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"Hold, creature!" Marius extends his left hand, palm out in a halting gesture even as his right hand goes to Koriana's hilt. "What manner of crimes do you accuse? We believe this boy to be a victim of a cabal of wizards, called the Circle, and we are no enemies of the Lady of Graves. Help us to understand, please."
"Thank you, Chief Enumerator. That's a about the answer I had expected--it seems this particular mystery will need more time and effort to unravel." Marius turns to the others. "Is there any reason we shouldn't return to Birdsong with all haste? I apologize for the suddenness of our departure, Baron Kustios, but this development is simply too vital to wait."
Marius accompanies the Chief Enumerator, partly to reassure the boy as the examinations take place and partly so he's there immediately when the Abadaran priest reports his findings.
"A great many people see opportunity in the succession crisis--for Earl Merkondus, who was the architect of most of Yanmas' recent woes, it was an attempt to manipulate the city into the High Strategos' camp. I'm greatly pleased to hear that the Council has seen fit to choose the Crown Princess' camp--she will be as well." Marius offers the baron a small salute with his teacup before taking a sip. "Would the Chief Enumerator's examination be quick? Given the gravity of the boy's possible identity, we intend to return to Birdsong Palace immediately; the sooner Princess Eutropia is apprised of this extraordinary situation, the better."
Easing back to give Elmar space for his examinations, Marius motions for the boy to take another bite of the food. "We are allies and agents of your sister, supporting her bid to rulership of Taldor. Your father passed a few months ago." He takes a deep breath and glances at his companions before continuing. "I will be as honest with you as I know how, young man: first, we don't yet know what will be decided about you. There's a lot of uncertainty as to whether you really are Carrius returned from the dead, or a victim of magical memory tampering. No matter what, though, be assured that you will come to no harm with us, though there will doubtless be a lot of priests and mages and other learned types who will examine you and ask a lot of questions and cast divinations and the like as we try to determine the truth."
"Best hope they don't decide to have you silenced then." Once the others have asked whatever questions they have, Marius signals for a sack to be placed over Vaddrigan's head and leaves the cell. "Curious and curiouser," he remarks softly once they're far enough from the cell that there's no chance of the cult leader overhearing them. "Assuming all of that is true, why dangle the prince in front of the High Strategos? Carrius would still represent a threat to Pythareus' own ambitions even--or perhaps especially--given his gender, and the High Strategos doesn't strike me as a man who would fold the instant a rival male claimant arose. Rather, it occurs to me that the prince might be a more viable lever for them to manipulate his sister instead. Is it possible that we're being tricked ourselves? Perhaps Vaddrigan's cult was intended to be dismantled by us to bring Carrius to Eutropia in a deniable way. It's not like Duke Panivar Lotheed is unaware of who we are or that we're in Eutropia's camp..." Marius frowns at that disturbing thought. After the meeting adjourns, the nobleman orders some fruit and cheese along with a carafe of iced water and takes them to the young man's room. "How are you feeling?" he asks the boy who might be Carrius returned as he takes a seat, offering him the plate of food. "I'm hoping that some time away from Vaddrigan's...interference...will allow your memories to start trickling back. I'm sure you must have many, many questions."
Marius considers this for several minutes before he speaks again. "Why did the Circle lend you the prince? What were their terms? It seems unlikely that they're in the habit of enabling others' bids for immortality, or that they'd be willing to surrender the keystone of whatever designs for Taldor they might have. So why give him to you?"
"So you have no evidence that the boy is truly Carrius, save the word of this mysterious cadre of immortals?" Marius doesn't try to hide the skepticism in his voice. "Let us say you're correct in every particular then--what does this Circle want? How many of them are there? Matters of state seem like they should be trivialities to such being--what cares an immortal for tax policy, or inheritance law, or infrastructure spending?"
"Would that would be the fruits of Duke Panivar's work, then?" Marius asks, watching the cult leader closely to gauge his reaction. "It certainly does seem there's a faction interested in Prince Carrius' return to the mortal world--you're neck deep in this little scheme Vadriggan, we're no fools. Tell us what we want to know, prove your value, and who knows...perhaps the Crown Princess will see that you're much too valuable to be left rotting in a cell. Could be a big step up from running cons in Yanmass--if you prove to be an asset."
For a long moment Marius says nothing, just watching Cassaranda while he turns over the options in his mind. "Yes, I think we do have things to discuss. We'll escort you to someplace safe, miss, and we can all discuss next steps." The nobleman nods at Kela's suggestion of letting the mercenary guards depart. "Do we think any of the other guards will stage a rescue attempt? Those dwarves threw a mean punch and seemed more devoted than just a paycheck would warrant." As the group makes preparations to depart and start digesting the enormous potential of what they've uncovered here, Marius waves Elmar over. "You had Shendra tell us you thought you knew what was done to the boy--when we get back to our rooms I want to hear all about it. I don't want to be a cynical bastard about the possibly return of the Crown Princess' brother, but...well let's leave it at that. It's a lot to take in."
Turning to share a look with Kela, Marius sighs and shakes his head. "Unfortunately I think you already failed the test, miss. It was a good cover story I'll grant you that, but few can deceive Kelinahat's servants for any length of time." He nudges the nearest of the hog-tied guards with his boot. "So what's her deal then? The truth, please."
"They've held you for days now? Did you see something they didn't want you to--if so, your testimony could be valuable to Baron Kustios."
Pleasantly surprised as his vision returns to him after only a few minutes, Marius moves to kick the guards' weapons well out of reach and binds each of them before turning to the prisoner. "Please don't be alarmed, miss, we're not with them. We're servants of the Crown Princess and agents of Baron Kustios. What's your name, and how long have they been keeping you here?"
Marius steps up behind the boy, hoping he comes across as reassuring rather than overbearing, but he does shoot a small frown in Kela's direction. "That's Kela, my bodyguard. We also have Lady Raesilia, Master Elmar and Goodman Barcos. We should get moving, and alert the good Baron around the goings-on here so that we can be on our way. The Crown Princess isn't in Yanmass so we've a bit of a trip ahead us."
"I don't doubt that this is frightening and confusing for you, we're not sure what's going on either but we want to help you. The world was told that Prince Carrius died...over twenty years ago. Eutropia is the Crown Princess now--she doesn't know you're here, yet, but I think she'll want to meet you. Is it alright if we take you away from here?" Marius kneels down and offers his hand in the direction of the boy's voice. "You'll come to no harm with us, I swear it in Kelinahat's name."
Marius half-turns away from the boy, blinking rapidly in a vain attempt to clear his vision. Cursing internally, he realizes there's no helping it and he'll probably need a cleric to heal his sight later. "Vadriggan is otherwise occupied, not to worry. My name is Marius of House Erallan, I'm a servant of Eutropia. May I know your name?" He smiles apologetically. "Pardon me, it seems Vadriggan had a spell place in your cell room, it's taken my sight. Nothing a priest can't fix but I'm afraid my eye contact won't be very good in the meantime."
Retrieving the key per Vadriggan's instructions since his hands are tied behind his back, Marius unlocks the cell and gasps when he sees the youth sitting on the cot. Slowly, carefully so as not to startle the boy he steps into the room. "Please don't be alarmed, we're here to rescue you. Can you tell me your name?"
"I have very little patience left for you at the moment, Vadriggan. The Prince is in no danger from us, lead on."
Signalling Elmar to dismiss the crushing tentacles, Marius wastes no time in stepping up to assist Kela in restraining and gagging Vadriggan and his minions before hauling the cult leader to his feet. "The prince, where is he? A nod will do," Marius demands of the lot of them. "For that matter, is whatever lurks behind the southern door dangerous?"
Drawing his falcata as he steps smoothly into the spot vacated by Kela after her assault, Marius's eyes go black and starry as Kelinahat's power suffuses him. "You were warned," he tells Vadriggan softly.
Marius can't quite hide a flinch at Vadriggan's words--though they were certainly the Baron's good graces, the legality of their actions here were certainly questionable. But if there was even a chance that Eutropia's brother was genuine... "We already have incontrovertible evidence that your cult associates with denizens of Leng--its presence violates multiple anti-diabolism statutes." He grimaces as one of the cultists gets off a spell, feeling the loss of his supernatural aura of Good Hope as it's peeled away. "Kela, Rose--show them we're serious, please."
Stepping into the room, Marius stops just short of the grasping tentacles to give Vadriggan an expectant look. "Well?"
"Well done, Elmar, but please dismiss it before it kills them. I'd rather not do anything we can't take back before we have firm proof of wrongdoing." "She is a fine shot, and I hope it's clear now that we aren't playing. We're here to determine the truth of your Twilight Child and you cannot stop us. We have no desire to kill you either, however, and will gladly accept your surrender."
Marius' eyes glaze for a fraction of second, but then the nobleman is smiling back in a decidedly unfriendly way. "You wouldn't want that, Vaddrigan. We'd come back with the Baron's household guard and arrest you all. It will be easier all around if you just surrender."
Marius gives the dwarf a long assessing look before speaking again. "Hudrigga, I think you recognize that the prince isn't safe here, being used by Vaddrigan and the others. If we can do so safely, we're going to try to take him away. He's been gone for decades and is still hardly more than a child--he should be with his sister. That mist, it's your work isn't it? If you're amenable, I think your talents might be better suited to helping people elsewhere. There are churches that could use your work to help treat sick or traumatized people, instead of manipulating them. Just a thought." Stepping back into the hallway, he loosens his falcata in its sheathe. "Shall we?"
Marius inclines his head in thanks. "We are grateful for your help, Hudrigga. This Vaddrigan--how much do you know about him? Is he dangerous? Do you think there's risk of him harming the prince rather than lose control of him?"
"For that matter, what can you tell me of this 'Placid One'? To say that it is exceedingly odd for such a creature to be welcome in your group's ranks is a wild understatement."
"I'm relieved to hear it! Should make the investigation much easier to resolve. Would you be able to direct us to the quarters of your group's leader or leaders, Miss...?"
"On the contrary, we're exactly where we need to be. My name is Lord Marius Erallan and my companions and I are here on behalf of both Baron Kustios and Crown Princess Eutropia. We were attacked by a monster wearing the robes and accoutrements of your...faith, and are investigating the matter. Please don't do anything rash."
"I doubt many of them--maybe the guards, though I wouldn't put money on it. Certainly none of the audience. But the higher ups could hardly be ignorant." After a quick sweep of the supply room Marius shrugs and pads further down the hallway.
Marius leads the others slowly down the stairs and quietly pads to the double doors to listen, positioning himself to also see down the hallways.
Marius' jaw is tight as Kela relays the dagger's tale. "Why do the scions of Sarkomand care about Taldor's royal line? Are they back for another grab at a prize that evaded them before? We don't know enough about what's going on here." He kneels down beside the gem, examining it without touching it, but after a minute he just sighs and stands up. "Don't touch the gem, I suspect it is some manner of trap or trick."
Marius' eyes go wide as the uncanny thing stands to face Kela. "What the devil--it's a Lengian! From dread Sarkomand, literally a monster of nightmares. Don't try to spare it." Stepping in to the gap left by Kela, the inquisitor let's the skald's fury-magic wash over him; Kelinahat's divine presence shapes the anger into a cold precision that guides Koriana perfectly in a raking slash at the monster's neck.
As the confrontation unfolds a whispered prayer sees Marius fade into invisibility, before the nobleman moves up towards the nearest guard, palming his sap into his hand and waiting to see how the dwarf will react.
Signalling with his hands as the group slips inside, Marius waits a few heartbeats to give Rose a head start and then quietly pads his way towards the backstage area--better to fully clear the upper floors first before moving lower.
Whispering a prayer to Kelinahat, Marius reaches out to gently touch Rose on the shoulder as she fades out of sight--though not out of his, as during her lockpicking the nobleman had invoked another prayer allowing him to see the unseen. "Remember, we want them all alive if practicable."
Marius pours himself another finger of whiskey and nods. "Agreed. We'll go in tonight after the sermon, when the crowds clear out. I want no violence if we can avoid it, and no lethal violence at all unless they turn out to be demons or something."
Watching the goings-on with a sense of airy detachment, Marius can't spot the trick he's sure must be going on--if it wasn't magic that was happening then, what, a positive benefit of hysteria? The old woman thought she ought to feel better therefore she did? None of that measured up to the core question though--why pick Prince Carrius center this scam upon, if scam it was? The sermon hadn't conveyed any clear political leanings, so why make this so-called Twilight Child a persona all but guaranteed to draw intense political scrutiny, sooner or later? The involvement of that strange figure in the alleyway troubled him too, as much as anything could trouble him with the mist's drugs were working their way through him. Before he realized he'd made a decision he found himself pushing to his feet, moving slowly and deliberately towards the stage. "Twilight Child! Prince Carrius--why are you here? Why have you returned now, twenty years after your passing? I have nothing but admiration for anyone who seeks to help the people of Taldor, but your father is dead and your sister in danger; the nation itself teeters on the brink of civil strife, endangering not just Yanmass but every other city in the empire. So I ask again--why are you here?"
Marius frowns, putting two and two together as the sense of elation and mild euphoria starts settling in. Too late now, he thinks to himself but counts the nozzles and their positions, gauging how easily he thinks they could be destroyed if they need to.
Marius gives the nearest of the greeters a polite nod and keeps to a watchful impassivity, studying the guards, the aasimar priestess, and the room itself.
Unwilling to trust such a valuable prize as Koriana's Blade to the care of strangers, Marius leaves it behind but does keep his kukri in a wrist sheathe--which he surrenders to the dwarven guards after only a token resistance. Slipping inside the auditorium, tries to angle for a view that lets him watch not just the stage but most of the crowd as well.
"If this isn't some sort of trick, then bringing the Prince to his sister should override all other concerns, agreed."
"Beings of the Great Beyond tend to be more in tune with these sorts of cosmic alignments and resonate more powerfully; given the strength of the aura, I'll wager he's a disguised being of Axis or similar--were he a mortal with such an aura he'd be astonishingly powerful and doubtless would solve the cult problem himself. As for the Prince...where was he laid to rest? I halfway recall something about royal crypts beneath the palace, which the Ulfen Guard have locked up tight at the moment. Let us see what we see inside--I volunteer to surrender my sword and attend on of the sermons."
"We ought to have asked the Baron for access to the building's planning documents, if they still exist," Marius grumbles to himself. While the others interrogate the strange man, Marius murmurs a prayer and shifts through the various eschatological wavelengths to try and get a read on the stranger.
"It's a reasonable concern, but Kela makes a good point that the Abadaran agents don't seem to have been charmed. I'd like to get a good look at the building, and have us go in separately rather than as an obvious group."
"I am far from an expert on the topic, and I certainly never knew the Prince before his untimely passing, but the tale strikes me as exceedingly odd even on its own terms." Marius speaks slowly, thinking out loud as much as anything. "Why would Prince Carrius' return manifest in Yanmass, did he have any connections to the city of any sort other than both being Taldan? Why wouldn't he appear in Oparra or any of the places he grew up? The lack of association with any existing structures or figures from his life seems more than a little convenient to my mind. Perhaps this some manner of dark horse attempt to take the throne, with a resurrected and half-mythologized child under a regency."
"We cannot promise anything, but we will speak with the Baron on behalf of your comrades. Yanmass needs loyal defenders, Lieutenant Jonrek, and we'll do our best to see that yours is not unrewarded." He gives her instructions on how to contact them while they're in Yanmass and gently chides her to return home and clean up instead of camping out in the city park. Once she's moved on, Marius turns to the others. "I think we've put off investigating this Twilight Child for long enough, don't you? I confess I have a sense of disquiet over this." He glances around again and lowers his voice. "I think of what we read in those documents Rose found in Birdsong Palace, and I fear for what we might find. I think...no matter, this isn't the place for such things. Let's press on."
Taking in the woman's haggard appearance, Marius frowns and does some mental calculations. "Lieutenant Jonrek, you said? I am Lord Marius Erallan--forgive me for answering your questions with my own but where have you been? We visited the Manor ourselves days ago, if you escaped what have you been doing these past several weeks?"
Marius remains quiet throughout the proceedings, reasoning that its better for the council to hear the bad news from their Baron and former Commander rather than avowed partisans of Eutropia. Despite his anger at Jaliessa's acts of treason, he cannot help but feel a grudging respect for her conduct during testimony--no dissembling or excuses or whining, just a dignified delivery of the facts as they lay. It was good to see that she was not without some honor, and her obvious love for those under her command did her credit as well. He silently resolves to join Rose in speaking with the Baron to spare them the gallows. When the Baron invites their little party to speak Marius hesitates a moment to gather his thoughts, but Rose surprises him by stepping up to identify herself by her family name. He suppresses a look of astonishment so as not to undermine her excellent oratory, and when she concludes and steps back his hand finds hers to offer a little squeeze of support and encouragement. He's less surprised when Kela steps forward, though he wonders at when and how Faenia learned to play the great game so well. When both women have said their piece Marius takes a small step forward to address the assembled powers-that-be of the city. "There is little to add that has not already been said, save perhaps this: none of us had any inkling that Earl Merkondus was willing to sink to such vile depths in pursuit of his aims, and it cannot help but raise dark and difficult questions for this council. You have suffered harm from the Earl's machinations, some to a greater degree than others, but only you can decide how you will answer. As agents of the Queen, we will continue to act to protect Yanmass and all of Taldor. We hope you will join with us for a brighter, safer, more prosperous future for this city and all the nation."
"She speaks truly, my lord Baron--this was not a spontaneous defection but an orchestrated attempt to undermine Yanmass. We have letters and testimony from Commander Jaliessa to prove it, which is why it's so vital to call an emergency session of the council. Will you allow us to present our evidence to you in private, at least?"
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