Backlund, West Borough, the Intis Embassy.
Mr. Owen, the envoy, raised his glass and asked Tande, the Secret Order's Marionettist assigned to protect him:
"I hear things were rather unsettled within the Church of Storms today. The Mysticism Mentor who secretly murdered Ambassador Beckland has come under a great deal of criticism... It seems your plan has had its first success, Tande."
Tande did not look particularly pleased. He frowned and said hesitantly, "It seems a little too soon... I thought that fool of an Instigator would play his Hero Series game for a month before drawing attention."
"That's hardly strange... Backlund has been in turmoil lately. First, Vice Admiral Hurricane failed to assassinate Duke Negan. Then a Serial Killer left a trail of blood... Heh, even on the night we arrived in Backlund, we encountered an Oracle of the Aurora Order on the run. With all that going on, it's only natural for the Mandated Punishers to be more alert." Owen chuckled, unconcerned, then asked, "What did the divination show?"
"The symbols were vague because the matter involves the Churches of the True Gods... But I can no longer 'see' where the Instigator is. The Mandated Punishers have probably locked him up in Saint Wind Cathedral," Tande said, recalling his earlier divination.
"If the Instigator really has been captured, then your earlier scheme worked." Owen nodded. After a sip of red wine, he smiled and asked, "Now can you tell me what you have planned next?"
"It's quite simple... When I used Suggestion on the Instigator, I deliberately left a few flaws. Once Stewart investigates, he's bound to spot the clues, which will lead him to an Aurora Order stronghold..." Tande, the Marionettist, set aside his other thoughts and explained his plan to the envoy.
"I see. You want