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<blockquote data-quote="Nonlethal Force" data-source="post: 3538026" data-attributes="member: 35788"><p>Once Ophee had stopped crying, she released Rhema and Charis. <span style="color: Lime">“You all are so kind, considering what I’ve done to you.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion spoke from the other side of the room. <span style="color: Plum">“You were under the delusions of a powerful twisting of your mind. You were drugged, lied to, brainwashed, and sent out into the world. What happened is not entirely your fault.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus grinned and approached the edge of Ophee’s bed. He turned his head to Brandt and winked before turning once more to face Ophee. <span style="color: LightBlue">“A very wise person once explained to me, ‘I can tell by your expressions that this is a hard lesson to learn and that you have learned it. You have erred, but your mistake was at least logical. Since Reah is most interested in justice, I can see no better punishment for you than to work to undo your mistake.’ The way I see it, you can help us thwart the plans of your master. And then like us, you will have paid for your mistake and the world will have suffered nothing for it. Personally, I think that we can live with those terms.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt grinned broadly in response to Ischarus’ remembrance of his earlier expression. <span style="color: Lime">“You learn well, Ischarus. And you lead with the hand of faithful justice. Perhaps there is hope for you yet.”</span> He chuckled and turned to allow Ophee the chance to speak.</p><p></p><p>Ophee smiled in response to Ischarus’ kind words, but simply shook her head. <span style="color: Lime">“I appreciate your kindness, really I do. But to be honest with you I don’t know that I can be much help. I don’t know anything other than what I have told you. Apparently I was affected enough by this drug you claim was in the tea that I don’t know anything other than my orders.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema stood up from the bed and pulled her hair back into a single ponytail to get the hair out of her eyes. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“Perhaps you weren’t told anything, Ophee, but that doesn’t mean that you still can’t be of help to us. I think it is reasonable to assume that your master needed the Black Arum for mind control. Yet, we returned with a significant amount of the Black Arum, far more than he could have used on you alone.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus interrupted his wife. <span style="color: LightBlue">“I hear where you are going with this, Rhema. But we shouldn’t also forget that if this wizard is smart then he’ll likely try to cultivate his own supply. So, some of what we brought back is likely to have found a home in the ground.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded and continued her thought. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“True, but we also know that the Voodoo Lily is hard to grow outside of its natural environment in Quehalost. Personally, I’d like to believe that it thrives on the evil aspect of the land enough that its sap can be used to poison the mind. But that’s neither here nor there, really. Even if we assume that half of the supply that we brought back from Quehalost was used to cultivate his own supply, it still leaves a significant amount left over.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee nodded with the rest of the occupants of the room. It was clear from the pause that they were waiting for Rhema to continue. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“So, that means that the wizard had a significant supply of Voodoo Lily root to use. Assuming that he had the magical capacity to brew up a significant amount of poison from the root, it could have been used to brainwash more people than you.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ischarus had begun to follow his wife’s reasoning. <span style="color: LightBlue">“Of course, that makes sense. Why would the wizard in Eberdeen want us dead?”</span></p><p></p><p>The light of understanding passed to Charis. <span style="color: Orange">“Because we got the root out of Quehalost for him! If anyone is discovered to have been brainwashed by Voodoo Lily root, we’d be able to point the authorities in a likely direction. We were liabilities!”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion was excited to see Charis filling in some of the pieces. <span style="color: Plum">“And if you’ve got a supply of Black Arum root that can be made into a brainwashing poison, what better way to exterminate the party than by sending in a friend whom they trust?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee looked down to the bed and shook her head. <span style="color: Lime">“How could I have been so stupid? I joined up with the wizard because I had heard that working for that wizard all but guaranteed social movement. My master – although I guess that’s an inappropriate title now – is known for getting people advanced. My job with him was supposed to lead me to new heights, not into the possibility of slaughtering my friends!”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt chuckled at Ophee’s comment. <span style="color: Lime">“There is seldom any meaningful quick way up the social scale, Ophee. But don’t worry. You were duped just as much as the Rhema, Charis, Ischarus, and Semeion. None of us saw this coming. The important thing now is to try and determine what possible goal this wizard could be working towards. There is much that can be done with a brainwashed victim. And we have no idea who these brainwashed victims just might be.”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion snapped his index finger and thumb together and pointed to Brandt. <span style="color: Plum">“That’s it. It has to be. Think about it. Ophee and Darkbringer both showed the effects of the poison. And what did they have in common?”</span></p><p></p><p>Silence hung in the room for several seconds before Ophee spoke. <span style="color: Lime">“We were both in the wizard’s service? We were paid to do a job?”</span></p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled broadly and his eyes flashed with excitement. <span style="color: Plum">“Bingo! You win the prize, milady. The wizard uses the brainwashing treatment on those who already trust him. He is using people in his employ to carry out tasks without their knowledge. You never know, Ophee. You could have done countless tasks in his service and never recalled any of them.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis absorbed much of her husband’s excitement as he spoke. As she sat beside Ophee upon the bed, she turned and spoke. The flecks in her eyes glistened as her face brightened with anticipation. <span style="color: Orange">“How many people are in the wizard’s employ, Ophee? How many people hold information gathering positions like you?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee began chewing on her bottom lip as she thought. <span style="color: Lime">“There are seven of us like me, one for each of the major cities of Tongra. Angelique, Garnet, and Scarhaus are too close to Quehalost to warrant the wizard’s expenditure of resources. But there is an agent in Eberdeen, Juniper, Bacrothen, Fingerdale, Partuss, Classo, and even Reignsburg.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded as Ophee listed the major cities. <span style="color: Lime">“That’s all of them: King Rupert’s domain, Duke Norford’s domain, Lord Chauvre, our own Lord Ironblood, Earl Patron, Earl Boniface, and Earl Sniblett. Of course, that leaves out the Counts and their lands: Count Poltier, Count Gravous, and Count Ahlstrom. But as you said, Ophee, the likelihood of anything significant happening in those lands besides the security of the mountain range is unlikely.”</span></p><p></p><p>Charis smirked as Brandt finished speaking. <span style="color: Orange">“By significant, you mean something like a fight between dragons and the presentation of a whole new populace to Ausaphaborishan?”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded and smiled. <span style="color: Lime">“Exactly. Nothing so significant would surely happen there.”</span> He laughed, and he was quickly joined by the rest of the occupants of the room.</p><p></p><p>Semeion returned the party to the proper discussion. <span style="color: Plum">“We have a couple of things in our favor, of course. The most significant of those things is that the wizard likely thinks that we are dead. When the barn burned, it would be easy to assume we all burned up with it.”</span></p><p></p><p>The acolyte who had served as their nurse spoke softly so as not to interrupt offensively. <span style="color: Lime">“Yes, my lords. That is a safe assumption. Little was done to stop the barn from burning once you all were removed. We thought it best to allow the barn to burn to the ground and smolder before protecting the surrounding fields. And, this place is protected against magical information gathering. So long as you remain in here, it should be impossible to know that you are alive so long as the one who seeks such information is an enemy of justice and Reah herself.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt concurred. <span style="color: Lime">“Indeed. The wizard in Eberdeen should be blind to our movements. We definitely have that in our favor. We also have someone who can give specific descriptions of those who are in the wizard’s employ. That may prove significant.”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee smiled at the mention of the possibility that she might be able to help. <span style="color: Lime">“I can also give you the places that each member of the wizard’s information team is likely to frequent. We learn each other’s routines from time to time just because when the wizard calls us together we share about the contexts of our assignments.”</span></p><p></p><p>The color drained out of Ophee’s face as soon as she spoke the words. Charis was the first to notice that Ophee’s attitude had dimmed. <span style="color: Orange">“Ophee? What’s wrong?”</span></p><p></p><p>Ophee swallowed hard. <span style="color: Lime">“I remember that my master told me that once I had successfully accomplished this current mission that he was going to immediately recall me and give me a second urgent mission here in Fingerdale. I would guess that if he has assumed that I am dead, that he may have moved on without me.”</span></p><p></p><p>Rhema’s eyes darted across the room to meet Brandt’s eyes. <span style="color: PaleGreen">“It sounds like our deaths were to be the catalysts of something fairly significant. We may already be too late, you know.”</span></p><p></p><p>Brandt agreed with Rhema. <span style="color: Lime">“It’s possible, of course.”</span> He turned to the acolyte, who was standing behind him near the door. <span style="color: Lime">“Go, and bring me Master Searthu. Tell him that the case that began with Darkbringer has grown increasingly deep. Truth evades me at every turn, and I may be running out of time. His talents are needed if we are to act quickly.”</span></p><p></p><p>The acolyte darted out of the room and Brandt turned back to Ophee. <span style="color: Lime">“If you don’t mind, Ophee, could you begin to bring to mind a few memories of the other agents? Master Searthu can use that information when he comes.”</span></p><p></p><p>[Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section]</p><p>Once Ophee had stopped crying, she released Rhema and Charis. “You all are so kind, considering what I’ve done to you.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion spoke from the other side of the room. “You were under the delusions of a powerful twisting of your mind. You were drugged, lied to, brainwashed, and sent out into the world. What happened is not entirely your fault.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus grinned and approached the edge of Ophee’s bed. He turned his head to Brandt and winked before turning once more to face Ophee. “A very wise person once explained to me, ‘I can tell by your expressions that this is a hard lesson to learn and that you have learned it. You have erred, but your mistake was at least logical. Since Reah is most interested in justice, I can see no better punishment for you than to work to undo your mistake.’ The way I see it, you can help us thwart the plans of your master. And then like us, you will have paid for your mistake and the world will have suffered nothing for it. Personally, I think that we can live with those terms.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt grinned broadly in response to Ischarus’ remembrance of his earlier expression. “You learn well, Ischarus. And you lead with the hand of faithful justice. Perhaps there is hope for you yet.” He chuckled and turned to allow Ophee the chance to speak.</p><p></p><p>Ophee smiled in response to Ischarus’ kind words, but simply shook her head. “I appreciate your kindness, really I do. But to be honest with you I don’t know that I can be much help. I don’t know anything other than what I have told you. Apparently I was affected enough by this drug you claim was in the tea that I don’t know anything other than my orders.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema stood up from the bed and pulled her hair back into a single ponytail to get the hair out of her eyes. “Perhaps you weren’t told anything, Ophee, but that doesn’t mean that you still can’t be of help to us. I think it is reasonable to assume that your master needed the Black Arum for mind control. Yet, we returned with a significant amount of the Black Arum, far more than he could have used on you alone.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus interrupted his wife. “I hear where you are going with this, Rhema. But we shouldn’t also forget that if this wizard is smart then he’ll likely try to cultivate his own supply. So, some of what we brought back is likely to have found a home in the ground.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema nodded and continued her thought. “True, but we also know that the Voodoo Lily is hard to grow outside of its natural environment in Quehalost. Personally, I’d like to believe that it thrives on the evil aspect of the land enough that its sap can be used to poison the mind. But that’s neither here nor there, really. Even if we assume that half of the supply that we brought back from Quehalost was used to cultivate his own supply, it still leaves a significant amount left over.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee nodded with the rest of the occupants of the room. It was clear from the pause that they were waiting for Rhema to continue. “So, that means that the wizard had a significant supply of Voodoo Lily root to use. Assuming that he had the magical capacity to brew up a significant amount of poison from the root, it could have been used to brainwash more people than you.”</p><p></p><p>Ischarus had begun to follow his wife’s reasoning. “Of course, that makes sense. Why would the wizard in Eberdeen want us dead?”</p><p></p><p>The light of understanding passed to Charis. “Because we got the root out of Quehalost for him! If anyone is discovered to have been brainwashed by Voodoo Lily root, we’d be able to point the authorities in a likely direction. We were liabilities!”</p><p></p><p>Semeion was excited to see Charis filling in some of the pieces. “And if you’ve got a supply of Black Arum root that can be made into a brainwashing poison, what better way to exterminate the party than by sending in a friend whom they trust?”</p><p></p><p>Ophee looked down to the bed and shook her head. “How could I have been so stupid? I joined up with the wizard because I had heard that working for that wizard all but guaranteed social movement. My master – although I guess that’s an inappropriate title now – is known for getting people advanced. My job with him was supposed to lead me to new heights, not into the possibility of slaughtering my friends!”</p><p></p><p>Brandt chuckled at Ophee’s comment. “There is seldom any meaningful quick way up the social scale, Ophee. But don’t worry. You were duped just as much as the Rhema, Charis, Ischarus, and Semeion. None of us saw this coming. The important thing now is to try and determine what possible goal this wizard could be working towards. There is much that can be done with a brainwashed victim. And we have no idea who these brainwashed victims just might be.”</p><p></p><p>Semeion snapped his index finger and thumb together and pointed to Brandt. “That’s it. It has to be. Think about it. Ophee and Darkbringer both showed the effects of the poison. And what did they have in common?”</p><p></p><p>Silence hung in the room for several seconds before Ophee spoke. “We were both in the wizard’s service? We were paid to do a job?”</p><p></p><p>Semeion smiled broadly and his eyes flashed with excitement. “Bingo! You win the prize, milady. The wizard uses the brainwashing treatment on those who already trust him. He is using people in his employ to carry out tasks without their knowledge. You never know, Ophee. You could have done countless tasks in his service and never recalled any of them.”</p><p></p><p>Charis absorbed much of her husband’s excitement as he spoke. As she sat beside Ophee upon the bed, she turned and spoke. The flecks in her eyes glistened as her face brightened with anticipation. “How many people are in the wizard’s employ, Ophee? How many people hold information gathering positions like you?”</p><p></p><p>Ophee began chewing on her bottom lip as she thought. “There are seven of us like me, one for each of the major cities of Tongra. Angelique, Garnet, and Scarhaus are too close to Quehalost to warrant the wizard’s expenditure of resources. But there is an agent in Eberdeen, Juniper, Bacrothen, Fingerdale, Partuss, Classo, and even Reignsburg.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded as Ophee listed the major cities. “That’s all of them: King Rupert’s domain, Duke Norford’s domain, Lord Chauvre, our own Lord Ironblood, Earl Patron, Earl Boniface, and Earl Sniblett. Of course, that leaves out the Counts and their lands: Count Poltier, Count Gravous, and Count Ahlstrom. But as you said, Ophee, the likelihood of anything significant happening in those lands besides the security of the mountain range is unlikely.”</p><p></p><p>Charis smirked as Brandt finished speaking. “By significant, you mean something like a fight between dragons and the presentation of a whole new populace to Ausaphaborishan?”</p><p></p><p>Brandt nodded and smiled. “Exactly. Nothing so significant would surely happen there.” He laughed, and he was quickly joined by the rest of the occupants of the room.</p><p></p><p>Semeion returned the party to the proper discussion. “We have a couple of things in our favor, of course. The most significant of those things is that the wizard likely thinks that we are dead. When the barn burned, it would be easy to assume we all burned up with it.”</p><p></p><p>The acolyte who had served as their nurse spoke softly so as not to interrupt offensively. “Yes, my lords. That is a safe assumption. Little was done to stop the barn from burning once you all were removed. We thought it best to allow the barn to burn to the ground and smolder before protecting the surrounding fields. And, this place is protected against magical information gathering. So long as you remain in here, it should be impossible to know that you are alive so long as the one who seeks such information is an enemy of justice and Reah herself.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt concurred. “Indeed. The wizard in Eberdeen should be blind to our movements. We definitely have that in our favor. We also have someone who can give specific descriptions of those who are in the wizard’s employ. That may prove significant.”</p><p></p><p>Ophee smiled at the mention of the possibility that she might be able to help. “I can also give you the places that each member of the wizard’s information team is likely to frequent. We learn each other’s routines from time to time just because when the wizard calls us together we share about the contexts of our assignments.”</p><p></p><p>The color drained out of Ophee’s face as soon as she spoke the words. Charis was the first to notice that Ophee’s attitude had dimmed. “Ophee? What’s wrong?”</p><p></p><p>Ophee swallowed hard. “I remember that my master told me that once I had successfully accomplished this current mission that he was going to immediately recall me and give me a second urgent mission here in Fingerdale. I would guess that if he has assumed that I am dead, that he may have moved on without me.”</p><p></p><p>Rhema’s eyes darted across the room to meet Brandt’s eyes. “It sounds like our deaths were to be the catalysts of something fairly significant. We may already be too late, you know.”</p><p></p><p>Brandt agreed with Rhema. “It’s possible, of course.” He turned to the acolyte, who was standing behind him near the door. “Go, and bring me Master Searthu. Tell him that the case that began with Darkbringer has grown increasingly deep. Truth evades me at every turn, and I may be running out of time. His talents are needed if we are to act quickly.”</p><p></p><p>The acolyte darted out of the room and Brandt turned back to Ophee. “If you don’t mind, Ophee, could you begin to bring to mind a few memories of the other agents? Master Searthu can use that information when he comes.”</p><p>[/Sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Nonlethal Force, post: 3538026, member: 35788"] Once Ophee had stopped crying, she released Rhema and Charis. [Color=Lime]“You all are so kind, considering what I’ve done to you.”[/Color] Semeion spoke from the other side of the room. [Color=Plum]“You were under the delusions of a powerful twisting of your mind. You were drugged, lied to, brainwashed, and sent out into the world. What happened is not entirely your fault.”[/Color] Ischarus grinned and approached the edge of Ophee’s bed. He turned his head to Brandt and winked before turning once more to face Ophee. [Color=LightBlue]“A very wise person once explained to me, ‘I can tell by your expressions that this is a hard lesson to learn and that you have learned it. You have erred, but your mistake was at least logical. Since Reah is most interested in justice, I can see no better punishment for you than to work to undo your mistake.’ The way I see it, you can help us thwart the plans of your master. And then like us, you will have paid for your mistake and the world will have suffered nothing for it. Personally, I think that we can live with those terms.”[/Color] Brandt grinned broadly in response to Ischarus’ remembrance of his earlier expression. [Color=Lime]“You learn well, Ischarus. And you lead with the hand of faithful justice. Perhaps there is hope for you yet.”[/Color] He chuckled and turned to allow Ophee the chance to speak. Ophee smiled in response to Ischarus’ kind words, but simply shook her head. [Color=Lime]“I appreciate your kindness, really I do. But to be honest with you I don’t know that I can be much help. I don’t know anything other than what I have told you. Apparently I was affected enough by this drug you claim was in the tea that I don’t know anything other than my orders.”[/Color] Rhema stood up from the bed and pulled her hair back into a single ponytail to get the hair out of her eyes. [Color=PaleGreen]“Perhaps you weren’t told anything, Ophee, but that doesn’t mean that you still can’t be of help to us. I think it is reasonable to assume that your master needed the Black Arum for mind control. Yet, we returned with a significant amount of the Black Arum, far more than he could have used on you alone.”[/Color] Ischarus interrupted his wife. [Color=LightBlue]“I hear where you are going with this, Rhema. But we shouldn’t also forget that if this wizard is smart then he’ll likely try to cultivate his own supply. So, some of what we brought back is likely to have found a home in the ground.”[/Color] Rhema nodded and continued her thought. [Color=PaleGreen]“True, but we also know that the Voodoo Lily is hard to grow outside of its natural environment in Quehalost. Personally, I’d like to believe that it thrives on the evil aspect of the land enough that its sap can be used to poison the mind. But that’s neither here nor there, really. Even if we assume that half of the supply that we brought back from Quehalost was used to cultivate his own supply, it still leaves a significant amount left over.”[/Color] Ophee nodded with the rest of the occupants of the room. It was clear from the pause that they were waiting for Rhema to continue. [Color=PaleGreen]“So, that means that the wizard had a significant supply of Voodoo Lily root to use. Assuming that he had the magical capacity to brew up a significant amount of poison from the root, it could have been used to brainwash more people than you.”[/Color] Ischarus had begun to follow his wife’s reasoning. [Color=LightBlue]“Of course, that makes sense. Why would the wizard in Eberdeen want us dead?”[/Color] The light of understanding passed to Charis. [Color=Orange]“Because we got the root out of Quehalost for him! If anyone is discovered to have been brainwashed by Voodoo Lily root, we’d be able to point the authorities in a likely direction. We were liabilities!”[/Color] Semeion was excited to see Charis filling in some of the pieces. [Color=Plum]“And if you’ve got a supply of Black Arum root that can be made into a brainwashing poison, what better way to exterminate the party than by sending in a friend whom they trust?”[/Color] Ophee looked down to the bed and shook her head. [Color=Lime]“How could I have been so stupid? I joined up with the wizard because I had heard that working for that wizard all but guaranteed social movement. My master – although I guess that’s an inappropriate title now – is known for getting people advanced. My job with him was supposed to lead me to new heights, not into the possibility of slaughtering my friends!”[/Color] Brandt chuckled at Ophee’s comment. [Color=Lime]“There is seldom any meaningful quick way up the social scale, Ophee. But don’t worry. You were duped just as much as the Rhema, Charis, Ischarus, and Semeion. None of us saw this coming. The important thing now is to try and determine what possible goal this wizard could be working towards. There is much that can be done with a brainwashed victim. And we have no idea who these brainwashed victims just might be.”[/Color] Semeion snapped his index finger and thumb together and pointed to Brandt. [Color=Plum]“That’s it. It has to be. Think about it. Ophee and Darkbringer both showed the effects of the poison. And what did they have in common?”[/Color] Silence hung in the room for several seconds before Ophee spoke. [Color=Lime]“We were both in the wizard’s service? We were paid to do a job?”[/Color] Semeion smiled broadly and his eyes flashed with excitement. [Color=Plum]“Bingo! You win the prize, milady. The wizard uses the brainwashing treatment on those who already trust him. He is using people in his employ to carry out tasks without their knowledge. You never know, Ophee. You could have done countless tasks in his service and never recalled any of them.”[/Color] Charis absorbed much of her husband’s excitement as he spoke. As she sat beside Ophee upon the bed, she turned and spoke. The flecks in her eyes glistened as her face brightened with anticipation. [Color=Orange]“How many people are in the wizard’s employ, Ophee? How many people hold information gathering positions like you?”[/Color] Ophee began chewing on her bottom lip as she thought. [Color=Lime]“There are seven of us like me, one for each of the major cities of Tongra. Angelique, Garnet, and Scarhaus are too close to Quehalost to warrant the wizard’s expenditure of resources. But there is an agent in Eberdeen, Juniper, Bacrothen, Fingerdale, Partuss, Classo, and even Reignsburg.”[/Color] Brandt nodded as Ophee listed the major cities. [Color=Lime]“That’s all of them: King Rupert’s domain, Duke Norford’s domain, Lord Chauvre, our own Lord Ironblood, Earl Patron, Earl Boniface, and Earl Sniblett. Of course, that leaves out the Counts and their lands: Count Poltier, Count Gravous, and Count Ahlstrom. But as you said, Ophee, the likelihood of anything significant happening in those lands besides the security of the mountain range is unlikely.”[/Color] Charis smirked as Brandt finished speaking. [Color=Orange]“By significant, you mean something like a fight between dragons and the presentation of a whole new populace to Ausaphaborishan?”[/Color] Brandt nodded and smiled. [Color=Lime]“Exactly. Nothing so significant would surely happen there.”[/Color] He laughed, and he was quickly joined by the rest of the occupants of the room. Semeion returned the party to the proper discussion. [Color=Plum]“We have a couple of things in our favor, of course. The most significant of those things is that the wizard likely thinks that we are dead. When the barn burned, it would be easy to assume we all burned up with it.”[/Color] The acolyte who had served as their nurse spoke softly so as not to interrupt offensively. [Color=Lime]“Yes, my lords. That is a safe assumption. Little was done to stop the barn from burning once you all were removed. We thought it best to allow the barn to burn to the ground and smolder before protecting the surrounding fields. And, this place is protected against magical information gathering. So long as you remain in here, it should be impossible to know that you are alive so long as the one who seeks such information is an enemy of justice and Reah herself.”[/Color] Brandt concurred. [Color=Lime]“Indeed. The wizard in Eberdeen should be blind to our movements. We definitely have that in our favor. We also have someone who can give specific descriptions of those who are in the wizard’s employ. That may prove significant.”[/Color] Ophee smiled at the mention of the possibility that she might be able to help. [Color=Lime]“I can also give you the places that each member of the wizard’s information team is likely to frequent. We learn each other’s routines from time to time just because when the wizard calls us together we share about the contexts of our assignments.”[/Color] The color drained out of Ophee’s face as soon as she spoke the words. Charis was the first to notice that Ophee’s attitude had dimmed. [Color=Orange]“Ophee? What’s wrong?”[/Color] Ophee swallowed hard. [Color=Lime]“I remember that my master told me that once I had successfully accomplished this current mission that he was going to immediately recall me and give me a second urgent mission here in Fingerdale. I would guess that if he has assumed that I am dead, that he may have moved on without me.”[/Color] Rhema’s eyes darted across the room to meet Brandt’s eyes. [Color=PaleGreen]“It sounds like our deaths were to be the catalysts of something fairly significant. We may already be too late, you know.”[/Color] Brandt agreed with Rhema. [Color=Lime]“It’s possible, of course.”[/Color] He turned to the acolyte, who was standing behind him near the door. [Color=Lime]“Go, and bring me Master Searthu. Tell him that the case that began with Darkbringer has grown increasingly deep. Truth evades me at every turn, and I may be running out of time. His talents are needed if we are to act quickly.”[/Color] The acolyte darted out of the room and Brandt turned back to Ophee. [Color=Lime]“If you don’t mind, Ophee, could you begin to bring to mind a few memories of the other agents? Master Searthu can use that information when he comes.”[/Color] [Sblock=Color-Free Speech Section] Once Ophee had stopped crying, she released Rhema and Charis. “You all are so kind, considering what I’ve done to you.” Semeion spoke from the other side of the room. “You were under the delusions of a powerful twisting of your mind. You were drugged, lied to, brainwashed, and sent out into the world. What happened is not entirely your fault.” Ischarus grinned and approached the edge of Ophee’s bed. He turned his head to Brandt and winked before turning once more to face Ophee. “A very wise person once explained to me, ‘I can tell by your expressions that this is a hard lesson to learn and that you have learned it. You have erred, but your mistake was at least logical. Since Reah is most interested in justice, I can see no better punishment for you than to work to undo your mistake.’ The way I see it, you can help us thwart the plans of your master. And then like us, you will have paid for your mistake and the world will have suffered nothing for it. Personally, I think that we can live with those terms.” Brandt grinned broadly in response to Ischarus’ remembrance of his earlier expression. “You learn well, Ischarus. And you lead with the hand of faithful justice. Perhaps there is hope for you yet.” He chuckled and turned to allow Ophee the chance to speak. Ophee smiled in response to Ischarus’ kind words, but simply shook her head. “I appreciate your kindness, really I do. But to be honest with you I don’t know that I can be much help. I don’t know anything other than what I have told you. Apparently I was affected enough by this drug you claim was in the tea that I don’t know anything other than my orders.” Rhema stood up from the bed and pulled her hair back into a single ponytail to get the hair out of her eyes. “Perhaps you weren’t told anything, Ophee, but that doesn’t mean that you still can’t be of help to us. I think it is reasonable to assume that your master needed the Black Arum for mind control. Yet, we returned with a significant amount of the Black Arum, far more than he could have used on you alone.” Ischarus interrupted his wife. “I hear where you are going with this, Rhema. But we shouldn’t also forget that if this wizard is smart then he’ll likely try to cultivate his own supply. So, some of what we brought back is likely to have found a home in the ground.” Rhema nodded and continued her thought. “True, but we also know that the Voodoo Lily is hard to grow outside of its natural environment in Quehalost. Personally, I’d like to believe that it thrives on the evil aspect of the land enough that its sap can be used to poison the mind. But that’s neither here nor there, really. Even if we assume that half of the supply that we brought back from Quehalost was used to cultivate his own supply, it still leaves a significant amount left over.” Ophee nodded with the rest of the occupants of the room. It was clear from the pause that they were waiting for Rhema to continue. “So, that means that the wizard had a significant supply of Voodoo Lily root to use. Assuming that he had the magical capacity to brew up a significant amount of poison from the root, it could have been used to brainwash more people than you.” Ischarus had begun to follow his wife’s reasoning. “Of course, that makes sense. Why would the wizard in Eberdeen want us dead?” The light of understanding passed to Charis. “Because we got the root out of Quehalost for him! If anyone is discovered to have been brainwashed by Voodoo Lily root, we’d be able to point the authorities in a likely direction. We were liabilities!” Semeion was excited to see Charis filling in some of the pieces. “And if you’ve got a supply of Black Arum root that can be made into a brainwashing poison, what better way to exterminate the party than by sending in a friend whom they trust?” Ophee looked down to the bed and shook her head. “How could I have been so stupid? I joined up with the wizard because I had heard that working for that wizard all but guaranteed social movement. My master – although I guess that’s an inappropriate title now – is known for getting people advanced. My job with him was supposed to lead me to new heights, not into the possibility of slaughtering my friends!” Brandt chuckled at Ophee’s comment. “There is seldom any meaningful quick way up the social scale, Ophee. But don’t worry. You were duped just as much as the Rhema, Charis, Ischarus, and Semeion. None of us saw this coming. The important thing now is to try and determine what possible goal this wizard could be working towards. There is much that can be done with a brainwashed victim. And we have no idea who these brainwashed victims just might be.” Semeion snapped his index finger and thumb together and pointed to Brandt. “That’s it. It has to be. Think about it. Ophee and Darkbringer both showed the effects of the poison. And what did they have in common?” Silence hung in the room for several seconds before Ophee spoke. “We were both in the wizard’s service? We were paid to do a job?” Semeion smiled broadly and his eyes flashed with excitement. “Bingo! You win the prize, milady. The wizard uses the brainwashing treatment on those who already trust him. He is using people in his employ to carry out tasks without their knowledge. You never know, Ophee. You could have done countless tasks in his service and never recalled any of them.” Charis absorbed much of her husband’s excitement as he spoke. As she sat beside Ophee upon the bed, she turned and spoke. The flecks in her eyes glistened as her face brightened with anticipation. “How many people are in the wizard’s employ, Ophee? How many people hold information gathering positions like you?” Ophee began chewing on her bottom lip as she thought. “There are seven of us like me, one for each of the major cities of Tongra. Angelique, Garnet, and Scarhaus are too close to Quehalost to warrant the wizard’s expenditure of resources. But there is an agent in Eberdeen, Juniper, Bacrothen, Fingerdale, Partuss, Classo, and even Reignsburg.” Brandt nodded as Ophee listed the major cities. “That’s all of them: King Rupert’s domain, Duke Norford’s domain, Lord Chauvre, our own Lord Ironblood, Earl Patron, Earl Boniface, and Earl Sniblett. Of course, that leaves out the Counts and their lands: Count Poltier, Count Gravous, and Count Ahlstrom. But as you said, Ophee, the likelihood of anything significant happening in those lands besides the security of the mountain range is unlikely.” Charis smirked as Brandt finished speaking. “By significant, you mean something like a fight between dragons and the presentation of a whole new populace to Ausaphaborishan?” Brandt nodded and smiled. “Exactly. Nothing so significant would surely happen there.” He laughed, and he was quickly joined by the rest of the occupants of the room. Semeion returned the party to the proper discussion. “We have a couple of things in our favor, of course. The most significant of those things is that the wizard likely thinks that we are dead. When the barn burned, it would be easy to assume we all burned up with it.” The acolyte who had served as their nurse spoke softly so as not to interrupt offensively. “Yes, my lords. That is a safe assumption. Little was done to stop the barn from burning once you all were removed. We thought it best to allow the barn to burn to the ground and smolder before protecting the surrounding fields. And, this place is protected against magical information gathering. So long as you remain in here, it should be impossible to know that you are alive so long as the one who seeks such information is an enemy of justice and Reah herself.” Brandt concurred. “Indeed. The wizard in Eberdeen should be blind to our movements. We definitely have that in our favor. We also have someone who can give specific descriptions of those who are in the wizard’s employ. That may prove significant.” Ophee smiled at the mention of the possibility that she might be able to help. “I can also give you the places that each member of the wizard’s information team is likely to frequent. We learn each other’s routines from time to time just because when the wizard calls us together we share about the contexts of our assignments.” The color drained out of Ophee’s face as soon as she spoke the words. Charis was the first to notice that Ophee’s attitude had dimmed. “Ophee? What’s wrong?” Ophee swallowed hard. “I remember that my master told me that once I had successfully accomplished this current mission that he was going to immediately recall me and give me a second urgent mission here in Fingerdale. I would guess that if he has assumed that I am dead, that he may have moved on without me.” Rhema’s eyes darted across the room to meet Brandt’s eyes. “It sounds like our deaths were to be the catalysts of something fairly significant. We may already be too late, you know.” Brandt agreed with Rhema. “It’s possible, of course.” He turned to the acolyte, who was standing behind him near the door. “Go, and bring me Master Searthu. Tell him that the case that began with Darkbringer has grown increasingly deep. Truth evades me at every turn, and I may be running out of time. His talents are needed if we are to act quickly.” The acolyte darted out of the room and Brandt turned back to Ophee. “If you don’t mind, Ophee, could you begin to bring to mind a few memories of the other agents? Master Searthu can use that information when he comes.” [/Sblock] [/QUOTE]
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