> “‘The Giver of Gifts came to us in our time of need. He showed us the way.’ This message comes from a fragment recovered from the Iteri Library. Scholars can find no other reference to this gift giver. Many speculate that the character is metaphorical in nature, and never existed.”
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> - Of Myth and Legend, The Lost Iteri
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Nahual hunched over his desk, pen in hand, filling out paperwork. Another day of patrolling the Deuda, and while nothing changed, he felt obligated in his duty to fill out his reports. While others complained or did the bare minimum, he ensured accuracy and up-to-date information in each report. The Deuda might not change, but the daily duties or goals might, it was his job to ensure that everything ran smoothly, even if the other cops didn’t see it that way.
He finished his work just as Chief Vedra strode to the side of the room beside the two boards he used. Chief Vedra waited a few minutes for all eyes to focus on him, it didn’t take long, and Nahual respected him all the more for that commanding presence.
“To start with, everyone, be sure to keep your sunstones close at hand at all times. This is a reminder to ensure your own protection against the jaan, and a reminder so that you can all be able to capture any you find, if given the chance, of course.” He inspected the room and pulled his own small, white stone from his breast pocket. Nahual did the same, pulling the small stone from his jacket pocket, beside where he kept his badge. He pulled the stone out and inspected its smooth, worn surface. It felt faintly warm, alive. “These are your lifeline, don’t forget it,” he finished.
Chief Vedra continued again, this time taking a darker tone. “Necromancer sightings have increased. Therefore, the likelihood that he will attack has risen as well. Those in the church believe that he will attack during the festival” He waited, letting his words sink in. Chief Vedra scanned the group of officers, first to the good cops who could do a good job, but were scarred by the jaan. Then he went and looked at the officers who would be more than happy to run into danger if it meant capturing the Necromancer. Lastly, he looked at the officers like Nahual, those who did what was necessary for public safety, fear or reward be damned, it was about getting the job done. When Chief Vedra looked at Nahual, they both nodded in acknowledgment of what needed to be done.
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“We have word that the Necromancer is wearing a black and red robe with a hood, a wooden staff, and a necklace of bones.” Chief Vedra grabbed from a pile at his side and pinned an artist’s rendering to the board to his side. “This is as much information as we currently have. Keep an eye out. You’ll each receive a sketch.”
Chief Vedra handed the pile to an assistant. When the sketch reached Nahual, he gripped the sunstone and looked it over. In fine detail, he saw the bones strung around the enigmatic figure’s neck, the red and black robe, and the wooden staff at his side. He felt glad, the Necromancer was all but found, and yet, he felt irritation. How much longer would the Necromancer roam El Viajar, planning ways to harm the people? So many people could lose their lives. The sooner he is caught, the sooner the people will be saved.
“Since this issue is what it is, and since so many people have a chance of being harmed, we are authorized to use deadly force if necessary against any jaan we encounter.” He again gripped the small stone aloft and explained. “Remember, just hold the stone in front of you, and any jaan nearby should feel pain, fear, or worse if they’re undead. Anyone who is normal should feel nothing.”
Chief Vedra again paused and looked over the officers. Many more inspected their stones, some of them held the small rocks close to their chests. Coincidentally, some of the officers held the sunstones next to their symbol of the sun, necklaces depicting the sun in golden glory. Nahual suddenly wished he had his holy symbol as well, but he left it at home beside the imagery of his wife and daughter to protect their spirits.
“Now, let me explain where you’ll each be stationed on the day of the festival. We may be looking for the Necromancer in our day to day, and if we find him, all the better. However, when the festival arrives, we need to be ready to apprehend him and the jaan he brings.”
He turned to a fresh map on the corkboard. He called out a name and placed a pin along the Deuda Line. He continued for a time until he reached the farthest point of the line, where Rykard and members of the church would be. “Nahual,” he calls out, placing a pin beside the last, “you’ll be beside the stage, closest to Rykard and the members of the church.”