“My future vision allows me to see down the rivers of possibility, granting
me insight into the possible realities our actions move us towards. But
that doesn't mean I can predict everything.”
There was very little that Head Archivist Deliah Beroe was not prepared for. One of the perks of being a chosen oracle of the Knowing Mistress herself. And, if Deliah were being completely honest with herself, one of the harshest penalties.
This is why Deliah found herself waking, unrested, and in a cold sweat, at dawn on the first day of Senaris. As always, it took her some time to wade through the previous night’s visions to ascertain which events were in the past, and which were potential futures. It took longer than usual to gain clarity regarding her visions, and longer still to overcome the overwhelming fear that accompanied the revelation that her daughters were in terrible danger. She breathed deeply and tamped down the rush of maternal worry. Panic would not help her daughters, she had to take measured actions to increase the probability of their safety.
Contrary to popular belief, Deliah did not know the future. Not even Ioun herself knew the future. Free will, the power to change fate itself, was the most fundamental aspect of mortality. What she could see, however, were possibilities. Some possibilities were more probable than others, and Deliah had learned to wade through the mass of possible futures to arrive at the most likely paths. In some cases, the choices she made could affect the likelihood of specific outcomes. For the most part, she abstained from involving herself. Her job was to observe and chronicle. However, in today’s case, there were certain things she could do, that she must do.
It did surprise her that the demonic incursion of her city took such a subtle and calculated approach. To go as far as to infiltrate the city’s protection forces and facilitate a coup. Of course, all of the pieces were available to make such a plan more likely to succeed. In hindsight, there were a few signs she had missed. Ioun’s insistence on her telling the parable of the Farmer and the Fox when the runners from the APS visited the Archives suddenly made much more sense. Still, she had expected the demons to take a straightforward approach and simply invade once the mountains could no longer sustain the barrier.
No, she thought, that isn’t quite right. Such an invasion was still probable, inevitable in fact. This felt more like a preamble, the opening act. Still, they were not yet beyond hope, and there were preparations to be made.
She quickly wrote her visions and observations down and placed them in a prominent location on her desk. It was important to have contingencies in place should something happen. Deliah then prepared for her day, business as usual. There would be no utility in causing a panic.
“Vi?” She asked as she rounded the hall into the front hall of the archives.
“Yes, Head Archivist?” The young acolyte that served as the front desk attendant for the archives looked up from whichever book she had buried her face in this time. The halfling woman wore large, circular glasses that consistently fell down her face, and was slight enough that it seemed a small wind could blow her away. Appearances, however, could be deceiving, and young Violet was incredibly skilled with the pair of tanbōs tucked behind the front desk.
“Could you please move my appointment with the professors from the university to 9:47? I anticipate that is their most likely time of arrival.”
“Of course,” Violet said while pulling out and making a note in the itinerary. She was distracted partway through her notation as the small chime that indicated the approach of a visitor went off.
Deliah narrowed her eyes as four men dressed in Watch uniforms filed in. Whatever demon was behind this was undoubtedly savvy enough to recognize the threat that the Archives posed. She would have to step lightly.
“I will take care of this Violet.” The woman nodded and turned back to her book, although Deliah knew she was listening intently.
“Good morning, my name is Corporal Engelt and I am here to speak with the Head Archivist regarding matters of some import.”
“Hello Corporal, you are in luck, I am right here. I have some time available if you would like to meet in my office.”
The Corporal nodded, looking at her intently. She kept her expression perfectly neutral - something she had learned long ago would add to the mystique of her oracle persona. In this instance, it also served to avoid raising the Corporal’s suspicions.
Deliah decided that knowing what she was dealing with was worth the risk, and discreetly cast Detect Thoughts to brush against the surface of the Corporal’s mind. At the top of his mind were the orders he received from his Commander, to discern whether the Archives knew what transpired at the Hearthswarming Eve Ball last night.
She felt the urge to push in further to discover if he was fully aware of what was going on himself. The risk, however, was too great. If the Corporal were to resist her mental probe he would be alerted to what she was doing. She dismissed the spell and led the Corporal and one of the guards down the hall and into her office. The remaining guards stayed at the front desk.
She crossed the threshold into her office and motioned for the Corporal to sit in the chair across from her desk. “Now, how can I help you? I’m surprised to get a visit from the Watch this early on Hearthswarmng.”
The corporal took the offered seat. “Well, ma’am, unfortunately, I do not bear pleasant news.” He proceeded to give her what she assumed was going to be the Watch’s official account of the events last night.
Iliyria Sylren and a team of her runners had assassinated the entire council during the Ball. The Watch mobilized against them, but they fled with the bodies of the council. It is heavily suspected that they were working in concert with demonic cultists. Deliah listened to his story intently, making sure to widen her eyes and give small gasps of surprise at the appropriate moments.
As he finished, Deliah leaned back in her chair. “How awful, this puts the city in terrible danger and without our leaders no less.” Engelt nodded, and added, “fortunately Commander Lowshade has been able to quickly assess the danger and is already enacting counter-measures.” He narrowed his eyes, “Head Archivist, if I might enquire, we had considered that you already may have some knowledge of the events last night. We had hoped you would be able to provide some insight into the plans of the traitors.”
Deliah nodded, “I understand why you might think so. Unfortunately, it is Ioun who decides what to share with me, and when. I can, of course, meditate on the issue and see if I can gather some understanding of the situation.”
“That would be helpful and appreciated. There was also another reason we came to speak with you. As you would imagine, the actions of Commander Sylren have cast some suspicion on the remainder of the APS runners. They have all been, for the most part, detained for questioning as we determine how deep this treachery went. Unfortunately, that does include your daughters, Isylte and Gilene.”
“My daughters would never be involved with anything like this. They are disciples of Ioun and would never associate with demons!” Deliah allowed some of the worries she had suppressed earlier to come forth. Even though she already knew her daughters had been taken, hearing it aloud made it feel more real somehow.
“I am certain that is the case. But you understand we have to be thorough. Once we conclude our investigation they will be released. I would like to help if I can. If you were to provide information from your goddess that led to the capture of any of the traitors, I could make a case for expediting your daughter's release.”
Deliah repressed a scowl. So that’s how they were going to play this. She took a deep breath. “Of course, I will do everything in my power to assist the Watch. However, I cannot make any guarantees of my success, and it will take me some time. If you were to come back, perhaps tomorrow, I might have something for you then.”
The corporal smiled insincerely at her. “Apologies for the inconvenience ma’am, but we have identified the Archives as one of the most likely next targets for the demonic cultists to attack. I will be remaining, with my men, to ensure your safety. You will have to bear with me for a while.”
Not good. Deliah looked at the clock. 9:30. She didn’t have much time. “Well, as much as I appreciate that, the Archives are already well protected.” Engelt shrugged his shoulders, “Orders are orders ma’am, and as capable as you and your devotees are, you can never have too much security.”
Deliah could sense that he wasn’t going to budge. She could still make this work if she was careful. If they were careful. “Very well then, you have my thanks. If you don’t mind, I have some work to complete. Feel free to make yourself at home.”
She grabbed a stack of papers from a drawer in her desk and began sifting through them, pretending to read. Discreetly, she moved her Tome to the top of her desk and opened it to one of its many pages. 9:46. It was time. She stood abruptly, startling the corporal and guard. “If you would excuse me, I have an appointment in a bit and I believe that my guests have arrived. I’m just going to greet them and will return in a moment.”
“No worries Head Archivist, we can accompany you.” The corporal replied, standing to follow her. He was really sticking with her. He either was still suspicious of her or received very specific orders from his commanding officer.
Deliah and her shadows walked back towards the reception area of the Archives. From the hall, she saw a large man and young woman speaking with Vi. They seemed more than a bit flustered and were scrambling when Vi asked for their names. Subtly, Deliah pointed her finger at the woman and gave her a hint. The woman, likely not even recognizing the interference, finally blurts out “I’m Jill Bob, and this is Bob Jill!”
Deliah sighed, it would have been nice if the professors she was scheduled to meet with today didn’t have names that sounded incredibly fake, but she had to work with what was given. Vi found the appointment in the itinerary just as Deliah entered the reception area. “Ah! Professors, I had anticipated that you might arrive early this morning, I had Vi move our appointment up.” She gave the confused-looking receptionist a quick look that she hoped said, “just go with it.” Vi was insightful enough to be suspicious of the duo, but it seemed she got the message and gave a nod in her direction.
“Professor Bob, Professor Jill, this way to my office. Also, I hope you do not mind, the Corporal here and his guards are here due to some increased security risks. I’m sure you have heard of the tragedy last night.”
The “professors” nodded and followed.
Her office was a bit crowded with her two visitors and the two guards. Corporal Engelt and his officer stationed themselves behind her as “Jill Bob” and “Bob Jill” took seats across from her desk.
“Now, I understand you had some questions come up in your research on the moth species that inhabit the city’s parks.” The pair looked at each other, confused for a moment. The woman spoke, “Yes, that’s true. Thank you for seeing us, Head Archivist.” Deliah grabbed a quill and began drawing in her tome. “This is the moth that you believe is endangered, correct?” She asked as she sketched a diagram of a large moth into her book. Surreptitiously, she drew celestial glyphs into the patterns on the wings. The ink glowed momentarily, and she hoped the Corporal wouldn’t notice.
“OK, we can speak candidly now. The Corporal and guard will only be able to hear a dull and very detailed conversation about moths. Io, Alavara, I am glad to see you are well.”
For the next half an hour, she listened to the two runners describe the events of the prior evening. She was able to provide some advice, urging them to find a way to show the city the truth. Her meditations that morning had shown her that mixing illusion and divination magic could be used to present the truth, and prevent the city from tearing itself apart. Of course, as always her advice was vague, and likely sounded cryptic. Unfortunately, she rarely received the exact answer from her goddess, and this was the best she could do. Also, it was difficult to speak coherently when she was maintaining a three-way academic conversation about moths at the same time.
Suddenly, she felt her stomach drop. A premonition. Their time was up. She wrapped up both conversations simultaneously and ended her spell.
Walking quickly, she led the two disguised runners and the Watch guards back down the hallway. The entire way, with a distinct feeling of unease. Something unpleasant was about to happen. She had to get them out. Now.
As they rounded the corner, Deliah had a clear view of Vi speaking to two people who were loudly protesting. They were too late. The real Professors had arrived. Deliah had thought that the combination of the events last night, and the holiday, would lead to them missing their meeting. She miscalculated.
Things happened fairly quickly from there. Corporal Engelt shouted to keep everyone in. One of the guards threw a disk into the air, which dispelled the disguise spell the two runners were using, and another began to grab for a whistle that hung on his belt. The dragonborn paladin and high-elf wizard were exposed. She could only pray that they would flee. The probability of them escaping if they chose to stay and fight was unlikely. Luckily, it seemed Alavara had the same thought, and immediately teleported herself a short distance to the outside of the Archives. Io traded a few blows with a guard. Deliah could see that he wouldn’t be able to extract himself before the whistle was blown. If that guard was able to alert the other members of the Watch on the street, there would be no escaping for the two.
She would have to interfere, regardless of the risk to herself. This was too important for her not to. She conjured her Tome and began writing. “I will not allow fighting in my library!” she shouted as the golden runes in her Tome sprung forth and began to wrap themselves around the guards, forming heavy chains that prevented them from moving. The guard holding the whistle, just about to bring it to his lips, had his arm dragged down by one of her chains.
Deliah turned to Io and gave him a nod. He returned the gesture, and turned, running out of the building. She took a deep breath and turned to face the four men struggling to raise their weapons.
“I hope you are prepared to face the consequences of your actions, Head Archivist,” Corporal Engelt spat her title, “for both yourself and your daughters.” Her hands shook, but she held her concentration on the spell holding him in place.
Seconds passed, then minutes, as Deliah held her spell as long as she could to give Alavara and Io sufficient time to get away. Vi had reached below her desk and was beginning to retrieve her tanbōs. Deliah also saw from the corner of her eyes some of her other archivists emerging with weapons in hand. She waved them away, sending a psychic message for them not to interfere, and to look in her room for answers. She sighed in relief as they followed her instructions, looks of confusion and fear on their faces. The Archives were still needed, with or without her.
Finally, the chains returned to the Tome, and she raised her hands in surrender as three men rushed her at once, the fourth blowing the whistle to summon more of their compatriots. Corporal Engelt reached her first and was not gentle as he tackled her to the ground and shackled her hands together with what felt like cold iron. Luckily, iron was not as detrimental to divine magic as it was to arcane magic, and she was able to retain her connection to Ioun. She grunted in pain as Corporal Engelt pulled her roughly to her feet. “You are going to regret this. Just you wait,” he sneered down at her. “It goes without saying, but Head Archivist Deliah Beroe, you are bound by law.” He started dragging her towards the door.
Deliah’s mind raced. Perhaps she could convince Engelt not to take her.
She forced a laugh, “You are really going to drag me through the streets, for everyone to see Corporal? I didn’t take you for a fool. Won’t seeing the high priestess of the Goddess of Knowledge in chains make people doubt the validity of the Watch’s version of events?”
Engelt stopped, considering her words. “Hmmph. Devin, go back to headquarters and ask Commander Lowshade how he would like us to proceed.”
The next hour was torturous. Engelt had guards close the doors, with some standing outside to inform the public that the Archives were closed. He ordered others to gather her archivists to ensure they didn’t try anything. He pushed her to her knees and ordered her not to move. So she sat and waited, and prayed.
Finally, the guard called Devin returned. He sauntered over to Corporal Engelt and showed him a large burlap sack he was holding. “Commander says we can just take her out in this, that way no one sees.” Engelt nodded and began walking back towards her. He grabbed a heavy-looking baton at his waist and smiled at her. “Of course, we can’t carry a moving bag through the streets of the Capitol. Apologies Head Archivist”
Deliah thought he didn’t look the least bit sorry as he raised his baton and brought it down hard on the back of her head. Then she didn’t think anything.
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Deliah slowly came back to consciousness. She didn’t know how long she had been out and quickly looked around to assess her surroundings. Surprisingly, she did not see the bars of a holding cell at the Watch, rather, she was laying on a soft carpet in a well-lit room in front of a large, mahogany desk. Based on the color of the walls, and the style of the room, she surmised she was somewhere in the Council Seat. A councilor's office perhaps? Her suspicions were confirmed when she turned her head to the side and saw a large portrait of Lord Urion Angrist hanging on the wall. Lord Angrist’s office then.
She couldn’t see anyone from her current perspective, but she heard breathing and shuffling from behind the desk that told her someone was there. Whoever that someone was, they were exuding an overwhelming fiendish aura. Her eyes widened in surprise as she realized that it was infernal, rather than abyssal. For demons and devils to work together was unheard of.
She tried to remain as still as possible, closing her eyes again and calming her breathing. She didn’t have to know the future to know that nothing good would happen if whatever was behind that desk realized she was awake.
Her efforts, it seemed, were futile, as moments later she heard movement. The creature wearing the appearance of Commander Lowshade got up from his desk and walked to stand over her. She concentrated on seeing past the illusion, and almost instantly regretted it as she beheld the intimidating form of a creature with a humanoid body and the head of a tiger. Its hands were clawed and looked awkward due to the fact that they were backward. Rakshasas, she knew, were masters of disguise, extremely intelligent and manipulative. Based on his aura, he must be at least a Greater Rakshasa.
Without thinking, she began to try to scoot herself backward, to get away from him. The creature’s lip curled upwards in a disconcerting approximation of a smile as he saw her fear. “Well met, Head Archivist Deliah Beroe. I can see I do not need to keep up my charade with you… how refreshing.”
Deliah was able to get her back to the wall and used it to support her weight as she stood. A difficult task with her wrists still held behind her back. She took a step towards the center of the room, not wanting to be backed into the wall.
“Why don’t you take a seat? You’ll be more comfortable that way.” The devil gestured towards one of the heavily embroidered, gold-gilded seats that sat opposite the desk. Deliah didn’t move. The rakshasa shrugged, “suit yourself then. But they are marvelous chairs. Of all the councilors, this one clearly had the most refined taste.” He pointed one of the claws on his deformed hand to the portrait of Lord Angrist. “It was the only office that I thought was grand enough,” he said casually. “It even has an attached restroom. Much better than Lowshade’s office for sure.” He looked at her intently, as if he expected her to compliment the room as well.
“What do you want with me, devil?” Deliah asked. She tried to sound authoritative, but it came out as more of a whisper. “Right to business aren’t we Head Archivist? No time for pleasantries? What a shame. I do enjoy intelligent conversation on occasion. I thought a learned woman such as yourself might oblige me.” He moved closer, towering above her by at least two feet.
Regaining some of her composure, her academic curiosity got the better of her. Deliah couldn’t help but ask, “Why are you here? Devils are natural enemies of demons. Why are you helping them?”
“Ahh, good question Deliah. I may call you Deliah, right?” He didn’t wait for her response before he continued, “I often ask myself what I am doing here. It’s simple, I owe a favor. I am obliged to be here” The creature snarled in discontent, clearly, he didn’t like that someone else was pulling the strings. “I am finding, regardless of the circumstances, that I am immensely enjoying myself.”
He was slowly circling her now, evoking the predatory image of the large cat he resembled. She shifted her weight awkwardly. The silence became oppressive, and she felt a sudden need to fill it.
“Even if I knew, I wouldn’t tell you where they are hiding,” she asserted suddenly.
“My dear, I don’t need to know where they are. They will reveal themselves sooner or later to try and save the day. It’s what people like them do. Not that I’ll bother with them, as much fun as that would be.”
“When they do, they will stop you.”
The rakshasa let out a single barking laugh. “They will try, and in the process, they will tear this city apart.”
He was behind her now, moving so suddenly that she barely had time to register his change in position. “But enough about them. Let’s talk about you. You know, I’ve heard quite an interesting rumor about the Oracles of Ioun. I wonder if you would indulge me so that I can determine its veracity.”
She could sense him reaching for her, not that she could do much about it. It happened far too quickly for her to even try dodging. She was stunned by the sudden shift from civilized conversation to brutality. He crashed into her with such force and speed that the breath was knocked from her lungs. She struggled, even knowing it was futile, as he grasped her around the waist and spun her to face him, her head now uncomfortably close to his fanged, feline jaw. She managed to kick into his knees with her boots, but that only made his grin wider.
Retaliation was swift as he slammed her against the desk, forcing her to bend over backward. Her bound hands were trapped behind her against the desk, and her legs were held down by his enormous weight. One of his disfigured claws reached to grab her chin, and she whipped her head violently to the side.
Deliah knew that her goddess would never intervene directly in the affairs of mortals. Ioun was above and beyond humanity. She existed to observe and chronicle the fate of the material plane. Still, Deliah couldn’t help but cry out mentally “goddess, please, help me.”
Breathe my child. Time slowed as a voice that was at once foreign and intimately familiar entered her mind.
Be still. If you continue to struggle, you will only worsen the damage.
Deliah fought to calm herself. She understood the wisdom in her goddess’s words - it was indeed futile to fight the inevitable, she needed to focus on what she could control. There was no utility in panic. Still, her instincts rebelled against her mind, urging her to run, escape, move, and do anything to survive. She fought to gain control and steadied her breathing. The rakshasa grabbed her by the chin and held her in place. She glared up at him as he raised his other hand into the air. His grin faltered when he saw her resolve. Good, at least she had taken some of the pleasure out of it for him. She could be satisfied with that.
Deliah took a breath. The clawed hand came down. There was pain. And then there was darkness.
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Corporal Engelt knocked sharply on the door to the office that was formerly Councilor Angrist’s and was now Commander Lowshade’s. The Commander would need someone to take the Head Archivist back to the Watch, or transfer her to Black Tower if that’s what he wanted.
“Enter.” Came Lowshade’s voice from inside.
Engelt opened the door and stepped inside. “Did you need something Corporal?” Commander Lowshade asked, looking up from some papers. “Sir, I came to ask what you wanted to do with Head Archivist Beroe. I can take her to Black Tower if you want.” He looked around and was surprised to see that the woman was not in the room. “You must be confused, Corporal, she has already been taken to Black Tower.”
That couldn’t be. He had been at the Council Seat since he brought Beroe to Lowshade. No one had left with her. He was about to press further when he was distracted by a strange glow in Commander Lowshade’s eyes. Were Lowshades’ eyes always green? He could have sworn they were brown. He felt strange, and his thoughts were becoming fuzzier and fuzzier until he couldn’t remember why he had entered the room at all.
“If that is all Corporal, then you are dismissed”
Engelt snapped back to reality, dazed and confused. But he didn’t have to worry, the Commander had things well in hand.
“Yes sir.” Engelt saluted and left.
Hours later, he wouldn’t even remember entering at all.
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