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Caution:

To all citizens of Verdanti, due to a rash of unexplained disappearances, a curfew will be enforced until a satisfactory answer is brought before the ruling council. To that end, any residents found out after dark within the city limits without an approved pass will be arrested under suspicion. By order of the Divine, this shall be done.

Crumpling the worn paper in his paw, Captain Lenox, a pure bred bloodhound looks around the deserted streets of the town resting on his haunches. He repeats the term 'satisfactory answer' countless times as he examines the scene of chaos, knowing that is the reason that he was summoned to the nightmarish landscape. As he rises from the ground, careful not to step on any of the shattered glass or splintered wood with his bare paws, "He's getting bolder," he mumbles under his breath. Unlike the other disappearances that came before it, this time the perpetuator had left physical evidence of his crime: the broken down door showed clearly a forced entry and the shattered bottles indicated the victim had time enough to struggle. "Maybe he's getting cocky. Or is it desperation?"

Breaking him out of his concentration was the arrival of one of his investigators "Sir, I bring bad news. The Urbana are ordering the Frumentii to evacuate the scene of the crime and that they will be taking control over the case. They are also ordering that we hand over any evidence we may have collected to aid in their new investigation."

"What! This is an investigation of a crime, not the enforcement of laws, the Urbana have no jurisdiction here."

Handing him a piece of paper, "Apparently they do now."

Reading aloud, Lenox cannot believe what his eyes tell him is true:

By order of the Divine Council of the Seven Realms the duty of the ongoing investigation of the disappearances occurring in and around the city of Verdanti shall be passed to the royal enforcement corps. By order of the Divine, this shall be done.

"I...I cannot believe this. Never before have the Urbana been given the power to investigate a crime. That is one of the divisions of power that was created to ensure that no power gains supremacy over another. Now they can play both Judge and Jury. Just when we may have gained something to go off of, this happens. By the divine, I cannot believe my luck."

"What do you wish us to do, sir?"

"Leave, for now, but do not give any information to the Urbana. Let them work for it as we have. I will arrange a meeting with one of the Council Members; my status and reputation should be able to secure me at least that much."

Leaving the scene of the crime, Lenox can only bow as his replacements file past him, all clad in identical armor; a stark contrast to the dark shirt and jeans he wears. Already he begins to plan how to gain the attention of one of the Council Members, which did not prove difficult for one as skilled in gathering information as he.

In the gaining light of morning in the 'crystal city' it is not difficult for Lenox to scale the tower, hidden by the glare reflecting off of the polished gilded exterior of the council chamber. Making his way silently to the bed chamber of one his long time acquaintances, Lenox waits until the elderly jackal wakes from his slumber.

Suppressing a startled yelp, Councilman Brutus quietly excuses himself to get dressed in a more presentable robe for a member of the council. Returning from his wardrobe dressed in a brilliant color of blue and purple with black banding, the Jackal invites Lenox to sit at his work desk and discuss his troubles.

"Well, your excellency, I'm sorry to trouble you in this manner, but the issue I bring to you is of the utmost importance. I'm sure you are aware of the disappearances that are plaguing the town of Verdanti. Just last night at the scene of yet another abduction, I received an official letter that informed me of the council's decision to place the authority of that investigation in the hands of the Urbana. That has never happened before, and may even go against the doctrine of separation of powers that have governed our civilization for centuries since the collapse. Why has the council done this?"

"My boy, the matter of politics is often a tangled mess of intertwining powers and authorities. The council simply wanted more direct influence in this matter, as it has garnered our special interest, and it is easier for that influence to be exercised by the Urbana. If it makes you feel better, it was I personally who introduced the matter to the council; I suppose I just never lost that that love of solving mysteries."

"I understand sir. I just can't stop thinking that if you were still in the Frumentii you may have solved this already."

"Oh I don't know, you are facing a criminal here that certainly knows how to avoid you and not leave tracks doing so. You were a more than suitable replacement. Here, if it makes you feel better about it, I can reinsert you into the case; I've been given special jurisdiction over it due to my knowledge and past."

Quickly pulling out a piece of parchment, the Jackal scribbled down a quick note before dripping hot wax on the envelope and placing his signet over it. Handing Lenox the sealed letter, he spoke "Be careful old friend, the world is not often as it seems. Many times our vision can be distorted by many things. Just present that letter to one of the Urbana at the location of the disappearance and they will follow my orders to the letter. Farewell."

Leaving the chamber, Lenox could not have suspected what was contained in the letter he carried:

The bearer of this letter is quickly becoming a thorn in my side. Dispose of him. And make it seem as though it were a tragic 'disappearance.' That shall benefit me twice over. By order of the one true Divine, this shall be done.