Session Eighty-One - March 5, 2011

[Matt]

Peonu 8, 732

A cool, rainy morning dawns and sees the party having their normal morning meeting in Ewen’s sitting room. Baris, Imarë, and Tora made the journey over from their new rooms at the Elf and Dwarf. As the group finishes their breakfast, they banter ideas back and forth on the supposed invasion from the north. Ewen believes that it would be best if they stayed near to Tashal. He reasons that when the King is informed of an invasion, he will put out a call to arms. Ewen would like to be one of the first responders. The rest of the party agrees that this is a good idea. In the mean-time Kaelyn will continue to scry the Baron of Tonot at intervals to see if the invasion has started. Ewen will also look in on the Baron from time to time, as his method is not-so time consuming.

As the party talks further of what the plans are for the day, they hear noises coming from the rooms above them. Ewen tells Baris and Imarë that their rooms are being reappointed. His lady wife will be taking Baris’ old room and her lady-in-waiting is moving into Imarë’s. As the breakfast dishes are being cleared, Walin comes in and informs Kaelyn that she has a visitor. She indicates that she will see the visitor in the main hall. Kaelyn makes her way down the steps and sees her visitor. She is only slightly aware that her jaw has dropped. The visitor is dressed in an odd assortment of clothing and appears to be a warrior of some sort. It is not the odd clothing that made her jaw drop; it is the fact that the man is shockingly handsome. By the time she makes her way fully into the main hall, she has closed her mouth with a slightly audible click.

In a lovely voice the man addresses her, ‘Kaelyn of Aletta?’ Kaelyn nods and he continues. ‘I have come to ask you to dinner on behalf of the Aramia of the Temple of Halea.’

Kaelyn takes a breath and answers ‘That would be … interesting. Thank you. When and where?’

‘This evening, if that is acceptable. I shall call for you.’

‘Till then.’

The man nods and turns to leave. Kaelyn finds a chair, sits and watches him walk out the door. She shakes herself out of her stupor and glances about the room. She sees the men at arms sitting at the table, trying not to laugh. Some even manage to succeed. She hears a few of them mutter ‘pretty boys.’

Later that afternoon the sign for the Elf and the Dwarf arrives. Baris stands outside admiring the handiwork as the bustle of delivery men swarm about him. The ale and the food are arriving and the urchins are out spreading the word of the new grand-opening. Tora finds Baris outside talking with a few of the teamsters about the sign. Baris sees her and exclaims ‘This is going to be great! I feel like we are missing something though.’

‘Midgets could be hired to play the dwarf.’ Tora says with a straight face. Baris is unsure if she is joking or not.

‘No, a minstrel; we need a minstrel to sing the ‘Dwarf and the Elf’. Come on; let’s go see if Ornald can be hired for the night.’

Ornald is so hired and the place is a crowded. There is a huge deal of excitement about the opening of the local watering hole for the journeymen of the city. The opening draws a few more than the normal patrons and it is standing room only inside and Elsa is quite busy as well. Worton Harabor stops by briefly. He takes in the crowd and leaves; saying to Baris as he leaves ‘Nice sign.’ There is an attempt to bring back the divided tables, but since there is hardly any room to move and not all the patrons are regulars the effort fails. Baris notices that Garth of Querin is there. Tora only had to break a few heads to keep peace. Baris was just happy that the opening was such a success that they sold out of their ale shortly after midnight.

Around 7, back at Raven Hall Kaelyn is leaving for her dinner. As Kaelyn and her escort leave Raven Hall, she notices two of Dickon’s men across the way. They merely give her a look. She smiles and resumes her attention to her escort. He is the same handsome warrior that brought the invitation. She finds out as they walk through the streets to the temple that he is a Solithar – one of the temple guards. It is a fairly short walk down Torastra Way to the temple on Medrik Way. They enter the gate and through a set of double doors. There are exotic erotic carvings on the door, Kaelyn notices with a slight blush. Her escort leads her through another set of doors. Inside the main worship area there are ornate cushions that look extremely comfortable. The Solithar indicates that Kaelyn should sit on a bench just to the right side of the room. He knocks on a door and goes in briefly. When he comes out, he is accompanied by a woman. He says that the Aramia will see her now. Kaelyn follows the woman down a corridor to a small but opulently furnished room on the left. Inside there are two other women. One is dressed in diaphanous clothing of several pastel shades. The other is dressed in the green robes of the Peonian order. The Peonian appears to be a trifle stiff and uncomfortable in her surroundings. The women are seated at a table with two empty chairs and a sumptuous meal in place. The woman in the diaphanous clothing speaks ‘I am Silena of Ekair, the Aramia of this temple, and this,’ she indicates the woman in Peonian robes, ‘is Marnyle of Ludos. She is the Pelnala of the Peonian temple. Thank you for coming. Please, sit and eat and then we will talk.’ Kaelyn sits and begins to eat. The food is served in small bite-sized portions. The food is extremely good, and Kaelyn thinks that the fare is better than what is served at the Lady Cheselyne’s parties, but she keeps that opinion to herself. She notices that the Aramia eats sparingly and the Pelnala eats even less and avoids any portion that has meat in it. As they eat the conversation drifts around meaningless gossip and events. Silena seems not to be in any rush, although the Pelnala is becoming more impatient and stiff as the meal draws on. Finally when the meal is cleared and refreshments are brought, the Aramia looks at Kaelyn and begins, ‘I have a story to tell you and a favor to ask.’ Marnyle clears her throat. Silena pauses, ‘We have a favor to ask.

‘On the morning of the first of Peonu two bodies were discovered on the grounds of the temple here. They appear to have been killed in the act of making love. The man’s throat had been cut. I suppose he died quickly and first. The woman was stabbed in the heart and she was dragged some distance away from the man. She was posed and mutilated.’ The Aramia stops speaking and looks away uncomfortable with speaking. The Pelnala has covered her eyes. After a moment the Aramia begins speaking again, ‘This is not the first such killing or mutilation. We believe this would have been at least the sixth. We are concerned as one of the others had previously been found on our grounds, one murder on the grounds of the Peoni, one in the Peonian crypt and one outside the city walls.’

‘Why am I thinking Morgathians?’ Kaelyn murmurs not quite to herself.

The Aramia nods, ‘That is what the authorities think. We think … we don’t know who, but we don’t think it is the work of Morgathians. The official investigation will go down the wrong path and this won’t stop. We want it to stop and to make the temple grounds safe again.

‘You were recommended, and so we are asking you to look into this on our behalf. Naturally a bargain will struck.’

‘Who recommended me?’

‘He asked to remain anonymous, but you have a right to know. Just don’t mention to Aethal Atan that you know. He said that you were just the right person for this sort of task. You are not from here and you have a surfeit of curiosity.’ Silena takes a drink and says mostly to herself, ‘Then he laughed, but then he always laughs.’

‘I will gladly look into this. I make no promises, but I will do my best.’

‘That is good enough for us. Do you have any questions?’

‘Does this happen on a regular basis, I mean, is there a pattern?’

Marnyle speaks for the first time, ‘We think so. The most recent killing must have taken place on the last day of Nuzyael. They were found in the morning, cold. All the killings take place at the end of a month. The first two were in 730. The next three last year; in Peonu, Nolus, Halean. Each year the killings start a little earlier in the spring, and they last through the summer. There will be more this year.’

‘Only one murder was different than the others,’ Silena says, ‘The one outside the city walls. They were both men.’

‘Did any of the couples have any affiliation with either temple?’

‘No. Some of the men might have visited here, but they were of no importance. They were journeymen,’ said the Aramia.

‘They were all killed the same way?’

The Aramia looks over at the Pelnala, ‘We don’t know. We think so. The women weren’t all mutilated the same way. It seems to be expanding.’

‘I was afraid you would ask that,’ the Pelnala says, covering her eyes again.

Silena answers ‘The first case was here. A stick had been inserted into the woman. In the second case, a knife removed the organ in question. In the third, the crypt, no mutilation and the woman wasn’t dragged far. In the next two murders when there were women involved, in addition to the removal of the nether organ, the left breast was removed.’

‘Was the clothing found?’

Marnyle, eyes uncovered now, ‘Yes, the clothing was found near the men. You should probably know who is running the official investigation. I am not sure who is in charge, but it is being handled by the sheriff’s guards.’ The Aramia looks at Marnyle and says ‘Probably Sir Alfred.’

‘Are they aware that you are asking for outside help?’

‘We haven’t told them. It would be fair to say we were told to mind our own business,’ the Pelnala says with a bit of bite in her voice.

‘There is something to be said about a woman’s intuition,’ Kaelyn says thinking that perhaps if any other cases occurred, like at the temple of Larani, it was being hushed up. ‘You have given me a lot to think about. Where should I send any information I find or if I have questions?’

The Aramia indicates the Halean priestess standing nearby who had been serving them, ‘This is Nalima of Nerele. Send questions or information to her. She will act as a liaison.’

‘Thank you. You only mentioned briefly about the murder outside the gate.’

‘I am not sure of the location. We believe it was near the amphitheatre, possibly in the woods. After the first murder I had the Solithars patrol and crack down on what has become a common occurrence. Perhaps that is why the killings were elsewhere. I was going to increase patrol at the end of this month, but I was taken by surprise at how early the murders occurred.’ the Aramia says.

Kaelyn thanks the priestess and takes her leave. She is given an escort home.

After Kaelyn left for dinner, Ewen is alone in his study when he hears a pounding on the door. He goes and sees through the peep-hole Astarok graciously provided a travel-worn Sir Prehil walk through the door. ‘Where is that rutting son of a bitch?!’

Ewen quickly goes down stairs. Prehil grabs Ewen and drags him off to Galopea’s Feast with scarcely a word. Once at Galopea’s Feast, Prehil steers Ewen straight up the stairs while bellowing for ale.

‘I damned near killed a horse getting back here after the wedding. Tell me everything!’ Prehil says once they are seated.

Ewen chuckles, ‘There is not much to tell Prehil. The Lady Thilisa and I returned to Tashal and have started our domestic lifestyle, which I doubt you want to hear about. Lady Cheselyne’s party the other day was our grand outing.’

‘You announced it at Cheselyne’s? That’s a gutsy move. How’d that go?’

Ewen smirks and gives Prehil a recount of the evening, including his almost duel with Lyndar Bastune.

‘Lyndar the lifter?’ Prehil says, watching Ewen’s face for a reaction of the younger Bastune’s new nickname. ‘I started calling him that and it has now stuck. Mostly because I just kept repeating it.’

‘Yes, Lyndar the lifter. The Lady Cheselyne shooed him out the door and before I could properly chastise him.’

‘It’s been a whole day since the party?’

Ewen, changing the subject, asks Prehil how the wedding in Minarsas went.

‘It was a funeral. It was the worst wedding in history. The bride started weeping four days before the wedding and she was still weeping as she walked down the aisle.’

‘There was a hanging; that was great. It was some peasant who looked at the Earl cross-eyed. It was an inquisition. By Larani’s iron nipples the only person there having a good times was Karson Ubael the younger. You half expected to see feathers coming out of his mouth. ‘

‘Ah, he thinks he is getting the earldom does he?’

‘He sure seems to.’

‘How was the Earl of Vemion?’

‘He canceled the nobles feast. He was hardly seen outside of the castle except for the wedding itself. I don’t think he said a word; just walked down the aisle, sat, left. There was a feast afterwards that he showed up for. I think he stayed all of 20 minutes.’

‘I guess Thilisa’s departure put a damper on the festivities.’

‘Maybe. He had Morgal’s rangers out looking for you, making sure you really had departed from his lands.’ Prehil takes a long drink and grins widely. ‘You really did get away with the goods.’

Ewen laughs and motions for another round. ‘We saw the Queen. She at least seemed pleased with the developments.’

‘Thilisa off the market is just what she wants. She is famous for her virtue.’

‘What of the elder Bastune? Is he ok now that I am the Earl’s new whipping boy?’

‘He was released the same day you left. I must say he sure knows some mighty fine curse words. I heard them all, several times.’
‘Do you think he was in it with Lyndar?’

‘No idea. He’s not that cunning though. Besides I paid off a few of the girls and had them question him in their own delicate ways.’ Prehil says with a satisfied look.

‘How is Maryna?’

‘She is fast in some ways, but horseback is not one of them. Oh damn! That reminds me, I should go say hello to the wife.’

‘Not while there is a meal in front of you I hope.’ Ewen says with a smile, gesturing to the meal that had just been placed in front of the two knights. ‘Tell me everything about the wedding and everything else that happened in Minarsas.’

‘Not much to tell. You marrying Thilisa and the banishment were the talk of the wedding. All else was forgotten.’

Ewen leans back in his chair, ‘Prehil, I am glad you are back.’ Ewen says before launching into a story about his current married life and the difference he has found between it and bachelorhood. Prehil stops and lays a comforting hand on Ewen’s shoulder, ‘Don’t worry. I’ll get you through it.’

Prehil and Ewen spend the rest of the night talking and trading stories. Early in the morning hours, Ewen stumbles his way home and finds Cekiya watching the door for him. She was the only one awake at that hour, now that the elf had moved.

Peonu 9, 732

The day dawns the same has it had the day before; raining cats and dogs and cool. The breakfast meeting is brief with most of the group having been up late and not in a talkative mood. Once Baris hears that Prehil is in town, he voices the opinion that he should go out to dinner with Prehil and perhaps start a few rumors that no man could let stand about Lyndar Bastune. Baris believes that this will force Lyndar to call Ewen out and then Ewen could kill Lyndar or at least maim him horribly with no real repercussions.

Kaelyn shares what transpired at her dinner at the temple of Halea. Kaelyn asks Tora if she has any contacts at the local temple of Larani. Tora remembers she met her old drill sergeant outside Lady Cheselyne’s party a couple of nights ago and he mentioned he was stationed in town. Kaelyn asks Tora if she wouldn’t mind asking her him if he has heard anything about a murder or two that has happened on Larani grounds.
Cekiya comes up with the idea that they should go and speak to an embalmer, as he would know if more than the sixth incidents had occurred. Kaelyn thinks this is a great idea and she and Cekiya leave to visit the embalmer. They first go to the embalmer on Cheslo Lane. The shop is run by one Orin of Saldim. They enter and see some apprentices and journeymen about the shop; dusting the various styles of urns and talking with customers. The urns are of many varieties. There are some bags to pots to some very nice brass pieces. As they take a quick turn around the store, a very jocular man comes over to them and introduces himself as Orin of Saldim, the proprietor of the shop.

‘Is this a happy day or an unhappy day?’
‘Happy?’ Kaelyn replies with the slight question in her voice.

‘Ah well, good for you and bad for me.’

‘That depends doesn’t it …’ Cekiya says with a slight smile.

‘That is true.’ Orin says, and gets a mischievous look on his face, ‘Should I send the boys away and close up early?’

‘No.’ Kaelyn says quickly, thinking of Cekiya’s ‘touching bad’ rule.

‘Ah, doubly unhappy day for me then.’

‘I have been charged to look into the six murders in the past couple of years that have took place on the grounds of two of the temples in town.’

‘Really?’

‘Really.’

‘Really?’

While Cekiya looks amused at this exchange, watching Kaelyn and Orin speak back and forth, her head turning one way and then the other; Kaelyn decided that she’s had enough. She briefly describes the mutilations, as she realizes that the embalmer probably doesn’t care where the bodies come from and Cekiya was evidence enough that murders do take place in Tashal.

‘These are not known to me at all. Perhaps my collogue, Iame, does. He’s just around the corner. You were wrong, this is an unhappy day for you. Six murders …’

Kaelyn shrugs ‘It was over the course of three years.’ She and Cekiya leave with Orin waving behind them, ‘Come again and bring a friend!’

Cekiya and Kaelyn go over to Ternua Road and see Iame of Sediel. Iame’s shop is slightly larger as he specializes in coffins instead of urns. There is a collection of winding sheets on one wall and in the corner there is a spray of herbs and mortar and pestles. Iame comes over to the ladies with a very somber expression, a sharp contrast from the smiling Orin.

‘My condolences,’ he intones.

‘That’s alright, I didn’t know them.’ Cekiya says with a perky little smile.

‘Actually there has been no loss. I just had some questions,’ interjects Kaelyn.

‘It is good to be prepared. What are your questions?’

Kaelyn gives the somber and gaunt Iame the same brief outline of what she is looking for.

‘Is that so? Perhaps you should speak with Orin.’

‘Orin sent us here.’

‘I do not know to whom you should speak then.’

‘Has talk reached your ears of a murder from three years ago and how it starts in the spring?’

‘I do not know what you are talking about my dear.’

Kaelyn thanks Iame for his time and she and Cekiya head out the door.

After breakfast Tora takes herself off to the temple of Larani to speak with her old drill sergeant, Yerick. There are guards at the front entrance, but Tora doesn’t expect anything less than that at the Laranian temple. After a few moments of checking with someone inside, one of the guards gives Tora directions to Yerick’s room. She takes the staircase on the left and goes past the meken barracks. Once upstairs there are three doors, she knocks on the right hand door. Tora is informed by Yerick’s bunk mates that he is on duty. She leaves a note for him to meet her at the Elf and Dwarf when he gets off his shift and she’ll buy him a drink. Tora leaves and heads to there herself.

Early in the afternoon Yerick arrives at the Elf and Dwarf, and Tora greets the grizzled veteran from her position at the bar.

‘Tora, it’s good to see you. Thanks for the offer of a drink.’

‘Siddown sarge, I’ll get us an ale.’ Tora quickly draws two of the day’s ale and hands one across the bar to Yerick, ‘Thank you for coming. I need to ask you a question of a serious matter. ‘Sarge, I need your discretion on this one.

‘You know that I am working for Sir Baris Tyrestal and he is in the company of Sir Ewen Ravinargh. Well, one of his retainers has been asked by the heads of both the temples of Halea and Peoni to look into a couple of murders that have taken place.’ Tora quickly goes on to describe the types of murders and why they think they are connected. When Tora finishes, Yerick simply shakes his head and mutters something about the changing times and courteousness to a lady. He tells Tora that he hasn’t heard anything at all like this.

‘I’m shocked you had no idea. The murders seem to be concentrating on religious places, tell me anything odd happen on the Larani temple grounds?’

‘Recently?’

‘Well, in the past three years. That is when the murders started.’

‘I was posted here beginning of summer last year. I’ve heard nothing since I’ve been here nor have I heard anything happening elsewhere.’

‘Nothing at the Peonian temple?’

‘They would have called us in.’

‘Yes, they should have. I hear the sheriff’s guards are looking into it.’

‘I wish I could be of help. I will ask around discreetly.’

‘Maybe warn the guards. If the Peonians and Haleans are more alert, then the murderer may try something on Laranian grounds. Perhaps telling the Serolan would be a good idea.’

‘I’ll do that. Say, this is good ale.’ Yerick says, moving the conversation towards something more pleasant. Yerick mentions that he usually frequents the Coin and Broom but he likes the atmosphere in here. Tora mentions that she is working as bouncer for the moment and that the Elf and Dwarf is owned by Sir Baris, at least in part. Yerick makes what is becoming the usual comment about the sign and the conversation continues in a similar vein for a while.

After Kaelyn and Cekiya leave the embalmers they go to the temple of Halea to speak with Kaelyn’s contact. After questioning the contact about the lack of news from the embalmers and with her not knowing exactly what happened to the bodies, Kaelyn and Cekiya leave. Cekiya pipes up that maybe this is all a joke on Kaelyn. She thinks that it would be a pretty funny joke. Kaelyn isn’t really amused, so the two women head the Elf and Dwarf to speak to Baris. Kaelyn decides that Baris has probably seen the Pelnala before and he would be able to tell her if the Peonian was who she said she was. At the Elf and Dwarf, Kaelyn sees Garth of Querin, and gets an impish idea. She greets Garth and noticing that his cup has just been refilled and is sitting just slightly out of a comfortable arm’s reach, she mutters a spell under her breath and pushes the cup closer to Garth as she greets him.

‘How nice to see you again too Kaelyn,’ Garth says as he takes a sip. ‘Funny,’ he says as he puts down his now ice cold ale to once again return to room temperature, ‘Join me for an ale.’ Kaelyn agrees and sits down. As the serving girl brings Kaelyn and Cekiya their ales, Garth takes the cups and cools down Kaelyn’s as he hands it to her. Cekiya looks back and forth at the two Odivshe and hands her cup to Garth, ‘My ale too.’ Garth laughs and shrugs saying ‘Sure.’ Kaelyn introduces Cekiya as a friend and the three are chatting when Baris arrives.

Kaelyn gives Baris a description of the Pelnala she met last night and asks if that truly is the head of the Peonians here in Tashal. Baris believes it is she based on the description Kaelyn gave him. Though Baris believes there is a higher ranking prelate in the temple – something like a bishop, but for the kingdom not just the temple. Kaelyn nods her head, satisfied with his response. She can’t help but needle him a little, saying she noticed the sign out front.

‘He is totally responsible for that!’ Tora says from behind the bar.

‘It looks the same as it did before.’ Garth says looking about the room. ‘Both tables tried to recruit me, but I knew a Dwarf a while ago. Dumb as a, well it would be an insult to a post to say that. I also knew an elf once. Very sticky fingers: never trust an elf.’

‘Are either of them still around?’ Baris asks.

‘I haven’t heard from them in years. Six or seven or eight …’ Garth trails off.

Back at Raven Hall Ewen lies down on his bed and attempts to meditate. He is interrupted by Thilisa coming in looking for a mirror or something. After Thilisa leaves, he attempts to look in on the Baron of Tonot. Unfortunately he sees nothing. Ewen returns to his study and reads a scroll or two. He notices that the Lady Thilisa has not left the house all day. Sir Rollard, on the other hand, had left for a few hours at a time throughout the morning and afternoon. Ewen takes a moment to think back and he realizes that Sir Rollard is never gone in the evening.

Sometime during the afternoon Dickon stops by. He informs Ewen that his men were challenged by the town watch.

‘We just told them that we were in the employ of one of the local gentle folk as extra protective capacity. They didn’t like what we told them, but left us alone for the most part. Every so often they would walk by and give us a look. We’d take up a less conspicuous spot, but then we’d lose a view of the building.’

‘You are doing fine Dickon. Do you think Sir Rollard has noticed the guards?’

‘I don’t think so, but you can never say for certain. I’ve had the men wear cloaks when they are in watch and we shuffle cloaks around as we do with guards. We don’t have a lot, but there’s enough especially since the guards change as well’

‘Let me know if you need any supplies.’

‘Thanks, but we’re ok.’ Dickon replies and as he had finished his report, asks Ewen for permission to get back to work. Ewen gives his assent and Dickon leaves.

Baris leaves the Elf and Dwarf in the capable hands of his co-owners and sets off to meet Sir Prehil at the Iron Bell. As they enter the building, Baris notices Lady Cheselyne sitting at a table to the side with Lady Donesyn Dariune. Rosak comes over and greets the two knights and seats them at a table near Lady Cheselyne.

Rosak starts, ‘I have a bottle of …’

‘Is it alcoholic?’ Prehil interrupts.

‘Well, yes.’

‘Then we’ll take it.’

Rosak sighs and walks away with their drink and dinner order. Baris smiles and attempts to steer the conversation to Lyndar.

‘By Peoni’s persistent virtue! I never knew a man like him all my life. I will not say he has a yellow streak a mile wide, but only because he doesn’t have the Earl of Neph’s girth. Baris, old man, did you happen to see Lyndar the Lifter …,’ Prehil raises his voice slightly as he says Lyndar’s name. Cheselyne turns and looks over at Prehil as he does this. ‘… at the tournament in Olokand?’

‘No, I was quite busy. I don’t think I did.’

‘Right, you were busy doing manly things, like participating in the tournament. Hell, even a woman participated.’

‘So, he didn’t participate this year?’

‘No, he’s never participated.’

‘Well, what kind of knight is he?’

‘The worst kind ever; he was born into the title, like me. Every so often a bad seed slips through …’

Lady Cheselyne leans over slightly and speaks in a low tone, ‘Prehil dear, were you about to commit an act of indiscretion?’

‘Me?!?!? Why my Lady Cheselyne, I am never indiscreet, occasionally indisposed but never indiscreet.’ Prehil flashes Cheselyne a smile and turns towards Baris, leaning forward and now speaking in a whisper, ‘You know of course, that Kolorn is not his father.’

Baris nods, ‘I might have heard that somewhere.’

‘I can’t speculate as to who, but given the Lady’s diverse stable of ponies it could be almost anybody.’ Prehil finishes speaking with a glance over at Lady Cheselyne. Cheselyne heard every word he said, of course, but ignores it as Prehil tried to whisper and therefore he was somewhat in the bounds of social acceptance.

‘How is he going to live with himself?’ Baris wonders.

‘When you are a rat, you don’t ask where the cheese is coming from.’

‘I’ll only say this, if it was me, I just couldn’t live with myself.’

‘Of course not! You’re a man.’ Prehil says before the conversation drifts to other things.

Tora, left alone by Baris for the night, is at the Elf and Dwarf for the evening. She is scanning the crowd and generally having a good time. She notices two journeymen in the center of the room. They are covered in a darkish gray dust. Covered in the dross of charcoal the two men decided to reenact the fight of the elf and the dwarf and have a good fight while they are at it. Both are playing their roles, neither one recognizing Imarë as she sits at the bar. Tora, eager for the chance to break up a good fight, attempts to grab both men and smash their heads together. She manages to grab the journeyman on the right, but the one on the left suddenly decides that he had to sit down and misses him. Showing her adaptability, she straightens and begins to march the journeyman to the door. The man is not at all pleased with either the fact that he has been gripped by the neck nor the possibility of being forcibly ejected from the bar. He tries to twist and hit Tora. He manages to hit her on her left forearm. Tora, amused and slightly annoyed that this journeyman would try to fight her, merely head butts him in the forehead. She hears a crack as she connects and the journeyman instantly slumps down. The other journeyman seeing the fate of his opponent, quickly leaves. The rest of the bar patrons, who had only been paying a little attention, begin to notice that the guy is on the floor not moving. Tora checks for a pulse and finding one, straightens and asks the room if this guy at her feet had any friends in the building. Upon hearing nothing from the bar, she lifts the man up and carries him over to the bar. There she bandages his head. She looks around and seeing another charcoaler, grabs him and orders him to take the unconscious man home.

Peonu 10, 732

The party awakens to find that the storm from the previous day has intensified. After breakfast, Kaelyn, the newly appointed keeper of the urchins goes to the kitchen to speak with them. She asks if one would deliver a message for her. Several of the urchins volunteer, as a message delivery means extra treats. She selects one at random and tells him after the other urchins left that he has to deliver a message to Halime at the Spurs that Kaelyn and Cekiya would like to speak with him. The urchin tries to back out of delivering the message, but agrees after promises of a full meal. The urchin comes back a short time later and tells Kaelyn that Halime was not there but the barmaid said that he would be there after eight tonight. Kaelyn makes sure the cook is to give the boy a meal later in the day and sets out to find Filen.

Filen is, not surprisingly, not hard to find. When Kaelyn asks him to give her a brief synopsis of the legal structure in Tashal, he just shakes his head.

‘I don’t even want to know why. It is complex and overlapping. Are you inquiring about a criminal or civil affair?’

‘Criminal.’

‘Good, there are only three aspects of that. Since this is a Royal town it technically falls under the Sheriff of the Shire, Semethshire to be exact. However because the sheriff is an officer of the Crown and the King lives here, the low guard has jurisdiction in some matters and the potential for jurisdiction. Thirdly, the aldermen maintain a city watch under the town charter.

‘The city watch manages the gates and responds to the hue and cry in the town in general. The Royal low guard has two companies and the sheriff’s guard is a squadron of knights and they share jurisdiction mostly.’

‘Thank you, if there were a murder, where would the bodies be taken?’

‘Either of the two embalmers, Orin or Iame.’

‘They claim they know nothing. Have you heard of six murders in the past three years where a woman was mutilated?’

‘That is a very specific question. It is leading me to suspect that the murders have already taken place.’

Kaelyn merely nods. Filen sighs, ‘No, but a friend of mine might have. Wybert Graon. He is a tutor to young noble and gentle families. He is semi-retired and can be found at the Guild of Arcane Lore most afternoons.’

‘Does he like cake?’ Cekiya asks popping out of nowhere. Filen jumps and smiles nervously before retreating.

Ewen finding a moment alone, attempts to meditate and scry for the Baron again. This time he is successful. As he makes the connection there is a loud clash in Ewen’s ears that surprises him. He sees a flash and a streak of silver and then there is another clash. Ewen finds himself looking through the Baron’s eyes during a contest of swords. Ewen focuses a bit more and realizes the Baron is sparring. The Baron is winning, driving his opponent back and then there is another clash and he sees a sword flying through the air. The Baron’s foot comes up and kicks his opponent in the chest. As the man crumples the Baron puts his sword to his opponent’s throat.

‘You are getting better,’ the Baron says removing his sword.

‘Thank you mi’lord.’

The Baron sheathes his sword as a lovely young lady brings a goblet of wine towards him. ‘Thank you my dear,’ he says as he takes both the goblet and the young lady into his arms.

At the Guild of Arcane Lore, Kaelyn finds Wybert in the lounge. He is the only one there. She introduces herself and mentions that Filen told her about him.

‘Ah, Filen Oppias. I know him well. I was interested to hear that he has broken down and taken service.’

‘I am not sure he had a whole lot of choice in the matter.’

‘He was always tramping off out into the woods after a bug or a leaf.’

‘Perhaps, I shall make sure he is sent into the woods more often.’

‘I wouldn’t find him anywhere else. He must be getting older I guess.’

‘He mentioned that you perhaps could help me with a small mystery I am working on.’

‘I love a good mystery. They are lovely diverting from matters at hand and they sharpen the intellect. You no doubt wish to sharpen your intellect.’

‘Always,’ Kaelyn says drily. As Kaelyn begins to give a sketch of what the problem is, Wybert suddenly motions for Kaelyn to stop talking. He springs to his feet and shuts the door, while looking around to see if anyone heard them.

‘You must not talk of the Ogre so.’

‘Ogre?’

‘Yes, the Ogre. That is the name I have given to this killer.’

‘Why the Ogre?’

‘By what he does to those poor women. He is a demon, a fiend.’

‘Thank gods, I thought I was going mad. No one could tell me anything.’

‘If only you were. He is all too real.’

‘I’ve heard the sheriff’s office thinks it a Morgathian.’

‘Yes, those fools. Pious fools believe that some secret Morgathian cult is in the city. It satisfies the guild masters.’

‘That takes a level of stupidity.’

‘Not stupidity; blind religious fervor; blocking out reason. As if faith and reason were incompatible. On one side is reason and on the other faith. At some point they just stopped talking to each other.

‘I was asked to help investigate these murders in 730, when they first began. Perhaps two occurred that year, and by the third, yes, it was the third that the Morgathian theory had taken hold. Then I was told that the sheriff’s guard would take it from there.

‘I have heard rumors that there have been more. I continued investigating even after I had been officially dismissed. I was arrested for being a co-conspirator and was almost tortured, but a former pupil came to my rescue.’

‘If you are investigating you are asking for a great deal of trouble.’

‘Who first suggested the Morgathians?’ Kaelyn asks, ignoring the warning for the moment.

‘It was at the time of the third murder, the one where the woman was not mutilated.’

‘The one in the crypt?’

Wybert nods, ‘They thought that perhaps there was something wrong with the girl. She didn’t have the mutilations and secret rites need things just so, so no mutilation. Later that year the Serolan of the Larani temple, Deni Trochi, determined that these rites, as undefined, were Morgathian.’

‘Do you have any theories?’

‘A number; a serial killer or a group of killers. I think it is a single killer. One that hates women, indeed cannot have them. So he takes from them what he can get; inadvertently demonstrating what he cannot have. He moves the woman away from the man, taking him out of the equation, then he takes his trophy.’

‘I believe that something happened to the Ogre. Perhaps when he was very young, he may have witnessed a murder himself. That is as far as I got.’

‘I have heard that there is an old woman, as ancient as dirt they say,’ Wybert chuckles, ‘if she is still alive. I never found her. I never heard her name or where she is in the city, but the people I talked to say she spoke of a murder similar to the Ogre that happened many years ago. That is why I say if it was the first murder.’

‘Perhaps it was just a decoy.’

‘I don’t know. Perhaps, it was a few years ago. You must understand what is going on here. Many of these journeymen are young and have no financial security to marry yet, and yet they are young, if you take my meaning. Most of the guildmasters prefer that sort of activity does not go on under their roofs. Some of the masters who have forbidden this activity under their roofs observe it when it doesn’t happen under their roofs. There is competition for the best viewing spots. Another guild has gotten involved on its special level. They have an operation watching the watchers. They make the voyeurs pay up. It is a trade for the best spots; the amphitheatre, a copse of trees south of the city, the Peoni crypt is another popular spot.’

‘If these are viewing spots, how did a murderer get by unnoticed.’

‘That is one of the mysteries. He chose nights when there was virtually no moon. Some were questioned. Of course they all protested their involvement and a hue and cry of harassment went up.’

‘I agree with your assessment. I have dealt with Morgathians and this does not sound like them.’

‘The investigation is headed by Sir Alfred Doulzarn. He is not stupid by any means but he burns with religious fever. I know he was assigned to the case, but I am not sure by whom. He is determined to unmask the Ogre. He focused on an apothecary: I am sure you could find them.’

‘I think I will stay away from his focus if I can.’

‘If you pursue this, and I advise you against it, I would not run afoul of Sir Alfred. He will arrest you as he arrested me.’

‘I will inform my lord, Sir Ewen, of the dangers to me.’

‘Ewen Ravinargh? I have heard of him. They say he did great feats in Olokand.’

Kaelyn agrees that he did win the tournament. She thanks Wybert for his time and hopes that they can talk again, perhaps about more pleasant matters.

That evening, after the eight o’clock hour, Cekiya and Kaelyn walk over to the Spurs. As usual when Cekiya enters the room, the noise level noticeably trails off as all eyes fall upon her. She smiles and again curses the fact that Halime has the tables running perpendicular to the door. Just once, she would like to walk to a table at the far end by walking on the tables. It would be great fun. She and Kaelyn make their way towards the end of the bar. They see a serving wench that they have never seen before, ‘Never seen that reaction for a couple of women,’ she says. Cekiya just smiles as Kaelyn orders them each an ale and asks to see Halime.
‘Who’s asking?’

‘Cekiya and Kaelyn.’

‘You have names, so nice,’ the wench hands them their ales and ignores their request.

Kaelyn looks at her ale and says to Cekiya, ‘If Halime is not out by the time we finish our ales, you can play.’

As the two women drink their ales, another wench comes out the side door. She stops dead when she sees Cekiya or maybe it was just the look on Cekiya’s face. She asks if the ale is to their liking. Kaelyn says it is and would she see if Halime is available. The first wench is watching curious as to the reaction of her co-worker. Halime comes out, sighs, places both arms on the bar and leans over, ‘You know it has been too long. I was beginning to think you didn’t like me anymore, and then you send me a love-letter. Some snot nosed little brat, ‘Cekiya and Kaelyn will be here tonight.’ Almost wept, it touched me so. Almost. What’s your boss want now?’

‘This isn’t strictly for the boss, it’s for us.’ Kaelyn says.

‘I’m not beholden to the junior league. Sod off and have a very pleasant evening.’

‘She’s with me. Just give us a few minutes,’ Cekiya says irked at being called junior league.

‘I don’t have to give you anything. That is not the deal with Escalus.’

‘Not asking for anything for us other than just a few minutes … or you won’t have a good evening.’ Cekiya pushes back.

‘Alright,’ Halime says looking at Cekiya, ‘You’ve got a mouth.’

‘Would you want me quiet again?’ Cekiya asks sweetly, holding a dagger negligently in her hand.

Kaelyn just gives a chuckle and asks Halime if he wanted them to move someplace quieter. Halime laughs and gestures around, ‘Why? I own these ears.’

Kaelyn shrugs and gives Halime her now standard spiel of what she is looking for.

‘They’ve started again?’

‘Yes. It’s a pattern. I hear there is a side business in town of voyeurs where the bodies have been found.’

‘It is a perfectly honest business. If we did persecute, it was only the guilty.’

‘Would you happen to know where the voyeurs go each night, so I can avoid them?’

‘If I were to avoid such things, purely hypothetically, I would avoid anywhere near the amphitheatre, the plays there suck. Another place I might avoid would be the Peoni crypt, anyplace in the city where there is a copse of trees that is not near a noble’s house, with the exception perhaps of the Earl of Neph and the Peoni temple grounds.’

‘So, no one has seen anything that might help catch this murderer.’

‘Murder, we are not talking about murder. We are talking just about voyeurism and a little blackmail.’

‘Of course, so I should avoid these places all the time.’

‘I would.’

‘Even on moonless nights?’

Sure. Unless you plan to be one or the other, I wouldn’t go. I could hook you up with a discount of nothing at all if it’s worthwhile, if it’s ok with your boss,’ Halime turns to Cekiya, ‘Not your boss.’ Halime turns back to Kaelyn, ‘but yours.’

‘If I wanted to be one or the other, to whom would I speak.’

Halime looks scandalized for a moment, ‘It all depends on what you had in mind. I can hook you up.’

Kaelyn smiles, ‘Thanks. Next time I’ll send a love letter on perfumed paper.’

Halime smiles and grabs Kaelyn’s hand and kisses it with a flourish as she stands to leave, ‘Anytime, anywhere.’

Cekiya merely spins her dagger on her finger as they walk out.

Peonu 11, 732

The morning is cool, clear and utterly foggy. Breakfast is late as the three coming from the Elf and Dwarf get lost in the fog. Imarë states that you can’t see more than a few feet in front of you and even then it is hazy.

As the group prepares to discuss their evenings, they hear a loud groan coming from upstairs and then the sound of Lady Thilisa, being utterly sick. Ewen smiles as he takes more bacon off the platter.

Cekiya cocks her head listening, ‘Mockingbird is not feeling well again. I think it was something she took into her body.’