Ch. 1, Scene 1: The Order of the Silver Rose

Kyle's ears perk up at the mention of missing valuables. Catch a thief, eh? Interesting times. Four thefts, six people, no two present at the same time. Sounds like a logic puzzle just suited for our scientist of the arcane. Kyle took another glass of wine. Last one, he thought, I can't let my guard down, even here.

Bowing in the direction of the Baron, Kyle begins, Your Excellency, the assignment seems eminently suitable, at least for me. Far be it from me to jump to conclusions, but I hope that a satisfactory resolution for his Excellency would manifest in a satisfactory resolution for the assemblage? Kyle coughs uncomfortably when he realizes what he just said, especially in light of the Baron's increasing irritability. Hurrying on, he adds Your Excellency, I note that you started your sequester the day after the last theft. Have you considered that one of the conspirators—and it seems likely there is more than one person involved—may have left the day of the last theft?

Kyle listened attentively as the Baron described his predicament, focusing on both what the Baron said and how he says it. He blushed as the Baron playfully called out his mercenary question, but quickly focused on the answer. My training should be useful here, and favors from the nobility may be the most powerful currency of all—especially in my predicament, he thought.

Kyle stretched and cracked his back, which had settled while the Baron spoke. Watching the elf leave—nearly flee—the tavern, Kyle briefly wondered. Perhaps he just doesn't like cities. Or even people, Kyle thought considering the elves frozen responses to Kyle's questions in a foreign tongue.

Forgoing a third glass of the excellent vintage, but fortifying himself with a square of some remarkably pungent blue cheese, Kyle approached the remarkably logical and, to be honest, strikingly beautiful but somewhat aloof blonde. Already, he had a list of questions about the stories, although he knew now was not the time to ask the Baron directly, especially as the latter had signaled the end of the conversation by leaving his seat. However, Ms. Wintersun seemed to be the person whose mind could focus most closely on these kinds of problems.

Waiting until she responded to Hal, Kyle began, Miss Wintersun? Or Eirika if I may? What did you think of the Baron's story? I noted some absences in the description. For example, did anyone see Tinnah mount the gryphon with the necklace, or could it have already been removed whilst she waited on line? Are we certain the spear thrown by Xanth was the enchanted one, or could it have been switched even earlier? With the poker game, did the lights actually go out or did the participants simply lose their vision temporarily. If the former, the thief would have to have had a familiarity with the room and its layout. If the latter, well, any yokel could have taken the money. Lastly, the Baron did not describe how the goblet was taken or from where. Simply that it was. I find that…unsatisfying. While we have plenty of time to think, especially once we enter the manor and are sequestered, I would appreciate your considered thoughts on the matter, m'lady. Kyle took another bite of the cheese and glanced around to see if anyone else was listening.

Rolant, Rupert, both are just as good. Maybe I’ll use that in the next town in which I need to lay low. Kyle nods as Eirika explains her thoughts. However, as Tante Lude makes her observation, Kyle’s brow furrows and he frowns. My instincts do not run that way, but you are correct, Madam Lude. Or is it Mother Lude? This adds an entirely new level of complexity. If any stage, such as the casing, the entry, the theft, or the extraction were done by magic, it makes it less likely this was an inside job. As his mind processes Tante Lude’s observation, Kyle doesn’t precisely notice that he has slipped into more technical jargon.

Seeing that Tante Lude is leaving with Nyx and Hal, Kyle continues, While I would love to pick your brain further, I don’t wish to keep you. Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to tag along as all of you explore the town, Kyle says, realizing that both safety and anonymity lie in numbers, and that going with Nyx, Hal, and Tante Lude would keep him in the largest group.