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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 8.3, A Dozen Tails Told

It took awhile for Nicole to join the rest of the travelers at the front of their caravan once the wagons had come to a halt. She wasn't certain at first why they had stopped but as she approached the woman caught sight of the white Dragon and the white Fox speaking with a gray furred primate. Even in the pre-dawn light she was able to determine the traveler was a Monk by his distinct robe.

The discussion came to a halt when the Monkey caught sight of Nicole's approach. He offered a courteous bow of his head. "It is fair to assume that you are Lady Arnswold?"

Wiesen handled the introductions. "Friar Juun, this is Lady Nicole Arnswold of the Arnswold Family, premier bloodline of Vallara. My Lady Arnswold, this is Friar Juun... emissary to Bishop Fulgaré of Mehnzil.

Nicole had spent enough of her life as Alarice to understand carefully concealed emotion as the Dragon spoke the name of the Bishop and she stored that thought away for later; for the moment her focus was on the old Monk. "What brings you to Lehsunia, Friar Juun?"

The Monkey's accent was not Mehnzilian and, despite appearing on the older side his voice was still strong. "I was here at the behest of the Bishop, my Lady, and am actually concluding my activities here. It is by God's will that I meet you on the path to Vallara, as that is the final leg of my journey."

She gave the Monk a cursory inspection then looked to Aodhan and Sister Aurelie who had also been taking part in the conversation; the Cat looked particularly disturbed. Nicole looked back to the traveling clergyman. "God's will that we meet, you say? Unless you know something I do not I would hardly consider a random introduction on the roadside to be worthy of divine notice."

Sister Aurelie spoke up, the Cat's voice severe. "He was at the Church in Newport... he has news of the Sisters Divine."

Nicole didn't even bat an eye. "Then it is God's will that you meet with THEM on the road. THEY have business with the Church, not I."

Aodhan stepped forward. "Lady Arnswond, Friar Juun has seen that the representatives from the Sisters Divine are being TORTURED. Tell her, Friar."

The Monkey nodded slowly. "It is not God's will being done within the halls of the Church in Newport, I am afraid. Bishop Fulgaré was concerned that there may have been misdeeds being carried out in Lehsunia by the Church, but he could not have known what they--"

Nicole held up a hand to stop him. "Again, I understand their plight and I am sympathetic to their suffering. Unfortunately injustices are carried out every day and I have my own battles to fight."

Sir Umberto had walked up behind her and, for a moment she was worried that he was going to create problems by taking sides. Thankfully when he spoke up it was in more of a neutral declaration. "The difference is that Lady Arnswold has an army helping her. Perhaps you should consider joining us in reaching the Princess and then she might see fit to provide you the aid you desire."

Inigo, loyal, big-mouthed Inigo decided to challenge that thought. "We're heading to Newport to deal with the Order of Blades, not bring some message to the Princess."

Sanmer leaned against the wagon he was borrowing from the Princess. "The way I see it, we're all traveling to Newport together... and not for ENTIRELY different reasons."

The Mouse woman that had been in the middle carriage stepped into the conversation in a most impressively diplomatic manner. "There's actually no reason to think that our separate reasons are separate at all."

Sister Aurelie's ears fell and the Cat practically hissed out a challenge. "They aren't worried about the Sisters Divine at all... how can that be anything BUT separate reasons?"

The Mouse took that in stride. "When I was first learning about identifying illness I made a mistake common among all students of medicine: I spent so long focusing on the symptoms I didn't stop to think about how they are all related. Every problem represented here, from the Princess to the Order of Blades to the Sisters Divine are related."

Aodhan's ears raised and even Sister Aurelie paused, but the Cat quickly countered. "How can they all be related?"

The Doctor shook her head slowly. "I don't know."

Nicole frowned when she saw Sandoval step up behind the Mouse. He was the one who provided the answer. "I do. It is the Mechanists... I would stake my life on it."

Friar Juun bowed to those closest to him. "I have passed on what I know of the Sisters Divine. I hope the information will be of some aid to you."

Sister Aurelie took the Monkey's hand and clasped him by the wrist, kissing his first knuckle. "Yes. Thank you, Friar... God's favor to you on your journey."

The Monk smiled, resting his other hand on the Cat's head. "And His blessing to you on the task set before you."

Aodhan didn't wait for the Monk to leave before he started pleading his case. "Friar Juun said that the Sisters are being held in the same area where the Church had Friar Arlowe. We can get there but we'll need help."

Friar Arlowe, still in the carriage was looking out the window. "I will help however I can. If what Friar Juun said was true we can't let the Church move the Sisters-- if they're taken to Mehnzil then all is lost."

Sandoval stepped past Nicole, speaking up. "If the Church says it plans to move them, my friend, they will never make it to Mehnzil. This is the decree of the Mechanists, and they will use this as an opportunity to start a war, not take prisoners."

Inigo turned to challenge the swordsman. "And how's that, exactly? They're just a bunch of nuns and stuff."

Nicole sighed. "Shut up, Inigo."

The Bat glanced her way but did as she bade. It was Sister Aurelie that elaborated. "The Sisters Divine will not stand for this. If they do not release my sisters then there will be a holy war."

Sandoval nodded. "Yes... this is it exactly. It is as the lovely Dr. Brownell says... all of this is easily connected-- the Mechanists are trying to tear down all houses of power."

Nicole turned to stare at the man. She surprised herself by humoring him. "Get to the point, Sandoval."

He did. "You have said that your involvement in all things out-of-the-ordinary started with a sabotage of a University invention... and that you have reason to believe that this sabotage came from within."

Inigo interjected. "It WAS. We were framed to take the fall."

Sandoval continued unabated. "The Church is fractured-- the local clergy are acting against the will of Mehnzil and a Bishop saw fit to involve himself in it... another sign that there is dissent among the ranks."

Sanmer rubbed the end of his muzzle. "The Mechanists... they made an attempt on the Princess' life."

The swordsman pointed right at the Fox. "And the third of three powers creating the triumvirate of control in Lehsunia; they wish to eliminate the royalty."

Nicole turned to regard Sanmer. "So you know about the Mechanists?"

The Fox nodded. "Sure... had a run in with the Order of Blades-- apparently the Mechanists hired them to do a lot of the dirty work in--"

She slammed her hand on the wheel of the nearest carriage. "Done."

Sada glanced around Wiesen. "Done?"

Nicole nodded with certainty. "Yes... Done."

Wiesen spoke up. "What is done, Lady Arnswold?"

Turning and heading back toward her wagon, Nicole spoke over her shoulder. "Half of you have been trying all trip to convince me that you could use my help. Well... now you have it... in rank and file."

She didn't linger any longer. She knew there would be questions as to who she planned on helping so she made herself scarce so as to avoid having to answer them. Nicole planned on figuring out the particulars later but one thing was certain: the scales of power were tipping and she planned on balancing things out in a way that was much more favorable than letting those who opposed her win.

Inigo hopped up into the carriage with her. "You know... something about that traveling guy got me to thinking."

Nicole eyed the bat. "About what?"

He cracked a wry grin as he adjusted his glasses. "I know he was a primate, but didn't he seem a little monk-y to you?"

Something about Inigo's humor always managed to put things into perspective and it inspired her into creating a decisive plan that took everything into account. She mumbled to herself "Now all I have to do is come up with one."