#odyssey

Zara ducks into the shelter August provides, screwing her eyes shut.

Softplum does not press, and speaks softly to August "Clearly some connected history I don't know about. Does it have bearing on the case?"

"His hatred is why I was targeted upon my arrival with false accusations."

"Oh my, you poor young woman, that's ghastly." Softplum seems as gentle as her name would indicate.

"I.... have run afoul of the house, before."

"I try not to have biases in my line of work, but I will say Balor are trying"

She nods.

"Would you like me to give you and your friends some privacy?" She asks

August doesn't respond; this is Zara's call.

"I'm alright, thank you." She straightens. A proud little thing, that one.

But then, Softplum might have a clue as to why.

August lets her go. If she likes.

Earl approaches "Everything okay?"

She holds out both hands for her Trueheart.

"No," earl answers, "Clearly it is not" He takes both hands and holds her gently "Sorry I wasn't in there"

He shoots a look past them as if tempted to 'visit' the prisoner for a 'talk' then resolves his better angel

"Nathair was the lover of one of the Paler brood."

"He is... not so fond of me. He's also the one who struck with Cold Iron."

Earl nods slowly "He will never touch you." Firm

"A... lover?" August asks cautiously.

"It would explain the hatred directed at her by one who was not of Paler's brood" Softplum ponders aloud

"He had a matching tattoo on his arm. I remember hers."

Earl frowns "I think Vashti knew, or suspected."

"She may have. She was closer to the rest of the family than I."

"Vashti... and Nathair??" August is aghast.

"Nay."

She touches her forearm. "The eshu, aye? All golden, with the lily."

"Oh her" A frown from Earl

"My, ah, memory is ... a little spotty."

"Golnaz." She shakes her head. "It was unfortunate."

Earl nods "The golden Lily"

"She tried to kill me a few times." A pause. "She did fail, nu?"

"My word" Softplum states

"That... that does make sense. Alright." August thinks "I believe I'm ready to continue the trial with the Duke, if he is."

"I am glad I was able to be of some assistance."

"Goodfae Softplum can certain testify to the omen, aye? I trust her discretion."

"I would be honored, and tell the truth alone" She assures

"Then Miss Softplum and I will to the Duke, and Zara, Earl... ah, no doubt you'll do.... ah, what you will do."

"I shall be watching." A small smile.

Earl nods "And I'll be by her side ready for whatever. Nice meeting you, Mrs. Softplum"

"It's been most amazing to meet you all" Mrs Softplum nods, then turns to August "lead on, please"

"Good to see you, Earl. Thank you for being here." He nods to troll, and sluagh, and then turns to the boggan "I think it's this way...." and off they go to wait on the Duke's pleasure.

The Duke turns "Your report, please?" He greets them "The trial awaits"

"Miss Softplum could report to you now, Your Grace, as you like, or we could report to all in Court. Or, first one then the other."

"Report to me" he says "We can enter it into the record if need be."

And Softplum does, telling of her observations of Rathbone and Nathair, of the lingering enchantment on Darespark not being on either of them, and how the omen revealed much on Rathbone's true nature and of her lies...

The Duke holds up a hand "You.. omened her in the room where none were supposed to cast? That's by my own authority, and not easily over ridden by those not of rank."

Softplum replies "It was your will we investigate, your Grace, so that may have been a factor."

She does not out how easily Zara thwarted it, or by what means. That's not really on trial here

August, for his part, does not speak unless spoken to.