Episode 10

> There is one thing I want to make very clear in this class, there are so many different kinds of beauty and there is always going to be something about you that someone will find attractive or appealing. We are going to learn how to utilize that.
>
> Aalea during her class, **Murder Complications**

SHORT SUMMARY

## Synopsis

Aalea takes Xanthus to his interrogation, saying he shouldn’t be nervous, even though she knows he is not. When asked where he was on the night of the murder, Xanthus says that he is aware that this doesn’t sound great but he was not in his room. Telling them that most of them probably already know, but he is a Darkin. *»The first night that I was here, was the first time I have seen the stars in my entire life. So I snuck out of my room to see them again.«* Solis looks surprised at this. Mother Drusilla asks him how long he was looking at the stars. Xanthus says it was only a couple of hours and then he went to catch some sleep. On his way back he hasn’t seen anyone in the corridor. She asks him if anyone can confirm him being in his room the rest of the night. Xanthus says no. She continues to ask if he has seen anyone behave suspiciously. Xanthus answers saying, *»We all just came here. I don’t know anyone and they are all suspicious to me.«* Mouser takes over the questioning, asking Xanthus if he was ever in Galante. He says he hasn’t been. He also denies having interacted with Liisian radicals. When saying that he searched the room almost every night, except the night he was otherwise occupied, making eyes at Xanthus. Mother Drusilla tells him off, saying he should try acting like a professional. When asked if he ever was inside Leo's room, he answers with yes. When asked why. Xanthus gives a speech about the big rooms across the hall. He says that he also went through Leo’s things, trying to find something to solve this case so they don’t have curfew anymore. Mouser asks if he took anything away from the room. Xanthus explains that he took the red thread that was caught in between the door, because it reminded him of someone he knew. He wanted to see if it matched with something Tacitus had, since he had been in the army. Mouser says that in matters about the big room, he needs to ask Mother Drusilla. Who shakes her head. »*You will have noticed we have placed anyone of Marrowborn birth on the other side of the hall. If you can’t deal with inferior accommodations, you are not going to make it as an assassin. There will be no room swap.«*

When asked if anyone accompanied Xanthus, he mentions that Petra opened the room for him. Mouser looks at Aalea and asks her if they haven’t spoken to each other after the interrogation. Aalea confirms this. Xanthus says that after talking to Tacitus, he said he had no involvement in this and Xanthus trusts him in that he wouldn’t lie to him. He tells them that they were fairly close, but it has been years since they last saw each other. So it was unexpected for him to see Tacitus in this place. Xanthus says that deduction isn’t really his strong suit, since he doesn’t really care if it doesn’t personally involve him. He further adds that he thinks that none of his friends, the group of seven he arrived with, had anything to do with the murder. They ask him if Caeso told him anything about the argument. Xanthus says that they haven’t really talked but he was present. Not knowing the language didn’t really help his understanding of the nature of the fight, but gossip has since made it around. They tell him that someone they had interviewed before, mentioned that Xanthus has been with Caeso the night of the murder and that may be the reason Caeso might have an alibi, asking if this is true. Xanthus shakes his head, denying this.

At dinner, Whispcatcher appears for the first time since being asked to speak with Solis this morning. Caeso notices an intense expression on their face, sitting down at their table. Bianca is also sitting at that table, chatting with some other Acolytes. After a lot of hesitation, Agrippa goes over and tries to talk to Bianca. She answers looking very irritated and Agrippa says that she seems busy and he will talk to her later. Nadya and Caeso look confused at this display and ask Agrippa what that was all about. Agrippa tells them that he will inform them later, since this is not something he can say in a public space. Nadya gets the sense that something intense happened between Agrippa and Bianca, since he somehow feels like he has the responsibility to check up with her. Bianca on the other hand seems like she is deliberately trying to avoid being seen with Agrippa.

Back in her room Nadya reads more of the diary. Nadya finds out that 50 years ago, when this was written, it had been Drusilla’s first year as the Shahiid of Pockets. She was 27 years old. The poison teacher seems to be impressed with her drive and ambition, they get along well. The teacher describes her face and comments that she already has a short innocent look to her. A very friendly open face. The Shahiid of Masks back then also seemed to be very impressed with her when she was a student. And very much approved of her being appointed into the role she had.

Meanwhile Aurelius reads the book about prophets. As he flickers through he can discover what the missing pages are, as it turns out, they are the pages that talk about the Prophets of Anais. The book talks about the broad and uncertain definition of Prophets. It appears that several people might have prophetic dreams in childhood, yet nobody is considered a true Prophet until they aren’t specifically chosen by a deity and latched onto for a deeper connection. A sign for this are dreams where the gods appear for actual conversation with the chosen ones. The next chapter speaks about the gifts of true prophets. It goes into magic that is given by the deity. Certain Magics are also shared with ordinary followers, like a gift for healing, gardening, uncanny navigation, but other than that all of those people just find one gift, restricted to a certain use. Whereas true prophets find their magic expanding over time. And potentially even forms gifted to them through the adjacent deities of their own.

Aurelius stays up longer and starts reading the Numicious book again. The next chapter is about Xanthus. It goes into that he was a child born surrounded by good omens and in other ways a disappointment, as they thought for a long time that he was a girl, hoping for another son, like any good Itreyan family. Livia comments on how ironic it is that they would be disappointed later when they discovered that they had the blessing they were seeking. Livia starts describing Xanthus as the world has seen him. She describes a beautiful witty young woman, who always seemed to have a chip on her shoulder. She seemed to resent the world a little despite her ability to move through it with such ease. It mentions that she was engaged to a man named Tacitus Verus, when she was 14. Livia mentions that she is sure they started fucking once they were allowed to attent social events with 16. And she also is sure Xanthus had sex with numerous others before and after the betrothal. None of her siblings ever denied themselves that kind of fun and their mother and oldest sister taught them how to be discreet. She then describes herself as 13 years younger than Xanthus and has worshipped him since she was little. When he came out as trans, it shook the foundation of the family. Her parents were exhausted by finances that were needed to pay the weaver, but they knew it had to be done. When Livia grew up she learned that they expected a lot of him for his financial burden. They expect Xanthus to find a purpose to someday make it up to them and bring in enough money to compensate. They also lost the Verus’ fortune, as Tacitus refused to take another sister as a replacement bride. Xanthus had a reputation of topping noble boys, in the Itreyan mind this is a position of power and most men would be ashamed to admit they wanted to be taken by another man. When hearing about one of Xanthus’ conquests, that of a foolish senator who shared too many secrets with him that were passed along to the family for political benefit, his mother was pleased.

Nadya and Xanthus go to knock on Agrippa’s room to confront him about the whole Bianca thing. Meanwhile Agrippa paces around his room, contemplating if he should confront Diamo or Bianca. When they keep pestering him about what happened, Agrippa confesses that he slept with Bianca, explaining what has occured. Telling them that he was thinking of either going to talk to Bianca or Diamo. This prompts Nadya to ask if he slept with Diamo too. Agrippa denies this. After talking to Agrippa and advising him, he decides to go to talk to Bianca. Xanthus asks if he wants support from them. Agrippa agrees. Xanthus shadowcloaks him and Nadya, while Agrippa knocks on her door. Bianca opens it and asks what he wants. Agrippa explains that he wanted to check in with her after her crying yesterday. Bianca says that he hasn’t seen her crying, denying everything that happened the day before. While they talk, Tacitus comes out of his room, walking past to go to the baths. She claims she was with Tacitus last night. He looks red in the face and says yes to this. Xanthus drops the shadowcloak at this and asks what has occured. Tacitus keeps backing up Bianca’s story. Tacitus goes off to the baths. Xanthus asks what she is pulling here, since he doesn’t believe that Agrippa would lie. Bianca says that this is what happened, and if he thinks anyone would brag about sleeping with Tacitus. He says he believes that, but doesn’t feel like it’s the whole truth. Xanthus adds, *»I just think it would be best if you left Agrippa alone and while you at it stop fucking with Caeso.«* Bianca says she left him alone and that Caeso isn’t his business. She slams the door and Agrippa is very confused, starting to phase around in the corridor. Xanthus says that Bianca is kind of crazy and Agrippa should just forget about it. Nadya tries to reassure Agrippa, without success. Agrippa asks them to hang out. They agree.

During this Petra and Caeso are in the baths, when Tacitus walks in. Caeso notices Tacitus being shell shocked and bright red, he checks in with Tacitus, who says that he feels like he might have said something he will regret later. After Caeso asks what exactly happened, Tacitus shares his side of the story. Last night Bianca came to his room and she commented on his obsession with Xanthus. She asked for his support when she might have to tell somebody something, because she did something embarrassing. He agreed to this, because she said if Xanthus found out it might make him jealous. And now that Xanthus heard that, Tacitus believes he is just mad at him. When Caeso asks who she was talking to when Xanthus heard, he tells him that it was Agrippa. While they hang out they contemplate on what to do and Agrippa is very indecisive, eventually coming to the conclusion to go to the baths, since he feels a little dirty. They arrive in the baths seeing the others still there. They finally talk about what actually happened. Caeso is very confused when he hears that Agrippa and Bianca fucked. Xanthus explains that he was trying to do something nice. Tacitus tries to get out of the baths. Agrippa stops him, asking him what exactly Bianca said. Tacitus tells the story again, catching everyone up. Xanthus shares his excitement about having a real reason to hate Bianca now.

The party leaves to knock on Aurelius’ door, since they want to talk about the interrogation. Ashlinn gives them a weird look as they disappear in his room. Nadya tells them not to drink the tea. They update each other on what they said during interrogations and which items Xanthus and Petra mentioned taking with them. They discuss what to do with the letters. Nadya asks if destroying them wouldn’t just make them appear in the library. Xanthus suggests they just go and drop them off in the library somewhere. While looking at Xanthus, Aurelius suggests that someone should drop the letters off at Mousers. Xanthus tells him this is a bad idea. Then suggesting just turning in the letters for points. Nadya says he can say he found them in Bianca’s room. Caeso then says he worries that he might be making himself a target. Xanthus whines that he wants the points and Nadya hands him one of her rings to turn in for a point so he doesn’t incriminate himself. Xanthus suggests slipping the letters under the locked door in the baths. Aurelius says at this point, burning them is as good as anything. They finally decide burning is the best bet.

Xanthus updates them that someone has hold the teachers that in the night of the murder, Caeso and Xanthus were together. Xanthus doesn’t remember that he told this lie to Tacitus. Nadya updates Aurelius on the whole Bianca incident he missed. When Xanthus asks if there is something like a truth serum, Nadya explains that there is, but it requires very rare ingredients, which would require purchasing before. Nadya tells Caeso that they heard Osrik and Octavia talk at the party about how Caeso definitely did the murdering. They leave Aurelius’ room after their chat.

Starting the next day with Aalea’s class after breakfast. She talks about impressions people have of them. Asking for who wants to be an example, Petra goes first. Agrippa goes next. When asked about what people thought about him, there were comments about how nice and strong he is. Aalea comments about the last one being very apparent. When asked if anyone knew off him before, 80% of the hands go up. Xanthus comments about how he thought Agrippa might have a hard time as an assassin, since people know who he is. Aalea comments about how they had famous assassins before. Less people have actually seen Agrippa fight. Xanthus looks at Bianca while he comments how Agrippa looks like someone who is really good at sex. Aalea laughs at that comment. She says to close off the class she wants to know what we all thought about her. Agrippa comments about how pretty she is. Aurelius and Petra comment on finding her intimidating. Agrippa further adds that she is very insightful and a great conversationalist. Caeso says he thought she was kind. Nadya said she thought Aalea seemed too flawless. Aalea explains that she has cultivated a certain presence in the room and that is part of what she does as a blade, but she reassures us that we shouldn’t feel pressured to be the same kind of blade she is.

That evening, Caeso goes over to talk to Nadya. Caeso tells her that he wanted to check in with her, since the last couple of days it seemed like she was upset, but he doesn’t know why. Nadya tells him that it’s sweet of him. She tells him that she isn’t sure if she is okay, trying to brush it off and telling him it’s stupid and embarassing. Caeso assures her that it’s not. Nadya explains that in the dream they had, opened some old wounds, having to see a person she didn’t want to see. Not wanting to think of her and now it’s taking up too much of her mind. While she explains this she takes out her journal, flicking to the pages and takes out a letter that has been read a lot of times and shows it to Caeso. He reads the letter, stopping himself for a moment to think about it and handing it back to Nadya. She puts it away again. *»Nadya, I’m so sorry.«* She tells him that it’s funny that this was only four months ago and she didn’t even give it to her face. Nadya explains that she was given this letter out of nowhere, having her ex-girlfriend sleep with her two days prior to receiving it, getting it by one of her handmaids. Nadya further adds that after getting it, she went to confront her and she was told some really awful stuff, including that she knew for far longer than she told her that letter. *»I feel so stupid and I feel so used. The most embarrassing part is that part of me wants to go back there and just forgive her for what she said.«* Nadya then mentions that she feels so used, when she had something to do with helping her kill two people, not just doing that for anyone. She finishes saying that she is just so fucking tired of thinking about all of this again. *»You are not stupid Nadya. You were in love and I’m so fucking sorry that she did that to you.«* Nadya tells him that she is not sure about that, prompting Caeso that she is too good. She tells him, *»I think you think too highly of me.«* To which he replies, *»Well start behaving badly and I’ll change my opinion.«* Caeso asks her if he can give her a hug. She agrees and when he hugs her close and tight, prompting Nadya to start to cry. When she stops crying, Caeso steps back a little, puts his hands on her shoulders and tells her *»Do you need anything from me? Tonight or ever?«* She tells him that he has already done so much for her and she feels bad for asking, asking if he can stay tonight, since she doesn’t want to be alone. Caeso agrees.

Xanthus goes over to Aurelius’ room and knocks. He opens the door a bit and Xanthus slips in, prompting Aurelius not to want to close the door. Xanthus explains that this is a private thing and he doesn’t know who will be listening. He begrudgingly closes it and stands near the door. Xanthus asks how Aurelius does magic. Aurelius explains that it was taught to him as a child, he says that he supposes that is an off-brand version of the healing that is often taught at the temples of Nalipse. Xanthus says that he has seen him do healing magic before, but comments on the fact that he used fire in their last fight. »That specifically, obviously is not healing magic. I have never really done that before. I think the heat of the moment got to me a little.« Xanthus gleefully asks if he can make Aurelius angry. He answers that one might say that. Xanthus proceeds to ask if he knows why he can do that, if there is a reason. Aurelius explains that he assumes that he is starting to develop some magic associated with profits of some kind. Xanthus asks him who he is the prophet of. Aurelius tries not to answer, claiming this is personal, making Xanthus spout out that there are only so many gods. *»Then pick one.«* Xanthus asks if it is the Mother and if that is the reason, he is here. Aurelius explains that he had dreams where the Mother appeared, talking to him, so there is a connection there. Aurelius asks Xanthus about his magic, saying he isn’t particularly subtle the times he has used it.

Xanthus: *»Then you know?«*

Aurelius: *»I have an inkling.«*

Xanthus: *»So you understand?«*

Aurelius: *»I don’t understand.«*

Xanthus then tells him that shadow magic is only one thing, which prompts Aurelius to ask how he came across it. Xanthus explains that he was just able to do it, not remembering when he was able to do it. Aurelius advises that maybe Xanthus should be more subtle going forward. Xanthus disagrees, telling him that this is the one place where it does not matter. When asked why he came to ask him, Xanthus explains that he doesn’t know very much about what he does and why he is this way, wondering if Aurelius could have some insight, because of his own magical inclinations. Aurelius says he would be open to help him in exchange for a favour. Xanthus says he doesn’t need him, since Nadya is helping him, which prompts Aurelius to ask why he is here then. Xanthus says he wanted to know about his magic. Aurelius tells him that since their last interaction, he questions Xanthus’ motives. Xanthus says that this was a fight and it’s whole purpose was to win, adding that it was fun. *»We are all here to experience pain in some way. That’s how they are going to make us into what we need to be.«* After all it is better coming from Xanthus than from Solis. Aurelius disagrees, telling him that it is his personal opinion that they don’t share. Xanthus leaves and Aurelius doesn’t sleep that night.

On Thursday Spiderkiller goes around the tables, taking something from the servants plate, takes it and goes to eat it. Mother Drusilla’s orders. Poisoning class is pretty easy for Nadya and Aurelius to follow along with her explanation. She barely pauses for people to take notes. Klaus is in class taking notes for Agrippa and Julius. Spiderkiller seems to hate him, she rolls her eyes, when he comes in. After class, Caeso watches the interrogations while reading the poisoning book. Hush catches Julius and leads him to Xanthus. Xanthus reads Hush’s statement about how he trusts Julius but doesn’t trust him, but he has to help him. Hush mentions a certain spot to Julius, which causes Xanthus to ask what he is talking about. Remembering that Xanthus saw this under his shadowcloak when Hush pointed to underneath the statue where the dead body had been the night before. Xanthus points out that in order for him to help them, he needs to know something. Julius claims that they only went to explore a little, nothing to do with the murder. Xanthus reads that Hush says that he has been breaking curfew recently, trying to spot the killer, as he thinks this isn’t a one time thing and he saw Xanthus doing the same thing. They could solve this together, if they share information. Hush says he has never been caught in his life.

Aalea gets Agrippa for interrogation and reassures him that he doesn’t need to be nervous, weaving at Caeso as they pass him. Spiderkiller offers them a cup of tea, he drinks it. He feels relaxed. He tells them that he was alone in his room sleeping. Agrippa says that he hasn’t noticed anything strange aside from the fight. They ask if Agrippa heard anything from Aurelius’ room during the night. He says he didn’t. Mouser mentions that Agrippa is famous enough for them to know that he has never traveled outside of Itreya, but that they know he knew some radicals. His trainer, Domicious. When asked if he ever spoke to him about rebellion? Agrippa squints and says that he never mentioned anything about rebellion. Mouser asks if he ever was in his room. Agrippa denies it, stating that it would feel weird to go into a dead man’s room. Mouser agrees, having been there multiple times, asking him if he knows of people taking something. He says no, when asked again, Agrippa tells them that he now remembers that Petra gave him the statue. Mouser says that they would have to debate who would get points, but they could turn it in for his class. When asked about theories, Agrippa tells them he isn’t good at them, since there are a lot of them to keep track of. He says that maybe he was a Liisian radical, and some Itreyan loyalists had it out for him. When asked why he assumes that, thinking Leo is a radical. Agrippa says that since he mentioned radicals, he assumed Leo was one. Mother Drusilla asks him if he can’t read. Agrippa says yes, and if they need proof they should just ask Klaus. She muses that it is unfortunately easier to fake not to be able to do something than to be able to do it. Agrippa says that they have the tea in him, should he try to read. This prompts them to ask why he thinks there is something about the tea. Agrippa answers that he didn't know it tingled weird earlier.

On Friday morning Nadya gets a letter from her sister. It reads:

*Dear Sister,*

*I send this letter to Last Hope, as you instructed on departure. I pray it might find its way to you somehow. As you can guess by my uncertainty, I have received no mail from you since your arrival in Godsgrave, so I have no further clue as to where I might send this. But that is to be expected. Letters do take so long to travel. I will avoid saying too much, in case this never reaches you, or is not under your eyes alone. I hope you’re achieving whatever it is you want. I hope you’re finding the peace you seek. Some general family news. Biggest of it, one of your treasured cousins got someone’s wife pregnant. (The kind of endless paragraphs of names you can easily follow with your attention for gossip.)*

*Isra*

Whispcatcher and Petra have a chat, saying that they have been feeling better lately. Saying that they had a good chat with Solis, it was very encouraging. He liked how they held back in the first session. After reading the letter, Nadya asks Peck if she can send some letters. He mentions that he can give her the fake address to send it to people.

In his class, Mouser still talks about security, scanning spaces, looking for hints and clues. Then he takes us one by one to a backroom area. A fake street to see what we would spot. Xanthus asks what Mouser has planned after dinner today, Mouser checks his calendar and tells him that there is nothing today. Since Mother Drusilla has a Friday meeting on her own, which she has to attend every Friday. Mouser agrees to see him tonight. Nadya finds a piece of red thread caught in a window letch. He looks at her expectantly, asking if she would connect it to something. She says that it looks very much like the one from those army boys. Or maybe another red tunic. Mouser agrees with the former, stating that it’s pretty distinctive to be anything else. She also finds some notes. There is an itching of an eagle in flight on it. It doesn’t look like the army eagles, as that one is more pereched.

Before lunch Nadya catches Xanthus and pulls him aside, asking him where exactly he found the red thread in Leo’s room. After Xanthus explains, she tells him that it is funny how she found another red thread in one of the windows, prepped by Mouser. Xanthus says that this is weird, having the red thread and the eagle. Nadya asks Xanthus why the eagle is weird to which Xanthus replies it’s because of the military connection. When Nadya describes the eagle, it rings a bell for Xanthus. He tells Nadya it’s Tacitus’ family seal. She mentions that maybe they should talk to the others. Xanthus adds that he is planning to see Mouser tonight, so he can ask him about it too.

While they discuss this new piece of information with the others. Xanthus goes over to Tacitus, running his hand through the back of his hair, startling him and asking him what he thought about Mouser’s class. He says that it was kind of weird, because something freaked him out. Tacitus doesn’t want to say in public. Xanthus threatens Tacitus, saying that if he was lying to him he will find out. During their electives, Agrippa goes over and tries to talk to Diamo, confronting him about the knife. Saying he wanted to win and Agrippa hasn’t said anything against weapons. Agrippa tries to reconcile with Diamo, who keeps being hostile. So Agrippa leaves angry. During dinner Petra talks to Seadancer, she asks if she wants to join in stealing Spiderkiller’s knives with her and Ashlinn.

Xanthus goes to get Nadya, before walking towards Mouser’s room, arms linked together, when they knock. Mouser opens it in his robe. »Ah, Xanthus, I see you bought a friend. Step inside.« He leads them into his personal quarters, pouring them each a glass of wine. Mouser asks Xanthus if it is true that Xanthus stabbed Aurelius during their fight. He says that just wanted to win and they started to use magic and such, since he had a point to prove. Mouser says he could have proven it, without pulling a knife, adding that he should be careful of that one since he is fond of him. Xanthus comments that he is okay. Mouser asks him if he doesn’t think he has a striking sort of charm, being tempted to unravel him a bit. Xanthus says that he has been busy with Nadya and him. At that Mouser removes his robe and the three of them have a great time. Later, Xanthus says that Nadya and him talk, telling him what he missed in the room Mouser set up and from what it seems it has something to do with Tacitus. Mouser comments that he replicated some things from Leo’s place that he saw there. There were some letters in there that were so important that he hasn’t left them in the room when he found them. But he has replicated some symbols found on the letters in today's class, hoping to see if anyone recognizes them. Xanthus blunts out that it is Tacitus’ family seal. When Mouser hears that he perks up, getting up and writing something in a little book. *»Thank you for letting me know, Xanthus.«* As he writes Nadya looks around Mouser’s room, noticing a few notebooks next to his bedside table, his wardrobe full and messy and a blanket covered in cat fur for his kitty cat. Nadya and Xanthus glance over Mouser’s shoulder, while he writes, seeing only a new blank page. Xanthus and Nadya exchange a look, which prompts Xanthus to start kissing Mouser again, trying to distract him. Nadya tries to steal one of the notebooks. Nadya then tries to distract Mouser, as Xanthus tries to steal something, he gets too distracted by the show Nadya and Mouser are putting on. Mouser tells *»Xanthus, don’t steal from me.«* They stay the night and Mouser seems very happy being cuddled up in between the two of them. As they fall asleep, Mouser's cat comes and hops on the bed to go to sleep as well. He introduces Giselle, his cat to them, saying that he is a boy, but Mouser figured a cat wouldn’t care. The next morning Xanthus tries to steal from Mouser again, while Nadya distracts him. Xanthus manages to swipe one ear piece. As they go, Mouser steals his notebooks back.

The next morning everyone searches for the hidden safe. Xanthus’ is set into the floor of his wardrobe. Nadya’s is in the base of the chair in the reading nook. Xanthus put his expensive stuff in there. Nadya helps Caeso find his safe. It is located in his ceiling. There is already something in there. It’s a fancy dagger. The handle is clean, but the blade has a marbled effect on it. Nadya asks if she can take it. Caeso tells her that he doesn’t want her to be more involved than she already is. They decide to get to the others and tell them about the dagger. Aurelius notices that he has the twin dagger to this, since he took it off from Diamo. Caeso and Xanthus come to the conclusion that it is very unlikely that Diamo was the one who placed it there. Diamo was apparently in the military. Xanthus says that they should turn it in with the teachers, since if this happens to be a test, they look guilty if they don’t. Xanthus decides to get Tacitus. Caeso asks what he knows about Diamo. Tacitus says that he doesn’t know much, that Diamo is kind of an asshole reminding him of the boys that used to be dicks as children. *»We were talking about food and he said how he kind of missed Liisian food. Now I was like oh you have been to Liis and he was like I traveled there to fight.«* Tacitus concluded that the reason was, because he has been in the army. Saying that he doesn’t know for sure, but Diamo doesn’t seem like a mastermind. He further tells us that he is in the army. Caeso asks if he saw something strange in Mouser class. *»I did find my family crest kind of drawn, but it wasn’t exactly the same. I mean it had kind of different feathers and stuff. I don’t think it was exactly the same but it was kind of weird. It had sort of the same pose and it was an eagle. It reminded me of my family crest.«* When Petra asks what exactly was different about the eagle. Tacitus awkwardly takes off his shirt and turns around. Nadya says that in the sketch that she saw the feathers were less defined, they looked more like random feathers drawn, the pose and eagle were the same tho. She further comments on the fact that this could be because Mouser has drawn it quickly, just planting the scene there. Caeso asks if he knows why his family’s crest is in letters Leo had. Tacitus says he doesn’t know, saying his parents wouldn’t do it and their other family branch is not as influential as his dad’s.

Aurelius raises the idea that it might have been in Leo’s letters as somebody for him to either get close to find out some information, to ally or as a target. When asked by Xanthus why Tacitus is here, he says he would tell them if it was just his secret, but it’s a family thing. He can’t say. He later ushers Xanthus into his room to tell him something, being not sure if he wanted the others to know. Tacitus tells him the reason why their families became such good allies is because they are some of the noble families that are connected to the Red Church already, who used the assassins of the Red Church before. This is a reason why his parents suggested this as an option for Tacitus to come here. He tells Xanthus that he wasn’t sure if Xanthus wanted the others to know how they are connected to the Red Church. Xanthus tells him that he doesn’t know. Tacitus says he figured, adding that he didn’t get told until shortly before coming here. Xanthus thanks him for telling him, saying he needs to think about this. Tacitus leaves to distract Diamo.

Aurelius, Caeso and Nadya decide to go to Aalea with the daggers. Caeso explains what happened. They hand the two daggers to Aalea. She tells us that she knows where people would get this kind of dagger. She then explains that certain high ranking people in one of the divisions of the army get knives like this. Aalea asks if he was in his room all the time or if he left it unattended for a longer time. Caeso says that he had been away, not sleeping in his room. Which prompts Aalea to ask, *»Who are you sleeping with?«* Caeso doesn’t say anything, but she comments, *interesting,* when her eyes flick between Caeso and Nadya. Aalea says she will take them both to Mother Drusilla. They head to lunch, on the way Aurelius asks what kind of army division these knives belong to. They are not an army division per say, more a special law enforcement in Godsgrave. Some of the high ranking members of this force are given the knives. It is made to look like sunsteel, but it is not made out of it. Since the army doesn’t have the resources to outfit these many people. Meanwhile Xanthus and Petra go into Diamo’s room. Inside they find two more of the same daggers, a red army tunic and his military badge. Petra takes another tunic and traps his door.

At lunch, suddenly a bell starts ringing. Mother Drusilla counts the clangs, when she is done she leaps to her feet. The hands were already moving, not speaking, focused on where they were going. *»Acolytes. Don’t panic, this is an alarm bell. You will each be escorted to a special sanctuary by one of our Shahiids. Solis follow me. Aalea take the first table. I believe room 35 is free. Spiderkiller take the second to room 36 and Mouser to 37 with the last table.«* She instructs us not to run and that our lives depend on following instructions at the moment. Mouser takes the table our party is gathered at, he looks more serious than we have seen him. Naev joins us as well as two other hands that must be in charge of the others at the table. He takes us through the corridors, always glancing at any passages that lead down until he finally stops in front of an empty wall. He reaches for a key and pushes it between chinks in the stone, it didn’t look like a keyhole, but allows the key to turn like one and tells us to get inside. He turns around and wonders where Naev is. Hush points behind them. *»Her leg, of course. Aurelius watch the door, as long as your body stands in front of it the magic will not cause the room to reseal, the rest of you watch my back in case you need to step in or go hide inside.«* With that he bolts down the stair. She swears at him, saying he should have sealed the door, telling him it will be fine, she doesn’t need his help. Mouser just scoops her up and begins to carry her up the stairs. Just as they reach the top, the wall behind them explodes. A terrible creature leaps out at their heels.

*»It’s form is hunched from crawling, it’s limbs each double jointed. It’s mouth hangs open, tongue lolling between shattered teeth as if it’s been chewing on rocks. Two rows of eyes like a spider, yellow and gleaming in the torch-lit corridor. Drool running down it’s muzzle and dripping onto the ground. It’s more dog like than anything else. You have seen pictures of it before in tales of the old Ashkan empire or graffiti on the streets along with skulls and sea monsters. People call it a deep beast. You didn’t know they were real until this moment.«*