The Pathfinders are just finishing up their meeting with Osprey and Eliza when Argor, Cladissa and the others come back. Eliza welcomes Volyanni and promises to include her in discussion of future plans. Then Osprey and Eliza retire for the night.
In the morning everyone gathers the Conference Room adjoining the kitchens for breakfast prepared by the staff. As they are eating one of the masked servants rushing in. "Captains! I was just checking on the guest room where Hestram's body was locked and the body is gone!"
”Maybe a bit of both,” Adrenia responds with a playful wink.
Cladissa tries to muster a smile back, but it ends up being rather pathetic. "I'm sorry. It's just that this day did not go how I was expecting. Some other time." She follows the naga inside and gets caught up on the discussions she missed after excusing herself. She actively avoids looking at Argor.
Nighttime wasn't much better. After a magical clensing thanks to Cole's ability, she tries to decide where to sleep. Hestram had ultimately died in her appointed room, and he died messily. The stink of his blood filled the chamber even after the servants made an attempt to clean it. Her scent receptors were just too keen. So she opted to sleep in the Lodge's rafters, weaving a cozy little hammock close to the ceiling. And as she had become accustomed to doing, she strings the entrances with gossamer-thin, nearly invisible strands of webbing to alert her if anyone enters.
Though her mind wants to work overtime and churn through everything that happened during the day, her body's physical exhaustion overrides it and she is fast asleep once she settles in.
==============
At the alert and news that Hestram's body is missing, Cladissa quickly heads in that direction and tests the air in the room for the scent of whoever absconded with the body.
Argor had a hard tim sleeping as well, his own mind in turmoil. Though, he did find enough focus to utilize Eliza’s private library to transcribe a new spell he intended to utilize.
With the dawn, he joins the others in observing the area his body had been kept.
Thrassk retires for the night after taking a bath, and in the morning he is up early to train in the Battle Room. At Breakfast he reacts with surprise to the news of the missing body, and follows the others into Hestram's former room.
"Did anyone else notice more changes from the ssserum sssince yesterday? I can sssuddenly sssmell....everything it ssseemsss like."
The room doesn't have any scents other than corpse and normal room scents.
Osprey and Eliza look around the room as well, but it appears whoever took the body was professional enough to not leave any traces.
"Well, this is annoying, but doesn't really change anything," Osprey comments.
"How can you be so calm?" Eliza asks him. "This whole Onyx Shadow Lodge business is infuriating."
"Getting all pissed isn't going to change the situation, Eliza. We need to act with wisdom."
"Easy for you to say," Eliza shoots back. Captain Petulengro crosses her arms over her chest and glares at the empty room for a few moments. "Well, I'm going to finish breakfast. There's no point in standing here." The venture captain makes good on her claim, walking back downstairs.
"We will keep an eye out for the body or more clues, but for now I think finishing breakfast would be best," Osprey says to the other Pathfinders.
Cladissa nods to Thrassk. "I've had that ability for a while thanks to the serum. It's a little overwhelming at first, but soon you won't know how you managed without it. It's like an eye that's been covered your whole life can finally see."
Her cheeks suddenly start turning a deep crimson. "But yeah, I had an incident last night. I-- my cognitive ability has been amplified once again, but thankfully without the searing pain like the last time my intellect was affected. I feel it augmented my ability to restore the spirit naga from her petrified state."
=====
Cladissa thinks about the disappearing body. "They would likely seek it out to do one of two things: to prevent us from learning information from it, or to restore him to life. I think we should try a combination of scrying and locate object."
Speaking of Volyanni, she wanders into the Great Room downstairs from outside, calling up to the balcony above. "Good morning!" She appears to have slept outside.
Cladissa nods to Thrassk. "I've had that ability for a while thanks to the serum. It's a little overwhelming at first, but soon you won't know how you managed without it. It's like an eye that's been covered your whole life can finally see."
Her cheeks suddenly start turning a deep crimson. "But yeah, I had an incident last night. I-- my cognitive ability has been amplified once again, but thankfully without the searing pain like the last time my intellect was affected. I feel it augmented my ability to restore the spirit naga from her petrified state."
=====
Cladissa thinks about the disappearing body. "They would likely seek it out to do one of two things: to prevent us from learning information from it, or to restore him to life. I think we should try a combination of scrying and locate object."
"Hngh. Ssso far I am not sssure I like it. There are many unpleasssant ssscentsss I was unaware of before." Thrassk leans over the rail. "Good morning, Volyanni."
Cladissa thinks about the disappearing body. "They would likely seek it out to do one of two things: to prevent us from learning information from it, or to restore him to life. I think we should try a combination of scrying and locate object."
Osprey replies, "Eliza is a diviner by training. Her and I will worry about finding the body while the rest of you stay focused on the mission of saving the remaining Decimvirate members."
”Agreed,” Argor replies. ”I’ll need the day to make some preparations. For everyone’s information, I can make certain enhancements permanent now. Namely, I can permanently bolster your size and strength, or I could make you slightly more resistant to magics, diseases, and poisons. You’ll need to purchase the diamond dust necessary, but Eliza it would seem has quite a large supply on hand. Thrassk, in response to your inquiry, my mind seems to have become even sharper.”
After a few more hours, Argor returns from the library, his eyes now glowing a vibrant blue.
"Hngh. Ssso far I am not sssure I like it. There are many unpleasssant ssscentsss I was unaware of before." Thrassk leans over the rail. "Good morning, Volyanni."
Cladissa's eyebrows raise. "Really? Huh. Well, try to give it time, since what used to be bad smells to me are now really interesting. There's so many scents that mingle together -- try parsing them out one at a time," she advises.
When Volyanni comes inside, she smiles in greeting. "Good morning! Will you be waiting for us to be ready to go to the Expanse, or are you going now?" she asks after hearing Argor was planning to take a day to prepare. Her stomach twists tightly the instant she thinks of him.
Volyanni does an odd serpentine movement that comes off as a shrug. "I have no idea how to get back there myself. We are in Galt, are we not? It seems I am very far from home. If your group finds a way through the Maze to the Expanse I would gladly accompany you back."
***
Within minutes everyone is gathered again at the breakfast table, except for Grommesson and Gianluca who seem to be sleeping in.
The Woodsedge Lodge’s meeting room is still undergoing repairs after the Red Raven’s assault. Ignoring the piles of rubble and collapsed wall, Eliza motions for everyone to have a seat. The red haired woman mutters an arcane incantation under her breath and gestures deliberately at the doors and windows, then sighs heavily, nods to herself, and looks up at you. "Just in case anyone tries to listen in."
As people begin eating, Eliza organizes her thoughts while eating a few bites of pastry and sipping strong black coffee. "As you obviously know, the very fabric of the Pathfinder Society is under attack. Though your efforts were instrumental in protecting this Lodge, our task is far from done. You are already intimately involved in this affair, so it falls to you to see it through. Secrecy is of the upmost importance in this regard, so rather than involve more people in this embarrassing debacle, we trust you to take care of everything. These are among the most momentous events in our organization’s long history, and our very survival depends on your success."
"What we ask of you now is even more dangerous than your previous involvement, but I trust that you will not let the Society down. I need you to return to the Maze of the Open Road and discover what you can about Adril's use of the portals within to further his devious plans. Go back to the Maze's medusa guardian, and gather from her any information you can on Hestram's recent comings and goings in the Maze. While we have a general idea of who his targets are, we don't yet know how or when he plans to assassinate them."
"Should you discover any hints as to the identity or location of his next target, do not delay in traveling there and ensuring his or her safety. May the gods be with you; if they don't favor your efforts, the Pathfinder Society is doomed.”
Argor nods. ”For certain. Assuming this Medusa in fact is present once more, we shall try to see if she is more amenable to diplomacy. However, we should wait for dawn on the morrow, as I have very important preparations to make which could give our endeavor a higher likelihood of success.”
Cladissa finds herself wishing furiously for her old fur, because she could feel the heat on her cheeks. She nervously twirls a lock of hair around her finger and can barely keep herself from pulling it over her face.
"I haven't yet perused the treasures of the Lodge, but I'm otherwise ready to go. And what I have undone for Volyanni, I can do to the medusa. In case it comes to that."
"Time is certainly of the essence. We have already delayed a night. It would be far better if you left immediately. Whoever is working with Hestram obviously knows that we are on to them," Osprey says.
"Osprey is right. Is whatever it is you want to do worth the life of a Decemvirate member?" Eliza agrees. "What preparations exactly?"
Argor sighs, ”Then give me a moment.”
He pulls four pouches of varying sizes from beneath his robes. He signals to the wait staff to clear his plates as he places his three spellbooks on the table where the flatware once was. He begins a series of incantations, with every other spell involving the opening of a pouch and siphoning the contents from within and weaving them into the magic. As the powdered substance exits the pouches, those gathered round see that they contained fairly large volumes of diamond dust.
For those so inclined in arcane arts, they can tell that Argor is making several effects permanent on himself. Firstly, he bolsters his magic defenses , and the final three all bolster his eyesight in differing ways . When all is said and done, he then begins channeling arcane power back into himself, as well as flipping through his spellbooks and altering his spell selections.
He then closes his books as he speaks. ”Those preparations, ma’am. In so doing, I am now down to 1 spell of fifth tier remaining for the entire day. I should be able to manage, but am far less of a threat than I could be.”
Cladissa nods and rushes off to the Lodge's vault and starts digging through the various treasures. She bypasses the racks of weapons and dummies showcasing a variety of armor and shields. Cole follows her and takes up a spot near the corner of the room, meowing.
Feeling pressed for time, Cladissa sifts through hastily, tossing things aside as they don't suit her abilities. "What do you think? Rings? These boots are nice; they'll keep me warm in the cold -- wait. Mwangi Expanse, so that's worthless. Ioun stones? What about one of them?"
Cole again meows insistently in his corner of the vault.
"What? You mean that broom? Yeah, it's dusty here, but we don't have time for-- wait, is that what I think it is?"
She moves over to the simple-looking broom propped in the corner and picks it up. "This has potential," she says with a smile and glint in her eye.
* * *
She rejoins the group by the time Argor has finished casting his spells, holding the broom in her hand proudly.
"Nicely done," Eliza comments with a bit of professional appreciation.
Osprey says, "I made due with one fifth tier spell for years. I'm sure you'll be fine."
"It may be that your investigations show that you have the time to rest and recover your spells. I do not know, but it's not something we'd willingly risk," Eliza says.
To Cladissa Osprey says, "The armory is well supplied if you are looking for something I'd check there before leaving."
"The armory is well supplied if you are looking for something I'd check there before leaving."
"I already did," Cladissa says, twirling the broom in her hand. "Don't tell me you've been using this gem as just a cleaning implement," she asks Eliza.
Turning it brush-side down, she sits gracefully side-saddle on it, and it lifts her straight in the air about ten feet off the ground. Cole meows and fades from sight, only to reappear on the bundle of bristles sitting proudly.
Argor smiles at Cladissa, ”That could prove quite useful.”
Cladissa smiles back. "Yeah, since I don't have wings anymore, this can get me... around..."
The novelty and distraction of the new magical object suddenly fades as she looks down and makes eye contact with Argor. She suddenly feels her cheeks heat up and she looks away quickly.
Argor begins tucking his books back into his robes. ”Well then, seeing as time is of the essence, let us make final preparations and head back to the Maze.”
Voice tight, she agrees. "Yes, let's go." She casts mage armor on herself, then steers her broom to carry her outside and into the courtyard, where she waits for the others at the entrance to the maze.
Argor makes a couple last minute preparations, bolstering his defenses further.
He then retrains those slots, refills his energy pool, and joins Cladissa outside, carrying a glass of water with him. ::Cladissa...::
Cladissa stiffens and sits up straight on the broom that has her floating a few feet off the ground. Cole meows once and her head snaps toward him. He eyes her languidly, then fades into a cat-shaped shadow and drifts off ahead into the maze.
Her mouth suddenly dry, she turns her head slowly toward Argor. "Yes?" she squeaks out.
”We need to talk,” Argor says, floating closer to her after setting the glass on a bench. ”About last night.”
He hovers near her, his hand resting idly on the broom near hers.
Feeling her heart begin to race again, she eyes his hand so close to hers for a moment. She then looks up to meet his eyes.
She forces a smile. "Yeah, last night. That certainly was something. The serum playing tricks with both of our heads... At least we came out of it okay, right? I mean, we're not crazy... are we?"
Her heart felt in her throat, about to burst through her chest. She had to give him this out, this way to pretend everything hadn't changed between them at a fundamental level. She smiles and lets out a thoroughly unconvincing laugh.
Argor looks downward, ”So...is that all it was then? For you, at least?” He then looks her in the eye, adding ”I know that, in that moment, my head hasn’t been clearer since I was remade.”
His hand dared to slide across the broom handle the few inches it took to rest atop hers.
Oh gods, this is real, Cladissa thinks. Argor's touch sends currents of electricity up her arm and through her core, finally settling in her head with a numbing tingle.
Just like last night, her thoughts became jumbled and slow. Though something in her screamed about it, she leaves her hand still beneath his touch.
"I-- I don't know what it was. I shouldn't feel this way. I mean, you shouldn't feel this way! We shouldn't be doing this!"
For the first time in his life, Argor gave a reply in as few words as possible.
”Why not?” he asks quietly as he floated closer towards her face...
Cladissa's breath catches. "Because... it makes... no... sense..." she breathes.
”Does it ever?” he asks, his voice almost a whisper. He traces a finger up along her arm as he adds, ”If it did, it wouldn’t be the topic of all the great bard-songs, sonnets, and poems. Sometimes, one must think with their heart, instead of with their mind,” he concludes as his hand slides across the front of Cladissa’s shoulder and up under her chin, lifting it slightly...
Just like before, her warring instincts play a massive tug-of-war between putting a stop to this and melting into another kiss.
She lets his hand draw her face up to his, and she looks deep into his eyes. "Tell me," she whispers. "Tell me how you feel."
”I love you. I always have,” Argor says as he pulls her in for another kiss...
Cladissa closes her eyes as their lips meet again. Her mind shuts down as her mouth opens slightly and the kiss reaches new heights of passion. A soft whimper issues from the back of her throat and a tear runs down her cheek.
Finally, after several minutes of bliss, she puts her hands on Argor's shoulders and ends the kiss. "I'm sorry. I've loved you, too. But I've spent most of the time we've known each other believing that you were incapable of love. I need to... adjust."
Cole mutters, "Get a room, y'all."
Adrenia flits about above them, hands clasped in front of her breast, grinning from ear to ear. "Have you no appreciation for love, Silvanshee?"
Thrassk wanders out of the Lodge a few moments later, walking over to Argor and Cladissa. "Sssmellsss like mating ssseassson out here. Ssstrange."
Grommesson follows behind the dragon man. The young half-orc seems to be overwhelmed by all the responsibility and excitement and has slipped in a sullen silence of late. He nods to the group and does a last check on his gear.
Walking in behind Thrassk and Grommesson, Gianluca gives a warm belly laugh. "Bravo, you two! It's always time for passion, of course...but when better than when about to embark on a dangerous mission?
"If you'll feel more free to let your passions blossom in a room of your own, we can easily oblige."
Cladissa sends a sharp message to her familiar, eyes blazing. ::Traitor!::
Then the others walk in on them and she is mortified. She buries her face in her hands and crosses her legs tightly, cursing her body's betrayal. When Gianluca speaks, she very nearly casts teleport right then and there -- only holding off when she realizes she only memorized it once and would therefore have no means of returning that day.
She wills her broom to fly a bit higher and turns her back to the onlookers. She could still feel their eyes on her, and her back twitches. Gianluca's exhortation about passion has the opposite effect and it fuels her embarrassment. Her spider legs extend out and grasp the wood of her broom as she spins it around to face them.
"Stop it! All of you! I'm not-- This isn't--" She turns her head to look at Argor, meeting his eyes. Her desperate urge to deny her strange and conflicted feelings dies on her tongue, realizing that whatever she says will be hurtful.
Instead she looks at Gianluca with despairing eyes. "Just... don't make a big deal out of this. Please."
Argor glares at Gianluca, one fist tightening around his staff, the other’s fingers reflexively twitching as if about to work a spell. He grits his teeth and holds back, but does not hold his tongue. ”It is not your place to provide commentary on our lives, Good Sir. Especially when it embarrasses one who has been nothing but kind to you...”
Cladissa looks dumbfounded. Argor had come to her defense with a stern rebuke of Gianluca. At first, it seemed wildly out of character. She couldn't help but think of the numerous times when he had left her twisting and writhing in embarrassment. But when she searches her memory, she recalls other times when he had stepped in to defend her. Her mother, her stepsister (a certain dinner notwithstanding), and more.
There had been that haughty, condescending manner that infuriated her so, but underneath that...
She shakes her head, desperately forcing those thoughts away.
"Um, we've got a mission, and a Pathfinder to save. Heck, we've got the Society hanging in the balance, so... later, right?" she begs the group.
Thrassk chuckles, an odd rapid chuffing sound, reminiscent of some scaly swamp beast. "Indeed! Onward brave companionsss!"
Thrassk uses a wand on himself before leading the way into the maze.
The group has little trouble traversing the Maze of the Open Road; the high hedge’s twists and turns are familiar to them after their previous foray into its passages. After a brief walk the group finds themselves back in Condria's ruined courtyard. The medusa's body is not where they left it.
None of the statues animate as the group slowly makes their way into the ruins. Once they enter the central courtyard, they see a narrow set of thin stairs leading some twenty feet up to the surface of a large raised platform just off the main causeway to their left. The white marble structure bears significantly less damage than most of the other buildings in the courtyard. Dozens of humanoid statues crowd the open space around the foot of the stairs. Atop the stairs stands Condria. She has laid down her weapons, and stands holding her hands out with her gaze averted from the Pathfinders in a clear posture of peace.
::Hello. I have been waiting for you.:: the Pathfinders hear her sibilant voice in their minds.
::I suppose we should be flattered,:: Cladissa thinks back at her, entirely used to hearing someone else's thoughts. ::Shall we parlay? We have need of this maze and must make haste. What is it you want from us?::
::I want nothing. What good would it do anyone for me to die at your handss again? You have proven yoursselves my betterss, and I would rather not ssuffer another pointless death. What do you want with the Maze?::