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<blockquote data-quote="Ilex" data-source="post: 5420480" data-attributes="member: 82687">18x03In the city of Cauldron, Tavi led the way into Lord Ono's office.&nbsp; Ono stood up to greet them with the wary stance of a swordsman who expected an ambush.&nbsp; Tavi nodded his head politely.&nbsp; &quot;Lord Ono,&quot; he said.&nbsp; &quot;We have solved some of your problems… but perhaps brought you some new ones.&quot;Ono gestured for them to sit.&nbsp; &quot;I hear you've placed a prisoner in my dungeons.&nbsp; Under special guard.&quot;&nbsp; &quot;We have.&nbsp; Justicar Kormick is with him.&quot;&nbsp; Kormick had volunteered to keep an eye on Kawazu – and Kawazu's guards – until they could be sure that there were no Tidesmen among them.&quot;I'm sure I'll regret asking – but who is the prisoner?&quot; asked Ono. Tavi, with help from Savina and Twiggy, explained the story of Kawazu's arrest for heresy and the subsequent deal they'd made with him.&nbsp; Tavi concluded by saying, &quot;He informs us that the Mother Superior of the Priesthood leads a vast Tide conspiracy here in Cauldron.&quot;Ono's face remained utterly neutral for a moment.&nbsp; Then he bent forward and began to thud his head steadily against his stone desk.&quot;Lord Ono-san?&quot; asked Savina.&nbsp; &quot;Are you all right?&quot;He left his head resting on the desktop for a moment.&nbsp; &quot;Just one good night's sleep… just one…&quot; he said, muffled. Then raised his head, rubbing his brow.&nbsp; &quot;I knew there were conspirators.&nbsp; I didn't know how bad it was.&nbsp; This is a matter beyond my authority – I'll need to consult with Lady Akiko-san at once.&quot;Twiggy caught Tavi's eye, and he knew what she was thinking:&nbsp; Lady Akiko-san was Head of the Inquisition for the entire Sovereignty and heir to the Lord High Regent. The party had speculated that the Lord High Regent of the Sovereignty—that mysterious and elderly leader whom few ever saw—might be the dying king mentioned in <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/story-hour/251423-rose-wind-saga-halmae-updated-december-23-2010-a-15.html#post5125819" target="_blank">the prophecy</a>, in which case Lady Akiko would be a useful person to know.&quot;What do you think she will want you to do?&quot; asked Mena. &quot;The Priesthood is powerful in Cauldron,&quot; answered Ono, &quot;and the only way to begin to deal with this would be to go the long way around the Circle… which is almost unheard-of.&nbsp; So that won't be difficult at all...&quot;&nbsp; He groaned.&nbsp; Tavi waited, but Ono didn't offer additional explanations.&nbsp; Instead, the man shook his head to clear it and changed the subject.&nbsp; &quot;But to your immediate concern.&nbsp; I will assign only trusted men to guard Kawazu.&nbsp; Some do still exist.&nbsp; You have my word – your man will live.&quot;&quot;Thank you,&quot; said Tavi.&nbsp; &quot;If I may trouble you with another matter, what's become of <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/story-hour/251423-rose-wind-saga-halmae-updated-december-23-2010-a-19.html#post5298630" target="_blank">my aunt, Mariela di Raprezzi</a>?&quot;Ono rolled his eyes.&nbsp; &quot;We sent her and her men home,&quot; he said.&nbsp; &quot;Not before she gave our diplomats a real challenge.&nbsp; Your aunt is… formidable.&quot;&nbsp; Next to Tavi, Twiggy gave a discreet you're telling me snort.&nbsp; &quot;Lord Ono-san,&quot; she said then, &quot;We were also wondering – did your people manage to find <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/story-hour/251423-rose-wind-saga-halmae-updated-december-23-2010-a-19.html#post5280343" target="_blank">that old record</a> for us?&quot;Ono brightened slightly.&nbsp; &quot;Ah.&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; Surprisingly… we did.&quot;&nbsp; He rooted around at the bottom of a stack of papers.&nbsp; As he pulled a sheet free, the entire stack tumbled over.&nbsp; Ono's brightness vanished instantly; he glared at the stack as if it had personally offended him.&nbsp;&nbsp; Then he looked down at the sheet, frowned, and turned it around as if trying to figure out which way was up.&nbsp; &quot;The scribe who copied this should have been fired.&nbsp; Perhaps you can make sense of it – &quot;&nbsp; He handed the sheet to Nyoko.&nbsp; &quot;Now, if you'll excuse me,&quot; he continued, &quot;I must speak to Lady Akiko-san without delay.&quot;&quot;Of course,&quot; said Tavi.&nbsp; As he and the others left the room, he thought he heard the dull sound of Ono's head thudding on the desk again.As soon as they were in the carriage, Twiggy practically pounced on Nyoko. &quot;What does it say?&nbsp; Are there clues to explain the prophecy?&quot;&quot;It is … odd,&quot; said Nyoko.&nbsp; &quot;It appears to be the ravings of a madwoman, nothing more…&quot; She began to read.As Nyoko finished reading, Tavi glanced at Rose.&nbsp; She looked paler than usual, but she said nothing.&nbsp; The others talked it over throughout the ride back to the Adept House, but they couldn't settle on an interpretation.&nbsp; The prophecy was not yielding its secrets easily.At the Adept House, the girls scattered to the baths and Kormick declared his intention to become better acquainted with the city's taverns.&nbsp; Tavi was heading for the baths, himself, when a servant gave him a message: he had a visitor.&nbsp; Tavi followed the messenger to a small parlor where a figure in fine Hennan clothing was pacing.&nbsp; The figure wheeled around as Tavi approached the door.&nbsp; &quot;Finally! What in the Gods' names are you doing here!&quot;It was Tavi's older brother, Diego.Tavi stepped cautiously into the room, hand on his sword hilt.&nbsp; He checked the corners for Mariela and the family guard.&nbsp; No one else was there.&quot;I might ask you the same thing,&quot; he told Diego.&quot;Yeah, but I asked first.&quot;&nbsp; Diego had a definite twinkle in his eye, and Tavi dared to relax.&nbsp; Slightly.&quot;I'm protecting Rose and the family,&quot; he said.&nbsp; &quot;In other words, I'm doing exactly what I was raised to do.&quot;&quot;No one doubts your intentions.&nbsp; That's not the point.&nbsp; It's your methods.&nbsp; Sneaking away, coming to this Godsforsaken place – and what are you wearing?&nbsp; Is that some kind of local uniform?&quot;&nbsp; Diego was teasing now, not being genuinely critical, and Tavi shrugged in pretend nonchalance.&quot;We've joined the Sovereign Inquisition—obviously,&quot; he said. &quot;Obviously.&quot;&quot;A man does what he must.&quot;&quot;Outlandish costumes and all.&quot;&quot;This is how it has to be,&quot; said Tavi, returning to seriousness.&nbsp; We're both sorry to have caused the family trouble.&nbsp; But Rose decided it was time to do this, and I support her.&quot;&quot;Well.&nbsp; I know Mother hasn't made it easy on you two.&quot;&quot;How is Mother… ?&quot;&quot;Apoplectic.&nbsp; She hasn't calmed down since you ran away, and this latest incident with Aunt Mariela… &quot; Diego suppressed a smile.&nbsp; &quot;It wasn't pretty, Tavi.&nbsp; But Father and Grandmother are trying their best to control her.&quot;Tavi was fed up with his mother's fearsome over-protectiveness of Rose, but he respected her, too.&nbsp; He was glad his father was &quot;controlling&quot; her, and he was also sorry that such an esteemed person needed to be &quot;controlled&quot; at all.&nbsp; He wished she could trust him.Into the silence, Diego said, &quot;I'm fairly certain I know the answer to this next question, but … will you and Rose come back with me?&nbsp; Please?&quot;Tavi looked his brother in the eye.&nbsp; &quot;Diego, if I believed it would serve Rose's interests, and our family's, I would.&nbsp; Instantly.&nbsp; But I am coming to believe that, sixteen years ago, Mother opened up a much larger problem than anyone has yet understood.&nbsp; My hope is that what we're doing here is part of solving it.&quot;Diego's eyes searched his own for a moment.&nbsp; Then he nodded.&nbsp; &quot;I hope you're right,&quot; he said.&quot;I'm sure she won't hear it,&quot; Tavi said, &quot;but please tell her that I'm acting out of love and duty.&nbsp; I understand that she doesn't like it, but as I said, she raised me to do this.&quot;Diego smiled.&nbsp; &quot;You're right, she won't hear it, but I'll tell her.&quot;&quot;And tell Father… that while it's not what I expected, I am thankful to be facing our fate rather than hiding from it.&quot;Diego nodded.&nbsp; &quot;Well.&nbsp; Give my regards to Rose,&quot; he said.&nbsp; &quot;I miss you two, you know.&nbsp; Oh – and apologize to Dame Mena.&nbsp; She's not really fired.&nbsp; That was just Mariela being Mariela.&quot;&nbsp; Tavi smiled.&nbsp; &quot;Thanks, Diego,&quot; he said, and held out his hand. &quot;Try to keep a lid on Mother?&nbsp; Get her to give us some space?&quot;Diego took his hand.&quot;I'll try.&nbsp; And good luck, brother.&nbsp; You're going to need it.&quot;</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Ilex, post: 5420480, member: 82687"] [b]18x03[/b] In the city of Cauldron, Tavi led the way into Lord Ono's office. Ono stood up to greet them with the wary stance of a swordsman who expected an ambush. Tavi nodded his head politely. "Lord Ono," he said. "We have solved some of your problems… but perhaps brought you some new ones." Ono gestured for them to sit. "I hear you've placed a prisoner in my dungeons. Under special guard." "We have. Justicar Kormick is with him." Kormick had volunteered to keep an eye on Kawazu – and Kawazu's guards – until they could be sure that there were no Tidesmen among them. "I'm sure I'll regret asking – but who is the prisoner?" asked Ono. Tavi, with help from Savina and Twiggy, explained the story of Kawazu's arrest for heresy and the subsequent deal they'd made with him. Tavi concluded by saying, "He informs us that the Mother Superior of the Priesthood leads a vast Tide conspiracy here in Cauldron." Ono's face remained utterly neutral for a moment. Then he bent forward and began to thud his head steadily against his stone desk. "Lord Ono-san?" asked Savina. "Are you all right?" He left his head resting on the desktop for a moment. "Just one good night's sleep… just one…" he said, muffled. Then raised his head, rubbing his brow. "I knew there were conspirators. I didn't know how bad it was. This is a matter beyond my authority – I'll need to consult with Lady Akiko-san at once." Twiggy caught Tavi's eye, and he knew what she was thinking: Lady Akiko-san was Head of the Inquisition for the entire Sovereignty [i]and[/i] heir to the Lord High Regent. The party had speculated that the Lord High Regent of the Sovereignty—that mysterious and elderly leader whom few ever saw—[i]might[/i] be the dying king mentioned in [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/story-hour/251423-rose-wind-saga-halmae-updated-december-23-2010-a-15.html#post5125819"]the prophecy[/URL], in which case Lady Akiko would be a useful person to know. "What do you think she will want you to do?" asked Mena. "The Priesthood is powerful in Cauldron," answered Ono, "and the only way to [i]begin[/i] to deal with this would be to go the long way around the Circle… which is almost unheard-of. So [i]that[/i] won't be difficult at all..." He groaned. Tavi waited, but Ono didn't offer additional explanations. Instead, the man shook his head to clear it and changed the subject. "But to your immediate concern. I will assign only trusted men to guard Kawazu. Some [i]do[/i] still exist. You have my word – your man will live." "Thank you," said Tavi. "If I may trouble you with another matter, what's become of [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/story-hour/251423-rose-wind-saga-halmae-updated-december-23-2010-a-19.html#post5298630"]my aunt, Mariela di Raprezzi[/URL]?" Ono rolled his eyes. "We sent her and her men home," he said. "Not before she gave our diplomats a real challenge. Your aunt is… formidable." Next to Tavi, Twiggy gave a discreet [i]you're telling me[/i] snort. "Lord Ono-san," she said then, "We were also wondering – did your people manage to find [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/story-hour/251423-rose-wind-saga-halmae-updated-december-23-2010-a-19.html#post5280343"]that old record[/URL] for us?" Ono brightened slightly. "Ah. Yes. Surprisingly… we did." He rooted around at the bottom of a stack of papers. As he pulled a sheet free, the entire stack tumbled over. Ono's brightness vanished instantly; he glared at the stack as if it had personally offended him. Then he looked down at the sheet, frowned, and turned it around as if trying to figure out which way was up. "The scribe who copied this should have been fired. Perhaps you can make sense of it – " He handed the sheet to Nyoko. "Now, if you'll excuse me," he continued, "I must speak to Lady Akiko-san without delay." "Of course," said Tavi. As he and the others left the room, he thought he heard the dull sound of Ono's head thudding on the desk again. As soon as they were in the carriage, Twiggy practically pounced on Nyoko. "What does it say? Are there clues to explain the prophecy?" "It is … odd," said Nyoko. "It appears to be the ravings of a madwoman, nothing more…" She began to read. As Nyoko finished reading, Tavi glanced at Rose. She looked paler than usual, but she said nothing. The others talked it over throughout the ride back to the Adept House, but they couldn't settle on an interpretation. The prophecy was not yielding its secrets easily. At the Adept House, the girls scattered to the baths and Kormick declared his intention to become better acquainted with the city's taverns. Tavi was heading for the baths, himself, when a servant gave him a message: he had a visitor. Tavi followed the messenger to a small parlor where a figure in fine Hennan clothing was pacing. The figure wheeled around as Tavi approached the door. "Finally! What in the [i]Gods' names[/i] are you doing here!" It was Tavi's older brother, Diego. Tavi stepped cautiously into the room, hand on his sword hilt. He checked the corners for Mariela and the family guard. No one else was there. "I might ask you the same thing," he told Diego. "Yeah, but I asked first." Diego had a definite twinkle in his eye, and Tavi dared to relax. Slightly. "I'm protecting Rose and the family," he said. "In other words, I'm doing exactly what I was raised to do." "No one doubts your intentions. That's not the point. It's your methods. Sneaking away, coming to this Godsforsaken place – and what are you wearing? Is that some kind of local [i]uniform[/i]?" Diego was teasing now, not being genuinely critical, and Tavi shrugged in pretend nonchalance. "We've joined the Sovereign Inquisition—obviously," he said. "Obviously." "A man does what he must." "Outlandish costumes and all." "This is how it has to be," said Tavi, returning to seriousness. We're both sorry to have caused the family trouble. But Rose decided it was time to do this, and I support her." "Well. I know Mother hasn't made it easy on you two." "How is Mother… ?" "Apoplectic. She hasn't calmed down since you ran away, and this latest incident with Aunt Mariela… " Diego suppressed a smile. "It wasn't pretty, Tavi. But Father and Grandmother are trying their best to control her." Tavi was fed up with his mother's fearsome over-protectiveness of Rose, but he respected her, too. He was glad his father was "controlling" her, and he was also sorry that such an esteemed person needed to be "controlled" at all. He wished she could trust him. Into the silence, Diego said, "I'm fairly certain I know the answer to this next question, but … will you and Rose come back with me? Please?" Tavi looked his brother in the eye. "Diego, if I believed it would serve Rose's interests, and our family's, I would. Instantly. But I am coming to believe that, sixteen years ago, Mother opened up a much larger problem than anyone has yet understood. My hope is that what we're doing here is part of solving it." Diego's eyes searched his own for a moment. Then he nodded. "I hope you're right," he said. "I'm sure she won't hear it," Tavi said, "but please tell her that I'm acting out of love and duty. I understand that she doesn't like it, but as I said, she raised me to do this." Diego smiled. "You're right, she won't hear it, but I'll tell her." "And tell Father… that while it's not what I expected, I am thankful to be facing our fate rather than hiding from it." Diego nodded. "Well. Give my regards to Rose," he said. "I miss you two, you know. Oh – and apologize to Dame Mena. She's not really fired. That was just Mariela being Mariela." Tavi smiled. "Thanks, Diego," he said, and held out his hand. "Try to keep a lid on Mother? Get her to give us some space?" Diego took his hand. "I'll try. And good luck, brother. You're going to need it." [/QUOTE]

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