Queen Violet Flame stood at the balcony of the palace, looking down at the land around her palace. The sun was cresting the horizon, bathing the land in orange and yellow light. Below, Kota was just getting out of her cell. It appeared one of the guards was taunting Kota as he let her out. Violet's lips crested to a frown. I really have to do something about the guards who treat her rudely, she thought to herself. Kota's been through enough in her life.
A page in the royal Purplexia garb hurried in. "My liege?"
Violet turned. "Yes, what is it, child?"
"Master Hoke wanted me to tell you that he is ready for the interrogation of the assassin," the boy said.
Master Hoke was the head of her interrogators. He trained others to get secrets out of other people. Likely, this bout would involve a bit of torture. Hoke did tend to be a bit of a sadist at times.
Violet let the boy lead her to the torture room. Master Hoke was there, along with a few of his apprentices and, oddly enough, Phoenix. The assassin, an orc woman who managed to look stunning even when in prison garb, sat in the chair, hands and feet cuffed to the arms and legs of the chair with manacles.
"Phoenix," Violet asked, walking over to him, "What are you doing here?"
"I came here to see the interrogation," Phoenix replied in a smooth, monotone voice. It was nothing like the tone he'd had last night. Tired and frightened. Either he'd gotten over it or he was hiding his emotions. "I was the one who heard what she said to me. I figure that will be of some use, yes?"
"Of course. What had she said to you, exactly?"
"I was already asked, and a scribe has written it down. But I will relay it to you." He paused a moment, and then said in a low effeminate voice, "This is where it ends. After I kill you, then Purplexia will be without most of it's power. Soon, Queen Rosa Dream will control this world, and me alongside her."
Violet felt a chill. Not at Phoenix's perfect replication of the assassin's voice; she was used to him pulling tricks seemingly from nowhere. No, it was the words that chilled her.
"She mentioned my sister, and yet we have no definite proof she is involved in this other than this knave's words," she said carefully.
"Yes, but it makes perfect sense!" cried out Master Hoke. "My liege, you well know your sister hates you intensely, and would do anything to off you. This makes sense!"
"I apologize, Master Hoke, but I thought we were here to pry secrets out of this assassin, and not just take one sentence she said for truth," Violet said coolly.
Hoke paused a moment. "Ah. Right." The man could be a bit of a dullard at times.
They all turned to the assassin. She was watching them with a bit of a bemused expression. "Would you like to do the interrogating, or should I?" asked Hoke.
"I wish to participate in this one, thank you." Violet turned towards the assassin. "Who do you work for?" she asked.