Dancers in the Dark
Session Four of the Path Perfidious Campaign

Morday, 48 Suntask 204 [continued]

It is now late afternoon. Tarrashar is expected to arrive in town this evening, his presence, and the possibility that the Enclave could be moved closer, serves the galvanise the party. They know that Troupe Torrando launched the fireballs and that Molontov gave them the means to do so, but how should they pursue this? It is suggested that Jass wines and dines Senza and tries to get information out of her but Salamar stamps on that idea. "We would just be showing our hand. We have no reason to suspect that she would betray her fellows. The fact she did not fire than mortar should not lead us to consider her an ally."

Jass is too distracted to be of much help. This whole business with the eye has him badly worried. He has to find out more about it, and more of what is in store for him. Bronx listens to Isiah's quick explanation of what happened to Jass and then offers to remove the eye with his magic axe. Jass politely turns down the barbarian's offer.

"There is one thing that can be done now," says Varamil. And goes on to ask the party to deal with the demonic carrion eater that is probably still lurking in the Bobbin crypt in the necropolis beneath the temple. Salamar asks if the area couldn't be filled with warriors, but Varamil wants the matter kept quiet. The party agree.

Jass, Salamar, Kak, Isiah, Torgellias and Bronx descend the stone steps down into the earth. At the heavy door that marks the entrance to the third subterranean level they stop. Salamar fishes out the heavy key that Varamil gave him and unlocks the door. They enter a room of utter darkness. The necros takes the flaming torch he is carrying and touches a river of oil that sits in an alcove in the wall. The oil ignites in a line of flame that shoots out along the stone walls illuminating a vast space.

This level of the necropolis is several hundred yards to a side and made up of free-standing tombs and sarcophagi of rough stone and smooth. There are hundreds upon hundreds of these tombs. Great avenues and small paths wind their way between them. It is a maze down here. Fortunately, Salamar knows the way and strikes off in the right direction. Their shadows cast frightening shapes against the crypts and Isiah is more than a little unnerved by his surroundings. The thought that there is demon somewhere in this place does little to calm his spirits.

Spells are cast to detect magic and evil to help track down their prey. It is at this point that they notice Jass's new eye is glowing red, and that an evil presence is discernible from it. Jass swears and claps his hand over his eye. He then stops and proceeds to wind some cloth around it as an impromptu eye-patch. "It knows we're here; we should proceed with haste," says Salamar.

The party head toward the Bobbin crypt, but not as a single unit. Salamar and Isiah are slow and Kak waits for Jass to fix his eye-patch. It is Torgellias that arrives first. The door to the crypt is ajar, he pushes it inward and walks in. There is rubble on the ground a smell of profound filth. The empty skin of Whelby Bobbin can be seen on the floor. Above are stone shelves that contain other coffins, many of them sliced open and parts of the remains have been eaten.

Bronx enters the tiny crypt, blearing myopically into the darkness. He thinks he sees movement out of the corner of his half-closed eye. Bronx shouts, hefts the axe and swings. Torgellias reacts instinctively and dives out of the crypt. The barbarian's mad swing connects with one of the supports for the stone shelves. It fractures and swings toward him, knocking Bronx into the door and slamming it closed. Bronx collapses to the ground under half a ton of masonry. Torgellias looks back at the closed crypt door. There is dust rising from the ground.

The noise of the crash has echoed around the entire chamber. Very soon the other four rush over and Torgellias tells them what happened. Salamar examines the door. It opens inwards and Bronx and the rubble are directly on the other side preventing it from opening. The barbarian himself, who is alive and swearing like a trooper, has no leverage and cannot pull himself out of the mess. He is well and truly trapped. Marvellous. After five minutes they have lost their most powerful warrior and they haven't even seen the carrion-eater yet.

Torgellias climbs onto the roof of the crypt and tries to squeeze in through a small aperture. He succeeds and is standing on the top of the rubble and on top of Bronx. Salamar illuminates the inside with a light spell. Torgellias (who is the only one who can get in) can do nothing to dig out Bronx from this side. He gets out his tools but soon discovers that he cannot even get at the door hinges while the door is closed. The entire thing is rather comical. Kak, Jass and Salamar put their heads together and try to come up with a solution.

Isiah, the only one not directly participating in freeing Bronx, stands before the Bobbin crypt looking out at the vista of sarcophagi. Then he sees something odd. His missing nephew Jedidiah de Chesiré can be seen walking across an avenue, only to disappear from view behind a crypt. Isiah wants to call out, but he cannot. Suddenly it doesn't seem important, as if a bewitching haze has fallen over him. He must find Jedidiah. The old hobbit scampers off.

"Where are you going?" asks Salamar, but he cannot stop Isiah – and he certainly cannot chase after him. Salamar sends Kak to chase Isiah, but even the monk soon loses him in the maze of tombs. Torgellias follows into the darkness to see if he can help. Jass and Salamar remain at the tomb with the still cursing Bronx.

Isiah heads down to a group of crypts that are clustered close together forming a dead end. Jedidiah is there. Pleased, Isiah rushes forward to embrace his nephew. Jedidiah smiles, his skin ripples and he becomes the carrion-eating demon they are looking for. The bulbous baby-shaped nasty, with its pallid green skin, mouth full of pointy teeth and single claw longer that it is, giggles and lurches at Isiah. The claw slices over the priest's head, missing him by a whisker. The enchantment broken, Isiah screams and flees.

The scream is heard by Brother Kak. The monk, who has clambered up onto one of the sarcophagi to get a better look around sees the cleric's peril and dives to help. Years of discipline and training as a member of the Order of Infinite Tranquillity are put to poor use as Kak's graceless flying kick sails a yard and a half over the monster's head. The carrion-eater gives Kak a quizzical expression and lashes out at Isiah. With one sweep it severs hobbit's leg.

Isiah's face contorts into an expression of mild surprise as he notices his leg rolling away into the darkness. Then he loses five pints of blood in five seconds and passes out. Kak recovers himself and gives the creature a good monkish uppercut. It staggers away with a bloody lip and seems quite badly hurt. It then runs off into the darkness. Kak picks up the bleeding form of Isiah and – glad that the hobbit is not conscious to feel it – plunges the bloody stump into the fire encircling the room to cauterise the wound.

At this point Torgellias appears. Kak quickly explains what happened as he gathers the various pieces of the hobbit and charges off to the temple of the Church of Life – Isiah's only hope of survival. In the meantime, Jass is setting to work with Torgellias's tools to try and free Bronx. He is having no success. Salamar summons a negative energy elemental hoping that the being will be able to break down the door with physical force. The amorphous blob of darkness has a good go, but the spell ends long before the door fractures.

Torgellias is now sauntering around the necropolis in the hope of being ambushed by the carrion-eater. He is confident that he will be able to best it in single combat, he just wishes that the thing would hurry up and show itself. He then leaps back as a demonic claw flails at him from the darkness and battle is joined. It is an epic confrontation of parries and thrusts. Torgellias is lacerated several times by the wicked claw, but fortunately nothing drops off. The hobbit's grit and heroism shines through, however, and it is the demon that collapses dead to the cold floor. This is the second time Torgellias has displayed a sublime skill in combat, and on both occasions there was no-one about to see it. He takes his short sword and calmly hacks off the vorpal claw at the wrist. Now here is something he can use.

When Torgellias returns to the crypt, Salamar and Jass are sitting with their backs to the door discussing what to do next. "I have a way into the tomb now!" the hobbit announces, not bothering to explain himself. The demon's claw passes through the stone of the crypt like a hot knife through butter. Inside Bronx gives a surprised yelp as the claw almost succeeds in de-earing him. Torgellias cuts a Bronx-sized hole in the door, and Jass drags the battered, bruised and embarrassed barbarian out.

As Bronx stands, Torgellias explains how he slew the demon while Bronx was just lying around, as well as what happened to Isiah. Trusting in Brother Kak, the group return to search the Bobbin crypt but find nothing left of any interest in the rubble.

While this happens, a supersonic Kak arrives at the Church of Life and cries for a healer. Several clerics rush forward and soon Isiah is healed and conscious, although he is still bereft of his left leg. This causes him distress that even Kak's grinning countenance cannot dispel. At this juncture, Cornice Bandalain, the high priest of the Church of Life arrives on the scene. She is one of the few clerics here capable of regrowing Isiah's leg. Of course, whether she wants to do is another matter. Bandalain is a blonde-haired, severe-looking woman in her middle years. She demands an explanation from Isiah who (considering his current paymasters) responds in what can only be described as a shifty manner. "Bring him to my chambers," Bandalain says to one of her acolytes. She then thanks Kak for rescuing one of her priests and leaves to speak with Isiah in private. Kak shrugs and returns to the House of Passing.

"Well?" Cornice Bandalain demands once the door of her elegant chambers has closed. Isiah, seeing that she is the only way he is going to get his leg back, smiles and tries to co-operate. He explains that he is working for Archnecrotain Varamil. Cornice is not happy. "You are a cleric of Life, not a Watcher! Your loyalties lie to this church, and to me. I want you to tell me everything that is going on, Isiah de Chesiré. Leave nothing out. When you have finished we will consider the matter of your leg."

Isiah tells Cornice everything about their investigation with the exception of Belerus Rothsman. He leaves out the part played by the ex-first flame of Infernus. Cornice listens to it all, tutting at the appropriate places. Isiah is not altogether certain that she swallowed the story of the plif. "An outlandish tale," she says. "Beyond your ability to invent I am sure. Very well, Isiah, I will restore your leg, but mark this well. You are my servant in this matter. I am your mistress. From now on anything you discover will be reported to me. Am I clear?" Isiah nod in response.

With the exception of Isiah, the rest of the group rendezvous in the office of Archnecrotain Varamil. Kak reports that Isiah is in the best of hands. Bronx presents Varamil with the body of the demon in a small bag. Varamil smiles politely and places it on the floor. Torgellias says he wants to keep the claw. He reckons that it will make a good weapon, if he can find someone to fit a handle on it. "I have no objection to you keeping it, Torgellias," says Varamil.

Jass talks to Varamil and describes the old Watcher that gave Neeva his replacement eye. Varamil doesn't recognise him from the description, but he has not been the archnecrotain here for long and there have been many comings and goings in that time. He suggests that Jass speak with a watcher who has been here for longer. Salamar suggests Necress Elsa. Jass determines to speak to her. Kak says that he will have a wander around and see if he can spot this old man himself – he may still be hanging about. In the meantime Salamar would like to interview that thug that Torgellias brought to the House of Passing a few nights ago and find out why he and his companions were following them. Bronx will go with Salamar to add some menace. Salamar asks Varamil to accompany them. As a higher ranking Watcher he has the power to tell if the man is lying. This could be very useful. He agrees to sit at the back and cough discreetly if the man lies. And thus the group splits up. Before they go, Kak turns to Bronx and says "Remember, we want answers, not just pulped thug."

Torgellias heads to the market. He finds a forge and a heavily muscled and more heavily moustached weaponsmith named Rufus. Torgellias shows him the demon claw and says that he needs a handle fitted to it. Rufus looks at the decomposing hand attached to the end of the weapon and Torgellias explains that it used to be attached to a demon. Rufus is not happy about going anywhere near such a thing. However, for twenty crowns he would fit a handle to his own grandmother, and promises Torgellias that he will have it ready by the morning. The hobbit demonstrates how sharp the claw is by cutting the end off Rufus's anvil. Rufus is impressed and annoyed at the same time. Torgellias gives him money to cover the cost of the anvil and goes to the tavern for afternoon tea.

Jass finds Elsa in her quarters. She is not happy to talk to Jass. "Who are you?" she asks, "Why have you and your companions been given so much freedom to poke around ask questions about Ulish? Why do you try to sully his memory? I will speak to Varamil about this!" Jass tries to calm Elsa down. He says, "I'm not here to ask you anything about Ulish Van Caspan. This is another matter." He then gives a description of the old man who gave Neeva that eye. Elsa thinks for a moment and then nods her head. She does know him. "He has been around the Village for years. He's called Aldric Kurst."

Salamar and Bronx enter a small, windowless room. The only surviving member of the group who were following the party on 46th Suntask is uncomfortably strapped to a chair. Varamil sits at the back. Salamar smoothes into the interrogation. Initially the man, who is called Dort, won't say anything. When Bronx threatens to attack his knees with a hammer, he becomes slightly more talkative but still tries to lie. Discreet coughs from Varamil keep the duo on the right track however, although Bronx soon gets carried away with hitting the man even when he answers truthfully. "Do you think I'm stupid?" the barbarian roars. "No," says Dort. Varamil coughs.

At length they learn that Dort and his companions were met in The Dragon by a hooded man. They never saw his face. He paid them to take out the party. The entire thing was organised by Dort's brother Galvin. Of course, Galvin is now dead, killed by Torgellias. That is something Dort is bitter about. Bronx threatens to rip the man's ears off, but Salamar stays his hand. The necros believes that they have learned all they can from this man. They leave Dort to his recriminations and the knowledge that he probably doesn't have very long to live himself.

The luck of Brother Kak rings particularly true. As he is walking through the temple he catches sight of the man who provided the new eye for Jass. Kak looks around for the sorcerer and when he cannot see him, the monk discreetly follows the old man as he ambles in a carefree manner across the House of Passing and out into the grounds. The old man walks into the one garden that was not consumed by fire when the temple was destroyed by Bombastics last month. He stops, breathes in the fresh air and smiles. Kak conceals himself. The man then moves to the high garden wall and opens the wooden gate. He steps out on to the main north-south road that runs through the Village.

On the road is a procession. A band of nine individuals in red robes, each with a red eye emblazoned on their foreheads surround a man in elegant and voluminous robes of red, yellow and orange. He is a man of tall and regal bearing. Following them on horseback are dozens of armed men. Kak recognises the Firewalker, Tarrashar – head of the Church of Fire in Norandor. He has evidently come for the Enclave.

"This will cause trouble," the old man says aloud, his dark eyes fixed upon the Firewalker and his entourage. Kak can see no-one else in the vicinity that Kurst could be talking to, but he is certain the man could not have seen him. "Good afternoon, Brother Kak," Kurst smiles, turning. "How nice it is to see you again."

"You know me?" Kak asks, a little surprised. "I've seen you before, brother. I think it was the night before the archnecrotain died. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kurst, Aldric Kurst. You look surprised, brother. You should know that all secrets are there for a man who keeps his eyes open." Aldric Kurst is affable, friendly and obviously a fan of puns – not at all the sort of person that Kak expected him to be. However, there is understated sense of menace about the man. Kak cannot quite put his finger on what it is, but he feels Aldric Kurst is far more than he appears. Far more.

"About the eye you put in my friend's head," Kak begins…… "Ah," says Kurst, "there you are mistaken. It was not me who put the eye Jass's head. I was merely the purveyor of the eye. It was Neeva who did the deed." – "Yes, but you must know what it was for." – "It was for Jass's own good. After all, had he not just lost his own eye? One would think he'd be pleased to get such a faultless replacement, and so quickly."

"But he wouldn't have needed the eye if you hadn't removed it in the first place!" – "Again, not me. Neeva. Perhaps you should talk to her about her motives. I merely saw a niche and filled it. Well, I say niche, it was more of a socket really." Kak is at a momentary loss for words. He expected Kurst to deny everything. He expected him to run or try to hide what had happened. He did not expect such a friendly, and reasoned response from the old man. He cannot help but respond.

"How did you get into the ancient eye selling business?" Kak asks. The monk is by now completely fascinated with Kurst. Kak's curiosity and good-natured habit of enquiry overriding any misgivings he might have about this man. If indeed, he is a Man. "Well, I wouldn't call myself actually in any one business. I'm a bit of a dabbler my see. When you get to my age you tend to have your fingers in a great many pies."

"And that's all this is?" Kurst looks at Kak, "What do you think it is? Do you think this has something to do with your investigation? Let me assure that whatever plans there may be hatching around Jass, they are completely unconnected with the murder of Ulish Van Caspan," he pauses, "well, maybe not completely unconnected, but certainly not directly relevant to your investigation."

"So what is going on with Van Caspan's death?" Kak asks, hoping that Kurst's demeanour is agreeable to telling the monk absolutely everything. "That's a very serious question to ask me," Kurst says. "You've already discovered so much. You know about the Shadowdancers, you know about Molontov, and that little demon. I'm sure you can put it all together." – "But, I'm sure that you could tell me." – "Well, yes, I could tell you, but I don't really think I can. There are events transpiring here in the Village and all over Urova. Dark events. It isn't my place to interfere with them, to point fingers or to name names. It's a matter of professional courtesy."

Kak thinks long before asking his next question. "So, you would call yourself evil then?" he enquires. "Oh yes," says Kurst matter-of-factly, "I'm a complete bastard. The things I have done over the years would make your toes curl. You wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of me." Kak nods, and says that he believes him. "So your intentions for Jass would be ill?" – "Absolutely. I must confess that. But these plans may not come to fruition for some time. Jass may have twenty seasons yet ahead of him. Tell him not to worry too much."

"But why, Jass?" Kak asks. "Ah, yes. Well, you see Jass is a very important fellow. In Urova he's unique. And to think that if it wasn't for a chance encounter with a wraith I might never have noticed him." Kak asks how Jass is unique. Kurst replies, "Have you ever seen anyone with skin his colour? Of course you haven't. Let's just say that he isn't from these parts. But that is not what makes him so important. It's his line."

"His line?" Kak prompts expectantly. "Please, Brother. You do not really expect me to give away everything do you? Let me give you a hint for your investigation instead. There is a terrible conspiracy at foot." Kak looks at him with raised eyebrows. "I see you all ready guessed that. Then there seems little more I can say. And now I must be going."

Kak nods. "Well, thank you for being so candid." – "Why wouldn't I be?" Kurst laughs. "I have nothing to fear. Take care, Brother Kak. I hope you manage to root out the evil in this town. You deserve success for your diligence. I regret not seeing Jass. I shall be leaving town soon, please give him my best." Kurst offers his hand to Kak. The monk hesitates slightly, then shakes Kurst's hand. The man smiles, says goodbye and walks slowly in the direction of the market. Kak watches him go in vague bewilderment.

Isiah de Chesiré, a new leg under his belt, leaves the Church of Life and heads over to the tavern where he meets Torgellias. He tells his fellow hobbit of the Vítaean priest, Rekaf who administered to Whelby Bobbin at the end, and how this is suspicious as Bobbin turned out to be a demon in disguise. This priest, Rekaf, is a lead that needs following. The pair turn to Holwell Bobbin who is sitting at a table with an enormous repast. To Isiah's dismay, Holwell defends his dinner with the vigour of a lioness protecting her cubs. However, he is pleased to talk about Rekaf.

"It was lucky really," says Holwell, in-between dumplings. "Miro never went to the Church of Life for a priest. Rekaf was in the bar the evening that Whelby took ill and agreed to help. He saw Whelby, and he came back every day for three days. But despite his best efforts the lad died," Holwell sighs and shakes his head, "Very sad."

"Are you sure he was from the Church of Life?" asks Isiah. Holwell nods. "He said he was. He could certainly cast healing spells. I saw him do it." The pair thank Holwell. After Isiah has taken the precaution of verifying these facts with Miro himself, the pair have a quick conflab. They decide that this is worth checking up. The pair go to the compound of the Church of Life, and Isiah gets a meeting with Cornice Bandalain.

He tells her of his avenue of enquiry. Cornice is keen to encourage Isiah now that she is being kept in the loop. However, the high priest has not heard of any cleric called Rekaf. "What about Salmo?" asks Isiah. He remembers that Salmo was looked after the prostitute Jina Kaldor before she died. Torgellias found her finger in Jass's room four nights ago. It is probably unconnected, but why take the chance. "Of course I know Salmo," says Cornice. "He is very old and takes things extremely slowly. At this time of day he is probably in the garden with several picnic hampers."

Salmo is old, even by Isiah's standards. In fact Isiah is a little flattered that Salmo keeps calling him "My young hobbit," even though Isiah is well into his dotage. Salmo is happy to share his enormous hampers on the understanding that Torgellias runs and gets more food from the kitchens should they run out. As all hobbits he is extraordinarily talkative, and the three are sitting in the garden until almost dusk. Eventually talk moves to Jina Kaldor.

"Ah yes, poor girl," says Salmo. "It was syphilis you know. Probably got it from that Belerus Rothsman – you know what he was like." – "You couldn't cure it?" Isiah asks, mentally going through his own list of spells and realising that he could have saved the girl. "Oh yes," says Salmo, "I could have done, but Bandalain would not support the casting of the spell upon the girl."

Isiah is shocked, but Salmo is more philosophical. "It's not entirely unusual," he says. "If you wander from place to place the high-ups don't have too much hold over you. You can heal who you like and charge what you like. But when you get old, like me, you want to settle down. That's when they've got you under their thumbs. The high priest has the final say. Just between you and me, our Cornice is a bit of a prude. She doesn't approve of prostitutes."

Isiah suspects a move sinister motive behind Cornice's actions than simple small-mindedness, but then berates himself for thinking such a thing. This whole investigation is making him too paranoid. He is suspecting everyone. He asks what Salmo can tell them about Rekaf. Salmo looks at the name and then says "You're having a joke with me! Rekaf! Ha!". Salmo points out that Rekaf spelt backwards in Faker. It's not a real name. They might not be able to trace the priest. Isiah sighs. Another dead end.

Late in the evening, the group pools resources in Varamil's office. Kak says, "It's not worth following Kurst – he's probably more powerful than anyone in this entire town." Kak retells his extraordinary meeting. According to the Watcher's records Kurst is indeed a Watcher. He is 72 seasons old and has been a Watcher for 50 of them. He has spent the last 20 seasons at the Village, before then he was attached to the church in Sorostrae. Obviously, Jass still wants to see him. Kak tells the sorcerer that he was heading in the direction of the market, but that was some time ago.

Fast running out of leads Salamar, Torgellias and Kak go to the Church of Fortune's Favour to question Neeva. There may still be things she can tell them about this business. Jass won't go with them. He says that if he ever saw Neeva again, he would kill her. He is going to the market to find Kurst. Bronx says he will randomly patrol the Village this evening, and Isiah wants to check the green where Van Caspan died. That rod is still somewhere and he means to find it. They go their separate ways.

After a five minute walk, Jass stops and scans the market place. It is very late in the afternoon and many of the market traders are closing their stalls and packing away for the day. Jass concentrates, trying to pick one face from the dozens before him. Then he sees him! Aldric Kurst is standing alone at one of the stalls. He appears to be buying pottery.

"Hello Jass, won't keep you a moment," says Kurst without turning toward the approaching sorcerer. "Yes," Kurst continues to the shop-keeper, "I will take them all. Wrap them very well, I do not want to find a single chip on them." Kurst's voice is level and calm, but Jass can see the vendor's eyes are wide with terror as he gropes for cloth to wrap several statuettes. "It's hard today to find work of this quality. One would think all such talent left Urova with the elves."

"What are you doing?" Jass asks irritably. He has talked with Kak, he knows what Kurst is like – he will not be distracted by his seemingly friendly nature. "Buying fine wares," Kurst answers, turning abruptly to the sorcerer. "Everyone needs an interest." He smiles and peers at Jass's left eye intently, before flicking his unkempt grey hair from his forehead. It is as though he is looking in a mirror. "Stop that!" yells Jass, putting his hand over his eye. "Anyway how did you do that? I'm wearing an eye patch."

Kurst smiles thinly and spins to the tradesman. "Do not drop them!" he says firmly. The man quivers. "Will you stop shopping and listen to me!" Jass demands. "Why did you do this to me? Why?" Kurst places a hand on Jass's shoulder. "Why? Why do you ask why? Would you rather have only one eye? That is what would have happened if I hadn't had the second one put in."

"But now you can see everything that I can! And how can you see through the patch?" – "Oh, that question is easily answered. The material is in no-way thick enough. It causes some problems initially, but not now. An inch or two of lead should do it. But then I suppose you wouldn't be able to lift your head very easily. Here hold this," Kurst gives Jass a small crate containing his purchases, "and if you want to talk, follow me. I need to be gone from town by sunset."

Kurst strides off, and Jass is left with no choice but to scurry along after him. "I could have the eye removed!" Jass yells. "I would not advise it," says Kurst. "By now the root of the eye will have wrapped itself around your brain several times. It cannot be removed without killing you, I'm afraid. Ask your friend Isiah if you don't believe me." – "Then I'll take my own life!"

Kurst pauses and looks at Jass. "Would you? Would you really? Well, I would be well and truly thwarted then. But I do not think you're willing to do that." Kurst continues and Jass has to jog to keep up. "So," says the old man, "are you going to ask me the question you came here to ask me?"

"Which question?" – "Which question? My dear boy, don't be tiresome. The 'Why me?' question of course." – "All right," says Jass. "Why me?" Kurst smiles. "Now, that is a very interesting question. It has something to do with the land of your birth, something to do with your blood and quite a lot to do with your parents. How much do you know about your parents?" Jass thinks for a moment, "Not as much as you do, evidently." – "That much is certain. You Jass are an exceptionally unusual fellow. There is a darkness inside you, that certain evil forces – myself included – find very attractive."

"Who are you?" Jass asks. "You're not a Watcher, that's for sure." – "Ah, well that's where you are wrong. I am a Watcher. I am also many other things." – "Are you the demon that Neeva was praying to?" – "Which demon would that be?" – "You know full well which demon?" – "Do, I? – "Yes." – "Yes. Yes, I probably do. No, I'm not Him. By the Dark, I am not. But I'm very flattered that you thought I might be. I had not realised I was so impressive."

They have by now reached the stables of The Holy Mountain. A two-horse wagon has been readied for travel. Jass feels his bile rising as he sees Neeva sitting, holding the reins. She regards Kurst with utter awe, and not a little fear. "My advice to you Jass," says Kurst, taking the box, "is not to worry about it." Jass can't stand it. "Not to worry about it? How can you tell me not to worry about it!" Jass begins to summon magical energy, and prepares to use it on Kurst. "I should kill you for what you've done to me!"

"Yes, I can understand how you would feel that way, but I would not advise violence. You haven't the power to carry out such a threat." – Jass snarls, "But you can't hurt me, I'm too important." Kurst shakes his head. "No man is indispensable, Jass. No man. Please, do not worry yourself. There is nothing you can do to save yourself from your fate, and believe me when I say I am doing you a favour by not telling you what that fate is. Enjoy the time you have left. Make merry. Take up whittling – do something you consider fun."

Jass is utterly speechless. Kurst continues, "I am pleased to have had chance to meet you before my departure. I am heading south. I have business to conduct in the capital, although I fear I will not stay there long. There is a shadow falling on Uris. I have little wish to be there when it arrives. Well, goodbye." Kurst extends his hand to Jass. The sorcerer just looks at it with disgust. "I understand," Kurst sighs, "probably too soon."

The old man climbs up into the wagon. Neeva shifts over to allow him to take the reins. She simply sits and stares at Kurst, as if she is looking at the face of god. "Take care, Jass," says Kurst as he flicks the reins and the wagon starts to move. "I'll be seeing you."

As soon as Kak, Salamar and Torgellias arrive at the temple to Fortune's Favour they are shown directly to Thaddeus Carvin. The high priest smoothes his hair in what appears to be an embarrassed gesture, and smiles weakly at them. They can all ready guess what he is going to say before he apologises for allowing Neeva to escape. He doesn't know how it happened, but he has people on the case. The party are annoyed that they cannot question her, but there doesn't seem to be anything to be done so they head back to the House of Passing. On the way they bump into Jass and the four of them compare notes.

Meanwhile, Isiah is hoovering around the green (still brown) and looking for any further clue as to what happened. He stands at the spot where Van Caspan was engulfed by the phoenix but inspiration does not strike him. He is struck, however, by several spells that he recognises to be of the 'hold person' variety.

Turning, Isiah sees six individuals approaching across the green. They are evidently after him. One calls upon the hobbit to surrender himself. Isiah starts to back away. "Really," he says, "we should talk about this." He uses his words to activate an enthral spell, that succeeds in bamboozling two of his pursuers. The rest continue firing off spells that the wily hobbit continues to resist. Isiah ignore their calls for him to stay where he is. Then he notices more of these spellcasters coming at him from behind. At least they are not the Shadowdancers, if they were he would probably all ready be dead. But who are they? Isiah calls for help.

Elsewhere in the village, Bronx's sharp hearing picks up Isiah's plaintive cries and he hurries to help. By this stage eight of the spell casters have surrounded Isiah. He can now see that they are wearing the robes of the Arcanum Incognita. The hobbit cannot withstand the battery of magic and is eventually paralysed. "No one said he would be such trouble," says one of the clerics picking up Isiah.

Suddenly Bronx leaps from the shadows and cuts one of the clerics of the Arcanum Incognita in two with a single swing of his axe. He has the drop on them and tries to press his advantage. Then it all goes wrong. One cleric holds him. Another summons an air elemental that picks up the paralysed Bronx and carries him strait up into the air. He is three hundred feet above the Village when the elemental disappears and the still-paralysed Bronx begins to plummet to the ground below.

Bronx cannot even open his mouth to scream. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a giant owl swoops in and buries its talons in Bronx's shoulder. The weight of the barbarian is too much for the owl and it spirals to the earth, depositing Bronx roughly on the ground about half a mile south of the Village. The owl picks itself up, shakes its head and wildshapes into the form of Druid Jelanie – Bronx's mother.

She embraces her son and dispels the paralysis. He is pleased to see her and relates the events that led to him plummeting toward the ground. Then he fills her in the investigation. Jelanie is proud of her son, and tells him that he is doing "Good work." Bronx is a little frustrated. "I'm tired of pretending to be stupid," he says. "When can I leave the Watchers and return to the Order?"

"Soon, Bronx," replies his mother, "but the work you are doing here is very important. This stupid war between the Church of Fire and the Watchers has to end. We need the help of the Watchers in defending the north from the Wraith Haunt." Bronx nods. Jelanie continues. "I will have to leave soon. There is a moot. Archdruid Tular has called it a month early, I do not know why. It is worrying."

"Will father be at the moot?" asks Bronx. "Yes he will," says Jelanie. "He may not be one of the Accepted, but there are certain privileges to being my husband. After the moot I will come back for you Bronx." Mother and son say a farewell and Jelanie transforms herself back into the shape of a flying creature and takes to the sky. Bronx sighs and decides to sleep outside the Village this evening. He has completely forgotten about Isiah.

Isiah is carried by the clerics of the Arcanum Incognita and taken through the splendid silver gates of their Chapter House here in the village. In very little time he has been carried (face down and admiring the floor) to a small cell and deposited on a bed. When eventually feeling returns to his limbs and he can move, he goes to the door and yells, but no-one seems to hear him. He spends the rest of the night singing mournful songs very loudly.

Sunday, 49 Suntask 204

At the crack of dawn Torgellias fetches his demon-claw from the weaponsmith, Rufus. He has done a good job putting a handle on the thing, although it is so sharp that he has no scabbard that will hold it. Torgellias says that is no problem, he will just have to be careful with it. He pays Rufus and heads back to the House of Passing.

By the time he arrives, Bronx is there relating what happened to Isiah the previous evening. Bronx knows clerics of the Arcanum Incognita when he sees them, and within ten minutes they have all gone to the temple to find out what happened to the hobbit. They kick up a great fuss in the waiting area outside the walls. The official there summons a priest from the main temple. The group make large amounts of noise until he turns up. The priest flatly denies that Isiah is inside the temple, and that the Arcanum Incognita had anything to do with his disappearance. He can instigate a search for him, however. For a small fee, of course.

Puzzled the five head to the green to look for clues as to where Isiah really went. However, Torgellias's tracking skills reveal that Isiah was picked up by eight people and carried straight back to the Arcanum Incognita's chapter house. Incensed that they were lied to, the party charge back to the temple. All, that is, except Salamar who returns to the House of Passing.

When he arrives there he discovers that some disquieting news has preceded him. Tarrashar has demanded that the Enclave be brought forward to 2nd Lollmeadow (the day after tomorrow) and Tarex has agreed. The High Holy Witness of Doom will be arriving in the town tomorrow. Varamil sends a runner to summon the rest of the party. They are currently banging on the gates and loudly proclaiming how the Arcanum Incognita are nothing more than a bunch of hobbit-napping criminals. Despite priests coming out to try and calm them they are not giving up. Then the runner from Varamil, none other than the prepubescent Necros Nevinn, arrives with the news of the Enclave. Kak, Jass and Bronx return to the temple, leaving Torgellias to continue to draw his dagger up and down the gates in an annoying manner.

However, there is movement inside the chapter house. A woman wearing the swirling silver of the clergy opens Isiah's cell and leads him down a corridor. The arched ceilings and windows into the courtyard are extremely impressive and he says so. She ignores his waffling and shows him into a small room where he is told to wait. There is a table with two chairs facing one another. One chair has five cushions upon it. Isiah climbs up onto this one and waits.

A man enters. He is wearing a long and flowing silver cloak, edged in black silk. His robes are also of silver. He sits down opposite Isiah. The hobbit quickly begins to babble at him about the weather and the architecture of the chuch and how he hasn't had any breakfast. The man, regards Isiah with his severest look until the hobbit runs out of steam. This takes about ten minutes. Once there is silence he speaks. "I have been following your group's investigations with interest. I have been intrigued by the truth of the matter that seems to be surfacing. I have something for you."

He reaches into his cloak and removes a metal cylinder about a foot long and as thick as Isiah's wrist. He rolls it across the table to him. Isiah recognises it as the rod Van Caspan used to summon the Disjuncture effect. "You're High Invigilant Xarris, aren't you?" Isiah asks. The man does not comment and shows Isiah silently out of the temple.

There Isiah is united with Torgellias who believes that it is only his loud voice and continuous complaining that has freed his friend. The two hobbits return to Varamil's office and walk in on a loud discussion between Varamil, Salamar, Kak, Bronx and Jass. They quickly realise that Tarex will arrive in town tomorrow and that the Enclave is now the day after. The question is what are they do now?

They have much evidence. Every thing they saw in the past can be proven to be true by magic. The Scriveners of Doom as neutral parties in the conflict can corroborate everything that the party has to say. They know that the murderers of Van Caspan are the Shadowdancers and they know where to find them. They even have physical evidence of Van Caspan's complicity in the entire event in the shape of the magical rod Isiah has. Salamar, Jass and Kak believe that now is the time to go public. They should turn over what they have discovered to the Justicians and let them sort through everything.

Varamil and Isiah are not so sure. They still do not know who hired the Shadowdancers. If they could only find that out then they would have so much more to tell the Justicans. "But how do we find that out?" asks Salamar. "What more can we do? We have no more leads to follow. Jass could wine and dine Senza, but will she really betray her family for him? And even if she is willing, she may well not know who hired them. Only the head of the Shadowdancers may know that. We cannot assume that he is also the head of the troupe they are disguised as, and so we cannot move against him without showing our hand."

The discussion continues into the afternoon. Eventually Varamil sees their side. He agrees to go immediately and speak with High Priest Morritius of the Justicians and get an interview with him. It will have to be quick, because he is conducting The Blessing this evening. It is the first one since Van Caspen died. After Varamil has left for the Justician temple Isiah voices the fear that the reason why the Shadowdancers are still around is so they can attack The Blessing again this month. Everyone hopes that is not so.

By late afternoon, the party and Varamil are in the study of Morritius, High Priest of the Justician Faith. Morritius is a handsome, balding, man in his middle years. He wears an inscrutable expression as he examines the party. "Archnecrotain Varamil, has informed me of your investigation into the death of Ulish Van Caspan. We will overlook the legality of your investigations for the time being. I am told that you need to speak with me alone. Very well, you have this opportunity. Tell me briefly what you have discovered, what you can prove and what you suspect."

Morritius listens as the party précis their adventures over the past five days. At the tale of the plif he raises an eyebrow, but that is all the emotion he displays. They tell him absolutely everything, including the role played by Belerus Rothsman. When they are finished Morritius closes his eyes as if in thought. Then he says, "I'm not saying I don't believe you, but you are making some very serious allegations. If you permit I will summon many other priests of justice and Sir Kordell of the Order of the Roaring Lion. We will all scrutinise your story again, this time with magic."

It takes half an hour for the priests to assemble. Sir Kordell lays the helmet of brightly polished plate upon the table. It is shaped in the form of a roaring lion's head. "What's all this about Morry?" he asks the High Priest. "You are here to help me verify a tale Sir Kordell," says Morritius dryly.

The party now retell their tale. Kordell and the other priests stop them occasionally to ask questions. Particularly about the plif. When it is over Morritius looks down to Kordell. The paladin nods. "I am convinced," the high priest says standing. "These Shadowdancers must be apprehended, but I cannot send a force of priests and paladins to Fortune's Favour without first speaking with Thaddeus Carvin. Morritius orders the high priest summoned.

Carvin arrives about half an hour later. By this time Varamil has departed to conduct The Blessing. Time is running short. Carvin leaves his party of attendants in the foyer and enters Morritius's chambers alone. He is surprised to see the party. It is Morritius and not the group that inform Carvin of what has been going on. Thaddeus slaps his own face and shakes his head. "It would seem that I am blessed with the luck of Vítaeous at the moment – and all of it bad luck. What can I say?" Carvin disavows any knowledge of the matter. "We must apprehend Troupe Torrando. I will return to my temple and give word to my guards to allow your forces entrance. Come as soon as you have raised your force, Morritius."

"You're lying," says Isiah. The room falls instantly silently. "I beg your pardon?" asks Carvin. "You knew everything what was going on." Salamar looks at Isiah as if he has become a mad person. What is he basing this on? Carvin argues with him, but Isiah is persistent. It is the hobbit's instinct talking, but he makes a reasonable request. "If you have nothing to do with it then you won't mind the clerics here using magic to make sure you're telling the truth." Morritius stands, defeating the stereotype of the high priest by actually being willing to listen to people. "Do you have an objection, Thaddeus?" Carvin seems a little shifty, as if he has been caught in a lie. Torgellias senses it now. "Very well," says Carvin "Use your magic," he pauses to allow the priests to ready themselves. "I had nothing to do with the death of Ulish Van Caspan. I did not know that Troupe Torrando are Shadowdancers."

Morritius holds Carvin in his gaze for a moment and then turns to his other priests. They shake their heads. Salamar knows that look. They cannot tell. Carvin must have resisted the magic. He truly does have the luck of Vítaeous if he was able to withstand all their attempts. However, the very fact that he tried to resist paints him in a very different light. "I am disappointed in you Morritius," says Carvin. "But I do not hold grudges I am returning to my temple. Follow with your forces."

As Carvin turns to leave, Bronx jumps up. "I'll come with you," says the barbarian. Before Carvin can speak Bronx adds, "Unless you have anything more to hide?" Carvin scowls and storms out followed by the barbarian. Torgellias sneaks out moments later, pursuing the group surreptitiously. "He had something to do with it," says Isiah to the room as a whole. "He probably let Neeva go as well." Jass bridles at this. Morritius prepares to ready his forces.

During the walk across town Bronx attempts to engage Carvin in polite conversation but the high priest is having none of it. He seems to be incredibly angry, but is keeping that anger bottled within him. When they arrive at the temple, Bronx finds his way barred by two guards. "You can wait here," says Carvin. "I need to go to my office, I will be back soon." Carvin walks down the corridor and turns right. Bronx has been to his office. That's not the way to his office. He is heading toward the guest quarters. He is going to warn Troupe Torrando!

Bronx is extremely frustrated, and moves against the guards. They push him back. The barbarian has his hand on his axe, but then releases his hold on the weapon. These guards are not complicit in Thaddeus Carvin's treachery. He won't cause any more death. Instead, he storms outside the temple where Torgellias makes contact with him. Bronx informs Torgellias that Carvin is as dodgy as they come, and has come to warn the Shadowdancers that they have been rumbled. Bronx and Torgellias split up. When the 'dancers flee it will probably be through their shadow jumping ability. They could appear anywhere outside the compound.

Torgellias locates a large shadow where the rays of the moon are intercepted by a beech tree and lies in wait. It is a long shot, but he hopes to be lucky. Vítaeous does smile on the hobbit as from this vantage point he notices a number of figures appearing and disappearing one at a time. The Shadowdancers. Torgellias hefts his demon claw and runs over. As soon as one of the Shadowdancers appears, Torgellias throws himself at them. The man, whom the hobbit recognises as one of the members of Troupe Torrando, is surprised and leaps towards another shadow to shake Torgellias off. As Bronx lumbers onto the scene he sees the Shadowdancer leap into the darkness and vanish – taking Torgellias with him!

Bronx curses. He has no way to know where they went. So he waits Suddenly a figure appears before him. Had Bronx been present for the entire investigation he would have recognised Senza but he wasn't, and swings his axe at her. However, Bronx is not quick enough. Senza steps back into the shadows and axe impacts harmlessly into a tree. She is evidently the last of the assassins. No more figures appear under the trees. Bronx sighs. He was so effective fighting the undead. With this, being trapped in a tomb and being dropped from three hundred feet he really hasn't been performing at his best.

Torgellias and the Shadowdancer materialise in the woodland. The assassin throws Torgellias off, but the hobbit has his weapon drawn and tenaciously forces his foe into mêlée combat. The man is dextrous and extremely adept with his weapon. More so than Torgellias the hobbit is quick to realise. However, this does not deter the ranger. The battle is so close. Both combatants are staggering within an inch of their lives before the final blow comes. Unfortunately the final blow is the one that slices Torgellias across the chest. The hobbit slumps to the floor and the Shadowdancer escapes.

Morritius, a group of Justicians and paladins, Salamar, Jass, Kak and Isiah arrive a few minutes later. Bronx meets them and tells them that he fears the Shadowdancers have all ready fled and that Torgellias could be in terrible danger. Kak rushes off into the woodland and discovers Torgellias within moments of death. He stabilises his friend's wounds and takes him to Isiah who restores the ranger to consciousness.

While this takes place, the Justicians and their allies search the temple of Fortune's Favour but find no evidence of the Shadowdancers – just as Bronx feared. Morritius and the party confront Thaddeus Carvin in his office. The high priest of Fortune's Favour denies everything. And there seems to be little that can be done to touch him. Only his own church or The Enclave itself can remove him. "Don't worry," says Carvin, "I'm not going any where because I have nothing to hide. I'll be at the Enclave." However, now the rest of party can sense the tension coming from the man. They don't think he will run, but they have every belief in his guilt.

Back at the House of Passing, Varamil commends their actions. The Blessing went off without a hitch. He says, "Do not berate yourself that the Shadowdancers escaped. The important thing is that they led us to Carvin. We have the rod, we have your testimony that can be magically verified. We have the corpse of the demon. We can prove a link between Van Caspan, the creature, Carvin and Vistral Molontov." – "What about Tarrashar?" asks Kak. Varamil shrugs. "Tarrashar admitted to killing Van Caspan. He removed Belerus Rothsman. He then directly appointed Vistral Molontov as his successor even though there were better candidates. This is all very suspicious, but where is the proof?"

The party agree that they really have nothing to tie Tarrashar to this whole affair. "I suggest you can some rest. It has been a long few days for all of us. Much longer for some. We will talk again in the morning."

Vítday, 1 Lollmeadow 204

The day before the Enclave and the Village of the Eighteen Churches is abuzz with excitement. After the events of last night the party believe that they have done all they can do. If Thaddeus Carvin is guilty of anything the Enclave will find it. In the meantime they have other things to do. Isiah spends the morning examining Jass's eye. Kurst was telling the truth. Removing it would probably kill Jass. Isiah suggests a heavy metal eye-patch to keep Aldric Kurst out. Jass shakes his head. He is obviously having a bad life.

There is a fear that the Shadowdancers will try to attack the Enclave – to take out all the high priests that are there, but Varamil poo-poos the idea. Around lunchtime His Moribund Majesty, Tarex, the High Holy Witness of Doom arrives at the House of Passing with his extensive entourage. He and Varamil have a long discussion in closed session for two hours before the rest of the party are summoned into their presence.

Tarex would appear a genial man were it not for the fact that his face is creased with line upon line of worry. When he speaks it is as a man who has forgotten how to form words. His sentences are clipped with inappropriate pauses. "I have spoken to Varamil and he has told me of your little conspiracy," Tarex says. Salamar finds himself feeling a little uneasy. "What Varamil has done, consorting with Belerus Rothsman of the Church of Fire, went against my strict edict. As did you, Salamar Russ."

Tarex pauses. Salamar is becoming increasingly more nervous. "I cannot begin to say how grateful I am to you both, or how proud I am that the Watchers can display such integrity, even in times such as these. There is no reprimand. I have required Varamil to remain here and permanently replace Ulish Van Caspan as the Archnecrotain in the Village of the Eighteen Churches. For you I have another task, if you are willing."

"I spoke of the integrity of the Watchers, but this affair has also highlighted the forces that can attack our church from within. That such a man as Ulish Van Caspan could be tricked as he was is alarming to say the least. I therefore intend to do something about it. The Watchers have never had an internal police force before. A handful of other churches support their own brand of inquisitors, but we never have. That has to change. I intend to create an organisation that will unearth corruption within the church caused by both a black heart or outside interference – a group that will guard the souls of the faithful in their journey through life and to Mortis. This group will be called The Guardians, and I would like you to form it, Salamar Russ."

Salamar is shocked. He became a Watcher to help people. Before that he was an apothecary. This is not his calling. And yet the High Holy Witness of Doom is calling him. "I do not have the experience," he begins. "You have unearthed more than your share of corruption here with your companions. I would call that experience enough. You may decline of course, and I will find someone else." Salamar shakes his head. He accepts.

"Good," says Tarex. "As to the rest of you. What can the Church offer you as a reward for your help in this matter." Bronx would like the church to look the other way if he is ever resurrected. "I will pretend I didn't hear that, what else do you want?" The barbarian shrugs. He doesn't want much. Just a promise that the Watchers will continue to help the druidic order in their fight against the Wraith Haunt. "And some cows." Tarex can certainly promise that. Kak can also think of nothing the Watchers can do to him, so Tarex offers the friendship of the church. He is forced to offer the same to Torgellias, not wanting to get involved in the hobbit's crusade against the Sylvan faith.

Jass wants help having this eye removed from his head. "Ah yes," says Tarex, "Varamil told me about that." Tarex promises that the resources of the Watchers and their allies are at his disposal. Isiah wants help in finding the location of Jedidiah de Chesiré who, according to Manacus, is on another plane of existence. Tarex agrees. Salamar says that he wishes no reward for the part he played. "To serve is enough," he says. Tarex nods, evidently pleased.

"The six of you will accompany myself and Varamil to the Enclave tomorrow. You will give evidence under magical scrutiny. You must remain in town until the Enclave is over." The party agree. Isiah asks Tarex whether he thinks Tarrashar is involved. "Once I would have thought it impossible of him. But now it seems that all things are possible."

Terday, 2 Lollmeadow 204

The Enclave takes place in a suite of apartments in the Justician temple. All of the high priests and their functionaries are present. Morritius presides over aged Elenor of the Church of Water, Dextus Traigir of the Odyssian Church, Jasmin Bitterwell of the Agiostic faith, Cornice Bandalain of the Church of Life, Gehoon of the Church of Earth, Saffrin Ornslo of the Sylvan Faith, Zanlavin Salk of the Arcanum Incognita, Squire Foxon of the Church of the Land, Jangite of the Church of Air, Hirin Swathagar of the Scriveners of Doom, Luther Mardit of the Church of Contention, Erith Flowerchild of the Sensationalists and Thaddeus Carvin of the Church of Fortune's Favour. From the Church of Fire is Firewalker Tarrashar and First Flame Vistral Molontov. From the Watchers on the Cusp of Oblivion, Tarex and Archnecrotain Varamil. And then there is Salamar, Isiah, Kak, Bronx, Torgellias and Jass. All looking rather out of place.

As the party sit in a table-less circle, they see Tarrashar closely for the first time. He exudes a quiet confidence. When the party are called to speak they do so eloquently and succinctly. Their conclusion is as follows:

A demon or other dark power is working to destabilise the eighteen churches by driving the Watchers and the Church of Fire to war. It has spies within some, perhaps all, of the churches. In the Village, Thaddeus Carvin of Fortune's Favour and Vistral Molontov of the Church of Fire are definitely its servants. Thaddeus Carvin with the help of the cleric Neeva summoned a demonic carrion-eating demon that had power over men's minds. This demon was smuggled into the House of Passing in the body of the dead hobbit Whelby Bobbin. The demon disguised itself as Mortis and convinced Ulish Van Caspan to make a grand gesture and become a martyr. It was Ulish's intention to die by fire in a public place, drawing blame on the Church of Fire and having them thrown out of the Covenant. Thaddeus Carvin employed a group of Shadowdancers to do the deed. They were armed by magical fireball-producing mortars acquired from the Church of Fire by Vistral Molontov. The demon gave Van Caspan a rod that duplicated a Mordenkainen's Disjuncture effect. Ulish believed the plan was that he would use the rod to deactivate his own magical defences and then be killed. What actually happened was that the rod deactivated the magical defences of all of the Watchers and the ensuing firestorm wiped out more than a hundred of their clerics. The phoenix was actually another demon in disguise – probably also summoned by Carvin and Neeva. Rothsman and the Church of Fire as a whole had nothing to do with the affair.

This raises many questions, the party continue. Notably about the Firewalker, Tarrashar. They then voice their concerns about Tarrashar and what Belerus Rothsman thought of him. Isiah sums up their investigation and the part played in it by Belerus Rothsman and other fire clerics such as Julian Maynard of the Grand Conflagration. They retell their investigation under the scrutiny of the Justicians, the Scriveners and everyone else who is able. Tarrashar is then allowed to speak.

The Firewalker maintains that he removed Rothsman because he thought he had been guilty of Van Caspan's assassination. As for Vistral Molontov….. "He was obviously not the man I thought he was," the Firewalker says. Vistral then breaks down. "You told me to get rid of Van Caspan!" he yells. "What I said," replies Tarrashar levelly, "was that Van Caspan was causing the church a lot of trouble, and that we would be better off without him. Really, that cannot be taken as carte blanche to commit murder unless you are a fool."

Vistral Molontov looks betrayed and hurt. Tarrashar turns to the assembled. "If he took a back-handed comment to heart and allied himself with these dark forces I feel ashamed I trusted him with such a position. Ashamed, but not culpable." The party are then required to leave. As they go, Thaddeus Carvin begins his defence. They wonder how long this will all take.

Terday, 30 Lollmeadow 204

Never has an Enclave lasted so long! Four weeks is unheard of, but on this day it finally comes to an end. Vistral Molontov when faced with his crimes began to sing like a canary. In return for the death penalty being commuted to life imprisonment he shopped Thaddeus Carvin and the high priest was arrested. The party were not called upon to attend the Enclave again.

The conclusion of the Enclave, read to the Village at noon is thus: "It is the finding of the Enclave of the Sixteen True Churches that the Church of Fire are innocent of the murder of Archnecrotain Ulish Van Caspan. As a result of this the Watchers on the Cusp of Oblivion and the Church of Fire have agreed on an immediate cessation of hostilities. The peace began at dawn today. May it long continue."

Thus the war that was declared at the beginning of Suntask and led to such evil as the destruction of Ornlov Field comes to an abrupt halt. The hatred the Firestarters and the Watchers hold for one another is a wound that will take longer to heal, if indeed it can. The Covenant is still whole, but the war has highlighted deep divisions between the churches that a single declaration will not wipe repair.

Tarrashar declares that he was mistaken in removing Belerus Rothsman from his position and invites the man to return to the fold. There is no talk of Rothsman returning to serve as First Flame of Infernus, which Salamar feels is a little unfair. However, Rothsman does not take Tarrashar up on his offer. Perhaps he fears it is trap of some kind. In any event when next the cave in Korvast is checked, Rothsman is long gone.

Morday, 48 Lollmeadow 204

The final page in the investigation into Van Caspan's death is turned on this day with the execution of Thaddeus Carvin. Following the Enclave, Carvin was tried and found guilty of conspiracy to murder Ulish Van Caspan. His sentence was pronounced by Bethwyn O'Mare, the highest ranking member of Fortune's Favour in Norandor. The execution was at dusk at the spot where Van Caspan died. A crowd came to watch. Carvin refused a Watcher and went to the gallows as utterly silent as he had been throughout the investigation. Unlike Molontov he gave away none of his motivations for the act, and named no conspirators. Following his death, Serecee Mylann is made his official successor. It is hoped that she acts to restore the status of the Church in the eyes of the Covenant.

The End of Dancers in the Dark
Torgellias, Kak, Bronx, Jass and Salamar continue to follow the Path Perfidious in The Rising Tide
The Adventures of Manacus LaSalle continue in The Fugitive

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