An: Back to regular scheduling x3 Thank you for still reading!

Juraki IV – Werewolf Island, 21th December, 09:00

This whole investigation was nothing but a major headache. Due to the cold and the rain, as well as the atypical decomposition due to modifications, the coroner couldn't give an actual death time, unable to narrow it down on a single day. No useful traces anywhere. No leads other than Gayare. Juraki would have to question him and Ignes again. He approached him during guard duty in front of the laboratory. "Gayare. I am here to talk about Uzhir."

"I already told you. I have nothing to do with that." He wasn't a monster.

"It's for completeness' sake." Juraki crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned against the wall next to him. "Did he have any enemies?" Apart from you.

"None that I'm aware of. The prisoners, maybe. But then, they'd hate all of us." And also they were incapable of escaping.

"You were squad mates. Sure you don't know anything about his private life?"

Gayare sighed. "He was sweet on some huntswoman from the coastal village. I don't know if they ever got together or not."

Hm. He would have to pursue that one. "Got a name?"

"I wish I did. I really do."

"... How do you get along with Ignes?"

He shrugged. "She is all right, I guess? It's complicated. She makes a good match for the Lord though, don't you think?"

"Do you think so?" He hadn't really paid attention to talk in the castle.

He nodded. "The Lord already treats her as his lady. I think they suit each other quite well."

"I don't know either of them enough to tell." Huh. What did this mean for the investigation? One of the suspects was the Lord's lover after all...

"I'm sure even Dorant will notice in time." It was an epic love for the ages, it looked like. The almighty Lord and his loving mage assistant.

Juraki snorted. Good one. "Dorant doesn't notice anything ever."

"Wasn't he the one who found your pouch when it was lost?"

"He stumbled over it and it had my name stitched on it."

That actually got a chuckle out of Gayare. "Sounds about right. I'd always wondered about it."

"I heard you briefly left post to fetch some files for her?"

"I did. I looked for several hours, but I couldn't find it."

"What exactly were you looking for?"

"A blue file. Something about aortas?" Whatever an aorta was.

"..." Hm. He knew nothing about all those medical things. Well. "Thank you. I'll come again if I have any other questions."

"Good luck, Juraki."

"Thank you." He'd need to try questioning Ignes again, even though he felt like he was grasping at loose straws there. Ignes was in the laboratory itself, lecturing a group of young werewolf scientists, when the blue haired wolf entered. "I'm a bit busy right now."

"I can wait."

Great. She already hated this whole lecturing thing, and now she had an additional pair of eyes on her. Ever since Maduke... she felt changed. As though people looked at her and could immediately tell the shameful things she just let happen. Her weakness, open for anyone to see. She took her time with explanations and examples, and dismissed the group after almost half an hour of technical details on reinforcements of the spine. Ignes waited for the last of the group to leave before turning to the warrior. "What can I do for you?"

"More questions about the investigation." Routine at this point, he knew. But with no leads, he didn't have much of a choice.

"Oh. Ask away." Everything seemed to be turning on around the point - and from what she heard, Gayare was even more of a prime suspect than she was.

"Uzhir. I know we've been over this, but how well did you know him?"

"His body? Everything. As a person? Barely."

"Right. Any reason why the Lord should suspect you specifically?" Maybe she'd trip up.

"..." Ah. Weird question. "You know that he tends to consider everyone guilty until proven otherwise."

"Yes. But apparently rumour has it that you're his lover." So by all means, he should be showing her more lenience.

Lover. That mere word made her sick to the stomach. "Wouldn't a good Lord separate his personal feelings from his duties towards his people?"

He inclined his head at that. She had a point. "And your relationship with Gayare? How would you describe that?"

"He's stuck having to follow me around like a lost puppy. I don't really talk to him more than necessary."

"And the folder he failed to retrieve?"

"Annoying. I needed that data."

"What was it about?"

"The blue ones are all about the nervous system and circulation."

Huh. Weird. Maybe that's where that word came from? "I see. Thank you for your time." This was a big waste of his. Nothing. Just an unknown lead in the coastal village that of course he'd follow up on because he had no other options.

"You are welcome. I hope you'll find what you are looking for. Uzhir seemed very decent."

"Thanks. I hope so too." He sighed as he left the building. At least he wasn't at a dead end anymore.

Maduke VI – Werewolf Island, 30th January, 22:00

Ignes' palms were sweaty when she approached Maduke in the hallway. Everything depended on this. This was... pretty much a life and death situation and it terrified her.

"Ignes." Maduke stopped, right on his way for the monthly conference call with the remaining Elders. She had put on some red lipstick, which was absolutely and utterly charming on her. "What's the occasion?"

"Nothing much." Her face flushed. This wasn't going to work, was it? "I... just want you. You've been too busy for me."

"..." He raised a brow. Funny timing. But Ignes never cared about his schedule. "Really now?"

"Yes." Her flush grew deeper. "And you never cuddle enough. It's enough to make a girl feel unwanted, you know?"

He reached out to pat her cheek. She was so cute with this blush, it should be forbidden. "Just as I am very busy."

"That's exactly the problem! You're too busy!" She held his hand to her cheek.

"An hour and I am yours for the rest of the night."

"But I want you now." She stomped a foot petulantly. That had always worked with her father.

A laugh. She was back to acting like a petulant child? He pulled her in by the waist, pressing her body against his while maintaining eye contact.

"Please?" She hated asking like this. Using manners with him felt dirty.

"Is whatever you have in mind worth missing an Elder session?"

"Elder sessions aren't worth going to anyway. I've sat as my father attended plenty of times." Besides. "Why are they worth more than me?" She hoped that was the tone Aris used when she was upset at her babies liking something more than her.

"Because you're here all the time." He chuckled. But she was right. Those sessions were a major waste of his time. "Fine. This better be good." He smacked her rear before picking her up.

She squeaked at the sudden movement, squirming a bit. It had worked! Now she just had to keep his attention while Lukedonia contacted the Union.

"What did you have in mind? Your cuddly reward aside." How did she plan to make it worth his time?

"You'll see." Patience. She couldn't lay out all the cards, could she?

Ah that little beast. And that lipstick suited her so well. The remaining Elders couldn't possibly have anything more interesting than her at this point.

Third Elder III – Rio de Janeiro, 30th January, 22:15

He was absolutely furious. Anyone could tell that. Fifteen minutes ago, the Second Elder should have joined them already, and he did not, even though he was usually a perfectly punctual asshole. Yes, a cold bastard who held absolutely no regard for human lives, but still, someone who would show up on time to ruin your day. He was the First Elder and Maduke seriously made him wait?! "Can you believe that?!" A private call to his colleague. Third at least understood him. Haydn would occupy Crombel in the meantime. "That... the nerve!"

"Gio, maybe it's better for him not to be here." Third tried to keep his voice calming. Maybe they should see the positives about it. Then they didn't have to include Maduke's decisions.

He rubbed his face. "It's a question of principle ! We all take this time to meet and discuss Union business! Just because he gave the nobles an asskicking doesn't give him an excuse to act like this!"

"I kind of wonder what got his attention. This isn't like him." Monstrous person though he was.

"I'm saying. He's probably going to turn on us soon." First ran his index finger over his lower lip with a thoughtful hum. "This doesn't look good."

"We knew he would eventually. Are we prepared?"

"No. With barely any elders left? And I don't know about the losses on their side. I mean... we could just use the Armageddons. We still have those."

"I'll get the calculations ready."

"... so you are in for it too?" Huh. Third always has been against using them just like that.

"I don't like it, but if the worst occurs, we need to be ready."

First sighed. "... All I want is to finally be rid of those... " No. He wanted to maintain a proper language, worthy of the King of Humanity he was. Just as he was about to pick a better word, he leaned forward with a frown. "Hold on... No. This can't be. The.. seventh Elder is trying to call us?!"