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Verrix briefly wonders how is it that frequently in missions for the Pathfinder Society, it's possible to gather information right in the middle of a briefing or a meeting. He consoles himself with the notion that it's retroactive, that he must have spent a couple of hours earlier talking to townsfolk to get the lay of the land.
Verrix has probably chatted with people about who the most important Eagle Knights are, because Eagles are noble, Knights are chivalrous, and, being a paladin, Verrix is all about that stuff.
Verrix gives Sandor a brief military bow. "You are Sandor Bryton, consul and advisor to General Cormoth of the Eagle Knights? It is an honor to meet you. I am Verrix, and Kleines has said, a Pathfinder and an itenerant knight of Apsu. I admire what you have done in Andoran, and I admire your order in particular."
Verrix regards the man who is probably Tercio Andares, waiting to see his reaction to the letter of introduction that Kleines gave him.
Tercio narrows his eyes at Kleines' introduction, but takes the letter and glances over it quickly. "Ah. Yes. Well, I should wish to welcome you to our town under better circumstances. As it is, I'm afraid whatever action you choose to take must be entirely disassociated from me, as difficult as that may be for me due to the personal nature of the situation. I'm sure you understand that I cannot risk my daughter's safety by defying the orders in the letter I received from her abductors. They were very specific in their instructions."
Bryton inclines his head politely at Verrix' greeting, murmuring a not-quite-audible acknowledgment of the compliment before turning his attention back to the mayor.
The mayor shakes his head. "I've received no demands, at least not yet," he replies. "Their instructions were particular in regard to my helping or participating in any investigative activities; you understand, I'm sure, that I cannot risk my daughter's life by defying them... whoever they are."
Mayor Andares shakes his head in disbelief. "Damiar, was it? I have no reason at all to believe they will not hurt her; you cannot truly be asking me to do the very thing they have prohibited on the slim chance that they are bluffing."
He pauses and takes a deep breath to regain his composure, then turns to Phinellippa and Garif. "Nothing comes to mind. And unfortunately, Master Dwarf, I'm afraid that may be precisely the sort of thing they had in mind. "
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"I understand. Know that we have traveled here to help return your daughter, and do not wish to endanger her in any way." Kleines bows his head, trying to project an air of deference. "Perhaps we could look around here on our own? We would not require any help from you, and thus you would not be in danger of breaking your terms."
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"Hmm," Verrix says.
Hearing the father too afraid to help the Pathfinders, for reasonable fear of his daughter, he turns to the man who has less of a personal stake in it. "Consul Bryton, do you know any more about this, or do you know anything that might give us a lead in trying to track down those who took Thalia? Of course, we wish to take an approach that does not make it appear as if Mayor Andares broke the demands placed upon him."
"I will not have you snooping around; that would certainly give the wrong impression." replies Andares. Dorabeth, who's been standing quietly to the side during the discussion, frowns momentarily at this, and shakes her head ever so slightly. A look of inner conflict passes quickly over her face, and is gone.
Bryton purses his lips thoughtfully. "I would be honored to aid in the search; that is, after all, the reason I came to see the mayor today. Unfortunately, I was... absent on personal business at the time of the incident, so I'm afraid I have no information which could aid you."
Bryton shakes his head. "I don't, I'm sorry. You might try asking around in town; perhaps someone has heard something."
He turns to Mayor Andares and nods cordially. "Do send word if you decide the Eagle Knights can be of assistance," he offers. Andares acknowledges the offer with a nod of his own, and Dorabeth hurries to open the door for Bryton to depart.
"I'm sorry I can't help you," continues the mayor, turning back to the party. "I do hope you'll excuse me; I am quite busy."
He looks around the group as if to check whether anyone else has any pressing questions, but it's clear he's prepared to dismiss the Pathfinders.
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After they've been dismissed, Garif scratches his head a moment in thought, his rough fingers on his bald pate sounding much like two stones rubbing together, before saying, "So, her father won't help us, and won't let us search the house for any clues. Where to next?" He casts a quick glance at Iovo, hesitates for a long moment, then asks, "Might it be worth searching the house anyway? If someone does it unseen, the kidnappers can't possibly think Andares is helping us."
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Verrix grimaces. "I don't know about that. Searching a man's house without his permission... that would only make sense if we thought he was a suspect. As it is, it would be not only rude, but, well, a crime."
"I would like to speak further with Captain Merton Demrick," Verrix says. "It was curious that he felt the need to stomp on the Mayor's lawn. Also, we could ask him about the vision -- er, the divination -- that Telfyr told us about where it seemed Thalia was being held. He might recognize something about it. Otherwise, I guess we could ask around town, and see who else saw her shortly before she was taken."
Dorabeth appears a few seconds later, presumably to escort the group out. Pursing her lips for a moment, she motions the group to lean forward a bit, and speaks in a low voice. "I'm terribly worried about Miss Thalia," she admits. "Is there anything at all I can do to help?"
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In a whisper, Iovo replies to Dorabeth "Can you think of any old burnt out buildings with high ceilings in the area? Is there any way you could sneak us into her room to look around or friends of hers in town who might speak with us?"
Dorabeth reaches up and captures a stray hair, tucking it back into her bun as she considers Iovo's requests. "Well... I don't know as I know of any burnt-out buildings near here, nor any friends of Thalia's as might be able to help... but..." She pauses, as if hesitating. "Frank and Julian and I are supposed to be cleaning the upstairs shortly... I suppose if you'll be very careful I could take two of you up there to her room for just a few minutes without gettin' anyone too suspicious. Mind you, it won't be for long, but if it'll help my Miss Thalia..." she trails off with a hopeful look in her eyes.
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Garif's eyes widen in surprise and mild ararm at Iovo's suggestion. "Me? I am not so sure. I am better suited to other investigations, such as finding a rich vein of ore, than to rummaging through someone's bedroom for clues. But I can try if you all think it best."
The matron shakes her head slightly as if wondering what she's thinking, then motions Damiar and Iovo to follow her quietly.
Just as the two sisters finish "examining" the bed (it's very soft, and the sheets seem to be pure Tian silk), but before they've found anything of note, Dorabeth peeks into the room and whispers, "Hurry, someone's coming!"
The matron ushers the elves out of the room and down a back staircase to be reunited with the rest of the group.
Captain Demrick is quite easy to find, and greets the group with a characteristic wide grin. "Hello again, friends! I trust your meeting with our illustrious mayor went well? Have you deduced the location of the girl yet? Or perhaps you've already found and returned her! If so, I should like to toast your bravery and ingenuity!"
Demrick's face falls at Kleines' sober response. "Oh." he replies despondently. "You haven't given up, have you? Do you have any information to go on? Perhaps I can help!"
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Let’s see, I seem to recall something about some sort of recent revolution here. That grumpy halfling at the briefing alluded to it. I’ll have to phrase this question with that in mind...
“Would you know of any old, probably abandoned buildings with fire damage? It would have the old architectural style with high ceilings and arches.”
Demrick glances from one Pathfinder to another as they pepper him with questions. Holding up one hand, he forestalls further conversation and nods excitedly at the elf sisters. "A lead, you say! Let me think..." He pauses for a moment, scratching his ear thoughtfully, then looks up and nods again. "The old Sauer place, perhaps? They were a noble family around here, many many years ago now of course... they were rather 'Sauer' about the whole Revolt, you understand... burned their own house down when they left!"
He tilts his head slightly and turns to Verrix. "Me, have something against the Mayor? Certainly not... I probably just missed my footing while thinking about something else!"