The Conference of the Ashen Hall
A capital conference hall of empire that addresses national issue. Moderator as a chief chairman appointed directly from the emperor.
He has the right to punish any nobles and patriarchs.
Over 300 high ranking nobles of Valmont attended the issue to address the banquet incident.
Along with them many rebels and supporters of Dupari were attending the large conference
Lady Ynnefer sat on the main table as a major suspect of the banquet incident. On her side sat patriarch Aldric Valmont.
Just behind them was a row of chair where other prime witnesses were sitting.
"Two important people, and a potential successor of Morphy-slain," murmured one of Dupari's supporter.
his gloved hand clenched on his cane.
"The Foul One, a heretic"
Spat Bishop Thalean, slamming his gauntlet against the stone floor.
"Mocked the gods. Danced among corpses and vanished like a shadow before we could blink."
Lady Ynnefer finally rose. The room hushed.
Her voice was calm. Too calm.
"I buried my blood yesterday. And I buried my shame with him."
The hall waited.
"Even though I was his enemy in political games, I was still his sister."
She clenched her fist and declared.
"No more waiting. No more accords. I declare that if any clan or group that harbors or shelters the Foul One… is my enemy. Henceforth."
The hall erupted. Cries of protest and agreement.
"You are the reason he is dead."
"Kin slayer!"
"Shut up! She is innocent."
In the midst of chaos, one of the attendees rose from his seat.
"Lady Ynnefer, may I ask you where were you when the foul one attacked the hall?"
She replied in calm demeanor.
"I was on my room. Because of attending with many nobles and esteemed guests I was too exhausted. My father suggested me to rest on my bed chamber."
"Patriarch, is what she said true?"
"Yes, my daughter was working non-stop even before the banquet doing preparation for the banquet. As a father who just lost his son, I can not see my daughter under too much stress."
"Tch!! I think they both are involved in this."
"What are you saying? He was an honest patriarch."
"Yeah right! Just say you lick their boot."
"What did you say?"
Again the hall erupted in two divided opinions.
"Order, please!"
The moderator speaks to calm down the people.
One of the rebels rise up from their seat.
"It is already unbelievable that the star of the banquet would leave the party but let's ignore that. Why did she not come to intercept the foul one? Surely, lady Ynnefer was well aware about the ruckus and riot that happened."
"You assume I heard the ruckus, but you forget the size of the manor, the thickness of the stone walls, and the fact that I was asleep behind locked doors. I was unwell, not negligent."
pauses to look around the room.
"Tell me, if I truly wanted him dead, would I not have vanished from the scene entirely? Would I not have arranged for a quieter death, far from the eyes of everyone?"
The rebel was speechless unable to counter her argument. Clutching his hand gritting his teeth he sat on his seat in silence.
"The young lady is right."
Stood the hound of bloodrune. Ned Van Bloodrune.
"I was the one to directly have interaction with the foul one. He is a skilled swordsman. He stated that his main purpose of attacking had failed so he vanished in the shadows."
He paused for the moment and continued.
"However, in the next moment he appeared out of nowhere and killed them. Reason? just for amusement."
Now many people were taking Ynnefer's side.
A woman rose from her seat.
"Lord Aldric Valmont, I wish to ask you a question."
She said and Aldric shifted his attention to her.
"Yes?"
"I heard that you are a genius mage. A phantasmal ranked mage. Surely, you could prevent the foul one from escaping."
A bit of silence occured throughout the hall. Everyone's gaze at Aldric.
"While it is true that I could stop him, you seem to forget about my illness."
"?"
"I am suffering from mana drain. I require atleast 3 doses of mana balls in a day to replenish it. And that is only enough to remain alive and cast some low ranking spell. You know that a teleportation magic is extremely high ranked magic. To counter it, we need a high amount of mana which I lack severely. Believer me if I was in my prime, the suspect would have died the moment he attacked the banquet."
Some people were still not convinced but they had no counter argument so the whole conference hall stood silent for good 3 minutes.
After observing the surrounding, the moderator announced.
"Any other questions?"
The whole room stands silence. Then he continued,
"I conclude that Lady Ynnefer is not guilty of conspiracy or involvement in the death of Lord Dupari Valmot and Eldrin Valmot. Let it be known that while tensions between kin may run deep, suspicion alone does not warrant conviction."
"I request the patriarch to take severe steps to bring justice for his kins."
"Adjourned!"