"Father Ratzinger." The priest smiles as he watches you drink the water, and nods. "While I am here I could take confession, if you would like."
Meanwhile Maffeo shows up in Mdina with the grogs sent to look into the situation, and finds there is a hearing scheduled for the afternoon.
[tab][/tab] Maffeo walks down the road to Mdina, with some additional people sent from the caravan-covenant. The capital of the island is small, walled and definitely Arabic in style. Hoping that the little Arabic he knows will suffice, the young Mercere tries to find what the situation is. Asking directions from a food seller (after ordering for himself and the others a local delicacy, fried folded bread with lamb and yogurt filling), he heads towards the building where the officials are. They would definitely know where Antonius currently is, where his “hearing” is going to happen, and maybe where the reeve or bailiff who brought the magus in could be found. Perhaps he could head off the whole situation now before the law or the local governor get involved....
everyone in Mdina speaks Italian, and most of the food is Itallian as well- this has been the seat of Itallian ower in Malta for nearly a century.
rolled com+intrigue+stress die, rolled 0- 2 non zeros, so no botch.effective 4, which gives you just time and location- it is the building you are in in 2 hours.
[tab][/tab] Maffeo is relieved that people are actually speaking Italian here. His meeting with the low ranking officials though didn't go so well. Perhaps it was something he did or said, maybe a local custom he did not observe. They didn't look so busy after all to brush him aside like that. As no more information was forth coming, the Mercere decides to wait outside, maybe see some of the local scenery. Or perhaps the locals would know more about the caves and the man that apprehended the magus. Maffeo asks around about the Count, his Warden, the judge and the caves Antonius was found at. Perhaps he can use his charming skills on the general populace instead....
OOC Whah! Nearly a botch...you meanie! I'll use those 2 hours to "snoop" around
The warden is rumored to be the count's half brother.
nobody knows about the caves, but you do find a sail maker who has an order picked up once or twice by the warden that seems to be for the count's ship.
At the hearing the case is presented quickly- this man of apparent good breeding was found in the count's private hunting lands with two servants. They did not appear to be poaching but they were trespassing, a priest was brought in to investigate suspicious marks, which the priest has concluded are probably of infernal origin related to the man's birth but could find nothing of the infernal about the man himself. It is reported he was given holy water to drink which he did with no more discomfort than if it were spring water. The judge listens impatiently then turns to Antonius "Do you have anything to say for yourself before sentence is passed?"
[tab][/tab]Maffeo if allowed will politely sit on the hearing. He wanted to get a good look of the Warden. This talk about infernal marks is troublesome. It might affect relations with the locals. Still this sounds a tad suspicious, given that the general populace doesnt even know about those caves (though caves are quite abundant all over this place). Could it be that the Count is using them for something? Piracy is quite a danger for these islands it seems....
Antonius accepts the priest's offer and kneels before him, asking for forgiveness for his sins:
"[...] and finally I am guilty of having wratfhul though owards one of my servants."
The two men discuss for a while aftwerwards and as the priest knocks on the door for the guard to open the door, the magus, who was hoping for a more opportune moment, but realizing it would never come, says to the churchman:
"Father.... would you stay a litlle longer ? There is something more. Please."
The guard opens the door and enquires: "Is everything alright, father ?" And after receiving assurance from the priest closes the door again.
Antonius then begins talking, wacthed carfeuly by the piercing gaze of the priest.
"You probably know this already, that demons are creatures of sin, deceit and lies. Because of whatever sins my parents commited that caused me to have theses eyes, people have distrusted and avoided me for as long as I remember. I've since learned that only the truth and faith can ultimately unravel their infernal schemes. Have you ever heard of the Venatores, father? "
He stops talking for a few seconds, trying to put his thoughts in place:
"I guess I should start from the beginning.....When I was five, a man of them came to the abazzia, and offered to care for me. I do not know how he convinced the cisterian brothers, but soon after, I was his apprentice. This man, a Venator, taught me his art: how to ward away demons, and eventually to slay them. You told me you were here to investigate me, here is the truth about me."
Antonius adress the judge:
"I have nothing more to add, you honor."
The judge fiddles with his hammer for a moment as he thinks "very well, one pound of silver in fines, Antonius is to be held until they are paid."
[tab][/tab] Maffeo rises from his seat and holds up his hand '[color=blue] Your honor if I may interject please...?'
The judge rolls his eyes "Make it quick."
[tab][/tab] Maffeo starts '[color=blue]Honored judge, my name Maffeo di Piedmontes and I hail from the mainland, recently joined the caravan of scholars. I am surprised, nay mildly shocked by the steepness of the fine. It is quite a hefty sum to pay, even for a craftsman. This man, who was tested by a priest as we heard, is an orphan raised by monks under the virtues of Christianity. Forgive my presumptuousness but it is wrong to fine harshly a messenger or craftsman just because his guild might be doing well.'. Maffeo takes a breath “[color=blue] Besides, we clearly heard this was no poaching incident, no goods or resources were claimed and there was no malicious intent. There were no markers or signs that that the land was the Count's personal hunting land, nor do the locals I have asked know of the caves and such. In fact, it seems from our peoples' story that they went there to investigate after came upon some stout sailcloth and balistae bolts in nearby ruins, and found a makeshift docks and other suspicious activities, as the Warden can attest. Piracy being a serious threat for any island, my colleague was concerned and yet still did not allow our men to “confiscate” or destroy any of the things found there; such is his moral integrity."
[tab][/tab] The young Mercere presses his palms together, in a gesture reminiscent or prayer and supplication '[color=blue]We do not contest the need for order nor the nature of the transgression. Nay, we simply petition this court for piety and forgiveness, as there are plenty of extraneous circumstances.”.
OOC: Maffeo has no Common and Canon Law, so he doesnt know as a monk (or “monkish”) Antonius could be tried on the later law. He is simply trying to lower the fine.
and rolling a botch...
"You don't like a pound? Fine, it is two pounds instead!"
Meanwhile you notice that a man dressed in vaguely ordinary clothes in the back of the court seems to have his attention concentrated on Maffeo ever since he mentioned the sailcloth and ballistae bolts.
OOC <_< Right...I am starting to hate this town (makes schedule to up his CreoIgnem)
[tab][/tab]Maffeo is quite surprised by this turn of events. He closes his mouth with an audible click then pulls his cap lower hiding his eyes. How was he going to explain all this to the others, his first responsibility and he fails.....
I think Maffeo has a nickname: Double or Nothing
OOC: I think its "Twice: nothing" :S
Antonius is led away to jail until the fine can be paid. As Maffeo leaves the city 'building of law' Henri notices 9rolled a 1 then 8 for perception check) that they are being followed.
Antonius is lead again in his cell. This time he is somewhat undisposed towards the idea of spending the next few days there. Still, it might be an opportunity to meet the priest again, as, to Antonius' suprise, he left withouth saying a word after the magus more or less confessed to being a magician.
In the meantine, he will try to engage in a conversation with the other prisonners and guards to pass the time.
actually I was going to resume that conversation out of sequence...
The father looks at you "Venator, I can't say that I have heard of that order. Is it an offshoot of another brotherhood?"