The man's hand returns to his lap, where he worries it, as he listens to Angelique.
"Ah, yes. Well, don't forget to label a chapter the 'Stone Marshal'. That was what Beron's heart was made of.' the man says bitterly.
"He had no ounce of give in him. The law was the law was the law. He'd hunt you down to the end of the world, to get what he called justice. He lived and breathed his precious paladin code, no matter how many of us ended in jail or at a work camp. I heard he would even go after paladins that broke his precious code of honor."
The man says spitting, 'So don't forget to add that in your little book. The man was a fanatic.'
Angelique nods her head obediently. "I had heard rumors - just rumors that this might be the case. I heard something about his interaction with the master criminal going by the name Fox, that he went beyond what was honorable, but unfortunately, I'm fairly certain only the Fox and the departed Marshal would know the specifics of this. Did the Marshal ever cross the line when going after a target?"
'the Marshal? What do you count as over the line? Throwing men in jail to rot for years?" he holds up his withered, dirty arms. "Or is that acceptable?"
The man then grins, 'The Fox. A real hero. I did hear the Stone Heart did something nasty to him. Killed a relative or something in revenge. I wouldn't have expected it of the paladin, but then again, the Fox was his great nemesis. Who knows what that drive a man to do?"
"Wait" Angelique interrupts quickly, "You said he killed a relative, in revenge? That sounds like something pretty damaging to his current reputation, and its worth looking into. Besides the Fox himself, is there anyone else that would be able to tell me more about that particular story? It certainly might show what the man was really like."
The man's eyes squint, "I could recall some more, if you could get me out of here. This place is not...conducive to extensive thought and recalling memories."
"You are joking right?" Angelique remarks skeptically. "Firstly, I have zero authority to get you released, secondly, even if that were possible, I'm releasing a proven forger, and therefore a lier in the past at least, who might be able to give me information that might be interesting. Like, there are so many maybe's going on, I would have to be the most gullible person in existence to make that deal, even if I had that power. Still, that doesn't mean you don't have an options. If it turns out the Marshal crossed the line with some of his targets, then it calls into question all his previous arrests. Basically, its in your interest to tell me the story here and now, if its bad enough, there's enough pressure to maybe get you out, if its a really minor story, then you shouldn't be asking for freedom in the first place. So to be honest, tell me or don't tell me, but I don't think anyone cares about this information you have while you keep it to yourself while you are locked up in here."
"I shouldn't be asking for freedom?" The man says, growing angry. 'Have you ever done hard labor, Miss?" his voice is growing louder. "I am just a number in here, not even a person. You want me to help you without getting anything myself? Typical...typical." he shakes his fists in Angelique face and the guarding paladin is forced to come over.
He settles down pretty quickly and the paladin nods at Angelique, "Anything else?'
Angelique gives a short nod of dismissal to the Paladin, before Angelique raises her eyebrows. "I'm saying telling me the story here and now is the only chance you could get freedom. If your story is damaging enough to the Marshal, then the story alone puts enough doubt on your arrest to apply for freedom. If the story isn't damaging at all to the Marshal, then why would I make a deal for it, it would be worthless to me? Prove to me that the Marshal crosses lines or goes overboard, and you actually help yourself, if not, then I'll go back to finishing my work, praising the man in the absence of any other reliable information".
The man's face then, surprisingly turns to humor. "So it is in my best interest to lie? Tell you the man ate puppies for breakfast and cut deals with the Whispering Way on the side?"
The man laughs and his voice is hollow, broken. "But no. The truth. I don't know much anyway. All I know is that the Fox, and the rest of the criminal world, know the Marshal killed the Fox's sister. In cold blood, murdered her in her home. This was oh, about a year ago. The Marshal denied it, of course. His alibi was weak though and we, the people, never believed him. He changed after that, grew even harsher, more determined to root out evil. And of course, the Fox swore revenge. I assume that is why he killed Beron."
Tapping her hands on the nearest surface, Angelique considers the situation. "You have my word, that I'll follow up on this. If it turns out to be true, then I'll make a case to have you released, in gratitude for bringing it to my attention. You have my word, that I won't forget about you and your situation."
As soon as Angelique leaves the jail however, she is stopped by a grubby man in ill-fitting clothes. "It's me." the figure says and it takes Angelique a moment to realize it is Urbino, in disguise.
'Follow me." he leads her into an alley and then speaks more normally. 'Sorry about that, but I knew we had to remain secret. I had my eye keep an eye for you and someone said you were here."
He grimaces, "My entire force thinks you are a mistress I am smitten with and 'Little Torren' has finally found a woman. No matter, this is important.
'I need you to investigate this attack on Marshal Parell. Something is....not right. I want your opinion before I say anymore, I don't want to influence you. I can get you to the scene. Let's go."
Angelique considers the situation, weighing up her options, before shrugging. "Fine then, lead on, and show me the scene, and I'll try and interpret it as best as I can."
Urbino leads Angelique back to the imposing Keep, where the crowds are long gone now. The sun is slowly setting, lighting up the whole area in orange glow. The rag lady nods to Angelique, smiling knowingly.
Urbino points tot he area between the gates. 'This is where the attack happened. Supposedly the Ustalav men came out of that side door." He points to a small postern door built in. 'And attacked."
Frowning, Angelique turns to Urbino. "I have a question, why did Marshal Parell show up with two carriages for like, the first time ever, and at that same time he gets attacked? Did these attackers guess which one he was in? If so, how did they know? I haven't even got started and this attack makes little sense, that suddenly a group of Ustalav men charge in, out of the blue, and attempt an assassination, and yet somehow have intimate knowledge of the mans schedule"
Urbino nods, grave, 'I agree, it just doesn't add up. I know tensions with Ustalav are high, but this high? It is a weird combination of too much information and too little? It concerns me that this is more then a simple attack, Angelique."
"The men who were taken alive are being held inside. Do you think you could interrogate them? I can get you in. I want someone...else to question the men. Maybe there is something we are missing?"
He shakes his head though, "The points you raised are excellent. Why a second carriage and just full of armed men?"
Angelique frowns at the offer of holding an interrogation. "I'll accept on two conditions. Firstly, if I'm holding an interrogation, I don't want outside interference, my interrogation, my rules. Unfortunately, this is non negotiable. Secondly, I'd want the use of a big room, where all of them can stand together, and a separate, smaller room where I could have the opportunity to take one aside if required. Sound fair?"
Urbino frowns, "You aren't going to hurt them are you? Torture is expressly forbidden by the Paladin code and the law of Lastwall. I don't know if that is true for you, but I won't allow it, no matter the information gained."
He looks very stern and serious about this point.
Angelique isn't paying the Paladins remarks much attention as she works on her outfit, trying to make it more attractive. So long as the person being interrogated was looking more at her chest, the better she could manipulate. Still, she definitely hears the 'no torture' bit and seeks to allay the mans fears. Relax, I don't tend to favour the use of torture, it gets messy and it scrambles the mind anyway, more often I'll merely use the threat of pain to get what I want...though regardless, that single room I mentioned, it has to be soundproofed if possible, allows me to better get what I want.
The paladin watches Angelique with a reddening face as the bard shifts her clothing in order to distract and confuse. It doesn't seem to be a technique Urbino is familiar with.
'I'll do what I can, but I'll be listening. If I hear you start pulling his fingernails out, I'll step in and I won't be gentle."
The paladin leads Angelique inside the Keep proper. Anyone who looks up sees the paladin and the rather more 'dashing' Angelique with a raised eyebrow. But no one stops them. Urbino is perfectly within his rights to move about the Keep with a friend.
He leads her to a stout tower, 'They are being held in here."
As they enter, they are suddenly stopped by Marshal Parell, who appears from a round a corner. "What is this all about, Torren?"
He sees Angelique and nods, 'Detective. have you made any headway on Beron's murder?' His smile is cold, "Perhaps something to link it to the recent attack on my own life?'
Angelique gives a catty smile."I recently discovered that Beron had a nasty habit at killing innocent family members of the criminals that he was hunting. Simply speaking, he was a jerk. I'm currently investigating this angle and looking at all connections...but anyway enough about my investigation, any reason why you had two carriages on the day of the attack, and how the men managed to go after you?"
Parell doesn't smile back, his face nearly as black as his sable uniform. "Beron was a good man. I am sure such rumors are nothing but jealously."
As to Angelique's questions he stands up a fraction straighter, 'There was a breach of security in my department. I have taken care of it, personally. As for my precautions, a good commander is ready for all circumstances, m'lady. But tell me, why are you here? My attack is not what you were brought for. I'd hate for my own affairs to distract you from what, I'm sure is a riveting investigation. Rumor says you have met with some of the local color?"
As he talks, his female aide comes up, looking as tough and uncompromising as ever. She has another bee sting on neck, this time.
Angelique ignores Parell, raising her eyebrows at the aide. "My my, you seem to just attract bee stings font you? How delightfully amusing"
Smiling pleasantly, she turns to Parell. "Oh, there's little need to bother investigating your obvious lack of security, no, I'm here due to a disturbing coincidence, first Beron dies, then you get attacked. I'm just checking out all possible links for the moment. I must say, in my experience its extremely odd that you have criminals boldly attacking a Paladin. In my experience, most attacks comitted by criminals are usually opportunistic, almost always against the vulnerable. How interesting that they try their luck against you?
The woman claps a hand to her neck, face red. She actually puts her other hand on the hilt and takes a step forward before visibly remembering where she is and stopping. Instead, she glowers darkly at Angelique.
Parell's voice is smooth and hard, 'You are out of your element, detective. These were not criminals but assassins sent by Ustalav, to further the disorder of Lastwall. They were fanatics, nothing more."
'Were?" Urbino asks, catching the word sharply, 'Last I heard, we captured two alive. I had been hoping to question them."
'You and many others." The Lord Marshal says, 'Sadly, they both took poison in their cells. They must have had it hidden on them and avoided the searches. Unfortunate." his dark eyes are unreadable but they bore down on Angelique.
Angelique looks slightly bored. "Such outstanding security you have Lord Marshal, firstly getting ambushed at the heart of a paladin stronghold, then allowing prisoners that were captured alive to smuggle poison on their person, and take it, all without anyone noticing. If this keeps up, maybe you might need to hire me as an advising consultant, all the better to advise you on how to properly manage your own security. First lesson would obviously be educating your staff on avoiding tiny creatures that sting, as clearly such terrifying creatures are currently too strong for your personal security force to successfully manage own their own."
Angelique pauses a beat before smiling pleasantly at Urbino. "Urbino dear, why don't we discuss the case in your office, we wouldn't want to distract the Marshall with my trivial investigation now would we? Parell, you might want to have a private word with your aide. Her masculinity is such an attractive quality, and I have also managed to notice her undying interest in me since Day 1. Even now, she's barely been able to keep her eyes off me all this time. It's extremely flattering and gratifying, but it's very unprofessional. After all, she can hardly attempt to keep you safe if she's busy fantasising about me all hours of the day and night. Ciao!"
Parell remains silent but a flash of real anger and violence pass over his face. It is unlike she has seen from any paladin before, a true capability for harsh action and violence.
As for the remarks about the woman, she does draw her sword and step forward, but Parell barks an order and she stands fast.
Urbino leads Angelique away, but she hears Parell's voice carry after her. "You invitation to Lastwall is over, detective. Leave this city, tonight."
Torren curses and when they reach the street he turns to Angelique, "Why in the name of the goddess did you do that?! Openly insulting a Marshal? Now you'll have to leave and my career is over and Beron will go unsolved.."
Angelique angles her eyebrows in irritation. "Your concern for your career is of little interest to me, all I care about is finding Beron's killer. Everything I said to the Marshal was utterly true, its concerning that his security was breached so easily, and any attempt to discover more, coincidently met a roadblock in the form of several unexpected deaths. My request to meet with the ambassador was also likewise ignored. Quite frankly, if you lot cared about the case itself, you could have assisted, instead of blocking each and every line of enquiry. The Marshal does not have the right to utterly evict someone from the city without cause, all that happens beyond tonight is my investigation no longer becomes "officially" sanctioned"
Angelique pauses before turning on her trademark icy tone. "If Parell wants to play a power game, then by all means, he can do so. Political Prisoners dying in custody, as well as certain Paladin's allegedly being involved in unsanctioned killings are nasty rumors, and I can ensure they spread should the Marshal move against me. That said, doing so would probably hurt all paladin's even ones that have acted perfectly and so I have no wish to do this, unless its a last resort. So, I'll require a few things. Firstly, I want someone, if not me, than you, to talk to the Paladin on guard. I want to know everything that happened from the moment they were caught, so the moment they died, every detail. I'll also want an indication as to what they look like, I want to know if I have seen them around the city, or if I can show their faces discreetly around. Secondly, I want you to tell me exactly wasn't right about the situation, You probably know more about what happened than I did, and with the men apparently dead, its unlikely I'll learn more. Thirdly, I want to know about the aide herself that follows the Marshal around. Her name, experience, strengths, background, as well as the Ambassador's aide, the intellectual chap that has so far avoided giving out his name, Whats his background, his stance. I need all of this as quickly as possible, and give the Marshal as much of an impression as you can, that you have forced me to leave. Don't lie, lying is bad but I don't want the Marshal worrying about me tonight, I have too much to do, and I know you don't really want him kicking me out of the city - you have too much to lose, and a power game between the Marshal and I just hurts all Paladin's, and I don't think you want that".
Torren seems a bit overwhelmed by all these demands, questions and comments. He sits down and runs is hands through his hair.
"I can find out who was guarding them. I think they'll be men ..overly loyal to Parell, but I can ask. It'll take a bit to find them."
"As for the second, what else do you need to know? Things weren't right. How did the men get in the city and why hide in the Keep itself? To be honest, why would the Ustalav even attack him? Is it really a giant scheme to de-stablize our nation?"
"As for the aide..Wenda isn't the kind of person you know a lot about. She is a native, born in Vallimus, I think actually. She served for years overseas as a recruiter and organzier for new recruits. Later she came back and fought, with distinction, in the Hold. That combination of mental and physical prowess won Parell over. She has a reputation of a hard woman, capable of doing anything this side of the code. All know she is loyal to Parell beyond all else, and although rumors of a romantic link circulate, I haven't see anything."
Then he pauses and looks askance at Angelique, "Druma? What do they have to do with this?"
"Maybe something, or maybe nothing" Angelique remarks in a cool tone. "Either way, your file mentioned him/them and I want to cover my bases. Remember that there has to be motivation behind both attacks, someone has to gain something, and hence, my question"
'Well." Urbino says, "His name is Destain Hestat. He has lived in our city for awhile and become quite the local power player. He obviously has his eyes on the Ambassadorship and maybe something higher in his homeland. The man owns a sizable estate on the edge of the city with fields, outbuildings, gardens. Frankly, we aren't sure how it affords it. Not with his salary, that's for certain."
"Its probably supplemented by business favors here and there, typical politics I would think" Angelique remarks decisively. "If its not his usual salary, its probably illegal. Anyway, between Destain and the Ambassador, at least one of them would know the Fox personally, and if they know the Fox, they would know a heck of a lot more about the attacks recently...still, so long as you don't want to put them under pressure, the harder it is to know for sure."
Urbino looks at Angelique, 'Do you still want me to bring the Druma Ambassador in?" The paladin says, eyes distant as if working something out. "I might still be able to have you question him, without anyone being the wiser. We'll have to be even more careful in the future, not to be seen."
"If you could, then it would be exceptionally useful, and saves me looking at more riskier alternatives" Angelique responds simply, weighing up the situation.
"I think I can pick him up and have you interrogate him in the carriage. It'll be quick and dirty but you'll both be face to face, and that might be exactly what he need. It is a trick we can only pull off once. Do you want the Ambassador or Destain?"
"If I can, I'd like to speak directly to the Ambassador. It gives me a moment to put the pressure on and see if I can get a key breakthrough...assuming you can put me and him in the same location"
'We should still have time, if we move quickly." Urbino leads Angelique back to 'his' paladin station, close to the Druma embassy. Before going in, he turns, 'Wait outside the embassy, stay undercover. We'll go in and pull him out. When the carriage starts to pull away run up and knock. I'll pull you in and see what happens."
He grimaces and says, "This goes against my better judgement but desperate times call for it. Please, make it worth our while."
The plan proceeds quickly. Angelique finds her way to the Druma Embassy, keeping to the shadows, which are increasing as twilight sets in. Int he dim light, she sees the paladin carriage rolls up and stop outside the door. Urbino comes out, unaccompanied. He goes inside and then Angelique waits for a long time...so long,s he is worried something went wrong.
Finally he comes out, accompanied by the Ambassador. He doesn't look happy but he isn't aggressive and certainly not armed. As planned, they both get into the carriage, and Angelique manages to stealthy enter it.
Urbino opens the door and she sees the Druma ambassador's eyes widen then he laughs, 'Well, my friends weren't wrong about you, detective. You don't take no for an answer." He seems unworried and relaxed now.
Angelique smiles politely. "I'm a pretty busy girl, I'm rarely idle" she remarks, sitting on the carriage sat, eying the man up and down.
"For instance, I was busy enough to chat to several high ranking men with business interests in the city. Several of them was able to confirm what I had long suspected, that you use the Fox to advance your own interests at the expense of others. This is further supported by your aide's unexpectedly large pay packet, something I have so far been unable to verify - its outside of what he should usually be receiving. All of this, is rather concerning, when you have several attacks against Paladin's within the city. Clearly, the Fox is a large part of the criminal underworld, and would probably possess information about what happened, he/she might have even already done it himself/herself. So clearly, I'm a little concerned when your friends seem to be targeting Paladins, friends that you use to leverage your own business deals. Could it be that this is whats happening against the Paladins? More Leverage?"
Angelique's magic is strong in the enclosed cabin and soon, some of the man's mind is laid open to her. He desire connections, power, influence, a web of respect and authority. Money, arms, goods are are merely means to an end.
The ambassador looks grumpy at the mention of his aide. 'Join the crowd. I have no idea where Destain is making the extra gold, and if you know, I'll pay a pretty penny to find it."
As Angelique finishes his face grows a bit pale and he looks to Urbino before saying, "You think I killed people? What, are you crazy? It is one thing to hint that I have powerful friends, not that I do." he says hastily to the paladin. 'What do I have to gain by killing the protectors of law and order? My nation would skin me alive if I interfered with relations with such a wealthy trading partner."
He shakes his head forcefully, "I can't say I even know who this 'Fox' person is," 'But even if I did, killing Marshals would not give me better trade deals. they would get worse, since Lastwall would reduce outside communication in defense."
"Don't lie to me", Angelique remarks in a deadly soft tone. "Not only is it obvious, but it makes you look both unattractive and stupid. The sheer number of people that have actually confirmed it to me, means that there is no doubt that you have a close association with the Fox. I know what you desire, and I know that you could never achieve all the power and influence you lust over, if it became public knowledge you associate with a notorious criminal, one that is widely believed murdered the Marshal. Your nation would yank you back like a dog on a leash and replace you with someone else, to avoid the natural cloud of suspicion you would fall under".
Angelique gives the man a winning smile, before continuing "Now, I'v been holding onto this information for quite some time, because I wanted to get answers from you. You avoided me, and quite frankly, I hate being ignored. Right now, I don't really need anything from you, I'm a free citizen, I can do what I like. I could release this tomorrow, and all those wonderful aspirations you had go up in smoke. So, I would consider volunteering to be helpful, and maybe I'll conveniently forget about this rather damaging information, and we can both go on living life to the full. Perhaps a good starting point might be explaining your interest in the case?"
The man sits back, eyeing the detective speculatively then turns to Urbino, "The quality of your interrogators has improved. A good sign for your force."
The Ambassador turns back, 'Very well. First off, however, I refute any institution I was a party to any murder. I've never killed anyone or been part of such a foul deed. My love is influence, profit, as my nation's customs demand."
After this short speech he goes on, "I was the go between for the Fox and Marshal Beron."
Urbino scoffs, 'Why would the Marshal need such a man?"
The Ambassador smiles grimly, 'It was a long war, between them. A rather implacable one, even before the...incident. But even between two such adversaries, or especially between the, truce was often needed and a trusted channel of communication. I was that man. I respected both of them, and still do tot his day. When Beron was foully murdered, of course I was intrigued. I looked into it as best I could, but I could offer nothing."