"Tibi could levitate over the wall. Maybe just take a peek and see what's on the other side. If it's clear perhaps the gate can be opened from the inside. I think this is a case where we don't want to announce ourselves."
Dantrian strides forward and rings the bell three times. "Bleach and acid? This factory is producing a vast amount of harsh abrasives. Curious."
As Dantrian rings the bell, Anton can see the look of; at best disappointment and at worst dismay on the faces of several of his colleagues. He understands their point of view in wanting to scout the area - but it is not something he would have been comfortable with. They have no jurisdiction here and no real evidence that would warrant breaking in.
No, on this he agrees with the alchemist. Let's just ask them some questions and see what happens.
The second floor loading bay doors slide open and a gnome peers out. He has red hair, bushy sideburns and is wearing the Ustalavic equivalent of a suit. "Yes?" he asks curtly.
Mr Grine. Anton calls up at the window. My name is Anton Klasnic and my colleagues and I would very much like to take a moment of your time to discuss a few matters. he looks about him. I would much prefer not to shout up at the window, could we possibly come in?
The Alchemist rings the bell before Janos even realizes what is happening. "Wha-" He's cut off by the sound of the loading bay doors opening, but stares at the man in bewilderment.
Are you really so mad as to announce us to potential murderers? 'Hello, sir, did you happen to kill people and blame it on an innocent creature?' 'Oh, yes, that was us. Fun time too.' 'I see. Would you be willing to confess?' 'Nope. Have a nice day.'
He shakes his head and catches the approving look from Anton. Him too? These people didn't give the villagers of Morast such etiquitte. Rolling his eyes, the Ranger pressed himself up to the wall, trying to hide from the person above.
Drosil begins nodding at B'yelka's suggestion, but quickly dashes to the shadows when he hears the bell ring. He glares at Dantrian briefly, then looks around to see what other options may be available to him.
"We're quite busy, and not accepting new clients. Please leave!" the gnome says rudely, before slamming the doors to the loading bay shut.
Anton was able to concentrate long enough to shift his vision into the mystical spectrum granted to him by his faith in Desna. He sees a faint miasmic aura of wrongdoing and hatred surrounding Grine before he slams the doors shut.
Tibideau is about to start floating up the wall when his law-abiding colleague decides to blow their cover. Butterfly-worshipping goody-goody. He rolls his eyes, then follows Janos and attempts to hide against the wall as soon as the gnome peeks his head out.
As Grine begins to dismiss the group, Dantrian bellows, "We are happy to shout our questions regarding your involvement with the Sanctuary Arson if you would prefer, Mister Grine. Are you sure we cannot join you in your office?"
There is no answer.
"Excellent plan, Boys." The sarcasm fairly drips from B'yelka's tongue. "Maybe we should push a bit harder. After all, why would this place work so hard night and day if it does not need or want more clients?" She looks to Drosil and all but orders the Fetchling, "Follow me. You're going to be our key." The Diva moves around the side of the wall to a nearby alley and murmurs a chant, touches Drosil's cheek, turning him completely translucent. "You have a bit more than five minutes. Make them count. I trust your skills to get us inside." She shifts her hand to the back of Drosil's invisible neck and draws him close, putting a kiss on his cheek. She smiles as she watches the lipstick fade into the spell.
What an interesting sensation... Drosil thinks, as his mouth splits into a childish grin. Oh, the trouble I could get into...or out of, for that matter. With a small shake of his head, however, he brings himself back to the current situation, pulls out his lockpicks, and gets to work on the gate's lock.
Wait a second. Anton says with a look of concern on his face. Lowering his voice he continues; We are just going to break in? We don't have the authority for this! And circumstantial evidence at best that these two were involved. Dr Brada stated that Vorkstag was responsible for setting the fire. But that doesn't tell us the context - he could have accidentally knocked over a lantern for all we know. Based on the wording of the question he would be "responsible."
They don't want to speak to us and I agree that seems suspicious. But we can't just break in based on a hunch and what might have happened. I say we present what we have to the court and petition them for permission to enter the factory.
He can already see the looks of incredulity on their faces and awaits their retort. But he said at the start of this endeavour that he would defend the Beast to the letter of the law - and that included their own behaviour.
Janos shakes his head. "We're not the Guard or even deputies of the law. We're private investigators in this case."
He looks at the Paladin and rolls his eyes. "But somehow I doubt you'll agree with the distinction. If that's the case, then we're lucky to have bought two Speak with Dead scrolls. The Doctor said Vorkstag started the fire. What if we ask him if Vorkstag tried or was trying to kill him? Would that be enough for you?"
I'm not trying to be difficult for sake of it - I'm just suggesting we do this right. And I know that time is of the essence. But we should have asked Brada about the nature of his relationship with these alchemists, but hindsight is meaningless. My understanding is we can only speak with dead once a week so now that they are unwilling to grant us an interview I think our only recourse is to bring what we have to the authorities and let them decide our next course of action. The Law shouldn't be something we abide by when it suits us.
There is something... wrong about that man. I get a sense of cruelty or evil when I look at him. But still... that in itself isn't evidence of wrong-doing. It is clear the paladin is torn between doing what he feels is right and letting his friends down.
"Listen Anton. You and Dantrian tried it your way. Grine is hiding something. If we were true Dottari here we could get the Judge's permission to go in. But, we're not. So we have to make allowances. If we find nothing then I was wrong leading us to break the law. If we find something, then we are helping, tegardless of the law. Is it justice when villains hide in barrister's robes?"
"And what light would breaking in here right now cast on us in court tomorrow? Would you jeopardize all our other testimony to satisfy a hunch? Because if we do this, rest assured, the powerful friends Kaleb alluded to will hear of it and bring it to bear against us." Dantrian taps his finger against his lip as he weighs the options before them. "It would be a different matter were Grine or someone else to invite us in, but barring that, I stand with Anton on this."
Anton looks relieved to see that at least one of the group understands his position although Dantrians practical reasons seem more compelling than his own.
Sighing dramatically, B'yelka says, "You are right. So, now that the investigators of the Beast's innocence have knocked on the door and then not come in, there is no way that the man who started the fire, lost his tools at the scene of a grave robbery would be disposing of evidence. No, that is inconceivable. So, we should just run, tails tucked. Oh, not to mention now that the suspect knows we are on to him, Vorkstagg or Grine would never resort to their connections to discredit us, regardless of our actions now."
Janos glares at Anton and Dantrian. "Fine, we can do things your way. I would hate to condemn Aaron by tainting our own characters in court. But let's just hope they're not killing anyone in there right now, or stripping skins to make the next gruesome mask. That blood will be on your hands."
He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, calming himself. "Sorry. that was uncalled for. But B'yelka and I have a point. They could be in there destroying evidence or committing more crimes. Grine is evil. Evil doesn't stay idle for long. We can go to the judges tonight, but if they don't allow it, I think we should press the issue after the trial. I won't care about the rules then."
"Just so you know, if we had any evidence they were behind what happened at Hergstag, I'd be chopping that door down."
Anton looks visibly upset at Janos' words, bordering on furious.
And I'd be beside you, smashing our way in to bring the villains to justice. If you think I'd let something like what happened to those kids go unpunished then you're sorely mistaken! But the fact is Janos, we don't have that evidence. If you think I'm doing this to be stubborn then you're wrong. I'm simply saying we have no right and no reason to go in there beyond circumstantial evidence and our own hunches.
Now you may be right and they could be doing all sorts of things in there. In fact after what I sensed, I suspect they may be involved someway but no one is above the law, especially those trying to serve it.
But, on all honesty, don't let that get in the way. If you need a compelling argument as to why this isn't a wise course of action than Dantrian has put it far better than I could.
One thing I do suggest is we don't argue about this in the street!
Janos watches his friend's fury grow. The Ranger steps up to him and speaks in a low voice. "Good. I'm glad you're angry. That way I know you really believe in this. With your heart, not your head." He jabs a finger at Anton's chest and tosses a look at Dantrian but quickly returns to the Desnan.
"You know what this choice can mean and if I'm going to abide by it, I want to know you truly believe this is the right path. That, I'll follow."
Janos turns and walks away.
Tibideau throws up his hands and steps out from hiding against the wall. "Well, that was productive. But, Dantrian, I have to agree with you. We don't want Vorkstag's minions crashing the trial with tales of our lawlessness. And we can always come back tomorrow."
B'yelka takes Tibideau's arm, looks at Anton and Dantrian and says, "Dinner is still planned. Do not be late." Her smile returns as she whispers something to Tibideau and then snickers into her hand. With that she lets her 'husband' lead the way back to the tavern.
As the group departs, Dantrian offers a suggestion, "We have positively located Mister Grine and while it is possible he has a living space set up within the factory, I find it more likely that he keeps his residence elsewhere. Do the rest of you care strongly enough regarding his potential wrongdoings to keep a vigil? While the evidence we have gathered for tomorrow's hearing carries weight, not all of us will be needed in order to exhaustively present it. Following Grine would unfortunately disrupt the dinner plans, however."
Drosil nods at Dantrian's suggestion. "I will stay behind - I'm the best suited for it, anyway."
Drosil spends the next few hours in an alleyway near the factory, keeping an eye out for any comings and goings.
No one comes in or out of the factory during the next few hours, even though it's past dark.
Tibideau escorts B'yelka to the tavern, but on the way, he stops for a moment. "I suppose we should go find Janos. I'm not a big fan of anybody storming off," he suggests casually.
Vacantly B'yelka replies, "Of course dear. We can't have any of the children left alone." Under her facade her heart is roiling. Dumb! Hi, We know who you are, but we're going to let you go because we can't decide to come get you. Mister Almaeus would be a perfect Hellknight! Rules for rules sake, and no thought for their effects. And Anton! So sympathetic until there's a gate to have to sclae, or some taboo that must be broken!
* * *
At dinner the Diva is all but silent, sulking like a child. She drinks more than her share of the wine and of course compliments the chef on the delicious mutton but her mind is clearly elsewhere.
At the dinner, the mood is tense and the air frosty.
Anton was glad that Dantrian had the same views about entering the factory, even if his reasons were different.
He was surprised to see B'yelkas anger toward him, as if he were meaning her personal offence. Still, in the long run perhaps it may do her some good to realise that you don't always get your own way - diva or not.
He sensed that the others were swayed by Dantrians reasoned argument and was glad that they could see sense.
At the Trial tomorrow. he says, breaking the silence. We need only prove that Aaron didn't set the fire, that's the crime he is accused of. Dr Bradas testimony should prove that at least.
Dantrian nods in agreement, "The other evidence we have unconvered further corroborates the doctor's testimony as well, as it establishes a history and reason for Vorkstag's presence at Sanctuary." He otherwise eats the meal with his typical rigidity, pausing to answer questions pointed at him directly or to occasionally offer a clarifying comment, but the alchemist seems neither distressed nor unsettled by the evening's earlier disagreement.
Well, if some of you don't remember, I told the good people of Lepidstadt that we would uncover the monster truly responsible for the crimes laid at the Beast's feet. But following that lead was declined to sate someone's rigid sense of law and order." She waves her hand, as if dismissing the entire idea. What's done is done. So be it." Her face shifts, and she smiles, her eyes are maybe a little damp, and B'yelka confesses, "I at least am glad that we are all still able to dine together." She holds her empty glass out for a servant to fill. She holds up her charged cup and says, "To justice for Aaron!"
"If the matter were truly settled in your mind, you would not bring it up now, B'yelka. Do not hold us responsible for your over-extended and ill-conceived promises, however noble you think them to be. If you wish to return to the factory right this moment, you are free to do so. None here are stopping you." Dantrian takes a simple draw from his cup, the barest scent of wolfsbane can be smelled as he swirls the herbed wine before setting the vessel back down. "As I stated earlier though, doing so might well jeopardize our charge's case and call into question all our past testimony. If you think that a worthwhile risk to satisfy your pride, then by all means, do so." His eyes return to his food at this as he precisely slices a bite of steamed potato.