On the small deck of the Folly stands a white poodle woman, wearing Templar robes over chitin armor, an unstrung crossbow held in her arms. By leaning against the railing near the ship's center, she is mostly out of the way of the Korv sailors working on her rigging, and the pilot at the helm. The space is by no means private, but it is as close has she has been able to come to privacy for many days. Staring across the vast wilderness below, and the empty blue sky above, the poodle can pretend that she is not trapped on a miniscule vessel with five other people. It gives her time to reflect … on how she came to be here.

Upon her return from her interview with Maleficos Dunbarre, Elise de Bellefeuille found a packet of information on the Temple rules and ordinances governing the Temple Executors. It was thoughtfully provided by the Arch Inquisitor Supreme – or so the card said. The handwriting looked feminine to Elise's eye.

The materials make for exceedingly dry reading, but the essence of the Executor job seems simple. Executors are dispatched by their Arch Inquisitors for the purpose of tracking down and capturing – or killing, if capture is not feasible – known, but elusive, criminals. They often operate off Rephidim, and many of the complex rules govern their behavior in foreign countries, as defined by various treaties.

Two days later, on 4 Harvest, 6105, Elise de Bellefeuille received a letter from "The Temple Office on the Orders of Knighthood." In formal prose, it informed her of the formation of new Orders of Knights, and invited her to take part in the first trials of individuals, which were to determine which people were worthy to found new Orders. It was much like what her conversation with Lord Pink had led her to expect. The letter summarized the duties of the new Orders, which apparently were to serve as elite forces in the Rephidim military, to be employed at the Temple's discretion in securing any number of potential objectives.

The lady sits now at her desk, quill in handy, brooding over two letters and two pieces of parchment that potentially should become answers to the inquiries made of her. She has read the letters at least twice by now and the hour grows late, and finally she dips her quill and sets to right. It needs to be done, and hesitation is only wasting precious time, she comes to think. To the Office of the Orders of Knights she writes first:

The first of two responses written brings gentle relief to the lady. Having chosen to decline the Knightly Orders was no small decision on her part. Indeed the soon to be much acclaimed knights are, by many standards, the better station and by far the more glorious. The office of the Inquisition, Executor specifically, will likely never see a parade or a bright and shining image. But it is the best choice for me, thinks Elise as she ponders the best matter. And so she writes the second letter:

Both letters now lay finished, and the ink has already begun to dry in the cool evening air. Elise turns to regard them both, skimming them over before she nods and reaches for the wax and seal. It is done.

The remaining paperwork takes surprisingly little time to attend to, and two days later, Elise finds herself at the antechamber to an Tsagairt's office once again. The bird secretary, who this time introduces herself "Becky Kli-cli", or at least, something that sounded like that, shows Elise into the office immediately after her arrival. "Oh, he's been expecting you!" she chirps enthusiastically, looking over her shoulder at Elise. The poodle can hear the sound of voices behind the closed office door, but before she has a chance to suggest the avian pause, Becky opens the door.

Inside, Gaelan an Tsagairt, dressed in a uniform of dark gray with silver accents, is standing before his desk, facing a Kavi woman wearing a similar uniform. Hers, however, has the badge of a double-bladed axe on either shoulder, underscored by a silver line – the mark of an Executor Majoris. Neither figure looks pleased with the other, and it's a cold eye the Arch Inquisitor turns towards the secretary and the canine behind her. "Becky." The single word carries a heavy inflection.

"Arch Inquisitor," the bird chirps back with cheerful obliviousness. "Lady Elise de Bellefeuille is here."

Elise gives the Arch Inquisitor a formal salute, then steps to attention. "Sir," she greets him, her tone even.

The Kavi Executor twists to fix her glare on first the secretary, and then the woman accompanying her. The Jupani's glower doesn't alter, though his eyes narrow as he looks at the bird. "Come in, Bellefeuille," he says to Elise, without taking his gaze from his secretary. "Close the door behind her, Becky. Tell anyone else who comes that I am unavailable."

The ferret with him gives an exasperated snort. "I guess we'll continue this later," she says, saluting the Arch Inquisitor before she starts towards the door.

The lady steps more fully in to the office and walks to stand in front of her commanding officer. There she again waits, standing in steady attention, and if the cold of the greetings chilled her she shows no sign of it.

An Tsagairt snaps, "You are not dismissed, Kaalaas."

The Kavi comes up short before the door, hands clenching into fists at her side. She turns about as Becky gives another chirp and closes the door, leaving the three of them alone in the office.

The Arch Inquisitor says, his tone even, "Greetings, Bellefeuille. As I am sure you are aware, you will undergo a trial period as an Executor Secundus, during which time you will be accompanied on assignment by an Executor Majoris." The Kavi standing by the door blinks at him, and he continues, looking at her instead of Elise. "Executor Majoris Kaalaas, this is our newest recruit: Executor Secundus Bellefeuille."

Elise turns from the Arch Inquisitor to incline her head to the Kavi woman. "Greetings, Executor Majoris Kaalaas," she says, voice shifting from even to just a touch of the friendly. "I am sure you will make a fine teacher." Her muzzle quirks slightly – smirk or snarl, it's hard to tell.

Kaalaas blinks again. Her jaw drops open, and she stares, open-mouthed, at Elise. Then she starts to smirk. She lifts a hand to half-cover her mouth, gesturing with the other to Elise, one eyebrow lifted as she looks at the Jupani. She stifles a giggle, then outright laughs, her shoulders shaking.

Tsagairt crosses the room in two quick strides to stand before the Kavi. In an icy voice, he says, "Enough."

His manner sobers the smaller person instantly, and instead she stares up at him in disbelief. "HER?"

The lady raises her brow, looking at the Kavi with reserved scrutiny, then thinks to ask if the Arch Inquisitor truly means her. Her nail clicks on her cane thrice, a motion born from careful thought, and then she asks in her usually even official tone, "Is there a problem, Executor Majoris Kaalaas?"

Tsagairt glances over his shoulder to Elise, then back to the Kavi. "Her," he confirms, his lip curled back in snarl.

"But – you can't be serious – de Bellefeuille? A poodle?" The ferret protests, not even acknowledging Elise's query. "By the First Ones – " Whatever she was about to add is interrupted by a menacing growl from the Jupani, deep in his throat.

"Executor Secundus." The Jupani speaks in a commanding voice, addressing Elise without looking away from the Kavi. He reaches past Kaalaas to push the closed door open. "Please wait outside. We will be with you … shortly."

"Yes sir." And with that the lady turns and proceeds for the door, the rapping of her cane against the solid floor echoing as she goes.

"Did you need anything?" Becky chirps at Elise as she steps outside and closes the door. "Or the Arch Inquisitor? I forgot to ask if he'd like some tea."

Elise waits outside the office a few steps out of the way of the door, hands folded upon her cane as she stares off in to the distance at something farther than metal walls. A test. Surely indeed They are testing me, she thinks. Her train of thought is, for the moment, derailed as the secretary asks her a question. She answers, "I believe the Arch Inquisitor is indisposed at the moment, and no, I need nothing."

The closed door and walls muffle the conversation within the office to the point where, though Elise is standing nearby, she can only tell that there are definitely raised voices within, and not make out individual words. "Indisposed?" the avian chirps, tilting her head. "Oh dear. I could make some kuresall tea … "

To that Elise says nothing. She simply waits, leaning on her cane as she need do these days, staring off down the hall with a thoughtful crease of the brow and a sour twist to her lips.

From inside the office, there's a loud thump. The "discussion" either halts, or sinks to an inaudible level. Silence fills the antechamber, except for the sound of Becky puttering around, putting a kettle of water on a small clay stove and fussing with a canister of tea leaves.

With the thump Elise turns her head to face the door, brow raising. "I do not suppose this is common?" she inquires of the secretary.

"What is common?" Becky asks, blinking at Elise. "Him not feeling well? No, I think he's usually in good health, really, most unusual … " There's another audible thud from inside the office.

"I see," comments the lady. She turns her head back and resumes her contemplative stare down the fall. Every so often her nail clicks against the head of her cane. She tries to ignore what goes on behind the door. I shall need to commission a new sword. A helmet and plate too, I should think, she ponders.

The kettle starts to whistle, and the secretary takes it off the stove, pouring it into teacups. As the aroma of tea begins fill the antechamber, the door to the office opens again. The Arch Inquisitor seems to fill the doorway in a way much larger men cannot. "Bellefeuille," he says. He jerks his head toward the office. "Come in."

The lady spins around about as fast as she is able, snaps off a salute, and after a reflexive "Yes sir," she hobbles forward to enter the Arch Inquisitor's office again.

Becky chirps at her boss's arrival. "Would you like some tea, Arch Inquisitor? The lady said you were feeling poorly … " She cradles a cup and saucer in her wing-hands, carrying it to him solicitously. An Tsagairt looks at the bird as if she were from another planet, standing aside to allow Elise to pass him.

The secretary chirps, "I made three cups. Maybe the Majoris would like one? Lady de Bellefeuille said she didn't."

Tsagairt holds out his hand. The secretary gives him the saucer and cup. "Thank you," he says, stepping back into his office and closing the door. Inside, Kaalaas sits in one of the chairs before the desk. The Arch Inquisitor places the cup down before her, then makes his way around to the back of the desk to seat himself. "Have a seat," he tells Elise, gesturing to the empty chair.

As directed, the lady has a seat in the chair offered, lifting her cane and resting it across her lap with her hands folded atop it. She watches the Arch Inquisitor with canine attention – ears perked, head tilted slightly.

"As Executor Secundus, you will be under the direct supervision of Executor Kaalaas for the duration of your first assignment. You will do whatever she asks of you, whether such instruction is to apprehend your target unassisted, or whether she tells you to stand in a corner and watch during a brawl. Do not question her instincts, her judgment, or her orders. You are to give opinions only when invited to do so. Do you understand, Bellefeuille?" The Arch Inquisitor watches her, ignoring Kaalaas.

"Yes sir," answers the Gallee, inclining her head in agreement.

Kaalaas sits with her hands on the armrests of the chair, in a parody of relaxation. Her ears are flat against her head, though with fear or anger is hard to tell. She reaches for the saucer. The cup rattles against the plate as she takes it from the edge of the desk, and the Kavi grimaces, pulling it to her and setting it in her lap.

"Good. Your first assignment, Secundus, Majoris, will be to apprehend Abrecan Ordway, a Rhian who escaped the Temple dungeon twenty-three days ago. He is guilty of three counts of murder and one of kidnapping. He was previously a Temple Ranger, and is skilled with the use of longbow, as well as wilderness survival skills. He had assistance in escaping from the Temple, and is likely still among allies. He is extremely dangerous, and accordingly, the Temple has labeled him kill-on-sight. Do not attempt to take him alive." The Jupani leans back in his chair, looking from one female to the other.

Elise simply nods her head. "As you will, Arch Inquisitor." Her cane is lifted, and then placed against the floor with the Executor Secundus's hand resting atop it in preparation to stand, should the order be given for them to depart immediately.

Kaalaas only nods. She lifts the teacup to her lips, taking a sip. A little splashes onto the saucer as she sets it down again. "Who is my investigator?" she asks.

"Faith. She'll have the rest of the briefing ready for you." Tsagairt glances at a timepiece on his desk. "In fact … this has run longer than I expected. She should be ready for you now."

The lady raises her brow in response to the investigator so named. It was not long ago when Inquisitrix Faith was investigating me. She rather wonders if this "Faith" is a relative of the feline – or if the feline had managed to suffer some misfortune and net a demotion. Despite her run in with the woman she does not find the idea of her demotion pleasing; rather it strikes her as uncomfortably curious.

A corner of the Kavi's mouth twitches, and she nods again. "Any further questions?" the Arch Inquisitor asks. "Majoris? Secundus?"

"What will be our departure time? If it is immediate, I must send a courier to my estate and have preparations made," inquires Elise.

"It will not be immediate. Investigator Faith only located her evidence on your target's whereabouts this morning. One of the Temple's courier vessels is returning from the Himaat as we speak, and it will be taking you in a few days. You'll have time to prepare your … estate, Secundus," the Arch Inquisitor replies.

The lady nods, and in way of politeness that does not carry so very well on her even voice says, "Thank you, Arch Inquisitor."

"Kaalaas?" Tsagairt looks to the quiet Kavi.

The Kavi says, "Thank you, Arch Inquisitor," her voice a parody of Elise's. "I have no other questions."

"Dismissed." Tsagairt tells them, and turns to the papers on his desk.

The Kavi stands, places the cup and saucer deliberately on the corner of the desk, pivots on her heel, and walks to the door. "Come with me, Secundus," she orders, her tone brusque.

Elise rises with the help of her cane, takes a moment to adjust and be certain her leg can handle the stress, and then with consistent echoes hobbles towards the door to follow the Majoris without further delay. I will need inform Katherine, and have suitable traveling clothes prepared. Armor and weaponry as well … Something more suited to this.

A familiar gray-tiger Khatta opens her door at their knock. "Good afternoon, Executor Majoris Kaalaas, Lady de Bellefeuille," she says. She wears the simple uniform of an Investigator.

With a nod of her head Elise corrects the Investigator, "Executor Secundus de Bellefeuille, Investigator Faith."

"My apologies, Executor Secundus," Faith says in her usual uninflected tones.

"Investigator Faith." The greeting is as close to polite as Elise has yet heard from the Kavi. On the walk to Faith's office, Kaalaas was sullenly silent and uncommunicative. "You have information for us concerning Abrecan Ordway?"

"I do," Faith replies. She seats herself behind her desk again, pulling open a file. She looks to the Kavi as she starts to speak, but Kaalaas interrupts her.

"Executor Secundus de Bellefeuille," the Kavi drawls out in a voice laced with irony, "is in training. That she may better learn her occupation, you may direct the debriefing to her, Investigator Faith."

Elise seats herself beside her superior and again rests her cane in her lap, hands folded atop it. She glances at the Kavi for a moment then turns to incline head at Faith. "You may proceed, then, Investigator," she tells the Khatta.

The feline's eyes move from ferret to poodle, evaluating each in turn. She nods, and looks to her file. "A brief overview: Three days prior to Candlemass of this year, at the merchant estate of Livas, two guards and one servant were slain and the fourteen year-old daughter of Merchant Livas, Julienne Livas, was abducted. Ransom was demanded for the girl; the kidnappers were apparently unaware that Merchant Livas was deeply in debt after the loss of two airships and their cargos in a storm. The ransom was not paid, but Temple officials at the time were not able to locate either the kidnappers or the girl." Faith delivers this in a calm monotone, while the Kavi shifts in her seat, eyes narrowed, watching Elise more than the Khatta.

And, unlike the calm that she had shown throughout the frosty greeting and welcome to her new career earlier Elise does react. Specifically her jaw tenses, and lip curls just enough to make her distaste at the mention of kidnapping visible though not obvious unless one watches her. "I see," she says, her tone is steady and does not match her expression. "Continue, Investigator."

Faith continues. "Since that time, new evidence had come to light suggesting a Temple Ranger was involved with the abduction. Circumstantial evidence pointed to Temple Ranger Ordway as a key figure in the plot. Twenty-five days ago, one of the servants of the estate confessed to helping Temple Ranger Ordway enter the estate's premises secretly. Ordway was taken into custody. Two days later, he escaped the Temple dungeons. A trial has been conducted in his absence, and he has been judged guilty of all three murders and the kidnapping." The Investigator's monotone wavers as she recites the last line. Something akin to – irritation, perhaps? – creeps into it.

"You do not agree with the judgment, Investigator Faith?" inquires Elise, brow raised. "I would hear your opinion on the matter if that is the case."

"The Temple judgment," Faith repeats, carefully, "is that former Temple Ranger Ordway is guilty of those crimes."

Kaalaas smirks at the feline's wording, but says nothing as the other continues.

"For some years prior to the time of the kidnapping, Ordway was known to have two particularly close friends: Fateh Nyorga, and Nadia. Both, like him, and like the victim, Julienne Livas, are Rhians. Shortly after the kidnapping, Fateh Nyorga and Nadia reportedly left Rephidim," Faith relates.

"Interesting," says Elise. She cocks her head to the side and lifts a hand to make a slight gesture for the Investigator to resume. "I will need think on that, certainly. Do continue, Investigator."

"Nadia, however – or someone looking uncannily similar to her – was sighted after her supposed departure by a number of different people. According to the records of the Port Authority, Nadia left the city a second time on First Ones 7. There is no record that she returned to the city at any point between these two departures," Faith says. "In both cases, she booked passage on The Bird of Paradise to travel to Fauxpas, in Gallis. Both voyages of The Bird of Paradise left Gallis to continue to the Himaat, with a jog west to an outpost on the Golden Peninsula. The Bird of Paradise does not keep passenger manifestos; however, neither the Port Authority in Fauxpas nor the Port Authority at the Gateway City has a record of Nadia or Nyorga disembarking in their cities."

The Executor Secundus nods, and asks, "Is there any information that would suggest Nadia possesses closer ties to Abrecan Ordway than mere friendship, or to Fateh Nyorga such in a way as would suggest strong loyalty to either? Also," she cocks her head to the side, "do they hold any resemblance to the other?"

"Nadia is roughly the same build as the kidnap victim, Julienne Livas, though somewhat smaller," Faith answers. "It is the Temple's conclusion that the first 'departure' of Nyorga and Nadia was actually Nyorga smuggling Julienne Livas from the country, to be sold into slavery in Gallis. However – "

"However," Kaalaas interrupts, "we're Executors, not Investigators, and it's your job to save Julianne, not ours. Let's jump to the chase. You think Ordway's friends ended up at this outpost in the Golden Peninsula, which doesn't have a Port Authority to confirm or deny that, right? And when Ordway got out, he followed them."

Faith watches Elise for a moment after the ferret finishes talking, then turns her head to meet the Kavi's gaze, inclining her head slightly. "Circumstantial and eyewitness evidence supports that conclusion, Executor Majoris."

"Lovely," the Kavi purrs. "Give the file to Bellefeuille, Investigator. Did you have anything specific on where Ordway will have gone from the outpost, if he left it? Just the answer, now. We don't need to know your reasons for coming to it."

Elise looks between the two women as she finds her inquiry cut off, and recalling her earlier orders she decides against a counter-interruption for the sale of the kidnapped victim. Rather than blurt out suggestions or opinions, she asks instead, "Permission to make suggestions, Executor Majoris?"

The lady glances at Faith, then nods for her to continue to continue. "Forgive me. Questions after you have answered the Executor Majoris," she corrects.

The Kavi glances sidelong at Elise, while Faith turns a few pages and produces a map. She pushes it across the desk for the two Executors to view. "Here." She points a spot about half-way down the peninsula, towards the western edge. "Fateh Nyorga grew up in a village on the coast here. When talking of his childhood, he spoke of herding in the hills, and exploring in the mountains. Depending on the welcome they have received, they may have gone either to this village, or hiding out in the hills."

"All right," Kaalaas says, satisfied. "You have included extensive notes on the possible locations in the file, I'm sure." She pushes the map towards Elise, motioning for her to take the file. "You may ask your questions now, Secundus."

Elise takes up the file and slides it under her cane before she folds her hands and settles her hands back down upon the items. "Given the connection between these three, it is my suggestion that, having given such dangerous support to a suspected criminal, that Fateh Nyorga and Nadia may both be present within the area or with the target himself. In such a case they are likely to hinder us, possibly to the point of armed conflict, or perhaps inclining the locals to do similar. They may potentially request the locals to notify of our approach, in which case I would suggest the target will flee for the mountains where his archery and wilderness skill will be most of use. I also suggest that Nadia or Nyorga may know of the whereabouts of the victim, and should be spared for interrogation if possible," she offers.

"Duly noted," Kaalaas says, while Faith gives a nod to Elise's suggestions. The Kavi gets to her feet. "Thank you for your time and efforts, Investigator. Come with me, Secundus." She salutes the Khatta, who stands to returns it, then the Majoris turns and heads for the door.

The lady stands, moving more slowly than either the Khatta or the Kavi. She tucks the case file under her left arm and salutes the Investigator before proceeding after the Kavi towards the door.

Once outside, the Kavi rebukes, "Never let the investigator control the debriefing. You need to keep them focused or they'll meander all over the place. Odds are, you'll never need to know why Faith came to any of her conclusions. And if you do need to know, you can always look at the file. The only excuse for letting them blather on is if it's someone sloppy, like Investigator Herschel, and you're worried they'll leave something important out of the file."

Turning to her superior the Executor Secundus nods, then offers in way of explanation, "I was concerned the Investigator had other ideas on that matter. I would hate to think that we, should we have proceeded, missed a detail or an observation from someone as complete in detail as Investigator Faith that caused us unfortunate difficulties – it is not always the case that one would wish to put their opinion or potentially troublesome suggestions to file."

"If it's important, it'll be in the file. Any opinions that didn't make it to the file are not worth your time," the ferret snaps, annoyed. "In any event, I will leave the file in your hands to peruse until we leave – which will be on … Harvest 1, I think. I'll verify that with the Naval office. You are dismissed, Secundus."

Secundus de Bellefeuille snaps a salute, offering the reflexive "Yes, Executor Majoris."

The departure date was, in fact, set for the afternoon of Harvest 1. Elise busied herself in planning for her departure – commissioning new clothing proved easy enough, but as it turned out, there was not enough time to have new armor fashioned, or another blade as well-made as her current. The matter was further complicated by an earlier commitment to attend a Harvest Tide party hosted by Lord Jean Dunbarre.

Katherine was sorriest to see her go, and glad for the chance to attend a social event with her sister prior to another long absence – for she and Grant were invited to the gathering, as well. As Elise stands on the deck of the airship, a thousand miles from Rephidim, a slight smile forms on her face, thinking of the party. A voice at her elbow jars her out of her reverie. "There," the Majoris says, pointing. "Finally. We're almost there. We'll be on the ground by evening." She glances to Elise, the Kavi's dislike still plainly evident beneath a thin veneer of professionalism. "Are you ready?"

The crossbow Elise had been cleaning, checking, and rechecking as she had thought on matters of the past is raised and set to its holder, and one of the quarrels she had laid out lifted – its point carefully examined. The lady then nods past it, turning her gaze to her superior. "I am ready."