"She's not going to get into any more trouble - I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but she's dead." Hime answered. "I'm going to need you to tell me about these friends of hers - especially if they have any relation to an old skyseer named Nevard. They may have been involved in the incident that lead to her death." Her tone got a it firmer starting with her second sentence, as she shifted into full 'Officer of the RHC' mode.
"Dead..?" The man rubbed a hand over his mouth. "Oh, you silly woman." Sitting down for a moment, he opened a drawer and pulled a small, dark bottle from the desk, pouring himself some amber liquid. "Yeah, they probably were. She was a...sympathiser, I suppose you could say, a supporter of Gale. I think she even worked for her." The man sipped the drink. "Didn't bother me, mind - I've been on both sides of this stupid arugment, and been burned by both - but I don't think she wanted me to be too deep, in case it came back on her...she listened to me a lot when I talked about the other owners, the stupid crap they do to their workers."
Sipping again, he shooks his head. "Should have seen ths one. My Uncle, Nevard, told me an adopted daughter will blindly ride the wind to her demise. I don't know, I never really saw her like that, but..."
"No, that's pretty much what happened..." Hime answered, remembering what she'd been told of the woman's death. "Tell me about this 'Gale'. And your uncle, where is he right now?" She probably needed to talk to both of them at some point, and the last thing she wanted to do was chase all over town for information.
"I don't know much more than the man on the street will. I told you, I'm not involved in this one." Sechim shrugged. "She's a Fae...terrorist isn't really the word, but it's how most see her. She sneaks into a factory, sabotages the machines, lets loose ships from the docks so they sink. Things like that. Then she flies - yeah, I dunno how she does that either - away from the scene, so she can't be caught. A lot of people love her, since she's wreckin' all the Danor inspired machinery. But a lot of people hate her, too. After all...machines don't work, neither does the man who operates them."
He drums his fingers on the desk. "But my uncle...yeah, you're onto something there. Like I said, he's a Skyseer. Totally peaceful, but Gale's people respect him. If you talk to him he might be able to arrange a meet up with Gale. Peaceful, like. She might know what Nilasa was doing." He jots down some directions into the Cloudwood, where Nevard is currently staying."[/b]
Hime nodded, taking mental notes as the man spoke. Well, this was more informative than she'd expected it would be... "All right. I still need to check her room, though, just in case." she explained. A good investigation was a thorough investigation, and if she'd been expecting to come back, there might well be some clues in her bedroom.
He nodded, gesturing for Hime to proceed. However, the bedroom, a small boxroom along with several others, but there is nothing much to find - some clothing, a handful of money stuffed in a drawer and a book for learning Elvish are the only things of note.
When you exit, Sechim stops you for a moment. "Look, I don't know how relevant this is, but...I had some men, trying to buy acid from the other day. I've got the government breathing down my neck to sell to them cheaply so they can build there next Ironclad, I got protesters everywhere, but these guys...they worried me. They wanted a few barrels of Alkahest, but insisted I not report it - which you know is illegal - and when I refused started making allusions to the fires in the docks recently. Then, a few days later, a couple of different men tried the same thing. I told them I'd see what could be done, and had them followed. They went to somewhere near the Nettles before we lost them. It probably isn't relevant, but..."
More and more leads... maybe she could nudge the normal police force into looking at some of these? Pressure to sell things illegally was really more their jurisdiction anyway. "Where in the Nettles? Specific information is always more helpful." she prompted. "The RHC - and the government as a whole - takes all threats of arson very seriously, particularly when the factories are involved."
He gave the information he could - a street in the seedier district, away from the docks - but it was limited.
Well, the information was what it was. "Thank you for the information - your assistance on this matter is appreciated, and will not be forgotten." she told him as she finished examining the room.
All right... she had a few important leads, still. Namely:
-Tracking down the source of the potion
-Investigating this Gale figure, likely through Nevard
-Dealing with the apparent arsonists
She considered for a few moments, then nodded. "All right, I think I'm done here. Tell the men outside about the arson threats. They should be able to organize a watch detail to keep this area safe." In the meantime, she needed to go find Nevard. The departed had spoken of him, and he definitely seemed to be the key to what was going on here. That's what her intuition was saying, anyway.
The First Day of Summer - 5pm
The Cloudwood is a decent travel, even with a steed or carriage, and it takes a little while to get there. It takes even longer to follow the directions up to the Henge where Nevard is apparently residing.
As you draw closer you hear panicked cries, a gunshot and the neighing of a horse. The creature thunders around the corner ahead of you and past, down the trail, it's eyes wild in panic as it rushes by.
Hime darted forward, moving around the corner that the horse had come from. "RHC! Everybody stay right where you are!" she said, invoking her authority under the law. Many people still tried running, of course, and if it was a bit group even she wouldn't be able to accomplish much... but she wanted to stop whatever this was from spiraling out of control.
The scene before you is utter chaos. Three men carrying cheap pistols and wearing cheaper suits sit huddled behind a carriage which has one wheel off the edge of the road, a 30ft drop behind it making it a less than delightful place to be. As can be evidenced by it's driver, who sits quite dead on top. Even as you watch one of the men is struck by an arrow and killed. Your shout causes everyone to freeze...for a moment. And then the carriage slides a few more feet towards the edge. Another scream rips the air - a woman's scream, from inside the carriage. And the fight continues as the two remaining men dive for different cover and an arrow sails after them.
[ooc]Hime goes first.[/ooc[
"I said to stay where you are!" Hime said, sending a bolt of mind magic towards one of the ambushers. She slid into a battle stance a moment later - but rather than simply leaving it at that, she focused on taking control of the battlefield... and her ability to do so was quite unusual in nature. She'd first figured out how to display her presence this way a few months ago, and it didn't seem magical despite the very real effects it had... an odd result. For now, though, she was simply focusing on reducing casualties.
The person you touch seems startled, but not enough to even try ignoring your command. The longbow he carries means he doesn't have to, and more arrows rattled against the carriage riders cover. In reply, the two gunmen return fire with their pistols before frantically reloading. One of the ambushers grunts as they are struck, and starts to fall back.
The coach slides again, lodging this time on a small rock...but for how long wasn't clear.
Hime clenched a fist, then focused on the power within her and slammed her palm against the ground. The earth trembled for a moment... then the ground on the stable side of the coach abruptly lowered down, creating a dip to redistribute its weight and prevent it from falling. She darted towards the carriage a moment later, to ensure those within were covered by her presence.
The carriage levels off with another shriek from the occupant. Unfortunately this draws the attention of the combatants far more than shouting has. The ambushers shout that they need to "Protect the carriage!" whereas the one of the gunmen simply turns and fire.
Out of all the attacks, only the gun managed to strike her - and Hime whirled into action, closing with the shooter and lashing out with a jabbing elbow strike to target his vulnerable points. "Assaulting an officer of the RHC is a serious offense. I suggest you not make your upcoming trial any worse for yourself." she said sharply.
for
The man crumbled from the strike with a soft sigh. The arrows halt, and someone calls out to on of there allies, "Is she helping us save her?"
The other gunman turns, swearing, and pulls the pistol trigger at nearly point-blank range.
The bullets were close - but not close enough. Her foresight in taking the Inner Sphere Stance seemed to be showing, and the bullet whizzed by instead of striking her. Without stopping, Hime stepped in and faced the remaining gunman. "Enough!" she cried, pushing forward and aiming for a knockout blow with the force from a double palm strike to the gunman's chest.
for
Her gaze moved to the archers a moment later. "I do hope you're not going to make me take you three down as well." she said flatly. "Drop your weapons."
The other three stopped for a hushed discussion before emrging, hands raised, bows in the bush. "Look, fine, no bows - but get Morena out of the coach before the damned thing falls, yeah?"
Hime glanced at the dip she'd created with magic, lowering the weight and shifting all of the carriage's weight down. "I'm glad to see you can follow some orders. You attacked an officer of the Royal Homeland Constabulary - be thankful you didn't actually hit me." Strictly following the rules, she ought to smash them unconscious and bring them in... but there was something going on here, and from the comments she'd heard, she was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. (She did tend to follow the rules... but she wasn't above letting things slide sometimes.)
She knocked on the side of the carriage a moment later, keeping her eye on the three men. "The gunmen are unconscious. These men friends of yours?"
The one in the lead spits. "Not bloody likely. Those are some of Lorcan Kell's men. Scum, they are." Inside the carriage a pretty women - Morena, you presume - is tied hand and foot inside. She has managed to slip a gag off her mouth, and stares at you with liquid, terror filled eyes.
...Huh. Well, this was getting more and more interesting. "I'm Constable Hime, with the Royal Homeland Constabulary. You're safe now, ma'am." Hime said, working to untie her. "Are you injured? And I'm sorry for the abruptness, but can you tell me what's going on here?" she inquired.
As the woman#s feet came free, she sighed in relief. "My name is Morena. I was stolen from my lover, Renard, and from his camp by these men. I do not know them or why they have taken me."
Today was getting more and more complicated, wasn't it? Interesting. "These men outside, are they friends of yours?" she inquired, indicating the group that had - past tense - been composed of archers. Kidnappings didn't happen at random - and, indeed, were fairly serious crimes. Not that they were entirely innocent themselves - trying to rescue their friends or not, at least one man was dead...
The woman leaned out of the carriage and her eyes widened. "Renard!" she cried and ran to the leader of the men.
Which likely answered the question as well as anything.
Yyyyyyup. She gave them a moment to enjoy the reunion before emerging from the carriage and looking at the other two men. "You. And you. Help bind up these men, and make sure they have no other weapons on them. I suspect they're going to have a lot to answer to a judge for." she directed. With all the commotion, it probably wouldn't be long until the guards arrived and the prisoners could be transferred to the proper authorities. She exhaled softly a moment later, refocusing her inner balance just in case.
The leader - Renard - looked up from the fierce embrace. "Why bother? We'll just stick a knife in them and be done with it. You saw them - they're guilty. Might as well save the time and money of a trial."
Hime narrowed her eyes slightly. "In case you've forgotten... I am an officer of the RHC." she said, a faint tone of warning in her voice. "Criminals, even manifestly guilty ones, deserve a fair trial to establish their guilt for the record. After all, vigilante justice can be very difficult to tell from genuine crime. Morena has been safely rescued, and once the guards get here, these men will answer for their crimes. Leave it at that."
The man looks at them, waveringly.
"Fine, fine!" Renard held his hand up. "You beat them up, you do what you please with them. I'll even send a runner down to the local officers so they can come pick them up." He nods to one of his fellows, who sets off down the path.
Renard and the other started to tie them up. "So what brings an officer of the law to the Cloudwoods? We don't see many of you up here."
"I'm looking for an old skyseer named Nevard." she answered. "I'd like to take credit for cracking the case here and arriving to beat up the bad guys, but... honestly, I just happened to be passing by." And honesty was generally the best policy. Besides, types like this - who seemed quite aggressive - tended to get nervous if they thought they'd been investigated. If he felt it was just chance, he wasn't like to be as guarded with his tongue.
"Nevard?" Renard nodded. "Yeah, he's a good man. I guess even the police are smart enough to talk to a Skyseer, huh? We keep an eye on him - make sure the wrong people don't bother him, since he's old - but I'll help you find him. Once your friends come and pick this sorry lot up."
After an hour or so police officers arrive and haul the Kell men away. Renard, arm in arm with Morena, shows you the rest of the way. The pair lead you to a small cluster of home with a henge sitting above them, a large tent pitched nearby. Several people sit nearby, but presence of Raynard means they only glance at him for confirmation before allowing you to enter the tent as you approach.
The inside is dim, and the smell of cinnamon and cloves can only partially cover the scent of illness. An old man, his dark skin almost dusty in appearence and his face and hands thinned by illness sits inside, and looks up with a smile. "What brings an officer of the Kingdom to an old man's humble tent?"
"Work, I'm afraid." she answered. "I was told you might be able to put me in touch with a Miss... Gale. A sympathizer of hers - I'm not sure of their exact relationship - died at the Danorian Embassy today, and I'm trying to find out why. Her spirit mentioned your name. As this is an official matter, I hope I can count on your full cooperation."
The response time was slow, but not unusually so. The area is a decent distance from the nearest constabulary, and the Cloudwoods are full of bandits and miscreants. It is likely it took a short time to find enough officers to safely enter competently.
The old man raised a shaggy eyebrow. "I am sorry to hear a child has been lost so. From your description, I assume it was poor Nilasa? Poor girl. And I know her mistress. She comes to me, sometimes, to ask my advice. Not that she will actually listen to me, of course. I can arrange a meeting with Gale, if you so desire...but I must ask a favour in return. Something to occupy your time while it is arranged, yes? I need for you to seek permission for me to the Peak of Cauldron Hill. It is restricted due to it's dark past and the darker forces that still flourish there. I will also need your help reaching the mountain top."
"Why do you want to go there?" she asked. "Restricted things tend to be restricted for a reason." Not that she wouldn't help in a heartbeat if she thought it would genuinely help and wouldn't hurt anything. The RHC had a fair amount of leeway in what it was allowed to do - and Skyseers still had respect, if not as much as they once had. Together, their words would probably be accepted by most. She wasn't going to overlook a rule without a good reason to, though...
"I am old, and I am dying, but I have enough strength to view the skies and read the future one last time." The old man smiled. "I believe, through my studies, that it is one place where the veil that clouds the visions of the Skyseers could be pierced. There may be others, but none I could reach in time. I feel in my bones that the vision I seek is vital to the nation. I must go there, despite the risks." Nevard laughed. "It is not as though it is much of a risk for me, however. It is you who must worry about the place."
A wise individual did not dispute the words of a Skyseer too quickly. Risur was marching forward, but that didn't mean the powers of the past were any weaker. "I see." she said. "Very well, then. The Skyseers have a long history here in Risur - and we, too, would like to hear what you have to say. That said, I will have to ask you to set up that meeting so it happens regardless of what occurs on the Hill - just to be on the safe side."
"Of course. It will be put into motion before we leave. Regardless of what happens it will be done. You have my vow." The old man paused. "One further request. To aid in this venture, I will be holding a ceremony to...borrow the strength I will need. On my own, I am not certain I could walk to the bottom of these hills, let alone to the top of a small mountain. I would like to include you in that ceremony, if you would agree? It will take but a fraction of the strength of many so that none notice it's lack."
"As long as you let me do my own ceremony first. There's a spirit whose help I'd like to get." she answered with a slight smile. She hadn't yet formed a pact today, and definitely wanted to before she headed into anything genuinely dangerous.
Nevard chuckled. "That only seems fair. When we are ready, we will go to Mayor Reed Mcbannin. He can grant permission to enter the area. It is allowed, sometimes."
"Telling him it's part of an RHC investigation should help." she added thoughtfully. "Give me a few moments." With that, she stepped out and pulled out her chalk, spinning in a circle to start the process. She didn't actually do this in public too often, but it wasn't like it was really a secret or anything... and with that, she began the work of calling up Milo of Clyde. As an Investigator, his skills - and lucky break - might well be useful during the rest of the day.
When it was done, the seal and manifestation both vanished, and she adjusted her outfit as she straightened. "All right, let's go." she said.
The old man nodded. Before you could leave, he performed his own ritual. Sitting in a circle of his friends, family and followers, an old Orc shaman read from a strange looking scroll, reciting a spell. Each presents contributes a drop of blood to a mixture of wine, which the old Skyseer drinks with obvious distaste. As the spell is completed the scroll dissolved with a soft sigh.
Heading down the mountain made it obvious that the spells power was...impressive. Nevard move liked a man a fraction of his age, his skin seemed healthier, his flesh fuller. He looked no less old than he had when you'd met, but he seemed more alive. But he walked with vigour down to the Nettles before heading towards the goal.
The First Day of Summer - 7 PM
The one quality road in The Nettles curves around Cauldron Hill, heading up to the manor of Mayor Reed Macbannin, located a thousand feet up the twenty-three hundred foot high mountain. Here the gentle slope of the lower mountain turns to a steeper and rockier rise of stone, making Macbannin’s rich manor the gatekeeper between the slum homes of thousands and the cursed mountaintop.
The compound’s high iron fence surrounds a manor house, servant houses, a stable and a track for horses, a carriage house, a red-brick gardener’s building, and overall beautiful landscaping with myriad flowers. Macbannin employs ffty regular staff, and all of them have received at least rudimentary training to understand the dangers of the eldritch magic further up the mountain.
Upon your arrival the butler, Cillian Creed as he introduces himself, listens to Nevards request and nods. He leads you to a small garden to await the Mayor's pleasure, which should only take a few minutes. Another is waiting their when you arrive, and as Creed bows and leaves the other person - a male human with a cleanly shaved face and a cigarette made from Leaf of Nicodemus - says, “Can you imagine what it’s like to live down there?” he asks, almost rhetorically.
“Chaos, that’s what it is. The mayor,” he nods his head back toward the house, “he could come up with the most brilliant plan to help those people. He could get all the money in the city’s coffers. He could do everything right, but he’s just one man. Not a cog in a machine, but a pebble on a beach. Chaos.”
He takes another draw on the cigarette, then smiles. “It’s beautiful, what people can create out of chaos. But I’d gladly give it up to stop their suffering." A groom appears, leading a horse to the strange man.
Hime looked at the man for a few moments-
-and thoughtfully considered his words. "Nobody ever promised life would be easy." she noted. "We have the fey on one side, and Danor's technology on the other. There have been bumps along the way, but since the founding of the Kingdom, we've grown steadily safer and more prosperous. That we can even care about easing suffering is something of a luxury compared to the world that was - and as long as we all do our part, I do believe that a time will come when all of our citizens are safe and happy. That said, we can't let dreams of perfection distract us from what can actually be done." She nodded politely to the groom as they approached.
There is something very slightly familiar, but you don't recognize the man. Perhaps it is simply a similarity in facial features or clothing to someone else you have seen.
He nods thoughtfully. "Perhaps. But how much suffering is demanded as a price to pay for that progress? How many children maimed in a factory that would live out their lives whole on a farm? How many men die of lung rot and leave their family behind? How many women have no choice but to pander to others desires to feed their family? Is the progress really worth the pain? Or was it better when we had less progress but less of the misery it causes?"
"Hypotheticals." she answered calmly. "It's not inherently bad to consider those, of course - thinking about alternatives is often a good way of finding the best route forward. That said, the world will change with or without our desire for it to do so - we must face the reality we live in, and if we do not adapt, we will perish. Sometimes that adaptation is hard, like the labor pains of a mother before new life can enter the world. We may wish it wasn't necessary, but it is what it is. Fortunately, we can always continue to improve ourselves - for example, by providing factory owners with strong incentives to reduce or eliminate the chance of worker injuries. I don't believe in problems that we, as a nation, cannot overcome."
The messenger considered for a moment, then nodded to HIme and mounted his horse. He tipped his hat and cantered down the path.
Within a few moment the butler returned, summoning you to the mayor's office. Macbannin shakes both Hime and Nevard's hands, and offers them refreshments, before moving to sit at his desk. "How can I be of service to the RHC this evening?"