The Unfinished Duet, part 5
Log Info
- Title: The Unfinished Duet, part 5
- Emitter: Delilah
- Characters: Merek, Ashes, Donna, Elyanna, Seldan, Delilah
- Place: Alexandrian Courtroom
- Time: Monday, October 26, 2020, 8:30 PM
- Summary: The trial of Delilah Valethor begins. The adventurer Magistrate Ironsides has been replaced by another, who offers Delilah life imprisonment instead of execution when she loses her case. Delilah pleads innocence, as she is sure she did not kill Bethany. Opening remarks are given, and it is clear from the proceedings that this is a trail of Alexandria's justice system itself.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Merek 5'10" 215 Lb Human Male A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes. Ashes 5'11" 177 Lb Hobgoblin Female A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face Donna 5'4" 106 Lb Human Female A black-haired human girl in black robes. Elyanna 5'11" 153 Lb Half-Orc Female A grim, Arvek-blooded woman in raven feathers. Seldan 5'11" 187 Lb Human Male Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol. Delilah 5'4" 106 Lb Human Female A golden haired human girl in white robes. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
It's mid morning, on the first day of the trial. Or perhaps the only day, if things either go extremely well, or very, very badly. The courtroom is already filling up with people; from the halfling scribe positioned beside the Magistrat's desk, to a handful of nobles who all have relatively dour expressions, to a variety of people who've come to spectate. The Magistrate hasn't arrived, yet; nor has the accused, though there is a space waiting for her. In front of the seating area for those who've come to watch are desks for the prosecutor -- a hawk-nosed mul'niessa -- and his cadre of guards and the like, and another for the defenders of the accused; and in the middle, alone and exposed, is a single spot enclosed in a round metal railing, open on one side to let someone stand within.
For the moment, people are just sort of milling around, waiting for the last remaining two important parties to arrive.
Merek walks along into the place and looks around, while he wears the dark attire he often does, adjusted about him. There's a cape which he wears while he nods a bit to people, while he finds a place to settle in. He does send a person to state he'd like to speak when there's time for witnesses as well.
Mourner Ashlee Ciaradh is one of those milling around. She's part of the defenes, but isn't about to take a seat in that section until the others have arrived. She came in with other hobgoblin on the case, the high-born, red-skinned Elyanna, who is slightly more talkative than she. Their investigations have gone, a little more information uncovered, but presentation will be key. For the moment, she stands straight and still, and stares at various people. The decorations added to her skull today are worms, or snakes.
Family does have rights to join the defenders of the accused. It may not be the done thing, as it carries a sulfurous whiff of bias among the defending counsel... But anyone who may have told that to Donna probably feared for their teeth shortly after. Because you do *not* separate the Valethor twins.
Which is why she occupies a seat on the far end of the defenders' bench. Probably because it'd be more difficult than it's worth to tackle the prosecutor to the ground and punch in their smug face. But for all that she holds her peace, it's very, very evident to anyone who looks in her direction that she's not feeling particularly peaceful.
Elyanna is amongst the milling crowd herself, clad, in lieu of her typical adventuring gear, in a Blarish formal uniform of greys, reds and oranges matching hues with with a family coat of arms at breast and shoulder. She doesn't drift overfar from the Mourner, her partner in these recent endeavors, save to see to Donna with a softly spoken, "How are you doing?"
Only once before has Seldan seen this place, and things were very different, then. He sits now on the defender's bench, to all appearances poised, calm, and watchful. He has eschewed the armor and blade for this day, instead choosing full, plain dark blue robes of a fine make, such as are more typical to a wizard than a paladin, belted and with his blue and silver over-robe worn atop it. The crescent-and-sphere of Eluna is prominently visible around his neck, his unruly hair tamed by a thin silver headband.
He watches all present impassively, and has not yet spoken.
"All rise for the Honorable Magistrate, Lady Selene Daverin." The instruction is given in a voice that booms through the hall -- from someone standing near the door, who appears to have just performed his sole and single function in the upcoming proceedings. And, into the room, appears one human woman in her fifties, clad in magistrate's robes. She walks up to the desk, and takes her seat amidst everyone jumping to their feet and staying their conversations.
"This trial was to be presided by Magistrate Ironshield," she states, "But he is bed-ridden with ill humors. I am therefore taking over." She picks up the gavel, and turns it over in her hands. "I understand that what we will be discussing here is a dire matter. A life has been taken, and another hangs in the balance. I expect all parties to remain in calm and civil behavior. I trust this is clear." She nods once, "Bring in the accused."
Moments later, the doors open again to admit Delilah, still clad in a white robe with bare feet and manacles on her wrists; she is flanked on either side by Knights Lieutenant Graves and Godswin, and followed by Norrington. She's brought to the stand in the middle; upon entering it, the chain between her wrists is affixed to the railing, affording her some freedom of movement but not the ability to leave it.
"Delilah Valethor, accused murderess, your Honor," states Norrington.
Ash was standing, so that went smoothly. She drifts into the defense bench beside Seldan, leaving room for Elyanna to follow her. The clothing of the others is observed. It's unclear if she felt the need for formality, none was heeded. She appears as she always does, in threadbare faded clothes that once were colourful and now near a uniform grey. The ashen Arvec watches as Magistrate Daverin takes her place, and then Delilah is led in. She is expressionless throughout it all, the entrance, the instruction, the guards. She waits and will sit when the others do.
Seldan stands at once when directed, raising an eyebrow at the abrupt change of magistrate, and shooting a measuring look at the Knight-Captain, gauging his attitude and reception of the news. Only when he has done that does he try to catch Delilah's eyes.
"Been better," Donna growls, glancing over her shoulder at Elyanna. When Seldan sits at the bench, the Silverguard gets a puzzled stare at first, then a curt nod, and a flexing of the facial muscles into something that would on any other day be more recognizable as a smile.
She does rise when the Magistrate is announced, and looks briefly worried when it's said that Ironshield is sick. But she holds her peace... And then the accused is brought in.
Any looking at Donna would be able to spot the brawler's face turning ashen, expression falling away until she could appear to be made of pale stone. But Seldan and Elyanna may be near enough to hear her knuckles popping, as she presses her fingertips against the surface of the long desk. If there was parchment under her hands, it's very likely it would have been balled up densely enough to use as a sling bullet.
Merek looks then to Delilah when the woman was being brought in, before he then looks to Norrington. That gaze looks to the Magistrate with a nod, while he crosses along both of his arms while he thinks about it all.
Elyanna moves to assume a spot at the bench when the magistrate, a substitute interestingly, arrives at gavel to the expected fanfare. The red woman remains standing as the others do, her face impassive as she watches the procession. The tension yeilding under load, of joints finally having enough, is familiar enough that Elyanna knuckles serripitously tap against the unbound Valethor's arm.
Delilah looks over her shoulder furtively at the audience, briefly at the prosecutor's desk, and then to the defense; her gaze rests on Donna, and she bites her bottom lip, but doesn't say anything. Still, seeing her sister present brings her a measure of calm, as a note of tension leaves her muscles.
Well, at least until she's addressed by the Magistrate.
"Delilah Valethor," intones Daverin. "You stand charged with the malign and premeditated murder of Lady Bethany Alenthor. If convicted you will face the headsman's axe." She sets down the gavel, and steeples her fingers. "However. I have spoken with the family of the deceased. Lord Wilhelm Alenthor, the father; Lady Evelyn Darrion, her sister, and Lord Garrett Darrion, husband to Lady Darrion and brother in law of the deceased, have agreed to afford you life in prison if you will enter a guilty plea. How do you plead, Delilath Valethor?"
Delilah has gone, by now, quite pale. She sucks in her breath, looks to her friends, and then looks back up at the Magistrate. "Innocent," she replies, quietly -- albeit easily enough heard in the quiet room.
The magistrate leans forwards. "You are certain you wish to enter this plea," she presses. "If you lose this case, I will show no leniency. You will be executed swiftly."
Delilah nods once. "I am certain that I did not kill Lady Alenthor, so yes, your honor. I plead my innocense before the court."
Merek looks to the whole Court while he seems to think about it, then he watches the Magistrate. He does not look at all happy about something noted, while he seems to be growing tense. He controls that, while he watches the people, and looks then to Delilah, and back to Donna.
Ash sits there, staring unwaveringly at Magistrate Daverin. Her hands are folded in her lap, on top of her satchel, her knees and ankles together. Peripherally, she can easily see Elyanna and Seldan. Delilah, Merek, Donna are further away and blurrier. Her breathing is steady and her ears don't move. Quietly, she monotones, "I can give evidence, but prefer you speak Silverguard." To be heard by Elyanna and Seldan. Norrington and his Knight-Lieutennants don't get a look. Later perhaps, it's not worth turning her head. So, Ash waits quietly.
Donna glances down at the tap, then back up, but nods fractionally, and forces herself to lean back and take the pressure off the table. Meeting Delilah's eyes after the sorceress gives her plea, the brawler manages something like a smile; as much encouragement as she can muster, given the weight of the proceedings.
The twin sat at the far end of the defense's bench, then Merek took a seat. Seldan placed himself at the other end of the bench. Ash and Elyanna move in, between him and Merek. Elyanna being close enough to reach past Merek to be able to touch Donna.
Elyanna remains silent and steady, though her eyes hold to the accused sister, though she notes Donna easing off a touch. When Ashlee speaks, there is a tiny dip of her chin, then a glance to the guards, then the Magistrate once the plea has been established, trying to read her.
Seldan remains impassive, watching the interplay between the magistrate and the accused, and only nods when Ashes whispers to him, a gesture of assent. He has nothing to say, not yet, not until called.
The Magistrate settles back in her seat, and tapes her fingertips against each other. "I would like to begin with the night of the murder," she decides. "Miss Valethor, I will give your defenders a chance to explain your whereabouts, then I will permit the prosecutor to examine you." She pauses, and nods. "Afterwards, we will hear from the Lady Evelyn Darrion, who I understand was with the deceased on the night of the murder." She nods to the halfling scribe, who is dutifuly scribing every word, with only the occasional pause to adjust her spectacles or dip her most flamboyant quill pen into the ink pot.
The magistrate nods once, and gestures towards the defenders. "You may explain the whereabouts of the accused," she states. "Be as detailed as possible."
Merek looks then to the Magistrate and nods, noting he would like to be a witness, though the man would wait for a bit to see what the other folk will be offering to the Magistrate as well.
With a glance at the others, Seldan stands and pulls himself up to his full height, a polite reserve dominating his demeanor and bearing, but when he speaks, he can be heard across the room without difficulty. "Your Honor, Seldan Padaryn, of Eluna's Silver Guard. I took the time to trace the accused's whereabouts on that night, and learned from several people that she had gone upstairs with one Ella that evening, and neither of them returned downstairs, according to Selene, the tavernkeep of the Golden Plum that night. Ella has not been seen by any since that night. Tracing Ella's whereabouts via a spell of _scrying_ revealed that she has taken her son and fled Alexandria. I think her in Charn, from the contents of the room that I saw."
"However, if it please the court, I would make a small demonstration. I was given to understand that a woman matching her description was seen in the area, the even of the murder." He reaches up to the thin silver headband, and removes it. His appearance does not change, but the band becomes a hat of red velvet with arcane stitching around the brim. "This, Your Honor, is a _hat of disguise_, a magical item known in adventuring circles, and to many within the city. I invite any and all to examine it, to understand its nature. It is a trifle, a simple enchantment, and one that may be purchased readily in any market by anyone with the coin to do so."
Without waiting for an answer, he places the hat back on his head, and instantly, he takes on the exact likeness of the accused, white robe and all. He waits several breaths for the effect to be understood, then removes it, resuming his own form. "That one matching that appearance was seen in the area is of little consequence, Your Honor, for easily may such things be mocked."
Elyanna watches the demonstration impassively as Seldan steps up to handle the opening arguments. She may do to get one of those for matters of discretion, but, she scans the room to note reactions, of particular interest are the faces of the Law.
Donna's eyes follow Seldan as he rises, chewing on the inside of her cheek to keep from bursting forth with anything that may upset the magistrate. This one, she doesn't know, and isn't a retired adventurer -- as was Magistrate Ironblood -- so there's no way to count on an adventurer's experience of the truly weird and unpossible actions taken by the desperate and/or clever.
The demonstration is a good one, and Donna blinks sharply; apparently she hadn't even thought that might have been a tactic.
Ash is similarily engaged, staring at the magistrate and looking for reactions. She is not the best at reading people. She would have an easier time reading a book on the ground from the top of a tower, backwards through a telescope. Still, the ashen Arvec stares.
To be continued...
