The Silver Sphinx

 

 

"The multiverse has always needed someone like us." 
Jhary of Heka, first sentence in the Book of the Harmonium

 

 

Fourth Hive Day of Capricious, 125 HR

Naghûl wasn't around Harmonium Street all too often. Too orderly, too many hardheads, too little music and life. But every now and then you had to grasp the nettle - especially if you worked for the Harmonium. At least he had Sgillin with him, even if the half-elf let him do the talking at the entrance.

"Lady's grace, my dear," Naghûl greeted one of the guards at the gate. "I would like to enter the Barracks and request a conversation with factol Sarin."

The female officer paused for a moment and then had to laugh. "Sure. And what do you really want?"

Naghûl smiled kindly at her. He had already figured it wouldn't be quite that easy. "I would like to speak with factol Sarin," he insisted.

Now the guard apparently had enough of the Sensates' jokes and frowned disapprovingly. "Well, I don't know how you imagine it, but not everyone can just come along and ask for an audience with the factol. Do you know how busy Sarin is?"

Sgillin wanted to say something, but bit his lips at a warning look from the tiefling and wisely kept quiet.

"Certainly I know that," Naghûl explained politely. "And I wouldn't ask for it just like that if I didn't know he would meet me. Oh, and if he should indeed be tied up with business, then surely his wife, the revered Faith, would speak with me."

This was enough to confuse the officer at least a little. "I see. Um, so you have an appointment, so to speak?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes." As she continued to scrutinize him, the Sensate sighed. "Of course I don't have an appointment, dear lady. But he will see me as soon as possible if you tell him that Naghûl Ka'Tesh, factotum of the Sensates, wishes to speak with him."

Now it obviously went too far for the guard. "You Sensates always have a lot of nerve." She shook her head. "Talk to Diana, please, she'll know how to .... um, handle this request."

"Of course. I'll find her where?"

The officer pointed to the door. "In the reception hall."

"I thank you sincerely, dear lady," the tiefling replied. "I wish you a good stint and some just arrests."

"We'll have those," the guard retorted somewhat snappily.

Naghûl and Sgillin opened the gate, not necessarily an easy task, as the door leaves were made of solid wood and high enough to allow even an ogre to pass comfortably. After they had entered, the door snapped shut loudly behind them, a thunderous sound that thoroughly shattered the silence that had lain over the entrance hall. Naghûl bit his lips and made a mental note: Next time, hold the door as it closes. The tiefling and the half-elf looked around. They were standing in a hall that would have held well over three hundred people, with massive columns carrying the ceiling. The architecture was unpretentious and sturdy, but not without a certain charm. The capitals of the columns and the floor mosaic showed stylized suns, shields and swords, all components of the Harmonium's faction symbol. Central to the hall was a heavy desk of dark wood, covered with numerous parchments, several inkwells and a few scrolls. Behind it sat an attractive woman, about in her late thirties, who radiated friendliness and charm. The noise the visitors had made on entering obviously did not anger her, for she smiled at them.

"Lady's Grace, gentlemen," the woman – probably Diana - greeted. "How can I help you?"

The Sensate approached the table and inclined his head in greeting. "My name is Naghûl Ka'Tesh. And although I would rather enjoy your company at the moment, I would need to speak with factol Sarin. Unfortunately, I do not have an appointment, but I am sure he will see me."

Sgillin rubbed the back of his neck with a doubtful look, but the concierge arched her left brow meaningfully. "Yes, the Sensate, I am informed."

"Oh, really?" Naghûl was pleasantly surprised. "Then I may assume that he will receive me?"

"He will," the woman replied, then called over her shoulder. "Jostos."

From the back of the entrance hall, a red-haired half-elf in light armor now hurried over and saluted.

"Lady Diana?"

"Would you please be so kind as to take these two gentlemen to factol Sarin."

Naghûl noticed that Sgillin was eyeing Jostos rather blatantly, hinting a soundless "Wow" with his lips. He stifled a smirk. It was doubtful that the chaotic half-elf would have too much of a chance with the righteous Harmonium soldier. However, Sgillin was with Lereia anyway. Jostos' eyes widened at Diana's instruction.

"To the factol? Um, of course ... Um ... To which room? Upstairs or downstairs?"

"To his office, please," Diana instructed.

Jostos coughed a little. "To his office? Well, to the factol's office?"

"That's what I said," Diana replied with undiminished friendliness.

The half-elf saluted again. "Yes, sure." She turned to Naghûl and Sgillin and bowed hastily. "Yes, gentlemen. Most honored gentlemen, of course. Please do follow me. If you will have the kindness, of course."

"We have, we have," Sgillin replied, clearly unable to take his eyes off the young soldier.

She seemed a bit nervous, which Naghûl attributed to the fact that normally only high-ranking guests were brought directly to the factol's office.

Naghûl turned to the concierge once again. "Lady Diana, it was truly a great honor to meet you. It would be my pleasure to see you again for similar matters."

Diana nodded to him with a smile. "Lady's Grace."

Then the tiefling turned to Jostos. "I am sure my friend here would follow you to the end of Sigil."

Sgillin grinned. "And further."

This was clearly not the usual tone at the Harmonium headquarters, for Jostos blushed and quickly opened the door that apparently led further inside the Barracks. "Here you are. I will take you to the upper floor. Have you been here before?"

"No, never before," Sgillin replied.

"Only for remand," Naghûl added with a grin.

Jostos laughed out loud, but looked a bit uncertain, undecided whether the Sensate was joking or not. "Ah yes ... Um, yes then ... I'll give a little tour. Courtesy to the guests dictates that."

"We would be delighted," Naghûl declared.

"More than that," Sgillin added, to which the tiefling only shook his head slightly. The half-elf was obviously in top form today.

The young soldier led the visitors through a long corridor, from which many doors led off again and again. Then she turned left and again a long, albeit wide corridor led straight ahead. The square ground plan of the Barracks could be easily guessed during the tour, even inside. Finally they reached a very large hall that could certainly hold several thousand people.

"This is the Grand Auditorium," Jostos explained, "Our factol gives the speeches to the new recruits here. His speeches are always really impressive, you should hear one sometime. The hall here is always packed."

"Would guest listeners be allowed?" asked Naghûl with genuine interest.

"Every now and then someone is allowed to listen," nodded the half-elf, "Of course, you have to register beforehand and it will be checked if everthing is all right."

"I would be interested. I must also admit that factol Sarin is a thoroughly impressive personality." Although he was often prone to joking, the Sensate now spoke completely seriously and without any irony.

Sgillin grinned once more. "I'm sure, he'll be happy to let you listen, especially you."

Jostos did not notice the sidelong glance Naghûl gave the half-elf, as she let her gaze wander through the auditorium, probably remembering past gatherings. "That's true," she agreed with the tiefling. "He's been running the Harmonium for five years now, and we've all taken him into our hearts. I thought at first he might be strange ... him being a prime and all. But he's actually more like a planar."

Naghûl nodded in agreement. Yes, that's how he had felt at the first meeting in the Festhall. In Sigil, it was an often talked about fact that Sarin was a prime. But no one in the Cage was under the illusion that he was clueless. Not even his opponents committed such a misjudgment.

"Besides, this is where the instructions take place," Jostos continued, "For example, when there are very large operations or Sigil is particularly in turmoil."

"For example, when the Xaositects are up to nonsense again," Naghûl noted.

Jostos laughed. "Exactly. Oh, by the way, I may return your compliment, your factol is also very impressive. A formidable woman!"

The tiefling beamed with joy. He really liked to talk about his factol. He was aware of that, of course, but could anyone blame him? "Truly!" he replied. "She is a pearl of Sigil, I would argue."

"Worthy of your faction," Jostos agreed, pointing to a door leading away from the auditorium. "Behind that door is the inner courtyard of the Barracks. All major drill exercises are held there."

"I see." Naghûl nodded. "Perfect organization must be practiced, after all."

"Indeed. The new recruits in particular don't always find that easy."

"I think we have that in common," the Sensate replied, surveying the floor appreciatively as he walked. Here in the auditorium, the simple stone floor had given way to a mosaic composed mainly of white and red hues. The patterns were simple and plain, befitting such a militarily organized faction. But Naghûl's practiced eye could see that the mosaic was of high quality.

Jostos now led them to a stone staircase. "The upper floor is not open to the public. Actually", she added with a smile.

"I'm honored," Sgillin remarked.

"We're not really the public, after all," Naghûl added jokingly.

Jostos nodded. "Sarin obviously sees it that way."

The stairs led to another hall with a similarly designed mosaic floor, but much smaller than the lower one.

"This is the Upper Auditorium. This is primarily where promotions are carried out and special awards are given."

"Very interesting," the tiefling noted. "Unfortuantely, I will probably never have the pleasure of receiving an award."

Sgillin laughed. "You are already decorated enough."

"Of course it involves our faction members," Jostos admitted with a grin, pointing to some more stairs as they passed, "Those stairs lead to one of the four towers. Up there is the landing platform for flying units such as the griffin riders."

"We can't go up there?" Sgillin looked a little disappointed. "I'm sure it's a great view."

Naghûl nodded. "I'd give a lot to watch the flying units up there for once."

"Unfortunately, the tower is not accessible without permission," the half-elf explained. "I regret. You can ask the factol about it."

The Sensate wondered what Sarin would say to that, stealing his time with a request for a tour of the Barracks. He could about answer the question, so he contented himself with replying: "We understand that, of course."

The young soldier led them out of the Upper Auditorium, back into a longer corridor. Naghûl gradually became aware of how large the Barracks were. Of course, he had never been under the illusion that only the Sensates had a huge faction headquarters with the Festhall. (Albeit the most beautiful and magnificent, there was no question about that.) But the massive, solid Barracks, on their hill in the Lady's Ward, did not seem as vast from the outside as they obviously were from the inside. They now passed several doors with sacred symbols above them. Naghûl could recognize those of the deities Torm, Helm, Bahamut and Moradin, among others, but also some which he could not identify.

"Here are the shrines of some of the deities commonly worshipped in our faction," Jostos explained, "There, for example, you see the shrines of Helm, Torm, Tyr, Marduk and Iomedae."

Naghûl nodded. "Very nice that the religious followers have a place for worship within their own walls."

Sgillin took a closer look at one of the doors Jostos had pointed to. Above it was the symbol of a sword pointing downward in front of a sun. "Iomedae?" the half-elf asked.

Jostos's eyes widened. "You don't know Iomedae?"

"Torilian prime." Naghûl winked at her as he made way for a powerful half-orc coming toward them, perhaps on his way to or from his shift.

"No, I don't know her," Sgillin admitted frankly.

"Yes, certainly not a prime from Golarion or Ortho," Jostos replied, "Iomedae is a fairly popular goddess on Ortho, even if her homeworld is actually Golarion. She has her realm on Arcadia, of course. Our factol is one of her paladins."

"Remember it," Naghûl instructed Sgillin jokingly.

"Noted," the half-elf replied with a grin.

The long corridor continued, again numerous doors left and right. "Here are our offices, and below, the officers' quarters," Jostos explained, then pointing to a more magnificently decorated door to her right, "This is Tonat Shar's office. He is Sarin's second-in-command."

The statement seemed to be addressed directly to Sgillin. Possibly the young woman assumed that he, being clueless, could be ignorant even of a fact so well known in Sigil. Naghûl had to smile. She was not wrong. Then at last she stopped, in front of a heavy wooden door engraved with the symbol of the Harmonium. Two officers stood guard there.

"And here is factol Sarin's office. He rarely receives non-faction members here." She said it with a look that somehow seemed to imply a request to behave themselves.

The tiefling nodded gravely. "We are aware of the honor."

Jostos nodded, knocked on the door and waited for a response. When Sarin's deep voice answered from inside, she opened and announced the visitors. Then she asked the two to enter with a wave of her hand, but stopped in front of the door herself. The tiefling and the half-elf passed, and Naghûl could hardly believe that he really was in Sarin's office. This experience alone was actually worth the whole thing. The room was lined with light-colored parquet flooring and seemed warmer and friendlier than the Sensate had expected. On the right side was a long table with ten chairs, certainly for high command meetings. A large map hung on the wall, showing several continents of what was probably a prime material world. A globe standing behind the table showed the same geography. It was probably Sarin's homeworld of Ortho. To the left of the door was Sarin's desk, on which lay a quantity of papers and a map of Sigil. In a wooden chair with a high back sat the factol, who wore his red and gold armor, as he had at the last meeting. As Naghûl and Sgillin entered, he looked up and put a quill back into the inkwell. The half-elf left the door open, and Naghûl noticed Sarin's gaze moving to the entrance with a reproving expression.

"There are doors in Sigil, Sgillin," the Sensate remarked with a grin. "You get to close those, too."

"Well said," Sarin noted with a raised brow. "Lady's Grace."

Naghûl bowed deeply. "Lad'y Grace. I salute you, factol Sarin."

Sgillin followed his example, and Naghûl was relieved that the chaotic prime half-elf respected at least the basic etiquette of Sigil.

Sarin looked briefly at Sgillin, then at Naghûl, who had set his staff down beside him, almost as militarily as the officers on watch outside the door had set down their halberds.

"I salute you, factotum and ... what did you say your name was?"

"Sgillin, factol," the half-elf replied.

"Sgillin, right." The paladin nodded. He seemed much calmer and more composed this time than the last time they had met. And of course, Sgillin couldn't help but comment.

"You look more relaxed than last time, dear factol."

The tiefling took a breath. As if that comment was necessary. Sometimes he wasn't quite sure if Sgillin's behavior was clueless or intended. The factol glanced at the half-elf, but instead of a sharp remark, the hint of a smile appeared on his lips, to Naghûl's relief.

"You don't say."

"Yes, my keen half-elf eye caught that immediately," Sgillin continued.

Now it was enough. Naghûl decided to intervene. "I think Sgillin would like to remain silent now," he declared with a sharp glance at his friend.

The Sensate's intervention elicited a smirk from Sarin and the smile now reached his eyes. "It may be because the Xaositects have been quiet for three weeks, or it may be because four of my children are visiting Ortho. But either way, the reason we are meeting is because of my firstborn, and she is here in Sigil."

Naghûl nodded. "Exactly. And if you will allow me, I would steal very little of your time and quickly get to the real issue at hand, factol Sarin."

"Go ahead. I'm glad Lady Erin can spare you."

Naghûl inclined his head slightly. "I hope I enjoy your confidence, though it may be something of a risk in your eyes."

"If you did not enjoy it, you would not be standing here," the factol replied seriously. "And if I did not trust Erin to send me someone who would meet my expectations, I would not have sought out your factol."

"I thank you," Naghûl replied with a relieved smile. "For one thing, it's about the plan to bring the Blue Jay here. I've been researching and talking to people who know something about his business."

Sarin folded his arms. "I'm listening."

"If he were to be brought here," the Sensate continued carefully, "he would definitely use it to his advantage. No matter in what way you would do it, he would take advantage of this opportunity and - pardon the following expression - and he would exploit it in his songs. What I'm saying is: You would only be playing into his hands and paying attention to his pubertal fidgeting."

"I would gladly give him more attention than he would like," the paladin replied darkly. "But please continue."

Naghûl suddenly had a feeling of déjà vu of their first conversation in the Festhall. Then, too, his words had not worked on Sarin as he had hoped at first, and that had sent him into a bit of a tailspin. This time it had to work better. "Of course you would, and you might not put the saddle on the wrong horse. But it would have to be proven first ... I'm getting lost, I'm sorry. Anyway, such a would-be revolutionary is more supported by such actions than by simply ignoring him. If the public authorities don't listen, soon no one will anymore. And the lad won't go as far as Alter Beer, here the specialists agree."

Sgillin nodded complacently. "His infantile mind isn't even capable of that."

It took a certain amount of self-control not to respond to Sgillin's teasing. With a deep breath, the tiefling nevertheless managed to continue unperturbed. "I am not here to uplift our philosophy or criticize yours, factol. I merely wish to render you my services to the best of my ability and therefore recommend my warmest advice. Merely a recommendation, the decision is yours, of course, factol."

Again, a small smile appeared on Sarin's lips and Naghûl thought he briefly detected an amused expression in his eyes. "Factotum, I appreciate your respect, but there is no need to butter me up. I won't bite you if our philosophies don't always go hand in hand."

Naghûl faltered briefly. Especially here in the Barracks he had not expected so much pragmatism and was now actually surprised. He began to understand why Sarin enjoyed a reputation for often catching other participants in the Kriegstanz off-guard. "Forgive me, I did not mean to offend or insult you ..." He paused for a moment. "And I feel at this very moment that I'm getting lost somewhere."

Now Sarin rose and walked around the table. "Naghûl, I can assure you that when I feel offended, my counterpart notices it very quickly. What I meant to say is that you don't have to speak to me as if you had to transport Arborean crystals across a glassy ice surface unharmed. That doesn't mean I'll accept disrespect, but there's something in between."

Naghûl didn't immediately know what to retort, and that truly didn't happen often. He swallowed and for a crazy second he wondered if Sarin might be testing him somehow. But that was nonsense. The paladin just seemed to actually be as direct and forthright as they said he was. And basically, that made dealing with him easier. At least that was to be hoped. Naghûl took one deep breath and exhaled, then smiled with relief. "I would like to express my highest respect to you."

Sgillin seemed to be getting tired of all the back and forth. "Get to the point," he grumbled.

"Thank you. You are just beginning to understand why my ways don't always fit into the political tactics and speaking between the lines in the Hall of Speakers, I suppose. And no, it is not because I am a prime."

Naghûl nodded. Yes, perhaps he was beginning to suspect why the Sigil newspapers reported on the factol as they did. "Then I assume that I can be brief and may now put aside the superfluous formalities. I also assume that my opinion of the Blue Jay is frankly stated."

Sarin nodded, but before Naghûl could continue, the door was sweepingly yanked open and a broad-built man in armor and with short blond hair rushed in. "Fac ..." He faltered as he realized Sarin was not alone.

The paladin gave him a reproving look. "Tonat, my second-in-command may also knock before entering."

Naghûl and Sgillin hastily stepped out of their line of sight, and Tonat Shar cleared his throat in embarrassment. "Excuse me, Sarin ..." He interrupted himself and assumed his posture. "Factol Sarin, I didn't know you were having a conversation, there was no entry in the appointment book."

"Yes," Sarin replied, and a certain self-mockery seemed to resonate in his voice. "Every now and then something unplanned happens in the Harmonium, too. Very rarely though."

Tonat didn't seem to know exactly what to say in response to this remark. "Exactly, very rarely ..."

Sarin's expression changed from reproachful to impatient. "Tonat, it's a little inconvenient right now, so ..."

"Sorry, factol," his deputy replied. "On Ortho they again want to ..." He interrupted himself once more after a glance at Sgillin and Naghûl. "Well never mind, I'll be back later."

"What do they want ..." Sarin started, but immediately finished the sentence again. It was obvious that he would have liked to hear what Tonat had to say immediately and that he did not like to put it off. "The Lady spare me." He rubbed his temples. "Yes, I'll have time for that in a moment."

"Thank you," Shar replied tersely in military fashion, "I'm sorry to bother you."

He hurried back out and the factol sighed. "Pardon me. As you can see, it gets ... busy here sometimes. Now, what is your plan?"

Naghûl, who had been watching the scene with interest, refocused on the real topic of conversation. "To keep it short: I need your daughter's roster for when she patrols and where."

"Patrolling?" Sgillin asked, confused.

"My firstborn daughter," Sarin replied, "is a member of the military wing of the Harmonium. And she, of course, performs all the duties that go with it."

"I see," replied the half-elf, "I just didn't know you had members that young."

"Marinda is seventeen," Sarin replied curtly, then turned to Naghûl without further explanation. "Well, factotum, this information is very ... well, delicate. If I pass it on, you will have to guard it like your own sensory stone - I hope the metaphor is apt in your case."

"Of course, factol," Naghûl assured him, "I would caution you, however. She may well be very disappointed in the days to come, because she would probably have liked to see something else in this bird."

"I can live with that," replied the paladin, "I'd rather have a daughter with a twisted heartbreak than one who gets mixed up with Anarchists or kidnapped or the Lady knows what."

"I quite agree," replied the tiefling. "Personally, I'm not too fond of Anarchists either. And that's my honest opinion, no buttering."

Sarin actually smiled briefly. "I'll take your word for that. The Sensates are a strange bunch, if you'll pardon the choice of words, but they're as interested in the stability of this city as we are." He began sifting through the papers on his desk as he went along.

Naghûl grinned. "I insist on that choice of words."

Sarin looked up and raised a brow. "I am reassured to find my prejudices justified. But please tell Lady Erin, I will still not use a sensory stone, especially not the one with ..." To Naghûl's disappointment, he lowered the papers before he could mention which sensory stone he was to talk about. "Oh, damn ...," it slipped out. "Excuse me …" He walked to a door in the back of the office and turned to the Sensate when he noticed his questioning look. "I thought I had her roster here, but I guess Marinda took it already. One moment, please."

He opened the door, behind which some children's voices were promptly heard. Naghûl nodded barely noticeably. The passageway apparently led directly to the private chambers of the factol and his family.

"Marinda!" called Sarin. When there was no reply, he repeated himself, louder this time. "MARINDA!" The tiefling flinched briefly at the unexpected volume of Sarin's voice. No wonder he could effortlessly make himself heard even in the chaotic streets of Sigil. When still nothing happened, his voice took on an unmistakably impatient edge. "Marinda, today! ... My goodness."

Naghûl looked somewhat concerned. The situation was not developing quite as he had wished. He really hoped the girl didn't get into trouble, that was the last thing he wanted.

Then finally Marinda came rushing up. She had inherited both parents' black hair but her mother's fair complexion, and Naghûl might have guessed her even younger than seventeen. She wore a surcoat with the symbol of the Harmonium and now stumbled hurriedly through the door. "I'm already here, factol."

"Did you make a detour to Melodia first?" Her father shook his head disapprovingly.

Sgillin and Naghûl bowed to Marinda, who only now noticed the two visitors in her father's office and nodded politely to them. "Greetings," she said, then turned back to Sarin. "Excuse me, I was just ..."

The factol did not let her get a word in edgewise. "Door!" he interrupted her forcefully.

"Excuse me!" The girl turned and closed the door behind her.

Naghûl's eyes widened. Was this, after all, the factol's normal way of dealing with his children? He hoped to the Lady that this was not the case.

"What is it?" asked Marinda now.

Sarin gave her a dark look. "What is it? I guess I misheard. What kind of an entrance is this? Posture!"

Marinda immediately snapped to attention. "Excuse me." She really tried hard. "Reporting for duty."

Sarin waved it off. "Oh, come on, for duty. It doesn't start for another hour."

"Oh, yeah ..." The girl now looked slightly overwhelmed. "So, not lining up now, or what ...?"

Sgillin had to bite back a grin and Naghûl looked at Marinda sympathetically. He felt he really shouldn't be witnessing this scene.

"Or what?" repeated Sarin, upset. "A more appropriate choice of words, please!"

"Excuse me, father."

The paladin raised a brow. "Father?"

"Um, factol." The girl frowned. "So, on duty now after all, or w.... ?" She swallowed the rest of the sentence.

Sarin buried his face in his hands for a moment. "Yes, all right. I actually wanted an exemplary performance here, showing that .... Anyway, too late. My goodness."

Marinda stood visibly overwhelmed in the room and Naghûl tried to smile innocently, biting his lower lip. He wished the ground would open and swallow him up, and this despite the fact that he was not even the target of Sarin's displeasure.

The factol now extended his left hand. "Duty roster."

Uncertain, Marinda looked at her father's hand. "I ... don't see one."

"Duty roster!" repeated Sarin indignantly.

Sgillin was obviously finding it harder and harder to suppress a grin, while Naghûl felt rather exasperated. If only he had never asked about the stupid roster. There would have been a hundred other possibilities!

Marinda looked doubtfully at her father. "Father, you don't have one in your hand. Are you overworked?" She only now seemed to remember that yes, Sgillin and Naghûl were still in the room, and she bit her lips.

Sarin took a deep breath that sounded almost like a low rumble. "Your roster! Where is it?"

For all her Harmonium discipline - or attempted discipline - Marinda's facial expression was now clearly that of an annoyed seventeen-year-old. "Um ... In my room?"

"Then give it to me!" ordered Sarin gruffly, "What am I calling you for?"

Sgillin turned away, feigning a coughing fit to hide laughter.

"Um, I don't know," the girl now replied with a touch of defiance, "You were just yelling MARINDA."

Sarin took another breath before commanding, emphatically calmly and slowly: "Get - your - roster."

"Yes, fa ..." She hesitated. "Factol?"

"I don't care how, but get it!"

Marinda quickly disappeared through the door, but without closing it behind her.

"Door!" Sarin called after her.

She returned to close the door, another muffled "Yes, yes ..." was heard before it fell into the lock.

The factol rubbed his temples. "Excuse me ... children."

Naghûl was still trying to appear completely calm and unaffected. "Um yeah ... I'll probably never get into that pleasure."

"Why not?" asked Sarin in his direct manner. "Don't you want children?"

"My wife is a bal'aasi," Naghûl explained matter-of-factly.

"Oh." The paladin nodded and his expression changed from tense to regretful. "I see, that's another matter, of course. I'm sorry, the question wasn't mine to ask either."

Naghûl smiled apologetically. "If you didn't ask, you wouldn't know. We live with it and are thinking about adoption."

Sarin laughed briefly. "I have nine of them, I could possibly cede one." Then he cleared his throat. "Forgive me, one gains a certain, if misplaced, black humor in my situation, I'm afraid."

"You should have a bowling alley built," it slipped out of Naghûl's mouth, and at the same moment he bit his tongue. He really shouldn't push it too far.

But Sarin only sighed. "Lovely thought. ... If my wife had heard that ..." He went to the door and opened it again. "Marinda, today!"

Sure enough, a little later his daughter hurried up, took three steps into the room, then stopped, turned and closed the door. She held out her hand to her father with a piece of paper. "Duty roster!"

Somewhat ungently, Sarin took the note. "Thank you."

Marinda saluted. "Factol!"

"Yes, all right." Sarin waved it off irritably.

Now her expression did not become defiant. To Naghûl's surprise, not sad or angry either. In fact, her look was concerned. "What's wrong?" she asked quietly.

Sarin lowered his hand with the roster and sighed. All at once, all sternness and brusqueness fell away from him and he gave his daughter an apologetic look. "I just have a lot to do, Marinda. Anarchists, Ortho, Nem ... a lot of stuff. It's okay." His voice was quieter now and much gentler. "I just don't want it to seem like I'm favoring my own children as members in our faction."

Marinda smiled, and Naghûl had the impression that she knew exactly what her father was talking about here. She responded as if to a well-known topic that was all too familiar to her. "I know. If it helps you, I'll tell everyone how badly you treat me." She faltered and looked to the visitors. "So, just on duty. Well, you know."

Sarin had to grin. "I overheard that." He sounded thoroughly amused, however. "Thank you, Marinda, that's all. Please be on time for your shift."

"I always am!" the girl assured him with utter conviction. At a glance from her father, she grinned slightly. "Almost. Well, I'll see you at dinner, Dad. - Love you," she added a little more softly.

Sgillin smirked, and Naghûl was sure that if anyone had looked to him at that moment, they would have seen his relief. It was nice to see that the factol and his daughter seemed to have a cordial relationship after all, as one would hope for in most corners of the planes.

Sarin stroked Marinda's hair briefly. "I love you, too," he replied. "Off you go."

She hurried out without closing the door, but this time her father did not shout a rebuke after her, only sighed and closed the door himself. Then he handed Naghûl the roster. "Here you are. Her duty starts in an hour. May I ask what you have in mind?"

Naghûl smiled. "To show her a face of the Blue Jay she won't like. All perfectly legal, morally fine, but definitely not to her liking." He studied the plan briefly and Sarin nodded.

"As long as it's legal, it shall be fine with me."

"Oh, the heck with it!" Naghûl decided it was safer and only appropriate to let the factol in on his plan. His daughter was at stake, after all. "The Blue Jay doesn't always seem to be clear in his choice of gender for his mates."

Sarin smiled a little. "Is that so? And you think she'll be deterred by that rather than excited? Well, why not? It might be worth a try."

"It would probably be the most pleasant solution for everyone," the Sensate replied. "He does what he always does, and she sees it because I can have a tiny bit of influence over it."

Sarin didn't seem completely convinced, but nodded. "You will know what you are doing. I wish you well in this tiresome story. Please give my regards to Lady Erin. Oh, and tell her that if I need another recommendation about a gift for my wife, I will get back to her. Her last advice was a great success."

"Her taste is excellent," Naghûl confirmed with a grin, "I will let her know."

"Then I will await your report. Lady's Grace."

"Lady's Grace, factol Sarin," the tiefling replied, "Have thanks for your time."

Sarin raised a brow. "Of course, you are working for me after all."

Naghûl said nothing in response, but despite all his diplomatic skills, he could not help but notice that his expression did not radiate unconditional pleasure. Sarin seemed to be able to interpret his facial expression, for a tiny, knowing smile appeared at the corners of his mouth before he dismissed his guests with a gracious wave of his hand. Naghûl and Sgillin bowed and left the factol's office. The helpful Jostos escorted the two men back downstairs, and Naghûl noticed that he did not really relax again until he reached the entrance of the Barracks. The assignment was certainly a rare and exciting experience, but by the Lady, what had he gotten himself into?

 

(played December 11, 2011)