Dragon Rider Play

"Alistair is innocent," Tithenor said bluntly.  "He was telling the truth when he said he was set up.  Someone is threatening Patrick and using him to break apart not only Alistair's clan, but our own.  Someone who wishes to rise to the top, as though this were a fight for a king's throne.  I do not know who it is, but I intend to find out.  Blade, Mark, I need you two to keep your eyes and ears open.  Eyes on Patrick, ears on the other riders, and we must speak to Alistair's clan and let them know what has happened.  They are angry and blame us.  This is not good.  Someday, we may need them to watch our backs, and I am ashamed."

"You should go tell the Headmaster immediately." Blade suggested. "If Alistair is innocent, and not too mad... I would like to talk to him. He can read people like I can; he has the training. If we can get his help, it may help us a lot."

Tithenor nodded, picking up his pacing again, hands behind his back.  "There is one problem.  All the current evidence points to Alistair, and we were the ones to convince the Headmaster to convict him before he concluded his investigation. I am not certain the Headmaster will be willing to accept the change or perhaps take the new investigation from our hands."

Blade looked to Erika. "Erika, please tell me everything you scent on your treasure. From the more obvious and glaring scents to the faintest ones." Maybe that would give a clue? "Who would benefit the most with Alistair's and our teams out of the way." Blade thought aloud. "Henry's? They are third, and while they seem innocent, we cannot rule them out just yet. It was Henry, after all, that suggested to us that it wasn't Pat, but one of Alistair's people that threw the stone at Erika..."

Tithenor nodded.  "This is true, and no one could confirm one way or another that anyone of Alistair's people moved from their position.  There is Henry's lot, and then in fourth is Ramsey's."  He went down the list thoroughly, bouncing ideas off of his fellow clanmates.  He hated the idea of Henry being the one in the wrong, but with his story about the stone throwing, he was the most viable.  Everyone else, there was simply nothing.

Blade sighed a bit. "We need to speak to Alistair as soon as possible." he said firmly. "If you want, I can handle that."

Tithenor considered then nodded.  "Tomorrow morning.  First thing.  Mark, tonight we will go speak to his clan, then I shall go speak to the Headmaster about arranging Blade's visit."

Blade was very fidgety now. "I think I have an idea of how to deal with Alistair, and potentially at least make a truce with him. As far as his clanmates go, I am at a loss."

"Tell me?" Tithenor requested, pausing in his pacing.

"For someone in mine and Alistair's line of work, there is always one thing that is coveted and priceless. Information. I tell Alistair information, valuable information, and it may sweeten him up a little." Blade explained.

Tithenor frowned.  "What information?" he requested.  "Some things are not worth even that."

Blade sighed. He has hoped Tithenor wouldn't have ask that. "I was thinking information about other assassins. Secrets. And secrets about other students her, excluding you, Mark, and Pat of course."

"Indeed.  Fix one problem about secrets being held over someone's head only to offer several more," Tithenor said dryly.  "No.  I would rather I be imprisoned myself than for there to be any more secrets revealed."

"Well, how do you think I should or could show an assassin I'm sorry and try to make up for it?!" Blade asked. He was irritated a little bit. "Just saying frilly things like 'sorry' doesn't typically cut it for people like him, especially when in a business where it's know to say most anything to meet an end!"

"You are not an assassin anymore and neither is he," Tithenor said bluntly.  "You are both dragon riders.  Or at least you should be.  Approach him as such and see what happens.  If it does not work, then there is nothing lost, but you will not sell secrets.  Understood?"

Blade sighed and rubbed his face. "Fine."

"Good," Tithenor said with a sharp nod.  "Now that we have that out of the way, come, Mark.  We have other ruffled feathers to soothe.  Blade, is there anything you need before we go?"

"Nothing material." He grumbled. Blade stroked Erika's head. He still had no idea what to say or do in order to regain what little trust was between him and Alistair, and create enough to ask for his help.

Tithenor reached down and patted his shoulder.  "Thank you."  Nodding to Mark, he said, "We need to go."

Mark nodded and stood to follow Tithenor. Blade tried to carve again. Like playing with his knives, the activity calmed him.

Erika eventually tired of sitting on her trove - it was rather uncomfortable to sit on - and found a way to climb up onto his bed.  She was actually quite agile when it came to climbing.  It was the flat out walking and running that she ran into problems.

Tithenor found Erik as the other two clanmates and approached slowly.
Eric spotted them first and scowled.  "Have you two come to accuse us now?"

Blade kept chipping and carving out another dragon figurine. This one was of Melloraumo.

Mark shook his head. "No, we didn't. We mean you no ill will, and have come to talk-no, beg-you for forgiveness and help."

Eric's frown didn't soften, but he turned to face them.  "I'm listening," he said guardedly.

"We understand Alistair was set up to receive the blame for what happened," Tithenor explained.  "We regret jumping to conclusions and ask for your help in finding the one truly responsible for this treacherous deed."

Eric wavered, but behind him his two friends didn't look convinced.

Mark decided to go out on a limb. "Whoever is really behind this, could be a huge threat not just to us and your team, but possibly the well-being of our dragons too. They already weren't above stealing one of the things Erika held most dear, and it shattered her spirit. Who's to say they won't do worse? We need to combine forces and get to the bottom of this. You don't have to forgive us, but please, call a truce until this is solved."

Eric glanced at the others.  "He has a point," he said, "and if we prove who really did do it, then the Headmaster will have to let Alistair go."
The other two muttered a moment then one nodded.  "I'm in."
"Me too," the other agreed.