Fantasy Sanctus et Foedus Sanguis

[That Lass Over There]

"... I'll be back before supper."

She would have to act quickly and wrap up this bit of business and come back as soon as she was able, but as "Felicia" slowly strode out the restaurant and back out into the harsh desert sun, she felt herself instantly get back into the familiar rhythms she had danced her whole life with.

"Good hunting." Cecilia watched the back of the inquisitor disappear beyond the curtain, the disturbance once again breaking the line of powdered paint that she had laid... She would be needing to buy more before leaving Bursa, without a doubt. One last time, she took out the bottle and spread a new barrier before turning to her half-done cup of tea.

...

Spoiler: Cecilia used Think! Cecilia hurt herself in her confusion!

This was all rather peculiar.



That was the only conclusion Cecilia could come to, looking at the exhaustive - if sloppy - document in front of her. Too many odd things were happening, and few made actual sense put together. Much less, put in the context of her greater experience over these years of not-quite-banishment.

For one, and the most tangible oddity at her side since last night, was the Daemon Hunter assigned as her escort. After five years, it has been decided that she needs someone to protect her person when, for all the Choir knew when making or approving the decision she may well have already succumbed to her poor health by the time said escort arrived. No thanks to the journey she had been making over this time.

The intentions and political games of the Choir were inscrutable to her; for that, at least, she is glad to not be performing in the full capacity of her duties as a Cardinal. Even so, it reeked of some sort of scheme - or several, for that matter, as the dealings of the Cardinals were never so unanimous.



Moreover, the time of fetching Del with the inquisitor at the stables this morning stuck in her mind. The animals, other than well-trained Lind and Del, panicking. And Del giving her an unmistakable sign, even though she couldn't believe it. The Daemon Hunter is a Daemon herself?

Admittedly, the wards to detect Daemons were more annoying and expensive than the more generic protections she made a habit of setting for her typical stays, so she couldn't deny the claim for certain. Even so, the glimpses of compassion she had seen from her escort were more than could ever be expected from a Daemon, acting or not.

Perhaps a High-ranking Daemon or a Lord would be capable of such emotional range, or a Daemon that preys on the emotions and desires of mortals might be able to fake it, but generally Daemons were incapable of more than simple thoughts... Or at least, that was her understanding, from what limited research on Daemons she had access to under the nose of the Church. A High-ranking Daemon wouldn't bother with the game of endearing itself to her though (nor would Bursa be standing in its current state, if the Daemon had been here any length of time) and it would pain in an odd light the Daemon Hunter's obsession with, well, Daemons.

If anything, the Daemon should be trying to pull her attention away from such ideas to avoid detection.



Less immediate concerns and questions aside, she was also incredibly appalled by the inquisitor's apparent lack of a delicate touch. Perhaps that should not be a surprise about a Daemon Hunter, when they are normally not the first responders and investigators of a suspected threat and have little experience with matters not involving their single specialty, but even so it was very much a surprise and difficulty she was dealing with now.

... Maybe, a little bit of blame was on herself for not considering how obviously 'inquisitor' her companion was and asking if there were any sort of disguise or such available, but even so it was definitely a point of pain that they had been walking around together in plain sight this morning. If they were separate, maybe there was a chance at least for the Daemon Hunter walking the streets to be mistaken for some other member of the clergy, but the combination of her ghostly presence and accompanying a Cardinal who had visibly arrived to town alone marked her out easily as a particular sort.

Something that is about as close to disastrous as possible, given their purpose of investigation. If there were any heretical elements in the city, they'll most certainly be spooked into hiding sooner rather than later with an inquisitor in town. Cecilia on her own as a delicate woman who could barely spend half the day out of bed without severe exhaustion bore little intimidation, and she was happy to exploit that - something that she would now be incapable of.



While that element of surprise may be lost, at the very least the matter of her being an Archmage should remain relatively unknown. While her name itself was relatively well-known due to the reputation and rumors spread about her as a candidate for Canonization years ago, details quickly get lost or muddied in word of mouth. Magic is an incredibly potent tool, especially if they're dealing with a less organized force than currently suspected. In all likelihood, such an operation wouldn't have a magician of their own, meaning she could operate without interference.

...

Staring at the word-spaghetti on the paper in front of her that had borne the brunt of her unsupervised thoughts, Cecilia couldn't help but frown a bit. It was natural that many of her thoughts focused on what is close or familiar, but she couldn't help but think that even if caution was necessary she was spending a bit too much thought on her mysterious new companion. She only forgave herself after acknowledging that they still don't know much about the kidnappings, and reminding herself that she had pushed off other matters of the city's wellbeing off nearer to her departure, when she'd abandoned the secrecy around her magical talents.

...

"- ah." As Cecilia stepped out of the restaurant an hour or so later, she thought upon the documents gathered in her hand and realized a point that her inquisitor friend and she herself had both missed. If the guard were thoroughly compromised, why go through so much effort to make suspicious alterations of patrol routes around crime scenes? Shouldn't the paperwork be a bit more discreet about it?

Bookmarking the thought in case it might be important for locating primary suspects later, Cecilia looked around but didn't see the dusty brown coat she was looking for nearby. Thinking that it had been a while, she whistled a quiet note while standing in wait, only feeling the moderate tension in her heart relieved when she heard hooves on stone a few minutes later. "There you are. Took a stroll?" Cecilia watched carefully as Del's head shook with a huff, the horse whipping its tail in the direction where it had come from with raised ears.

"... ? Are you losing your sense of smell?" Cecilia was concerned as this was the second time today Del had given such a response, and while normally she would take it seriously she had a bit of doubt about the incident of the morning. Furrowing her brows, she patted Del on the neck and mounted, directing Del to go back the way she came. But while the mount seemed agitated and on edge in the empty alley that it took her to, the rider was not blessed with the same keen senses and could only look around helplessly before shrugging her shoulders.



With a few pets and comforting words, Cecilia directed Del away from the area and towards one of the two market squares of Bursa, thinking of what all she might buy. A sewing kit would probably be necessary, since she didn't know sizes, and then...

 

[Aron the Aron]

Holy Cathedral of Bursa
Bursa, Takheit Republic
October 17th, 1029

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Infiltrating the Cathedral had been pathetically simple.

Though the Cathedral nave was beautifully kept and lit by generous Takheitian sunlight, there was nary a mouse to be spotted warming the empty wooden pews, meaning that her infiltration through the steeple high above had been largely unnecessary. The lack of bodies made for a straightforward and simple time though, and the laughable state of the local bishop's complacency only increased when Lumina discovered how... lax, everything seemed.

From a complete lack of simple chains or ropes to otherwise cordon off areas from errant worshippers, to the more alarming observation that any lock to be found was either unlocked or outright broken, the bishop either had absolutely no care towards the very place he was charged with keeping, or perhaps the bishop had grown magnitudes past complacent given that nobody seemed to care enough to exploit such glaring gaps in security.

Fine enough for the Daemonhunter; she was more than happy to explore and investigate unmolested.

The bishop's own private study was predictably a sidedoor and hallway away from prying eyes, and a quick and otherwise rudimentary search through a mountain of parchment and paper (who knew the bishop was a lazy and messy bookkeeper?) brought about a ton of intriguing and concerning details about her latest person of interest.

Payments, bribes, and extortions. All the usual signs of nepotism and corruption that otherwise fell outside of Lumina's main jurisdiction were plain to behold without an ounce of effort to being hidden, and yet the finer details started a narrative that rang bells in her head. In the bishop's own colorful and atrocious handwriting, the overwhelming of bribes being paid out weren't to him, but from him. It stunk of a larger conspiracy and a headache for the resident Inquisitor; she would have to leave quickly to properly gather her thoughts and findings in relative safety.

She still had one more item on her ever-growing list of "things to do" to tend to, and it concerned a certain Cardinal...

- I did not have long in the small library of the local church, but I noticed several shelves without dust and yet missing their books. However, according to records I received from the Librarian, there should only be three books checked out at the moment. It's difficult to put my finger on, but something smells suspicious about this - even the most innocuous of texts can inform and persuade a mind opened to them, and I am almost certain some books were missing from the restricted section as well. Ever since the incident a year ago at Ajjak, I've found myself being oddly obsessed with these small details.

---

Holy Cathedral of Bursa - Library
Bursa, Takheit Republic
October 17th, 1029

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​

When Lumina recalled Cardinal Daube's notes, she had come to expect a bookshelves with only sparse gaps where a single book was supposed to be. Color her surprised when she discovered that Cecilia had been a lot more literal when she wrote down "several shelves without dust and yet missing their books". Shelves conspicuously deprived of half, if not all of their contents could be seen dotting the Cathedral's myriad collection, and with nobody around to tend to the place, Lumina helped herself and got to work. Certainly there had to be something that she could latch onto, a line of logic that could help her frame what was missing and why it would be missing.

...

...

... got it.

---

Traveller's Bazaar
Bursa, Takheit Republic
October 17th, 1029
-------------------------------------------------------------------​

When "Felicia" finally erased her tracks and slipped away from the Cathedral, it had been a fair hour or so since she had left the Cardinal to her own devices. It was an hour longer than she would've preferred, but she knew there were few other options on the table. Cardinal Daube, while presently of enough mind and body to be out and about, had not painted a spectacular image of health, and given the Cardinal's earlier remarks...

"I -" She stopped for a moment to catch her breath before continuing, "I'm glad you're the one who... walked through that door tonight..." Every word seemed to sap energy from the woman, yet she kept on all the same, the light of the candle pushed between them flickering on something in her dull, tired eyes. "I'm afraid I'll... not be able to... Say that I did my best, against the next assassin."

... She needed to return to the Cardinal's side quickly. Perhaps she would be delighted to hear about what progress had been made with the Inquisitor's less-than-ideal methods, but her health and safety came first and foremost.

Luckily, she didn't have to go very far to reunite with the pinkette...

 

[That Lass Over There]

Luckily, she didn't have to go very far to reunite with the pinkette...​

... Or, at least, that was what "Felicia" had thought, heading to the inn. Neither the Cardinal nor her mount were back, however, leaving the Daemon Hunter-turned-bodyguard wondering where on earth her sickly charge may have run off to in the span of a few hours. The worry that had been mostly tame in the back of her mind till now started growing louder and louder, repeating that one painful scene of the frail woman admitting her weakness and fear.

Sound logic said that she should wait at the inn for at least a small amount of time since she had no idea where the Cardinal might be in this large city. After all, Cecilia might have simply gone out on some errands not expecting her to be back so early and will come back at any moment.

- Sound logic was drowned out by the voice screaming the most disastrous scenarios in her head, however.

...

Cecilia walked out of the store with a set of clothes, handing it to the teenage girl that had been waiting outside. "Thank you... I'm sorry it's taken a while. Are you thirsty?" While she spoke her words of concern the girl added the clothes to the small pile of goods that had been purchased in this market trip, ultimately shaking her head no. With a bitter smile as she thought of the reverent attitude this child has treated her with the last two hours, Cecilia could only think to herself that she should make sure to give the girl a bit extra before parting.

"In that case, let's go." Cecilia had purchased the clothes and more than she had originally set out for, ending up needing to ask the girl to help her carry things as she had forgotten to stop by the inn to pick up Lind. She felt bad making the girl walk for a moment, before she remembered that someone of good health wouldn't find this much an issue. Even so, maybe I should give her a third silver-?



Cecilia's thoughts were interrupted though as she caught a blank stare from the crowd, from someone so distant she almost didn't catch it. She gave a second look and realized with a start that it was her new companion staring at her, apparently already done with whatever snooping there had been to do. At the very least, the woman wasn't carrying any visible evidence so that was a bit of a relief - at least she seemed to have been a bit less reckless this time.

That did make things awkward, though, as she remembered the inquisitor's apparent discomfort with strangers and the little lady that she had hired to accompany her trip. Torn between the pressure of dismissing her temporary helper for the comfort of her companion and the decision of what to do with the purchased goods once she did, Cecilia ended up watching to see whether the inquisitor would approach or simply walk away like some shady individual now that they made eye contact.

 

[Aron the Aron]

... Or, at least, that was what "Felicia" had thought, heading to the inn. Neither the Cardinal nor her mount were back, however, leaving the Daemon Hunter-turned-bodyguard wondering where on earth her sickly charge may have run off to in the span of a few hours. The worry that had been mostly tame in the back of her mind till now started growing louder and louder, repeating that one painful scene of the frail woman admitting her weakness and fear.

Sound logic said that she should wait at the inn for at least a small amount of time since she had no idea where the Cardinal might be in this large city. After all, Cecilia might have simply gone out on some errands not expecting her to be back so early and will come back at any moment.

- Sound logic was drowned out by the voice screaming the most disastrous scenarios in her head, however.

Traveller's Bazaar
Bursa, Takheit Republic
October 17th, 1029
-------------------------------------------------------------------​

... Where was she?!

Lumina wasn't normally one for losing her cool, but the combination of her charge's poor health and admittance that she did have attempts on her life taken before did not paint a pretty picture in her head, thus her frantic search through the sandy alleyways of Bursa. Turn after turn, fork after fork, court after court, and she couldn't spot a single tint of pink hair amidst the vibrant colors of passerbys; only the modest coverings of veiled men and women taking shelter from the scorching heat or browsing exotic wares were all that could be seen in the sea of daily life.

Before long that panic began settling into a terrifying chill as the Inquisitor made another turn around a corner...

Lo and behold, Cardinal Cecilia Daube was atop her steed through the busy market, a young lass no older than a teenager with a small mountain of various cloth articles following behind her. In the time Lumina had taken to infiltrate, snoop, and scarper, it seemed the Cardinal had taken as an opportunity to go... clothes shopping?

Cecilia's thoughts were interrupted though as she caught a blank stare from the crowd, from someone so distant she almost didn't catch it. She gave a second look and realized with a start that it was her new companion staring at her, apparently already done with whatever snooping there had been to do.

At the very least, the Cardinal being in sight no worse for wear (and that was saying much given her health) did abate the Inquisitor's fretting. "Felicia" took the moment to steady and steel herself before turning her gaze away from the Cardinal. Just because she was unharmed didn't mean she wasn't in danger, so the Inquisitor took that time to check. Rooftops, windows, alleyways, and market stalls alike were all quickly scanned with a scrutinizing eye; each glance elsewhere a lifetime worth of spotting, evaluating, and deciding before ultimately moving on.

And to "Felicia's" consternation, she couldn't quite shake off the anxiety that had settled in the back of her head. She would stick around, maintain an ever-watchful vigil over Cecilia from afar until her safe return to the inn. Until then, "Felicia" elected to stay to the wayside and a respectful distance from Cecilia: ahead far enough that she wouldn't disturb her charge conducting what appeared to be her own business (while also maintaining some measure of incognito behavior that wouldn't link the two together), but still just close enough that the Daemonhunter could intervene with a crossbow bolt in a heartbeat...

 

[That Lass Over There]

Cecilia remained bewildered as she watched the inquisitor hold eye contact for several more seconds before looking around the environment, keeping some paces ahead. The encounter overall was rather strange, but at least her dilemma seemed to have come to an answer of its own. Now, she and her temporary helper made their way along back to the inn with an unexpected and unusual +1, her hired help seeming none the wiser to the brief exchange of glances.



While they made their way, Cecilia couldn't help but get caught up on the woman's oddly frantic demeanor when she first saw her. Was there something that had happened? Why did her nominal escort seem so frantic at first, yet so (comparatively) calm now? It wouldn't make sense to have calmed down before they had even spoken about it if it were something about the investigation into Kaya... It had something to do with her?

The walk to Geldhearth Inn wasn't too far, but Ceci still had several minutes to ruminate on the scene stuck in her head until she remembered their meeting last night and a silent little voice whispered a conclusion to her: She was worried? About me?

Perhaps that shouldn't have been a surprise... If anything, Cecilia was frustrated with the constant coddling as if she were a cripple - but, the inquisitor hadn't been worried because of her health. She'd been worried over a single sentence, though the Cardinal did have an illogical, darkening thought as she wondered if she would have been taken as seriously had she said how often assassins came after her. Certainly, an attempt on her life every eight or so months on average was nothing to sniff at, but it was a far cry from someone at the top of the Holy Choir's hit-list.



Cecilia took her brain off the gas pedal as she noticed her escort disappear from view, and she realized that they had arrived at the inn. After a moment of thinking, she reached into her pouch and pulled out three silver coins, showing them to the girl she had gotten as help before dropping the coins into the girl's waiting hands. "You can hand everything over to me... I have someone to help me inside. Thank you, for your hard work." She received the items from the girl with sparkling eyes and waved her off best she could with an armful of items before turning her gaze back over to a shady corner.

"... If you don't mind... I could use some help dismounting."

 

[Aron the Aron]

After a moment of thinking, she reached into her pouch and pulled out three silver coins, showing them to the girl she had gotten as help before dropping the coins into the girl's waiting hands. "You can hand everything over to me... I have someone to help me inside. Thank you, for your hard work." She received the items from the girl with sparkling eyes and waved her off best she could with an armful of items before turning her gaze back over to a shady corner.

"... If you don't mind... I could use some help dismounting."

"... Nn."

Seamlessly, the shadows gave way to a familiar sight of black and white, arms outstretched in waiting as "Felicia" gently helped the Cardinal down from atop her mount and took on what could be best described as a molehill of clothing. Cecilia did not look like the sort to wear much of anything outside of her vestments... Was all of it meant for her? Did "Felicia" need to tell her that she didn't really need to wear anything besides her own vestments and armor?

Well, they were both going to discuss things anyways; she could bring it up after catching her charge up on her findings.

---

Geldhearth Inn - Cecilia's Room
Bursa, Takheit Republic
October 17th, 1029
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After a brief moment taking care of Del, and with the Innkeeper's daughter soon to come with light refreshments, the duo of charge and guardian returned to the cozy sanctuary that was the former's room. The small mountain of clothes safely sat atop a cushioned seat "Felicia" pulled from nearby, and after making sure the Cardinal was comfortably sat on the side of her bed...

"... The Cathedral library... Your hunch is well founded." It was probably best if she started with the smaller matters first; better so "Felicia" had an extra few seconds to properly formulate her findings. "... The missing books... I cross-referenced with the librarian's records... You were on to something... The missing texts share a theme... History."

 

[That Lass Over There]

After a brief moment taking care of Del, and with the Innkeeper's daughter soon to come with light refreshments, the duo of charge and guardian returned to the cozy sanctuary that was the former's room. The small mountain of clothes safely sat atop a cushioned seat "Felicia" pulled from nearby.

"... The Cathedral library... Your hunch is well founded." It was probably best if she started with the smaller matters first; better so "Felicia" had an extra few seconds to properly formulate her findings. "... The missing books... I cross-referenced with the librarian's records... You were on to something... The missing texts share a theme... History."

"... The library?"

Cecilia's voice came out in a quiet breath as she stood just in front of her bed, listening to the inquisitor start her report in a most unexpected place. Her eyes reflected a glint of light from the window behind her companion as she shuffled forward imperceptibly, thoughts once again running unchecked through her mind. This silly girl, why did she spend time on such an awful lead? It did end up going somewhere as the Cardinal's gut had told her, but Cecilia's racing thoughts were nowhere on the implications of missing tomes of history at the moment.

Instead, they went back to a few minutes ago and that buzzing feeling that had dropped off picked back up again as Cecilia's lips pulled up into a light little smile, shuffling a little more closer. "You... Really investigated that?"



In what felt like no time at all the distance between them had been reduced to near zero, but the inquisitor didn't take much distance away from the Cardinal's advance. Face nearly blank as always.

It seemed, maybe, just a bit, today Cecilia was feeling a little unstable. Maybe it was the scare that her new companion had given her last night, or maybe she was just of ill humors. But what she knew was that she could rarely resist her impulsive side, and this was not one of those rare occasions. In a split second development, the last bit of distance between the two was covered and Cecilia's thin arms snaked around the inquisitor in a hug, holding the woman to her tightly as possible.

Face hidden in the inquisitorial robes covering her companion's shoulder, the Cardinal mumbled, "... Before the reports... Thank you." Cecilia's fingers dug a bit into the inquisitor's clothing as her voice cracked, but after a momentary shake and a lack of tears she released her new companion with the realization of their improper distance and the sensations she felt from the contact. "... Sorry."



In the awkward silence Cecilia broke with the question she had been wondering and wanted to confirm, lest she feel a fool for the moment of vulnerability just now. "A few minutes ago... Were you looking for me? Because you were worried?"

 

[Aron the Aron]

In what felt like no time at all the distance between them had been reduced to near zero, but the inquisitor didn't take much distance away from the Cardinal's advance. Face nearly blank as always.

It seemed, maybe, just a bit, today Cecilia was feeling a little unstable. Maybe it was the scare that her new companion had given her last night, or maybe she was just of ill humors. But what she knew was that she could rarely resist her impulsive side, and this was not one of those rare occasions. In a split second development, the last bit of distance between the two was covered and Cecilia's thin arms snaked around the inquisitor in a hug, holding the woman to her tightly as possible.

Face hidden in the inquisitorial robes covering her companion's shoulder, the Cardinal mumbled, "... Before the reports... Thank you." Cecilia's fingers dug a bit into the inquisitor's clothing as her voice cracked, but after a momentary shake and a lack of tears she released her new companion with the realization of their improper distance and the sensations she felt from the contact. "... Sorry."

"... You're welcome."

It had been the faintest whisper, two simple words that could be scarcely heard over her breath, but words that felt so loud in their shared space. Cecilia's arms were so warm around her waist, and the weight on her shoulder felt comfortable, like the Cardinal had chosen to take refuge in her presence.

She would never voice it, but the spots around her waist and on her shoulder felt conspicuously colder when Cecilia pulled away.

In the awkward silence Cecilia broke with the question she had been wondering and wanted to confirm, lest she feel a fool for the moment of vulnerability just now. "A few minutes ago... Were you looking for me? Because you were worried?"

"Felicia" nodded without a second of hesitation. Those few minutes of searching had been with a dread that "Felicia" would rather not experience again. The anxiety voicing itself in her head so loudly, the worry of what could've happened to the Cardinal in the space of time she had not been around... She hated that feeling, hated how it crept into the darkest recesses of her mind and festered like an ugly wound, hated how it whispered the worst to her consciousness...

"... Of course I was... How could I have not?"

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... Of course I was... How could I have not?"

So, it wasn't that something happened. Her companion had simply remembered the brief words of last night, and worried on not seeing her here at the inn waiting.

Just a bit, Cecillia's smile trembled a bit as she held back her emotions to avoid another unprompted delicate moment, simply humming in response. Of course the inquisitor had, it was her job - that was what Cecilia fought back her swarming thoughts with as she was touched by the gentle tone of the woman's voice.



Speaking of, the Cardinal once again remembered the details that she had neglected to share about the assassination attempts that surely were what had her companion concerned, and decided now was a better time to elaborate than later. "... Silencers come after me, ever since I started this." Quite literally, she had been accosted only ten days out from Heiligburg, though that in particular of all of them had been a confusing affair.

"An average of eight months apart, less frequent now." Cecilia stopped to take another breath, both because of the subject matter and her growing weariness from the day. "They're overdue, and last night, I was so tired... I thought..." Cecilia thought of the feelings that had been rushing through her mind last night as she listened to the footsteps outside, and couldn't help but feel a bit disgusted with herself even among the fear and exhaustion.

With the her, who had fully expected an assassin, and answered the door lying down.



"- if you don't have any questions about that... shall we move on to the reports now?" She desperately wanted to change topics after that thought.

 

[Aron the Aron]

Speaking of, the Cardinal once again remembered the details that she had neglected to share about the assassination attempts that surely were what had her companion concerned, and decided now was a better time to elaborate than later. "... Silencers come after me, ever since I started this." Quite literally, she had been accosted only ten days out from Heiligburg, though that in particular of all of them had been a confusing affair.

"An average of eight months apart, less frequent now." Cecilia stopped to take another breath, both because of the subject matter and her growing weariness from the day. "They're overdue, and last night, I was so tired... I thought..." Cecilia thought of the feelings that had been rushing through her mind last night as she listened to the footsteps outside, and couldn't help but feel a bit disgusted with herself even among the fear and exhaustion.

With the her, who had fully expected an assassin, and answered the door lying down.

... That was immensely concerning.

The many Tribunals of the Inquisition acted independently and were rarely cordial with each other, let alone the thought of coordination and cooperation. It wasn't unheard of to hear of tribunals butting heads over any matter; The Tribunal of the Voice and Tribunal of Silence were particular offenders who constantly tripped over each other when it came to matters of jurisdiction. Lumina herself was more than familiar with how the situation was a rapidly-fraying thread from collapsing into internal conflict.

Inquisitors of Silence being after her though? That was enough cause to be worried. That Tribunal was far from the most influential or powerful, but they were still Inquisitors nonetheless, and something niggled at Lumina that a future confrontation had the potential to end disastrously.

She would have to remain at the top of her game if she was to avoid a clusterfu-

"- if you don't have any questions about that... shall we move on to the reports now?"

"... Nn." The interruption from Cecilia had been a welcome one, and doubtless the two of them were eager to change topics.

"... As I said just before... All the missing books relate to Bursa's history..." When "Felicia" had connected the dots she found to their logical conclusion, it had painted a clearer picture than what Cecilia's initial findings implied. "... Records... old charters of governance... passed laws... taxation records... past leaders..." She continued to rattle off examples of what she had found during her time in the Cathedral Library. "... Someone wanted those records for a reason... I can't pinpoint a possible motive though..."

And she still had yet to get to the other half of her findings.

"... And the bishop... is he known for charity?"

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... Nn." The interruption from Cecilia had been a welcome one, and doubtless the two of them were eager to change topics.

"... As I said just before... All the missing books relate to Bursa's history..." When "Felicia" had connected the dots she found to their logical conclusion, it had painted a clearer picture than what Cecilia's initial findings implied. "... Records... old charters of governance... passed laws... taxation records... past leaders..." She continued to rattle off examples of what she had found during her time in the Cathedral Library. "... Someone wanted those records for a reason... I can't pinpoint a possible motive though..."

And she still had yet to get to the other half of her findings.

"... And the bishop... is he known for charity?"

"History?" At first, the idea of the missing books being all ancient, dusty books full of uninteresting factoids was surprising, but after the knee-jerk reaction she found herself returning to her initial misgivings about the missing books. Knowledge in all forms is a tool, and one that can be used both for keeping the peace and stirring trouble. "... Did you find anything about the missing books... In the restricted section? There were very few, but..." She didn't feel like she needed to expand on why books from the restricted section of a chapel's library needed minding, so she let herself trail off. She held major doubts that the books missing from there were simple documentation and historical records.

As for the - from Cecilia's view, rhetorical - question that her companion posed, she only shook her head no with a wry smile. "Owning several art pieces, that cost more than his wage... For a year?"

 

[Aron the Aron]

"History?" At first, the idea of the missing books being all ancient, dusty books full of uninteresting factoids was surprising, but after the knee-jerk reaction she found herself returning to her initial misgivings about the missing books. Knowledge in all forms is a tool, and one that can be used both for keeping the peace and stirring trouble. "... Did you find anything about the missing books... In the restricted section? There were very few, but..." She didn't feel like she needed to expand on why books from the restricted section of a chapel's library needed minding, so she let herself trail off. She held major doubts that the books missing from there were simple documentation and historical records.

"Felicia" gave a small incline of her head, a tiny nod of affirmation to the question. "... Nothing good; all... concerning in nature... Rituals and spellbooks of the worst kind." It didn't take a genius to know that the Church loved to keep sensitive (read: heretical) materials to themselves to prevent their sphere of influence from further devolving into chaos, but what the Cathedral held and lost was beyond a case of negligence...

"... I'll hang the bishop later... after we find where those books went."

As for the - from Cecilia's view, rhetorical - question that her companion posed, she only shook her head no with a wry smile. "Owning several art pieces, that cost more than his wage... For a year?"

... and that segued perfectly into "Felicia's" second half of her report.

"...So then making regular donations... would be out of place then?" She started off, deciding to start with the most important parts. "He's kept records, enough for his own noose... and someone else's... The currency he's receiving... most of it is going out to another party." And that was the piece "Felicia" believed would help in figuring out the complex web of events that was taking hold in Bursa; something that she couldn't help but feel were all tied to a few large focal points that she needed to find quickly.

"... Several thousands' worth in gold and silver... enough to fund an army or two... He's been paying someone off for some time to someone... but I don't know who..." Credit where it was due: the bishop might have been a corrupt incompetent, but he at least kept the mystery party without name (intentionally or not). But it left "Felicia" at a bit of a dead end. She probably could figure out who that mysterious third party was, but that would take time that she wasn't sure she could afford. "...He's left hundreds of promissory notes and letters... not a single name to be found."

 

[That Lass Over There]

Cecilia had a growing frown on her face as she understood the severity of the situation, not a complete stranger to the mess that seemed to be taking shape here. "It seems I'll be writing... A very different letter than planned, to the Choir." While the numbers and statement of the amount sounded quite a bit of hyperbole for the money that someone of Kaya's stature should have access to, it was becoming clear that there indeed was a greater conspiracy at play around the bishop. Related to the kidnappings or no, the missing restricted books and suspicious donations are more than half the story to damn the man to the noose that her partner was considering.

"No name... We'll have to investigate. And, whether this conspiracy relates to the... kidnappings." With furrowed brows, Cecilia considered their options. "... Dreadful as the thought is, it may be convenient for the investigation, if they're one and the same." She refused to expand on that thought further, though. In the picture that was starting to come together if that were the case, it would mean low chances of any of the victims still being alive. "If we have no other... options, we can take Kaya, for questioning. It's possible though... that he doesn't have a clue, who the money is going to. Or, we may... trigger something, unpleasant." With a large conspiracy on their plates, the consequences for biting off more than they're ready to chew could be much worse than a simple failure to catch anything. At the end of this, Bursa may well end in flames.



"..." At some point after their abrupt embrace, the Cardinal had taken a seat on the bedside, both arms pressed to the mattress as support for her upper body. "... Tomorrow, when we... investigate the sites. Let's look into the guard, not - themselves, but... their command. Structure. The guard itself... seems clean, but they are, likely compromised." There were a few other things to discuss, but Cecilia was reaching her more definite limits and besides...



The door of the room cracked open, breaking the line of powder that Cecilia had laid before their discussions. "Lady Cecilia? Are you there?" Peri, her knocks having gone unanswered, spoke through the crack she had made in the doorway, ignorant of the ward she had broken and the conspiracy that had been the topic in the room moments prior.

 

[Aron the Aron]

The door of the room cracked open, breaking the line of powder that Cecilia had laid before their discussions. "Lady Cecilia? Are you there?" Peri, her knocks having gone unanswered, spoke through the crack she had made in the doorway, ignorant of the ward she had broken and the conspiracy that had been the topic in the room moments prior.

Contrary to popular belief: swords did not in fact make a metallic noise when drawn, not unless a metal throat was deliberately built-into the scabbard.

By the time the Innkeeper's daughter had started to speak, "Felicia" had already drawn her blackened sword halfway with barely a sound to notify anybody else; its sinister dark blade standing out against the stark white Inquisitor before she realised who she had nearly drawn on. It was only after her eyes made contact with Peri's that she slackened and let her weapon fall out of her hand and back into its scabbard, and minded a small cough of embarrassment when she strode over and opened the door in a few silent steps.

That had been a characteristically quick reaction for someone who had been armed with the knowledge that her charge was assailed by other Inquisitors after her head, but a rather poor showing of how on-edge "Felicia" had been and was still coming down from. The spot of panic she had with not finding Cecilia earlier had clearly rattled the Inquisitor a bit, judging by how she refused to meet the young girl's eyes.

It didn't help that poor Peri stood stock still for far too long before remembering what she had come up for and scooted past "Felicia" for the more comforting presence of the Cardinal...

 

[That Lass Over There]

While not as on edge as her companion, Cecilia did have a split moment of hesitation when the door cracked open without warning. That moment's hesitation of getting the door, apparently, led to quite the scene as the Cardinal sat with an awkward smile, watching Peri slip past her companion and directly to her side. To the girl's credit, besides some trembling she seemed to have kept her wits from the scare, holding out a cup to Cecilia. "Um... I'm sorry for intruding."

"No, it's alright." Cecilia shifted her weight to her left arm and lifted her right to comfort the girl. She couldn't reach her head from her sitting position, unfortunately, so she gently stroked Peri's back to try and help calm her down. "My companion is... Just on edge. We were talking about, sensitive things." With both arms occupied, Cecilia couldn't immediately take the cup offered, though nobody seemed to mind for the moment.



The girl's wandering gaze found the disturbed line of whitish powder at the door and her eyes widened a bit before looking between the stoic inquisitor and the Cardinal, her mind filled with questions only half-answered by Cecilia's mischievous smile and finger on her lips. "Lady Cecilia, in the future, should I... Leave things at the door when I don't get a response?" Quick-witted, she caught on to the gist of what had happened and asked what the policy should be in the future. This only made Cecilia smile more as she looked at her companion, ever the silent recluse in the presence of others.

"Hm... It's fine. Checking is important. Call out just like now, and it should... be safe." At worst, she would just have to block something for Peri, which she didn't think out of her capabilities. It was much more important that someone be able to report immediately if something suspicious happened, and that would require checking on them. It also seemed like her companion had plenty of time to judge the situation, since the blade hadn't fully left its scabbard even with her being on-edge as she was. "Just... Don't rush in." Peri nodded, and with the girl calmed down Cecilia retracted her arm from comforting her to take the offered drink. In Peri's other hand was a plate of food, but Cecilia didn't know what to do with it at the moment. "Could you place that, on the dresser?"



Peri did as she was told, awkward as she walked past the inquisitor, and walked back through the door. "Anything else, Lady Cecilia?" The Cardinal shook her head, and Peri took her leave with a soft click of the door. Cecilia's gaze lingered on the door for a few moments before pushing herself up, placing the water cup on the dresser and pulling out her pouch to redo the ward.

 

[Aron the Aron]

Peri did as she was told, awkward as she walked past the inquisitor, and walked back through the door. "Anything else, Lady Cecilia?" The Cardinal shook her head, and Peri took her leave with a soft click of the door. Cecilia's gaze lingered on the door for a few moments before pushing herself up, placing the water cup on the dresser and pulling out her pouch to redo the ward.

Leave it to the person more comfortable talking to strangers to do damage control when "Felicia" could only stand by and look like a clot in the background. At minimum she didn't make the mistake of pointing her sword at an innocent, but she damn near did and looked the part of the classic stab-happy Inquisitor most people knew them for. But with the only civilian out the door and giving back their privacy, "Felicia" decided to indulge a spot of curiosity and knelt by the door.

"... Hm." The pinch of powder she took felt chalky and fine through the tough dark glove adorning her hands, a pretty regular material that she was sure she had a bottle of somewhere on her person. By all measures, the ward was a pretty bog-standard one that many ordained folk knew how to set by heart, and something that any Inquisitor worth their salt would know... well, discluding her.

Not for lack of knowledge or trying, but the more mystical arts were sadly beyond Lumina's grasp. Save the most basic of incantations, blessings, and wards, the blanchette was utterly mundane; Daemons certainly wouldn't care if she could or couldn't, and it was much behind the reason why she compensated in more unorthodox ways. After all, she didn't survive that long purely on dumb luck. That wasn't here or there though, and "Felicia" turned her attention to more pressing matters...

"... You sound unsteady... Are you alright?"

... Like Cecilia's condition.

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... You sound unsteady... Are you alright?"

... Like Cecilia's condition.

"Just tired." Cecilia brushed off the concern as she spread another ward, using the dresser to help herself back up with the most discrete push she could manage. "You... Saw me last night. I'll be fine, in the morning." ... It seemed, whatever progress between the two there was today, the Cardinal wasn't nearly done brushing off the concern for her health. Far from the prickly reception that concern had gotten last night, but deflection all the same.



With the ward done Cecilia took the cup of water back with her to the bed, swirling it in her hands and staring at the fluctuating surface as she thought about the many things she needed to discuss with her depleting bar of energy. "If you're... not aware, Bursa is rationing... water. They've suffered, a long drought."

Opting for a more visual demonstration to ease on her straining lungs, Cecilia waved her empty hand a distance over her sleeve and took away a small pile of sand, dust, and hairs in her palm. The debris seemed to float from her clothing and skin to her hand, and she held it out to show. "A damp towel, is a poor alternative." Her magical method, a paltry application of a cantrip, was a far cry from the comfort of a bath, but much more effective. She'd been using this to keep herself clean on her travels, unafraid of exposing knowing what amounted to a parlor trick.

"If you want." She made the offer thinking that it would be a sad thing for such a pretty lady to not be taken care of, always having taken cleanliness and grooming seriously among all the other noble habits that hadn't quite clicked with her.

 

[Aron the Aron]

"Just tired." Cecilia brushed off the concern as she spread another ward, using the dresser to help herself back up with the most discrete push she could manage. "You... Saw me last night. I'll be fine, in the morning." ... It seemed, whatever progress between the two there was today, the Cardinal wasn't nearly done brushing off the concern for her health. Far from the prickly reception that concern had gotten last night, but deflection all the same.

Deep down, the Inquisitor was calling bollocks. She could tell that Cecilia wasn't well off and needed far more than just a night's rest, but considering that she had been less than welcoming of any help before, "Felicia" decided to keep her mouth shut and instead voice her disagreement another time. Be it as it would; her poorly state needed intervention before the Cardinal worked herself to death.

With the ward done Cecilia took the cup of water back with her to the bed, swirling it in her hands and staring at the fluctuating surface as she thought about the many things she needed to discuss with her depleting bar of energy. "If you're... not aware, Bursa is rationing... water. They've suffered, a long drought."

Opting for a more visual demonstration to ease on her straining lungs, Cecilia waved her empty hand a distance over her sleeve and took away a small pile of sand, dust, and hairs in her palm. The debris seemed to float from her clothing and skin to her hand, and she held it out to show. "A damp towel, is a poor alternative." Her magical method, a paltry application of a cantrip, was a far cry from the comfort of a bath, but much more effective. She'd been using this to keep herself clean on her travels, unafraid of exposing knowing what amounted to a parlor trick.

"If you want." She made the offer thinking that it would be a sad thing for such a pretty lady to not be taken care of, always having taken cleanliness and grooming seriously among all the other noble habits that hadn't quite clicked with her.

"... The shortage isn't just Bursa... It's most of this province." Truth be told, a drought this far from a steady source of freshwater meant a city like Bursa would always be struggling if water became an issue. "... Even the capital was starting to show signs... Back when I passed through a week prior... Nobody knows what's going on." And if a nation's capital was showing worrying signs, then it meant ill for the rest of the Republic. Sadly, "Felicia" was no Saint who could will a miracle rainfall, not that she was one for praying anyways.

And though Cecilia's offer stood, "Felicia" quietly shook her head in declination. It was a kind gesture, but one she didn't want to indulge in for her own sake. "... I'm not averse to hardship... or discomfort... I'll be fine." A quick and demonstrative shake of her robes proved that the Inquisitor had mostly remained sand-free save whatever stuck to her boots, even if the sandstorm she passed through to get to Bursa a few days ago had been less than pleasant. "... Thank you though."

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... The shortage isn't just Bursa... It's most of this province." Truth be told, a drought this far from a steady source of freshwater meant a city like Bursa would always be struggling if water became an issue. "... Even the capital was starting to show signs... Back when I passed through a week prior... Nobody knows what's going on." And if a nation's capital was showing worrying signs, then it meant ill for the rest of the Republic. Sadly, "Felicia" was no Saint who could will a miracle rainfall, not that she was one for praying anyways.

And though Cecilia's offer stood, "Felicia" quietly shook her head in declination. It was a kind gesture, but one she didn't want to indulge in for her own sake. "... I'm not averse to hardship... or discomfort... I'll be fine." A quick and demonstrative shake of her robes proved that the Inquisitor had mostly remained sand-free save whatever stuck to her boots, even if the sandstorm she passed through to get to Bursa a few days ago had been less than pleasant. "... Thank you though."

Cecilia was offput by how the inquisitor seemed mostly unstained given that she hadn't taken any time to clean herself far as Cecilia had noticed, but her curiosity was redirected by the information that the drought was affecting more than Bursa. It made sense, given that she hadn't seen any local sources of water besides wells, but it was still surprising to learn since it hadn't been a detail to come up in her inquiries on the subject.

"That will... be difficult." The Cardinal didn't take any initiative to elaborate on what was difficult, almost sounding like she were pitying the people of the Takheit Republic in their plight. The whims of nature are brutal, being able to put such a large amount of people in danger without warning.

...

Putting aside the half-finished plate of food, more a snack than a meal, Cecilia looked over and remembered the clothes she had gone out shopping for in the first place. "The clothes are, for you. A bit late now, but... They'd help sell you, as another mercenary." In the first place, it bothered Cecilia on a logical level that such a secretive and feared lot as the Inquisitors had anything resembling a uniform; certainly it might be useful on occasions where they wield their authority in an official capacity, but for the most part she could only consider something so obvious as harming their shadowy approach to things.

And, well, with how ruffled Mazhar's feathers had been by her having an Inquisitor for company earlier that day, she thought it might be for the best if that were less obvious in the future. "The size is... a rough guess. If you need adjustments, I can make them." Though, she might have to stab her fingers a few times in practice, first. Sealing away her ability to magic things into existence for the sake of stealth was, at times like these, incredibly annoying.

 

[Aron the Aron]

Putting aside the half-finished plate of food, more a snack than a meal, Cecilia looked over and remembered the clothes she had gone out shopping for in the first place. "The clothes are, for you. A bit late now, but... They'd help sell you, as another mercenary." In the first place, it bothered Cecilia on a logical level that such a secretive and feared lot as the Inquisitors had anything resembling a uniform; certainly it might be useful on occasions where they wield their authority in an official capacity, but for the most part she could only consider something so obvious as harming their shadowy approach to things.

And, well, with how ruffled Mazhar's feathers had been by her having an Inquisitor for company earlier that day, she thought it might be for the best if that were less obvious in the future. "The size is... a rough guess. If you need adjustments, I can make them." Though, she might have to stab her fingers a few times in practice, first. Sealing away her ability to magic things into existence for the sake of stealth was, at times like these, incredibly annoying.

"... I already have clothes?" The slight tilt of "Felicia's" head made her seem to miss the point of why Cecilia had gotten them in the first place, but she knew that the Cardinal was offput by her snow-white robes that simply screamed "Inquisitor." The need for discretion was something that she understood the merits of, but simply never partook in. Why would a solo Daemonhunter ever need to hide themselves when they were meant to hunt down creatures from the darkest depths of hell? Leave the subterfuge and spycraft to other Inquisitor Tribunals like the Peacekeepers; Daemonhunters like her weren't meant for the social game.

The smattering collection of clothes were, as expected, mostly nondescript and articles that a travelling blade would wear under some basic armor. The obvious influence of design from local and geographical culture would've made it jarring for someone like her to wear, what with "Felicia's" uncanny pale complexion and paler hair color, and a simple measuring comparison of one particularly plain tunic to her torso told her that the Cardinal had been close, but not perfect with her guesstimations.

She couldn't fault Cecilia for not getting the size right; their heights were different, and while her robes made it difficult to tell, "Felicia" had a lithe and athletic form compared to Cecilia, who... drew envy with her curvaceousness.

"... If it's the robes... I can just take them off."

 

[That Lass Over There]

"... If it's the robes... I can just take them off."

"What?"

Ceci stared at the inquisitor with some color coming to her face as she processed what was said, thinking of what she had under her own vestments.



Or, well, the lack thereof besides some finer pieces of cloth.

Her flower-dyed imagination was brought under control quickly though as she realized that - while it sounded dreadfully uncomfortable in this hot climate - it wasn't particularly strange for an inquisitor to be wearing some form of gambeson or otherwise concealed armor under their cloak. Especially a Daemon Hunter, being primarily combat personnel, likely had armor and thicker underclothes as part of their wardrobe at all times. "Well... I hadn't, thought of that... Is it conspicuous?"

After all, there was little point in trading one form of conspicuousness for another.

 

[Aron the Aron]

"What?"

Her flower-dyed imagination was brought under control quickly though as she realized that - while it sounded dreadfully uncomfortable in this hot climate - it wasn't particularly strange for an inquisitor to be wearing some form of gambeson or otherwise concealed armor under their cloak. Especially a Daemon Hunter, being primarily combat personnel, likely had armor and thicker underclothes as part of their wardrobe at all times. "Well... I hadn't, thought of that... Is it conspicuous?"

After all, there was little point in trading one form of conspicuousness for another.

Instead of speaking further, "Felicia" decided that it was better to show Cecilia what she wore underneath; better that then trying to explain why she wore those robes overtop.

The robe had come off and apart in incremental parts, but the speed and efficiency with which "Felicia" dismantled and neatly piled it atop the bed spoke of a deliberate design to come apart in an emergency. The the gnarled and complex mess of black steel that was her headdress/head protection; the stole around her neck; the hidden leather loop by which her sword and scabbard hung from her hip; it was a fascinating process to observe up close, and spoke of the world that Daemonhunters (and perhaps Inquisitors as a whole) inhabited and lived in.

When the main part of the robes itself finally came off over "Felicia's" head, Cecilia suddenly had a thought: at no point prior had the Inquisitor's robes betrayed the fact that she had been wearing anything underneath, so what had been revealed was a surprise. The Daemonhunter, perhaps hinting to how silent she could be, wore relatively light wear under those robes of hers: little more besides a woolen gambeson and tough leather gloves and boots that reached above the knees. But it wasn't the armor that surprised the Cardinal, no...

It was all the weapons "Felicia" carried overtop.

It was a dizzying arsenal of weapons and tools in dozens of different leather straps, slings, and pouches all over, almost constituting an entire additional layer of protection. The simple black sword at her hip, the dagger behind her waist, the crossbow and throwing knives safely sheathed over the back of her shoulders, the blowgun, the bottles, and God knew what the hell were hanging from her belt.

And the best part was how Cecilia had been none the wiser the entire time.

 

[That Lass Over There]

It was a dizzying arsenal of weapons and tools in dozens of different leather straps, slings, and pouches all over, almost constituting an entire additional layer of protection. The simple black sword at her hip, the dagger behind her waist, the crossbow and throwing knives safely sheathed over the back of her shoulders, the blowgun, the bottles, and God knew what the hell were hanging from her belt.

"... Is it conspicuous?"

"That... Would be a, yes." The Cardinal, feeling awkward about the bizarre sight in front of her, could only eek out that thought as a response. As for why her companion had enough blades and items to arm a small squad on her own, she didn't know, but she could imagine that it was something the person in question is quite attached to. "Well... At least, I understand the... point of the robe, now." The loose fitting cloth provided enough opportunities to hide such concealed weapons from unskilled eyes as long as the general form of the human body wasn't disturbed, though Cecilia felt it was a little reality breaking, even for someone of her lack of training, to not be able to notice this being hidden under the robe.

"... It doesn't matter, for now." They already missed the window to be discrete in Bursa by walking around together in broad daylight, and Cecilia didn't feel like this sort of thing would be quickly substituted. Kicking the can down the road might not be the best thing to do if she just thought 'it wouldn't be quick', but this hardly felt like a headache she wanted to be tackling this night when she was hitting her limits. "Is there... Anything else?" Knowing she could be prone to forgetfulness when handling several thoughts at once, the Cardinal wanted to double check with her companion before declaring it a night.

 

[Aron the Aron]

"... It doesn't matter, for now." They already missed the window to be discrete in Bursa by walking around together in broad daylight, and Cecilia didn't feel like this sort of thing would be quickly substituted. Kicking the can down the road might not be the best thing to do if she just thought 'it wouldn't be quick', but this hardly felt like a headache she wanted to be tackling this night when she was hitting her limits. "Is there... Anything else?" Knowing she could be prone to forgetfulness when handling several thoughts at once, the Cardinal wanted to double check with her companion before declaring it a night.

"... Rest."

It hadn't been so much a suggestion from the Inquisitor as it had been an order borne of concern. Cecilia's ailing condition was plain enough for a blind man to see, and "Felicia" was in the midst of carefully stowing away the extra clothes she had just received in an empty drawer. She wasn't quite sure where she would find the time or effort to modify such clothes to better suit her demands (which were lofty in the face of her... uniqueness), but "now" had been far from appropriate.

"... We can discuss everything tomorrow... For tonight... just rest... and recover."

Soon, "Felicia" had snuffed what little light they had save a simple oil lantern on a desk, letting only its faint golden glow and moonlight as the only ways to look around. And having once more seated herself back on the uncomfortable-looking chair sat in the far corner of the room, "Felicia" settled into the same half-vigil that she had done the night before. Her breathing slowed down, and her tense muscles relaxed...

and then it was like the Inquisitor had become a part of the background.

 

[That Lass Over There]

...

Bursa, Takheit Republic
An alleyway close to a suspected kidnapping
October 18th, 1029​

Cecilia had just an hour ago sent Peri off with a few letters and the materials her companion had 'borrowed' yesterday, giving the girl an uncharacteristically strict warning about the confidentiality of all the materials she would be handling before sending her off. The poor girl looked scared under the weight of the duties entrusted to her, but Cecilia insisted that she take the items she had woken her roommate preparing long before sunrise that morning.

... That the inquisitor thought the reassurances and gentle pleas to convince the girl to take the task almost resembled the sight of a scandalous noble wooing a girl into doing something awful, was a secret best left unsaid.



Immediately after seeing off the girl and giving her a trinket from Cecilia's bag for 'good luck', the Cardinal had led the way down to the stables to get Del while briefly filling her escort in on the planned procedures for the day. Her intention to start investigating with the scenes that Mazhar suspected perpetrated with magical means, so that they could immediately establish an idea of what they may be dealing with and decide what measures need taking, as well as hopefully investigating the officials with sway over the city guard to have effected the oddities the Inquisitor had noticed in the case files. That happening today depended on how quickly they would receive a response from the captain, if at all.

...

Before long they arrived in front of an alleyway, a pass from a major street in Bursa to a backstreet home to a residential area. Far from the most secluded area, there were many witnesses who saw the missing person walking nearby and in a blink of an eye - what can only be assumed to be the same time frame - all lost sight of him. The strange part was how there was no sight of any interaction or diversion, the man simply vanished in this approximate area by all accounts.

With this and the other two cases sharing similar circumstances, it could only be assumed less mundane means were employed.

"I noticed while peeking one last time at the case files - these three, none of them bore the same marks as the others of having patrols diverted or the meticulous avoidance of eyewitnesses - yet, they fell subject to the same case interference, and even though it feels obvious nobody can find a trace. The cases likely are linked but perpetrated by different individuals. It's not just because I want to check that there's a mage involved, I also think that this sloppier perpetrator will be our best lead."



Del's hooves clacked on the loose tile pavement dusted with dirt and sand, the alley empty save the horse and two ladies for the moment. Cecilia had purposefully rushed to arrive early in the morning before most could start the day, and it seemed to have paid off.

"Like discussed." The Cardinal said to her Inquisitor companion, watching as the white-haired head skulked off into the shadows. To keep lookout for any suspicious onlookers and to keep out anyone who might stumble into the scene, Cecilia had asked her escort to maintain a perimeter and report after if anything unusual was noticed.

The Cardinal herself, meanwhile, was in charge of investigating at least this first site they had come to visit. Confirming from a signal that nobody was nearby for the moment, Cecilia closed her eyes and reached out in a sense that she rarely found herself exercising these days, feeling the world in a way different than most could even dream of. The vague shape of Del bellow her, remaining obediently still to not disturb her, the bricks and tiles around reflecting the sun's rays, and the swaying of the breeze through the world. A fantastical way to 'see', and one of the fundamental skills for a mage wanting to do more than parlor tricks.



Feeling her way through the world around almost as though she were extending her hands to create a visualization entirely on touch, she twitched when she reached a dreadfully familiar sensation of punching through nothingness. Like extending your hand for a doorknob in the darkness, but the door is open.

Yet, as she felt around, she realized that these pockets were small and well-concealed. Far from the work of an amateur who should have known better, if Cecilia were any less experienced or in a bit of a rush she would have entirely overlooked these tiny tears in the immaterial reality surrounding them. With a nudge, Del slowly walked forward, Cecilia observing every nook and cranny of the area in meticulous detail before she was finally satisfied and called out, "Do you want the bad news first? Or the worse news?"