Owl-clasp spymaster

The owl-clasp spymaster is a very old official of the Sürgün Günlükleri ("Exile Chronicles") campaign, wrapped in a purple cloak fastened with an owl clasp, who is described as the spymaster of The Empire; his name is not given. Kemp Corvus, Sarah and Ephorus were taken to meet him in an upper room of another building; when the door closed, the appearance of someone in the room dissolved to reveal a human.^{1 2}

The operation

He told the companions that his people had long followed their deeds through trusted agents, and that they were one of some ten or twelve teams who had fought spirits and devils, chosen for the last stage of the late ruler's holy campaign. He laid out the Imperial operation against the drow cities: the Spider Queen necklace had been used to draw the drow up without the dwarves' knowledge, agents raised on the surface waited below, and the ruling houses of four drow cities were to fall in one night. He held that striking over the dwarves' heads would be redeemed by victory.^{3 4 5 6}

During the meeting an old man with long hair tied behind him, whose death had been spread abroad, brought in tea; the spymaster said the news of his death had been put about for his safety.⁷

He told them that the matron they would face had once killed a friend of his, and asked that, as she died, someone whisper in her ear a reminder of the danger of thoughtless bargains. It was afterwards said that this matron had killed the old emperor, and that the operation was meant to finish his campaign.^{8 2}

After the strike

When the company came back, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen; there would be no proclamation. One of the companions went with him into the palace, where in a bedchamber a blond man who looked to be in his late thirties was taken from his bed; after talk of his house's loyalty and the ruler's consent, the companion killed him with a conjured knife. The spymaster then handed over a list of other names linked to the rebellion, whose quiet removal would be the entrance test of his small service, and gave six months to settle personal affairs first. If the companion did not want that road, he said, he could make him wake having forgotten everything, and no lord; the companion accepted.^{9 10 11 12}

Spoiler: ReleaseRevealSpoils: Sürgün Günlükleri #50 · Say what you have read

After the fall of The Puppeteer, the old intelligence officer told the companions that because of the resistance they had shown together, he would lift the work and ties he had laid on them, and would call on them again if needed. They were told afterwards that they were no longer bound to their lands and duties, and could travel together and help the Empire in times of great danger.^{13 14}