Part the Fifteenth
In which: the countdown begins.
The Watch soon arrives. Jelliana and the monk are taken into custody and delivered to the Temple of Justice. They probably would have protested this action had either one been conscious at the time. The barbarian and the knight are taken to the morgue. The party examines the room for clues.
Of greatest interest are the papers that the monk had been attempting to carry away from the scene. One of them is the map of the Mages’ Academy Lira and Reyu saw the group examining through the crystal ball. There is another map as well, which Anvil identifies as describing the local sewers. Both maps are marked with a circle at a particular intersection, which the party guesses to be some kind of muster point.
Before handing the monk over to the Watch, Reyu had searched his person, and she did remember to check his mouth. It seems he had been chewing on some kind of note. Back at the inn, Reyu carefully unfolds the soggy bit of paper. It tears as she attempts to flatten it, but the writing is still legible.
(Note: There was a slow ripple around the table when we (the players) noticed that—as Wisdom Like Silence announced she was going to search the monk—Fajitas was chewing on something. Sure enough, she remembers to check the guy’s mouth and he takes out this spit wad and slaps it into her hand. We could read the message, but the paper was soggy enough that it ripped in half as WLS tried to unfold it. Oddly enough, no one offered to help with that job.)
(Additional note: Fajitas is the only person in the group who was disappointed that the PC who found that particular note was played by his significant other.)
The text is as follows:
Commander-
We have attained the necessary material from another source. You need not return to yours. I commend you strongly for the crucial role you have played in this mission. Without your work, we could not have completed the project. This honor is yours alone.
All is now in readiness. At midnight on the Ascendancy, we enter the new stage of the challenge we have set ourselves. With the help of our new allies, they cannot stand against us. We shall purify the city with holy might.
May your gods watch over you. Glory shall be ours.
Thatch sums up the group's sentiments. "That doesn't sound good."
Seddelus is the goddess of change and destruction. Seddelus Ascendant (or mid-autumn) is traditionally celebrated at sundown on October 15th. It seems unlikely the conspirators have chosen this date by accident.
"So,” Dennis asks, “If it's midnight of the Ascendancy, does that mean midnight between the 14th and 15th or midnight between the 15th and 16th? I can never remember.”
“Midnight between the 14th and 15th.”
“What’s today again?”
“October 13th.”
“Crap.”
Stopping only to hurriedly reimburse the innkeeper for the damage to his door, the party takes off for the Temple of Justice.
As the group approaches, they are surprised to find two figures coming down the steps to meet them. It is Immobile the Just, their Universal Law Caucus contact from Dar Aego, along with Essela. Both wear grim faces.
“Immobile. What business brings you to Dar Pykos?” Anvil says.
“Amelia,” Immobile responds, darkly. “Do you have a moment that we might speak privately?”
Anvil nods. “Unfortunately, only a moment.”
**********
In the privacy of Anvil’s cell, Immobile explains the situation to him. “There is growing demand for a hearing in the murder of Lord Vojer. Amelia is… wanted for questioning. Some people feel that there are one too many coincidences connected to her.”
Anvil shrugs. “She is a small girl, and Lord Vojer was beaten to death. It seems unlikely she is capable of committing such a crime.”
“True. But the coincidences are… striking.” Immobile sighs. “I spent no small amount of Caucus funds to ensure that this case landed on my desk. I’m here to determine if her extradition to Dar Aego is warranted.”
“Many in Dar Pykos would object to her being taken back to Dar Aego.”
“And many in Dar Aego will object to her not being brought back,” Immobile counters. He studies Anvil carefully for a moment. “However… if you wish, I can see to it that the facts of the case do not warrant extradition.”
Anvil is somewhat perplexed. “You have already investigated the facts of the case?”
“No.”
“Then how can you be sure they will not…” Anvil trails off as the subtext of Immobile’s statement finally sinks in. He stares coldly at Immobile. “Are you proposing to fix the outcome of this case?”
Immobile phrases his words very carefully. “I’m an Aegosian Justicar, Anvil. I’ve paid for this case. My ruling is final, whatever it may be. I know it’s not how things are done here, and the Lord knows it’s not how I would choose to do things myself. But it is right and proper according to the laws of Dar Aego.”
He pauses to let that sink in. “I’m offering you this as a choice, Anvil. I have the power to make this case go away, once and for all. There may be political costs back home if I do, and there may be political costs here if I don’t. But if you say the word, I’m ready to rule here and now.”
Anvil quietly contemplates Immobile’s offer. Finally, he says, “Have you time to spend investigating the facts of the case?”
“I have a few days.”
“Then you should take them, that we may
both fully consider the decisions that lie before us. Justice demands no less.” Anvil meets Immobile’s eyes with a steely gaze. No further words are exchanged between them.
***********
“What was that about?” Reyu asks when Anvil rejoins the group.
“A matter that can wait for another day,” Anvil responds. “How do things stand?”
Lira looks up from a table where she has been rereading the note. “I don’t like this phrasing: ‘the challenge we have set ourselves.’”
“Why not?” Anvil asks, as he had never noticed Lira having particularly strong grammatical opinions before.
“Because,” she replies, “it sounds like something a Questor might say.” She shakes her head, not wanting to believe a member of her own order might be involved with Jelliana and her ilk. “I should go talk to Devon, see if he knows anything about this.”
“It would seem… wise,” Reyu suggests, “to consult with the other temples as well.”
“Excellent,” Anvil interrupts. “We can identify Jelliana’s co-conspirators.”
“Well, that,” Reyu allows, “but whatever this… group… is planning, we will not want to face it alone.”
The party exchanges sober glances. What started as a minor contract dispute has suddenly become something much larger.
Anvil nods curtly. “I will speak to Tenacious.”
to be continued...
(P.S. Welcome to the story hour darkbard!)
