Blood from Stone [AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "Understood. The previous victim this one was speaking of is the child of a Light as well. This may be information useful to your investigation."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline starts a little, then her eyes narrow as she recalls... "Liz. Sodding hells, why don't people report these things."

[Helene Dakesh]

"It was believed to be an accident, a mishap in brewing caused by a lack of sleep. Had foul play been suspected, this one would have reported it to the Guard immediately."

[Tethras Clan]

The guard captain scowls, but nods curtly at the reasonable explanation. "Sorry, I just..." Aveline sighs tiredly. "I know there is still... rot in the guard, but I just... It breaks something in me, that people cannot trust us." Wincing a little, she glances away, shifting awkwardly after her unprofessional behavior.

[Helene Dakesh]

"There are many that do trust the guard. This one has had no cause to quarrel with them, and this one knows Captain Vallen to be a very trustworthy individual. Someday perhaps all will see this. But until then, it is known and remembered by this one."

[Tethras Clan]

Taking a deep breath, Aveline smiles. "Thank you for your kind words." She shakes her head slightly. "But I should focus. I have the vials that the Astronomer's tonics were in. Could you use those to... somehow divine whether other possible victims took the same thing? Or detect if the contents were a... cursing... agent?" She falters on the last, clearly aware that that's not likely the proper wording.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene frowns slightly. "This one could try," they say, slowly. "But the connection is tenuous. The glass itself is not connected to other vials. The contents will have been brewed, changed from their raw state into a compound substance; it would be the raw ingredients which were tainted, not the end result, so this one does not believe that would work to find other victims. This one will need a sample of the tainted source ingredient. When the initial patient's kit was examined, the alchemist doing the examination did not find any ingredient that was tainted."

[Tethras Clan]

"Would the alchemist have noticed if they were cursed? Divination spells for poison are very failable in regards to reagents as well."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is unsure. This one can inquire, and do their own investigation if not."

[Tethras Clan]

Aveline nods crisply. "If you can get a list of suppliers and ingredients... if I can find a common thread, that could help me find out where this is all coming from. Two Light families but also dozens of people in Coals. That's... a strange mix. Maybe some very common ingredient? Something that doesn't vary much in quality but is needed in a broad spectrum of potions?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene nods. "This one shall inquire."

[Tethras Clan]

"Thank you." Aveline takes a moment to review her thoughts before speaking again. "Can you cast a communication spell that works transdimensional? I'd really like to find out exactly what was in those vials zi'Magus took..."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Technically, yes, this one can contact other planes, but the spell is calibrated for the outer planes, and a location such as the panic room of a Light is a much more difficult plane to pinpoint. A ritual may be able to be devised, but it may be faster to wait for them to return."

[Tethras Clan]

Of course not, that would be too easy. I know there's a spell for it, but I can't tap any other resources without getting it approved by Captain Auberdine... "Understood. Thank you very much for your help. Could you get that information and..." She pauses to run times through her head. "Might I impose upon you to come to the main guard station in Coalside after?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Yes. This one shall do what is necessary. This one hates to think that this one's friends and relatives are being targeted by a would-be murderer. This one will endeavor to assist Captain Vallen in any way possible."