Nadia’s Case Comes Before the Court

LOCATIONS: Turmus — Tea Room, Magistrate Office, my home, and Palace Courtroom.

TIMES: SLT.

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JOURNAL ENTRY

Today was the day of the trial. I began early at the Tea Room, making a pot of blackwine and sharing it with Jedda before Odette arrived. I intended to review my notes and see that the papers reached Kelli. Odette reminded me about the 4 p.m. class, and I thanked her for prompting me to attend to its cancellation.

Gaius found me at my desk later in the morning. He was curious about the case, but I kept the details limited and invited him to hear them in court. Our conversation turned to the protection of Free Women and the need for men to respond when a woman cries for help or an alarm sounds. I remembered the Warriors of Fina, their regular patrols and tournaments, and wondered how newer fighters could be better taught.

Ink joined us, followed by Kael. There was laughter over her name and some talk of our history together. Kael again encouraged me to rest in the preparation I had already done. He offered two questions to keep the case focused: could a Free Woman open her door safely in Turmus, and, if Nadia intended seduction, why had she raised the alarm?

There was a warmer turn to the conversation as well. Kael spoke, hypothetically, of a proposal, a lengthy courtship, and who might officiate. Nothing was settled, but I admitted that I was thinking more about the man than the ceremony. I am enjoying the time we spend together and the kindness he has shown me.

At the office, I worked with the records boxes, though the folders seemed to show titles without contents. When Kelli joined us, he clarified an important point: Nadia was the plaintiff, Edward the defendant, and I would prosecute in Trent’s absence. That gave me a firmer understanding of my place in the proceedings.

Nadia came to my home in the afternoon, and we spent considerable time going through possible questions and the order of the court. It was her first experience of a trial. Some of my wording confused her, and she explained that direct questions in complete sentences would help. I reminded her to ask for clarification whenever she did not understand and to keep to the truth.

The preparation also corrected my own understanding. Nadia explained more precisely where she had stood, how the conversation developed, and what she said happened after Edward entered. I needed to listen carefully rather than hurry her toward the sequence I expected. The linked seating caused trouble, too; I put that repair aside for tomorrow.

By late afternoon, we made our way to the Palace Courtroom. Ink was to remain at the back. Aries offered encouragement, and Kael was there as well.

Kelli opened court at 5 p.m. When called upon, I presented Nadia as a Free Woman protecting her home and person. I asked the court to consider her call for help and to examine any claim justifying enslavement against the evidence and Turmus law.

The proceedings did not unfold exactly as I had pictured them. I tried to call Nadia before the witness stage, and Kelli corrected me. Later, he cautioned me against leading her while I was clarifying distance inside the kitchen. I accepted the direction and continued.

Nadia gave her account of Edward entering without invitation, removing his boots, ignoring her request to leave, touching her, pulling at her clothing, and threatening to claim she had invited him. Jessika’s opening and Edward’s later testimony offered a very different account: that Nadia invited him, removed his boots, and attempted to seduce him.

During Jessika’s questioning of Nadia, I moved to strike and admonish after a statement attributed to Tayir was introduced. Kelli questioned whether the required conditions for accepting slave testimony had been met. Jessika said she had requested the procedure but had no proof it had occurred, and agreed to strike her statement about Tayir.

Edward then gave his account. I listened for the points I would need to address, but the evening had grown long. At 7:53 p.m., Kelli recessed the court before my cross-examination and instructed us to prepare our closing statements for the return.

There was no verdict. My work on this case continues.

Afterward, I told Kael that it had not gone as I had imagined and that I was glad I had listened to his advice. He offered encouragement and a hug. It had been a demanding day, but I had stood before the court and presented Nadia’s account. Now I must prepare for the questions still to come.

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MEETING AND WORK SUMMARIES

MORNING PREPARATION — 3:36–3:56 A.M., TEA ROOM

I shared blackwine with Jedda and spoke with Odette about the 5 p.m. trial. She reminded me about the 4 p.m. class. At 4 a.m., the calendar display showed the noon lesson but no afternoon session. This log does not record the noon lesson being taught.

GAIUS, INK, AND KAEL — 6:32–8:59 A.M.

Gaius and I discussed the case in general terms, respect for Free Women, alarm response, and Warrior training. Ink arrived at 7:34 a.m.; Kael joined at 7:44 a.m.

Kael advised keeping the case focused on Nadia’s home and her call for assistance. He also encouraged rest rather than last-minute cramming. Our talk of a possible future companionship remained hypothetical.

RECORDS AND KELLI — 9:39–10:32 A.M., MAGISTRATE OFFICE

I encountered difficulty viewing the contents of the records folders. Kelli said he had been preparing additional folders.

At 10:24–10:26 a.m., he identified Nadia as plaintiff and Edward as defendant, confirming that I would prosecute because Trent could not attend. He also reminded us to close the office door. I explained that I open it while working and close it when leaving; he accepted that.

NADIA — 2:05–4:08 P.M., MY HOME

We reviewed court procedure, practiced questions, and clarified her account. I explained that I was acting as Advocate and Kelli as Magistrate.

Nadia corrected my understanding of her position outside the doorway and described the conversation preceding Edward’s entry. She asked for complete, plainly worded questions. I told her to ask for rephrasing when necessary and not answer a question she did not understand. This was preparation, separate from the testimony later given in court.

Nadia identified linked animated furniture as the likely cause of the seating trouble. I said I would repair it tomorrow.

NADIA VS. EDWARD — 5:00–7:53 P.M., PALACE COURTROOM

• 5:00–5:14 p.m.: Kelli opened court, gave the rules, identified the claim, and called on me.
• 5:16–5:17 p.m.: I gave my opening statement, focusing on Nadia protecting her home and person and seeking help.
• 5:27 p.m.: Kelli clarified that witnesses would be called after opening statements and presentation of evidence.
• 5:32–5:37 p.m.: Jessika opened for Edward, alleging invitation and attempted seduction by Nadia and arguing that her conduct warranted a collar.
• 5:45–6:47 p.m.: I questioned Nadia. She identified herself as a citizen and described the alleged entry and unwanted contact. She said Edward did not shove her to enter because the passage was wide enough. Kelli cautioned me against leading her at 6:09 p.m.
• 6:39–6:45 p.m.: Kelli asked about Jessika’s arrival after the incident. She confirmed attending afterward and filing the report, while denying witnessing the incident itself. He allowed proceedings to continue.
• 7:02–7:25 p.m.: Jessika cross-examined Nadia about medical attention, companionship, and her reaction. Nadia denied seduction and distinguished unwanted touching from physical injury. A statement attributed to Tayir prompted Kelli’s questions about admissibility and my motion to strike and admonish. Jessika agreed to strike her statement about Tayir.
• 7:28–7:52 p.m.: Edward testified under Jessika’s questioning. He alleged Nadia invited him in and removed his boots. I objected when Jessika read his reported account. No explicit ruling on that objection is recorded. Kelli stopped a question asking Edward whether Nadia should be collared, saying that was not Edward’s decision.
• 7:53 p.m.: Kelli recessed before my cross-examination of Edward. He directed counsel to prepare closing statements. No verdict or return date was announced in this session.

AFTER COURT — 7:58–8:03 P.M.

Kael encouraged me. I told him the hearing had differed from what I expected and thanked him for his guidance.

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TO-DOS / FOLLOW-UP

• Confirm the resumed hearing date and time with Kelli.
• Prepare Edward’s cross-examination using his testimony and the material accepted by the court.
• Update the closing statement to address the testimony actually heard.
• Confirm any unresolved evidentiary questions and my request to recall Nadia if needed.
• Use complete, clear questions and allow Nadia to request clarification.
• Record the recess and remaining stages in the case paperwork.
• Follow up on the records-box contents and folder access.
• Check the delivery and filing of the papers intended for Kelli; receipt is not established in this log.
• Repair the linked animated seating at home.

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