The Songstress Murders

by J. B. Garner

  After all, this was my first chance at a murder investigation, a murder I had personally been on the scene for, and my fate was in the hands of a new Chief Inspector (Verdigan Feathers, previously of the Fifth Ward) and my own personal infamy. If that wasn't all, Feathers, a broad chested Wind Folk of maybe fifty years, walked into the office alongside Inspector Blackfoot, my old 'friend'. My nerves came back with a vengeance.

  “Redmane,” the Chief offered as way of greeting. “I don't think we've had the pleasure.”

  I choked down my nerves and stood up straight at attention. “No sir, Chief. It is an honor to have a chance to serve under you.” In hindsight, the proper stance did put some of my best physical assets forward.

  Blackfoot, his usual, smug look plastered on his muzzle, fell into line next to me. “Vela, glad to see you awake this early, especially after an off day.”

  “Duty never stops, no matter how much we might crave a rest, Hors.” I didn't turn to face him, instead focusing on Chief Verdigan. I had seen him from afar a few times this past week, but I never had the chance before then to notice how handsome his beaked face was or how glossy his brown feathers were, remarkable for a man of his years. “You wanted to see me, Chief?”

  The Chief made no remark about our little exchange, focusing instead on business. “Indeed. I understand you were at the establishment in question when our murder happened.”

  “Yes, Chief,” I nodded and took that as leave to enter into a recounting of the events of the previous evening, leaving out only particular bits of inner commentary. I didn't need to reinforce any slander Hors may have barked into Verdigan's ear holes.

  I'll grant Hors this much: when it came to the actual case, he was all business. Certainly, a few of his questions in regards to my recollections seemed focused more towards my own reasons for being at the Scale as opposed to the case, but none of them were out-and-out off-topic. Again, our new Chief didn't call down Hors for his insinuations, but he also didn't give them any attention, simply bulling through to continue with the meat of the matter.

  “The corpse is already in the custody of the Watch surgeons, Chief Inspector,” I concluded. “With any luck, we can confirm the cause of death and identify the man within a day.”

  “Very good, Junior Inspector,” Hors offered, emphasizing the 'junior'. Many had expected him to take over for the old Chief when he retired and Blackfoot certainly acted as if that had been the case. “I should be able to -”

  “Quiet, Blackfoot,” the Chief snapped. The look I caught on Hors' face out of the corner of my eye was priceless. “Redmane, I know this is a non-standard affair, but there's nothing better than a strange case to cut your teeth on.”

  “Chief Inspector, I would be -”

  “Verdigan, you can't be serious!” Hors' lips were curled up in controlled anger, so much so that I could see his canines. “With such an affluent victim, no doubt a noble, we can't let an untested rookie make a mockery of the Watch.”

  I fought the temptation to punch Hors in the muzzle, not that it would do much to that craggy jaw, but still turned on my heels towards the bastard. Before I could get a stinging tirade out, Verdigan rose to his taloned feet and slammed his palms onto the desk.

  “You're out of line, Hors,” he screeched, loud enough to send my ears flat against my skull. “You're not Chief Inspector, I am!”

  Hors is quite the stickler for the rules so a reminder of his place in the system was all it took to put the Wallmaker-devoted down. Lowering his gaze, Hors muttered a brief apology and forced himself back into attention.

  “No matter what I hear around the Watchtower about Redmane here, I only see the facts. An exemplary conviction record, top marks at the bow range, and an extensive background in alchemy. No ethics violations, no time spent in the Gaols, nothing to hold this young woman back.” The Chief sat back down as I tried not to swell too much with pride. “Give me one good reason, one solid bit of evidence why Vela shouldn't be put on this case.”

  Hors shifted from foot to foot before relenting, his ears drooping. “I apologize, Chief Inspector, I have nothing. I was only concerned about the Junior Inspector's lack of experience with being in charge of a full-blown investigation.”

  “I respect your concerns, Inspector,” I said, deciding on a diplomatic course. “Believe me, though, in that I have been preparing for this moment for moons now.” That was the moment I chose to present the facts I had uncovered in the lab. “In fact, I spent this morning analyzing the crystal found at the crime scene. Perhaps my insights might put the inspector's mind at ease with your permission, Chief?”

  “Go ahead, Redmane,” Verdigan said with a wave of his feathered fingers.

  Digging the purple crystal out of my pocket, I held it up so it would catch the light of the Celestial Stone shining through the narrow windows of the office. “This crystal, found in the fireplace, still held a lingering essence of magic inside of it. Alchemical analysis showed that the essence was tuned to a very specific type of evocation magic.”

  Magic isn't Hors' field of expertise, so it was no surprise when he looked a bit lost. “What does that mean precisely?”

  “Evocation is a field of magic that focuses on the spontaneous creation of forces, such as heat, cold, or raw force,” the Chief rattled off as if by rote, a testament to his experience. “Most direct combat spells are evocations.”

  “Exactly,” I nodded. “As I said, though, this crystal was very finely tuned to transmit an evocation of sound. If I were to hazard a guess – which I will – this crystal specifically transmitted a magical song or maybe a single musical note.”

  “I've heard of magical music before,” Hors said, scratching under an ear, “but I can hardly believe a song or a note of music could kill a man, especially like that.”

  “Don't be so quick to judge, Inspector.” Verdigan spread his hands wide. “There are plenty of creatures in the Wilds that can do all manner of evil with their songs. Think back to your Dangerous Monsters classes in the academy.”

  To reinforce the Chief Inspector's point and twist Hors' nose, I added examples. “Sirens, harpies, banshees, those are just the start of the list. Sorcery could duplicate any of those songs and many more. That alone is a lead, as magical music isn't a common pursuit. Add to that the fact this gem has a sympathetic link to the sorcerer or beast responsible, something that can be tracked with the right divinations, and we have a potential break in the case out of the gate.”

  Hors let out a sharp breath, signaling a capitulation in this particular struggle. “I see. And I suppose I also have had my concerns put to rest … for now.”

  “You honor me with your vote of confidence, Inspector.” I offered Hors a proper salute. From the strangled look on his face, you would have thought I had taken him to the ground in a scandalous embrace. While tempting, Hors, no matter his rugged looks, was not my type. As it says in The Song of Myrien, beauty goes far deeper than the skin.

  “Good,” Verdigan said. “With this settled, the case is all yours, Redmane. Do what you need to do and let me or Inspector Blackfoot know of any and all additional resources you may need.” The problem sometimes with Winds was reading their expression. It's not like a beak can smile. Yet I hoped I properly heard the satisfaction in Chief Inspector Feathers' voice when he finished with, “Make the Watch proud, Inspector.”

  From Isaac's Primer on Divinities by Isaac Yore, Olden philosopher:

  Divine beings are extradimensional, immortal beings that exert vast control over certain fundamental forces and concepts in our world. The power and influence of many divinities seems to fluctuate with the extent of their worship though some core concepts of reality, such as death, have gods of vast and unyielding power. There are two general types of gods: the ascended, such as Inam Wallmaker, god of cities, and the eternal, such as Zain the Dealer, god/goddess of death, luck, and fate. Ascended deities were once mortal but accomplished acts of such legend that they underwent apotheosis. Eternal deit
ies seem to have always existed and tend to have wide ranges of worship.

  From Animating the Inanimate by Lady Alysa Hsu, Myan sorcerer and researcher:

  At its most basic, golemancy is the application of sorcery to animate unliving, inorganic matter. Several specific types of magic are utilized to this end, thus requiring the aspiring golemancer to possess a breadth of knowledge and an open mind to new techniques and practices. Let me be plain, though. The art of golemancy never delves into the animation of living or formerly living tissue. That is the focus of the necromantic arts, sorcery of dubious and often twisted morality. Never fall into the potentially quick-and-easy shortcuts necromancy can apply to your work and stay true to the golemancer's ways.

  From the notes of Lady Alysa Hsu, 14 Octavian 736 PC:

  A day of mostly wasted research not caused by any experimental missteps, fortunately, but by an unexpected visitor. After the 'accident', visitors of any kind at the manor are rare, even fellow researchers. Initially tried to ignore Xian's repeated calls, but changed my mind when the golem added that it was a Watchwoman on duty.

  Wondered at the time what the Watch could be doing here. I had to know. The last thing my work needed was a pack of bulldog Watchers sniffing around and getting underfoot. Best to put on my social face and get them gone swiftly. Grunting, pulled myself up from the wheelchair to my steel legs. Hurt as usual, still can't get the sympathetic link quite right.

  Paid no attention to ruffled fur or matted hair as I rushed to the door. Regretful in hindsight. In the foyer, attended to by Xian, was an Aard woman. She wore a standard double-frock blue watchcoat with two red stripes around the cuffs, Junior Inspector's stripes. Serious business then; could be trouble. Pushing a stray orange lock out of my eyes, my sour feelings about the Watch faded when I focused on the woman.

  Silky red-and-white fur, thick as it came around the collar of the coat, matched by equally red hair. Brown eyes full of a life that I had forgotten existed in the world. Even with unflattering uniform, could tell she was busty, with the broad shoulders and wide hips common to the canine-folk. My own fault, really, that her initial appearance had such an effect on me, hiding myself away as I have.

  “Lady Alysa Hsu?” Her voice was husky, rich, with a faint accent of the lower layers. Not a singer's voice, but it pleased me all the same.

  Recovered my senses; tried not to come off as foolish. “I am. What can I do for the Watch today?”

  “Junior Inspector Vela Redmane, milady.” She bowed fluidly. Noted the hand crossbow folded back in holster, truncheon too. This was definitely serious business. “And, before we proceed to business, may I first express how much of an honor it is to meet you?”

  I wasn't sure how to react. It had been years since someone said something like that.

  Redmane took silence as invitation, taking my hand and kissing it. “To have a chance to meet one of the most renowned arcane researchers of our time and to find that she is a thing of beauty as well.” Still stunned, she continued, letting my hand go. “I am certain you will be able to help me find a killer most foul.”

  My suspicion was rising as I tried not to blush. “How do you know what I do?”

  “During my alchemical apprenticeship, my master was insistent we learn in general about all kinds of sorcery, regardless of our magical talents. Your treatise on golemancy was required reading. More importantly, I spoke with Master Chase as to who to consult with for my particular difficulty and he suggested you.” Seemed sincere, could smell the familiar scents of the laboratory on her, but no doubt Redmane could lie like the rogues she hunted. It came as part of the job. Still, if she was one of Yuri Chase's, would be worth hearing her out.

  “Very well, Inspector.” Realized how strange I had been acting. The years alone, after all. “I apologize for my seeming paranoia.” I gestured to the sitting room. “Let us sit a spell and discuss this killer you mentioned. Xian, please bring tea and refreshments.”

  We settled down in the sitting room. Strangely felt glad Xian had been doing its rounds, cleaning and dusting even the unused chambers. Redmane sat politely and surprised me again as she caught the sigh of relief as I settled down.

  “I apologize. If I had known you would be at discomfort, I would have asked to be brought to you.”

  “Old wounds, Inspector. It is quite all right.”

  “I will say that, while your lost legs are a tragedy, the golem ones are quite elegantly designed. I've not seen their equal.” It was more sincerity. What was her angle?

  “I am glad you think so.” I was strangely sincere myself. “Is it a golem that has committed your murder?”

  “No, milady, it is not your past research that is of importance here.” Bringing up the death brought a set muzzle, intense gaze, and serious air. “It is what you are currently working on.”

  Chase was the last of the old colleagues to come by. Makes sense he would know, tell Redmane. Was still hesitant to say it out loud, as if it violated my zone of privacy. “Enchanted music?”

  Xian brought tea and biscuits then, setting them in the center of the table. It was a well-programmed golem, but still could not sense the tension in the room. It left quickly enough when we both ignored its queries for more direction.

  “Yes, milady.” Redmane put a purple crystal, slightly blackened, onto the table. “I do not know why you have lived in your mansion like this for these past years and I do not wish to impede on your privacy as I am, but I do need your help.”

  Picked up the crystal and rolled it in my fingers. A small incantation, an analytical spell. “A reverberation stone. It resonates with the exact sounds produced by the one it is linked to when activated.”

  “I guessed it was something like that, though I was not certain.” Redmane sighed. “It sickens me that a pretty stone such as that was used to kill, even more so in the way it did.”

  “Explain please, Inspector.”

  “Lady Hsu, is there a magical song or note that can induce such pleasure in a Folk that one will die? If so, please tell me as that was how that stone was used.”

  I frowned. Guessed Redmane was a Myrienite like I once was. Myrien, god/goddess of beauty. Beauty beyond the shallow outer shell, true inner beauty, true wonder. Comforting, but for the young, the naive. Still, the look of anguish on Redman's face stirred me. It couldn't hurt to help some. Make the girl happy. I liked the thought of that.

  “I can help you, Vela.” Smiled, not totally sure why. “I want to help you.” True, I did. It would interfere with my work, but not much. It might even help.

  “Thank you, milady, truly.” Redmane smiled back; that stirred me once more. “Let us not waste your golem's hard work and have tea. You can tell me the generalities of how this song and crystal work before we go deeper.” Before I could fetch my own, she had already started serving.

  Not used to being doted on. Sweet, actually. Felt control slipping, needed to remember that, as pleasant and gallant as Vela seemed to be, she was still part of the Watch. Not to be entirely trusted. Cleared throat and thanked the Inspector before starting again.

  “Well, at its core, a resonating crystal is like many other forms of sympathetic magical tools. It is infused with the sorcerer's own mana, the most intimate form of linkage, allowing it to serve as the source of the mage's incantations. There are many practical uses for that linkage.” Sipped at tea, eyes locked on Redmane, see just how much she understood.

  She nodded as she made her own tea. “Of course. Anything from stealth, anonymity, drama, or the most simplistic, to make a spell more efficient by vastly expanding the distance it can range without draining the wizard unduly.” She was one of Chase's, certainly. Alchemists don't use real magic; most forget key principles or don't bother.

  “Correct, Inspector. As any spell with the potency to kill, especially in such an exotic fashion, requires vast reserves of raw power, any way to lessen the burden would be welcome.” Figured wise to add, “Theoretically, of course. Also, it no doubt
allowed your quarry the ability to do his grisly task from far away, well away from prying eyes.”

  Redmane put down her cup and chewed her lip a moment. Indecisive was not part of what I had seen so far. Still, she worked it out quickly. “Lady Hsu, what I am about to share is of the utmost secrecy, but you may be able to use this knowledge to advance the case.” Her brown eyes seemed to swell as she reached across the table with an open hand. Fine fingers, nimble, well-trimmed claws, not like the average brute Watchman. “Can I entrust you with said knowledge? Do you swear to keep it safe?”

  Wanted to say 'no', might have wanted to help but didn't want to be drawn in. Don't trust the Watch. Didn't know, despite the truth I saw in those eyes and the flutter in my heart, if this just wasn't another maneuver of Father. Still not sure if I should not have left the room then.

  Instead, took Vela's hand. Warm, rough pads mixed with tufts of soft fur. Moment felt like grabbing a lightning rod. I held that hand and those eyes for too long.

  She didn't seem to care, only letting go herself reluctantly. “Alysa – Milady - I believe our killer watched his target die. The stone wasn't planted, no. It was fired into the room from the opposite roof.”

  “How do you know?”

  “There was a broken window pane at the right trajectory. More critically, there were charred remains of a shaft of ash, not cheap fireplace fuel, among the fire I found that crystal in. Like the shaft of an arrow or bolt, delivering that lethal payload. In fact, I dug this out of the back of the hearthstones after we moved the corpse.”

  Redmane dug out of another pocket an arrowhead. Looked like pure silver, but knew better. Silver is too soft for an arrow, but silver-steel, alchemical alloy of the two, is beautiful but hard as normal steel. Couldn't help but keep my eyes calm. I knew this arrowhead well.