After discovering, that the guard was innocent and apparently did have a conversation with apparently the black mantis, I am worried about just one thing. If it was an impostor, how did it compel the guard to obey the order to allow the thief inside. The fake would have had to have current authorization codes and, (this is the real kicker) been able to wipe the records of said transmission clean. The more I dig, the more it looks like the Black Mantis is behind everything. He's the only one capable of this. I have to meet with the council, and explain my theories to them. But there's something in the back of my mind that keeps trying to tell me something, I just can't hear it. I'm missing something but what? As I wrack my brains thinking about it I feel a gentle pair of very delicate fingers on my temples. The circling motion easing the tension that has been building since this whole thing started. The touch is sublime and I feel calm like I used to when I was with- MOONSHADOW!
I leap from where I'm sitting and spin on a dime, and sure enough there she stands in all her splendid loveliness. God I miss her, but...
"Hello lover." She says with a seductive purr.
"Yeah, hey there. What are you doing here?"
"Oh as soon as you started looking into this whole mystery I have been near. It is after all in my domain."
"Right Goddess of intrigue. This situation would certainly fit the bill. So are you here to seduce me or lend a hand?"
"To lend a hand lover I would require and act of worship."
"I'm afraid my wives would most likely not approve."
"You're married now? To mortals again I presume?"
"No actually they're not mortal kin, they're Sylvanari Elves."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Do you know something I don't?"
"Darling..." she says moving closer until my back is against a wall and her lips are tantalizingly close to mine. "Of course I do?"
I can feel her breath on my skin, and I remember so much of our time together, but she's playing with me.
"What, um do you know?"
"Ah ah ahh lover, I am a goddess and I expect my due."
"Exactly what is your due?"
As her clothes vanish in a mist I want only to indulge her, but I just can't."
'No." I say calmly.
"No? Are you so loyal to your WIVES that you won't have me? I know about the little concubine demoness you keep. That is permissible but this isn't? Talk about hypocrisy."
"Aini, has my wives' approval. If you get theirs then I will happily indulge your every whim, but know this: They have the final say. It is that simple...and believe me I wish I could just give in."
"Now I know why my father has pursued you for so long. You can't be bought or bribed, you are honorable to a fault. It's a very rare quality, and he's an admirer of it."
"Honorable? No offense but your father doesn't strike me as honorable."
"But he is. He has kept every bargain he has ever made with you has he not? Keeping his word and obeying his rather twisted code is the very definition of honor."
"Okay, fine he IS honorable. Now if it's not too much trouble would you mind letting me get back to my dilemma?"
"Sure. In the meantime, maybe I'll have a talk with your harem."
"What?"
Instantly she's gone and I'm left with an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.
The next morning I ask the council members to assemble in closed chambers.
With Spydra at my side, I am understandably intimidated by the level of cosmic power in the room. I clear my throat and addressed the six assembles council members.
"I have nearly completed my investigation."
"Do you have any suspects?" Norjaguar asks.
"Only one."
They each look at one another and then Raven asks the inevitable.
"Who?"
"I can divulge that information right now but if my suspicions are correct you may all be in much greater danger than any of us first realized."
"How so?"
"I can't divulge that at this time, I can only say that you all need to remain together, no avatars, no simulacrums, no clones. No traveling of any kind and you must remain together at all times until this investigation is complete."
They all nod in agreement. I leave with a glimmer of hope and pray I'm wrong about what I am almost certain I am not. I have to return to the colony where this whole investigation started.
I am very much enjoying this. It's quite intriguing and open enough that it's nearly impossible to guess... even when you're dangling leads. Strong work once again! Looking forward to what's next!