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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 5073092" data-attributes="member: 5203"><p>“You are Lord Kaliel?”</p><p></p><p> They turned to look at the speaker, a man in an officer’s uniform. “I am Gaius Rho, captain of the guard. I hope you will be able to assist us with our investigation. Lady Rinalta insisted that we ask for your help.”</p><p></p><p> “Where is the queen now?” Kaliel said.</p><p></p><p> “She is in her private chambers, under heavy guard,” Captain Rho said. “However, under the circumstances I do not believe she is at risk. I believe the killer is targeting Dragon-Bloods.”</p><p></p><p> “Then this murder is similar to those of the three Silver Guards?” Zanka asked. She quickly explained to the others about the recent murders.</p><p></p><p> “Indeed, the method is the same, and the only known connection between the victims was their Exalted status, and their connections to Lady Rinalta.”</p><p></p><p> “Has the body been disturbed?” Ayama asked.</p><p></p><p> “No. We were given specific instructions to allow you to investigate first. However, we do have a thaumaturge on the way.”</p><p></p><p> The heroes began to examine the body. Three frog-crotch arrows were buried deep in the ambassador’s back. There was no sign in the room that anyone else had been present at the time of the murder.</p><p></p><p> “The angle suggests that the arrows were fired from a great distance,” Ghost said, “but they are clustered close together. Whoever did this is an excellent shot. The only possible angle for those arrows to strike is through that window there. But the depth of penetration suggests either firing at close range, or a very strong bow.”</p><p></p><p> “They also knew the man would be unarmored,” Ayama said. Frog-crotch arrows left devastating wounds in flesh, but were easily deflected by armor. Ayama had seen them used often enough to know this fact well.</p><p></p><p> “Were the other murders similar in nature?” Zanka asked Captain Rho. He nodded.</p><p></p><p> “They were all assassinations, taking place in the homes when they were unarmed and unarmored. Like the ambassador, all shot from great range and great precision, though in the case of the three Silver Guards more arrows were used, as they were all warriors and more resistant to injury than most.”</p><p></p><p> Ghost had walked over to the window that was the most likely line of fire. The throne room was about four stories up, with no balconies. The palace itself was the highest structure in the city, with no other buildings surrounding it. Looking out the window, Ghost frowned – the only possible place the shots could have come from was a small hillside, over a mile away.</p><p></p><p> Kaliel turned to Captain Rho. “Forgive the bluntness of this question,” he said, “but of the four victims, how many were lovers of the queen?”</p><p></p><p> “The queen herself might be able to answer that question,” he replied, “but I do not keep track of who visits my Lady’s bedchambers.” The captain answered the question in a manner that conveyed a clear message to Kaliel; <em>I know, but I will not risk my job by confirming that I know</em>.</p><p></p><p> “I will go and speak with Lady Rinalta, then,” Kaliel said.</p><p></p><p> “I suggest you take Zanka with you,” Ayama said. “She may be better suited to asking some of the more delicate questions. Tell Lady Rinalta that I will also visit her later to make sure she is well. Rutendo and I will wait here for the thaumaturge.”</p><p></p><p> “I will take Luc and investigate that hillside,” Ghost said. “I doubt we will find much, however.”</p><p></p><p> “In the meantime,” Ayama said, “Captain Rho, I suggest that the remaining three members of your Silver Guard remain armored as much as possible, and not be left alone.”</p><p></p><p> “This precaution has already been taken,” the captain said.</p><p></p><p> They all went their separate ways. About a half-hour later, the thaumaturge arrived, a small, wiry man festooned with fetishes who introduced himself as Farazod. After spending a few minutes laying out candles and drawing diagrams around the body with ash and salt, Farazod announced that he would try to contact the victim’s hun, his higher spirit, and insisted that everyone leave the room. Ayama and Rutendo looked at each other at this pronouncement; they knew that many thaumaturges who claimed to be able to contact the dead were charlatans. Thus they remained, despite the thaumaturge’s protests.</p><p></p><p> Farazod began his rituals, utilizing a great deal of shouting and shaking of magical tokens. Studying his methods, Ayama realized that although they were needlessly elaborate, they were also genuine. This did not ease her concerns, however; Farazod’s practices were a primitive, weak form of necromancy, a dangerous area of magic to explore. She understood why he had wanted everyone out of the room; he feared what might happen if he were to lose control. This was especially risky when dealing with the soul of a Terrestrial Exalt, which was naturally more potent.</p><p></p><p> However, no such mishap occurred on this occasion, and soon Farazod’s eyes were rolling back in his head as he made contact with Mnemon Lyrik’s hun.</p><p></p><p> “The victim’s soul cries out for justice, for vengeance!” he shouted. “His eyes see only pain and blackness – there is no face, no name. His soul despairs – in life he had many enemies; could one have come to this place to seek his end?” With a sudden shout, Farazod’s body jerked, and the ritual ended, the thaumaturge’s frail mortal body no longer able to sustain the magic.</p><p></p><p> Ayama and Rutendo exchanged theories as Farazod was shuffled off to a room in the palace to answer questions from Captain Rho. Some time later, Kaliel and Zanka returned to the throne room.</p><p></p><p> “The lady is well,” Zanka said. “As well as can be expected. She confirms that her relationship with Mnemon Lyrik was intimate, but she tells us she did not have a similar relationship with any of the Silver Guard. She is concerned about how the death of a Realm ambassador will be received by the Empire, especially so close on the heels of the humiliation of Cathak Ejon and the murder of Guild Factor Tunato Kun. I have offered to help her present the news in the most favorable light possible.”</p><p></p><p> Ghost and Luc were the last to return to the palace. “We found nothing of consequence,” Ghost said, “though we suspect that there was, in fact, someone on that hillside last night.” He left unspoken the entire story; while searching, Luc had in fact spotted a distinct boot print in the dirt, just moments before Ghost had set his own boots down on top of it, obliterating the track. Further careful searching had revealed nothing.</p><p></p><p> “Perhaps Rutendo and I can examine the hill again after I see the queen,” Ayama said. “The creatures of the wild may have seen things that would not be apparent to your eyes.”</p><p></p><p> “Perhaps,” Ghost said, “but I think it is clear what manner of assassin we are facing. How many beings can you think of in Creation who are capable of killing someone with such efficiency at such a range, and leave no trace? No mortal could have fired that distance, even with the best bow. And who might have cause to want to slay Dragon-Bloods, regardless of their political affiliations?”</p><p></p><p> “I cannot argue with your theory, Ghost,” Ayama said. Unbidden, her thoughts turned to Standing Oak, the Solar archer they had met in the far East. She knew that he carried a variety of arrows, including frog-crotch arrows. Still, the same could likely be said of hundreds of archers in Creation. “Let us meet again to develop a plan.”</p><p></p><p> “Lady Rinalta wishes us to stay in the palace until the assassin is caught,” Zanka said. “We can meet here.”</p><p></p><p> After a brief visit to the queen to check on her health and the health of her unborn child, Ayama and Rutendo walked out to the hillside that Ghost had investigated earlier. As Ghost had reported, they found little physical evidence that anyone had been on the hill last night, though Rutendo was able to tell that signs had been deliberately obscured. However, after communing with the local animals, the Pillar of the Sun learned from a raccoon that there was a “human smell” on the hill last night, and that the human had “done the things that humans do when hunting” before it left.</p><p></p><p> “That seems to confirm that the arrows were fired from this hill,” Rutendo said. “But I still…” Rutendo suddenly paused, his head cocked as if listening. Suddenly, Rutendo’s bow was in his hand, and an arrow fired into the air. The arrow flew only a few yards before it intercepted another arrow coming toward him, splintering it in midair. Rutendo dove behind a tree as three more arrows slammed into the ground where he had been standing. Alerted, Ayama still barely had time to invoke her Essence and toughen her skin before a pair of arrows struck her. Fortunately, they barely scratched her.</p><p></p><p> When no further attacks came at them, they both cautiously emerged from cover and looked around. The angle of the arrows that had been fired at them was steep; Rutendo estimated that they had been fired from somewhere inside the city.</p><p></p><p> “We should leave,” Ayama urged, and Rutendo offered no argument.</p><p></p><p> Back at the palace, they told the others of the attack. “The assassin used target arrows this time,” Ayama said. “They are designed to pierce armor. Which means that not only was the assassin aware that we were there, but knew that Rutendo would be armored.”</p><p></p><p> “This is disturbing,” Kaliel said. “It only confirms that the assassin is after Dragon-Bloods, and not Lady Rinalta. After all, Rutendo has no connection to the queen.”</p><p></p><p> “But it also tells us that our assassin’s information is limited,” Ghost said. “He or she does not know that we are Solars.”</p><p></p><p> “How do you know?” Ayama asked.</p><p></p><p> “Four arrows were fired at Rutendo, and two at you. Had the assassin known about you, the ratio would have been reversed, or they would have made more attacks. It is likely that the assassin saw you as nothing more than a witness to be disposed of after his main target was slain. Of course, the fact that you did not die may have alerted the assassin that you are more than appear.” Ghost sighed. “Either way, it does not look encouraging.”</p><p></p><p> “You seem worried, Ghost,” Zanka said.</p><p></p><p> “I went and spoke with my contacts here in the city. None of them have heard of any known assassins arriving here, and none have been approached for information on any of the targets. So, we have an assassin who can fire arrows with supernatural accuracy over impossible distances, is lethal enough to kill Dragon-Bloods, and is able to successfully gather intelligence on his targets without relying on outside assistance and without being observed. The theory I posed earlier today is now even stronger in my mind. I think we are dealing with another Solar.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 5073092, member: 5203"] “You are Lord Kaliel?” They turned to look at the speaker, a man in an officer’s uniform. “I am Gaius Rho, captain of the guard. I hope you will be able to assist us with our investigation. Lady Rinalta insisted that we ask for your help.” “Where is the queen now?” Kaliel said. “She is in her private chambers, under heavy guard,” Captain Rho said. “However, under the circumstances I do not believe she is at risk. I believe the killer is targeting Dragon-Bloods.” “Then this murder is similar to those of the three Silver Guards?” Zanka asked. She quickly explained to the others about the recent murders. “Indeed, the method is the same, and the only known connection between the victims was their Exalted status, and their connections to Lady Rinalta.” “Has the body been disturbed?” Ayama asked. “No. We were given specific instructions to allow you to investigate first. However, we do have a thaumaturge on the way.” The heroes began to examine the body. Three frog-crotch arrows were buried deep in the ambassador’s back. There was no sign in the room that anyone else had been present at the time of the murder. “The angle suggests that the arrows were fired from a great distance,” Ghost said, “but they are clustered close together. Whoever did this is an excellent shot. The only possible angle for those arrows to strike is through that window there. But the depth of penetration suggests either firing at close range, or a very strong bow.” “They also knew the man would be unarmored,” Ayama said. Frog-crotch arrows left devastating wounds in flesh, but were easily deflected by armor. Ayama had seen them used often enough to know this fact well. “Were the other murders similar in nature?” Zanka asked Captain Rho. He nodded. “They were all assassinations, taking place in the homes when they were unarmed and unarmored. Like the ambassador, all shot from great range and great precision, though in the case of the three Silver Guards more arrows were used, as they were all warriors and more resistant to injury than most.” Ghost had walked over to the window that was the most likely line of fire. The throne room was about four stories up, with no balconies. The palace itself was the highest structure in the city, with no other buildings surrounding it. Looking out the window, Ghost frowned – the only possible place the shots could have come from was a small hillside, over a mile away. Kaliel turned to Captain Rho. “Forgive the bluntness of this question,” he said, “but of the four victims, how many were lovers of the queen?” “The queen herself might be able to answer that question,” he replied, “but I do not keep track of who visits my Lady’s bedchambers.” The captain answered the question in a manner that conveyed a clear message to Kaliel; [i]I know, but I will not risk my job by confirming that I know[/i]. “I will go and speak with Lady Rinalta, then,” Kaliel said. “I suggest you take Zanka with you,” Ayama said. “She may be better suited to asking some of the more delicate questions. Tell Lady Rinalta that I will also visit her later to make sure she is well. Rutendo and I will wait here for the thaumaturge.” “I will take Luc and investigate that hillside,” Ghost said. “I doubt we will find much, however.” “In the meantime,” Ayama said, “Captain Rho, I suggest that the remaining three members of your Silver Guard remain armored as much as possible, and not be left alone.” “This precaution has already been taken,” the captain said. They all went their separate ways. About a half-hour later, the thaumaturge arrived, a small, wiry man festooned with fetishes who introduced himself as Farazod. After spending a few minutes laying out candles and drawing diagrams around the body with ash and salt, Farazod announced that he would try to contact the victim’s hun, his higher spirit, and insisted that everyone leave the room. Ayama and Rutendo looked at each other at this pronouncement; they knew that many thaumaturges who claimed to be able to contact the dead were charlatans. Thus they remained, despite the thaumaturge’s protests. Farazod began his rituals, utilizing a great deal of shouting and shaking of magical tokens. Studying his methods, Ayama realized that although they were needlessly elaborate, they were also genuine. This did not ease her concerns, however; Farazod’s practices were a primitive, weak form of necromancy, a dangerous area of magic to explore. She understood why he had wanted everyone out of the room; he feared what might happen if he were to lose control. This was especially risky when dealing with the soul of a Terrestrial Exalt, which was naturally more potent. However, no such mishap occurred on this occasion, and soon Farazod’s eyes were rolling back in his head as he made contact with Mnemon Lyrik’s hun. “The victim’s soul cries out for justice, for vengeance!” he shouted. “His eyes see only pain and blackness – there is no face, no name. His soul despairs – in life he had many enemies; could one have come to this place to seek his end?” With a sudden shout, Farazod’s body jerked, and the ritual ended, the thaumaturge’s frail mortal body no longer able to sustain the magic. Ayama and Rutendo exchanged theories as Farazod was shuffled off to a room in the palace to answer questions from Captain Rho. Some time later, Kaliel and Zanka returned to the throne room. “The lady is well,” Zanka said. “As well as can be expected. She confirms that her relationship with Mnemon Lyrik was intimate, but she tells us she did not have a similar relationship with any of the Silver Guard. She is concerned about how the death of a Realm ambassador will be received by the Empire, especially so close on the heels of the humiliation of Cathak Ejon and the murder of Guild Factor Tunato Kun. I have offered to help her present the news in the most favorable light possible.” Ghost and Luc were the last to return to the palace. “We found nothing of consequence,” Ghost said, “though we suspect that there was, in fact, someone on that hillside last night.” He left unspoken the entire story; while searching, Luc had in fact spotted a distinct boot print in the dirt, just moments before Ghost had set his own boots down on top of it, obliterating the track. Further careful searching had revealed nothing. “Perhaps Rutendo and I can examine the hill again after I see the queen,” Ayama said. “The creatures of the wild may have seen things that would not be apparent to your eyes.” “Perhaps,” Ghost said, “but I think it is clear what manner of assassin we are facing. How many beings can you think of in Creation who are capable of killing someone with such efficiency at such a range, and leave no trace? No mortal could have fired that distance, even with the best bow. And who might have cause to want to slay Dragon-Bloods, regardless of their political affiliations?” “I cannot argue with your theory, Ghost,” Ayama said. Unbidden, her thoughts turned to Standing Oak, the Solar archer they had met in the far East. She knew that he carried a variety of arrows, including frog-crotch arrows. Still, the same could likely be said of hundreds of archers in Creation. “Let us meet again to develop a plan.” “Lady Rinalta wishes us to stay in the palace until the assassin is caught,” Zanka said. “We can meet here.” After a brief visit to the queen to check on her health and the health of her unborn child, Ayama and Rutendo walked out to the hillside that Ghost had investigated earlier. As Ghost had reported, they found little physical evidence that anyone had been on the hill last night, though Rutendo was able to tell that signs had been deliberately obscured. However, after communing with the local animals, the Pillar of the Sun learned from a raccoon that there was a “human smell” on the hill last night, and that the human had “done the things that humans do when hunting” before it left. “That seems to confirm that the arrows were fired from this hill,” Rutendo said. “But I still…” Rutendo suddenly paused, his head cocked as if listening. Suddenly, Rutendo’s bow was in his hand, and an arrow fired into the air. The arrow flew only a few yards before it intercepted another arrow coming toward him, splintering it in midair. Rutendo dove behind a tree as three more arrows slammed into the ground where he had been standing. Alerted, Ayama still barely had time to invoke her Essence and toughen her skin before a pair of arrows struck her. Fortunately, they barely scratched her. When no further attacks came at them, they both cautiously emerged from cover and looked around. The angle of the arrows that had been fired at them was steep; Rutendo estimated that they had been fired from somewhere inside the city. “We should leave,” Ayama urged, and Rutendo offered no argument. Back at the palace, they told the others of the attack. “The assassin used target arrows this time,” Ayama said. “They are designed to pierce armor. Which means that not only was the assassin aware that we were there, but knew that Rutendo would be armored.” “This is disturbing,” Kaliel said. “It only confirms that the assassin is after Dragon-Bloods, and not Lady Rinalta. After all, Rutendo has no connection to the queen.” “But it also tells us that our assassin’s information is limited,” Ghost said. “He or she does not know that we are Solars.” “How do you know?” Ayama asked. “Four arrows were fired at Rutendo, and two at you. Had the assassin known about you, the ratio would have been reversed, or they would have made more attacks. It is likely that the assassin saw you as nothing more than a witness to be disposed of after his main target was slain. Of course, the fact that you did not die may have alerted the assassin that you are more than appear.” Ghost sighed. “Either way, it does not look encouraging.” “You seem worried, Ghost,” Zanka said. “I went and spoke with my contacts here in the city. None of them have heard of any known assassins arriving here, and none have been approached for information on any of the targets. So, we have an assassin who can fire arrows with supernatural accuracy over impossible distances, is lethal enough to kill Dragon-Bloods, and is able to successfully gather intelligence on his targets without relying on outside assistance and without being observed. The theory I posed earlier today is now even stronger in my mind. I think we are dealing with another Solar.” [/QUOTE]
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