The tapping of Madame Salid's shoes stops abruptly after Midian finishes speaking. He also stops turns and looks at her.

"You are very different from your mentor, Apprentice Voda," she says before beginning to walk again.

The two of you reach the infirmary door just as the archmagus begins to exit the room. Through the door, Midian can see Priestess Aloma tending to the woman who is now lying on her back on the bed.

"I have given her a sleeping draft," the archmagus says. "It will make transporting her to the Temple easier."

“The Handleader is on his way with a carriage,” Midian informs those assembled. “Aloma, you will likely want to see to the avatar. Arch magus, with your permission I would like to hear more about the matter we were discussing before.” Midian is indifferent whether they continue the discussion in front of Aloma or adjourn somewhere private, but leaves that decision to the head of the school. 

The archmagus turns to his personal secretary and says, "Haneena, will you get someone to go to the gatehouse and come running when the carriage arrives; it is a little too far for messaging."

"Yes, archmagus," says the woman, who then walks quickly away to do his bidding.

The archmagus then closes the door of the infirmary so that he and Midian are now alone in the corridor.

"You were after more details?" he asks. "Is there anything specific you would like to know? And I must warn you that my information is second-hand. I have been out of the School most of the last couple of days... Your superiors have caused quite a stir in court since the death of your mentor allowed them to push their case against other religions once more with the king."

"Yes, to begin with, Bhail Nochadan, also known as Simad Moonson, was with Vanessa Hilgar, the host of the entity calling itself Aeda, and they entered the school together?  Do I have that correct?  Nochadan-Moonson skirmished with Vanessa-Aeda somewhere on campus, some time after arriving together," Midian says, first attempting to clarify his understanding of the events.  "And some time following his recovery on campus in your infirmary, Bhail-Simad fled the campus, and appears to have taken another student, Allus Treesinger, with him, as Allus went missing around the same time?"  

"You have the gist of it," replies the archmagus. "I don't know why they had their falling out, but it seems that Nochadan was not aware of the priestess's true identity, so perhaps he was being misled by her for some reason. Anyway, she attacked Nochadan and she also incapacitated our apothecary who went to his aid, but her attack on Nochadan was deadly enough that we had to put him in the main infirmary to recover; I should probably note that Nochandan had apparently already been injured before they arrived—badly burnt, I'm told."

"Nochadan was last seen about lunchtime today, just before the manifestation of the avatar's power. I was at the palace at the time, but I'm told that almost the entire School was gathered in the refectory when the manifestation happened, so it would have been quite easy for Nochadan to leave the campus at that time. But why he would take Treesinger with him, I have no idea. Even if Treesinger had tried to stop him escaping, there would be no reason to take the body away." 

“Bhail is a person of interest to the Seekers, as you likely knew when you mentioned him to me,” Midian says. “Do you have any ideas as to where he might have fled? Or better still, any way to track him or your missing student via magic? I can ensure you that if I am able I will return the missing student unharmed. Finding any real leads on Moonson has proven somewhat difficult. I never expected he would have returned here, accompanied by an avatar of the goddess of all things.”

The archmagus folds his arms and says, "Moonson has tried to lead many of my students astray, so I wouldn't be at all upset if he were to be put out of business. And, of course, I would like to have Master Treesinger returned unharmed, if possible. However, as to how to find either of them, I'm afraid I cannot help you as Divination is not my area of study."

He then smiles and says, "And I'm a little surprised you even asked me; isn't that what you Seekers do? Find people? I hear Seeker Lomani is particularly adept at those magicks... I will get my personal secretary to give you access to Treesinger's room when she returns. From what I understand about the law of contagion, you should be able to find an item of his there that could be of use in finding both him and Moonson. Assuming, of course, that the two of them are still together."

Midian bows his head, effecting absolute humility. “You’re of course correct, arch mage, we do have our methods. As an acolyte new to such field work, and - I would like to think - a practical man, given these somewhat unusual circumstances I simply thought it would not hurt to ask. I am concerned with results, seeing Moonson answer for his role in this, and much more, and returning your student unharmed, if possible. I’m not one to put pride above results.”

”Access to the students belongings should be more than sufficient, however. I’ll head to his room as soon as one of your faculty can direct me there. If you have retained any items from Bhail’s time in the university - a controversial thesis or another personal effect we could use to divine his location, that would be splendid as well. Given our mutual interests, I am happy to see church and academia work hand in hand.”

"What a decidedly clever thought," the archmagus says with a knowing smile in response to Midian's idea about the School having something that might be used to find Moonson. "I'm sure we must have some of his writings somewhere, perhaps even an examination paper or two that you could use. An exam paper could have a lot of emotion and intellectual effort tied to it. That would surely make it the perfect candidate."

He then looks up the corridor beyond Midian and calls out, "Haneena, stop!"

Midian turns and sees the woman stop in confusion at the end of the corridor.

In a normal talking voice, the archmagus then says, "Haneena, go to the archive and get me the most recent examination paper of Bhail Nochadan, if you please."

The woman immediately begins to retraces her steps as she has been bidden.

Midian turns back in time to see the archmagus lower his hand from his mouth.

"I will also get her to show you Treesinger's room once she returns, but until then, is there anything else I can help you with?"

Given that they are waiting for Haneena to return and he has an invitation from the archmage to make inquiries, Midian poses as if thinking of what to ask, then says, "I suppose I'm a bit curious as to your thoughts, both as an individual and a speaker for the school of the arcane, on  Bhail Nochadan and the cult of Arion that he has become associated with since taking on the Moonson moniker.  He's clearly an outspoken rabble-rouser, but your school offered him shelter and medical aid when he required it. Perhaps you feel he is not a lost cause?  What sort of man was he when he was here at the school... and what sort of man has he become?"  

"Mistress Salazar—our apothecary—was the only master present when his entry into the school was discovered," begins the archmagus. "He used his real name and proved his status as an alumni of the School using his journeyman medallion, so she didn't immediately recognise him as Moonson. It was as she was taking them both to Master Minton to check their stories that the woman suddenly attacked Moonson. The result of which was that he had to be taken to the infirmary to be cared for, and it was only later we discovered who he was."

"As to whether he is a lost cause?" says the archmagus. "He was a diligent student while he was studying here and, I believe, only became involved with the Arion cult after he graduated."

The archmagus considers for a moment before adding, "As you should be aware, Apprentice Voda, it is part of the agreement between the Temple, School and the Crown that our School be asecular, so that the training of innate sorcerers be available to all, no matter what their religion. It is only Moonson's habit of proselytising the ways of the First Sorcerer to my students that I have any real objection to. The teachings of Arion are not the ways of a proper magus for many of the same reasons they are not condoned by the true faith."

“I agree, the cult of Arion poses a distinctly different threat. Putting aside any opinions of the day’s proclamation, we can all agree the cult of Arion is a breed unto itself, and my biggest concern as a Seeker,” Midian says. “Some evidence, rumors really at present, suggest that the Arionites and possibly Moonson himself could be linked to the recent murder of a seeker. Whether this is the case or not, there is ample reason for both of us to want him located and dealt with as soon as possible.”

"You are speaking of your mentor, I presume?" says the archmagus, looking concerned. "He is the only Seeker I have heard that has died recently and what I heard about his death from Dawnmaster Fazaar when I spoke with him was vague on the particulars. So, if you don't mind me asking, what evidence do you have that an Arion worshipper was involved?"

Quote from phillberrie >>"As

"You are speaking of your mentor, I presume?" says the archmagus, looking concerned. "He is the only Seeker I have heard that has died recently and what I heard about his death from Dawnmaster Fazaar when I spoke with him was vague on the particulars. So, if you don't mind me asking, what evidence do you have that an Arion worshipper was involved?"

"As I said, really more rumors at present," Midian answers.  "Witnesses reported Harlan having recent arguments with Moonson.  Moonson is a known proponent of the faith of Arion.  Harlan was reportedly attempting to subdue a sect of Arion worshipers when he was killed.  There's no direct proof at present, simply a chain of connections that may lead to Moonson."  

"Thank you," says the archmagus. "It is sad to hear that one of the School's alumni may be a murderer. I would appreciate it if you could keep me informed."

The sound of rapid foot steps draws Midian's attention to where Madame Salid is rapidly approaching with a sheathe of papers in her hand.

"Here is Nochadan final paper for Abjurations—your own subject," she says brandishing the papers as she approaches and then handing them to the archmagus.

"Ah, yes," says the archmagus, glancing at the pages. "Not brilliant, but capable."

He then passes the pages to Midian and says, "I hope they prove useful and it would be appreciated if you could return them when you are finished with them."

Then he turns to his personal secretary, "Haneena, one last thing. Could you escort Apprentice Voda here to Allus Treesinger's room. He is looking for something personal that could be used to find Allus."

The woman nods her head and then says to Midian, "Follow me please."

Midian bows again briefly to the archamage, “I thank you again for your assistance, and if it’s your request I would be more than willing to keep you appraised of what we learn in regards to aspects that effect your school and its pupils, including ‘alumni’ of sorts.” Midian heads off with Haneena after securing Bhail Nochadan's paper on Abjuration. 

Madame Salid sets off at a quick pace expecting Midian to follow, which he does. She leads him quickly out of the Administration building towards another two storey building which is clearly a hall of residence for the students.

[OOC: Make an Insight check, and this will also give you the opportunity to make conversation if you want to. Also note, today is another busy day for me like yesterday, so I might not be able to reply quickly.]

OOC: No worries at all! 

Insight: 21

Following the woman, Midian begins conversation while heading to the student’s dorm. “Did you witness any of the events personally, with Nochadan and the priestess - the avatar - since they entered your school grounds?”

[OOC: Midian's Insight roll suggests to him that Madame Salid is a little put out by having to show him around. He gets the feeling that she thinks she is being excluded and that she finds this incredibly annoying.]

Madame Salid says nothing for the moment and the replies, saying, "The archmagus and I were in court most of the day, so I was not here for the event that has stirred everybody up. And, I am not part of campus security. You should ask Mistress Althea for specifics, if you need to know."

“I think I received a thorough enough recounting from the arch mage, I was just curious to hear your thoughts on the matter, being a powerful magus yourself,” Midian says, laying on a bit of flattery to appeal to the woman’s sense of importance. “I would love to hear your opinion on all of this, if you’d care to share it. I understand if you’d prefer to allow the arch mage to be the source of communication, official channels and all that, but sometimes another perspective, one not as engrossed in the mindset of institutional formality, can be quite illuminating.” If she does not seem over eager to communicate beyond this Midian will accompany her to the student’s room in polite silence.

Persuasion: 11