<TIAMAT> *Dusk falls and the nocturnals start crawling out, and still no word from Jarod or Cassie.

<JETMODE> *Kender sits up with a groggy snrk, rubbing his eyes. He looks around the room, realizes what time it is, and bolts for the door, leaving a grouchy Cinno behind on his bed.

<TIAMAT> *Teal, as promised, is waiting outside the solitary wing, a dark cloak draped about his shoulders.

<JETMODE> *Kender didn't think to do anything like a cloak, but he doesn't say anything, peering at Teal inquisitively.

<TIAMAT> *Teal turns as Kender approaches, looking slightly relieved. "Ah, Kender, right on time. You're alone, I trust?

<JETMODE> <Kender> *a little groggily* Yeah.. I even left my cat behind.. he was kinda mad at me.

<TIAMAT> *Teal binks at him. "Ah...well, I'm sorry about that. *pause* Well, come on, then. *and he leads the way down a set of stairs and into the single long, dark, gloomy hallway.

<TIAMAT> *The guard at the bottom of the stairs jerks awake as they approach and tries to block their way. "I'm sorry, but entry here is-- *he suddenly recognizes Teal* Oh! Baron Teal! My apologies, sir, I couldn't quite see you in the dark--

<JETMODE> *Kender starts, looking at Teal uncertainly.

<TIAMAT> *But Teal just waves a hand as the guard lets them pass. "Quite all right, Clyde. *Hey, look, it's the guard that keeps bringing Kender down to Teal's office! Heh. He stares at Kender for a moment, but with a look from Teal, let's him pass as well.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Go on, Kender, she's in the last cell on the right.

<JETMODE> *Kender gives Clyde a slightly dirty look and dashes down the corridor.

<TIAMAT> *It's DARK. There's only one torch in the whole hallway, but thankfully, it's right at the end of it, next to Whisper's cell. She's quite asleep at the moment, though it doesn't look like a very restful sleep.

<JETMODE> *Kender peers in the window, looking a little uncertain, then calls to her. "Whisper! .. hey, Whisper!"

<TIAMAT> *Whisper rolls over on her cot, not quite waking up. "No, it wasn't me... it wasn't me ...

<JETMODE> <Kender> *whacks the door a little* Whisper, it's Kender! Wake up!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sits up suddenly with a start. "Who? *she blinks up at the window. "Kender?? *she springs up and over to the door, nearly tripping over a bucket of water on the way. "Kender, what are you doing here!? If Teal catches you--

<JETMODE> <Kender> *grins at her* Teal brought me here.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, slightly dumbfounded. "He...did?"

<JETMODE> *From the cell next door, Genoa grumbles something and rolls over.

<JETMODE> <Kender> Yeah. Hey! I have great news, Whisper!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: What is it?

<JETMODE> <Kender> We found -- *glances nervously back up the hall* We found some evidence -- that you're not guilty! We can get you out!

<TIAMAT> *Whisper grabs the bars of the window, pulling her face closer, a flash of hope glinting in her eyes. "Evidence? What evidence?

<JETMODE> <Kender> That charm they found -- it's not the one I gave you. The stone's the wrong color. I went to find out who had asked for it, and.. *worried look* It was Stephan Bailey.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper breaths his name to herself. "Bailey..." *she looks torn, like she's debating whether to tell Kender something or not.

<JETMODE> <Kender> What is it?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Kender, there's...there's something I never told you that I should have a long time ago. *she pauses, still looking torn.

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. *puzzled* What do you mean?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper takes a deep breath. "About a month ago, Bailey hired me to do some work for him and...some group of officials. I'm not sure who they were or who any of the other members are; Bailey was always the one who gave me assignments and paid me. At first it was just simple, small tasks, like gathering information, mainly on Colin's temple.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *looks worried*

<TIAMAT> *Whisper hurries on, like she's trying to get it all out before changing her mind about telling Kender any of it. "Then he asked me more specific questions about Colin himself -- what kind of man he is, how he runs his temple. I was curious and a little worried, but when I asked, Bailey told me that I should just answer the questions, not ask them. So I did. Until he asked me to take that ankh from Colin's temple.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *strangely* Did you.. steal it?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper pauses, looking away. "Yeah, I did.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *pauses, then shakes his head* But.. er.. the one they had at the trial -- it's a fake. Or at least we think it is. I'll know for sure when I talk to Cassie.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper looks back at him and nods. "The real one -- I gave it to Bailey. He's got it, somewhere. *pause* I didn't want to take the ankh from Colin, Kender, but...Bailey threatened to do something to you if I didn't.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *blankly* ME?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Yes, you. You have to be careful of him, Kender. I don't know who he's got working for him -- or who he's working for -- but they're dangerous. Once I got involved, they said they'd go to Teal and the guards if I tried to back out.

<JETMODE> <Kender> Then.. *thinks* But.. we can get him, right? If we get the evidence together..

<TIAMAT> *Whisper shakes her head. "It's not that easy! Bailey's a popular name around here -- they're not going to convict him for just anything--

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Besides, you dear, sweet fool, he's got enough money to buy them all off.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Don't you know how bureaucratic politics work? Whisper, you've been neglecting his education.

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. Uh?

<TIAMAT> *Whisper, a little annoyed: It's kind of difficult when I'm stuck down here with you all the time.

<JETMODE> <Genoa> Hrmph, you had months before all this. And if you don't want me joining your conversation, DO try to keep it quiet and let me sleep.

<TIAMAT> *Whisper sighs and returns her attention to Kender. "Getting the ankh identifies as a fake will help, but it won't be enough to convict Bailey of anything.

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. I'm mostly worried about getting you out.

<TIAMAT> *Teal suddenly appears next to Kender. "We have to go, lad.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *a little frantic* But --

<TIAMAT> *Whisper: Get going, Kender. Teal! *he glances up at her* Thanks for the visitation rights. *he nods once, then motions for Kender to get going.

<JETMODE> *Kender, with a last, unhappy glance at Whisper, moves up the hall.

<TIAMAT> *Teal leads them up the stairs. "She's right, you know. Bailey's fairly untouchable, in his current position.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *mild protest* You were listening?

<JETMODE> *Back in the cells:

<JETMODE> <Genoa> I told you so.

< TIAMAT> *Whisper, staring after Kender: What?

<JETMODE> <Genoa> .. never mind ..

<TIAMAT> *Teal looks apologetic. "I didn't mean to be eavesdropping."

<JETMODE> <Kender> Yeah, it's okay .. *grimace* But I have to do something. I have to get her out!

<TIAMAT> *Teal frowns. "Getting the ankh identified as a fake won't convict Bailey of anything, and it probably won't be enough to prove she's innocent. Once the Cardinal makes a choice, it's usually very hard to get him to go back on it.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *huffs* But there's more than that.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: The pendant? *shakes his head* I'd like to help you, Kender, but I can't. My hands are tied. The best I can do is bring whatever evidence you can gather to the Cardinal after you've got whatever you can find.

<TIAMAT> *Teal: Get some sleep. You look exhausted. You've still got ... well ... two days. You know where to find me if you need me.

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. Yeah. *looks a little dejected, then determined* I'll find a way.

<TIAMAT> *Teal almost smiles. "I'm sure you will. *he turns and starts off toward...er...wherever he sleeps...

<JETMODE> *Kender heads back toward this room, mulling over what he's going to do.

<TIAMAT> *As soon as he opens the door, two sets of arms grab his own and drag him inside, the door slamming behind him. Jarod sits him down on his bed (Cassie grinning behind him), looking annoyed. "Where have you BEEN?

<JETMODE> *Kender utters a terrified (and relieved) squeak. "I.. I ought to ask you guys the same!" he retorts, gulping for breath.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie beams. "WE'VE been busy-- *Jarod interjects. "And rather productive, might I add. Tell him, Cassie!

<TIAMAT> *Cassie holds out the ankh to Kender. "My mom finished identifying it, and she says it's not magical at all.

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. really .. *grips the ankh, then hands it back* Good!

<JETMODE> <Kender> Oh! I found out about the charm, too!

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: Really? What about it?

<JETMODE> <Kender> *triumphantly* The guy who ordered it tried to make them make it the exact same way, but.. er.. Jasmine doesn't like to do that, apparently.. so she switched the stone color, and he didn't notice! So it's not Whisper's!

<TIAMAT> *Cassie looks excited. "That's great! Did you find out who the guy was?

<JETMODE> <Kender> *nods slowly* .. It was Stephan Bailey.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie and Jarod blink at him and exchange knowing glances.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Funny you should mention him, Kender..

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. Er?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: You see, I followed Mr. Bailey after today's trial -- something about his testimony didn't seem to fit right. It took me until just a couple of hours ago, but he finally led me right to the REAL ankh.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *eyes widen* Where?

<TIAMAT> *Jarod frowns. "He's keeping it in The Silver Knight...but there's a problem. That tavern's for members only, and they don't give membership out to just anyone.

<JETMODE> <Kender> *frowns a little* Well, they sure wouldn't give membership to me ...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: It's usually reserved for knights and nobles, so that leaves Cassie and me out too.

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. I wonder if that lady from earlier would know anything ..

<JETMODE> *A clock chimes the hour.

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: I'd better get home before someone notices me gone..

<JETMODE> <Kender> *a little pained* Yeah.. we'd probably better get started in the morning..

<TIAMAT> *Cassie: I'll try...I've got that fire test in the morning, but I think I'm free after that.

<JETMODE> *Kender nods. "Okay. We can do some work in the meantime."

<TIAMAT> *Cassie's about to respond when she yawns hugely. "Uh...right...well...good night, guys...*and she wanders out, suddenly looking exhausted.

<JETMODE> *Kender waves after her.

<JETMODE> *He's looking pretty worn himself. "Uh.. did you feed the bat today?"

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: ... I thought you were taking care of him. Besides, I was chasing Bailey all afternoon!

<JETMODE> <Kender> ... I was busy today, too ...

<TIAMAT> *Jarod looks around. "Where is it, anyway?

<JETMODE> *There's a frantic squeak from above.

<JETMODE> *Kender groans.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod looks up, annoyed.

<JETMODE> *Stellalune is up on one of the rafters, where he has been hiding from Cinno for much of the day.

<JETMODE> *Kender shoots the cat a look. Cinno switches his tail and decides to clean his arse.

<TIAMAT> *Jarod: Of all the roommates, I had to pick the beast master ...

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. *slightly guilty grin*

<TIAMAT> *Jarod sighs, trying to restrain a slight grin himself. "Yeah yeah yeah. Look, I'm going to sleep. Try not to make too much noise, okay? *and he collapses on his bed.

<JETMODE> <Kender> .. b-but.. *he looks up at Stellalune* ....

<JETMODE> *Stellalune squeaks.