Interrogation

We eventually reached a large stone garrison, which I assumed to be the knights' headquarters due to the banner hanging outside. Upon entering, we were joined by a couple knights and led down a series of stairs until reaching a room filled with cells. We continued walking until reaching the end where we were greeted with a room containing a chair with chains on it, and table with various tools for torture strewn about on it.

"Throw her in the chair," Duke Ober snarled as Ami flicked her wand, sending Tal into the chair.

The knights then secured her wrists and ankles before grabbing a pair of pliers and pulling back her gag.

"What are they doing?" I whispered.

"Checking to see if she's got any false teeth that could allow her to kill herself if she bit down on it. After Floda offed himself, the last thing we need is Tal doing the same," Ami scowled as the knights yanked out one of Tal's teeth.

"Seems she only had this one, sir," the knights saluted.

Duke Ober nodded and walked up to Tal, grabbing her face and looking inside her mouth before retracting his hand and slugging her hard in the stomach. Tal's eyes bulged open as she began hacking madly, but a few seconds later, she was smiling just like always.

"My, wherever are we?" Tal chuckled.

"We'll tell you, when you tell us everything. Why'd you kidnap and deceive the witch of the amethyst?" Duke Ober glared.

"I'm Duchess Twin D' Tal, heiress of House Twin D' Tal."

"Are you? House Twin D' Tal was ransacked and torched by a squad of inquisitors nearly a decade ago. You claim to be the only survivor of the incident, yet now you're found colluding with an inquisitor. Explain yourself."

Tal let out a soft laugh. "I do as I do in order to survive, as it's my way of life."

Duke Ober slugged her in the face. "I said explain why you did this!"

"Did I just not?"

Fire began to crackle out of Duke Ober's hand. "Want me to burn away your hair and skin?"

"Oh? My drilltail is the signature style of House Twin D' Tal, but I've personally found it such a bother to keep," Tal smiled.

"And your skin?"

"Why would I complain over a little burnt skin?"

Fire burst forth from Duke Ober's fist as he slugged Tal in the face. 

"My, where are your manners. It's rude to hit a lady, you know," Tal chuckled as her left eye struggled to open.

"Doesn't it hurt!?" I cried.

All eyes turned towards me.

"You speak of "pain", as in, the uncomfortable physical sensation, yes? I certainly do feel discomfort, why, I can't even see out of one of my eyes now. But I've said all that could be said," Tal smiled.

"No you haven't! Why were we tied up while you were cozying up to that slime ball!? Was it an act to save us, or were you with him the whole time!?"

"Should I say the former? Would you believe it?"

I somberly shook my head. "You were acting too comfortable around him, even helping him in battle. That, and Ami couldn't use magic in your wagon."

"Oh, the wagon was a loaner from Baron Goldsteel. I had no insight into its inner workings."

"Huh-"

"LaNorne, she's messing with you. Remember, when she was trying to bring out her equipment, all the vials were full, and when they shattered, the aroma they emitted knocked us out. That, and she was doing all she could to keep us from stepping inside the wagon," Ami scowled.

Tal's work area instantly flashed into my mind. "Then... was the workshop all a setup?"

"Twas my endeavor, as you know," Tal chuckled.

"Enough of the riddles. Answer or I'll drag you out right this second to hang alongside your friend," Duke Ober glared.

"My, execution. But I've said all that I can. Seems my vindication will come from above."

Duke Ober readied his fist for another punch, but Ami stepped in. "Let me try. I'll get her blabbing in no time. But first, let me whip something up, unless you got those shipments from Traditsye."

"What shipments?" Duke Ober snarled.

Ami pulled Duke Ober aside and whispered something into his ear.

"THOSE!? Why would you give her that!?"

"Oh, you'll see," Ami grinned.

"I hate her riddles and yours," Duke Ober growled as he turned to one of the knights. "Fetch me a cool blue." 

I cocked my head as I recognized the name. I believe I was offered one right before the knights began interviewing me. It was a blueish green drink that tasted really sweet, and after drinking it, all my nerves went away and I answered everything honestly without stuttering or freezing up. But will it actually get Tal to talk?

As soon as the knight returned with the drink, Tal was forced to drink it all before Ami began her questioning.

"Now, are you the real Duchess Twin D' Tal?" Ami smirked.

"Yes, I am," Tal nodded. 

"What's your name?"

"Talia Twin D' Tal. ...?" 

"And are you working with the inquisitors of the Church of Sirupus?" 

"Yes. ...!?" 

Color began to vanish from Tal's face as Ami's grin grew wider.

"Why are you working with the inquisitors?" 

"On the day the Twin D' Tal manor was attacked, I proposed to the attacking inquisitors that I join their ranks as a spy and non-combatant, so as to become an agent who never fights, never holds contempt. They accepted my proposal, and so, I henceforth became an agent of the church in order to survive. Why!? Why am I-"

"So that's why I sensed nothing from you. Then was your whole thing about making perfumes a lie?" I asked.

"It was part of my cover in order to goad the witch of the amethyst into becoming a guard for me. The plan was to gradually build trust, until eventually requesting she escort me around the country to help me sell my wares, then kidnap her when her guard was down, but once I received word Paul had been offed, I was told to speed things up."

"What's your relationship to Paul?" Ami glared.

"We were affiliates, more specifically, Paul was on the Inquisition's payroll and tasked with retrieving inquisitors turned into dybbuks from dungeons and delivering them to Floda where he'd reassign them new missions, usually in the vain of possessing an influential figure within Blinz, Blini, or even Ova Sfongia if deemed necessary."

"How many do you know of?"

"I know mostly of the inquisitors retrieved, not the identities of all that were possessed."

"Can you list all their names?"

Tal began listing off names as the knights and Ami furiously wrote down everything. None of the names seemed familiar, though when Tal mentioned the name, Pompi, Ami's expression changed. However, she didn't interrupt and let Tal continue talking until she was done.

"Now, can you tell me about all the Ova Sfongian agents you know of, along with any Blinish agents, and Blintzian citizens colluding with either or both Ova Sfongia and Blini."

Again, more names I didn't recognize, with the exception of Floda. Until...

"...And finally, within the royal guard, Count Dalphon."

Ami clicked her tongue. "Should've known."