In the tense silence after the judge's pronouncements, Kaz leans forward a little, turning to Vala and offering her a tight-lipped nod of encouragement.
Vala nods to the Justices as she rises, "Thank you, we do have a last bit of evidence to present, dark as it may prove to be." She takes a steadying breath, then proceeds to speak in a level and even tone.
"We found a terrible foe still lurking within the remains of the town shortly after our arrival there yestereve. The creature seemed to be the ghostly form of one of the children, and it attacked us without provocation or hesitation. It was weak though, stunted by the presence of the wraith which formed it. That first wraith, the one responsible for all the tragedy, revealed itself shortly thereafter."
"It swirled through the air, a dark form like a shadowy cloak filled with glaring, hate-filled eyes. We wounded it initially and it fled, back to what we believe was its den: a small sinkhole beneath a scarecrow on the outskirts of the village."
"It was there we destroyed it at last, and, within that sinkhole, we found the remains of the children who had gone missing." Vala's voice shudders at this point, as she strains to maintain her composure despite the sad compassion that threatens to swallow her upon the recollection.
"One of our companions, Hazel, squeezed her way through the narrow opening to verify that the bones were what we feared. And- they were. The resting place of the bodies was within the sinkhole in that hillside, a chamber far too small for the beast who looms chained before you to have reached into, let alone been able to crawl inside."
She hesitates, dreading this last bit of evidence and having to relive the experience before so many. "That is not all, though I think the evidence likely compelling to many of you. Hazel, our companion who crawled into the small, dank hole, recovered one of the bodies so that I might use magic to ask the child's spirit two questions. The first question was 'What did the creature that killed you look like?' To which the child replied, 'It was so dark and scary! I looked into it's eyes, the dead lights of it's eyes!'"
Vala chokes back a sob, recalling so vividly the fear in the broken voice from the night before. "The second question I asked was, 'How many eyes did it have?'" The old woman shakes her head, steeling herself to finish her testimony. "'So many.... so many eyes!' was the answer. A description of the very wraith we'd destroyed just a minute before. It was not the Beast which took those children, but the cold touch of an undead monster."
A murmur runs through the crowd at Vala's emotional description of events. More than one of the onlookers bursts into tears and there are choked sobs that are quickly hushed by others.
Bland looks on at Vala with great sadness in his mismatched eyes and a trembling lower lip as he recalls his own struggle with the Dark-With-Eyes and how he was powerless to save his friend.
Vermundr and Hazel spend the next hour or so navigating the town, stopping in several bars and a comfortable tea house, taking in some of the street performances and even getting the opportunity to catch up with the Crooked Kin, the troupe you met on the way to the city.
My friends! calls Kaleb Hesse calls from across the street, the albino striding confidently toward the pair. How are you all, enjoying the city?
The second day of the trial draws to a close.
The justices are as stoic as ever but the crowd is far more riled today after Bland's display of 'laughter' and Prosecutor Heigel stacks his papers in a forthright manner, puts them neatly in his case, wearing a smug smirk the whole time.
More insults are thrown as the creature is led out.
As you file out you see Gustavo Kaple speaking to Jon who has got some ice from somewhere and is pressing it against his swelling nose.
Tough day. the nobleman says in a thick voice.
Oh quite well, quite well! Kaleb replies jovially. Yesterday was a fantastic day for us, the whole city was alive with excitement and not many seemed to want to pass up the time to see some freaks, especially if they couldn't get into that court.
But today... I don't know things were a bit sour. A couple of times I thought we would have missed that sword of yours Vermundr but everyone more or less behaved themselves.
Where are you off to? The trial finished for the day? he asks.
Vermundr's heart sinks a bit seeing Kaleb but he was glad to see the Crooked Kin doing well.
"I'm glad to hear the coin has been flowing. Lady Kendra has kept me busy as well", the big northerner adds.
Chymic factory? It's funny you should mention that. I overheard a couple of guys mentioning a lack of work in the city. They said the chymic factory on the east side of town seems like a good place to try because the furnaces seem to be burning day and night, though they never seem to see any workers going in or out. It had a weird name..... he thinks for a moment and then snaps his fingers. I'm sure it was called Volkstag and Grines Chymic Works. Yeah, that was it.
No idea. Kaleb shrugs. But it sure sounds busy whatever they do there.
"Strange indeed", Vermundr says in agreement with Hazel's assessment. "It couldn't hurt to visit now but we should wait until there's a lull in the trial to come back with the others."
"I am not without hope, Gustavo." Kazamir says, clapping the barristeron the shoulder, his voice quiet but confident.
"Please refresh my memory...what is tomorrow's session?"
When he hss reviewed the case with Gustavo, Kazamir will go to see Bland.
It's the f-f-f-f-....f-f-...f- Gustav stutters terribly.
The Fire at Karb Isle. Derlith finishes. The doctors there died in the fire but there is a survivor called Karl who still lives in the city.
The nobleman's voice is thick as his nose, probably broken, swells and blackens almost before your eyes.
I'm sorry to be a bother... he says. But is there anything any of you can do about this. I'm tougher than I might look, but it still feels like I've been hit with a hammer! he manages to joke.
The throng of the crowd makes picking out individual sounds difficult but you hear a rapid series of hacking coughs like tiny explosions and then spot Kendra some distance away, dabbing at her mouth with a handkerchief. She then looks as though she is about to make her way over.
Vala reaches up and gently touches Jonathan's jaw, turning his head to look at the damage. As she does so, she releases a cool flow of healing magics and nods as the flesh begins to knit and the swelling decrease.
"There'll be worse than bloodied noses before this is all done, I'm afraid."
Her eyes narrow in focus as she glances past Jon and at her approaching niece. As Kendra arrives, Vala plainly wears a what-did-you-do look on her face, a wry smirk teasing at the edge of her lips.
Kazamir, catching the coughs, sees Kendra from teh corner of his eye. He masks his concern behind a welcoming smile ( ) before turning to Kendra.
Kendra wanders over, offering a wan smile but saying nothing, just putting her hand on Kaz' shoulder for comfort though if it is comfort for her or the investigator you cannot tell.
I fear you're right Vala. Jon says, wincing a little as she sees to his injured face. Thank you, that feels much better already.
This trial is harder than I imagined. Kendra says sadly. How is that poor creature bearing up? It was in a terrible state in there.
"It is , indeed, hard on Bland. Especially when even his grief is played as malice. I was just about to see him, if you would care to accompany us."
As he offers Kendra his arm, he passes a critical eye over her, trying to judge her health.
"There was some chaos," says Constantin. "I think we made some good points, but people have a hard time seeing past what they want to see."
I'd love to go and visit Bland. Kendra says. The poor soul, he looked so confused and frightened. I honestly thought the guards were going to waylay him and I couldn't have stood to see that. she says with a frown.
Jon, are you alright? she continues with a gentle hand on the nobleman's arm. You were very brave to try to stand up to that mob.
Derlith laughs then, with a rich and heartfelt cadence.
Or foolish! he says. Yes I'm fine Kendra, Vala has seen to it though I fear this headache might be harder to shake.
He sighs.
I shall have to return to Coutaud before long, probably shortly after the verdict, in fact. Petros was a good friend and colleague at one time and I'd like to honour his memory by helping his daughter be all she can be. he says to Kendra, patting her hand, his handsome face offering a wan smile. If you need anything at the University you need only write and I shall do what I can.
Anyway, you'll forgive me if I hurry along. As I mentioned in our first meeting, things could become difficult for me politically we're I seen to be influencing the trial by aiding the defence. Good day ladies and gentlemen and good luck.
Thank you, Jon, for everything. Kendra says before the nobleman moves off into the crowd.
Shortly afterward you stop by the cells to visit Bland.
You find him sitting on the floor of his caged cell, staring into nothingness. He looks up though when you enter.
Friend Vala, friend Kaz. Can I go home soon? He asks sounding terribly world-weary.
Vala smiles weakly, her own sorrow showing plainly in her brow and eyes as she nods at the Beast's question, "We've only one more trial to contend with, dear. After that, I hope we can all put this dreadful business behind us. It won't be easy an easy day, but we'll be with you through it all."
People seem to hate me a lot. Bland says glumly. It is not a question
Vala nods, not disputing the thought. "People have a tendency to hate things they're afraid of, dear. But that won't stop us from seeing the right thing done and helping you. And I think some of the people in the crowd today left knowing they had been wrong about you. Not many, but some. It's a shame, though, that the mean nasty ones are the ones that prove to be the loudest."
"Never let those that hate you convince you to be something you are not. Or that you ARE something that you are not. Just because people say you are evil and violent does not MAKE you so.:
He nods though you don't know if that is him understanding or just trying to please.
Did you see Maisie's home? I haven't been back since.... then. It was too horrible. I didn't have much but I wish I had my book-of-words. She used to read that to me and it was nice. Even if I didn't understand it.
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Bland's eyes light up as Hazel offers the book they found in the ramshackle hut and he takes it eagerly in his big hands, smelling the leather of the binding and it's soft texture.
He flips through the pages delicately, the tomb dwarfed in his hands, but the as he closes it again he lingers on the inside cover and traces his finger ever so gently along the written dedication there.
Thank you. he says simply, but with feeling. After what Mr Vermundr said they keep the torches burning now so I can read the words and pretend Maisie is still sitting next to me, playing with her flowers.
Kazamir's face works...oddly...for a moment before he able to school his face into its usual blank countenance, but he says nothing.
He lets Bland enjoy the book for a minute before beginning his questions.
"I think we're close to understanding who is responsible for all the damage those fools believe you did", Vermundr offers even though he knows it's little comfort. "We'll get to the bottom of this yet."
"Bla^nd, tomorrow they will talk about a place called Karb Isle. There was a building there, where doctors kept the sick. "
Kaz describes the Isle, its location, and the sanctuary as best he can from the second-hand information he has.
"Is this a place you have been to? Like Herstag, with Maise? Might someone have seen you there?
Do you ever light fires, for light or warmth or such? I know you do not need them, but light and warmth can be a great comfort, sometimes. I must ask this, because there was a fire at Karb Isle, and there will be questions about it tomorrow.
Thank you, Bla^nd. " Kaz says, after questions have been answered. " We must go now, but, once again, we will be back. "
He begins to exit, then pauses, brow wrinkled, and turns back to Bla^nd.
"When we met a couple of days ago, when we were talking about how you came here, you said that you "woke up" and men were hurting you, taking you here. Later, ", his voice takes on a gentler tone, " you said, when you were with Maise, that you do not sleep.
Has that happened before? Stretches of time when you do not recall things happening? If so, when? How often? "
Kaz will spend a few minutes pressing for details, but will remain mindful that they must interview the witness from Karb Isle, then, probably, go out to the Isle itself tonight.
When this trial is over, he thinks I beleive that I shall sleep for a week!
As Kaz asks his questions, Constantin says to him, "You're saying exactly what I was thinking - that there may be some other outside force or personality at work. We don't know if it will show itself during the court proceedings, either."
No I never lit a fire, not even when Maisie was cold cos I know that people might see. And if they see they usually mean. And I don't get cold so it didn't bother me none.
He looks desperately sullen then.
But I hate the dark. I hates it so much. So Maisie brought me a jar of fireflies one time so that I didn't have to light a fire but I still wouldn't be ascared. I miss her so much, especially after Father made me leave. He and Mother used to be so nice to me but I think I done something to upset him and he told me to go. Everyone I love goes away in the end. I think you will too.
As Kazamir asks his question about blacking out, Bland scrunches up his face in a great show of concentration;
Woke up.... he bites his lip in thought. I don't sleep like people sleep. But sometimes I like to lie down where it's quiet and pretend to and just imagine things.
Like I used to in the swamp. But the last time I did I got ascared. Real bad. I can't remember what I imagined that I didn't like so much but I really didn't like it and then when I opened my eyes those men were on me with their sticks and nets.
"Thank you, Bland. Let us talk more about your sleep when we return. We will leave the light, like we did last night.
Does anyone else have any questions?"