[Narration]

The Warpiper and the Sergeant arrived at the coliseum and paused.  The
sun's rays glinted off of the starkness of the white granite and its
crown of eight black mirror-like obelisks.  The main brass doors were
closed, and a woman stood guarding the smaller ebony door that lead to
Bryce's offices.

[Shiva]

The tanned woman looked the same as she had when Brion had last seen her
at the council meeting with Bryce.  Six feet tall, muscular, tawny hair
tumbling down her back, and seemless metal shackles encircling her
forearms and neck.  She spotted the sash around Sgt. Mercer's waist and
nodded to the two men.  "Master Amberghylles is expecting you inside,"
she said as she stepped aside and opened the door for them.

[Brion]

Brion's expression revealed nothing of the anger he felt at seeing any
sentinent so bound - he had his doubts that this young woman had ever been
a criminal. Or in anyway deserved to be so badly used.

But his personal views on slavery right now were not needed to hold his
attention - if they didn't learn the truth behind the murder there would
be a King's displeasure to reckon with.

[Naration]

The two men entered a plush and well-appointed waiting room.  Another
beautiful woman, this one elvish, bade them wait while she informed
Bryce of their arrivial.

[Sgt. Mercer]

"As if he doesn't already know," the guardsman muttered under his
breath.

[Brion]

"Aye, with mages even the walls know secrets to tell them," the warpiper
said, casually studying the room. He looked at the delicately-built
furniture and decided to stand - his great build could easily splinter one
of the chairs.

[Bryce Amberghylles]

When the girl returned, she was acompanyed by the necromancer himself,
as well as his fluffy white cat, Azriel.  He stepped forward and shook
both men's hands.  "Good to see you both, I have made some preliminary
examinations, and am ready to complete the spell to conjure the
deceased's spirit and ask it what it knows."

[Sgt. Mercer]

"Good," he said evenly, "the sooner we can put this investigation to
rest, the better."

[Brion]

The warpiper nodded, and said, "The Festival is enough to keep folks
busy."

[Bryce]

Well then, follow me to the workshop and we'll see what the poor soul has
to say."  He then led them down a set of stairs and a hallway into a stark
white room set with tools medical and magical both.  A table dominated the
center of the room, and on it lay the body that had been found in the
canal.  "It's hard to determine much with the state of the body," Bryce
began, "But I believe the slit throat is the most likely cause of death.
Of course, you knew that much already. "

He walked to the base of the table and closed his eyes.  "I'm going to
begin the spell now, within a few moments the image of the deceased should
appear above the body."  Then he began to chant softly building in volume
and power untill there was a sudden drop in the room's temperature.
Bryce's eyes opened, and above the table an image began to take form.  As
soon as Bryce saw it, he frowned and then shouted a single harsh magical
sylabol.  A wave of blue-green sparks flew forth, and the image
disappeared with a long painful screech.

[Sgt. Mercer]

The guardsman had drawn his sword reflexively.  He lowered it and
watched both Bryce and the body closely.  "Would you care to explain
what just happened?" he asked.

[Brion]

Brion's own hand was on his blackthorn shillelagh - for more than one
reason; blackthorn was protection against spirits, as were the amulets
hidden beneath his tunic.

[Bryce]

There was a bothered look on his face for a brief moment, and then his
mask of genteel calmness decended again.  "Someone placed a demonic
guardian on this body, destroying the original spirit in the process.
Whoever murdered this man was skilled in arcane arts, or was working in
conjunction with a mage of some sort.  Fortunatly, I was able to dispell
it before it could manifest fully and present a danger to any of us.
Sargent Mercer, I believe I may be able to examine the enchantments to
gleen some information, but it will require more time and effort.  I can
tell you nothing today.  I'll send word to the Tower when I make any
progress."

[Sgt. Mercer]

He sheathed his sword.  "Too many thrice-damned mages in this town," he
grumbled.  "Very well Mr. Amberghylles, I'll inform the guards to be
expecting word from you."

[Bryce]

He nodded.  "Azriel, show them out please.  I want to get started on
this while the traces are fresh."

The cat jumped down and walked to the room's door, there she paused and
waited for the two men to follow her.

[Brion]

The warpiper's blue eyes were grim, but after a nod to Amberghylles, he
followed the cat out. Once they were beyond the Colisium's walls he said,
"I was wondering Sargeant, what would happen if Mr. Amberghylles had to
try that at the Tower - and under the watchful eyes of some of your own
people?"

[Sgt. Mercer]

"I have no doubt that the results would be the same," he said, "at least
they would be now.  Tell me something, what is the council's position on
slavery in Montfort?"

[Brion}

"Not happy about it," Brion half-growled, "But it has had to take a rear
seat to other issues. Rebuilding, security, and dealing with the survivors
have been the main work - and now with the festival - such issues have not
come before the Council. None on the Council like it - didn't like it when
Charn and Amberghylles appeared, but they had already set down their
poisonous roots before the dust from the Church had even settled. The fact
that the Colisium was being built while the Church still existed has led
to rumors that it had the 'blessing' of that foul institution."

[Sgt. Mercer]

"I would not be surprised if that's true.  Bryce seems the sort who
would have gotten along well with them," he paused, "But that's going to
have to wait. I thank you for your help. Now I need to arrange for a
guard mage to look at that body, and you should go inform Mr. Gilford of
what's gone on today.  I'll keep you abreast of any developments."