KC: Seeking Confession (Chyril 26 MT)

[Yin Lorin]

The young man could see something was upsetting her. He stood and walked to her side, reaching out to take her hand. He did not say anything more, but focused his mind on the One, allowing him to be a channel for his spirit. He wanted the One’s love and guidance to fill him.

He centered his mind, seeing she needed strength, focused himself. He gave her an assuring smile, nodding.

If she had business with the regent, then that was her business. She did need to earn money after all was said and done, and there were many things the Regent could use a spell caster for.

[Sebastian Beauvais]

Perhaps having Sir Lorin along will prove worth the trouble after all, thought Sebastian as Constance grew more nervous answering questions in front of the paladin. He hoped their host's presence would continue to unnerve her, not for the discomfort it caused the young lady but for the increased likelihood it would elicit the truth.

"Just so, just so," nodded Sebastian in agreement with Miss Devois' assessment of the Regent. Nothing was left to chance with that schemer, and that obviously meant Constance's involvement in Murrelbuck as well, despite her earlier protestations to the contrary.

"Various capacities...I see. Perhaps we will explore those in a little while," Sebastian said a touch ominously, giving the impression of one marking a mental checklist of things to revisit.

"I understand the nature of humble beginnings myself, Miss Devois. Sometimes hard choices have to made to put food on the table. But at the same time, we are still responsible for those choices. Food, or money, or whatever might be the important object at the time, can be the reason for our choice but it can never be the excuse."

"But I am sure you realize that," he said, somewhat sympathetic to the young girl's plight. Did Leonius force you into something horrible? Or were you a willing participant? Let us hope for the former.

Sebastian decided to explore her comment on Travis, letting Constance stew over his promised questions about her past duties with the Regent. He could easily come back to that, and in fact planned to, but he wanted to keep the girl off balance if he could.

Yin approached her side before he could voice any further questions, but the baron thought it might not be a bad development. If the paladin had been a distraction seated several feet away, how much more powerful would that effect be when the feel of him was right beside her? Show your power Dominicus, and let the truth be roused through your humble servant if not through me.

"A disagreement? Do you know the nature of it - why the two have parted ways? Was it over one of the 'various capacities' Travis fulfilled for the Regent?"

[Guido Cercatoro]

Yin walked to Constance’s side and grasped her hand. The young woman gave the Paladin a grateful smile and squeezed his hand in return, yet she still appeared ill at ease, her eyes darting nervously between Sebastian and Yin. As he focused his mind on the One, the Paladin felt the beginnings of the familiar feeling of reassurance but his concentration was partly drawn to the Baron’s words as he continued with his questions.

"A disagreement? Do you know the nature of it - why the two have parted ways? Was it over one of the 'various capacities' Travis fulfilled for the Regent?"

“I believe that Travis advised the Regent on financial matters amongst….other things,” began the blonde girl. Once again there was an undercurrent of disdain in her voice, perhaps even outright dislike, as she spoke the name of the Regent’s assistant. “He certainly had an abiding interest in money. I do not know the exact details of the argument. I know that Travis did not like my presence, for he regarded himself as the Regent’s main advisor. Leonius relied on him a lot whilst he was merely the Major Domus but now he is Regent....” The girl shrugged, putting one little finger in her mouth and biting the nail.

[Sebastian Beauvais]

Constance's continued nervousness encouraged Sebastian. He was on a trail that worried the petite lass, and that hopefully meant something critical would emerge soon. A life depended on it, literally.

"What else did Travis look after for the Regent besides finances, Miss Devois?" the baron continued, referring to the 'other things' mentioned by Constance and wanting to nail down that loose end. "And what caused him to be so jealous of you? Was Leonius beginning to use you for some of the duties Travis used to take care of?"

Sebastian hoped to explore this potential dislike between Constance and Travis. If she couldn't be coaxed to say something against Leonius directly, perhaps her animosity toward Travis would end up revealing something important anyway.

[Guido Cercatoro]

Constance took a deep breath, continuing to hold tight to Yin’s hand. “Travis had contacts outside the nobility, I believe, whom the Regent found useful in assisting him to perform his duties. Some of these contacts were less than respectable and so Leonius preferred to deal with them at arm’s length. I suspect many of those in the Palace have such contacts.” The young girl spoke in a haltering voice, slightly stumbling over her words.

“As for being jealous of me, that is possible, due to my abilities.” Sighing, the woman continued. “Well you may as well know. I am a mage of sorts. I have certain abilities outside of the ordinary. I sell my services. It is enough to keep me moderately well. Travis was not enamoured with magic, he prefers more…direct methods.”

[Sebastian Beauvais]

A mage! So there it is! thought Sebastian, carefully managing his outward reaction to only show raised eyebrows and an impressed expression. Well, maybe. It might explain some of his suspicions, but that depended on what the lass could actually do with her powers. So far all he knew was that Leonius and his longtime "advisor" had parted ways acrimoniously. He also knew, from Cerise's recollections, that Travis warned Constance was the true threat...Constance or Magdalena. Was that mere spitefulness over a favoured position relinquished, or a truthful parting shot?

"I see no reason to be ashamed of your power, Miss Devois. The One has clearly blessed you with talents that mark you as extraordinary. What really matters is the use to which you put those talents." Sebastian paused a few flickers, letting the obvious moral implications settle in while their devout host stood by, a shining mirror against which all imperfections would be illuminated.

"May I ask to what direction your talents run? Where does your training and skill benefit you?"

[Yin Lorin]

Yin held her hand firmly, squeezing back to let her know he was there. He did not know she was so well connected. She must have thought him a simple man, or boy. He had proven he did not have the social skills the other nobles had, let alone the likes of the Regent.

He did not need them, he reminded himself. He needed to be true to himself, and to the cause of right. He could not sacrifice justice for social standing. Perhaps she was seeing this.

He felt strongly for her, and part of him wished the Baron was not here so he could ask his own questions, but they would have to wait for another time. For now he was content to look into her eyes and let her know he was there, to help her, and to aid her, and if needed, protect her.

[Guido Cercatoro]

The blond-haired mage grasped Yin’s hand ever more tightly and glanced quickly into his eyes. The look she gave was one of anxiety rather than fear, as if she was troubled as to how her words might affect her relationship with the Paladin. Yet, after taking a deep gulp, she looked directly at the Baron and spoke in a calm, quiet voice.

“I can perform minor spells of most sorts. However, my main talent is the manipulation of air,” she said simply. “I can perceive the energies in the very air we breathe and bend it to my will. I have no extraordinary talent but it suffices to earn me a little money.”

[Sebastian Beauvais]

The very air we breathe. The phrasing immediately struck a chord in Sebastian, and his eyes widened perceptibly. A cold thrill of ominous anticipation coursed through his limbs as he sensed himself nearing the role Constance had played. The affliction contracted by Baron Kriesbon, or inflicted upon him rather, affected his breathing. Could this doll-like young woman have cast an injurious spell upon him?

"That...that is an amazing power," Sebastian replied as he pondered the possibilities. "Can you create a wind? Blow out candles and torches? Knock arrows from the air?" He hoped his quick questions would disguise the true reason for his surprise at Constance's power, at least for the moment. After giving her the chance to reply again, he added another request for clarification, before driving at the heart of the matter.

"How long do your spells last?" he asked. "Can you, I'm not sure of the proper phrasing...create an effect, I suppose. Can you create an effect that will last forever? Or do they fade away after a time?"

What if Constance could block a person's breathing? In effect choke them to death, without ever laying a hand upon them? How could such a crime, especially if done gradually, ever be traced back to the perpetrator? It would be the perfect way to assassinate a rival, or someone who blocked your path to greater rewards. Disgust and rage flared anew in Sebastian's gut, but he bound it tightly lest it overcome his reason. That the regent could stoop so low...the young baron was so incensed he could not even finish the thought. And if it was true, the polished woman in front of him was in fact a cold, calculating killer in Leonius' employ.

She is concerned about the paladin's opinion though, Sebastian reflected upon the looks Constance gave to Yin. I should be safe enough for the moment. So long as she doesn't feel trapped, feel desperate enough to do something foolish.

[Guido Cercatoro]

“I can do many of those things,” admitted the mage, “although it often tires me quickly.” The young girl inserted a fingernail in her mouth and bit on it nervously. Realising what she was doing, she quickly removed it and once again glanced at Yin for reassurance.

“Most effects are short lived, although some may last longer. It depends very much on the circumstances. Of course, some may have effects on the physical world that last well beyond the time when the energies have dissipated. Perhaps you should visit the University of Magic if you want to learn about such things. I am largely self-tutored so I know little of the theory of magic.”

[Sebastian Beauvais]

"No, no, I think the practical applications are what I'm interested in," replied Sebastian, idly dismissing Constance's suggestion of consulting academia to further his knowledge of magic with a small wave of his hand. "So I suspect your knowledge is just right."

"Does your magic have any uses on people?" the young baron asked, frowning slightly as though considering a new idea. In actuality this very thought had been the first to occur to him, given his true motive here. But he wasn't about to convey that insight just yet. "Maybe, to help sick people, or first aid? Can you," Sebastian paused, as though trying to come up with a good example, "I don't know, help someone with a breathing problem? You know, a wheezer who is always short of breath, for example?"

For all his affected spontaneity, Sebastian was intently interested in the answer. This would be the crux of the matter, for if Constance could affect people in this way she surely could inflict the opposite. And it seemed like a very likely explanation for the Baron's current distress...

[Yin Lorin]

Yin smiled reassuringly to her, then looked at Sebastion. “Do you need her to help you with something, or someone, Baron?” He asked. “You can be frank, we will not hold it against you if someone is in need.” He mentioned to him.

Perhaps the Baron had a sick friend, or perhaps he knew of a pagan who had fallen ill, and did not want to say this was for a none believer. “That is the point of all this questioning, isn’t it?”

[Sebastian Beauvais]

Sebastian delayed for the merest flicker before answering Yin. The distraction was irritating, but perhaps he could put the paladin's phrasing to use.

"I do need Miss Devois' help, which was why I approached the two of you in the Basilica. But I must ask that you bear with me and allow the lady," he inclined his head slightly toward Constance, returning his crisp blue gaze to her doll-like features, "to answer the questions. Only in that way will I be able to determine if, and how, she may be of assistance. I apologize if that seems cryptic, but it must remain so for a little while longer. My meaning will be clear soon enough, I promise."

"If you would, Miss Devois? Can you magic be brought to bear upon people directly, to come to their aid?"

[Guido Cercatoro]

"Oh, yes, I could probably help someone with a minor breathing problem," said Constance. She spoke in a bright voice as if she was relieved that the Baron appeared to be concerned with the use of her powers in a positive manner. "It would be a matter of improving the air flow. Although if there was a major medical problem, I doubt I could help, for I am no healer as such."

The young girl relaxed a little and gave Sebastian a friendly smile. "Do you have someone in need of such help, Baron? A friend, perhaps or a family member?"

[Sebastian Beauvais]

"I don't know, Miss Devois," Sebastian said in a cautious voice. He needed to drag this out just a bit further. "How practiced are you with this sort of thing? Could you make it worse by mistake?"

"Have you ever tried your magic this way before? On a real person, I mean?"

[Guido Cercatoro]

As Sebastian mentioned the possibility of her magic making matters worse, the young mage’s eyes flicked down to the floor and her face coloured a little.

“It is possible to make things worse,” she admitted after a moment’s thought. “And yes, I have done this before. A short while ago Yin rescued me from a band of orcs and, during the fight, I used my power to disable one of them. As for the use of my power elsewhere, well I am afraid that such things must remain confidential. After all, I would scarcely get any business if I made my client’s affairs public.”

[Yin Lorin]

Yin had finally had enough of this. He had things to do today. He still needed to meet with the Captain, and he wished for Constance to be there when he met with the Bishop’s lover. They both needed to follow the powder dealers to their meeting and then foil the meeting. He did not have time for the Baron to stay all day in his house dancing around with questions.

“Baron, I must say, she has answered all your questions quite satisfactory, and the time is burning away and we do not have time for this.” Yin stepped forward, between the two of them. “I would say, unless you have some request of her, that she has answered your questions again and again. Yes she has powers, and yes she can use them to help and hinder. If this is the extent of your questioning, then we are done.” He turned to Constance. “We will have some guests soon, a merchant and a woman, if I could ask I would like you to be with me, it is a matter of delicate nature and I fear I am not given to that nature.”

He turned back to the Baron. “So Baron, do you wish to hire Constance for something? Do you have a point to this questioning? If not, we do have things to do.” The young man folded his arms across his chest and looked at the other noble.

[Sebastian Beauvais]

Sebastian's brow creased slightly as Constance answered. Perhaps she had misunderstood the question? It seemed she was speaking of her magic in general, not specifically about working on a person's breathing. He was about to rephrase when Yin interposed himself - literally.

The baron's expression darkened noticeably as the paladin attempted to draw short the question period. Where before Sebastian had tried hard to keep his emotions in check, now he made no pretense of hiding his displeasure with the interruption. Not only was Yin being disrespectful to a better on the social ladder, he was interfering with Sebastian's chance to help Baron Kriesbon and, by extension, Cerise. That was dangerous territory with the young baron and he let the paladin know it in no uncertain terms.

"Quite frankly, Sir Lorin, I don't give a rat's ass what you would say!" he burst out on the heels of the paladin's little speech. The telltale temper of a redhead had finally burst its bonds, staining the baron's cheeks crimson even as his eyes grew icy. Hands balled up into white-knuckled fists, Sebastian stood nose to nose with Yin. "This is more important than some little luncheon you have arranged and if being here, at your insistence I might remind you, is too inconvenient for you, then I will gladly escort Miss Devois to somewhere we can finish our chat in peace!"

"I have been most polite so far, especially considering the influence I could have used in conducting this interview," he seethed, voice dropping to a more level but dangerous tone. "I would like to maintain affairs in that vein, but by the One Himself I will use what power is available to me to find the truth I seek. I will not stand for anything less."

Sebastian then shifted his stance slightly and cast his eyes over Yin's shoulder to where Constance still stood. He paused a flicker to soothe his raging heart before addressing the petite blond. "Are we to continue here, Miss Devois," he asked her, pointedly ignoring Yin, "or shall we find another venue?"

[Yin Lorin]

Yin sighed. “You may be right, Baron, your position entitles you to some privilege.” He looked the Baron right in the eye. “But as for Constance, she is in the employ of the Church and the Order of the One, so if you think your station gives you rank over that, you are sadly mistaken.” He looked to the door. “N’Kallor, Lorend, could you please come.” He called out.

“If you wish to take Constance, Baron you will find I am compelled to stop you as she is needed by the church. By the One I will do what needs to be done to keep her in that service.” He placed a hand on Constance to push her back, as if to give him more space. “If you wish our help, then ask it plainly. We are all brothers and sisters in the One here. If not, then do not obstruct our work anymore. Of course, you are welcome to join us, if you wish.”

[Sebastian Beauvais]

"For a young lady so accomplished, you seem to have a dim opinion of her ability to speak for herself, Sir Lorin," Sebastian shot back, feeling his anger bubbling up again. Why would this self-righteous lout not let him finish asking questions. Did he realize the danger Constance was in? Could he sense the trap closing about his woman? Perhaps that was it, the young baron reflected. The paladin was fighting for his girl, just as Sebastian was fighting for Cerise. But then again, Cerise wasn't a killer in the Regent's employ.

Sebastian ignored the call for reinforcements, and paid little heed to the reference to the Church. He had seen what the Church could do, and he was not impressed. Besides, he was angry enough to take the paladin and all his allies down a peg just for the fun of it, unseemly as that would be. Biting back hard on his emotions, he instead focused on Constance.

"Is this true, Miss Devois? Are you but a possession of the Church and its lackey, Sir Lorin? Or can you, as I firmly believe, make up your own mind about what you will and will not do?"

"I promise, as I did mere burns ago when your companion first interrupted us, that I am nearing the end of my interview."

[Guido Cercatoro]

Yin’s companions, N’kallor and Lorend, quickly entered in response to the Paladin’s call, standing just inside the room with looks of consternation on their faces. Constance put up a hand to allay their concern. “Please,” she said in an urgent voice, “I do not want any trouble on my behalf.”

With a sigh, she turned to Yin. “I know that you seek to protect me and for that I am truly grateful. It is gratifying to know how much you care for me.” The girl tenderly placed a hand on the Paladin’s shoulder. “I am prepared to answer the Baron’s questions. Indeed, I may know where he is leading. However, it is better if N’Kallor and Lorend are not involved in this.”

[Yin Lorin]

Yin sighed and nodded to Lorend and N’kallor. “Thank you for coming so quickly, but could you wait outside, be ready if I need you.” He looked to Constance. “You are never any trouble.” He stepped back, next to her, but kept himself facing the Baron.

[Sebastian Beauvais]

"I am sure you do," Sebastian agreed with Constance, his eyes tightening a little. Of course you know where I'm going with this. The question is, will you indicate your complicity or not? Will you opt to save a man's life at the expense of your own freedom?

The baron gave a curt nod to Yin when he dismissed his summoned lackeys and then stepped back beside his lady friend. At least he had the annoying paladin out of his face for a moment. Sebastian wondered how long that would last, when finally the conversation turned to ugly matters. He hoped the mage could control her supporter as well as she did her magic.

"Very well, Miss Devois," Sebastian granted, his tone turning brisk, "enough of the preliminaries. I will get to the heart of the matter straight away. Your candor so far has been appreciated and I trust, especially with a man of the One standing in our midst, that you will continue in the same vein now."

"You are a trusted aide to the Regent. You have talents and powers that are of certain...ah, use to him, shall we say? Aside from your intelligence and beauty, you possess the ability to control the very air we breathe. Recently you accompanied the Regent to Murrelbuck at his express invitation, one we know was planned because, as you admitted, the Regent does nothing without planning it through."

"And while you were there you visited with Lady Murrelbuck and her guest the Baron Kriesbon, who of course is soon to be the Regent's father-in-law. Well, if he lives that long, I should say," Sebastian corrected himself, his tone now chilly, his crisp blue gaze still and piercing.

"For, as 'luck' would have it, your visit coincided with the Baron's contraction of a breathing malady, one that is so bad that he will soon die if not cured." Sebastian paused for two, then three flickers. "But then again, I forget. 'Luck' does not factor in with the Regent's plans, does it?"

"Tell me, Miss Devois. What did you do to the Baron during that visit? And what will you do now to correct that error in judgement?"

[Yin Lorin]

So he suspected her of using her power to harm a friend of his. He could understand the upset the Baron had. The fear Yin had was if she did do this, what was the reason, what was the motive. “So, this is the accusation you put before her?” Yin questioned looking at Sebastion.

“What will you do, Baron?” He asked, verbally thinking. “Have her arrested if she did do something? How long will it take for the Regent to find out she is in the prisons?” Yin touched his chin as he thought. “And what would you arrest her for, for affecting a man who the Regent told her to effect? For doing as she was told by the Regent?”

He sighed and shook his head. “How is that a crime, can we say no to those who are of higher station then us.” He looked pointedly at the Baron. “Do we have the right to refuse to help? I would say we do not, so our choice is made for us, do as you are told, or suffer the wrath of those we refuse.” Yin scratched the side of his neck as he pondered this. “Otherwise we could refuse unfair taxes, or unjust laws. I could have made you leave at any time Baron, or she could have refused to answer your questions and you would have no recourse.” He shrugged. “If that is the logic, she committed no crime, and the man you would seek is the Regent, because he is the one to have given the order. So what does she need to confess to you?”

He started to walk slowly, to pace a little. “As a paladin, I would like to know the Regents motives for using such subversive way of killing a man, and his motive for doing so. Has the man committed some crime?” He looked at the two of them. “Constance, I guess you have many of these answers, unless the Regent never explained why, if what the Baron is saying is true.”

[Sebastian Beauvais]

At first Sebastian ignored Yin's interruption. After all, the man had displayed an unerring knack to step in at the most inopportune moments and usually with comments that only barely touched upon the reality of the discussion. Perhaps this latest intrusion would die away quickly. Instead the baron kept his gaze strongly upon Constance, watching her intently for any reaction as he awaited her response.

But after a few more flickers it became clear the paladin was only getting warmed up, offering up one of his tangential theories as though it mattered. And despite his best attempts Sebastian felt the same anger erupt anew, stronger than ever. He ripped his eyes from Constance and glared harshly at Yin.

"By all that is holy in this land, will you just shut up!" he spat menacingly, cheeks reddening with fury. "I have no interest in your philosophical theories here. In fact, I have no interest in your comments at all! That is why I am asking Miss Devois the questions, and not you. Apparently that simple point has escaped your notice! Repeatedly!"

"Now bide your tongue for five burns and let us finish this!" Sebastian maintained his glare for a long count of five before returning his eyes to Constance. His voice had regained a modicum of control, though his face still bore traces of his outburst.

"Please Miss Devois, just answer the question."