What transpired in the shrine
Lady Naomi lay down in her bed thinking about everything that had just happened. She was disappointed when Harold didn't follow her inside the shrine at first. She had hope he would be her source of strength to face whatever test she suspected she would be subjected to. Immediately she entered the shrine she was met by Elder Zeko and Madam Tochi whose faces were empty of any expression. As usual the dark aura around Elder Zeko could be felt. Infact it was everywhere. Even the servants were shaking where they stood with their heads bowed. They seem to know something was about to happen.
Naomi looked back several times hoping to see Harold right behind her but was disappointed with every look.
"Knee down" Madam Tochi had barked at her. It was clear to Naomi that she wws bent on getting her revenge through this means. With the boiling water in front of her she wasn't sure what ritual would take place since it was her first time in the shrine or to be accused of such a crime. She resigned to her fate when she had a last look behind her and saw no sign of Harold. Why would she have thought that he was now finally on her side. She scolded herself mentally.
"Naomi, you stand accused of using a manipulating spell on Lord Harold, to make him have a change of heart towards you and turning him against every other person in this family. What say you? Madam Tochi asked with a wicked look on her face this time.
"I don't know what you are talking about. I will never do such a thing. I am nit even strong enough to cast a spell on someone like Lord Harold. " Naomi replied in her defense with a steady voice since she already knew the accusation befor hand.
"keep quiet, even if you are not your family can do it. It is not an excuse " Madam Tochi yelled at her making Naomi trembled a little. She was sure her anger was coming from the misunderstanding that happened in the kitchen
Madam Tochi exchanged looks with Elder Zeko who have been quiet all this while with frown on his face. He gave her a signal by the wave of his hand which led to Madam Tochi putting her hand in the boiling water. She chanted some words and she brought a sword from the pot.
Naomi wasn't comfortable with what was happening at this point. She knee of course they woukd not just allow her go because of what she just said. They would try to extract the truth from her by another means.
"Since you have refuse to say the truth. We will have decided to use our own method.
"First remove your family pendant on your neck and place it on the floor".
Naomi reluctantly obeyed Madam Tochi. They all knew her family pendant was for protection against any form of harm.
"Then stretch out your hands " Naomi did and the next thing she realized was a sharp pain in her hand. Madam Tochi was stretchingthe sword towards her hands. She screamed when she could no longer bear the pain.
"Keep quiet " Madam Tochi yelled at her.
"You ought ti be confessing your crime by now not screaming " Madam Tochi continued with the shouting.
It was then it dawn on her that they were trying to make her confess. The sword pointed towards her hands was suppose to be a truth serum or something like that.
"I have said it befor, I didn't do anything to him. I don't have the strength to cast a spell on him" she said looking directly at Elder Zeko this time to please her case. But he didn't say a word. The look on his eyes was cold but Naomi didint care.
He waved his hand again and the torturing process was repeated this time with more intensity. Just as she finished screaming was again was when Tobin walked in. He challenged his father and saved her from further punishment.
She would need to really investigate what was happening. He was standing up for her for the third time in one day and she wasn't too comfortable with it. She turned severally on her bed.
She knew they were right to suspect her because a sudden change like that is heavily suspicious.
"My Lady try to rest, You need all your strength for the forth coming contest " Naomi heard Grace tell her.
"Contest? she asked looking at Grace with a curious look.
"Yes my Lady, the next contest is a tag team contest and with the recent actions of Lorf Harold towards you I am sure he would agree to it" Grace replied with a smile on her face.
Naomi was gradually process all she just heard. She has never been in s contest but she knew of the tag team contest. The Old Harold she knew would never agree to it but this new one might just....