Catalin wasn’t sure how the wizard managed it, but even the most blundering of mistakes seemed to be the result of painstakingly planned tactics by the cunning wizard. For months Catalin had brooded in his eight by eight quarters and contemplated what great purpose the old man could possibly have for keeping him cooped in this prison cell for so long. Catalin was certain that if he had wished it, Jupiter could have exonerated Catalin from Captain Lafayne’s spurious accusations and had him on the opposite side of these bars within a day. But instead, he had been left here to memorize the contours, cracks, and crannies of Trinsic’s most secure prison. At one point, he almost permitted and began to entertain thoughts of despair, until Merle Grimrott had been coincidentally assigned as his delegated arbitrator. The designation of an arbitrator was an old formality of Trinsic, typically extended to political refugees, which Catalin had not expected. And at first, the man’s arrival gave little comfort, as he possessed about as much moral decency as a worm born out of his own sire-sake. It wasn’t until the end of Merle’s first watch, that Catalin discovered why this particular man had received such a position. As sleep overtook both men, Catalin was overtaken with a dream so vivid, that he perceived the world through another’s eyes. But he was not only just perceiving the world, but able to interact with it as well! From the sneers and grimaces that the townsfolk copiously cast in his direction, he could tell that the person was not favored nor held in any regard by the citizens of Trinsic; before any of them spoke his name, he had already guessed it was Merle’s body and mind with whom he’d swapped places. It was an extraordinary and dangerous boon that Jupiter had provided – for while Catalin had free reign to travel outside of his cell, he was certain that Merle was likewise in full control of his own body, albeit contained within the cell. Catalin’s first thought, was to free himself, but he quickly realized that fleeing from the prison of Trinsic would only give reason for some to believe the false accusations. No, if he were to leave this prison, he knew it could only be with a royal pardon. However, at least with this clever wizard’s trick, Catalin was afforded a small reprieve from his prison. An advantage that he would not squander. It was an ingenious plan, but not without risk. For although there would be none to believe Merle as he shouted from within the cell to release him, it would still be possible for him to cast aspersions upon Catalin’s character. Therefore, the distance that Catalin could travel while in control of Merle’s body was limited to the time between the change of the guards; which meant he wasn’t going to be leaving the city limits anytime soon. Furthermore, Catalin had to behave as if he was Merle when he was within Trinsic’s walls, lest he risk giving anybody reason to believe Merle’s raving from within the cell that his own body was possessed. It was a task which proved much more difficult than he had anticipated. More than once, he had to repress the indignation and his inclination to educate the patrons of the Rusty Anchor on the appropriate way to address a woman. He had been coming here for well over a month now, and regrettably he was becoming more and more tolerant of the patrons’ cat calls to the service maids. Even worse, there was a part of him that was starting to enjoy observing the women just a little longer than he really needed to in order to sell the ruse. He would have to fulfill a great deal training in compassion to cleanse the filth that was starting to fester in his soul. How much longer he would have to carry on like this was starting to wear on him. For, although he was technically free, he was beginning to feel that like he would prefer the confines of a prison cell, than to be trapped in a lie. The only thing that seemed to help was hearing any good word from Paws that he could overhear from the patrons. But things were about to change tonight. With great effort, he broke his gaze from the Nu’Jelom dancer. The rhythm that moved throughout her body made it a difficult task, for her body swayed in such a way that Catalin was sure not even an earthquake could shake her; it seemed her dance was in fact the very cause of the tumult beneath the earth. He had been coming here to get any news about Paws, or any clues from the wizard for the appropriate time to liberate himself from this duplicitous prison sentence; information which at best he usually gleaned by eavesdropping. But as he broke his gaze, he noticed a man he’d not seen before, and a man whom he could tell straightaway did not want to be noticed. In fact, nobody in the room had noticed him enter, except of course Catalin from his Grimrott view, and that is how Catalin meant to keep it. He was certain that this man would have news worth overhearing, but only if the man thought himself unnoticed. So with a loud belch, and an inappropriate swipe at the ass of a passing barmaid, he lifted Grimrott from the table and moved to as though to get a closer view of the dancer, and even better ear shot of this vagabond who had just ordered a very curious taste of red-summer wine. Catalin wondered how long he’d have to listen before the man dispensed information of any import. He smiled slightly, when he heard the man cough and spray his draught of red wine. Things were just about to get interesting.
Dorian and Luthain came down the back stairs and into the common room of the tavern. Both were carrying their packs and bedrolls; clearly they weren't planning on coming back any time soon. Dorian spoke quietly with the owner, who stood behind the bar and seemed very aggitated at the fact that his headlining entertainer had walked off stage without even a warning. Dorian slid a heavy coin purse across the bar, though, and that seemed to quiet the man down quite a bit. "So, where are we headed?" Luthain asked when Dorian returned. "Well, you said you need to find Jupiter," Dorian replied, "Now I don't personally know where he is at the moment, but I know someone who should." "Okay, so we go meet this person," Luthain said, with a firm nod. "Well," Dorian said, stroking his beard thoughtfully, "That is easier said than done. You see the individual in question is currently being held in prison. Nothing serious, mind you.... in fact, I have it on the best of authorities that its all a very unfortunate misunderstanding. Still, prison is prison." "So how do we get to this mystery individual?" Luthain asked, confused. "I happen to know," Dorian said with a wide grin, "The very powerful nobleman who is keeping our would-be wizard finder behind bars. And, it just so happens that I recently helped this man stave off a very costy, very inconvenient war. So, to put it mildly, he owes me..... big time. And, as I said before, I take favors very seriously." As the two walked out the front door, a man named Merle Grimrott smiled a suspiciously knowing smile....
