Chapter One: Cruel Suspicions

[Cadogan Trahem]

Your eyes crack open and she is blinded by the white flash of the sun as her eyes try to focus . . .

And then you realise its not the sun, but a Chinese lantern, its ball shape comes clearer. With the symbol of a Dragon painted on one side it is attached to a pole and the pole.. attached to a guard. You try to move but cannot, your arms bound behind you to a pole. Your legs bound to a metal ring which is inbeded in the cold stone floor. Outside you can feel the wind blow so harshly against the building... but do not hear it?

A Second man enters, followed by a third. They speak but you cannot hear them either. Soon a painful ringing begins in your ears so painful that you shake your head and contort it. And then nothing.

"...She was also found with this." One man says, you look up and find him holding a Japanese Ninja-to, the blood long since dried. "...And a night guard claims to have seen her in the compound shortly after the incident." The first man looks at you and then the sword.

"Very incriminating isn't it. But I must ask, why the daughter of a Japanese noble would murder a servant girl. I am unfamiliar with Japanese tradition but this does not seem to be part of it." He scowls at you. "What do you have to say for yourself!"

You try to talk but your mouth feels like cottem and thistle, you mouth a few words, clearing your throat as to speak.

"Speak up!" He yells and strikes you across the face.

[Gralhruk]

Her head reels and the world spins as she opens her eyes, the last remnants of the dream scattering like a flock of birds before a predator. Her mouth is dry and her throat clogged, her arms aching from their awkward position. She struggles to make sense of what the men are saying but all she can hear is a piercing ringing in her ears, sharp and loud enough to make her wince. As the man brandishes the bloody sword the events of the evening wash back into her brain like a wave pounding up onto the beach.

As the wave recedes, she picks through the flotsam for the course she must take. Clearly they thought she killed Jun Pei; what reason could she give that they might believe? In this case, the truth was on her side and that should count for something.

She struggles to respond, but a choking rasp is the only sound she manages. Pain explodes in her ear as her inquisitor clouts her soundly and her head snaps sideways. Her training serves her well here, and she keeps her mind calm and still while allowing her face to assume a defeated visage. Focusing her will, she works her mouth to get some saliva moving before trying to speak again.

"I spoke with the guard . . . I was unable to sleep."

She stops and clears her throat.

"When he told me one of the Pei girls had been killed I became scared for Jun Pei, the girl assigned to me since my arrival. The guard told me to return to my room. I was on my way back to the room when I heard something in the courtyard."

She looks ashamed at this point and clears her throat again before continuing. Her voice is getting back to normal now.

"I know it was foolish, but I went to investigate. I saw something move but I couldn't tell what it was. Before I could react something hit me, it must have been some sort of sleeping gas, and then I couldn't breathe and fell unconscious. I have never seen this sword before, and I certainly have not killed anyone. The guard said one of the Pei girls . . . is Jun Pei alright?"

She stops and waits for further questions, her eyes downcast and sad. She is truly upset that Jun Pei is dead and feels both ashamed and saddened by that. She hopes that her captors will see her genuine emotions and believe her; for the most part her tale was an accurate account, although she is careful to keep her suspicions about who or what it was that attacked her to herself.

<OOC: Diplomacy +1, Bluff +4>

[Cadogan Trahem]

The men listen to your, but do not seem emotionally touched by your story. The man raises his hand to strike you again but does not, instead he speaks.

(In Reguards to your last comments about Jun Pei) "You should know!" And then be brings his back hand to bare on your face once more. Behind this man, the older man looks at one of the younger men.

"We also found this, and these in her room. They match the ones we found on her person." The younger man retrieves a scabbard as well as small pellets, which you suspect are like the ones which where used against you. He holds up one of the pellets. "It also matches what we found near the servant girl's body."

"I suspect that she used the pellets to subdue the victim, murder her, and then was in the process of getting rid of the weapon when she dropped a pellet and fell victim to her own devilish devices!" The man who struke you speaks.

"We shall see." The older man speaks. "There will be a trial, in three days. The Prisoner will spend the remainder of the night here to ponder her choices - If she confesses by morn, she will be killed but her 'Chi will live on in the ballance. If she does not, the trial will be held. If found guilty at the trial little one..." The man leans forward and grasps you by the Chin. "...You will die and immortal energies will never live on in the afterlife."

He stands and turns to the man who had struck you twice.

"Post two guards, shift every hour. If she wishes confession, wake me." Then he gives you one last glance. "Do you have anything to say prisoner?"

[Gralhruk]

"I do not know who or why someone would take pains to have me falsely accused, but that is what has happened. Perhaps they wish some ill against Japan, or my family in particular, or to start some tension between our nations; I do not know. I am innocent, and I only know what I have told you. I ask you to consider this possibility, if not for me, then for what it might mean to your country."

She lowers her eyes and waits to hear what they might say to her. She has no intention of confessing, and less intention of remaining in this place to stand trial.

[Cadogan Trahem]

The older man nods and leaves. Leaving you alone with the man who struke you twice before.

He takes a seat and begins the volley of questions.

"Who are you, what is your mission here in Naking, why did you murder the servant girl."

He sits with a stern looking face, this one does not seem to believe you.

[Gralhruk]

"You know who I am. I am Kataji of the Tsune family, here as a diplomatic envoy to establish trade links with Wu."

She looks at him from her awkward position. The bindings held her arms at an awkward angle and her face ached from where he'd struck her. Despite these things, she her eyes are calm and without anger.

"I murdered no one. Jun Pei was my friend as well as my servant; I have no motive whatsoever to harm anybody here."

[Cadogan Trahem]

"How do you explain these?" He indicates towards the bloody sword and scabbard as well as the pellets. His voice is strong, and stern but in control. This reveals that his anger is only skin deep - part of the job so to speak. He has clearly done this before.

I must be very late at night, or very early in the morning. Its still dark outside and a cold breeze blows off the river over the city walls and into this tiny hut where it makes your body shiver.

[Gralhruk]

She tries to shrug but her current situation makes it difficult. She looks at the offending items and thinks back to the shadowy figure leaving her room.

Would it be wise to tell them what I have seen? I do not think they would believe me in any case.

"Somebody must have put them there after they knocked me unconscious. They want you to believe I did this thing, but it makes no sense."

The chill in the air and the cool breeze make her shiver once more and she concentrates on thoughts of a candle flame. It helps drive some of the cold from her body. She looks down at the ground.

"You do not know what an honor it was for me to be chosen as envoy to my family and my nation. Now that honor has been stained, even though I have done nothing."

[Cadogan Trahem]

"You're right, it makes no sense - and I care nothing about your honour or your family. My only care is with Wu and its people - And one of those people are dead." He says harshly while standing.

"It is clear this is getting no where, I will let you ponder your situtation and tomorrow I will return and we will speak some more." He throws a blanket loosely over you, despite it landing poorly you are greatful that it landed on you at all.

The man looks to reguard you once more before moving outside.

"Guard her well." you hear him speak outside to the guards no doubt.

[Gralhruk]

"If you care for your country as you say you do, then think on what I have said. We are both ill-used in this; doubtless our enemy is laughing from the shadows while we fight one another."

She does her best to huddle under the blanket, hoping that the man will heed her words instead of striking her again. It was improper to speak to him such, but her predicament was dire. She drops her head as he leaves, wondering what she can do now. Cautiously, her movements hidden by the blanket, she tests her bonds to see how tightly she is bound and if the possibility for escape exists.

[Cadogan Trahem]

The man nods at your words. "We will speak in the morning." and leaves.

You test your bindings, they are quite tight, craftfully tied. It would be near impossible to untie or break them, if there is a possibility for escape, its minimial. The best thing to do would be to sleep out the rest of the night and try to make sense of things in the morning.

Although it may appear that no one believes you, if the Chinese guards are as dedicated as they say they are chances stand with you and the truth. However this world is not as ideal as you'd like it to be - there is always the chance something could go wrong.

{Sorry for the slowness, the plot is actually supposed to spread to another player right now, however that said player is away.}

[Gralhruk]

Resisting the urge to become angry, Kataji concentrates on her breathing for a time. Dimly, she becomes aware of the faint sounds of life in the complex around her; the scurry of a rodent, the click of insect, the scrape of a boot. Carefully, she works her hands in a small circular motion hoping to loosen her bonds somewhat.

After a short while, she deems that whoever tied her was skillful enough to prevent her escape in this fashion. She spends a time testing the area around her for anything sharp enough and close enough she can use to saw through her bindings. This, too, is a futile effort.

Escape at this time is not an option. Her best bet is to be ready when an opportunity presents itself. She works her muscles isometrically for a time, hoping that the blood flow will help prevent stiffness. When this has finished, she meditates on the events of the day hoping to catch some detail that she missed earlier. Still thinking of the last time she saw Jun Pei, she drifts into an uneasy sleep.

Her uncomfortable position does not afford her a fitful sleep, and she awakens early. Dawn is just stretching out cold fingers of early morning light when her eyes flutter open.

[Cadogan Trahem]

A few hours after dawn, the three men return. The eldest approches.

"I have heard no word of her confession." He speaks, at first you believe he is speaking to you because of his eye contact.

"There was none my Lord." replies a subordinate.

"Indeed, then you know young miss that you will be taken to trial. In three days you will be held accountable for your crimes, unless by then you somehow manage to prove your innocence you will be judged and sentenced. The outcome is likely to be grim indeed. I will find a person of your own people to sit on your defense, you will be free to roam the compound but two guards will accompany you everywhere and your arms are to be shackled." He speaks slowly and with a tone of authority but lacks the harshness to accompany it.

"That is unless you choose to confess now, I believe there are a few moments before the sun has fully risen." He waits for your reply.

[Gralhruk]

Her wits return to her instantly when she sees the three men enter. Her face betrays no emotion as the man explains her situation and she speaks quickly, her tone controlled but sharp.

"You will keep me shackled with guards at my back. How am I to prove anything if I remain a prisoner? Whoever has framed me must be in high spirits indeed, for I cannot expect to prove my innocence without freedom."

She looks the elder in the eye, hoping the man will see reason and allow her some room to investigate. She doubts that they will give any more than they already have, but it was worth a try.

[Cadogan Trahem]

The man does nothing but ignore your plea and you somehow feel that you have overstepped the line but pushing the request somewhat.

"Raise her up, its clear that she is not going to confess. I only hope she can prove her innocence, or her soul be damned for eternity." The man speaks. His subordinate bows and turns towards you. "Oh, and guards are not to have her leave their sight." He comments as he exits the cell.

The man nods once again as though the man was still watching him. He removes the blanket and the cold air grasps at your body. You had forgotten how cold it could get at such early hours in the morning. He unshackles your legs and goes to untie your arms when he notices the blood.

"Silly girl." He comments untieing you and replacing the ropes which bound you with shackles. "You will return to your room with these two guards, a servant will be sent to tend as best they can to your wounds. Try not to kill that one too." He mentions sarcastically as he leads you out into the compound before he nods at the guards and turns to follow the older man ahead of you.

[Gralhruk]

She remains silent, making eye contact with nobody, as the man unties her and replaces her ropes with shackles. She keeps her face expressionless as he makes his so-called joke about her slaying a servant. Her eyes focus as he leaves, her dark eyes full of sadness and determination.

Jun Pei, I wielded no blade but nevertheless your death is on my hands. I will do my best to find this murderer and see that he pays the price for his deed.

She follows the guards to her room and closes her eyes in meditation once they reach their destination. There is little to do but wait for the servant to arrive.

[Cadogan Trahem]

You walk towards your room however when you get there you find that there is one of the man from the prison standing outside.

He flags down the guards and approches.

"My lord is talking with your aide, he shouldn't be long." He finishes before standing idle. How very strange that your aide would be assigned your very room, is it possible that he was assigned this room before he was made aware of his new found duty? Or was he simple assigned the room after because it was your room?

[Yes yes I know its a delay post, but hey, this plot is playing out elsewhere too. :P It will merg in a while.]

[Cadogan Trahem]

There is mummbling from within the room, you cannot decipher the words however. Soon the eldest man emerges and closes the door behind himself.

He nods at the man waiting, before adressing you.

"Enter when you please." is all he says before leaving. You walk towards the door and push it open with your shackeled hands. Inside the room is a Japanese man who seems to be deep in thought he looks up towards you. Across the otherside of the room a servant girl is packing your items away for apparent removal...

{Please see the new subforum and thread}