Completed Suspicions

[Jadlin Hayes]

71st day of Summer, 514 Jad left The Armored Scholar feeling fairly positive about things. It was not as if he'd expected to get the work done free of charge. One of the locations he'd visited on his list was home to a very short tempered old man. When Jad had sighed and begun his routine to expose the lie with which the man was attempting to claim Jad's ring, the man set his dog on him. He would not have believed the dog capable of dislodging so many of the scales from the sleeve of his armor with just its teeth. For what it was worth, the edges of the metal pieces lacerated the dog's mouth to a painful degree, as it snapped and tore to get through the leather undercasing. As angry as Jad was, it was only at the man, not the dog. Here was a faithful animal, acting only in support of the master who fed and cared for it. For all his cantankerousness towards Jad, the old bastard probably treated the dog with kindness. He'd had more than one chance to stab the dog with his dagger, but had ultimately tossed the weapon aside, crying out to the man to pull the animal back. The dog did not relent, and the man continued to watch, with his malicious smirk. Adding further goading to his dog to keep it up. Even when he got the dog down, he did not know what to do next. He was determined not to kill the animal, but neither could he let it up without it immediately resuming its attack. He asked the old man if he intended to force him to kill the dog. The man hissed his promise to have him jailed or exiled if he did. It was not that he believed the old man could make such a story sound plausible, as there were now a few faces peeping from behind shades. But it infuriated him that the man was apparently wiling to see his dog killed just to claim a ring. It was not a fancy ring. There were no jewels. Jad was not even certain that it was silver. It was a large block-lettered ring with nothing more than a single, capital "M". Two bands, one flush with the top of the letter, and one flush with the bottom, extended around to join in the back. There was a finger razor concealed in the vertex of the "M", which was the largest element in Jad's means of establishing if anyone actually KNEW the ring. So far, no one had guessed what was "special" about it. Jad could only assume that schemers like the old man figured there was something worth a lot of mizas about it. Finally, Jad did the only thing he could that would not have to kill the poor animal. he flung his left gauntlet off and replaced his now bare hand on the dog's neck. He could feel the muscular heaving of the animals struggle under its hide, and he began to feel a pulse. it did not matter that it was his own pulse he felt. He let the rhythm of it build in his hand's own sensations as it pressed against the dog. Just for a moment the dog's struggle stopped, then resumed with a yelp and a renewed frenzy, as the pulse sank beneath Jad's hand to take up rhythm in the dog's hide, and muscles. It all timed with Jad's own heartbeat as the dog's own force of energy began to flow with Jad's timing. He did not have to leech for more than a few seconds before the dog's cry became a howl of terror. Jad sat back, letting the dog scramble up to speed past the shocked old man and tear into the home behind him. Jad quickly grasped the mental sensation of water being splashed on himself, and put the newly amassed dog-djed into forming a shield corresponding to where it felt cold and wet. it did not matter how evenly or completely he formed it, as he was intent on dispelling it just as quickly. He hated doing what he had just been forced to do. The old man visibly blanched and shrank as Jad slowly rose to his feet, his eyes locked with burning fury on the old bastard. "You son of a bitch!...You BASTARD! You'd have let me kill that loyal animal just to make a play for a ring you know damned well does not belong to you!" His voice trembled slightly with anger and loathing. He took an instinctive step toward the man, his hands forming claws, gauntleted or not, his teeth grinding as he mouthed silent curses. The man stumbled and fell back, holding his arms up defensively before him. Jad was about to rebuke him with the disgust of how wretched it would make him feel to have learned that he WAS family to such a knave, but the man began croaking recriminations of his own. "Leecher! Wizard! Monster! Murderer!" "SILENCE!" Jad roared. He stood looming over the man, the dog whimpering from inside the home. It was an unfortunate choice of words for him to shout just then. He was not as familiar with the name the townspeople had applied to the perpetrator of a rash of recent killings as were the neighbors watching in hushed whispers. They stared in silent dread as the young man turned and walked back to pick up his tossed gauntlet. They wondered if this was the same man who had been rumored to have claimed to be this villain during an altercation on East Street the day before. As a means of saving some of the repair cost, Jad had given his gauntlet to the resident armor smith as a source of scales. The size, shape, warp and eyelet placing of each scale was consistent with the design of those used on his sleeves. Ultimately he would only pay for the time. And even that had been quite reasonable. Jad left The Armored Scholar later the same day that he had submitted the repair order, with his sleeve fully repaired. His gauntlet now only featured a rectangle of scale on the back of the left hand, and the cuff was now only leather. But it overlapped the end of the sleeve itself, so it only lacked the redundancy of double layered scales there. He could live with that. He did not observe the unfriendly eyes observing him as he walked down the street.

[Jadlin Hayes]

Jad made his way to the wash house recommended to him by the apprentice at The Armored Scholar. He was down to his last clean set of clothes. He meant to have only the leather done by the washers there. He also had directions to a bath house. It was his understanding that he could rent a private bath for a number of bells. He figured he'd scrub and rinse his own cottons, ramie and woolens himself as he bathed. As usual, he had his sheathed skirmish sword with the grommet on the opposite end, covering the spear point, in use as a walking staff. He had quite a bundle of leather goods rolled up and belted as he entered the wash house. There was a steamy humidity that made him question if anything could ever get truly dry in such a place, but a sudden breeze cleared it out surprisingly quickly. He wondered if the woman in charge had some sort of wind magic skill. He shrugged. It was not any of his concern. He left his leather goods bundled on the counter. In addition to his cowl and two sets of high boots, one fur-lined and one not, He had his set of scale mail. He had removed the fur lining from the one set of boots, and had opened the overlapping and locking metal panels to expose the laces that allowed the scale mail suit to be fully opened. The leather inside had absorbed quite a bit of Jad's sweat and it was getting hard to bear. He was told that the boots and cowl would be 5 silver each, unless he wanted to have the water proofing reapplied, which was highly recommended. This would bring the cost to one gold each, as well as the cost of the water proofing oil. Jad had anticipated this and brought one of his two remaining bottles. The proprietor then informed him the cost of cleaning the scale under-casing would be more. They agreed on three gold for the chestpiece, two for the leggings and one each for the gauntlets. Jad surprised the woman by paying the ten gold up front. It had not even occurred to him that it should be any other way, but now he felt confident that the woman would do a particularly good job, given her delight at being paid in advance. It made up for her loss of the chance to gouge him for the water proofing oil. He went back to The Grotto and gathered up his clothes. He kept noticing people that appeared to be following him. He knew it could simply be coincidence that they followed the same path he did. It was the fact that they stopped whenever he did that made him suspicious of them. If they were associates of one of the people he'd gotten in a scrape with over his ring, he'd invite their contention. But they did nothing to make him believe they were truly focused on him, so he moved on to the bath house. He was unsure if he'd arrived at the right place at first. But upon entering, he found an enchantingly ornate pool amid richly decorated walls and high ceiling windows allowing the light to bring the natural ambiance of the Syna's glow into the interior of the pool room. There were a number of bathers, men and women both, and he was flattered but embarrassed when more than one of them invited him to join. He purchased two powdered soap packets and paid for a private pool. He was escorted to an individual pool, walled in seclusion from others. It was not a completely sealed room, but the tiled walls were high enough to stymie peepers. The owner, however, who identified herself as 'Anelda', began checking on him after the first bell. There was something strange about her attitude. She seemed less attentive to providing service, and more focused on just being sure he was still there. He found himself slightly put-off by this, as though she was insulting him by suggesting that he needed monitoring to wash himself and his clothes. He knew it was well short of his paid time, so it was not that either. When he finished his clothes, and had wrung them as much as he dared without stretching them, he wrapped a towel around himself and laid his clothes out to smooth them. When he got back to his room at The Grotto he would see about hanging them up to dry. Once again the chamber door opened, but this time Anelda entered with a somewhat shame-faced expression. She was accompanied by a half dozen of the azure-cloaked soldiers Jad had seen outside the Grotto several days before; the ones that had investigated the passed-out tenant they had at first believed to be a victim of the "Mage Silencer". "Sir, if you will come with us. We have been instructed to place you under arrest." said the one with two crests in his emblem, to the others' one. Jad fought to keep any expression from showing in his face. He had done nothing and he would volunteer nothing. "May I finish my washing first. I only need to see it hung and dried." "We will take care of that for you, sir, at no additional charge." said Anelda, with a look that said she knew this was in no way sufficient compensation for what was occurring, but was the best she could do. "Just return if...when you are finished...with these men. Your clothes will be waiting." Jad nodded his satisfaction with the arrangement, "I thank you, Miss." He dressed himself back in the semi-clean clothes he'd arrived in and pointed to his skirmish sword. "That is mine as well, but i assume you do not wish me to carry it wherever we are going." The squad leader motioned with his head and one of his subordinates retrieved the sword, making a "come-along" gesture to Jad, who cooperatively took up position in the center of the six soldiers as they left the Bath House.

[Jadlin Hayes]

Jad was surprised to see a cart and an extra two guards stationed outside as he left the building with his escort. He came to a stop, "This is for me? What have I done?" His pause was only due to surprise, but he was roughly shoved forward and ordered to silence. Shackles were clamped on his wrists and ankles, and a hood was pulled over his head. He was still able to follow the instructions to climb into the back of the cart, where his shackles were locked to a steel post set into the bed of the cart. They traveled for a bell or so, and Jad could hear the sounds of the waterfront grow steadily louder. The cart came to a stop and he heard the shackles freed from the post, someone pulled on his chains and he was told to rise. He was helped from the cart and pulled along, his imagination filling in the scenery of his guard escort. The ambient sound changed as he was walked though a doorway. He heard whispers and hushed remarks, which stopped when a voice commanded it. One voice, did not obey though. "That's him, isn't it? It IS! I KNOW it is." There was the beginning of a promise of vengeance, but it was lost in the sound of multiple feet reacting and an ordered shout to "STOP HIM!" Jad cringed defensively, not knowing what sort of assault was about to strike him. Something heavy slammed into him and he was knocked painfully to the floor. He curled into a ball as bodies thrashed on the floor beside him. It was over quickly as the voice which had been accusing him now changed to one of apology to the guards, and promised not to lose control again. But as he departed, he still swore, "I'll see you executed, 'Mage Silencer!" The words were sneered with poisonous hate and then his footsteps receded into the distance. There was a short silence and then the previous voice ordered Jad taken "below". He was walked down a few short flights of stone steps amid treks down cold corridors, and halted after entering a room with only torches for light. He could see the flickering through his hood. There was something ominous about a room with no windows. It was even more ominous when the hood was pulled from his head to reveal only a chopping block and a variety of restraints. "I thar you might like 'o see 'at they be a goo' cause fer you ta be cooperatin', boy." the guard said with an unsympathetic smirk. Jad's reaction was immediate, "I'm not 'boy'! Please, my name is Jadlin Hayes, and I'm no 'Mage Silencer', I only just arrived on-..." The guard's hand clamped over his mouth. "Stow it, Lad. We wonna' be choppin 'it off roi't 'way. You'll gere a day'r two ta think on it. And there'll be the questions firs'. Lots an' lots'a questions. I jus' wann't ta giv ya..wha' ya call it?...motivation? So save it for then. I'm nart an advocate, laddie." he lifted the hood to spread it open again. "Le's git this bugger back on an' git'cha back ta yer cell." He was walked back up a level and deposited in a cell. His hood was removed but not before his irons were transferred to a chain that ran through a stout loop in the ceiling. The other end of this chain connected to a fairly small stone block that sat on the floor. This allowed him to lower his arms by pulling down hard enough to lift the stone from the floor. But any relaxation pulled his arms above his head if he sat on the wooden cot.

[Jadlin Hayes]

Jad sat through the night, only occasionally drifting off, to awaken again when the aching of his arms became too severe to remain prone. He suspected this tactic was meant to keep him from being as focused in his defense as he would otherwise be. His thoughts drifted to Black. She had been expecting him early last evening. It was the whole reason he'd gone to the Bath House. She would not know what had become of him. He would simply not have shown up as promised. His anxiety over what sort of hurt she would be experiencing gnawed at his mind as well. A different guard came in the dim bells of morning with a plate of some gruel and a slice of fruit. Jad immediately approached the door as far as the chain would allow. "Has anyone asked about me?" he asked eagerly, but nervously. The guard roughly ordered him to return to the cot without answering. Jad complied and the guard unlocked the door and set the tray on the floor, giving it a shove with his boot. Jad repeated his question after the door was locked again. The guard stared coldly for a moment before responding. "Wha'? Yer mean loik a 'complice? B'lieve you me, sonny, ain't no one gon' be lookin' to 'tach therself to what'choo done." Jad stormed to his feet, the chain singing metallically, "But I have done nothing! I told you...or tried to...I arrived just six...no, seven days ago, on a ship from Syliras to search f-..." "Shove it, junior! Yer'll get'cher day b'fore the judge. Bollards! Yer'll be the 'vent o' the day!" the man laughed coarsely, his breath as far from refreshing as his attitude. He had obviously long since acquired a taste for Kelp Beer. Jad did not give up though, calling after the departing guard. "A single day? They're going to decide on my life in just ONE DAY? Has anyone talked to my shipmates? The clerk at the...the uh...the inn...the World...thing." in his desperate state he couldn't think of the name. Surprisingly, the guard turned back. "The 'World's End Grotto? We don't need to talk 't Serra. We got witness-ses. Three fellas from t' East Street sayin' ya sucked the life out' their buddy, right in 't street." Jad was stunned. He was sure he hadn't killed the man. He'd only weakened him with leeching to intimidate the trio still squaring off on him. Foolishly, he shouted back. "That's a lie! I didn't kill him! I only weakened him to get the others to back down!" The already questionable conviction in his voice quailed further at the malicious twinkle in the guards eyes. "Sooo....you WERE there! Thanks fer confirmin' test'mon', lad." He leaned toward the cell, from his position on the stone steps, with a wink and a grin. "Bes' be writin' up yer 'quest fer yer nex' life, fer settin' on Lhex' desk when nex'ya sees 'im." The man spun triumphantly and the last word Jad heard before the iron door at the top of the steps closed with an ominous boom was the word "confession". His thoughts immediately drifted back in dread to the chopping block and the manacles a level below. His only salvation would be Black's testimony. But at the same time, he knew he could not bring himself to drag her into this. She had been none too comfortable even admitting to being a Kelvic, for fear of discrimination and hostility. If he stigmatized her with the brand of being an associate of this "Mage Silencer", they may just execute her as well. Other than Sagallius, the only gods he'd heard much tell of were the ones people had sworn to during the cult trial back in Syliras, when he'd been freed. He spent the rest of the morning on his knees, praying to Tyveth. But not for his own reprieve, but for him to give Black cause to stay away.

[Jadlin Hayes]

After a sparse meal, Jad was walked up to a guarded waiting room. It too, featured a reinforced eye loop in the ceiling, through which his chains ran, to end latched to a stone block like the one in his cell. A man entered with a list of names, and handed it to Jad, telling him that "in accordance with Zeltivan legal protocols, the accused is permitted to see the names of those arrayed against him." Disgust mixed with apprehension at the realization that there were a number of names from his list. The same list of names he'd been checking off as he searched for someone who might recognize his ring, and be able to direct him to anyone connected to his family. He was not absolutely sure of each and every one, but there were several that he specifically recalled having been very underhanded in their attempts to steal outright, or call in questionable "obligations of debts owed", from him. He wondered if these curs were getting some compensation for this "service" to the city. He protested this tactic to the man that had handed him the list, when he returned. The man shrugged and responded that "the accused has full right of 'counter-inquiry' to substantiate allegations of malicious testimony, resulting from past conflicts wherein unjustifiable hostility could be verified by neutral parties." Jad sat, a stunned, incredulous look on his face. "Are you trying to say that I am "free" to find people that will verify that these...witnesses...have a grudge against me, as long as I stay in my cell while I DO IT? How am I supposed to do that? And how can I hope to get folks that don't even know me to vouch for my character? You've got to have more than THIS to execute me! What about the sailors that came on the ship with me? They can swear I wasn't even in town until the 65th!" The man handed Jad a blank sheet and recited yet another paragraph of legal doctrine: "The accused will be granted the opportunity to list the identities of those he believes will bolster his case with testimony he feels to be beneficial to his defense. These individuals will be, to the best that the tribunal is able, tracked down and presented with a directive to appear on the accused' behalf. Whether or not they choose to do so, however, is not within the authority of this tribunal to decide." He loomed over Jad, his expression the epitome of patience. Jad stammered silently for a moment, the technicalities presenting unforeseen obstacles. "But you don't understand! I'm talking about sailors! I don't know their real names. They go by things like "Plugs" and "Scrubby", "Gummy Jim" and "Three Finger Fog" And I didn't ask for the names of any of the neighbors of those witnesses. I thought it was enough that they saw I hadn't started the trouble." The man suddenly leaned in close, looking around first, before growling quietly, "It's not how it starts, wizard...It's how it ends that counts! Now you just keep looking over the rest of these names. And bear in mind that 'the tribunal's courier is sworn to offer neither succor nor advice, of any kind, to members of either party, nor witnesses, nor experts'...You're on your own." Jad's mind whirled, the obvious question exploding from him. "What? Don't I even get an ADVOCATE or anything? Someone to investigate MY SIDE of these events?" The man paused, the hint of a mirthless grin starting to show in his expression. "Are you formally requesting an advocate?" Jad stared, unsure if this was just some taunting torment, if he was going to be laughed at and denied. "OF COURSE I DO!...Yes...I wish to submit my formal request for an advocate." his voice dropped to a distrustful sneer, "Is that sufficient, or do I need to know a bunch of other protocols...request type designations?...case identification?...I mean I don't want to request an advocate for THIS case only to find out that what I submitted got me one to defend me against an accusation of using the wrong side of the street to walk my petching dog!" The man's grin grew wider and even less friendly, "That will do. You'll get your advocate, boy!" He motioned through the open door and a pair of guards entered with keys and a hood. Jad was collected and returned to his cell to brood for the rest of the day.

[Jadlin Hayes]

The next morning, Jad was brought up to a well-furnished room with several benches and a grand desk in a prominently central location along the back wall. Three men sat in fine, leather-upholstered chairs, one in the wave-crested azure uniform of the men who'd brought him in, except he was clearly of a higher rank. The other two were likewise in signature apparel, but Jad did not know what the various cuts and sigils implied. His "advocate" did not inspire great confidence, joking, as he was, with the guards stationed in pairs at the exits. The looks they sent his way did not indicate that the jokes did much to vouch for Jad's character. But the greater setback to his spirit came when the city representative entered the room. He made a point of allowing Jad to recognize him, and offered a taunting wink at Jad's dropped jaw. It was the same man who had pretended to be the guard the day before. The one who had gotten his "confession". This man set to insinuating Jad's guilt immediately, calling for the "sentencing" to begin, did it please the tribunal. Jad exploded from his seat, the connecting chains lifting it from the floor with a loud clatter. "SENTENCING? Am I not granted a HEARING first?" The guards were quick to push him back into his seat as his advocate made a half-hearted protest to this departure from due process. The City Rep feigned surprise that this "formality' had not been completed yet and offered his apology, claiming he'd been misinformed. The circus continued as Jad's horror mounted. The City Rep continually to refer to Jad as "The Killer", as he relayed testimony, and his advocate made no counter. At one point Jad had enough and stood up angrily, demanding that the man quit referring to him as if he'd already been found guilty. Again, the chains rattled with his movement, both as he stood, and as the guards forced him, once again, to sit. The men of the Tribunal asked Jad's advocate if he wished to insert a formal protest. The man gave Jad a brief glare and said "Sure, why not." The tribunal took a moment to come to some sort of accord and one of them announced that they 'found for the accused' and instructed the City rep to 'refrain from such terms forthwith.' It was to be Jad's only "victory" that session. Every bit of testimony, however unsubstantiated, was treated as needing to be DIS-proven if it stood against him, or proven, if it was in support. Written depositions were sufficient when they indicted him, but personal appearances were required for statements of support to be acceptable. And every protest of this double standard had to be raised by Jad himself, which neither ingratiated him with the tribunal, nor with his own advocate. At about mid-day, Jad could see that the people here were desperate to convince themselves that they had their killer. It was one of the few things about the proceedings that he could sympathize with. He stood again, but instead of launching immediately into a rant, he asked for the tribunals permission to make a statement. They eagerly agreed, making it all the more obvious to Jad that they were hoping this would finally be that conclusive "confession", which would allow everyone to sleep at night again. But instead, Jad offered to stay incarcerated without complaint until the real killer was found. "I understand that I appear a likely suspect, but you know that you truly have nothing conclusive against me, any more than I have anything conclusive in my defense. My ship has sailed, so all those that could vouch for my whereabouts on the occasions of the other murders are conveniently gone!" He sneered these last words at the City Rep and continued. "I am willing to stay in the lock-up while you continue to search for the true killer. As long as I am known to be here, under this charge, he will be constrained from committing more crimes." The City Representative stood in triumph. "And there we have it! How can this boy claim to know what the "true killer" will do, or think, unless he has at LEAST a connection to him! I cite this as a confession of complicity to murder, in the least! But I do NOT accept a reduced charge! Clearly he is a villain by his association. I say, let him be forthcoming with this alleged "true killer", or be sentenced by proxy!" "But it's just common sense! If the killer knows someone else is being punished for something HE did, he will be loathe to undermine the freedom he enjoys as a result." "OHO! So you WANT him to remain free!" he turned back to face the three judges. "My Lords! have you not heard enough? He merely stalls for time to craft an escape while he plays on your sympathy, trying to make himself out to be a victim!" "I AM a victim! I have no one in town to vouch for me, and all those who witnessed events only seem to remember my using the word "silence". What does THAT prove? Their memories are strangely suspect when needed to fill in the details of how I was fighting for MY LIFE at the time! Excuse ME for not concentrating on my choice of WORDS at such a time!" "And what of the victim in East Street? Dead by Leeching! Was there ever a more hateful magic? A magic more tailor-made to use against MAGES! To "silence" them? A word you have been heard to use frequently? And you can not expect us to discount EVERY witness that saw or heard you use this magic or say incriminating things!" "NO! I already said that I understand your suspicion of me. This is WHY I offer to stay incarcerated until my ship, "Bethany's Badge", returns, whereupon this tribunal can get PROOF from my shipmates that I WAS NOT HERE at the time of the other murders!" One of the judges called for order. Jad and the City Rep glared at each other but said nothing. The judge responded now, "Jadlin Hayes, this lock-up is not a long-term holding facility. Nor do we know that your alleged shipmates will recall you with any trustworthy detail after another long sea voyage. It is regrettable that they departed before this matter came before this tribunal, but nothing can be done about that now. As for your offer, that should have been submitted by your Advocate before these proceedings bega-..." "My ADVOCATE??" Jad snarled as he spun to sneer at the man, who sat disinterestedly at the defense table. "LOOK AT HIM! he couldn't care LESS about these proceedings! He hasn't done a damned thing the whole time but glare at ME when I have to take it upon myself to offer any kind of defense!" This got a rise from the man though. He leaped to his feet now, bristling with rage. " MY LORDS! I have had enough of my client's disruptive behavior! I can no longer represent him in good conscience, as I no longer truly believe him innocent. I know he is concealing information about an accomplice on East Street, that he refuses to divulge even to ME, his advocate. I can understand his unwillingness to volunteer anything to my honored opponent, but if he will not trust ME, then I must formally announce my withdrawal from his representation." The tribunal was swift to agree, and called for an end to the day's proceedings. The next thing Jad recognized was the wall of his cell. But still, he could not find inspiration to do anything but stare in mute disbelief.

[Jadlin Hayes]

The night dragged interminably, images of the members of the tribunal paraded through Jad's head wearing sneering looks of malice and smug judgement. 'How can they find me deserving of execution on what's little more than the fact that I can't prove I DIDN'T do it?' he asked himself rhetorically. All they had proven was that a lot of citizens believed he could be the killer. He knew they were desperate to solve the crimes. He didn't blame them there, but it appeared that they had stopped investigating. And it was unbelievable that they'd consider the testimony of men that had tried to kill him unbiased! He slept sporadically, tossing and waking in a cold sweat, yearning for the sound of someone to plead with, yet dreading the sound of approaching boots, heralding the traditional bell of beheadings...dawn. Disbelief and desperation warred with the growing horror, but as light began to creep into the corners of the cell, it became the embodiment of death. Jad found himself cringing away from it, as if he could put it off by avoiding being touched by it. He shivered and was shamed to hear himself whimper as he heard sounds from the level above. Locks rattling and a door creaking loudly. There was no sensation of movement, he simply found himself at the bars of his cell, protesting his innocence and begging the guards to tell him it was all a horrible mistake. The coarse laughter, and the assurance that "it weren't no mistake" accompanied his backpedaling to the back corner of his cell, instinctively scraping the floor with his heels as if he could somehow get further away. There was a new man present, but all he did was scrutinize Jad as the guards opened the door and grabbed him. Jad fought them, shouting down the injustice, swearing again and again that he'd done no wrong and had only been defending himself. In his frenzy, he didn't see that the guards all looked questioningly to the stranger at his words. The man gave a dissatisfied scowl and procession dragged on, Jad suddenly falling into fatalistic docility and becoming a sobbing dead weight to be literally dragged down the stairs. The sight of the headsman's axe and block revitalized his frenzy, however, and he once again fought like mad, even though he knew in some rational corner that there was nowhere to go; he'd heard the guards lock the door to the level above. There were all the men of the tribunal there ahead of him, and he cursed them, calling them murderers and sadists and saying it should be them on the block. Again, his rage and terror robbed him of the perception to see heads sag slightly in what was either sympathy or shame. And again heads subtly looked to the newcomer for something, but again, the man only gave a look of discontented puzzlement. Jad's protests became steadily less coherent and turned ever closer to wails of despair. Then there was an odd respite as the central figure from the previous hearing read a statement, finding Jad 'to have been unable to vindicate his actions on the dates in question, and that, given testimony...' He got no further with this reading of sentencing protocol as Jad again railed against the malice of the witnesses, the dishonesty of their testimony and the travesty of a court to execute a man on such slim evidence. There was a ripe pause and again all eyes looked to the stranger. Focus now centered on the stranger as he approached Jad. "You know you had an accomplice on East Street. Not ALL the witnesses to this fact were numbered among your opponents, Mr. Hayes. As long as you protect him from the punishment that HE has earned, YOU will take his place." his look was void of sympathy as he nodded to the guards. They seized Jad and dragged him off his feet. It was strange, the phenomenon of life flashing before one's eyes. Jad relived the uncertainty of his childhood. The sense that affection was an unknown element. The feeling of 'family' being a strange attitude he saw in others on the rare occasions he was allowed out. His existence serving no purpose but to be used for djed storage and manipulation by wizards far more powerful than he. His eventual obsession with it. The girl he'd developed an infatuation for; her sudden death, and the spin they'd put on facts to make Jad feel indirectly responsible for it. Then the trial, and his vindication and release. And now the reversal of that fortune, shamefully accompanied by the offer to betray Black to win some unclarified concession from these adversaries. "You disgust me!" Jad's voice was acid with wrath, his eyes finding the closest antagonist. "Labeling yourselves purveyors of justice, when all you want is for me to hand over another victim for your sport! Maybe I should say it was your daughter, eh?" his eyes bored into a different man, "Your wife!" he looked around, rage replacing despair. "Would you lay down and let your enemies heap unfounded recriminations on HER? Would you just shrug and let them take HER head as well? I'd RATHER die than play that game. That's the same game the thugs of Sagallius played with my mind my whole life! AND YOU'RE NO BETTER THAN THEM! Twisting words and pulling strings to give yourself a verdict to punish. WHO CARES if it's legitimate!" At each mention of a female counterpart, there was an odd, steadily growing silence. Jad looked daggers at each man in turn. By the time he began his second round of glares, he began to perceive that these men were NOT entirely satisfied with the outcome of their "trial". The strange newcomer to these proceedings looked up and shook his head. Everything was put on hold. "There's no deception, he's definitely talking about a female." the stranger said quietly, "That's not what the East Street witnesses said." The ramifications percolated for a moment in Jad's awareness. He was torn between elation and fury. The leader of the Tribunal looked over at the guards and they heaved a heavy sigh. Jad was ready to revel in the verbal retribution he was going to inflict on these men. But first, a knock came on the door. Jad paused willingly, knowing how much he was going to enjoy the "told-you-so" he would dish out. The clerk from the ground floor office entered and went immediately to the Leader, whispering something. The Leader staggered back a step, his face paling. After a moment, he turned to the guards, "Release him...there's been...another murder."

[Jadlin Hayes]

Jad strained at the chains, shouting his vindication in accusing volleys, his face contradicting the angry phrases with expressions of sadness. The man who'd been acting prosecutor came up to him with a remorseful look. "I am truly sorry lad, we honestly thought you were the one to end this. Well, look on the bright side, you are free to go." "Free to go..." the young man echoed, grief staining what should have been joyous words. "At the cost of another man's life." He looked up with recriminations, but softened them with a lowering of his eyes. "I'd like to be able to hang this around all of your necks for focusing on me, when I had told you my alibis and explanations. But the fact is, I did foolish things. Things that gave cause to suspect me. So I bear fault that I can not wholly scrape off on you gentlemen. Like me, you will have to live with the fact that another man has died, while we argued and postured and wasted time." The leader of the Tribunal stepped forward, responsibility heavy on his frame and in his face. "No son, this was all a charade. You were never truly at risk of execution, though we DID believe you had a connection. We hoped to make you see that your "Master", as we thought to exist, had abandoned you and left you to die in his place. We hoped you would then sell him out. We were aware that the news of your incarceration might cause him to hold off. We let slip the news in areas we think he is likely to haunt." Jad's regret gave way to anger at that revelation, "You mean...you LET me fear this...execution...this unjust..." he didn't want to say 'murder', though it felt very nearly accurate. "...punishment...letting me fear for my life, in hopes I would give the man up? You put me through this for NOTHING! You got to see my at my WORST! Crying and grovelling...begging...I hope you enjoyed it!" He let the chains drop with a clatter. "Are you sure you want to let me go? This might still be a trick! Maybe you better kill me anyway! Just to be sure." Jad's voice was pure salt in the man's emotional wounds. His head swung up sharply and suddenly. "And what if you were the son of one of the victims? Would you not want everything to be done that could be? Should we let a killer like this "Mage Silencer" go free because we might have to scare a man of questionable innocence? Like I said, and YOU TOO I might add, you DID give us cause to think you were involved. I'm not happy about the tactics we used, but they have worked before, and I would not hesitate to use them again, and be wrong again, a hundred times, if it stopped just one killer like him! Is THAT the problem? That it was for nothing? I'll GIVE you that, if that's the case. Would you have preferred physical coercion? Torture? Starvation? What we did may have been unpleasant, but we didn't really hurt you." Jad sneered sarcastically, "Oh NO...you didn't hurt me...just disgraced me...humiliated me, while you watched, KNOWING I didn't deserve it!..." the two men glared at each other, saying nothing for a moment. Then Jad sighed, looking away. He turned and walked slowly towards a window, placing his hands on the sill. He stared out as he spoke to the men behind him. "No...I'm sorry. Actually I DO understand the need." He turned back, "I know too much about manipulation NOT to understand. I know the degree of strain it takes to break the kind of hold such...skills...can cause." He looked down again. "I was a victim of such...a child slave of a cult of Sagallius worshippers. I've been trying to forget such things. Perhaps I should NEVER forget." The prosecutor came up behind him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We learned of this history, son. We thought it might make you the most likely target for dominance by this 'Mage Silencer'. As well as making you...possibly...more resistant to...OUR approach...than most." Jad gave a sad snort of grim amusement. "That may even be right. I'm honestly not sure. You may feel free to mention the stigma of 'Leeching' as well, if you wish. I know it is unpopular. I never asked for it. It was done to me as an infant. I grew up thinking it was something everyone could do. There seems to be no end to the legacy of what those people did to me." The head of the Tribunal came around to the other side, the three looking out the window. "Well, Mr. Hayes, if there is anything we can do to offset this unpleasantness, please, just mention it." Jad noticeably perked up at the use of his last name. "Well actually, now that you mention it. I could use someone to vouch for me at my job for the leather workers in West Street district. And I still have three names on my list of possible family to find here. I get no answer at these locations. Is there some detail I don't know?" He pulled out a sheet of paper to show them. The two others passed the sheet back and forth a couple times, the leader frowning slightly, answering hesitantly, "I'm afraid the man at this home named 'Mallory' died recently. Mr. Maze is currently out of town, though rumor says he is on his way back. The other one stays off and on at the Grotto, same as you. If you get no response on his door, I can only advise you to keep trying. He'll show up there eventually. And we will see to it that your absence from work is adequately explained." He extended his hand openly, "Good,luck, Mr. Hayes. I am truly sorry about this whole ordeal and hope it does not permanently darken your impression of our fine city. We do the best we can here. And if you get any information that you think may help us stop this murderer, please do not hesitate to stop by." Jad took his hand warmly, "I'll get over it. I guess I'll just keep knocking on these two doors. And yes, I feel like I have a personal stake in this thing now. I will most assuredly bring you any information I come across." he wished them good day, and left the headquarters facility, making his way back to the Grotto. The two men watched him go. The prosecutor said, "What do you think? Is he going to be okay now?" The head of the Tribunal grimaced crookedly, "I honestly don't know. He may be a target now. You better get someone to keep an eye on him." The other nodded, "Yeah, I'll do that. I think I know just the guy." OOC - continues here.

[Redd]

Jadlin Hayes

Knowledge :

Skills

Skill	XP
Observation	+5XP
Leeching	+1XP
Shielding	+1XP
Intimidation	+1XP
Negotiation	+1XP
Rhetoric	+5XP
Intelligence	+2XP

Lores
➢ Dog: Only obeying its master
➢ Leeching: An undesirable ability
➢ Leeching: Stigmatic
➢ Negotiation: Helps to bring your own water-proofing oil
➢ Observation: Appeared to be followed
➢ Rhetoric: Talking can make things worse
➢ Names on his list used against him
➢ The odds are stacked against me
➢ Advocate: Less then inspiring
➢ Tribunal: Not very promising
➢ Concealing the identity of an accomplice
➢ Fear: A driving force
➢ Fear: A weapon used against me
➢ My freedom at the cost of another
➢ My actions cause suspicion

Micellaneous :

Injuries
➢ N/A
Loot/Expenses
➢ N/A

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Notes

➢ It was very interesting to see this side of Jadlin, especially during the incarceration and how he dealt with the constant stresses placed upon him.

➢ Make sure that your ledger reflects the purchases made in this thread.

➢ If you feel that I have missed anything, don't hesitate to contact me and I will correct the mistake as soon as possible!

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If you feel that I have left out something or made an error of some kind, please do not hesitate to contact me. If you have any questions or comments, again feel free to contact me. I don't bite, I swear. Also, remember to either delete your grade request or edit it as 'graded'.