2nd of Fall, 513AV
Midnight
Midnight
Ignotus loved a panic. Not like some of the simpler, crasser creatures out there, who just liked to hear nubile young women scream. No, Ignotus loved a panic because when people were frightened, you could get them to do almost anything. Like killing one's superiors.
The meeting of the Counsel Guard was an emergency one, held in the very room Adarin attempted to take. The scene was so fresh that there hadn't even been enough time to wash the blood off the floor or repair the mechanism of the door. All the better to set the tone of crisis.
The entirety of the fifty man group had gathered here, and were waiting to hear the hastily appointed regent speak.
The wizard wasted little time waiting to enter- time was of the essence here. He was on a slightly raised stair, but aside from that was effectively at their level. Directly behind him was the scene of the arrest, red pools and discarded arrows gleaming in the torchlight. "Gentlemen," he began, his features grave, "No doubt you wonder why I have gathered you at this dire hour."
"As you may know," he said after a short pause, beginning to pace slowly between the walls, "This very morning, we suffered a great and grievous terrorist attack from a sect of Denvali extremists."
The choice of words were hardly coincidental. It took more than dry descriptions to galvanize men of this caliber. Of course, a touch of Hypnotism didn't hurt either. In this case, hurt. Frustration. A faint shadow of grief. Why didn't we see it coming? How could we let this happen?
"They infiltrated the highest rungs of government, and butchered several of our fair and illustrious leaders, before being smashed by a team of courageous Trident Champions- and myself, of course." the last bit was said as an addition. A simple acknowledgement. He just wanted all the information out there. He didn't need to boast.
"While this is tragic, and much of the nation is still in grief," the Nuit said deliberately, steepling his fingers together, "One does have to wonder... How exactly did these men get the information they needed? And, once armed with it, why did they kill so few?"
Ignotus stopped walking then, his brow furrowing faintly, "Gentlemen, I suspect these two curiosities may be related. I suspect these murderers received assistance. Further, I strongly suspect I know who may be behind this 'happy coincidence.'"
Rapt attention now. The sort of fear that a starving predator searching for prey might feel draped lightly upon them now. Were there traitors in Zeltiva? But of course there were, said their suspicious minds. How else could these people slip past our defenses?
"Even now, they feign sorrow that their colleagues, people that trusted them, have been slain, leaving them with more sway in a shaken house as the populace weeps. Possibly even sway enough to take power. They sleep now, but soon, soon they will wake, and soon Zeltiva, it's way of life, our way of life, may very well be in grave danger!"
And so, urgency! They had to act now, and quickly! If they didn't who knows what could happen?! But they were directionless at the moment. In the dark... Or were they?
"My venerable friends..." Ignotus said slowly. Entreatingly. "Do you trust me?" And as he, the hero of Zeltiva, the man who routed out the Blighter like a gardener does a weed, the man who saved the city from certain doom mere bells before spoke, they felt in their hearts that they did. After all, "Has he ever been wrong?"