<Sami> Why the man had volunteered for the guard again might be quite beyond the understanding of most -- sometimes beyond his own. Time could have been spent with the creation of such beautiful objects that would fetch him a better living than this and besides, he has already fulfilled his required time at the only child of his household. It was his sense of duty, of honor .. and so after another late night shift of patroling his is on his way home to t
<Sami> patroling his is on his way home to the little apartment above the shop. The home newly purchased for himself and fiance not yet furnished .. So across newly fallen snow he stepped towards the door while digging out a key from a pocket.
* KyleH is now known as Calanthar
<Plotness_Monster> The snow is falling, heavy thick flakes that are drifting down in increasing numbers. It's well past dinner time; Well past the time when those that arise early for jobs head to bed. Sami enters the home of his parents easily enough, and it's warm air that greets him and the lingering aroma of stew, even though it's been hours since dinner. Likely his mother left it on the stove for her hard-working son.
* Anie is now known as Lason
* Lason had laid low for the last day and a half, he'd been dreading returning empty handed. He hadn't even gone to the watch to report his abmismal findings. Bryce, the kidnapper was still on the loose, and the doctor had lost the healer which was really the least of his frustration. What held him outside now, roaming the streets, absorbed in his own fury was the loss of yet another son.
<Sami> Ah. Dinner. He would follow his nose, through the small shop after having locked the door securely behind him. Shelves and small tables passed with the most lovely of music boxes, delightful clocks upon the wall -- the large grandfather standing like a looming giant, yet unsold. Through this into the backroom, around the bend and up the stairwell. Of course his white-haired parents would be asleep by now, always turned in early .. and so he wou
<Sami> turned in early .. and so he would quickly creep so as not to disturb them.
* Queylan is now known as Una
<Plotness_Monster> Sami will find the stew left for him, no longer simmering as the coal have long since cooled to simply keep the food warm. His attention is probably going to be torn from thoughts of hunger when he sees what else is waiting for him in the kitchen. His parents never made it to bed. Instead there are two bodies crumpled on the kitchen floor. One is his mother, a dagger buried deep in her chest, blood staining the front of h
<Plotness_Monster> staining the front of her dress to a deep brown. The other, his dear old dad? Bludgeoned to death by one of his own wrenches, the heavy metal tool laying near his prone form on the cold tile floor, stained with blood from his skull.
* McGig has joined #Sinari_Town
* ChanServ sets mode:
o McGig
<Sami> Just barely through the door -- eyes had been drawn by habit towards the stove that lacked the usual crackle of warmth. Another half step, just the moment needed for something else to sink in before eyes dragged back across the room. Silence lay heavy and thick ... the taste of bile rising upward and then swallowed down. Breath stopped and eyes closed .. A dream. A trick of the eyes in the dark. Dark lash close .. open again before a long finge
<Sami> open again before a long fingered hand was pressed against the man's mouth as such a cold feeling ran from head to toe. A stumble and trip then to reach the sprawled forms of his parents, "Mum! Dad!" He was reaching, shaking .. an ill attempt to awaken.
<Plotness_Monster> They.. don't.. wake up. Outside the snow continues to fall. Sinari is peaceful and quiet.
<Sami> Of course they would not wake up .. and so cold to the touch, it was obvious upon the first contact of his warm fingers against the flesh of their throats. Of course no one would survive wounds like that! There was a choking sound .. and then a gagging as the man stumbled to his feet. No, not now. Running then, back the way he had came -- stumbling down the stairs and through the shop with it's delicate treasures. Somewhere a table had been bru
<Sami> Somewhere a table had been brushed too closely, tipped with a crash of a music box with glass sides so that one might see the gears within. Out into the cold, "Help! Someone please .. oh .. oh gods.. I need some help!" screamed with the first few stumbled steps out.
<Lason> The cold weather of Sinari was a bitch, especially to stew with your own thoughts as somewhere to be alone. However its biting bitter chilliness did aid in one thing, even on the streets Lason heard the calling, or rather the screamed plea. The fresh snow made it hard to run but he would do his best letting the thoughts escape his mind at least for a moment - after all he needed a--
<Lason> --sitraction. He would near, taking a deep and painful breath as he slowed, a cloud of steam escaping his lips, "..well ..What's the matter?" despite it all his voice was urgent and eyes wide in observation.
<Sami> The man's face was pale beneath the tight, black curls of his hair -- a white that could near rival the snow that was falling, dusting dark lashes. He had been about to dash down the street, prepared to scream his fool way to the barracks till Lason made himself known. Brown eyes were pinned upon him and there was a strangled sound before a hand would point back at the shop door left yawning wide. "There's been ... parents .. killed," came o
<Sami> ... parents .. killed," came out with breath that seemed on the point of hyperventilating.
<Lason> Doctor or no, those words were enough to get any man's attention. He gave the man a good pat on the back before going in just to make sure he wasn't making up something wild - especially so he knew it to be true, and frankly... to be sure they were dead. It wouldn't be long before the shaggy hair'd doctor himself began in, "where?" again his voice was urgent but it was--
<Lason> --his doctorly sense of urgency rather than his, 'at a crime scene to investigate' sense. In either case, decisive and quick measures would need to be made.
<Sami> Sami was not a man known to lie, ever, but then Lason would not have that knowledge himself. "Up .. Upstairs." He could not miss the scene sprawled upon the kitchen floor. Feet as heavy as soon made it hard to follow -- in fact, he did not even make it over the first threshold again. No way could he take that sight again .. did not need to with how it has embedded itself upon his brain. Just thinking about it and .. And he was doubling ove
<Sami> and .. And he was doubling over with sick.
<Plotness_Monster> A couple of neighbors had begun trickling out at the yelling, and when one man overhears the words of the Mahrov boy, he sends his own son of thirteen to hustle as fast as he can and fetch the commander of the Frost Watch. Then the neighbor will cross the street to the house to investigate as well, having known the Mahrov's for years. The boy wastes no time racing through the city to the barracks, yelling for the commande
<Plotness_Monster> yelling for the commander at the top of his lungs when he enters the gate.
<Lason> Sami wouldn't need the doctor's word to know they were dead, indeed. The very sight had even this man, hardend to sights of excessive blood a bit queezy. It was brutal. The Watch would be well on their way as neighbors had it, but since he didn't know he called down - "Go... Fetch the Commander..." Assuming they knew who he meant, as for himself he would hold back any curious neighbors and calmly explain--
<Lason> --explain to the curious neighbors that this was no sight for children, dismissing any younger folks who tried to peek in. Guarding the mess he would wait for someone else from the Watch to join him, quickly realizing that he had not informed them of his return. Lovely.
<Calanthar> It had been a long night, and Calanthar was ready for bed. Still dressed in his Frost Watch uniform, cigarette hanging loosely between his lips, he'll pause for a second out the gate; he hears the boy screaming long before the youngster ever comes into view. He'll stop the boy just long enough to pick out the words "murder" and "Mahrov" before quite literally grabbing a nearby young guardsman and thrusting him ahead, only the word "Lead." esc
<Calanthar> him ahead, only the word "Lead." escaping his mouth. The tone, it seems, will be enough for the soldier, and they'll both take off running through the night, Cal cursing age and a life of smoking silently.
<Sami> It was too much all at once -- the neighbors pressing in, the thought of what lurked within the building. With all the bustle about, the lean man was left shaking (and not because of the cold) against the outer wall of the building while trying to just shut it all out. If only for a moment to delay having to react to it all. Someone had been sent off for the guard, he had remembered hearing that ... should they not be here soon?
<Sami> be here soon?
<Plotness_Monster> The boy will track down Crillner, bursting into his office and spouting the news out in rapid succession. The commander, as much as he likes to personally handle things, isn't in the best position to leave. He has a mountain of work from all the Ama'til reports and is already long overdue getting home. While a murder is important, he knows sometimes delegation is required. Consequently Emelbur is sent in his place. He tru
<Plotness_Monster> in his place. He trusts the man and knows he'll get an accurate report. Meanwhile, the neighbor that went to see for himself got a look at the scene, then went back downstairs to try and offer some comfort to Sami, putting a hand on his shoulder and making certain he's okay.
* Una is now known as Emelbur
* Calanthar will arrive in short order, quite amazed with *himself* that he can still move that fast. No sooner does he reach the house does he pull his unfortunate escort aside, telling him to move the crowd back. This is a crime scene, and he doesn't want people all over it. He sees the boy shaking in the cold first, dressed in uniform, and assumes that this was the Watchman named Mahrov that the boy had told him about. God, this was the worst part, bu
<Calanthar> about. God, this was the worst part, but he'll brace himself as he heads over. "Son? Look at me; I need you to tell me what's happened here. I need to know what you found. Can you tell me what you saw?" It's slow, simple sentences - hopefully he's not too deep into shock and can answer.
<Sami> The man hardly looked okay, more as if he might empty his stomach again ... well, if there was anything left to empty. Just the taste of bile lingered now upon the tongue. Hardly a boy is what Calanthar would confront -- a young man in his late twenties. Tall and lean, thin featured .. red-rimmed eyes were dragging themselves towards Calanthar. "I .. came home and went upstairs. And .." voice choked, trailed off. "And found .." And
<Sami> off. "And found .." And again, words refused to free themselves from that mouth.
* Roz is now known as RozSleep
<Plotness_Monster> The Watch soldier that Calanthar pulled along, Jolek Delaney, starts carrying out his orders. He's seventeen, a drafted guard, but tall and starting to put on some heavy muscle. He starts requesting that people move back across the street, his tone level and authoritative. Slowly the crowd backs off, but there's still a lot of talking and milling as everyone tries to talk to everyone else. Lights are going on in houses up
<Plotness_Monster> going on in houses up and down the street.
<Calanthar> "Alright, alright..." He's not in any condition to talk about what's happened, and Cal knows better than to press the matter. He'll pause long enough to pull a flask from underneath his cloak, some whiskey he'd bought only hours earlier, and place it in the stunned man's hands. "Just wait here. The Commander should be coming shortly, just wait out here while I go inside." And with that he'll move inside, slowly making his way up the stairs
<Calanthar> inside, slowly making his way up the stairs and into the kitchen. "Shit... What a damn... Hey! This is a crime scene; get back downstairs if you don't have any official goddamned business here!" It took him a moment to spot the man standing in the room. As he's not in uniform, Cal has know way of knowing that Lason is a guardsman.
<Lason> "I have twice the business," He'd pull a handkerchief from his pocket and cover his nose, the smell of iron finally getting to him. "Dr. Lason Galen... Sir," He was slow to rise and gave a sort of half-assed salute to the man he easily recognized. Of course the captain was in uniform and he was not, nor did anyone, his wife included know he had returned.
* McGig has quit IRC (Ping timeout)
* Emelbur had left the barracks several minutes behind Calanthar, and so it would be some time before he arrived on the scene. Perhaps his Captain didn't realize, but Mahrov was a member of the council, and that made it even more important than a simple murder. Sadly, Emil's short legs cannot carry him as quickly as those taller, but he would eventually arrive, breathing heavy and with snow dusting his hood and shoulders. Of course
<Emelbur> shoulders. Of course it had to happen when a late summer blizzard was blowing in. And of course he had to push his way through the gathering of bystanders. No respect, ever. "Make way for the Frost Watch, people. Return to your homes. You'll not do anyone any good getting sick standing outside in a bloody blizzard!" And finally he'd win free to the building, and seeing Delaney and recognizing him, he crosses to him. "Pr
<Emelbur> "Private Delaney, where's Captain Devregon?"
<Sami> Fingers would clamp down upon the offered flask like a drowning man upon the only thing that might save him. A dull nod will replace words of thanks as tongue seemed made of lead, too heavy to manipulate for speech. Emelbur was then pushing his way onto the scene, barking words to the gawkers hanging about .. barely a look before he was trying to shut it all out, swallowing down some of what was inside the flask.
<Plotness_Monster> Delaney looks over, pointing at the house without bothering to try and speak over the noise of the people. He'll follow Emelbur's lead and begin trying to convince everyone to go back inside to their homes. Sami catches his eye, and Jolek feels a pang of sympathy for his fellow soldier, but he focuses on his duty for now.
<Calanthar> It was a weak salute, but it let the Captain know what he needed to know. "Of course, Doctor Galen... Hadn't heard you were back. Give me a full briefing on what happened here, to the best of your knowledge, if you could, Corporal." He would rather that the man was tending to the *living* victim, the soldier in shock, but Galen was coherent and the only source he had so far.
<Lason> "I was out and heard a scream for help coming from just outside, I was told these folks here were killed." He gave a sidelong look to the bodies, and sighed, "Honestly sir," A sincere voice, there was a surprise. "I came up here to help in the event they weren't... dead yet. Fella' looks shaken, doesn't look like he could do -this-... " But it was hard to say, he got here well after the fact.
* Emelbur nods once and turns on his heal to move inside, muttering at the darkness, glass from the broken music box crunching under his boots as he notes then follows the sound of voices. And so his steps up the stairs would likely herald his arrival if his muttering against the darkness hadn't. He did manage to catch the tail end of what Lason said, though and his brow furrowed. "If you're suggesting that Private Mahrov did this
<Emelbur> Private Mahrov did this..." and it was only then that he saw what "this" was. Lovely. Well, he'd seen worse in his time, but that didn't make it too much easier. As it was, he was going to add onthe fact that the young private had been on partol until not too long ago, but that was forgotten as he looked at the brutalized bodies.
<Sami> That any might suggest that Sami was even capable of such a thing is unthinkable! This mild man who seemed to have not a spark of temper, not even when he had been paired with Sadurean for patrols had he ever lost his cool. Outside, Sami shall continue to stand in the cold in flat refusal of stepping back into the building .. not even into just the lower shop portion. He did not want to hear the voices from above speaking of .. of the scene sprea
<Sami> speaking of .. of the scene spread upstairs within the kitchen. He was trying his best to push the image from his mind with the alcohol given to him. It helped a bit with the cold as well..
* Calanthar nods. The implication that Sami could have done this didn't go unnoticed, but the thought had crossed Calanthar's mind at some point too. He'd have to be one hell of an actor, though. "Thank you corporal. Now get down to Mahrov's side and do what you can for him, keep him from slipping into shock or anything. Gave him my flask, but... " The sentence trailed off, and the Captain seemed uninterested in continuing. He had said what he need
<Calanthar> in continuing. He had said what he needed to say, and now he turned his attention to the bodies, saying nothing to Emelbur as he paced about the room slowly, muttering to himself. "No, couldn't have been Mahrov. Doesn't work..."
<Plotness_Monster> It's while the Watch members, neighbors, and others are gathering at the Mahrov home that something begins to draw the attention of those milling about. Perhaps only a couple streets over is a soft glow against the dark, snow filled heavens. Someone asks if that's an orange light in the sky. Another civilian confirms it. While they watch over the rooftops, the beginnings of flames licking the night sky can be seen. A home
<Plotness_Monster> can be seen. A home is on fire. A woman calls up to another neighbor who's looking out a window, and she calls back, "The mage's house! I'm sure of it! Old Rastillian's place!" Snow still drifts down, even heavier and while the street is noisy with the buzz of those people still collecting, it's strangely quiet of wind and the sounds of conversation and yelling are almost muffled from the thick flakes swirling do
<Plotness_Monster> And wasn't that irony for you? A man who could summon flame burning his own house down!
<Lason> Promptly the man would straighten, of course he expected the Commander himself, none-the-less he would salute while the captain answered. "On the contrary... Sir." He looked between the two guardsmen, "Although I usually deal with wounds on people still living... the sheer force and brutallity of these..." He would train off letting the men examine the bodies for --
<Lason> --themselves. Their manner was graphic enough but the silence didn't linger as long as he had hoped for the effect. Soon enough their was a buzzing about the fire at the mages. The doctor wouldn't move, it was up to these two men what had to happen and he certainly wasn't a fireman.
* Emelbur holds his peace til the doctor leaves the room, then he stands there silently eyeing the bodies. "Mahrov is a... was a councilor. Do you think that may have anything to do with it?" Emelbur was used to gathering up facts and wasn't so much used to trying to sort them out. That was the only thing that came to mind for the time, then the yells from the street penetrated. Wait, who's house was on fire? The short man's fac
<Emelbur> The short man's face crinkled as he turned slowly to face Calanthar, then moved to a window to see if it offered a view.
<Sami> Outside the buzzing words of others were slowly seizing hold of the man's attention, at least enough to turn hollow and eyes red-rimmed from holding back tears to look towards the sky. Yes, there it was .. that orange glow that could only mean one thing at this hour of the night. Had the horror that exists upon his kitchen floor never happened, he would have been rushing to give aid .. but not now.
<Calanthar> "Shit! Shit, shit SHIT!" It was all he could manage as he moved to the window, hearing the cries from below. Now there was a *fire* too! Time to spring into action, *quickly*. The old man will whirl around to Lason first. "Corporal! Go tell Private Delaney to get Mahrov to the Infirmary, and to bring whatever unlucky bastard's on duty there back to fetch these bodies, NOW!" He won't even wait for an acknowledgement, turning to Emelbur
<Calanthar> acknowledgement, turning to Emelbur next. "Emil, we need to get the guard mobilized as quickly as possible - two guards here, and aid for the fire." Where were the other officers? Where was D'Cint, Crillner?
<Plotness_Monster> Sinari is unique compared to so many cities. For one, they have the crystals. For another? Almost the entire city has plumbing from skilled craftsman tapping into the hot springs deep beneath the ground level. There are actually systems in place for fires, and word is already spreading quickly through the streets and people are running to collect those mechanics that work with plumbing to redirect house water for use to s
<Plotness_Monster> water for use to stop the blaze. The nice thing about a constant winter town is that fires don't spread much. It's also a fairly windless night. Small blessings.
* Lason would seriously salute and acknowledge the orders in doing so "aye..", well he would have done it anyway, so the response was said to no on in particular. It was facing his father and stealing... well who, Benton? Perhaps there was someone else there, elsewise his father himself would be coming down to clean up this mess. Perhaps they could get a better look, though the cause of death was pretty damn --
<Lason> --obvious. Well off to the infirmary by now these were all matters to consider, surely the guard would begin to assemble before he returned as the better half of Sinari would soon be buzzing, if it wasn't already!
<Emelbur> "Sir," he tried to interrupt before Devregon got too carried away with his orders. "Sir, that -is- Master Rastillian's home. He's the council member from the Magi's Guild..." There may be larger problems than a single murder and a fire to deal with if Emelbur's sneaking suspicion was to be believed.
<Calanthar> "Another councilman?! Shit... Do we know where the rest of the council members are at this time? The Khovas should be secure, but what of Avinash, or.. Hell, I don't know, the *rest* of them!" Cal has already started to move out of the room at a brisk stride, motioning for Emelbur to follow him. No use just standing around, was there? He figured he'd be on the right path if he headed towards the Upper Class housing, when a thought occurs to him
<Calanthar> housing, when a thought occurs to him. "Crillner! Emil, is Crillner a council member?!"
* Pasch has left #Sinari_Town
<Plotness_Monster> Delaney was informed to tend to Sami, but he's not sure how to do that. He approaches the man slowly, asking in a careful manner. "Corporal? Do you want to go to the infirmary? You .. shouldn't be out here in the cold. I'm to take you there. Okay?"
<Sami> When ever Private Delaney did finally make it to assist in directing the zombie-like Sami about, he'll find a man now rather docile by drink. "Alright," is all that is mumbled at first ... then added afterwards. "Could someone send word to my fiance? Telacir Rethkard." Yes, that would do much more good for him than the alcohol.
<Plotness_Monster> Jolek will take Sami by the arm in a light grasp, to guide him along. "Sure, I'll go find her right after we get there, okay?" Unless Sami resists he'll take him across town to the infirmary. Meanwhile, people that are still outside are beginning to murmur, words like 'ourani' and 'attack' and 'counterstrike' floating about.
* Sami is now known as HopeSleeps
<Emelbur> "Aye, sir, he is. But he was still at the Barracks. That's why he sent me. Said he had too much work." And if the man wasn't safe at the Barracks, where would he be? That didn't mean Emil was standing still, though. No, he was already moving towards the stairs, ready to start running back to the Watch to spread word, to get patrols out checking on the rest of the council. He wasn't going to waste time explaining things to
<Emelbur> things to the men that were outside, this required fast action! Even Emelbur could see that.
<Calanthar> "Good. Inform the men. Send patrols to the councilmembers, double patrols if you can. Have them brought to the barracks if possible - and that includes sending a patrol to check on the Khovas and brief them." It probably didn't need to be said, but he'd rather have it clear, just in case. Calanthar would move towards the fire as Emelbur went back to the barracks; he felt the need to investigate further there, see if the mage was still alive.
<Calanthar> see if the mage was still alive.
* McGig has joined #Sinari_Town
* ChanServ sets mode:
o McGig
<Plotness_Monster> Lason will find the infirmary in normal working order. Nothing out of the ordinary is going on there. Emelbur makes it to the barracks without any trouble, and immediately patrols are alerted and sent out to the nearest houses, and Emelbur is given a few men to check on the farther living nobles while Crillner himself takes a small group of soldiers to travel to the Khova compound personally. Calanthar finds the house eng
<Plotness_Monster> finds the house engulfed, the fire having been started in the center of the home and had time to spread outward before drawing public attention. People are attempting to control any blowing sparks, but otherwise keeping their distance from the scorching blaze, the fire far too out of control to save anything. If Rastillian is inside, he's quite dead.
<Lason> For himself, Lason would reach the infirmary while keeping tabs on the blaze - he had not caught the epiphany his superiors had whilst at the scene of the murders. There were more doctors on duty than he recalled, and of course Ritta who he would address promptly to locate his father, shrugging off the snow as he intended to report back to the scene unless otherwise detained. Where was his wife?
<Emelbur> Lason's wife was languishing at home with only the housekeeper to keep her company. Perhaps he should lie to her about when exactly he returned to Sinari. Meanwhile, Emelbur takes his selection, first stopping at the burning building to collect his superior officer if he were so inclined to accompany him. Eventually their route would take them down into the rich section of town in the south east corner of the city. Their fir
<Emelbur> city. Their first stop was the council member for the Entertainer's Guild.
* Calanthar will fall in with Emelbur and walk along in silence, opening his mouth only once the entire walk, and then only to place a cigarette between his lips and light it. Terrible habit, but it has a way of keeping the old man calm; and besides, Mahrov still has his flask, and he's all the way back at the infirmary. He has no idea where Avinash's actual house is, but when Emelbur finally stops, he will too, despite his mind wandering to Kaden and Sa
<Calanthar> despite his mind wandering to Kaden and Sadurean.
<Plotness_Monster> It's in the upper class section of town, but it's one of the more moderately sized homes there. On the outside the place looks nice. Well maintained, the walk shoveled. Then again, all the walks are shoveled in this neighborhood. There's even light spilling out from one of the side windows.
<Plotness_Monster> Lason will return to the Mahrov home, and people are still milling, but the crowd has dispersed considerably as some people went to help with the fire, and others to check on their families. It's cold, the snow isn't letting up at all, and there's nothing else to be seen here. There's an older Watch guard on security at the door, but he'll let Lason inside when he recognizes the doctor.
<Emelbur> Steeling himself for the worst, Emelbur mounts the steps and knocks loudly at the front door, calling out, "Master Avinash, this is the Frost Watch. If you're inside, please make yoruself known." And then he'd wait a few bare heartbeats, his patience already strained, then pound on the door again. Maybe he didn't wait long enough, but he had a lump of lead in his guts that was telling him even if he gave the man an hour th
<Emelbur> man an hour they wouldn't get a response.
<Lason> When he'd left his wife was still here at the infirmary, so he truly was curious about her condition. It had been a while ago. He handed off the dismayed Sami and informed his father of the events and of course, his return, obviously. Of course he wanted to go home but Adina, he was informed was off looking for Bryce. Wonderful news. Best he didn't return home in this state--
<Lason> --and since there was no one else to get the bodies and he really didn't want to be at the infirmary anymore he left. His family certainly had a way of saying welcome... or was it that damned healer, causing more trouble - without even being there. At the Mahrov house he would push past the loitering neighbors who felt it necessary to stand around, freeze their asses off and gossip.
* Calanthar will wait a few moments after Emelbur's second assault on the door before gripping his shoulder and pushing him off to the side, only a muttered "Excuse me Emil." in apology. He'll pound on the door for a moment, yelling "Avinash! This Captain Devregon! We're coming in!" and stepping back. The saber will come flashing out of its sheath as Cal checks the door handle with his free hand - unlocked. So be it; he'll open the door just e
<Calanthar> unlocked. So be it; he'll open the door just enough before kicking it hard all the way back and stepping in, weapon out, circling in a low defensive stance. "Clear!"
<Plotness_Monster> There's no answer, and when the men finally force entry (or simply open the unlocked front door) the house is cold and dark, save for a small sliver of light spilling from the office in the back of the home. The floor is a nice stone, stairs to the right and a raised wood floor that fills the living room and kitchen. Further back is the office, and master bedroom. There are two other rooms upstairs, but neither has been u
<Plotness_Monster> neither has been used in a long time. The soldiers won't need to search past the kitchen.
<Plotness_Monster> Lason will have a grisly job. Another Watch soldier, an older fellow, is carefully taking detailed notes of the scene. He asks Lason to wait until he's finished before disturbing anything, but he had wisely started with the bodies so it won't be a very long wait.
* Emelbur was moved roughly aside, but he didn't complain. No, there were more important things going on. After Calantha drew his weapon, Emil's Falchion came out as well, though he doubted he needed it. He'd edge into the building behind Calanthar and edge further into the house, being wary, but thinking if they did find anything, it wouldn't require their blades.
* Calanthar has no desire to take any chances, despite his now rising fears that they may be too late. He'll draw up outside the kitchen, motioning for Emelbur to move in slowly and carefully, his own weapon raised high to cover his diminuitive companion from any surprise attackers. Shit... What was he going to tell Sadurean if his fears were realized?
<Plotness_Monster> In the kitchen a pot of water is sitting on the stove, quite cold. In the sink are a couple of dishes along with half of an uneated sandwich. And on the floor? The crumpled form of the bard, back against the wall behind the table, near the door to the office that's spilling the light. His throat was cut, and there's evidence of another stab wound on his shoulder, near his neck. He clearly bled to death, an expression of m
<Plotness_Monster> an expression of mixed anger and agony on his frozen corpse face.
<Emelbur> And that clinched it. Emelbur gave a disgusted sigh and slammed his sword back into his sheath. There was no way this was recently done, not at all. In his mind there was no reason to waste time and he was already striding back out to the waitig patorl who were still sifting inside the building. With short (ha ha), barked orders he instructed a pair to stay at the residence and a pair to run back to the barracks to report.
<Emelbur> to report. And what of the others? They were coming with on to Master August's house once Calanthar was satisfied here.
<Calanthar> As far as Calanthar is concerned, this crime scene is *already* cold. As much as he would like to examine it closer on Sadurean's behalf, he knows that duty comes before personal thoughts. If possible, he'll close the man's eyes for their final time before striding out of the building, instructing the pair that *no one*, including Avinash's son, is to enter that house and signalling Emelbur to lead on. The boy doesn't need to see his father lik
<Calanthar> boy doesn't need to see his father like *that*.
<Plotness_Monster> Master Harold August is the council representative and guild master for the Banker's Guild. His house is very large and luxuriant. They'll notice right away as they approach the home that there are tracks in the snow leading from the churned up slush in the street to a side door that's not fully closed. The door had been forced open and simply pulled closed again, the latch broken.
<Calanthar> "Fuck! How are they *doing* this?! Hold up out here, and mind these tracks - *don't* step on them! Emelbur, with me!" The Captain will stride ahead now. His saber is still out, but he is quite sure he won't be needing it tonight - if this is like the last few houses, it's already been done and the scene is cold. Still, Calanthar will be cautious as he kicks the door open, checking every angle, every corner, before signalling Emelbur in.
<Calanthar> before signalling Emelbur in.
* Lason is now known as Anie
<Plotness_Monster> Investigation in that large mansion of a home will find it empty save for three bodies. One late Harold August and two lovely women that are much too young for the banker. The woman were stabbed, both bodies pulled down to the floor, and on the large plushy bed? Harold looks to have been bludgeoned to death, skull cracked and the corpse splayed on his back upon the bed.
* Anie has quit IRC (Exit: Sinari's Best! Yeti domestication services: 1-800-YETI-FTW)
* Calanthar will give the bodies a brief examination before turning immediately back to Emelbur. His face is a mixture of anger and just plain exhaustion, the cigarette hanging limply in his mouth all but ash. The body count kept rising, and the Watch had been incapable of stopping anything to this point. "How many? How many more councilmembers remain, other than Crillner? Galen? The Khovas?"
<Plotness_Monster> Emelbur will do a quick count and inform him that there are ten others. But the rest all live on the north side of town except for Crillner. The commander was going to meet with the Khova's personally, and it's not too much further a walk from where they are. Five minutes or so. The soldier that was assigned to the tracks shows up and explains that he could only follow them for a few dozen yards before the snow coming dow
<Plotness_Monster> the snow coming down covered them up.
<Calanthar> All of the bad goddamned luck. Calanther will instruct two more soldiers to remain here, guarding the house and the bodies, before turning to Emelbur. "All right then, Emil, lead on. Let's just hope *someone* made it out of this mess alive. And to think, I gave my only flask to Mahrov..."
* Emelbur does as instructed, taking them on a path that would lead them out of that district and onto the main road that leads to the Khova Compound. He doesn't say much, keeping his grim thoughts to himself. He'd heard the whispers about Ourani and retaliation, and it made too much sense to his mind. With any luck they'd meet the Commander and he'd let them know the Khova representative was safe in her bed cursing the Frost Watch
<Emelbur> the Frost Watch for waking her up.
<Plotness_Monster> Crillner is on his way back from the compound, and they'll encounter him on the road. He flags the men down, and speaks in a low voice when they meet. "Sendera never checked in. Neither did her aid or guard. She's a woman of habit, and it's unlike her to be out this late. The Khova are sending out search parties. What did you find?" He asks, running a hand through the tight curls that are becoming more like a bronze a
<Plotness_Monster> more like a bronze affro with the manhandling.
<Calanthar> "Mahrov and his wife, Rastillian and any company he may have had, Avinash, August, and two of August's guests are all dead. Slain in their own homes, from the looks of it with absolutely no warning. I hate to say it sir, but whoever did this is doing a damn fine job of making us look like fools. We haven't even managed to get to the northern edge of town and check in on the remaining council members... We think at this time that Abrem Galen is al
<Calanthar> at this time that Abrem Galen is alright, though we don't know for sure." Out comes another cigarette, raised and lit, before the Captain offers one to his superior and to the sergeant. It looks like it will be a *long* night.
* Plotness_Monster is now known as Crillner
* Emelbur is now known as NuclearSleep
* Crillner waves away the cigarette, not a smoker it seems. "I already sent groups to check the northern side of town. Emelbur, can you go to the infirmary and apprise Doctor Galen of the situation. I told Morech to report there as well. We can all reconvene later at the barracks." After Emelbur departs Crillner paces back and forth on the road for a moment, "I need to check in with Captain Avinash, and Captain Dianthys." He l
<Crillner> Captain Dianthys." He lowers his voice then, so the other soldiers can't hear. "Calanthar. There's someone else I need you to double-check on. Shay Tradenia, he's staying at the Rusty Cog. You know where that is?"
<Calanthar> "Of course sir. I'll head there immediately to make sure that Master Tradenia is alright; though with his training and his retinue of companions, I think we can hope for the best on this one. If I may though, sir... I would like to request the responsibility of informing Avinash's son of his father's death after this has all calmed down..." He won't press the issue if Crillner declines, long used to the hierarchy and power structure to bitch abou
<Calanthar> hierarchy and power structure to bitch about it.
* Crillner eyes Calanthar for a moment, wondering how he knows anything about the Ignarian prince. At the subject of Durean he almost looks relieved, "Better do it sooner than later.. He'll know soon enough. Keeping news from Sadurean is near impossible. He's probably still at home. I haven't sent for all the soldiers yet. I think it better to keep as many men fresh for morning as we can. I should put a stop to all outgoing sea traf
<Crillner> all outgoing sea traffic as well.." Crillner sounds almost as if he's bouncing ideas off of Devregon. But then, the commander has only been in his position for a very short time and he's certainly never dealt with anything like this.
<Calanthar> "I think that would be a good idea, sir, and if I may, you might wish to increase wall patrols and clamp down on all traffic leaving by way of the gates as well, but in the end, it's your call. I'd best get to Shad- to *Shay's* side quickly to check on him before going to Sadurean." Then there's a sharp salute before Calanthar turns to the remaining guards that followed he and Emelbur. "You and you, follow me - the rest of you, stay with the C
<Calanthar> me - the rest of you, stay with the Commander!" And he's off, again moving remarkably fast for someone his age. He'll pay for it in the morning.
* Crillner will begin moving once more, waving the soldiers along and telling them to look sharp. What a mess. He wants nothing more to run home and check on his own wife and children, but it will probably be a long time before he gets word back from Morech on their status. His next stop is Ryn'an's home, and then likely the airfield to meet up with the other notables that represent the Ashetai military presence in Sinari. Calanthar w
<Crillner> Sinari. Calanthar will find the inn quiet and normal. The one small blessing of this fiasco is that most of the city -is- asleep, especially on the western side of town where the Cog is located. One of Shay's personal bodyguard collects the details, and will wake up Leius to inform him of the situation. Still, things seem safe enough for the prince.
* Calanthar has no burning desire to stick around the Rusty Cog, but as it *was* a direct order, he will remain until such time as Shadenarius' safety is absolutely certain. Once Leius is up and awake, he'll inquire as to whether or not the old man would like an assignment of guardsmen to watch the Inn for him, but regardless of the answer, if it becomes clear that his prescence isn't needed, he'll instruct his escorts to remain until he returns, and wil
<Calanthar> escorts to remain until he returns, and will move on to Sadurean's house.
<Crillner> Leius will assure him that they're more than prepared to handle things with their own contingent, and wish him luck with tracking down those responsible. He will not offer any aid of his own, his responsibilities to the prince, and the prince alone. Shay is checked upon right away, but the young man is safely fast asleep and Leius will refrain from waking him. Sadurean's home is on the opposite side of town, unfortunately, a good
<Crillner> unfortunately, a good fifteen to twenty walk at a brisk pace. Luckily it's only a minute or two past the barracks. There's a reason he often looks so tired early in the morning, for he truly does roll out of bed a scant ten to fifteen minutes prior to his shift.
|