SUBJECT: Rogue assassin in Antiva PARTICIPANTS: Beleth Ashara, Kit, Kostos Averesch, Nikos Averesch DATE FILED: Firstfall 9:43 STATUS: Complete (Ongoing Consequences) SUMMARY: An Inquisition agent was given counterfeit orders, prompting the unsanctioned assassination of Brianda de Trueva, a wealthy merchant with connections to the royal family, and an attempt on the life of Guiomar del Lunar, one of Antiva's Merchant Princes. The agent, Vintner, was intercepted and brought back unharmed, in full view of del Lunar, leaving no doubt that the Inquisition did not intend him harm, but nonetheless also leaving Antiva outraged about the death of de Trueva and the close call.
REPORT:
Lord Baerendorf:
I have spoken to you already, but for your records, Vintner is in custody and has explained that she believed the orders to be genuine despite the out-of-date cipher and felt time was too of the essence to confirm them first through other means, which helps approximately not at all. She is fortunate that the decision about what to do with her is not mine to make.
We have received four letters from Merchant Princes and one from the royal prince who was involved with Brianda de Trueva. They are varying degrees of outraged and threatening. In summary, they would like an explanation, and various routes of trade will be cut off and various allies will be informed if said explanation is not to their satisfaction.
As I understand our options, we could inform them of the breach and subsequent misunderstanding, which may cause them to think us incompetent, or we might say that Vintner went rogue intentionally, which may also make us look incompetent, but at least on a more granular scale. It may also make them insist more vehemently on receiving her head, but perhaps not. Surely Antiva has enough assassins to understand that these things sometimes happen.
I assume this decision is not yours to make, either, but please pass along my recommendation that we attribute the assassination to Vintner. I am sure we can find another head to send if no one is willing to take hers.
Again, for your records, regardless of whether or not it is what I would have suggested, the dwarf did an impressive job convincing the agent to back down; the Scoutmaster exhibited impressive aim; and I will do what I can to ensure that my brother is not a problem.
no subject