Vesh looks honestly perplexed. "I don't understand. You would be paying us to . . . stay in town?"
I say "I think that they'd be paying us for our services in defense of the town if the goblins come round again."
I turn to the mayor and say "I'm staying here at least until I get my ship fixed so I'm in. If the goblins attacked I'll defend the city regardless of pay, but I certainly appreciate the gold." with a winning smile.
"10 gold a day? I never knew that being a hero paid so well!" I exclaim, noting the apparent dissatisfaction of Sheriff Hemlock "Like I said, I'm in."
The Mayor returns your smile briefly then her face becomes serious as she catches the Sheriff's eye.You can't be sure, but the Shoanti does not seem entirely pleased by this turn of events, though he seems resigned to accept it.
A frown crosses Vesh's face as he scans the faces of each of the council members and the Sheriff.
Vesh's Perception Check (if appropriate) is 1d20-4 = 11
He then says with a bow, "I am happy to serve Sandpoint in this capacity, and your offer is quite generous."
Too generous, I should think. His frown deepens as Vesh thinks this. Something is not right, here.
Rising from his bow, Vesh wipes the frown from his face. His eyes flick to Slidell as he addresses the Mayor again, "However, could you not hire us to go as emissaries to Magnimar in the good Sheriff's stead? It seems a trying time for this town and--please forgive me for saying so boldly, milady--an unwise time to send the Sheriff away."
...the mayor addresses you, "Yes, that thought has been raised. And though the Sheriff is an able fighter, his men are very green. We need experienced swords and shields..."
Vesh again looks in Slidell's direction as the Mayor makes her explanation, but remains quiet as she and the Elf woman speak.
This does not make any sense. He thinks to himself remembering not to frown. They are sending the leader of their green troops away when they need him most and entrusting the safety of the town to six people with no authority..." His thoughts trail off as he ponders the Elf.
Vesh is more than a little struck by her exotic beauty, and he immediately thinks of the elf-blooded Shoanti girl he met as a youth on the Uplands, his first true love and the reason he left his family in shame to live in Riddleport so many years ago...
Ehlissa exclaims, "Gosh! D'you mean to say that we would have charge of Sandpoint's troops?"
Ehlissa exclaims, "Gosh! D'you mean to say that we would have charge of Sandpoint's troops?"
Ehlissa's question snaps Vesh out of his Elf induced (female induced?) stupor.
Desna, thank you for Ehlissa Briez! Vesh thinks, much relieved that she is on the same rabbit trail as he.
Ehlissa looks abashed and suddenly quite young in the face of both Hemlock's annoyance and the chilly atmosphere that hangs between him and the Mayor.
"Um.. sorry. I was just wondering." she says quietly.
Slidell watches with apparent great interest the discussion between the Mayor, Sherrif, and Ehlissa. And completely misses the questioning looks that Vesh continues to send his way. His head bounces back and forth, like watching a verbal ball tossed about by a group of boys. At some point he even pulled out his bag of candy and nibbled on it, grinning slightly the entire time. Finally an exasperated smack on the back of the head from the wing of his familiar seems to snap him out of whatever trance he was in.
"I say!" He exclaims, then seems to notice the others. "Candy?"
He clears his throat, "What I MEANT to say," he begins, glaring at his familiar. "was, "I say, that sounds quite generous!" As I planned on staying around for a few days more anyway, I see no reason not to accept your generous offer! It will give me more time to finish some research I've been doing,..."
His eyes seem to clear, and he looks directly at the mayor, then the sheriff, and back. "I will gladly put my few spells to the defense of Sandpoint and its citizens. I will even be 'on call' as it were. And I think my companions here have already proven that they are willing to aid you if needed."
Slidell took a breath, opened his mouth, and closed it again. "I learned a LOoooong time ago to NEVER get involved in local politics. Unless my life was somehow involved. OH! LOOK!" He exclaimed, holding up a cat's cradle made of string he had taken from his pocket while talking. "Totally intertwined! Fabulous!"
"I'm not sure EXactly what's going on, but even a blind man can see the,... discomfort, between you two on this. I'm not asking for juicy gossip, but if your asking, no, HIRING us to help you, can we at least ask that if there is something you know, or THINK you know, even if you all disagree on what it is or what it means, could you please share it with us? It may be nothing more than two sides of the same coin, but it may be more. And if I'm going to throw my skinny @$$ in harms way again, I'd like to have all the facts!"
Slidell looks between the mayor and the sheriff as he finishes, grinning happily. Then seems to register the presence of the elf woman.
"Ah!" He exclaims without waiting for an answer, "YOU must be the tracker the kids were telling me about! Kaerol shasos, Shol sai os caer!!" He declares, grinning broadly.
"Tell me, did I have it right, were there 4 different tribes involved in the coordinated attack? I've never heard of such a level of cooperation either! In your experience, what would it take to create a socio-economic climate that could cause 4 or more tribes to unite like that? Or would it take a tribal leader using ritualistic deification to gather the tribes together under a single leader? And how would he manage that? Candy?!?"
Slidell finishes his battering barrage with the familiar offer of the crumpled paper bag, smiling as if he's found his new best friend.
ELVISH:
Corran has a thoughtful look on his face as he ponders this turn of events, and then speaks up. "Would the regular militia know about our retainer? I mean, since we wouldn't be in command or anything, just here and able to help as needed."
I would have been here anyways, but I can't turn down money like this. Ten gold a day! I just hope this doesn't jeopardize my training with the other soldiers at the barracks.
He's like a child! thinks Ehlissa
I'm startled by Slidell's bluntness but I appreciate it's necesity. I shake my head when offered some of the ubiquitous candy that Slidell always seems to have on hand, instead directing a comment and a winning smile at the attractive elf woman "An honor to meet you. Why are the goblins suddenly so active?" I ask, following the sheriff into the other room.
Whispers back to Hemlock:
"I understand. I would have volunteered without the retainer... but understandably, I can't afford to refuse down the money the Mayor is offering. But I'll see if some of my share can be distributed by the Father to some of the families hurting after the raid."
"And also, this," a circular gold pendant on a simple leather thong, "has saved the lives of many - though none in my house possess the talent to use it."
Naelah seems visibly bothered, as she looks at the pendant, at the fact that everyone seems to expect her to take it. She lifts it up, but does not put it on. It is beautiful in form and in function and that appeals to her, but something else weighs on her soul. Still holding the pendant, she closes her eyes and listens as the others talk...
"While the Sheriff is gone we would like to hire you to help defend the town until he returns. You would be like soldiers of the guard, but you would not have daily duties. If we are attacked you would be in town and available to help defend. We can pay you a retainer."
Naelah hears this and sadly knows what she must do. Her eyes open slowly. She looks at the faces of her new-found friends: Slidell, her boon companion of the last several days, is a whirl of unrelenting wind, he stops only to collect himself and pick up more speed. She smiles as she thinks of their...conversations. Vesh, so unaware and obvious on one hand, and yet brave and unrelenting on the other. She does not know what to make of him, or of his obvious affection for Veren...and herself. Ehlissa is a summer breeze--strong and radiant. A dangerous mix of beauty and strength that Naelah has rarely encountered in foreign women. Corran, silent like a night-breeze. Though she hardly knows him, she feels a deep connection with him and with his relationship to nature. Malcolm, he is the most enigmatic to her, like the turbulent sea itself. Bright and handsome, yet dangerous in a very unsettling way. He is the dark alley to her bright meadow, and yet his devotion to his crew and to this group tell a different story about him.
She looks to the Shoanti, the one they call Sheriff, and says in their language, "Thash ash theth sho kath." She hands the pendant to him.
Turning to the group, she says, "I see clearly, and I see that this is not my path. The wind cannot be bound by the walls of this town, and neither can I. I am sorry."
She looks to Slidell and takes his hands in hers. "You have been a good friend to me, showing me the ways of this town and it's people." In a lower voice she tells him, "The wind that rages within you...you must master it, or it will topple you."
She turns to see Vesh scratching Veren behind his ears. She says to him, putting a hand on his shoulder, "O ath tha verath ala tha shasha." She smiles, "this passion you feel inside is not for me. You have a higher road to travel, and your devotion belongs to another."
Hugging Ehlissa tightly, and giving Corran a kiss on each cheek, she then turns to Malcolm and says, "Your days on the sea may return in time, but these people are your safe harbor for now. Treat them as such, and do not look to return to your past too quickly." With that she sqeezes Malcolm's hand.
"Do not look so sad, my friends. I am like the wind. Today I blow from the east and tomorrow from the west. We may see each other again." And, calling Veren to her side, she strides out the door, not looking back.
Shoanti Translation:
This is not my path.
You and the wolf are the same.
I'm taken aback by Naelah's announcement and even more so when she approaches me. "May the winds of Fortune carry you well and may you find a safe harbor of your own." I reply, watching her leave.
Ehlissa tries to hold back tears, but the spring to her eyes, and she is left not knowing what to say.
Slidell nods sagely at Neahlah's words, But it is clear that he is once again caught by surprise, as once again he is speechless. Obviously turning over her whispered statement again in his mind, he only manages to say "Wind to your heels" in elvish as she is almost out of the doorway.
He sits next to Vesh during the private meeting, still unusually subdued, but paying very close attention to everything that is said, and nodding as certain things click into place. He sits tapping his fingers together after all is said and done, obviously wanting to speak, but, (Unusually for him), taking his time to make sure he says it right.
"Thank you for telling us this, and trusting us to help defend Sandpoint in your absence." He says, looking at the sheriff. "Whether we are ready for it or not,... well, only time and history will tell." He smiles, but it is a shadow of his usual beaming, and he seems to be clutching his new scroll as a talisman.
"There ARE a few questions that I have, about the attacks, as well as some of the recent history in Sandpoint. And since you are leaving tomorrow, I would love to get all the information I can now. However, There has already been plenty of,... emotional events for all of us today. So I would understand if you rather wait to answer those til later." He looks at the Mayor and Sheriff, his smile gaining strength until it closer to it's usual gleam. "However, I have a VERY powerful curiosity, and admit I would rather not wait, Especially since I strongly believe that somehow my questions are tied in to all that is going on."
"What say you? may we stay and chat for a little longer? As uncomfortable as it may be, I believe it may prove important!"
I listen to Shalelu and I'm more than a little disturbed by the implication that there's some great force directing the goblins. Goblins by themselves are bad enough without a powerful leader. I'm also a little entranced by the Shalelu's beauty, and I smile slightly when I look at Vesh and notice that I'm not the only one.
After she leaves I lean back in my chair, but my feet up on the table and contemplate the morning's events for a minute. Naelah's departure, our being put on retainer by Sandpoint, the dark tidings that there's a bigger force behind the goblins, the attractive elf woman. "Hell, the last few days have been eventful to say the least. I came here for a safe harbor like Naelah said and to get my damn boat fixed. Not become a hero.".
I'm startled out of my reverie by Slidell's questions and I return to the present. "He usually asks the right questions so I might as well pay attention." I think, removing my feet from the table and waiting for a response.
"O ath tha verath ala tha shasha."
"Osh," Whispers Vesh, "a kalath en sha var arathash thajar vath o."
She smiles, "this passion you feel inside is not for me. You have a higher road to travel, and your devotion belongs to another."
And, despite the tears that come to Vesh's eyes, he knows that she is right. He watches her and the wolf as they walk out of the room and becomes silent, brooding...
---------------------------
"Very well. I can spare but a few minutes. Proceed."
"Then let us be quick and to the point with our questions."
Vesh, who has been looking sullen, avoiding the eyes of the Elf, speaks up, "The grave of Father Tobyn was defiled by these creatures," he says quietly. "A body was removed."
Vesh looks up at the Shoanti, "What happened to Father Tobyn and his adopted daughter? Whose body was in that grave? And why does it seem like only one body was buried there?"
"Also, who would the initials K.G.W. belong to? And," He pauses to breathe--the 'concentration frown' returning to his face as he looks hard into the Shoanti's gaze--"Who on the council might want you out of town for a few days, Sheriff Hemlock?"
-----------------------------
Shoanti Translation:
"Yes ... a part of me will always travel with you."
Vesh listens to the Sheriff's reply in silence. He leans back and looks at Slidell to see if he has more questions for the Sheriff.
Salome looked down grimly at her now-wrinkled fingers and the basket of still-bloody bandages left to wash. As she returned to her work in the cold stream, her mind wandered to the strange scene she had observed that morning...
Hoping for some inspiration, she had gone to the cathedral to perform her morning devotions to Sarenrae: "O Everlight, thou knowest better than I the many sufferings and afflictions of this town. How wouldst thou have me serve them and be the window through which thy glory shineth?" But rather than the comforting beam of dawn, all she saw through the east window was fog shrouding the desecrated graveyard.
As she was rolling her prayer rug, she heard voices in the graveyard. She couldn't make out the words, but observed a motley crew of travelers walking around and pointing at the priest's open grave and the far wall. What are they doing here? she wondered. Can't they leave the dead alone and tend to the needs of the living? I see fear in the people's eyes by day and hear their wails by night. I want to help, but I am only one. Sarenrae, please light my path!
...Salome was aroused from her reverie by the cold ache that had settled into her hands. Quickly she gathered the clean, wet dressings into her basket, adjusted her hijab, and carried her load back to the White Deer Inn.
Slidell nods appreciatively at Vesh as he asks asks questions, including one he hadn't thought of! And chuckles grimly at the Sheriff's reply.
"Yes," he drawls, "I can think of many ways to get a sheriff out of town, and ALL of them are easier than arranging a coordinated goblin attack! So I think we can safely assume that whatever they had in mind, you leaving town may be a bonus, but wasn't the main goal."
He eyes widen as he frowns thoughtfully, "But that doesn't mean it wasn't hoped for. Judging by the level of planning we've seen so far, I think it would be foolish to assume that the attack and robbery was ALL that was planned. Someone that clever,.... yes!" His eyes light as he sees another challenge. "I think we've seen the first event of a planned series. I'd say this one went off pretty much as they planned, mission accomplished. We just need to figure out why, and that will help us figure out what they have planned for part two!"
He turns back to the sheriff, "Forgive what must seem like an unpleasant obsession, but the girls' remains,... I've been told twice now that there 'wasn't enough' to bury. Exactly HOW much was left? I ask because,... I was always taught that in a world of magic, you can only believe HALF of what you see. In the absence of any verifiable remains, I have to wonder why anyone would assume she was dead?"
At the shocked expression on the sheriff's face, he continues. "You said that he loved his daughter dearly, and I trust your judgment. But what about HER relationship with HIM? She wouldn't be the first child whose parents, real or adopted, loved them, but the child wanted to 'get away'. I'm not saying that she started the fire,..."
He pauses as he contemplates that a moment, raises an eyebrow and smirks, then continues. "But it's entirely possible that she took advantage of the situation to leave town. She may be living in Riddleport or somewhere, not even aware that her father is dead!"
"What can you tell us about the girl herself? Friends? Boyfriends? Was she as well-liked as her father seemed to be? Anything like that."
Slidell contemplates the sheriffs answers. "Hm,... People aren't the only ones who mark their property,..." He mutters, seemingly oblivious to the answers he just received. "Excuse me sir. But are there any businesses in town who would have the initials 'KGW'?"
Ehlissa murmurs to Corran, "I think he's really pushing his luck here. I think they're going to get a bit cheesed off if he keeps on asking about this girl's burial."
"Hm,... People aren't the only ones who mark their property,..." He mutters, seemingly oblivious to the answers he just received. "Excuse me sir. But are there any businesses in town who would have the initials 'KGW'?"
Vesh nods, glad to see Slidell charging ahead.
Perhaps, now that Naelah is has left, Slidell would join the rest of us at the Rusty Dragon. Vesh thinks to himself. I'll have to remember to ask him.
------------------
...Though the decor bespeaks a level of fanciness, the fare is practical: fruits, breads, and cheeses ...
"...murmur-murmur-going to get a bit cheese-murmur-murmur..."
"Oh," Vesh passes the plate of cheese to Ehlissa. "Sorry," he whispers before returning his attention back to Slidell and the Sheriff.
I listen to Slidell's questions, marveling at how the mage always seems to have anew question about something. After the Sheriff leaves I stand and say "I need a drink. Anybody care to join me at the Rusty Dragon for a round of drinks and a pooling of our knowledge?" before heading out the door to the Rusty Dragon.
"Oh," Vesh passes the plate of cheese to Ehlissa. "Sorry," he whispers before returning his attention back to Slidell and the Sheriff.
"What?" whispers Ehlissa back, and passes the cheese back to him almost as soon as it gets to her.
"What?" whispers Ehlissa back, and passes the cheese back to him almost as soon as it gets to her.
Vesh does a double-take, looks confused, and sets the cheese down.
Women, He thinks.
Ehlissa murmurs to Corran, "I think he's really pushing his luck here. I think they're going to get a bit cheesed off if he keeps on asking about this girl's burial."
"Yes." Corran whispers back. "I wasn't in town the night of the Fire, but from the aftermath I saw, I wouldn't be at all surprised if there wasn't a corpse to be found in the ashes. At least not one that was found amidst the ashes and rubble."
Slidell thanks the sheriff as he leaves, but he doesn't seem to notice that he receives no response. It is obvious that something is bothering him, he doesn't even try to make his usual wise @$$ comments as he pulls out his floppy, wide-brim hat from one of his copious pockets, beats it a little to get it back into a semblance of shape, and plops it on his head.
He smiles wanly at Vesh, and waves absentmindedly at the others, as he heads towards the door muttering to himself. "NOTHING left? got to be bigger than just stealing a corpse, Whats the BIG picture? KGW? Where in the H@!! is the '22'?!?! What am I missing here?" He mutters as he gets to the door, still clutching his new scroll like a talisman.
As he exits, He murmurs acceptance of Malcom's offer to get together that evening, but never shows.
The next morning,...
Slidell stumbles from his room towards the stairs. Anybody who didn't know that he spent the largest half of the previous day and evening wandering the town and muttering to himself might think he was drunk. Those who DO know what he spent the previous day doing think he's crazy.
More than they did before.
He stops only once on his way to the stairs, to look forlornly at a door in the hallway. Then continues to stumble down the stairs and into the common room, where he settles even less gracefully than usual into a chair. He stares at the table, muttering. Finally even his raven seems to have had enough, and flaps off to the rafters without the usual dramatic sendoff from his master.
The large shoanti owner comes himself to the table, and deposits a platter on it. Slidell reaches for it automatically without looking, then snatches back his hand with a yelp. He sucks on his burnt fingers and glares at the Shoanti innkeeper accusingly.
"Bread is coming." The large man speaks in answer to Slidell's unasked question. "But first, Caffeyey." He indicates the large, steaming mug filled with a black liquid and bowl with a bit of honeycomb in it on the platter. "Good for you, put hair on your chest. Also wakes you up, makes you think. You think, I will bring breakfast when you are ready." He bows to Slidell, then turns to leave. He stops after a step, and says over his shoulder, "Mourning the loss of something that was not yours to lose, or pouting, is not thinking."
Slidell watches the man walk off, and mimics his last words behind his back. He then takes a sip from the cup, and gasps at both the bitter taste and the burn on his tongue. He quickly snatches up the honeycomb and licks it to soothe his abused tongue. His eyes light up, and he looks at both the mug and the honeycomb, then dumps the entire chunk of honeycomb into his cup, and takes another, more cautious sip. With a sigh of contentment, he settles back into his chair.
After a few moments, and a few more sips, his raven descends from the rafters to land on the table in front of him. They stare at each other for a moment, and then the raven stretches out one wing, and slaps Slidell across the face. Quick as a thought, Slidell snatches the bird, and kisses it loudly on top of its head.
"Your right Veren," He says as he lets the bird go and takes another sip. "Your always right. Why can't I be right? Of course I always hate it when I am right, But your right, I HAVE been an orc. Sorry. But WHY can't I see the answer? I KNOW it's right in front of me! I know we'll find it, we always do, but Circe this is frustrating! And this stuff is GOOD!" He declares as he takes another draft of the invigorating drink.
He continues to chat with his familiar discussing the intimacies and twists of his discoveries, much to the amusement of the patrons, and smiles warmly in thanks as the Innkeep brings him a platter of warm bread. However his request for more 'Caffeyey' is steadfastly ignored, as apparently the innkeeper has second thoughts upon seeing the newly re-animated mage.
Finally Slidell brushes his finger tips as Veren finishes off the last morsel. "Well, at least for THIS case we have some new friends to help us. We should go and see them. Oh Magecrackers! I completely forgot about last night! They're gonna be ticked! Let's go V!" He snatches up his hat and staff, and bolts for the door. He is almost there when he glimpses a cloth-shrouded woman coming slowly down the stairs with animal grace.
"Neahlah!" Slidell shouts and pivots towards the stairs, dislodging Veren as he does so. "Neahlah! I thought you were leaving, actually I thought you had already left, and there was,... actually I was,... well I wanted to ask,... you,...' Slidell squeals to a stop at the bottom of the steps, and takes another look at the woman. It is not Neahlah.
For one thing, there is no wolf by her side, only a large curved sword and a basket of bandages. And while the tan and feline grace is right, this woman's robes do not cover leather armor, but a steel chain shirt.
For a long moment all Slidell can do is stare. But a wing to the back of his head snaps him out of his reverie.
"Oh. Bother. I'm very sorry, I thought you were someone else. Forgive me."
Vesh wakes up and immediately wishes he hadn’t. The grey light coming in his window falls perfectly across his eyes and causes him to wince.
Idiot and fool! Vesh thinks, remembering the drinking game that he and Malcolm engaged in last night with some of Malcolm's "friends." Everyone knows that you can’t out-drink a sailor from Riddleport.
Rising slowly, Vesh is relieved not to find vomit on himself or in his room. Sitting at the edge of his bed to collect himself, he stands and goes to the door expecting to see a fresh urn of water waiting for him on the other side with which he can wash up.
No urn, no water. Wonderful. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he cleans up as best he can and heads downstairs to the common room.
Spotting Corran and Malcolm (who looks as fresh as if he had drunk nothing but water last night), he moves over to their table and grunts a good morning as he attempts to hail Bethana.
Vesh looks around, and a frown comes over his face. "Odd." Looking from Corran to Malcolm and back, he says, "Where's Ehlissa?"
Vesh's perception check (1d20-4=15).
"And, where is Ameiko?"
JSL
Ehlissa walks out and closes the door behind her slowly, every move an effort. Suppressing her shivering and trying to walk tall, she makes her way down the corridor and thence down the stairs to find the way barred by firstly a woman in foreign garb and a startled Slidell. Normally she would give anything to do the cocky mage confused and surprised, but now she barely registers it.
She tries to move past the woman with a quiet, "Excuse me." but instead slips and catches herself on the railing as she nearly falls into the woman. "I, I'm sorry... I don't feel very well-" she manages to exhale.
Seeing Slidell momentarily lost for words, Ehliss says, "I- Naelah, I tried to catch Naelah before she left.. and when I got here she was packing. *ack*" she coughs and winces as her body aches, "I was starting to feel a bit funny, so she told me to stay in her room for the night... after she left. Thought it was maybe an upset tummy but.. it's not.."
I look up at Vesh's approach and push a cup of bitter fruit juice towards him. "You look like one of the walking dead. Here, that should take the edge off your headache."
I look around and after a moment I ask "Say, where's Ameiko this morning? She's usually up first thing making breakfast and I could go for one of her meals. When Bethana comes by next I slip her a few silvers and ask "Where's Ameiko this morning? You seem a little short-staffed. She's not ill I hope."
I look up at Vesh's approach and push a cup of bitter fruit juice towards him. "You look like one of the walking dead. Here, that should take the edge off your headache."
Vesh can't quite make out whether or not Malcolm is trying to hide as smile.
"I've a feeling that you anticipated my state of arrival this morning when you were egging me on to continue with our little game last night."
Vesh eyes the juice with suspicion but tastes it. He almost spits it out. "Ugh. Tastes like bile." He turns a shade lighter as he says this.
As Bethana approaches, he makes to ask her for strong spice tea, but Malcolm is faster:
..."Where's Ameiko this morning? You seem a little short-staffed. She's not ill I hope."
"Aye, it's despicable stuff but it'll take the edge off the headache." I say. "I didn't know it would affect you quite this much. You're from Riddleport after all."
"No, no. Lived, er survived there for four years. Being from there's quite a different thing."
Vesh holds his breath and quaffs the juice.