"I apologize for misleading you, but nothing I said to you was untrue. Lamm did kill my son. When I went after him myself, he killed me as well. I was bonded to my deck in life, and it would seem that that's still true now. I could sense that each of you had been wronged by Lamm. That's why I reached out to you."
"So what happens now Zellara? Whether you tricked us or not, we avenged you - why are you still bound here?"
"I don't know. It may be that, because I am not truly a ghost, that I do not get to simply pass on. I can tell you that my powers have diminished since you slew Lamm."
"Powers? What powers did you have? And what do you want from us, now that Lamm is dead?" Verronax is very uncomfortable talking with a 'ghost', if that's what she is, and keeps a tight grip on his holy symbol.
What do you want from us?"
Taemin pipes up quietly, "Easy Verronax, Zellara has helped us all. I.. I think perhaps even she does not understand all that has happened."
"Zellara, as you are bound to your Deck, is there somewhere you wish to be taken, or do you wish to remain with us? Have you no other family?"
"I was able to reach out to each of you, to sense that Lamm had hurt you. Now I can sense little beyond this room." She nods to Taemin. "I only know that fate is not done with you yet."
She pauses. "Priest, I believe that you had my remains buried honorably. If I may ask another boon, I'd like the same done for my son. He was my only family."
Verronax bows his head in assent. "Of course, Zellara. I shall entrust his remains to the clergy of Pharasma as well."
Haedrik watches the exchange from the corner of the room. "We should go now, yes?"
Haedrik watches the exchange from the corner of the room. "We should go now, yes?"
Taemin nods, reaching out awkwardly to shake hands or wave to Zellara, smiling hesitantly, "I'm glad we could help."
Taras, with little to say, simply stands, holding the Harrow deck in his hand.
"...we'll... leave this here, then? Or would you have us take it along? I know a little of Harrow reading, if you would rather it see further use."
"So, what's next for us, then? I must still lay Zellara's son's remains to rest. Taras, did you receive word from the castle? Will the Queen receive us on the morrow?"
Verronax bows his head in assent. "Of course, Zellara. I shall entrust his remains to the clergy of Pharasma as well."
"Thank you.", says the apparation before she begins to dissolve into colors once more.
"...we'll... leave this here, then? Or would you have us take it along? I know a little of Harrow reading, if you would rather it see further use."
"I'd come with you.", she says, the streams of color flowing back into the deck. "Perhaps I can be of assistance in the times ahead."
As the illusion fades, the room returns to its former condition.
Verronax bows his head in assent. "Of course, Zellara. I shall entrust his remains to the clergy of Pharasma as well.""Thank you.", says the apparation before she begins to dissolve into colors once more.
"...we'll... leave this here, then? Or would you have us take it along? I know a little of Harrow reading, if you would rather it see further use.""I'd come with you.", she says, the streams of color flowing back into the deck. "Perhaps I can be of assistance in the times ahead."
As the illusion fades, the room returns to its former condition.
Taras looks down at the Harrow deck as the last of the colors twinkle away, then slowly looks up at Taemin. "I suppose that explains the nature of the enchantment, Taemin," he says ruefully, offering the deck back. "Do you want it back, then?"
Taemin reaches out to take the deck, cradling it gently and pondering. "You said... you said you knew something of the Harrow. Teach me." He presses the deck firmly back into Taras' hands.
"I know the world interconnects powerfully among all within it, and I know what effect magicks can have upon the mind, body, and soul when unwary. Please, teach me what you can with this, so I can fathom why the paths are hidden, and how they may be made plain."
With that Taemin makes to follow Haedrik out.
You return to the temple, with a brief stop at the boneyards. The city is slowly returning to normal. In the morning, you proceed to Castle Korvosa, presenting yourselves at the Great Ramp, where petitioners to the throne are normally received. The guards barring the ramp ask, "What is your business here?"
You return to the temple, with a brief stop at the boneyards. The city is slowly returning to normal. In the morning, you proceed to Castle Korvosa, presenting yourselves at the Great Ramp, where petitioners to the throne are normally received. The guards barring the ramp ask, "What is your business here?"
A few witty jokes jump to Haedrik's mind, but he bites his tongue and lets his more respectful fellows answer.
"My name is Verronax Therellion, from the Bank of Abadar," Verronax tells the guard. "And these are my associates: Taemin Swallowtail, Taras Morwain, Haedrik, and Karista. We have an audience with the Queen."
Taras steps forward to a precise place, one step back and a halfstep right from Verronax, and bows - not too deeply, as he doesn't want to actually pass *closer* than the cleric to the guardsman, but enough to appease demands of formality.
"No doubt your messenger will have received my notice, good man. It is a matter of quiet urgency, though we shall, of course, await the Queen's pleasure."
Once again, Taras sounded, both in cadence of speech and precision of language, as though he'd done this before.
The guards speak quietly with one another, briefly. The point to the top of the ramp. "Proceed. The men at the gates will take your weapons and show you to the Queen." Then they step out of your path.
Sure!
Taemin takes a moment to thank the guards, then follows the rest up the ramp to hand over his weapons.
Verronax heads up the ramp as well, doing his best to look like a bored courtier who has made this same trip countless times. At the top, he dutifully hands over his weapons, then pauses to make sure his clothes are hanging correctly and his holy symbol polished.
Taras surrenders his decorative starknife and the two wands. He glances back momentarily to Karista to be sure there isn't going to be trouble separating the woman from her blade, before heading on in with the others.
The guards at the checkpoint take you up the great pyramid and three levels into the castle itself, where you are met by a beautiful woman dressed in full plate. “Greetings. They tell me you’ve something that
belongs to the queen. Is this correct?”
The guards at the checkpoint take you up the great pyramid and three levels into the castle itself, where you are met by a beautiful woman dressed in full plate. “Greetings. They tell me you’ve something that
belongs to the queen. Is this correct?”
By early-afternoon, Verronax returns from working with the brokers. He gathers everyone together again. He puts a pouch of gold on the table. "There's our take," he says. Then he places the brooch next to the pouch. "I can't sell this one, though. It's the Queen's. The good news is there's a reward. The bad news is she has requested the return in person."
Verronax steps forward. "That is indeed correct, milady. We recently recovered a brooch that we believe belongs to Her Majesty. It was our understanding that she wanted it returned." He pulls a silken bundle out of his pouch and unwraps it, revealing the broken brooch.
Verronax steps forward. "That is indeed correct, milady. We recently recovered a brooch that we believe belongs to Her Majesty. It was our understanding that she wanted it returned." He pulls a silken bundle out of his pouch and unwraps it, revealing the broken brooch.
Taras steps forward, again maintaining the perfect step back-and-to-the-side from Verronax. "There is, if you or her Majesty wish, some small tale to go with it's retrieval, something that might raise spirits in these times of... upset," he says smoothly.
Sabina nods briskly. "This way." She says, then pivots neatly on her heel and proceeds down the corridor. "Her Majesy will decide about your tale." The castle guards also begin to follow, but she dismisses them, stating "These heroes pose no threat to the queen."
"How would you like to be introduced to Her Majesty?"
Taemin follows, seeming a little stunned at the reality of being introduced to the Queen.
Sabina nods briskly. "This way." She says, then pivots neatly on her heel and proceeds down the corridor. "Her Majesy will decide about your tale." The castle guards also begin to follow, but she dismisses them, stating "These heroes pose no threat to the queen."
"How would you like to be introduced to Her Majesty?"
Taras looks to Verronax, apparently willing to play by the cleric's tune on this one as a show of solidarity.
"I am Verronax Therellion of the Bank of Abadar," Verronax answers smoothly. "And these are my companions..." He gestures with his arm, letting everyone introduce themselves.
Taemin steps forward seamlessly and bows low at the waist with his hands flat to his sides, "Taemin Swallowtail, also of the Bank of Abadar, at your service." He steps back silently.
Queen Ileosa sits upon the Crimson Throne. She is a vision of celestial beauty despite the black mourning dress and veil she wears in honor of her husband’s death. A small silver coffer sits in her lap. The throne room itself is pristine but strangely empty—an open area with a vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows of past kings and
queens looking down from the eastern wall, and crimson tapestries hanging along the others. An immense fireplace offers additional light and heat to the hall, and a silk carpet provides a gently arching path to the throne’s base.
Sabina announces: "Your Majesty, you have visitors from the Bank. They wish to return something to you." She holds out a hand to take the brooch from Verronax.
Sabina steps to the side to let you pass. (Once you pass, she quickly, but discretely, takes her place alongside the throne, presenting the brooch to the Queen.)
Verronax drops into a deep, courtly bow. "Your Majesty," he murmurs.
Taras's bow requires one foot to step back. His long hair piles nearly to the floor on one side of his head with the depth of his gesture, and the small purple blown-glass butterfly pendant hangs away from his body and brings attention in a way that announcing it never would. He holds there like a court dancer for a second or two before straightening.
"I have been privileged to view this court, but I am humbled to stand at last in your Majesty's radiance."
Taemin makes a quick, silent, and humble bow.
The Queen smiles as she examines the brooch.
“This brooch was stolen from me some time ago—I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope.
“I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens—these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city more.
“If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here—they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way—the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself. Now, I need to retire to my personal quarters—my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning.”
The Queen smiles as she examines the brooch.
“This brooch was stolen from me some time ago—I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope.
“I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens—these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city more.
“If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here—they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way—the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself. Now, I need to retire to my personal quarters—my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning.”
Haedrik had found his tongue unable to move for the longest time. Not entirely because of the stunning beauty of the queen, though that could silence many a man, but because for the first time in his life, Haedrik realized the importance of events surrounding him. He realized the only place he had ever known to be a home was, in some small way, depending on him.
He cleared his throat and stepped forward. "We hope the same, your Majesty. To serve the crown, to serve Korvosa."
The Queen smiles as she examines the brooch.
“This brooch was stolen from me some time ago—I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope.
“I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens—these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city more.
“If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here—they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way—the Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heroes such as yourself. Now, I need to retire to my personal quarters—my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning.”
Taras manages not to drop his jaw, but seems somehow unenthused about the Queen's words. Still, he bows his head in apparent gratitude when she finishes.
Taemin finds his voice after Haedrik, "As you will your Majesty."
Taemin will wait for the departure of/from the Queen before asking Sabina for more details.
Verronax drops into a bow. "It would be my pleasure to serve, Your Majesty."
But do I need official dispensation from the Church? he thinks. He resolves to ask Sabina as soon as possible for a letter to give to his superiors.
The queen passes the silver coffer to Sabina, who presents it to Verronax. The box is quite heavy: You'd guess it's weight at between 20 and 30 pounds. It has no latch.
The Queen rises from the Crimson Throne and departs, the hem of her mourning dress trailing behind her.
Sabina watches her depart with something of a proud look on her face. "Follow me." she says as she begins to lead teh way back out of the castle. "Do you require an escort to the Citadel?"
Sabina watches her depart with something of a proud look on her face. "Follow me." she says as she begins to lead teh way back out of the castle. "Do you require an escort to the Citadel?"
Finding his voice once more, Haedrik winks as he speaks. "Only if it is you, my dear. Only if it is you."
Verronax shoots Haedrik a look. "It might depend on what is in this coffer, milady," he politely answers Sabina. "Is there an unused room nearby where we can peruse its contents before we leave? In addition, I wonder if the palace can provide a letter to my superiors at the Bank, explaining that Master Taemin and I are engaged on business for the Crown?"
Finding his voice once more, Haedrik winks as he speaks. "Only if it is you, my dear. Only if it is you."
Sabina looks you up and down, smirks to herself, and continues down the corridor without a word.
"It might depend on what is in this coffer, milady," he politely answers Sabina. "Is there an unused room nearby where we can peruse its contents before we leave? In addition, I wonder if the palace can provide a letter to my superiors at the Bank, explaining that Master Taemin and I are engaged on business for the Crown?"
"If you like.", she says, leading you into a small side-room. Judgings by the racks of crossbows (and the two Guardsmen in manning arrow slits), it's an armory. When you peek inside the coffer, you find that it is lined with velvet, and contains a dozen gold bars, each stamped with the seal of the Korvosa Treasury and the Bank. (Their serial numbers are sequential.) That makes it 24 pounds of gold. "Field Marshal Kroft should be able to provide you with whatever documents you require."