Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
The Lord Commander listens intently to what Akos relates to him. When the Loremaster goes into Nathaniel's behaviour, Oakfirst's calm demeanour turns into a scowl. Yet, he doesn't look surprised by the young guard's actions.Akos focuses shortly and silvery plates of his armor roll back revealing the man underneath. Intense eyes focus on the commander.
"We heard plenty, Lord Commander. And you won't like what we have to say."
Akos nods toward the group "I'll start, feel free to interrupt or correct me if I get something wrong."
He proceeds to narrate the events from finding the noble, his behaviour (despicable), the list of people on the manor and the story behind each as they know it before (finally) coming to the gritty details of corruption, clearly delineates what they know for sure, what they heard from two or more sources (such as candle shop) and what came from young Aceron heir.
However, he looks very surprised when he learns of who was visiting Aceron Manor. Akos and the other can tell he is making a mental note of all their names. He seems quite upset to learn that the Lord Marshal of Coeurdî is visiting Bluffside. It is obvious on his face. Yet, he stays quiet and continues to listen intently.
It is only when Akos notes the candle shop that Oakfirst stops him. "So you've confirmed what I've long suspected. Barclay Winton is not who he pretends to be. I've been having my most trusted Elites watching that shop for several months, but they've never caught Mr. Winton doing anything illegal."
"Unless those Elites are taking bribes," Custodio considers.
"I have a hard time believing that every guard in Old City is on the take," Oakfirst notes. "Yes, there seem to be more bad apples than I suspected, but if Valentine Camburn is corrupt, I'll eat my breeches."
Custodio nods. There is no way Ol' Valentine is corrupt, he thinks.
"He teaches classes about ethics to Sectarians," Vinny mentions. "There is no way he's corrupt."
"Agreed, anyway, go on Loremaster," Oakfirst urges Akos.
Akos goes into more details about some of the corruption the Exemplars have heard about and come across. He makes note of Lowenan Wearne, Sampson Lichefield, Christean Launceleyn, and Geoffrey Suggitt in particular. He also mentions the guards that Nathaniel mentioned while they were at the manor.
Custodio hands Oakfirst the pages written by the young guard. Oakfirst carefully reads each page as Akos continues to give details about what they've discovered. He also mentions that Sylemis and Gerey have gone missing while investigating the Jade Thicket but that more than likely they might just be in some adjacent fey realm.
"Akos doesn't think they would be in any danger," Custodio interrupts. "Still, Tuck has Mutt looking for them."
Oakfirst nods. "Keep me apprised of the situation. If they are gone for more than a few days, we should consider that something else might have happened to them. Regardless, Gerey was once a Lantern, so he can take care of himself and Sylemis, if need be."
Oakfirst puts up a hand to have Akos wait while he rereads the last few pages of Nathaniel's confession. "Young Mr. Aceron definitely likes to point fingers at others. There is no way that Gregor Leventhorpe is corrupt, regardless of his heritage. The man is so honest and respected that he is one of the few Elite Captains who can walk through the Undercity without a dozen guards escorting him. He is greatly thought of here in Old City too."
"I think that Nathaniel is trying to save his own skin," Custodio adds.
"I doubt very much that Angelina Merkatz is corrupt either," Oakfirst says. "While she sometimes favours the sea peoples over land dwellers, she is good at her job and helps keep the peace out on Sordadon."
He looks at Akos. "She's been vital to keeping the street war going on under check. Still, the Dusk seem to be everywhere out there. They and the Hammers are clashing every night. The conflict going on between these Dusk and the Golden Sabres is more a battle of break-ins and pockets being picked on both sides. The bodies aren't piling up as bad."
"Wearne and his crew were taken into custody soon after you left with Nathaniel," Oakfirst adds. "I've had them moved out of Old City to the Dungeon in New City. Wearne will likely end up in the Citadel of Phenbras, but it's not safe to take him or anyone else out to Sordadon right now." He pause. "And, I've known about Lichefield's troubles for a while now. He's a horrible drunk and is a vicious man when intoxicated. Captain Flaskforge has put him on leave. He was no happy about it. He will lose his place among the Regulars if he doesn't get his act together."
"Captain Launceleyn is very politically motivated. Even after her actions at the Iron Gate, I haven't been able to convince The Five to have her dismissed. The worst she might face is being demoted and reassigned. Lord Blander is being quite difficult about her. The Launceleyns are powerful merchant family. Of course, I knew that already, but I didn't realize how important they are to the trade of Adamantine, especially to Novarum and Vinovia."
"I'm surprised they're even considering allowing you to demote her," Custodio says.
"It will be a paper demotion... and a relocation to the Mining District," the lord commander replies. "There, she will be out of my hair and will answer to Captain Prisdom and Adamantine Security Council."
He grins like a cat about to eat a canary.
"Geoffrey Suggitt seems to be the unknown here," he continues. "Arcanus Appolyon had no idea that there was any corruption going on underneath his nose. He's become quite incensed to learn that both Aceron and Suggitt were taking bribes. And that Suggitt seems to have been working with the renegade this whole time." He pauses again to reread some of Nathaniel's accusations. "Sabela Abreu being league with Phelix seems so out of character from what I've heard of her. Maybe she isn't who she claims to be either."
"Or was replaced by a doppelganger," Vinny suggests.
"A good thought, Sectarian," Oakfirst replies. "I will leave it up to you to discover the truth."
He turns to Akos and the other Exemplars. "Go to the candle shop and interrogate this Kelik person. Don't worry about causing a stir. I will handle any nobles who get their damn feathers ruffled. Try not to let it devolve into blades and fisticuffs, but if you face physical resistance, you have my permission to engage with full force."
"I will take Nathaniel's notes to The Five and see what they say. But, no more tiptoeing around nobles and their machinations. I need this handled." He pauses. "I was able to get you another one of those crystalline flowers. It's hidden somewhere that only you know about. I'm not going to say more right now, but I think you'll be able to figure it out on your own. At the very least, when you're ready to attack the enclave, I will have it brought to you if you haven't figured it out by then. But, if you find another way in into the renegade's lair, take it!"
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