Part 4>>>The Shadow of Love (an LoF adventure)

[Legolas]

Inquisitor Marcos of Snowdale - 98/98

He removed his gauntlets, laying them to the side of the desk. After a second, he reached out again to adjust their position to a more symmetrical one. The fingers on his right hand drummed tunelessly on the sturdy oak surface which, in addition to the chocolates, contained an impressive amount of paperwork. The movement and sound were hard to ignore, and drew attention to their size. The left was impressive; the right proved it underdeveloped in comparison. The last remaining sand dropped to the bottom of an elegant hourglass.

"These lands," he spoke, getting up after his two minutes of silence, "are ruled by the owner of the keep we are in. The duke of Lesismoore."

The inquisitor turned the doorkey counter-clockwise, provoking a click from the locking mechanism.

"His wife and her advisors manage the land in his absence. He himself is away to do battle to the north, along with most of his warriors, and those of neighbouring realms. The remaining garrison has little to fear of foes as the entire region has been pacified ten years ago. The keep itself is much older than that, leaning at an angle due to age and the presence of the bogs nearby."

He lowered himself back in the chair, realigning the gloves for a second time.

"Your friends, are late."
His ice-blue eyes suggested it might be Plaxica's fault even if his voice gave no hint of it.
In truth, Marcos was far from concerned over this turn of events. From what he had gathered, Vincent and Silt were most likely to be innocent of the crimes under investigation of all those he'd brought in. They could walk right out of the keep and disappear to live their own lives and he'd not bother sending out a search party to track them down.
But of course, now he had the oppertunity he was obliged to hear their reports for they might hold important information and perhaps impartiallity in their accounts which could turn out to be crucial. They could wait, however.

"Let us begin, then, by hearing your account of the events surrounding the attempted assassination of Silverfall, and his ties to the dark magic as you perceive them. I will require you to mention any and all details you believe might be of importance. Anything irrelevant you need not share."

[dplax]

Plaxica 70/70

Plaxica took a deep breath and started telling the Inquisitor his story.

"I shall start by telling you of how I had gotten into all of this. I was once a sailor serving on a boat sailing the seas east of these lands. Yet our adventure went sour and in an attempt to save the one, who financed the voyage I barely got away with my life, due to the shapeshifting abilities I am sure you have noticed."

"I am sure that to be able to understand the situation better you want to hear how I gained this strange ability."

He paused for a few moments thinking of how to phrase what he wanted to say.

"I was a mercenary for a lord on one of the islands off the coast, when during a night-time patrol I got bitten by an owl. At first I thought it was just an owl gone wild, but a few days later I found out that I had the ability to shapeshift upon will into an owl."

"When some of the other mercenaries I was with found out about my new ability they started to shun me and soon they attempted to kill me as someone, who is dangerous and might infect even them."

"I fled and I joined the ship's crew. After I left the expedition I wandered aimlessly along the coast and then to my surprise I picked up the traces of Rong and Lyulfe, whom you may have met at the tavern. They had been in the same mission as me, except that they left earlier. They were the only people I knew were somewhat friendly to me, so I followed them to the tavern of the one eyed wolf. It seems I arrived in the wrong moment."

"I was just about to get introduced to Larry Silverfall, when he was stabbed. The one called Liam followed the attacker on sent and I shifting into owl form surveyed the area from the sky. The attacker was cornered behind the tavern and captured. I then followed the dragon to check out someone in the trees, but you did not seem to be interested in her, so I'll leave that part out."

"Have I told you everything you wanted to know?"

[ 12-17-2004, 07:27 AM: Message edited by: dplax ]

[Legolas]

Inquisitor Marcos of Snowdale - 98/98

"In other words, you have no involvement in this matter whatsoever, other than your observing the attack and the moments directly thereafter. What can you tell me of the attacker's identity or identifying traits?"

The inquisitor paused for a moment, but as Plaxica was about to open his mouth to reply, added,
"Do you believe there is any merit in these mercenaries' appraisal of the threat you posed them?"

[dplax]

Plaxica 70/70

"The man cornered behind the inn was the one who travelled with us here, unconscious most of the way. If what Liam said is true then he is the one who attacked. I did not see the attacker, when the attack happened."

"About your other question. I haven't noticed any adverse effects since the owl bit me. This does not mean there aren't any, but I haven't gone wild and attacked people if that is what you want to know."

[ 12-17-2004, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: dplax ]

[Legolas]

Inquisitor Marcos of Snowdale - 98/98

The inquisitor nodded briefly, a motion which could be interpreted in too many ways to decide upon one.

From what Plaxica had told him it could be concluded he neither knew Larry nor the attacker. He also had not witnessed the attack. Either this man was withholding information to appear as uninvolved as possible, or he truely lacked any relation to these events. Without doubt the accounts of others with him would tell the inquisitor which scenario would prove to be the case.

"It is part of what I wished to know," he admitted, "but not all. What I am keen to learn is this. Do you feel or fear you may be a very real threat to those around you at some point in the future?"

He glanced down at the paperwork, leafing through a few pages to find whatever he was seeking.

"The matter is likely unrelated, however, and not of utmost importance. You have left one other question unanswered.

"I will require you to tell me of any and all signs of Silverfall's use of dark magic before you may return to your chambers. In addition, answer me this. You have seen the man. What did his shadow look like?"

[dplax]

Plaxica 70/70

"His shadow? I'm sorry I never observed him in depth."

"About your other question: I do not feel that I shall be a threat, but there is a very small fear I might be."

[ 12-17-2004, 10:02 AM: Message edited by: dplax ]

[Elif Godson]

Vincent Pathfinder 98/98

Realizing he had nodded off momentarily he looksd up and noticed Plaxica had already left but Silt was still here. "We best get a move on and join the Inquisitor, there sort can be put off by the simpleist of mistakes" with that he got to his feet and headed out the door and down the hall, just as he got to the assigned destination he heard the click of tumblers being set. " damnit, I think I may have missed my window of opportunity " reaching down he checked the door knob and indeed it was locked. Waiting a few minutes he decided to listen in on the conversation inside, in tern listening to Plaxica and Marcos talk. He waited a bit more for waht seemed about many minutes outside that door then decided to knock on it and wait for an answer. " I should just get out of here, but damnit I am innocent of any of this and I will not look over my shoulder for something I havent done "

[ArcadesSabboth]

The werewolf leaps out of the shadows and pushes Kaylisa to the ground, cutting into her shoulders with his claws. Arcades' mental leash snaps as the creature's hunger takes over and it begins to bring it's muzzle toward Kaylisa's neck, ready to bite her flesh and rip out her throat.

[RoSs_bg2_rox]

Silt 80/80

Silt had been holding off going to speak to Marcos. He was quite aggrivated at being accused of something that he would plainly never think of doing. He had only come to help Larry get back on the right path, the path of goodness; the path which would lead him to happiness; the path of justice. Justice...did Marcos see Silt killing Larry as justice to Larry, he thought not. Still, he decided not to share this with Vincent, and plainly got down to it, he nodded:
"Yes, we best get going, we don't want them to think us anymore suspect then they already do, after all, it is blatantly obviously who the perpetrator is."

And with that Silt followed Vincent, shutting the door behind him, all the while trying to view the whole scenario from the Inquisitors point of view, desperately trying to figure out his real motives for getting involved, and trying to see a fair side in this questioning. He would enjoy these questions.

[ 12-18-2004, 09:44 PM: Message edited by: RoSs_bg2_rox ]

[Larry_OHF]

The shadow beasts continued to mame and tear at their prey. They swarmed around him in a circle of deadly accuracy and clawed off his flesh. They made him lose his balance and fall down the stairs, then swarmed him again while he lay broken and bleeding at the bottom.

Then suddenly they were gone, leaving the man to die in pain as he had nearly no skin left on his bones. His eyes had been cut out, his tongue ripped apart, and his organs exposed externally.



"Such a shame it is, Rodie, to see a potential servant laying there and about to be lost to the forums of IW. I really had hoped you could have served me here in the Tower...but alas, your friend Roderik would not have allowed it. His loyalty is still with the Reaper, and so you shall serve me in this manner. By killing Roderik in such a manner, you are allowing me a vengeful shot against an enemy. Consider yourself blessed for having served me in this way, sacrificing yourself that I might have the higher glory.

And just to show you I am a nice guy...I'll put you out of your misery now."

The mage pointed a finger, and the body that lay on the floor burst into black flame. It consumed the corpse instantly.

OOC>>>Rodie/Roderik has been killed by the Mage.

[ 12-18-2004, 11:17 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]