"Guilliame de Marchant. I am a student at the school but also assisting the guard with investigation they are undertaking. Seeker Lomani is involved although I have been dealing with her apprentice, Bassily."

The guard looks Guilliame up and down and then returns the letter of authorisation.

"Thank you, Master de Marchant, you may enter," the handleader says, stepping aside. "The Dawnmaster is inside on Temple business. It would be appreciated if you would allow that business to proceed with all speed as he is a busy man. I am afraid I have not seen either Seeker Lomani or her apprentice, if that is who you are looking for."

If the guard lets us both in then go. If Velma is stopped then ask why.

The handleader walks with you to the door but then knocks on it himself. The hatch in the door slides open quickly and the guard says, "A Mistress Velma Smit and a Master Guilliame de Marchant seeks entrance, are they known to you?"

There is a moment's silence during which time the handleader steps aside so that the person within can see out. The door is then opened by Eddard Maclan, who says, "Yes, yes, they are known to the School and can be allowed to enter."

The handleader turns back to Guilliame and Velma and says, "Apologies for any inconvenience, but I am tasked with the safety of the dawnmaster and this is the best I can do seeing as the School will not let my men and I enter the grounds."

He then gives a slight bow and steps back to allow Guilliame and Velma to enter.

"That is quite alright. We live in troubled times. It's best to be cautious."

Say hello to Eddad and see if Bruxa is around.

Eddard lets Guilliame and Velma into the School and the closes the door. "We do indeed live in strange time," he says, "the Dawnmaster of the Temple of Mithra has come here to talk to the Archmage? That is an unheard of event."

Guilliame looks around for Bruxa but can't see him, then he hears the sounds of scratching on the door of the gatekeeper's lodge.

"I should go and open up the library," says Velma, heading off into the depths of the School. "Come and see me soon, Guilliame."

"So, why are you wearing a sword, Guilliame?" asks Eddard.

"I have been doing some work with the guard. In that context did you know Saladin Brassman?"

Eddard thinks for a moment and then says, "I know the name... But I cannot put a face to it. Should I know him?"

Then, after another moment's thought, he adds, "Wait! You speak of him in the past tense. Is he dead?"

"I should perhaps have been more discrete. He was found dead last night but if you can keep that a better secret than I did it would be appreciated. I might speak to Master Narim about him. Do you know if he is available?"

"Of course," says Eddard, "I will not say a word..." He then adds, "Master Narim has not left the School, so he is on campus. However, I do not know where he would be found. You could try his chambers or perhaps the refectory, maybe he is having a late breakfast."

"Thanks. If it's alright can I leave the sword in a corner out of the way? It probably will attract a bit of attention."

Head to the library with Velma.

Eddard agrees to let Guilliame leave his sword at the gatehouse and extracts a promise from Guilliame to tell him all about what he is doing for the Watch before he lets Guilliame head off into the School's grounds.

Hurrying after Velma, who went ahead to open up the library, Guilliame catches sight of Master Narim and Mistress Althea leaving the refectory arm in arm. Narim spots Guilliame and gives him a welcoming wave.

[OOC: Andrew, have you heard from Paul recently? Is he travelling or something?]

OOC Paul has been visiting family and had some work on as well. He intends to get back into it shortly.

Wave to Narim and call out.: "Can I have a quick word, Master."

Narim and Mistress Althea turn and head in Guilliame's direction. "Have you had a chance to think about my offer?" asks Narim as they get closer.

"I am definitely interested, but I have been doing some consulting with the guard and that is occupying my time at present. I have some sad news though. A former pupil, Saladin Brassman, died last night. Did you know him?"

"Not that I can remember," says Narim after thinking for a moment.

"I remember him," says Mistress Althea. "An older student who came back to the School to do a course with me. He paid up front to learn some of the skills of an apothecary. I seem to remember he said he worked for the Crown in some capacity... You said he is dead? How did this happen? He seemed a quiet unassuming man."

"He was murdered in his home. I am helping the guard with their queries. There are quite a few unusual aspects to events. If there is any relevant to the school I'll report back."

Narim shrugs and mutters something along the lines of students needing to learn how to defend themselves.

Mistress Althea slaps his arm and says, "That is dreadful. He was a journeyman of the School. I, for one, am willing to give any help that is required."

"Do you happen to know whether he had any connections with Shari worship. Or anything else unorthodox. There are aspects of his murder suggesting either he or those who murdered him had some connection with it."

"Shari worship?" says Narim, his curiosity piqued. "I did not even know that there was anyone silly enough to be a worshipper of Shari."

Mistress Althea, on the other hand, frowns a little. "He certainly did not mention that name while he was a student of mine, but I have heard of the existence of a cult and that they involve a special concoction in their religious rites... From memory it is called the 'Elixir of Night'. The Watch consulted with me a couple of years ago about a crime scene involving it. They found it in the possessions of someone caught practicing magicks proscribed by the Temple. There was no indication that there were other people involved in that case but it became the responsibility of the Seekers of Donai and I do not know what happened after that as I was no longer involved."