Alexandros Mien added in a thoughtful tone, “Well there were rumors that the long line of Ramses’ were all the same person. That would certainly explain it, if he were a demon. He was certainly evil enough.”
Trevin snapped, “Just because a wizard or an animage comes from a long line of people with the same name doesn’t mean he or she is all the same person. Look at Exador. There’s been an Exador for the gods know how many thousand years. Certainly you’re not going to suggest Exador, our fellow Councilor, is a demon?”
“No, not at all.” Damien said. “However an individual who was addressed in conversation as Ramses and met all the descriptions of Ramses the Damned was sighted walking in the halls of this building. So either: someone is impersonating Ramses the Damned, the line didn’t die out like we believed, or it’s the same person. If it’s the same person, then he might very well be a demon.”
“Or a really old Anilord. You know the sort of things those people were supposed to be able to do.” Gandros pointed out, “further, Ramses the Damned was the leader of the Time Warriors. It’s also possible that he figured out some way to physically escape forward in time or put himself in some sort of suspended animation.”
“Wasn’t he in fact slain by Exador’s ancestor? The Arch-Vicar General Exador, then leader of the Rod?” Trevin asked. “Perhaps an interesting coincidence that he is seen again in the same place that the current Exador has shown up.”
“Are you suggesting he’s come back for revenge?” Davron asked.
“Perhaps he’s aligned with Lenamare?” Sier interjected.
“Interesting, admittedly, but Lenamare doesn’t strike me as the type to want such help.” Alexandros stated.
“I doubt it, I think those people of Lenamare’s that I’ve talked to would have known about Ramses before if he was with Lenamare. After all, it was they who spotted Ramses.” Damien said.
“Very convenient.” Davron replied. Damien looked at him slightly askance.
“Well it is certainly unlikely that he’d be aligned with Exador. Given the family history.” Tureledor stated.
“So that leads us back to the independent operator theory, and the question of an arch-demon third party.” Gandros summed up.
“So what do we do?” Trevin asked.
“Well for one thing, too many questionable people are entering and leaving this city. Too many powerful people. We should do now what we should have done sooner. Put a lock down on the gates and ward the city so no one can come in or out magically without sufficient effort that would alert us.” Gandros stated.
“Won’t that be seen as an act of war by those outside?” Sier asked timidly.
“Isn’t laying siege to a city an act of war?” Trevin asked acerbically.
“You both have a point, but we’ll do it in as nonthreatening manner as possible. I will send messengers that we are putting a containment field around the city so that we can ensure the parties in question don’t flee the city unlawfully.” Gandros said. “Any other objections?”
They all looked at each other but no one said anything. “Very well, Trevin, I’d like you and Alexandros to gather the relevant people necessary to do the magical side of the job as soon as possible.” Trevin nodded at Gandros. “I will instruct the Lord Marshall myself.”
“Uhhm,” Sier hesitated, “once we do that, won’t the demons be trapped inside with us? How will we get rid of them?”
“Good point.” Damien agreed.
“Admittedly, however, I am more concerned with new parties coming in than those going out; despite what we shall tell the rest of the world. Nonetheless, Trevin, Alexandros, make the wards more unidirectional in terms of super naturals. Preventative for those coming in and only alerting for those going out non-physically. Once we get rid of the demons we can change things so no one gets in or out.” Gandros stated.
“So then, how do we get rid of the demons?” Davron asked.
“I’m working on that. I think we will have to start eliminating them ourselves and just hope that we can do it fast enough to prevent bloodshed.” Gandros told them.
“And how do you propose to do that?” Damien asked, interested.
“As I said, I’m still working on it. When I have it worked out, I’ll let you know because I’ll probably want your help, Damien.”
“Good evening, Wing Arms Master.” Admiral Heron spun in surprise at the voice behind him on the sterncastle deck. Standing on the deck was, apparently, the wizard Exador, whom he’d dealt with briefly on the Exador-Lenamare artifact investigation. “I am afraid I must beg your pardon for not asking prior approval to come aboard. However, the means of transport necessary for arriving here without alerting certain miscreants denied me the ability to do so. I am fully willing to pay any penalty deemed necessary for such an intrusion, after the current matters at hand are resolved.”
