“I have to say, my sister’s display surprised even me,” Sherman admitted, but Katarina approached and laid her hand on his shoulder with a smile.
“There’s something else, too: Turillia’s power is fleeting,” Kari said, but then she furrowed her brow. “I think that’s the right word. I mean, it’s not permanent… she’s losing the power she’s been drawing from the demon. When we fought her in the graveyard, she tried to teleport away, but she couldn’t. I’ve seen that look of frustration before on my sister-in-law. Whatever happened, the magic refused to come to her call, and I think it’s because the demon’s power doesn’t last very long.”
“No. As you probably well know, a succubus can draw some of its victims’ power and use it herself, but the power is not permanent. They must continually renew that power to keep it as their own,” Vlad said. “This is why succubi rarely kill their victims, so they may keep their power readily available when they want it again.”
“But Turillia is drawing power from a demon, and that demon is drawing power from her murders,” Kari said. “I can beat Turillia in a fight; I’m sure of that. She has a style similar to my own, but she is not Suler Tumureldi, and if I could handle him in combat, I can handle her.” There were several sets of raised brows at that statement, but Kari didn’t dwell on the point. “The issue isn’t whether I can beat her in a sword-fight, though; it’s whether or not she raises a small army of undead to aid her, what other powers she may have drawn from the shadow demon, and whether or not I have to deal with Emma at the same time.”
“So why does she want to kill Emma, then?” Eli asked. “Is that maybe why she was sent here in the first place, and taking power from the demon was just a convenient opportunity?”
“I think that’s what we have to assume for now,” Kari answered, glancing from face to face to see if anyone else had any other ideas. They all seemed impressed with her theory, but though it was helpful to actually have a theory, it didn’t help Kari organize her thoughts or her friends. It was far from the first time since she’d arrived in Barcon that Kari wished Aeligos was there. She could use his tactics and planning about now. Since he wasn’t, though, she tried to do things the way he would. “Master Vlad, can you do some research on Sheila, or pray to Ambergaust for insight into how Sheila managed to keep her power?”
“I’d be happy to. Give me until morning, and I will try to find some answers for you.”
“Much appreciated,” Kari said, and she turned to Piotyr and Deirdre. “I’m not sure how you two will feel come the morning, but I think I should go back to the graveyard and do something—anything—to make sure we’re not overrun by an army of undead the next time Turillia and Emma fight.”
“At the very least, you will have my aid in that,” Piotyr said.
“And mine as well,” Deirdre rasped. She fought to get to a sitting position. Piotyr gave her his support. She was weak from the poisoning, but there was fire in the half-elite woman’s eyes that said she’d be ready by morning, one way or another.
“We will help you as well,” Katarina offered, echoed by Sherman and Sharyn.
Kari shook her head. “No, I need you three to take care of some other things. Look, as much as it shames me to say this, I’m not a fast reader,” she said. “What would really help is if you three could do some research for me in the morning. If you go to the church of the Unyielding, they should have some books about underworld demons. What I need to know is if there’s something about Emma we don’t know—something basic, like how a mallasti might fit into Turillia’s plans. If nothing turns up, we can go on the assumption that Emma is Turillia’s official target for Sekassus, or whoever it is she works for.”
“I have some books that may also be of aid in that,” Vlad added.
“Perfect. Maybe the three of you can split up to save some time,” Kari said. She drew forth the platinum disk from her coin pouch and flipped it to Eli. “Eli, I have an important task for you. I need you to see if you can track down Emma. Dominick said she was in the old city hall, so that’s probably a good place to look. You’ve met her before, so she may trust you to some degree. See if you can get her to talk and give her that disk if it helps. I feel ridiculous even suggesting this, but I’ll take a stalemate where Emma is concerned if she’ll help us kill or capture Turillia.”
“I’ll do what I can,” the half-corlyps answered.
“I know, that’s why I asked,” Kari returned. He cocked his head, but Kari was more interested in Sharyn’s reaction. “Don’t put yourself in any danger, but if she’ll talk to you, try to get us something. But don’t tell her anything that might let her know what we’re up to.”
“And how may I aid you in this?” the marshal asked as he rose. “It is obvious you do not want me to send my men to storm the old city hall to root out this mallasti.”
“No, you definitely don’t want to do that. Right now, I need you to get me in to see Lord Black,” Kari said, turning to face him squarely. “In the morning, I need a good-sized squad of your best men to secure the graveyard so our friends can consecrate the ground or do whatever it takes to keep the dead where they belong. Other than that, I just need you to keep doing what you’ve been doing: making it as difficult as possible for Turillia to murder anyone for BlackWing’s—or rather, that demon’s benefit.”
“Are you satisfied, then, that Lord Black is not involved in this plot?”
Kari nodded. “I am. Now we need to shift our focus to protecting him in case he’s still a target.” Marshal Saracht nodded, and Kari turned back to the rest of the gathering. “For tonight, though, I want you all to get a good night’s sleep; you’re no good to me exhausted or injured. That’s all for now. Tomorrow night, I’d like all of you—including Master Vlad and Marshal Saracht—to meet me at One Small Favor for dinner. By then, we should hopefully have the information we need to bring this situation to a head.”
Everyone agreed either with Yes ma’ams or nods. Katarina approached. Kari expected the paladin to offer a suggestion or ask a question, but the young woman wrapped her in a hug. Kari returned the embrace in full.
Katarina separated enough to look Kari in the eyes. “You probably look at me and think I’ve grown a lot over these last few years,” she said. “But you have, too. I just wanted to make sure you know it. It’s sometimes hard to see it in ourselves, but you just become more and more amazing as the years go by, Kari. You are truly an inspiration.”
Kari bit her lower lip but then smiled. “Thank you,” she said. “You’re an inspiration to me, too. You and your brother.”
Sherman smiled and approached with Sharyn by his side. “You seemed concerned when you came to see us earlier in the evening, my friend,” he said to Kari. “If you have something to say or ask, please don’t hesitate. I value your counsel.”
Kari looked to Sharyn before her eyes settled back on Sherman. “I don’t,” she said. “I trust you… both of you. I was afraid you might get distracted, but from what I saw tonight… I have nothing to worry about. So, I won’t worry about it.”