A full day has passed since they took Chiaroscuro away, despite the mongoose's protests, a day filled with the moaning and babbling of other prisoners, the steady ticking of water from hidden plumbing beneath the floor, the slight crackle of ozone in the air. The only contact with any other living being Envoy has had has been with the guard who wordlessly slides another bowl of less than tasty gruel through the door, and a bucket of water which Envoy is expected to use both for washing and for some modicum of cleanliness.

And then of course, there's Bem, who has been increasingly restive. He stands by the cot which Chiaroscuro had once occupied, wordless, but his gaze rests on Envoy and not on the small barred window.

Envoy spends most of her time just sitting and staring at nothing… her version of sleep. She only eats a few mouthfuls of the gruel when it arrives, and has an occasional drink of water.

Bem clacks.

Envoy blinks, and looks to the Zelak. "What is it, Bem?"

The Zelak looks back at Envoy unemotionally. "What is what?"

Envoy says, "You made a noise. I assumed you wanted to attract my attention to something."

A pause, and then the Zelak replies, "There is nothing to report."

Envoy blinks three times. "You don't like it in here, do you?"

"It is not this warrior's prerogative to like or dislike living conditions," the Zelak says flatly.

Envoy says, "What was your previous assignment?"

Bem says, "Defense of the larvae."

Another pause. Then Bem clacks again.

Envoy says, "What did you defend them against?"

Perhaps it's just now that Envoy's noticing the sounds that Zelaks make during long idle conditions. The way that one doesn't notice that one's friends… snore.

Bem says, "Enemies."

Envoy says, "Who are the enemies of Shkarkin Hive?"

Near the front of the cell blocks, two guards raise their voices as they greet visitors. "Good day, Inquisitors." "Good day. At ease." "Yes, sir."

Envoy turns one ear towards the door.

Bem says, "Those whom I am directed to destroy."

Envoy says, "Are they of another Hive?"

The Zelak regards Envoy for a long second, as the sounds of footsteps draw closer. "All that are not part of Shkarkin Hive may be enemies. It is the Queen's will that divides enemy from ally."

The footsteps round a corner and begin to approach the cell proper.

Envoy nods. "I need to study your life cycles in greater depth… " she pauses when the footsteps stop outside.

The twin brown eyes of a Saluki, shadowed by a black hood, peer into the dimly lit cell. Blocking the light as the Inquisitor does, he appears only a blot against the window. "Envoy of Lothrhyn?" a deep voice asks.

Envoy says, "Yes?"

The inquisitor steps back and turns to a guard. "Unlock this door," he orders. Something rattles in the lock.

A few moments later, the door clicks and slides open, revealing the saluki and a long-eared Kattha of caracalish appearance, both dressed in black robes. Black hair ripples where it spills out of the folds of the Kattha's hood. "I am Inquisitor Zeffel," the flop-eared canine says as he steps into the cell. "This is Inquisitor Faline. We have been charged with the prosecution of your case."

Envoy blinks. "Prosecution? What crime am I being charged with?"

Zeffel's glance goes to Bem near Envoy. "Is this your Zelak?"

Faline pulls her hood back a bit and looks around the room right deep brown eyes.

Envoy says, "I don't own Bem. He is assigned to me."

"Really? By whom?" Zeffel raises his eyebrows as he draws back his hood. He snuffles in Bem's direction.

Envoy says, "By Queen Shkarkin."

"Queen of… ?" The saluki emits a small sigh as he takes out a notepad and writes in it. "Cooperate with me, be truthful and do not withold information that may be instrumental in your case, Envoy, and your sentencing will be lighter. If I find that you are deceiving me in any way, you will be dealt with harshly to the fullest extent of Temple law. Do I make myself clear?" He stares directly at Envoy.

Envoy nods. "That is refreshing. Most people don't want me to tell them the truth."

The caracal arches an eyebrow.

Envoy does not elaborate.

"I cannot imagine why that would be the case," Zeffel says. "Now then. The charges levelled in your case are… " He ticks down a list.

"Trespassing in the College Esoterica. Delinquent payment of fees for services rendered. Interference in the vital work of a licensed mage going about her business. Collusion in the death of a licensed mage – and that item will go very harshly on you if it is not disproved with solid evidence," Zeffel says as he fixes Envoy with his stare. "Possession of a Zelak warrior not registered with the Temple. Possession of unregistered artifacts which must by Temple law be examined and recorded for our archives. And you are late on your payments for the Temple Scout cookies that you have sold on commission as well."

"Speaking of which," the saluki observes with some surprise. "Aren't you a little old to be in the Temple Scouts?"

Envoy blinks. "Isstan is dead?"

Envoy says, "I'm two years old. Why would the temple send me the uniform and cookies if I was not qualified to be a Temple Scout?"

"You don't look two years old," Zeffel points out. He begins scribbling some more, his brows furrowed in a frown. "As to the subject of Isstan, his condition is critical… It is doubtful that he will live. The Nagai empire has already sent a representative to ensure that such an honored and well-respected example of their mages receives a proper funeral in his homeland."

The caracal chuckles to herself softly, then quickly regains herself and adopts a likeness of the stern expression carried by the saluki.

Envoy retrieves a folded piece of paper from her tunic pocket, and holds it out to the Inquisitor. "This is the document I received when I came in to register Bem. He is not in my possession, however, so that charge is invalid."

"As you and your accomplice, one 'Chiaroscuro', were the last ones with him, it is presumed that you are responsible for his death… Particularly in regard to the bizarre actions and events which are reported to us by the guards who brought you in, and due to the testimony which the licensed mage Latania has already given us." Inquisitor Zeffel shakes his head. "It is troublesome to see Exiles turning to such criminal and socially irresponsible actions."

Envoy blinks.

The saluki takes the paper and unfolds it. He reads it and then snorts, showing the paper to the other black-robed Inquisitor.

Faline accepts the paper, holding it by the top right corner as she reads it.

Envoy says, "Isstan was performing a spell on me when his health failed. Chiaroscuro acted to break the spell, and summoned Latania. Is she also going to be charged for Isstan's failing health, since she was tending to him?"

"Latania was not the one who forced him into such a dangerous predicament to begin with." the caracal interjects. "Surely it was obvious that he was in no condition to perform any type of ritual."

Envoy says, "It was not obvious. Why would he have attempted the ritual if he didn't think he was capable of it?"

Faline's brown furrows and she whispers something to Zeffel.

The caracal looks up again. "According to Latania's reports, Isstan was acting like some hurt animal, and not like the proud mind-mage he once was."

Envoy blinks, "Before or after he attempted the ritual?"

Inquisitor Zeffel takes more notes and nods to Faline. "So you confirm that Chiaroscuro did indeed act to disrupt the spell. As for the licensed mage Latania, may I remind you that she is the one who spent many long hours that night in an attempt to revive Isstan, despite the harsh treatment he had received at your hands. Her word is not in question here, nor is her faithfulness to the College Esoterica and the Temple and its laws."

Envoy says, "What harsh treatment did he receive at my hands?"

"According to the testimony of the guards," Zeffel says as he reads from another page of notes. "The victim was found severely bleeding from the mouth and on the very edge of consciousness. Do you expect me to believe that you simply stood there while he inflicted hideous damage upon himself?" The saluki raises an eyebrow again.

Envoy says, "I was sitting some distance away, in the magic circle he had told me to sit in. Since I was on the receiving end of his memory transfer at the time of his distress, I did not know what to do about it. I am not a mind mage."

Envoy says, "I requested that a mind mage be brought to help assess his condition, but Latania did not react well to my concern about the possible effects of the spell."

Faline says, "according to Latania's reports, you acted as though you knew more about mind magic than she did… and resorted to trickery in an effort to summon one."

"As you say," the caracal says softly. "You are not a mage."

Envoy says, "I admit to trying to get the guards to bring me to a mind mage. I still do not see why another mind mage would not have been appropriate to have there. Latania is not a mind mage either."

Inquisitor Zeffel takes notes. He shakes his head slowly.

"She is a well versed professor of the esteemed College Esoterica." Faline says. "Surely you do not think that a member of one sphere knows nothing about the others?"

Envoy says, "Mastery of the Sphere of Mind requires a degree of emotional control that Mage Latania has shown herself to lack."

Envoy says, "I still fail to see how requesting the assistance of an additional mage is criminal."

Envoy says, "I also had concerns that the spell might still be in effect, and that leaving Isstan's vicinity could have unforeseen consequences."

The caracal peers at Zeffel's notes. "Strange… she says the same about yourself. According to her, you have insulted her publicly, threatened her students, and caused her to suffer much distress at being falsely accused of helping a slave revolt."

Envoy blinks.

The saluki says sharply, "As I have said, Mage Latania's character is beyond question, and furthermore, the judgment of a layman is superceded by that of a trained mage. So you agree that you did in fact obstruct Mage Latania's work at a moment when every second could have, and most likely, did count in reviving Isstan."

Envoy says, "I have only met Latania four times. First, when I escorted her to the Titus Haute Mikide household to see a patient, the second time when she arrived there in the midst of an escape and kidnapping, third at the party thrown by the Kujakus, and fourth in Isstan's laboratory. All encounters were brief."

Envoy says, "I have never threatened or insulted anybody to my knowledge."

The caracal's eyebrows raise and she whispers into Zeffel's ear again.

"Interesting," Zeffel says. He takes more notes. "Do you want to comment more on the nature of your visits to Titus Haut Mikide's household? Particularly, ah, this escape and kidnapping?"

Envoy says, "I would rather deal with these other confusing charges first."

"We will determine what is worth pursuing." Faline says.

Envoy blinks, "Then why did you ask what I wanted?"

The saluki frowns. "You are not being very cooperative," he says reprovingly to Envoy. "Inquisitor Faline. Perhaps you would care to bring our 'client' to the basement level and show her a few of the implements of our trade?"

Envoy blinks three times. How can she be more cooperative? "You told me to answer your questions honestly, though."

The caracal smoothes an eyebrow. "Perhaps… "

Faline readjusts her hood. "Inquisitor Zeffel. May I have a moment with the prisoner while you prepare the items below?"

"I attempt to extend to you the utmost benefit of the doubt," Zeffel says with a long-suffering sigh. "And what do I get? Attacks on the character of our most loyal and upstanding citizens. Evasions. Refusals to give information to the Temple, whose holy duty is to archive such knowledge for the benefits of future ages. Denials. And outright lies. 'Two years old', indeed… " He shakes his head.

Envoy blinks.

The female inquisitor mimics Zeffel's sigh and headshake.

Envoy says, "I am an artificial being. I am two years old. I do not lie. Therefore, your conclusions are based on misinformation."

"I shall register a time period with the Hospitality Suite, Inquisitor Faline. You may continue your questioning as you like, but I doubt that you'll find anything more substantial in Envoy's testimony," Zeffel says as he hands the notepad to the caracal. "Will you be all right handling our suspect?"

Faline accepts the notepad. "I shall be fine, sir. The guards are just outside should I require them."

The saluki nods. "Very well. And, Envoy, I would advise that you confess the truth in full and without exception to the Inquisitrix here. Confession," he says as if reciting a maxim. "Is good for the soul."

Inquisitor Zeffel exits the cell and mutters to the guard, "Intractable. The whole lot of them… "

Faline leans against the door and watches the inquisitor leave. She clutches the notepad nervously in her hands… and then relaxes as she sees the saluki sink out of sight.

Envoy blinks three times. "I do not understand. I have been telling you the truth. If I were certain that contact with another mind mage would not result in the same distress that Isstan experienced, I would offer to share the memories with you directly."

The caracal waves her hand. "Yes yes yes." Her poise seems to change dramatically. "You know, Nimiss pulled a great many favors to make sure that I was one who ended up with you? And I'm starting to understand why."

Envoy blinks, "I did not expect Bridge Officer Nimiss to be concerned."

Envoy says, "Unless I possess some information he wishes? Or wishes that I not divulge? I don't really understand politics yet."

The inquisitor takes a seat on the floor. "He became aware of the charges brought against you and summoned me here to try and help you out of them. It will not be an easy task."

Envoy says, "Why won't it be easy? Most of the charges are baseless."

"Information, yes." The caracal removes her hood. "Baseless to you perhaps, but not to anyone else. The proof is against you, Envoy."

Envoy says, "What proof? How can there be evidence of actions that I didn't do?"

Envoy says, "I was also charged with possession of unregistered artifacts. What artifacts?"

"A mind mage on the brink of death, already brought insane by First Ones knows what." Faline adjusts a lock of hair in her face. "And it is your word, that of someone who has already been accumulating a file in the temple's criminal records, against the word of many guardsmen, apprentices, and one professor of the college esoterica."

Envoy blinks at the mention of a file. "May I see the file?"

"You obviously do not grasp our system." Faline says softly. "Unless you can bring solid proof that you did not do these things… you are assumed to be guilty of them."

"No." The caracal says.

Envoy says, "I don't know if I am responsible for Isstan's condition or not, though. That is one of the things I had hoped another Mind Mage could discover."

Faline continues. "I can help you… but Nimiss would like information in return. He is willing to reward you by giving you more than your freedom… "

Envoy says, "What information does he want?"

Somewhere far away, a shriek hisses through the air like a teapot boiling. Someone must be visiting the 'Hospitality Suite'.

The caracal steeples her hands. "Nimiss has heard rumors of a certain 'savior' of the Savanites. One that will supposedly free all of them, and is rumored to be the cause of the trouble at the Titus estate. Tell me what you know of this."

Envoy thinks, then asks, "Which savior is he interested in?"

"All of them" Faline says.

Envoy says, "There are only two that I know that would fit the role. Both are currently being evaluated by… special Savanite observers… to see which one will make the better leader."

Faline's eyebrows arch. "Please be more specific."

The caracal flips a few pages in the notebook and scribbles idly.

Envoy says, "One is known by the slave-name of Jezebel, and is also responsible for the incident at the Mikide estate. She is the more experienced and ambitious of the two, but also the least liked. She and her observer were accompanying an expedition searching out the sky island called Paradys."

"And the other?" Faline asks.

Envoy says, "The younger one is, I believe, still a slave, although with a new identity and appearance. She is showing her Observer what conditions Savanite slaves live under. I don't know where this is being done, however."

Envoy says, "The Observers are both experienced mages."

Faline scribbles a few things more on her notepad. "A name please, even if it the slave no longer uses it. I would also like to know about these observers. Where do they come from? Their names? Their method of contact? Any identifying marks?"

Envoy says, "The younger girl's old slave name was Kaela. I saw no features that would make the observers stand out from other Savanites. They were from the City of Hands. I do not know their methods of magic or contact."

The caracal looks up from her notepad. "The City of Hands was destroyed by Melchizedek. Are all these slaves dead then?"

Envoy tilts her head, "Inquisitor Melchizedek was never at the City of Hands, and they were not slaves."

"Wild Savanites then, did they all perish when the city was destroyed?" Faline's brow furrows. "We have it on record that Melchizedek was sited by one of the quarantine ships that patrolled that area. And not long after, the city collapsed."

Envoy says, "It is possible that some of the Temple patrol crews mistook me for the Inquisitor, even though I explicitly said that I was not Melchizedek. I have no way of knowing who may have perished, as I was not in the City at the time."

Faline looks upwards. "Firelords! Impersonating a temple officer. That is just what Zeffel would love to hear." She puts her pencil back to the paper. "You said yourself that the Savanites tending to this 'Jezebel' and 'Kaela' were from the City of Hands. I take that to mean that you are aware of any survivors. And do you know what caused the collapse of the city? Remember Envoy, your freedom is at risk… and if the information you give me rings true… Nimiss is willing to offer you something more valuable."

Envoy says, "The apparent destruction of the city was almost certainly staged by the Savanite mages. Therefore, it is doubtful that there were any casualties."

Envoy says, "The City of Hands no longer exists to the outside world, regardless."

The caracal's eyes go wide. "Staged? The destruction was all a ruse?"

Envoy says, "I do not know if it is proper to call it a ruse. Anyone going to the site will find nothing but crumbled ruins."

"Does the city still stand, even though it may not appear to by anyone who visits it?" Faline pauses and looks at her notebook. "Envoy, I would like to mention that Nimiss is willing to allow you to use the inquisitor's helmet again if you tell me the truth and it proves useful to us."

Envoy blinks.

"I ask again," Faline says. "Does the City of Hands still stand, or was it destroyed?"

Envoy says, "The City is still partly in ruin, but it was not destroyed."

The inquisitor nods and writes down a few more things in her notebook. "Is anyone still there?"

Envoy says, "It was inhabited when I left."

"Did you leave before or after its supposed 'destruction'? And how many inhabited it?" Faline says, not even bothering to look up from her frantic scribbling now.

Envoy says, "I left after watching the destruction. There were about one hundred and sixty people in the city at that time."

Envoy hmms, "I hope you are not considering taking the City by force?"

Faline licks the tip of her pencil. "I do not know what Nimiss' plans are. Why? are the Savanites there very well armed?"

Envoy says, "It doesn't matter. Any force sufficient to take the city would be impossible to keep secret, and the knowledge of the City is perhaps more dangerous than its actual existence at this point."

Faline places the notebook in her lap. "Why do you say that?"

Envoy says, "The Savanites of the City of Hands pose no current threat… they just want to be left alone. However, if the truth became publicly known that there was an enclave of over one hundred magic-using Savanites from a former empire that actually enslaved other races would almost certainly cause social chaos and overreaction, possibly leading to a massive slave revolt or war."

Envoy says, "It would be terribly embarrassing for many races to learn that their histories are not quite accurate."

The caracal makes a squeak of surprise and scoops up her notebook, scribbling madly. "I-i-indeed! How did you come to know all of this?"

Envoy says, "I was there when the City was explored. Most of the evidence was covered up with fake Nagai artifacts to hide it from sensitive psyches, but there was no doubting the Priest-King himself, still alive and powerful after thousands of years."

"Tell me about this 'priest-king'" Faline says.

Envoy says, "There is much I do not understand about him. He was the last ruler of the Savanite Empire, and he attempted to become immortal through magic which merged him into his own palace. Something went wrong, and the remaining mages transformed themselves into a magical barrier to keep the Priest-King contained. I assume that the Empire collapsed shortly afterwards, once the mages that had enforced its rule were no longer available."

Envoy says, "And then, the non-Savanite races discovered magic of their own."

Faline rubs her head. "So much. Do you know how long ago this empire existed?"

Envoy says, "I would estimate it to be within the same era as the Expedition, about five thousand years ago."

Envoy says, "There were other signs of ancient technologies near the City. However, the Inquisitrix investigating them was lost when the cargo airship returning to Rephidim crashed."

Faline begins tearing the sheets from her notes off and stuffing the papers into her pockets. "Is there any more information about this that you think I should be made aware of?"

Envoy says, "The Inquisitrix's name was Esther. She was subordinate to Inquisitor Caesar Moffat, and apparently got into trouble when she processed me."

"I mean about the city. We are aware of the loss of the inquisitrix." Faline says. "Sobatage more than likely. There was not enough left of the ship wreckage to tell for sure."

Envoy blinks at the idea of sabotage…

Envoy says, "The City lies within a Forbidden Zone. The surrounding jungle is very hostile, and within the Zone itself it is not possible to fly above treetop level."

Faline waves a hand. "It could be many things. Bad weather, pirate attack, airbag exploding." she gestures idly with her pencil, the scribbles own a few more notes on a blank sheet and rips that one off as well, stuffing it into her pocket.

Envoy says, "Given the current tensions with Babel, I would strongly recommend forgetting about the City of Hands for the immediate future."

The caracal stands. "I will keep that in mind. But for now, I will simply report my findings with Nimiss… it is the Bridge's job to decide policy after all. I will give your regards to him" She smirks and then knocks on the door. "I am ready to leave." she shouts to one of the wolves.

The wolves slide the door open. "By your will, Inquisitrix," a Jupani says. "Oh, an' the prisoner's 'Hospitality Suite' session's booked fer tomorrow at half past noon… Inquisitor Zeffel said to tell you, couldna get one earlier than that. Must be somethin' hot going down, huh?"

"Have it cancelled." Faline says as she walks down the hall. "I know all I need to… "

"As you wish, Inquisitrix," the guard says with surprise. The door clicks shut, leaving the cell once more darkened save for the light that pierces the barred window.

Bem clacks again.

Envoy hmms. Odd that interest in the City of Hands should come up now, during a political crisis. She turns to Bem and asks, "What do you know about magnetohydrodynamic cellular metabolisms?"