“Now this I could get used to." Quinn said as he sank into the goose feather mattress in his room in the witch's longhouse. "Beats being locked in that cellar."
“Or back at the shop for that matter." Sizrit said perched on the mahogany headboard that depicted hunting men chasing a glorious stag.
“Gods hail to that!" He propped his hands behind his head and stretched his legs languidly. “So, where did you think up that disguise? Why the woman?"
“She was a friend of mine. Her name was Owl feather and she was a shape shifter. She could turn into a brilliantly beautiful snow owl. I was her familiar before Yenir. She's where I learned to shape-change like that. She rests in Ehlonna's fields now, bless her soul." Sizrit bowed his head in fond memory of his dead friend.
"I would have liked to meet her. She's very beautiful."
"Yes, she is." He looked to the ceiling as if willing the comment to reach the heavens. “I chose her form because the Rashemi and Hathran respond better to women than the words of a male, seeing that this is a matriarchal society."
“Oh. I see. That’s why they wouldn't let me get a word in for my defense." Quinn's eyes narrowed at the memory of the "trial" the day before.
"Yes. Tymora's grace smiles upon you. Usually they kill someone on the spot if they're caught in the presence of a dead witch. Aluthine showed great mercy not killing you there at the tower." Quinn looked at Sizrit puzzled. Something wasn't quite right about this situation. If that was Aluthine's mother then why had she shown mercy at all? If it were his mother he would have killed there and then with no remorse. The thought reminded him of Waterdeep and the conspiracies that plagued the city on a daily basis. Sizrit too was struck confused at the thought. They stared at each other with the same notion that there was something deeper here than was on the surface.
“Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Quinn asked Sizrit breaking the silence.
“Indeed. Why would Othura be at the watchtower alone? If my memory serves me correct, Hathran usually travel in threes. One because of the power three witches have together and two due to the threat Thay poses to Rashemar." Sizrit turned this over and over again in his mind.
“I smell a set up." Quinn stated. “Aluthine is hiding something."
“Agreed. The Tribunal is being deceived. Where is the mask Othura was wearing?" Asked Sizrit.
“Aluthine took it from me at the tower, why?" he responded, consternation painting his features.
“The masks hold the memories of the witches who have worn them so that their legacy can be passed on to the next generation. The mask is usually kept within the family and passed from mother to daughter." Sizrit began pacing the headboard as numerous possibilities passed through his mind.
“So Othura's last thoughts will be stored in the mask?"
“Her whole lifetime of thoughts, Quinn." Quinn pondered that for a moment and then sat bolt upright.
"The wizard at the trial! He knew who Aluthine was! He looked right at her when he confessed! He knew that Aluthine was Othura's daughter!" Shock was plain on Quinn face from this epiphany. “She’s in with the Thayans and used me as a cover up!"
“That would explain why she called the Tribunal. You were a decoy to clear her name. Thayan's collect powerful magic artifacts but the Hathran masks are warded to keep the Red Wizards from prying into the secrets of Rashemar. It's how the witches have kept the lands safe from them this long." Sizrit stopped pacing and turned sharply to Quinn. "Aluthine has the power to unlock her mother's mask. Only a select few Hathran are allowed to know the deep secrets of the Sisterhood. Aluthine seems too young to have been taught such lore."
"But I'm sure her Mother knows." Quinn jumped out of bed and began suiting himself up.
“Where are you going?" Asked Sizrit.
“If what you’re saying is true and the Red Wizards are as dangerous as you say then Othura isn't the last witch to succumb to Aluthine's treachery. I'm going to learn more about this." Quinn grabbed his daggers and crossbow as he spoke.
“I’m going with you. With your luck you'll buy yourself a one-way ticket into the afterlife." Sizrit flew to Quinn's shoulder.
“I wouldn't have it any other way. This is an intrigue Mask himself couldn't concoct better." With that the duo slipped out of the lodge and into the night.
To Be Continued...
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