“That’s a bonnie start.” Siobhan said. Her face filled the screen on Rose’s MIRA and carried visible relief. “The mayor’s decision to be cagey on the origin isn’t ideal, the rest of your testimony will have to do some heavy lifting.”
“The rest?” Rose turned away to hide her own disappointment.
“Dah, the Bailiffs are gonna need more than a picture and a hunch.” Siobhan chuckled. “You didn’t think it would be all that easy did you?”
“No. Of course not.” Rose answered too quickly. Siobhan’s round black eyes studied Rose for a moment.
“The hotel might be a great place to start. If he can’t be actually placed there, the entire case is on its head. Of course it opens up more questions, but that’s beyond the scope of your assignment.”
“Is that the girl wonder?” Elnaril said as he squeezed into view. “By the stars of Myr, I’m getting one on one time with the provincial prodigy. I heard she’s going approach fix the legal system all by herself.”
“Stop.” Rose said with a reluctant smile on her face.
“Yes, cut it out.” Siobhan said as she glared at Elnaril.
“What? That’s the rumor....I may have started. But the people love her! They want a hero, I say give them a legend.” he said.
“Really?” Rose asked.
“It’s love hate. Everyone loves the zeal and Jack Eggers hates your guts. But he hates everybody.” Elnaril said. Rose felt a rock drop in her stomach. Now that she was past the rush of emotions, the reality that she had blatantly ignored her most direct boss had caught up.
“About that, I know there was supposed to be a way to get out of this-”
“If it were possible, I would have found the way.” Siobhan said.
“Oh.” Rose replied. The way Jack had reached out sounded as if it were a sure thing. Had he and Siobhan not talked?
“It’s just as well. We can’t afford to waste time chasing a dead end. Even the Bailiffs are starting to run on the three day time frame instead of five.” Siobhan said.
“Do the Bailiffs decide if an appeal qualifies?” Rose asked.
“They’re acolytes of the Gatekeeper of Justice, so they facilitate the appeal process, but they’re basically glorified message carriers. Frightening, hooded message carriers who deliver your message to a fearsome and mysterious entity.” Elnaril said.
“What is the Gatekeeper of Justice like?” Rose asked.
“In court, she’s fine; think tall, beautiful woman with no sense of humor and an intimidating presence. Back in her realm or wherever she calls home? Incomprehensible, unworldly, fill you with dread type of being. Thank Myr the Bailiffs are the only creatures able to withstand her full presence.” He shuddered.
“You might see them when you get to Black Crow Isle.” Siobhan said. Rose stared at her and once again, Siobhan’s eyes drilled into Rose. She turned to Elnaril. “Can you have your contact at Black Crow get Rose an appointment with the appealant?”As in right now.” Her voice caused both Rose and Elnaril to jump.
“Heading there as we speak. Catch you later.” Rose said. She hung up quickly and put her MIRA away.
“Very convincing.” the voice said. Rose looked from the bag of groceries in her hand to her apartment a few yards away.
“I missed when you didn’t have the ability to do be sarcastic.” Rose said.
“It’s not my fault you were ready to call it a day so soon. I thought peasantry required good work ethic.” the voice said.
“First, not a peasant and second...obviously...I knew there would paper work and stuff to do. I just thought it seemed pretty clear something is off with the case. That’s all.” Rose heard the alert from her MIRA. Elnaril had sent the details for her visit and set an alarm reminder. “I’ll just drop this off first.” Rose said.
As she approached the building, Rose’s eyes widened and her brow furrowed into a frown. On the sidewalk in front of the steps, a troll stood in front of the steps and pointed frantically at two others holding boxes. Rose felt her heart drop as she recognized they were the trolls which had tried to attack her earlier as the two holding the boxes. The troll talking to them looked to be about her height and similar in age. Rose tightened her scowled and picked up her pace.
“Hey!” she shouted. Rose had a fluttering feeling in her stomach, but she couldn’t just let them keep getting away with harassing people. She flung her bag of groceries in the direction of one troll, still in his phony City Watch uniform, and jumped in front of his brother. “You better leave this guy alone. My friend from earlier is on his way here as we speak. And if he sees you again...” Rose made a slashing motion across her throat.
“Great energy, now look for his knife and stab him in the groin.” the voice said.
“I’m not going to stab him in the groin.” Rose said, too loudly this time. The three trolls looked at each other then back to her.
“Okay, let’s not do that.” the short troll said. He put his arms up between the others and Rose.
“You guys think you’re so tough threatening someone smaller than you. Well I won’t let you harm him. Just because he’s scrawny doesn’t mean you can just rob him. He’s not alone.” Rose shouted. The shorter troll grimaced and cleared his throat.
“I’m not...scrawny...okay, just..” He waved her off as the other two trolls snickered. “They aren’t robbing me.” he said. “They’re helping me move. Neer do wells though they may be, they are clan kin.”
“Oh.” Rose said.” She looked at the brother then back at the troll standing in front of her. “Sorry about all that.”
“This young lady spoiledfied what was our attempt at an enterpriseification and gaeld generation operation.” the uniformed troll said as he picked food from his clothes.
“That’s right we demand gaeld to make up for lost wages.” his brother said. The younger troll rubbed his face with his hand.
“Troflar, I keep telling you not to rob people. And if you do and they foil your plan, you can’t sue them. Also demanding money isn’t suing someone in Aesos.” he said. The troll turned to Rose and extended a hand. “I’m Eamund. You’ve already met Troflar and the zulteb wearing your salad is Troglor.” Troflar, the troll in regular clothes began to laugh.
“That name is sillier than a Dryad in the desert.” Troflar said.
“It’s an uncommon name for a Troll.” Eamund said. His voice carried the weariness of repeated explanation.
“Nice to meet you.” Rose said. She continued to keep the other two trolls in her sights.
“Guys would you...” Eamund said. Troflar sneered at Rose.
“We’re sorrier than a one gaeld griffin.” he said. Troflar nudged his brother.
“Yeah...sorry...” Troglor muttered.
“Bridge over a bog...I suppose. But you shouldn’t wear a stolen City Watch uniform. That’s against the law, and I am Juror after all.” Rose said.
“Being a Juror ain’t a being officer is it?” Troglor asked.
“No.” Rose replied.
“So what’s it to you? And not that it’s any of your business but I happened to come upon this here uniform quitely legitified. I found it. And finding is distinct..." Troglor paused and looked at Eamund with a pained expression “from stealing ain’t it?”
“Just finish with the boxes. And be careful!” Eamund said. Troflar and Troglor each picked up a couple.
“That argument was sharper than a guppy shark’s talon.” Troflar said to his brother.
“I know, maybe I should be a Juror.” Troglor said, his chin high as they carried items inside.
“So neighbors...are they...?” she asked.
“Oh Myr no.” Eamund said. “I just promised brood mother I’d keep an eye on them while I’m here for my apprenticeship at the Institute.”
“You’re studying at Valeth?” Rose asked. To call the Valeth Research Institute prestigious was quite an understatement.
“Yeah.” Eamund said as he rubbed the back of his head. “I’m piloting a new discipline which probably helped. They want to make use of the potency of sorcery, except reverse it for healing magic instead of general death. Cutting edge stuff.”
“That sounds exciting.” Rose said.
“It is, but honestly I’m excited I can get a job that’s far from the Clan Lands, pays a lot, and did I mention it’s the farthest thing from the Clan Lands?” Eamund said.
“I just moved here from a province myself, so I get the desire for a change of scenery.” Rose said. She smiled. This was one of the first interactions she since moving which was genuinely easy and pleasant.
“You did?” he asked. “Would you-” a large crash grabbed their attention, and several objects rolled out of the lobby.
“Careful with the lab stuff!” Eamund yelled. He started to walk inside as a small lantern rolled down the steps to a stop at Rose’s feet. “Could you grab that for me? Thanks.” He walked inside then stuck his head back through the door. “Be careful when you grab it. Sanitizing lights are very bright and beyond destructive if they get out. Troflar!” Eamund’s attention turned back to the inside of the building. “That’s a not a hat!” Rose picked up the lantern. It was abnormally small with a thin handle on the top, four tinted pieces of glass making up the housing for the flame, and the aforementioned switch on its base. Rose looked it over but found no visible signs of damage.
The alarm on Rose’s MIRA went off and she dropped the lantern into her bag.
“I’ll just swing by with it later.” Rose said.
“I bet you will.” the voice said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rose asked.
“Nothing at all.”
----------------------------------------
Rose stood outside the entrance to Black Crow and looked around. All throughout the trip, she imagined a nightmarish, icy, foreboding, and impenetrable building which housed to worst criminals Aesos had to offer. Instead, she stood in front of a lone black building with one floor and empty land surrounding for miles.
There was one direct train from Aesos proper out to Black Crow, and suitably, Rose enjoyed the eerie ride as the only passenger. The walk from the station, which featured dead trees and an abrupt silence from the wind which had been blowing, was appropriately ominous as well. That unsettling atmosphere had given way to one of the most mundane structures Rose had ever laid eyes upon. The impenetrably dark exterior was the only indicator she was heading into a prison and not actuary’s office.
“You call this a proper cell?” the voice said.
“No. It’s...I mean technically it is a prison, but it’s not supposed to be a dungeon. Since when are you some sort of authority on crime and punishment?”
“I’m merely commenting on the lack of accommodations for simple torture. No wonder you peasants run amok.” the voice said. A luxurious carriage slowly came to a stop next to where Rose stood. The two spectral horses, which pulled the carriage, dissolved and the door opened. A slender man with a young face and short dark hair stepped out. He straightened his tie and smiled at Rose.
“You must be the Juror?” He asked.
“And you are?” Rose replied.
“Chen. Chen Ulrich. My dad is the guy you’re here to see today.” Chen put out and expensive image in visibly high quality, tailored clothes. To Rose, however, he was more reminiscent of someone who knew what the high class looked like, but didn’t quite belong.
Rose quickly extended her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Rose. Juror number nine, assigned to the appeal.”
“I can’t express how grateful I am that you took his case. I...my dad would never harm my mom. Ever.”
“That’s what his appeal is arguing and I’m just here to see if there’s merit.”
“It’s an expensive firm, they better have come up with merit.” Chen said. He winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to come off as flaunting.” Rose glanced over at his car.
“I’ll bet. Alchemy pay well?”
“Inheriting one third of the oldest company in Aesos does, actually.” Chen said.
“Good job.” the voice said and it was Rose’s turn to react to a careless statement.
“There’s been a considerable increase in resources for his defense, I mean.” she said. “I...sorry about your loss.” Rose added quickly. Chen smiled and waved her off.
“My dad’s legal team was comprised of lawyers the company keeps on retainer. Coincidentally, my uncle, who never liked my parents’ marriage, is in charge of company legal affairs. Now that I have resources of my own, I’m going to get him out.” Chen nodded towards the building. “Shall we?”
Rose and Chen in front of the building and tried to figure out how to get inside. There were no windows or visible doors; not even a slot to push through items. There was only an unending, pitch-dark cloak which wrapped the around the building. Up close, the building material gave a sense of constant motion and looked as if swayed. Hanging from a wooden post, hastily attached the building was a run down sign which read: Port Ebon. Underneath, a hastily added note warned about fog ingestion and severe side effects.
“Any idea how which side is the front?” Rose asked. Chen shook his head. Rose put her hand against the wall to try and feel for a gap or mechanism to activate a door. A portion of the wall became translucent and Rose fell through to the inside. She stumbled, but retained her balance and Chen walked in after her. He looked at her and shrugged.
The interior of Port Ebon almost exceeded the level of mundanity found outside. A tall counter which wrapped around a corner and led into in a room. On the opposite side of the room, a row of doors that opened to meeting rooms extended the length of the wall. What caught Rose’s attention, however, was the singular feature inside of the building which stood as unusual: a canal which lead into to murky water and stretched for miles.
Rose had to assume both the existence of water and how far out it extended due to a gray fog which had settled over the canal. It wasn’t thick, but the fog’s dark color made visibility into the distance impossible. Ahead Rose could make out a faint blinking light and she heard the sound of waves crashing. However, instead of being the sound Rose remembered from her days at the lake fishing with her neighbors, the sound produced by the canal was several octaves lowers and didn’t linger.
“State your business.” An old man walked up to the front counter and sat down. When his eyes landed on Rose, after studying Chen, he squinted. The old man never moved but Rose felt as if he were staring from the length of her nose.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“I’m Chen Ulrich.” Chen said. It broke the old man’s concentration and Rose watched his eyes seem to age immediately, turning from a dark blue to pale and unfocused.
“We’re both here to see Dr. Ulrich. Should have an appointment under Rose or Juror-”
“Wait a minute. Just let me get my appointment log out.” The old man said. His voice was surprisingly jovial as if the prior intense stare hadn’t occurred. He shook as he lifted a huge book from under the counter. Slowly he cracked open the cover, licked his finger and began to skim the page. “Let’s see...today’s date.” Rose glanced at the book. The dates listed were from over a century ago.
“It’s probably towards the back of the book. Under Rose. Juror number nine.” Rose offered.
“Ah bup bup bup bup.” The old man held up his finger. “The back of the book is the future. I just need the present.” He slowly raised the first page, flipped it over, and began to trace the back of the page. Rose sagged.
“Did he say future?” the voice asked quickly. Chen leaned in towards Rose.
“There it is. You’re here to see Prince Stelian correct? I believe they moved him to the cells a little while back-”
“That’s appointment is for a different Rose, I think. Maybe one from almost a thousand years ago.”
“What did he say?” the voice asked. Before Rose could answer, Chen walked up to the counter.
“I’m here to see a prisoner. My name is Chen...” he looked back at Rose. “Sheng.” The old man looked up from his book.
“Welcome back Mr. Sheng, I’ll be right with you once I find Tulip’s appointment.” he said. Rose and Chen both audibly groaned.
“I thought it might help.” Chen muttered. Rose slapped the counter.
“Sir. I have strict time frame to work within, and I can’t afford to waste-”
“Here it is. Rose to see Dr. Ulrich. Brought in a couple of days ago. I always get there. Just takes time.” the old man said. He slammed the book shut. “The vessel to Black Crow is away on delivery. I could arrange for an express ship to take you there.”
“Thank you so much.” Rose said.
“I could, but now I don’t want to after your outburst. Instead, you’ll have to meet him here.” the old man said. He picked up a large, old looking bell from his desk and waved it around. Instead of a constant higher pitched ringing, it emitted one low rumbling noise which loudly echoed, bouncing from wall to wall, into the fog. The old man placed the bell back on his desk and handed a key to Rose. He motioned towards a door on the far side of the room.
Rose unlocked the door and walked into a fully furnished room which was bigger than Port Ebon in its entirety. The room was mirrored with identical chairs and a table positioned in the same corresponding spots on the opposite side of the room; which had its own door. Once the pair stepped over the threshold, the key disappeared from Rose’s hand and the door vanished; a countdown appeared where the door had once been.
The door across the room opened, and what Rose recognized to be a Bailiff walked inside the room. The Bailiff was tall, brawny, and had gold chains wrapped all around its body; though they did not impeded its movement. The Bailiff had a well worn hood which covered its head and left its face in complete shadow. It walked with a staff which never touched the ground as the Bailiff walked with heavy, unbalanced boot steps. Behind the Bailiff Dr. Ulrich shuffled into the room. His face looked for more tired and grim than what Rose had seen from the footage of the trial. He wore threadbare clothes and his thinning hair was uncombed. Out of the corner of her eye, Rose saw Chen swallow.
Dr. Ulrich took a seat in the chair farthest from the middle of the room and folded his hands. “What are you doing here?”
“Dad.” Chen said breathless. “This is Rose, she’s the one handling your appeal to get you out.” He took a step into the middle of the room, but was knocked back. Cracks began to appear and spiderweb out in front of him, but disappeared.
“Decent barrier.” the voice said.
“I can’t promise that, but it is a pleasure to meet you Dr. Ulrich.” Rose said.
“I can’t imagine there being much pleasure in meeting a murderer.” Dr. Ulrich said.
“Dad she’s...I’m trying to get you out of here.” Chen said. Dr. Ulrich’s expression remained stiff.
“Dr. Ulrich, if there is any merit to the appeal, I assure you, I will investigate it to the fullest extent. Surely, you must think there’s something to it.” Rose said.
“Ask whoever submitted the appeal.” Dr. Ulrich grumbled.
“Why won’t you fight this?” Chen yelled. Rose glanced at the Bailiff but it seemed unconcerned. “You would just give up like that? Give up on yourself, on me, on mom?”
“You didn’t see what I saw.” Dr. Ulrich said. Rose had expected for the doctor to raise his voice as well, but he just seemed to shrink further into his seat from the weight of grief in his voice. “To see the woman I loved, your mother, lying there in...” he shook his head and closed his eyes.
“That would be good place to start.” Rose said. “Even in your testimony you were uncommunicative, what is your memory of what happened?” Dr. Ulrich looked at Chen and sighed.
“My wife and I live...lived outside of the city. Something came up which required an in person visit.”
“What came up?” Rose asked.
“Can’t say specifically. All I know was it involved ‘Sheng family business’ and it upset her.”
“She didn’t tell you? Is that why she wasn’t there when you checked into the hotel?”
“It’s because my uncle would rather tear our family apart than accept my father and I.” Chen said.
“Chen enough.” Dr. Ulrich snapped. “Erlang objected to our union, wishing instead that San had married someone more of...her station.” He looked at Chen. “I don’t want you taking on my hardships. He can hate me all he wants, I don’t want him to become your enemy as well.”
“I do not fear him.” Chen said quietly.
“You arrived in Aesos and you’re saying San left ahead to the meeting?”
“Correct. I set up our stay with the usual procedures. I waited at one of the taverns, and indulged with a former colleague before the spellhop eventually picked me up and...from there it’s a nightmarish blur.”
“Are you sure you were picked up at the correct tavern and went to the right hotel?” Rose asked. She decided to hold on divulging anything regarding her earlier find or the submitted appeal evidence; Rose needed to extract as much unfettered information from him as she could.
“It’s the same place we stay every time we have to visit the city. Half of why San liked that place was the proficiency at executing our precise routine.”
“What was the other half?” Rose asked.
“The view.” Dr. Ulrich said, his chin quivered slightly.
“Based on testimony, you confirmed being at the hotel during the time frame when the incident occurred.” Rose said.
“Correct.” Dr. Ulrich said. “Except it wasn’t an incident, it was murder. You may as well say the word. San’s body is all I see when I close my eyes.” Rose folded her arms.
“Which means the only question left which matters is: why? What reason did you have to kill her and leave her body bleeding out on the floor?” Rose asked. Chen quickly turned to Rose, his face reddening. Dr. Ulrich immediately stood up and glared at her, then slumped his shoulders.
“Because I’m a foolish monster who doesn’t deserve clemency.” he said quietly. A chime blared and Rose looked back at the timer; it had turned back into the door and opened itself.
“Thank you for your time Dr. Ulrich.” Rose said.
Rose stood outside, next to Chen’s carriage. Evening had set and Port Ebon, once so uninteresting during the day, took on an appropriately grim appearance against the backdrop of night. “Listen,” She said. “I wasn’t looking to be callous back there.” Chen nodded but didn’t meet her gaze.
“We’re both a bit defeated right now.” Chen said.
“I’m not a defense attorney, my job is only to determine the merits of one specific aspect of an appeal. That said, unofficially, I don’t think he did it. I can’t guarantee an appeal, but I know he’s innocent.” Rose said.
“Thank you.” Chen said. He gave a weak smile and got into his carriage. As disappeared down the road, Rose pulled out her MIRA.
“Siobhan?” She said. “How can I see the body?”
----------------------------------------
During her first day at Academy, Rose was the only student from the nearby province. Everyone else hailed from the city outskirts, and a few from nearby islands. The school and the people in it were of a completely different walk of life, and she spent the first days alienated. Even that experience of abrupt culture change paled in comparison to being in the hotel tavern as she waited on the spellhop.
The building itself wasn’t particularly notable; it was certainly nice, but nothing Rose hadn’t seen before during her short time in Aesos. Aside from an expansive bar which seemed able to serve any drink a patron’s heart could desire, there wasn’t a lot to write home about. Rose assumed this was by design, allowing the place to keep a low profile and avoid too much unwanted attention. What was remarkable was the fact that upon entering, Rose came across two people who probably had more gaeld on them than she had seen in her entire life; and it only escalated from there. The wealth on display was incredible, not just the sheer amount but the way it managed to prominent but not conspicuous. Everyone was dressed well, sure, but nobody rolled around in gold plated robes or dresses. However, it only took a quick inspection to pick up on the high quality, and cost, of the fabrics and labels. Rose was astonished how they didn’t seem to notice, they were all so used to it they only thing which caught their eye was Rose herself. Her badge had given her access but it was clear she didn’t belong.
“Disgusting.” The voice said. “It’s all so tacky and gauche. And somehow you still manage to stick out.”
“Were you some sort of debutante or dungeon crawler. You’re sending some mixed signals.” Rose said. For once she was glad to have the voice around to talk with; it helped distract from the glares from guests surprised to see the riffraff had made it inside.
“Standing in the middle of the room like some sort of awkward statue didn’t help.” the voice said. Rose had started by the door, but was not so politely asked to move by staff. The only secluded area to wait as at the corner of the bar. Rose thought she would be immediately taken to Obsidian Resort, but there was no budging on the spellhop route policy and the only option was to wait.
Rose declined service from the bartender and as she did, noticed a man at the end of the bar looking out into the room. He faced away from Rose, but something about him caught her eye. In flash, he turned around, dropped some gaeld and walked off before Rose could get a clear view. The sound of a communication alert caught Rose’s attention.
“I’ve sent a request to the family to get a copy of the death report and to see the body.” Siobhan said.
“Thanks. The trial summary is a bit light.” Rose said.
“They’ve been real cagey about the whole thing since the start.”
“I still can’t get clarity on what weapon was used. It just says and enchanted item and that’s all.”
“It’s been a fight every step of the way. Keep on it, they might try and run out the clock.”
“That doesn’t make sense. It makes it look like they’re hiding something. ”
“People like that are always hiding something. But we have to stick with their rules and can’t get access until they give us permission. I’ll send it over as soon as I get it.” Rose hung up as people began to leave their seats and crowd the front door. At the head of the commotion, the spellhop read names from a scroll as people stepping into the portal.
"Hi. I’m ready.” Rose said.
“That’s wonderful for you.” The spellhop replied. He had mussy hair and pale purple skin. He checked each guests name with a lackadaisical flair.
“The Juror.” Rose offered.
“And I’m a spellhop. Now that we know each other’s jobs, we’ll be the best of friends.” the spellhop said in a flat voice.
“I’m supposed to be taken to Obsidian Resort.” Rose said after a moment.
“You see this glowing, swirling vortex of energy next to me?” the spellhop asked. Rose nodded. “Well that goes to Ocohst Fields Hotel. If you go through that, you won’t to get to Obsidian Resort.”
“He’s unusually slacked jawed, even for your usual sort.” the voice said.
“When will you make a portal for Obsidian Resort?” Rose asked.
“After I’m finished with the paying customers for Ocohst Fields Hotel, at which point the paying customers for Obsidian Resort get to travel.” the spellhop motioned behind Rose to the long line of angry clientele. She away from the line and leaned against the wall, and almost immediately the man from the bar approached the spellhop.
Rose felt her body tense, and her nostrils flared as she realized why the man looked familiar: it was Tristan Fox, the obnoxious and deceptive lawyer. He said something to the spellhop and the two shook hands. The spellhop placed his hand in front of the portal causing it to change to briefly change from a glowing gold to orange. Tristan patted him on the shoulder, then walked through, and the spellhop changed the portal back.
“I’m impressed.” the voice said.
“He’s liar and lying to a Juror is probably illegal. We hate him.” Rose said.
“He tricked you. Not me.” the voice replied. Rose fumed as she watched the last guest walk through. She immediately marched over to the spellhop.
“Back again?” he asked.
“What was that? Why did you let that guy go ahead of everyone but not me?” Rose demanded.
“Gaeld.” the spellhop said.
“What? How could you just casually admit you’re corrupt and for sale?”
“Do you see what I do for a meager living?”
“Why didn’t you just say that in the first place?” Rose asked. The spellhop looked her up and down.
“I don’t want to take money from someone who clearly can’t afford to lose it.” he said and shrugged. “Hurry in so I can make my next stop.” Rose looked at him with narrowed eyes and thought of a hundred different spells she wished she could use at that moment. When she stepped through the portal, Rose stepped on a slick surface which caused her to slip and fall through the portal. “Watch your step on the Ley Stone.” the spellhop said in a lethargic tone as the portal closed.
“You must be the Juror.” Rose stood up and saw a large Yeti in a waste coat looking down at her. His fur was a deep chestnut and broad shoulders. “You very much look like you belong.” he said. His eyes periodically scanned the room.
“I belong right now. I have a few questions I’m hoping you can answer, Mr...” Rose said.
“Yeti.” He held up a hand before Rose could speak. “Our language is too complicated for your tongues and our names have no translation. Outside the caves, we all go by your species name for us.”
“Fair enough.” Rose said.
“Ask nothing about client business. Confidentiality is paramount to our success.” Yeti said. Rose dusted dark orange dirt from her jacket. “Forgive the mess. We had a cleaning snafu.”
“Snafu?”
“A former manager brought in a new team but they were terrible and we had to bring the old staff back. They’re still catching up, we have over three thousand rooms.” Yeti said. “Our Ley Stones get so much traffic, you can never clean them enough.”
“Right. Of course.” Rose said.
“Oh you dear. It should have been very obvious you can’t afford to travel by portal much. I apologize.” he said. “Ley Stones direct portals to specific locations. You go where the stone is, instead of some random place Myr knows where.”
“Do you have them in the rooms?” Rose asked. The manager forced a laugh.
“No. Portals burn a hole through space and time. Ley Stones secret a fluid which absorbs and holds the flame, but if something went wrong. Kaboom.” Yeti made an explosion noise. “Which is why one coming up missing is a huge no-no. Not to mention, the soot they produce is hard to get out of fabrics. Sorry by the way.” Rose looked down at the remaining dust on her jacket.
“A Ley Stone was stolen?” she asked.
“Not stolen. En route to being replaced.” Yeti pulled Rose closer and looked around. “We don’t like the s- word around guests with such valuable assets.” Yeti stepped back. “And no, it actually was misplaced. Some oversight while we were updated our pick up route with some new taverns.”
“With an updated route, is it possible a guest went to the wrong pick up location?”
“It’s very possible, but immaterial. Spellhops only go to official stops, so the guest would be waiting forever. The route list is enchanted and only changeable by ownership or management. Once it’s changed the spellhop cannot go to the old stop.”
“They can’t be convinced to go somewhere else?”
“You ever met spellhop? If you were on fire, they wouldn’t dump a bucket of water on you for free. No convincing involved.”
“So a wealthy enough client could pay them to go somewhere else then.”
“You ever seen a spellhop wandering around downtown? I don’t know what sort of slacker realm they come from, but they’re spellbound to only pop in, do follow the route and go. They couldn’t go elsewhere if they wanted.”
“The appellant was found by private security instead of your own team or even City Watch. Is that normal?”
“Most clients have their own detail at all times, and feel more comfortable with people they know. We have tremendous security on site, but allow guests to manage their own safety. We don’t let City Watch inside for obvious reasons.”
“That’s about all I had. Thank you.” Rose said. The manager nodded curtly and turned to leave but stopped.
“You’re not going to put one of those court tracking or holding spells or whatever on me will you? I have a vacation coming up and let’s just say I would prefer you didn’t pop up in the middle of my excursions.”
“There isn’t one from the trial?” Rose asked.
“Thank Myr, no. I wasn’t on duty that night so I wasn’t deposed.” Yeti walked back to the front desk as more guests arrived.
Rose sat down in a corner of the hotel lobby, pouring over the appeal documents.
“Oh something is bothering you. I can feel it.” the voice said.
“Look at this report.” Rose ran her finger over the trial summary. “They deposed “manager” no name listed. I can’t use a court summoning spell because it’s not attached to anyone.”
“Simply round up all possible managers and flog them until they break.” the voice said.
“Getting an official order to make the hotel turn over the names of the two potential managers would take too long.”
“That’s what the flogging is for. Or garner the information from their records yourself.”
“That would be breaking in and stealing information I’m not authorized to to see. And flogging is torture.”
“I’m afraid I don’t follow your point. ” the voice said. Rose sighed. Ignoring the flogging, stealing records from the hotel would be unethical, bordering on illegal. On the other hand it was beginning to become more and more evident that the entire trial was rife with suspicious activity. Rose chewed her bottom lip.
“Fine. But I’m putting an official request in immediately so this is technically just getting a slight head start on information I would get anyway.” Rose said. She looked around the lobby for a way to distract the manager. Rose walked over to a man drinking a frothy potion and reading a book.
“Excuse me, sir.” Rose asked, her voice tuned up with sweetness. “There’s a woman outside in some kind of uniform and a badge. She was asking about someone who looked sort of like you. She said something about fraud or illegal shipments-
“Excuse me.” The man said and stood up immediately. He walked directly to the front desk. “Concierge, I need access to your executive exit gate immediate check out.” he said. Yeti grabbed a key from behind the desk and led him down a back hallway.
“Clever, girl.” the voice said.
“Not a hard guess. These types always have something to hide.” Rose replied.
She checked to make sure nobody was paying attention and darted behind the front desk. Rose crouched down and began to pull books at random from the shelving until she came across the employee schedule. She flipped between pages trying to find the date of the murder.
“What? The page for that date is gone.” Rose peeked above desk to make sure Yeti hadn’t returned. “Best I can do is grab the names from before and...huh.”
“Something amiss?” the voice asked.
“It may not be big but the manager with the cleaning crew problem didn’t get fired. She quit.”
“And?”
“She quit right after the incident. Yeti didn’t hire the old crew back until...” Rose scanned another page. “Here. With three thousand rooms they may not have gotten to Dr. Ulrich’s suite yet. If any evidence was left behind in the hallway or nearby, it might still be there.”
“A decent plan, but may I make one amendment?” the voice said.
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Rose quietly closed the door of the suite. Her heart had raced the entire time she had been sneaking through halls and showed no signs of stopping. It was possible to explain away her presence in general by virtue of being a Juror, but being caught inside a room which was crime scene would be a lot harder to justify. An explanation of ‘the voice in my head noticed the room keys and convinced me to break inside’ would probably fall on deaf ears.
She was surprised by the simplicity of the suite. It featured a lot of very high end furniture and plenty of luxury items, including a gold statue in the middle of the room and a huge plush bed with soft sheets. Overall though, the room was very straightforward and eschewed much of the extravagance found in the rest of the building. The suite was broken up into an area with the bed and bathroom and a slope which lead into a living and entertaining room. Dr. Ulrich had not exaggerated the breathtaking view from the room’s balcony. Rose had been temped to step on to it and take in the city from a vantage point she’d never get again, but didn’t want to be push her luck.
“It’s a little better than the common area. Still a bit too opulent for my taste. Rather faux.” the voice said.
“I can’t wait to find out who you are or were and see what kind of house you occupied.” Rose said. “Let’s make this quick.” Rose flipped over pillows, blankets, and turned over small furniture; careful to restore things as close to the way she had found them as possible.
She held up a shoe made for a hoof instead of a human foot. “This proves they didn’t clean, but does nothing for whether or not Dr. Ulrich was here.” The natural light from outside had continued to diminish and Rose briefly considered turning on the lights in the suite but didn’t want to risk a passerby seeing light underneath the door.
“Use that lantern you stole.” the voice said.
“There’s nothing here.” Rose said.
“There has been, I can feel it.” the voice replied. Rose dug into her bag and retrieved Eamund’s sanitizing lantern. Rose squinted and pressed the button, as she remembered his warning on the brightness. She gasped. The room was bathed in a soft white light, though the flame was brown. What had caused her shock was the appearance of the red silhouette of a centaur standing next to her. It was featureless except for a crystalline appearance.
“What kind of light is this?” Rose asked.
“A flame that reveals magical essence through time.” the voice said. “It creates an image of the outline of magical residue. The dark the image, the more powerful the magic and the more recent its residue appeared. It’s old magic.” Rose carefully stepped around the centaur. She held the lantern up and shined it around the bedroom. There were only two distinct silhouettes, both centaur, with pale shades of red.
“So they were here awhile ago and either Dr. Ulrich never slept or he wasn’t here.” Rose said. She slowly walked down the ramp to the living room and held the lamp aloft. This time the centaur silhouettes were drowned out by the addition of much darker human shaped forms. Every where Rose shined the light, several humans stood.
“Is he a man known for a good soiree now and then?” the voice asked.
“I don’t know if Dr. Ulrich ran around the room a lot, or had visitor, but it’s recent.” Rose said. “I wonder...” As Rose held the light towards the ground to handle to the door began to jiggle. She dropped the lantern and dove to retrieve it. When she hit the ground the door swung open and Rose rolled behind a chair. She stuck her head out to locate the lantern and her mouth fell open. Illuminated by the lantern, underneath a couch a deep crimson shape sat surrounded by a small pile of dark orange dust.