SPQT -- Evidence Against the Valerii

August 24 - (Account of party snipped) Decimus did not attend, having locked himself in the study making a wand of flying.

August 29 - Decimus emerged at last, and went straight to the Academy to learn some spells he heard of, somewhere, that he thinks will be useful in the treasure search. I could leave today, myself. However, Uncle called the rest of us together and described to us a golden opportunity. He has acquired intelligence - never mind how - to the effect that V is continuing his persecution of the Marius family and has sent a relative to Alunis to "gather evidence" of treason on the part of the friends who purchased the boy. If we can catch Sextus V in the act of manufacturing evidence, it would be a great satisfaction to everyone - and of course if there's real treason going on (which might be true, since I can't see how V profits from manufacturing treason plots where none exist, though he might well be eager to distract attention from some activity of his own), then it's better to know that too.

August 31 - (description of Alunis snipped). We arrived fairly late, but managed to get lodging in the same hostelry as Sextus, who I don't think is aware of our presence. Robyn and Alfredus paid a visit to the olive grove and discovered a hollow rock suitable for leaving messages. Robyn duly left a blank piece of papyrus.

September 2 - The first was a long, long day and now I can't stop counting my mistakes, but it's too late for that. I cast augury in the morning to learn whether Drusus would consent to questioning under Zone of Truth. Getting a positive response, we agreed that it probably wouldn't be necessary. We tracked him to the baths, where I proceeded to act the part of tourist, holding myself ready in case I was needed, and Robyn went in and had a comfortable conversation. Corvus followed Sextus, who was making all kinds of odd purchases and sending them to a delivery point in the north, where Drusus and his friend Pompinus have property. Comparing notes, we thought it probable that the purpose was to create a stockpile of arms that could be "discovered" and adduced as evidence that Drusus and Pompinus were planning to raise Marius's old legion in rebellion. When it seemed he had come back to the hostelry for good, we left Gaius to keep an eye on him - with strict orders not to encounter him. We then all went to the olive grove. I wish we'd done that the night before! Nothing whatever happened, and in the morning, when we checked the rock, it contained a note which asked "Who are you?" I scryed the note's author in the estate chapel's holy water font, and saw Pompinus eating breakfast. Returning to the inn, we found Gaius watching Sextus's door with a loaded crossbow. I reminded him that I had not authorized lethal force, but when I heard his report I acknowledged that he had acted properly. When I think what could have happened ! And what did happen was bad enough, worse than what should have happened if I'd only - no use, no use.

Sextus departed late at night, accompanied by three men we have assumed to be bodyguards. They met two other men in an alley near Drusus's house and ambushed him as he passed. One of the new men then ate Drusus, assumed his form, and proceeded to his house. During the attack Sextus cast spells (hold person, invisibility) and gave instructions - he was clearly the ringleader.

We cast divination, asking Orus for the names of all those who have been replaced by doppelgangers in this town. The reply was: "The slave Marius has been deprived of his benefactors." Since there were 4 men involved in the plot to buy the boy, this means a minimum of four doppelgangers, and four good men horribly dead, because we were not alert enough. It seems probable that Gen. Marius was also replaced before the charges were leveled at him - which would explain how the archbishop was fooled.

With the memory of our rat boy so vivid in our minds, we agreed that these events were too serious and too dangerous to deal with on our own. We needed authority. I sent the following message to Uncle: "Sextus replaced Drusus and 3 others with doppelgangers. Please help. Will inform local authorities. Please bring Ayzidas vigiles familiar with doppelgangers."

His reply indicated that he would be here in the evening. In the meantime we went straight to the bishop, where after some initial skepticism we managed to get Gaius questioned under truth spells. The vigiles here are not at all pleased, and I don't blame them! The bishop's commune spell confirmed Gaius's statement and the identity of all the doppelgangers. We all felt much better when Uncle arrived with an Imperial observer, the dozen vigiles who have been dealing with our boy, 50 senatorial guards, and an eight-man squad of Praetorians. Simultaneous raids were arranged on each of the doppelgangers' houses and on Sextus. Gaius and I went with Uncle to apprehend Sextus, and Alfredus, Corvus, and Robyn went along with the other three, but there was little enough for any of us to do. Uncle has Sextus in a force cage. The doppelganger disguised as a half-elf got away and Robyn couldn't track him through the city, but we have the others. Sextus won't answer my questions, even under an inquisition spell, but the bishop will try him again later.

I hope that doppelganger doesn't know who the star witness is.

Gaius is not coming to the Rift with us. He must stay with Uncle and stay safe.