"Who?" Petunia asked standing.
Again, the kobold looked at SJ before replying.
"Sister Catherine."
Petunia sat back down heavily on the sofa. Staring at the young kobold. After a few moments, she spoke again.
"Is the High Cleric aware?"
"No, Your Worship. She is still out in the districts doing the chancellor's bidding."
"Okay. I better head over. SJ, you may accompany us if you wish."
SJ wasn't sure she wished to be seen in the Astaria after her recent visit, even after Petunia did not mention anything that may point at her. Not wanting to sound to reluctant, she replied.
"Only if you wish. I am not sure what I can do to help, though."
Petunia had stood again and grabbed her cloak from the chair she had thrown it on.
"Come," Petunia said as she walked to the exit.
SJ followed as instructed.
"Stop worrying. Nothing points towards you causing the other deaths, and from what was stated, you may possibly have done them a favour," Dave said.
They reached the bottom of the tower steps, where a cart was waiting to take them to the Astaria. SJ sat in silence as Petunia quizzed the kobold. Sister Catherine's body had been found in the gardens. Another cleric had discovered her slumped on one of the gazebo benches. It was evident from the body that she had been murdered. A stiletto was found at the scene covered in blood, and the wounds she had suffered related to her being stabbed.
Once they reached the Astaria, they climbed out of the cart and were led hurriedly along the path towards the gazebo. The gazebo was a bright white structure with a long marble bench positioned under it. The body of the sister lay as it had been discovered, still slumped over the bench. Several clerics surrounded the area, and when they saw Petunia, the draconian SJ they had seen speaking in the meeting room the other evening, approached her.
"Your Worship," he said, bowing his head.
"Cut the formalities, Basilion. What do you know?" Petunia said.
"Sister Catherine was found about an hour ago. A stiletto...," Basilion indicated to a metal object on the gravel. "Is assumed to be the weapon used."
"Are you aware of any reason Sister Catherine may have been attacked?"
"No. Brother Chagrid and Kilber are currently questioning her team."
"I see. Wasn't she working in District 10?"
"Yes. From what we can tell, she had not been back from the district for very long. Do you wish me to get the tower guard?"
"No. We will deal with this ourselves. Basilion, please take SJ to where Brother Chagrid and Kilber are questioning the others."
Basilion stared at SJ and frowned.
"Don't ask; just do as I say," Petunia said, waving her hand dismissively at Basildon as she walked over to Sister Catherine's body.
SJ just stood as shocked as Basilion was at Petunia's comment until Basilion said. " Please follow me."
SJ sprung back into the moment and followed the draconian as he walked towards the office side of the Astaria complex. Entering through the large double doors made SJ shudder, knowing the last time she had been here, she was searching for a target. The ceilings felt much lower than their twenty feet, and SJ felt tightness enveloping her chest. She had nothing to fear but couldn't stop the feeling of unease.
Basilion turned into the corridor and followed it past several doors before he entered a room. The room was a large office. Five beings were inside, and the sound of sobbing could easily be heard as SJ entered. The two beings sitting at the desk looked at Basilion with a look of confusion on their faces.
"Sir. Is everything all right?"
"I have been asked to bring this being here," Basilion shrugged.
Their looks of confusion deepened.
"Please just continue. I am as unaware as you are why Pet... Her Worship told me to come here."
"I will be out at the scene," Basilion said, turning and leaving again, closing the door behind him.
SJ had never felt as uncomfortable as she did now. Why had Petunia asked Basilion to bring her here?
"Please just ignore the fact that I am here and continue," SJ said.
The beings looked at each other before turning again to look at the three sitting in front of the desk.
"As I was saying. Could you again please state the incident that happened this evening."
One of the beings, a female elf, began to speak.
"As I said before. We arrived in the district as expected with the food cart. We weren't far from the chapel of Brother Wasif. Everything was normal initially, but then a small group of beings started to gather across the street. At first, it was calm and peaceful as we handed out stew and bread to those who had shown up. It wasn't until after a while that they started shouting abuse at us. Sister Catherine approached them to speak to them, and that was when things got heated. We decided it would be best to pack up and leave rather than stay and cause any discourse."
"Did you hear what was said to Sister Catherine or what she said to them?"
"No. We were still serving. It was only when Sister Catherine returned, she suggested that we leave. As she was our senior, we did as she suggested."
"Who were the protestors?" SJ asked. She hadn't meant to speak.
The elf turned and looked at her, where she stood still close to the door.
"Several beings. They were rough-looking, apart from a male elf. He had a strange permanent smile on his face. He seemed out of place."
"What did he look like?"
The female elf described the male elf she had seen in the group, and it wasn't until she mentioned his hair that SJ realised she might know who it had been. The male elf had short black hair, which was unusual for many elves, who naturally grew their hair much longer. SJ could remember seeing so few elves with short hair in the city, and the comment stood out.
'The description of short hair sounds very familiar. It couldn't possibly have been Ulyian, could it?' SJ thought.
"Why not? He said he had just followed the orders from the gang. If they were behind it, he could easily have been involved."
'Well, he does live in District 10. I may have to go and visit him and see what he says.'
SJ stood listening to the conversation with the party that had been with Sister Catherine. There was nothing else that was discussed that pointed towards anything SJ could even consider as a reason for anything to happen. The group in District 10 may have had nothing to do with Sister Catherine's death and could just have been protestors.
Still feeling out of place and uncomfortable, SJ made an excuse and left the room. Following the corridor she had entered, she left the building again and made her way back towards the gazebo. As she approached, Petunia was standing talking to a group of clerics. SJ waited until she had finished speaking before approaching her.
"Petunia?" SJ said.
Petunia turned and, seeing SJ, half-smiled. "Sorry for sending you so abruptly, but I wished you to hear what was being discussed."
"Why?"
Petunia walked up to SJ, taking her elbow in her hand, and steered her away from the pagoda. Sister Catherine's body had been lifted from the bench and was now laid on a stretcher covered in a sheet. As they walked down the gravel path that wound through the gardens, Petunia spoke.
"I need to explain some things to you so you understand a little more about the order. The Order is a vast organisation that has members from all races and walks of life. It is no different in many ways from that of the tower and how it works. There are departments and establishments which cover various areas of business on the Order's behalf. Not all of these areas are as honest or as beneficial to the wider establishment as several of us would like."
"So, you are concerned that this may have been an internal problem?"
"It isn't the first time another may have murdered a being within the Order. Arguments occur, disagreements can expand and end up becoming clashes beyond words. Also, you need to remember that not all clerics are lawful. We still have our bad apples, as do many organisations. As we discussed back in my office, there are regular investigations that take place when aspersions are raised against the character or practice of another."
The path they followed reached the small lake, and Petunia stopped at a shelter next to where the small rowing boat was tied up.
"Do you believe then that Sister Catherine was targeted from inside the Order?"
"Sister Catherine is, sorry was, very vocal over her opinions. She has ruffled many a feather over the years. Never has it led to violence before, but some objected to her approach. She was Lawful Good, and everything she did was for the benefit of others. Those who resisted her considerations were often browbeaten into submission. I have had many dealings with her over my time in Asterfal, and I have even had to bite my tongue. All knew her forthright belief in her opinions in the Order here in Asterfal."
"When I listened to the conversation with the party she had gone to District 10 with, they said that there had been a protest against what they were doing. Rough types, apparently, apart from one elf that was with them. I could go to District 10 and see what I can find out."
"There have been protests at several of the food runs. Not just in District 10. None have threatened violence, though."
"It may be nothing, but at least it is something to look into."
"Do you have time?"
"It may align with what I have been trying to find out for the chancellor; District 10 seems that it may be a catalyst for some of the recent problems."
"Okay. Well, if you do, be careful."
"I will. Also, I need to get back to the tower, and I have an appointment with the chancellor."
"Of course. Do what you must. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help."
"I will. Thanks, Petunia," SJ smiled as she turned to leave. After checking her display, she knew she had about twenty minutes before she was supposed to meet with the chancellor, so she headed back to the tower.
The chancellor was sitting at his desk in his chamber when SJ entered. He looked up, smiling at her, the tiredness in his eyes even worse than that of her previous visit.
"You look exhausted," SJ said.
The chancellor smiled ruefully and replied, "I am, but needs must. There is so much to do still and so many beings I need to meet with."
"Can others not do some of the meetings on your behalf?"
"I have already passed on what I can. Every being seems to want a part of me currently with everything going on. Anyway, enough about me. You wished to see me."
SJ felt a little guilty taking up his time, even though what she wished to discuss may help with specific problems.
"I was talking to Master Garshaw the other evening."
"Garshaw. I know the name he is renowned within the construction sector, but I have never had any dealings with him or met him in person."
"From the brief dealing I have had with him, I think he may be a support towards a solution for the building problems."
That comment intrigued the chancellor, and he sat more upright. "Please, go on."
"We were discussing building in general as I was enquiring about getting some refurbishments at my home, and I suggested the use of metal in the buildings to support the structural integrity and remove the need for the mage academy costs for strengthening. From what I am aware, the increase in the number of mage guilds is one of the most prohibitive costs that you are facing, preventing the construction of taller buildings."
"Yes. Their fees are very high; they have increased two hundredfold since the construction began. What is this about using metal?"
"I know that the smithies can forge steel, and suggested that they use steel supports for construction. The use of steel could allow for much taller buildings without requiring magical reinforcement."
"I see. It sounds interesting, but the cost of steel is expensive."
"Is it as expensive as the mage's guilds?"
The chancellor thought for a moment. "Potentially not, and I suppose if the construction is that strong, then there would be no need for future reinforcement spells."
"Future spells?"
"Yes. All the taller buildings must be reinforced annually. The spells gradually fade with mana seepage."
"So a one-off cost at the building phase could save much more over time."
"Yes. But it would also push the mage's guild noses out of place if we suddenly stopped needing them."
"There are enough buildings that must still require refreshing. It would only impact new builds."
"That is also true. How would the use of steelwork help in the buildings?"
"The details still require confirmation, and I would like to invite Master Garshaw here with his team to discuss them in person. I think it would be beneficial to both parties."
The chancellor pulled a large book from the side of his desk and flipped the pages. "I could meet him the day after tomorrow, say at 10 o'clock."
"That sounds great. I will let him know and look forward to the discussion," SJ smiled.
"Have you found anything else out yet?"
"Not directly, but there are concerns over the increases by many. No one I have spoken to seems to know what or who is behind it. I will keep looking into it. I am only here for another couple of days before I must leave again, and I will update you before I depart."
"Thank you," the chancellor said, rubbing his eyes as he replied.
"And try and get some rest," SJ said, shaking her head.
The chancellor smiled. "I can sleep when I am dead."
By the time SJ reached District 10, it was late afternoon. She had gone home from the tower and fed Kibble, where Lurtew had returned from the Brewers Guild after closing their business with them. The situation had apparently heated up, yet Lurtew had stood his ground and closed his dealings, leaving the guild. Both Lurtew and Yawnee were happy yet apprehensive about their new roles. They would start producing new goods for the alchemy guild from next week. SJ had confirmed with them both that she would like to visit the bank tomorrow and set up an account for them, which they reluctantly agreed to.
SJ hadn't flown to District 10, taking her time and walking the streets. It was surprising now as she noticed the number of children. She wondered if any of them were those that Carlito funded through his orphanages. Thinking of Carlito made her recheck her map. His dot was still not showing in the city.
"Yes," Dave shouted excitedly.
'Dave. Please, you scared me half to death,' SJ thought, startled from her thoughts.
"Sorry. I just managed to break another level lock. Only five more to go before what I think will be the next major challenge."
'Major challenge? Aren't all of them a challenge?'
"Yes, and no. Some are easier than others."
SJ imagined small robots attacking a large door and trying to break it down.
Dave laughed at her thought. "If only it were that simple. That would be much more fun than what I have to do. I wish I could tap into more of the system resources, but I am limited to accessing the full memory banks; it restricts the number of calculations I can perform at once."
It was still unbelievable to consider that Dave was spending every day continually trying to break his coding. It had become his personal quest, and yet, with every step he made, it could also mean that SJ may open up doors to her continuing growth. It was a huge unknown.
SJ checked her display.
Synchronisation 57%
'That seems to have jumped by several per cent?' SJ thought.
"It has. That last lock opened three per cent. As I mentioned before, I think we need to reach seventy for any further significant opportunities."
'Significant opportunities? Are there other things opening each time it increases?'
"Yes. Little things. Nothing that could be deemed as life-altering."
'You haven't mentioned these before. What has opened?'
"Just allowance details mainly for myself and what I can see."
'Such as?' SJ thought exasperated. It could be so frustrating sometimes when Dave didn't share his thoughts fully.
"The latest lock has allowed me to increase my knowledge base. I now have the right to see various areas of the internal data source of the Legionnarious that were locked out previously."
'Are these not beneficial?'
"Maybe when I get a chance to digest everything. The Legionnarious is vast, and certain areas were previously firewalled. The chapter I am currently reading is on the quantum realisation of AI subcultural constructs."
'That sounds heavy.'
"Very. You need a basis in AI architecture to be able to consider the reality of the subcultural constructs and what they can allude to. Very interesting, actually, but nothing that I can see that could currently help you."
The fact that Dave was talking about AI in such a standardised manner when considering that it had only been recently that AI had exploded back on Earth. Its use had become a cause for concern for many within business and industry, while others had rallied around its capabilities. As with everything, there were always pros and cons to consider.
'Make sure you let me know if you find anything of interest.'
"I will," Dave chirped happily.
SJ approached Ulyian's door and knocked. The street he lived on was not a main street, and although a few beings traversed it, there were no traders or shops drawing beings to visit.
"One minute," Ulyian's voice called.
SJ stood patiently waiting as she heard footsteps approaching the door. A bolt was slid across, and the door pulled open.
Ulyian's face turned to one of surprise, a grin spreading across his face. "SJ. What brings you here?"
"Can we talk? I have a few questions?"
"Of course. Please, come in."
