[center][h1][color=008000]Royal Palace - Guest Villa’s - Modrian-Na [/color][/h1][/center]

Palace guards and Arkronian soldiers swarmed the Royal Palace’s courtyard in orderly fashion. Accompanied by members of the Inquisitio they searched all the guest villa’s for the missing scabbard of the Yuravian dagger that was found in the chest of the crown prince. Mondrian-Na was certain of it that it would be found inside one of the houses that was currently the residence of one of the vassals delegations. 

Followed by 30 Arkronian soldiers Modrain-Na and Moshram-Or made their way to the Vulpin residence. Their orders were clear, arrest all Vulpin and search the villa for evidence of the Vulpin king’s involvement in the assasination. [color=008000]”Do you think we will find the scabbard with the Vulpin? That would seem far too easy[/color] Asked Moshram-Or.

Mondrian-Na smiled. [color=008000]”That would be a rather unsatisfying end to this case. I suspect it will be found somewhere else.”[/color]

The two grey investigators noted the confused looks on the Vulpin’s faces when they entered the villa. It wasn’t an everyday sight that 30 heavily armed Arkronian soldiers came to arrest an official diplomatic delegation. However after some verbal resistance the Fox-like people submitted without a fight.

The Inquisitio looked closely as the soldiers lined all the Vulpin up. They counted 10 servants and 36 warriors. Only 50 Vulpin entered the city according to the records. With the king and his three companions in the grand hall that meant that they had the entire Vulpin delegation in sight. 

Mondrian-Na held a small glass tube next to his lantern. Inside of it was one of the Vulpin hairs he had found inside the Crown Prince's chamber. Once more the Arkronian investigator looked towards the yellow brownish color and texture of the hair before looking at the line of Vulpin in front of him.

Slowly he walked towards the start of the line and looked at the first Vulpin. A female and from the way she was dressed she was clearly a servant. Probably some chamber maiden or cook. Her fur pattern had shades of orange and brown and looked nothing like the hairs he had found at the scene of the crime. Mondrian-Na waved at one of the soldiers and pointed to the girl before saying [color=008000]”Dungeon”[/color] as a statement of where to hold this specific prisoner.

He made his way further down the line and with each Vulpin he inspected he would usher the word [color=008000]”Dungeon.”[/color]. None of the Vulpin he inspected so far seemed to have the right fur color. He continued to send these creatures to the dungeons until Modrain-Na found himself in front of a young warrior with rather remarkable features. A relatively small statue for a Vulpin, large ears and a yellow brownish fur pattern. The empty sheath on his side was a clear indication that this young Vulpin man was a warrior in the king’s warband. Mondrian-Na smiled as he pointed at him and spoke [color=008000]”My office.”[/color] 

[center][h1][color=008000]Royal Palace - Ohram-Braz[/color][/h1][/center]

Ohram-Braz, the Arkronian minister of intelligence had been working in his office since the moment the crown prince was found murdered in his chambers. Some of his fellow ministers considered this successful assasination an intelligence failure, but he knew better. It was the minister of intelligence himself who had arranged the assasination.

Three quick knocks on the door awakened Ohram-Braz from his work. He turned his head towards the large wooden door and quickly shouted [color=008000]”Enter.”[/color] As the door opened he watched the two members of the Arkronian Inquisitio enter his office. Mondrian-Na and Moshram-Or entered the office.

[color=008000]”Alan Arkronis, minister. You have asked for us to personally report the progress to you personally, minister of Intelligence Ohram-Braz.”[/color] Spoke Moshram-Or quickly before his colleague could say a word. Moshram-Or preferred to take the word when dealing with the higher ups in the Arkronian hierarchy as Modrain-Na’s demeanor has a habit of pissing off those who are above them.

[color=008000]”Alan Arkronis. Please inform me of your findings.[/color] Spoke the minister. Not only was he curious about the progress of the investigation. He also wanted to know what both investigators of the crown actually knew. If they would come too close to the truth, he might need to dispose of them.

Mondrian-Na looked at the minister of intelligence. He never trusted the man. Some said Ohram-Braz was the most dangerous man in the Arkronian kingdom. Sly as a Vulpin and lacking any sense of morality to hold him back. The Arkronian minister was as cold and calculating as a machine. The Inquisitor was fully aware that the man in front of him would spin this investigation in such a way that it would have the most favorable outcome, politically.

With a swift move Modrain-Na dropped a pack of papers on the minister's desk. [color=008000]”Our report with the preliminary findings.”[/color]

Quickly Ohram-Braz scanned through the document. 

[color=008000]”So, a Vulpin is responsible for killing the crown prince with an Ascari dagger. You can tie him to the crown princes chamber by analysis of hairs found. Why did he do it?” [/color]

[color=008000]”Well, he confessed during the interrogation. He said he was tricked into believing that the man in the chamber was an assassin send to kill the Vulpin king. Apparently Peatyr Breatnach convinced him of the threat to his king.”[/color]

The minister of intelligence looked up from his papers to both men in front of him. [color=008000]”That sounds as a rather unconvincing story”[/color]

[color=008000]”Well, he told this story during interrogation and stuck with it during the torture fase. According to Arkronian law his confession is torture approved. Also other Vulpin have confirmed that the suspect has escorted Cael Drumain, prime servant of King Aidar to Peatyr Breatnach’s bathhouse.”[/color]

[color=008000]”So we have a strong case against the Vulpin assassin. He will burn at the stake for his crime. And how is the Yuravian Confederation involved in this?”[/color] Asked Ohram-Braz

[color=008000]”Apart from the used weapon, we were unable to find any evidence of their involvement. The delegation members we arrested and interrogated could not be tied to the crime, the Vulpin suspect or Peatyr Breatnach. However we did find the missing scabbard in the villa of the Saa’kaaleed Abiat. I suggest we arrest Peatyr Breatnach at the coronation banquet and investigate his involvement.”[/color] Spoke Moshram-Or rather timid

Both inquisitors were aware of the complicated situation of the Vulpin bathhouse owner. That man was both a threat and an asset to the crown at the same time. No other person could supply the amounts of information that he had done the ministry of intelligence and yet every Arkronian in the room knew that that wretched Vulpin also supplied information in the opposite direction.

[color=008000]”No!”[/color] Spoke Ohram-Braz resolutely. [color=008000]”Your request to arrest Peatyr Breatnach is denied! I will deal with that man myself. You two arrange the arrests of the delegations of Vulpinia, Yuravian Confederation and the Saa’kaaleed Abiat. Drag them in chains from the banquet.” [/color]

Ohram-Braz watched as the two men left his office. For a moment he thought deeply about the situation. It was time for him to meet some of the suspects in person. The minister had a lot to arrange so that the coming trail would go as he had planned.

While most of the palace staff was rushing due to the recent events, Ohram-Braz leisurely walked through the corridors of the huge Arkronian royal palace. The royal palace was much more thenLeisurely the home of the king. The huge complex was also the center of the government of the Arkronian state. All the administrative branches had offices inside the many buildings of the complex. 

[color=008000]”Alan Arkronis, minister Ohram-Braz. You seem awfully relaxed for such a fateful evening”[/color] Was suddenly spoken.

The minister of Intelligence turned around to stare in the prying eyes of Drokon-Al, the aging steward of Arkron. The only reason that the old man would be in this part of the complex was to gain information on the ongoing investigation.

[color=008000]”Alan Arkonins, lord steward. Yes, I am very capable of keeping my composure in such challenging times as these. That is why I am the minister of intelligence. What brings you to these parts of the Palace?”[/color]

Drokon-Al looked at the Arkronian minister in front of him. He always seemed to haven an answer ready for every question and never showed any emotion when he doesn’t want to. That man was truly competent for his job. It was this competence that worried the old steward. Now with the crown prince dead, his interests might no longer be aligned with the interests of the state.

[color=008000]”Yes, so it seems. A true asset in your field of work. I came to inform you that the ministers will meet in an hour and expect a report on the progress of the investigation.”[/color]

[color=008000]”I see, I am grateful that you took it upon yourself to inform me personally of this meeting. I will ofcourse attend and give a full report. I am confident that we can start prosecuting the perpetrators starting tomorrow. But you’ll have to excuse me for now. I still have a lot of work to finish. It was a pleasure to meet you here, lord steward.[/color]

Ohram-Braz was pretty sure the words of Drokon-Al were lies. Informing ministers of a meeting was not a job the steward had to do himself. For such matters there were dozens of aides. If that man was here, he was trying to get into contact with investigators of the Inquisitio and thus was not trusting the information that Ohram-Braz himself was supplying to the council of ministers. That might become problematic for the minister of intelligence.

As he watched the steward move around the corner Ohram-Braz continued his way. There was still some business to be taken care of before the big day. Business that had brought him to the dungeons deep below the building of the Inquisitio.

The minister of intelligence opened up the door to the warden’s office and stared at the grey man who was sitting behind a desk. [color=008000]”And?”[/color] asked Ohram-Braz as his piercing gaze met with the warden who almost launched himself from his chair upon the sudden entrance of the minister.

[color=008000]”A.. A.. Alan Arkronis, minister. I did not expect your arrival so early.”[/color] murmured the startled warden as he looked in surprise at his superior.

[color=008000]”Cut the formalities and report on the progress”[/color]

[color=008000]”A yes.. Minister. Those Ascarii were lots of work but we’ve found some volunteers to work with. It required a lot of persuasion though. Unfortunately not every Ascari survived the business meetings with Jarad-Ka, our most skilled torturer.” [/color]

[color=008000]”Good. And the Vulpin?”[/color]

[color=008000]”Which one, minister? We’ve got a few dozen in here”[/color] Responded the warden.

[color=008000]”Which one do you think, you idiot? The one who killed the crown prince ofcourse. The others are of little use!”[/color]. Responded Ohram-Braz.

[center][h1][color=B22222]Dungeons of Arkron - Callumn Dubhghaill Longear[/color][/h1][/center]

Callumn Dubhghaill stared at the heavy wooden door that marked the only exit of the cell he had found himself into. The cold stone walls marked the border of what was now his small but entire world. Near the top of the wall, a small hole with strong steel bars provided the only view of what lies beyond the Arkronian dungeon he had found himself into. A comforting view of the evening moon.

As the young Vulpin warrior sat down in the far corner of his cell he watched how the blood drips from the various wounds on his body and hands he had received from torture. His entire body aches and yet he felt so numb. Maybe it was the bloodloss. For a moment Callumn wondered why he was still subjected to torture after telling the two investigators what he had done and what he knew. Then he suddenly remembered that they had told him that confessions made by non-Arkronians were only legal when subtracted by torture in the Arkronian state. 

Once again Callumn has found himself in a deep mess. He had killed the Arkronian crown prince. But why? Why was he in that room? There was supposed to be an assassin. That was what Peatyr Breatnach had told him. Was the intel Peatyr provided him wrong? Or did that man always know that the crown prince would be there? Did this fellow Vulpin lie to him? And for a moment the young Vulpin wondered why he happened to get into this mess. But deep down inside he had always known the answer. It was because he doubted himself and his own judgement.

A sudden splash of water over his head waked the young warrior from his slumber. Did he doze off or pass out from the wounds received from the torture? Callumn did not know. He no longer could tell the difference. As he swept away the water he noticed the Arkronian standing in front of him. After a few times blinking Callumn had a better look of the man in front of him. He seemed rather small for an Arkronian, not as towering as the others. And yet this man seemed more intimidating than the torturers and investigators combined.

[color=B22222]”w...w...what can I do f… f… for y..you”[/color] stuttered Callumn in a weak voice as he tried to crawl even deeper away in the corner of his cell.

The Arkronian stepped closer to the young Vulpin and looked down upon the bloodied prisoner below him. Callumn could feel the man’s piercing gaze as his shadow casted him further into darkness. 

[color=B22222]”So, you’re the one who assassinated the crown prince, correct?”[/color] Spoke the man in a commanding voice.

[color=B22222]”Y...y...yes”[/color]

[color=B22222]”Is it true that Peatyr Breathnach, the Vulpin owner of the Palm Beach Bathhouse had convinced you to assassinate the person in the room because he told you that that was an assassin who came to take the life of king Aidar?”[/color]

Confused Callumn looked at the Arkronian in front of him. Why was he asking these questions. He had told the answers many times before. What was the point of all of this?

[color=B22222]”Yes, that is true[/color] Answered the young Vulpin.

The Arkronian continued his inquiry. [color=B22222]”Ok. Do you know what the consequences of your actions are going to be?”[/color]

More confusion filled Callumn’s mind. The investigators of the Inquisitio had perfectly explained the procedure. That we would be put on trial for committing the act of regicide. If the court would find him guilty, he would be executed. [color=B22222]”I’m going to get executed”[/color]

The Arkronian brought his face real close to Callumns and started to speak again. [color=B22222]”Yes, you are going to be found guilty of regicide and will die burning on a stake. However, you’re not the only one who will be held accountable for the assasination of crown prince Rakon-Da. The fact is that regicide is not a crime committed by an individual, it is a crime committed by a country. In this case, Vulpinia. King Aidar and the entire Vulpin nation will be put on trail as well. Your king is going to get persecuted for Regicide, conspiracy against the crown and treason to the realm. Once found guilty, the Arkronian government has no other option than to consider the assasination of Rakon-Da as an act of war. Arkronia will hunt down every Vulpin and make sure that your treacherous kind disappears from Mycorian soil forever. That are the consequences of your actions.” [/color]

Just now, in this conversation Callumn realized that he had brought not just doom to himself but also has endangered the Vulpin nation and people as a whole. Tears filled his eyes as he desperately looked for a way out. The young warrior never wanted this. He never wanted a war between Vulpinia and the kingdom of Arkron. All he wanted was his king to be save. [color=B22222]”but...but...King Aidar is not involved. It was Peatyr Breatnach who asked me to do it.[/color] protested Callumn.

The Arkronian just smirked. [color=B22222]”Yes, that is true. It was Peatyr Breatnach but you visited him together with Cael Drumain, king Aidars most trusted advisor. Did you know that Peatyr Breatnach is a well known spy for Vulpinia? There is no doubt that the court will find king Aidar guilty if you keep telling this story.”[/color]

[color=B22222]” This story?......what do you mean by this?”[/color] Murmured Callumn in confusion. The young Vulpin wasn’t sure what the Arkronian was after.

[color=B22222]”Well Callumn Dubhghail of clan longear. You are bestowed with the power of choice. You can stick to your story and force the Kingdom of Arkronia to wage war against the Vulpin nation or you can tell the court the truth.”[/color]

[color=B22222]”The truth?”[/color]

[color=B22222]”Yes, how you met with an Ascari delegation from Yuravia at the Palm Beach bathhouse who hired you for the assasination.”[/color] The Arkronian paused a bit before he whispered into th young Vulpin’s ear [color=B22222]”Do you want us to destroy the Vulpin or do you prefer your people to life and have the Arkronians destroy the Yuravian Confederation instead? I suggest you make a wise decision tomorrow in court.”[/color]

Flabbergasted Callumn watched as the Arkronian left his cell. It was true. Assassinating a crown prince was an act of war. If he would tell the truth in court, the Arkronians would certainly wage war against the Vulpin. But could he have innocent people take the fall for his own mistakes? This decision was certainly more difficult than it looked like. At Least Callumn did not have to live with the consequences of his future decision because he would be put to death anyway. Suddenly the prospect of execution became much more comforting than it should be.