Ferrsisiaris, or apparently Ferrsi to those she felt comfortable with and in private, brought Velma a drink of water and stood, pacing in the soft sand in front of Velma.<strong>"I think you're right.  I know of your 'condition' and while it's a little different then the shifters who live in our town, it could easily be mistaken as such by those who do not understand the differences between the shifter people and the lycantrhopy that you have."</strong><br/><br/>She paused and nodded once,<strong>"Of course the office of the protectorate knows about it, as I'm sure most of the people that are important in this town, even if they only know the basics.  I admit that I find it intriguing and would love to know more about it at some point.  But as to the Cabal, I am not surprised.  I know not what their connection might be, but am not surprised that their greasy fingers are on this somehow.  The paladin who was killed was a good man.  He went by the name Onyx, not his given birth name of course, but one he chose.  Onyx was a good paladin and quiet, but loyal.  I can't imagine what he was doing in that warehouse, but I do not trust the Laelith Defenders to investigate this matter to my own personal satisfaction.  Even more so now that you tell me that the Cabal is somehow involved.  The Cabal are outwardly nothing more than a group of citizens who want to make the best out of the opportunities that Laelith has, but I know that there is more to them, I sense it.  They move and plot behind closed doors and their ranks and members are unknown, save a very visible few who present clean images.  I do not accuse anyone in the Defenders of being in the Cabal, but certainly that group could influence those who are investigating if they desired."</strong><br/><br/>She sighed and squatted down, tracing a finger through the sand as she seemed lost in thought for a moment.<strong>"It would not be right of me to ask you to continue to investigate this, but I find myself at a loss for anything else to do.  I don't know who to trust outside of the Protectorate, and your family has a sterling and shining reputation, one I trust, and one that leads me to trust you.  But it is dangerous, that much is certain, and I would fear that it might turn the eyes of enemies on you or your family.  I can not live with such a thought."</strong><br/><br/>She stood up and smiled, a broad toothy grin,<strong>"Thank you for your service Velma, how may I reward you?  Coin, a meeting with the Lord Protector, maybe a favor of influence in the future?"</strong>