DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Dawn of Revolution

The Librarian, part 2

Over the next week, Rena kept an outwardly cool, easygoing composure (by her own standards) while secretly jumping at shadows, wondering if Castle Rhoda's guards were about to arrest her as a potential mole or spy. Rena had to tell herself to not take it personally with Ryleo Towindar, who suspected her the most, but even so! It stung, and Rena could only pray that Murbella and Maggie could keep protecting her.

Then, one morning as she awoke in her tiny apartment, Rena clenched her fists and decided enough was enough! That mole was gonna be found, even if Rena and Murbella had to turn Castle Rhoda upside down to find that little weasel!

"Hmmmm. That's not bad, Rena," Mubert grunted when Rena offered a new strategy to narrow down the search area for locating the Handy Man. He looked over at Murbella. "What d'you think?"

Murbrella leaned over to examine the map, watching as Rena traced her fingers along Sassanoit's maze-like streets. She nodded. "That's a fine idea, Rena. I'll arrange a patrol to sweep the area."

"I must say, Rena, you've done a wonderful job integrating yourself with the team," Pazzi Shiloc said warmly. "At this rate, the queen might consider hiring you!"

"To the Department of City Affairs, or Department of Criminal Justice?" Rena asked lightly. She had her mind on other things, of course. Better not show it on her face.

Pazzi chuckled. "A fair question."

"I'd say City Affairs," Ethon put in as he reviewed a short stack of patrol reports.

"I concur," Ryleo added.

Rena, meanwhile, just let them keep chatting while stealing covert glances at the lot of them, wondering if they ever did the same to her. Were they waiting for Rena to blurt out something and give herself away? Would a nervous pause in her words mark her as the mole? Would a weird look in her eyes do the trick? Ugh, she was not cut out for this, whatever the task force members said! Rena just wanted to swim in a sea of hardbacks and scrolls, then share her world of knowledge with lovely friends who would listen all day long... no, she could do this! She had to! Focus, girl!

She barely noticed when Murbella clapped her hands together and adjourned today's meeting.

"Ah. Time for a light lunch," Ryleo said as he stood from his seat, rolling his neck. "I shall see you tomorrow, everyone. Good day." He left, and Mubert and Ethon followed suit.

"Go on, dear Rena," Pazzi said, gesturing at her wood elf friend. "I'd like to remain a bit longer and sort these out. "Murbella, you ought to go too, if you wish."

Rena shared a look with Murbella, then said, "Actually, I can stick around and help you, Pazzi. You've been so nice to me. May I return the favor?" She smiled.

Pazzi blinked. "You're sure?"

"I'm not that hungry for lunch yet. And I don't have other business today."

Pazzi cracked a smile to match Rena's. "So thoughtful! All right, perhaps you could work on these? It's right up your alley." She slid over a stack of documents, and Rena gladly accepted them. Murbella, meanwhile, made a polite bow and took her leave, shutting the wooden door behind her with a thump. Now it was quiet again, aside from the shuffling of papers as the midday sun glowed through the room's two windows.

Rena knew this was risky. Foolish, even. But she had gotten herself into this whole mess, so it was up to her to find a way out! Starting with the second-friendliest task force member. "I'm so glad you accepted me as a friend, Pazzi," Rena said, carefully watching her tone. She had to start with some bait, and see what that got her.

"It's my pleasure, hon," Pazzi said as she took a few notes with her quill. "I admit, my own work in the Department of City Affairs was growing rather dull, even by bureaucrat standards! I can't blame you for seeking a proper adventure as we hunt the Handy Man."

"You and Murbella are like big sisters to me," Rena said, and it was no lie. She giggled. "Well, maybe Murbella is my sister, and you're my aunt. I didn't know my family growing up, so I see family in others."

Pazzi chuckled as she prepared her next document. "I would be delighted to have a niece like yourself, Rena. Such a charming girl you are. As for family, my sons are doing fairly well for themselves. Though the mother in me can't help worrying sometimes."

"What are they like?"

"My older son Gogar is a sergeant in the royal army," Pazzi explained. "I was so relieved to hear he survived the civil war. When the revolutionary army and the Cult of Bones descended on the city, Gogar was right there on the front lines, as he later told me. It was the finest day of his career, he told me. But I hope he doesn't cross swords with anyone else for a long time."

Rena couldn't help but wonder if Pazzi resented Murbella for being on the opposite side of that civil war. Not that Murbella had raised a sword against the royal army in the battle for Sassanoit!

"My younger son, Orham, works with a whale hunting crew along the southern shore," Pazzi went on. "It's risky work, but it pays well."

"Is he happy?"

"Why, of course," Pazzi said. "Though... well, I fear his wife takes him for granted sometimes."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." Rena wasn't sure where to go from here, though it was a good sign that Pazzi trusted her! If Rena was viewed as Pazzi's cute niece, what else would Pazzi say? Maybe Rena could convince her to provide insight into the mole problem! Surely, a smart lady like Pazzi would have some ideas. Rena just had to maneuver this conversation in the right direction first...

"That's a lovely ring," Rena blurted out as Pazzi toyed with her right hand's ring again.

Pazzi chuckled again. "Oh, this? A ten-year anniversary gift from my husband. Lovely, isn't it?" She extended her hand, and Rena leaned forward to admire the ring's ornately carved gold body, with patterns of tiny fish and waves in it (a common Verhamaine artistic style). The ring also had a glittering, round-cut sapphire set in it, a charming contrast with the bright gold around it. Overall, a wonderful piece of jewelry.

Rena blinked. Wait, she imagined that... right?

"Ah, just a few more to go. We're nearly done, Rena dear," Pazzi said, withdrawing her hand and resuming work. "I'm ready for a fine lunch myself. I might visit a new cafe today and sample new flavors. Tea and lunch always taste better after a hard day's work, I say."

"Uh - yes, I'm sure," Rena said, her mind fixed on Pazzi's ring. She hurried to finish her work, then bade Pazzi good-bye and took her leave, once again trying to act cool and composed while feeling anything but that.

It took some time, but Rena finally tracked down Murbella, who was striding down a hallway on Castle Rhoda's fourth floor. "Murbella!" Rena cried. "Do you have a moment?"

Murbella turned to face her wood elf friend. "Oh! Well, perhaps just one moment. I've got a few errands on my hands."

"That's all I need." Rena gestured to a nearby office, and the two ladies retreated in there, with Rena firmly shutting the door.

"What's the matter, Rena?" Murbella asked. Her expression sharpened. "Did you find a lead on the mole? Did you hear something?"

"I saw something," Rena said, her heart racing with anticipation. "Murbella, elves have keener senses than humans and most other folk, so maybe the others missed it, but I saw the signs: Pazzi's ring is magically disguised! I could tell when she let me see it up close."

Murbella gasped. "You're sure?"

"Totally sure," Rena said urgently. "You believe me, don't you?"

"I do. What else can you tell me?"

"Just that I saw the faint shimmers and flickers that sometimes appear when a disguise spell is used," Rena explained breathlessly. "We elves can usually see it if we're paying close attention. Pazzi said her ring was an anniversary gift from her husband, but I doubt it. Whatever her ring really is, she doesn't want anyone seeing it."

"Pazzi has had that ring for as long as I've known her," Murbella mused, a hand on her chin as she thought it over. "And I know everyone in Castle Rhoda, mind you. No one has ever commented on Pazzi's ring being unusual."

"It's a trick hiding in plain sight. I swear it upon the gods," Rena stated. "Pazzi must feel confident she's got everyone fooled, but she let her guard down around me. Maybe she's not used to elves. There aren't many of us in this kingdom."

Murbella nodded. "This is big, Rena. All that's left is to dispel the disguise and see what Pazzi's ring really is. I'll have to find the right agent for the job."

"Me."

Murbella faltered. "You, Rena?"

"Pazzi trusts and likes me," Rena explained. "I just have to meet with her one more time and dispel the disguise! But I cannot use magic. Can I borrow a spell scroll?"

"This is risky, Rena," Murbella cautioned her. She held Rena's shoulders. "Unless you're a trained agent, there's a good chance you might get hurt."

"But..."

"If Pazzi is indeed the mole, then she's working for the Handy Man, and he would give her the tools to fight back if cornered. One slip, and you're in trouble."

Rena's heart swelled with gratitude as she heard the protective, big-sisterly tone in Murbella's voice. She smiled. "I know it's risky! But even if I'm just a book lover, I want to make a difference. And who else could ask for a private chat with Pazzi without it looking suspicious?"

"Queen Lorelai has her agents."

"She's got me. Let me do this."

Murbella sounded half-exasperated, half-impressed. "You're so determined to be a hero, aren't you?"

"You and your sisters risked it all to support the revolution, right?" Rena argued. "You quintuplets didn't have to leave your father's home to make history in a civil war, but you did, and now look! You and Maggie are some of the queen's best agents, and you couldn't be more proud."

Murbella winced. "Maybe I overdid it with the inspirational big sister persona. I'd feel terrible if something happened to you because of this."

"I know. And I know I'm being selfish with this request."

"Rena, I can find an agent."

"What if I work with that agent? I can be the face of the operation," Rena offered.

Murbella hesitated. "Well..."

"If the queen's agents are so great, one of them can use the dispelling spell while I keep Pazzi busy. I could even ask to hold the ring and check it out!"

"How do you plan on doing that?"

"Pazzi sounds worried about her family and bored from her job. I can cheer her up with a personal visit. Maybe in her office?"

"Bad move. She would have all her best defenses in there."

Rena winced. "Oh."

"Well, I'll think of something."

Rena brightened. "Does that mean I can do it?"

"I..." Murbella swallowed. "I get the feeling I can't talk you out of this. You'd do something rash behind my back if I told you to stay out of this mission, right?"

"Um, well..." Murbella was totally right!

"So..." Murbella cracked a nervous smile. "I might as well put your enthusiasm to use and give you some backup. Perhaps I'll encourage Pazzi to meet with you in the castle library, where you'd be most comfortable. In a private study room, that is."

"When can we do it?" Rena asked eagerly.

Murbella squeezed Rena's shoulders. "Slow down! I'll let you know. It'll take time to set all this up, and that's assuming nothing goes wrong."

"I'm ready to do my part!"

"Oh, I'm sure you are. I'll have a trusted guard send you a covert message when we're ready."

"Okay! Just say the word!"

Murbella winced. "You are like a little sister I have to keep in check. Being the youngest quintuplet, I had never known that feeling... until now!"

"I'll behave myself. I Promise."

Murbella let go of Rena's shoulders. "Thank you, Rena. For now, it's business as usual, and make sure you don't draw attention to yourself! Just be the innocent library enthusiast everyone knows, and no one will suspect a thing."

Rena saluted like a knight. "Right!"

"Now, let's get on with our day. Our ordinary, predictable day," Murbella said with a sharp tone as she opened the office door and gestured for Rena to go first.

"Totally normal! Yeah!" Rena marched right out, already fighting to keep her mingled excitement and anticipation off her face. Play it cool... cool...

*o*o*o*o*

The next day, Pazzi Shiloc was busy with her own duties, and she was busy the day after that, too. It wasn't until four days later when Rena met up with Pazzi in the castle's hallways and put on her most innocent act.

"I'm having a little trouble with this volume on advanced economics I found," Rena implored Pazzi, hoping she wasn't overdoing it. "Pazzi, could I trouble you to help me study it in the castle library? I asked everyone else in the task force, but they're busy."

Pazzi made a quick smile. "Oh, I'm not sure, Rena. I have my hands full with my duties."

"Please? Just an hour, or even half an hour?" Rena asked. "I'd love to have you as my tutor. And what if this helps with the Handy Man investigation? We're running out of leads, anyhow."

Pazzi paused, looking Rena up and down. Then she nodded. "I suppose I can find a free hour afternoon. I'll see you then in the library, Rena." She reached over and patted Rena's head, then headed off. Rena watched her go, then hurried to Murbella's office and informed her of the plan.

"I'll get an agent ready," Murbella told her. "Don't go into the library until you get a message. Here." She handed over a silver coin. "The text will change and say 'ready' when the agent is in position."

"Got it!"

Rena hardly slept that night, trying to rehearse the scene in her head, wondering if Pazzi had any dirty tricks up her sleeve. Or a backup agent of her own! But this was essential for the task force. They'd never catch the Handy Man if Pazzi kept feeding him inside information! Darn it, what was the secret of Pazzi's ring...?

Rena could hardly focus on her task force work the next day, and she resisted constant urges to size up Pazzi and try to read the dragonborn woman for new clues. At least Mubert, Ryleo, and Ethon didn't say or do anything out of the ordinary, and Murbella, of course, played it totally cool.

Then the time came.

"Ah," Rena said happily when the silver coin's message appeared. That was the signal from Murbella's agent! She promptly made her way to Castle Rhoda's exemplary library, a spacious room with several elegant stone pillars, a ribbed ceiling, and best of all, towering wooden shelf units with countless volumes! Not to mention rare scrolls and local maps, plus a huge map of the entire continent in a glass display case in the library's center. Robed castle staff wandered here and there, browsing books by candlelight or conversing quietly with one another while poring over maps and scrolls.

On most days, Rena was delighted to swim in this literary ocean, but not this time. Her heart racing, her hands trembling a bit, Rena got the economics book and waited until a familiar dragonborn wandered into the library, then waved her over.

"Hi," Rena said quietly, minding her library manners. "Thanks again for meeting with me. I promise I won't take up too much of your time."

"You're such a bright girl," Pazzi said fondly. "I don't mind taking the time for you! Now, which study would you like? You wanted privacy, correct?"

"Yes. Right this way." Rena turned and led Pazzi into the nearest study, shutting the door snugly. It was a fine room, lit with three brilliant lanterns on the ceiling, featuring a small wooden table with four simple chairs. Then, totally on purpose, Rena set the book on the table rather roughly and winced. "Oops!"

"Careful," Pazzi said. "That's a rare volume."

Rena traced her finger along its leather-bound cover. "I know, right? It must have been rather costly to add to the royal library!" She chuckled.

More importantly, she said the code word loudly enough for Murbella's agent to hear from just outside the door. Right on time, Rena vaguely felt the electric sensation of a spell being cast.

By the gods, Rena hadn't even noticed Murbella's agent following her and Pazzi to this study! Like a living shadow!

"So, let's get started," Rena said lightly, sitting down and opening the book. "Could you sit next to me, please?"

"Of course." Pazzi, who seemed none the wiser, took a seat to Rena's left.

Rena turned to chapter 1, then picked a paragraph. She gestured at it. "What's this part? It looks important."

"This is about tariffs on perishable goods," Pazzi explained, leaning over to look. "Rather technical."

"Which parts are most important? I'd like to take notes."

"Oh. Yes. First, this sentence cites Section II, paragraphs B and C of the International Tariff Act enacted under King Holsom Rhoda IV..."

Pazzi reached over with her right hand and pointed, her claw tracing along the text. And there was the ring in its true form! The gold was the same, but the sapphire was actually a dark red ruby with an arcane symbol etched onto it. Pazzi froze, apparently catching on. "What the...? Dammit!" Pazzi blurted out.

Rena seized Pazzi's arm and cried out, "I GOT HER!"

"You little -!" Pazzi snarled, and Rena winced as the stronger woman grappled her right back, nearly prying Rena off her and forcing the wood elf girl against the cramped study's wall -

The study door burst open, and a tabaxi man with orange and white fur leaped across the room, tackling Pazzi to the floor. His agile hands swiped at Pazzi's belt, and Rena saw two spell scrolls appear in his hands. Were those self-defense spells the Handy Man had given Pazzi?

"You bastard! Let me go!" Pazzi shrieked. "Someone! Help!"

"Too easy," the tabaxi agent said, tossing aside his own spent spell scroll. "Good work, Rena. The guards will be here in a sec."

Sure enough, a trio of castle guards crowded into the study, and before long, they had Pazzi restrained in irons, escorting her out of the library and study. Rena merely stood there, her heart still racing, hardly daring to believe what had just happened. It was over so quickly! Rena took a moment to collect herself, trying to clear her mind, then took her leave as well, with books being the last thing on her mind right now. Normally, reading soothed her mind, but today, she wouldn't rest until she got answers. About Pazzi. About the Handy Man. All of it.

*o*o*o*o*

"Curse it all," Mubert said darkly when the remainder of the task force met up in a bonus meeting the next day. "Pazzi, sending the Handy Man insider info with her sending stone... it was hiding in plain sight all along!"

"You have good eyes, Rena," Ryleo told Rena warmly. "We owe you much."

"What matters most is that we have our mole, and the rest of us are clean," Murbella said briskly. "Some thought-detection magic got all the answers from Pazzi. The Handy Man had threatened her husband and closest friends, pressuring her to feed him intel all this time. That has become an emerging pattern - the Handy Man threatens and extorts people all over Sassanoit, scaring them into doing his bidding."

"But now we've got him by the throat," Ethon said smugly.

Murbella nodded. "Which is why we will work extra hard these next few days to track him down! The Handy Man won't escape this time, and the Bitterblade gang will fall. This I promise you."

Rena squared her shoulders. "Ready!"

She also made a mental note to visit Pazzi in her holding cell and express her sympathies. Rena firmly believed that Pazzi was no villain, just a victim who didn't want her loved ones to die, and Pazzi's and Rena's friendship didn't have to end because of this. Well, that was the hope!

It took almost another week, but late one night, Rena and the others narrowed the city down to one city block, then one neighborhood, then an abandoned warehouse... that was it! The Bitterblade gang's current hideout!

Murbella sent a double patrol to the scene ASAP to catch the Handy Man in his sleep. It worked even better than expected.

Wait, they caught the Handy Men?

"Twin brothers? I, of all people, should have seen this coming," Murbella commented with an amused smile as she and her allies watched the city guards escort their captives into Castle Rhoda. No one had to watch this, but it sure was satisfying to see the Bitterblade gang's leadership brought here in chains.

"Blast it. Shoulda known Pazzi would crumble eventually," one of the twin brothers, a human man with short dark hair and intense eyes, muttered.

"We'll get you all for this," the other twin spat at the guards and castle officials. "We've escaped worse prisons than this! Haha!"

"Move it, scumbags," one of the guards said, giving the brothers a rough shove.

Rena turned to Murbella. "So... it's over?"

Murbella beamed. "It's over. Go get some sleep, Rena."

"Yes, ma'am!" And Rena did sleep well that night in her apartment, her fatigue overwhelming her excited and curious thoughts about the Handy Man/Men/brothers/scumbags.

In the coming days, Rena curiously listened to Murbella and Mubert explain the fascinating details of the Handy Man's secrets, how the twin brothers Netham and Normis shared the identity of the Handy Man and split the work between them to keep one step ahead of Lorelai's agents. And with Pazzi on their side, Netham and Normis had kept three steps ahead, but now the Bitterblade gang's leadership was in the dungeon, and Sassanoit's streets could breathe a sigh of relief.

And now...

"I must thank you once again for all your help, Rena," Murbella said graciously as they walked down a castle hallway together after the task force's final meeting. "Your sharp eyes cracked a case we might have never solved on our own."

"Aw, you give me too much credit," Rena said bashfully.

"But it's true, isn't it?"

"You're the wise leader who caught the Handy Man," Rena said warmly. "I'm just a library girl who caught a lucky break."

"You're so humble."

"When you read books and realize how big and complex the world is, it has a humbling effect on you. Mistress Willow thought so, too."

"I'll be. Well..." Murbella stopped and bowed her head. "This is goodbye for now, Rena. Please, go back out there and enjoy your ordinary civilian life. It's a big city with many wonders waiting for you to discover them."

"Can I still visit the castle's library? I still have to read the other half of its books!"

Murbella couldn't help but laugh. "Half?!"

"Okay, the remaining three-quarters."

"Oh, very funny. But yes, you're free to visit the castle whenever you please. Maybe you'll catch Maggie and I around here sometimes for a quick chat."

"Mmm-hmmm! Thank you so much, Murbella. Oh, and I'd love to meet your other sisters, too," Rena blurted out.

"We'll see about that. Now..." Murbella wrapped Rena in a hug. "Be well, and stay curious."

"That's what I do! See you!" Rena hugged her back, then skipped off, wondering if she ought to visit the Sassanoit General Library and try to meet some new friends in there, too. She couldn't pester Murbella all day long; she needed someone else to share the joy of books with!

Better get started.