"Ah, Maako.  Why, yes, I believe you can help," was all the High-Reeve said when introduced to the creature who continually made the city watch the laughingstock of Danelagh.  The thorn in many a side it must be said, but the creature's almost mythical reputation surely preceded it, and although it would warrant some extra supervision, Eirik imagined the Great Raven was willing to take that risk.  Whatever the man's reputation, Eirik didn't think Maako was cavalier enough to stroll into a meeting of assembled crime fighters, pretending to be interested in assisting, only as some sort of elaborate ruse to inveigle them into working for his own means.  No, much more likely he would simply have avoided them all as he had avoided the city guard lo these many years, if his interests weren't actually aligned with their own.<span style="font-style: italic">Why</span>the professional criminal was interested in helping, however... that remained to be seen.<br/><br/>As the last of the introductions were made Craw gestured to two of the Tiberians beside him, who gathered a large chest from the floor beside the commander and hefted it to the table.  A simple non-locking latch was lifted and the top of the chest swung open.  The two men reached inside and gathered an armful of something or other that Eirik couldn't immediately identify, then they began to make their way around the table, handing the items to each member of the newly designated order.  As the items were handed out, Craw spoke to them all.<br/><br/>"Your sigils, ladies and gentlemen.  They bear the insignia of our order, acting as proof of your authority in the name of the Eorls of Saxia.  Keep them on you at all times," the Great Raven continued on as Eirik was handed his sigil.  He turned it over in his hands, examining it.  A square of newly-tanned leather, black as night and softer than a first kiss, roughly the dimensions of his hands when held in prayer, with a crease worked down the middle to keep it folded like a book.  Eirik flicked it open, and noted that on the right side of the inner fold an emblem had been stitched into the leather - a heraldric symbol of a golden crown wreathed 'round a red falcon, with two black lions rearing on either side.  A script of Saxian runes in the jewels of the crown claimed "<span style="font-style: italic">Fear the Reckoning of Those You Have Wronged.</span>"  A fitting motto, Eirik decided approvingly.<br/><br/>The other side of the inner fold was plain leather save for a small pocket that upon examination was revealed to hold a stiff black feather nearly the length of the sigil.  Curious, Eirik removed the feather and held it out before him, twirling it lightly in his fingers.  Craw continued to speak, "Along with the emblem of authority your sigil also bears a<span style="font-style: italic">convocant</span>, which will allow you to communicate with your fellow brothers and sisters wherever they are, like so," he explained before plucking the feather from Eirik's hands, and breaking it in half with a small snap.  A puff of quickly-dissipating black smoke flashed from the feather, and once cleared it revealed a small black raven perched on the table, staring at Craw with its avian intensity.<br/><br/>"You then speak your message to the<span style="font-style: italic">convocant</span>, for instance... tell Craw Maghar 'testing, testing,' and then<span style="font-style: italic">poof!</span>, your message will be delivered."  Right on cue the raven disappeared with another puff of acrid smoke, leaving in its place the black feather whole once more, fluttering toward the ground.  Eirik grasped for it twice before snatching it in midair on his third attempt, then secured it in its place in his sigil once more.  The room was silent for a moment or so, with Craw idly plucking at his own feathers while waiting, seemingly oblivious to the awkward pause in his presentation.  After maybe ten seconds or so of disappearance the raven puffed back into the room with a burst of smoke and feathers.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-style: italic">Testing, testing!</span>" it cawed loudly before disappearing for the final time.  Craw nodded approvingly.  "Anywhere in the city the<span style="font-style: italic">convocant </span>will find its intended recipient or recipients - members of the order only of course - and deliver your message in mere moments.  Questions?"<br/><br/>Craw would field any questions the others might have about the sigil or convocant feather, or any other thoughts that they might want answered.  When this was done, Craw cleared his throat with a loud squawk before addressing the group once more.  "Very good, everyone - I thank you all for coming.  Sergeant Steffensen, take them through it," the Great Raven returned to his specialized stool, while Eirik stood and moved to the front of the table.<br/><br/>"Okey lads, here we are - our first case.  Save your questions until the end.  Case#01," the Saxian held a file up for all to see, before pinning it onto the large map of Danelagh.  "The death of one Margotte Jensby, wife to Karl Jensby.  She was found in her bed yesterday morning, pinned to the mattress with a spear through the belly.  Ill Papa, I don't think your medical expertise will be needed determining the cause of death..." he said with a small grin despite the gruesome detail of the murder.  "Karl's whereabouts unknown, but his tything-man can be found in the Cuttlefish."<br/><br/>In Danelagh there operated what was known as the frith-borh, or peace-pledge, whereby every family in the city belonged to a given community of a couple dozen or so households, which could be held collectively responsible for producing a man attempting to flee justice.  Each such community, or<span style="font-style: italic">tything</span>, could be harshly fined and even punished if unable to adequately assist in a wanted man's apprehension.  In the case of the Jensby household the tything-man was one Holger Adalwolf, a man known for his hard head and harder fists, who led a small band of thugs that operated out of a lowside tavern, the Cuttlefish.<br/><br/><br/>"Sara and Ashmedai - I want Karl found and brought in for questioning.  Soft hands if possible, but bring him in regardless."<br/><br/>"Adien, Ruavia, Maako, I want you to secure Adalwolf's cooperation.  Take a couple legionaries with you if needed."  They would hopefully be able to deal with Holger without resorting to violence, which would be preferable, but Eirik wanted to make sure Universus was seen to have some bite behind its bark, which meant the good priest, the Alkhev and the reformed criminal might have to knock around a few of the thicker skulls out in the streets.<br/><br/>"Graelle and Valyn, you two are with me.  We'll hit the Jensby household and surrounding area for anything that might tell us the story.  Right, questions?  Did I miss anything?"<br/><br/>The commander shifted in his seat before clearing his throat with a forceful caw.  "Remember, while our explicit task<span style="font-style: italic">is </span>to bring criminals to justice, first and foremost our responsibility is to protect the people of this city.  Do what you have to in order to find Margotte Jensby's murderer, but don't lose sight of this fact.  Tread too heavily on these people and you will find them turning against us before you know it.  Help them, work with them, and you'll secure their assistance."