A Refugee From the Roman Tribunal

1205, Spring

The two grogs gripped their weapons warily and looked around them in concern.

Frederic stood their in awe, but not in complete suprise. For he had been plagued by this sort of thing all of his life. He scanned the villa from east to west, then back to east again, praying someone would be left. But alas when no one was seen, Frederic instructed the grogs to keep up pace, and began to lightly run to where Katerina should be.

He ran up to the villa itself, the safest spot in the area protected by both the Aegis of the Hearth, and also by a silver disc inset with red coral mounted in the wall which protected the villa from demonic power. There was still no sign of life. He ran down to her sanctum and lab, and there he found her. She was sitting on a stool, slumped over a work table. From her back protruded the hilt of a dagger.

Frederic ran to her, without first checking for intruders. Hopefully the grogs where behind him. He checked to see if Katerina was alive. For he remembered she once mentioned that wounds could be healed with magic, but he only had a vague idea of how such a hermetic thing would work, and feared he had not the power to conjure such a task.

His mentor and parens was dead, and had clearly been so for some time, weeks perhaps. The villa had kept out large predators, but the soft tissues had already been attacked by maggots and other insects.

He wept for her for a moment, with his left arm on top of hers. His head rested on her left shoulder, and his right arm across the back of her shoulder blades.

It took him a moment to recompose himself; he had felt this sort of thing before, and knew that with the passing of time, was likely to feel it again. His right arm began to slowly move down her back, until it was stopped by the dagger. He lifted his head, turning slightly to the right, where he eyed the dagger.

The dagger was not a design that he had seen before. Although it was a simple cross-hilted dagger with, he guessed, a double edged blade - since it was was buried to the hilt in Katerina's back he couldn't be sure - the cross-hilt was a strange woven pattern of iron bars that even to his uneducated eye looked like a difficult blacksmithing task.

He thought to himself, "A dagger? Perhaps this was not as I first thought." He remembered Katerina speaking of accusations against her, from within the Roman tribunal. He instructed the grogs to return to the entrance, "Please stand guard outside, while I try to make sense of this attack. The perpetrators may still be in the area." He then searched the area about.

Frederic gave the area a thorough examination. The Sanctum seemed mostly untouched, with one exception - all the items that Frederic knew to be enchanted and some other items that he did not know to be enchanted, but which certainly could be, were stacked in corner with all the vis stores from the villa. The demon ward was not in the pile from what he could tell with digging down to the bottom.

Frederic carefully removed the dagger, no blood seeped from the wound, although the blade was well stained. He wiped the dagger clean on some cloth from the lab and placed the weapon on the pile.

As Frederic placed the weapon on the pile of magic items and vis, the stack erupted in a gout of fire! The vis stores were instantly consumed and even as he was engulfed in flame, Frederic could tell it was magical fire since most of the objects in the pile did not behave as though they were in the midst of a fire. Then the pain took him and he fell screaming.

Moments later, Rico and Tonio stormed into the room weapons drawn to find Frederic, blistered and red but alive, kneeling before the pile of items.

"Master Frederic," said Rico. "What happened?" He and Tonio took up positions on either side of the downed apprentice, shields raised.

Frederic replied realing in pain, "Arrggg.... I was... *grunt*... careless." Frederic briefly rolled on the ground, but then became still on his back. His hands shook from the sudden shock of fire to his body.

After learning that it was a trap and not an attack, Tonio and Rico relaxed a bit and Tonio did what he could to help Frederic's wounds.

As Tonio mended some of the more burned areas of Frederic's body, Frederic became somewhat use to the pain. As the initial shock subsided, Frederic asked, "Did you find anything?"

"No Signore," said Rico who did most of the talking for the pair, Tonio speaking only Italian and a tiny bit of Latin. "We had just started to look when you cried out. I'll go search now, Tonio will stay and guard you." He rattled something to Tonio in Italian who nodded and picked up his crossbow. Tonio was a wiry little man and the best shot in the turb. Rico took up his arms and went to search.

Frederic responded to Tonio , "Tell him to scout only, and report back here if something is out of place." Once Rico left, Frederic struggled as best he could to his feet, and returned to the pile of items.

Frederic examined the items in the pile, with the exception of the vis which had been completely consumed, the items appeared undamaged. The demon ward was not in the pile, and seemed like the only thing missing.

As he finished his examination, Tonio returned at a run, chattering excitedly. Rico listened, then translated. "He says, Signore, that all the people are dead, stacked like cord wood in the stables. The animals, too, all dead and piled in a corner of the stables."

Saddened, Frederic looked at the ground after Rico translated. "As I feared. " Frederic said shaking his head, "This thing has come and gone once again." Frederic looked back to the grogs, "We will be travelling by foot, then. Find what unspoiled food you can and fill your carrying sacks. We journey back to Lakehome. Perhaps we can find a new home there. And find a carrying sack for these" he pointed to the pile, "items. I will remain here and take inventory."

Rico nodded, translated for Tonio and the two set off.

Frederic examined and listed the materials in the lab: he had the Aquam Vis from Lakehome, the dagger he had plucked from Katerina's back, a pair of rings and a necklace that Katerina always wore that she said bore protective enchantments, a washbasin that on command filled with warm water, a wand tipped with red coral that could be used to attack demons, and the painting which bore always the image of whatever was happening in the front hall. He went looking for the bag of silver pennies, but they were missing, the only thing other than the demon ward.

Frederic took one of the rings, and wore it on his left hand. It fit but poorly being sized for Katerina.

Frederic put on the necklace and tucked it in under his shirt. He finished loading on all the jewelry but noticed no effects.

Frederic took the wand and placed it on his person with his casting tool. He then looked for any kind of small cloth he could perhaps wrap the dagger in.

Frederic rested for another twenty minutes or so until Rico and Tonio returned with their packs laden with what supplies they could find. They looked a bit disspirited by the idea of another long trek, but also did not seem to relish the idea of waiting in this villa cum abbatoir any longer than needful.

Frederic could see the sadness on their faces. Who knew what loved ones they may have lost in the senseless slaughter. He gave Rico and Tonio a nod and look of confidence, as much as he could conjure, and proceded to pack the items. He then lead the two grogs outward, using that time to consider how to burn the bodies.

Frederic instructed the grogs to put their travelling supplies in a safe spot, well away from any buildings. Rico and Tonio gently carried Katerina's body from the villa and added her to the pile in the stable. At Frederic's direction they doused the bodies in oil, then lit the impromptu pyre.

The trio set off, retracing their steps toward Lakehome, for where else did they have to go? Behind them, smoke rose into the sky as the stables caught fire consuming the life Frederic had led for the last few years.

That night when they made camp, they could still see, flickering in the distance, the light from the burning stable. Tonio changed the dressing on Frederic's burns and they slept.

	*		*		*		*

Two grogs came up the valley escorting a badly burned magus. Messages were sent to the magi and friends and soon a group had gathered at the guest house, where Antoine had already yielded his bed to the injured Frederic. For it was Frederic, who had visited Lakehome shortly after the party had left to search from Guillaume. He had burns over much of his exposed skin and the hard trip had not helped them to heal. Osprey, Leporideas, Lilia and Lemain joined him in the guest house to hear his story.

Frederic lay there, in front of the Lakehome troupe who had taken an interest in him. His eyes seemed heavy, burdened by the weight of travel, and by the pains of his injuries. Noticing the Lakehold troupe, who curiously stood around him, he made a futile attempt at a smile. "I am Frederic DuBoise, " he said in Latin. "I am a Verditius apprentice. My mistress is Katerina, with whom you have conducted trade in the past. My companions and I had recently traded with your covenant. We had returned to our villa, the home of mistress Katerina and I, only to find all there were dead. The dead were piled together in one of the buildings."

Frederic was interrupted by his injuries. His eyes squinted in pain as he grunted. He was soon able to continue, "To my great sadness, I found my mistress dead in her lab, slumped over with dagger in her back. I found that all of her vis and hermetic items were piled together. I assumed the villain responsible for this was still around, possibly gathering more treasures. So I sent my companions about to search for the enemy. But I was incorrect. Carelessly, not realizing the trap, I removed the knife from mistress Katerina's back, and placed it with the vis. The effect of said cause now lays in pain before you." Frederic paused for a moment and sighed.

Finally he spoke, almost to himself, "Now that Katerina is dead, and I know not my way to Verdi, I fear I will not be able to complete my gauntlet and become a member of the Order of Hermes. I am glad I know Antoine and thank you for his hospitality."

"Katerina... Dead?" said Lilia. "It is a sad loss. We must examine the crime carefully and try our best to find the criminal -- criminals -- who did this to you and your covenant. First, though, we must attend to your wounds and bring you back to full strength. Would someone please send word to Terrus and the others that we have much to talk about -- as a covenant?" she said, as she busied herself trying to make Frederic comfortable.

No sooner had Lilia made the suggestion than there was a pile of clothes where Leporideas had been standing, and a brown hare hopping off toward the covenant.

Frederic responded, "Thank You, kind lady."

Leporideas returned in twenty minutes or so with the news that Terrus had called for a meeting tomorrow at noon in the kitchen/meeting room and that he would attend.

That night, Osprey asked Etienne and Alain if they would attend the meeting tomorrow, as their expertise might be needed.

At noon, the magi and their friends gathered in the kitchen. The Twins did not attend and as usual, Terrus was the last to arrive. He listened as Frederic repeated his story. Then waited for a long moment after he concluded. Finally he spoke, seeming to direct his question both at Frederic whose tale it was and at Lilia who had called the meeting. "And?" he said.

Lilia took a deep breath. "And we have another challenge in front of us as well -- one with a deadline, and one with which we may need help from other covenants." She outlined their adventure in the faerie region and the deal they had struck with the Red Queen, such as it was. "Guillaume and Leporideas must continue to serve ad infinitum unless we can find them a way out of the oaths they took. If that is not immediately possible, me may at least buy them a year to find a suitable solution.

"Can you help, or can you suggest an ally that could?"

Terrus launched into a fairly long story about some kind of dispute about fences amongst French peasants, from which the assembled party gathered that he wasn't sure what business it was of Lakehome's that Katerina had been killed and he didn't know why Frederic had come here and what he wanted from them.

Frederic understood he was not yet a member of the Order. But he was not sure of what etiquette would allow him to speak, and when. He had begun to realize Terrus' frustrations, and wished not to anger the magus. So he patiently waited for an interlude, so as not to interrupt anyone, then spoke, "Master Terrus, I am not yet a member of the Order of Hermes. And although it saddens me that my mistress has fallen, I still wish to continue my pursuits, so that I may seek protection in the Order from my enemies. I only wish to perform my gauntlet. But my mistress is dead, and Lakehome is the only other covenant I know of. For I know not the location of Verdi, to where my mistress intended to show the fruits of my gauntlet. Nor do I know the location of some of the other names Katerina has mentioned in the past."

Frederic looked about, hoping to ease his mind that he had not spoken out of turn. He noticed the interested looks, and decided to continue, "I have traded with your covenant in the past. Now I wish to propose a new deal. Allow me to live here, to... complete my apprenticeship. My mistress' intention was that I should create an item. I propose, if you allow me sanctuary, that I would finish my apprenticeship by creating an item that you would have me create. One that would be plausibly suitable for Lakehome. In addition, the aquam vis that was previously traded, the vis that I still have in my possession, would return to Lakehome stores. Further, the hermetic items salvaged from...," he sobs, "Katerin'a lab, would be donated to this covenant. But there exists a problem, one which I have had all my life. The evil that exists below the heavans, has decided to taunt me. I know not why."

He paused briefly to catch breath, "Every year since I was young, demons would come. And they would kill all whom I ever loved. But Katerina and I learned to fight them. My mistress had constructed an item to help defend against them. A wand with a red gem in it's tip. I now possess that item, and in turn, if you allow my entrance, you would own the item. And having assisted in the construction of said device, I feel confident I could make more of these items. I can make whatever you wish, given the proper vis of course. For I am of Verditius. "

Frederic paused for a moment, then continued, "True I bring a plague with me. But I also bring a modest hermetic offering. Myself and the afor mentioned items." Frederic ended his speech, hoping he did not ramble on too much.

Terrus then spent some time fulminating about the Far Folk in general before admitting that the problem with Leporideas was a problem for Lakehome, but that it was primarly Leporideas problem. He seemed vaguely annoyed by all the proceedings.

Lilia gave one last, gentle effort: "It certainly is not your responsibility to fix the woes of the world, but if you could suggest anyone who might have the knowledge to assist us with either problem, we would appreciate it. And we will leave you out of it entirely."

"Harrumph," said Terrus and nodded irritably.

Lilia turned to Frederic. "Before you leave us to ponder your fate and ours, please clarify as best you can: what exactly does the anti-demon wand do and why did it not save Katerina?"

"And all these," said Osprey. "What do they do?"

Frederic sighed at the thought of Katerina's demise, and responded to Lilia's question, "I helped her construct the wand myself. It is of the technique perdo and the form vim, and is used to attack the very essence of a demon's being. I know not why Katerina was unable to use it. Nor do I know if she was attacked by demons, for the anniversary of my birthday has not yet come to pass this year. It appeared as though she were taken by suprise, stabbed in the back by cowards that wished not to show their faces. She had spoke recently of accusations against her, but I know not from whom and of what. I can only suspect."

Frederic unwrapped a dagger from the cloth he had previously wrapped it in, "This is the weapon that took the life of my mistress, and the item that reacted energetically with the vis." He carefully wrapped the item back up. He then held his hands up to reveal two rings, "These are protective in nature, as I understand, but I know not the specifics. I planned to investigate their enchantments at some point in the future." He then pulled a necklace from under his shirt, "And this was hers as well, another protective device I am told."

He then reached into the carrying sack, and withdrew a basin. He spoke a command word and nothing happened. Frederic was puzzled, "This did work before. Hmm."

He brought forth the final item, which was a painting, "And this painting would reveal what was happening at the front hall to Katerina's dwelling." The painting showed an empty room, devoid of motion or change from the last time Frederic had looked.

He continued, "There were other enchantments. They were for protection against demons. But those items were missing. Perhaps it was demons, and they learned a way to remove those items before hand."

Etienne craned his neck to look through the gathered crowd. Intially he did not want to attend, as the the magi made him nervous. The tale as told by Frederic piqued his interest, and his gaze was rewarded by a look at the dagger. Immediately Etienne turned and stepped out of the room.

Lilia quickly stepped after him.

"Did you see something the rest of us missed?" she asked.

"It was not demons," Etienne confirmed finding the air better outside away from the crowd.

"I am glad to hear that. It should help Frederic's petition to join us. Do you know, then who -- or what -- killed Katerina?"

"Why would I?" asked Etienne with an accusatory tone. "I have things to do," he said walking down the tunnel.

For a split second, Lilia considered following Etienne, but thought the better of it. She silently vowed to ask him later. "If I had only pushed Guillaume a little at the Tribunal," she mused to herself, "we might not be in the muddle we are."

She smoothed her hair and skirts as she slipped back into the dining room. "I am sorry -- I thought your tale was of demons murdering your mentor. It seems that may not be the case at all," she said.

Frederic responded, "They may have been demons, but alas I was not there when she was murdered, and therefor have no proof one way or the other. Only suposition. But know this, if you accept me into your homes, you also invite the curse that has unfairly been a part of my life."

With that said, Frederic was prepared to wait elsewhere while the Lakehome magi discuss his possible future. Terrus motioned for Xavier to take Frederic back to his room while the magi debated.

	*		*		*		*

With no torch to guide him he stumbled around the darkened tunnels and was soon lost. He fought down the panic and tried to retrace his steps, then saw a light in the distance he made for it and found one of the servants with what the magi called a Torch of Sweet Air. The servant guided him to the Hermes Portal and Etienne mumbled the words he had been taught and a few moments later he stumbled out into the light and air of the village.

Etienne gulped down the air as he shuffled off toward the village. The child continued to bawl which forced him, out of instinct, to clap his hands over his ears as he ran off to the refuge offered by his home. "Antoine, Antoine," he shreiked.

The fat priest waddled out of Etienne's hut, concern etched on his features. "Etienne! My son, what is wrong?" He hurried toward his friend.

"The cries," he croaked out before falling to his knees. After a couple of deep breaths he spoke haltingly, "The mage Frederic, his mentor, dead. Slain Antoine." Etienne began to hyperventilate and buried his head into Antoine's amble belly with sobs. "Make it stop Antoine, make it stop."

Antoine stroked Etienne's head and tried to tease the story out of him.

The monk's soothing attention brought peace to the tormented Etienne who slowly began to recount Frederic's tale of Katarina's fate. Etienne told Antoine about the dagger and fumbled within his own cloak to produce what could be its twin. "You see, the mage who hired me has done so again, and taken the life of Katarina. My curse has followed me here and stricken those of Lakehome."

Anotine reached out took the knife and dropped it as if stung. "This ... thing is evil!" He pointed at the fallen weapon. "A tool of the Deceiver!"

Etienne recoiled from it, "Aye it was given me to slay a mage, enchanted to further my task. It was he who pursued me and caused me to flee. He has killed again, enlisted another to do his work of evil." Breathing easier as he looked to the abandoned dagger he spoke more comfortably, "Antoine, the magi will not accept this. I will be punished. One of their own hiring men like I was to carry out their deeds. They will not believe me."

"They may, if you have truly repented, as I believe you have," said Antoine. "But the choice is yours. If you stay, you must tell them."

"Will you come with me?" asked Etienne. "You have a rapport with them. I could assist them in righting this wrong."

"Aye, of course, I will," said Antoine.

	*		*		*		*

"Frederic has petitioned to join us," he said. "By his report, his training is complete and he requires only his gauntlet to become a full member. His house is Verditius, and I think his gauntlet is to create some useful magical construct."

Terrus nodded, "It is."

"By his own admission, something haunts him. Do we want to bring the wrath of whatever that is down on Lakehome?" asked Osprey.

Leporideas remained silent. Lately he had brought even more burden to bear upon the Covenant. Frederic was in direr need than he, but to speak up would to remind all of his situation. He hoped that others would embrace his cause, so he could support him as well.

Lilia spoke carefully. "I am loathe to turn away a fellow magus in need, more so because it appears there are patterns and remedies to his curse and because I am convinced the demons that haunt him did not kill Katerina. I think it is a risk, but a calculated risk. We could keep ourselves safe from Frederic's curse and, in turn, gain the bounty of Katerina's lifework.

"I must admit, I also wonder if the magic item he must make to complete his gauntlet might not serve to aid us with our Faerie friends."

"A Verdi in the Covenant could prove useful," said Osprey, "their skill in magical construction is well known. I wonder why his demonstration with this basin failed?" Osprey touched the object which rested on the table before them with the others.

"If other items were taken, perhaps this basin is but a mundane item and not the enchanted device Frederic thought it was. We can test it for vis," said Lilia.

"Perhaps," said Terrus, "that should be done." He gestured and the magi saw him gather the arts of Intelligo and Vim and cast his spell. With a frown on his face he examined each of the items in turn. At length he spoke. "These arts are not my strongest, but I can detect no aura of vis from any of these objects."

"How can that be?" asked Leporideas hoping to not sound as if he was questioning Terrus' magic. "Has their enchantment been stolen?" he asked of his fellow magi.

"Such things are possible," said Osprey. "A sufficiently strong 'Wind of Mundane Silence' would dissipate all the magic they contained."

"I think we have more questions for Frederic before we make our decision," said Lilia. "Shall we send for him now or let him rest?"

Soon Frederic had rejoined the company in the room and the results of Terrus' spell had been explained.

Frederic looked dumbfounded and at an apparent loss of words. He gazed for a moment, then a sudden realization took hold of him. He spoke, "I know not for certain why this device no longer works nor seems to have any magic within." Frederic presented the dagger that was still wrapped, "Perhaps vis is not the only thing that reacts badly with this blade. Maybe I should find a far away cliff and give it a good toss. I had hoped perhaps it would reveal more information about my enemies. But the more I consider it, the more I realize the fool I was for bringing it here. I feel I should get rid of this now." Frederic stored the dagger. He then removed the rings and neckless from his person, and placed them on the table near the bowl. He asked, "Master Terrus, can you perform the same magics on these devices? If my suspicions are true, they would no longer be with magic either."

"To my arts they are as barren as the rest," said Terrus a moment later.

Frederic displayed the dagger once again, "Then I should get rid of this... thing."

"Perhaps we should test it as well," said Lilia.

Terrus again performed his magic. "Nothing. But my skill might miss a subtle enchantment."

Lilia sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Does anyone have anything else to ask Frederic before we make our decision?"

It seemed no one did, so Frederic was once again escorted to the guest house to wait.

Terrus looked to the younger magi, "Youth shall speak first. Lilia, Leporideas, Lemain."

Lemain spoke slowly in his gravelly voice. "A Verdi could prove valuable. But we do not know what pursues him. Still, we are magi and strong enough to defeat any foe." Sometimes, Lemain's Flambeau training came strongly to the fore.

Leporideas chimed in next, "I support it as well. We have not been one to turn aside those who need help. I agree with Lemain, any difficulty that pursues Frederic can be addressed when it arrives, if it arrives."

"I agree," said Lilia. "It can do no but good to help where we can, and I believe demons were not responsible for Katerina's death, no matter that they may pursue Frederic. I believe he will be far more asset than trouble."

Osprey shook his head, "I don't know. It's dangerous to take on an enemy you don't know."

Terrus was silent for a long time, but all knew that he was merely thinking in his own rock like fashion. "It shall be. His obligation shall be great, though."

Terrus spoke slowly, "I shall take Frederic for my apprentice, then. I shall test him in Certamen, but suspect that he shall require more training. To admit him to House Tremere without sufficient skill would be an embarassment. When his training is complete, he shall join us as a full member of the order. Tell him, Osprey."

Once again Frederic was fetched into the room He remained silent, expecting Terrus to speak.

Terrus spoke remarkably clearly, knowing his words might need to be repeated to Juana of Guernicus at some point. "Frederic, your mistress is dead and your training unfinished. I, Terrus of Tremere, claim you as my apprentice. Your training shall be completed according to the customs of my house. Go now and rest. In two weeks present yourself before me. We shall contest in Certamen. If I adjudge your performance adequate, your gauntlet will be complete. If not," and here Terrus leaned forward, "and in light of your previous training I think it will not. Be adequate, I mean, then you shall serve as my apprentice until midwinter when you may contest again. And so forth until you succeed."

Frederic responded, "Certamen?" he asked, "Mistress Katerina once spoke to me of Certamen. Although you are correct in that I have yet to receive any formal training in the matter. She did mention that the loser of such a duel may be legally struct down with a retributive spell by the winner."

"The channel created by certamen is such that as spell of the same technigue and form can be passed through it from winner to loser, but," said Terrus with some disdain, "the victory is already won, so such a spell is unneccesary. And the Code must not be violated, regardless. To use such a thing for vengeance is a two edged sword."

Terrus rose, "You have been instructed in the mechanics, at least? Good. Two weeks from today. Here. You may choose either the form of the technique of our duel," said Terris magnanimously. "In future, we shall alternate." With that he left to return to his work.

As Terrus left, Frederic asked, "What of this cursed dagger? Shall I dispose of it... master? And will I be able to petition to become a full member of Lakehome once I have been sufficiently trained in the Certamen?"

It was Osprey who answered, "When you become a full magus, you will be welcome here if you choose to stay. As for the dagger, if it is what you say, might it not be a powerful tool? But, you four may decide. Just don't store it near our Vis."

Frederic responded, "Fear not, master Osprey." Motioning towards his burns, Frederic raised his arms and continued, "I have learned my lesson." With that said Frederic patiently waited for the rest to leave the room, in the event that someone still had questions.

	*		*		*		*

"Choose your technique or form," said Terrus.

During his healing period, Frederic marvelled at the thought of spending a year as Terrus' apprentice. He considered the knowledge he would gain in Certamen, and could not turn such training down. He waited patiently for this day, so he could bravely confer his already calculated response, "I choose the technique of Muto, Master Terrus."

"And I choose Terram," said Terrus. "Let us begin." The two dropped in to the trance state of Certamen and the phantasms of the contest took form. A large leaden statue formed and the task would be to transmute it to gold. In seconds it was over, Terrus' statue was completely converted and Frederic collapsed to the ground unconscious. "He has much to learn."

Lilia asked Tanya and Conrad to help her carry Frederic to his own bed, where she waited until he regained consciousness.

Frederic awoke to see Lilia, Tanya and Conrad. He said, "It would seem that I shall be Terrus' apprentice, then."

A light rap at the door of the guest house garnered the attention of all who had seen to Frederic's recovery.

Although unsure of who may be at the door, Frederic responded, "Please enter."

Conrad moved quickly over and opened the door.

Etienne stood quietly, flanked by Brother Antione and stepped in slowly. He surveyed the occupants and the normally confident fisherman appeared to be overtaken by shynees. Questioning stares, coupled with a comforting hand by Antoine led him to speak.

"Frederic, my condolences on the loss of your mentor. I fear that there is something I must tell you, and you all," he added indicating the other magi and associates.

Frederic listened intently, "Thank you. Go on."

"I know who was responsbile for the death of Katerina," he began. "She was slain by one of her own, one of you," he indicated the magi, "a practitioner of the arts. He hires others to kill those who interfere with his plans, and provides them with the means to slay." Etienne took a deep breath, "This I know to be the truth, for I was one of those men." The man hung his head in remorse and withdrew a dagger from beneath his cloak that matched the weapon Frederic found.

Frederic asked, "But surely you are not one of those who killed Katerina. And I know for sure it was not by your dagger, for it is still in your possession."

"Tis true," Etienne conceded, "the mage I killed is long since gone. Still I bear the guilt, knowing that my former employer continues to deal death to those who oppose him. I can offer only the assurety that whoever cast the dagger into Katerina has met a similar fate, for he did pursue me and only by the grace of God was I spared."

Etienne wiped away a tear, "I will do what I can to assist whoever wishes to find this madman."

Frederic spoke, "We all have our... demons. What is this magus' name?" Frederic asked.

"A name I was never given," said Etienne, "he remained behind a cowl whenever I met with him. I remember where we did meet and those who contacted me for the deed, however. And I can tell you what I know about him and the magics as explained to me to complete my task."

Frederic responded, "Then perhaps one day I can have my revenge. Maybe even by his own dagger. Speaking of which, what destructive powers has the dagger been imbued with?"

"I am unaware of any properties it might still have, as the enchantment was to be temporary. I did not ask many questions." Etienne thought briefly trying to determine if there was anything he remembered which might help. "He provided me with the dagger and a protective salve to apply to my body so I could not be detected by magicks. Perhaps there is a way to determine who possesses such an ointment?"

Frederic finished, "Perhaps one day we may feed on revenge together, my friend."

Lilia chewed her lip speculatively through the conversation. She finally shook her head and spoke: "I can think of no magic that would tell us who has such an ointment," she said. "We may be lucky enough to hear of it by happenstance, but the odds are slim.

"At least we know now something of our predicament. Frederic, think hard: what were you and... or... Katerina working on that might have run counter to this assassin's plans. Did you anger any mage? Refuse to help in any magical plan?"

Frederic responded, "She had travelled somewhere recently, but was not specific on her travels. I myself rarely meet anyone of the Order. Katerina and I are fairly reclusive."

Etienne told them where he done the deed, north of Lakehome near the foot of the Petit Sant Bernard Pass.

Frederic pondered at the end of the discussion. Alas he could recall nothing new.

Lilia suggested they keep this amongst themselves unless it was absolutely necessary to share with the others.