A startled jaguar kit tumbles to the floor, squealing in protest, and rolling over so his tail flops up in the air – but no worse for the wear. A battered and flimsy book clatters to the floor, a couple of its string bindings snapping, though no pages flutter free.

The Rath'ani Priest/healer who tends to the fallen Nicodemus looks up in alarm at Zoltan. The outburst commands the full attention of the Guard Lieutenant as well. "What? What do you mean?"

Zoltan seems unaware of this, his now empty hands rise up and clutch his head, hoping to still the images racing through his mind. "They after a weapon… very powerful weapon. I saw them once but never knew what they was."

The Lieutenant stoops down. "You saw them? Who are they? And what weapon do they want?"

Meanwhile, most of the Zelaks are busy holding back the crowd that is accumulating outside – visible through the now-empty window-sills – and shooing off potential looters with threats of severe punishment for interfering with Temple business…

Slowly, the hippogryph's eyes open. "I not know who 'they' are." He gesutres at the remaining corpses in the room. "I kill them before they harm my family… and one I kept to get answers from kill himself." He points to the bat. "The weapon… was called a 'boomer', is some kind of explosive but it make explosion bigger than anything I ever seen before. There pictures of what it do in book."

The Lieutenant nods. "Yes, I've seen the illustrations. Now, what do you know about this that isn't … " He picks up the abused journal. "… in this book? Can you read this?"

Zoltan bends down and picks up Enos again. He nuzzles the cub's fur with his beak. ( You've seen far too much than what a child should see. I hope you can be as strong as Third-Eye. ) "I no can read it. But I saw one of big metal birds before, I know whats they wanted." His eyes narrow at the gathering crowd.

The Lieutenant raises an eyebrow. "Big, you say? How big would you say these … metal birds … are? And there's more than one? Where?" He does nothing to hide his interest, as he fires off question after question, not even waiting for answers to each in turn.

"I only see one," the bird sighs wearily as he leans against what remains of the counter. "One metal bird, was on a sky island I was trapped on for many months."

"A sky island?" the Lieutenant looks aside to his aide, who is scribbling notes furiously with a charcoal pencil. "Which sky island?"

Zoltan looks down at his hooves. He weighs several things in his mind, on one hand was his promise to Kryago to keep the secrets of Paradys a secret, and Boghaz had expressed concern about the Temple discovering the tower on the island; on the other hand… this was a weapon, a very very dangerous weapon that could potentially tear all of Sinai apart, and whomever it is that wants it might already know where to find it from the Exile wolf's belongings. What good is a secret if it kills everyone… "The island of Paradys." he finally answers, his voice is soft.

"Paradys!" echoes one of the Guards who evidently was listening more than he let on, while he was picking up furniture, and he follows by clearing his throat in an embarrassed manner, ducking the glare he gets from the Lieutenant. The Lieutenant repeats the query, in a more calm fashion. "Paradys? I believe there has been a rumor that you actually know how to find it. Is this true?"

"Was trapped there for many months. I not quite sure if I can find it again, but I thinks I could." the Vartan replies, gently stroking the cub's fur.

"You goings to be dissapointed if you go there looking for gold though. I met nothings but traps and cannibals and monsters." he adds.

The Lieutenant nods. "Any information you can provide on the whereabouts of this island would be appreciated … but that can wait until you are able to visit the Temple." He looks around. "I would advise you not to speak anything more of Paradys. Those who were responsible for this disaster would surely be interested in its whereabouts as well, if what you say is true."

"Anything more, that is," the Lieutenant corrects himself, "until you can see the Inquisitor."

Zoltan nods his head. "I hope to Dagh I killed them all." His feathers stick out a bit at the mention of an inquisitor. "But you rights. I keep quiets." He looks around, "I needs to find my two slaves, and I going to have to find place for all us to sleep tonights."

The Lieutenant nods. "That should not be a problem. Due to the nature of this situation, I suspect a meeting with the Inquisitor can be arranged for this evening. Your family and slaves could be accommodated. Do not worry. You won't be getting a hospitality suite." He says this with a straight face.

"If I may asks… you know name of Inquisitor I goings to see?" the Vartan scrawks.

"Brother Azrael," the Lieutenant answers. "He has been handling some cases that may be related to this one."

Zoltan sighs softly. "I shall come to Temple as soon as I can, I just needs some time to find my slaves and get my daughter. She in Temple Scouts right now."

The Lieutenant nods. "If we find them first, we'll let you know. If you have to take anything from the shop, please check with the Guards to make sure that it has been noted, and not reserved as evidence."

"Thank you for you help, Lieutenant… " he answers. The Vartan puts his weight back onto his protesting feet and starts to gather what belongings he can carry.

Zoltan's efforts at gathering his belongings are hampered by a Rath'ani bureaucrat who insists on inspecting each and every item the hippogryph touches, and seems half inclined not to let him so much as breathe in the direction of anything that looks even remotely useful at all. Eventually, though, taking twice as long as it ought to, the Vartan has located his belongings. Fortunately for him, the melee didn't affect the back room – just the shop's wares – so he has no trouble locating his 'stuff'.

… except for the weapons, that is, but the Rath'ani reluctantly concedes that they won't be held for evidence, and they are surrendered to Zoltan's care.

Pausing at the door leading out to the back alley, Zoltan gives the shop one final look and then departs. His eyes start scanning the ground for any signs of cheetahprints.

Unfortunately, with all the melee – and having the place subsequently swarmed with would-be bargain-hunters and Guardsmen, there are no tracks to be found. Guards are not the most reknowned of investigators, after all. However, Zoltan's keen eyes pick out a conspicuous black spot … and, upon closer examination, it turns out to be a blot of black wax, near the pile of crates that serves as a "wall", an obstacle to further progress deeper into the alley. An obstacle, that is, for someone who cannot fly.

The Vartan walks up to the blot of wax and then to the wall of crates. He scans the ground for any more signs of what direction Moon-Brow may have done. He unfurls his wings a bit, preparing to take to the air should his searching fail him on the ground.

Many of the crates show claw-marks, caused by cubs and kits (and less-than-scrupulous adults) who have used the alley as a shortcut despite the obstacle. The ruts in the well-weathered wood have been tarnished by exposure to the elements. However, there are some fresh abrasions caused by fairly blunt claws that must not have found very much hold in the wood, and a few of the crates have been toppled out of place. Plus, there are a few more tell-tale wax-drippings. It would seem that the hunt is on…

Zoltan smiles. "Hang on, Enos… daddy's gonna fly." He steps back so as not to topple the 'wall' and leaps into the air.

Enos doesn't make even a sound, just holding onto Zoltan's feathers a bit more tightly. After all, being raised by a Vartan tends to expose one to flight… As soon as Zoltan clears the crate wall, he spies the alley beyond. Despite the recent combat, it looks like life just past the crate barrier has returned to normal – several cubs and kits engage in a game of Whackball in the "court" that they've set up long ago in the alley just beyond the Shoppe, kicking and bumping a leather ball back and forth. One of them looks up, following the Vartan's flight … and gets bonked on the head by the ball, prompting laughter from his comrades, and a feigned act of injury from the one so struck.

The Vartan hovers in the air for a moment, he looks for a place that might be a good spot to hide in, and for any other signs of two Savanites.

It would seem that the Whackball court would definitely be a BAD place to try to hide, especially since any errant crates large enough to hide in wouldn't stay in one place for very long, thanks to the larger and more enthusiastic cubs taking part in the sport. The rooftops would be best, but there's no way Moon-Brow could conceivably reach them – not unless Third-Eye recovered from whatever had ailed her when last Zoltan saw her, and they both proved to be proficient at scaling walls.

Zoltan frowns a bit and starts to circle around the area, his eyes scanning the ground. ( What I wouldn't give for Doctor Roho's nose right now… )

It takes quite a bit of searching, and the first sign of spots that Zoltan finds (other than those on the kitten he's carrying around for this whole time) is in the form of a bored-looking Savanite who is sitting slump-backed in one of the alleyways on a cracked crate, next to the door of a disreputable inn – the standard slave asked to 'stay put' while master does business inside.

The Vartan lands in the alley and walks over to the Savanite. "Excuse me," he signs, "You no happen to see two female Savanites go by here, have you?"

The Savanite looks at the Vartan and the cub he's got tucked under one arm. The cub makes faces at the slave.

The slave shakes his head in the negative, then reaches up to scratch his ear. His fingers flick about a bit while he stretches to perform this feat.

Zoltan nods his head. "I just get quick drink before I continue searching then… " he scrawks absently and then starts toward the inn.

The slave bows his head respectfully, going back to inspecting the cobbles and dirt comprising the alleyway 'street', as the Vartan makes his way to the door of the 'Plain Old Pub'. The sign just has the logo in fairly appropriately plain letters, with a scratchy rendition of a mug on it.

Bouncing Enos on his shoulder, the blackfeathered hippogryph enters the pub and looks around.

No music comes from inside, and from the relative quiet, it would seem that it's probably not happy hour. Once inside, it takes just a moment for the Vartan's eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, as all the windows are boarded over, and only a few wall-mounted candles set in red-tinted glass fixtures provide what light there is to see by. Some scraggly-looking patrons – a random assortment of Skreeks, Jupani, Skeeks, Kavi, and a token Korv – give Zoltan a once-over or twice-over, and possibly a curious look at the cub. The bartender, a blunt-nosed Gallah mutt, polishes a greasy-looking mug with a greasier-looking rag.

The Gallah looks up at the black Vartan and the cub, and says, "Vartan, eh? If you want the Shiny Room, it's just in back." He jerks his head in the direction of a curtained partition.

( Okay… they're here. Where though? ) "Don't growl at the bartender, now." Zoltan says to Enos. He nods his head to the bartender and walks toward the curtained room.

Once past the curtained room, Zoltan's eyes have to adjust yet again. Before they do, however, he picks up that familiar scent again – that faint scent of incense. By the time his eyes adjust, he has no cause to be surprised when the scene resolves to reveal a slumped Jezebel reclining in the booth, breathing heavily, while Star sits across the cracked table from her, relaxing from a crouch – as if she were ready to spring on whomever passed through the curtain.

Nothing looks particularly shiny about the Shiny Room, really. It must not attract too many Vartans.

Zoltan quietly lets out the long sigh of relief he'd been holding in for the past few hours. He moves to sit down near the two Savanites, "You both alright, you not know how grateful I am to see you."

Star shuffles over, making more room for Zoltan. She reaches over for Enos, while Jezebel weakly looks up, signing, "That ritual took more out of me than I expected. It is fortunate I set up … focii around the Shoppe."

"You both do very well. Third-Eye, you noticed something up before I did… and we all be dead if no for your ritual. Moon-Brow, I saw what you do to that Skreek, I no expected you to have fight like that in you… and it very smart of you to cover signs of ritual. I had forgots in my haste to get the Master… I think he goings to be alrights, by the way. Healer got to him in time." the Vartan signs as he sits down. "What is this place?"

Jezebel takes a while to respond, but at last responds, "The owner is loyal to shekels, and no one is interested in challenging that loyalty for the time being. That is all that matters, as I will not be testing it again. I have overstayed my 'welcome' in Rephidim. It is time for me to leave."

"When?" Zoltan signs. "The temple wants to question me abouts what happened today, these people was after a weapon I saw on big metal bird in Paradys. Weapon capable of blowing Sinai into little pieces, they mights make me go with them to keep things from falling into wrong hands."

Jezebel frowns – not much of a departure at all from her previous expression. "When it rains, it pours, doesn't it? I'm sorry, but I must return to the Savan." Perhaps Zoltan's claim about the weapon's powers just isn't quite sinking in. "Azhtar is sabotaging all my work. I've confirmed that she is here in Rephidim, stirring up discontent among the slaves. She is not content to wait for the rise of the Savanite Empire again. She is urging the slaves to violence! To suicide!"

The hippogryph stares at Jezebel's signs. "WHAT?!?! Why? The blackmail… someone mights be making her do it… "

Jezebel signs, "Or perhaps she simply doesn't trust me, and thinks she knows a better way."

"You know where I can find her? Maybe I can sign sence into her." Zoltan leans back in his chair and sighs wearily. "I want to go to Savan with you more than anything right now. I no trust the Twelve-Times-Twelve, Twilight-Wing treat me like I something little better than animal… even after all I do for you and him. Even if you leads them… I could see them try and turn you back to old ways."

Jezebel's frown does not relent. She signs, "I do not know where she is. She has developed a knack for stealth … and has gained many friends, it seems, with her 'underground' contacts. In any case, with the riots – and now that I can't stay at the Shiny Shoppe – I need to put our exit plan in motion."

Zoltan looks at Moon-Brow, then back at Jezebel. "I not know if I can go with you. All Sinai could be at stake… including the Savan. I saw what these things do in the visions Necropolis give me, I no can let that happen."

"As for Twilight-Wing," Jezebel signs, lifting her chin a degree, "he will learn that whomever the Priest-King deems worthy of his respect had best receive it, if he desires any in turn."

Jezebel pauses, reflecting on Zoltan's signs, then responds, "It seems that Sinai is in peril from many directions. I must go to the Savan. If you must go on a quest, I will do whatever I can to assist – and welcome you when you can at last come to the City of Hands."

"I feel likes I abandoning you… " he says softly. "I promise to protect you and now I going to leave you on you own… "

Jezebel manages a smile. "You're a true knight, you are – though you may not have title or land or armor. I go on a quest to save the Savanite Empire. If you are trying to save the world, our paths will cross again."

The Vartan nods his head, smiling just a little himself. "You better takes care of youself! I promise that if something happen to you, I going to go down to Savan and beat up every one of Twelve-Times-Twelve!" He looks at Moon-Brow again, "Will you be goings with her, or do you choose to stay with me?"

Moon-Brow looks over to Jezebel, then back to Zoltan. "It is my place to serve you," she signs.

"After seeing you in Shoppe today, I know you make great partner. But it probably going to be more of same of what we went through today. You think you going to be able to do that… and answer me with how you feel, not how you think a good slave should answer." Zoltan signs, a determined look in his eyes.

"If that is what you wish," Moon-Brow signs, her head still bowed … and then she looks up with fierce eyes. In but a lift of the chin, she has undergone a startling transformation. "You have released me from dungeons I never realized I could escape. If you go into danger, I will willingly follow. I am not only a gardener. I have other skills which you may find useful."

The black Vartan signs, "Then I honored to have you with me. Thank you." His shoulders slump a bit as he looks back to Jezebel, "When will you be leaving… I… I going to have to say my goodbyes now?"

Jezebel shakes her head. "I cannot leave just yet. Not like this." She reaches over to tussle Enos' head-hair, then signs, "I'll visit you again … but only right before it is time for me to leave. I can't take any more chances. I hope you will understand."

Zoltan folds his hands up in his lap, to knotted up inside to sign. "I going to miss you… you become part of family I never really have, you shown me parts of myself I never knew was there – and I likes to think I done same for you. Please, take care of youself."

Jezebel looks down, fingering the metal 'star' hanging around her neck, which is still tarnished in the recesses, but shines where she has been habitually rubbing it. She releases it, then abruptly leaves her seat and rushes over, hugging the Vartan in a way that would suggest a cheetah far younger than she looks.

Her hands are not free to sign. Perhaps this gesture and her tears can speak loudly enough.

Enos mews, and crawls over Zoltan, nosing Jezebel's shoulder.

The black hippogryph hugs his friend tightly in return, rocking her back and forth – his own tears mingle with Jezebel's. "You goings to be a great Priest-Queen, I knows it." he whispers in her ear. Smiling a bit he reaches out and scoops Enos into the hug, then holds an arm out to Moon-Brow, offering her an opening as well.

Moon-Brow isn't one to be left out, even though she's a latecomer to this particular family. She carefully makes room for Enos, and hugs the one of the Vartan's shoulders.

Zoltan doesn't say anything, he doesn't need to. He just sits there and hugs the three… his adpoted son, one old friend, and one new one. Though they may be parting ways soon, for now… time doesn't matter. Only the togetherness matters; and in the end, it's all that really does matter.