The doors have just closed on the Cathedral of Precision, marking the end of the public funeral, and the start of the private cremation ceremony. Outside most of the mourners have dispersed, the Landsknects being the last to leave are still present in large numbers. Off to the side of the main doors, a brother Korv talks with a palace guard.

The guard speaks in quiet tones, but ones that can still be overheard by the ones passing. Apparently he has been waiting for the monk to exit the service, and has just taken him aside. "Brother Salvatori, I must speak with you. About the Mage Talia."

Some of the Landsknechts seem to be in what might be described as a discourse – some might call it an argument, but of course, the dignity of the knights themselves would not permit them to admit to dissension. A Cervani voice accuses the Korv knight at one side of the huddle, "Your actions, brother in arms, were unbefitting of the dignity of the ceremony! You should have spoken of our beloved Kaizer, not used it to promote your own irresponsible crusades and actions. What must Lord Ruthven have thought of your rash action?"

A crow monk of the Celestial Order, Brother Salvatori, comes aside to speak with the guard, his head still bowed after his humiliating accident in the cathedral. "Yes?" he caws quietly.

Gergesene kaws angrily. "Yes, we should remember the Kaizer – we should remember him in our actions, not in our words alone! I for one do not intend to let his passing go marked only by speeches and a constant falling back before the forces that press upon Chronotopia… "

The guard brushes his hand through his hair, wiping his brow. "She's been placed under arrest, pending an investigation of the whole incident. The Mage Talia has been very insistent that she speak with you. You've not been implicated in any way of course, and can refuse… " His voice trails off.

A pair of mourners slowly shuffle by. "I still don't know why the Kaizer was cremated, I've never heard of that being done before." "It was the Kaizer's wishes." "Still… " their voices trail off as they walk out of hearing range.

The monk crow frowns faintly. "I am not concerned about implications. I have made my witness, and as for how the Star sees fit to use me in the great workings, I will not worry. I will listen to her."

The monk looks at some of the mourners passing by, then back to the guard. "I can't help but wonder whether more happened that I have not been told of," he caws quietly.

A few of the Landsknechts not involved in the discourse hover at a respectable, but within audible distance of both the brother and the guard, and Gergesene and the other knights. Their focus could be on both, or neither conversations.

The guard nods, "We should proceed to the gaol then. Come with me." He turns and starts to lead Salvatori down the steps of the Cathedral.

The crow monk hops and waddles after the guard, trying to keep up on his avian feet.

The guard pauses, looking over the assembled group of knights. Turning to Salvatori he states. "It might be better if we had a witness, one above reproach. I have no idea what she plans to tell you. Should we ask a Landsknecht to come with us?"

Fadyr speaks up from among the Landsknechts, "We cannot merely stand by. With our Kaizer taken from us, we must be all the more steadfast and alert. His passing is a blow, yes. We cannot let it distract us from defending land and people."

The crow monk caws, "Of course. While it is expected of me to be truthful in all things, I am hardly a neutral party in this matter."

Gergesene looks over to Fadyr with a pleased expression. "Then you believe that we must do something, as well?"

The Cervani who spoke first, Sir Vandenberg, gestures widely. "But there is an appropriate time to all things," he says angrily. "While I am not opposed to action, I say that Sir Gergesene should have remembered the dignity appropriate to we Landsknechts and spoken after the funeral – not during it!"

Sir Vandenberg addresses Fadyr. "Remember that, young Knight. Act with proper bearing and decorum and you will earn more respect from your fellows." He turns and walks away with some of the other Landsknechts.

Gergesene kaws looking somewhat dispirited.

The guard standing beside Brother Salvatori, looks at the Korv. Seeing the monk making no move to step forward he adjusts his uniform, "Well, I'll ask one of them then." He approaches the group of knights.

Fadyr blinks after the older knight. He sighs slightly and bows his head, fist clenched.

Brother Salvatori nods, waiting for the guard.

Gergesene looks after the older knight as well, then shakes his head. "It felt right," he mutters to Fadyr. "It was as if I heard a voice saying, 'Call and the people will rise to Ruthven's banner, raise a crusade to champion our land in her time of need… '" He appears less certain now.

The young Cervani knight looks up to see Gergesene, recognition from earlier flashing through his eyes. He says, albeit more quietly now, "I agree we need action, not words… in spite of everything." He looks back the way Sir Vandenberg departed.

Brother Salvatori looks around, shuffling his wings, then hop-flaps after the guard, approaching the Landsknechts.

Approaching Gergesene, Fadyr and the remaining Landsknechts, the guard introduces himself. "Sirs. I am Alland Meinster, one of the palace guards. I need a witness to be present during a questioning. Would any of you be able to spare some time for this?" He speaks loudly so everyone can hear, interrupting the ongoing conversations.

The monk crow inserts, "And 'She' would be a certain mage accused in the Kaizer's death. Wrongfully, I have come to conclude, after further speculation."

Gergesene beak-smiles gratefully to Fadyr, then blinks at the guard and the monk. "Really! Accused?"

The monk crow nods, bowing his head. "I am Brother Salvatori, of the Celestial Order, and I am humbled to be in the presence of such honored warriors as yourselves."

Fadyr tilts his head up at the mention of said mage. He glances around at his fellows, lastly to Gergesene, and strides over, giving the guard a nod. Maybe he has decided to leave before being chastised more?

Salvatori continues, "Mage Talia and I were assigned to watch over Herr Kaizer whilst his personal physicians were tending to other matters. An accident occurred, which I would rather not describe out in the open, and I was removed from the chamber while the physicians tried to aid the Kaizer."

Gergesene nods to the fellow Korv, a little taller than Salvatori. "And I, Sir Gergesene of the Landsknechts. Indeed, my companion and I – Sir Rainscroft, was it not?" He tries to remember the Cervine knight's name. Introductions are so brief…

Alland adds, "The Mage Talia remained in the room up until the Kaizer expired. My captain who was also present said the events were very suspicious."

The crow monk ruffles his feathers a bit, then smoothes them. "Since I was very close to the incident, some other witness would be appreciated to verify whatever Mage Talia wishes to say in my presence. As for my notions about her guilt or innocence, I am not a practitioner of magic, but being of the Celestial Order I am not completely unfamiliar with some precepts. Mage Talia did not, I believe, have opportunity or power to create such a spectacle as I saw. I believe a Boschian influence to be involved."

Fadyr nods to Gergesene, smiling a little. "Correct," he notes softly.

Salvatori hops onto one foot, then the other, impatiently. "So … will you be witness? I see no reason to tarry."

Gergesene's eyes widen as he listens to Brother Salvatori's discourse. "Boschian influences," he whispers. Then declares, "Yea and verily, if it is as you say, we cannot suffer an innocent life to perish when the true criminals may be taunting us from within their borders at this very moment. Let us not dally here, my friends. We have a life to save!"

Brother Salvatori bobs his head. "May the Star shine upon you for your willingness to assist."

The young knight keeps close and quiet, still more than a little suspicious of the mage's involvement. Duty comes first, however, so he will wait and see.

One of the few Khatta Landsknechts growls to Gergesene, "That sounds wise. There is no reason for all of us to accompany the Korv and the guard. You and your friend Sir Rainscroft should be sufficient." His growling voice is the result of the hideous battle cries he utters when in the melee, according to the other knights.

Brother Salvatori bobs his head again, and bumps the guard beside him with a wing. "Let us lead the way, then."

Gergesene beams. "The Star shall surely shed the light of truth upon this business," he says to his race-kin. He follows the other Korv.

The guard, Alland, leads the small group to the main Gaol in Blitzheim.The building itself has the tall spires and clocks that decorate many of the other edifices through the city. The windows however, are mere vertical slits. Originally the main keep of the city, it has been converted, and keeps the enemies of Chronotopia within instead of without. The Landsknechts and the two with them are allowed full access to the sensitive prisoner, being let into her cell. The door is closed behind them, for privacy, and not locked.

Brother Salvatori bows his head to the mage. "Mage Talia. It is I, Brother Salvatori, come at your request. These honorable Landsknechts are here as witnesses to whatever is said here."

Talia looks very much worse for wear. To Brother Salvatori, she almost seems to share the condition which effected Kaizer Heinrich. The others had not seen their leader in death, but would still find the sight of her unsettling. Her skin seems sunken, and her eyes wild. She looks at Salvatori with a haunted gaze.

Fadyr steps to one side of the door, giving his attention to the monk and mage. He makes a slight bow at Salvatori's words, looking a little uneasy.

"Sir Gergesene," the Korv knight says by way of self-introduction, looking kindly… And then the smile on the corners of his beak fades as he notices her haunted look. Is this someone who has communed with the evil spirits of Bosch? Or is it as Salvatori says, and this is merely the effect of imprisonment?

"Salvatori, you came. Thank you." Her voice is much weaker than the monk remembers. "I had to tell you what happened, what I felt, its very important. You must believe me." The mage looks nervously at the others assembled.

The crow monk moves in more closely. "Please, tell me. I am listening."

"Sir Rainscroft," Fadyr introduces quietly, so as not to interrupt. His eyes show a bit of concern as he takes in the mage's condition.

"It wasn't my spell, you do believe me don't you? I would never do anything that would put the Kaizer at risk." Talia looks at the healer. "I was just divining, to see if any forces were at work on him. It was… I'm not sure. I've been trying to determine what happened."

Gergesene watches discomfittedly, but fascinated by Talia's severe depredated features. Perhaps all mages look as if they have wrestled with terrible deprivation.

The monk nods. "I believe you. A life mage could not do such things. An air mage perhaps, just for the bizarre things we saw … and even that would explain nothing. But not a life mage."

Talia holds her hands out in front of her, clenching them in frustration trying to describe the feeling. "It was… like the sudden rush of ale when you tap a keg, all of a sudden there was this flow of energy, leaving him. Something was at work, but my spell, it was as if the power just unlocked whatever was moving slowly inside dear Heinrich, and it ran unchecked."

Fadyr cocks his head to the side as he listens.

The crow monk caws in surprise, then covers his beak with a wing. "Pardon. You are saying … something was already there? By the Star!" He looks down, then back up to Talia. "Did anything else happen after I left? I may be just a paranoid old Korv, but I have fears – especially after the demand that the Kaizer be cremated."

Gergesene listens with morbid fascination.

Talia gasps, "He was cremated! No! Why would someone disgrace him in such a way!" She slumps, collapsing inside and staring at the cell floor. "Oh Heinrich… "

The crow monk caws again and rushes forward to try to support the mage. "You did not hear? *KAW!* Oh, by the Star… "

Gergesene says hesitantly, "By, ah, request of the family, wasn't it?" He looks over at Fadyr wondering what all this means.

The Cervani holds onto the Korv, her head lying on his shoulder. She feels withered, frail, even more so by the news. She cries quietly, "Oh Heinrich, they destroyed you."

Fadyr glances to Sir Gergesene and can only offer an uncertain look in reply. Turning to the others, his gaze softening slightly. This mage looks only tired, if not broken, somehow far from what he was expecting.

The Korv monk looks very out of place, and pats the Cervani's back with one wing-claw. "Der Kaizer has gone where the evil ones of Bosch can harm him no more. Rest easy, and worry not."

"No! You don't understand." Talia looks straight at Salvatori, "Thats the only way it could have happened. Magic doesn't behave like mine did. It was if a piece of Bosch was there in the room! There in my beloved Kaiser. I felt it, draining him away, even as I tried to stop it."

The Cervani breaks down and sobs, "And now there's not even any of him left. He's been consumed."

The crow monk blinks. "Are you suggesting … that somehow Bosch could have stolen away our Kaizer? *KAW!*" He blinks several times at such a theologically controversial suggestion. He removes his claw-hand to sign the Star in the air, caw-muttering a prayer.

Gergesene kaws! too. "Evil forces must be at work. This must be part of some supernatural plan to subvert the Grand Machine!"

Gergesene nervously makes the sign of the Star.

"I don't know, I don't know." Talia clings to Salvatori, her grip strong despite her weak appearance, "It just sucked all his life away. I couldn't stop it. I don't know what happened, if he's gone. Now he's not even able to take his part in the Great Machine. Why was he cremated, why would someone disrespect him so!"

Fadyr grits his teeth slightly. He turns and mumbles low to the other knight, "If Bosch could strike at the Kaizer so… " His voice trails off, leaving anything else unsaid.

The crow monk frowns, wincing at the Cervani's grip. "I was hoping that you might be able to shed some light on that, since you were there while the physicians tried to aid him. You are certain he underwent no … physical transformations due to the influence of Bosch? But then … There are many here who confuse legends of Bosch with those of Sylvania. There may be fears, if his death was magical."

Gergesene clutches Fadyr's arm. "Then we have to stop them before they take Lord Ruthven!" He glances aside to the weakened-looking life-mage and mutters, "But how? Where do we start?"

The doe mage looks at Salvatori, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "No… no transformation. He was dying, I could feel it. Something was taking the strength from him. I could feel it pulling at mine where he held my hand."

The crow monk frowns. "But I heard … that he only died after his grip was pried from you."

Fadyr nods to Gergesene, then turns his gaze back to the other Cervani and listens a moment.

Talia nods, her eyes misting, and unable to reply. Finally she manages to say, "His grip was probably the only thing keeping him alive."

Brother Salvatori asks, "I know you are no seer, but is there any way we can learn more? Herr Kaizer's body is gone, and we daren't cause him any more indignity. But Sir St. Germain has a valid worry. If something could attack our Kaizer, it may attack Lord Ruthven – or whomever the Parliament may elect to lead us."

The stag leans close to the fellow Landsknecht this time and whispers, "If, as she says, there was no transformation… why burn his body? Could Bosch have planned-" He stops himself, uncertain he wants to follow that line of thought. It borders close to an accusation he has no way to support.

"Ruthven" Talia states. "I would hope the parliament is more wise."

The monk caws at this. "And who would you think more worthy? He has the support of the Landsknechts. There was a display at the funeral." He looks sideways to Gergesene.

Alland speaks up from behind the Landsknechts, "Don't they usually burn bodies if they have a contagious disease, or to destroy the remnants of magic?" As soon as he speaks, he regrets it, "Sorry sirs, I didn't meant to interrupt."

Gergesene looks proud. "Yes, I knew it immediately. It was as if the Star itself shone upon Ruthven, illuminating him in glory, one who had known the terrible perils that Bosch holds and withstood it. No, burning the body must have been some sort of Boschian conspiracy to… conceal some vital evidence!"

The Cervani doe looks at Gergesene, "I would think you would have less respect for someone who left a brother knight in Bosch!"

Fadyr glances quickly to Talia, a questioning look.

Gergesene argues, "The perils of Bosch are terrible indeed, and I am certain that Ruthven did everything that he could to try and save Melchior's life… "

The monk caws, "There, there, now. Let us not speak ill of Lord Ruthven. By all appearances, he may well be our next Kaizer. After all, it is amazing enough that one should go into Bosch and return unscathed, and a test of any man's mettle."

The crow monk frowns. "What I know is not from personal experience, but even that is enough to strike terror into my heart, were it not for my assurance of the ultimate Order in things, which Bosch ultimately cannot thwart. It is a place of horror, of madness. And those words cannot be said strongly enough to even touch upon the truth. It is a place where you may find absurdities, at first like a child's fantasy, but suddenly the laughter turns to screams. The very land, the very AIR is malicious, and warps bodies and minds."

Fadyr crosses his arms and looks down thoughtfully. "Warps minds," he mumbles to himself.

Gergesene shivers. "Veritably, it is as Brother Salvatori says. We must be well prepared when we descend into that hated land, to root out the evil that strikes into ours. But descend we shall."

Salvatori's head snaps toward Gergesene. "Of what are you speaking, Landsknecht?" His feathers puff out.

"Nothing returns from Bosch unscathed." The doe stares at the floor, "He was different, Ruthven was different. Heinrich could see it, the changes were there if you knew him well. Someone else should rule."

Gergesene blinks surprisedly. "It is very simple, my friend. Talia spoke of Boschian influences; therefore, something in Bosch strove to drain our beloved Kaizer of his strength. Therefore, we must march against Bosch… And destroy whatever it is! Then our next Kaizer can rule, unafraid that another occult threat of like kind may occur again!" He stands tall as if the conclusion were completely obvious.

The monk looks down. "Mage Talia, you have caught me. I was about to warn Gergesene of that very thing – if he thinks to go into Bosch. In years past, we have sent armies. Of those who did return … many were warped by Bosch and turned against their own land." He blinks, though, at the doe's reference to Herr Kaizer. "Mage Talia! Do not speak of der Kaizer on such familiar terms!"

Gergesene listens to the warning, but it seems to have completely flitted through his mind as if it were as irrelevant as a breeze. He does frown however, as the mage Talia warns against Ruthven.

Fadyr turns to Alland and asks politely, "Would you mind waiting outside?"

Alland nods and slips outside, closing the door.

Fadyr looks to Sir Gergesene and speaks low, "I would not accuse based on what this mage has said, but Bosch could possibly have arranged the Kaizer's cremation. Ruthven… " The young knight hesitates. "Ruthven went there. If… if he was truly not himself after returning… "

Salvatori caws! "Bosch is a place of wild magic. How could they warp Ruthven's mind and NOT touch his body? He is a strong warrior, as any can see… " Even as he says this, he doesn't look very sure of himself.

Gergesene, in the midst of formulating a withering reply to Talia's accusal, stops and looks aside to Fadyr. "Sir Rainscroft! How can you believe her when she says that Lord Ruthven is somehow changed? There is not a single shred of evidence to suggest any such thing, and furthermore, did not Ruthven speak first and best in the memory of the Kaizer?" He flutters his wings, shocked. "I have pledged my swords to fight against Bosch. I would never pledge to one who was *of* Bosch. The very idea!"

"I will speak of my dear Heinrich however I wish." Talia says, staring back at Salvatori, "He is gone now, and I no longer have to conceal the truth. I was his comfort after he lost his son in the cursed place, and I could never admit it publicly. We could never show our love for each other." Hearing the others words she adds, "And Ruthven was hardened by the place."

Brother Salvatori clamps his beak tightly shut at this revelation, though his eyes are full of exclamation points.

Gergesene staggers back at this amazing news, thumping to a sitting position up against the cell wall. *fwumph!*

Fadyr blinks, retort cut off as he looks to Talia.

Brother Salvatori takes a gasping breath, then says, "Well … ah … hmm. I … hmph. Just what do we do now, then? Make accusations against Lord Ruthven? Chase ghosts and imps in Bosch? Quite the predicament we are in."

The stag tries to gather his thoughts again. "I cannot make accusation, nor do I mean any offense." The last he says with a look at the other Landsknecht.

"I was the assistant to a mage that came to heal him, after he fell sick from hearing the news." Talia says quietly, "I was young, and he was the Kaizer. It just happened. He was in so much pain inside, in ways you can't heal. Time passed, and I completed my studies, but we could never publicly express our love. A mage, and the Kaizer. It would be against the order of things."

Gergesene boggles, beak opening and shutting. "You… him… Out of wedlock… "

The crow monk coughs. "Now, dear … ah … Confession cleans debris from the workings of our hearts. It is good … yes … to confess. Ahem. But … ah … NOTHING 'just happens'."

The doe just stares at the floor, "Yes, out of wedlock. But when he held my hand… I knew he still loved me."

Fadyr bows his head, shaking it. Whether in disbelief at this bit of news or clearing thoughts of conspiracy, even he isn't sure.

"Ruthven was outraged at our love. He constantly insisted Heinrich discard me. You would think I was a spawn of Bosch the way he spoke of me." The doe holds Gergesene's gaze, "He was even more infuriated when I bore Heinrich's son."

The monk clears his throat. "Now, now – GRK!" His eyes go wide at the last revelation. "*KAW!*"

Gergesene starts to stand up, a look of moral outrage plain in his eyes… Then falls flat again. "His SON?"

Gergesene's head thumps against the cell wall. "KAW!"

Salvatori would fall over, too, if he weren't still holding the doe. Even so, he looks dangerously close to it. "Now … ah … Oh, by the Star … " Then, he squints his eyes, looking sideways to the mage. "Now, let me guess. You are going to present your son as the proper heir?"

"His proper heir?!" squawks the downed Korv knight, still holding his head painfully.

Fadyr smirks as he looks up, only his disbelief saving him from the full shock of all this…

Talia nods, "A son. He is twelve now." She laughs, "As heir! Of course not. It would never be accepted, he is just a boy. Ruthven made sure of that. He would unleash the scandal and never allow it."

Gergesene looks at the empty air, eyes wide and unfocused. "An heir for Herr Kaizer," he mutters.

"Of course," repeats the monk. "Ahem. Forgive me my … ah … doubts. Now then … we are in quite the predicament. Please … did Herr Kaizer SAY anything, in his delirium? Perhaps a name?"

"Perhaps, say, a name of some dark lord of Bosch? Or mayhaps this was not of Bosch, but some magical influence elsewhere. What you described seems to suggest someone had a very personal link to Herr Kaizer. I can only hope … he might have had a glimpse of the one responsible," the monk tries to explain.

Gergesene squawks. "Yes! Yes, I see the dark hand of Bosch in all this… "

The monk hisses, glaring at Gergesene. "Sir St. Germain! Bosch has MANY dark hands. Even if we are sure Bosch is behind it, with nothing more specific, we are helpless. We already know well that Bosch is our enemy and is worthy of punishment, several centuries' worth."

"He was born out of wedlock, but he has a better claim than Ruthven. I fear our son will befall the same fate as his father." The Cervani mage looks at Salvatori, "Heinrich was raving, as you saw. He said many things in his delirium. The strangest was that the Unyielding Hart was destroyed by the undying heart."

The mage shakes her head, "No, you don't understand magic."

Salvatori hmphs, his pride taken a bit down. "A pardon, Mage Talia, for my assumptions. I am merely desperate for answers, or even an assurance that any exist to be found."

"Bosch could not have had that influence, at that distance." The doe explains, "It couldn't just have happened. Some sort of ritual would have to be performed, to create such a link. Agents of Bosch must be present here, to have established it."

Gergesene slowly drags himself to a sitting position. "Please, Mage Talia, if there are any more revelations… Let them be made now so that I shall not break open my head in my shock and surprise!" He kaws and feels his head.

Fadyr reaches up to rub his temples. Just a short while ago, things were darkened, but now there is a fear of more shadows in every corner. He leans back against the wall, narrowing his eyes slightly and listening, still not entirely convinced.

Salvatori makes the sign of the Star again. "Bah. Misguided souls, seeking power at any cost. May the Star have mercy on their spirits, but shield us from their evils."

"I have no more revelations." The mage sniffs, "Just worries, and fears, and sadness. Heinrich was cruelly taken from me, from all of us, and I don't know why. It was Bosch, as you say, there is no doubt." She looks up and stabs at the floor. "But it is here among us!"

Gergesene gasps and looks around the cell. "Where!"

Brother Salvatori frowns. "Mage Talia, as you say, I know little of magic. Might you know anything of the practices of these heretics? Are they mages as well? Must they have a place near the Kaizer to perform their rituals? Perhaps a search could be enacted to root out this den of vermin."

Fadyr speaks up, "Salvatori, even if there were such here, they would likely need to be close to the Kaizer. One cannot root out someone like that without proof."

Mage Talia nods to the brother, "They would need something, yes. Rituals can not be easily hidden, but they can be moved. You would be more successful searching for their materials. Someone who can approach the Kaizer was in league with them, would have to have been, to somehow personally establish the link."

"Magic in Bosch my be wild." The doe says solemnly, "But in Chronotopia it still has to follow the rules."

Brother Salvatori nods. "Thank the Star and Order for that."

Gergesene stands shakily and puts a winghand against the wall. "Mage Talia, I cannot believe that Lord Ruthven might be the agent of Bosch's spite – far easier for me to believe you an instrument of corruption… " He pauses at this dangerous statement. "But I shall take up your challenge. I shall personally discover the true culprit, and clear Lord Ruthven of all blame, so that all of Chronotopia shall know a Kaizer whom they can truly believe in! Then, milady, perhaps then the Kaizer, departed to his place in the Grand Machine, may rest a little more easily."

Talia looks with a haunted hope in her dark eyes to Salvatori. "Please brother, and Landsknechts. Protect my son, he is a junior at the School of Practical Mechanisms. His name is Jael Pitavl, and he doesn't know his father." She stares at Gergesene's declaration. "Ruthven is not the agent, he is just without compassion and greedy for power. He lost all his noble qualities when he crawled out of Bosch."

Brother Salvatori frowns. "How shall we protect your son? And who else knows of his true heritage?"

The crow squints his eyes. "And, furthermore, why should he be in any danger, if he is no heir?"

Gergesene pats his wingfeathers back into place. "But you have drawn aspersions against Lord Ruthven, Mage Talia, that may cast a shadow upon his name if they are not blasted away by the light of the Star." He pauses at the mention of the son.

"Ruthven knows, and a healer from your order who was in attendance knows. The principal of the School may know, or just have suspicions." Talia looks around, "Heinrich I am sure spoke of Jael, in private with his close friends. He loved to watch his progress from afar. It might be known among some of the nobility, that one existed."

Talia says, "I fear those that oppose Ruthven will try to use Jael as a point to rally upon, if they find him. The Barons are not united in who they wish to see guide Chronotopia."

Brother Salvatori frowns severely. "Then, if you are suggesting someone close by engineered the Kaizer's doom, then they would know of his son. May the Light of the Star drive away the Chaos! *KAW!* I shall seek out Jael immediately upon leaving here … but why should he have any reason to trust me? Even though I am a Brother of the Celestial Order, he has reason to be frightened and distrustful. Is there any message I can give to him from his mother?"

Gergesene frowns. A Cervani child, and the son of the Kaizer himself and of the Mage Talia, if her story is to be believed. Is he innocent? Or is he tainted by the forces of Bosch? Some instrument to increase doubt and confusion among Chronotopia's most loyal servants…

Gergesene frets, pacing the cell.

Fadyr sighs deeply, watching Sir Gergesene in understanding. "Too many questions," he mumbles to himself under his breath.

Talia reaches inside her robe, pulling out a small gear suspended on a chain. The gear is silver, and is embossed with the symbol for the College Esoterica on one side, and the Sphere of Life on the other. She hands it to Salvatori saying, "Jael will know this. Tell him I love him, and that there is order in all things, though it may be hidden."

The crow monk carefully takes the token, hiding it in his own robes. "That I will do, Mage Talia."

"Thank you brother." The doe's eyes show her deep gratitude. "Please, go to him now. He is probably very worried that I have been arrested, and there is no one to reassure him."

Gergesene stops next to Fadyr. "There's only one answer," he says to his fellow Landsknecht. "We must do as our heart tells us is the right course of action. We must go forward, not forever turn to the wind of confusion as it blows in all directions; we must seek out the true answers to this crisis of leadership in Chronotopia."

Brother Salvatori bobs his head. "At once, Mage Talia. I pray to the Star that, somehow, this conspiracy might be revealed, so that the perpetrators may be brought to justice, and your name cleared."

Fadyr turns to study Gergesene. "As our hearts tell us, yes," he says quietly, then looks to the crow monk and back. "First then, Sir Gergesene, I must see Brother Salvatori safely deliver this message. Then we must indeed hunt out the darkness of Bosch that seems to be in our midst."

"Thank you Salvatori." Talia looks at Gergesene and Fadyr, "Thank you all, for giving me hope in the darkness. I have my faith in you, and no doubts. Restore the order in Chrontopia, and keep my son safe."

The crow monk signs a blessing over the Cervani doe, caw-praying quietly, then waddles to the door. "Guard! We are ready to leave." He turns back, looking at Mage Talia again as he waits to be let out.

Gergesene turns toward Fadyr. "I agree completely. Brother Salvatori, I pledge my support and assistance in all ways possible that Lord Ruthven's name be cleared and that the succession of Chronotopia shall not be shadowed by… doubts." He pronounces the last word distastefully.

Fadyr looks back at the mage sadly, then steels himself as he turns to step behind Salvatori with a nod to his fellow Landsknecht. "For Chronotopia," he whispers resolutely.

The Cervani mage sits on the bunk, awaiting her fate as everyone turns to go. The hollowness in her body and eyes is a disturbing reminder of what the brother Korv witnessed. Alland opens the door, standing out of the way as the Landsknechts and the Celestial monk exit. He also has a last glance at Talia, then closes the door. The lock engages with a smooth, precise clank.

Gergesene says quietly to Salvatori and Fadyr as they leave, "Kaw! But we must be careful. If we have enemies from Bosch in our midst, and they suspect that the Mage Talia knows too much… "

Gergesene glances back at the cell door as it closes.