying to be sympathetic, he asks him:
"How long has it been since you've seen your father?"
Where does your father live? We can bring him maybe?
Caromarc...swampland. He shakes his head. Too long in dis place...don't know how many days. He scrunches up his face in thought, and the result is horrifying. Lotsa' days.
With little else to do except wait, Cassidia paces about the courthouse in an attempt to burn off her agitation and to distract from worrying about what the verdict will be - and what it might result in.
With little else to do she approaches Charlie with the others and stands as an unofficial vanguard - if all were lucky, no violence would play out this day.
Brother Silas turns over the name Caromarc in his head to see if he can recall ever hearing it before.
Silas has heard of this...this Caromarc is the former count of Vieland. It's fairly common knowledge that he lives in his ancestral castle north of Lepidstadt. There is definitely a swampy area in between...Dippelmere Swamp.
"I have heard of this man. His castle is to the north." Silas says.
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After an hour of recess, the gong sounds, ushering back in the justices. The defense and prosecution stand, as does the herald and the majority of the court and the bystanders.
Chief Justice Khard comes forth to announce the verdict.
We have heard the evidence presented before us, and thank Pharasma we did so, for without this trial there would have been a most terrible miscarriage of justice. There are many cruelties in the world, but to lie and blame another for one's crimes is the most terrible of sins. We have asked ourselves a question - who is the monster here? Is it this creature before us, with its broken body and terrible form, or is it we, the people of Lepidstadt, with our bigotry and lies?
He pauses, to let those words sink in, then raises his voice for the verdict.
The Beast is innocent!
Immediately, the crowd mostly screams in anger at the verdict, and the guards draw weapons to keep them at bay. Charlie seems to understand the verdict, and he stands a bit straighter, his huge form causing the bonds about him to strain. Some of the guards show a bit of fear at this, but they still stand near him, keeping guard.
The gong rings again and again, calling for order.
Gustav turns to you, smiling. He shakes hands in turn, but seems almost shell-shocked, as if he had no idea this would happen. You wonder if he ever truly believed in Charlie's innocence.
The area about the courtroom is a mess, with the majority of the crowd pressing in against the guards, railing against the perceived injustice. It looks like the guards are going to have a hard time getting Charlie out of here...unless they just let the big guy run out...which could undo all of the good work you've done in defending him.
Smaranda steps towards Charlie, casting dark looks at the crowd and then turning towards the others, her voice small but determined.
"We have to take care of him. Out of the city. With the circus, maybe. Then we go look for his father."
Charlie looks about the gathered crowd. Back home...swamp.
One of the guardsmen turns to look at him, then looks down at Smaranda. Our orders are to get him back to the north side of town and release him. He wants to return to Dipplemere Swamp. The man shrugs. No idea why though...place doesn't sound too hospitable.
Brother Silas stands up, imposing in his armor.
"There will be no violence here today!" he forcibly tells the crowd.
"The court has spoken and the accused has been found innocent."
Then he turns to the guard.
"I will assist you in guiding him out of town."
The trip out of the courthouse and through Lepidstadt is plagued by hurled insults and threats, pushing crowds, and even some thrown fruit. Through it all, Silas leads the way with his imposing nature and stern visage turning back all but the hardiest of protesters. Those few that are still brave enough to push in usually find Gur's looming presence and axe far too intimidating to do much but shake their fists in anger and retreat.
It's a long walk, but you eventually make it to the edge of town. Here, the road continues to the north and out of town...towards Dipplemere Swamp. The guards seem satisfied with this, and release Charlie. The great "Beast" turns to look to Lepidstadt and puts a huge hand up to wave...sort of...at his saviors - his only friends. Then, he turns and begins loping away to the north with huge strides.
"A strange and tragic sort of fellow."
"Pharasma will know his soul when it finally comes before her."
The chaos as the verdict is read doesn't surprise Cassidia, expecting violence to follow immediatly she moves infront of the beast to join the guards and facing the enraged crowd she plants her feet, draws her sword and stands firm, much like she had when the courthouse had been threatened but a rioting mob. She stares down the crowd as the others attempt to keep order but she herself only moves when the guards release and escort Charlie through the town to release him to his chosen location; the swamp.
A little dirty from being pelted with foodstuffs and whatever else had been hurled, only once Charlie is outside of Lepidstadt and lumbering into the swamp does she relax, even giving Charlie an equally stilted wave.
Exhaling heavily as the immediate danger has passed, she considers putting her sword away then reconsiders and looks about.
"Justice was had, it was fair...why does this not feel like the victory it was?" She muses as she glances back to where Charlie had wandered.
"How long before they scapegoat him again, do you think?"
You stand at the edge of town at the head of this odd procession and watch Charlie leave, and then you suddenly find a man behind your group. Turning, you find Justice Daramid's aide - the silent man who seems quite capable at dealing with whatever has been thrown at him thus far - including aggressive interrogations, bodies in the basement, and even making tea. The man shows no emotion as his plain face looks at each of you. He waits until you're in a small group, and says quietly. My employer would like to meet with you in the morning, to discuss this and to receive your payment for services rendered. Please meet her at the townhouse.
Smaranda gives a small wave goodbye to Charlie, silently wishing him the best on his journey. Will he truly find his father at the end of it? And how would his father treat him? The girl shakes her head. She was familiar with the concept of fathers, had even met a few, but she could not imagine how having one would feel.
The sudden appearance of the man startles her, but as he delivers his message she relaxes a little, and nods. "Should be going now," she says to the rest, awkwardly not looking at them. "Going back to the circus, outside town."
"Lot to think about, might need some time." Gur seems to be highly annoyed about something.
Daramid's aide dips his head in acknowledgement, his mission carried out and summons given. With that, he turns on his heel and walks away.
Brother Silas nods.
"In the morning then." he turns and leaves to return to the church.
He spends his time that night split between cleaning and oiling his armor and weapons and spending time in reflection and prayer.
In the morning he will awaken, eat a simply breakfast, and walk to the Judge's house.
You each take care of your own business for the remainder of the day, and then gather back at the townhouse of Judge Daramid the next morning.
You notice on the route through Lepidstadt that there are various men and women gathering, some with pitchforks and others with torches or other improvised implements. You hear in passing. Yea', we gonna' get that Beast, and get real justice!
Her aide brings you into the study once again, where Daramid greets you with a smile. You can see a large chest in the middle of the floor - it looks quite heavy.
Please, come in. I must commend you all on your thorough work. I had a hunch that something was not right in this case, and you ferreted out the appropriate information nicely. And to think, the true killer was in the city here under our nose for years! I can assure you that Mister Grine will be thoroughly questioned about his involvement in this; but that is a case for another time. For now...
She indicates the chest.
You'll find inside payment for services rendered. I know that coins are a bit antiquated in the city here, but I'm afraid bank notes are too...traceable...a currency for this matter.
She pauses, then sighs.
If you would indulge me, however, I feel as if this is not over. I trust you saw the gatherings in the streets...I hate to ask this, but will you go to this Schloss Caromarc and find this B - Charlie's father?
Smaranda spends the night with the Crooked Kin, quietly and haltingly relating the events of the past couple of days to Kaleb. A rare smile makes an appearance as the girl tells of Charlie bounding off after his trial had concluded.
The next day, she draws her cloak closer around her and pulls her hood lower as she spots the agitated townspeople. Fervently hoping that Charlie is now out of reach from these bigots, she makes her way to where she remembers the judge's house to be. Less so out of a desire for reward, but more out of curiosity and concern. It would be heart-wrenching if he had gone through all that torment and trouble, and having been proclaimed innocent, would have still died at the hands of a hateful, ignorant mob.
Thus it is without hesitation that she takes a step forward in response to Daramid's request.
Judge Daramid smiles. Thank you, Smaranda. I can appreciate the interest you've taken into Charlie's plight.
And, the rest of you?
"Like you have to ask what I will do." Gur does not step forward as it is unnecessary for him to do so.
"I think the mystery of Charlie's origin is worth investigating. I will take a leave of absence from the church here and accompany you on this journey." the grim faced cleric tells the group.
Cassidia can do nothing but shake her head as they pass the various mobs - justice served or not, bloodlust was a hard thing to quell.
In the judge's chamber and assembled with the others, while she does not step forward, she nods her acceptance of the task.
"Whoever is responsible has done it at least once, and could do so again. How far is Caromarc?"
You know that Caromarc is a bit over twenty miles north and east of Lepidstadt, at the edge of Dipplemere Swamp.
"I believe I will purchase a donkey to help carry my belongings." Brother Silas says.
You head out with the judge's blessing towards the north. Luckily, the road to the north follows the western bank of the Lesser Moutray River. You continue along it until you find that you're passing a few trails that seem to be set up to travel the swamp by foot. It could be a shortcut, as it seems a more direct route, but...well, you'd be walking directly through the swamp.
If it pleases the rest of you, we are not in a particular hurry, and shortcuts through swamps rarely are actually faster, as the going becomes slower. And...Well nothing ever bad happens when you choose to go through a swamp, ever...and if you've been itching to make friends with a few leeches, have at it.
"Only a few?" Cassidia jokes as she adjusts her possessions and distributes the weight as best she can in preparation for the journey.
"It has been a while since I traveled outside the cities, but the road should be safe enough - certainly we should be able to discourage bandits just from the look of us."
You continue along the road for a few dozen miles and fine little sign of anyone else, save for some local travelers and farmers moving goods to market, or away from. The road seems quite safe, but after a few miles outside of the city, traffic is just nonexistent. From there on to the north, you see no signs of anyone out traveling, and you begin to second guess your choice.
Nonetheless, you press on, and eventually the road comes to a quite spectacular sight. The fens give way to a deep, rocky gorge at the northern end of the swamp, where a peculiar building, or rather group of buildings, clings to steep cliff edges above half a dozen plummeting waterfalls.
Beyond a fortified gatehouse, a stone bridge arches gracefully over the raging torrents below. Perched precariously beyond this is a fine, fortified manse and a ruined building that appears to have partially collapsed into the river below. A slender rope bridge, replacing the fallen remnants of a stone bridge, links to a strange tower pieced with beautiful stained glass windows depicting bizarre beasts.
A further building teeters to the north of this, but how it is reached is impossible to see from there. Far above, a great tower rises from an isle of stone to the sky, ending in a great steeple topped with a huge lightning conductor.
Smaranda keenly remembers her last misadventures in a swamp, and watches the murky waters with apprehension. Thus it is a relief to hear that most of the others were in favour of continuing on the road.
The sight of the buildings clinging to the cliff side above the river have the girl openly gape in wonder. Surely these must have been built with magic, although it seems that even so they were not safe from the ravages of time and gravity.
Did Charlie come this way? Did someone live here? It was hard to hear anything over the noise of the river, so Smaranda looks for any visual cues of habitation - or lack thereof.
Smaranda's eagle eyes pierce through the distance, and instantly catch sight of something odd in front of the gatehouse. There, thick chains seem to hold two huge hounds of an unusual sort. These beasts are fat and well fed, and seem to be chained there to guard the front route to the gate...an odd thing, since the gatehouse itself looks like it would be more than ample defense.
The dogs look like this.