The party, minus Sharla, are escorted to the Viskhan police station, where they are interrogated by Lieutenant Hadia. Since Hadia knows the party and is aware of their current mission, she is much more understanding and accomodating than the guards who captured them. She lets them go, but warns them that she might not be able to smooth things over for them next time. While this is happening, Sharla exits the burned-down building, taking the map that she found with her, and makes her way to the Temple of Kib, hoping that the party will eventually rejoin her.
The party decide that the situation with the cultists is serious enough that they need to communicate this new information to Ayal, and possibly to the Vizier himself. When they arrive at the palace gate, the guard initially doesn't let them in, but Zedlyn manages to intimidate his way past the guard, and they head inside to speak with Ayal.
Ayal is very unhappy with the party, since the kind of chaos they've just caused is exactly what he asked them to avoid. But as they explain the situation to him, he slowly begins to agree with them that this situation with the demon cultists and the dreams is very serious and should be brought directly to the Vizier's attention. He interrogates them thoroughly so that he can pass on their knowledge as completely as possible to the Vizier, and provides them with a sealed note that explains that they are working by the Vizier's orders, which should help them if they get into trouble with the guards again.
While speaking with Ayal, he tells them that he did manage to get in contact with the Mages' College and secure access for the group, so once Ayal heads out to speak with the Vizier, the party head for the college. Since it's getting late in the day, Adokas heads out to his meeting spot where he hopes to meet other worshippers of Theia, leaving Arik, Iriellis, Zedlyn, and Flossaria going the college.
At the college gates, they ask for the battlemage who they spoke with previously, whose name turns out to be Jakaril. Jakaril tells them that he did pass their request onto the rest of the mages, and one mage in particular, a man named Varanac, has apparently discovered something of interest. Flossaria and Arik go to speak with him, while Iriellis and Zedlyn ask around to see if any of the mages can help them track down the source of the dreams.
Upon meeting him, Varanac tells Arik and Flossaria that he did, in fact, find a spell to prevent dreams. He found it in the spellbook of a minor mage who lived about a century ago, who apparently suffered from recurring nightmares and created the spell in order to use on himself. The mage's journal contains a vague description of the nightmares, but they don't seem particularly similar to the dreams that Flossaria and P'hla have been having. Still, the spell should prevent the dreams.
Flossaria asks Varanac to cast the spell immediately, but he doesn't have it prepared. Instead, they agree that he will prepare it first thing the next morning, and come to the Temple of Mung to cast it on her. This means that Flossaria will need to stay awake for a third night in a row in order to avoid the dreams.
Meanwhile, Zedlyn and Iriellis are eventually directed towards Miriel, the most senior diviner at the Mages' College. Miriel, a tiefling woman, tells them that she knows a spell that can determine who is viewing someone's dreams, and another spell that can track down whoever it is. However, neither spell will come cheap - she asks for 400 gold pieces for each spell, and warns them that they aren't 100% effective. If the individual responsible has put up protections against scrying, she way not be able to pierce them. Zedlyn and Iriellis consider the offer, but aren't able to decide if the spells are worth the price.
Once again, no one has come to Adokas' meeting spot, so he leaves and rejoins the rest of the group at the Mages' College. He arrives just as they're leaving, so he rejoins them on their way out. He goes with Arik and Flossaria to the Temple of Mung, where they plan to spend the night trying to keep Flossaria from falling asleep. Zedlyn and Iriellis head to an inn; the Temple of Kib is on the way, so they pass by and check for Sharla. She's still there, so they explain everything that's happened to her, then all three of them continue to the inn to rest for the night.
At the Temple of Mung, Flossaria is having serious trouble staying awake, despite Adokas' constant efforts. Finally, a few hours into the night, she succumbs to her exhaustion and briefly falls asleep. Immediately, she find herself floating in a black void, while the voice from before booms around her. It explains that, since she has neglected to choose a side, it will choose for her. The voice invades her mind and crushes her will; a few seconds later, she awakes, but with the presence in control of her body.
From Adokas' perspective, Flossaria only closed her eyes for a few seconds, but when she requests to step outside, he is immediately suspicious that whatever happened to P'hla is now happening to Flossaria. He refuses to let her out, and goes to wake Arik and decide what to do. The two adventurers come up with a plan. Arik steps out, claiming to needs to relieve himself, but in reality going to speak with the priest on duty and asking him to cast a spell to detect evil. The priest does so, then enters the room, claiming to be merely checking up on the group. The result of the spell is this: Flossaria is strongly radiating evil.
Now certain that something is compelling Flossaria to leave, like P'hla did, Adokas sneak attacks her with a stunning blow, knocking her out long enough for himself, Arik, and the priest to tie her and gag her. While Arik and the priest keep watch, Adokas heads for the inn to gather the rest of the party and decide what to do.
When the rest of the party arrive, they discuss the matter and decide to take Flossaria to the Mages' College, hoping that someone there can help her. They put together a makeshift stretcher for her and carry her to the college.
Arriving at the college gates in the middle of the night, they are surprised to learn that there is a letter waiting for them - apparently, the Vizier sent a messenger with an urgent missive to their last known location, the college. The party read the message, which explains that the Vizier is greatly concerned by the situation, and would like to speak with the party in person, immediately. They decide to send Iriellis and Zedlyn to speak with him, while the rest of the party stay with Flossaria.
Arriving at the palace gates, this time Iriellis and Zedlyn present the letter from the Vizier and are admitted immediately. Rather than the outbuilding they visited before, this time they are led directly to the palace, through the main hall, and into the throne room. There, they meet Lord Jaleer, the Vizier of Viskha, who is seated on a smaller throne set in front of the absent Queen Ilthai's throne. Jaleer is surrounded by a dozen or so of his elite honour guard.
The Vizier confirms the contents of his message, explaining that he would like to personally oversee the investigation into this demonic cult. When Iriellis and Zedlyn explain the current situation with Flossaria, he decides to personally look into it. He commands his steward to fetch his horse, the guards' horses, and horses for Iriellis and Zedlyn as well, and they all ride back to the College of Mages.
At the college, the Vizier and his party are immediately admitted, and brought to a central chamber when Flossaria has been brought. Jaleer orders the mages out of the room so that he may speak with the party in private, and as the mages depart, his guards take up positions around the room.
Once the mages are gone, the Vizier turns to face the party, and immediately declares them under arrest for "murder, demonology, and conspiracy against the city of Viskha". The adventurers, surrounded by a dozen of the city's finest warriors, have no choice but to surrender.
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