"Understood" Alisha said and readied her shield "Ready when you are"

Epineh tried moving the shelf out of the way.

You start to heave against the shelf and it eventually moves inside the space you find a women who looks like the servant that took you to the bath tied up up and gagged.

Epineh brought her out.

You are able to pull her out of the space, she struggles and gestures frantically when she sees Epineh.

Epineh bent down to free the woman.

It was only the work of a few moments to free here and then she hugged Epineh "Thank you, thank you. I thought I was going to die" she said.

"How long have you been in there?" Epineh asked.

"I'm not sure.. that thing came" she said "It put me down here, then it looked like me"

"The thing?" Epineh asked.

"It was sort of human looking but grey, and it's face was just wrong" she said hesitantly "it knew things about me, like it was in my head"

"It must be some kind of shapeshifter then," Epineh said.

"What will happen now? I mean people are going to blame me for whatever it did" she said in a small voice.

"It clearly wasn't you and I'll make sure that is clear," Epineh said.

"Thank you" she said as she shakely stood a page arrives "Princess? The king wishes to see you"

"Let's all go then," Epineh said.

The page leads you into a large room your father the king was sitting he rose as you entered "Epineh I heard you'd been attacked are you okay? I'm sorry I didn't see you sooner but things are delicate at the moment " he said.

"I'm fine, father, but it looks as though the attacker was a shapeshifter who stole some evidence we found as to who was behind the bandit attacks," Epineh said,

The King's eyebrows rose "Perhaps you should start at the beginning" he said and gestured for you to sit.

Epineh then explained everything that had happened and handed over what evidence she still had.

The king listens carefully occasionally asking questions to clarify points and the sighs "This is concerning especially in light of recent developments" he finally said looking off into the distance "I'm not sure we have enough evidence to move against the Duke right now"

"Why not?" Epineh asked.

"Because he is one of the most powerful men in the kingdom" you father said with a sigh "and because I have just agreed to calling the Grand Tournament. If I moved against the Baron now it would look like I am trying to rig the outcome"

"I understand that it would be difficult, but...," Epineh started, before letting out a gasp. "Father, are you serious?"

The king sat down and sighed "Yes, you are coming of age and the privy Council has insisted. Due to circumstances I have had to accept"