Relaxed and in good spirits after time spent uninterrupted with his wife, Andrew bows to Lieutenant Emily and then the rest of the assemblage. His genial mien shifts over a few minutes, however, to one of focus and the set of his jaw bespeaks both an opinion, and questions yet unanswered.
Knowing that Captain Rae prefers to do things privately and securely, especially in their case. Elohanna addresses Emily directly, notincing the look of concentration displayed on her features. "I understand your hesitation and your concern, if there is anything we can do in the moment to alleviate some concerns. Feel free to ask.Lieutenant Wang, Otherwise the reason for us being here, would be best explained to Captain Rae, in a more secure location."
Elohanna keeps mindful herself of changes in the Al'noth for anything out of the ordinary, that could compromise the safety of their meeting from subtle changes in the energy, to any attempts to scry on her or Andrew.
*The man nods once at the words and looks upon Emily for a moemnt before returning the sight towards Andrew and Elly*
- Its not my place to question your motives ma'am, I am just following orders here, Once the inspection provided by Leiutenient Wang is concluded, we'll be escorting you to the meeting place if all.
*The concentration by Emily finishes some seconds after the man had finished speaking and she gives a small nod at him*
- Everything seems in order, please acompany us, this way please-
*They lead you to a charriot that is being brought by other two members of the Silverguard, the wagon is simple but confortable, with enough space to acomodate six people, the vehicle does a short trip till the very same tower on the outskirts of Hempstead where the first meeting took place, the place seems calm some guard around the door, Emily takes leads here and nods at the other two silverguards*
*As they walk inside the tower, being escorted by other two guards, Emily speaks*
- It was a surprise to hear that you'll be coming, Of course I'd wish that the circunstances of our metings were diferent, I heard what that stone caused, and all the tragedies that happened during those days, makes one wonder how much was bad luck and how much was careful planning -
*She looks over to you, observing you as you start to walk up the stairs of the tower *
"Careful planning. Indeed. I've wondered that to a great extent myself. But we'll save that for the conversation with Captain Rae, shall we?"
She gentle squeezes her husbands hand, seeming content to wait for the arrival of Captain Rae, her mind still set on carefully monitoring even the most subtle change in the Al'noth for intrusion or manipulation either from the room or outside.
*The stairs are passed fast, the place seems to be exactly as you remember it, like an eternal stone without change, Emily lead the way confidently till you reach to a door inside the tower, she smiles at you , then asking the guards to remain outside vigilant, to that the two guards salute her and she opens the door allowing you two to enter, she enters last*
*Inside the room are waiting the two familiar faces of Captain Rae, and the Protector, the first attaired in an officer uniform of the Silverguard, his regal posture and now parts of his hair and moustache start to show some gray just to make him look a bit more interesting, on the other side the martial figure of "The Protector" Standing stoically some steps away of the captain, he observes you two with a severe expression, but neutral face, the Rofirenite nods at you, greeting and acknowledging your presence but doesn't say a thing after, its the Good captain who speaks *
- Welcome Miss Elohanna and Mister Andrew Reid, its been a while, please take a seat, you came in time and fashion -
*he smiles a bit as he getures to some glasses and a bottle of wine served in front of him for you, and a couple of seats that looks confortable*
The bard waits until his wife takes a seat then sits next to her. He does not pour wine for himself, although he offers to do so for Elly. He is all focus and for once not excessively chatty.
She takes her place in the seat offered for them, and politely declines the wine, "Thank you Captain Rae, but I must decline, however feel free if you wish. I hope the news we bring will brighten your day as well and be worth the expense of such a treat."
*The man replies with calm and polite voice *
I am on duty milady, so I'll have to pass for now, yet that doesn't prevent me to offer and show manners *nods slowly, then looks at you two*
What can I do for you, Milady and sir ?
*He awaits for your reply*
She gets right to the point of the meeting so as not to take up to much of the Captains time, "I do appreciate you being so thoughtful Captain, but the reason we are here are to share our findings so far. You see I do not like being away from the school, or Port Hempstead for as long as we have been, and we have been doing our best to try to clear our names."
*The Captain looks back at you and lean a bit forward to rest his chin on his hands attentive, the protector give him a look, to which the Captain just looks at him back and with gentle gestures back to Elohanna and Andrew*
I am sure of it, It has been a very unlucky chain of events that had led us to the situation we are now, I am deeply sorry that the situation turned out the way it has, alas i know that you understand it was done for the sake of Hempstead, With the disclaimer out of the way ....
*he looks at you two again* - I am listening.
She nodded and respectfully continued.
"You see Captain Rae, we have been trying to determine, who and how someone has been scrying on us. We come to find that it was those responsible for Andrew's double. They used him to place nails in those places where we lived and worked, in places they knew were important to us. They were so easy to overlook, and it wasn't until we pushed, hard enough that would found them. We have since gone through and had each and every nail replaced. We know for sure these were the source of Andrew being scyed upon. I know this doesn't exactly clear my name, but it should help to clear his."
*The man looks at Elly with a troubled look at the revelation, then looks upon Emily then to the protector then back at you*
- How and where is that you realized of this? You are saying that it was by using nails is that they were able to scry on you? Could you please expand in this ? -
"I could feel it, in the Silver Buckle, Captain, and I kept pushing, searching for the source of the scrying on us, and I could feel it, within the pull, very close, and I kept pushing until I found them, the nails had been turnd into a focus for them to scry on us. We checked and had the Angel's shop also checked, any place that the double had been, and we found them there too.
We enlisted aid and had the nails all changed. We have drained the scrying pool in the inn. We have increased protections of both places.
There is a chance before all of this began however and I brought our possible compromise to your attention that other places such as the Tower Academy and the Guild Hall, any other place he may have visited could have similar nails.
This is a very specific use of the Al'noth that we are now familar with, and I don't believe that without our help, you can find. But we need a chance to help the city, to make sure there are no other places that are left compromised.
We are asking of you Captain Rae to let us help the city, we love so much, in fixing this situation, and continue to make things right. For us, and for your security of the city as well."
*Upon this revelation, the captain turns over to Emily, she as if being asked a silent question does a step forward, and she speaks, as if replying the question that never happened*
- Technically its posible to do so, and it would requiere indeed a lot of preparation to do so many focus,in order to be effectively able to scry an area using such focuses, theoretically ot had to be done using plenty of small focuses in order to prevent a huge show of magic -
*The captain nods at her and speaks*
- Thank you Lieuteniant -
*Then turning towards Elohanna and Andrew * Do you have means to get one of those nails for evidence and checking by our experts?
*He waits a moment to get a reply for this, then continues *
This is indeed a dangerous thing, I assume that what you are implying is that the double of your husband was able to plant this nails huh? -
*He looks at you awaiting for the reply, concern on his voice *
"We can provide some example nails although we didn't keep any in the Buckle for obvious reasons. We assume it was my double that planted them, of course.
"I'd like to point out that this could have been done to any building anywhere in the world. And I'm quite sure I'm not the only person to have been replaced - I'm hardly a political asset. As a side mention, I have not heard one note of what happened to my double after he was exposed." Short and sweet. His expression is carefully neutral but his jaw remains set.
'Andrew is Right, We assume that it was him, as we think he was the only one with such an opprotunity to do so. But yes we can supply some of these nails to help Emily, I do ask that you allow me to aid you though, I know what to look for, how it feels. If you would allow me?"
Remaining in the background, as ever - the elf with the silver hair and the painted face, a chain of small, engraved links made of different sorts of metal (but all, it seems, with a certain amount of silver within the alloy) wrapped around his right arm. He did neither speak, nor did the small, amused smile disappear from his face. Good news, and not good news. There was a chance for them now, indeed - yet a dangerous one. Rhyme and Reason bounced back and forth in his head, with less than good results, and so he remained silent. Nothing to say, really.
*The captain nods*
It would be appropiate for the sake of the documentation, Plese see to it , I do expect a full report of this Lieuteniant *Spoken to Emily*
In the meantime *he speaks to Elly and Andrew* When do you think we could get this samples here?
"We can retrieve them quickly enough. As they are stored at the one place that never looses anything." She offered thoughtfully. "I would need to make a trip to the bank."
**The Captain dismiss you, and after several days you are back with the samples needed, Emily makes sure to examine them before entering the place, and several runes are placed temporaly into the chamber for protection for possible scrying.*
*The preparations take days to finish, and finally you come to the meeting with the samples , captain Rae looks at you, and with Both Emily and the protector ready, he asks you*
- Well... please show us how this works, And how the process is. -
She could appreciate him wanting to understand, but in this she found it difficult to put it into words, what she felt that lead her to discover the nails to begin with. To her it was desperation to reclaim her life that lead her to take risks she knew under normal circumstances, she knew she wouldn't have. She had put her life in danger, causing her family to worry about her.
"The first couple of times I tried, I did not get very far, I was distracted by what I believed to be real, I was distracted by my desire to retrieve things that belonged to me that I did not focus on the source of the scrying. I had to take the time to clear my head before I could come at it from a fresh perspective, and even then, doing so look a lot of energy."
With that said, she began to explain the ritual itself, "This last time, instead of focusing on the items I wished to find, I felt something different. I felt the flow of the magic in the pool, and found the source of the scrying very closeby. I used its own energies to help me find the source, that in tracing that instead, it lead me to the nails. They may have been haulting my progress from the start, I am not entirely sure as I haven't tried again since finding the nails."
She continued to describe e nails and th ritual to Emily, to help guide her along the same path she had taken, and explain that it was not a typical ritual, but one that actually went deeper, it was a complete change in perception, that would lead her to understand more clearly, This was nothing simple, not even for the most seasoned of wizards or priests.
*Upon the completion of the examination, the Captain nods slowly, as Emily looks puzzled and somehow a bit surprised. More after the explanation of the findings thru vibrations as well as magic. The mixing of the music or how it reacted to music was somehow surprising *
- Its indeed a clever process, upon normal inspection, this nails seems completly inert of any magic, but upon the reaction found with the strange music reaction makes a good disguise, its also incredibly clever the fact that can only be found under the veil of divination magic. I am not sure I could repeat the process on my own Captain - *She replies*
*The captain looks at you two, eyes with concern and then nods, he looks at the protector with an inquisitive look, raising one eyebrow at him, as if saying, Convinced? , then speaks to you*
Miss and Mr. Reid. Its has been quite explicative indeed, If you allow us a minute to discuss, we'll give you news in few. -
*With that the captain, the protector and Emily left the room from one side, three guards entered to the room almost inmediately,*
After some minutes, the trio returns, the captain extends you both a document *
- This is a passage to the city, this document will come as terms of "probatory" entry to the city, this would be with the intent of finding any of this nails that has been involved or infiltrated in the city, We are to ask you to use this entry for that purpose, you both would be under surveillance and any search of this sources should be done with Emily present.
With this said, we are need to mark you the same way we did Kaelan, for the sake of security of course, This mark is nothing but a magical brand that may help to locate you or test about your true self, We are taking the risk of the doubles sharing the magical propierties, that was discused in the first, but for now I am willing to take that risk.
This entry is probatory and will last for a year, **he clears his throat** I wouldn't be surprised if this become more permanent after successful helps to remove or secure the lack of this nails in the city . **The captain gives a small smile to them *
I am affraid this terms are not negotiable, but i am sure that you two are law abiding citizens that may have no problem in giving the help requested.
*The captain looks at you both, awaiting for your reply*
She replies without hesistation to his offer, "Captain Rae, Of course I will accept the probationary terms you have given," She then catches herself and looks to Andrew to make sure she isn't speaking out of line for him.
He nods once and reads the papers in full before speaking. "The first two places to schedule searches are the Angel's Guild Hall and the Tower Academy. I'll double down that there are some nails there, or some other building material treated similarly. The council chambers next. Any high-end watering hole that attracts the powerful in the city." Taps the papers in his palm. "Have you inquired if anyone on the council or otherwise in a position of power has acted oddly? Any rumors that their family is worried because of their behavior?" Muttering to himself now. "Ringers. I told them - do they listen? And for that I ended up dead in a stream."
A small smile curled the elf's lips. This was, alltogether, better than expected. New tasks to be done, possibly beyond his paygrade, but perhaps he could learn something here or there, if the Reids and Emily would take him along for the ride. And it was a big if. Neither Emily nor the Protector would ever allow for that, past actions considered. The Captain would, perhaps, give an order. Perhaps not -
Either way, it would change little. "It is a lot of work to cover all angles, all places - we might need some more people, properly gifted and inclined. And the enemy knows our faces, and is making his next step in this deadly dance. We have little in time and people we can waste." His voice was silent, he spoke in ryhme, carefully and deliberate as if savoring every word, every syllable in regards to their poethic and rythmic pronounciation.
The cadence of paper on skin slows. Slows.
Stops.
"Of course marking me won't mark him. Of course it won't - " He flips off his coat and yanks his shirt over his left shoulder. The formerly moth-shaped scar has healed to an amorpheous blob of shiny tissue. "I was marked with this while you and the Angels were interacting with him. Did it also show on him? No one mentioned it. He never showed any pain, nor rubbed it, did he? And I amend my initial list. I think we should start our search for intrusion with this very building."
For a moment, he calmly glanced into the realm beyond, staring at the vibrating, swirling, morphing fabric of the Al'Noth, allowing it to flow through him. Just a small glance, cantrips and all. A calm onlooker, not even a witness nor an author able to write down in elegant words the drama and tragedies that slowly started to show everywhere. For now, he read magic, a reflex, scanning for residue or anything that might linger around, just barely outside his normal senses. And what were his normal senses anyway.
"Once you have divination weavings, everything starts looking like a nail that needs a thorough ... examination."
Calmly states, silently, with his slow, rythmical words. The Guard should have this under control. Of course, unless the Reids brought presents along.
She closes her eyes a moment, gathering her thoughts, listening to Andrew, Kaelen, Captain Rae and Emily. "Captain Rae the choice of where to start, is of course yours. Though Tashe does bring up a very valid point, starting here, where we have first met, may be the wisest course, and it would give Emily and Kaelan, the chance to see how this ritual works. I can guide them, and once you are satisfied, then you can decide where to start."
*The captain listens to the interactions and observes the marks where the Tatoo was on Andrew's body, he nods*
As i said master Reid, I do in general give no chances knowing how the darkelves were involved on this, but if it brings some closure to you we believe that the fact that the dark elves actions and the events of the Stone were not connected in the end, one was used to cover the other as a convenient distraction, which of them was using which we are yet to discover, this is thanks to The silverhair report and investigation.
At any rate we know for sure that the darkelves planted you that tatoo and "switched" you, which is why your concerns and our preocupations are in place, I would defer to you of who would you like in the team, You'll be under Emily supervision and she would also have the power to add or remove members to the team, *He glances at the interaction beetwen Andrew and Kaelan*.
With this said I do agree that the Guild hall of your guild, and any public buildings that are near there, I'd add the Tower Academy as well since its my understanding that you both were teachers and had access to the building at the proper time, since we believe that the planting of the nails were done without the suspect actively knowing it, it may have less than regard to what desires or likes the real you had.
*The captain looks at you awaiting for a reply*
"I only point out that if you mark me, it seems more unlikely that it will magically appear on my double - wherever he may be. I still believe we should check this building, if only because one - you use it for sensitive interactions and information, and two - you admit you don't know who else might be compromised. It won't take long to scan it and the four of us can work together. We should start now." Motions to himself, Kaelan, Emily, and Elly. And before permission is given, Elly can feel her husband humming, feeding her power, linking with her to reach out and feel the Al'Noth.
Kaelan gives a polite nod to Andrew's statement, and that is all. He leans back a bit and remains silent.
As the strength of her beloved, is felt through his humming, she smiles gratefully at him, and looks to Emily and Kaelan motioning for them all to come closer. As before when she has attempted this ritual she casts necessary protections, to aid with mind protections she casts mind blank, to aid against any spells coming through, she casts spell protection, to help them see more clearly, she casts spells of true seeing, as she continues to cast the wards she feels are necessary to help protect them, she then begins to open her mind to the divining pool that has been set up for this ritual, and speaks softly to explain to them all but more directly to Emily, so she knows and understands specifically what she is seeking. While the pool in front of them ripples, it is not an image that Elly seeks, it is a hidden bit of the Al'noth beneath the surface she is seeking to locate, that would lead her the familar signature she found in the nails. whethere nails or something else was used in the building, that is what she is seeking to find, as she begins to draw on the support of those around her.
*The captain looks over the Protector whom is only observing the procedings at this point, he then give a small smile to the man then returns his gaze upon you*
I do agree that that , by all means this building is to be tested, if any it would give any insight to our very Emily on the process, that way she'll be able to help you more efficiently with the task .
*The captain nods at Emily then to the others*
*The preparation starts and once the magical energy flow, the methodic and inate magical knowledge mixed into the innate abilities of the bardic magic, then the search around the building is performed..... *
*..... Several hours later you find nothing compromised in the tower, the place is effectively clean off anything that may be used to scrying at least on the form or method that was found in the buckle*
"I can honestly say that's a relief." He sits - it's a lot of magic, akin to running for a while. "I should like a night's rest before we tackle the next objective. I suggest the Tower Academy."
A relief clearly shows as Elohanna relaxes, looking worn out from the last few hours.
"If there are still any questions I can answer. I would be happy to."
Thankfully with the preparations and the assistance of all those present, she doesn't seem nearly as drained, as she had the last time she tried this.
"You have my thanks for your aid, Kaelan and Emily. Hopefully we can arrange another meeting after everyone has had a chance to rest?" clearly in agreement with Andrew.
Following and working silently, Kaelan did his part. No comment, just silence and calm, controlled behavior. It was a time to learn new things, as quick and efficient as he could. No time for asking questions.
*The night comes as Andrew and Elly are escorted back to the Guildstore for resting, there are something in the enviroment that night, a feeling of acomplishment, maybe after so many nights a light in the end of the tunnel may be seen, The next day comes as a blessing, a good resting after the efforts of the last day comes well recieved *
*A couple of days pass as Emily is constantly visiting you and making preparations for the first searches, she seems particularly interested in the situation and brings with her a student of the bardic arts, a young man by name Aron Kir, when questioning about him, she says in a sober tone that she noticed that the need of someone "less studied" and more inately oriented is needed for the search, and he has her entire confidence upon the task at hand, she goes over the basics with you again about how to work and what to do during the rituals, the woman seems to be very methodic and its making documentation of the things learned and the questioning, She is far from experienced, but what lacks of experience she put up in attitude*
______________________________________________________________________________________
*The Silverhair is put aside once the meeting is over, the conversation beetwen the captain doesn't last much, and seems to have ended in good terms, Kaelan is put in licence of his regular duties of the guard in order to document and help in the investigation shall his help is needed*
// Well guys. . you can discuss ic or give now the next step ooc, and i'll follow shortly
// So .. Tower academy next? No preparations or any remarks ?
After resting and discussing the preparations with Emily. Elohanna comes at it from a fresh perspective, believing that it would be nice to have the Tower Academy helping them with the security of Port Hempstead. If they can clear the Tower Academy then they can continue to call on more aid to help with the efforts to make sure the entire city is free from the marks that have compromised them. She does continue to request Kaelans support as much as he will offer.
"There is only one issue with that - we can't know which of the students might be ringers. I think perhaps we should keep it to ourselves at first, love? Remember, there are a number of people, not all of them dark elves, who might have a Destiny tied to the Tower." There is a slight emphasis of the word destiny.
*Emily seems a bit lost on the Destiny Reference, nods at Andrew's words, and once she hears the ideas, she replies*
While I see your point Miss Elly into the participation of the tower academy, i don't think that the Captain would approve such measure, this operation is for the Silverguard, and without any findings yet into the city it would be hard to justify a large group of operatives into this. Even more so. Of course we'll proceed respectfully of the Tower academy and you can inform to whomever you decide from the hierachy about your findings.
*Once Kaelan is mentioned she smiles a bit, almost a bit forced, but replies with positive words*
-The Silverhair has proven to be a reliable help in the past, I am sure that it would surely be a positive influence to this investigation-
We'll be ready by the time you decide to move forward of course.
*She awaits for your replies*
"We have no way to determine who has been compromised, all we have right now, are possible locations, a way to detect what those who have compromised the locations have left behind. Right now we have eliminated our meeting place, but we can't even eliminate our guild mates, we can't eliminate the students, we can't eliminate the staff, because no one is above suspicion. So what do we do? How do we move forward under these circumstances? Do we call the teachers themselves to us, in a place we know is secure so that we can begin to build a team of reliable and trustworthy, individuals, and mark them as we go? Almost everyone of the teachers I know, I hand picked, but you are right. I can not guarantee that one of them has not been effected by this scheme. None of us can. So do we remain paranoid, or do we push forward, with descretion, and create a broader search criteria given what information we know we can trust? We need to move our search within the city, and we need to create a buffer zone to work in, So maybe you are right Tashe, the best place with the fewest people to impact, would be our guild hall. We can then use it to work in. That should be our next stop. We just have to eliminate our own guild mates now. In doing we will eliminate the headmaster of the Tower Academy as well, and if successful, at eliminating him, we can begin to work within the Tower Academy after."
"All true. I have what I hope is a simple solution - we close the Tower Academy for 'needed repairs' or some other ruse. Clear everyone out for a few days - I'm sure no one would mind a holiday? - and go room by room. Knowing where they are might tell us if anyone in specific is being watched, or if anyone might be implicated..."
*Emily replies *
If we closing the Tower academy for some time at least we should ask the Headmaster in order to do that, Unless you have the authority to do so on your own *gesturing to Elly*
If you wish to start with the guildhouse that would be good as well, We are here to help you miss, so we just need to define what the next step and place to check would be .
*She looks at you both*
Always assisting and in the background, doing the paperwork with persistance and desire for precision, was Kaelan. He seldomly tried to enter conversations, unless he was asked specifically. His main focus was his work, and helping Elly and Andrew.
"I will leave the decision on where to start to my wife. Ultimately, she'll be checking - I'll be support staff, and measure and bar, so to speak - so it is hers to say where we start."
"I would like to start at the Tower Academy and I think this is where Kaelan you can help the most. I need you to directly speak with Headmaster Omer and let him know that we need to speak with him. If you are willing. As Headmistress I could throw my weight around but it is best if we ask him and include him, and also make arrangements for the current students to have a place to stay while we are working through this. Some of our students have no other place to stay."
*Upon hearing this Emily interjects*
If you consider that is appropiate, I am sure to know that the Headmaster has not much love for the Silverguard, and being "The Silverhair" working with us since some time, not sure its the right approach, but of course that is just my opinion, he can speak for hismelf of course, and you ma'am have the final decision.
// Just let me know how you want to proceed here, If moving to the Tower academy or sending a letter or anything, . we'll go from there and may start a new thread in the Tower academy. Just let me know how to proceed . Cheers
//Elly is running the Tower show, so deferring to her.
"I will send a letter with the Tower Academy seal, and a special enchantment that should the letter be opened by any other, it will destroy itself. This letter will be delivered by Kaelan to the Headmaster, whether or not he has love for Kaelan or not, he will have to hear him out, the Tower Academy needs to be secured for the safety of Port Hempstead, especially given the talents of those within, that with combined efforts have the ability to destroy the city, rather than aid it." With that said, she retrieves from her seemingly endless bag, a vial of golden ink, her own parchment, and ring with the crest of the Towery Academy, and some wax, then begins to write the letter to Omer.
// Awaiting reply of the PM , in order to continue on that development, If want to follow another line of investigation in the meantime please free to post here.