The police are at the scene now which means we will have to recover the body later,” Wade said.

“Mark is dead? When?” Meyer said.

“I was just informed.”

“My Lord. Wait, this wasn't why you called me in, it can't be.”

“Earlier tonight I received some information about Mark that I wanted to ask you about. Mark has...” Wade stopped and took a slow, measured breath, “had a son. Did you know about this?”

“Yes.”

“And you kept this hidden from the Inquisition? This is unacceptable, do you-”

“Council lore requires me to not withhold any information from the Inquisition that pertain to alternate matters. I am however, as you so rightly pointed out, no longer a member of this council and therefore, have no obligation to let the council know something Mark chooses to keep a secret.”

“Chose to keep a secret. I suppose it doesn't matter, we are bringing the child in, Deliverance managed to hunt him down.”

“Is he safe?”

“Gabriel took him to the under-city. If they survive, we will begin the boys training-”

“Gabriel?” Meyer smiled. If one of Wade's men had picked up the boy, he very much doubted he would have lasted the night, but Gabriel could be trusted, at least he hoped so.

“Yes, he was in the area when the alert went up. I am going to give responsibility for his training to-”

“Me. Look at Mark's recorded testament, sealed in the Archives, you will find he listed me as his requested trainer for the boy.”

“But you are no longer a member of the council, you-”

“Wade, my dear old chap. Do you not recall our own laws? You removed me from the council, but not as a member of this Inquisition. Any former council member can still act as a trainer for a practicing Inquisitor. That is lore.”

Wade's lip curled down.

“I would also like to lead the investigation into Mark's murder, do you object?” Meyer said.

“You are too late. I am investigating the matter myself, although his death was inevitable.”

“Inevitable?” Ruth said, rising up from her chair, her head only reaching the shoulders of Wade and Meyer.

“We have lost several Inquisitors to Grendal, Mark obviously wasn't up to the task. I will sort this out myself,” Wade said.

“And why will you do any better? Grendal would snap your boney little body without any difficulty, I tell you. And it's not like your mind powers can work on him, I suppose you could bore him to-”

“I have sent assistance into the under-city,” Wade said. “But it will be difficult to trace them. The Vault was attacked minutes ago, I imagine Gabriel will try to hide the child somewhere. The boy needs a sponsor and as he will be working with him anyway, I am going to select Tristan for that task.”

“Would it not be better if Alice-” Ruth said.

“I have made my decision, which is in line with Magus lore, isn't it Meyer?” Wade said.

“Is that the only reason you brought us here? To ask if we knew about the boy?” Meyer said.

“No. I have been informed that Mark was working on something off record, researching the fifth blood. Do you know anything about that?”

“The fifth blood? The idea that any of that still exists is a fairy-tale Wade. Are you not busy enough with real problems?”

Wade stood blankly for a second, his eyes focused on Meyer’s, before he smiled a final time.

“I guess we will have to see what the boy remembers,” Wade said, crossing the room without a goodbye.

“By the Lord I hate the little git,” Ruth said.

“You and me both,” Meyer said.

“I did like Mark, such a shame. And his boy, Meyer, I didn't know about him. You kept it a secret, even from me? Does he know about the old religion?” Ruth said.