[center][h1][color=peru]Stratya[/color] & [color=a187be]Alibeth[/color][/h1][/center]

[hr]

Stratya pivoted her way out from the doorway to the servant quarters in the castle with a single, fluid motion. She had a bit of work to do before an evening at the tavern. First, however, she would conclude her business in the castle. That meant but one thing, and that was to report the death of Darryn to the Queen.. and ask one other question. First, she had to find Her Highness. There were a few places she could think to look, first. The Throne Room came to mind, though she wasn't sure how much time anyone actually spent in there.

Wait. Stratya must smell something awful, after the particular work she'd been doing today. Quite literally like death. No, she'd have to bathe first. She lifted her arm to her face and - yep. Having a wash.

Her house was furnished and well, but felt foreign to her. And, while hadn’t exactly forgotten she had a house, she sometimes fell into old army habits or felt tired enough that she didn’t care to walk the extra yardage to her proper abode. She didn't have many possessions in the capital, as things went, the furniture in her home didn’t feel like hers, to her. Perhaps that would come with time, and perhaps really settling in to her house would help her feel like the noble she’d been made into.

~~~

 One wash later, Stratya found herself a little more relaxed. She at least smelled decent, now, after the day's activities had been rather odorous. Clean enough, it was time to find the Queen.

Alibeth was situated in her study when Stratya came upon her at last. Sensing her presence, the queen raised her gaze from her writing to the captain and gave her a nod in greeting, [color=a187be] “Captain,”[/color] She greeted. Despite the woman remaining home for much of the day, she was still dressed in finery as she always was.

No opportunity to mentally prepare at the threshold. Stratya could not think of a time where the Queen had not been sharp as a tack. Being the Queen, the woman likely had precious few opportunities to let her guard down completely. The knight stepped beyond the threshold of the doorway and into the study. “[color=peru]Your Grace. Ill tidin’s, I'm afraid. Best to get right to it.[/color]” she glanced at the door and elected to close it behind her. “[color=peru]I foun’ Darryn, the stable boy, murdered this mornin’. Behin’ th’ stables.[/color]”

Queen Alibeth's eyes widened slightly, a rare visible reaction.

Stratya drew a breath, still a bit stressed by it. She was dealing alright, and she came away from the door a few, slow paces. “[color=peru]I've go’ evidence bein’ processed. ‘is ‘ead was severed, and lef’there with an executioner's blade t’be found. Due t’the rain, I coul’nae confirm tha’ i’ was th’ blade nor site used. Any blood tae indica’e tha’ th’ murder had taken place at the scene ‘ad also been washed away. I believe the bo’y, specifically, was moved through to the other side of town, and intae th’ forest be’ind the train station, because an ‘ound was able to fahllow the scent from t’castle. Bot’ stank of ro’, poor pup. Somebody bea’ ‘im, too, poor lad. Darryn, not.. [sub]not the dog.[/sub][/color]” She cleared her throat. “[color=Peru]It seems to me that someone meant to send a message with this? A message I..[/color]” The Captain chewed her words for just a moment, “[color=Peru]cannae, myself, find the position to interpre’. Such meanin’ could be crucial.[/color]”

Queen Alibeth sighed deeply, her eyes narrowing in contemplation as she absorbed the information. [color=a187be]“It does indeed appear that a message is being conveyed,”[/color] she mused, her voice calm yet laced with an underlying intensity. [color=a187be]“I suspect Darryn might have divulged more than was appreciated during his questioning the other day.”[/color]

She tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the desk before stepping forward with grace, [color=a187be]“Thank you, Captain. Your diligence is commendable. I require an update as soon as more information becomes available regarding the evidence. “[/color] 

Ah, yes. The questioning. The knight had heard about that from Riona. An invitation-only after party.. then, the chauffeur was murdered after a related “questioning”.. as the Queen said. Darryn said something too much. The Queen, of course, wasn't like to let the word “torture” pass her lips in polite company. She didn't need to press for information there.

Stratya did her best not to let the knowledge of Darryn's questioning pass on her face, but she let the question pass. The Queen had already ended that particular discussion. [color=peru] “Yes, Your Grace. I'll begin processin’ the evidence immediately. Oh, ‘fore I go.”[/color] It was odd that she hadn't run into him, wasn't it? “[color=Peru]‘ow fares the Royal Advisor?[/color]”

Alibeth gazed upon Stratya thoughtfully, [color=a187be] “I have yet to see him today…  I will send someone to his room.”[/color]
[color=peru] “Troubling. Normally, I would like to think I’d ‘ave run into ‘im, by now.[/color]” That the Queen had not seen him, either.. “[color=Peru]Well, I’ll nae trouble ye further, Your Grace. I’ll ‘ave a repor’ on tha’ evidence as soon as it’s ready.[/color]” Stratya paused, considering the task and her discussion with Riona. She’d been sent here with a question for a purpose, “[color=peru]I lied, one further trouble. Please, allow me t’ check The Advisor’s room. If somethin’ [i]is[/i] amiss, I’d like to ‘ave my own eyes on i’.[/color]”

[color=a187be] “Very well.”[/color]

Stratya offered a bow, solemn, “[color=Peru]I’ll inspect ‘is quar’ers immejiately. By your leave,[/color]” the knight stepped back with one foot and pivoted to the door in a practiced, casual movement. At the door, with more casual, effortless pivots, she spun through the door and let it softly swing shut behind her before moving purposefully to [s]Adelard’s[/s] Alden's room.