The Devil's TearsAfter Cynwyd’s long night of ‘festivities,’ Commander Kel's morning regimen felt truly castigatory. She broadcasted her ugly mood with unflinching zeal, brutalizing the slow or unskilled with punishing blows and strikes. Blood flowed and bones ached within the first hour. The reason behind her cruelty was simple. A student had been murdered on campus. Her nude and defiled body strung from the Science building in a sickening display. And as far as Commander Kel was concerned, the Fencing Team was responsible for her death. They were the unofficial protectors of all those on campus – and they had failed. Miserably. Cynwyd found himself singled out above all others. Without Osric’s borrowed skills – weakened by the daylight, as they were – he’d probably be sporting an injury by the end of their withering exchanges. Even so, his eye would likely bruise after catching a metal hilt. When they’d finished the Dance, she dismissed the class early… all but Cynwyd. She stood by the sword rack, leaning against it, head held low in silence. Her hand clenched tightly around the wood, knuckles white. A sad shudder passed through her – a very human sound escaping her throat. Cynwyd's bane- a woman in anguish- almost prompted him to treat Kel as such. But his survival instinct warned him that she was a woman *in a position of power* in anguish. As such, he unfortunately couldn't take the emotion at face value, for once it was gone, he would be one of what he was sure were few that had seen her such- which could cause all sorts of problems. So instead, he turned and knelt, facing away from her, removing the binding on his shin guard as he said in a soft voice, "It's hard... loosing one so young. And harder still not to feel that I've failed in some way, even though I know that I can't be everywhere at once." Though he walked through treacherous ground, his words began to get the best of him as he continued, more emotion than he'd meant entering his voice as he huskily continued, "But still, I wonder what she must have thought in those last moments. The hope that someone- anyone would spare her from this. And the realization that no miracles were forthcoming. And what's worse is the phantom that stands before her in my dreams. Who is he? And why?" He sighed as he finished his task, now truly lost in his thoughts. Kel turned and stalked across the room. He felt her hand touched his shoulder, squeezing slightly – seeking and providing support. “Then you do understand after all, Cynwyd,” she said in a soft tone. Cynwyd released a breath that he'd not realized he held in relief. A bullet dodged... Another squeeze. The hard edge returned to her voice. “And that is why it must be you.” ...and another chambered. She brushed a tear away, frowning at her own weakness. “Tell me true, Cynwyd. Where was Cole last night?” Cynwyd was taken a bit aback by the question. Several questions went through his mind, but the one that came forth was "Why?" He paused for a moment, gathering himself before finally looking up to her, his expression shuttered. "And why that phrasing- as if you'd expect me to give a falsehood?" Kel became very still, her gaze unflinching. Cynwyd realized in that moment he had never seen her actually angry. Until now. Her words were measured, controlled yet haunted by a boiling rage. “You two are close. You may lie to protect him. Even if you are unaware of the possible gravity of his actions. “Cole was closely involved with the girl they discovered last night. A point the Blackcloaks noted during their inquiry.” "Oh." Cynwyd's mouth formed, though no words came out- his mind was too occupied with thought to push the air past his larynx- or truthfully even to breathe at all. In fact, his mind was fully occupied with the shards of evidence that flew through it, painting a not-too-savory picture. “Yes. ‘Oh,’” Kel repeated. "Bugger me. This is not good," he said, before finally looking focusing in on Kel's unsmiling face. "You know Cole well enough. This is not something that he would do. And not something he would endure, either," he said, his words measured. "His location? He was alternately with the King, then with me, then with the Queen, in that order," he said, ticking off his fingers. "So I don't think that they'll be able to pin that on him with the hook. The crook on the other hand..." He canted his head to the side. "...who was the woman? If it's whom I think it was, someone's going to die. And that's going to make this *really* complicated." Kel gave a surprised expression at the mention of the King and Queen. She shift on the ball of her foot, “A Katayan woman by the name of Silk. I had observed her with Cole and Satonaka on several occasions. She appeared frivolous, as is her race’s nature, but a good student and well-liked amongst the faculty. Did you know her?” "Know her?" Cynwyd repeated. "No... in fact I've never seen her. But I *do* know that when Cole spoke of her, it was with more than a little affection. I'm not sure of their exact relation, but it *definitely* wasn't adversarial," he said thinking of a couple of scenarios- neither of which gave him any measure of peace over the subject. "Do the Blackcloaks have any other leads?" he asked absently. “Beyond the apparent connection to Cole, no. They have also suggested it may be linked to the recent rise in hate crimes against foreign students. But our campus is rather tightlipped about such things,” Kel said. “From what I have learned, the very nature of the crime points a person of some arcane skill, which our associate is not. Perhaps his lack of academic wherewithal at this juncture is a blessing.” She began to pace, a predator without purpose. “Do you know of arcane matters, Cynwyd? It true the Courts have Will-Workers of great ability, yes?” "Yes," Cynwyd said slowly, trying to divine the meaning between the lines. "But there are Will-Workers of great ability across Shadow." "Unless," he continued now looking at her, dreading the answer, "you know of something in regards to the Magick that would direct you towards the Courts...?" “Only what I witnessed during the War,” Kel replied. “The enemy wove shadows into weapons and summoned demons and troops from the aether. Even logistics were brought to the battlefield in this manner. This high-magick did not resemble Trump gating, although the Chaosite nobles utilized that power as well.” She laces her fingers behind her back, straightening her spine. “After midnight, Silk’s body appeared hanging from the lab building; ‘as if from nowhere,’ witnesses said. Her body had been bound and positioned intricately, so her murderer would have required the time to do so. And certainly would have been caught during such a brazen act. As such, I believe her body was placed by high-magick, summoned from another location.” She tilted her head, “Could one of your people accomplish this task?” "Truthfully," he said, "I know little of these matters- I scarcely pay attention in my magick coursework now, let alone when I was in the Courts." "But, from what I've seen, I'd think that this method doesn't exclude someone from this end of Reality's involvement. Unless there's something else?" he pressed. "And why did you say it had to be me? What did you have in mind?" Kel frowned slightly, “No. Nothing else. But if Cole is behind this murder, I want you to find the evidence. You have the means and the access. But more importantly, his trust. If he is indeed the perpetrator. . . he will not be arrested. Do you understand?” She let that hang in the air for a moment. "Indeed, I do understand," he said, never flinching from her frank gaze, though his declaration of understanding was perhaps a bit different than she asked. “If he is innocent, his reckless nature will undoubtedly lead him to do something rash. You must contain and guide these impulses. I sense he listens to you and will do as you request. Together you can find the murderer and deal with him. Or her.” She folded her arms, “And, in turn, I will provide you with the alibi. “Our home has been violated. And blood calls for blood. Don’t you agree?” "That part," Cynwyd said, his eyes never leaving hers, "we can agree on." Kel gave him a firm nod, “Very well. Do what you can. Do what you must.” She lightly tapped his shoulder with her fist, finally managing a smile. “You are a good man, Cynwyd. I shall not forget this. And Prince Benedict will know your name.” <Ooooh goodie.> Osric said in a wry tone. <Isn't that the reward that they promise to hide the manure they just piled on top of you?> he returned wryly. He started to leave, then thought for a moment before finally saying aloud, "I'm honest enough to say that between myself and Cole, there's exactly *one* good man. And with that coming storm, he'll be needed, so that's the reason I'm doing this- to make sure that it's handled with that in mind." That said, he headed out to find Cole. “Unicorn watch over you. Both of you,” Kel said and readied herself for the next class’ arrival. |
