Beyond the Ragnarök

Kora feels torn.  On one hand she saw how the waif looked when she stopped her on the beach, she looked more lost than anything.  But she also understands that they can't have someone around that will raise the dead and attack like she did.  Though... those around her did attack her first.  She sighs.

"Excuse me sir, but did you hear her side at all?  If this is to be a trial, I think it would be prudent to hear all sides before making a decision?"

Damn she's going to regret speaking up, she just knows it.  Since when does she care about things like this?  She steps back a bit after speaking, not sure how her words will be received.

Sólmyrkvi looks stricken -- almost as though he were the subject of this judgement. Despite the Mark of Loki, he was still surprised to hear the king's verdict.  While the animated corpses were disturbing and a sign of dark necromancy, the girl hadn't actually hurt any of them.  (But then an unspoken doubt seems to suddenly whisper inside his head: "What about the Firewing's helmsman?"   He shakes his head, dismissing the thought.  Veldir may be confident in what he thought he saw, but that seemed to be scant evidence for a beheading.)  Upset but unsure what can be done, Sólmyrkvi silently curses his inexperience and merely glares at the ground as they start to take Glimgriss away. 

Quote from kqstark >>

Kora..."Excuse me sir, but did you hear her side at all?  If this is to be a trial, I think it would be prudent to hear all sides before making a decision?" 

While Sólmyrkvi wasn't brave enough to contradict the king on his own, once Kora speaks, he rouses himself.  Seeing Kora step back, he tries to ensure that King Alaric's response doesn't fall solely on her.  He takes a step forward and looks at the king apologetically, saying, "Excuse us, King.  I admit that we have no experience with how serious crimes were handled in Midgard, but that seems fair to me.  Has the accused given her own account of the events?  Or explained how she came to bear this mark?"  Then he steps a little closer to the king so that he can lower his voice, hoping that Griss is too far away to hear him when he says (more quietly): "And what if she's not the only one?  If we learn more, perhaps it would help us find others who bear the mark." 

Persuasion: 25
I'm rolling not so much for convincing King Alaric as for trying to avoid his negative opinion.  That is, if he's going to ignore our concerns, Sólmyrkvi would at least like King Alaric to view them legitimate, good-faith questions and not the sort of pointless antagonism of Veldir's gang.

At the entrance to the tent Merros pauses to glance back toward the king. 

Alaric looks between you Kora and you Sólmyrkvi and at last seems to come to a decision. "Merros has questioned the girl at length and while you are both right to feel pity, my judgement is final and the sentence will be carried out. However, if you are willing the two of to may accompany Merros and in doing so lend some small comfort. It seems good to me that Glimgriss should leave us knowing that there are those who did pity her and care for her. What say you will you go?"

While waiting for an answer he turns to you Halp and Leif and says, "As for you both, I would ask more of you this night if you are willing. With so many of the god touched driven to madness I find myself with a need for help in the giving of prayers and sacrifices. Master Halp, I believe you have a passing familiarity with the necessary rites? and young Leif you would perhaps assist his efforts?"

"And what of me?" Veldir demands.

The king offers a grim smile, "Tonight you will not leave me side Master Veldir, you will be my right hand man.... so I may better keep an eye on you."

Sólmyrkvi's opens his mouth but is briefly at a loss for words.  He feels like the dog who caught a dragon by its tail! 

Sólmyrkvi looks to Kora for -- what?  Encouragement?  Reassurance?  Then he licks his lips nervously, takes a deep breath, and slowly turns back to King Alaric.  He manages to address the king with more equanimity than he feels.  "Of course, my king!  Thank you."

Sólmyrkvi bows slightly and then hastily turns to follow Merros and Glimgriss.  As he passes Kora, she can see that he looks rather peaked.

Kora gives a slight bow to the king, more of a nod than anything as she accepts his decry.  She is about to follow them out when she sees that this is not sitting well with Drekise.  She gently grabs his forearm and leans in to whisper, "You don't have to participate in this if you would prefer not to.  I'm sure Halp and Leif can use your help.  I'll be enough to stand witness."  But she doesn't push for either decision as she follows the rest out into the cold.

Drekise gives Kora a weak smile and says, "No, I'm with you and Merros.  'In for a copper,' right?"  It's (part of) the idiom that Drekise used to say when he and Kora were younge.  In particular, it's the phrase he used to say to indicate his willingness to keep going just as some scheme or prank had started to "snowball," escalating into something bigger / more serious / more out-of-control.

Drekise is determined to go with Merros and Glimgriss.  He has a strange feeling or premonition that there's still something important here.  Something that he must see for himself.  He gives Kora an encouraging nod and gestures to let her go ahead of him.

Leif nods, “I am not fluent in prayers, but I will aid in any way I can.”