Guilty Until Proven Innocent?

While eating breakfast with the others at the Geldenstag, Guard Karla came in to advise us of Verrick's arraignment, and then pulled me aside for a personal matter. She advised Alinar had worked late last night, trying to fix the mess left by Janjan. She advised he had a visitor, a human lady and she saw them walking hand in hand. She's heard the rumor's that some of our family members wouldn't take kindly to my children finding company with humans. While not entirely false, she is not aware that the fear stems from my father, that bastard. I'm sure if they proved to be a member in high standing with society, that fear would mostly be alleviated. Karla also mentioned that Dwari was still there and when he left, he had a pep in his step, talking about buying new boots or something like that. This can only mean he has already been to Vesstan's parents house and informed his father about Alinar and his lady friend. Karla was very uncomfortable telling me this, but I very much appreciated her letting me know.
 
After speaking with Karla, we immediately left for Town hall so that we could attend Verrick's arraignment and see what evidence they have against him. The prosecutor is a Rennor Eilvaris, and from what Verrick says he saw, he is either related to, or very close to the victim. This does not bode well for our side. Verrick's public defender is Lenny Lazard, and I have zero faith he will successfully defend Verrick. I'll have to see if Vesstan's Uncle, Voran Endan, would be available to defend Verrick. They are the best I know.
 
Here is the supposed evidence they have against Verrick:
1. Verrick was seen standing alone over the body of the latest victim, this is the most damning piece of evidence in my opinion
2. All victims were killed by some form of magic, and Verric is one of a few in town.
3. the latest victim was holding brown hair - Verricks is black and purple - this does not prove innocence, but should be a point in our favor
4. His family history, which is the worst piece of evidence. The Blackstone name is a marked name in this city. His mother is a drunk who claims she is a fearsome pirate in the south. His father is a known thief, his grandfather a gambler, and they say his grandmother is just a waste of space who does nothing all day.
 
Verrick was offered two options.
1. plead no contest and be banished from Bryn Shander, never to be seen again.
2. got to trial and risk being found guilty - punishment being burned at the stake.
 
Verrick chose to go to trial, but he has offered little in the way of defense. Just mutterings that he is innocent. He needs to supply proof, or I fear the worst. As the arraignment was wrapping up Shrekky burst in. He said he smelled the murderer again and they were leaving town. He said he was certain the murderer was not Verrick. Unfortunately, Rennor got ahold of Shrekky and twisted his words, making it seem as though Verrick is paying Shrekky to aid. We may still be able to use him, but we need much more solid evidence. Verrick was remanded into my custody, and now we have to prove his innocence as his trial is in 29 days.
 
While we were chatting Millen, Patriarch Endan's handmaid delivered some invitations for a tea festival and dance. They want to meet Amarille's partner and have demanded Alinar bring a respectable guest. I fear there is more to this than they are saying. They also invited Eliodiel.
 
Before leaving I pulled Alinar aside, I wanted to warn him of Dwari and to be careful with who he is seen with, I just want him to be happy, but his grandparents can be a lot to deal with and love to meddle. I also wanted to warn him to be careful with work, sharing our fears that these murders may be tied into the lottery somehow. In turn, he asked me to speak with a dwarf name Hruna. She needed assistance fetching her groups cart they lost when they were attacked by Yeti. We agreed to fetch the sled in return for a ruby worth 50 gold per person.
 
Before we left on this mission we stopped by the archives to see if Verrick could make contact with his acquaintance Callista. She refused to show face, until Verrick was left alone, she somehow slipped him a sales receipt for goods from Torrga's merchant caravan. I wonder if this Callista person actually exists, is he seeing people that aren't really there, could he have an entity living in him that takes over and acts as someone else? I've heard of this happening, though have never witnessed it.
 
We left to go fetch Hruna's cart, but got caught up in a snow storm. Fortunately Khuno came with and helped shelter me from the storm. I owe him some extra treats. The next day, we found the sled being guarded by Goblins. Luckily Lady Evelyn was able to bargain with them and in exchange for her bagged lunch we were able to take the cart and be on our way.
 
When we returned back to town, Guard Karla had been relegated to gate duty. She said it was because she had refused to confirm Dwari's information to an elf who sought her out and so the Speaker was pressured to punish her outside the town hall as punishment. I feel bad she has to suffer the cold this way, but I do appreciate her loyalty. I just hope she doesn't get punished any further.
 
I ended the evening with a nice chat with Lady Evelyn. I will not put in here what we discussed, for fear my journal my end up in the wrong hands, but we have our work cut out for us.