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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 8.5, The Great Illusion

The attack against the group meant them losing three to their number; not only had Joshew given his life to save Roland but Sandoval and Sanmer were both unaccounted for. The absence of the Fox and sword man were not at the forefront of Roland's mind however as he sat where he had collapsed on the manor's front yard cradling his dead lover in his lap. Nobody else in the group understood his loss... perhaps he himself didn't fully comprehend it... but Joshew was dead and that's all he really needed to know.

Unfortunately not everyone in the group was willing to provide that fact the severity it deserved and an argument was already brewing as to what would happen next. The Wolf Dog scholar refused to be baited into the discussion, instead resting his paw gently against the slack, lifeless cheek of Joshew Helix-- Joshew to his few friends-- Shew to one single individual. The tears started coming despite Roland's desire to hold them in check, and that's when Alarice had her 'epiphony'.

It started with a well-meaning question from Brother Jessen. "We should provide him last rights... does anyone know to where his body should be delivered?"

And progressed with a factual response from Alvis. "Joshew was a scholar of the UPU... if not for everything going on right now I'd think we would have brought him there."

Then, ultimately settled in on a less-than-innocent suggestion from Alarice. "Right... then he should be delivered to the University."

There was silence from the group for many long seconds; Roland wanted to stand up and yell at the woman for her stupidity; they couldn't go back to the University and she knew it... but he held his tongue... screaming wouldn't help any more than crying. In the end it was Dr Brownell who brought it up. "I thought all of you had a misunderstanding with the University."

Roland looked up just in time to see a glint of something dangerous in the Human woman's eye. "True... but you aren't part of that, Doctor."

At that point the Wolf Dog couldn't keep his muzzle shut. "To what end, Alarice? This is Joshew's BODY we're talking about... just what are you scheming?"

Alarice held up a letter she'd been handed by the Bull who had come to meet them at the manor. While Roland didn't know what it contained he was astute to notice it had been sealed with the royal seal of Princess Noriene. Regardless, whatever the woman was planning she obviously thought to use some sort of leverage using Joshew's remains and that idea didn't sit well with him.

She reinforced his suspicion. "It's the easiest way to get inside."

Inigo spoke up before Roland had a chance and the Bat was far more polite about it. "I thought we came back to Newport to deal with the Order of Blades... what does the University--"

Alarice interrupted his question. "Everything. Princess Noriene was kind enough to provide me some insight into the matter. I'd had a feeling there was more to this than I'd originally thought and now I have my confirmation."

Wiesen emerged from the manor's front doors, which had just finished being rehung. The Dragon inserted himself into the conversation with no real grace but the end result was effective. "Confirmation regarding what, Lady Arnswold?"

The woman folded the letter and slid it into the inside pocket of her coat. "That the University job was a set up... Professor Milhoy was working with the same people as the Order of Blades... we were all expendable-- if the explosion didn't kill us they were going to blame the malfunction of that experiment on me and my people."

Alvis sat up, ears raised. "The University wouldn't do something like that.... Professor Milhoy wouldn't do something like--"

Roland interrupted the Mongrel with a grunt; he, like Joshew realized that the people attacking the manor were from the University and, unlike Alvis, the Wolf Dog actually KNEW Professor Milhoy. "Yes he would."

Alarice's eyes went straight to Roland. "So you can appreciate why we need to use every angle at our disposal. We can send Dr. Brownell into the University so we can have a--"

Alvis interrupted. "She shouldn't go in alone... the University doesn't know about Sir Wiesen or Brother Jessen, right? All three of them can go in together."

The Dragon shook his head. "No... if what Lady Arnswold presumes is true and the University is working with the Order of blades then the men in the University know just as much about me and Brother Jessen; we've both been hunted for one reason or another."

Alvis pressed the issue. "No... the CHURCH was after Brother Jessen."

Sir Wiesen's smile was slightly bitter. "We are facing an enemy that transcends the Church/University distinction, my friend.

Roland couldn't explain why exactly but the whole plan rubbed him the wrong way. It was so uncomfortable in fact that he threw a wrench into the gears. "Joshew would have wanted to be cremated... he always did have a thing for fire."

Inigo's large ears raised. "Come again?"

The Wolf Dog turned toward the Bat, focusing as much challenge as he could muster into his gaze. "The University reserves body for dissection and scientific research just as often as it fulfills the final wishes of the deceased.... Joshew would NOT want someone poking around in his insides... we should bring him to south town and hire a Pyremaster."

Alarice's scowl ALMOST matched his own. "As much as I appreciate the dedication you show your friend we cannot give up such an advantage. If Dr. Brownell is able to get into the University she will be invaluable in our attempt to storm it."

The announcement caught more than one of the party by surprise, but Roland was far too invested in the emotional aspect of the plan. In fact, despite his most ardent attempts otherwise, that emotion overwhelmed him and the words came out before he could stop them. "Fuck your plan and fuck you-- the man I love is DEAD, and you're NOT using his body like some kind of camouflage."

A very uncomfortable silence filled the courtyard where the party was assembled. Of all the people to bring things back to a sense of calm, the last person Roland expected was the one who did. Inigo reached up and placed a hand gently on the Wolf Dog's shoulder. "Then nobody is going to ask you to make a sacrifice like that."

Perhaps it was the grief or the anger, but the scholar had a hard time detecting the usual sarcasm or poorly-placed humor the Bat was so well known for using. He remained on the defensive just to be safe. "He saved my life."

Brother Jessen moved to Roland's left and Alvis stood at his right. Together, the two of them helped him stand. It was the Coyote who made the most logical suggestion of the night. "The Princess' man said we were welcome in the manor... right now I think the best course of action is to pause for a time and work things out. Emotions are too high right now to think clearly."

Alarice waved them away. "Fine. I will need some time to put the plans into motion anyway. I'll be back in two hours."

Inigo glanced to Roland, then to Alarice... and followed after the Human woman. The scholar felt another moment of uncomfortable confusion; the Bat's expression was of sympathetic comfort... entirely unexpected for the jokester. With each step Roland felt a fury growing within him; things had been difficult for him and Joshew over the years... they had grown together then grown apart and finally found one another again... only to have the Human taken from him-- and for what? Some petty squabble? Because Professor Milhoy's lust for power and fame?

For a split second he almost considered running after Alarice and telling her that Joshew would have approved of anything that would allow them to stick it to the pompus prick. Putting the thought out of his mind, Roland hung his head, reminding himself that Joshew was gone and nothing would change that. He gave into his ennui, letting it wash over him as Jessen and Alvis brought him into the manor, leaving Joshew in the capable care of Wiesen and Dr. Brownell.

Yes... it was time to grieve-- Alarice had given him that much. Whether retribution or restitution was the next step on the list Roland didn't completely know... but when that time came he promised himself he'd give into that emotion with just as much of his being as he was embracing the sense of loss.