"The Murder of Prince Belirendrick"
by Bard D'Zoluren Ilaina De'swan

Greetings to all whom peruse these pages. My name is Ilaina De'swan and I am here to bring to you some information about the Prince of Zoluren, and the events surrounding his untimely demise.

It started out quietly enough. The prince, tired of constant travel from moving to the various estates of his subjects, decided that he and his entourage would retire to the Desilveron mansion to take up permanent residence. The prince has always been one to love a good party and requested a ball be set up in his honor. He also wanted to welcome those of his subjects who wished to meet him to do so.

On the day of the ball the air was full of anticipation. I remember roaming around the mansion making sure everything was just right. I was placed in charge of the entertainment and was so happy to have the Troupe of the Four Winds and the Tavern Troupe there to play for the Highness and his guests. The wine flowed freely and there was plenty of delicious food. I for one loved the chocolate dipped cherries and still remember them with delight. If only the rest of the evening had been so delightful.

Amongst the dancing and dining, the laughter and the song, a plot was being carried out against the prince. I remember hearing of the prince being led to his bedchambers, seemingly tired from a night of reveille. As he was an older man this was not unexpected, but the tolling of his death came as a vibrant shock. Even more shocking was that it seemed he was poisoned, and then questions began.

Who could have done it? Why? How? Questions abounded and so little was known.

It fell to me to travel to the Prince's relatives and friends and inform them of his passing. Thus, I was unable to attend the memorial service. I was able to interview some of those that attended and get their thoughts. I sat with Salamae, Storym, Sharyn and Lilea in the bards backroom of the Bard D'ors shop and discussed how they felt the Prince's memorial went.

I wanted to know what stuck out in their minds about the memorial service. They thought that the grief of Lady Lindryl was very clear, and you could feel the loss in the room. They praised the Lord Sirolarn 's speech and Sharyn said it gave her shivers, that he expressed his grief with sadness as well as grace. They also mentioned that the Mayor was sucked into something mysterious and was dropped at the grave of the prince. Which sounded interesting and scary to me. Storym praised the Bards that performed. He said they were wonderful. The Tavern Troupe and the Troupe of the Four Winds preformed as they had for the ball.

artwork by Psychi

I also asked them if they had attended the Trial and the words of Salamae words stick in my mind still. She said, "they need to look beyond the Diva, things go much deeper than one loud frivolous woman." Which sets the tone for my information on the trial.

I had looked forward to the day of the trial, hoping it would be the day to finally put to rest the spirit of the prince. I wanted to lift my voice to the wind and have it carry to him the news of justice. But it was not to be.

It was crowded in the amphitheater as I made my way in. I waited quietly with the others as the Bailiff Sybina entered to call order, for the judge was to make his entrance. Then slowly the Barristers entered along with the accused, the Diva Kouritza. She was dressed well, if a bit on the brazen side but maybe she felt warm. The trial was called to order and began with opening arguments, each of the barristers making their points about the guilt or innocence of the Diva Kouritza.

The Prosecuting Barrister Famiel then called his witnesses and I would share some of their points with you. The witnesses where Rayth Blackmore, Kithria Dustdanser, and a testimony from Firannion.

It was asked of Rayth Blackmore what was his association with the Diva Kouritza. He pointed out it was not a close association but more of a chance meeting at the Masked Ball. Were upon he was told that she made herself out to be a wonderful singer but no one knew of her. Here is just a bit of what was said by Rayth Blackmore and the barrister.

Famiel asks, "Can you please describe her general behavior at the Ball?"

Rayth says, "She was very annoyed by the presence of commoners, and considering some of them present, I cannot say that was overly odd."

Famiel asks, "Was there anything unusual about her behavior?"

Rayth says, "During the time that she did so, she was seen to lean over the Prince's cup."

Famiel asks, "Have you seen or interacted with her since the ball?"

Rayth says, "Yes, slightly, after the funeral of the late Prince."

Famiel asks, "Could you please describe what you saw?"

Rayth says, "She sang again, to those in the amphitheater, here."

Rayth says, "Then, she kissed her handkerchief, and dropped it, before rushing off."

Rayth says, "She did not seem particularly somber considering the circumstances of the event."

Rayth says, "Her demeanor was much as it is now, despite the fact that the proper decorum would be a degree of mourning."

Her demeanor certainly was not one that was fit for the circumstances she presently found herself in. It continued through the next witness, who had been with of the Troupe of Four Winds and had been performing when the Dive Kouritza barged in and demanded to perform for the Prince. Here are some statements from the witness Kithria Dustdanser and the defense barrister.

Zenaiya asks, "Ms. Dustdanser, was not the Diva escorted into the study by Vorclaf himself?"

Kithria says, "Nae. I do believe twas th' captain of the Guard. Vorclaf and th' Prince both were quite enjoying my song of the Riverhaven Bride."

Zenaiya asks, "How do you come to the conclusion that neither the Prince nor Vorclaf knew the Diva?"

Kithria says, "since I was nae in th' mind of either, I couldnae tell ye if either pretended t' know her, but both asked and remarked on her title and asked where she came from."

Zenaiya asks, "As you are not privy to the thoughts of the Prince and Vorclaf, your assessment of their knowledge would be suspect, would it not?"

Kithria says, "They asked aloud. "

At that point there was some disruption in the court and order had to be called by the judge. Next there was a statement from Firannion the leader of The Troupe of the Four Winds, who was unable to attend. It for the most part went in the same vain of Kithria's testimony, describing the behavior of the Diva.

Just as I was to go to the witness stand a commotion occurred, out of the top of the Diva's amble cleavage there fell a vial and all order seemed to leave the court. Councilor Zhakhh was brought forth and questioned about the use of poisons and the possibility of vials being used to carry them. Could such a container have been used to hold the poison that killed the Prince? The Diva herself seemed to become agitated and loud, she had to eventually be detained by the guards and taken away. Finally, Lord Sirolarn brought some order to the court with a small speech. He wishes to see justice done, but there were too many questions left unanswered to fully convict The Diva. It was then determined that there would be further investigation into the murder and justice will have to wait for another day.

I will continue to wait in hopes that one day soon that justice will be found. Until that time I bid you all a good day, and wish for you the joy of song.