[center][i]70th of Zieliah, Year 698[/i][/center]

The light from the chapels tainted windows were casting long shadows that seemed to stretch across from one side of the room to the next. Shamgar stood before the flaming brazier that was placed tactfully upon the main altar, with a short flight of steps ascending toward it. Many of the larger temples had their own flaming altars, and the most prestigious temples held the flame of the First Fire. The fire that Valarien Paragon herself lit within the great Flame Keep. It had burned for more then 600 turns of the wheel, and was as bright and strong now as it had been on the day of it's creation. Most did not believe a temple was even properly consecrated unless a flame from that fire graced its altar. Whenever Shamgar needed a place and time to think, he found a sort of comfort staring into those fires. As if the warmth of Kammeth himself enveloped him, burning away the hurts, wounds, or cares of his world and replacing them with peace of mind. After the summit, Shamgar had taken the time to speak with Helden briefly to inform him to meet him here. He found the chamber was a prefect place to conduct business without prying eyes, given there were only two portals into the room.

His gaze was still fixed on the fire when Helden eventually entered, he did not turn to until the man was already reaching the steps. His eyes shifted from the fire to Helden, seeming to take his measure before speaking. “Master Heldan, thank you for meeting me so quickly. Now, there was a matter I wished to discuss with you outside the ear shot of the other Lords.” 

He turned fully and rested his palms on the head of his walking stick. “I am sure it is no news to you of the theft of the crown and the assassination of our previous Phoenix King. Less known however, is the fact we managed to capture one of those assassins, it took much time and doing...but we eventually learned he is a member of the Black Scorpions...A notorious group of hired killers to be sure. I believe they had help of course, likely from within the court, but such so far I have found little evidence. I fear my duties as Lord Regent will leave even less time for me to uncover the truth, that task it would seem, now rest on your shoulders. Of what we could gather from the man, before he died regretfully, is that the Guild Arcane my very well have some connection to these hired killers, of which I cannot imagine in what way. Worse still, I suspect the Under King may have a hand in this, there are few ways to exit the city unseen, and all of them are within the Under City district beneath Skyhaven. Those are, I must regretfully admit, is all the leads we now possess. This of course you would have learned from your courtiers, but I have something which to ask of you. Whatever you learn, I wish you to bring directly to me before anyone else. Do I have your understanding?”

"By all means." The Seeker affirmed, basking in the warmth of Valarien's fire himself. "I can assure you utter discretion in this matter."

The Seeker turned his gaze to the crackling fire within the basin of the braizer, flashes of yellow firelight dancing upon his blank, white eyes. "Naturally, my first wish is to inquire upon the suspected connections of the assassins to the Guild Arcane and this... Underking character, as they call him. No doubt, I will know much more than I care to concerning this man in the coming days, but allow me to begin my seeking of secrets with your Regency."

"What can you tell me of this 'Under-King'?"

Shamgar sighed and with the slightest shrug of his shoulders responded. "Not as much as I would like," His gaze lingered to the flames. "The under king, or 'King under the Mountain as his is so poetically named by the commonfolk. He's the leader of the cut throats and thieves who make the under city their home. Something of a thieves guild, though the watch Captain would deny they exist altogether. No one knows who he is, or from where he even originated. All attempts of flushing him out of hiding have been met with failure, so he is certainly no fool. He likely has a few nobles and officials in his pocket, it would certainly explain his ability to stay hidden for so long. I admit I do not envy your search in finding him and learning what he knows, but I would vow on the coming dawn itself he is embroiled in this, of that there is no doubt. As for the Guild Arcane on the other hand, their involvement is mainly that of suspicion, each of the killers used a sort of magic, a guise or [i]'Glamer'[/i], that allowed them to assume the shapes of trusted members of the Church of the Sacred Flame, a capital offence in it's own right. Once more they were able to slip past the very wards that should have dispelled such magic, wards maintained by the Guild Arcane of course...and never mind the guild are the few institutions capable of creating such powerful illusions in the first place." 

He shook his head as he turned his eyes fully on the future Seeker. "Long have the Arcane Guild been trusted assets to the crown, and I cannot imagine what they would stand to gain, but their involvement given the evidence cannot be ruled out. While you seek out this Under King, I would advise speaking with the Cheif Magister, perhaps learn what you can that would prove their innocence...or their guilt."

He flexed the joints of one hand as he added. "As for your search for the Under King himself, the good Watch Captain Ilaverio Vitcius should be able to lead you in the right direction. If nothing else, the Under King's removal would at least be a victory of a kind. I only pray the trail has not grown cold." He shook his head. 
"I will leave no stone unturned, your Regency. If there is evidence to be had, I will find it." Heldan assured."

"But I am but a single man." The Seeker admitted, starting to pace slowly around the Valarien Flame upon the dais."Investigations of the magnitude requisite for the search for the crown will require favors, tools, and manpower. I can procure some of these things to a limited capacity on my own. House Anselm, while a noble house, is hardly wealthy. I will require [i]some[/i] financing."

"I a propose to House Paragon a short-term budget of 600 Crowns to cover initial expenses - establishing informants, financing equipment and materials, procuring [i]favors[/i] - things of a more clandestine nature." Heldan rattled off, approaching the Regent once again. "During the summit, the First Star and King Osmodeus volunteered the assistence from their respective houses. I am certain they can reimburse your house for these modest operating costs. But for the time being, I need funding at once if my investigations are to proceed."

Shamgar nodded his understanding. "Of course," He then added while scratching his chin thoughtfully. "The old Seeker still has many of his old contacts here within the Palace, in any case if you require any further assistance at all, make it known to me and I shall see what can be done."

"I shall begin my work at once." The Seeker affirmed. "Starting with the contacts of the previous Seeker, I will-"

Soft-speaking Heldan was cut short as the doors to flame chapel swung upon unexpectedly and without announcement. The Seeker and the Regent turned about at once, their gaze falling upon a pair of Royal Guards stumbling through the threshold panting and wheezing from exertion.

"Masters, my most sincere apologies for our interruption!" One guard managed between breaths, stooping down upon his knees to rest.

"There has been a murder within the citadel!" The second finished. "You must come at once!" 

Without protest, Shamgar and Heldan followed on the guards' heels as they made their way to the grisly scene.

((A collaborative post between gorgenmast and GrievousKhan))