Chapter 40 - Agenda and Trust

Skalain sat alone, deep in thought, as he meticulously crafted his plan to uncover the motives behind the use of soul sickle-type spells and ultimately find the elusive murderer. His mind raced with possibilities, considering various angles and connections that could shed light on the dark mystery.

"A reason for the murder itself."

Skalain murmured as he kept on working.

Meanwhile, Aldar and Ally found a moment of privacy to discuss their concerns about Skalain's capabilities and whether he possessed enough power to accomplish their shared goals. They exchanged hushed whispers, their voices filled with a mix of curiosity and doubt.

"I must admit, Ally, I have reservations about Skalain's ability to handle this investigation."

Aldar confessed, his brow furrowed with worry.

"While he shows promise and has made notable progress, the task at hand requires great strength and knowledge. We cannot afford any missteps."

Ally nodded in agreement, her gaze fixed on Skalain as he deepened his concentration. "I understand your concern, Aldar. Skalain possesses potential, but whether he possesses enough power to confront the forces behind this murder remains to be seen. We need to ensure that he is adequately prepared and supported. At the same time, it is not hard to see that he does not trust us at all."

Aldar's eyes narrowed as he pondered the best course of action.

"That makes sense; I would not trust us if the roles were reserved. Perhaps it would be wise for us to assess Skalain's true capabilities discreetly."

Ally leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "I do not agree, Aldar. Skalain's progress has been promising, adding to the fact that he works with that man named Jareth and The Tower itself. We would be only resulting in more distrust from him as well as Jareth himself."

Aldar just nodded.

"Yeah, you are right. I guess.."

-

Skalain made his way through the familiar streets of Red Copper Town, his mind still immersed in thoughts and theories about the murder and the potential political agenda behind it. He couldn't shake off the growing suspicion that there might be deeper motives at play, hidden beneath the surface.

Arriving at Jareth's location, Skalain found him engrossed in a conversation with another member of the Tower of the Black Sun. He waited patiently, his gaze fixed on Jareth, until their discussion reached a natural pause. Sensing Skalain's presence, Jareth turned towards him, a curious smile playing on his lips.

"Skalain, good to see you," Jareth greeted warmly. "What brings you here today? How is the investigation going?"

Skalain took a moment to collect his thoughts before speaking. "Jareth, I've been doing some further investigation into the murder of Elliot Ken, and I believe I may have uncovered something significant. It seems that the perpetrator used a spell called Soul Sickle or something similar. This spell targets the soul of the victim, causing immense damage."

Jareth's eyes narrowed with interest. "Soul Sickle?. It requires a certain level of skill and understanding to be used effectively. The fact that it was used suggests that the murderer may possess considerable knowledge and expertise in the dark arts."

Skalain nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, that's what I thought as well. But there's more to it. I have a growing suspicion that this murder may be motivated by political factors. The victim, Elliot Ken, was a stage three blackfire mage, and his death could have far-reaching consequences within the magical community."

Jareth's brows furrowed, his gaze sharpening with intensity. "A political agenda? That's an intriguing angle, Skalain. If there are indeed political machinations at play, it could explain the calculated nature of the murder and the use of such a specific spell."

Skalain then took a deep breath and voiced his thoughts.

"I have some questions; may you answer?"