19 Rova, 625
To: His Excellency, Mayor Melist Chen
Four mercenaries have been arrested in connection to a recent trio of murders. The victims were of low prospects and reputation but were Tang clansmen. Per your direction we made the case our top priority. I hope you will be pleased to know that the Office of the Constabulary acted efficiently and decisively, and the accused were apprehended less than a day after the incident.
According to witnesses, the murders took place in a boardinghouse on the 18th. Violence erupted between the mercenaries and the clansmen in the common area of the house, but we are still investigating what caused the mercenaries to become so vicious. There is a possibility that a woman was involved somehow. Regardless, several witnesses gave matching versions of the incident; the Tang were destroyed primarily with fire magic, which caused extensive damage to the building (the proprietor, one Mina Herbleaf, has registered her complaint via the proper channels). After the deed was done, the perpetrators then proceeded to scavenge the corpses of their victims, ignoring the flames that were damaging the building. Some witnesses say they did finally help extinguish the flames before fleeing.
I assembled a detail of deputies this morning and sought out the perpetrators. When we found them they insistently proclaimed their innocence and refused to surrender themselves. Some force had to be used to tame their violent natures but we performed admirably and none of our men were hurt. They attempted to turn the crowd of onlookers against us, but the citizenry remained lawful and did not interfere. They also claimed to be employed by your office, stating they had been hired by Advisor Wu. I then met with the Advisor, and while he acknowledged they had previously completed a minor task for him he said it was preposterous to claim such villainous behavior could be associated with him. I apologized to him profusely for any perceived insult and thanked him for his time. The accused are currently in the cells awaiting a hearing.
It is unclear if, or how, these murders are related to the fourth Tang nobleman who was also recently killed. It is also unknown if these could be the same criminals who murdered the three vagrants in the back alleys last week. Our current belief is that it’s unlikely; no fire was used in the other murders and the other victims had bludgeoning injuries. We took blades from this group or perpetrators. However, if they are involved with any of the other crimes I will personally see to it they do not escape justice.
Glory to the Eternal Reign of Han!
Respectfully Submitted,
Chief Constable Cregor Riverman III