None of the three noticed a single figure lurking among the deeper shadows of a doorway across the street from the Crying Claw. As the three friends made their way down the street, the figure cautiously stepped out of those shadows and began to follow them.
'Yes, I was the one who sent the two Halanthi priests down to the city watch station house with instructions to burn the bodies,' Grand Trabbar Lavant said. 'How is this a concern of the Sapphire Crescent?' he asked Kovrim, who stood in the Waukeenar high priest's offices, staring at the rotund man with the pudgy fingers, each of which sported a gold ring, heavy with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.
'Then you interfered with an investigation of murder!' Kovrim replied angrily, ignoring for the moment how unbecoming it was for him, a mere Syndo priest in the temple's hierarchy, to speak to the Grand Trabbar that way. 'Why would you do that?'
Lavant smiled. 'Please, Syndo Lazelle, calm yourself. If you will hear my explanation and give this matter a moment's thought, I think you will come to understand the importance of seeing the events play to this conclusion. But I will not abide you raising your voice to me.'
Kovrim bowed his head in acquiescence.
'Of course, Grand Trabbar,' he said. 'I was out of line. My apologies.'
'Not at all, my brother. It is often a narrow and treacherous line we must walk in order to ensure a bountiful return on our spiritual investments. The Merchant's Friend would have everyone enjoy the windfalls of shrewd trade, taking us ever closer to the golden age that lies ahead, but there are many poor investments that beckon to us during our dealings. We all struggle from time to time, allowing anxieties over whether or not our coin has been spent wisely to cloud our judgment. You speak from the heart, and that is good, but you must remember that only cool heads can prevail at the bargaining table.'
'Of course, Grand Trabbar. Thank you for helping to guide me in my spiritual commerce. May you have many returns on your investments in me.'
Lavant smiled, nodded, and said, 'Now, to the issue of the two unfortunate victims of last night's crime. What occurred was a result of some very delicate business negotiations that had hit a snag along their course to completion. Those deaths were an inelegant and short-sighted solution, and if I had been privy to the plans from the beginning, I would have counseled strenuously against it. But what was done was done and, by the time I found out about it, could not be reversed. Rest assured that those responsible have been harshly dealt with.
'But there was no sense in throwing the baby out with the bath water. It serves no purpose to publicize the events, or to expose those who are tied to, but not guilty of, the crimes. A strategic business alliance hangs in the balance, and destroying potential commerce for the sake of disclosing the details does far more harm than good. The truly guilty have been punished, and the profits to be earned from staying the course can still be realized.'
Kovrim nodded, not satisfied, but understanding the situation. He respected Grand Trabbar Lavant, not just as a spiritual leader, but as a man who could prioritize the needs of various individuals or groups in the scope of Waukeen's greater plan for a golden age, when all would find the bounty of wealth. Still, it was sometimes a little too easy for the man to turn a blind eye toward injustices in the name of wealth. Particularly when the temple itself stood to benefit from the endeavor. Kovrim had no doubt in his mind that that was the case with those particular circumstances. Otherwise, he knew, Grand Trabbar Lavant would not be rationalizing his actions in such a way. Kovrim decided he would need more time to contemplate his position on the matter. Alone, where he could really think and pray.
'Well, sir, you have certainly cleared that up for me,' Kovrim said finally, rising to go. 'I wish that it had not come to such, but I will take comfort in the fact that you believe this was the right course of action, even if I do not completely understand its importance myself.'
'Indeed I do, Syndo Lazelle. If there's anything else I can do to assuage your concerns, please don't hesitate to speak up.'
'Not at all, Grand Trabbar. You've calmed my fears and concerns admirably.'
Kovrim turned to depart.
'Oh, uh, Syndo?'
Kovrim stopped and asked, 'Yes, Grand Trabbar?'
'I realize your nephew is also trying to determine what truly went on,' the high priest said. Kovrim nodded fervently, working hard to mask his surprise. Lavant continued, 'As he is serving under you in one of our esteemed companies, it would behoove you to speak with him and get his attention on something else. It really doesn't sit well with the Overgold of the temple to have one of their own working against them, however inadvertent and well meaning it may seem.'
'I understand, Grand Trabbar. I will see to it immediately,' Kovrim replied, his mind racing. How had they discerned Vambran's involvement so quickly? Was Grand Trabbar Lavant responsible for the suspected eavesdropping? Perhaps even the attack at Dark She Looks Upon Me? One thing was for certain; they were keeping closer tabs on the situation than Kovrim had previously thought.
'Yes. Perhaps something to occupy his time with? Say, a new assignment?' Lavant suggested.
Kovrim frowned slightly and said, 'It would be difficult at this late juncture to shuffle the schedule of services for the Crescent, but I can look into it.'
'Something else, then. A little entertainment, perhaps. Is he in need of fresh companionship?' The Grand Trabbar was drumming his fingers on his belly as he said that. 'If he already has someone at his arm, then maybe the two of them just need a special time together. Something we could help arrange. With a suitable amount of leave time?'
'I can try to find out, sir.'
'I'm only making suggestions that will help ease him off this scrutiny. It's for his own good, you realize.'
'Of course,' Kovrim said, really wanting to be finished with the conversation. 'I will take care of it, Grand Trabbar. Don't fret over it for another instant.'
'Thank you, Syndo Lazelle. I knew you were a man to be counted upon.'
Vambran, Horial, and Adyan stood before the front entrance to a large warehouse connected to a meat- salting business. It sat at the end of a cul-de-sac at one end of the wharf. The cloudy weather had turned into rain, a light, misty drizzle that really only made the cobblestones slick but didn't feel wet to anyone caught in it. The air felt mildly cooler because of the sprinkle, and the shadows a little deeper due to the lack of a moon, but that was about it.
It had taken the lieutenant three castings of his divine magic before he had been able to pinpoint the location of Emriana's dagger. The three of them had wandered through the streets, having only a direction to go on, working their way closer and closer to the harbor before turning to one side and finally finding the place. It was completely dark and shuttered, a business that catered to ships wanting to restock their supplies for sea travel. Vambran had ordered salted pork and beef from the place for some of his own excursions on more than one occasion, and he knew the proprietor to be a fair and friendly businesswoman. She had continued to run the place even after her husband and son had died, and her dried meats were quite good.
'Well?' Horial said, looking at Vambran expectantly. 'You're sure it's in there?'
Vambran nodded and said, 'No doubt at all. And I'm thinking these men are in there without the consent of the woman who owns the shop. I don't think she'd let a bunch of thugs live in her warehouse.'
'They might be paying her rent,' Adyan suggested, frowning as if he didn't believe that possibility himself.
'No miscreants I ever ran across paid for anything they didn't have to,' Horial said with a mild snort. 'They've got a secret way in and out, and your shopkeeper knows nothing about it.'
'That's what I'm thinking, too,' Vambran said. 'Let's find it.'
The three soldiers began to circumnavigate the place, examining every wall for a hidden or concealed door. They also checked the various windows, which were open arches covered with broad awnings to keep the weather out and sealed off by strong steel grates.
At the fourth such opening, Horial discovered that the grate was loose and could swing wide of the wall.
'Here we go,' the man whispered. 'This is probably how they're coming and going.'
