the Verdict

Since it was Lygawa on trial, the accused wasn't permitted to speak, which Mai found quite one-sided in finding a ruling, but in other matters it would stop hearsay, but that didn't matter here.

It came down to this last found guard, who Nullawhy had told her earlier; he would be quite useful to Mai.

"Mr Harrington please come forward...."

Mai asked for her last planned witness, on her feet once again.

Another guard, wearing the now familiar mostly blue uniform, stepped up onto the circle, while this one had short darker blonde hair and blue eyes.

Mai began her questioning.

"Now I believe you stood guard at the Treasury building entrance yesterday, correct?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"All day?"

"Yes, most of it."

"So you also saw the culprit flee the scene as well?"

"Well no ma'am."

A few shuffles sounded in the room, while the opposing 'prosecutor' looked most concerned.

Mai was secretly glad, and decided to do a little acting for herself, since it seemed allowed here.

"No? But there was a womanly figure who was seen fleeing, so perhaps they escaped from a window then?"

"Sorry, but in the Treasury building - there are no windows big enough for a person to fit through."

This blonde guard gave her more of what Mai wanted to hear.

"I see, so then who exited the building - between the inspectors in the morning, and when the alarm was sounded that something was missing?"

The sturdy guard thought back for a moment.

"Well... only three people came and went in that time; Sir Garish - the lead guard, but he didn't go in, Mr Ibis - who did the rounds and Lord Pottleswood..."

"Thank-you very much!"

Mai flopped back to the hard seat with added satisfaction, hearing that last name again.

They waited for Arrnet, who stayed quiet a while, possibly already knowing he'd been outplayed in the courtroom, and his witness's account had been trashed.

"Well?"

The King spoke, directing his attention to someone for the first time, and breaking Phil's quiet contemplation.

"Uh I have nothing for this... witness."

The helpful guard went from the small stand, while Mai just had to stand up one more time.

"I'd like to call Lord Pottleswood next..."

"He's unavailable."

The shifty and now nervous black haired man stated.

"Why?"

The King asked, leaning over his bench to clearly see the lower Arrnet.

"Where is your friend Lord Arrnet?"

The man behind the smaller desk was like a deer in headlights.

"Uh... um, an official meeting... I assume..."

"Do you know or not?"

He slumped in his chair, and failed to look up at the questioning 'judge'.

"No, your Majesty."

"I would like to see Lord Pottleswood... or perhaps I should issue a warrant?"

The King paused for only a few moments, before he spoke to the room, making his final decision.

"Very well then... as there is more than enough doubt as to the involvement of the alleged accused - I hereby release Miss Lygawa immediately, with our apologies."

He gave a little knock with a hidden gavel, to Mai's extra satisfaction.

I won...!

The silvery dragon stood with Mai and beamed a smile all around, as his Majesty got up and left the room through the private door he arrived from, before Lygawa practically threw herself upon Mai with overwhelming delight.

"Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!"

She clambered on Mai's side, nearly pushing her over.

"You have saved me once more, yes!"

"Alright - calm down a bit..."

The silvery dragon stepped back, but didn't let go of her arm.

A congratulatory mob formed near then, including a relieved Alice, the now satisfied Zalina, a happy Rafael Clover, and his daughter Francine, while Nullawhy stood back near the main entrance with a big smile.

Zalina went to Lygawa, and gave her a soft forehead to forehead bump.

"Thou brought me concern - lest it be thee last time..."

"I'll try, yes."

"You did splendidly Mai!"

Alice started off content, before slipping into doubts.

"But I nearly..."

"No, Alice you did very well too, really."

The Princess bobbed a fraction, taking the praise with a little smile.

"I hope daddy was a big help to you?"

The ashy-blonde Francine asked next.

"Yes, greatly."

She received a good handshake from him, as he came up alongside his daughter.

"You did very well for your first time - if you ever wanted to be a layer - I could put in a few good words."

It was thanks to him she'd steered through all that, mostly well.

"I'm good, but thanks."

It was interesting, but far too stressful and troublesome to do it as a job.

Having a congratulatory feast straight after in the dining hall, that turned into a bit of a party, included most of Mai and Lygawa's supporters from the court session, and with the other dragons, Kline and Wilton, they celebrated the win.

Being offered another night's stay meant that they could go about it later too, with no hurry to get going at all, Mai, Lygawa and Nullawhy could enjoy the rest of the day there, relaxing and enjoying the nice foods provided.

It wasn't until later on, when Mai had an abrupt bout of her jumbled sights, which led to the evening taking an unexpected turn.

It felt quite rushed, fragmented and distant than the others, and the best she could manage to discern was that a large funeral was shown to her, while she assumed it was there at the castle - as it was rather grand and large too. One showing let Mai see multiple coffins, with two highly decorated amid them, but with a few more flickered images, it all stopped, leaving Mai a little wary and disorientated.

None of the others witnessed her get this latest nausea, being entertained by a story of how Kline found this way to his current position, so Mai quietly tried sorting through the mess she had just witnessed.

I saw... the King in attendance, which isn't a good sign... but Lygawa and Nullawhy were there too, I think... but then I didn't see me...

Mai was still putting her latest 'vision' together, as she moved to the table with the cool drinks, near the entrance doors, when there she noticed another figure slowly enter the room.

It was Lord Arrnet, who looked fairly sure of himself, but oddly pale and sweaty too, and seeing her near, he gave a cold smile, that Mai really didn't like.

Creepy...

"So you are celebrating I see..."

"There's no harm in that... is there?"

Mai said, cautiously taking a little glass from the table, and found him drawing nearer to her.

"Hope you had a nice time of it..."

He said, but she really didn't think he meant his words.

"I just want to know - did you 'see' the ruse... or merely stumble through that session..."

Huh... ruse...? -!

He suddenly grabbed her, twisting Mai by her shoulder and produced a sharp knife in the same move too, and since Mai had dropped her glass with her startle, it crashed on the floor and shattered, getting everyone's attention to the brief struggle by the entrance.