Who Caught Who?

[TheGrimWitch]

You stare at the nail. It smokes, and a charred image of a snake is left behind, wringing around the nail and draping down. The embers burn for only a second before going out in a puff of smoke. You hesitate a moment, struggling to comprehend everything that was unfolding on what was supposed to be a regular evening walk.
Alethins plight seemed bad, however he obviously wasn't really caught. After all who else would have left the note? But more importantly, who would set him up like this? Someome who obviously had it out for him... but Why? He has never been rude. And it's true that the creatures he sells are harder to get and more rare... and there isnt any evidence that they're stolen. You walk down the alley you saw the figure disappear into. You know you wont catch it, but you do it anyway. It leads out to an empty cobblestone street, not unlike the one you just left. You glance up and see a shadow flying among the stars. Raising your fingers to your lips, you let out a whistle. Somewhere, in a building nearby, a light turns on. The flying shadow nears, and in a gist of wind, lands. Your lunar Hippogryph stands, deep dark blue to blend in with the night sky. You stick a hand into one of your pockets, pulling out a sugar cube. Giving the treat to the Hippogryph, you decide on your choice. You were going to help. And you needed clues.

(I am on mobile, if formatting, spelling, or conventions are wrong I apologise and will fix them when I see them)

[TheGrimWitch]

The Hippogryph lifts off, immensely strong wings beating the air. Gusts of wind send some leaves skittering erratically around the street. And then, the town is nothing but a speck, a drop of liquid light on a dark painting. You don't know all of Alethins routes, but you know where you meet him. It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to go check it out. Your Hippogryph feels your intentions and turns, expertly cutting through the air effortlessly. You wrap your arms around it's neck just in time, it dives and your hair and robes flap behind you. For a second, you worry they'll tear right off. But then, you land. Slowly and awkwardly you slide off of the Hippogryphs back. Youre shaking pretty bad, but you manage to stand. The lunar hippogryph meanwhile is amused and chirps a laugh. You ignore it and spin in the clearing, scanning for the cart. There! It's wooden frame peeks out from behind a stand of trees. As you approach, Alethins snake appears, defending the cart. You slow, and hold you hands up. The snake recognizes you as a customer and bringer of treats and let's you pass. You scrutinize the cart. It's locked up tight. A small piece of paper is attached to one side. It was once a note, but now only contained a few shards of sentences. There is enough, however, to make out something about love potions and a set up. Leaning against the cart, you take a moment to think.
"Love potions? Is there anyone around here who sells love potions and has a hatred for Alethin?" You say aloud. The creatures around you don't understand, but you do this anyway. It makes you feel a bit better. "Maybe someone who knows how to make love potions. I suppose you don't have to sell them to be a suspect, only to know how to make them." Your mind wanders and you feel yourself over thinking. "What if... I mean what if the love potions were fakes? What if they weren't real all along? Then it could be anyone!" You exclaim, shocking the snake who had curled up around your feet for a snooze.

[TheGrimWitch]

After a full night of searching for more clues, you slump disheartened against your familiars side. You were in the town square, and the sun was just barely beginning to climb over the horizon. You and your steed had scoured every inch of the city and surrounding area, even going so far as to ask the few that were awake if they anybody who had love potions for sale. Apparently, no one around here even knew how to make one, even less sell one. The windows of the buildings surrounding the square were dark still, and there wasn't yet enough light to see any shadows. The clouds however, were beginning to shine in different colors. Like the brush stroke of an ancient artist. You stared up at them, feeling completely exhausted.
"Hello." A voice spoke. You jump, looking around wildly. Your lunar Hippogryph has already spotted the source with it's keen eyes. A person in dark blue robes steps towards you. Your creature snaps it's beak in warning. In response, the stranger holds up their hands.
"Who are you?" You ask the stranger. A snap from their fingers ignites a flare of white flame from their fingertips. Your Hippogryph growls threateningly. The light from the fire illuminates the face of the person, you you're mildly surprised to see it is a beautiful woman. She had a strong beauty to her, a scar ran across her top lip diagonally, and another had left a small gouge in one eyebrow. Her eyes were a shocking green, and her hair a very dark brown.
"My name is Meridia." She says simply. She appears to be calm, even though she was skulking around in the shadows for who knows how long. "I've heard that you were looking for something." She meets your eyes with her gaze and doesn't look away. A nervous shiver runs down your spine.
"I-I was, yes." You force out.
"What was it you were looking for?"
"Umm.. love potions." You are having trouble looking her in the eye. Her calm demeaner under the circumstances along with her intimidation was too much.
"Why." She asks simply. Her gaze becomes a fraction stronger, as if she was trying to force you to speak. Somehow, though, it worked.
"Because," you hesitate, then continue, "a friend of mine. He bought some but they were fakes." You know lying by omission is still lying, but you feel it's better to leave out the details. The woman removes her cloak, slowly as to not scare your steed, and slings it over one arm. A badge, silver in the waxing light, shines from her left breast. Fear squeezes your chest.
"My name is Meridia Hadaldo, chief investigator and sheriff for this region. Come with me."

[TheGrimWitch]

Scared, you stand. Your Hippogryph stands and growls, sensing your fear.
"Please. Calm your familiar and come with me." She turned on her heels and walked across the courtyard, heading towards another alley. I hurried after her, mind racing.
"A-am I under arrest?" You hurry after the mysterious woman, fearing for your own freedom more so than Alethin now.
"Not yet." She didn't look back. "You are under investigation for colluding with a black market operative and his subsequent escape."
"What!?" You hurry and catch up to the long strided woman. Right as you are able to match her pace, she enters a dark alley. It's one you haven't been down before, and the buildings on either side are tall. It's just wide enough for you and her to walk side by side, but your Hippogryph hesitates. Meridia turns her dead, sees the creatures reluctance to wedge itself into such a small place, and lunges. You are too shocked to retaliate or defend yourself. Her shoulder hits yours, shoving you against the stone wall of the building closest to you. Except... it isn't stone. A metal door swings open easily, although painfully, and you land on cold stone. Meridia steps in immediately after you, shutting the door as the sounds of your beast erupt from outside. A heavy metal bolt snaps shut and some runes light up, just in time to keep the winged beasts claws from tearing through it like wet sand.
"What?" You prop yourself up on your elbows, shocked and frightened. With an eerie calmness, Meridia turns to face you, her hands clasped in front of her.
"Im... sorry about that. I had no choice. You beast would have tore me to shreds otherwise." You stare, incapable of speech. She glances behind you, then back. Sensing something in the darkness, you scoot sideways, to keep an eye on both Meridia and this newcomer. They have a deep green robe on, hiding them surprisingly well in the dark. A spark, then a lantern lights. The stranger holds the lantern up, letting it light up the room. You recognize where you are finally. You are inside the jailhouse, cells on either side of the room, all empty.

[TheGrimWitch]

Behind Meridia, the door is shaking. The muffled screeches from your steed scare you. The stranger sets the lantern down on a table in the middle of the room. Then, they slowly take hold of the hood covering their face and throw it back. Unwillingly, you gasp. Alethin smiles sadly at you.
"I'm sorry. You've been through a lot tonight. But I must thank you for being such a loyal customer." He glances down, then up at Meridia, then down again. Meridia in turn raises an eyebrow. "I lied to you." He said finally. "About the love potions."
"They were fakes?" Your mind is whirling so fast, you think you feel a migraine coming on. Alethin chuckles.
"No, no. They never were at all. You see... I'm having some problems. A few... undesirables... have found out my identity."
He seemed to struggle for words. Meridia crossed her arms, looking like she was late for something important.
"Look, these people are hunting him. But we can't let that happen." You shake you head, confounded.
"What... just... start from the beginning... please." Meridia sighed, and gives in.
"The creatures that Alethin, here, sells aren't just illegal. They're stolen." Alethin nods solemnly. "But I am helping him, and have been for quote some years, because of what he does. Technically, he is breaking the law. He does bad things. But the reason why and how, aren't. There are some smugglers and mill owners who breed, abuse, and torture these creatures. Alethin hunts them down and steals their creatures. Until eventually they are put out of business. At the same time, he saves their lives." You stare at Alethin, a new found respect growing in your chest. "But recently there have been several attempts on his life. The biggest mill owners are terribly rich and terribly well hidden. But because they know him now, know his route and know his name, they won't stop until he is dead." She takes a moment to breath, twiddling her thumbs thoughtfully. "We, Alethin and the police department, have been working together for quite some time. But we have decided to fake his capture and containment. Then he will create for himself a new identity." You nod, head still pounding but loose ends beginning to wrap up inside your mind.
"But what do I have to do in this?" This time, Alethin smiles and turns to you.
"Most of my customers can be... fickle. Shady. And sometimes untrustworthy. But you, you are different. I need you to spread the word about my new identity to all those who are loyal. To my good customers. I know you will go through with this, after seeing the lengths you went through to find me. I need my customers, i cant help and save all of these creatures by myself. I can't take care of all of them!" For a second, he looked terribly overwhelmed. "I need people to take care of them. I need my customers." He smiles, looking as if he hadn't slept in years. "Oh, but only my loyal customers. I really don't need any more people trying to slit my throat." He chuckled awkwardly.

[TheGrimWitch]

Neither Meridia nor I laughed. With cracking bones, you stand slowly. You stare at the ground, taking a couple measured breaths.
"I'll do it." You whisper. You feel tired, but with new knowledge you feel a responsibility on your shoulders. You weren't going to let those poor animals down. You weren't going to let them suffer. Alethin smiled and so did Meridia. She took a step towards you, handing you a paper.
"This is extremely sensitive information. It will contain his new identity and where to find him so you can direct his customers. Be careful, and if you aren't sure about a customer, then don't say anything." I nodded, grim but determined.
"Thank you," Alethin pipes up. "Thank you so much. Thank you." You nod and shake his hand. Meridia shakes yours too, then the two of them walk through another metal door at the other side of the room. You wave your hand at the door, releasing the runes and undoing the lock. Your Hippogryph charges in, sniffing and butting you lovingly with it's head. You open the paper to take a peek. Only one word catches you eye before your Hippogryph, obviously jealous, snatches the paper and rips it to shreds. The word, a name, burns itself into you mind. "Mortikai" you whisper.