Finally catching up with the others, Arianna chimes in, "Trinia, what my friends have said is true. The intent is to provide you an opportunity to tell your side of the story, and within a Zone of Truth at that. If you are as innocent as you claim to be, and that the majority of us believe you are, you have nothing to fear by coming along with us."
Breathing heavily as he jogs the last few yards to catch up with his companions, Iozif listens to their arguments with a cocked eyebrow. Standard Korvosan mindset. Inexplicably ready to trust that the law is beyond reproach and isn't corruptible. Shaking his head, Iozif opines, "She does have a point, you know. The Queen seems to have revealed the rumor in a way designed to get this young woman killed. The guard who implicated her is dead, so you can hardly question him about it. I find it exceedingly difficult to believe that she'll receive a fair trial. I suppose that depends on the precise manner in which any interrogation is conducted."
Shrugging, Iozif continues, "I still think your best bet is to come with us, Trinia, and to clear your name. I for one won't rest unless you have had a fair trial. If you run now, then the Hellknights may well be loosed to find you and you'd never have a chance at a peaceful life."
"I believe the Marshall means well, Trinia" Gyllan responds, releasing the girl from his clutch-hold but still keeping a grip on her arm. "But you do have a point, as my friend here says. How about this? We'll get you out of here and find a place away from here to keep you safe. You're known to live in the Shingles, like me, they'll find you here eventually. Once you're tucked up safe, we'll do all we can to set things up to guarantee a fair trial, meet with the Field Marshall and make it happen. Or maybe find whoever was really behind the King's death, and clear your name."
She relaxes and stops struggling her resolve failing. "i don't know who to trust..." she sobs. "If you promise to hide me and not turn me in, I will go with you. If I get the sense it's a trick, I'll do all I can to escape. I want to meet this Field Marshal and look her in the eye before the soldiers get their hands on me. Can you arrange that?"
She bows her head, not daring to hope for help from you.
"That we can promise," Gyllan replies, releasing his hold on her arm and taking a step away. "We will get you out of here and take you to Field Marshal Croft, and you can take her measure. Do we have your word you won't try to escape while we make our way to her? It's going to be hard enough with your cooperation, with soldiers scouring the Shingles for you."
"I will come along and will not try to escape, unless you betray me first."
She submits and will follow you of her own accord for now.
"I am serious indeed, Corso," Gyllan responds, stepping protectively in front of Trinia. "I aim to see the right thing done here, and my loyalty is to the people and city of Korvosa, where enough ill happens every day. As I said, I believe the Marshal aims to do the right thing, so I'm going to try to help make that happen. I know you have a great deal of respect for the queen, and I have no wish to see a just ruler undermined - but I'm not so sure those two things have anything to do with each other any more in our city."
Arianna scowls at Corso, "My instincts tell me she is innocent. My brother fell prey to justice gone wrong, I will be damned if I let someone else suffer that fate."
"I'm not sure that I'm convinced of Trinia's innocence nor her guilt, but surely you can see that the shambolic manner in which her 'guilt' was asserted points to an unfair trial." Iozif reasons aloud. An unfair trial at the least, anyway... Clearing his throat, Iozif continues, "We should be off. I've no doubt we attracted some attention with our hasty pursuit. We should make our way to the safehouse. I assume you've some idea, Gyllan?"
Casting a glance of Trinia, Iozif clicks in tongue and shakes his head before saying, "I think we'd best try to hide your identity with a bit of disguise. If we stick to back roads we should fine."
"Yeah, let me think a second," responds Gyllan, his thoughts turning to where in the city they might be able to hide the girl. He doesn't come up with much, but an idea has struck him, "How about at Eel's End? The Spider's ship should be pretty quiet at the moment, and no one knows we had anything to do with that - though the Marshal might guess where we are."
"Glad to have you along then, Master Gaczi. I won't pretend to understand the minds of the nobility, as my own situation is drastically different. As for Eel's end, I'd be nervous about a power vacuum there and getting swept up in there. I'll give it a moment's thought and see what I can come up with."
As you stand discussing Trinia's fate, the heavy tramp of steel-toed boots on the macadam street below you makes it quite apparent that a company of Hellknights has arrived. Looking down, you see about 12 well armed and armored soldiers roughly shoving citizens aside as they make there way to Trinia's flat building.
Without much ado, one of the soldiers knocks the woman, who gave you a bit of grief, on the porch aside and enters the building. Leaving two guards at the street the rest begin rushing up the stairs.
Now several building away, and with the jungle of the Shingles to hide and aid you, the chance of getting sighted is minimal right now, but the forces of those with ill-intent certainly seem to be drawing close. It may be time for a plan and an escape from Midlands.
Gyllan says, "Let's get moving, we'll figure out a destination once we're out of here!" He continues in the direction they were headed, in order to get as much distance as possible between them and Trinia's flat with its Hellknight visitors.
Iozif knows the apartment building across from his studio is currently vacant. There was a fire there that burnt out 2/3 of the upper floor, but the corner nearest his own window is still relatively undamaged. Seems like a good enough place to hide.
"I can stay with the lass," Ulgrim answers Corso.
"I will as well." the witch says, hoping that having another female present will ease Trinia's mind ever so slightly.
Trinia has resolved to stay here until turned over to the authorities. She just shrugs and slumps to the floor, leaning against a wall listlessly.
AS the rest of the crew departs to head back to Citadel Volshyenek, Arianna and Ulgrim stand guard over the most wanted person in the city. With most of the attention focused down in the Midlands, there doesn't seem to be any issues with hiding her here.
The girl herself is absently picking her hair and whispering to herself. Her former fire and spirit gone as she appears to have given in to despair.
The rest of the crew makes the long stroll to the Korvosan Guard headquarters. They notice a squadron of Sable Marines flying over head, geared for battle. The Marines fly out across the city to the north leaving Korvosa behind as they head toward the hinterlands.
The portcullis at the gate of the Citadel is lowered and the guard is doubled. Fortunately, one of the guards recognizes you and opens the portal letting you in. The guard is fully armed and armored, packed for battle. The whole watch seems more agitated and nervous than usual.
"If it ain't one riot, it's another! Like we ain't got enough trouble in Midlands, now them Shoanti are all stirred up north o'the City. Sounds like them barbarians are on the warpath, no doubt. Field Marshal Croft is meeting with one o' 'em now...Come t'think o' it, she mentioned she wanted you if'n you arrived here."
The Field Marshal is in, she is just meeting with the Shoanti representative right now. The adjutant sits you in the now familiar outer office, and wraps on the door. Croft opens the door and then steps outside.
"So you found Trinia Sabor? Where is she? We need her in safe-keeping, but now another delicate matter has presented itself. Perhaps you can assist with this as well?"
She shows you into her office whwere a tall rail-thin Shoanti man of at least 60 winters stands. He leans heavily on a walking stick which is the polished femur of some giant beast crowned with a firepelt cougar skull. He wears a shirt decorated with a countless jangling animal bones, many painstakingly scrawled with dozens of tiny symbols or glyphs. A bearskin cloak is draped about his bony shoulders, and warpaint in the shape of skull decorates his face. The Shoanti's eyes are milky as if he were blind. A regal red-feathered razor crow sits on his shoulder. The bird caws once, and man reaches up to feed it something.
He regards you impassively as Cressida introduces the man. "This is Thousand Bones, way-keeper for the Skoan-Quah. That is Clan of the Skull. He is hear to appeal to our good sense before war breaks out between his people and the city once again. Please all of you sit, and let's hear him out."
The Shoanti elder sits on the edge of the posh leather chair as if it were the most uncomfortable place on earth, but when Croft motions for him to speak, his voice rises deep and clear, but with barely restrained anger. "My people have worked hard to understand yours, yet it seems each day we see new examples of how your people work just as hard to foster old hatreds. My grandson is dead, beaten to death by cowards in your city streets. I do not blame you, yet still Gaekhen is dead, and my son and his kin are not so forgiving as I. They wish to return to the Skoan-Quah in the Cinderlands, to join with the Sklar-Quah and rally to war against Korvosa. This would be disastrous, for both our peoples. Amends must be made."
He continues looking to each of your faces to make sure of your understanding. "Our ways are not as yours. If a body does not to whole to the fires of the gods, the smoke of a warrior's spirit cannot rise to the Great Sky. If I could send Gaekhen's body to the Great Sky with honor and dignity, his father and brothers would listen to me and stay their wrath -- the talks of peace between my people and yours can continue. But he was not just murdered. His body was taken from the scene of the death, sold by a peddler of corpses to a necromancer named Rolth, a criminal to both our people. I have spoken with the spirits, and they have revealed to me that Gaekhen's body has been taken to a place below your boneyard, a place the spirits call the Dead Warrens."
"With this knowledge, I could surely lead a group of my finest warriors into your boneyard to retrieve Gaekhen's body, but this would be seen as an act of aggression by your people. No, it falls to you to make amends for what has been done. You must bring me Gaekhen's body, lest we be forced to recover him ourselves. And although it pains me to say it -- we will not be gentle if it comes to this."
Thousand Bones, having spoken his piece, rises and nods curtly to Cressida then leaves the room to return to his people and await the delivery of his grandson's body.
"I apologize for the Shoanti's behavior, they are not known for manners or subtleties. But I agree with his assessment. Someone needs to recover the lost body and return it to the Skoan-Quah. While I could contact the Church of Pharasma to organize an expedition into the warrens of the Grey District, it is easier, cheaper, and faster to ask you to do it. If you can solve the problem, I would offer the normal 1000 gp reward. What questions do you have?"
"And while we're at it, where is Trinia Sabor?"
Gyllan listens consideringly to the Shoanti elder’s tale. When the bone man has left the room, Gyllan turns to Corso and says, ”I don’t think the Shoanti would conquer Korvosa, but they’d sure make a mess, and we’ve got enough of those in the city at the moment. And if we let the family come in and take care of things, it’ll get messy indeed.”
He then looks to the Field Marshal and says, ”I, for one, am willing to help with this task – though your dirty tricks squad may have to start raising our rates pretty soon, we nearly had a couple of broken necks chasing across the roofs of the Shingles.”
He continues, keeping his tone direct but respectful, ”And speaking of the Shingles, we found Trinia and she’s somewhere safe. But she’s not sure she’ll stay safe if we bring her in for a trial, and I agree. If you have her in custody and the queen says to hand her over for judgment, or execution, what will you do? I don’t believe she had anything to do with the king’s death, and I don’t want to cause her death by handing her over. What can you offer to guarantee her safety? Do you plan to put her on a public trial, and somehow have her not found guilty if the queen believes her to be the king’s killer?”
Field Marshal Croft looks up at Gyllan as he speaks, her face growing more and more strained.
"I will do my duty to the City, to Abadar, and and to the Crown, in that order." says Croft finally. Her voice and expression hot and angry. "If one girl must die so that the city remains at peace, then unfortunately, that's what may have to happen. If I have to jail some free-spirits who think they are above the law, I have done worse in my time. If you have Trinia, turn her over. She will get a trial, at least, which makes her safer in my hands than loose in the city."
"I don't think she killed the King either," admits the Marshal, still quite cross. "But, I know that the City would be better off if the girl swung for it, rather than a civil war. or rebellion breaking out. I wish I had the naivety to always do the right thing, the noble thing, but instead I have to face real-life and make real decisions."
"Now if you have the girl, tell me where she is. Bring her in, and then go find this blasted Shoanti before all hell breaks loose again."'
She points to the door as she says the last. "I will redouble my efforts to find the artist Don't be foolish and try to hide her. Turn her in, get paid, make the City safer."
"You say you'll do your duty to the city first," Gyllan responds somewhat testily, "and Trinia is as much a part of the city as you or I, or even the queen."
His tone calming a bit, he continues, "But I believe you want to do the right thing here, if it's possible. So I'm okay with handing her over to you, on the terms you've stated - with one addition. We pledged that we would do all we could to see her safe. If it appears she is in danger, if you hear of a plot to seize her or see a phalanx of Hellknights on their way, give us a chance to save her, to get her out of here. You can blame it on us and avoid a civil war, and I can keep my word. What do you say?"
He turns to his companions, saying, "I've spoken for you all. Do any of you disagree with this proposal?"
The field marshal bites back a sharp retort as Gyllan gives terms. Slowly, as she considers, her face relaxes and she smiles. "I think that is exceedingly workable. You deliver the girl to me, she goes on trial. If I think a plot is in the works either to free or harm her, I will notify you and you will spirit her off again. It's elegant! I like it!."
She sticks out her hand to shake for the first time as equals, instead of as commander to underlings.
"But time is fleeting. Bring me the girl, and then off to the Grey District with you."
Gyllan watches in surprise as the field marshal's expression softens, and he lets out a breath in relief at her response. "Good, good, I'm glad" he replies, his surprise rendering him unable to be more articulate.
He shakes Croft's hand, looking her in the eye, and thinks, I could get used to this, working as an equal rather than being bossed around. "We'll bring her, and you'll keep her safe. And then we'll save the city from the Shoanti hordes."
Once they're out on the street, he listens to Corso's tale of who he's dating and says, "Of course you are. If you think she'll know something useful, let's go talk to her. If nothing else, knowing you, she'll be beautiful."
Glancing towards his noble companion, Iozif scoffs bemusedly and replies, "Yeesssss, I suppose it is something of a dump. Now wait here a moment while I go speak with Majenko." It's truly unclear if that man understands the place is currently burnt half to ruin. A mystery for the ages, I suppose. Rushing up to his room, Iozif pushes open his tiny window and calls gently to the psuedodragon, "Majenko, there is an empty burnt out apartment across the way. Two friends, who you will recognize, and one young woman, who you will not, will be waiting in there. Keep an eye on them and come to fetch us at the great castle if there is danger. I appreciate your assistance, my friend." Waiting a moment for the dragon to reply, Iozif then rushes back out the door and rejoins his companions.
Frowning at the idle chatter outside the gates to Citadel Volshyenek. Shoanti riots? What in the world has happened to provoke them? Following his companions into the Field Marshall's office, Iozif glances with curiosity at the Shoanti and his companion. Raising an eyebrow as the man's tale unfolds, Iozif nods somberly as the implications become quickly clear. If blood flows in the streets now, it would be many times worse if the Shoanti and Korvosa bled futilely. Clicking his tongue in exasperation at the thought, Iozif considers the field marshal's questions.
Listening as Gyllan makes his case, Iozif smiles and nods approvingly, then turns to watch the Field Marshal's reaction. Caught off guard by her anger, and sentiments, Iozif's face firms and he draws himself up to his full height, eyes cold. Above a law willing to throw a young woman into the ravening maw of a lynch mob? I dare say I hope I am. Clenching his jaw lest that thought come tumbling out, Iozif's eyes spark angrily as he struggles to avoid upbraiding the woman. A person in authority willing to so casually toss away the life of one in her guard, pfah!
Listening to Gyllan's proposal, Iozif's anger begins to dissipate, leaving him completely as the Field Marshal agrees. Sparing the ranger an appraising glance before nodding his grim acknowledgement. "So be it, though if possible I should like to be present for this trial. Those terms are acceptable, Field Marshal, and I will be happy to prevent Shoanti and Korvosan mobs bloodying each other however I can. To the Grey District then."
After being shown out, Iozif listens with interest to Corso's proposal. "Pray tell, Corso, what is your purpose in having us meet this lady? Given the state of things, I'm not sure this is the time to see your sweetheart, beautiful or otherwise."
Trinia gives you a disappointed smile as you turn her over to the guardsmen sent to meet you. "Thank you for keeping me safe. I don't think I'll ever see you again." A single tear runs down her cheek, as she is taken into custody by the Guard.
In manacles and chains, she is lead off to Castle Korvosa for her trial.
Ambivalent about the decision to send her to her fate, the heroes turn to the west, heading for the Grey Wardens. That district of the city is home to the graveyard and buried dead of Korvosa. The temple of Pharasma and her followers tend the Grey District, keeping the dead buried and order in the least populated district in the city.
Croft specifically said she didn't want the Church of Pharasma involved in the search, but Corso looks to his sweetheart Losinja Andeis a novice in the Grey Faith. Meeting the blond haired beauty outside the rectory, the group has a moment to meet her and ask any questions.
...Croft specifically said she didn't want the Church of Pharasma involved in the search...
Gut clenching painfully at Trinia's smile, Iozif's doubts about the justice to be found in Korvosa bubble up anew. If she's killed out of hand, it will be us to blame. We saw the wrongs and didn't do enough. Still, little to be done except hurry through this task. With a last agonized grimace, Iozif turns away and focuses on the matters at hand.
Listening to Corso's reasoning, Iozif blushes -an odd look for the pale man- and clears his throat before saying, "My apologies, Corso. I should have recognized your purpose when you specifically mentioned that she's a novitiate. I can only beg your pardon and say that my wits are addled by this business with Ms. Sabor."