After a night of torture to try and get information, Sheena leaving around midnight to get rest for the next day, she has awoken early in the morning and begins to walk to the dungeon after getting equipped in her armor with her sword strapped to her waist. This time she has to walk even deeper into the dungeon, where a special type of cell lies with a chair inside of it for torture to be performed on those deserving of it. It is seldom used, though when it is, it gets violent to an upsetting degree that is unfortunately necessary sometimes. Though this is Sheena's first-time making use of it, and she hopes that it does not become a common occurrence, as although she may threaten violence, she would prefer not to use it. Both for clean-up reasons and the morality of it.

As she reaches this cell and orders the soldiers guarding it to allow her inside, she can immediately see that the ex-royal guard, now traitor, Sarah Esabelle McCafee, has a few bruises here and there with her hair a mess. She sits in an old wooden that has no padding and is quite uncomfortable, and her hands are tied together behind it with her feet, now bare, tied to the chair legs by the ankles. She is stationery and the chance of escape without some outside force is now impossible whilst previously it was just really difficult. "Ms. Sarah, how have you been? Are your fingers feeling any better?" She asks as she approaches, referencing how one manner of torture was that of ripping her fingernails out. A ghastly practice that Sheena also sees as such, but that is one tried and true method to get what you want. Sarah seems completely out of it with a tired and emotionless face. "Are you ready to speak yet? If you can answer a few questions we will stop. You drove us to this point." She tells Sarah.

Sheena does not wish to continue this torture, as for her first time ever using such a vile practice, she is hating herself for it. She did kill the former captain, Captain Heartfelt pretty ruthlessly when Haden was trying to usurp the throne, but this is different. Both traitors, but one was given a pretty immediate death while the other is being made to suffer, not given that luxury. Beaten like a dog and hurting from head to toe yet not able to react to such pain, Sarah can't take it anymore. Her previous bravado has been smashed to bits, and a ghost cannot exhibit such emotion. "I..." She has to use practically all of her strength to simply move her head up to look at Sheena. "I am..." Sarah tells her breathing lightly, which shows that she is struggling to even stay amongst the living right now.

Standing before her and relieved that she's caved finally, Sheena wishes to never relive doing things such as this. But she does not have the time to waste, so she pulls out a pen and pad to write down her answers. "Okay then... First question." She tries to not break as she looks at Sarah. "Tell me: Why did you betray us?" She asks, "Why did you betray your queen?" The thing at the forefront of her mind right now is the 'why' of it, she just has to figure out what has led them to these circumstances first and foremost.

Sarah looks at the floor as she thinks of how to answer that question, in terrible pain all the while. She takes a deep breath before she finally speaks. "My family was- was always poor... We always... Always struggled to make it, only being able to- to make do with what we could." She explains, "And it is only getting harder day by day... I've seen my family since she took the crown, and they are skin and bones... More than I've ever seen. I pledged my support for this- this cause for the sake of bettering their chances to make it yet more days." She says in clear anger despite her lack of energy and trouble breathing.

Even if Sheena does not think that she should have done what she did, she can at least understand why she would feel such anger. But it does not excuse treason in the least. "I see. I am sorry to hear that." She replies, not knowing exactly what else to say beyond it and opting to write it on the paper. "My next question would be: How did you learn of the plan beforehand, as the average soldier involved in the operation was not told until it came time for it." She says, wondering one of the biggest questions she has on her mind when it comes to the 'how' of it.

Luckily, unlike prior, Sarah immediately thinks of an answer and has gathered the energy to speak quicker than before. "I... I accompanied my super- superior to the room where planning was taking place... He allowed me after I requested it." Saying this, she looks back up at Sheena with her bruised face sinking in for her. "I took advantage of his trust. He wasn't a conspir- conspirator. Don't blame him for that." She says to Sheena, showing a surprising amount of care that was not expected.

As Sheena writes this answer down as well to keep further track of what Sarah tells her and readies her next question in the meantime. This next one is more of a question to prove an answer given to her by the guy they captured in said operation, Lachlan Abney. She has a doubt in her mind about if he has even told her the truth about being the culprit, since he could have easily been a plant to cover up the real culprit. "Now, tell me this... Who was it that attempted to kill the queen?" She asks her, holding the note pad and ready to write the next answer down.

This time, Sarah seems a bit dodgy about answering this question, but she does answer it after a moment of thought. She knows that now she won't have much longer left herself, and so feels like it no longer matters to keep such loyalties. "Adam Weaver... His name is Adam Weaver, and he serves... The true king of the isles..." She answers, a confidence in unveiling such information that shows how she is letting go of her care.

It makes things easier this way, but it is a rather sudden change. It shows that she has given up on living and that she no longer holds her traitorous loyalty in full view. "'The true king of the isles?' Who might that be, might I ask?" She asks her, wanting to know the obvious question that has been brought to her mind. This makes her realize that this assassination conspiracy might be even bigger than anyone could have previously imagined. The growing scope is frankly frightening.

"I..." Sarah looks away as she seems to genuinely struggle with this one. She was so sure that she would not hold any information back, but she seems to have found she still holds previous reservations towards this cause. "I... I can't say that. He... Will have his way in the end, regardless of what happens... Or what I say..." She says this with a sound of fear and uncertainty, as if this man has a threatening amount of influence and power. If that is the case, then this problem may be too severe to allow to simmer.

While Sheena has to grapple with this newfound issue, she does know deep down that the war effort may intervene with the investigation, especially when fighting kicks off. This reality is not lost on her, as alongside of investigating a secret plot to overthrow the monarchy she will need to prepare the capital for defense. It's as if she is stuck between a rock and equally hard place. A bit of a balancing act that she's never dealt with in her decade long tenure in the service, since this is her first time in such a leadership role. "Very well." She looks back at the guards who stand outside of the cell. "Come and take her back to her cell." She tells them, glancing at Sarah before walking out while they enter to do as instructed.

While this situation develops, River has a highly vetted audience with an older woman wearing a very modest typical gown, shoes, and with wavy brown hair that hangs far down the back of her head. She stands before River and cites her concerns plainly. "Your highness, I have come before you to ask you a favor. I know you are young with a bright future, but..." She clasps her hands together while twiddling her thumbs. "My eldest son is about your age. Do you think that you could speak with him sometime?" She asks, almost like she's trying to set River up. And River's already had her 'mommy's boy' experience with Haden Holstein.

"Uh..." She tries to be kind as this woman seems to be the kind of lady to give you a tin of cookies for merely existing, but she is weirded out and does not quite know how to respond. Does she let her down gently? Brashly? Or perhaps she should go along with it? She couldn't say at this moment in time, but she knows she must come to a decision. "Uh... Well, I..." She looks over at Stace in the hope that she could have some advice for her in this awkward situation, but when Stace notices this, she simply shrugs. Not receiving help, she knows that she can only speak for herself. "Ma'am, I- I'm sorry. But... I cannot promise such a thing. I-I mean, your son is a wonderful man, I am sure. But I am a busy queen, especially now..." She tells her with an uncomfortable laugh, attempting to let her down as gently as possible.

The woman didn't quite expect such an answer, as River was supposed to be the type of ruler who helps her subjects with trivial matters, but she is not that surprised. It is a bit of a personal matter she has asked her, and it was selfishly motivated after all. "Yes, my queen. Apologies." She responds better than River expected, as she was worried sick that it would have been taken horribly with yelling and very likely cursing. But the woman didn't, which is an extremely pleasant surprise to the young queen.

After this, the woman turns and walks towards the door with guard, an escort, leading the way. As they nearly reach the door, it opens and Sheena walks in. The escort stops and salutes his esteemed captain as she passes before continuing to lead the lady out of the door and to the exit. Walking to stand before River's throne with both girls looking at her, Sheena bows to her ruler as per usual, standing with news to share. "My liege, I have finished interrogating the traitor after using... Vile methods to make her talk. But it is not uninteresting what I have learned." She says with a hand over her chest plate where her heart would lie.

River is happy to see Sheena back to tell her more, and although curious about what 'vile methods' meant, she has an idea and hates it, so does not ask whatsoever. "What kind of information?" She asks Sheena, genuinely curious to be updated about the investigation, the biggest reason that she is happy she's here. She has not spoken to her since last night, and therefore is excited to hear the hopefully abundant info.

Sheena pulls out her note pad where she had written down all of the information that Sarah had told her and clears her throat before beginning to read. "First and foremost, she told us why she had betrayed her post and how. She accompanied her superior into the planning room and betrayed us due to her own personal feelings about your rule." She explains to both River and Stace, though mostly River. "My last question to her though, was who really attempted to take your life as I doubted that Abney was the true culprit. She confirmed this doubt, saying that it was a man named..." She reads the name from the paper. "One Adam Weaver." She finalizes her in-depth run through of the answers she had successfully gained as a result.

It's a whole lot to take in, a whole freaking lot, but River processes this pretty well considering that. Though it does not make it any less to take in, so it's still quite a lot. "Oh. So much. And... Adam Weaver? How will knowing his name work to find him?" She asks Sheena, though that has already been thought of in immense depth in her mind. Sheena knows exactly how to find him.

Hearing River's quandary, Sheena answers it with her good and proper solution. "We have a list of the residency of every citizen in this kingdom. If this 'Adam Weaver' has a home, the crown, and therefore the military, has it on record to be found." She explains to River, laying her solution to this supposed issue out with efficiency and putting it into simple words, stated with an utmost plainness.

This stuns River, as she had genuinely not thought of that. She has only been ruler for a little while, so it can't be expected of her to know everything yet. "Thank you, Captain Sheena. Without you, I would be lost in such manners. And for that, thank you." She says to her, yet again genuinely thankful. Adoration does not seem to end when it comes to her feelings towards Sheena. "Did you... Learn anything else?" She asks, trying to snap things back to their original conversation and away from the appreciation wagon.

Although she does have one more thing, the larger plot to place a supposed 'true king' on the throne, Sheena does not want to bother River with such thoughts. Once again, she is rather caring for her younger queen. "No, my liege. I am sorry to cut this conversation short, and I thank you for your compliments, but I must go to make preparations." She says, "All you need to know is that we have made good strides in dealing out long overdue justice, and that whatever plot they are cooking will not come to pass." She tells River with confidence, turning and starting to walk away.

This honestly leaves River in awe, as she has a deep adoration for Sheena's sheer confidence. She is loyal to her dying breath, and although River's enemies may call her the queen's lapdog, she would only laugh at the insinuation that it is a bad thing. To her it is a source of pride, pride that cannot be snuffed out no matter what is to happen. With this pride, she will meet swords with anyone of any allegiance to protect her queen, and she is not ashamed of that. Call it zealous or blind, but it will not change the facts. Only if hell were to freeze over would she feel any sort of shame, and that is impossible. Therefore, nothing will change her confidence and pride in supporting her queen and sticking by her side through thick and thin, even if it means to the bitter end.

To Be Continued...