Child of Ember - Chapter 22

"Well", Dea smiles, as she enters the back room. "I hope young Celestia can course some words out of the doorman, though he seems to me far to fearfull to talk.
But then, she has qualities I lack.
In the mean time, I will tell you two what happened last night. Hopefully you can lend us some assistance."

Celestia leaned forward and looked the Clerk deeply in the eyes. Straightening up, she stepped a little closer to the desk. In an ominous and soft voice, she said "I see many things for you in the future." After a brief pause, she continued "Too many things to talk about right now. I don't see anything dealing with toads in the near future."

*Does she know what I am thinking? Impossible* he thinks to himself. *Just a guess, that is all.*

Celestia turned and walked back to the rest of the group. While she walked back, she kept using her ESP to get the Clerk's reaction to her words.

He watches her go, and she begins to wish she wasnt able to see into his mind, considering some of the thoughts that flash through his mind about certain aspects of her anatomy.

When Celestia arrived at the group, she positioned herself so she could keep watch on the Clerk out of the corner of her eye. She wrote on the paper, 'I have some information, but it would be wise not to talk about it in here.'

Dolph nods quietly. "Perhaps we should retire to my Keep?"

Dea proceeds to tell of the fire in the inn, the couple they found in the burning room, the woman who dissapeared, and the summoning of the dead woman's spirit.

"As you can see", she concludes, "we are dealing with something very primal - revenge. Not one that will stop, either. Already, two people died. I must be very mistaken if there were no dead to be found at the fire tonight. Another innocent victim - used to quench the thirst of Ember's child.
I understand Lit will go to the other inn to investigate. Possibly someone can assist him. I personally will have to revisit the pyre, which will commence pretty soon.
After that, we can meet up again to visit the ruins to search for the old woman. I would not like to do this alone, after the fearful stories I heard. I plan to do this as soon as possible, but I do have obligations. What do you say?"

"Spliting our forces may allow us to gather resources much more quickly, but it will also expose us to greater danger." Dolph says. "I am oft accustomed to working alone. Many times one can learn more then many, and have less risk as well."

Alex looks at Dea, "If you would like company, I will gladly go to the ruins with you tonight. I only hope we find the old woman before something else does."

"So do I, though in my experience, those who are touched are protected in some strange way against the dangers that haunt the night.
I will have to visit the pyre, I have somethging... personal to settle. So perhaps those who have no interest in funeral rites can first help Lit in his investigations and catch up with me later."
Dea nods to the others. "I will see you in a few hours, then."
Then she turns, and rushes out, making her way hastily to the temple.

Alex smiles at Lit, "That sounds like a good idea. Are you ready to head that way?"

The ranger looks up from his drink at the mention of Lit's investigations and nods, "Aye I'll help him get that done. I don't really look forward to visiting the pyre." The ranger nods to lit and turns to head out the door.

Alex gathers her things and rises to follow.

"Whence shall we regroup our forces?" Asks Dolph before they all go they all go their seperate ways.

"How about in about 2 hours? That will give Dea time to finish with the Pyre and any prayers necessary. And it will give us time to go through the ruins of the new sight thoroughly."

Dolph nods, "And were?"

Celestia looks around at the group. "I am uncertain as to which place to go. Who is going where?"

Lit turns after walking a few streets to look at who is with him.

Griffen is following him

Alex waves from the door, "Lit, Griffen, and I are heading for the site of the newest fire to investigate. Oops, gotta go catch up. They're already down the block."
Alex trots down the street after the two of them.

Dea moved through the cold night towards the lights at a gathering near the church.
She felt nervous, uncertain of what the future might bring. Two fires had already occurred, possibly more deaths were to follow... who would be next.
She thought of Celestia, and her discomfort of the pyre. And Lit, whose hot temper might be the death of them.
The strange new woman... could she be trusted?
And Dolph.
A man who brought strange flutterings to her heart... or was she just imagining this? Was she merely drawn to this man because he was dangerous?

There comes soft chanting as the body is born by four flanking priests to the waiting Pyre. Wood is stacked high and there comes the scent of aromatic oils and incense that has been braided through the wood. The Elder priest gives Dea a glance as he passes, his eyes fixing on her for what seemed to be an eternity...

Dea smiles at him, a little nervous for his attention. She casts a look around at the gathered, trying to determine the procedures at this event.
Failing to see a pattern, she follows the priests bearing the body, trying to stay close enough to follow their procedures, while maintaining a respectful distance.
Dea looks on how the priests set up the pyre and bear the body onto the stack of wood.
There was some strange serenity about it, odd how it contrasted with the sounds of revelry from the festival, that could still dimnly be heard from over the cemetery's walls.
It was not right to stand there and not do her plight.
As the flames catch, she steps forward.
She raises her arms, almost as if inviting someone in.
A sorrowful mourn escapes form her mouth, a lament that rises in volume and power, somehow dimming the sounds of the festival.
As the song, a sad goodbye to life, continues on, it almost seems like she grows older, bleaker, shadows playing on her face in the licking flames.

As the body burns the wind picks up, stiring the embers of the flame up into the sky like stars rising from the dead woman's corpse. The hover and twist in the wind, a beautiful dance and then go dark.
As the fire burns, there comes the distant sounds of thunder, and occasionally the night sky, robbed of its mon by the clouds of the approaching storm, are lit by bright flashes.
The first drop of rain fell with cold numbing force, soon followed by another. The mourners, their grief temporarily forgotten, make a mad dash for cover, leaving only the sandy haired elder priest and the smoldering corpse to be drenched by the rain.

Even as the rain pours down, the dirge continues on. It does not last that long though, and when the final notes dwindle away, a soaked Dea looks around. The pools of darkness eem to lift from he rface as she slowly walks up to the smoldering fire. "Fitting", she says, "that the flames would not last. Let's hope the other fires will die as easy as this one." She looks to the priest for his reponse.

"Let us retire inside where it is warm and dry."

"Yes, that will probably be better."
Dea casts a last glance at the smoldering pyre, before following the priest inside.
"Can leave the body there? I am unaccustomed to the rites in this land, but in Abdok... ehm... things may happen."

"The spirit has left, gone to her final judgement, and the body a mere shell. It should be safe enough."

Dea nods, though she doesn't seem to sure of it.
"You knew Isabella, right? She was one of your congregation.
I wonder if I can ask you some questions on her. I try to see why someone choose her as a victim.
It does not make sense, but maybe you can help me. Can you tell me more about her?"

"I will do my best, though she was a quiet girl. She told me one time that she was trying to leave her past behind, and she seemed always to be looking over her shoulder, as though that past might catch up with her," he said as they stepped into a small office which seemed little more than a cluttered alcove. Books and papers were stacked in neat piles here and there, along with miscelaneous knick-knacks that one cant quite identify. The room smells of incense and old paper, and the sound of the rain comes heavy through the roof.
"But, you wished to ask me some questions?"

"Well, yes... We were there when Isabella died, or shortly there after, really. It is hard to describe what actually happened, but I believe a spirit was involved in her death. A spirit of vengeance.
We recently met an older woman, who was in a confused state and told us about the fate of a poerson described as the child of Ember. As I read her account, a young girl was murdered several years ago, probably in a fire, and now the girl's spirit has returned to claim vengeance on her agressors.

"There are many people in Mortigny, many births and deaths each year, not all of them come through our cemetary gates. Many are buried in the city catacombs," he began settling back into his chair.
"As for the incident you speak of, I believe I know a little that can help you."
"Her name was Louisa Miller, daughter of Monique and Jaque Miller. Jaque runs the mill just the other side of the river outside of town. Appearantly his young daughter went to the festival, to her first--and last Masque."
"That she arrived is well known, many men courted her as the dance progressed, hoping to woo the young lady into their arms. But though she danced with many, none seemed to be able to capture her heart, she drifted from one partner to another, a swirl of bright cloth and laughter."
"That was until she danced into the arms of Lucian Ronges. Lucian was a handsome man, the pride of his family, and one of this year's true tradgedies."
"Appearantly she feel instantly for him, and after their first dance she never left his side for the entire night. Until it came time to part that is."
"With a promise to meet again, Lucian handed her a box. 'To the loveliest dancer I know.' were the last words he spoke to her. That was the last anyone ever saw of her alive."
"Her body was found days later, a crumpled skeleton blackened by fire in a blackened and tattered gown. Appearantly she had been robbed and molested, then tossed into a bonfire and left to die from her wounds."

"How horrible."
Dea shakes her head.
"But that must be her. Ronges... I heard that name, they are nobles, right? What happened to this man, this Lucian? Did he know Caine Dumonjiette?"

"Nobles travel in the same circles, so it is entirely possible. Both of them were at the Masque. Why do you ask?"

"Caine was found with Isabella. He fell victim like her, but I have reasons to believe he did not die innocent, and that he was somehow involved in the Louisa tragedy. But if Lucian was as good a man as you make it seem, I doubt they were friends. Do you know where I can find him? Talking to him may reveal more."

He nods silently, and points out the window, where a flash of lightning lights the cemetary.

"I see. Somehow I am not surprised. How did he die?"

"After they found Louisa's body he became very depressed, his days were spent locked in his room, his nights locked in the wine cellar. One night his father came home and found him hung from the chandelier in the dining room," the priest says sadly. "Grief can do terrible things to a person."

"So can guilt." Dea says as she rises.
"This is very helpful, I have a much clearer image now. Maybe even enough to bring a halt to these fires. I only need to know one more thing. It may sound trivial, but..."
She looks at the man.
"Did they ever find the box?"

"Box?"

"The box Lucian gave her. It is probably not important, but did they find ever it?"

"No," He says, "No I dont believe they ever did."

"I thought so. Well, we'll have to find it ourselves then."
Dea bows to the priest.
"No doubt I am still overlooking something important. I hope I can return to you should I have more to ask. But you have helped more than you know. I thank thee. Now I have to go and warn my friends."
With that, she turns and leaves.
Ignoring the rain, she hurries back to the tavern, where she casts a look around to see if anyone is still there.

Dolph has left as well. She does not see him either in the lobby or in the parlor where she last saw him. It is posible that he is following a lead of his own.

For a moment, Dea is uncertain about what to do.
Follow Dolph? She has a feeling where he might have gone.
The ruins to find the old woman? Or the other fire?
The others are probably investigating there, but they don't know yet what is going on.
She looks up at the darkened sky, then turns towards the river and began to run.

Celestia watched Dea head off towards the area of the Pyre. She felt a chill as she thought about the remains being burned. It just didn't seem right.
Lost in thought, Celestia looked up when she thought she heard someone say something. Seeing that noone was talking, Celestia remarked "Well, where should we go from here?"

"For those going to the river I can summon a carriage, if you like. For those going to the ruins, I am afraid you will have to walk," Dolph says.
The air outside has quieted, save for the distant rumble of lightning and the more persistant of celebrations. Dark clouds have moved to hide the moon, but occasional flashes of lightning illuminate the way, and herald the coming storm.
As the first of the rain streaks down, one begins to doubt the wisdom of this endeavor.