When I saw Bleys walk in carrying Merlin's body I feared the worst. I released Flora's hands mid-dance and began working my way quickly across the floor just before the music stopped. As I neared them I could see the Bleys was all right (what a relief) but that Merlin was in terrible shape. Bleys' clothes were soaked in Merlin's blood. My last steps were interrupted by a pikeman. He was some sort of royal guard. The pikeman, one of just under a score, insisted I stay back.
"It's too late for that." said Bleys.
I followed the Bleys, Random, and the guards into a secure hall. They called Gerard in to work on Merlin's body. This puzzled me. Had Bleys not said he was dead? Jessica, Benedict, Locke, and Connie joined us about then. Eventually I convinced Gerard to accept my help. It turned out that while Merlin's body was barely alive his mind had been destroyed by a stab wound to the brain from some sort of Logrus enhanced stiletto. This narrowed the suspects. I asked Bleys if there was some way we could keep Merlin's body in suspended animation. Locke suggested a cryotube, some sort of high-tech medical freezing chamber. Maybe Martin could secure one for us. I trumped him and he set to work on the task. In the mean time Bleys cast a spell that slowed Merlin's metabolism dramatically. That would buy us some time.
I thought Visions from the Posterior of the Mind might turn up some evidence, so I cast it on Merlin's scabbard. It was no use. The was just too much magical interference. I never had to worry about interference back in the isles. Just as I was finishing the spell Bleys showed us a the note he found on Merlin's body.
It was written in blood, presumably Merlin's. We should probably test it anyhow. I tried the Visions on the note too. There was less inference. I could see two looming figures, but they were too blurry to distinguish. Try as I might I couldn't get any feel for the knife that was used to pin the note to him. Blast!
When we had done all we could Locke and I departed to discuss our theories.