In the meantime –
“Councilman with all due respect I believe the idea has merit. Council Lerik’s idea of locking the 5 of them up for a few days to see if the murders stop will harm no one and it might help uncover the truth.”
“See, even the guard are smart enough to know I’m right Garon.” came the oily voice of Councilor Lerik as he leaned forward, thrusting out a finger to point to the chainmail clad form of Captain Warik, commander of the guard.
The creases of Warik’s eyes bunched slightly and then smoothed out at Lerik’s tone, insulting without giving cause for insult. A skill the man possessed in spades, one that Warik couldn’t help but wish would get the man… hurt. Not killed, he wasn’t that obnoxious but Warik wouldn’t be unhappy to hear that the councilor had met with some mishap, maybe a broken bone or two. It would be too much to ask that Lerik became a victim to the person or creature that was killing townsfolk each night.
“Captain! Did you hear me?” Garon asked sharply.
“Sorry sir, something occurred to me about the murders that distracted me.”
Garon shook his head, “I said no we won’t be tossing them in jail. They’ve done well enough by us. They chased that creature out of the Eris temple, were captured and almost killed trying to solve our gold thefts, we know more about the murders because of them. No, they stay free.”
“You realize they ‘found out’ information on the murders because they committed them!” Lerik spat out.
Garon leaned forward, planting his palms on the table, “That’s enough! I know you have issues with them Lerik. You have issues with anyone who doesn’t fit your god’s image of the ideal. Oh I know who or what you worship. So far your belief’s haven’t interfered with your ability to keep the merchants happy and in line but don’t push things too far. Without my goods to sell and Teagan’s boats and wagons to ship them you’d be a little unpopular with everyone both merchant and commoner so I suggest you give up this little vendetta you have against these people.”
Lerik dropped back into his chair, mouth open and then a look of furious anger crossed his face. Without a word he rose and stormed out of the council chamber, Jan, the pretty young woman who’d taken Tanner’s place following after an uncertain pause, tossing an apologetic look around the room.
“What a pleasant individual.” Warick growled.
“That’s enough from you too Captain. We all need to get along. I know we’ve had our differences, I know you don’t like the changes we’ve pushed down your throat as it were about hiring outside help, which again doesn’t indicate a lack of confidence in your or the Watch’s ability. But with the slaver raid, the murders and I know you don’t care to believe in them but of late all the temple priests have spoken of auguries that bad times are coming, very bad times. Better poorer but prepared. Perhaps if we’d of had these extra troops then my own… Never mind. As I say we need to get along with him and each other for the protection and benefit of the town.”
Warick nodded curtly, “Aye, I can understand your position Councilor.”
“I hear a but in there but I won’t push it. Please go on, we’ll go over your report and see if we can make anything out of it. Do what you can to catch this killer and keep our people safe.”
“Aye, that I can agree with.” Warick saluted the two councilors and their aides and turning on a heel left the room.
Teagan, the eladrin in charge of shipping who up till now had been quiet spoke up, “Berylon would you and Spar be so good as to wait in the other room for a few moments?”
The two aides glanced at each other and Berylon shrugged, “Sure, just summon if you have need. C’mon Spar.”
After the room was empty and the door closed Teagon leaned back in his chair. Face calm and impassive, eyes wandering over the decorative carvings in the ceiling of the council chambers he spoke quietly, “You know that one is beginning to overstep his bounds. His hatred of all non-humans is affecting his dealings with me. I know he’ll be dead in 20 or 30 years and be out of my hair but it’s going to be a long 30 years at this rate. Out of curiosity as he’s without heir or acknowledged relation as far as I know who would inherit if something were to happen to our fellow councilman?”
Garon shot a sharp look at the eladrin, “You know the answer to that and I don’t like where that question is going Teagon.”
Teagon flicked his eyes over and gave a miniscule shrug, “I’m not proposing anything Garon. I’m just noting that the man has a lot of people irritated at him. And ever since that deal with the slaver, if it was a slaver, he’s gotten a lot worse. Did you know he’s pushing all the merchants under his control to get rid of their non-human employees? I also heard that he wants to erect an altar to that banal spiteful god of his. Yes you humans make up the highest proportion of the cities population but humans versus non-humans you’re in a distinct minority. It’s irrational hatreds brought upon people by the ideologies of the likes of that one and his ilk that could end up destroying this town much less the slavers or reavers or whatever it is that the priests are warning us is coming.”
Garon suddenly chuckled, “You know that’s the most I think you’ve ever said at one time. Yes the man was never pleasant and lately he’s turned downright vile, even to his ‘own kind’. I think though that you overestimate the draw of his beliefs and the power of Bain. Did you know he already has an altar to his god in a cellar under his home? Ahh, see, we both have sources of information. And do you know how many people in his circle of ‘friends’ and acquaintances actually pay homage to his detestable little godling? Only twelve that I know of. Twelve followers out of how many people in this town? Nay he poses no real threat to the security of the town. And he’s brilliant at keeping the merchants in line, paying their taxes and not overcharging the commoners.”
Teagon’s lips curled up slightly, “I bow before your wisdom then Garon. Perhaps I shall learn somewhat of it during the time you have left on this plane of existence.”
“We live as the gods decree my friend. Even your longevity might be cut shorter than you’d like as your gods wish. As for myself, I find it pointless to worry about it. Have you come up with anything we can do or have the Watch do to try and protect the people?”
Teagon shook his head, “Without knowing what we’re dealing with there’s little we can do. Trying to ward every home, building and store against everything would be impossible. But if we can find the creature’s nature we might be able to come up with something or so my people tell me.”
“The information that the group gave us was of no help?”
“Not really. Necromatic arts are pretty far reaching. We need to know the nature of the creature, if we could get something that belonged to it, an article of clothing or better yet flesh or blood then perhaps those skilled in the arts might come up with a way to track it.”
Garon snorted, “Blood? Hells we can’t even find the blood of the victims.”
“A chilling part of the deeds. Where is the blood going and what is it being used for. I fear the answer will not be one we wish to know.”
“Undoubtedly. Let’s get them back in here and start going over shipping needs. The fish are pouring in from the boats and we’re going to have to get more barrels and crates to hold them. I’d like another five hundred of the stasis crates as well, we should have planned ahead for this just in case.”
The two men, two of the most influential men in the city began studying the piles of documents that detailed the lifeblood of the city of Larkson, the fishing harvest and its dissemination.
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