Locatelli's eyes light up with...something other than boredom. Stiffly, he stands up. "You are absolutely right; this is not the place for it. Let us go outside and see what your words are worth." Without another word, he steps out the door, trudges into the snow, and draws his own sword.
Fiordelise follows him out mouthing an apology to Isabella. She draws her sword and studies him in a new light.
Isabella simply looks dazed.
Locatelli wraps a light strip of leather around and around his blade, blunting the weapon. He offers you a strip as well. He waits for you to be completely ready, then attacks...
"Yes, sir. We came across one of them; the inquisitor seemed to feel that they were Temple business. I believe they were related to the sounding of the iron bell." He pauses, wetting his lips. "It seems worth noting, sir, that I don't believe these elen are undead. Rather, it seems that they can't die."
"Inquisitor Ky La stated he believed we had slain the spirit of one of the three great efreet kings who's essence had been 'enslaved', and that without his power old wardings were fading."
"I know of only one Mister who lived for certain; their former guild-leader Alessandro. I doubt he will survive for long, though, with nothing left to live for. There were others in the building, I don't know what became of them."
"Byron Cheme was the alchemist, Osric Humbled made the connection. We were also accompanied by Fiordelise Incarna, who had been targeted by the efreet due to some resemblance to his lost love."
Fiordelise almost calls upon the song, but stops herself. This was a duel after all and lives were not at stake, she would rely on her mundane skill for this one, even if she loses she should be able to demonstrate that her words were not false.
Odebie, as you listen to and answer the line of questions, mostly from the Commandant himself, a young ifrit enters and quietly makes his way to the Commandant. The private puts a piece of paper between the Commandant and the Captain of the Temple Guard.
Off-handedly, the Commandant says, "A final question from me, Sergeant: how would you characterize your relationship between yourself and this...Osric?"
Fi, you easily turn aside Locatelli's first casual thrust. He cocks an eyebrow at you, then drives you back several feet with a stronger attack. You note, however, his footing is now quite precarious. Intending to drive him back, you forcefully parry his last blow...
...which causes him to slip in the snow, falling flat on his back. Isabella gasps from behind you. For a moment, Locatelli does not move; he simply lies in two inches of snow. Then, he stiffly regains his feet. Sheathing his sword, he looks at you. He posture is absolutely rigid. That strange, wide-eyed glare returns, giving an almost haunted cast to his features.
He stalks toward you, quick on his feet, and thrusts out his right arm. You almost expect violence - but, looking down, he is offering hand for you to shake. His face is still serious. "Well done! There was a time when more nobles knew who to hold a sword, and I'm damn glad there's still a few out there."
He turns to Isabella. "If you expect to deal with me, Miss Tareasca , then Miss...Incarna, yes? Miss Incarna will be your partner. More wine. I'm paying."
You and Isabella are left alone for a quick exchange of bewildered glances. She conveys her gratitude with a smile, then waves you back inside Tonio's with Locatelli.
Heal check: These pigeon's heads were not ripped off, or even cut off with a knife - the cuts are far too straight and clean. Your best guess is butcher's cleaver, or maybe even a small guillotine.
Knowledge Nature: These pigeons are closely related to one another, probably bred in the same quarters. They are also quite clean - cleaner than you would get at the Market.
Perception - there are absolutely no burned papers in the wreckage. Judging from the wooden beams, the fire was not hot enough, and did not burn long enough, to destroy all of Byron's notes completely.
Osric gently puts the pidgeons back down as he surveys the carnage. "... Where exactly did Eldon get that formula, Byron? Haters wouldn't have removed all your notes, and they wouldn't have been so fastidious with the birds. If I had to bet, I would say Ky La got tired of waiting."
He pauses for a moment, thinking about what to do next. "Maybe not.
Suppose for a moment the temple already knew how to manufacture the white obsidian. The formula came from somewhere, right? I was speaking in jest earlier about competition, but I fear he may not have gotten the joke. If he's trying to clean up knowledge of how to produce this stuff, it's quite possible you're next on the hit list."
He sighs heavily at the smoldering fire, which he notices caused no collateral damage. "How does the blaze thwart the fire-elens, Byron? It spreads. I have an idea, but I need to know if you can write down the formula on a single piece of paper."
Yes, you can write it down on a single piece of paper, though it will be rather cramped.
Byron takes a long moment to realize that Osric had asked him a question. He nods jerkily. "Cramped but yes," he states perfunctorily.
Fiordelise follows Isabella back into Tonio's, musing that the more powerful the family the more eccentric it's scions. A brief smile forms on her lips at the thought, her family may be beneath notice for someone like Locatelli, but many would still consider her eccentric.
She indulges in a little wine, there is no sense in spoiling the moment by rejecting his gifts.
"Excellent. I will explain to you what I'm thinking, and let you make the call. I have spent most of this day in a cramped office over at the Kept Coin explaining yesterday's events. Apparently we were not as discreet as we could've hoped for, and I felt the true story needed to get out there. I did so without request for compensation, so I do believe they owe me a favor."
"If you are so inclined, I would suggest taking out a full-page advertisement and publishing the formula across all of Hearth. If they truly are attempting to choke out this knowledge, releasing it far and wide will make you less of a target. My only hesitation is whether or not it is safe for the general population. You understand it better than I do, so I defer to you."
Byron opens his mouth, stops, closes it, frowns, opens his mouth again, hangs there for a moment, closes it again, stands there for a few moments, and then finally speaks.
"More reasons to harvest dead iron and grief likely are not safe in fact how would the Temple have gathered such things?"
Osric simply nods in response to Byron's question. He looks to Eldon's rapidly cooling body. "How indeed. Also, we don't know that this was the temple. Are there any other well-off organizations around town that would be willing to secretly kill for your notes?"
Odebie shifts uncomfortably. "I hadn't met him prior to all this,
but he has a brilliant deductive mind and has risked his life alongside mine several times now. May I ask why, sir?
Odebie, the Captain of the Temple Guard answers your question. You know his name is Diego Locatelli. His aquiline nose and classic ifrit features speak of noble blood in his heritage, though his family name bears no V. "And are you aware of this...Ferret's attitude toward the Temple? How would you describe his dealings with the Temple?"
---
Fi, you spend another candle or so sipping a little wine and talking business with Locatelli and Isabella. This contract nearly outweighs all the other business of your house, even considering that you and Isabella will be sharing the profits.
Locatelli takes his leave, his manner a fraction warmer than it was before. Isabella comes over and gives you a squeezing hug. "That was amazing Fi! I wish I could stay and gush more, but the doctor is coming over, and I always like to be at Daddy's side. See you on Rootsday for the party!"
As you stand up to take your own leave, something catches your eye - the newspaper Locatelli was reading. On the front page, you see Osric's likeness. The title is upside-down from where you are sitting, but you can still easily read the large, bold letters: "A Temple Divided!"
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"His attitude always seemed to me to be one of... entrepreneurial belligerency? He recognizes the Temple's authority but does not approve of it, and is not pious at all. His dealings with Volcano's servants have focused on bettering himself by aligning his own interests with the Temple's." More quietly, "Or vice-versa."
Fi picks up the paper and skims through the article, I need to catch up with the others soon too. There is still something trying to bring this city down and they seem more clued up than anyone else I know. Assuming the paper was Locatelli's and not provided by Tonio's she will take it with her to read more thoroughly at home.
Fi is still a little bewildered as she heads back home, Isabella provides merchandise while she provides... entertainment? Moral support? Her 'Reputation'?
She doesn't suppose it matters, a steady income was something she needed - though she would need to discuss the specifics with Isabella later.
Fi, you make it home without incident. Judging from the smell of pork wafting from the kitchen, you guess that either Enzo or Karina is busy preparing dinner.
You sit down to read the paper. You thought you remember Osric mentioning he was going to meet with Inquisitor Ky La this morning, but this story seems to have been written and printed just today. You are...surprised...to see nearly every sensitive piece of information you learned yesterday in bold print: Those strange elens that wanted to Kill Ky La, their resistance to darkspawn, and their rebellious nature concerning the Temple and inquisitors. And worst of all, the death of Inquisitor So Khong at the hands of Inam, none of which has been made public yet.
Though the article expresses absolutely no opinions, the facts paint a clear picture of a fractured Temple that is spending more time covering up mistakes that trying to fix or prevent those mistakes. Given the atmosphere around Hearth--the steam, the explosions, the Misters, the fires, the riots, the mephits, the rift--this could be a very dangerous article.
Fi's mind runs riot - should she warn Osric and Odebie? She's not sure how to reach Inam.
Who would report this? It didn't seem like Ky La or anyone else at the temple would have it in thier interest. Someone in the other group... or Osric himself maybe? If not it is worrying how much attention someone out there has been paying.
She sets the paper down and takes a breath. The paper was printed this morning, so it is too late to make any attempt to suppress it. Further action can wait until morning. Trying to lighten the weight on her her mind Fi goes to see who is preparing dinner, and warn them there will a guest tonight.
Odebie, Captain Locatelli nods, as if you have confirmed something for him. The Commandant rises again. "The Call will be adjourned for one candle. When we return, there will be two votes. The first: who will lead the city-wide effort to rid Hearth of the mephit issue. The second," he sighs, almost inaudibly, "whether the Watches will join the Temple in rooting out the spread of sedition that has been seen throughout the city. As with past Calls, you may freely discuss among yourselves."
Striking a match, the Commandant lights the large red candle that sits beside him, signaling the start of the recess.
Fi, you take a closer look at the article - your first run-through was almost a blur. Osric is explicitly mentioned as a source in the story, written by someone with the last name Agostini.
Osric, oblivious to the depth of the chaos he's caused, continues thinking through Byron's lab problem.
"The Temple and the Mithril makers seem like the only possible candidates for this atrocity.
If the temple did it to suppress the knowledge, which I think is most likely, then releasing it will ruin their day and offer you the most protection.
If the temple did it out of impatience to gain the knowledge, releasing it will only increase demand for elenicide.
If the Mithril makers did it either to gain or suppress the knowledge, releasing it will have no additional substantial effect.
Either way, releasing it will shine a great deal of light on you, making it difficult to continue conducting an investigation. Should you decide not to release it, I would suggest creating and hiding several copies of the formula, both the proven and original ones. As distasteful as those components are, more lives are lost on the fronts each day than would be necessary to produce a continuous flow of white obsidian. This information is too valuable to be lost forever."
Osric looks around nervously. "Regardless, we should move on from here. There's nothing more we can do standing here."
Before leaving, he gathers up one of the deceased birds in an evidence bag, in case it might be useful later.
Byron, still dazed, simply nods non-committally and follows after Osric.
Odebie, before there is a chance to do more than stand up and stretch, a new figure enters the room. The dull red ifrit wears the robes of an inquisitor, though they hang loosely on his thin frame. His emaciated face clearly shows the skull that lies beneath. Bright eyes gaze out of deep sockets with a hungry fire.
He is accompanied by an odd clanking sound. Looking down, you see he carries a scorched pair of black-iron manacles, much like a priest would hold a censer. It jangles with every quick step he takes.
The inquisitor's harsh, dry voice rasps out, "I'm afraid the second vote is immaterial." He looks directly at you, looking down, then back up into your eyes, as if physically measuring you. "Starting with Odebie of the North Tribe. Make your choice: is this," he holds up the manacles, "for Osric Ferret...or for you?"
For a moment, there is silence at this unprecedented intrusion by the Temple. Then, the Commandant bellows, "Not in my Barracks, you viper! Elens of the Watch-"
Captain Locatelli of the Temple Guard interrupts. "My brother speaks for the Temple Guard as well in this matter, sir. Let the sergeant speak, then we shall decide."
Again, all eyes are on you.
Fi, Enzo's back is turned to you as you walk into the kitchen. He is wearing your father's sauce-stained apron, and for one bittersweet moment that image and the smell of pork rotolini transports you back to the happier days of your childhood.
Enzo's too-thin face looks over at you, and the illusion is broken. "No sneaking bites, sorellina. If you didn't have a good lunch, that's your own fault." He smiles, and goes back to shelling nuts and washing raisins. "Everything okay?" His tone is casual, but you can tell he has picked up on the worries that still sit in the back of your mind, despite your best efforts.
Oh, Grey Father damn it Osric. What have you done now?
Odebie gulps. "I don't understand... I don't approve of his actions, I think he's short-sighted and risks the hard-won stability of the city. He spends too much time watching where he steps and not enough time looking at the horizon. But..." he glances at the manacles, and the Captains. "The man risked his life to help the city, alongside your fellow Inquisitor no less. I don't know that arresting him would be... a good idea?"
"I'm fine, just worrying about a friend. I'll go see him in the morning, set my mind at rest." she forces a smile and changes the subject
"Elfie is coming by for dinner, she's never eaten much, but I can help you prepare a little extra?"
Fi, Enzo nods. "Sure. Eh, cut a couple more slices of pork, and melt a little more cheese." He waves vaguely to the opposite side of the kitchen. You work side-by-side with Enzo in a companionable silence.
A knock at the door. You quickly wash and dry your hands, eager to see Elfie again. However, Karina--who has been upstairs, unseen, this whole time--opens the door right as you turn the corner. Karina cocks her head at Elfie, still in her plain gray dress with a white apron for catching oil spills, and then smiles brightly. Turning to you, she says, "Fi! Did you hear back about a business deal today? I'm so happy you finally have the money for a maid!"
Elfie is dumbstruck. Karina, waiting for your response, has not yet noticed her reaction.
---
---
Byron, on the way to Osric's abode, you and your companion naturally fill the awkward silence with shop talk. The topic drifts toward the rift, and the ideas you each have had - your idea about damaging and closing the rift from the inside with a colossal ice bomb; Osric's idea about somehow harnessing both Volcano and River in a sort of balance to restore the steam.
Your mind wanders for a moment. You were present during the original mephit hunt, and you saw Odebie leave that odd-looking...branch, staff, whatever...in the ground as he emerged from burrowing. He was looking very intently at it, almost like he was listening to it.
That particular configuration of branches...perfectly forking in a fractal sequence...and you say it out loud at the exact same time the thought comes into your head:
"Odebie planted the offspring of a Quiet Elder at the border of the Steam Slums."
---
---
Odebie, three things happen in rapid succession:
With a look of casual contempt, the inquisitor takes another step toward you, manacles swinging.
The Commandant yells, "That will be far enough-!"
And Captain Locatelli of the Temple Guard draws his longsword and slices the Commandant's neck in one quick motion.
Chaos erupts.
Fiordelise's mouth goes dry, in her distraction she hadn't gotten around to warning Karina, and had forgotten just how... elite she was.
Trying to salvage the situation she pulls Elfie into a hug and kisses her on both cheeks before turning to Karina, slipping her arm around Elfie. "Karina, this is Elfrida my dear childhood friend. She will be joining us for dinner" she speaks somewhat pointedly but not impolitely.
?
"Hmm, what an odd thing to do. Did he say why, exactly? If you need to rest, I totally understand, but I think I need to investigate this."
Osric either drops him off first or changes course to go back to the border, based on whatever Byron decides.
Byron shakes his head. He is silent a long moment before stating, "I will come better to be... distracted."
Swearing in three different languages, Odebie backpedals while groping for his hammer.
Fi, Karina looks astonished and embarrassed. "Oh my...I am so sorry." She puts her hands over her heart. "I didn't mean...okay. Let's just pretend that didn't happen." She puts her hand out. "Hello, Elfie. I'm Karina. It's...nice to meet you?" She raises her eyebrows, asking for forgiveness.
Elfie looks at you, then at Karina, then back at you. Her face is neutral, unreadable. Then she smiles, though you note it is somewhat strained. "Nice to meet you too, Karina."
Taking your arm, Elfie walks with you into the dining area. "Is dinner ready yet, or do we time for a little music first?"
---
---
Osric and Byron, you cautiously make your way to the border of the Slums. Snow keeps falling, as though Fallen Sky weeps frozen tears over what He sees. There are no sylphan wind-sweepers out in the Dims at the moment; the snow on the street is ankle-deep, heading for shin-deep.
Turning a corner, you see the staff Odebie planted. However, it is no longer simply a long branch - it is unmistakably a tree, though a perfectly symmetrical one. It is over seven feet tall. There are several dead mephits close by, and a dozen more living mephits surrounding it from a distance.
The mephits do not appear to have noticed you yet. The tree is sixty feet away, and mephits are about one hundred feet away.