As you bow, you sense Zeb’s reluctance and he continues standing. Making sure that things go smoothly for you both, you bow and pull Zeb down to assume the pose. He scowls at you, offended, but he begrudgingly follows along.

Janko on the other hand is pleased.

“You may rise.” You hear a voice echo in the study.

Janko steps forward with Zeb, “Your Radiance, we are most grateful for the time you bless us with. This is Zeb, my older cousin to whom I credit for bringing to my attention this most curious tale.”

…

Janko clears his throat and goes to you. “And this is Glass, an exotic hunter from the faraway land of Gnomanya who had sworn by your presence yesterday.” He takes a bow and steps back.

That is a very big tail. And cut yourself some slack– you’re still getting used to how your fur reacts to the water here.

From what you can pick up so far, the Mandaskans seem like a proud people. Perhaps flattery is their drink of choice. You’ll try it.

“I can’t help but notice that your tail and fur are very pretty ma’am.”

“Yes, I know this.” Her words ring with an elegant tone.

“Well, I can’t deny it.” You say. “I would love to know how you do it as you look so majestic.”

“That is a conversation for my stylists– child, you speak as if this is the first time you’ve gazed upon me. Wouldn’t you have remembered me yesterday?” Her voice remains level and practiced.

“Well… not exactly,” you reply. “Last thing I saw before I drowned was your hand reaching out to grab me, and when I woke up near Vebruk, I presume you left me with a note. I asked around and people claimed to have seen you dripping with water headed to Cohv.”

Kivari looks towards Zeb, “Did this one also see me?”

Zeb nervously creaks, “N-no, it was th-the elder from Vebruk, Yuovo, as well as a Qothic sergeant. I-I mean they saw you– or your likeness– or lightness of sort, uh… context wise.”

The Lightkeeper pauses for a second, then looks to Janko. “Janko, I was not made aware that your cousin is a Pasturist.”

You notice Zeb’s fur standing on end at the callout.

“Ah, yes, by circumstance.” He steps forward. “His light is good and honest though, I could trust my life on that.” 

“Hmm.” Kivari remarks.

Janko leans forward, “I hope this is not an issue for you?”

“I would trust that the reverence he displayed was genuine.”

You hear the door behind you swing open, followed by the brisk tapping of shoes against the floor towards the Lightkeeper.

Roni pants, “My… utmost apologies, Your Radiance! I-I was searching across the whole of the beacon for these two and did not realize they had been taken up without me.” She shoots Janko a glare. “I shouldn’t have relinquished them from my sight. P-Please forgive me for my tardiness!”

“Mm. You’re forgiven.” 

Before you can pull out any paper, the Lightkeeper asks you, “Now, about the note you were unable to read. Do you have it with you?”

You nod your head and go for your satchel.

“No need, child. Daughter Roni will fetch it from your bag.”

Roni approaches you. “Your bag, please?

You cling to your satchel.

Kivari adds, “What is the trouble, Glass? Are there private contents within your bag?”

You hesitantly nod.

“Worry not then. The men may wait outside my study.”

As Zeb and Janko leave the room, you tell yourself that you’re doing this to find Iron and reluctantly allow Roni to unsling your satchel.

The Lightkeeper begins talking as Roni goes through your stuff. “I must say, child– the selfless heroism in risking your light to save a follower of such an ungrateful conviction is quite remarkable. I exalt you for bringing him here and making him pay respect to reality. For Pasturists to deem us saviors as unworthy of salvation is quite the delusion, no?

You try to find a moment to interject something important, but Kivari continues.

“The insularity of it all is rather pathetic– and between us, child, he should be doing nothing short of groveling beneath you, renouncing his faith. Folk of his dogma are becoming all too commonplace in this city. Qothic clock worshipers allow the pasture’s intolerance to fester under the guise of ‘civility’. And the result of this miscarriage of order has led to your discovery of this cult, a rot that wouldn’t have proliferated before. We have a lot on our hands, don’t we?”

Roni gasps and chucks your satchel across the room. She grabs you by your hair and shoves a warm blade to your neck.

“Explosives, eh!? What is your plan with sneaking thunder arts into the divine chambers!? Who sent you!? The Nanzuul!? The Sorya!? Speak assassin!”

“They’re celebratory fireworks! Th-They’re for fun!” You grunt.

“What!? To celebrate the death of our esteemed Lightkeeper!? How dare you scheme against Her Radiance! By Daunto’s grace I will not hesitate to slay you!”

“Daughter.”

“And Janko with his balls-for-brains just decided that protecting Her Radiance in a city teeming with heretics was beneath him!? Not as much as a search!? This is a gross molestation of our security measures!”

“Roni.”

“But Your Radiance, she carries the forbidden tools of assassins!”

“Thank you, treasure…”

You feel Roni’s grip on you slightly relax and the dagger eased off your neck.

Kivari sighs and approaches your tossed bag, stepping over some of the scattered contents.

“Please stand back, Your Radiance! It is not safe!” Roni shouts. 

“Yes, I know this.”

“Hm.” She moves the wanted poster out with her foot.

“WANTED.” The Lightkeeper reads aloud.

“For crimes against the Empire, including espionage, terrorism, murder, and resisting execution?” You pick up a sense of amusement in her tone.

“Glass.”

“Ooh, and in big red letters it says, ‘Sorya Watch’“.

“Do not approach. Sorya are known to kill in one blow –careful Roni. If sighted, hail the nearest Qothic official.”

Kivari pouts, “Hm. What are we to do, Daughter? This ‘Sorya’ has infiltrated my study armed with rockets and there is no Qothic Official nearby to save us. It is a tragedy. She may go down in the history books as the one who slayed Lightkeeper Kivari.”

She continues, holding back a chuckle, “Now, dangerous one. I know you possess great leverage here, but light willing, we can come to an understanding, no?”

“You may courteously begin by telling me who you are and what utter foolishness Janko has bestowed upon me.”