Considering what she knew, she had good reason to suspect not speaking to the fisherman was not going to hurt her terribly.  Really, this 'rat lord' seemed to fit with what she knew of the crime; the death was by a swarm of rats, after all, who better to control them than their lord?<br/><br/>For the moment she had to table it'; the Defenders just kicked-<br/><br/>"By the stones, I unlocked it for you!" she growled as they entered, moving to her feet with a frown. "Damnation, that bill is on you!"<br/><br/>Velma sighed though and raised her hands, indicating she was unarmed and not attempting to be a threat.  Even made sure to set her daggers out on the table with the crossbow, just in case.<br/><br/>"My name is Velma Thunderaxe of the Thunderaxe Clan, I am currently unarmed but I am a registered alchemist with reagents on my person.  The fisherman whom lives here allowed me into his home and I was immediately ambushed by three cloaked individuals with weapons as they sent the fisherman and his wife into the back bedroom.  The one with the silver crossbow bolts attempted to coerce and threaten me with bodily harm, and when I refused to listen to his demands he and the other now deceased man began to assault me.  Fearing for my life I employed lethal force in subduing those two as the third individual - a woman I believe - fled in the direction of the bedroom to escape, and was gone by the time I had subdued these two.  I discovered as I waited for you to arrive that the man with the silver crossbow bolts is a member of the Cabal and that he intended premeditated harm unto my person."<br/><br/>"I intend to fully cooperate with the Defenders of Laelith barring breach of my rights as  the first and only registered Native Citizen of Laelith and on the condition that I not be manacled, shackled, and otherwise fettered," she stated, keeping her arms raised. "Such devices would be ineffective anyway on me."