A black unicorn – an Aeonian, that is – in red and black robes puts one last signature on the last parchment in a stack of forms that he then hands to a lupine aide. The aide steps out of the room, making way for a visitor for the Arch-Inquisitor. A couple of lupine guards stand to each side of the momentarily open door.

Envoy steps inside after giving a nervous glance at the guards, then smiles to the familiar if forbidding unicorn. "Hello, Arch-Inquisitor. I'm glad you were able to see me. I've found something that might interest you… "

"Is that so," says the Arch-Inquisitor in a tone of voice that sounds more like a statement than the question it should properly be. He gestures to the guards, who slide the door shut. It creaks slightly less than the door in Melchizedek's old office … but other than that, the room looks almost the same.

The Exile removes several pieces of paper from a pouch, and looks at the Inquisitor's desk. "May I use your desk, sir? These need to be laid side by side."

The unicorn gives the Exile a long glance, then breaks it off with a nod, and a gesture to the now-mostly-empty desktop.

Envoy lets out the breath she was holding, and lays out the papers on the desk. Arranged to be facing the unicorn, they clearly form a rubbing, apparently from a memorial of some sort. Once they're laid out, the Aeolun just stands quietly.

Melchizedek looks at the rubbing, then at Envoy. "That is from a particular monument that narrowly escaped being destroyed by the work crew employed by the Ashdodite Embassy. A loyal citizen of Rephidim personally thwarted its destruction, and has been duly commended."

After blinking a few times, Envoy says, "You don't find anything curious about the surviving letters of the name?"

"No, not at all. It is my name," says Melchizedek, matter-of-factly.

Envoy opens and then closes her mouth, then pauses. Finally, she says, "But you aren't dead."

"No, I am not," says the unicorn. "It was a misunderstanding. And it did notseem appropriate at the time to take the monument down. After all, sooner or later, everyone dies. It would probably find use soon enough."

"A misunderstanding?" Envoy asks, completely flummoxed. "I don't suppose you could tell me about the battle you mistakenly died in?"

"It would be more correct to say that there were those who believed – mistakenly – that I had died. I am long-lived, but I am no immortal," says the unicorn. "As for the nature of the battle, suffice it to say that there have been many misunderstandings within the Temple, and it has not always stood in unity."

The Exile nods. "I know about misunderstandings in the Temple. Did you hear about the imposter posing as Inquisitrix Faline?"

"Yes. I do not believe that matter is settled yet," says the Arch-Inquisitor. "When this 'Faline' is apprehended, the punishment shall be most severe."

Envoy clasps her hands behind her back and asks, "I don't suppose you could give me some pointers on how to make allies within the Temple? I really don't want to be used as a pawn anymore."

The unicorn raises an eyebrow. "Do you believe you are presently being used as a pawn, Citizen Envoy?"

Envoy blinks. "I can't think of a time when I haven't been, sir. Didn't you yourself treat me as one before?"

"That is a serious accusation, Envoy, which is not to say that I am denying it. Perhaps you could elaborate?" suggests the Arch-Inquisitor.

"I… I don't mean to accuse you of anything, Inquisitor," Envoy says, and lowers her eyes. "I just assumed from your indifference at the City of Hands that I was a disposable source of information."

The unicorn turns toward Envoy. "Contrary to what you may have been led to believe," says the Arch-Inquisitor, "I am not so interested in the information you provide as you are in providing it."

Envoy slumps slightly. "I see. The imposter seemed very interested in it though, so I thought it was important."

"A reasonable assumption to make," says the unicorn.

Envoy perks up a bit at what she thinks might be a compliment. "She had said that Bridge Officer Nimiss had sent her to make a deal with me. I thought she was being truthfull, since the Officer was the only other person who would know to ask me about such things."

"The invocation of Bridge Officer Nimiss' name would appear to be nothing more than an attempt to gain your confidence … and to lend credence to any promises of favors," says the unicorn.

Envoy asks, "But how would the imposter have known that?"

"It would seem that the impostor had connections with someone who would know of your dealings with Bridge Officer Nimiss. I have my own theories, but they are purely unsubstantiated, and may be clouded by a certain conflict of interest." The unicorn pauses, then asks, "What manner of information did you divulge to this impostor?"

Envoy says, "Basically the same information that I gave you during the river journey about the City of Hands, and the function of the Crystal Hands."

The unicorn nods. "Perhaps at the time it was of some value. Or, more importantly, it seemed to be of value."

Envoy cocks her head, "And now?"

"The City of Hands is no secret any longer. As for the crystal hands," says the unicorn, "this remains to be seen."

Envoy says, "So the existance of the mapping chamber is still a possible threat, even if the Temple has the only known pair of crystal hands that can track Rephidim's course?"

"Not everything of interest is a threat," says the unicorn. "In any case, for the time being it would appear that the City of Hands is favorably disposed toward Rephidim … or is at least putting on such appearances. Do you see any reason why this should be considered a threat?"

"Well… " Envoy says. "The Savanites have enemies. The Empire seems to be looking for an excuse to discredit them. I worry that someone with knowledge of the map chamber may provide them with an even bigger incentive to take the City by force."

"The situation in the Savan is a very delicate one," says the Arch-Inquisitor. "By establishing contact with the City of Hands, Rephidim has granted – at least in appearance – some legitimacy to its existence. This is seen, of course, by the Nagai as a challenge to their sovereignty over the whole of the Savan. It is no secret knowledge that there are many kingdoms within their borders – particularly in the Desolate Band – which swear no fealty to the Emperor-Potentate. But such fiefdoms do nothing to call attention to themselves on the global scale. The City of Hands is far more conspicuous."

"Furthermore," says the unicorn, "this comes at a time of great turmoil in the Empire. Due to an unprecedented action by the Emperor-Potentate to experiment with freedom for Savanites, against popular support, there has been much friction there. The emergence of the City of Hands is seen as a rebellion by newly freed Savanites, and a slap on the face of the Emperor-Potentate."

Envoy nods. "If they were to act against the City… would Rephidim intervene?"

"That is not for me to decide … or to know," says the unicorn. "I presume that it is in the interests of the Temple for the Nagai Empire not to know what to expect from Rephidim. If the Nagai Empire were to act in a fashion that would be considered a threat to Rephidim, then it would be dealt with. But it is possible that the Nagai might find a way to deal with the City and make it clear that they pose no threat to Rephidim."

The Exile nods, then asks, "You've lived a long time, sir. I don't suppose you know anything about a legendary figure called Necropolis, do you?"

"I am not as old as Necropolis, rest assured," says the unicorn. "I know little about that name, and most of what I do know is suspect. Necropolis is a name and a term applied to a vaguely-defined entity – a god, a goddess, a power, a place. It is used to refer to a City of the Dead said to be within the Forbidden Zone of Aeztepa, but also to a powerful being believed to live there. Necropolis is a 'patron deity', or so it is believed in lore, of those who practice the foul art of Necromancy."

Envoy frowns. That's pretty much what she was able to find out herself. "It wouldn't matter to the balance of power if she were real, and also knew about the map chamber, would it?"

The unicorn says, "Perhaps. But it is no simple matter to prove such a thing. Where magic is involved, it is difficult to prove anything with certainty. The performance of a miracle attributed to a deity does not prove the existence of that deity – It proves, if anything, the existence of the miracle."

"In any case," says the unicorn, "I suspect that you are leading up to something."

Envoy blinks. "Oh, it's just that I encountered an entity that to all appearances seems to be this Necropolis creature, and she has all of my memories of the City and the map chamber… including my attempts to use it. And there's some sort of relationship between her and the new Savanite Queen which I don't have any real details about, other than that it doesn't seem to be a friendly one. Oh, and I was attacked by a demon when the original ritual where I met this thing was reenacted."

"You lead an interesting life, Envoy," remarks the unicorn.

The Exile just blinks. "I'd rather have one I had some control over, sir. I just hope that I'm not considered a threat if I succeed in operating at an adult level."

"Who, indeed, has any true control over their lives?" asks the unicorn. "Or, have you anything to suggest as to a way you might gain more control over your own life, Citizen Envoy?"

"I've been working on a new model for my thought processes," Envoy says proudly. "I think that with the help of a Mind Mage, I can readjust things to let me function better. Then, I was thinking of finding a secretarial job. Have you gotten a new assistant yet?"

"I have no personal assistant, no," answers the unicorn. "I am not certain that you would find the position beneficial. It carries certain risks."

Envoy almost chokes on a laugh, but manages to recover. "I've already been tortured, set out as demon bait, sent into hazardous areas… umm. Anyway, I need to get my mind sorted out first before considering such things."

"That would help considerably," the unicorn says flatly.

Envoy begins picking up the papers. "It's good to see you back in the Temple, sir. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to trust anyone."

"It is easier to find those you can trust, when you yourself can be trusted," says the unicorn.

Envoy pauses, and looks to the unicorn. "I'm not trusted?"

"It depends on who you ask, and how you define 'trust'," says the unicorn. "I am not certain that you are dependable. It is hard to think that of someone who speaks so freely of playing with her own mind."

Frowning, the Exile asks, "Do you know of any time I've failed to perform a task assigned to me?"

"I cannot think of any at the moment, no," says the unicorn. "But I cannot be certain that your actions are always in the interests of the Temple. I do not know your loyalties, nor do I fully understand your motivations."

Envoy smiles, "Well, that seems fair. I do not know the loyalties and motivations of those within the Temple after all."

The unicorn nods his head. "Will that be all?"

Envoy finishes putting away her papers. "I suppose so, unless you need anything from me, sir. I do run errands for Temple officials now, if they can't find someone else to do them."

"I will keep you in mind, Citizen Envoy," says the unicorn. "Are you willing to travel?"

Envoy nods, "Within reason, yes sir."

"Are there any particular locations you have a desire to visit … or to avoid?" asks the unicorn.

Envoy shakes her head, "No sir, I have no preferences or biases."

The unicorn nods. "I shall keep that in mind. Good day, Citizen Envoy."

Envoy bows formally, and knocks on the door.

The door cycles open, and a guard is outside, ready to escort Envoy to the exit.

Envoy steps out and smiles to the Guard, "I know the way."