Diffraction

In Retrospect

From a personal letter attached to the first-draft Conclave investigation into events at Nath Gaurephalin. The report itself has been misplaced.

After the incident at the Tower, the Conclave conducted an inquiry and demanded explanations. At your direction, I followed the subject's trail and compiled eyewitness accounts into this report. I confess, the results are unsettling given the subject's current assignment. I've listed the major complications I found in collecting information—an issue I believe is telling in itself.

Of the presumed first demonstration of the subject's power, witness descriptions differ on several critical details. Yet at the mention of that moment, each gave nonverbal cues indicative of abject fear.

I encountered significant difficulty procuring objective accounts from within the City prior to the subject's exposure to public attention and approval. Recollections from that point on should be presumed biased by a halo effect.

One notable exception follows. Most members of the Order of the Golden Sun refused to comment—unsurprising given their assumption of corruption at all levels of City governance. After extensive effort, I secured testimony from one who spoke positively of the subject's deeds—but only on condition of anonymity, for fear of expulsion from the Order.

Confusion remains unresolved concerning this subject's vocation. Leadership in the City had positive comments. I understand this creates a stark contrast with my first report.

Accounts from the City revealed an unexpected concern for life when contrasted with reports of the battle. Your own description of the subject's actions in combat flies in the face of the kind comments of Aulivar's citizens. I initially dismissed these conflicting details. However, multiple individuals confirmed this aspect of the subject's character.

With respect, given this is an internal report, one discrepancy caught my attention. Several unconfirmed and contradictory accounts exist regarding the subject's admission.

Complicating matters is the fact that the eyewitness most likely to provide an accurate description of the process is unavailable for comment.

Therefore I attempted to secure an interview with your student. Whether by his intention or inaction I cannot say, but all my efforts proved unfruitful. Perhaps this is for the best, as his account must surely be biased in favor of his ally.

In the course of that effort, I spoke with the owner of the Sunlit Refuge. His comments reflected well upon the subject—surprising considering what occurred during their stay.

The statements from the inn's guests were far less complimentary.

The Bloodhound's arrival complicated matters. Few outside the Conclave have any inclination of his activities. Your insight into his affairs is probably better than what this report can hope to provide.

Of utmost concern to my effort: Is his interest related to the Rebellion, and thus the Sunguards' efforts to oppose it? Or is his interest in the subject and her role in these events?

I am not able to confirm either way. But I suspect his goals go far beyond a simple rescue effort.

From the start of his involvement, facts grow obscure and my investigation falters. No reliable, unbiased account exists for the rescue operation or what followed.

One wonders if Tenegar's hound did not encourage or push the subject toward her fateful decision in the Conclave.

Finally, I ignored the subject's supposed testimony upon arrest and imprisonment. The fanciful tales relayed by the jailers depict one whose grasp of reality is tenuous at best. This description does not match the subject's demonstrated competence, as you well know.

I hope you can see by the above that I pursued every lead with all due diligence. Yet despite all that effort, the sum of collected information is still far too little. But every bit helps.

With that in mind, I shall now lay out what we know...