Aeryna reaches toward her boot and tugs at something around the lining before removing what looks to be some parchment. She smooths it over her knee to get some of the soot and crumples out. "I found this in Mars' coat pocket when I took the circlet from him. Tried to save giving it to you until later, but I’m not sure there’ll be much space for later anymore if we don’t read it now." Folded in thirds and bearing the wrinkles and subtle tears of rushed smuggling, a yellow sheet of parchment unfolds in Aeryna's hands as she passes it to you.
Terri looks over your shoulder as you begin to read the simple note.
A- Remember for today; just weapon, time, target. I'll do the rest. Very grateful for your help in these matters. Again, do not pursue Autumn Edict. For the sake of Ophanheim and the life of the Septarch, you must hold your station.
Terri looks up from the short letter with a sobering air. "The Autumn Edict... So it’s real?"
"Appears so."
"Still doesn't tell us anything about it.” Terri looks to her. "But why would someone want to kill the Septarch now? He won't even be in power after today."
"I think Mars is talking about whoever replaces them today."
"Oh... OHHH" Terri says with a look of realization. "Is the Autumn Edict an assassination conspiracy? Did Mars know about it with plans to stop it and that’s why he was targeted?"
"That’s one explanation. Of course, we won't know for sure until we actually get to hear it from Mars… or from someone more directly involved."
"Can’t imagine we’d get the chance to talk to him anytime soon. He looked rough."
"Even if we did..." Aeryna looks the letter over again, "I don't think he knew, either. He clearly had suspicions, other leads, but it looks like he was asking for our help as much as we were asking for his."
"Well, at least he trusted us."
"I hope he still does."
Terri puts his hands on his head and exhales with closed eyes. "Well, let's do something to make sure he was right to.”
[WHAT DO YOU SAY?]
[WHAT] “What’s in the bag?” (Go to 41)
[WHY] “You never told me why we rode here in the first place.” (Go to 42)
[WHO] “You want ME to investigate a WHAT now?” (Go to 43)
[MORE] “How does this play into the Rite of Succession?” (Go to 48)
[ACCEPT] "I know enough, I'm in." (Go to 49)
[DECLINE] "I have my own problems" (Go to 50)
