Event Trial by Starlight

[Luminescence]

Trial by Starlight
5th of spring, 520 AV

Madeira

It was late into the evening, a few bells from the midnight rest when the knock came at the door.

Madeira was the first to be summoned. A gentle knocking came from the front door as Talora cautiously lifted the okomo head knocker and let it fall softly, then took a step back to wait patiently with her hands clasped in front of her waist. A small, amused smile played at her mouth as she read the plaques on the front door, and it remained when the door was finally opened.

In her mortal form, Madeira would recognize the Ethaefal regardless, for it was the form she'd been in the last time the two had met on a tragic and bloody night. Talora nodded to Madeira. "Hello again, Madeira," Talora said, seemingly expecting the spiritist to have remembered her from the lack of introduction.

"Your presence has been requested at the Twuele for a trial." Talora paused slightly, straightening up slightly. "The Magekiller's trial, specifically. It's a shame we keep meeting over spilled blood," her voice was tinged with sadness, a shadow passing over the woman's face before it was gone as quickly as it had come.

"Please, get anything you need. I'll be waiting by the gate, but don't take too long, we have someone else to pick up before we can return to the Twuele." With that said, Talora nodded and turned, leaving Madeira to digest the information she had been given and prepare as she needed.

Dev'Ania

Dev'Ania was next. The Konti would receive a knock at her apartment door in the Solar Winds, quick but quiet, and open it to find a young woman with short blonde hair and Madeira. Talora smiled at the Konti.

"Hello Dev'Ania. My name is Talora. You've been requested at the Twuele, along with Miss Craven here," Talora motioned to Madeira standing behind her. "There's a trial going on tonight. For the Magekiller." Talora paused to allow Dev'Ania time to adjust to the new information before continuing. "I will be waiting downstairs. Please, gather whatever you may want or need, but try not to take too long. Madeira, if you wish to remain here you can, or feel free to come wait downstairs."

With that and another nod to Dev'Ania, Talora left; if Madeira remained, the two would have time to talk a little between themselves before having to go downstairs to meet up with Talora again.

Octarus

Meanwhile, while Talora was collecting Madeira and Dev'Ania, Aysel was making his way across a skyglass bridge towards the Sharai Peak. Wandering between the few grazing okomo that were still awake, Aysel found his way to the cottage he was looking for, and rapped his knuckles sharply on the door, alerting Octarus to the presence of a late night visitor.

The two Lethaefal would come face-to-face as Octarus opened the door. Aysel towered over the other Eth, more than a foot taller than him, his face as impassive as the gleaming marble it looked like it was carved from. Seeing another Ethaefal was no longer a shock for Aysel; he had been around for a very long time and met many Ethaefal while living in Lhavit, not to mention his co-ruler who he spent many of his waking hours with.

It still sent a deep-seated twinge through him, prickling uncomfortably at his chest, but the feeling was familiar and dull and easy to ignore. The same might not be said for Octarus, however; so Aysel allowed a beat or two of silence to pass for the other Ethaefal to adjust to the sudden and most likely unwelcome visit.

"Octarus," Aysel greeted the other Ethaefal by name. "My name is Aysel. You've been requested at the Twuele to attend the trial of the Magekiller occurring tonight." Another few moments of silence as Aysel allowed Octarus to adjust to the new information.

"Please, make whatever preparations you need to quickly. We have a long walk ahead of us to return to the Twuele. I'll be waiting outside." Aysel nodded, taking a few steps back from the door and turning to walk a few feet away, folding his arms across his chest as he stood, seeming to absorb the moonlight around him as he waited for Octarus to join him.

Technically the Sharai was only a peak away from the Shinyama, same as the Zintia; but while the Zintia was also bigger, houses on the Sharai tended to be more spread out, with many of the cottages of the Okomo Estates towards the edge due to much of the land being used for agriculture or greenhouses, so the walk always ended up being longer.

[Madeira Dusk]

"Speech"

Someones here.

The small warning brushed the back of Madeira's mind, and she looked up from her intent study of Autumn's book of fairytales in her lap. She was alone by the fireplace on the first floor, the rest of the family asleep for the night upstairs.

"Who?" she whispered, mindful of Spooks asleep on the rug in front of the crackling fire. In answer she was given a series of impressions rather than a name, which made her suspect this person had never been a guest of her house before. Madeira stood, dusting off the skirt of her white lace dress and smoothing back her loose hair before meeting the mysterious stranger at her door, only to realize it wasn't a stranger at all.

"Talora", she said by way of greeting, and in obvious surprise. The mortal-seeming Ethaefal looked exactly the same as she had last seen her over a year ago. Madeira never forgot a face, especially not one that belonged to one half of the pair that ruled Lhavit.

But she wasn't here to chat. Madeira could feel the presence of the house leaning in, reacting to its makers' spike of fear and excitement, as the Eth announced that she had been summoned to testify at the Magekiller's trial. She asked Madeira to gather her things and meet her by the gate.

Madeira worked moisture into her mouth. "Yes, of course, I'll be there momentarily", she inclined her head respectfully. Then as Talora descended the porch steps Madeira quietly closed the door and leaned against it, processing what was happening.

"A trail", she whispered into the excited hum that was thrumming through the walls. She had been to trials before, of course. But she somehow doubted the public spectacles put on by the Alvadas Speakers was what she could expect here. Truthfully, she had no idea what was about to happen. If that was the case, it was best to be prepared. She checked her rings, and found them freshly stocked and glistening. Her hypnotic gloves were still tight over her hands, her bracelets heavy against her wrists and the djed stone still concealed in her left palm. She eyed the bracer crossbow that was set on the table by the door, but decided against it. That would send entirely the wrong message when she was sure to be surrounded by Shinya.

"Goodnight, Infinity. Take care of the family, hopefully I'll be back before they wake." She stroked the handle before pushing open the door and heading out into the night. The leaves on the trees rustled their goodbye as Madeira met Talora by the gate.

They would be collecting Dev'ania next, she was told on the way to the Solar Apartments. Madeira expected as much, and simply followed along behind, standing demurely behind the Eth when they eventually knocked on the Konti's door.

Talora explained the situation again, and went downstairs to wait. Madeira elected to stay with Dev, and stepped inside the small apartment and shut the door behind her. Leaning back against it, her mouth twisted into a sardonic little smile for the Konti.

"So it begins. Ready for this to be over?"

[Luminescence]

Talora raise an eyebrow at Aysel when he returned alone, but he simply shrugged. She raised her other eyebrow when Madeira returned down from Dev'Ania's apartment without the Konti in tow. Letting out a sigh, she pinched the bridge of her nose. "Very well, then. Let us proceed." She motioned for Madeira to follow, turning on her heel and striding away towards the Twuele.

The tower loomed above them as they approached, gleaming pale in the moonlight, a stark contrast to the dark night sky behind it. Talora opened the doors to the tower as they approached, ushering Madeira inside and following in closely behind Aysel.

"I imagine you remember the way," Talora said, but she breezed by Madeira to lead them onwards and up the stairs regardless. "We won't be going quite so high up this time," she added, in a slightly gentler tone. Going up to the eight floor was no easy feat even for those who were physically fit, and while Madeira had masked it well, she knew that the rather fragile blonde had struggled last time; she supposed being a lot less pregnant would probably also help.

The climb wasn't silent this time either, with Talora leading it. As they passed the second floor, she pointed. "This is where theft, assault, and murder is dealt with. We won't be here tonight, though." Her lips pressed into a thin line as they continued climbing; as they ventured passed the third floor, she explained it as well. "This is for the misuse of magic, whether dangerous or illegal."

Finally, they arrived at the fourth floor, where Talora stopped. "This floor is for large-scale crime, treason and serial murder included." Her normally bright, cheerful expression was replaced with something serious and somber. "I'll guide you to your seat. You'll likely be asked to make a statement at some point. Please be as clear and concise as you can. Leave out no detail you feel relevant, and be honest."

She stressed the last two words before leading Madeira down a short hallway and opening a grand set of double-doors, striding into the courtroom. Benches filled the room, various political and government figures filling them. A podium sat at the far end of the room, behind which stood a grey-haired man whose skin glittered with the telltale luminescence of Zintila's third mark.

Near the podium were three seats, all of them occupied; in the first sat Kasha Ruhi, arms folded tightly over her chest, lips pressed into a thin line. Her eyes flashed with recognition as the doors opened and Madeira was escorted in, and she glared silent daggers at the spiritist. Beside her, swaying anxiously and wringing her hands, shoulders hunched, sat her sister, Ponrose. In the last seat, looking irritated and leaning back with a casual but dominant air, sat Sapphire, in the same guise in which she had originally met Madeira. Her sharp blue eyes met the spiritist's, and she inclined her head, her scowl one of general irritation.

Talora ushered Madeira to her seat, at a bench in the front row, and then sat beside her, Aysel seating himself on her other side. The room was filled with a hushed babbling as people talked amongst themselves until the man standing at the front cleared his throat loudly. A hush immediately fell across the room.

"Good evening," he spoke, his voice loud and clear, ringing out through the room. "Tonight, we are here to finally deduce the true identity of the Magekiller that has terrorized our city, and to deliver justice upon them. The Magekiller is charged with serial murder, terrorizing citizens, and treason." The last word hung heavily in the air for a moment as the man rubbed his hand over his jaw, his face grim.

"I have several witnesses here tonight whom I would ask to speak candidly so that we may finally put this killer to justice, and do so rightfully and truthfully. I have done my own research on this case, and talked to the three suspects myself, but I withhold my judgement until I can hear from those who may have valuable information."

In the silence that followed, Talora leaned over to whisper in Madeira's ear. "That's Johelm. He's saya of the Seiza, and the most honest man I know, as well as our best judge. He'll make sure the truth is found and justice is served." She straightened back up, ignoring the annoyed glance that Aysel shot her across the top of Madeira's head.

The assembly dragged on; various people were called up to state what they knew, and to ask for their opinion on who the murderer was. Most declined to give a final say in the matter. Lheili Dawn was one of the ones called up, her voice heavy with fury and grief as she recalled what she could about the murder of her sister before pointing her accusation at Sapphire. The blue-eyed woman sneered, but said nothing.

Finally, it was Madeira's turn. Talora gave her an encouraging nudge as she stood, as the spiritist recalled her various adventures in attempt to find the Magekiller and giving what details she could, and finally Madeira spoke the name of Kasha Ruhi. The woman almost jumped from her chair, protesting in outrage, but Johelm slammed his hand on the podium. "Silence," he said, sternly, as Madeira sat back down.

The process finished with each victim stating their own piece, Ponrose having a member of the Seiza speak unbiased on her behalf, and then silence reigned over the courtroom as Johelm steepled his hands together in front of his chin. Finally, he sighed deeply, laying his hands flat on the podium. "It is with a heavy heart that I find Kasha Ruhi guilty of being the Magekiller," he spoke, and the room was thick with shocked silence. "The sentence for her crimes, numerous and grave as they are, is execution."

The silence was broken by Kasha's screams of rage as she lunged out of her chair, immediately being restrained by several Shinya. "You can't do this," she screeched, as Johelm nodded to them. She continued to kick and scream as she was escorted from the room, but her words were unintelligible, filled with rage and thick with sobs. The doors shut behind Kasha and the Shinya with a heavy bang.

"It is my least favourite part of upholding our law and keeping our city safe to find one guilty of a crime, and even more so when the punishment is so severe," Johelm spoke to those who remained. Ponrose was crying, confused and anxious at the removal of her sister and caretaker, and her spokesperson comforted her quietly. "But I do what I must for the good of all who reside within Lhavit. I thank all of you for being here, and for speaking openly and candidly. This session is dismissed, and may the Star Lady light and guide your path."

Johelm stepped away from the podium, and the room broke into frantic conversations. Aysel was silent beside Madeira, and Talora let out a heavy sigh. "It's not as easy to uphold the law as one might think. I hope her poor sister can find a suitable caretaker," she murmured, looking at Ponrose across the room. "Thank you for coming, Madeira, and for your honesty. Your efforts to find the Magekiller yourself were admirable," Talora added, standing up.

"If you would like an escort home, please ask at the front desk on the bottom floor. I'm afraid Aysel and I are going to be busy dealing with...the aftermath of this." Talora set a gentle hand on Madeira's shoulder for a brief moment before slipping away.

"You spoke well. Excellent detective work. It seems you were correct about the culprit," Aysel said, his cool silver eyes piercing into Madeira, but it was impossible to tell what he was thinking. "Get home safely, Miss Craven. It should be easier to do so now." And with that, he was gone as well, leaving Madeira alone. Distantly, echoing through the skyglass and marble halls as she exited the room, was the sharp, high-pitched, barely audible sound of a sword being sharpened, and the sobs of a woman sentenced to meet its edge.

[Luminescence]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
YOUR GRADES HAVE BEEN GIFTED
ENJOY!
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Madeira

Skills

✦Politics +1
✦Law +1

Lores

✦Madeira: Presence requested at the Magekiller's trial
✦The Twuele: Second floor is for theft, assault, and murder
✦The Twuele: Third floor is for dangerous misuse of magic
✦The Twuele: Fourth floor is for large-scale crime
✦Magekiller suspects: Kasha, Ponrose, and Sapphire
✦Johelm: Saya of the Seiza
✦Johelm: Lhavit's best judge
✦Madeira: Accused Kasha Ruhi of being the Magekiller
✦Kasha Ruhi: Found guilty of being the Magekiller, and sentenced to execution
✦Lhavitian law: Executions are used as punishment in extreme circumstances
✦Lhavit: Safe from the Magekiller at last

Notes
Unfortunately there really wasn't anything I could give you skill-wise. Regardless, thank you for seeing this plot through to the end! I had a lot of fun with it.

As always, please don't forget to edit or delete your grading request in the queue! If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grades, don't hesitate to shoot me a PM; I'll do what I can to fix whatever the issue may be!