102. Evidence: Wiremu

There is no documentary evidence of anything. I went through all the documents from Tjenner’s house and the papers that Tabitha took from the Seadogs warehouse. The Seadogs had lists of people who owed them money and the name of the smuggling ship they used. The Swift Wave was captained by a human called Alarik, but most dealings were with the quartermaster, a Mer called Henare. I suppose Tabitha could argue that was some documentary evidence. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it was Alarik that I fought in the forest.

Tjenner had mundane expense ledgers and correspondence in and out. None of which was startling. There was a key that I think was in the locked drawer. I couldn’t be sure because I was grabbing everything and just stuffing it into my backpack in a rush. I had no idea what it opened. I will need to return when I get the time and use my Sense Treasure. I had planned to do it while I was there but that woman escaping took that plan out the window with her.

What gave me the most information was the trap I collected. It was fascinating. A Master level Trapper definitely made it. Examining this trap advanced my Trapping skill, which had been stuck in the low Journeyman Levels. I had been doing the same things repeatedly and forgot the key to levelling was to push the Skill into new areas. This trap had a clever folding function that enabled it to be carried easily, and there was the alchemical adhesive with the nerve toxin. I was going to need to get that analysed by an alchemist. I touched a finger to it, and the numbness moved through my hand before my Poison Resistance brought it to a halt. It reduced at a much slower rate, but it was still faster than Tabitha described due to my resistance level. What I was curious about was how they launched the sticky rope. Why did it not stick to the storage container? It took some careful investigation because I did not want to destroy the trap yet. I found that the storage for the rope was lined with runes. The runes were very well made. I would need to get Mayakku to understand what they did, but this trap should be on the Duke’s window, not in a crappy gang tavern.

How did the Seadogs get the services of a Master of Traps? Or is it the other way around? Is this master in trapping the boss we are looking for? My coin is on the latter, and that is a problem. This is a dangerous individual, and traps will hit you where you least expect them. Detecting Master level traps that the master has also installed will be beyond Tabitha or my abilities. An amateur must have also installed the one Tabitha found, or she would never have seen it. Is the gang misusing these expensive traps, and should they be elsewhere? Or maybe the traps were payment for services. Too early to tell.

First, I needed to get this out to Mayakku and find an alchemist to consult. I put a light Veneer over myself, so I was not immediately recognisable and went to the quarry. Mayakku was busy and would need time to spend on the trap, so I left it with her after cutting out a small section of the rope. Tabitha was right. It was very resistant to an ordinary knife. I still had a knife with a small percentage of Spiritual material in it, and that worked eventually. We are going to need Spiritually Enhanced weapons if we are going up against more of this. There might be an alchemical solution that could negate it: next stop, the Alchemist.

On the way out the gate, I was intercepted by Abigail. I hadn’t seen her since the interview. She was carrying a log of wood on her shoulder that was bigger than her petite frame would indicate she was capable of. She saw my surprised look and laughed.

“Howdy. You seem surprised at this?” she questioned, indicating the log. “I am a Shipwright. What do you think they make apprentices do all day except lugging the timber?” She dumped the log next to her.

“I am often surprised by people's attributes,” I said.

“I grew up on a ship, climbing the rigging and hoisting the sails, but mostly scrubbing the deck and removing the barnacles from the hull.” She said, “Then there was the shipyard work. I know how to work a solid day.”

“Hows are things going here?” I asked to change the topic.

“Good. Many of my Shipwright and Joiner knowledge and skills are transferable to building fortifications and dwellings. Your Caravan Carpenter is teaching me the intricacies of wagon maintenance and repair.” she replied.

“Have you met Mayakku yet? I asked.

“Briefly. We are going to spend some time together tomorrow.”

“Good. You are a local here. I am looking for an alchemist to consult.” It would save time to consult a local as she was here, and Ruku was who knows where.

“What sort of Alchemist? Healing and regeneration? Attribute enhancement? Poisons? Herbicides? Soft material enhancements? Hard material enhancements? Explosives? There are several variations on all those.” She explained.

“I am looking for a poisons Journeyman or Master to analyse a toxin. I probably also need a soft materials Journeyman as I have some rope that has been treated with something that means it takes Spiritually Enhanced knives to cut.” I said.

“I am not sure about poisons, but we always used Stefan at Coastal Alchemy, who had a good solution for our sails. We didn't treat our ropes as it was cheaper just to replace them. He has a shop in the central business area, as they all do, but the alchemists are generally in the workshops in the industrial areas. Some of them smell worse than the tanners and are much more dangerous. Coastal Alchemy has its workshop down by the fishing piers. I don’t know anything about the Poison specialists. For hard materials, like treating wood, we used ‘The Knock On Effect’ by the western gate.”

That was a place to start. “Thanks,” I said. “I will start with Coastal Alchemy and see who else they recommend.”

She then re-picked up the log, and I headed back to town. Coastal Alchemy was easy to find, but Stefan was busy doing alchemy and couldn’t be disturbed. I made an appointment to return later. As I left the district, I saw the Watch had cordoned off the area around the tavern where I stole the Seadog equipment. It was good to see the Watch doing its job for once, and the fact that they made this much progress this fast means someone is pressuring from above.

I turned to divert around the cordon when Investigator Whitby approached me.

“Investigator, It is good to see you,” I lied. “I heard you were on leave.”

“I was,” he replied, “but a certain high-profile person was killed, and I was brought back to find the murderer.”

“A high-profile person killed around here?” I looked dubiously at the shabby neighbourhood.

“This is where the trail led,” he said. “It gives all the indications of a gang hit, but I suspect it is not as it seems. I have just inspected that building, and one of the window traps is completely missing. Then I look up and see you, and I remember you are a hunter and will know about traps.”

“Oh?” I ask, “Do you want me to come and give you my Journeyman Level opinion?” I said, trying very hard not to even think that material from that same trap was currently in my backpack.

“No, no.” he said, “We have our own experts. I just find it curious when we find a missing trap, indicating a possible break-in and doubt about the Seadog's involvement or were they framed? Then I look up and see a trapping expert. I don’t believe in coincidences, Hunter Sten.”

The frustrating thing is that it is just a coincidence that I am here. I didn’t intend to be here, and, unfortunately, I am the person he is looking for, and I have evidence of that in my backpack. “I am happy to assist the Watch however I can,” I said, deliberately keeping the impression he may want me for my expertise.

“Where were you last night?” he asked.

“I was with my Sister and Major Ruku almost all evening,” I said partially truthfully and made sure I name-dropped Ruku in it. He will almost certainly have some type of truth-sensing skill, making him suspicious. Rightly so, unfortunately. I know my Journeyman level Deceive Skill will help counter his skills, but it will depend on his Skill level, and I am sure he has a high Mental Perception to support it. My Mental Strength is pretty strong, supporting my defence, but we are walking a thin line here.

“Don’t go anywhere, Hunter Sten. I may have further questions for you.”

I was surprised he stopped now. “Very good, Investigator. You know where to find me.” I walked away, cursing my luck. There is an excellent reason you don’t return to the scene of a crime you committed.