Mysterious Thefts at the Factory, Some Squabble between people and nobles

"Well now that you mention it your highness. There have been a strange string of thefts at the factory, nothing serious or damaging for the most part, but it's starting to make an impact among the workers that could seriously halt production to a standstill", Mekael said with trepidation in his voice.

That is a problem, and your hoping it's not as serious as Mekael think it is. You look to Rajah, and the Tiger man nodded in confirming the legitamacy of the claims.

"It is true, there have been several thefts reported among the staff and labor force within the factory", he elaborated. "Although all the stolen items are rather minor in regards to the safety and infrastructure of the factory or it's inhabitants , so no direct indication of sabotage or espionage. Nor were any of the items of any significant value, in fact the majority of the items could be found commonly on the open market so it's not petty theft for profit. The only common thread my investigation has been able to deduce is that every stolen item is a possession of the workers themselves that hold more sentimental value then monetary. This has led me to the conclusion that this is a deliberate plot against the factory by indirectly attacking the workers, and the new evidence seems to support this theory."

You listen to his report with the utmost attention, rather intrigued at this mystery even as you glanced around at the rest of the room to see the courts interests. Abis Nal looked a bit weary and even a little nervous going over this, which implies he knows about this as well, no doubt from the labor force that have been robbed, and is just as worried about the possible reprocussions as you are. Fashuum isn't nearly as worried, but neither is he uninterested which indicates he's putting a strong front to show strength despite his worries of what this situation could mean for the factory, one of the kingdoms most valuable assets, or just hiding any glee or contempt he has for his peers for their failings to deal with this. The rest have are somewhere in the middle with the exception of Uba, who seemed very interested and Ginni who seems far more interested in her nails then anything.

"Go on", you said as regally and professionally as you could. The tiger man nodded and continued.

"Recently, several of the reportedly stolen items have resurfaced, only within another worker's storage compartment or station. This is has led to a series of bouts of angry accusations, suspiscian, and even violence. My men have been able to keep this situation from escalating, but we are only treating the symptom and not the disease. If the true culprit and their motivations are not brought to light soon, I suspect more stolen items will reappear in places that would implicate a fellow worker or superior, which will only serve to stir them against each other more and the more my men will get between them, the more likely the whole factory will fall into a riot", Rajah concluded.

You take a moment to consider this, and rightly so, by your conclusion this is just a winds breath away from becoming a complete disaster that could really hurt the kingdom, all from just some petty theft and returning the goods in someone else's possession. You agree with the Tiger man, this is just too clever and cunning to be written off as a random thefts or an out of control prank. You do have a few weeks before the Caravan arrives, so you resolve to have this taken care of before then and give this issue the utmost priority.

"Very good Captain", you say after ending your train of thought. "You and Mekael were right to bring this to my attention, the consequences for ignoring this rising crisis would lead to severe reprucussions. Uba, I have every confidence that your skills would be useful for this investigation, after all who better to catch a thief, then a another thief? Harud I would like you to assist as well, to eliminate any magical application in the thefts and the aggression of the workers, if nothing else. Abis Nal, ask around among your underworld contacts, perhaps their words of whispers can help determine weather or not this is the work of one or more and wheather they're working alone, and if not with whom."

The merchant lord expressed contemplation, then turned to you with a respectful nod and a sly smile. "It will take some coin and some promises, but as the wise man say, every fairy tale has some truth to them", he asserted.

You nod in acknowledgement in turn and turned the rest of the court in inquery. "Are they any others matters that should be addressed?", you asked.

"Are you going to tell him, or am I?", Abis Nal asked Fashum condecendedly.

Fashuum in turn merley rolls his eyes at this and simply addresses his Sultan. "I suppose there is, though despite what Abis Nal may tell you, I don't really think it's worthy of your notice. Merely a scandal that's been spread around the nobility that's been causing a stir, but nothing I can't handle myself", he reported dismissivly as if trying his best to convey how trivial it is compared the the Great Caravan and the facoctory issues.

"Go on", you said wishing to hear more.

"Very well", the Chief Noble begrudgingly complied. "Last year marked the unfortunate passing of Duke Kaliph Ala-Kaida who succumb to an incurable disease that not even magic could cure. So far no investigation hasn't been able to find any indication of foul play beyond the gossip of theories among the late Dukes friends and enemies. However that's not the issue, the issue came several months afterward when his Widow, Lady Belaina who succeeded her husband as head of his estates, was disvovered to have been with child, and many among late Duke's circle of freinds and enemies are contesting the childs paternity."

Well that explains why Fashuum is embarresd about it. This whole thing happened under his watch, and isn't resolved yet. Still if that is all there is to it, that means either he was swift in ensuring it didn't get out of hand or has yet to warrant his direct interference. Your a little familiar with this, from noble gossip, to stories and fairy tales of this sort of thing alongside your lessons in polictics from your mother and Aunt Magara, but this looks to be the closets you'll get to a real scandal thus far and it probably won't be your last. If your lessons in politics have told you anything, is that these kind of issues need to be handled swiftly yet discreetly, and you can't help but admit to yourself that you are curious about this situation.

You look to Vienna, your Vizier who has remained silent since court began, either having nothing to say or perfers to be spoken to first, or maybe is just willing to stand and observe you and how you handle youreslf in court in silence then give her counsel after court is adjourned. Either way you decide to address her, for her assistance.

"Lady Vienna, have you been able to gleam any insight of the matter as Vizir?", you ask her.

"Only enough to realize they all seem to know more then they are willing to say, and whatever it is has given them good confidence to believe thier acusations, though neither seem fully sure of the full truth not even the Widow", she said with a raised brow expressing intrigue.

"In that case", you reply. "Why don't you assist Fashuum get to the bottom of this, let them know that they have the Sultan's attention and see how they react to that, and take Jafir with you, if anyone can find secrets without notice it would be him."

Lady Vienna merlely raised her brow wether in confusion or intruge you couldn't tell for sure, she was a hard woman to read, which does present a unique allure to her, but you are dispeledl yourself of these thoughts as you Noble representative interjected, looking somewhere between crossed and humiliated.

"My Lord, with all due respect, is that wise?", he said struggling to compose himself. "I acknowledge the wisdom of sending the Royal Vizier to investigate and the impact it will sure to bring when it's under your order, but the mere thought of you sending a fearsome assassin might make them even less cooperative then they already are."

Taking a long breath to compose yourself and not show the seething rage starting to build withing you at the blatant and tactless insinuation. You decide to borrow commanding tactic from your father, by speaking as calmly and composed as possible with an expressing of fury that dares anyone to test you, you know full well how effective it was on you and everyone else for that matter, only Mother and the highest and most trusted of his harem have ever been spared from this motion.

"In the first place", You nearly hiss. "Jafir is not an assassin. He is my friend and self-appointed protector and any who would speak of him like that again will be held in comtemp of my court. Second, you will tell the nobles nothing of Jafir whatsoever, so his investigation won't be impeded by thier panic and be on guard. Jafir will stick to the shadows and snoop around thier paperwork and easdrop on them, since it's likley they'll be more open talking to each other and thier servants then anyone else."

After recovering from the shock of your change in pressence, many started to see the wisdom of your judgement, even Fashuum has been humbled yet he pressed further with a bit more cauition to his tone.

"You plan is sound sire", he responded more placidly. "But if you freind would be discoverd, it would make an even bigg-"

He suddenly stopped stiff, quite litterally. Soon most of the room were gasping as they took a second look and noticed the Snake man himself, Jafir was right behind the Nobleman.

"If niether you nor the Captain were able to find me in thisss room I doubt your lessssser noblesss would notiss me hiding in thier own Sssshadow", Jafir literally hissed in the mans ear, rather thickly even by Snakeman stsndards. No doubt doing it intentially for Fashuum's benefit as he flicked his forked tongue into his ear at every opportunity of his statement of fact over a boast, all while pointing one of his poison daggers at the mans back.

While most of the Court were shock in surprise, your friends are smiling, impressed in Uba's case, supior in Iaga's case, while Ginny is giggling and clapping her hands like a little girl that saw a magic trick. To be fair it was, as while everyone was so focused on you berating Fashuum, Jafir took that opportunity to come out of hiding and sneak up him. The beauty is you didnt even need to signal him or anything, he eithet new you wanted him to prive your point, or he wanted to prove himself or rather dissprove any doubt of your judgement. Either way the point was made, so you lifted yiur hand and waved it downwards to Coney to the Snake man to stand down. He complied with a nod, released Fashuum do his hokd and then flourished a bow as he moved away and ending up standing next to Uba.

Suddenly you feel a tap on your shoulders and notice Ginny in your lap who has het familier little girl pout she uses to beg from you. "Can I go too, please?", she asked. "I'm confident I get them to tell all thier little secrets in no time, but if the mortals don't want me to get In thier way at least let me comfort the poor, poor widow. Lost of her mate, being called a whore behind her back and in her face, she could really use a friend to keep her company."

To many this would sound like a plea of altruism, however unlike the rest of court, you could see her face as it changed from pleading to sultry, giving you all you need to know what she had In mind.

"Perhaps", you say in semming consideration. "But I want your focus to be on the Carvan Welcoming Feast, since it is a festival that all the empire celebrates, I know beyond doubt your skills can make it a party Adorahba wont soon forget. Just keep the adult fun activity away in private, we do have families to consider after all.

"As you wish", she said as she smiled in lust and exitement.

"Speaking of the Caravan", you say. "It is time I reveal my plan for handling the issue over the Caravan Splinter group.