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Message: <blockquote data-quote="simmo" data-source="post: 1380940" data-attributes="member: 9744">chapter 2 Interview with an Arcane InvestigatorAn hour passed before the door was unlocked and a tall, striking woman wearing red leather armour strode in to the room. Her blonde hair was tied back in a severe bun and she wore expensive leather boots that reached almost to her knees. No visible weapons could be seen on her person, although her belt held numerous small pouches.“For next time,” she said as she threw a pair of manacles towards Littleby. Two guards came in to remove Toranna and she struggled against them as they dragged her out of the cell. Arianna paused to watch the prisoner being taken away and then addressed the others. “Was there any other evidence that you'd like to submit?”“Yes,” replied Malkir who pulled the amulet of the black sunburst from a sack. He carefully passed it to her and studied her face intently as she reached for the item. “It might hurt if you hold it,” he informed her.Sure enough Arianna Redstrike winced slightly as she took the item and turned it over to examine it. “Thanks you for bringing us Toranna the Gray, it will greatly help us to track down the remaining Luminous Ones agents in Sigil and beyond. As well as clear the charges against your friend, Kendrick.”Malkir informed the arcane investigator that Serena had used her gifts to glimpse the item's previous owners and Serena took over by recounting how the amulet had been created and passed on to whom.“The Luminous Ones made no effort to win her back once we left the city,” said Littleby whose mind had been pondering how much Arianna knew about the organisation.“That fits the profile of the organisation,” stated Arianna, confirming Littleby's suspicions.“Really?” asked Serena somewhat surprised.“They dispose of their agents once they are of no more use. So we will have to be careful that she does not kill herself now that she is no longer being guided by her masters.” Arianna put the amulet in a small brown paper sack and wrote some notes on the back. “It's a fail safe mechanism,” she explained. “The two other agents that we managed to capture killed themselves during questioning.”“Is it some kind of enchantment?” asked Serena thinking about how Kendrick had become Karan when the Luminous Ones had controlled him.“Enchantment might not be the right word for it,” began Arianna. “Arwyl figured out about the fail safe mechanism whereby the agents kill themselves and hence the reason why I asked Littleby to bring back Toranna unconscious or incapacitated. It is also another reason why we wanted Kendrick to become a member of the Mercykillers again.”“Is Sss'ah'tlaha free,” asked Serena referring to the illithid investigator and member of the Harmonium.“He's just finishing his lunch,” replied Arianna with a slight grimace.“THAT'S MORE INFORMATION THAN I NEEDED TO KNOW,” said Caleb pitching in to the conversation at last.“Is it beyond your power to remove this enchantment?” asked Littleby.“Sss'ah'tlaha is working on it,” replied Arianna confidently. “But it is a very subtle and difficult thing to break. Whoever came up with this was very clever, fiendishly clever.”“Indeed,” said Serena thinking about likely suspects.“THE ORROLOTH?” suggested Caleb.“Or Shemeshka,” countered Serena.There was a pause whilst everyone got ready to leave the cell. Malkir and Andrew had remained quiet for the duration of the conversation. The former had simply sat in the cell and meditated, the latter had spent his time and energies blending in so that none would pay him much attention.“Before we left for the Outlands,” began Littleby before the others could get to the door. “We were talking about several characters that we'd mentioned to you.”“Yes,” replied Arianna who brought the two names to mind. “We have discovered that Jezrene Quickeye is in the city of Automata, gate-town to Mechanus. On the Orroloth we have drawn a complete blank.“What about my description?” asked Serena who was not ready to give up on bringing attention to the creature that was responsible for the imprisonment and possible death of her father in a painted fiendish contract.“We drew a complete blank,” reiterated the arcane investigator.“Well, give me some of your officers and I'll show you where he is,” stated Serena emphatically.“We'll see who we can spare,” Arianna remarked noncommittally.“I'll take Littleby, Zakar and I will show you,” said Serena intent on going that very minute.“I cannot make it myself as I'm tied up with another investigation.” Arianna thought for a moment. “I can send you Sss'ah'tlaha.”“Yes, I'd like to see him anyway,” agreed Serena who had plans for discussing some matters relating to mind-walking.As they filed out of the room the arcane investigator gave them each a long look, especially at Andrew. “I trust that we'll not be seeing SOME of you again.”“Certainly,” replied Andrew curtly.“Is there any reason why we need to stay longer?” asked Malkir who was keen to get back to his house.“You are free to go,” said Serena with a charming smile and pointing them to the open door. “As long as you obey the laws of the city.”</blockquote>

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