Tala Tales: The Demon Pact

[SilverSuzi]

Tahn followed him out and nodded solemnly to the request. "This way." He said, and led Dirus through the quiet streets of Heton to a run-down house by the river, near the edge of town. "Anri and her uncle lived here. They were each other's only remaining family." The door was locked, but Tahn remedied that with a lock-pick he produced from somewhere on his person. "Been here a few times today already. The town guard have the key, keeping it shut to prevent looting or squatting until they can sell the house to someone else." The door swung open with a loud creak; inside was dark and cold, with the lingering smell of old, spilled blood. The vague silhouettes of furniture were visible in the shadows of the two-room home. Tahn lit an oil lamp in the corner of the room, revealing a bed in one end of the room, a door on the other, and various shelves and storage chests between. The sheets on the bed were blood-soaked in the center, enough to clearly indicate this as the place of the victim's death. "It happened a few hours before dawn. The neighbors heard a commotion -- screams and such. When the guards arrived, they claim to have found Anri standing over her dead uncle, his blood on her hands, and that she used dark magic to attack them and try to run. They managed to capture her, and by Lord Harlow's decree, she was hung at dawn." Tahn fell silent, staring at the ground in sullen reflection.


In the center of the room, on the floor, was scratched a dark-magic rune, though it was drawn haphazardly, as if in a hurry or by a novice. It held the meaning of 'death', however it lacked context or further definition, leaving it powerless, nothing more than an ominous scribble.


Tahn sighed, "As for the other victims, I have a list, but despite several days of searching, we haven't found much connection between any of them. Most seemed to be the sort of person few would miss... Though not all." He pulled a scrap of paper from his pocket and began to unfold it.

 

[Daerune]

Dirus moved about the room inspecting what little there would be in the room. "The problem with that idea is that with prejudice, they don't exactly get a fair chance. They are judged for something beyond their control and then shunned." He noticed the rune then which he would move to kneel beside it looking over the rune and its in-completion with a deep sigh. "She was framed, obviously - the Rune here, its for death but incomplete. It was not the work of an experienced dark mage or a mage." He looked towards Tahn. "Tell me about the mind of this girl, was she quick witted at all?"


With this Dirus moved around the room his nostrils flaring as he would take in the scents the room would have to offer, he then moved about the house looking for any signs of forced entry. "Its a curious thing that you are a lock-pick. Mind explaining your experience with that?"

 

[SilverSuzi]

Tahn nodded in agreement to the assessment of the rune. He leaned against the wall while Dirus paced the room. "She was intelligent, if that's what you mean. Moderately skilled with her magic, but she didn't deal in curses." He waved a hand at the mark on the floor, and then rubbed the back of his neck in contemplation. "Over-worked, caring, patient... certainly strong. Why do you ask?"


In response to his other question, Tahn shrugged and pulled the pick out again, twirling it deftly between his fingers. "Ranath taught me. Comes in handy in our line of work... Never know when a witch might be just beyond that locked door, or there may be a prisoner to free." He pocketed the pick again and crossed the room to the other door, opening it up to glance inside. "I think the murderer may have had one. I haven't been able to find any damage from breaking in, and I doubt they'd have been invited..."

 

[Daerune]

Dirus gave him a raised brow in return to one of his comments, something he would ask about later. "Because, if she attacked the guard and ran away. It might be a guard who set this up, believing that those who came were an accomplice. It is convenient that the guards would be so close right when there is a murder." As he lacked to see any sign of force entry he instead moved to the lock to see if there had been any signs of pick locking beyond what Tahn had done. Any older scrapings. "Pry tell me, what is your line of work? It would be best you tell me rather then lie. lying to me gets people killed." He motioned for him to follow to go out the door and then he started toward the upper district. He wanted to 'politely' introduce himself to the lord who had the girl hanged. "When was the uncle murdered?"

 

[SilverSuzi]

"The guards could be in on it, yes, I've begun to wonder that myself. Among the other victims were a man repeatedly caught committing petty theft, a man who often got into fights, and a young troublemaker suspected of pick-pocketing. Vinder, here, was known to cause a scene when he'd had too much to drink." He motioned to the bloodied bed. "Which was far too often, unfortunately."


With Dirus' warning against lies, Tahn blinked at him, looking a bit perplexed. "Why would I...?" Suddenly, it dawned on him. "Oh, did I... say something I wasn't meant to? About myself and the others, that we're witch hunters?" He lightly smacked himself in the forehead, with a good-natured chuckle. "I'm sorry, I assumed you knew. You were all deep in discussion about the murders when I walked in, I thought they must have told you already." He sighed and shook his head, still smirking. "Ran'll be even less thrilled with me tomorrow. Anyway, yes -- we are performers by day, witch hunters be night. Ranath and Samoc are the muscle, Chessa backs them up with her light magic, and my premonitions give them the upper hand in most cases. I can hold my own in a fight as well, if need be, but my talents are better used in investigations."


He followed Dirus out of the house, pausing briefly to put out the lamp and lock the door again behind them. "A few hours before dawn. He was probably asleep, he'd been drinking the evening before. I had helped Anri to get him home -- he could barely walk -- and then bid her goodnight and met my companions back at the inn."

 

[Daerune]

He nodded as he looked toward Tahn as he lead on. He didn't know which was his so he picked what ever the biggest one was. "The problem with Witch Hunters is that they often kill innocents as well. Prejudice and all, I have met light users who did more harm then some Dark mages I know." Looking at the gate of the largest estate for a few moments he only ushered a huff. He looked to the two guards before turning to Tahn. "If we get and audience, I will be rude to the man. Try gain some form of contact and read him." He then turned back to the guards and moved toward them. "Paladin Acendent requesting meet with the Lord of this house. oh, and if you don't get him I will." His demoner was faked of course, a brooding person who was high strung. His wings folded out from behind him so the guards would see and know what was expected should they fail.

 

[SilverSuzi]

"Which is why they have me. I don't know how things went before I joined the group, but I've done my best to filter out the witches from the innocent dark mages. Ranath has a more... black-and-white view of things, prejudice as you put it. You saw how offended he was that I'd not told him about Anri's magic." He rolled his eyes. "Still, he means well, and Chessa keeps him reigned in when necessary."


The guards eyed them with suspicion, one of them grumbling something about 'at this hour' under his breath. They jumped, and instinctively rested hands on sword hilts, when he unveiled his wings. Kuldari were not often seen within the city, and even less often were trust-worthy. After a moment to recover from the startle, one of the guards signaled a third, who stood at the door of the manor and stepped inside to fetch the lord. "What business have you with Lord Harlow, this late in the evening no less?" The other guard demanded.

 

[Daerune]

He looked at the guard with a hard reproach. "I do not explain myself to a mere worthless underling. My words are for the the intended human alone. I have been far more courteous than I would normally by walking to a gate I could fly over. So either you comply and shut up or you become forever silenced and I continue on." He said sternly his hands not moving to his sword or javelins just yet. He would only but wait now, well at least until he got impatient, which wouldn't take long at all.

 

[SilverSuzi]

Tahn cringed. It didn't take visions of the future to tell this wouldn't go well with a first impression like that. As the guards began to scowl and tense, Tahn stepped forward. "We must speak to Lord Harlow about the murders and witches." He hastily explained. "Word of this predicament has reached the Paladin Order, and as you can see, they are taking the matter very seriously." He motioned to Dirus, offering the guards an apologetic smile. "Ascendants are the highest rank within the Order, no more witches will wreak havoc on his watch."


"Let them in." Called a voice from an open window on the upper floor of the manor. Reluctantly, and with much grumbling, the guards obliged. They unlocked the gates, and one escorted Tahn and Dirus up to the door of the manor. Inside, the third guard stood watch while a servant greeted them and explained that Lord Harlow would be down to meet them in a moment. The manor was well-kept, clean and brightly lit. A large staircase led up from the foyer to the second floor, the guard stood in front of this.


Soon, a blond man in his thirties descended the stairs. He was clothed in a robe, having been preparing for bed when they arrived, and came down with a sense of urgency. "What is it, has something happened?" He asked, looking over his unexpected guests with concern.

 

[Daerune]

He scowled at the man having arrived up the stairs, course he had taken a look about. "A problem, you hung an innocent woman." He looked about the room briefly, turning so his wings would show some before his gaze honed back on the Lord. "It is clear your people are ignorant of to investigate such occurrences. Before you open your mouth to try twist things in your favor, I have short patience for people who try cover things up to save their behind." He looked towards Tahn more as a sign, hoping that this might give him his chance to touch the man. Dirus' wings disappeared behind his back now that they were not needed to prove his point of his determination.

 

[SilverSuzi]

Lord Harlow was surprised by this strange Kuldari barreling up the stairs to ambush him, but signaled his guard to stand down and allow Tahn -- who had been barricaded from following Dirus up -- to join them. Harlow's brows raised at the accusations, completely overwhelmed by the verbal onslaught combined with the unexpected visit by this forceful, intimidating figure. He took a moment to find the words to respond. With arms spread in an open, surrendering gesture, he began, "I'm sorry if we were mistaken, though I must ask how you came to that conclusion. I came to the verdict based on the evidence presented to me, and the sentence was enacted speedily for the safety of my men and the citizens of this town. Dark magic is particularly dangerous, I had no reason to doubt the girl's guilt and felt it best to deliver swift punishment." He offered his hand to shake. "I am Lord Harlow, might I know your name, sir Paladin?"

 

[Daerune]

He looked across to Tahn as he spoke on, he didn't accept the hand of course playing the rude part. "Sorry does not bring the dead back to life, like the others you committed to death. It was simple, the rune on the ground was unfinished and scratch at best. The woman was intelligent and I very much doubt she would kill her uncle in her own bloody home after she would look after him how many other times. You look upon how she acted as guilt, she found her uncle dead and had men barge in, of course she would run and defend herself. Your swift punishment only means that innocent blood is on your hands." He motioned his hand to Tahn. "This is Tahn, a mere human who has helped me gain clarity." He did expect them to shake hands. "I am Drius."

 

[SilverSuzi]

Tahn stepped forward to enthusiastically shake Harlow's hand, grasping it with both of his. "Pleasure to meet you, my lord. Sorry about barging in on you at such a late hour, but time is of the essence of course, if we're to prevent the loss of any further innocent lives." He spoke quickly, still shaking Harlow's hand throughout, until Harlow finally managed to free his hand once more.


"Er, yes, good to meet you too." The lord said, glancing back and forth between them. "Forgive me for doubting you," he said to Dirus, "but I am hard pressed to believe in her innocence when it was I that she attacked with her magic. Since inheriting this position from my father, I have taken it upon myself to ensure the safety of my subjects and see to peace in the streets of Heton. I often join the guard in their patrols, and I was passing by that house when I heard the victim's screams." He frowned, and stroked his beard in thought. "I suppose, if she was innocent as you say and only reacting to our intrusion in a time of distress, then the true killer must have left the premises just before we arrived. Which means they're still out there." He gave a frustrated grunt and brought his fist down upon the other palm. "In which case, I am extremely grateful to have you here. Should we find the true culprit, I'll be certain to make amends to the girl's family in any way possible."


"She hasn't got any family." Tahn said in a grave tone. "Her uncle was all she had."


Lord Harlow nodded solemnly. "An official mourning ceremony, then. For both of them, and any other innocents who've suffered thanks to this killer... or killers." He looked to Dirus. "You'll have myself and my men at your disposal. What can we do for you?"

 

[Daerune]

He shook his head. "For now, you have done all we have needed you to do." With this, and even without a good bye he headed down the stairs. "Come." He commanded of Tahn. When outside the house and away from the guards, he gave a glance back toward it with a momentary frown before continuing back towards the Inn. It was continued in silence before he turned his head over his shoulder toward Tahn, raising a brow questioningly. "Well?" He made a mental note to break into the garrison later and try find if that the patrol the lord had been on was official.

 

[SilverSuzi]

Tahn bowed his head in a respectful, if hasty, farewell to the disconcerted lord, and to the guards and servants who all watched the procession with looks of bewilderment or irritation. Once back out on the streets, he shook his head and sighed. "Shouting at people about prejudice will rarely change them. He may mean well when he offers to give Anri a memorial, but I doubt it'll come to pass. Too many people would protest the notion, honoring a perceived witch..." To Dirus' inquiring look, Tahn explained, "I'm afraid I may not have got much off him of use. He's a guarded man, and the contact was brief. I did sense concern in him, when you accused him of hanging an innocent; his thoughts were on his father... on fear of making the same mistakes. Do you know about the witch trials of his father's time? Under his rule, it's suspected that over a hundred people were executed from the city and surrounding villages on charges of witchcraft, though many were sentenced by rumor alone. As I understand it, upon his father's death Lord Harlow put a stop to the rampant superstition and violent, sometimes torturous methods of execution used. He supposedly requires a reliable witness of the accused using dark magic, in place of vague rumors. While I'm sure it's not always accurate, the rate of deaths for witchcraft have greatly decreased."


He sighed again. "Still, doesn't change the fact that dark magic alone does not equal witchcraft. Lord Harlow is a politician, it's important to him to be well-liked. I sensed he does take the city's safety very seriously, but his level of conviction in both matters could lead him to take drastic measures, thinking it's for the good of his people and his image."

 

[Daerune]

Dirus shook his head at the last words leaving Tahn's mouth. "Those concerned for the good of the people needn't worry for their image, those who he protects should know the efforts he would go and see him as the better. Shouting doesn't change a person no, but it does reveal things about their character. I doubt anyone has treated him as such and so his reaction would be more caught off guard. I doubt I knew of his father, if I did, I would have likely come to kill him myself. Injustice tolerated any where makes others believe they may be more lenient with what people would call morals." He sighed. "I doubt your gifts allow you access to the mental state of the one you touch, given that. There are those who can mess with your premonitions."


When they stood at the Inn he would move to place a hand on Tahn's chest to prevent him from going in. "Get some rest, there are things I must do and its best you aren't involved. You aren't a Paladin so that consideration wouldn't protect you, get some sleep if you can. If not find the room that I rented and softly knock, Zultharus will greet you, be best you talk with him." With this even if he replied or not he unfolded his wings and took the sky. Black armor and wings allowed him to blend into the knight, his flight was as silents as a owls'.

 

[SilverSuzi]

Tahn listened to Dirus' take on the matter, and may have had more to add to the conversation himself if given the chance, but he had begun to realize that he was tired after all. He nodded his understanding of Dirus' instructions, and bid the man farewell for the night -- after a second to recover from Dirus abruptly taking flight. Then he entered the inn, finding that Samoc had already finished his drinks and left the dining hall. The innkeeper and his wife were gone to bed as well, though they left a bell on the front desk for any midnight inquiries of their patrons. Tahn ascended the stairs and headed for the room he shared with Samoc, which coincidentally was situated directly across the hall from Inya's room, and to the right of Ranath and Chessa's room.


Outside, the city of Heton had settled into a sleepy stillness. All the farmers and fishermen and other tradesmen had jobs to see to bright and early, they'd be sleeping now. However, there were still a small number of people up and about in the streets. A handful of guardsmen patrolled around or stood watch at their posts. A group of children milled about beneath one of the bridges that connected the two halves of the town on either side of the river. A middle aged man limped hastily to the apothecary and knocked upon the door. The sound of music and laughter could be heard from one of the last taverns still open. A courier arrived at the guardhouse near the center of town, and handed off a letter to the guard posted there.

 

[Daerune]

Dirus eye had caught all that the city offered in terms of sight and sound, thankfully not scent. He descended onto the roof of the guardhouse the only sign of his landing was the slight ruffle as his wings bunched up behind his back. Kneeling down he cast his gaze about finding the hatch he could use to get into the building. He knew he was likely to run into someone running security in the Barracks. He placed his right hand down onto the stone seeking to feel the shadows withing, seeking out any voids of where light might be illuminating as well as any movement within the building itself. He then proceeded to try open the hatch to see if it had a lock or not.

 

[SilverSuzi]

This guardhouse had been constructed during the war, and was tall enough to overlook the city and much of the surrounding land. Back then, this view would have aided in keeping watch for impending attacks by Kuldari. However, the war was long over, and no guard stood upon the roof this night to witness Dirus landing there. Within the building was only one guard, currently on the ground floor having just received the letter. He unsealed the letter and sat reading it beside a small oil lamp on a table. This was the only source of light within the building. The upper two floors were completely dark, for not even much moonlight was to be had, as the moon was but a sliver of a crescent. The hatch was locked shut by a small bar of metal on the inside.

 

[Daerune]

Removing a small blade from its sheathe and went to wedge it in the wood near the hings, jimmying it in between before he started to try work it free from the wood. He was strong enough that it needn't be a quick snap but instead a gradual release. He dropped into the barracks and then went about the building looking for any record of patrols from the time of the murder and any reference to the other murders as well as any patrol's for that night. His shadow magic kept him informed of the mans position, seeking to know if he sought to leave or if someone else entered.

 

[SilverSuzi]

The top floor consisted mostly of storage for spare things like armor (mostly leather, but a few pieces of chain mail for special circumstances), weapons, and supplies. There would be little of interest, if anything at all. The middle floor was divided into two rooms. The first room contained the stairs to either of the other floors, as well as more storage of things used daily and a bed in the corner. The door to the other room was locked. Sensing within would reveal it to be set up much like an office, with a desk and books and files. However, the guard downstairs was on the move, taking the oil lamp and letter with him up the steps...

 

[Daerune]

Seeing as how they dealt with what had happened with the girl, he doubted they had the experience with dark mage's. He slipped back toward a corner, the darkest possible and concealed himself with shadow magic, his form shifting into that of a wolf to assist with blending in and then he would watch through the shadow sense for where the guard would go to. In through in the shadows he would be more of a silhouette his coat being to black. His eyes were closed to prevent the possibility of seeing the gleam of his eyes trusting on his shadow senses alone.

 

[SilverSuzi]

The guard arrived on the second floor and headed straight for the locked office, passing right by Dirus without a clue as to his presence there. He removed a ring of keys from his belt and casually flipped through them while humming an old folk tune. Once he'd found the right one, he unlocked the door and stepped inside. Unless he were somehow interrupted, the guard would proceed to leave the letter laying open upon the desktop -- which was strewn with many documents of various importance -- and then promptly turn back around to return to the ground floor, locking the office once again behind him.

 

[Daerune]

Dirus didn't seek to disrupt the mans entry nor his exit, having slipped in between. He was less concerned about being locked in as it was an easier thing then being locked out, the pads on his paws having helps exceptionally. He shifted into his Kuldari form, his eyes barely needing time to adjust to the dark as he went through the papers. Seeing if anything held any notearity towards what he was looking into, including the letter most recently delivered.

 

[SilverSuzi]

The letter was addressed to all guards, written and signed by Lord Harlow. It detailed how a Kuldari Paladin named Dirus would be conducting investigations into the murders, and into any connection with dark mages, etc., and that he should not be impeded from his business, all his questions answered to the best of their knowledge and abilities, and any resources he required -- within reason -- should be provided. All concerns were to be directed to the lord.


Besides that, there were various documents and memos, things like notices for the arrest of known criminals throughout the country, missing persons, merchant licenses, travel plans of important visiting dignitaries, etc. Beneath the loose paperwork lay a logbook, left open to the current date, which detailed which guards were on duty when and where. Another logbook contained information on executions, and a number of loose papers had been stuck between the pages. These contained rough, unorganized notes on the murder victims, numbering ten so far. Their position among the book's pages correlated to those who had been executed for committing the murders. A few were unsolved, being placed in the blank pages at the back of the execution record book.