Flashback Poisenous Revenge {Ninus}

[Ronan Dugal]

Ninus made it sound like Ronan was a chef of some sorts when he described their latest run in with the... who exactly? The thugs had all died, not on purpose and probably not planned by any of them, but they had died and none had had the chance to speak about their contractor or master. Ronan sighed to himself. He listened to the poisoner's words as they continued to walk at their slower pace. He understood that Ninus had problems with keeping up due to the wounds he sustained but it still frustrated him that they weren't moving faster. Every moment they wasted walking was a moment they couldn't spend finding whoever had done this. The more time Ronan spent with Ninus the more he realized that the man was not just a poisoner out for money but that he had some form of code or morals that he lived by. It was a good thing to know. "I was hoping we could spend some time with the widow and the servants to question them. They might give us the necessary information we need. Although, in case you have sold the poison to them, don't mention it this time, alright? Whether we will be welcome in their suite and will be allowed to do our investigations and questioning is entirely dependent on the family. " Ronan remembered the last time Ninus had done so and he couldn't help but shake his head at the memory. A great way to not get paid. Ronan wondered if the man's purse had been so lacking in coin because of those exact words. Ronan wondered if there was anyone in Syliras or even outside of it who's job it was to find killers. Or if it was just left up to the knights who couldn't care less about the death of some rich people. It only made them richer when they died, considering they owned literally everything in Syliras. If there was such a person, or if there was a demand for such a person or organization, perhaps Ronan could get together with some people and set something up. People were always willing to pay for answers, especially when it came to killers. "Sadly, I couldn't get my hands on a document saying we're official knight business so we're only able to do any research or investigation if the people allow it. Although I doubt the third family will have much to complain about since they're all dead." Once more Ronan let slip a disturbing lack of empathy, this time for the dead people in the papers he was carrying. "Is there anything in particular we should be searching for if or when we get access to the suite?" As Ninus was the expert on poisons and how to administer them, Ronan was more than happy to let the man take charge in the case.

[Ninus Aurellius]

The Prince of Rats The poisoner's face fell a bit. "I had to tell my lady of that which I had done, in order to beg her forgiveness. I knew the knowledge had been imparted from my lips, and my shame tore the words from my throat. This poor fool whose ghost we visit...I feel no such shame. He died in a way reserved for men in hell, this is true, but his suffering has ended and it is the suffering of others we must worry about." he said. He had another idea as well...if the families didn't yield anything interesting there was another possibility, but he was loath to bring it up. It would be dangerous. He instead listened and followed, wondering about the wisdom of bringing his odd, adoptive family into such a case. It was fascinating, and the rogues had many ties to less-than-favourable men such as one who would go around killing poor creatures like Turan. But it would require venturing into the wilderness, and praying Ninus remembered his father's signs. Ninus made a face. No, he could try and find one of his father's men in the city if it came to that. The bandits did slink in when they were able, to buy food and medicine. Ninus rarely saw them. "It would disquiet my stomach to impersonate such a wild ass in tin armor." he said when Ronan mentioned the knights. "Braying of justice...their long ears betray their foolishness, as do their clumsy hooves. We cannot allow them to catch wind of this, my dear gentle ser. Whilst you tiptoe gently around clues and listen to my advice, the asses would show up in a great herd, pronounce us fools, then crush all evidence to powder." He chewed the inside of his cheek as he thought. "We will speak to this poor grieving woman, but we must have the mouths of surgeons, not to cause her any pain as we probe into the matter of her husband's death." He said. The woman, if they said anything untoward, might close up all together about something she heard. Why had this poisoner spared some lives and not others, and why resort to cold butchery when the poison failed to work? There were other poisons a man could use, other methods of killing just as effective and quiet as poison. Why kill some families and not others? Were they dealing with a madman? Ninus would have to wait, and see if some connection emerged between them. "We will search for the fruit that felled him. See if it was kept in the house in great numbers as it was with Turan. It is the season for peaches, and the season for cherries both. It would strike me as odd if a man had been struck down with plum or apple, as the leaves have not yet fallen from the trees. When were these other cases?" he asked. That would ensure that the poisoner had planned them in advance. If he had been planning since winter or spring of last year, no fruits were available for him to distill the poison. He would have had to buy them. If not from Ninus...perhaps his mentor, if he still was in the city? That might be another lead. It seemed more and more likely he would have to call upon his father.

[Ronan Dugal]

Ronan nodded as Ninus explained the reason for his words. Now Ronan felt once more like an idiot. "That is true. The people who remain might be more sick with worry and grief than the men who have left them." Ronan noted as they continued their walk. While people were ever so busy on the main road, the small alleys and streets that ran parallel with them were near empty. And the few people they did cross were just as interested in the two men as the two men were interested in them. Ronan couldn't help to laugh at Ninus' accurate description of the knights. Although Ronan had not meant to impersonate one of them, he was glad to hear Ninus' dislike for the knights was ever present. "I meant as outsiders, not as knights ourselves. Experts hired by knights. But it doesn't matter. We will find a way to get the information we need." Ronan had to admit no one had ever accused or complimented him of tiptoeing around things. Although there had been that one dancing girl he had met at an event once... He agreed entirely with Ninus about the surgeon mouths, although he wouldn't have worded it that way. "I'll make sure not to mention anything rushed. But we will need to ask certain... unpleasant question in order to get the answers we require." Ronan admitted. He was hoping that the people left would understand that they were trying to help them find whoever had killed their loved ones. They could probably pass as experts on the case, considering that the people they would visit were going through a rougher time in their lives. Ronan made a last turn right and walked straight for one of the buildings. From where they were standing they had a straight view onto the main street. The building was well located, close to the main roads and shops while still out of sight from them. Ronan walked up to one of the doors and knocked politely before stepping back and giving Ninus his answer. "This case happened earlier in the season, barely a few days after the start of Fall. The other two cases happened sometime late during the previous season. The murdered family happened first, around the 70th, then the second one around the 82nd and then this one around the 3th of Fall. Turan happened around the 19th, when you saved him and then was killed around the 30th." Ronan stopped talking as he heard the lock of the door being opened. "Yes?" The servant opened the door looked weary and worried, although he managed a smile. "We're here about the incident that happened earlier in the season." Straight to the point. Ronan figured there was no need to be beat around the bush. At the same time as he spoke, he pulled the reports from his inside pocket and flashed the official insignias towards the servant.

[Ninus Aurellius]

The Prince of Rats Ninus did the math in his head. Late fall, only apples or plums would be viable, he would have to check it against the symptoms. If they didn't match, then the poisoner would have had to plan and dry the ingredients, and even then the cyanide would have eventually faded if he didn't store it properly. He approached the door with Ronan, mulling over the thoughts in his head. He watched as Ronan flashed the insignias toward the tired servant. If the family was going through a rough patch he would have to be a lot gentler, and not so stark. Ninus set the poison kit down and approached the servant. He took the man's hand in his. "My dear friend, we have heard of the tragedy that has struck your house with such a cruel hand. No man should have to die and leave his family to suffer, nor should a servant take upon his shoulders such a burden." Ninus said. "We have come to propose to the grieving widow a chance at true justice, to see the man who dealt such a fiery death to the leader of the house burn with his own poison. Pray, grant us entry, that we may speak with her in gentle tones, and ease her suffering. Perhaps then the ghost of your master will lay easily upon his grave, and the gods will look favourably upon his avenged rest." He released the man, looking him in the eyes earnestly. He wanted the man to see he spoke the truth. He desperately wanted revenge on this other poisoner...though not as much for the reasons he'd just described. He was cultivating a fast hatred for someone who killed so indiscriminately. The poisons deserved better than that, they deserved to wreak their hatred and vengeance upon someone who needed such a punishment. Ninus wanted to deal with this earnestly, to show them that he was only interested in easing their pain. Of course, he didn't contradict Ronan's statement about being officials...he could work in such a capacity and it behooved him to be discreet about who he really was. But gentility greased wheels rusted by grief.

[Ronan Dugal]

As the servant first seemed reluctant to let them in, the seal did its work. When Ninus brushed past Ronan and started to explain their reasons for being here in his usual tones, the man seemed to brighten up a little as he stepped away from the door, opening it for them completely. "I will see if the misses is available. Please wait here for a moment." He had them wait in the hallway of the building. There were hooks in the wall with coats and cloaks hanging from them. While they waited, Ronan took of his own cloak and hung it on one of the empty hooks. As his mind went over their respective behaviors, he saw how the man had wanted to comply with Ronan's request because he had appeared to be official and threatening. When Ninus had spoken, the man had honestly invited them in. After a few moments, the servant returned and led them into a study, where the 'misses' was waiting for them. Already an older woman, she looked old, probably because of the recent grief in her life. Although he was here to help her, Ronan took an immediate dislike to her when he saw how her face was all powdered and blushed and her lips were an aggressive red. Some women just didn't want to accept aging. Ninus was shown to one of the seats by the servant while Ronan took his own, not bothered by the lack of hospitality shown towards him. As he said down, he took it on himself to become the strict and pushy official, which would pave the way for Ninus' more friendly approach. "Pardon me, miss..." He fished the papers out of his pocket and gave a quick look at them, looking for her name. From her point of view she was nothing more than a name on paper to Ronan. "Modael? Miss Modael? We're here about the loss of your husband and the... suspect way he passed away. I'm Mr. Trent and this is Mr. Kebrius. Could you tell us about your husband's state before he passed away?" Ronan put a lie on top of a lie on top of a lie. No officials, no Mr. Trent or Mr. Kebrius. And they weren't really here about the death of her husband. He passed a short glance towards Ninus to see if he had registered the name.

[Ninus Aurellius]

The Prince of Rats Ninus sat down and thanked the servant for seating him. Though his appearance was scruffy and the bath he'd taken two weeks ago had all but worn off, he was gentlemanly in his gratitude and posture. He immediately pitied the woman with her painted face. Time was not at all kind to women, and they often sought to change their circumstances with makeup. Poor thing was probably attempting to mask her grief, and keep up some appearance of youth. Of course, it could also have a more sinister aspect, but Ninus was inclined to pity her. He stood up a moment and approached her, kneeling by her side and taking her hand much like he had the servant. "I know the pain you feel, to lose a loved one by the hand of such a sinister enemy. Not one a man nor woman could fight, but only watch helplessly. I too have seen loved ones wither in bed, desiring of water but never of food, and never drinking enough to slake their thirsts. Strong arms turned to mere sticks, sunken against a pillow, barely able to rise. I too have such a hole in my heart, and daggers sticking out of my spine placed by cruel hands." he said quietly. "Pray, to do justice we must know every detail, every moment of suffering. Thine sex has been strong in such an hour. Is it not a goddess we pray to for healing, unafraid of her eyes on our wretched forms? Be that goddess for us now, my lady, and tell the story of thine ill-fated husband." His voice was earnest, concerned and truthful. While he had noted and would respond to the false name, he wouldn't use it himself. More words came from a sympathetic mouth than one pressed and prodded for information. The last thing he wanted to do was arouse her suspicions, so he played the part of a kind man simply wanting to help with her revenge. "May I pour some water to ease thine throat, as one tells this horrid tale?" Ninus asked, patting her hand comfortingly.

[Ronan Dugal]

Ronan watched as Ninus pleaded with the woman to tell him everything she knew. Ronan sighed as he looked at the woman. What a mess she was. Sticking to his role, Ronan crossed his legs and pulled out a parchment and a charcoal stick from his pocket. The charcoal had been wrapped in cloth to prevent it from giving off on his clothes. With the charcoal touching the parchment he spoke to the woman. "What Mr. Kebrius is trying to say is this: Please tell us what you remember of your husband the weeks before his death. Perhaps someone visited him whom you didn't know or you noticed something wrong in your house. Anything could help." Ronan realized he was on the edge here, close to going over. If he did, the woman could just throw him out. He had to make sure he remained professional about the whole thing. Not that he was a professional but he just had to come across as one. The woman accepted Ninus' offer for water. With his eyes on the parchment, Ronan listened to the woman as she started to explain, slowly at first, trying to remember things but quickly speeding up her words as they flowed from her lips. She hadn't noticed anything odd for quite some time but then her husband started to complain about it being too hot all the time. Then he got sick and had to stay in bed. When they called the doctor he had said he was suffering from fever. It hadn't gotten any better and soon he was constantly sweating and delirious from the heat. Things got even worse after that, she didn't go into detail but Ninus had explained it to Ronan earlier, and finally, after spending one agonizing night in pain he suddenly grew silent and was dead. As far as she could tell, nothing had been out of the ordinary. Ronan took notice, writing down key words for later. He didn't have to look at her to know that her words weren't meant for him but for Ninus. "Was there anything your husband was involved in that might have warranted such a death? Perhaps he owned money to someone? Maybe something illegal?" Ronan didn't look up from his parchment as he formed the question. He could easily imagine the look on her face right about now. It would look something along the lines of how Turan's wife had looked when Ninus had admitted to selling the poison that had been killing her husband. "What do you mean with those questions, ser? I assure you my husband did nothing to deserve this. And we didn't owe any money to anybody either." Ronan sighed softly, keeping it to himself as the woman calmed down from her little outburst.

[Ninus Aurellius]

The Prince of Rats Ninus listened to the woman's story, his expression unreadable. Then the man had died by the cyanide, burning from the inside out until he had died, his brain cooking inside of his skull. Ninus lowered his eyes when she spoke of his death. It had only lasted a few weeks, that meant the poisoner was constantly around and feeding a high dosage. The water would be the best way to do it...Cyanide was bitter but one could easily attribute that to the disease and not to some sinister element. Someone would have had to poison the water, but since neither wife nor servant was ill it would have to be localized to a glass or pitcher. Ninus needed to look at the glasses. It was doubtful that any poison still remained, but he could pray. He scowled at Ronan when he asked, straight out, about her husband. "Stay thine rude tongue, gentle ser. One should not ask such questions of a grieving widow so nastily, as if you already suspected him of guilt. Go, wait for me beside the rain barrel and drink thine fill. Your throat should be otherwise occupied." Ninus told Ronan. He wanted him to search the kitchen, the poison was confirmed...and he seemed only to be knocking him back in the quest to find more about the husband. Ninus looked back to the lady. "My lady. Tell me, sweet goddess, dost thou have any suspicions of who might have wanted thine husband dead? Were it some rogue he knew, or an argument started by an enemy? Perhaps a competitor for your affections? I have little doubt your husband deserved not such a fiery death. A man such as your husband deserves to lay still at the end of the years gods grant men, with you by his side." he said softly. "We must know if justice is to be served. Your husband's ghost will rest in peace with his killer rotting in the darkened pit from whence he came."

[Ronan Dugal]

Ronan wrapped the cloth around the charcoal again before pocketing it once more. He stood up from his chair and nodded towards the woman. He passed her on his way out of the room and once he was sure she couldn't see him anymore he smiled at Ninus and winked. Then he disappeared out of sight. Having been able to observe Ninus when he had been at work in Turan's house, Ronan immediately went into the kitchen to search for fruit. A high stock of fruit could mean that the killer was using the house to store the fruit or that he was even in the house. From a first glance through the kitchen, Ronan could tell there was no particular fruit in abundance. Opening a few counters at random, Ronan peeked around the kitchen at the different wares they stored. With his limited knowledge it would have been better if Ninus had been here while Ronan had stayed behind to talk to the woman. But it had turned out differently. With no real goal in the kitchen Ronan simply looked around, lifted up a few things and put them back where he had found them. "May I help you?" Ronan spun around on his feet, one hand slipping down to his belt. The servant stood in the opening of the door. "I was just looking for a glass or something to drink with. I'm quite thirsty." He put up his practiced trader smile as he spoke. While Ninus spent his time with the woman, perhaps Ronan could talk to the servant. "As I mentioned before, we're investigating your master's untimely death. Could I ask you some questions about it?" The servant didn't seem very happy about Ronan being in the kitchen. "I guess so, yes. How can I help?" Ronan smiled as he pulled his parchment out again. "Has there been anything out of the ordinary the days before your master died? Strangers lurking around? Unsavory types looking at the house? Anything of the sort?" The man shook his head as he opened one of the cupboards and picked out a mug for Ronan, filling it with water from the barrel. "No, ser. Everything was normal both inside and outside." Ronan took a short note on his parchment. "Could you describe your routine over those same days? Perhaps the killer made use of that." The servant placed the drink in front of Ronan on the kitchen table before taking a seat. "Let's see... I wake up with the sun, prepare the kitchen for breakfast. Then I woke the mistress. She took her breakfast down here while I looked after the master, replacing and cleaning his sheets and everything. Then I made sure he had plenty of water to drink. Afterwards there were different tasks to be done until lunch. The mistress remained by the master's side during that time. For lunch she would come down once more and I would go up, providing some soup for the master, which he never ate from. Then cleaning in the afternoon until dinner. Same procedure as for lunch." Ronan sipped from his water as he took notes while the servant spoke.

[Ninus Aurellius]

The Prince of Rats Ninus nodded as he listened to the woman a bit more, then bid his leave of her to find his partner. He kissed the back of her hand and offered her more words of comfort, expressing his sorrow at her husband's death. He listened at the doorway, listening to the servant speak. So he made sure the husband had water to drink...it was likely they had found an unwitting accomplice to the poisoner...or the poisoner himself. He entered the room quietly and looked at the rain barrel. He scooped up a bit of the water and tasted it. There was a slight, ever so slight bit of bitterness to it. He spat out the water. He turned to speak to Ronan and saw the man sip the selfsame water he had just sampled. He seized the cup and threw it into the rain barrel, giving a dangerous look to the servant. "Ser...either your water has gone bad, or you are hiding something sinister indeed." he growled. "Gentle knight, thou must stay still. How much of that foul concoction passed thy lips?" The barrel had been poisoned within the last day or so, perhaps the last few hours. "Hast anyone in this household drunk from the barrel?" Ninus demanded of the servant. "It has gone foul, and poisoned with the same fire that consumed thy master."