Weeks have passed since Zephyr's promised lawyer, Krakaratz, came to see him… How long ago was it that a mind-mage came by in the middle of the night, when he was blissfully asleep, and dragged the groggy fox into a facility full of bright piercing lights and eerie clicking noises, performed some kind of ritual while censers blew fogs of some mind-altering incense past the prisoner's nose, and then simply left with a filled notebook? There have been visits, even supervised excursions, to be sure – arranged, perhaps, to test Zephyr and give him an opportunity to escape and be killed instantly, judgment passed posthumously. And that strange prisoner, a Rath'ana, who was brought in once… What sort of test could that have been?

There is no such thing as day or night in these carefully light-controlled levels, save for the changing of the guards and the succession of gruel, gruel, and more gruel for every meal. How many days has it been since Zephyr last left this cell? Who was that wolf that he saw Wyn with…

A knock on the door. Through the slots, a familiar face… Rather, two of them. Inquisitor Zeffel, the saluki. And the eagle lawyer, Krakaratz.

"You still alive in there?" Krakaratz calls cheerfully.

Zephyr looks up, ears perking. "For now, yes."

"Good. Inquisitor Zeffel has some good news and some bad news for you."

Zephyr stands, his tail slowly lashing back and forth behind him. He speaks quietly. "Good news and bad news? Let's hear them, then. Either first."

Zeffel frowns. "Krakaratz, I shall speak for myself." The saluki signals to the guards outside who start cranking the door open. "The paperwork has been completed and, ah… I have been elected to discuss your case with you, Zephyr Blackpaw."

"Guards! The shackles," the inquisitor says. "Until I have discussed the sentence with the prisoner and we complete… the arrangements… , it is best to take every precaution."

The door slides open, revealing Krakaratz in his black suit and the immaculately robed saluki, Zeffel. Also about ten of the Jupani guards and a few of the Zelaks, their insectile eyes blank and unrevealing.

Zephyr sits again, keeping his ears nonthreatening, his movements slow as he awaits the guards. "Arrangements?"

Zeffel says, "Yes. We will discuss them… In private." His eyes turn to Krakaratz.

"Hey, I'm his lawyer," the eagle protests. "He has a right to legal advice."

Zephyr glances at the eagle, then at the inquisitor. "I had thought I'd be allowed to have counsel?"

The saluki sniffs disdainfully. "A lawyer paid for by… certain interests who have no reason to love the Temple." His eyes narrow. "Zephyr's case will be discussed in private, with only the prisoner and myself in attendance. Your efforts have expedited matters somewhat, but further pressing will be counterproductive to your client's interests. Is that clear?" He turns to Zephyr. "Under ordinary circumstances… yes. But yours are rather unusual. Exile."

"Do you acecpt, Zephyr Blackpaw?" Zeffel says. He taps his boot, the reinforced chitin tip clicking against the floor.

Zephyr looks at the eagle. "I'll be alright. I won't agree to anything stupid, don't get yourself in trouble." He turns back to Zeffel. "Accept what, exactly?"

Zephyr thinks o O {Who _would_ have reason to love the temple?}

Krakaratz's eyes give Zephyr the impression that this procedure is not unknown… Though not terribly wanted. "He wants to discuss your case 'off the records', Zephyr. Probably means 'lean on you a little'. But as long as it's unofficial, and with the prisoner's consent, he can get away with it. And if he doesn't get it… Well." He clicks his tongue and looks sidelong at Zeffel. "Some prisoners never make it to court, do they?"

Zeffel harumphs. "Some inquisitors, *lawyer*, may act in such a way. I do not condone unofficial action, myself. But as I have been called upon to serve the wills of my superiors… "

Zephyr's eyes narrow slightly, his ears flattening a little. "I understand." He looks at the inquisitor again. "Perfectly." Once more he turns to the eagle, giving him a knowing look before staring at Zeffel. "Very well then, I accept."

The legal eagle nods. "Yeah, that's the system." The edges of his beak manage to indicate a grimace, though the beak itself is inflexible. "I'll lodge a protest, but you're taking a gamble all the way, kid. Hope you know what you're doing." He sticks his hands in his pockets, wingfeathers fanning out from there.

Zeffel nods. "The guards will shackle you before we go to a more private discussion room, Blackpaw," he says. "Purely… a routine precaution. A matter of form, as you have not yet been adjudged."

The guards move into the cell and begin to approach Zephyr, wary.

Zephyr sighs and holds out his black paws, pads down, claws retracted. He even goes so far as to close his eyes. "As soon as you people figure out I'm not dangerous… ", he mumbles, then just waits.

A Jupani guard locks the heavy ceramic shackles into place. "That's what they all say," he rumbles.

Krakaratz falls into line as the group begins to move out of the brig and through one of the corridors. "Now, don't let them rattle you," he says to Zephyr. "You don't like their offer, you don't have to accept it… But it could mean a few more weeks in confinement 'til things come to court. Maybe longer. Depends on whether you get 'lost' in the records. I'll do my best to keep that from happening."

The long-eared canine glides in stately fashion ahead of the procession, not deigning to notice Krakaratz's attempts to advise Zephyr.

Zephyr nods to Krakaratz as he speaks, trying his best to ignore the guards, just… a little tense at the shackles. They obviously bother him, a lot, but he's controlling himself. "Longer. Sounds like they could just lose someone and lose the key, hm?"

"It's happened. But not to any of my clients," Krakaratz says tightly. "I'd like to keep a winning streak, if you don't mind."

Zephyr nods again and manages a small smile. "That's good to hear. And… thank you."

The lawyer sighs. "I'll do my best… But they don't want to come out on the losing end. And it's very hard to mess with the Temple," he says. "If they want to make an offer and you reject it, they'll start looking over every dot and dash on their books. Ah. Well, here we are. I'll wait outside for you."

Zephyr takes a quick sniff of the air at the door, then glances at the lawyer one more time. "I'll be alright. And I know a good deal or a bad one when I hear it." He turns back to stolidly face the door, but can't keep his tail from lashing slowly back and forth a little.

Inquisitor Zeffel punches a button and the door… slides open. By the powers that be. An actual working bit of machinery! Inside is revealed a fairly clean conference room… In fact, it would be antiseptic except that it lacks the typical hospital smell. Two white chairs sit at opposite end of a clear glassy table. Three Zelaks go inside and take up positions, while the Jupanis stand outside.

Zeffel walks inside, and the guards lead Zephyr in, then leave him at the other seat still shackled.

The Jupani guards file out of the room, leaving just the Zelaks.

Zephyr can't help starting slightly, ears flicking in surprise. o O {They have parts of the ship still working this well?}

The door clicks shut.

Zephyr settles slowly into his seat, resting his shackles on the glass tabletop with a quiet 'clack'. His ears perk at the inquisitor, and his gaze locks on him.

Zeffel taps a folder on the table, then opens it and spreads the papers but does not seem interested in re-reading the material inside. "You have a very interesting case history, Zephyr. When you were brought in, you fiercely resisted questioning, then lied to your original inquisitor… Ah! The notorious Melchizedek. An interesting fellow. According to the report, you resisted revealing your true name and history until shaving was threatened… "

"Following several successive applications of shaving as an alternative form of punishment," Zeffel says. "You apparently escaped the prison in the company of assassins, leaving behind a dead barber and several guards likewise passed on. You were next reported as having been seen on the scene of the death of the Captain-Astromancer Cerbancos… You understand, there was a certain amount of skepticism when you turned up later, claiming to be not guilty."

The fox shrugs. "They led me into a room, locked me in, and surrounded me with guards. Then showed me a chair with a strange-looking headgear. I figured they planned to brainwash me, or something else equally nasty. Wouldn't you fight, if you didn't speak the language and the situation appeared that hostile?"

Zeffel mms. "You were not ill-treated up to that point," the saluki points out. "Perhaps you also believe that an exceptionally ugly person must be by nature ill-tempered and of a wicked aspect?"

Zephyr shakes his head. "Not necessarily. But when I'm locked into a room… let's just say instinct sometimes comes before logic. Now, I _wouldn't_ have fought had I been invited to, say, have a drink, then be shown how to put the helmet on, with a pictogram of books and words entering a being's mind through it, or something like that.Maybe they ought to revise their exile processing?"

Zeffel sniffs disdainfully. "The superior being controls his instincts. It is our sentiency which elevates us over ordinary creatures, of course. Perhaps you would also argue that Exiles should be served wine and cheese with their 'pre-Processing protocol' in case they might be hungry or thirsty? Utter wastefulness."

"Any road, Blackpaw," Inquisitor Zeffel continues. "It is the facts with which we must deal. And the facts as revealed by our mind-mage… Including several sessions, to ensure that your memories are not a product of some sort of mage-disguise, seem to indicate that you are in fact, the Exile that you claim to be."

Zephyr relaxes back into his chair a bit. "So the mind-mage session proved what I said?" He tilts his head. "I _did_ tell you, on my honor, that I was an Exile. I take it he wasn't able to fully comprehend a lot of it?"

Zeffel raises a finger. "Let us deal with that which is relevant to your case, Blackpaw. The mind mage also reports that you were in quite close contact with the assassin called 'Shadowspite' immediately prior to the slaying. Is this true or not?"

Zephyr nods. "Of course it's true. She used me as a decoy, so she had to make me look like her, and even used a mind-mage to make me… think I was her? for a short time. Just enough to confuse me when she let me go, I realize now. I was meant to be killed, which would close the case."

"Then, you understand, the Assassin's Guild would be very interested in curtailing your life to ensure that you did not betray any detail that might lead to identifying their best operative," Zeffel says.

Zephyr's ears flatten. "I sort of figured that out when a guard tried to stuff a poison pill down my throat, yes."

"They will not stop at one attempt," Zeffel says. "I will be honest with you, Blackpaw. We are now at an… interesting cusp in your case handling. None of the mind-mage interviews have been entered into any records. Your move to the restricted-access brig was under a fictitious name… 'Cylan Redtail'. Your lawyer, Krakaratz, has been granted access to you only through my office. In short." He looks at Zephyr to see if the fox understands his position.

Zephyr's eyes narrow. "In short, you alone control my fate. And without your intervention, to everyone else, I'm still the assassin."

"Yes." Zeffel lets that hang in the air for a moment. "But neither I nor my associates are interested in hanging a puppet and letting the puppetmaster escape. We suspect certain… movements in Temple politics are behind these activities."

Zephyr tilts his head and lightly taps a single clawtip on the glass tabletop. "And… you want me to help you somehow root out these movements?"

"It is possible that one such movement, at least, has strong ties to the 'Friend'. A powerful figure in the underworld," the saluki says. "I've taken steps to trace the shekels which were paid out for your capture. They have shown up predominantly in, ah… Sleazy and seamy establishments, as well as the counters and tills of the less licit traders." His eyes stare into Zephyr's as if challenging him to explain that.

Zephyr stares back. "I never said I was innocent of the ways in which things are done in this world, Inquisitor, just that I was innocent of murder. I've had to perhaps make some… friends, in order to protect someone I care about. But I know nothing of their dealings or motives, only what they offered me. Legal counsel."

"Yes, the mind-mage's report makes it abundantly clear that your tendencies are to the instinctive, rather than to the intellectual," Zeffel says. His nose wrinkles in mild distaste. "However, consider that to the opposition… You are likely to be a liability. Or if an asset, for your ability to impersonate Shadowspite – one that is rather, ah, disposable. Do you understand that your best interests lie in aiding us at least a little?"

The fox manages to ignore the insult and keep his hackles down, then nods. "Yes. I understand that. And as long as 'aiding you' doesn't involve harming or threatening innocents, I have no problem with it."

The saluki nods. "Very well. Your assignment… For now, until we have a better understanding of your situation with respect to the Friend… Or any other political associations… will be to report once a week as to what you have discovered and learned in your work to us. I believe you already know the person to whom you will be reporting."

Zephyr's ears swivel. "I do?"

"When the person responsible for ordering the death of the Captain-Astromancer is dead or captured," Zeffel continues. "Your case record will be marked as 'Found innocent of all charges.' Until then, it will be 'postponed while discovery of evidence continues." He nods. "Indeed. I've already asked a guard to bring her in… "

The door slides open at that moment to reveal a familiar looking wolf… With a Zelak right next to her, the both of them chained together at the wrists. The Zelak clacks. "The prisoner Wyn has been brought per your order, Inquisitor Zeffel."

The door clicks shut again behind the wolf and the Zelak. Strange… This Zelak looks a little different from the usual warrior model – a bigger head, four antennae rather than two, slimmer hands and larger legs. A black arrow surmounts its red head.

Wyn swishes her tail at the sight of Zephyr. She glances sideways at her Zelak guard and then at Zephyr with an annoyed look.

The black-robed Inquisitor Zeffel stands to offer Wyn his seat – perhaps a bit of false courtesy as it leaves him to stand and look down upon the two glowering canids. "As we've already discussed, Wyn, your trial could easily lead to your execution… It is only your word against those of witnesses, in the death of the noble, and his family is clamoring for the death of the one responsible. I fear that some rumors were circulated among the guards on your capture… I've alrady taken steps to stop them, of course."

Zephyr jumps!, or starts to… He hits his shackles on the table-edge with a loud crack, then falls back into the chair, staring… and as he does, his eyes fill with a warmth they've been missing for many days now. He gives her a knowing look back, indicating the Zelak with a glance, then rolling his eyes. He sits up straighter in his seat now.

"Of course, since you have refused to submit to mental examination, it will be impossible to verify the truth of this accusation," the saluki continues imperturbably.

Wyn fidgets uncomfortably.

Zephyr blinks. "Could lead to… ex… Her?" He stares at the inquisitor, eyes narrowing.

"However, Zephyr Blackpaw has bravely volunteered to help the Temple, which makes it possible to arrange a certain, ah, mutual benefit association." The saluki looks at Zephyr blandly, as if daring him to back out now.

Zephyr tries to speak, but his voice cracks. He takes a deep breath and tries again, whispering. "Yes. Alright. Anything you want me to do. On my honor." He looks sideways at Wyn.

Wyn softly wufs, "I didn't think the bug guards would stick up for me. Not that they were loyal to begin with. Somefur must have paid them to speak against me. They saw what happened."

Zephyr keeps watching Wyn, his ears swiveling hinting that he has quite a lot to talk about, and hear from her. He nods. "That seems to be the standard operating procedure around here." He looks back at the saluki. "What's to guarantee that these assassins won't try to kill me now?"

The Inquisitor circles the table to the other side… This time standing before the Zelaks, so that their black insect stares appear over his shoulders. "As it happens, we have immediate employment for a resourceful and strong young Jupani," he says. "Wyn, your case will be reported as a case of mistaken identity… There are after all, hundreds of thousands of Jupanis and outsiders not of their species can easily mistake one for the other." The lean saluki twitches his nose. "You will be employed by the Temple, but your duties will leave you sufficient free time to aid and assist Zephyr Blackpaw in his investigative work, as he works undercover for us… "

"As for you, Zephyr… I believe that any protection we attempted to offer you in your work for the Friend would be counterproductive: it would attract more attention to you than it would spare you," Zeffel says. "For the moment… I am letting it be thought that one fox did indeed perish a few weeks ago, due to conditions in the prisons which are being remedied. For the long term, your instincts will serve you better than anything I can give you. However, if you have any requests, you may make them of Wyn."

Wyn looks at Zephyr, her eyes worried. She doesn't like the feel of this.

Zephyr nods quietly. "That sounds… " He looks back at Wyn, and his eyes soften as he answers. "… reasonable, but what job is this you're giving her, exactly?"

Wyn thinks . o O { Now is the time to speak out, but what if I say the wrong thing and blow this deal? Zephyr is going along with it. }

The black-robed Inquisitor walks slowly around the room while the two canids absorb what he has said. This time he stands before a white wall blazoned with the gold of the Temple's Star-and-Anchor insignia. "Clerical. Errands, to be run from one part of Rephidim to another. She'll receive further instructions from myself or one of my associates as necessary."

"Reports are of course, to go to my office," the saluki says.

Wyn fliks her ears.

Zephyr meets Wyn's gaze and blinks at her ears. He knows her gestures well. "Wyn? What do you think?", he asks softly.

Wyn wufs, "I feel nervous. I'm to be trusted with important errands. Is my freedom dependent on my service? What if I make a mistake? And if they're not important errands, why send me to and fro carrying them out?"

Zephyr looks back at the inquisitor, ears swiveling. "Well? That's a valid point." He glances sideways at Wyn. "A very valid point. We're exiles, we don't know all the ways of this world yet."

Zeffel smiles thinly. "I am certain that you will measure up to your assignments, Wyn. The Temple is not cruel in all of its dealings. Play fair with me, and I will see that things go well for you."

Zeffel's gaze goes toward Zephyr, and then to the sleek Zelak standing near Wyn.

Zephyr thinks o O {Hmph. Not cruel, but as corrupted as a datacart stuck to a magnet. Might get out of this, though.}

Wyn turns to the Inquisitor. "I have a request. I'll do as you ask even if you choose not to grant it."

"Rest assured, your duties will not require that you be attached to a Zelak at all hours," the saluki continues. "This will no longer be necessary… Once you agree with me that these arrangements are to everyone's benefit." His smile sets into a neutral line of black. "Ah. A request."

Zephyr gives Wyn a questioning look?

Wyn says, "I expect you'll desire me to do for you without questioning, and to be loyal. There may come a time in the future when I discover a certain slaver crew has returned to the City."

The black-robed saluki nods. "There may."

Wyn says, "If I find them, I will need your help to deal with them."

Zephyr's ears flatten. "I would desire that same request, Inquisitor." He gives Wyn another look, letting his teeth show a little, letting her know… he understands.

"An interesting request," Zeffel says. He glances toward Zephyr, then looks back to Wyn. "I shall certainly consider it favorably… If they violated Temple laws regarding the treatment of Exiles, then certainly the laws would need to be enforced." He steeples his fingers. "Very well then. I shall advise your lawyer that you are being released until … further evidence is discovered bearing upon your case, Zephyr Blackpaw. Wyn, you will be brought to my office tomorrow morning to commence your new assignment. Are there any further questions?"

Wyn says, "I have two."

Zeffel raises his eyebrows. His patience seems to be wearing somewhat.

Wyn says, "Under what circumstances will our relationship end pleasantly? And, how much am I getting paid?"

Wyn swishes her tail.

He breaks into laughter.

Wyn eyes Zephyr and shrugs slightly. She grins. "Hadda ask," she wufs.

Zephyr gives Wyn an "I don't _believe_ you just asked that" look of pure incredulity… then grins too.

"Ah! A sense of humor," Zeffel says. "Well then. Your employment at the Temple will terminate as soon as a satisfactory ending is reached in Zephyr's investigation. Of course, you understand, you may ask your supervisors to provide a reference for you, in your search for employment thereafter. As to your pay scale… " He rubs his chin, taps his muzzleside with a finger in thought.

"Since you are, as it were, new to Temple employment… " The saluki says this in an utterly dry voice, but his raised eyebrows show lingering amusement. "You will be paid the same scale as those of a trainee. I'll leave it to your supervisors to determine when you can be raised in grade."

Wyn says, "Thank you, Inquisitor."

Zephyr gives Wyn a sideways look now, then quickly answers. "That's fine, Inquisitor. Thank you."

Wyn thinks . o O { If trainees don't get paid enough, I'll just steal the office supplies and sell 'em on Mission Street. }

Zeffel nods. "Very well. I'll see you in the morning, Wyn." He nods to the Zelaks to escort the wolf back to her quarters… Barely more than a cell – but the door locks from the inside, not the outside.

Zephyr looks after the wolf, then to Zeffel. "But… she's to remain in the Temple?"

"As her duties require, Zephyr. I see no reason to curtail her activities outside it… When and where they aid your investigation." Zeffel stops his walking about the room to stand by Zephyr, then reaches down to unlock the shackles. "And as for you, Blackpaw. You are a free fox. For the moment."

"Don't try to run. We'll be watching you." The saluki stands and waits for Zephyr to do likewise.

Wyn sighs at the four walls of her cell as she sits on the cot. "Guess who's got every reason to help Zephyr solve his case. Whatever that is." She stretches out and stares at the ceiling, making plans to get Inquisitor Zeffel the information he wants – even if she has to manufacture it.

Zephyr relaxes visibly as the shackles clatter to the tabletop, then stands… a little uncertainly at first, then more confidently. He nods, and bows politely. "I won't try to run. And… thank you, sir."

The Inquisitor nods. "We will see if you still think kindly of me in the weeks to come." His eyes glint. "But one way or another… I vow that the true murderer of the Captain-Astromancer will be brought to justice."

"You may go."

Zephyr inhales deeply as he pads towards the door, and can't keep a smile off his muzzle… Wyn's scent trails in the air. And with the knowledge that he's going to see her again tomorrow, be with her, free, at least for now… with a possible out to all of this, he looks like himself again.