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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 8264754" data-attributes="member: 2012">The duo head back down the spiral staircase with Captain Launceleyn close behind them. Commander Mildenhall stays behind to talk with the Custodians abut extra security for the Prison Tower.Once outside the tower, the two adventurers can see that the number people gathered around the Iron Gate has quadrupled. While most are ordinary citizens drawn to the area by the activation of the Great Gate Construct, there are dozens of guards that stand firm at the entrance of Regulars Barracks. Most of them seem to be either Regulars or Elites but there are also other guards ringed around the Iron Gate. Vinccenzo notes their gray silk sashes to Tim. They are Palace Guards. They keep the crowds of onlookers away from the open gate.As the duo and Captain Launceleyn near the Iron Gate, Tin sees Lord Commander Oakfirst talking to the Elites of Riftwatch. He is interrogating them with vigor. Standing next to him is Custodio Vecchi. One of the Elites points towards Tim and Vinccenco, but Tim is sure that the Elite is pointing out the captain walking behind them. Oakfirst turns and glares at Launceleyn. He quickly moves through the crowd to her and the duo."Now, before you lose your tem-" Captain Launceleyn tries to say."SAVE IT!" Oakfirst barks. "You'll be lucky if The five don't have you swinging by a noose by the end of the week.""There was a vital reason," the captain says back defiantly."The only reason you had was your political ambition," Oakfirst yells back. "I've heard what your reason was and if it is true that this doppelganger they brought you is the Old City Killer, and I do not doubt THEM, you will at the very least have to stand before The Five and face a reckoning. They may not have sentenced to death, but they could take your position away as Second Captain of Riftwatch!"Captain Launceleyn crosses her arms. "You assume too much, commander. If I was a political as you say, I would not be Second Captain of Riftwatch. I would be First.""It is widely known you wanted the position and were enraged when you didn't get it," Oakfirst retorts. He looks at Tim and Vinccenzo. "I'm sorry you've been caught up in her... defiance. I will try to make sure The Five know it wasn't your idea to open the Iron Gate. She could have escorted you and your prisoner through Lady Pomander's Estate, if there was that much of a rush. It's not like we haven't done it before with important prisoners."Custodio had been caught off guard by Oakfirst sudden burst away from the Iron Gate, and it takes a moment for the Elite to catch up. A dozen Elites come with him, and they set up a tight ring around the the Lord Commander and the others."I hear you've been busy, Tim," Custodio says to the half-ogre knight. "I wish I could have been there to help."Oakfirst ignores Custodio's attempt to lighten the mood. "I hear you convinced Commander Mildenhall to put killer in the Prison Tower. I'm assuming that was your idea too. I know that Mildenhall isn't ambitious enough to suggest that but I'm going to have to talk to him about protocol.""From what they've told me of this Mani, as he calls himself, it is the only place where the doppelganger could be properly secured. He has magical abilities that make him dangerous. Even the strongest cells in the barracks likely wouldn't have held him.""And you didn't think to mention the special cells that exist in both The Palace and in the Wizard District!" Oakfirst fumes. "Now, be silent! You're digging your hole even deeper!" He moves to Tim and Vinccenzo and shakes both their hands. "Bluffside thanks you for bringing this killer to justice. I'd like to hear all about it, but from from what I understand there are some missing guards at the Gate of Scales and something about a hidden passageway. You can tell us all about it on the way. Custodio, your with us.""Yes sir."The Lord Commander looks at Captain Launceleyn impassively. He sighs. "Captain, you are officially relieved of duty until further notice. I expect you to comply and to turn in your sash and tunic. You are confined to your home until The Five decide whether or not they want you to stand and face either them or The Tribunal. Pray it's only the former."Tim and Vinccenzo can see that the captain's face has shifted from defiance to fear."Let's go," Oakfirst says. He leads the way towards the Palace instead of towards the Iron Gate. The Palace Gate, a normal gate, opens for them and closes just as quickly. He leads them to an adjacent gate, which Vinccenzo knows is called the Lady's Gate. It leads into the private estate of Lady Pomander. He leads them to a smaller gate that comes out on the other side of the Iron Gate near Riftwatch. "You might think I'm trying to make a point to her, and you'd be half right. I'm also making a point to the citizens of Old City that even though the Iron Gate stands open, the way is shut to all but The Five." He sighs again. "Now, tell me everything. Don't leave out a single detail. The reports I'm going to have to write after this mess..."</blockquote>

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