Interview
The General dismissed group from the room shortly after Benalia and Malinus left. He closed the door behind them and walked back to his seat across from me, “What was it you would like to discuss, Your Majesty?” He regarded me with his grey eyes trying to surmise what I might ask him next, “How was the punishment for The Chalshin conducted?” He sighed then nodded, “I wasn’t particularly happy to have to punish my best soldier but he endured well. We put him a dark cell for three days and he survived on bread and water.” I nodded pleased that it seemed enough, “And what about how he ended up with the escort duties for The Batiste?” He grunted, “I thought it was best to draw names. Meldon drew The Batiste’s name so he asked me permission to switch with someone since he felt like he would draw scrutiny from his own family. I felt that would be a prudent thing to do so I allowed him to choose who to switch with. I had not anticipated it would be with Derek. I likely would have discouraged the act had I known that was who he intended to switch with. I believe he has his eye on Lady Baltilliard and that was who Derek drew.” It made sense that Meldon would ask to switch with Derek since the object of his affection was the one Derek drew and he got lucky that Meldon’s original partner was Alexandra.
I leaned in to ask the question that I knew would leave the room heavy, “Do you believe The Batiste was the one who drew blood in her own room? You’ve known her family for a long time, you served under her uncle. Do you believe a person from House Batiste to be this calculating?” He crossed his arms across his broad chest and shook his head, “Honestly? No. When I was told that piece of evidence, I didn’t buy it. I had begun to wonder if the soldier who smelled the blood was trying to frame her.” I folded my hands on the table and leaned in further, “But?” The way he left the last statement in the air, I knew there was a but in there. He sighed, “They produced the vials and asked me to smell them since I am lycan/pyrio. The Batiste’s blood smells faintly of the blood in the baseline sample. That doesn’t mean it is hers though, it just means that someone of her blood could have left the baseline sample on her wall. We will know for sure once the test results are in.” I furrowed my brows, “Okay but if there are trace amounts of the DNA from her blood that matches the baseline sample, would that not point to her guilt?” He shook his head, “The results will give us percentage. Anything more than 50% match and it will be her. Less it will be someone of her bloodline.”
I clenched my jaw then blew out a puff of air, “I know of only one person in the vicinity who shares blood with her. Would that mean that you suspect my Scribe?” His expression changed to a more serious look, “I do, Your Majesty. He will have to be tested too once he comes back.” I knew it wasn’t Malinus because I was practically with him all day and the only time I wasn’t was when he took sheets of notes for me. It was unlikely he could have gone to Blackwood and back then take the amount of notes that he took. Malinus was very good at what he did but he wasn’t that good. I nodded and leaned back in my chair, “Okay, I will have him submit the sample when he returns. I know for a fact it will clear him.” He sighed, “Just a precaution, Your Majesty. I suspect everyone until I can narrow it down.” I closed my eyes and nodded, “Very prudent of you, General. I hope you aren’t insulted that I am asking these questions.” He shook his head, “I think understand your concerns perfectly, Your Majesty. She is probably one of the leading candidates for both positions from what I can tell. It’s only natural that you would check up on this.” I placed my hand on my chin, “You’re mostly right. Her family is also very close to the crown and I consider her grandfather my greatest source of advice. Naturally, I wouldn’t want anything to come in between the crown and the most powerful houses of nobility.” In reality, Alexandra was a very dear friend to me and I didn’t want to lose her to prison.
A knock sounded on the door and the General said, “Enter.” A short young woman with dark brown skin and black curly hair neatly tucked into a bun on the top of her head entered, “General, I have conducted the blood test as requested.” He held out his hand to take the paper, “You may give your verbal account so that His Majesty may know as well.” She looked at me with her honey brown eyes and smiled, “Your Majesty, The Batiste has a 40% match to the blood on the wall in her room. We can safely eliminate her from being a suspect, however this does not eliminate any family members.” The General nodded, “Thank you for your quick and diligent work, Lieutenant Baltiliiard.” Baltilliard, I remember Lady Baltilliard was one of the candidates for the Queen competition. I regarded her as she left the room and turned to the General, “Is she related to Lady Baltilliard by any chance?” He nodded, “She is the younger sister of House Baltilliard. Since her sister was older, only she was chosen to participate in the competition. It is just as well since she is not interested in the crown and has already married.” I nodded; Lady Baltilliard’s little sister would have been able to participate as well. It was rare for a noble house to have two daughters that were of age that weren’t married. This news that the younger sister was married wasn’t surprising and soldiers in the Citadel often married each other. It looks like the husband took the lady’s name or she retained her own. Non-Royals had the freedom to choose their last names. Women or men who married into the Royal House of Doré had no choice but to take our name.
Suddenly the other Mesha stone in my pocket vibrated so I pulled it out and placed it on the table. We heard Malinus’ voice on the other end, “Your Majesty, we are at Blackwood manor. Dana is fetching The Batiste to the study. I will make her aware that the General is listening on the other end. Would you like me to inform her that you are also there?” The General stated, “If I may, Your Majesty…I don’t believe that is wise. We need the interview to happen as organically as possible.” I nodded once at him, “I will concede to your expertise.” Malinus spoke again, “Understood, Your Majesty. I will remain mum on your involvement.” I let Malinus know, “Good. We will go silent on our end now.” I tapped the stone and we heard a door click open on the other end and we heard Alexandra’s voice on the other end, “You asked to see me?” Benalia spoke, “Yes, I need to conduct an interview with you on behalf of the Citadel. I will need to hold your hand to conduct this interview and we have my commanding officer on the other end of the Meshan stone listening in.” You could hear Alexandra shifting in her seat, “I understand. We can get started when you are ready.” Benalia spoke, “Okay, thank you for giving me your hand. Understand that Lord Esperanza is here to act as your legal representative as afforded to you by Royal law. My first question is very easy. Where were you from the morning until this afternoon when your maid informed you of the blood written on your wall?” Alexandra stated, “I was at the Queen’s tea as decreed by Her Majesty.” Benalia asked, “Okay. What was your initial reaction upon being told of the blood in your room?” Alexandra sighed, “You’re likely to think me silly but I was worried for Lulu.” I had wondered who Lulu was but I knew that the next question and subsequent answer might answer that for me. Benalia said, “And who is Lulu?” Alexandra sounded like she was stifling a giggle, "I apologize about the giggle but she’s a cute little shadow bunny that was gifted to me by a dear friend while I recovered from the poison in my blood.” Benalia asked, “Where did the poison come from?” Alexandra spoke, “It was from The Order of the Old Ways or so I’ve been told. I don’t like to speculate until facts are presented.” The General straightened up, “She seems wise. I would have liked that level of skepticism in the Citadel.” Benalia said, “Very prudent, Your Grace but I believe the evidence has pointed to the conclusion others have informed you of. That being said, I would like to thank you for your time and take my leave.”
Someone took the stone off the table and you could hear this person leave the house as Alexandra sent them off cordially. Malinus spoke on the other end, “Your Majesty, Benalia would like to speak now.” I tapped the stone again, “Proceed.” Benalia spoke on the other end, “Your Majesty and General, I don’t believe The Batiste is the culprit of the blood written on the wall in her room. She gave off a sense of calm yet a level of concern for those who preside under her roof. She believes that her presence causes those lives to be in danger. She is stressed out as a result.” The General spoke, “Very well, please return to the Citadel.” The other end of the stone went silent so I picked up the stone on the table and placed it in my pocket. I looked up at the General, “So what is your conclusion then?” He smiled at me, “You can stop stressing out, Your Majesty. I believe with the blood test results coupled with Benalia’s statement, that I can officially clear The Batiste of any suspicion of wrong doing. I cannot clear your Scribe quite yet but what we do know is that someone from her family seemingly doesn’t like her.”
