Grays #29 - Reel

It is our grievance to report a tragedy transpired this eve.
  While hosting a fundraiser for the afflicted Theater District, our Lady of the Arts, Satine Tesara, bore witness to a grizzly affair.  Our very own Irvin Luse was on the scene to report.    

We acknowledge and respect the Tesarian Estate's need for privacy, and we will keep this just to the facts.

A simple suve of our most respected noble houses and influencers gathered this evening to pay tribute and charity to our high arts.  Luck has not been kind to old structures of our theaters and guilds, and Miss Tesara thought to bring together the most influential in her circles to remedy this fact.
  No expense was spared, and with a full compliment of the Zaharian Blades and the Grinning Brand at her side, no one expected any trouble.  Though the first few hours of the evening raised nearly 100,000 credits toward building a new Theater District and Miss Tesara has already broken ground on the project due to generous donation from her personal estate, a dangerous snake had woven their way into the hallowed halls.
  
  As some of our audience is aware, we have been honored to house a decorated Detective from Feathertongue, Sir Bolton Jourdinais.  He, hand in hand with the Grinning Brand, has been keeping our homes safe as the Severed Wing collapses with corruption.  Just this evening, we knew him to be closing in on a murderer hiding in our midsts and plaguing our streets with blood and horror.
And it seems, tonight, that he was able to find his mark.  However, as a malfunction in the Garden Maze pulled the Blades and the Brand to the aid of the other guests caught in its discord, the Detective made his move without any backup.  This valiant knight of the republic entered a deadly duel with a murderous opponent, laying waste to the lower wine cellars of the estate in their vicious brawl.  They were discovered by a young servant seeking refreshments, but by the time the Blade cleric could make his way there, the dark deed was done.  Both criminal and detective had succumbed to their wounds, and passed to the Great Expanse this night.

​As the dust settled, the Tower of Orquida suffered a cataclysmic structural explosion at its base.  Experts cite an alchemical response to the healing salves and combat potions often studied in the tower.  Though the resulting explosion was traumatic, there were no casualties.

Though Captain Ariessius of the Blades offered no comment, Miss Tesara had this to say on the evening.

"Sir Bolton was a gentleman, through and through, worthy of the highest honor of any slate or king of this age.  He gave his life to defend the people of this city, and I would hope so many more could learn from his dedication and honor to the Old Code.  Truly, I had so much more faith in the Blades as of late, but tonight proves what we all feared.  They are not equipped nor capable of defendin' the noble families, nor our ambassadors of our sister city.  No, I put my stake in our smilin' boys in gold.  Men and women of good hearts and strong intention, from the cut of our finest tiers, unswayed by gold and silver; they carry now the values and the memory of this great man, and our city will only be safer when we swell their ranks.  Swell them, with more like Detective Bolt." 

This article humbly submitted for review. - Jote Riverwood Press