Before Brion stepped into the hall he turned back to Allenel, and said,
"I'll check with the Tower Guard first and let them have a look at the
signet ring. Then we might have something to tell the Council."

After bidding both Allenel and Elektra a "good afternoon" the warpiper
headed towards the Guards' Tower.

[Narration]

Outside, a small group of street sweepers passed silently by the Brion. A
dark-skinned woman, as exoticly beautiful as all of Bryce Amberghylles
servents seemed to be, followed closely behind them.  She glanced over at
the warpiper before returning her attention to the zombies.

[Brion]

The warpiper's brow furrowed at the sight of the zombies - in his opinion
Montfort didn't need the dead prowling its streets, it needed to celebrate
the living. Perhaps the Seula Muintirr were right - sickness of both body
and spirit still corrupted the town. Or maybe it was more likely that
disease was trying to creep into a healing body? And the sight of the
lovely young woman made him feel no better - there were some fairly solid
rumors that Amberghylles did indeed practice slavery.

The maggots, even the handsomely-clothed ones, were coming to feed on the
weakened town. Colisiums and cults of pain did little towards bringing
light back into a town. Brion shook his head and reminded himself that
there were enough solid citizens left to help bring Montfort back to fine,
healthy town. People like Allenel, Nicolai, the Tower Guard, Lucc, Serun,
and Elektra - folk who were tempered in the fires and refused to see their
city ever fall again. And he even counted the Temple of Sh'aljien as a
healthier influence. Not to mention the Bards' Hall - though the festival
itself was a mixed blessing. It was indeed a celebration and bringing in
more people, but with the newcomers came some chaos and more than a little
crime.

Like this murder. Brion strode through the streets, until he came to the
headquarters of the Tower Guard, and asked to see the investigators in
charge.

[Guard]

One of the two guards on duty nodded to Brion and directed him towards
a meeting room.  "I'll send word that you're here to see them."

[Sgt. Mercer]

The room was small and unadorned.  After a couple of moments, a man
wearing a tower guard sash entered the room.  "I am Sgt. Mercer.  This
is my investigation."  He was a tall man with iron colored hair and pale

blue eyes.

[Brion Hillrover]

"Afternoon to ye," Brion said, holding out his hand, "I'm Brion
Hillrover." And though the warpiper's voice was friendly his blue eyes
held a serious look.

He reached into his overtunic and drew forth a damp pouch.

Brion said, "On behalf of the Council I had asked my clan allies, the
Seula Muintirr, to search the canal - and they came up with what appears
to be a disturbin' piece of evidence."

[Sgt. Mercer]

He gave the warpiper a firm handshake and then listened carefully.

"What is it?" he asked as Brion produced the pouch.

[Brion]

The warpiper handed over the bag and said, "Its a signet ring - and Mr.
Gilford identifies the seal as belonging to His Majesty."

[Sgt. Mercer]

He looked into the bag and frowned.  "Considering that this coincides with
a royal envoy's visit, and that said envoy is overdue.  This could prove
to very bad ideed.  Having one of his representives, even a minor one,
murdered may give His Majesty reason to reconsider his recent charter.
The body is with that necromancer, I was about to go and see if he had
discovered anything.  As a representive of the council, would you care to
join me?"

 The tone of his voice when he said the word 'necromancer' was as if it
left a sour taste in his mouth.

[Brion]

"I'll be happy to go with ye," Brion said, "Mr. Gilford is awaitin' word
before he tells the Council anything....its best to have what facts we can
before the panic starts."

[Sgt. Mercer]

"No matter what," the grizzled guardsman said, "We must keep this quiet
until we know for certain.  As of now, I'm asking you to consider the
details of this investigation classified.  Agreed?"

[Brion]

"Agreed," Brion said, "Except for Mr. Gilford - since he may need to deal
with Bleckner, and will need to be kept abreast. But of all the men in
this town it can be said he can keep confidences."

[Sgt. Mercer]

"That's fine.  Mr. Gilford can be trusted to handle this delicate
situation.  But I don't want a word of this evidence in front of Mr.
Amberghylles.  I don't trust his intentions."

[Brion]

"Nor do I," Brion said with a grim smile.