07-05. Speaking Peace

Bebhinn had been quiet. Once her father's will and estate had been taken care of, she'd shut herself off from Emad. He didn't like it. Oh, she'd been agreeable to his input about the inheritance, but all her passion was gone. Was she truly mourning her father?

Emad was having second thoughts about his Master Plan--and he never second guessed himself! But where Bebhinn was concerned, he couldn't seem to keep his focus. Emad agreed to talk to Piers, see what he had to say.

Piers: There have been questions raised about the death of your father-in-law. These questions, if made public, could shine a disturbing light on my friend and on my home. You know who I am, Faraz, how I view crime. This is an unsavory business.

Emad: My dear sir, I'm not following you. Surely you're not suggesting anything untoward concerning Walsh's death? Why, I can't imagine such a thing!

Piers: Let's not fence here. No need to spell it out, but you know as well as I that the man's death was not what it seemed. And there's every indication that your wife was involved. It's not looking at all good for her.
Emad: That's impossible! Bebhinn is deeply grieved about her father. She had nothing to do with this!

Piers: Your wife knows her father was killed. And I'm sure she realizes his murder was by your order. You may escape our simple human courts, Faraz, but your wife will not. While you and your brother destroy Rinn Fada in some god-awful titan battle, you'll have lost her. Is that what you really want?

Emad: I will not lose Bebhinn! I am not prepared for that. She and I understand one another, you see. I ... want her.
Piers: I think you LOVE her, Faraz. I believe I recognize love when I see it. I'm willing to look for alternatives to deal with this disaster. Consider your wife, sir. And when the time comes for a decision, make the right one.

__________
Piers and Bunter weren't alone in seeking the truth. Larry Walsh needed to speak with his daughter. He'd force her to talk. For once in his life, Larry was afraid. Afraid of facing his own blind mistakes, what he'd done to his family.

Larry: Bebhinn, tell me! I must know. You were there when I died, Bebhinn. You were there!

Bebhinn: Father, I'm so sorry! I couldn't help! I just couldn't! I was so confused. It was all so horrible ... what Emad had done. It wasn't a game anymore--between us. I was afraid!

Larry: Your husband is a dangerous man, Bebhinn. I thought him strong, but he is more than that. You must be careful, daughter. He has duped us both!

Bebhinn: Father, you've forgiven me? Oh, please say you have!

Larry: Aw, my poor daughter. I've been such a fool. This is all my fault! I'm the one who hurt you--and my son.
Bebhinn: Father, no! You did the best you could after mother's death. ... Oh! What should I do now? I love Emad. He is like me, father. It is too wicked, I know, but I can't help it.

Larry: Don't cry, Bebhinn, my child. Your father will make things right. Just you see!

__________
But making things right with Emad Faraz was not an easy task!

Larry swallowed his pride and his temper. He had his daughter's welfare to think about. Surely this man felt something for Bebhinn! Could Larry get through to him?

Larry: Faraz, I beg you! It is too late for me, but my children have a chance. Do not harm them. If you care anything at all for my daughter, listen to me! I know a way out for both of you. You can make a fresh start away from here. I have seen a place where I believe my Bebhinn would be happy.

Emad: What are you suggesting, Walsh? You think we can just load up the car and hit the road?
Larry: Oh, no, not at all. The place I have in mind isn't reached by any roads you've ever seen!

Larry: Your brother wears a medallion I gifted him, and it can only be activated by him. It's a gateway, Faraz! To realms beyond this one. The portal finds worlds meant for each traveler who enters its door. I have seen one for Bebhinn--and for you.

Larry: Take my daughter with you, Faraz, and find the knight. He will open the door to your future!

__________
Of course, the knight had no idea about the Portal Medallion. Larry had been too muddled before to explain the power of the stone to Brother Bunter. He needed to do that now.

Larry found Bunter on the Wimsel mansion rooftop working with some gigantic steampunk machine. Little good that would do them. The lad wasn't thinking clearly. He needed sorcery, not science!

Larry: Forget that contraption, boy! You have a much more powerful tool hanging around your neck!
Bunter: The medallion? What does it do?

Larry: It's a gateway stone! A very special one indeed too. The amulet has the power to connect souls to worlds. It searches the heart and mind of travelers and sends them where they're best suited to live. You have to use it for my daughter's sake, knight! You hear me?

Larry: You'll need sky magic to activate the portal. Space and time must be cleared for the gate to open.
Bunter: But I don't have air magic. I'm a fire elemental.

Larry: Wake up, son! Your lady friend uses sky magic, now doesn't she? She flies, controls the weather.
Bunter: I've never seen her work the skies before. I don't know ...
Larry: All she needs is an amplifier of some sort. Then the two of you combine forces and get that door open!

Bunter: Wait! What about that old totem down by the Community College? I've heard it was once used to summon weather changes in ancient times. Maybe Caprice could get it working again!
Larry: Now you're thinking, lad!

07-04. The Investigation

While still dark, Piers and Bunter secretly headed over to the Walsh Estate. Piers checked the area around the statue and the pond nearby. He found Larry Walsh's new gravestone there, but he also discovered two sets of footprints around the back of the pond close to the fence. Furtive movements.

Piers: Bunter, there's definitely been a struggle here by the water. Someone jumped the fence too ... and appears to have jumped back over.

Bunter: Any sign of a woman's prints?
Piers: Oh, yes. Not here by the statue though. They come up the far side of the pond by the fence as do the man's prints. But the woman's turn around and head off again quickly.

Piers: The woman either witnessed Walsh being killed, or came after the deed and just left him there without checking the body. Even in the fog, a murder or a body would have been hard to miss at that short distance.

Bunter: From what the ghost described, the woman came while he was still alive. He believes his daughter was there at the time of his death. Could have even startled the killer. But Walsh said she didn't help him.

Piers: She might have been afraid to help. Or maybe she wanted the old man dead herself.
Bunter: Either that, sir, or she didn't care to interfere in Emad's business.
Piers: Pretty cruel, with the victim her own father, what? You really believe your brother is our murderer?

Bunter: Well no, M'Lord, I don't. Not directly, anyway. I think he sent one of his goons to do the deed.
Piers: We'll check his alibi, of course, but I agree. Although, he's still culpable if what you say is true.

Bunter: We need to talk to those three Woeful Brethren Emad was seen with lately. Very cozy club.
Piers: Yes. ... While I tackle them, why don't you have a word with Bebhinn Faraz?
Bunter: Will do. Though if you will, sir, leave Antwon May to me. He and I understand one another, you see.

__________
Bebhinn refused to speak. Wouldn't say a word against her husband or admit to anything she might have seen.

Bebhinn: You are out of line, Marvin Bunter! How dare you speak to me like this. Accusing me of harming my father! Why, everyone knows it was an accident! My father slipped, hit his head ... drowned!
Bunter: Bebhinn, we both know that isn't what happened, now don't we?

Bunter: Your father came to me. He told me what happened the night he died. Lord Wimsel is not going to let this go. Not only because he believes in justice, but because he's protecting his family. We are willing to find other ways for ensuring justice. The entire truth will not go public. ... Do you understand what I'm saying?

Bebhinn: You ... Lord Wimsel won't go to the police with your, uh, suspicions?

Bunter (sighing): I can see there's a lot you don't know about your husband. The short answer is no. With Emad, something else must be done. Just think about what I've said. One way or another, His Lordship will follow through. And his word will not be questioned. Cooperate, and it will go better for you.

Having done all he could for the time being, Bunter left the Walsh home. He only hoped Bebhinn was smart enough to take his advice. His brother would be another matter. Emad had gone too far. Bunter had warned him.

As he turned to go, Bunter saw Bebhinn by her father's grave. She was crying. Was the grief genuine? Bunter wondered. He hadn't gotten any firm statement from his brother's wife. All he knew was that she'd been involved in Walsh's murder. Willingly or reluctantly.

Had Bebhinn wanted Emad to get rid of the old man for her? A possibility. But somehow, Bunter just couldn't bring himself to believe it. Bebhinn's quiet tears tugged at him.

__________
Meanwhile, Piers had gone over to talk to Archie Bloom and Tyron Nielson. It didn't take long for him to conclude these two were not involved in the crime.

Archie: Master Faraz promised us higher status in the lodge. He's been a strong leader. Of course, he does spend more time with Brother May. But that's fine with me. Keeps that hot-headed May out of my face.

Nielson had a little more going for him than Bloom. He was a Computer Whiz. But again, Piers doubted he knew anything about Walsh's death. The man was scared though. Piers asked a few questions.

Piers: Something seems to be bothering you about the new arrangements in the lodge.
Tyron: Not the lodge. I just, well, you probably won't believe this but I thought I saw Elder Walsh's ghost out on the road last night.

Tyron: Not sure, but something's weird about his death. I saw Master Faraz with Brother May the same night Walsh died. The talk got kind of heated. I didn't hear what was said, except May did yell out, "It's taken care of, I tell you!" Next thing, the High Elder's dead. Seemed odd, that's all.

Piers: You should have informed the authorities about this.
Tyron: Master Faraz would not have liked that! The man's a little scary sometimes, you know?
Piers: Leave things to me. I believe I can help you out here. You're in real trouble, Nielson. Trust me.

__________
Bunter soon arrived just as Antwon May himself drove up. Bunter began his own version of the interrogation process. May was not receptive.

Bunter: You killed Larry Walsh, May! And I'm going to make sure you pay for it!
Antwon: You're crazy! I had no reason to do Walsh in! It was an accident. Doctor said so!

Bunter: Someone saw you. Two people, in fact. Bebhinn Faraz ... that's Emad Faraz's wife, if you've forgotten. And oh, yah, Walsh himself saw you too. I've talked to them both.
Antwon: You're lying! Talking to ghosts. Crazy, I tell ya! You've always hated me. Just leave me alone!

Bunter didn't listen another second to May's ranting. It was time to knock some sense into the murderous bum.

Bunter: Start talking, May. Better you talk to me than to my brother, don't you think? Emad's not so nice as me!

Antwon: Faraz threatened to cut off my ears if I didn't do it! Said he'd make me disappear too. Kill me, right? What choice did I have?

Bunter: You had a choice! You didn't have to become Faraz's assassin! You're going down for this, May. I promise you, one way or another. So, better wise up and cut the crap.

While Bunter stood guard over May, Piers walked over with the other two Brethren. The three Woefuls were a subdued trio. The next question was, what was to be done about all this? Piers could hand May over to the police, but what would happen when Emad got implicated? There would be hell to pay.

Piers thought the best thing would be for him to first talk to Emad himself. Bunter's tactics could stir up more trouble. His friend would do better straightening out these lackeys instead. Bunter was unhappy with the arrangement, but didn't think Emad would dare hurt Piers. The two Djinn were deadlocked.

Bunter: Ok, lads. Here's what we're going to do. We'll all head into the trailer now and have a little dinner. My treat. After that, I'll need to leave you alone for a time--so I can help clean up this mess. You three will watch TV, play cards. Just spend a quiet--very quiet--evening at home. Got it?

Bunter: Keep your mouths shut until you hear from me. And if anyone forgets my instructions here ... well, that would be bad, wouldn't it?

07-03. Ghostly Quest Giver

Just after midnight, Larry Walsh again rose from the grave. He suffered from his usual wavering confusion until he spotted his daughter Bebhinn walking towards him.

With a shock, Larry suddenly realized that Bebhinn had been present at the time of his death! What could it mean?

Bebhinn walked right past him. And Larry knew--she'd hardened her heart, blocked his presence out completely.

Larry: Bebhinn! Why? You were my favorite. I gave you everything! My little Bebhinn! Why?

Larry needed help. He was slowly remembering things, and what he recalled angered him. He'd been such a fool!

When Larry had given the knight that old medallion, he hadn't known the power it held, only that it was a valuable relic. But now that he haunted the spirit world, Larry saw the stone's true purpose. A portal to other realms!

He locked onto the bright rays spreading out over Rinn Fada and searched for their source.

It wasn't long before Larry found the home of the knight. ... That's right, he thought, the Wimsel mansion.

Larry now knew he was looking for Brother Bunter, that worthy knight the Brethren had hired to defend the town from dangers. Well, he was needed again.

Brother Bunter had left the Woeful fellowship, but Larry didn't care. He had his revenge to think about. The knight would serve him ... whether he was willing or not!

Larry: Wake up, knight!
Bunter: Walsh? High Elder? What has happened to you!
Larry: Murder! Murder!!

Walsh's hollow wail chilled Bunter's blood. There was a ghost standing in his room crying murder!

Bunter stumbled out of bed and met Walsh face to face. He hoped Caprice wouldn't be disturbed, but it seemed the ghost was only focused on him. Caprice never stirred.

Larry: You must avenge me in the land of the living, knight! I cannot rest until justice has been enforced.

Bunter was getting a bad feeling about all this. There was only one person he could think of that would have wanted Walsh dead. One person whose heart was dark enough to do it. Bunter had tried to warn Walsh, but the old man hadn't listened.

Bunter: High Elder, did my brother have a hand in your death? Did you see him?

Larry: No! No!! My daughter! My Bebhinn! SHE was there! It must have been her. Must have been!
Bunter: What? But I don't understand!
Larry: Damn you! Listen to me! They were in the fog. I know it!

Bunter: Please sir, take it easy. Just explain. Tell me what you remember.

Larry: Someone knocked me into the water. ... So cold. Numb. ... Couldn't breathe. ... Then, then there was a noise. Rustling. I was left alone. ... Tried to climb out. On the bank. ... But no! Someone else ... held me down ...

Bunter: The attack didn't come from out of the water?

Larry: The statue ... by the pond ... too much fog ... couldn't see. ... Find them! ... the killers ... use the medallion ...

Walsh was fading, his voice growing distant, a mere echo. In a blink, he was gone. Bunter stood dazed, trying to work things out in his mind. He would need His Lordship for this mission.

If Larry Walsh had been murdered, the killer--or killers--would need to be given over to the authorities. But if Emad was involved, and Bunter was sure that he was, no human authority would be able to hold him. It would take sorcery. ... Bunter dressed and woke Piers at once. There was no time to lose.

Bunter: M'Lord, I've been visited by a ghost!
Piers: Oh, Bunter. Not again! Another supernatural? Demons, mummies, vampires, sea creatures, rat dogs ... Where do you find them all?

Bunter: Sir, they find ME! I'm minding my own business, keeping a low profile, acting a Proper gent, and well, they just show up! Unexpected-like.
Piers (sighing): Hmm. All right then. Let's hear it.

Bunter: It was Larry Walsh, M'Lord. The High Elder from the Brethren of the Woeful Countenance.
Piers: I knew your getting involved with that lot would be a disaster! Everyone of them, loonies!
Bunter: Yes, sir. Too true. The headaches they gave me far outweighed the rewards. Not that there was ever much in the way of rewards. I had to ...

Piers: My dear man, if you would please stay on task here!
Bunter: Of course, M'Lord. Sorry. ... As to Elder Walsh, he told me he'd been murdered. Pushed into a watery grave, as it were. Drowned!

Piers: Details, old boy. Where and when? How? By whom ... and why?
Bunter: Straight to the point! Ever the detective!
Piers: Bunter, less schmoozing, more facts!

Bunter: Mr Walsh was killed on his own property. By the pond in his yard. From what he said, it must have been near that statue by the back fence. I'm not sure of the "when." I'd say very recent since word hasn't reached us yet. Probably that one night of heavy frost. Walsh kept mumbling something about fog.

Piers: And does this ghost, Walsh, remember who attacked him?

Bunter: That's the trouble. Not exactly. He only has vague impressions. Claims more than one person was involved though. His daughter Bebhinn, my brother's wife, might have been part of it. ... As to the "why," I'm assuming money, sir. But there's always hate. If you recall, Larry Walsh was a mean old codger!

Piers: Bunter, are you saying your brother or his wife might be implicated in this crime?
Bunter: I'm afraid so, M'Lord. I haven't told you much about Emad, but trust me, he is quite capable of bumping someone off if it's to his advantage.

Piers: This is not good, my friend. A very delicate situation. We cannot have this, uh, incident threaten our home. I'm glad you came to me, Bunter. We must investigate immediately, but utmost discretion will be required.

07-02. Top Secret Science: Part 2

I need to share a little detour here before the science story continues. During the time the group research was going on, Piers and Bunter were sent out to investigate a crime. They were interrogating suspects. 

While Piers was talking to Archie Bloom and Tyron Nielson, Hot Tempered Antwon May came over and started yelling at Bunter.

Bunter reacted true to form. He doesn't need to be hot tempered to enjoy a good fight! I guess that's his Brave trait. They kept arguing, and I just let them duke it out. Bunter actually ended up attacking Antwon two different times. His choice.

The reason I'm bringing up the fighting is because while I was watching Bunter, I suddenly got a notice that Piers had reached level 8 in the Nerd social group. I guess Piers was playing Good Cop to Bunter's Bad Cop! 

The notice said I needed to choose a new trait for Piers. I didn't want Piers to have any more nerdy traits. He has enough of those. He's also Athletic and has a Good Sense of Humor.

I ended up choosing Family Oriented because of his recent marriage and the birth of his daughter Kathryn.

Now back to the science project. Bunter wandered up to the roof and got on the blue station, so I sent Piers and Caprice up too. Piers went to the green station this time.

Hera pulled the Lever of Doom.

And this time, the group connected to the Overmind and got Hive Mind moodlets. Intense skill building! I sent them all off to various activities.

Now, here's where I started thinking about Piers' new trait. Family Oriented. It was also Love Day. So on an impulse, I had Piers try cloning a DNA sample. He had two samples in his inventory: his own and Bunter's. I thought, better do his own.

Piers listened to a gardening tabcast while he worked on the cloning.

We had a success! My first ever DNA cloned baby.

Specimen 4138. He has Piers' favorites and is also an Aquarius like Piers. He received the Avant Garde trait, which Piers has. But instead of being Athletic as Piers is, the little guy's a Couch Potato.

I didn't change the baby's given traits. I may, but not sure I want to.

The game let me give the baby a first name. Specimen 4138 became Davis Wimsel.

Davis is not related to the Wimsels, despite being a clone of Piers. He isn't on their family tree. But he has the Wimsel last name. So Davis is not Kathryn's brother even though they share Piers' DNA. Some strange possibilities could arise when these two grow up!

Here are Kathryn (biological daughter) and Davis (cloned baby). I gave Davis a Valentine teddy bear since he was created on Love Day.

Hera doesn't have an option to breastfeed Davis. Technically she's not his mother. But she and Piers will raise him as their own son.