Skuld hummed as she removed the pie from the oven, its herbs producing a wonderful smell.
"Now Skuld, I know you had nothing to do with the incident at tea yesterday…", her warden said as the vixen set the pie on the table.
"Yes sir.", she said, careful to keep a respectful tone in light of recent events.
"However you may be summoned to answer questions in front of the inquest tonight.", the colonel stated as he sat down at the table.
"Yes sir.", Skuld acknowledged, as she sliced the pie up. "Sir if I might ask?"
"Yes girl?", Tarquin asked.
"What do you expect will happen?"
"Given that nobeast was injured, Adraste will hopefully be let off with a whipping and a few days in a cell.", the hare answered.
"What about not hopefully, sir?", Skuld asked, setting the colonel's portion on the plate in front of him.
Tarquin sighed. "Worst case scenario, she could be executed."
The vixen stiffened, the spatula dropping from her paw onto the table. "B-but sir, all she did was toss a cupful of tea."
"Yes I know…", the colonel began, grasping Skuld by the shoulders in attempt to calm her. "However, the lady heard of it and ordered an inquest."
"What will the inquest entail, sir?"
"The five of us who were in attendance will likely be asked questions and the lady will pass sentence.", Tarquin said. "Hopefully Adraste will behave herself at the hearing."
"Sir may I take Adraste her portion of the pie and attempt to impress upon her the importance of her conduct tonight?"
"Yes we should do that.", the colonel replied, taking a bite of the pie. "Right after supper wot wot."
Adraste sat in her cell, fiddling with the chains that bound her wrists as she put her foot paws against the door and leaned against the wall.
Five seasons, he says, she thought grimly, staring at the barred door in front of her.
"On your paws, vermin!", a hare said as he appeared in front of the door, a whip dangling from his paw. "You've a visitor wot wot."
Adraste got up and leaned back on the wall.
"Attention!", Colonel Tarquin's voice boomed as he entered the prison, Skuld following meekly behind.
"Hello.", Skuld said as she stepped in front of the cell door. "Pie."
"Thanks.", Adraste said as the took the small basket through the bars.
"Now, ward, we need to discuss the hearing tonight.", Tarquin said as the mink took a bite of the pie. "Now, it is of the upmost importance for to keep your behavior and tongue civil."
He is right, we need to not draw attention to ourselves and wait for an opportunity, Skuld said, reaching into her satchel. Also I need you to command your little monster to listen to me.
She pulled Bapbapos, still in the form of a scorpion, out by his tail.
You do not command me, oracle of Coeus, the daemon grumbled telepathically.
"Hello Bapbapos.", Adraste said, taking her familiar from the vixen.
Good evening, mistress, Bapbapos replied as the mink held him.
"Now girl, the lady has informed me…", the colonel began.
Now, Adraste, we need to keep our heads at the hearing, Skuld said. When I asked the colonel, he said there was a chance the lady might execute you over last night's incident.
Urgh, these woodlanders…, Adraste grumbled, taking another bite of the pie.
"If you show that you can behave yourself during the hearing, the lady assures me she will be lenient.", the colonel finished.
"If she is lenient, what is likely to happen?", Adraste asked.
"Don't talk with your mouth full, young lady.", Tarquin admonished, tapping the mink on the head with his pace stick. "You will likely be flogged and might spend some time in a cell."
"And if she's not?"
"She may have you executed for your defiance."
Adraste sighed. "Fine, I'll behave at the hearing."
"Good girl.", Tarquin said.
What should I do, mistress?, her cacodaemon asked.
Bapbapos, should I end up staying here for a spell, you are to follow Skuld's commands in both letter and spirit, understand?, the young witch replied sternly.
Yes mistress, he grumbled.
"What should we do to prepare for the hearing, sir?", Skuld asked turning to face Tarquin.
"Skuld, you should continue behaving yourself as you have thus far and you…", the colonel said, pointing his pace stick at Adraste. "…should attempt to emulate her behavior."
"Yes sir.", Adraste said, gritting her teeth as she did so.
"Good girl, we will return to fetch you later.", Tarquin said.
