The Unfinished Duet, part 9

Log Info

• Title: The Unfinished Duet, part 9
• Emitter: Delilah
• Characters: Ashes, Elyanna, Delilah, Donna, Merek, Seldan
• Place: A16: Nobility District- The Courts
• Time: Monday, November 16, 2020, 8:25 PM
• Summary: Evidence presentation and cross-examination continues, with Seldan grilling Knight-Lieutennat Godswin regarding his fireams experience, and what he saw in the alley. Further details are extracted and confirmed from the prosecution's side. Namely, that Bethany was followed in, was shot five times, and the residue on her body matched that in the bullets in Delilah's possession. It is asserted that 'there was strong evidence' Delilah committed the crime, but that hasn't been presented yet. The source of the investigation command was explained. Knight-Lieutennant Graves explains her magic experience, and how she recognized the Magic Missile spell evidence. Ashes asks the court that Delilah be allowed to demonstrate the spell, arguing that she has only been assured the woman can only shoot four, but wishes to have that confirmed as it is the foundation of her belief in her innocence. Seldan explains the magic theory in more detail, and offers himself as a target instead. The prosecution protests, as does Merek, earning rebukes from the Magistrate which sends the Seer's thoughts onto a dark path. The Magistrate will allow the demonstration, and the parties prepare.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A16: Nobility District *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The splendor of the technology, bustle and eclectic energy of the city and nation of Alexandria all seem to point towards the towering structures and constant thrum of activity in the Castle District. The Castle District contains the vast majority of the government offices, guild headquartrs, noble quarters and political functions of the city. The very air seems energized with this level of importance. The architecture is pompous and enormous, consisting largely of multi-leveled edifices and great jutting towers and buildings that seem to grow out of the mountains with hanging gardens and brightly colored banners and mana lamps strewn about. Everything seems to be aiming upwards here and pointing towards the freedom of the skies beyond. The grand towers and structures reaching heavenwards and activity in the skies above a constant happening with ships of all sizes from air-cabs to great merchant vessels moving through the Skygates and Griffon Riders moving through their patrols as they pass through and above the many bridges and walkways that connect the towers, buildings and walls.

Ever-easterward stands the fortress-castle of Castellum Alexandrae and a large bulk of both ground and air traffic seems focused in that direction.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

Seldan finally looks over at the others, and stands. "I see. In that case, if I may, Your Honor." An ice-blue gaze drifts to the prosecutor. "You say to this court that you are told that these things are true. This says to me that you yourself are not an expert in such weapons, and there is no shame in that, for nor am I. Yet would I hear from the expert who provided such analysis, if they are willing to speak before the court. I would know how it could be certain that both bullets came from the same firearm?"

"I will allow it," the Magistrate acknowledges, nodding to Seldan. "These are good questions." She looks towards the Prosecutor and the various guards around him, "Please, name your analyst, and fetch them; in the meantime we shall hear what these witnesses have to say, but we shall return to this issue afterwards. I hope that is suitable for the Defense," she adds, keeping her gaze on Seldan for the moment.

"No need to wait, your honor," the Prosecutor indicates, "Knight Lieutenant Godswin is present, and he is the one who was responsible for the weapons analysis. You may question him immediately, if you wish."

The Magistrate nods, "Then, please hold for the moment," she asks of Zoey and Chef (the latter of whome mutters something about donuts). "Silver Guard, you may proceed."

Elyanna holds to her own counsel, now. Her own expertise in the matters of firearms and ballistic trajectories well established. Still, she wracks her mind to find an angle, something their missing, even as their expert is being called into the matter.

Ashlee looks at the other knight-lieutennant, Greaves, or Graves, or something. She had a death-like name, that was almost worth remembering. She's a good candidate for their magic expert. She finds this very interesting. Seldan is occupied, she's exhausted all the insight she can muster for the bullets, the wounds, and their trajectories. If some mystery remains inside the puzzle that will prove Delilah's innocence, she will never find it. So, she leans towards Elyanna, and whispers, "I have an idea."

Seldan nods, and stands. "Knight-Lieutenant," he begins, folding his arms formally before him and regarding the man with a steady gaze. "When you arrived on the scene of the murder, tell me what you saw." The question is simple, but he watches the man intently, thoughtfully.

Ash also watches the Knight-Lieutenant, silent for the moment as she waits on the answer.

Donna catches Delilah's eye again as Seldan stands to question, moving her face in what she can at least hope is a signal of reassurance. As slippery as hope has been to hold on to over the course of the day, when a sworn Paladin is stepping up to your defense... it helps.

Elyanna arches an eyebrow on Ashes's assertion and leans in a little closer, perhaps to hear it mre easily, though her eyes flit to Seldan, then to the Knight on the paladin's opening challenge.

"Objection, your honor!" The Prosecutor bounces to his feet. "Asking any witness 'what did you see' is far too broad of a question. Miss Valethor's defenders should have specific pieces of evidence in mind when questioning a witness -- or an investigator, for that matter."

The Magistrate leans back in her seat, considering for a moment; in the moment of calm, Delilah catches Donna's look, and manages a thin smile in return, if only briefly. Hope, reassured; even if it is hard.

"I will allow the Defense's question," Daverin decides at last. "But in future, Silver Guard, please narrow your queries."

Knight Lieutenant Godswin stands, and scratches his head, behind his ear. "Aside from the congregation of people looking at the body, as close as the attendant guard would let them approach? I saw Lady Alenthor, dead in the alleyway, amongst a pool of her own blood, with multiple magic and bullet wounds. I am... unclear what details you would like me to focus on?"

"Yes, Your Honor." Seldan takes the rebuke in stride, although the stridency from the prosecutor brings a small smile to his lips. "I am not without purpose in my thoughts, but I shall narrow. The defense has reason to believe that the scene of the crime that we were shown had been tampered with, and the full details of the scene as it truly was may help us all understand the truth of what befell, Knight-Lieutenant."

His gaze remains steady, calm, even, his posture ramrod-straight. "Describe the wounds seen upon the body, if you would."

"It's something I can ask after this guard and their witnesses are done." Ashes whispers to Elyanna in a quick moment of silence. Quiet enough that Seldan or Merek might overhear, but her words shouldn't travel further.

Elyanna nods sharply on her words, a hand coming up to rub at her chin, then in Goblin, she wonders, "/The lay of the body?/" in a ghost of a whisper.

Donna nods briefly at the glance shared with her sister, and returns her attention to Seldan. Careful attention is paid to the way the Paladin words his questions, and the responses he gets; for all she knows, this won't be the last time she's forced to be here, so observing a more skilled fighter can only be a smart move.

Godswing shrugs his shoulders lightly. "You would have to define what you mean by tampered with," he replies. "One of the bullets was removed from the ground before you viewed the scene. Knight Captain Norrington tells me that one of your colleagues, Speaker Silmeria, was able to retrieve the other one, which was helpful. Otherwise, it had been under guard until both parties had a chance to examine it."

The Magistrate leans forwards, and seems about to say something else, but pauses for a moment herself. "Please proceed, Silver Guard," she states simply, and leans back in her seat once more.

As for Delilah, she's watching as best she can; which mostly means looking over her shoulder, given the degree to which the chains restrict her movement. At the moment this has the effect of giving the defense a good view of the back of her head.

"Please describe the wounds on the body," Seldan reminds gently, repeating his previous question. He leaves the matter of tampering alone for the moment, instead holding up one silent finger towards Elyanna in a gesture that is at once acknowledgement and a request to wait. "The defense merely wishes for all to understand what was seen, and only you can help the court understand."

"That's one thing, and the site was too clean. There should have been a lot more blood." Ashlee whispers, her head leaned towards Elyanna. She's definitely loud enough for Seldan to hear this time, and perhaps Delilah. She looks expectantly at the Knight-Lieutennant as he answers.

Elyanna's brows knit as she is given the gesture by Seldan, and her head lists a few degrees to one side. Ashes clarifies and brings to mind something that had bothered her as well, and she nods, but doesn't feel like cutting under the paladin's efforts.

Godswin scratches behind his ear once again; apparently it's his 'I'm thinking' tick. "She had five cauterized puncture wounds, identified to be from the Magic Missile spell," he explains. "I didn't do that identification, that's more Knight Lieutenant Graves' area of expertise. We determined that she suffered those wounds first. She also had two gunshot wounds, one to the chest which deflected off her spine and entered the ground at an angle, and one that hit her in the eye and--"

Godswin pauses mid-sentence, as the Lady Evelyn Darrion gets up, holding her belly with one hand, and turns to stalk out of the room in a hurry. Her husband rises moments later to follow her, though he pauses to nod to the Magistrate. "Please, excuse us your honor," he asks, and once he receives a nod of ascent, follows his wife out -- albeit without letting the door slam as she did, a noise that made Delilah visibly flinch.

Godswin watches for a moment, then turns his gaze back to Seldan. "The second hit her in the eye," he finishes. "And passed straight through the back of her skull. We think the Magic Missile spell stopped her hear instantly, which would account for the lesser amount of blood than might've been expected, but it's not as though it was lacking."

The paladin has a purpose. He is exposing all of the information without comment, in a specific order. He does not wish to make comment upon it until the very end.

Seldan listens in silence, casting a brief look at his fellow defenders, eyebrows raised questioningly, but it is a brief look that waits only for response before continuing. "Ah, so Knight-Lieutenant Graves is the magical expert. I would have her speak next, but if I might ... this might seem small, but in which direction did the body lay when first you saw it?"

He pauses to wait for answer, then continues. "I am certain that seems insignificant, but my fellow defenders have an interest. How far from the body do you believe the shooter to have been, and did the magic missile come from the same direction?"

Donna's eyebrow rises in reply, nodding once to Seldan and leaning over the table to get a better look at the questioning; she, probably like the Magistrate, is curious about where this will go, but it's good to have it out in the open all the same.

Godswin inclines his chin, just a hair. "Her feet were towards the entrance to the alley, and her head lay further in," he explains. "It appeared that she went into the alley, and the killer followed her in. The spell was cast at close range, and the two gunshots were fired by the killer standing over her, execution-style. We found residue from explosive charges on the body. It matched five identical bullets that were in Miss Valethor's collection -- now four, since we had to take one appart -- of unknown origin. It's not a formula known to be used by any gunsmiths in Alexandria."

When the party examined the body it would have been apparent that she was face-up. The exit wounds were on the back.

No weapons are present in the court, except for with the guards responsible for making sure Delilah doesn't escape, which doesn't include Godswin or Graves, but does include Norrington.

Elyanna ponders, if the killer followed her in, but shot her front facing, she either waited for, or caused Bethany to turn to face them before lighting her up. But she didn't know who killed her, so whatever she saw was unfamiliar. She assumes the assassin was female, perhaps projecting a little.

"I see. Your expertise in the matter of firearms is greatly appreciated," Seldan counters, listening steadily. "It sounds as if you are well familiar with guns in Alexandria and their makers. Are you familiar with their use?"

Delilah, for her part, locks her eyes on Godswin as he says the explosive residue matched what was in some of her bullets. She stares at him, then tilts her head the other way, to look to her sister and the others at the Defense table; 'how' is the word writ large upon her features, with no small measure of sudden, deep concern.

"Yes," Godswin answers, "I am. They are my weapon of choice, which I am afforded as a Knight Lieutenant. I practice with both pistols are rifles, and keep regular tabs on weapon sales in Alexandria." He pauses, and perks an eyebrow upwards. "Miss Valethor did not purchase her weapon in Alexandria; she claims to have taken it from a bandit. She did, however, have it modified more than once, at more than one shop, favoring Gnomish workmanship."

"That dragonspitter is a match for every unsolved shooting in Alexandria." Ashlee whispers to Elyanna. Her lips tighten.

An incline of the head might or might not hide the small half-smile that Seldan wears. "Valuable information. When did you determine that the bullets came from Miss Valethor's dragonspitter?"

"After we arrested her." Godswin shrugs his shoulders. "We didn't have legal access to her weapon until then. I--"

"OBJECTION!" The Prosecutor jumps to his feet once again. "Your Honor, *when* evidence was gleaned is of no consequence. As Knight Lieutenant Godswin alluded, it is often prudent to arrest a suspect once there is enough evidence for strong suspicion -- which there was -- and continue strengthening the case afterwards. The Silver Guard is attempting to call evidence into question based on timing, but it doesn't matter *when* the evidence was collected. It was collected, and the details match up."

The Magistrate leans back in her seat, and cups her chin with one hand. She remains silent for a long moment; all eyes on her, it would seem, but for her own, which rest on Delilah.

"I will hold my own council on that," she decides. "Please continue, Silver Guard."

Elyanna holds up a hand, "Your honor?" That entreaty made, the red woman returns to her feet "To clarify, it was believed that the killer followed Lady Alenthor into the alley?" Her brow arches, and she glances to Seldan, ammending, perhaps to remind him, "All of the wounds indicate she was facing her killer. She was struck by spell, then dragonspitter, from the front."

Seldan's smile merely broadens as the prosecutor gets more and more upset, and he turns that warm, easy smile on the fuming mul'niessa. "So the decision was made to arrest Miss Valethor before it was determined that the bullets came from her gun." He looks over at Elyanna, and considers her words, nodding. "A salient detail. You have my gratitude for the reminder." That warm, easy grin is now turned on Elyanna. "One final question for the Knight-Lieutenant. From whom did your orders in the matter of Miss Valethor and Lady Alenthor come?"

"That," Godswin replies without breaking stride as he looks to Elyanna, "Is entirely consistent with the scenario we believe to have taken place. Miss Valethor's killing -- Excuse me, alleged killing -- of Lady Alenthor was motivated by enmity. It's common in such cases for the killer to want their victim to know who it is that's killing them; we expect that Miss Valethor would have said something to Lady Alenthor before killing her, to get her to turn around just long enough to see that it was her."

The Knight Lieutenant looks back to Seldan, and furrows his brow for a moment. "...I don't see why that's important, but if you're referring to the order to make Miss Valethor's arrest, the warrant was signed by Magistrate Ironshield. I brought it to Knight Captain Norrington, who carried it out."

"And your orders regarding the investigation, Knight-Lieutenant?" Seldan's tone holds infinite patience, and level interest. Donna has reconnected.

Godswin shrugs his shoulders lightly. "From Knight Captain Selrik," he replies. "She was the ranking guardsman on duty that night, and gave the orders for Knight Lieutenant Grave and I to head the investigation."

Seldan's smile fades a little at that, but he nods an acknowledgement, and steps back. "I have nothing further for the Knight-Lieutenant, Your Honor, but when it please you, I would similarly question Knight-Lieutenant Graves."

Magistrate Daverin nods her head, "As you wish, Silver Guard. Prosecutor," she inquires, settling her gaze on the Mul'Niessa, "Have you any objections?"

"None, your honor," replies the dark elf. He has a face that looks like it would quite literally crack if he were to smile, but the degree of satisfaction in his voice is palpable. "The Silver Guard may question both Knight Lieutenants. The Crown is content to wait for them to finish."

And so, Samantha Graves stands, and clasps her hands behind her back, waiting for questions from the defense.

Merek listens along with the people while he would watch in a little bit of thought.

"Thank you, Your Honor." Seldan steps forward again, directing a look at his fellow defenders that tries to be reassuring. It's a brief, fleeting thing, and then he turns his attention to the woman before him. "Knight-Lieutenant, what led you to believe that magic missile was the spell used in the murder of Bethany Alenthor?"

The ashen Arvec strokes the centipede familiar wrapped around her neck. Tapping his head gently, he is convinced to inwind and crawls into her palm. She guides him into her satchel. Next, she crosses her arms across her chest, her hands tucked into her armpits, whereupon she... shrugs vigorously a few times, rolling one shoulder and then the other. There's a squeak and another item is slipped into her satchel. Her clip earring also appears put away, she holds the bag towards Elyanna, "Hang onto this for me."

The paladin is establishing that the guards didn't do their homework, but in a way without accusing them of incompetence. The questioning of Godswin established two things: The first, Godswin is a competent gunslinger, familiar with pistols. The second, the decision to arrest Delilah was made before they gathered the evidence about the gun. That meant they jumped to conclusions. He intends to extend that idea in the questioning of Graves, and of the witnesses.

Which might work better than Ash's blunt statement earlier did.

"Experience," replies Graves. "I have made a study of magical attacks and spells for years. It proves useful in my line of work. I am not a spellcaster myself, but I have studied with mages and know the telltale signs to look for in spell identification. I am quite positive that the spell used was Magic Missile, which is known to be in Miss Valethor's repertoire.

"This is correct?" The Magistrate leans forwards, her gaze suddenly boring holes in Delilah. "Miss Valethor, the spell described is one within your capabilities as a sorceress?"

Delilah has been looking steadily more worried for the last ten minutes, and as she's addressed her gaze snaps up to meet the Magistrate's. "Y-yes," she replies, gripping the railing around her for support. "Yes, I can cast Magic Missile, you're honor."

Elyanna hmmmm's, considering the situation, her mind touching sharps where there should be flats, but at the moment, Sir Seldan is playing his chord, and it probably behooves them to hear it- hello? She turns to Ashes as the fullblood suddenly gets animated next to her. She mouths what is likely the Goblin equivalent to 'What're you doing?', but is too startled to do anything but look down at the satchel thrust into her hands.

Ashlee stands. Her small holy symbol, Vardama's scales of death for weighing the soul, remains clasped in her closed fist. A symbol that is easily palmed for her. Perhaps she doesn't have much soul to weigh, perhaps souls don't weigh very much.

She moves to stand in front of Delilah, addressing the Magistrate first. "I'd like to make a demonstration."

She turns to face the accussed, and the guard on the prosecution's side. She stares impassively, her facial markings giving her a mask as effective as the Mul'niessa's. She addresses Graves, "As you are the magic expert on the investigation team, you can confirm that the number of Magic Missiles is fixed to the caster's competence and there is no way to raise or lower the number of missiles."

Ash looks directly at Delilah now, "I would like the prisoner to provide proof of her statement, to be unbound and to cast Magic Missile at me."

Seldan is about to speak, and turns and frankly _stares_ in disbelief at the Mourner. "I understand your thinking, Mourner, but are you certain? Your Honor, such a request is not idle, nor is it without purpose, but I would have none attack another in this space, be the reason ever so relevant. Perhaps this can be done in private, for Your Honor's understanding of the spell? I am capable of defending any witnesses, should this go awry."

Donna lifts a hand. "Uh... To note, Your Honor, that in, like... the operational sense? It's pretty much impossible to hit anythin' but what you mean to hit with that spell in particular. I'm.... kinda suggestin' this oughta be done in private too, just so's there's no way for troublemakers to screw it up for all of us."

"No." Norrington rises from his seat at this point, just as the Prosecutor is shouting "Objection!!". They glare at each other, before the Prosecutor sits back down. "Your honor, the answer is no," continues Norrington. "As the ranking guardsman in charge of Miss Valethor's security, I cannot permit an accused murderess, possessing significant magical skill, to be unchained and permitted to behave freely. Her repertoire of spells includes far more destructive spells than Magic Missile, and we cannot--"

"What we can and cannot do is up to me, in MY courtroom," Daverin sharply interjects. "Which I remind you, is... MY courtroom, and your advice is welcome but decision making is mine."

"No, your honor, please," pleads Delilah with a quivering voice. "Please. Please don't make me do this. Please. I'm innocent, I *swear* I'm innocent, but I don't want to hurt anyone in the process of--"

"And you will do as told, Miss Valethor," admonishes the Magistrate. "Do not speak out of turn again. Now." She turns her gaze back to Ashes. "You have a difficult task ahead of you, in the next three minutes. Namely: Convince me."

Elyanna swivels her gaze about once Ashes is out in the fore once again and glances between the particulars. A quick, considered look to Delilah then, "Your Honor, I would note as record, that the wounds attributed to the magic missile spell numbered five."

She looks then, to Godswin, "The question has been put forward, Knight-Lieutenant, Is the missile count locked to the proficiency of the caster?"

"Yes, I'm sure." Ash answers Seldan, giving him a meaningful look before turning to address the Magistrate.

She stands straight, yet still seems tattered and forelorn. Her words continue in monotone, and her gaze remains fixed on Magistrate Daverin. "Bethany deserves truth, and Justice. That needs the spell that killed her to be seen, and understood. As Elyanna says, she was shot five times. Delilah has told us she is only capable of four. This is the sole basis for my belief in her innocence."

"That she didn't do it, because she couldn't do it."

Ash looks back over her shoulder, skull-face peering through long locks at Delilah, "I've not seen her cast the spell. I have only her word. I would prefer actual evidence."

The mourner faces the magistrate again, "It's impossible to change the number of missiles. She assurred the defense she's only capable of four. I want her to prove that to me. I will accept the injury to get that knowledge."

Ashlee falls silent, looking up. She clasps her hands together, feeling the press of the scales between them. "Please. It is a worthwhile demonstration."

Merek looks between all of that, and when there would be talk of generally making the woman in chains cast spells on people, he stands up. "MAGISTRATE! You put this woman through so much, we are giving you everything. What will it all take to convince you? Her whole private personal life? Assaulting all her friends? What next?" Then he steps up to the front and would look to the Magistrate, "The Iron Hells were less dark then the trial you are putting up."

The man looks to Norrington, then to the Magistrate, "I hope you know what you're doing, and what she is doing? I really hope it convinces you." They did it, it's went beyond it all. It's actually upset the Magi.

A n g e r.

With the prosecution losing their mind, the defense concentrating on a cogent argument, and the Magistrate locked in on them both, Donna simply leans back to catch Delilah's eye. The *moment* her sister looks her way, she lets an arm fall, idly tapping her thumb to her fingers in their old twin code.

Because, as children, there came a point where Delilah refused to look anything but identical to her sister, allowing Donna to switch out and get a taste of what it felt like to be the child their parents wanted. But such deceptions were nerve-wracking, and tapped fingers in idleness became a wonderful way to pass messages in secret. Thus, the message most often used; 'It's okay. You've got this, and I believe in you.'

"Seer, _peace!_" For the first time, Seldan raises his voice from that level, patient, cool tone he's adopted, ice-blue eyes flashing. He turns, then, to face the magistrate. "Your Honor, I may be able to aid the court understanding the intent behind the demonstration. As Elyanna here has said," he nods to Elyanna, "and the Knight-Lieutenant is doubtless aware from her studies with mages," he nods to Graves, "the proficiency and power of a spellcaster may indeed be fairly measured in watching their casting of the magic missile spell. It is a simple spell, taught to many a budding wizard, and is not at all uncommon among those with skill in the Art. I myself am familiar with it," he adds with a very small smile, "for the Dreamer does not forbid Her faithful the study of that which is Hers, and such a spell has great use in the fight against evil, for its aim is unerring and it may strike even things that a man may not touch."

"However," he continues, "the number of missiles produced by a casting of the spell is dependent upon the ability of the caster to conjure that which is of pure magic itself, a thing spoken of in the Art as _force_. It cannot be chosen. The caster produces what they produce. The Mourner's intent is to determine, based on the number of missiles the accused produces in such a casting, whether Miss Valethor could have been the caster of the spell."

He turns then to Delilah, and offers her a small smile. "You may target me, do you so prefer. I have been next to a frost worm when it exploded. You will not trouble me, and I fear you not."

The sound of wood striking wood echoes through the chamber. "ORDER!" the Magistrate practically snarls. Daverin turns a baleful gaze in Merek's direction, practically seething for a moment. "You do your charge no favors with such an outburst," she declares. "You compare this trial to the Hells? Understand that it is likely to be where that young woman," she nods towards Delilah, "Will be *going to* if it is found that she did, indeed, murder Lady Alenthor. A conclusion that I am presently leaning towards. I will remind you, because it seems somehow to be necessary, that this is my courtroom. Make another outburst like that, and I will hold not only you in contempt of this court, but Miss Valethor as well."

The Magistrate leans back after that, and steeples her fingers, looking at the various parties present in turn as she restores her composure. She gazes towards Seldan, and then to Ashes. "Your offer is courageous, Silver Guard," she states at last. "But that will not be necessary. Mourner Ashes has offered herself as a target, and she will be the one to serve as such. Knight-Lieutenant Graves, as you are the resident expert on magic and hedge sorcery, you will release miss Valethor from her bindings, so she may demonstrate the spell in question, and take action if she casts anything *other* than Magic Missile."

As Graves stands up, Delilah finally turns her presently terrified eyes towards Donna; seeking support, and finding it. She gulps in a breath, and lets it out slowly. She can't perform a lot of the hand signals she and Donna used to do, but she can just manage one; she taps one fingertip on her chest, not quite over her heart but as close as the chain lets her get. 'I love you.'

Graves reaches Delilah, and unlocks the chains binding her wrists, letting them hang from the railing. As Delilah rubs her wrists, the Knight Lieutenant takes a position beside her, at the opening to her space; she couches her crossbow against her shoulder, and points it at the sorcerer's head. "Cast," she instructs. "Targeting the Mourner. Only one spell."

The mourner dips her head to the magistrate, silently acknowledging her words. She turns around, faces Delilah. Her hands remain clasped around her holy symbol. Her eyes, down in her dark sockets, stare at the accussed. The mourner makes an attempt to sound reassuring, but her words come out in monotone. "It's ok. It's for her."

Because Ashlee does care for dead people, and there's been very little aid she's been able to give Bethany. She says a silent prayer to herself, Feiu of the Tears, don't let it hurt too much.

She's been injured in combat before, of course. It's another thing to ask for it, then wait. Her gaze remains fixed, her words still flat and unchanged, "When you're ready."

Elyanna whirls at the outburst from the otherwise relatively quiet portion of their bench. Surprise and dismay at equal measure in her eyes. The red wman turns anew to regard the Mourner, and a proud smile touches the corners of her lips, a soft Goblin "/Boldly played./" given freely. She squares her burden and stands to attention to bear witness to the consensus, the proscription of Ashlee's test.

The Magistrate said exactly the worst possible things that were possible to say to Merek in this situation. The Seer is at a loss. Which is hyperbole, the worst possible thing could easily be 'You've all convinced me. guilty as charged, take her to the headsman'. A statement which would make the Seer's decision to literally incenerate the Court be the only option. Unless someone intervenes, he might still choose that.

Leaning back, Donna reaches out, snagging hold of the sleeve of Merek's robe and tugging briefly. "Hey, uh... Maybe you don't want to yell at the one person whose job is, like, 'convince me that this didn't happen the way other people say it did?' And maybe yelling at her doing her job might, Iunno, make her stop wanting to be convinced?"

Eluna would not like him incinerating several dozen people in an impulsive use of Her gift. That's a given.

There is also no shortage of guards in the courtroom. They are armed, they are already amped up towards using lethal force since Delilah's unchained, and there's plenty more in the building.

And fortunately, Donna intervened.

Merek watches while the Magistrate speaks, then looks back to Donna. The man nods a bit to the one leading the trial, "I apologize, Your Honor." While he would begin settling back while he will watch, waiting in thought. An alien mind, beginning to think.