She smiled.<br/><br/>Kind words, all of you, and you are all correct in many ways, and I agree. First, however, I would have the report from Enastril that I had asked for. Once that is given, the rest of us will talk she said, making it clear that what she was going to propose, did not involve the Bladesinger, but did involve a decision based on the outcome of the information that she had asked for him to give her.<br/><br/>With that, he rose. Your Majesty he said, staying on his feet to address her, while the others took seats. He knew that he was not going to be privy to further involvement at this point, and he knew that part of it stemmed from his prejudices. He pointedly avoided looking at Arion's daughters, and especially his cousin's adopted daughter, during this time.<br/><br/>As your majesty requested, I checked all of the hidden and secret ways around the mythals and the hidden entrances to the area that the bladesingers use, and the areas that are 'dead' to the protective wards. There are no signs that anything was tampered with, no one has seen anyone or any evidence of anyone using them, and none of the alarms have been raised. None of the items that the King's protectors use to bypass these wards have been handed out recently, nor have any gone missing. After a thorough examination and discussion with both the Arcane Council, the Pathfinders and the Bladesingers, I have come to the conclusion that it was, as the evidence suggests, not someone inside the realm, nor was it someone that is familiar with the ways around the wards. It was, in my opinion, someone or something from the outside. Also, investigations and interviews do not place any of our people in an unusual place, or with a different schedule than normal on that day, and there is no sign of any of our people missing or acting oddly after the fact as well. Again, my conclusions are that it was not someone from our people. As you know, the King's Garden is adjacent to a large, vast expanse of forested and hilly regions, that could provide the perfect opportunity for someone cunning to enter our lands undetected, even though it would be difficult. After speaking with the Arcane Council, they have ruled out the wards being disabled.<br/><br/>He bowed when finished.<br/><br/>Thank you for your candor, and I appreciate your efforts on my behalf. That will be all for now she said, and he showed himself out.<br/><br/>She then turned to Aysia.<br/><br/>That leaves you my little panther. If I am correct, you discovered something unusual, correct?<br/><br/>The copper elf druid nodded. Yes your majesty. When you asked me to examine the garden, and surrounding forest with eyes and ears that only an animal could, I came upon something interesting a few miles into the woods. A clearly disturbed area, disturbed recently about the time of the King's death. Faint tracks lead from it, to the King's Garden. It would seem that the first point of examination should be there she said.<br/><br/>The queen smiled. Very good, very good indeed. I knew I could count on you. I would like you to take the others there. In effect, I would like you all to look into what I believe is an assassination. Aysia has provided the first real lead. Those officials I have asked to look into things, haven't been able to turn up anything really detailed yet. I believe that you all can. I hear the whispers, that my son is to blame. I do not believe that. Not at all. This is about finding out who killed my husband, your grandfather and King, and proving Arion's innocence as well. The two did not see eye to eye on the method's used to achieve the ends in some endeavors, but they did not dislike each other, not at all. Yes, you were not told of the details, and I am not sure that you want to know, although I suspect that you do. First, I will ask you, will you do this for me? ? While there is an official investigation, I know that it is tainted by the rumors, innuendo and suggestions about what my son has or has not done. I fear that the investigation will lead away from the Cloakwood, indeed far away more than likely, and that it will require travel, and danger. I need those close to me who are willing to follow every lead, to do so.<br/><br/>She was tired, so very tired, and sound like it.<br/><br/>Some would say that I am a little paranoid perhaps, but that is not the case. I want every stone unturned, instead of a witch hunt to follow, with too much focus on Arion, I fear that other leads might dry up. If my son is to blame, then justice will be done, but if he is not, I don't want anyone to get away.