The Skinsaw Murders

Brother Po awakens sudennly as something heavy lands on his chest.  He tries to cry out but finds a hand clamped firmly over his mouth.  The room is near to pitch black and he can't make out the face of the assailant perched atop him, knees pinning his arms painfully to the bed. But when she speaks, he recognizes the voice, giving him his second shock of the night.

"Good evening brother Po,"  Xerlina whispers, in a low throaty growl that threatens violence.  "You and I are going to have a little chat.  Its going to civil and quiet. I only have one question, and you are going to answer it truthfully, aren't you?"  The fingers of her other hand locks around Po's adam's apple.   The man sputters and manages to nod.  Xer slowly lifts her hand away from his mouth, and smiles when Po des not utter a sound.  "See, so far so good.  Now, why did you sell me out?"

"I didn't,"  Po begins, but Xer's smile vanishes and she tightenedsher grip on his windpipe.  "Gurrrk!  Not me!  Ameo... and... Ironbriar,"  he squeaks.  "Ironbriar is doing something in Underbridge; doesn't want anybody snooping around there - guess he thought you would find something you shouldn't.  He threatened the school, and Ameo thought it was better to cut you off than incur the wrath of a city Justice."  Po manages a weak smile.  "Glad to see you're alive."

"Yeah, sure you are,"  Xer says with a sneer as she strikes Po across the side of the head, sending him tumbling back into unconcsiousness.  She slips out the window and vanishes into the streets below, the discarded brown robe on the floor of Po's chamber the only evidence of her midnight visit.