It has been a little more than a day since the Arch-Inquisitrix investigated the disappearance of the Savanite slaves from the Ashod Embassy. The Babelite Ambassador soon afterwards found herself bring served with yet another invitation to speak with the Captain Astromancer … although the tone of this invite suggested that she didn't have much of a choice in the matter – nor did the guards who came to escort her there. After a carriage ride in silence, and a long walk though the artificially lit tunnels of the Temple, Brishen now finds herself standing in front of a familiar door – the door of the Astromancer.

Brishen's wings are neatly folded, her hair tucked in a tail that trails down between her wings. Each curl has been carefully attended to and there's not a wrinkle on her snug, longsleeved shirt and billowy, puffed pants. Even on the cusp of being quite nearly devoid of funding, the young ambassador manages to look good. She brushes a lock of hair from her eyes.

An Elite guardsman in blue and silver armor glances down at the Eee, his expression hidden beneath his helm. "He is expecting you. Please step inside."

Brishen nods and does so. It has, after all, been made clear that she really has no choice.

The Office of the Astromancer is much like Brishen remembered it from her last visit. The only new addition is a familiar looking Jupani seated in one of the two chairs facing the Astromancer's desk. The Astromancer himself is silently looking over several papers on his desk. "Please sit," he says, not looking up.

Brishen walks lightly to the indicated chair, canting her wings to the side as she sits on its edge. She glances towards the Arch-Inquisitrix, then back to the Astromancer again.

Esther inclines her head slightly, eyeing the Ambassador as she approaches. She tucks her arms into her voluminous robes, as though feeling a chill.

"I apologize for the abruptness of this meeting, but it was necessary." The Astromancer gestures to the Jupani. "Could you please tell the Ambassador of your findings after your investigation, Arch Inquisitrix?"

Brishen looks towards the Arch-Inquisitrix. Her wings rustle faintly.

Esther clears her throat. "Of course, Captain. I will begin by saying that there was absolutely no evidence that the slaves were devoured by spirits or monsters. Our Spirit Mage reported no spirit activity whatsoever. We found an insane Zerda who calls herself 'Amaranth' and styled herself a monster, but there is no evidence to implicate her. Rather," Esther adds, casting a sharp look at Brishen, "the evidence would suggest the slaves were helped to escape through a secret tunnel that led off the Embassy grounds."

Brishen raises a brow, but says nothing at all. Her ears remain canted forward, her expression neutral, if a little hard around the edges.

Captain Archelaus picks up a folder and looks through the papers inside. "I apologize that we were not able to employ the mind mages on Amaranth as you wished, Arch Inquisitrix … but it is difficult and expensive to get information out of an unwilling person. Besides… " He glances at the metal "dentist's chair". "… Inquisitor Azrael is very capable of retrieving information from foxes without the use of magic."

Esther nods to the Captain-Astromancer. "You know the reason for my request; nevertheless I concede to your wishes, my lord."

Brishen wrinkles her muzzle ever-so-slightly at the mention of that particular chair. She's heard stories.

"What we were able to gather was this: the 'Amaranth' in your possession is no spirit, no monster, no ghost. She is simply an escaped patient from the sanitarium who fancies herself to be Amaranth." The human taps his finger on his desk. "I think it is safe to say that eight slaves would not fit down her gullet."

Brishen straightens up, slightly, in her chair. But she remains quiet, though it's obvious she waits her turn to speak.

"This was my working theory as well, Captain," Esther says, permitting a smirk.

"Ambassador?" The human looks up from his papers, his eyes fall on the Eeee.

Brishen rests the palms of her hands on the edge of the chair, alongside her legs. "Amaranth has certainly not been the monster I'd thought her to be. I find it hard to believe that what was taken from the tunnel was the same woman who threatened the Embassy." She sighs quietly, "Certainly, alone, she could not have consumed the Savanites, as she claims."

"Inquisitrix," the human picks up another stack of papers and reads through them, "Did you see any signs of multiple people at work? And is it of your opinion that 'Amaranth' had any hand in what occured at the Embassy?"

Esther says, "It is likely there were multiple perpetrators acting in a coordinated effort. A mixture of chemicals was liberally sprinkled in the room and the tunnel, clearly meant to foil tracking or identifying any of the perpetrators by scent. There was no sign of a struggle, which suggests an escape rather than a kidnapping. And while 'Amaranth' may have been a witness, I doubt she assisted substantially in the crime. We were hoping to extract a testimony from her, whether by magic or otherwise. Unfortunately, her condition makes this difficult."

"So you do not suspect murder, or theft… but an escape?" the Human's eyes fall on the Ambassador again.

Brishen frowns slightly. "I did not mistreat them." She looks up at the Astromancer. "Why would they want to escape – ? It isn't as hard to imagine as – as Amaranth, but I find it hard to accept."

"Yes, Captain," Esther continues, "and if I may speculate, it seems likely at least one of the Embassy's staff was involved. There is a clear motive for the Embassy to attempt such a caper: to defraud the Temple of its lawful reparation."

Brishen's eyes widen. Her wings rustle as she almost stands. "Arch-Inquisitrix, there is little reason for the Embassy to harm itself in such a fashion. As you are well aware, the absence of slaves has not deterred the Temple in the slightest. And I have had to seek payment from other sources until the slaves can be found."

The Captain Astromancer sets down his papers. "Payment is no longer necessary."

Brishen blinks, turning to look at the Captain.

"The reparations were my hope to heal the growing voices against your position in the Temple." Tahir holds out his hands. "After this… there nothing I can think of that will quiet them. I had hoped that this gesture would help. Instead it has only cut the few ties that remained. This was never just about the money."

Brishen lowers her chin, slightly. "It seems that on both sides of the coin, there is trouble at hand." She almost, weakly, smiles. "For what I have done in the Old City, for what has happened since, I imagine there is little that could be done to quell the Temple's anger."

"There is only one thing that can be done, Ambassador Brishen Kara." The Astromancer says, pulling out a rolled up piece of parchment.

The human's eyes fall back on the Jupani, "I will need a witness for this, of course."

Esther nods solemnly.

Brishen's fingers grow taut along the edge of her chair. Were she human, her knuckles would be white.

The parchment is pushed towards the bat along with an inkwell and a pen. "Sign this, please."

Brishen takes the parchment carefully, her eyes lowering along the page as she reads.

The text of the paper reads something like, "I, Brishen Kara, do hereby resign my duties as Ashodite Ambassador to Rephidim and all titles, priveleges, and services this position entails… "

Brishen sighs quietly, glancing at the Captain Astromancer. "How much time will I have to inform my staff of the resignation, and to gather my possessions?"

"They have already been informed, as has Babel along with Rewitt's report. They are sending someone named Erin Fauntleroy as your replacement." The Human sighs. "I am sorry this did not work out for you, Ambassador."

"Meanwhile, Ms. Kara," adds Esther, "rest assured that the investigation into the disappearance of the slaves will continue. It is a pity. Whoever encouraged the slaves to participate in an escape has doomed them to grave punishment; possibly a death sentence." Esther looks thoughtful. "And the penalties upon a citizen of Rephidim for assisting runaways is likewise severe."

Brishen nods. "I trust the new ambassador will offer his full assistance to the Temple." She sighs again, as she looks down at the parchment. "It won't take long for me to pack. Would it trouble the Temple if I remained in the city for a few days, or am I expected to return to Babel at once?"

"You are not unwelcome in Rephidim… although you probably will risk the wrath of some of our citizens who lost friends and family in the war when they recognize who you are. It would probably be a good idea to stay out of too-public places and try and have a guard with you." The Astromancer looks back at some papers that seem to be written in Ashodite. "I was highly surprised at the report of the Babelite observer whom we sent along with the guards."

Brishen blinks. "Surprised?"

"Yes… " The human looks at the Jupani again. "Arch Inquisitrix, Reewit was in your care far longer than mine. You would probably do better to explain."

Esther tries to stifle a smile. "Lord Reewit seemed very confused by the Ambassador's behavior. He felt that for the same person who egged the Sabaoth to intensify his attack on Rephidim, brought him lifesaving medicine, then slew him with her own hands, and brazenly attempting to annex a large Rephidim historical site – for this person then to appear gullible and girlish and frightened of ghosts was, to say the least, inconsistent."

Esther says, "He was embarrassed, and frankly, we were embarrassed that we needed him there. But because of your reputation for, shall we say, selective interpretation of facts in your own self-interest, we agreed it would be best to have an official witness that you were not being mistreated."

The Astromancer says nothing. His eyes just stare at a spot on his desk.

Brishen says, quietly, "I really thought the land I cleared was on Embassy grounds. And despite all I have done or may have done, I do not like ghosts." She rubs her forehead a little, wincing. Her ears would droop if they could. "Lord Reewit. Perhaps I can't go home, either." Her eyes remain fixed on the parchment.

"Have you anyplace else to you, Miss Kara?" the Astromancer asks, folding his arms across the desk.

But not for very long. "I'll leave the island as soon as I can, Captain-Astromancer Tahir." There really aren't any tears to speak of in the young woman's eyes as Brishen looks up at the Astromancer, just resignation colored with exhaustion. "Where – I don't know yet. Not here. Not Ashdod. Maybe Abu Dhabi. They may need couriers, there."

The human pulls out something from under his desk and pushes it across the table. Two gold coins. "Perhaps this will help you somewhat."

Brishen clasps her hands together, her eyes fixed on the Astromancer. "I can't take that. If anything, it should be given to the Embassy. They'll need the money." She takes a deep, shuddering breath. "I'll find my own way."

"The Embassy is already being tended to. It is your money. I cannot force you to take it… but I ask you to," the Human replies.

Brishen looks down at the parchment again. "And I guess that starts with a name." With that, she signs her resignation in a neat, slender hand. Her eyes wander towards the pieces of gold. "When I was a courier in Rephidim, no one gave me money I didn't earn. After a time, I've found that once more I'll be nothing more than what I was the day I was taken to Ashdod. The gold would make my passage from the Island easier, Captain-Astromancer Tahir, but I can't take it. I came to the city with nothing. It's probably fitting I leave it with nothing as well."

Brishen says, quietly, "I'm sorry. I'll be gone as soon as I can."

The Astromancer nods to the Arch Inquisitrix and then looks back at Brishen. "I wish you luck with whatever the future entails then, Miss Kara. Perhaps some day you'll return."

Esther tugs the parchment toward herself, picks up the quill pen, and briskly signs her name and title in witness. From the folds of her robe she pulls a small trinket – an ornate signet containing the Star and Anchor – rubs it with ink and stamps a deep impression into the grain of the scroll.

Brishen's shoulders slump, faintly. "I hope so." She brushes a lock of hair from her eyes.

The human coughs. "Well then, our business seems to be concluded. Thank you for your time, Am- Miss Kara."

Brishen nods, then takes a deep breath and stands up. "Thank you for yours, Captain-Astromancer." Wings are neatly furled as she turns and walks to the door.

"Arch Inquisitrix, would you escort Miss Kara out?" The Astromancer gestures to the door.

Esther stands and coolly regards Brishen. "Of course, Captain. This way, please." She accompanies Brishen to the door, and a guard opens it.

Brishen pauses at the threshold for a moment, enough time to take a breath, then walks into the hall. After trailing through the corridors of the Temple for a while, she whispers, mostly to herself. "I can sing," she murmurs. "That may get me passage on an airship. After that – Well, there's no end to the sky. And Rephidim can't be the only place that needs a courier." The thought seems to strengthen her, a little.

Esther escorts Brishen the rest of the way out of the Temple in tense silence, as if wishing to speak but holding her tongue. Then she turns away from the sunlit Temple Square, her heels tapping briskly against the stone floor, her mind engaged in urgent business.