War of the Lost Kingdom

Yes I understand, I was invited to join the investigation by the Legate. Can you tell me what happened
Might as well start the investigation here

Mess Hall

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Greta finishes eating a piece of bread, and interjects "The Let-Gate thinks Finn killed someone. " Then she corrects Xiao "They were gonna throw the little guy out the window, so I knocked ‘em out. "

After questioning the soldiers, Ian leaves them be. Instead of going right to the crime scene he heads towards the mess hall. He needs to collect his new 'partner' as well as get the other's side of things. As he walks, he pays attention to the fortress itself, for other ways someone could get in or out of the courtyard without the guards noticing.

Zifu's eyes grew wide. "You knocked the Legate out?" she gasped, before she held her hands up and shook them to stop the absurdity. "No, no. That makes no sense."

She took a moment to collect herself, then said calmly, "There was a fight, yes?"

With an appreciable eye, Ian moves towards the mess hall, intending on meeting with the others. As he enters he makes sure to open the doors a bit too loudly, putting a stormy expression on his face. His boots clack on the stone as he crosses the room on his wall to Zifu. "Mornin'. We need ta talk." He glances towards Greta and Doc, "All four'a us."

Zifu suddenly felt surrounded as the situation changed rapidly each time she thought she had a handle on it. She looked down at her now-empty tray and sighed.

She put the Liber away into her robe, then clasped her hands in her lap and allowed the sleeves to drape over them. With the demeanor of one that attempted to exude infinite patience and failing miserably, she said calmly, "Good morning, Lord Mardelik. Please, have a seat."

"What's up, boss?" he says dryly

"As yer all aware, Finn has been accused'a murder." He keeps his voice relatively low enough for just those nearby to hear. "The victim, a soldier, was apparently attacked by'a magical spell b'fore fallin' t'his death. They are quite happy ta place him as'a scape goat but I'm sure that -any- worker'a magicks'll fall under the gaze'a the head investigator soon enough."

He pauses a moment and then sighs darkly, "I know this investigator. He's a cunnin' man. Dangerous, highly intelligent, able ta size up people an see their weaknesses -immediately-." He pauses a moment, keeping a straight face, "He's also -super- handsome, long, wavy redhead. Women want him, men want ta be him. Also some men want him too an even though that's not how he rolls." Ian reaches up a hand to touch his chest, as if making a heartfelt, poetic ode. "He appreciates it nonetheless. He is warm an sensitive, caring in his own way but deeply mysterious an, well, you jerks get'the picture."

Zifu narrowed her eyes as Ian spoke, but did not interrupt for the time being.

"The -point- is that I've been appointed head investigator an asked fer Xiao Zifu ta act as my primary assistant." He pauses to look among them, one by one. "An I hope you'll all decide ta help."

"You are the lead investigator?" Zifu said, disbelief pushing through her collected poise. "I find it difficult to believe that the Drathian military would allow a third-party to investigate the murder of their own."

"The Drathian military is eager ta blame someone else and the Legate is overwhelmed by havin' hundreds'a soldiers at a fort not designed for it." He pauses a moment, a beat for comedy's sake. "Also Finn's behavior reflects badly on me so I asked for a chance ta redeem my honor."

Zifu looked unconvinced. "If you have a personal connection to this case," she began, her words laden with implication, "you should recuse yourself from it."

He grins at her, "Well, I mean. I -do- think that little dipshit is gettin' what he deserves, not keepin' his magical dick in'is pants." There's a wry chuckle before he continues, "An, let's be honest. Everyone here is gonna be more than happy ta burn the witch an move on past this. Except you. Hence why you've been recruited ta help."

"Furthermore," continued Zifu, "I find it difficult to believe that Drathis's military would treat this as you've described. In my dealings when their soldiers and officers, I have found them to be nothing but reasonable, well-organized, disciplined, and highly professional; certainly not the bloodthirsty savages you paint them to be."

Greta looks up from her bowl of oatmeal. "What’s that? Who’s this investigator then?" she asks having been concentrating on eating all of her food, most of Zifu’s, and a few bites of Docanter’s.

A belch punctuated her questions, as she looks around for more food.