The door to the office slowly cycles open, revealing two lupine guards in the corridor, and a single, white, one-horned alien. As is routine, Inquisitor Melchizedek's back is turned to the door, as he works at his desk. It doesn't look like terribly exciting work, either.

Envoy steps inside, and waits for the door to close before announcing herself.

There's no sign of Azhtar in the room. She must be out, tending to some other business.

Melchizedek turns around in his chair to face Envoy. He doesn't bother with a greeting or a "how do you do". He just looks at her.

Envoy comes towards the desk, and signs, "I have information for you about the City of Hands."

Melchizedek gestures toward a "flyer" chair (one with a back more accomodating for wings) to one side.

Envoy sits down, looking a bit subdued.

"Go ahead," Melchizedek signs. He's not being very helpful insofar as betraying his feelings through any distinguishable facial expression just now.

Envoy signs, "There is a hidden chamber in the city. Someone with a knowledge of astronomy can use it to show the location of one of several sky islands for any point in time. Rephidim is one of the islands tracked."

So much for Melchizedek's poker face. "What are you telling me?" he says out loud.

Envoy blinks.

Envoy signs, "This is the secret I thought would be dangerous for you to know about. The elements required for tracking Rephidim's course were removed from the site and hidden as a precaution."

Melchizedek mulls over this silently for several moments, perhaps mentally checking over several bits and fragments he has run into over time.

The Inquisitor nods. "Now I see the reason for secrecy," he signs. "If what you say is true – or even if certain persons BELIEVE it to be true – it could be dangerous for any who are believed to have anything to do with this discovery."

Envoy signs, "Furthermore, the date is set by moving representations of celestial bodies. There were more planets represented than accounted for in current astronomy. Knowing that other islands could be tracked at all was considered dangerous as well."

"But no laws have been broken, to my knowledge … save for withholding of information from an investigator," Melchizedek signs, furrowing a brow. "But that is a subjective judgement… I see no reason to report this at this time, so long as the quarantine remains in effect."

Envoy thinks this over, then signs, "I memorized the indicated path for Rephidim over a period of time. Without an astronomical ephimeris though, I have no idea what span of time that course represents."

"Is that it, then?" Melchizedek signs. "Is that the secret, that prompts everyone to wish for the area to be quarantined? Or is there a yet a real threat from the Priest-King?"

Envoy signs, "How many threats are required?"

Melchizedek signs, "What you tell me of is a threat to certain persons' power. And perhaps even mine, if certain factions should try to take advantage of chaos. But as for further threats, I am asking if there is a malevolent entity, still present there, who, given opportunity, may escape and kill and/or enslave many people."

Envoy signs, "It is a possibility. Only a fraction of the City was explored, and other dangerous secrets may remain."

Melchizedek leans back. "I am sending Azhtar to investigate the City of Hands," he signs. "Am I risking her needlessly?"

Envoy signs, "That would depend on what you wish to find. Do you want to become the new Captain-Astromancer?"

Melchizedek signs, "That would be impossible, for reasons too complicated for me to explain at this time."

Envoy signs, "Then what benefit would there be in sending an agent to the City? If she is killed, then you would not know what threat there was."

"I have my own reasons," Melchizedek signs. "And if Azhtar does not return, then I will not bother with a quarantine. The City will be annihilated."

Envoy blinks three times.

Envoy signs, "What causes Forbidden Zones?"

Melchizedek signs, "That is something not fully known. I can only offer speculation. They are relics of ages long past – ages before my time, before I and my people came to Sinai."

Envoy signs, "Then you do not know what restrains them to given areas. Destroying the City of Hands may cause its Forbidden Zone to expand further, with nothing to anchor it."

"The theory is that the Forbidden Zone exists … because the containment has already been destroyed," Melchizedek signs.

"I am more afraid of this Priest-King who can turn people into stone golems than a storm that may prevent airships from flying over the Savan. If the slavers and ivory-hunters have a harder time of it, that is not my concern," Melchizedek signs.

Envoy signs, "This would be a way to test that theory, certainly. It would be better if your agent could neutralize threats in place and in secret, however, than admit there is a force the Temple fears."

Envoy signs, "What would you do with proof that the Priest-King is no longer a threat? Would the quarantine be lifted?"

"No," Melchizedek signs. "There still remains that device you spoke of. And there may be other secrets as well. I will not chance any discoveries being made by the likes of Lord Titus haut Mikide … or any treasure-hunter with an airship and a Savanite guide."

"If it means I must wait a few centuries until I can oversee a proper investigation of the site, then so be it," Melchizedek signs.

Envoy signs, "That seems acceptable."

"Why?" Melchizedek signs.

Envoy signs, "Whether the Priest-King is still a threat is not as important as maintaining the quarantine. At least for the current state of society."

Melchizedek nods. "So be it, then. You are far less a child than I have taken you for, Envoy of Lothrhyn. You grasp many complexities that elude those with many more years than yourself."

Envoy signs, "I am designed to handle and organize large amounts of data and search for patterns."

Envoy signs, "And I cannot effectively study a society that is in upheaval."

Melchizedek signs, "I appreciate your cooperation and your honesty. Of course, you already realize this, but be careful about sharing any information about the device you described. Doing so breaks no law, but there are some who would silence you out of fear."

Envoy signs, "I was made to understand that upon discovery of the chamber, and divulge the information to you now only because I trust your judgement."

Melchizedek nods. "I will be sending Azhtar to the City of Hands as soon as I find a ship to bear her. I will not be using any of the Temple-affiliated vessels. You have experience with the City. Would it interest you at all to be dispatched with her to that site as well?"

"Your abilities of observation and – as you call it – searching for patterns – I find remarkable and potentially useful," Melchizedek signs.

Envoy signs, "I could be useful to her, yes. And there are many areas of the City still to be explored. I would go."

"Very well then," Melchizedek signs. "I will trust you to determine what equipment you feel will be necessary for your exploration."

Envoy signs, "Will any others be on the expedition?"

Melchizedek signs, "I do not know, and it is probably best for me not to bother with such details. But I am certainly not inclined to send Vielanika along with you. She has not demonstrated any aptitude for keeping you out of harm's way."

"Azhtar will handle the particulars," Melchizedek signs.

Envoy nods, and signs, "I will work with her, then."

Melchizedek nods. "Besides, it will be good to get you out of Rephidim for a little while, I think," he signs. "Something seems to have gotten into Nuttenboltschen again. I would rather avoid too many confrontations with him during the Audit."

Envoy signs, "I still would like to examine the computer system here. How much longer will Nuttenboltschen live?"

Melchizedek raises an eyebrow. "If I were able to give you an accurate answer to that question, I think it would cast question upon my character. But I suspect he will be around for quite a long time."

Melchizedek signs, "Is that all?"

Envoy nods, and signs, "I will have to work around him then. Is there anything else you require of me?"

Melchizedek signs, "Only that you submit to me a list of what supplies you suspect you personally will require at the City of Hands. Matters such as provisions and basic gear will already be Azhtar's responsibility."

Envoy nods, and stands up. "I will meet with Azhtar as soon as possible," she signs.

Melchizedek nods. "You are dismissed, then," he signs, and turns back around to return to that dreary collection of reports.

Envoy knocks on the portal, and leaves the office when the guards open it.