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Murder mystery.; Silent Wit.
Topic Started: Aug 12 2015, 10:49 PM (202 Views)
Archon
Super Member
[ *  *  * ]
In the intervening weeks Archon was a very busy pony. Patrol after patrol was attacked, seemingly at random, by the black armored pony. A pattern was readily apparent in how it happened.

Each patrol was ambushed, the guards assigned to them knocked out without fatal or permanently debilitating injuries. Every so often however one would turn up dead, their possessions rifled through strewn about the street and the body left there.

Thats exactly what this scene depicted, a dead guardspony, killed by a very percise arrow to the neck. At least, thats what the wound pattern showed as there wasn't a physical arrow around.

The pony was dead for about two hours before anypony saw them, it was eventually reported to the guards and the rest of the patrol, battered and beaten, waited within one of Canterlot's hospitals.
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Silent Wit
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Another day, another patrol. That was the mantra Wit had come to follow as his duty as Shortfuse's personal inspector. Disdain for his position notwithstanding, it was important work. The Black Knight knew something about Solaris' death. Wit owed it to the dead knight to put reason to his murder.

As per usual, Wit looked terrible. Everything was clean and in its place. Vest, watch, hair, the odd device strapped to one leg. But his face was worn down, and his eyes were bloodshot. He got sleep in increments of minutes. So, he was greeted with a peculiar stare at the scene of the latest patrol attack. It was one of the unusual ones, where a guard had been killed.

After flashing his badge Wit was given free reign over the scene. He immediately approached the body. Time of death... Less than twelve hours. Cause of death is arrow wound to the neck. High impact. Accurate. Fired from... Distance. Above. Ambush. First one to go down.

"Why was the arrow removed?" Wit asked aloud, and one of the guards nearby responded. "There wasn't one recovered. Current theory is the killer removed it."

Wit turned back and inspected the wound closer. No signs of removal. Interesting. He turned his attention to the surrounding items. Inconsequential. If the killer found what they wanted, they took it with them.

With nothing left there Wit moved to the hospital to interview some of the guards. They are insistent on non-lethal measures, but the killings aren't accidents. Specific targets. Must find their connections.

"I'm Inspector Silent Wit, tell me about the guard that was killed, as well as how the attack occurred." He asked one of the conscious guards when he was allowed to see them.
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Archon
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The guard was nursing a several bruises, it seemed this one got off light as his compatriots had broken legs or ribs.

"I didn't know the pony that well." He said after sucking in some air. "He was transferred from some remote posting to Canterlot, he was the one leading the patrol." he offered a shrug.

"Anyway, it happened really fast. It was a quiet night, like it usually is in Canterlot when the patrol leader cried out in pain, an arrow coming from his neck... I think it was shining. Beore any of us could so much as yell 'take cover' that Black armored thing dropped down amongst us. Now look, I'm a vet from the War of the Triple Alliance; And I've only seen such clean fighting -once-. He was Under-Marshal then but Solaris still had a handpicked retinue of knights. The way we were taken out so easily... No normal soldier could do that."
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Silent Wit
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"High praise." Wit commented, but even the mention of the name caused him to tense. "Tell me anything you can about the guard who lead the patrol. I know you said you didn't know him very well, but as you have said that was no normal soldier. I suspect you would all be dead if he so chose. Yet he very specifically chose to kill your lead and only marginally wound the rest of you."

"I need to know why he was singled out. You can help me. If you don't know, can you point out one of the guards here who may have known the pony better?"

At least I've confirmed the suspicions about the magic arrow. The knight is... very well equipped. Disturbingly so.
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Archon
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The guard looked down a moment as if in thought. His brow furrowed as the gears turned. He looked back up after twenty seconds.

"I think I overheard that he was supposed to deliver a missive. He was pulled aside right before we left. He seemed really tense about the whole thing." Something seemed to have clicked in the soldier's brain.

"Did you find a letter in his possessions?"
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Silent Wit
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Wit looked through his memory. "No, nothing of that sort left there. If he had the missive on him, then the killer took it with them when they left. That still doesn't explain why he was killed. It doesn't fit."

Wit shook his head, knowing he wouldn't get anywhere by discussing the black knight's MO with the guard. "If there's nothing further I should move on. When the rest of the guards wake up ask them the same questions I asked you. Send a wire to Inspector Silent Wit."

He nodded to the guard before stepping out, leaving the hospital. Nothing. Again. He stopped for a moment outside, putting a hoof to his brow. After a brief noise of frustration he started moving through Canterlot's streets, heading back to his temporary office.
Edited by Silent Wit, Aug 13 2015, 01:05 AM.
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Archon
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The guard nodded and watched Wit leave, he sank into his chair with a groan.

At around midnight, with Wit traveling back to his office Archon stood atop a nearby building, watching. For awhile, Archon had thought that Wit was merely investigating the murders, but as he tailed other guards he caught wind of news that Wit was working for Shortfuse. Purely for his own gains, Archon guessed but that was enough to be distressing.

He followed Wit for a few more blocks before he drew his bow and formed the arrow, he pulled the string back to his cheek and let loose.

The shining golden arrow landed just infront of Wit, before disappearing, golden sparkles flying away into the air. Archon waited for Wit to look up, before turning tail and very visibly headed south.
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Silent Wit
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Wit just barely caught the hint of the wind whooshing past him before suddenly a golden arrow was before him. He was stunned briefly, but he whirled quickly enough, already knowing where to look by tracing the arrow's path. It was hard to see, but Wit could identify the figure moving above.

Without a word he set off quickly. If there was one thing Wit was good at physically, it was running. It would be impossible without his leg device, though. He made a mental note to thank Silver again. However, the extended periods without sleep were starting to take their toll. He was slowing sooner than he would have liked, and his breathing was ragged, but he pushed on, following.

He missed on purpose. He's leading me somewhere. Trap? Something he wants to show me? Meeting? He cycled through the possibilities as he continued to follow, only barely avoiding obstacles on the ground as he kept his eyes on the rooftops.
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Archon
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Wit ran and ran after Archon but, never really seemed to catch up. Just as Wit really began to slow down Archon acted.

As Wit passed an alleyway Archon grabbed him by the neck swung him around and pressed him into the brickwork inside of the alley, a metal plated hoof pressing into his snout to keep him quiet.

Archon's magically glowing eyes shined from beneath the helmet mutely and barely a few inches away. Archon spoke in a low volume, not quite low enough to be a whisper.

"If you so much as say a word at a higher volume then this, I'll kill you. Tap my left leg if you understand." Archon's left leg was the one holding Wit's neck.
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Silent Wit
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Once again Wit had a look of shock on his face, but it soon settled into an even glare. He looked angry, but it seemed to be more indignation than any real hatred.

A hoof tap later and he spoke, measuring his tone. "Yes, as if any random passerby would really be of much use against you."
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Archon
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"That isn't the point." Archon said in his magically distorted voice. "In truth its more for the passerby's safety."

He took a step back from Silent Wit. "You're looking for me. So, here I am." He said turning his head to the side. "You were always one to solve crimes... But I never took you for working for a pony like Shortfuse. Was the money to good to pass up?"
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Silent Wit
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Words suggest... familiarity. Though this is hardly useful. Been in the papers before. Not a household name, but I suspect this pony keeps up on recent events.

"Money is not an object here." Wit said, a little defensively. "My reasons are personal. Perhaps you are familiar with the murder of Sir Solaris Strike. I intend to find his killer. Moreover, I intend to bring them to justice. I owe him that."

"Your kidnapping of the Princess made you a consideration for suspects. That, and I am wondering what you're doing with her. To what end does her kidnapping serve? Shortfuse's? Protocol's?"

No use in hiding all that much. No telling how long he's been following me. Besides, dropping names may throw him off guard.
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Archon
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"Eclipse's." Archon said matter of factly, without hesitation. "I already know you know about us and since you're willing to cut to the chase so am I." Archon said standing where he was.

"We're keeping her safe, other assassins moved in just before we acted. It seems they were waiting for Sir Solaris Strike to be dead before trying."
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Silent Wit
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"Eclipse?" The name rolled of his tongue as if he had just tasted something sour. Wit was never really fond of the concept of Royalty-sanctioned assassins. It was bearable when he knew two of the people within the organization. Now it was strangers. Unknowns. He wasn't fond of that.

There was a tertiary probability though. That the name was to lull him into a false sense of security. Wit couldn't help but feel that was his exhausted paranoia talking, but he couldn't let it go. Not yet.

"... Is that right? Well, what is it you intend to gain from me? What will you do now? I should warn you, it's a very real possibility Shortfuse has agents keeping an eye on me."
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Archon
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"Shortfuse doesn't have agents in this particular section of the city." Archon said looking up. "Why do you think I led you here?"

"You're a friend of Solaris, as I am. You're a seeker of truth, as I am." He said as he dug about in a satchel with a hoof tossing over a missive, the rolled piece of parchment bearing the broken seal of Shortfuse.

"Shortfuse is tightening the military presence of all the major settlements and cities within Equestria with mercenaries posing as guardsponies, installing brutal commanders and replacing the more good natured ones like Sir South Storm." He paused as he dug about in the satchel again, tossing over another message.

"Shortfuse has also commissioned stationary siege equipment. Ballistas, Trebuchets... I want to know for what."
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