Markus.

  Markus listened as the heavy doors shut behind him, closing as though of their own volition as he was led to a rather comfortable sofa and directed to sit.

  Soon after, a ruby-red vial found its way to his fingers, the mage needing little coaxing into accepting its blissful healing as he felt the miserable smming in his head finally subside to a point he could actually think again…

  However, when he looked up, he noticed that neither of the older men had bothered joining him.

  Torbin instead delivered the scroll to a nearby desk that sat in the corner of the room while the Captain merely waited whilst standing, his hand resting upon the wooden backing of a padded chair in silence.

  "The report, as I'm sure you're aware, is somewhat—frustratingly thin," Torbin announced, returning and, this time, taking a seat opposite Markus as he smiled, thin lips forming an equally thin dispy of warmth that seemed as displeased as it was a clear attempt to put him at ease.

  "However, in the interest of public safety, I am going to have to insist that you subject yourself to an—well, increased degree of scrutiny," So saying; the dapper gentleman retrieved a dull ring from his pockets, proffering it towards Markus, who eyed it with intense uncertainty.

  It was undoubtedly a magical artifact; however, as to what kind it was, it could be anyone's guess! It certainly wasn't of the sort that was mass-produced for bureaucratic purposes. Thus, the young mage was infinitely weary of it.

  Everyone learned the dangers of pcing unknown magical items on one's person without understanding what they did.

  While an identification skill or scroll could, at times, fill in for true divination, it was common practice to hold off on using strange and potentially dangerous things one found in the dungeon until a proper expert could examine them.

  As it happened, his hesitation was not to go unnoticed as the guildmaster grinned at him, an amused gleam filling his gaze.

  "Ah, but you are a responsible young man, aren't you? Very good, it is poor practice to simply take upon oneself—foreign magical implements. But you needed to worry. That ring isn't anything particurly special.

  It will analyze you for any—pesky lingering spell-works that afflict the mind. Thus, so long as you are not present beneath the guise of a mind-mage that would have you py turncoat, you should have nothing to fear."

  Nodding, all the while noting how carefully the guard captain was watching him, Markus accepted the inconspicuous ring and slipped it on a finger.

  The odd metal seemed to almost shift to accommodate his digit's thinner size, snuggly wrapping and banding itself around his flesh before an odd—stinging sensation ran up his spinal column.

  There was a slight flicker of concern that ran through his mind, specifically unto the possibility that the Guild-master was being disingenuous with his expnations, but—even if he had, Markus possessed little choice in the direction his life was currently taking.

  Had he chosen to decline to wear the ring, he had no doubt that the man looming at his side would have taken him straight into his custody.

  From there, it was only a matter of time before the torturers got their spindly fingers on his comparatively delicate person…

  Nobody disregarded the threat of mind control once its ugly head had reared itself amidst suspicions.

  Yet, for all his apprehension and fears, that slight prickle was all that transpired, the three men each seeming to wait with a sort of expectant hush as the moments shifted to minutes within the quiet sitting room.

  "Well," Thorbin announced, his expression softening. "That rules out that. He's not under a nefarious spell to hide secrets from us…"

  "Which will be my cue to depart." The Captain announced, his posture never shifting from that high-strung and wound anticipation. "I assume you'll fill me in on anything of importance you discover if the d even knows as much in the first pce?"

  "Of course, Lord Korr, and feel free to stop by again, I do enjoy sharing tea with old friends."

  The Captain nodded, sparing a final gnce for Markus, then marched from the room, his every step deliberate and without wasted movement, departing from the chamber without another word.

  "Now, if you would be so kind as to return my ring? I would deeply enjoy hearing your account of what happened."

  Markus inclined chin, removing the Guild-master's artifact and depositing it within the older man's outstretched hand. He took a breath, reminding himself of the tale he wanted to spin before affecting a truly exhausted countenance that wasn't at all an act.

  "Everything was—normal through the majority of our inspection…" He began, closing his eyes as if to relive memories that were difficult to recall. "We were just readying ourselves to confront Grom when—chaos…"

  "An interesting choice of words…" Thorbin commented, one of his thick and bushy brows rising on his forehead.

  "But accurate." the mage assured, nodding as he continued. "Hueburt, our fighter, alerted us that something was wrong… Yet, before I could even wrap my head around what was happening, Liasa, our rogue, was dead. Hueburt had been tossed aside, burning alive in the bonfire, and… shortly after, everything went dark…"

  "But the report states that you saw the deaths of your companions, no?"

  "I did; Liasa lost part of her head, Hueburt burned alive, and, despite the darkness, Alicia was dragged by the hair and murdered as she begged for mercy…"

  "Murdered?"

  "I do believe that was the case," Markus whispered, a bead of sweat forming on his brow as he danced around the delicate realities of what had really happened. "The person who did the deed was somehow hiding their true abilities, inspection didn't properly work… But Alicia got the worst of it by far… she wasn't tortured, but her demise almost felt—personal…"

  "So you're giving credence to the rumor that a serial killer is loose in the dungeon?"

  "I am." Markus agreed, voice nearly horse… "I don't know what I saw, and I understand it even less! I've no idea why I was spared other than some insane reasoning in that I made the killer ugh, sir…"

  "With a joke?" Torbin pressed, his head tilting to the side with immense confusion.

  "I—believe it was rather my—i-ineptitude… actually…"

  The older man flinched, though he hid the motion unless one was looking for it, his features shifting ever so softly as he released a sigh and cleared his throat. "Oftentimes, those with psychopathic tendencies enjoy pying with their victims. I wouldn't take whatever was said to heart, young Markus.

  By all accounts, you are a bright and intelligent young man who has, through luck and tenacity, survived a terrible ordeal that I would not wish upon anyone. Moreover, what you have brought with you is invaluable information. Even if you do not recall much, I am of an inclination to believe you.

  It fits with my own personal suspicions on the matter. And rest assured, if there is a high-level killer hiding themselves and preying on our city youths, I will find them.

  Yet," He breathed, now leaning back in his chair, "based on your cim, I'm afraid that any information as to their appearance or abilities will be—purposefully misleading… No, just the understanding that there is a murderer shall be enough for me to work with."

  "Is it even possible to break into another group's delve?" Markus demanded, pushing a degree of frustration and anger into his tone that merely earned him a dark grimace.

  "Your story is all the proof you require in that regard. However, beyond that, I will simply say that magic is a force of nature in itself. There are many restricted arts that are not public knowledge, which allow for individuals to perform feats that oftentimes seem as arcane to us as a simple cantrip might to a child.

  The world is vast and filled with mysteries, dear boy. However, that does not mean we are without our own tricks. Now that I have a modicum of evidence that something nefarious is transpiring within the dungeon beyond simple reports of vanishing delvers, I can bring to bear the full might of the city's college to assist me in rooting out this vilin!

  It will take time, as all such endeavors do, but I hope very soon we might bring them to justice! Until then…" The guild master continued, rising and indicating he should follow, "I would suggest you take some time to recover and rest.

  Avoid the dungeon." He stated, a hand pushing gently at the small of Markus's back as he was led to the room's exit, "Try and recuperate. You'll be relieved of any guild duties and expectations until you're ready to return to them, and I will ensure you are provided with a private room to do so. I expect it shall not be difficult to find you should I require any—additional words with you in the future, yes?"

  "O-of course Guildmaster…"

  "There's a good d." Then, after opening the doors and peering towards his secretary, the man made his wishes known, departing back into his parlor as Markus felt the world finally lift from his shoulders…