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"Thoughtful and astutely so as always Thaegrin. Please, explain to meyour plan to slow the Amerysi war machine."

As Anga and Iskandarr enter the chamber, The Grand Confessor smiles and nods toward Iskandarr. "Thank you for your service. You may go, but not too far. We may need refreshment."

He turns back to the four he came to speak with. "Now, tell me everything that happened. Leave nothing out."

Remember Eonan does not know Iskandarr nor has he been introduced. He just assumed that he is another slave or servant.

Eonan gives a curt nod and follows in silence. Once alone in Targ's banquet hall, the Grand Confessor looks about and frowns. "Where is Angle Falchion? He should be here too."

"I am here to transfer custody of Rudianos property. I am here to receive a full debrief of the mission to reclaim this island. I am here to deliver two messages. For that, I need the actual Rudianos agent to be present. I need the two of you, and that skulker...Fashion? Is that right? Angle? You know of whom I speak. Take me to them."

The Grand Confessor rolls his eyes as he sees the bearded North men tromping down with wharf. "He knows I want to see him. Why not come himself?"

Eonan raises an eyebrow when Thaegrin reveals that he knows of Anga's location. "You always know things you shouldn't old man. I like that about you."

Eonan exits. (He leaves the estate immediately.) Leaving Thaegrin alone save for Drostan's body and the bleeding Apothecary.

"I am no Thelkonlander, but I understand and appreciate the sentiment more than I should." He smiles wryly. "And I think you for your cooperation. You may go."

As Tholan and Ezkal exit, Eonan turns to Thaegrin.

"We declare for ourselves. For now, we will play both sides of the fence and see where our greatest gain may lie." He looks to his fallen brother. "Drostan, alas, was slain by the very assassin that took our father."

He looks directly into the wizard's eye. "Choose a slave or personal enemy and pin the crimes on the wretch. The Rudianos never fail to catch a lawbreaker."

Thaegrin recognizes hold person, and yes, this does look like a promotion :).
_________________________

Anga sees no wounds, so the poison was likely ingested. Based on the discoloration and bloating, Anga can determine that the poison constricted the Lord's breathing. Unfortunately, the spy is unable to discern the exact poison.

Sorcha looks up, tears brimming anew. She closes her tiny arms around Anga's leg in a desperate embrace. She sobs slowly.

"Do you imagine, Drostan, that I am not already aware of everything that has transpired here?"

The seething cleric crosses to his brother in 3 swift strides and claps a hand to his collar.

"We're going to have a little talk." Eonan's faces is but inches from Drostan's, then the priest drags his brotherinto the corner of the room.

Upon reaching the corner, Eonan mutters not more than 4 words and Drostan freezes: his eyes wide in shock or terror. The Grand Confessor turn back to the room. He points to Thaegrin and the Thelkonlanders.

"You three, stay where you are. The rest of you get out at once."

Once the room clears, Eonan whirls and twin daggers appear in his hands. He plunges them into the hallows between Drostan's neck and collar bone. Black-red blood tinged slightly green around the edges blossoms from the Lord of House Rudianos. His death is nearly instant.

Eonan, Grand Confessor of Asmodeus, leaves his knives sheathed in his brother's flesh and turns to regard you.

"Now, listen carefully for I must to Veir with all haste. Sorcha will now inherit. My lady mother will be executed for her insane crippling of my beloved sister. Sorcha will rule at my direction with Thaegrin as a direct advisor and chief agent. Anga will assist him. And you two," he indicates the two brothers, "you I expect to help until my family are repossessed of their former status. Then, you will be allowed to return to your father. Does everyone understand?"

Eonan's eyes remain impassive as he nods. "True, but I now know more about your intent. I believe you acted honorably, and I protect you from my brother, if I can. For now, stay here with Sorcha. I need to have a word with my brother."

The Grand Confessor glides from the room, leaving Anga alone with the maimed little girl and her hulking bodyguards.
___________________________________

As Thaegrin's spell ends, the doors to the hall burst open and two guards lay crumbled and melting in their armor. Eonan's eyes are blazing with anger.

"You ordered even me out of here Drostan!? Me!? I am the best advisor you have! Especially if you are as willing as you appear to sacrifice our old teacher! Explain yourself, brother!"

Anga believes the spell will continue to hurt him if he lies.

The Grand Confessor takes a sharp step forward. "Do not play games with me. Answer."

Thaegrin knows that confess was cast. He knows that Eonan is interrogating the rogue, but cannot make out the exact phrasings. Thaegrin also knows that Anga is potentially in serious danger. From his days as teacher to the boy, Thaegrin knows of a sadistic streak running through the acolyte of Asmodeus.

"Good, Anga. Continue. Who was the friend, and who the madman? More importantly, what was the lie? Such a dangerous lie..."

Anga's Will Save 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

The scrying spell triggers as Anga says, "By now I'm sure you know what has transpired." The following is what Thaegrin sees (within the confines of the spell), and what happens to Anga :)

The casket is at the foot of a large bed, set on saw-horses. There are two doors, one on either side of the bed, furthest from the door Anga used to enter the room. He knows that (while facing the bed) the one of left goes into a stone room wherein is a roman style bath. The right hand door is a servant's entrance and leads to other passages.

Eonan is at the foot of the casket nearest the right hand door. Sorcha is between Anga and the casket. She is weeping onto her dead father's chest. She has yet to notice the exchange. The guards are at the head of the casket.

"Indeed, I do. However, I find it best for the offending party to confess their misdeeds. Speak."

Anga's will save 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 Anga is compelled to answer completely truthfully, or endure physical pain strong enough to sicken him.

Bad news bears...

Anga totters into the room to see Sorcha, her two guards, and the Grand Confessor standing near the thoroughly prepared body of Lord Rodrik Rudianos.

The bodyguards' hands go quickly to their weapons, but Eonan raises a hand.

"Why are you here spymaster, and why are dressed so? You should know better. This time is for family."

His eyes are cold and hard, but his tone is long-suffering though brooks no argument. "Take off the disguise and come here at once."

The Grand Confessor pauses at the door and inclines his head to his former teacher.

"You haven't changed at all Thaegrin. I will see you tonight."

The Grand Confessor considers. "Hmm. I see your point. Interesting indeed."

At the mention of the deceased little brother, Eonan's face loses all emotion. "We send Jathus off this evening at eventide."

Anga can see Thaegrin in his office whenever. Use spoilers if the convo with Eonan isn't over.

"Most intriguing wizard." Eonan replies when Thaegrin concludes his explanation. "This will certainly aid in our intelligences."

When Thaegrin asks about the mines, Eonan raises an eyebrow. "Why no. There is no following there to our knowledge. What are getting at, sir?"

The door to Thaegrin's office opens with a soft click despite the lock being firmly in place, and the Grand Confessor glides into the room. He acknowledges Thaegrin with a respectful nod of his head.

"Teacher. It is good to see you."

"But Anga, this information comes to me from your own mind. If your will were stronger I would not know of it at all."

The Grand Confessor smiles a smile that clearly likes to watch others squirm.

"You have always been loyal and dependable,, but you must admit your mistake in this. If you had told Thaegrin what you suspected at least, he may have been able to better hone his divinations. Had you informed the Thelkonlanders or the Lord Jathus they may have mounted some kind of rescue. Who knows, if successful, Bearach could have taken control of your little group and Jathus may never have died."

"It is well and good to be a keeper of secrets, but secrets can hurt as much if kept concealed as if allowed to roam free. Is this not so?"

Sense Motives might be good here. Your welcome.

"I have to agree with you about openly opposing Vier, Thaegrin. I am not convinced that is wise, but neither have I abandoned it as an option. Furthermore, it is somewhat comforting to hear you vouch for Anga, however, in a matter of this weight, I think we still ought to hear his explanation."

He turns to his father. "And treason is really too harsh a term at this juncture. Surely someone who has served as faithfully as Facion deserves the benefit of the doubt?"

He looks past Anga's eyes as if into his soul. "I pray for his sake that he proves worthy of it."

"Interesting. So when do you tell us about the part where you saw my brother being tortured. You may have worked to liberate him, but instead you conspire to keep this truth hidden and now have given his captors days to move him and continue his torture."

"In what way will you attempt to justify yourself, I wonder?"

You can put your hidden message in a spoiler. Then make a luff check to hide it from everyone else.

Anga is unable to read the Grand Confessor, but Lord Rodrik is very happy to have another insurance chip.

"Is that all you want to say about it?"

"You have not said anything Spymaster."

The Grand Confessor speaks over his father's choking laughter.

"Did you learn anything during your time in Veir?"