Old World Monsters Act One: Of Pagans

[Shark Bait]

"Per Auf Jottenheim. I have heard of your exploits in Kiev. It is good to see that you are as large as rumor would have it."

Per nodded “I was one of many who fought at Kievâ€

[The Silence and I]

John had bowed formally when presenting to the magistrate, but he said nothing; his body language suggested the others spoke for him too.

As the magistrate and Per speak John keeps his gaze low and respectful, not risking a challenge by meeting the magistrate's eyes.

[Rukia]

Krystyna stayed silent as the men made their introductions. Still hidden behind her hood, she curtsied low and spoke in a soft but strong voice. "I am Krystyna Gàspàr of Romania. I am here to fight as well." She stood and observed the magistrate form the darkness of her cloak.

[Marcao]

His arrival on the outskirts of Wittenberge was not particularly impressive.

The truth of the matter was of course that it did not need to be. The dark clouds which loomed in the sky above the town were impossible to miss and he wondered if they were the representation of the emotions and feelings of the town’s people below. He considered that thought for a few precious seconds before he began to make his way towards the town itself. The mud was an issue but rather than repel it outright, it did not seem to be able to cling to his leather boots while any water that managed to make contact with his clothing seemed to drip away without having any effect on the fabric of his clothing.

He was dressed finely; exactly as one would expect someone whose background was Italian nobility. In terms of adornments he had two, a silver crucifix which circled his neck and fell in plain view over his chest and a fine ring of silver with Mancini seal. As he came closer into the town itself his eyes slid over his surroundings. Was there anything special in this town that would warrant the recent attention of various monsters? He saw no great wealth. Indeed, the town seemed very much like most others of its type in his experience. It was a puzzle and he enjoyed solving puzzles. The sooner that he unraveled this one, the sooner he could go back to Italy.

He caught sight of what he presumed to be guards and smiled. A bit fewer than he had expected all things considered but they could prove of use irregardless. He approached without trepidation, he was here after all on a personal request and he was here to help.

“Greetings, my name is Francesco Mancini. I have come in regards to your recent misfortunes over the last few weeks.â€

[Charon]

Krystyna stayed silent as the men made their introductions. Still hidden behind her hood, she curtsied low and spoke in a soft but strong voice. "I am Krystyna Gàspàr of Romania. I am here to fight as well." She stood and observed the magistrate form the darkness of her cloak.

The Magistrate's eyes turned to look at Krystyna carefully, mostly in a great deal of confusion. The Magistrate's mind seemed to be working full tilt as he looked at the woman.

His head jerked up quickly for a moment, as though he had just noticed something, and then he spoke, "I do not mean to insult you, but this fight is against monsters and I am not certain that one of so delicate a gender and so beautiful a figure should be out amongst the mud fighting monsters. Perhaps we could arrange something involving the guards I have been told accompany you?"

The Magistrate then looked at each person within the group as he pursed his lips. "Yes, well. I must remember my manners. I am Adelbert Fruehauf, as you know I am the Magistrate of this town which has been under attack. I thank you all for coming to the call. I will tell you all I can, and then if you are still willing, we can get to the business of pay.

"We are not entirely certain what creatures have been attacking us of late, after the first few times most of the citizens have taken to hiding themselves and praying they are not found." The magistrate looked rather distressed even talking about the attacks, and his own terror was palpable, something so strong most of those who heard him could not help but feel a small bit of terror rise up in their own bellies. "The monsters all look as though they are human, from what we have seen, and they have thus far only attacked at night. So perhaps there are Vampires in their midst, but thankfully we have not yet seen a Werewolf, so with the blessing of God we may not have to face one of those terrible beasts." The Magistrate paused and took a breath. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

“Greetings, my name is Francesco Mancini. I have come in regards to your recent misfortunes over the last few weeks.â€

[rhoenix]

"We are not entirely certain what creatures have been attacking us of late, after the first few times most of the citizens have taken to hiding themselves and praying they are not found." The magistrate looked rather distressed even talking about the attacks, and his own terror was palpable, something so strong most of those who heard him could not help but feel a small bit of terror rise up in their own bellies. "The monsters all look as though they are human, from what we have seen, and they have thus far only attacked at night. So perhaps there are Vampires in their midst, but thankfully we have not yet seen a Werewolf, so with the blessing of God we may not have to face one of those terrible beasts." The Magistrate paused and took a breath. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

Agrilos began looking increasingly uncomfortable as time passed in this closed room, though he was hiding it well. However, he spoke up calmly as the Magistrate finished asking his question. "Yes; from which direction have the creatures come during the night? Also, what resources would you be willing to make available for the town's defense? More specifically, large tables, fences, cast-off pieces of wood or metal?"

He paused, and his medium grey eyebrows knitted in thought. "I'm sure I'll have other questions for you, but I'd like to survey the town to get a better idea of its defense. Also, would you mind if I opened a window?"

[Marcao]

The guards gave a quick once over to the richly dressed man who had come up towards them. The older looking one came closer and more visibly looked him over. "Well, you're a mercenary boy? You'll be wanting a sword if'n you're to be killin' any monsters. The blacksmith went on one of the last crusades, so he may have a few decent weapons for ya to use." The older man seemed to pause for a moment, as though he were thinking for a few moments, then an idea seemed to come to him. "You're not the first today to come at the calling, and I do believe by now that the magistrate has called them to his home. I can escort you to him if you'd like."

With that the older guard nodded to the younger and relieved himself from his post, moving to escort the newcomer to the magistrate's home.

His eyes followed the guards as they responded to his query. His eyes lingered over them making a note of their faces, armor and general mannerisms. It was something that could prove of use in the future. The older looking of the guards opened his mouth and the initial words that left his lips almost drew a grimace from him. Precious few people talked to him in such a tone, but he was not in Italy and he would have to make allowances for the poor and ill educated. He waited until the man had finished before he replied.

"The only weapon that I require is my faith in God." He responded simply.

His hands which rested at his side were barely visible but had the man had the temerity to reach out and touch him, he would have discovered skin barely calloused at all. He had taken swordsmanship classes when he was a child, but his talents had made them a moot point. When the guardsman continued however, he arched a brow in. Others? Of course, mercenaries. Was it really so surprising considering the situation?

"Please, take me to the home of your magistrate." He replied curtly. When the man began to move he followed his mind already awash with possibilities.

[Charon]

His eyes followed the guards as they responded to his query. His eyes lingered over them making a note of their faces, armor and general mannerisms. It was something that could prove of use in the future. The older looking of the guards opened his mouth and the initial words that left his lips almost drew a grimace from him. Precious few people talked to him in such a tone, but he was not in Italy and he would have to make allowances for the poor and ill educated. He waited until the man had finished before he replied.

"The only weapon that I require is my faith in God." He responded simply.

His hands which rested at his side were barely visible but had the man had the temerity to reach out and touch him, he would have discovered skin barely calloused at all. He had taken swordsmanship classes when he was a child, but his talents had made them a moot point. When the guardsman continued however, he arched a brow in. Others? Of course, mercenaries. Was it really so surprising considering the situation?

"Please, take me to the home of your magistrate." He replied curtly. When the man began to move he followed his mind already awash with possibilities.

As they walked the older guard began to talk. "Yer faith in God huh? Ah it warms my heart to hear that lad, been a long time since I heard of one so faithful as you. One day, long ago, I ran across one of those touched by God. Johnathon of Nemea I believe he was. Never a more saintly man has ever walked God's green earth. Ye wouldn't happen to," The man cut himself short, as if realizing he may have commited somewhat of a taboo in being so freely speaking with the man. "Err, I mean, if you don't mind answering, are ye one of those that have been touched by God? One of the Blessed?"

By the time the guard has finished speaking the pair had come to the large oak doors that was the enterance of the home. The guard quickly knocked on the doors and spoke quickly to a servant who openned the door further and bekoned Francesco in. "You've come just in time my lord. The Magistrate was just beginning to speak with the others."

[Shark Bait]

The Magistrate then looked at each person within the group as he pursed his lips. "Yes, well. I must remember my manners. I am Adelbert Fruehauf, as you know I am the Magistrate of this town which has been under attack. I thank you all for coming to the call. I will tell you all I can, and then if you are still willing, we can get to the business of pay.

"We are not entirely certain what creatures have been attacking us of late, after the first few times most of the citizens have taken to hiding themselves and praying they are not found." The magistrate looked rather distressed even talking about the attacks, and his own terror was palpable, something so strong most of those who heard him could not help but feel a small bit of terror rise up in their own bellies. "The monsters all look as though they are human, from what we have seen, and they have thus far only attacked at night. So perhaps there are Vampires in their midst, but thankfully we have not yet seen a Werewolf, so with the blessing of God we may not have to face one of those terrible beasts." The Magistrate paused and took a breath. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

Per listened carefuly to the magistrate's information as well as Agrilos' questions, all of them excelent items he would have asked as well. He did have one more though, "The citizens's who hid within the town, were any of them found?" he asked cautiously "that is to say, have the monsters torn into any homes seeking the inhabitants?"

[Marcao]

As they walked the older guard began to talk. "Yer faith in God huh? Ah it warms my heart to hear that lad, been a long time since I heard of one so faithful as you. One day, long ago, I ran across one of those touched by God. Johnathon of Agrilos I believe he was. Never a more saintly man has ever walked God's green earth. Ye wouldn't happen to," The man cut himself short, as if realizing he may have commited somewhat of a taboo in being so freely speaking with the man. "Err, I mean, if you don't mind answering, are ye one of those that have been touched by God? One of the Blessed?"

By the time the guard has finished speaking the pair had come to the large oak doors that was the enterance of the home. The guard quickly knocked on the doors and spoke quickly to a servant who openned the door further and bekoned Francesco in. "You've come just in time my lord. The Magistrate was just beginning to speak with the others."

His initial irritation at the manner of the guard’s speech quickly faded away as they walked side by side towards their destination. It was he supposed the way the man talked; he had always found it difficult to think ill of those with faith. He was also aware of the facts of life; this man had never had the benefit of the scores of tutors that had been employed to educate him in the ways of the world. Beneath the roof of his parents he had been schooled by some of the sharpest minds in the world about history, culture, etiquette. He had been taught his responsibility to himself and his family from almost the moment he had taken his first breath. This man had no such luxury.

He had been about to interrupt the guard when he mentioned coming across one of those touched by God. He went silent then allowing the guard to continue, when the man caught himself and all but apologized to him he offered and honest smile and moved his left hand in a dismissive fashion.

“Please, I have always enjoyed the art of conversation especially amongst a fellow believer.â€

[The Silence and I]

"The monsters all look as though they are human, from what we have seen, and they have thus far only attacked at night. So perhaps there are Vampires in their midst, but thankfully we have not yet seen a Werewolf, so with the blessing of God we may not have to face one of those terrible beasts." The Magistrate paused and took a breath. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

John becomes restless as the Magistrate speaks of the monsters. His face twitches slightly at the mention of "vampires" and he seems to somehow relax and yet look stiffer than before after learning there are no werewolves. Small wonder, no one wants to face one. One fist clenches as the Magistrate finishes and he seems to hold on to some thought or question while Agrilos speaks up. Eventually John speaks up with a voice clouded with some heavy feeling or another, although he still does not lift his eyes.

"How many men defend this town and will they stand tonight? I do not know what they plan," an sweep of the arm indicates those standing beside him, "but I have many years experience as a guardsman. If your town guard holds tonight I ask to stand among them. A monster took all I ever knew, alone or with company I shall patrol the night."

[Charon]

Agrilos began looking increasingly uncomfortable as time passed in this closed room, though he was hiding it well. However, he spoke up calmly as the Magistrate finished asking his question. "Yes; from which direction have the creatures come during the night? Also, what resources would you be willing to make available for the town's defense? More specifically, large tables, fences, cast-off pieces of wood or metal?"

He paused, and his medium grey eyebrows knitted in thought. "I'm sure I'll have other questions for you, but I'd like to survey the town to get a better idea of its defense. Also, would you mind if I opened a window?"

The Magistrate seemed to think for a moment before answering the questions. "Usually, the monsters have attacked from the North, at the main gates tehre. Though sometimes they come from the Southern gate or take the time to smash through the walls. As for materials, much of the spare timber we had has gone into reinforcing the walls as best we can. We would go out into the woods to get more, but we fear those getting the timber will be attacked. We do have some spare metal, but only a blacksmith and his two apprentices are in this town."

To the next question, the magistrate did not even seem to bat an eye at the oddity of it. "Unfortunately, these windows do not open. They would have to be removed, a somewhat difficult process."

Per listened carefuly to the magistrate's information as well as Agrilos' questions, all of them excelent items he would have asked as well. He did have one more though, "The citizens's who hid within the town, were any of them found?" he asked cautiously "that is to say, have the monsters torn into any homes seeking the inhabitants?"

The magistrate nodded in response to this question. "Indeed they have. Usually they content themselves to cause destruction and to take trading goods. But a few families have been taken or killed in the raids. Usually," the magistrate paused, as though strengthening himself to say the next part "they take the women and young girls and we find their bodies a few days later at the gates." A flood of terror and worry filled the room at this.

"How many men defend this town and will they stand tonight? I do not know what they plan," an sweep of the arm indicates those standing beside him, "but I have many years experience as a guardsman. If your town guard holds tonight I ask to stand among them. A monster took all I ever knew, alone or with company I shall patrol the night."

The magistrate turned and looked at John suddenly, as though for the first time recognizing that he was there. He looked at him closely for a long time, not speaking. Then, as though he had forgotten himself, he laughed lightly. "I apologize. As to your question, We have forty men as experienced guards in the town. However, after the first few attacks most do not patrol at night, as we used to have sixty guardsmen." The magistrate looked closely at John once more, as though something about the man confused him, then spoke again. "With mercenaries to assist them however, they will likely stay to assist you in protecting the town."

“You have been very helpful guardsman, what is your name so that I may remember it?â€

[Marcao]

Burkhard.

It was a name that he would keep in his mind. The guardsman had earned a measure of favor with him, he would do what he could to make certain the guardsman survived whatever horrors this town would face in his presence. He followed the servant a mere two steps behind as he was led down towards where he presumed the Magistrate was with the others. As he walked, his fine leather boots resonated through the hall in a steady pattern as they contacted against the wood beneath.

The servant opened the door and he followed once his guide had moved through. As he moved past the threshold twin emeralds darted about his surroundings as he sought to commit everything and everyone he saw to memory. In the end, only the cough from his guide drew him out of his reverie. He did not speak until he was spoken to, etiquette even in a place such as this had to be maintained. Ultimately, when the Magistrate spoke he responded bowing at the waist before the man who was in charge of the town.

"My name is Francesco Mancini Magistrate. I have come to offer my aid in these troubled times." He spoke softly, the necessary decor that politeness required followed through.

[Rukia]

The Magistrate's eyes turned to look at Krystyna carefully, mostly in a great deal of confusion. The Magistrate's mind seemed to be working full tilt as he looked at the woman.

His head jerked up quickly for a moment, as though he had just noticed something, and then he spoke, "I do not mean to insult you, but this fight is against monsters and I am not certain that one of so delicate a gender and so beautiful a figure should be out amongst the mud fighting monsters. Perhaps we could arrange something involving the guards I have been told accompany you?"

Instead of becoming defensive, Krystyna spoke calmly. "Although I am more than capable of fighting as well, I represent my guards as they only speak Romanian." She curtsied again to show respect, and listened as the men asked questions and the magistrate answered. At the mention of vampires she didn't even flinch. At the word that the families being killed she let out the slightest gasp. Monster though she was, she still had a spark of humanity.

She had never been good at planning strategies and knew that she could leave it up to the men. Her strength lay in her quick actions and thinking. However in all her years she had never heard of a monster bringing a victim back. She decided to speak her concerns. "Your honor, with all due respect. I've never in all my travels heard of a monster showing off their kill. Are we dealing with a different breed?" As the door opened and another man walked in she looked briefly the continued on, "Also it seems as though you problem lie in the town itself. Have you considered the possibility that the monsters are on the inside and just using the attacks as a distraction?"

[Comrade Tortoise]

Manfred seemed to recover from a trance. His eyes losing a glazed over look and becoming bright and inquisitive. But he still managed to grasp the information offered to him, and had already assimilated it. Then he shifted into the same flat expressionless tone, with iced over eyes that the others knew before. Without the chilling effects

Finally the mad wizard spoke. In an utterly cold and calculating way.

"I may have gleaned some insight from what you describe, Magistrate Fruehauf. The way they display the bodies tells me that they are trying to cause fear. That is the only reason to array your kills before a gate. What they take, trade goods, would be worthless to them as they are difficult to sell, unless they have an ally... an ally with a goal... If they were bent on pure destruction they would have been able to utterly destroy you on the first night, maybe the second given the state I can guess your defenses were in before you reinforced them, especially if they could have slaughtered your guards as they did on what you are describing as a raid... No... Everything you have told us screams of intelligence, design... purpose. These creatures have a specific goal in mind.

I need to speak to survivors who have witnessed the attacks... And I need whatever more specific details you can provide. Is there a specific timing to the attacks? Did the first one seem coordinated? How quickly were guards taken, and is there a pattern in the families or individuals taken?"

The mage was cold, his eyes piercing, seeming to gaze into the man's very soul.

[rhoenix]

The brief respite offered by the new addition to this rather unusual group of mercenaries (himself included, which Agrilos admitted to readily) entering the room was as a brief tease of moving air. Tempted mightily though he was to subtly manipulate the air in the room to create a circulating breeze, he had learned the lesson too harshly to not reveal overtly what he was. Mages, after all, could at least be explained and reasoned away as somehow less harmful than most "monsters," a double-standard that Agrilos (and numerous other other-than-humans he'd spoken with) found to be simultaneously amusing and highly irritating.

He did admit to himself that this was bothering him currently as much as it was because the air in this room was stifling in its non-movement. He was able to disguise and hide it for a while, but soon it would grow to be unbearable.

Resisting the temptation to simply cause the air currents to move within the room was highly difficult, though necessary. People's xenophobia could be acute at times, particularly if agitated. And so, he concentrated on keeping slow and deep breaths to slow his heartrate and keep calm, but he did hope this meeting didn't last hours.

[Rukia]

Agrilos was still standing relatively close to Krystyna and she realized after he asked to open the window that he seemed to be acting a bit off. She had known several people that became panicked in small closed spaces and where as it didn't affect her, she could sense his growing urgency to be somewhere else. She gingerly reached into a pocket of her cloak and pulled out an ornate fan. Handing it over to him she whispered, "I know its a woman's trinket, but it could help to calm you."

[The Village Idiot]

Visira had been in the corner, quitely listening to the magistrate and the others speak of the monsters and their resources. He didn't have much experience defended a whole town before, let alone concerning himself with the greater plots of monsters and men. Either way, we would could use more timber. "Tonight is definatly going to be messy", he though to himself, "and tomorrow is going to be a busy day"

The magistrate nodded in response to this question. "Indeed they have. Usually they content themselves to cause destruction and to take trading goods. But a few families have been taken or killed in the raids. Usually," the magistrate paused, as though strengthening himself to say the next part "they take the women and young girls and we find their bodies a few days later at the gates." A flood of terror and worry filled the room at this.

His eyes pulled wide, these truely were monsters. But their greed and monstrosity could prove usefull to laying a trap.

"My name is Francesco Mancini Magistrate. I have come to offer my aid in these troubled times." He spoke softly, the necessary decor that politeness required followed through.

Nodding respectfully to the man who had just entered, he finally spoke up. "Do any of these monsters ever bear arms, or armor? Or do they only fight with tooth and nail?"

[rhoenix]

Agrilos was still standing relatively close to Krystyna and she realized after he asked to open the window that he seemed to be acting a bit off. She had known several people that became panicked in small closed spaces and where as it didn't affect her, she could sense his growing urgency to be somewhere else. She gingerly reached into a pocket of her cloak and pulled out an ornate fan. Handing it over to him she whispered, "I know its a woman's trinket, but it could help to calm you."

He looked surprised at first, but he smiled as he took it with a nod of thanks and began to use it. Relief was almost immediate for him as he whispered back to her. "Madam, you are a blessing, and I am in your debt."

He really should have a fan of his own for times like these, he mused to himself, but his relief was almost palpable. However, he tried to restrain it just as much as he restrained his earlier discomfort.

[Charon]

"My name is Francesco Mancini Magistrate. I have come to offer my aid in these troubled times." He spoke softly, the necessary decor that politeness required followed through.

"And it is a pleasure to meet you sir. My name is Adelbert Fruehauf, and I am the magistrate of this town." The magistrate went into a fast explanation of what he had already said to the newcomer before moving on to the other questions.

She had never been good at planning strategies and knew that she could leave it up to the men. Her strength lay in her quick actions and thinking. However in all her years she had never heard of a monster bringing a victim back. She decided to speak her concerns. "Your honor, with all due respect. I've never in all my travels heard of a monster showing off their kill. Are we dealing with a different breed?" As the door opened and another man walked in she looked briefly the continued on, "Also it seems as though you problem lie in the town itself. Have you considered the possibility that the monsters are on the inside and just using the attacks as a distraction?"

The magistrate looked at the woman. "You have never come across Grendel then m'lady. They often will display their kills in the open as some sort of trophy. As to the monsters being on the inside, if they were why would they attack from the outside? Why would no one notice people leaving? I will forget for the moment the insult that it is that you would think my own villagers would commit such a deed, as you are a woman."

"I may have gleaned some insight from what you describe, Magistrate Fruehauf. The way they display the bodies tells me that they are trying to cause fear. That is the only reason to array your kills before a gate. What they take, trade goods, would be worthless to them as they are difficult to sell, unless they have an ally... an ally with a goal... If they were bent on pure destruction they would have been able to utterly destroy you on the first night, maybe the second given the state I can guess your defenses were in before you reinforced them, especially if they could have slaughtered your guards as they did on what you are describing as a raid... No... Everything you have told us screams of intelligence, design... purpose. These creatures have a specific goal in mind.

I need to speak to survivors who have witnessed the attacks... And I need whatever more specific details you can provide. Is there a specific timing to the attacks? Did the first one seem coordinated? How quickly were guards taken, and is there a pattern in the families or individuals taken?"

The mage was cold, his eyes piercing, seeming to gaze into the man's very soul.

The magistrate seemed to be troubled by the gaze, but quickly shook it away. "Most often, from what we know, there often is some sort of leading force within a group of monsters. But we have no way to determine who that may be." To the grouping of the wizards questions, the magistrate could only switch between sadly shaking his head and staring in abject horror at the questions. "I don't know the answers to any of those questions, sir. As for survivors, any who we know have seen them are already dead. There may be others, but no one will speak out of some superstition that they will be next."

Nodding respectfully to the man who had just entered, he finally spoke up. "Do any of these monsters ever bear arms, or armor? Or do they only fight with tooth and nail?"

"Yes, many of them bear arms and armor. We know they carry guns as well, though we don't know how many they may have." Was the magistrates quick response as he looked over to Visira.

For Agrilos, the small fan was certainly a lifesaver, but it was no substitute for a real fresh breeze, but it would hold off the inevitable overwhelming desire for freedom.

[The Village Idiot]

"Yes, many of them bear arms and armor. We know they carry guns as well, though we don't know how many they may have." Was the magistrates quick response as he looked over to Visira.

"That may make things a tad more difficult, but can prove to be very valuable for supplying us."

[Marcao]

"And it is a pleasure to meet you sir. My name is Adelbert Fruehauf, and I am the magistrate of this town." The magistrate went into a fast explanation of what he had already said to the newcomer before moving on to the other questions.

He remained silent as the Magistrate responded to his words and went about the process of quickly explaining the situation that currently assailed his town. He made it a point to remember the name of the Magistrate and settled on watching the others around him as they went about asking questions and receiving answers. As the newest arrival, it was his place to wait for his turn. Besides, this allowed him to more closely consider what manner of people he would be asked to deal with.

He was comfortable working on his own, but there were times when competent help could be of use. This may very well be one of those times. His eyes slid from person to person lingering on each as he sought to take into account body language, clothing and mannerisms. He was even paying attention to accents as those around him spoke, all the information he would gleam from his observations tucked aside for future examinations. Who would he be able to use? Who would he have to discard?

[rhoenix]

Agrilos turned to the newcomer, and nodded to him with a somewhat tired-looking smile before turning back to the Magistrate. The fan was indeed helping, but he was wondering when would be the earliest possible time that he could leave and survey the town, and still be polite to the magistrate.

That some people actually seemed to prefer no airflow in meeting rooms still somewhat shocked him.

[Marcao]

He caught sight of the look that was offered to him by one of the newcomers, his eyes lingering on those of the individual before he too nodded his head. There was something unusual about the man with the small fan, but he was polite and that politeness demanded an equal response. In the end, after he was satisfied witth his visual examination of the others around him he waited for a lull in the conversation to occur before he acted.

"Magistrate, it seems that we have reached a point where we have all the information that you can easily and readily grant. If that is the case, I ask your leave to withdraw so that I may begin my own investigation into the occurances and make whatever preparations I deem necessary for the eventual return of these killers that trouble your town." his German was accented and understandable but a far cry from fluent.

Personally he did not see a point to a continued interrogation of the Magistrate. He would much rather begin to use his talents and see what he could discover and what preparations could be made for future incursions into the town itself. The prospect of living in the town for a prolonged period of time was not a pleasing one, but he kept that fact to himself. This was a trial placed before him by God. Nothing more than another obsctable to be overcome.

[Charon]

The Magistrate looked to Francesco, and then nodded as he looked around to all the others in the room. "Of course, my ramblings are keeping you from the business at hand. You are free to go, and should you have any other questions later on come to me and I will answer them as best I am able."

With that a servant opened the door to the room to allow for everyone to exit.