No Rest for the Weary

It was delightful, Ahsch decided, to wake up next to his wife. Especially when said wife was tenderly kissing his face in an expression of affection he'd never seen from her before.

It got even better when he opened his eyes and saw her happy, smiling face. A smile that swiftly grew alongside her blush when he gave her gentle kisses back. It was a little strange to him, because he'd never really seen her blush. Flushed, for sure - exertion put some red into her already healthily bronzed skin - but he couldn't think of a time she'd properly blushed. Avery wasn't one for embarrassment or being the awkward one, but she also had never been a romantic. It was rather adorable.

A firm knock interrupted their morning intimacy. With a sigh, Avery answered. "What is it?"

"I have news, My Lord," came Butler's stoic reply.

The smile on Avery's face faded, a concerned frown taking its place. "Come in."

The automata did so, and Ahsch wondered if he was just seeing things, or if there was a flicker of worry in Butler's eyes. "I'm afraid it's bad news, My Lords."

"I know," Avery said, her voice short.

There was a pause, and now Ahsch was worried. "It would seem that Byrdrek and Fauna have escaped the dungeons and have disappeared, My Lord."

Ahsch's mouth went dry. Heart Sight told him his wife was doing far worse. "Out," she gritted, staring into the middle distance. Butler obeyed with only the slightest hesitation, bowing as he backed out.

"Avery..." Ahsch started, reaching to put a hand on her shoulder.

"Out," she repeated, ice in her voice.

Surprisingly, she didn't seem to begrudge his long hesitation as he debated what to do. On the one hand, it pained him to see her in that state, to watch the walls she had finally let down slam back up and retreat into cold, ruthlessness. He wanted to help and comfort her. On the other hand, what he saw through Heart Sight was closer to a deadly tempest than he truly cared to deal with.

"You know how to find me," he told her softly, leaning over and placing a tender kiss to the temple, lingering for a moment, then backing off and leaving the room, closing the door softly behind himself. Once safely behind the solid wood, he allowed his head to fall forward, his eyes closed in frustration as he leaned against the door. He thought for several minutes, but unlike the night before, there was a certain clarity to his thoughts. He made progress, rather than spun in listless circles.

Finally opening his eyes, he made his way to his room. Master, are you sure...?

Aena, with me. Dress and be prepared to act as bodyguard. Ariin, I know you won't let me leave you here. Dorin, you have an hour to get anything you think might be necessary for dealing with inquisitors and the Church of Irzton. The Dominant Mage took a moment to debate his next instruction, then resolved himself. Kirasiel, he reached out to the girl individually. I assume you already know, but Byrdrek and Fauna have escaped. I'm going to the dungeons to see what I can discover, and I suspect it will lead to Irztonites. Are you...

Yes.

The quick, sure interruption brought him to a halt for a moment. Meet me at the inquisitors offices in an hour and a half.

Understood... There wasn't exactly a sound, but the mental flavor of an 'um,' her hesitation over what to call him, came through clearly.

Ahsch ignored it. Of the many things he intended to work on, his relationship with the high royal was near the top. But some things took precedence and others - such as the 'correct' form of address - were unimportant.

And right at that moment, he had to get ready.

"Lord Odestag, I understand your concern, but I cannot allow you to enter into an active investigation site!"

Ahsch bit back a growl. Frustration was no reason to try and intimidate an inquisitor who was just doing her job. "As I've said," he managed to say in a shockingly level voice, "I have capabilities that could very well solve the question of how two traitors who murdered several royals managed to escape the dungeons."

"And as I've said, My Lord, even if I believe you, I cannot be derelict in my duty to prevent unauthorized individuals into an active investigation site."

"Let them through, inquisitor," came Kirasiel's voice from down the hall. Ahsch turned to see the girl approaching at a steady pace, her usual air of royal arrogance...

No, that's not her usual aura, he corrected himself. Pride, sure, and she bears authority. But she's not arrogant. Not anymore.

If anything, her appearance only soured the inquisitors' expression. "Apologies, Lady Celes, but your authority in these matters has temporarily been revoked. King Solan was... concerned about the manipulation you experienced, and wishes to confirm that you are of sound mind before allowing you the usual authority of a high royal in more delicate matters."

A flash of her old self flared in Kirasiel's eyes, and she opened her mouth to reply, but someone else beat her to it.

"Inquisitor Veyal, they have my permission to enter the dungeons."

All seven present turned quickly to see who was approaching, which prompted the two royals and their companions to drop to a knee and Veyal to give a salute. "Queen Orleya," the inquisitor greeted the newcomer.

The panther-like woman approached on bare paws, which had masked any sound of her approach. With a gesture, she motioned for Ahsch and the women with him to rise. "While Lady Kirasiel's... manipulation is unfortunate, I believe that my presence should be enough to curtail any indiscretion she may commit. And I would like to see what Lord Ahsch intends to do, and what aid he thinks he can provide."

"Yes, My Queen," the inquisitor acknowledged, opening the door and standing aside.

With a politically-perfect smile, Queen Orleya gestured ahead. "After you, Lord Ahsch."

The hrafthi wasn't sure what to make of Orleya's sudden, inexplicable appearance, but gave a small bow and entered the dungeons, Aena and Mahat right behind him, followed by Ariin, then Dorin, with Kirasiel bringing up the rear, and the Queen following their group on silent paws.

Once in the dungeon, Ahsch took a moment to look around. The other prisoners in the area Byrdrek and Fauna had been held in had been transferred to other cells while the investigation was underway. Which made the specific site of interest quite obvious due to the veritable swarm of inquisitors in and around the pair of neighboring cells. Ahsch was already drawing on his bond magic as he approached, his gaze darting around, looking for any links that shouldn't have been there.

Short though the connections had been, he was able to identify the left cell as Byrdrek's, and the right as Fauna's. They were fairly comfortable, as far as dungeon cells were concerned, with a lightly-padded bench to sleep on, a small desk with an old, wooden chair, and a small compartment at the back to go to the bathroom in. Hardly 'nice,' but not filthy, straw-covered, or dank.

Focusing, Ahsch made a loop through the cells, walking slowly and passing his attention over as much as he could. A few inquisitors moved to intercept him, but got out of the way with a word from Orleya. A hint of lingering Mana on Byrdrek's door caught his attention on the second loop. He confirmed similar magic tainted Fauna's door as well.

Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes, focused on the magic, and turned his bond sense towards it. The traces were faint, practically imperceptible, and the Dominant Mage felt his Mana begin to drain at an appreciable rate. Who? he demanded. Who freed these two? Who opened these doors?

Slowly a face formed. An identity was there, Elliya, born the 8th day of the tenth month twenty four years ago. There was more, but Ahsch cared for different information. Where? What organization? Who sent her?

Even slower, that was drawn out - the bond that existed between Elliya's magic here and herself was already threadbare - drawing upon a bond that he wasn't capable of directly accessing beyond that was strenuous, to say the least. But he only needed a few words.

"A priest of the Church of Irzton came to break them out," he finally announced, surprised to come back to himself and find himself panting, with sweat beading across his brow. He'd burned through most of his Mana doing that, and quickly refilled most of his own pool by drawing on Mahat and Kirasiel's secondary pools.

"How do you know?" Queen Orleya's question was born of curiosity, not accusation or doubt, judging from her tone of voice.

"Bond magic," was Ahsch's simple answer. Then he frowned in thought for a moment. "Would I be correct in assuming you could demand an audience with the Bishop?"

The two royals locked gazes for a long, tense moment. "That is correct."

Ahsch held the Queen's gaze.

Orleya held his gaze.