Shantania/Supports/GaianaTiva

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Tiva pores over the dusty volume, certain that she will find something in it regarding the missing Margrave. The text is chilling, to say the least. It chronicles, between the years of 500 and 550 S.R., a great number of people who have been declared "un-Beings," and their last documented status.

S.R. 545 - Godolfus of Riga. Militaristic policy threatens to destablize country. Declared un-Being, removal order granted. Godolfus removed by Agent. S.R. 546 - Cray of Jallanton. Threatens to form organized militia. No threat yet, but Agent in place. S.R. 547 - Artis of Caynea. Import merchant, recently stocked dangerous narcotic. Declared un-Being. Local authorities may have under control, but Agent in place. S.R. 548 - Kaze Tirell of Lestalia. Isolationist policy could lead to Cavernous City being closed permanently; imports and exports barred completely, country may be doomed if allowed to continue. Tirell declared un-Being. Removal order pending. Agents in place.

"Removal?" Tiva cannot quite comprehend the meaning of the word. She imagines this being the work of some organized group of kidnappers, but why would they stop at kidnapping?

Tiva is interrupted by the sound of a cleared throat. She quickly slams the book shut and turns around, attempting to hide the book with her slight frame, unsuccessfully.

"I fear you have pried too deeply, girl." It is Gaiana, the sole occupant of this cart.

"Who are you to call me 'girl?' I am far older than you," Tiva argues, feeling the warm fulfillment of finally being able to pull seniority over someone.

"Older physically, yes, but I fear you are no more mature than I, Miss Tiva, if your free time is spent rifling through other peoples' diaries." Gaiana, just over half the height of Tiva, pushes her aside and takes the book from the desk. She quickly pops it open to where it was, then closes it again and puts it into her shoulder bag that she is almost never seen without. "I suppose I know what you came here for."

"Where did you take the Margrave?" demands Tiva, arms akimbo.

"You're accusing *me*? Do you even know how old I really am?" She watches as Tiva shakes her head. "I am only thirteen years old. I was not anywhere *close* to alive when Kaze Tirell was removed."

"There's that word again, 'removed.' What did you do, kidnap him? Is he still around somewhere?"

"You clearly don't understand what I'm telling you." She gets the book out again and opens it back to the same page. "None of this was my doing. These logs were kept by my predecessor."

"I don't care if you did it or if one of these...*agents*... did it for you! What happened to the Margrave?"

It suddenly dawns on Gaiana that Tiva might not understand the terminology of the book. She sighs deeply. "Before I tell you any of this, I want you sworn to secrecy. None of this leaves this cart. Do you understand?" Tiva nods, but does not break her piercing gaze. "When I say 'removed,' I mean that a Finder Agent removed Kaze Tirell from existence. There is no trace of Kaze Tirell on this mortal plane."

"He's...dead?"

"Really, I'm amazed you thought otherwise. How long has it been? Fifty years?"

"How did he die?"

"The removal order was carried out using one of these." Gaiana produces a small amulet. "This is the Holy Implement. This is the primary tool of the Finders."

"The...Finders?" Tiva has only heard this name once in her life, but forgets from where. "Who are they?"

"Finders believe in a certain balance to the world. For that balance to remain as it is, certain dangerous individuals may need to be removed. But a Finder must never reveal themselves to anyone, and a Removal order must occur without witnesses or traces."

Tiva swallows a lump in her throat. "Am...am I going to be removed now?"

"In the eyes of the Finders, you are harmless."

Somehow, Tiva finds this a bit disappointing. "How do you know so much about the Finders?"

"That is a long story, but it matters not. Let's take our leave of this cart. This will need to wait until later, I fear." Gaiana disappears out the nearest door with book in hand, leaving Tiva alone and confused.