Kanick had barely slept as thoughts of his oldest friend being a necromancer haunted his mind. He believed the boy was speaking truthfully but must have misinterpreted what he had seen. It was on this settlement that his mind made peace with itself and permitted him to fall into an uneasy sleep.

Kanick said as much to Bera on their way to visit the Enclave, weaving between crowds and the traffic of the city, down the main street. The shadow of the keep, and seat of the governor, loomed large over their backs. Kanick had wanted to visit there first, but with the accusations being levelled at Regius...

"Ridiculous!" Kanick blustered. "The boy must not have understood." He looked back and saw Bera struggling to keep up.

"What other explanation could there be?" Bera asked.

Kanick was in no mood for a rational discussion and threw his hands up. "Healers kill animals all the time!"

"Do they decapitate them?" Bera challenged him.

"Sometimes," Kanick shot back. Bera's expression was incredulous. "Spells to staunch bleeding, or clean wounds." Kanick rounded on him. "Have you read Manellan's Almanac yet?"

Bera ignored the question. "And these healers, they bring their animals back to life, do they?"

Anger flashed inside Kanick's skull. "There is an explanation for this!" He declared angrily, then added, "and one that doesn't involve necromancy!"

Bera raised his hands in surrender and spent the rest of their journey to the Enclave loitering a few paces behind, in silence.

Kanick seethed as they passed through Woodbend's eastern gate and down the paved road to the Mage's enclave. He ordered the battlemages on guard to open the wooden door in the dry limestone wall, which was mottled with lichen. The guards looked from each other uncertainly.

"I am Master Kanick!" He declared angrily. "I'm here to see the Magister."

The guards admitted them into the grounds of the enclave; a smattering of stone buildings collected around the base of the tower. Kanick opened the door and stormed up the stairs but as he climbed the tower's carpeted stairs, he was finding his anger difficult to sustain.

While he settled, he found himself realising that Bera had raised some infuriating, but important questions that would need answering. He still couldn't believe his old friend had turned to necromancy; they had both seen too much of its horrors in the war. And yet, the facts as stated warranted an explanation.

Bera caught up to him on the landing, by the Magister's offices at the very top of the tower.

"Bera," Kanick said. "I'm sorry for my outburst, it's difficult for me to hear these things about my friend."

"I'm sorry too, Master-"

"No," Kanick cut him off. "Even the most challenged student of logic knows that you needn't support an idea in order to assay its merits, and the points you raise will be important to our investigation."

"Thank you, Master," Bera replied, cheered slightly.

Magister Edian had no apprentice, but instead had a small school of acolytes to act as his secretaries. One of them, a pale thin youth with short brown hair, showed them into the Magister's solar, which was empty. So far on their journey, Kanick had found himself in the offices of the Arch-Mage, a Court Mage and a High-Mage. The Magister's was much smaller with less in it – simply a desk and chairs. Despite being at the top of the tower, the only source of light was from braziers burning in the corners of the room. The two mages were sweating in the stuffy heat.

"If you have questions you should ask them, but I want you to observe this meeting keenly," Kanick told the apprentice, softly. "We're here for the Magister's version of events."

As though summoned by his title, the Magister strode in to the small solar, a welcome gust of air following him into the stuffy room. He was a tall man, wearing his robes fitted to his slender frame. Young, too, Kanick observed, with a smooth pale face unmarked by wrinkles. His features had something of the aristocratic, and Kanick wondered if he had a family name.

"Well, Master Kanick, Apprentice Bera, how may I help you?" Magister Edian asked as he took a seat, smoothing the creases in his robes.

"Did the Arch-Mage send word of our arrival?" Kanick asked.

"Yes," Edian nodded and smiled, "though I had thought you were taking the land route and didn't think to see you for another month at least."

"We were waylaid," Kanick told him. "Near the scar, my apprentice was injured by one of Palregon's demons. We heard in Dorran that the roads are not safe and opted to take the sea route out of Aaton," he explained.

"I'm sorry to hear that," the Magister's expression was severe. "I received a message from High-Mage Marya, the situation in the south does seem dire, and the King..." he waved his hand dismissively as he trailed off.

"Have you had any attacks?" Bera asked, leaning forward.

"Not at all, Young Bera," The Magister didn't look more than ten years older than the apprentice. "The Sons haven't been seen this far north, as I understand it." He shook his head sadly, "but I'm sure you didn't come all this way to speak about them."

"No," Kanick confirmed, his voice heavy. "Have you any information about Regius's death?"

"We heard of the death from a boy, by way of the Governor's office. The cave was badly damaged by fire. A body was recovered, though stripped mostly of flesh by the flames and badly disfigured. I had one of the healers examine the remains, but it was clear he had been killed in the fire." Edian summarised, grimly.

"Can we examine the corpse?" Kanick asked.

"I'm afraid not," the Magister replied, regretfully. "We had the remains cremated and scattered in the grounds, as is tradition."

Kanick sighed, it had been a long shot. To avoid reanimation from necromancers, it was traditional for mages to be cremated rather than buried.

"Do you think the fire was an accident?" Bera asked.

"No more so than any fire," The Magister replied sheepishly, his smile weak as he leaned back in his chair.

"The people of the town seem to think it was murder," Kanick pointed out.

"I'm sure they do, and the grislier the better for such small minds," Edian declared. "But I'm afraid I have no strong evidence for the case. It is possible that Master Regius simply fell asleep with a lit candle." The Magister shrugged.

"Do you know if Regius had any enemies?" Kanick asked, shifting uncomfortably as sweat collected in the crevasses of his body, eager to move on. "Do you know of anyone who would have a cause to wish him harm?"

"I'm afraid not," Edian sniffed, dismissively. "I know he occasionally worked as a healer for the desperate of the city, so long as they came to him. Perhaps he failed in his efforts and revenge was taken? The small minded can be quick to anger in the face of forces they do not understand."

"What about the accusations of necromancy?" Kanick tried not to wince as the question flew too quickly from his mouth, afraid of the answer to a question he knew needed to be asked.

Edian leaned back in his chair, the tips of his bony fingers touching, his brows furrowed disturbing the smooth vastness of his brow.

"I haven't heard of such a claim." The Magister leaned forwards on his elbows. "I doubt it's truthfulness, it's a very serious accusation, though it could be motive for a mob to take justice into their own hands. As I said, quick to anger." There was a pause as the magister thought, looking as though he might speak again. Eventually, he said, "Apologies, I don't know about this, but perhaps the governor might? We find it easier to... restrict our dealings with the city folk."

"Understood," Kanick nodded as he rose out of the seat, his hand extended and hoping the smell of body odour wasn't him. The magister took his hand from his seat and shook it. "Thank you, Magister."

"Not at all, Master Kanick." The Magister looked almost apologetic. "I would appreciate if you called later in the evening, or at night in future." Kanick looked askance. "A habit from my younger years, I find I work better at night, and well... now I have my own Enclave..."

"Very well," Kanick nodded.

"If you discover anything, one way or another, please keep me informed." The magister nodded his farewell, "Apprentice Bera, pleasure. He's a sharp one, Master Kanick."

Kanick was grateful for the slight cooling breeze as they made their way back to the city. He ran his hand through his short, wiry hair to dislodge the sweat that had crystallised there. He longed to return to the Inn for a bath, but the day was not over yet.

"What did you think?" Kanick asked his apprentice, eager to hear his thoughts.

"I think I need a wash," he complained bitterly. "I didn't see any windows, did you?" Kanick let his apprentice rant. "And he doesn't think much of the city folk."

"No," Kanick agreed, "and he was woefully uninformed for that very reason."

"Do you think Regius was murdered, Master?" Bera asked as they passed under the portcullis of the city.

"I don't think Regius's death was an accident, but I suppose we can't discount it." Kanick stroked his beard. "I would like to visit the cave, perhaps tomorrow." He looked down the main street at the imposing stone keep at the other end. "We shall put these rumours of necromancy to the Governor and see what he has to say about the issue."

They were ushered into a room, where the governor was waiting. It appeared to be a banquet hall, dominated by long trestle tables made of dark stone. The room was large and airy with an arched ceiling high above them. Banners hung behind the top table, the red star of Aaton alternating with crown of the Union.

The Governor himself was a short, middle aged man, of an age with Kanick, though unlike Kanick, retained a thick head of dark hair that was shot through with bolts of silver. He wore a plain, but well-made blue doublet and stood to greet Kanick and Bera as they entered.

He bade them to sit either side of him at the head of the table. A chamberlain came to offer drinks, which Kanick and Bera eagerly took. Kanick introduced himself and Bera and explained why they had come.

"I should have guessed," Governor Marque deLan said upon hearing their tale. "We rarely get mages visiting this side of the city wall, truth be told."

"I can believe it," Kanick replied, politely.

"As to the death of Master Regius, I'm afraid I can't offer anything of interest. At the Magister's request, we have kept out of the affair." He shrugged his shoulder apologetically.

"The Magister seemed to suggest that Regius might have had enemies in the town," deLan looked visibly confused by the accusation.

"I'm afraid," he began, "that the Magister does not understand the relationship this town has with the order, or mages in general." Kanick gestured for the governor to elaborate. "You see, many here fear the order, especially after the war. As I'm sure you know," he nodded to Kanick, "Woodbend declared for Palregon. That being said, our lack of healers and the Order's isolationism in this town meant that many of the desperate found their way to Master Regius's cave."

"He was well liked?"

The Governor sat back and thought for a moment, humming to himself. "I wouldn't go that far. He was well liked by those he saved; others were too fearful to ever go up there in the first place. I doubt anyone on our side of the river had much cause to do him harm."

"You suspect a mage?" Bera asked, the inflection in his voice was sceptical.

"I don't know." The governor replied firmly. "One of my men picked up a boy near the beach, claiming that Regius's cave was burned out. I sent a message to the Enclave, as was my duty, and offered to help in the investigation. The Magister told me it was a matter for the order."

"I would like to speak with the boy who found the cave, if possible." Kanick said.

The Governor nodded. "This can be arranged, the boy is a tanner's apprentice, with a house in the town."

"We've also heard rumours of necromancy..." Kanick raised the point awkwardly.

"Yes," the Governor looked troubled. "I also hear rumours from the south, though the King in Aaton tells me they are as substantial as smoke."

"Smoke can kill," Bera pointed out.

"Indeed, Apprentice, it can." The shadow seemed to lift from the governor's expression. "As to your mage, I hear a many great number of rumours about the activities of the Order, necromancy is a common one." He leaned forward and sighed. "But it would be a brave townsman to take on a necromancer alone, and I would hope my guard would know if any armed groups had taken it upon themselves."

Kanick felt the frustration flow through his veins like steam. It was as though Regius had simply vanished through a crack in the earth. All they had was a burned-out cave and some rumours of necromancy. The Order insinuated the town was guilty, while the Governor seemed to be pointing a finger at the Order.

"You said that people would go to him for healing?" Kanick asked, trying to cut through some substance.

The Governor nodded sharply. "The desperate, those who could not afford the conventional healers."

"Do you know who saw him last, then?"

"You know, I do!" Governor deLan sat up straighter. "Normally, I wouldn't know anything about Master Regius's comings and goings, but about a month ago, maybe a week or so before the fire, there was a terrible accident at the sawmill." He stroked his chin, trying to remember the details. "A woman was gathering the wood, when the mill caught her skirts, I believe. She was chewed up by the blades and most grievously wounded. Her brothers managed to get her to Master Regius and he was able to heal her." The barest touch of a smile graced his features. "The incident was much publicised by the woman's husband, who was incredibly grateful."

It is something, Kanick thought. "Do you know where I can find this miller and his wife?"

"They live outside of the walls, beyond the west gate. If you ask around there you will be able to find it." deLan stood up, signalling the meeting was at an end. "I don't know what they can offer for your investigation, but if I learn of anything, I will ensure that you are informed."

"Thank you, governor, you've been very helpful," Kanick shook his hand and the deLan kept it in a firm grip.

"I remember the days of the war, what terrors were wrought from it, and Regius's role in ending it. The whole Union is indebted to him, and I would like to play whatever role I can in laying his memory to rest." deLan's face was as though carved in stone. "There is much of this business that feels wrong to me, but you have the support of this office."