Kaelaah had never travelled north of Sandpoint, even in his earlier years with his adopted parents the route was always between Magnimar and Sandpoint... and so, he had little idea that it was going to be a relatively short hike to Thistletop.
Although, thinking on it, the goblins were unlikely to have travelled any great distance to launch an assault upon the town.
"If we can get there in a day then we should think to travel light... it would be better to sleep beneath the stars and travel unencumbered rather than find ourselves overloaded and clumsy in the goblin's territory".
"But that's also four to five hours to get back to Sandpoint. If we can do whatever we need to in the two hours we'll have, then we're good, but if we can't I don't fancy walking home through goblin territory or camping out without any shelter. I wasn't suggesting that we take them all the way to Thistletop, only close enough that our time trekking to their lair and back is much shorter. If you think that's still too dangerous, then we can leave the tents. I don't think it's worth the time saved to argue it when we really don't have time to do that," Tera says as her shoulder tense at the thought of how little time they may have to save their home.
"In addition to food and water, we might want to bring firewood," Zache suggests. "I'm sure Kaelaah can reliably keep one going, but we're going to want hot meals. We can't live like sailors while we're out there - there's really no reason to. As for a camp, I think it's a good idea, and I'd suggest camping just off the road. Sal, reckon you can find us a good spot?"
Tera opens her mouth to reply to Sal, but Zache's suggestion about firewood stops her before she can say anything to Sal.
"I thought we could gather firewood from the woods," she asks him instead.
Kaede opens her mouth to add to the debate, but stops, seeing the potential for disaster on both sides of the argument that she's started. After a moment's thought, she tries again."We have to walk a fine line on supplies here. Too little, and we're unprepared. Too much, and we're weighing ourselves down, or setting up a significant camp that has it's own problems attached to it. Do we leave the supplies in the woods and hope nothing finds them? Leave someone behind to watch the camp and weaken our assualt? Bring one or two people along to watch the camp and hope they don't get hurt while we fight our way through this site?"
She pauses, letting her admittedly pessimistic thoughts sink in to the others. "We're planning on doing something dangerous because it needs to be done. I want to do it too, without argument. But in this planning, we need to be somewhat cautious too. Maybe I'm being picky, maybe I'm being paranoid, but I really want to make sure we do this right."
After another pause, Kaede shakes her head. "We need to discuss this with Father Zantus anyway. Maybe he has some advice for us on this front."
Back at the cathedral, Father Zantus listens intently to the report of Tsuto's questioning. All the color drains from his face and his eyes go blank for a moment as he processes the revelation about Nualia.
"Are you certain that's what he said? That he was being truthful? How could this be..." he questions. "We mourned her... held funeral services for her... I... I don't understand..."
"Father Zantus may be of some help... or maybe he will know of someone who can advise us", Kaelaah's voice tales off somewhat...
Brother Roakkad would have known the best of what to do...
"Oh, uh, supplies..." the high priest mutters seemingly still lost in thought, or shock, "I, umm, have no idea... Brother Edrus knows the coast, and some survivalism, ask him... or Sister Amet'Ra... she's traveled..."
A single tear rolls down his right cheek as he stares off into nothingness.
Kaede gets a look of sorrow when she sees the good Father's reaction. "Father," she finally says after a moment's hesitation, "I'm sorry that we had to bring this ... unfortunate news to you. But we felt it important that you be aware of this. We will do everything in our power to clear this up. Thank you for suggesting Brother Edrus for us."
She bows to Father Zantus, "By your leave, Father."
"Thank you, Father Zantus," Tera says, mirroring Kaede's bow. As they turn to leave, she hesitates a moment and asks, "um, do you know where Brother Faustwick is? I'd like to speak with him before we leave for Thistletop."
Kaelaah nods in acknowledgement to Father Zantus' advice - his eyes are sympathetic as he realises the depth of the High Priest's sorrow at the news of Nualia.
Maybe it would have been better to have spared him this knowledge?
Bowing as he leaves, Kaelaah follows Sister Kaede to find Brother Edrus...
"his room maybe..." Father Zantus answers distractedly, "or perhaps doing inventory in the kitchen..."
Brother Edrus proves more difficult to track down. After searching the entire cathedral complex, several inquiries yield the lead that he has taken a few acolytes down to the beach where Roakkad's service had been held. When the marked arrive on the beach they find the acolytes tending to a small makeshift shrine where townsfolk are still making prayers and offerings after the strange event of the funeral. The priest himself is standing ankle-deep in the sea looking outward; the hem of his gown-like robe is being tugged forward and back as his flowing blond hair flutters in the cool breeze.
At the sound of the group's approach, he turns and gives a slight bow. "Roakkad's fellow marked," he calls out in his typically soft voice, "what draws you to Gozreh's domain this day?"
As they leave, Tera thanks Father Zantus.
The sight of what was going on at the beach brings back the memory of her conversation with Elizabeth, and of how Roakkad had died. She pulls the cloak tighter around herself as if it could shield her from the grief and the uncertainty that still hurt even after she'd faced them. Still, there were more important things now than her comfort, so she pushes those memories aside and steels herself before speaking to Brother Edrus.
"We came to ask for some help. We are, ah, planning an expedition and we aren't sure of what we should take with us given what we're likely to find. There's some details that we don't want to be common knowledge just yet, though. Is there somewhere more private we may speak with you about it," Tera asks the handsome priest.
"Certainly," Brother Edrus answers stepping out of the water, "this way..."
He leads the marked up the beach a short way. He stops only thirty or forty feet from the nearest acolyte but the sounds of the sea breeze and the lapping waves provide enough background noise that no quiet conversation would be overheard. "Father Zantus told us, the priests, of your journey into the ruins, and your plan to question Tsuto... I take it you learned from him something of value?"
"Yes, Tsuto says he was recruited by Nualia to help her, and that she's at Thistletop. We wanted to know what we need to take with us when we go to stop her," Tera answers quietly, trying to be mercifully quick in delivering the news.
Kaede nods to Tera's statement. "We've never set up a camp for such a endeavor, and we need some help planning it," she adds, hoping to get Brother Edrus to focus on that instead of the plot. "We asked the good Father, and he suggested we talk with you."
"An expedition into Thistletop," Brother Edrus marvels, apparently having failed to connect the Nualia mentioned with the late high priest's daughter, "I can see why you seek some discretion."
"It's impossible to make a complete list of what you'll need without knowing how long you'll be there and what weather Gozreh will send... and, even then, you won't be able to prepare for every contingency... but Thistletop is close. I'd suggest you travel lightly: four bedrolls and blankets, and a bag of rations--sleep in the dark and huddle together for warmth--if you can manage that; otherwise add two medium tents and a shovel--sleep in the tents and dig a deep pit for a fire so enemies can't see the flames. If you can't finish whatever business you have there within a day or two you would probably do well to return to the city to recuperate and revise your plans."
"If you want to camp by the coast I'd suggest you follow the Lost Coast Road up past Shankswood and head north around the hills, then skirt the Pauper's Graves and follow the shore east."
Kaelaah nods as Brother Edrus suggests the options available to the expedition. Smiling quietly, "If we are lucky enough to have a day or two without rain then I can provide all the warmth we could ever need... I believe there is no need for tents or anything else that would slow us down".
...and as Edrus says, if our expedition requires more than a day or two away, we can always return to Sandpoint for provisioning.
"Thank you Brother Edrus. We appreciate the help," Tera says. She looks to the others to see if they have any other questions.
"I'm...sorry..." the priest says quietly as his gaze drifts out to sea once more.
After a moment he continues, "I'm sorry that of the six gods who watch over Sandpoint only five will send champions to face this threat... I'll pray that Gozreh blesses your journey in some other way. Perhaps warm winds will blow in tonight while you camp."
"Thank you for your advice, Brother Edrus," Kaede finally says as his gaze returns to the sea. "It'll be a great help."
Turning to the other marked, she adds, "Should we return to the Cathedral to see what we have, before we decide what we need beyond that?"
Not sure what words to say, Tera instead hugs the priest, hoping to comfort and reassure him. After a moment, she let's go and steps back, seeming a little embarrassed.
"S-sorry. It's just that you... you..." Her voice trails off as she struggles to find the words and she ends with a shrug.
After returning to the cathedral, Tera sets out to find Brother Faustwick. Despite the gravity of the events happening and the very real prospect of being killed, there's a spring to her step, and joyous smile lurking at the corners of her mouth. When she finally finds him, she holds her holy symbol with one hand as she gives him a blessing.
"Well met, Brother. In Abadar's name, I bestow his blessing as thanks for your help and your encouragement when I needed it most," she says, her symbol glowing briefly as the spell fills the room. Almost before the glow has faded, the young mage wraps her arms around him.
"Thank you, Brother! If it wasn't for you, I would never have believed I could do that," she tells him in a voice that is much softer and quieter.
As the group speaks with Brother Edrus, Zache stands calf-deep in the surf, the gentle tide tugging at his old boots and loose trousers. His gaze is fixed on the horizon, as if searching for something distant and long-gone, and he doesn't move until the other Marked make to move away. "Fair winds and bright stars, Brother," he murmurs, nodding to the Gozran before heading away with the others.
Shaking off his brief moment of solitary contemplation, Zache rubs his hands together and looks toward the cathedral. "Right. Guess we'd better hope the weather is nice enough!"
Kaelaah, more than the others, feels Brother Edrus' pain... where the sea laps against the shoanti's ankles, it hisses and bubbles as the cold water is flash-heated by Kaelaah's skin. He speaks slowly and with solemnity, Brother Roakkad was reclaimed by the sea but I shall forever hear his song... the crashing waves and the howling wind will talk to me of my shoanti brother... Brother Edrus, as long as I remember him, he will never truly be gone".
Brother Edrus musters half a smile in response to Kaelaah's words. He nods to the marked as they begin to turn towards the Cathedral and then calls after them, "Go see Brother Faustwick- I'm sure that there are some old bedrolls and blankets he could loan you, and Mother will, of course, have some food you can take with you."
After returning to the cathedral, Tera sets out to find Brother Faustwick. Despite the gravity of the events happening and the very real prospect of being killed, there's a spring to her step, and joyous smile lurking at the corners of her mouth. When she finally finds him, she holds her holy symbol with one hand as she gives him a blessing.
"Well met, Brother. In Abadar's name, I bestow his blessing as thanks for your help and your encouragement when I needed it most," she says, her symbol glowing briefly as the spell fills the room. Almost before the glow has faded, the young mage wraps her arms around him.
"Thank you, Brother! If it wasn't for you, I would never have believed I could do that," she tells him in a voice that is much softer and quieter.
The priest smiles as Tera weaves her spell. His exceedingly prim and proper typical mannerisms crack to a look of alarm as his young disciple demonstrates such affection in the plain view of so many others. "Uhh, yes..." he answers uncomfortably returning her hug, "well, I knew that you had it in you. I'm proud of you."
Seeing Father Faustwick's distress and seeing that the others saw, Tera steps back and mutters an embarrassed apology before getting into the details of the expedition.
Brother Faustwick produces all of the requested mundane equipment quickly and without complaint. He huffs and frowns a little bit at the list of magical gear his students desire but, somewhat begrudgingly, he heads to the vault. He returns with a partially used wand, the requested cure light wounds potions, and two others. "This has twenty-seven charges remaining, use them wisely. We didn't have two moderate cure potions, but here's one and a lesser restoration potion. May the gods go with you."
"Thank you for the blessing, Brother," Kaede quietly says, sounding a little distant, as if in thought. "We should return with good news, and hopefully an end to this problem." With a nod to the others, she adds, "Let's get ready to go."
Kaelaah thanks Brother Faustwick for what he has done - he notes the apparent reluctance to give the 'Marked' a wand but says nothing of it...
And then, smiling to his companions, "I am ready as soon as you can be... may the gods smile upon our venture".
Tera thanks Brother Faustwick and, this time, waits for everyone else to leave before giving him another hug.
"Thank you, we'll come back, and return what we don't use," she assures him before her voice softens to a whisper, "'til we meet again, may the Master of the First Vault watch over you and Sandpoint."
That said, she leaves to get ready.
Tera had just finished putting on her tunic when she jumped as the door to her and Elizabeth's cell is slammed open then closed. Before she can do much more than turn and blush in embarrassment, Elizabeth is wrapping her in a bone-crushing hug. The young mage is about to ask what's going on when she feels her friend's tears on her shoulder. She closes her mouth and works her arms free to return the embrace.
"Promise me you'll come back," Elizabeth whispers after a moment. Tera's eyes widen in surprise, and she begins to wonder how Elizabeth knew. Then thought better of it. She'd lived in Sandpoint long enough to know that its grapevine was more efficient than most. Tera is still trying to think through her reply when she feels Elizabeth tighten her embrace.
"I heard that you're going after the goblins," she says, her voice angry, no not angry, desperate, as she begins to tremble, "promise me you won't wind up like Roakkad! Promise me you'll come back!"
Tera, tears now falling from her eyes can only nod her head for a moment before she finds her voice.
"I promise I'll come back, Lizzy," she finally gets out in a quiet, intense whisper. "we'll come back, and you, me, Sal, and Kaede can do something after this is all over."
For a long moment, the two friends stand there, no longer friends, but sisters who love each other and care for each other. The minutes pass and for at least a small fraction of time, Tera could not worry about the impending trek into the heart of a goblin lair.
"You'd better," Elizabeth replies softly after a few minutes. "I don't think any of us would take it well if you didn't."
The Shelynite lets Tera go and helps her finish getting ready, insisting on doing her hair up to keep it out of the way. Only a couple of minutes later than Tera had expected, she's ready.
"Take care Lizzy, and please keep an eye on Brother Faustwick. I think he'll worry himself sick if we let him," Tera tells her roommate as she gives the other girl one last hug.
"I will," Lizzy promises before only half-joking, "but who's going to keep me from doing that?"
"I'm sure Brother Faustwick will think of something," Tera teases before letting go and moving to the door. "Good bye for now, Lizzy. Try not to ruin his coffee this time!"
"Thanks for reminding me of that," Lizzy replies in mock exasperation before giving Tera a soft smile and adding, "Take care of yourself. I'll try not to let Brother Faustwick worry himself to death."
"Thank you, and I will."
And with that and a smile of her own, Tera leaves, ready, she hopes, to fight a goblin hoard.
Only a couple of minutes later than expected, Tera meets the others. Her clothing is the same as it was when they had explored the catacombs beneath the Glassworks, but her hair is done up in an elaborate style reminiscent of those from Tian Xia.
"Sorry I'm late," the Abadarite apologizes as she hustles up to the others, "Elizabeth wanted to say bye and she insisted on fixing my hair."
"I pointed that out and was told that's no excuse not to look cute," Tera deadpans, "and she also pointed out it wasn't for the goblins."
She blushes a little at the last sentence and does her best to not let Zache or Kaelaah see her face.
Tera looks back at the town of Sandpoint as the sun just passes its zenith. After completing their hasty preparations, the five Marked were on their way to Thistletop. Once again, she wore the robes that she'd been gifted from the Cathedrals armory, but now they were black trimmed with gray instead of blue trimmed with gold. She knows she can reverse it, but there was something sad about muting the resplendent colors into such dark hues. It feels like she's readying for an execution rather than a mission to protect the town.
And in a way, I am going to execute someone. If the woman behind this, whether it is Nualia or not will answer for what she's done just as Tsuto will.
They were only a few minutes out, not even far enough to have lost sight of their home, but Tera feels as if the happiness and anticipation of the Swallowtail Festival is a lifetime away now.
"Well, we have a job to do," Tera says after a moment longer, "and the first part is checking with the local inn to see what accommodations they have for us."
She smiles at the joke, but neither does a good job of hiding her nerves at the thought of hitting the goblins on their home turf.
Or that dangerous, black glitter in the back of her eyes.
Gathering her supplies from when she came to Sandpoint was an easy process for Kaede. Most of what she needed was packed from when they explored the catacombs, and the few things that weren't she prepared after her morning practice and prayers.
She faintly smiles at Tera and Salomae's banter, before looking out toward the town gate that leads in the direction that the five of them need to take.
I'm glad that they can joke around at least for now... We need to keep our spirits high for as long as we can.
"Well," she replied after thinking about want Tera was getting at. "I'm sure that Kaelaah is bringing the proper housewarming gift, Though it make be too warm for them."
"Oh no, that's for the neighbors. I was talking about where we are going to sleep," Tera tells Kaede as they make their way down the road.
The walk along the Lost Coast Road heading northeast out of Sandpoint is surprisingly serene. Despite all that has happened in the city in the last few weeks, life seems unaffected in the hinterlands. At the few homesteads the adventurers pass by children laugh and play in the open fields while the delightful smells of food cooking in hearth fires float through the air. The trees are painted in the beautiful hues of reds and golds of fall and if not for the sense of grim anticipation that hangs over the five young heroes this would feel a great deal like a good day for a long walk and a quiet picnic.
After an hour, they arrive at the hills that mark the end of the Shankswood forest, and their departure from the road. There is a narrow trail worn into the undergrowth between the forest and the hills where people sometimes make the journey out to the pauper's graves. Following it around a bend the godmarked are surprised to find themselves face to face with harsh reminder of why they've come: a pair of goblins mounted on mangy goblin-dogs, who seem just as surprised by the chance encounter...
One of the goblins reacts quickly, drawing its dogslicer as its mount turns to face Kaede. The wretched animal bites at her while the goblin brings down its sword.
,
,
Tera sighs as she drops her staff and moves to get a clearer shot at the goblin that had just rushed Kaede while making sure that it'd have to get past her to get at her.
"អស្ចារ្យ, អ្នកបុរសគឺមានមនុស្សឆ្កួតជាច្រើនទៀតដែលខ្ញុំបានរំពឹងទុក។" she tells the rider as she draws her bow.
Wow, you guys are more stupid that I would have expected.
Kaelah smiles at Sister Kaede's joke... and, as if to emphasise her point, lets a vibrant flame grow within his palm. Letting it build in intensity, the dancing fire reflects in his eyes for a moment... and then he closes his hands together and the flame is extinguished...
...it is only after a minute or two of walking along the street towards the town gate that Kaelaah realises, I let my gift burn in plain view of the townsfolk... I would never, could never have done that before...
Taken by surprise as the mounted goblin charges at Sister Kaede, Kaelaah gets ready to deliver the 'Housewarming Gift'....
Kaede frowns as the goblin almost immediately charges her and wildly swings wide at her. With a twist of her wrist and a sorrowful expression on her face, her glaive swings out and without hesitation goes to try to bisect the rider in front of her... only to swing wildly herself.