Anthin awoke early the next morning with his head full of things to do and trails to follow. He had some trepidation regarding his choices, or what could prove a lack of choices. He had to gain access to the cathedral at the very least, the Palace as well if he hoped to get more information. From what Edwyne had told him the day prior it would be easier said than done.

  He dressed in the darkness of pre-dawn, mind occupied with possible courses of action. He’d much prefer to access things through official channels if he could. He recognized that in this time of upheaval and doubt he may not be able to but he dared not step on any toes with the situation so uncertain. It may even be dangerous for him to attempt but his failure in that regard could very well lend some first hand account to the news things were inaccessible there.

  He left the room his host had provided and looked around the apartment spying a writing desk. He took a seat and dug around for some parchment and a quill. Anthin wrote out his full report thus far, confirming what he knew to be true and speculating on other matters. There was enough to fill a page and he left a promise of an update as soon as could be managed. He rolled the parchment and sealed it with wax leaving it with a note for Edwyne informing him he’d return before noon.

  He wasn’t worried about the report being intercepted as he had faith in Edwyn’s assurance it would get through. It was rare a merchant and exporter wouldn’t have a few contacts in the smuggling world. With that done he left the apartment by way of the back stairs.

  The streets of Wayra were eerily quiet. It was still quite early but there were usually a few early risers around. Be it sailors or dock workers, warehousemen or any number of jobs that kept to early starts and long days. He passed a few folk but less than he’d expected.

  He was careful to avoid patrols. The streets were ripe with them and while he could explain his presence out this early being a foreigner and under the recognizance of his friend he’d rather not have to deal with it. Plus he’d bring scrutiny on Edwyne, a poor return for the favours done thus far. He’d have to be more careful once he left the warehouse district as his pass didn’t permit him to be wandering around.

  Anthin’s first destination was a small parish church just outside of the warehouse district. Brother Orrin ministered there and was an acquaintance of Anthin’s. He hoped to ply Orrin with questions regarding Enlightened Prestache’s actions. In the back of the parish was a small cellar door that Anthin knew contained a tunnel to the catacombs beneath the cathedral. All the major cities in Etrusia that contained a cathedral also contained a tunnel to the nearest parish. These tunnels served many purposes, from smuggling people or messages out to providing an escape route for notable Church officials in times of need. It would provide a way to access the cathedral should he be denied at the gates.

  He left the warehouse district behind, turning down a side street that would bring him to the rear of the parish. This area was busier as the city began to come alive around him. The district surrounding the warehouses was mostly shop and wares, some tradesmen. People were out opening their stores for the day and beginning to go about their business. The increased traffic would help Anthin blend in and avoid the watch.

  In his musing inattention he very nearly ran into a pair of them patrolling the streets ahead of him. With his light Dimabrian features he’d never pass for a Wayran citizen. He ducked onto an alley to avoid them, hoping they moved on before he exited the other end. His luck-Sayoshti’s Grace-held true and there was no sign of them when he emerged back into the main streets.

  Spying his destination ahead he quickened his step, anxious to get in and out of sight. The parish yard was surrounded by a tall fence. Anthin approached the back gate hoping it wasn’t locked. Yet again Sayoshti smiled upon his endeavour and he entered the yard. He went directly to the cellar door set at ground level on the back of the building and found this door unsecured as well. What luck, he had been worried with the decrease in Church personnel in the city that this parish would be closed and locked up.

  Satisfied with his options should he have to resort to secondary plans he made his way around the building to the front door and entered the parish. It was much like his home parish at Eastgate in Dimabri City. Indeed all over Etrusia they maintained much the same design, only varying in size. His booted footsteps echoed through the building as he made his way down the aisle towards the raised lectern.

  The place was empty. Anthin gave a tentative “Hello!” out loud. Receiving no response after a minute he continued on past the dais and into the back rooms and halls. Brother Orrin would have an office back there. Checking various rooms as he passed and finding that no acolytes, parishioners or volunteers occupied any of them. The place was truly empty. It was a chilling thing, to be somewhere usually full of life and finding it devoid of anyone. Another “Hello.” In hopes of finding at least one person around he was this time promptly answered by a muted “Back here.”

  A door at the end of the hall opened to reveal Brother Orrin. “How may I help you?”

  “Brother Orrin.” Anthin put on his best smile. “It’s me Brother Anthin.”

  “Anthin?” Orrin squinted into the dim hall. “It is you! Come, join me in the office.” He turned beckoning for Anthin to join him.

  He took a seat in a chair fronting the desk as Orrin went around and sat in his own chair behind it. Brother Orrin was an aged Wayran, dark of complexion and going bald. He had a few years on Anthin and was not nearly as spry. Anthin and he, while never really friendly, had worked together on many things in their careers together before Orrin had been sent here to preach through his days until he retired. That Orrin was still here while so many of the Church’s officials had been sent away from the city meant one of two things. Either Orrin was complicit in whatever was going on in the city or he was just here–out of the way. Anthin meant to assume the former until the latter was proven.

  “To what do I owe this visit to Anthin? I thought you were far off in Dimabri.”

  “Oh I was, until last spring when I accompanied the Enlightened Serivus to the Citadel. As for today, well I happened to be in Wayra visiting and thought to see you and say hello.”

  “Hello to you, unexpected as it is. How is it that you are here? They are detaining outlanders, you know?”

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  “I know it well as I was detained until yesterday and I am out on a friend’s bond.”

  “Hmm, well it’s been a chaotic time here recently as I’m sure you're finding out. There's illness in the city. It hasn’t spread beyond so far which is good.”

  “I’d heard rumours of such during my journey here and I arrived to find the Governor has been supplanted.” Antin’s expression took on a disappointed look. “I must say these stories of the Church sanctioning such a momentous change have left me wondering. Given that at the time I left the Citadel there was no word of this.”

  “He died actually, Tylaius that is. His sickness and passing left General Falmar not much choice in the matter.”

  “Indeed!” Anthin exclaimed. “I don’t doubt that protocol was followed in the matter but tell me, was it The Enlightened who sanctioned the move?”

  “Yes it was. He is also ill, as you’ve likely heard. He hasn’t yet succumbed to it but it’s left him weak and limited. He felt it best at the time to issue the proclamation and reassure the citizens.”

  “I see, and at no time has anyone in Wayra informed the Citadel of events here?”

  “Messages were sent I assure you. I sent them myself at Prestache’s behest. Perhaps they had not yet reached there when you departed. Regardless, all is proper and legal. Falmar is holding things down, containing the sickness and running things until it subsides. He then plans on calling an election to select the new Governor.”

  Anthin had doubts on the narrative and Orrin’s reassurances were not allaying them at all. There was something more going on. Something between Falmar and the Enlightened perhaps. “I wonder, is it possible for you to gain me access to The Enlightened?” Anthin asked, knowing the answer already.

  “Oh no! Quite impossible at the moment.” Orrin seemed annoyed with the questioning. “As I said he is ill himself and General Falmar has ordered the Palace and Cathedral sealed to the public. I can get a message to him on your behalf but that’s all.”

  “Please tell him I am asking to seek an audience on behalf of Enlightened Relmar.”

  “I will, he’s only seeing a few select people though so don’t hold too much hope.” Orrin seemed smug about the situation, implying only he and a few privileged individuals could gain access to The Enlightened.

  “What can you tell me about the situation in The Basin? I’ve heard of some ‘threats’ but nothing clear about what?”

  “I’m afraid I have no information on that. I do know the Enlightened has ordered all the Corps’ troops in the city to outlying posts. We’ve been waiting for reports from patrols in the area. Mostly it was due to news from the Basin Miners Guild. The Enlightened thought it best to send all Church troops out to bolster the numbers in case it’s something we have to fight.”

  Of all the details Anthin had managed to dig up thus far this was perhaps the most dubious. There was no indication that the movement of troops would accomplish anything but keeping them out of the city and thus out of General Falmore’s way. He kept his thoughts to himself lest he rouse Orrin’s suspicions.

  “Thank you for your time Brother Orrin. I trust you have work to do and I have some more visits to make. I’ll check in tomorrow and see if your message to the cathedral garners a favourable response.”

  “Always a pleasure, Anthin. Please check back and I’ll have news for you then.”

  Anthin made his way back to Edwyne’s place. The streets of Wayra’s Capital were busier now with mid morning approaching though he didn’t have to dodge any watch patrols before he returned to the warehouse district.

  He entered Edwyne’s shop via the front door this time. It was a small shop with immense beauty inside. Shelves lined the walls containing beautiful crafted figures and works made of Basin Crystal. Each and every one of them were artfully displayed, impeccably beautiful and created by skilled hands. He lost himself for a moment gazing upon them.

  “Good day Anthin.” Edwyne greeted him on entering. A cursory nod was all the reply Anthin gave as he continued to survey the shop's goods.

  To say the goods were valuable was an understatement. They were works of art. All the more so due to their rare base material. Anthin observed birds and animals so cunningly crafted as to seem alive, stands and bases designed to make them appear to be in flight or moving of their own accord. Ships cresting crystal waves so realistic he could almost feel the sea-spray on his face. Religious symbols, scenes from The Book of Witness that made the viewer feel as if he was there instead of looking at relief in crystal. They caught the light, coming alive to the mind's eye and they took his breath away!

  Anthin spied one item tucked on the back of a shelf and went over for a closer look. It was a simple crystal rod etched all over with symbols in another language, ancient Veliar unless Anthin missed his guess.

  “Is that what I think it is, Edwyne?” He asked his friend.

  Edwyne looked up from his place behind the counter. “I don’t know my old friend. What do you think it is? I know the writing is Veliar but it’s beyond my understanding of the language.” Few in Etrusia knew any of the Veliar language and none were proficient in it.

  “Unless I’m completely wrong it appears to be a Veliar ceremonial rod. The kind they would have used in some of their more arcane rites. This is a priceless artefact. Probably the only one left in all of Etrusia!” Anthin was in awe. “Where did you get it from?”

  Edwyne had come over for a loser look himself. He was knowledgeable on Veliar history and artefacts but had never heard of these rods before. His knowledge however was not up to Anthin’s deeper understanding. Few in Etrusia even knew what these rods existed and fewer still knew that they were made from Basin Crystal.

  “Hmm…” Edwyne thought for a moment. “I don’t recall where I got it. I think it came in with a shipment from Feden I acquired some years back. I purchased it at auction, most of it was junk and I only kept this piece because it was of crystal. In fact I do remember meaning to ask you about it when I first saw it but didn’t get around to it.”

  “This piece belongs in a museum, or with the Church. It needs to be studied and understood. I’ve read about these though I’ve never thought I'd see one. They were purportedly items of great power and fostered a deep connection with what the Veliar called Mother, the natural force of Etrusia. Why Sayoshti herself may have used one at her Sacrifice. Sadly if true, that one was lost in the deed. It would be a great artefact indeed for the Church to possess.” Anthin was animated with excitement.

  “Sayoshti’s Grace!” Edwyne exclaimed. “I had no idea, and here it was just sitting on my shelf.

  “Edwyne, I do not want to be that type but… I must take this with me when I go back to the Citadel. I will arrange a proper payment for it of course. It needs to be studied.”

  “Oh that’s not a problem, Anthin. It’s been here for years and never generated any interest from buyers. I’d forgotten I even had it. Have the Church send me fair value for it and it’s yours, I gladly pass it on to you. Just let me know what you discover about it ok.”

  “I will Edwyne and I thank you, from the bottom of my heart.” Anthin dug a kerchief from his pocket, reverently wrapping the rod in it and sliding it into his belt pouch.

  “Now tell me about your morning. Have you discovered anything of note?” Edwyne asked.

  Anthin proceeded to fill Edwyne in on his visit to the parish and conversation with Brother Orrin. He hadn't truly learned anything other than his suspicion that Orrin knew more than he let on and was perhaps involved in things somehow. After the telling they retired upstairs to Edwyne’s apartment for some lunch, discussing menial things and catching up some more. He wouldn’t have his answer from Brother Orrin on attending Enlightened Prestache until morning.