Alexander stayed the night at the Vossler estate along with Viera, safe from the riots that broke out throughout the city. The guards that the nobles employed did their job to the best of their ability and the warrior was confident in their skill to keep the manor, and by extension, Silana safe. Yet, sleep would not come easy, and even without the noise of the mobs, Alexander couldn't get the king's killer out of his head. Something needed to be done.

He left the estate early with Viera and Griffin the next day. Alexander and Viera were both armed and in their usual armor while Griffin had stashed his Indigo disguise into a satchel he kept with him in case he was needed. The noble in particular was tired, having spent the night trying to figure out more about Trinia Sabor. The group carefully navigated their way through the streets, doing their best to avoid any shouting rioters that could provoke a fight.

"Were you able to find anything about Trinia?" Alexander asked Griffin after ensuring that no one else was listening in on them.

Griffin yawned. "Not too much but what I was able to find out should be enough. She's a local artist who was contracted by the king's chamberlain to paint a portrait of Eodred II around two weeks before his death."

"Do you think that she actually did it?" Viera questioned. "I have a hard time believing that a painter could assassinate the king."

"It's possible," Griffin noted, and after taking a moment to think it over, continued with his explanation. "She had to visit the castle on a daily basis. The guards would likely relax with their search of her equipment, possibly allowing her to smuggle something in to murder the king."

"But you think something's off," Viera said, predicting Griffin's answer.

The noble nodded. "What motive could she possibly have for killing the king? Looking at it from a political perspective, she gains nothing from his death."

"Could someone have contracted her to kill him?" Alexander questioned, tapping his chin in thought. "It could be the motive of someone else."

"Yes, but even then, I have my doubts," Griffin said and shook his head. "Surely, if money was the main reason for Trinia to take such a job, it would have to be a fortune, especially since she was already paid well for her portrait."

The conversation was ended by a scream. The trio rounded the corner quickly to see several citizens running away from a monster that the three recognized. It was a terrifying creature with three tentacles emerging from its body and a wide jaw. Alexander knew that Korvosa had otyughs in the sewers with the purpose of cleaning up the city's waste. They were never supposed to end up on the streets.

"How did an otyugh get here?" Viera asked as she took out her longsword.

"One of the mobs must have opened a plug that led to the sewers and it emerged from it," Griffin thought out loud while Alexander took out his flail and shield. "There's too many people around. I'm sorry but it's up to you two to kill it."

Before Alexander and Viera could charge the monster, an arrow sunk itself into the creature's side. The otyugh roared in pain and it grew louder when a glass struck into it and burst into fire, setting it aflame. The trio looked where the attack came from and were relieved to see Takota and Falenas coming from the direction of Citadel Volshyenek. With their aid, Alexander thought that they stood a better chance of keeping Korvosa safe.

Alexander charged forward, shouting out to catch the otyugh's attention so it didn't chase after Takota and Falenas. His flail was an inch short from striking the beast but he rammed into it as hard as he could with his shield. Although Griffin couldn't fight out of fear of people realizing his deception, the noble also shouted and stepped forward while waving his cane wildly. He proved to be a suitable enough distraction for Viera to strike into one of the otyugh's weak spots with her sword.

Although the otyugh had taken a beating, it wasn't going down without a fight. Its jaw lunged out toward Alexander, and although he did his best to escape from it, the monster's teeth sunk into his arm. The warrior pulled himself free although the damage had been done already. Its tentacles swung out toward Viera and Griffin. Although the aasimar kept one of its arms out from grasping Griffin, a second one slammed into her and lifted her up from the ground.

Fortunately, one final arrow fired by Takota was enough to bring the monster down. With one final roar, the otyugh was killed. Viera fell down to the ground, and after throwing the limp tentacle aside, healed herself with minor chanting. Falenas stepped forward alongside Takota and threw a vial towards Alexander. The warrior was quick to catch the vial with his good arm and downed its liquid contents. He could feel the wound on his arm heal from the alchemist's solution already.

Some of the people cheered at the otyugh's death before they ran, not wanting to risk further danger. Griffin looked at the corpse which was still on fire from Falenas' bomb.

"Should we put that out?" Griffin asked.

"If you have an idea on how to put it out, be my guest," Falenas said and rubbed his eyes with a groan. "Forgive me if I am more irritable today. I have yet to develop a viable cure for a hangover."

"Duly noted," Alexander said with a shrug. "Thanks for the help, the both of you."

"The field marshal sent us to find you," Takota explained and holstered his bow. "She wants to see us all."

"Then we shouldn't keep her waiting," Viera declared. "Let's keep moving."

The group didn't run into any further trouble on their way to Citadel Volshyenek. There were no more rampaging otyughs and they steered clear of the angry mobs to the best of their ability. The guards protecting the entrance to the citadel allowed the group in without question and they made their way towards Cressida's office. Although Alexander thought it would be polite to knock, Takota opened the door to her office immediately. Cressida, standing up behind her desk, beckoned for the group to enter.

Alexander stepped in alongside the rest of the group and noted that Cressida was just as tired as they were. There was no doubt that the surge of unrest in the city had kept her up. The warrior hoped to do what he could for the Korvosan Guard to restore peace and stability to Korvosa.

"It's good to see you've made it," Cressida said, her words directed at Alexander, Viera, and Griffin. "You've heard that the king's killer has been named by now. However, I'm afraid that there may be more happening than we know."

"What do you mean by that?" Alexander asked.

"Queen Ileosa could have had Trinia Sabor arrested quietly, but instead, she revealed Trinia's name to the city," Cressida explained. "It's almost as if she wants the riots to come back, and of course, if an angry mob finds Trinia, they will likely kill her themselves."

"Even if she did commit the crime, mob justice isn't true justice," Viera shook her head in disappointment. "Do we know for sure that she killed the king?"

"We have testimony from one of the guards at the castle," Cressida explained with a frown. "I was there with the queen and several others when the guard confessed to being part of the conspiracy and that Trinia slipped a powder into the king's tea the night he died."

Griffin nodded although he was quick to frown alongside the field marshal. "If possible, I would like to talk to this guard myself."

"I can see what I can do but I offer no promises," Cressida told Griffin. "If Trinia is innocent and is killed before that can be revealed, the real killer, if there is one, will go unnoticed. That's where you and your group come in."

"We're going to track her down then?" Alexander questioned. "And then what?"

"I'll work to ensure that she is questioned by the Korvosan Guard, and not the queen's agents," Cressida answered. "You'll need to catch her before someone else does."

"That may be more difficult than you think," Falenas said and crossed his arms. "If the whole city is looking for her, what hope do we have that we'll find her first?"

"Fortunately for you, I was able to find her last known address," Cressida informed the group. "You'll want to start your search at 42 Moon Street in Midland. That's where her flat is. However, if I was able to find this out, it's only a matter of time before more people discover her home as well."

"So we're to find Trinia and bring her here without anyone finding out," Griffin summarized. "And you're certain that the Korvosan Guard can be trusted not to tell the queen?"

Cressida sighed and shook her head. "I have loyal agents and I'll do what I can to see that they're the only ones who know. However, Queen Ileosa isn't satisfied with the Korvosan Guard or the Sable Marine Company as she thinks we're failing to keep the city safe. I've even heard rumors that she intends to disband both organizations and instill her own private guard."

"Could she really do that?" Alexander gasped.

"That makes it more important to find her then," Viera declared. "What are we waiting for?"

"We will be paid for this, yes?" Falenas asked, earning a glare from both Alexander and Viera. "What? Our actions may be seen as treasonous, especially if the queen tries to argue that we are helping a fugitive of the law escape justice. I want to ensure that we are compensated."

"If you return Trinia to Citadel Volshyenek alive, I will see that your group is paid a thousand gold," Cressida told Falenas, unbothered by his question. "I still remember the deal we've made."

"That is suitable," Falenas said with a nod. "We shouldn't wait any longer."

Alexander nodded in agreement with Falenas, and with a nod of acknowledgment from Cressida, the group left her office. The warrior was caught thinking about what they were about to do. He knew it was his duty with the Korvosan Guard to see Trinia apprehended but remembered Falenas' words. Keeping the queen in the dark about their actions wasn't good in his mind, even in spite of the rumors revolving around her. He kept those opinions to himself, unsure of if the rest of the group would agree with him.

After leaving Citadel Volshyenek, Griffin motioned for the group to step aside to an alleyway for them to talk in private. The group gathered around, taking a brief moment to come up with a plan.

"The four of you can continue without me for a few minutes," Griffin said. "I'll catch up with you. However, before we leave, we have to make sure that we're on the same page about what we are doing."

"What do you mean?" Viera asked.

"How far will we go to ensure Trinia is treated with fairness throughout her ordeal?" Griffin asked the group. "I imagine that although we all will do what we can for the Korvosan Guard, we may have to consider what will happen if the queen discovers what we're planning."

Falenas shrugged. "Truth be told, I could care less if Trinia is innocent or guilty. However, Cressida is the one paying us, not Ileosa, and for what it's worth, I may be attached to this little group of ours. I'll stand by with the majority."

"Iomedae would want to see justice carried out," Viera said with a nod. "If Trinia is guilty, she will be brought to justice, but only through a fair trial with all of the facts brought to light. I will not see her killed before then."

"I'll do what I can but I would like to remind everyone that we have a guard's testimony that Trinia was involved in the king's death," Alexander pointed out. "I believe that the mobs are the true danger to her, not Queen Ileosa."

"I still have questions for the guard to see if his testimony is reliable but that will come later," Griffin said and turned to Takota. "What do you have to say on the matter, Takota? I'm interested in what you have to say about our politics."

Takota glanced at each member of the group briefly before speaking. "Trinia Sabor is innocent."

"That is a bold claim," Falenas said with a chuckle. "Do you know something we don't?"

"I don't," Takota grunted.

Griffin smirked. "I trust what your gut tells you, Takota, but we will need to find her. Will that be a problem?"

"It won't," Takota answered. "I trust Cressida will keep her safe."

"Even if she is innocent, we'll need to prove that," Alexander frowned. "I'm just not sure how."

"One thing at a time," Viera told the group. "Let's find her first and proceed from there."

With no disagreements, Viera left the alleyway with Alexander, Takota, and Falenas joining her. Griffin went the opposite way, looking for somewhere private to assume his identity as Indigo. Alexander wasn't sure what to think about Trinia's innocence or if Queen Ileosa was plotting something in the background. It was all too much for the simple warrior to take in. What he did know was that it was his role to do what he could to make Korvosa a better place, and right now, that meant capturing someone accused of killing King Eodred II.

A/N: Here's another update. Even though it'll be a while for next chapter, I'm very excited yet afraid to write it. In my mind, the next chapter could be one of the best chapters in this story, hence the excitement. Yet, I am worried if I will have the skill as a writer to bring the scene in my mind to life for the reader. Hopefully I'll write something that'll impress everyone, but for now, I return to focus on other projects.

Until next time.