Sor-Eel didn't respond to my tirade. I shook my head irritably, "Why am I even investigating this case if no one cares?" It was Sor-Eel's turn to shake his head, "The Lunar government must be seen to care, there must be an official investigation. You will find out more that will make things more understandable to you. I'm sure of that." My shoulders slumped in defeat but the view I had of a very confused Jorjar made me feel better. "All right as long as I keep getting paid I'll keep investigating. Now about my writ of authority."
I left the Lunar government headquarters a half hour later with my writ and without Jorjar who had decided he had better things to do. Which was fine by me as I work better alone. I decided that I would go see Harnasti, the Deezola priest we'd sent the body to and see whether he had a chance to look the stiff over or not. That of course meant I'd have to stump back halfway across town to the Chalana Arroy temple. At least I'd be closer to home which is where I fully intended on heading after speaking to Harnasti. I headed across town.
It didn't take me too long, the streets weren't that crowded this late in the afternoon. That business this morning in Badside had taken longer than I had thought and it was already later afternoon. As I headed across Founder's Market towards Parade Way I could see the temple to Pavis against the towering wall of the Big Rubble. I turned into Healing Hall and eased my way past the remaining stragglers queued there for free healing. "Pardon me, official business." I waved my writ to get them out of the way not that most of them could read. The Chalana Arroy at the door could though and he showed me in.
Once my eyes adjusted to the dim light I saw that I was in the entrance hall. All I could see was an old shrine to Chalana Arroy and a much newer and larger shrine to Deezola next to it. Since the street was the waiting room there weren't any chairs inside and I wondered what I was going to do next. There was a low counter along one wall as well but no one was sitting behind it. "Hello? Is Harnasti available?" I almost jumped out of my wooden leg when a voice came from behind the counter. "Hawnasti is busy wight now. Who wants to see him?" A short figure covered with feathers wearing the robes of a Chalana Arroy priestess came out from behind the counter. A duck. No matter how long I spent in Pavis I wasn't going to get used to the idea of encountering waterfowl that weren't served up on a platter with onions and stuffing and that insisted on talking to me.
I bowed in deference to the duck's obvious cult status. "My name is Placidus Treibonus. I am a special investigator for the Luanr governor and here on official business." I showed her my writ. She grabbed it out of my hands and read it over, "So, you're working for the gowernor, eh? My name is Enten Quackfeather. Cowincidentally enough Hawnasti is wooking over the body you had sent here. This is the first chance he's had all day. Follow me." She turned and waddled away through the curtain. I followed feeling grateful that at least she didn't say walk this way.
To be continued.
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