[Child of the 7th Age]

Alahseey paced nervously from one end of the cabin to the other before stopping to press her face against the porthole. From her vantage on the ship, she had only a limited view of the beach and surrounding waters. But she could see that the long night had given way to morning. In contrast to her own gloominess, the new day had dawned bright and clear. The Spirit was now moored in shallow waters in a portion of the Bay adjacent to the largest Lossoth settlement. Early this morning, Luindal had moved the ship and dropped anchor only a stone's throw from the shore.

Alahseey also observed a number of small boats rapidly approaching the Elven ship. Most carried Lossoth Elders, men and women she intimately knew who had been invited to attend the inquiry and hearing. Other long boats had drawn up alongside the Spirit bearing boxes of foodstuffs and small barrels that Igal's trading agents had agreed to bring on board to replenish the Elves' empty storage bins. Determined to head north as quickly as he could, Luindal had purposely carried a light load, and many provisions had been depleted during their weeklong voyage from the Havens as well as the subsequent days at the Ice Bay.

Despite her confinement, the Elder was in relatively good shape. The trek south had been bearable largely because of Freyn who made sure that she received ample food and water, and was not pushed beyond her physical means. Luindal's treatment of her had been firm but fair. The Captain had ordered her bonds untied as soon as she boarded the Spirit. She had been escorted to a small, comfortably furnished room with a single guard set outside the door. Food and drink were provided in ample measure along with changes of clothing. But the door was bolted shut and no one was admitted inside other than to drop off and collect her food dishes. The guards had not been allowed to speak with her.

Alahseey heard footsteps in the hallway, then watched as the bolt was drawn back. Two members of the crew stepped into the room: one a Lossoth, the other an Elf. Both were heavily armed. "You're to come with us, Elder Alahseey," the Lossoth directed. "If you come freely, we will not bind your arms or legs." She inclined her head in agreement, and stepped forward to walk beside them. The group continued down the corridor and mounted the ladder to the main deck where a large crowd had already gathered. On one side stood Luindal and his crew, including the Lossoth volunteers. On the other were the Elders and several trading agents employed by Igal who had been bringing provisions on board the ship since early morning.

Luindal stepped forward to start the meeting, addressing everyone in the common tongue. "We are here for two reasons. First, Hilde Halvardsdatter has brought formal accusation against Elder Alahseey, daughter of Ingrid the reindeer herder. Hilde charges Alahseey with slicing Galhardir's safety rope in two by using her own axe. After this happened, Galhardir plunged through the ice in rather suspicious circumstances and nearly lost his life in the swift currents of the Bay. Traces of shredded rope were later found on the Elder's axe, which she wore on a belt at her side."

Luindal sighed and shook his head, "I want this matter fairly and thoroughly investigated to see if Alahseey is guilty. But that is not all. Since our arrival at the Bay, it's clear someone on board this ship has been passing information on to the Corsairs. First, there was a mysterious landslide that conveniently covered up the door of the cavern while leaving everything else untouched. Surely, this was no accident. Outside our own group, only a few of the Elders even knew that we planned to search the caves that day. Secondly, I saw the Corsairs trudge northward in the early morning long before we ever left the ship and even before I told the rest of you where we were going. Either Marreth has the ability to read minds, which I think unlikely, or he has planted a spy in our midst. "

"While we can not be certain, the person who cut the rope is probably the informer. And all those old fishing holes that caved in are also suspicious From the beginning, I expected to have trouble with the Corsairs. But it concerns me far more to learn that we have a turntail in our own midst."

"I am asking for your help. If you have heard anything that suggests Alahseey's guilt or innocence, if you have any idea why the ice gave way, if you saw anyone acting in a suspicious mannner, or know why the Corsairs have so much knowledge of what we're doing, please come forward and speak up. Before Alahseey can be declared guilty, the Law of the Lossoth requires that at least two witnesses verify Hilde's claim as to the cutting of the rope or her part in the spying. I personally do not intend to leave here until we come to the bottom of this thing."

With that, Luindal stepped back and glanced around waiting for someone to speak....