Lady Trina returns

As you await Lady Trina's arrival, you and the Sultan share tea and try to speak of other things; about his family and his kingdom, and about your plans for Elyssia's future. The matter at hand weighs on both your minds, but the two of you will not get many chances to speak alone during the Sultan's visit, and so you must take advantage of even an occasion like this.

Before another half-hour has elapsed, there is a scratch at the door. "Enter," you call out softly, and Captain Navarre opens the door to admit Lady Trina. She is disheveled and smells slightly of horse-sweat; clearly, she rode hard to arrive as quickly as possible. There is even a small twig in her hair; for just a moment, you are reminded of the rose which she tucked into that same spot, not even two days ago. She wears her black cloak, drawn up tight so as to cover whatever she wears beneath it.

"Sire," she says, bowing to you, and then does the same to your guest. "Great Sultan."

"Lady Trina, have you been told why you were summoned?"

"No, Sire." She betrays no uneasiness or sign of a guilty conscience in her manner - or indeed, any emotion at all.

"Several hours ago, Abdul Hai El-Anwar was murdered."

At that, Trina does show emotion - and it is shocked surprise. You feel your own heart calm its rapid pace; although Trina is a master of concealing her feelings, she is not an accomplished actress, and you feel strongly that her surprise is genuine. Her guilt was never something you considered a reasonable possibility, but it is a relief to have that possibility become even more remote.

"How did this happen, Sire?" she asks, her voice quiet.

"He was struck upon the head by a heavy club, presumably as he slept. Lady Trina, I must ask you of your whereabouts between the conclusion of your duel with Abdul and the present moment."

"Yes, Sire," she says. "Following the duel, I spoke with Captain Navarre and told him of all that had transpired upon the field. With his consent, I then returned to the castle, and to my quarters. I remained there for perhaps two hours in meditation, in the manner taught to me by Master Sanjay. Sir Magnus and Sir Benedicht both approached me before I was to resume my duties at the feast and offered to take those duties themselves; I accepted the offer, and rather than attend the feast I rode to the high meadow, intending to remain there through the night; this was also approved by Captain Navarre."

"Why would you do this, Lady Trina?" the Sultan inquires.

"I find the high meadow to be a serene and relaxing place," Trina says, momentarily directing her eyes downward as if she is embarassed to even admit she needs to rest from time to time. "There was much on my mind, and I wished to come to peace with it."

"You remained at the high meadow until Selina arrived with the summons, then?" you ask.

"I did, Sire. Upon receiving it, I returned as quickly as I could."

"And, at no time following the duel did you lay eyes upon Abdul?"

"I did not see him after I left the tournament grounds, Sire. The only people I have seen and spoken with since then are my squire, Captain Navarre, Sir Magnus, and Sir Benedicht."

You start to take a deep breath, and then quash it down; it is necessary to maintain equanimity as you ask this last question. "Lady Trina, did you kill Abdul Hai El-Anwar?"

Trina stands at full attention. "Upon my honor, my sword, and the blood in my veins, I swear that I did not kill Abdul Hai El-Anwar, nor did another do this deed at my behest. To my mind, honor had been satisfied following our duel. I cannot say truthfully that I will grieve for him, but I did not wish him dead."

You nod once, and turn to Subhi. "My friend, it would seem that there are no witnesses to confirm or deny Lady Trina's whereabouts at the time this crime was committed; however, I -"

"I am satisfied," Subhi says firmly. "Lady Trina is a woman of honor and integrity. If she says she did not kill Abdul, then she did not." He stands, stifling a yawn. "Xavier, we will get no further with this matter until the dawn. I believe I will accept your invitation to spend the night here in the castle, and get what additional sleep I may."

"If you wish, I will be pleased to break fast with you in the morning, Subhi. Captain Navarre, please escort the Sultan to his room."

The Captain bows at the neck, and he and the Sultan take their leave. You are left alone in the room with Trina.

"My Lady... you know, of course, that I had **** but to question you on this matter. I never truly thought you could be guilty of this crime."

"Yes, Sire. I am the most logical suspect, I would have been most surprised if I had not been interrogated."

Trina remains standing at full attention, as she was when she swore to her innocence, and she directs her gaze at the wall rather than at you. Even with her hair matted from sleeping on the ground, her eyes red from lack of sleep and her cloak disheveled from her ride, she is quite beautiful. You recall suddenly the kiss she gave you before the duel - a true, passionate kiss, and the fresh memory inspires a shiver down your spine. It had been so unexpected, especially since the kiss she offered at the mill had been so brief and tentative, and she had made it clear that she did not wish to discuss it. Why, then, had she kissed you again?