The council

The night passes uneventfully, and Kael wakes in the morning feeling refreshed. Upon getting dressed, he finds Petra standing guard outside his room, and the two of them are told that breakfast is already prepared. Yvette doesn’t join them for this meal, but when they finish they find her waiting outside. She’s returned to her public appearance, conservatively dressed and with a professional demeanor. The facade cracks for a moment as she smiles pleasantly in greeting.

“Kael, Petra. Are you ready? I know the rest of the council is going to be eager to get started.”

Kael chuckles. “Early risers, hmm? Yes, I’m as ready as ever.”

Yvette nods. “Xavier likes to get an early start. Not a man for wasting time. But I can’t deny he is a shrewd businessman. Shall we?”

Kael smiles, nodding. “We shall. It’s the whole reason I’m here, after all.”

With that, they retrace their steps from the day before, making their way to the capital building. Unlike when Kael arrived, there’s no welcoming party today, simply a few guards. They salute as Kael, Petra, and Yvette enter.

The inside of the building is far more decorative than the exterior. Hardwood floors, polished to a mirror like shine, and walls decorated with portraits of past and present council members. A set of double doors stands open, leading into the council hall. It’s a large space, and Kael is unsurprised to see that in addition to the council, who are seated in a semicircle on a raised platform at the back of the room, there are probably hundreds of people in attendance, seated in tiered seats that fill the remainder of the space. The room quiets as Kael enters, and he feels all eyes on him as he walks towards the platform. Yvette separates from him, moving to sit in an empty chair with the rest of the council. There’s a podium centered in front of the semicircle of the council, and Kael moves to stand behind it, with Petra at his side.

Xavier, in the center of the semicircle, nods in greeting before speaking, his voice carrying throughout the room. “I call to order this gathering of the council of Lechin. Your majesty, Lord Kael, we welcome you, and thank you for your presence here.”

Kael nods. “Of course, Councilman Xavier. Whatever the trouble is, I’m sure we can solve it quickly.”

Xavier folds his hands, looking over the notes on the table in front of him. “We may as well address that immediately. As you experienced, your majesty, there has been a significant upswing in bandits along our trade routes. As I’m sure you’re aware, trade is the lifeblood of not just Lechin, but this entire kingdom.”

Kael hides his annoyance at the seeming lecture. “I’m fully aware of that, councilman. Go on.”

Xavier smiles, though once again the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Very well. Normally, this would be a simple matter, something that could be resolved by a messenger, rather than your presence. However, there’s a complication.”

The old councilman glances at his notes again. “First, the attacks seem targeted at those convoys employing non-human workers. Guards, drivers, that sort of thing. Second, they have been leaving behind a brand that you may find familiar.”

Xavier holds up a paper, showing a very familiar sight indeed. A flaming hand. “At every attack of this kind, this symbol appears, either scored into property, or in one grisly case, carved into a corpse.”

Kael sighs. “I’m glad you’ve brought this to my attention. How long has this been happening?”

Xavier shakes his head. “Not long, only a few weeks. But there’s one final thing. And this is what prompted our call to you, your majesty.”

He shuffles through his papers, pulling out one that seems different. “This letter appeared in the chambers of every member of the council. It is a condemnation of the laws of this kingdom, a declaration of human supremacy, and a threat of **** to all who disagree. More importantly, it’s signed by one Rastus Malen.”

There’s a susurrus of whispers from the gathered audience at the mention of Rastus. Kael steps closer to take the document, his eyes scanning quickly over the words. “To say this is concerning is an understatement, councilman. I thank you for informing me. Action must be taken. Do you have any information as to where the letters came from?”

Xavier shakes his head. “Unfortunately no. I feel like I should say, though none on the council participated directly in the trade of slaves prior to their freedom, there was no shortage of those who did in the city. Many of those likely bear serious grudges, and I would imagine there’s plenty who would aid this…group.”

Kael nods. “I understand. What can I do to aid Lechin?”

Xavier glances at the other council members before speaking. “We could use troops, for patrols, for one. Added security would help thwart the bandit attacks. As for the root of the problem, we have reason to believe that there is a hideout for the cult somewhere within the city. If you could aid our investigators in some way, that would be appreciated.”

Kael nods again. “I will do what I can. As for the troops, you will have them. I will send a messenger back to Foresthearth as soon as possible.”

Xavier smiles. “You are gracious, your majesty. That is all we had for you. If you’d like, we can have someone bring you to our office of investigation. The rest of the council meeting will likely be dull.”

Kael chuckles. “Very well. Thank you, councilman.”

Xavier gestures, and a young man hurries over to Kael, bowing deeply. “I will guide you, your majesty.”

Kael nods to the young man, following him away from the podium.