"Most of the Glassworks' employees live on-site," Zache mutters, running the hem of a scarf through his fingers, deep in thought. "I don't know much about the glass-making process, but it's long and complicated. People will likely be working there at any given time. If it's poking around you want, it will be difficult at best."
He sighs, working at a silver coin sewn into the hem, a Korvosan sail with a hole through the middle. "A nobleman implicit in a raid, goblin tribes collaborating... But what's happening? And why now?"
"But what would anyone here have to gain if goblins overran the town?" That's what I don't get."
"Well, the goblins.." Roakkad says evenly, working through his chain of thought. "Perhaps they desire this coast for their own settlement? They have sought help and now terrorize the village. They are expanding their territory. Better hunting, easier trading. It is a good place for a village, human or goblin."
"But, Shalelu will know more of this after her exploration. It appears our only lead now is Longjiku." An uncharacteristically sly look comes over Roakkad. "What about his home?"
"No. No. No! You can't be serious? It's bad enough I slugged him and now you're all accusing him of being complicit in the raid? What's going to happen if people start talking about it, and it gets to Lonjiku that it was Kaede that first posed the possibility? There'd be a riot by noon," Tera says, half-hysterical from the lack of sleep and the bubbling terror of what could happen.
"Please, I've done enough damage. Don't go making it worse," the wizard begs, "don't repeat my mistake!"
Kaede sighs as Tera almost breaks down. "The only person that's heard this that's not in this room right now is Father Zantus, who I'm sure wouldn't spread it. I don't intend to spread it either. If I did, it would just look like I'm stooping to his level, and I'm not doing that. As much as I'd like to, I'm not planning on acting on these.... insights. Besides, from where I see it, there are only three places that will have useful information regarding it: The Kaijutsu estate, the Glassworks, and wherever the goblins are holing up and 'planning'. I'd be arrested if I tried for the first two, and Shalelu says she's checking out the third. So, I wait to see what she finds, and play nice with my ear to the grapevine in the mean time."
Rickon opens the door to the cramped meeting room. For a moment he seems shocked, but it quickly turns to relief. "I was told not to rush you," he announces, "but I'm supposed to let you know that lunch is ready whenever you all arrive..." Realizing that he has, perhaps, been too straightforward he looks sheepishly at his feet for a moment before quietly slinking away.
"Well," Shalelu says with a chuckle, "I guess that's my cue to head out."
Kaelaah, unsure as to what all of this will mean for the friends, can do little more than wish Shalelu good fortune...
Kaede nods to the elven ranger. "Travel quickly and be safe, Shalelu. May we see you again with good news."
"Belor has two under-sheriff's who will run things in his absence," Shalelu explains, "but if there's something you need to report before he returns, just go to the barracks and report it to the sergeant on duty."
With no more questions, the elven huntress bids you all a fond farewell and heads out, leaving you to gather for lunch.
Tera calms down, but seems even more tired.
"I'm sorry," she says softly, "I... I am just really tired, and worried."
After the very trying events of Tera's arrest and punishment things settle back into a comforting normalcy. The daily routine of prayer and worship, learning and training, chores and corporate meals has an undeniable rhythm that somehow softens the anxiety brought on by Shalelu's news and the distrust of Lonjiku.
Morning prayer passes uneventfully again on the third day and at breakfast people seem to be getting back to their usual selves. Brother Faustwick, who has been skipping meal times, even joins everyone briefly. As the marked are heading across the courtyard toward their chambers after eating, however, a middle-aged halfling they recognize as Bethana Corwin (the maid at the Rusty Dragon) comes running towards them in tears. "Please, I need..." she calls out before realizing how many other people are about. She waits until she's very close and continues quietly, "Please, I need your help. Ameiko is missing. She didn't make breakfast this morning and when I checked her bed it was still made with yesterday's linens. Then..." her sobbing grows worse and she has to pause for a moment before she can continue, "Then I found this." She holds out a letter where everyone can see it, but mostly towards Kaede; it looks to be written in Minkaian...
I hope this letter finds you well, and with some free time on your hands, because we’ve got something of a problem. It’s to do with father. Seems that he might have had something to do with Sandpoint’s recent troubles with the goblins, and I didn’t want to bring the matter to the authorities because we both know he’d just weasel his way out of it. You’ve got some pull here in town, though. If you can meet me at the Glassworks at midnight tonight, maybe we can figure out how to make sure he faces the punishment he deserves. Knock twice and then three times more and then once more at the delivery entrance and I’ll let you in.
In any case, I don’t have to impress upon you the delicate nature of this request. If news got out, you know these local rubes would assume that you and I were in on the whole thing too, don’t you? They’ve got no honor at all around these parts. I still don’t understand how you can stand to stay here.
Anyway, don’t tell anyone about this. There are other complications as well, ones I’d rather talk to you in person about tonight. Don’t be late.
Tsuto
When Kaelaah finally gets the opportunity to spend some time reading the meagre texts available on the goblin folk and muses the section about their pyromaniac tendencies, he smiles to himself wryly, ...if you enjoy fire then you're going to love me...' ...but in truth, there was little in the library that he hadn't already heard about from his time on the roads.
The peace sweeping over the cathedral was, of course, short-lived and the Shoanti is barely surprised when the halfling from the Rusty Dragon comes seeking help... unable to read the strange text on the parchment, Kaelaah waits for Kaede to cast a little light on the situation.
Reading the note sets her mind all awhirl. This is exactly the information that she wished to find in the past several days. However, the first thing out of her mouth is the one that may clarify how this note ties into what's happening. "Who is Tsuto? I'm unfamiliar with this man. He claims family ties, but I've never heard Ameiko talk of him."
Without waiting for a response, she continues. "In any case, This Tsuto says that Lonjiku had something to do with the goblin problems. He thinks that Lonjiku is too slippery normally to make the charges stick, however. So, he wanted to meet with Ameiko, so that they can make sure that the charges stick. They were going to meet at the Glassworks last night. I don't think Tsuto cares for the locals either, though. He refers to them as 'rubes' and claims they're honorless."
"So, How do we handle this, guys? I'm in favor of a more direct approach myself."
"Tsuto!" Roakkad hisses in excitement. "I have been hearing whispers of this name. He was born of the now-dead Lady Kaijutsu, but he is part elf. This brought shame to Lonjiku and he does not favor the young man. There is a dark history there that speaks of darker deeds. Only a few years ago, the Lady Kaijitsu fell to her death from the cliffs beside their estate. Tsuto left the village not long after."
Roakkad grows even more excited as Kaede reads the letter. "Aha! I knew this to be true. Lonjiku must be helping the goblins. But why? And where is Ameiko now?? I agree with Kaede. We should visit the Glassworks immediately."
"But you'll help " Bethana asks hopefully through her tears. "You'll go there and figure out what happened to Ameiko?"
Kaede smiles at Bethany like their assistance was never in doubt. "It's Ameiko. Of course, I'll help her, that's not even a question. I think the greater question is how to get in. Can anyone pick locks or know of a back entrance into the building? I'd much prefer a quiet entry. Perhaps you have a spell to open locks even?"
"I fear I know little about keys and locks," Roakkad says, losing a little light in his eyes. "But Ameiko is well-known. It is very...ordinary that someone might be asking after her. Perhaps one of us who was not directly involved in the incident at The Dragon, myself or Zache, could be seen approaching the building?"
"So, we'd need to come in from the docks. But that brings us back to the locks. I'd prefer not to have to break the door open. " Kaede continues the planning, while her head spins with mentally gathering her gear for this rescue.
"I could probably climb it, but my upbringing wasn't quite disreputable enough that I had to learn how to pick locks," Zache sighs, before glancing up in surprise at himself. "Say, is there anyone who might have a key?"
"I suppose, if we were lucky, maybe the door might be unlocked already?", Kaelaah's tone is more hopeful than anything, "...otherwise, if none of us have experience of opening locked doors, we might have to force our way in - and I don't think that is a sensible idea given our current standing in the town"
...he doesn't mean to but when he refers to the standing of the Marked in the town he flicks a look towards Sister Tera.
"We could also observe from a distance before attempting to enter. Or....we could just knock."
Bethana wipes her eyes and loudly snorts up that which threatens to leak from her nose. "I... well... that is, sometimes people forget keys in their rooms..." she offers meekly, "or just leaves with 'em... and I... well, I might be able to open a door for you...since Ameiko could be in trouble!"
"We can't wait," Kaede frantically pleas. "If Ameiko is in trouble, then she's already been in there for several hours. If we wait until nightfall, that adds another half-day to the delay in whatever's happening. I'm not the sneakiest person, but we need to respond swiftly."
"Yes, Kaede is right. There's no time to be lost. Bethana," he says cordially, almost deferentially, "You do not need to be involved. Directly. If there is a key, simply entrust it to us. We shall return it, or at least forget where we found it."
Bethana blushes and looks down at her feet. "I don't have a key," she confesses, "I... I meant sometimes I... pick locks at the Dragon when people check out with their doors locked. I wouldn't say nothing normally, 'specially not to a bunch of priests, but Ameiko never would have left breakfast unmade unless she was in real trouble..."
"Ah, I understand now.". . "Well, it is a great burden to ask of you. But if you are willing...We should go now."
Kaelaah stands tall next to his Shoanti friend, he knows little of Ameiko but, if his fellow marked believed that urgent action was needed then he was not about to argue. He nods, "Brother Roakkad speaks the truth... We should make haste".
"I have to get something from the Dragon," Bethana says seeming more hopeful, "you all go grab whatever equipment you need, but take your time... I'll leave the back service door unlocked for you." Without waiting for a response the middle aged halfling runs off as fast as her little legs will carry her.
Tera just nods and heads to her room to grab her spell book. She had a feeling that she was going to need to swap out some spells if things went badly.
Roakkad flies down the hall and into his room. He hurries to his writing desk, shuffling through parchments sending quills, powders, and ink bottles clattering to the floor. It makes no difference. He will need all his resources if Ameiko is in trouble. If Lonjiku...
"Yes yes, you are coming too," he says to Tsharat after she squawks questioningly. "I could not leave you behind. After all, we are about to be heroes."
He curls his scrolls, there's the one with the boar illustration, and shoves them into his scroll cases before wrapping them over his shoulders. Staff in hand, hawk on shoulder, he draws his oversized hood and sets out to find his friends.
Kaede nods with a smile on her face as she escapes back to her cell. With a practiced hand, she pulls her lamellar armor on before looking at her clothes.
If I just go with this, people will get curious or suspicious. I think I have a slightly larger robe that will be enough of a cover. Since I always have my partner with me, that won't be as suspicious, but with this town, you never know.....
Quickly, she slides on the robe, replacing her glaive harness as she does her best to look presentable. As she's about to step out of her room, she pauses and grabs the backpack with her supplies from the boar hunt.
You never know when something I have in here would come in handy.
And with that, she goes to leave the cathedral and head for the Glassworks, via the docks.
Long strides and surprisingly light footsteps propel Kaelaah across the square in front of the cathedral. Seeing Brother Roakkad ahead, the Shoanti quickens his pace...
...dressed entirlely in white, Kaelaah falls in step with his 'brother' - acknowledging Roakkad with a nod, "The sun shines brightly today,Brother..." - a platitude? an observation? or, from the sun-devoted acolyte, something more?
It takes some time for Zache to be talked out of his usual assortment of scarves, belts, and various jingling accoutrements, but he eventually relents, downsizing his accessories and dressing in his plainest-coloured tunic (which is still a shade of green too bright to be called 'olive'). By the time he meets up with the others again, ready to set off, he's already thinking of rhymes for 'glass'.
When the marked gather at the rear entrance to the Glassworks, it appears that Bethana has made good on her offer. The door stands a half inch open. Peering inside there is an empty halway which runs straight ahead to a door that leads into the showroom before curving to the left out of view. Just ten feet in to that hallway there is a mostly shut double door on the left side that almost certainly leads into the production floor.
"Look, there! Listen..." Roakkad whispers. "There is smoke rising from the chimneys. The furnace is at work."
"I do not think we should separate ourselves. There is strength in numbers, and those who stray from the flock single themselves out for the wolves."
"I agree, so would you say we're more bunnies or pheasants," Tera whispers back as she follows close to the others.