unforth | The Trial (and Yule, if I have the time) (Reply)

The trial was originally scheduled to take place two weeks after the offending event, but political concerns resulted in it being delayed until nearly 6 weeks after.

Kathryn spent the majority of the time working so that she would not be terrified and nervous, though the Game Night that Kaye arranged went a long way towards helping her feel better. Though it was a counted reminder of how awkward Dino felt around her, it helped take her mind off things to go shower in the rain with Amelie.

That said, though, she didn't eat much - and lost weight as a result (gaining a gorgeous trait as a result) and worked long and hard on her smithing just to take her mind off things, because she couldn't leave Willowgrove.

A few days before, to her pleasure, Dino came and visited her. He inquired about a letter she had written concerning the sword he was crafting - for she had written a long note, in part afraid that she would not get another opportunity, and concluded the note by saying that she would understand if he didn't want her help any more. His confusion on this point reassured her, as did his comments on the trial, for, in his own awkward way, he was most certainly trying to comfort her, saying that he was sure that everything would be fine.

The Baron, meanwhile, spent a great deal of time preparing Kathryn. His examination had clearly established how clueless she was, and he made sure she knew that she was likely to not be in great danger, and that at the trial she should answer all questions to the best of her ability and not worry beyond that. Furthermore, he suggested that no matter how the trial went it would be wise for Kathryn to find a foster, and that he would be willing to enter in this role (after a few days thought, Kathryn accepted).

The trial was long and painful for Kathryn. Grendel was tried seperately from her, Amelie, and Liza, and was sent to train for war. First, then, Amelie was tried, and it was most bad indeed. She was a poor liar, and did not well skirt issues (such as Smart!) that should not be talked about. For indeed, SMART had caused them all trouble, and ultimately Count Leander had been told about there private communication, for to do otherwise would have involved the raising of awkward questions. The Baron was informed in only a limited fashion, and the same was true for Azraphael. Kathryn told Kaye more, though, for Kaye was an observer at the trial and Kathryn felt that she should know - though she didn't say everything.

Amelie fared poorly, though, and had her freehold confiscated, which upset her greatly. As Kathryn's turn came up, she shook in fear, and though she did her best to answer Azraphael's questions honestly, she knew that she sounded like a true idiot, and at the same time knew that her ignorance would protect her. Azraphael pursued answers to such an extent that Amelie even cried out in protest at one point, and Kathryn longed to beg her not to, for she didn't want her to get in trouble on Kathryn's account.

However, the Baron did an excellent job, showing that Kathryn had only the barest understanding of faye law and ways, (by asking her questions such as, what is above a count? what is my full name? etc.) and though she said some things perhaps she shouldn't have - declaring Liza, who was being set up as the fall person for the whole fiasco, a friend - it turned out right. When the time came for her sentencing, she was given a light sentence, ordered to make armor for the very same lions that she had once attacked.

Liza's trial came next, and it was the worst. Liza was blind because she was oath broken, and her answers were frequently contradictory. Though Kathryn wished to help, there was nothing she could do, and she tried not to cry as Liza was sentenced to go to Ireland and fight until her death. And thus concluded the trial which had been such a source of fear.

Immediately after, as they were preparing to leave, Kaye received a phone call from Dino, who was in danger. Greatly alarmed, they all rushed to meet up with him; he was bleeding and had a terrible cross shaped scar burned into his side. However, he had escaped, and no sign of the perpatrator's had been found, and soon things settled down again. Kathryn devoted herself to working on the armor - much more than the "1 out of 3 days" that she was required to, and tried to comfort the distraught Amelie. She was forever happy that they did not ask the one question that would have seen her condemned - would she do it again - for the answer was indeed Yes.

Study break over.

Next Installment: Yule!