Guardians of the Old Light


Campaign Journals

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The Exchange

Fireday is Market Day in Sandpoint. Qakisst seems to have such good luck on Market Day.

Market Day:

Morning called softly to Qakisst as he lay in his own bed sleeping. “Hearth-Heart, it is time to get up. You cannot sleep the whole day away.”

“The sun is not even over the horizon, m’Lady; and I was stabbed last night. I think I deserve an hour to recover.” In the dreaming, Qakisst looked out over a balcony at a great city in the mountains. “Um, this is not your city, m’Lady. Where are we?”

“Someplace you do not yet belong.”

“I have seen it some place before; but I don’t remember ever coming here.” Daylight pulled him from the endless rest of the dreaming world.

Qakisst blinked awake. He was in the darkness of his own room. It had taken some effort to explain to Bethana what had happened the night before, and she had not been happy about it. Qakisst had begged her not to mention anything to Lady Ameiko and had spent considerable time using his magics to clean his blood from the room. Afterward Konnor had insisted that he have a drink, which became two, then three. Qakisst could not understand how the young elf-blooded Konnor could consume so much without ill effect. He felt more than a little hung over this morning.

“Bleahhhh.” Qakisst called forth the minor magics that could clean and brighten things, and set them to doing just that to his teeth. “Uhgg.” Rising in the darkness of his cottage Qakisst easily strolled around the blackness as any other would in daylight. He readied himself for a long day at market and grimaced. At his last market day, Qakisst had punched Das Korvut in the nose. Not a good choice. Das Korvut’s nose looked like it could wrestle dwarves all by itself.

Qakisst smiled at the bizarre thought even as he struggled to remember something. Something at the back of his mind; which had become a decidedly overcrowded place of late. He shuffled through his limited wardrobe, pulled on clothes for market day, and headed for the Dragon to get breakfast. There was too much drama at the Deer these days, and he felt like he had pushed things in the right direction there. He might talk to Tanjah after school, but not before. And he did not want to go near the armory today if he could help it. It was weird thinking of anybody pinning away for him the way he knew he still did for Ameiko. Having it be his friend Keth added a whole other level of strange Qakisst did not want to deal with today. Maybe he could talk to Sir Jasper about how to deal with the unwanted attentions of another man. Certainly with Sir Jasper and Cyrdak’s not so secret relationship the elder knight would have some advice about the broken hearts of infatuated young men.

Wait a minute, Qakisst thought to himself. “Theater!” He smacked the front of his right horn and gripped it tightly. The Sandpoint heroes had been invited to the theater tonight by Cyrdak; and vaguely Qakisst knew that Laure somehow knew about the invitation. Crap. He had never been to an actual theater before. Yes Qakisst had seen hundreds of bardic performances in his life, maybe thousands, but a major stage performance? What was he going to wear? “Awe felâket.”

Without thought or even noticing where he was, Qakisst sat down on the steps of the Sandpoint Theater and began figuring out what he would need to do today. He would need better clothes. He had asked Cyrdak early on Wealday what would be expected, but the elder bard had not been much help. Sir Jasper may be an honorable man in the Chelish tradition, but Cyrdak’s eyes obviously wandered in a way that made Qakisst slightly uncomfortable. He laughed at the thought. Keth having a crush on him all this time did not bother Qakisst at all; but Cyrdak’s wandering gaze creeped him out a little.

Forget that. Qakisst thought he just needed to get a new shirt and vest, a proper pair of pants and dress boots, and a new sheath for his pearl handled dagger. He wasn’t expected to dress as a noble born son. He also needed to see Master Briskalbeard about new locks for his cottage, and Sir Jasper about buying the cottage outright. Then he needed to see Kale Deverin about actually getting furniture in his small cottage. A better bed, too. The one that had been in the place when he had moved in was too small. He also wanted to talk to Lady Cassandra about making another copy of his mother’s scarf. One that would fit blades in it as was a common enough Varisi tradition. Getting caught with his pants down, literally, had been a little embarrassing.

And he would need to figure out what to do with Laure for dinner this evening. Just taking her to the Dragon seemed incredibly cheap, and despite Lady Quinta’s invitation he was not yet ready to take Laure into the lion’s den. He had time to think about that. Breakfast was calling. As he headed down the street to the Dragon with his thoughts rambling through the day’s needs, Qakisst passed a beautiful young elf blooded woman in a red vest. His own eyes followed her for just a second before he smiled and turned back to the Dragon. “She must be new in town. I don’t think I could forget dancing with her.” Qakisst strolled into the Dragon to start his day with a smile on his face.

The many tasks Qakisst had set for himself that day were simple enough. He arranged with Master Briskalbeard to turn over his key so that the locksmith could refit the front door of his cottage, and then went to Kale Deverin’s home and workshop to pay a visit. Master Deverin had long since forgiven him and Caleb for not discussing in advance bringing part of Thistletop’s treasures into the workshop without asking and quickly agreed to produce the furnishings that Qakisst wanted. Lady Cassandra also agreed to recreate the long Varisi scarf that his mother had given him; admitting that she had made the first one for his heart-mother six years ago.

On his way out the door, Qakisst stumbled into Cassidy Deverin, Caleb’s younger sister. She smiled at him and thanked him for the dance at Wealday’s impromptu celebration. He grinned and told her that he would always dance with her is she wished it as he spun her around the entry to her family’s house in a quick waltz before slipping out the front door. Qakisst was surprised at how thrilled Cassidy seemed as he walked out the door.

“Boy, you charm every girl like she is the most important person in your world, cousin.” Connor Deverin, the youngest of Caleb’s siblings strolled up to the front of the small Deverin house with a smile, pulling a cart with a table and three chairs. “I wish I was so confident with the girls.”

“Hey Con, how have you been?” Qakisst turned from the Deverin front door to find his onetime school mate pulling a small cart loaded with a table and chairs. “Where are you off too with this load?”

“Your house.” The younger Deverin shrugged.

“Neler?” Qakisst turned to follow Connor Deverin up the street heading towards his cottage.

“Dad said you could use this table and chairs until we finish your order. We’re a bit busy right now and it’s going to take a few weeks at least to get your stuff finished.”

“Let me guess, Kaijitsu order?”

“Yeah. How’d you know that?”

“I saw what the goblins did inside the factory. They tore the offices to pieces, smashed everything. Savah has been working on all kinds of equipment for the factory floor for weeks now. I figure they have to refurbish the front offices and worker’s quarters too.” Qakisst looked north out over the still blackened top of Chopper’s island. The first hints of green could be seen peaking up through the burnt black rock despite the changing color of the leaves in the surrounding countryside. “So why is your dad loaning me a table and chairs, really? Is he worried Caleb and I will pile more enchanted trinkets in your workshop?”

“Nah. I think he felt a little bad about yelling at you. It’s not like you stuck it in the house, and Caleb did leave a note.”

“It still was not very smart of us.”

“Don’ worry about it, Kisst. We did dumber stuff in school.” Connor Deverin looked over at Qakisst. “Do you ever miss it? Walking along with Korva, Cassidy, Vach and everybody else?”

“Miss what? Getting beat up every few months? Watching everybody else grow up while I was taking classes with kids one fifth my age because I do not age like everybody else?”

“Uhhhh…”

“We were talking about the dumb stuff we did in school; right?” Qakisst shrugged. “Sure, I miss seeing my friends almost every day. I hardly ever see you or Cassidy anymore; but we are all still around. Caleb used to slide by the armory just to say high when he was in town. I never thought to stop up at your house to say high though. I would go out to the Feedbag or the Deer most nights. Sometimes I would stop in at Cracktooth’s or Risa’s; I even get down to the Hagfish every so often. But since Lord Foxglove turned us into Sandpoint’s darling heroes I get to hang at the Dragon any night I want. The only place I never really go is the Kitten; I never see you though.” Qakisst stopped at turned to the youngest Deverin and smirked. “How long have you been spending all your nights at the Pixie’s Kitten?”

“Oh sweet Desna, if I ever set foot in the Kitten my mother with string me up by my toes!” Connor stopped the cart at the top of hill down High Street as he and Qakisst laughed.

“I never could quite understand why so many people look down on the girls at the Kitten. It must be my immoral Kelish ancestry.” Qakisst grabbed one arm of the Deverin’s two wheeled cart. “Here, let me help get this down the hill.” The pair started down the hill toward Qakisst’s cottage. “What is it that makes so many people dislike the Kitten and the people that work there? It’s not like half the town has not gone there at one time or another; but half of those try to sneak in like nobody should see them.”

“You always have been the most clueless smart guy around. Nobody wants people to think that they can’t find a partner without paying. Or that they would waste money paying instead of spending time finding a real life partner.” Connor looked over at Qakisst as they continued down the hill, “Even you have been insisting that you are not wasting all your coin at the Kitten. Word has gotten around.”

“Uhhh?” Qakisst looked back at Connor, speechless.

“See. Even you.” The younger Deverin shrugged as the two turned up Festival Street to Qakisst’s cottage. “Be honest; if Laure weren’t working at the Kitten would you be okay with her sleeping around with every other guy in town?”

“She is not my wife, Connor. She can do what she wants with her time.”

“Then how are you going to ever get a wife? You don’t actually expect somebody to be okay with you sleeping around while courting her, do you?”

“Hayır. If I find somebody I want to be serious with I will talk to her about what we both expect.”

“So never getting married. Got it.” Connor stopped in front of Qakisst’s cottage and lowered the front of the cart.

“NEDEN! I never said that!” Qakisst looked honestly insulted.

“Sorry Kisst; but do you actually expect any woman in Sandpoint to trust you not to go wandering off chasing other women? You’ll dance with any girl that gets within arm length of you.”

“Can we quit analyzing my love life?”

“Nope.” The pair pulled the small table and three chairs off the cart. “What do you expect the rest of us to do when every girl in town is lining up to dance with you?” Connor motioned toward the still locked door, “You going to unlock that?” Qakisst scrambled to unlock the door as Connor continued. “Master Belvin may be the most eligible bachelor in Sandpoint, but you’re more approachable. And you’re the best dancer in town. Besides; this is Sandpoint. What else do we have to talk about between goblin invasions?”

The pair shifted and turned the table to get it through the door as Qakisst replied, “Why does nobody go on and on about Caleb’s social life?”

“Caleb doesn’t have a social life. He never did. He didn’t even dance with that new friend of yours that you passed off to him at the Festival the other night. What’s her name again?”

“Sapphire.” Qakisst shook his head.

“Yeah, he didn’t dance with Sapphire. He just excused himself to go stand next to the bar and looked uncomfortable all evening until he got a chance to talk to the Sheriff and that big Shoanti named Athos. Next morning he was back out in the woods. Caleb hardly talks to anybody in town anymore. He’s practically a ghost.”

“Okay, how about the others? Surly everybody in town is talking about Konnor Elvenborn and Shayliss Vinder.”

“What’s to say? Shayliss has locked her eyes on freaky sneaky. It’s not like she hasn’t run over other famous adventurers before. Most of them know to run screaming like the Sandpoint Devil itself is after them because of her dad.” Connor Deverin passed the chairs in the door to Qakisst. “Besides, it’s more fun speculating about who Korva was screaming about last weekend than whether ol’ Vinder is going to catch the masked marvel. Most people have figured out that it’s Laure; but a few people think she was screaming about Lady Kaijitsu.”

Qakisst gave the younger Deverin boy a dirty look, “What happened last weekend is between Laure, Korva, and me. I really do not need the whole town gossiping about it.”

“Qakisst, this is Sandpoint. There are no secrets; just rumors.”

Qakisst pulled the door shut and locked it, “Thank your dad for lending me the table and chairs till he finishes my order.”

“No problem. Caleb wasn’t using them anyway.”

“Tell Cassidy to come dance with me down at the Dragon after we get back from Magnimar next week.” Qakisst smiled, “You might even come dance with Sapphire, since Caleb won’t. Just watch out for lady Tessa. She’s determined to tattoo the town.”

“We might; but should I trust you with my sister, Kisst?” Connor Deverin grinned at Qakisst as he headed back up the hill to the Deverin Woodworks; leaving Qakisst standing in front of his door mouth agape. “Good morning m’Lady Sapphire.”

“Hey kid, how you doin’?” Sapphire smiled at the younger Deverin boy as she strolled around the Red Dog Smithy waving to Qakisst.

“Hi Sapphire.”

“Wasn’t that Caleb’s little brother?” Sapphire looked back over her shoulder at the cart rounding the corner.

“Yeah. Master Deverin lent me a table and chairs until they finish my order for more furnishings for my place.”

“What did he say that has you all flustered?” Sapphire looked back up the road.

“Nothing; just questioning why I would invite his sister out to dance.” Qakisst started off for Market Square in a huff.

“Oh, first you get pouty with me over a kiss and now you’re chasing after Caleb’s sister? You are becoming quite the lady’s man; aren’t you?” Sapphire elbowed Qakisst playfully.

“Gerçekten komik bir değil, Sapphire. Uh… Sorry. I am still working on that.” Qakisst blushed.

Sapphire made a funny face as she spoke, “Do I need to ask Tessa to translate that for me? You didn’t just propose or something; did you?”

Qakisst nearly choked trying not to laugh, “Gerçekten komik bir değil means not funny; and that is not funny.”

“Yes it was.” Sapphire mugged at Qakisst.

“Hayır.” Qakisst stumbled over his words before he started to giggle.

“Then why are you laughing?”

“Dur! Hehe, stop!” The pair broke down laughing for several minutes.

“Better, kid?”

“Yeah.” Qakisst smiled. “Apparently everybody thinks I am trying to get everybody I dance with into bed.”

“Aren’t you?”

“Sapphire!”

“Most guys only dance with a girl because they want to sleep with her.” Sapphire shrugged.

“That is not true. Varisi just like to dance.” The pair strolled into the north end of Market Square as they bantered back and forth.

“Hey you two, you missed all the fun.” Caleb strolled up Pickleback Lane to join them as they entered the market.

Sapphire poked at Caleb’s chest plate with her fingertip, “You could have invited us alon…” Qakisst’s hand waved in front of Sapphire’s face as he made a shushing noise. “This better be good, Kid.”

“Look over there?” Qakisst pointed to the far side of the market at an impromptu stage were a woman in a red hat and red vest was singing. The woman swayed back and forth in an almost hypnotic motion as she sang.

“It’s a bard, so what? There are usually bards at market trying to make coin.” Caleb looked across the square as Loki padded up beside him with his tongue lolling out. The crowd around the woman seemed unusually rapt in their attention.

“She’s casting a… BÜYÜ!” Qakisst moved like fire as he spoke, “Lo lile joka!” Fiery snapdragons burst forth from Qakisst and swarmed about him. As he moved, Qakisst grabbed one of the fiery dragon forms and hurled it at the space the woman occupied.

POP!!! The woman staggered back as the firework exploded in her face.

Caleb spotted Konnor slipping across the market and looked where he was moving. There he saw a pair of elves not so stealthily rifling the pockets of one of the apparently charmed viewers. “Loki, sic!” Lupine and ranger dashed across the square having spotted the pair of would be thieves.

“What the hell!” Sapphire paused a moment trying to figure out what was happening when not two, but four darkly dressed elves broke from the crowd and began to run. The woman on the stage waved the smoke away from her face and scowled at Qakisst before scanning the crowd and seeing first Caleb, then Sapphire and Athos approaching the crowd with weapons drawn.

“HEY! I’m trying to do business here!” Tessa’s shout from a side booth caught the attention of one of the darkly clad elves as a second Snapdragon raced across the square to strike the woman in the red hat again. Tessa seeing the woman try to cast a spell laughed and whisked into the fray pulling a glass vial as she moved. The vial sailed just past the red hat and exploded sending flames scattering about as the woman wearing it dashed for Water Street.

Caleb, Konnor, Athos, and Sapphire engaged the thieves working the crowd; but the crowd just stood without movement; entranced. Those farthest from the stage only now beginning to shake off the effects of the spell they had been under. Qakisst spotted the bard in red heading down Water Street and he rushed for the alley behind Madam Mvashti’s house to try and cut the woman off. He knew his friends would be able to easily handle a hand full of street thieves so he rushed to stop their stalking horse before she could escape.

Bolting out of Rusty Nail Alley next to Turandarok; Qakisst could not see anybody coming up Main Street. He shifted into othersight and spotted Tessa run past the end of the street in hot pursuit. He followed suit running down Sand Street trying to get in front of his target but when he came out on Glass Street the only thing he could see was Tessa scanning the area for their target.

“Neler? Nereye gitti?” Qakisst spun around scanning in othersight for any sign of magical concealment. There was nothing.

“I hate recurring villains!” Tessa stomped off for market square.

When Tessa and Qakisst returned to Market Square they found Sapphire patching up the wounds of Konnor and Athos. Caleb seemed to be in fair shape, as did Loki. Two of the thieves were dead, one stunned, and the fourth out cold. The crowd was quite stirred up with excitement. Not only had Sandpoint’s young heroes apprehended a ring of thieves in the town, but they had done so right in the middle of the crowded market. The town watch had been called as soon as the Snapdragons started going off, and were now interviewing witnesses and the heroes.

“Q! Hey Q! Come over here.” Capt. Bar Merik seemed somewhat annoyed. “Q, what were you thinking?”

“Uh, I saw a woman casting charm spells. Ben sadece ona durdurmaya ihtiyacı olduğunu düşündüm.” Qakisst seemed to pale slightly.

“Take a deep breath, Q. Is that Kelish?” Capt. Merik looked both puzzled and annoyed.

“He is speaking Ignan.” Pavo Korbit stepped up beside the two as he spoke. “According to Master Gandethus he can’t help himself now.”

“Sorry.” Qakisst took a deep breath, “Ben sadece, er… I was just trying to stop her from using whatever charm she was using.”

“Pavo, go help interview the crowd.” Capt. Merik pointed towards the still somewhat confused crowd.

“But…”

“You’re a friend of Q’s so you need to go help over there. Now, Pavo.”

“Yes Sir.” Pavo slumped off as he looked back at Qakisst and Capt. Merik.

“Belanın içinde miyim?” Merik gave Qakisst a stern look. “Sorry. It is very difficult to clear the fire from my thoughts.” Qakisst took a deep breath.

“You better not be doing that on purpose, Q; but no, you are not in trouble.” Qakisst’s astonished look made Merik laugh. “No, I cannot understand whatever that hissing pop is you’re speaking. But I can read bodies pretty well.” Merik patted Qakisst on the shoulder as the young ifrit sighed. “Have a seat, Q and take a deep breath. Then please try to remember to think about the crowd around you before you start tossing fireworks into the square. Now can you tell me what clued you in that something was wrong?”

Qakisst answered question for about fifteen minutes before leaving with a warning that he should come get the guard first; the next time he wants to start a fire-fight in the middle of Market Day. When he walked up to the others he found Konnor still bleeding from a nasty knife wound that Sapphire had been unable to heal and Caleb still nursing a few deep scratches. Qakisst gripped both on the shoulder and called up the memory of Sarenrae’s blessings. His eyes rolled up in his head for a moment as Qakisst spoke in Ignan.

“Oww!” Caleb jumped up in pain as Konnor took a sip from his flask to dull the uncomfortable surge caused by healing. “Did you just… What the hell was that?”

Qakisst shook his head to clear the rush of fire from his mind as his eyes blinked to regain their focus. “Sorry. I did not think it would hurt like that.”

“Thanks, Qakisst.” Konnor stood up and headed for the garrison. “Are you guys coming? We have to go talk to our new friends in jail.”

“Wait, did Kisst just cast a cure spell?” Caleb stood there arms spread in confusion.

“Well, if you didn’t go wandering off chasing ogres by yourselves, you’d know what the Oracle can do. Keep up, Caleb.” Tessa drifted up the street behind Konnor.

“Did she just call Q the Oracle?” Athos looked at Sapphire then back up the street at Tessa as he grabbed his gear to follow.

“He’s been your friend longer than I’ve known him. Didn’t you know?” Sapphire rushed to try and catch Tessa before too many questions started coming her way.

Within ten minutes the entire party was piling into the Sandpoint Garrison together. Caleb seemed intent on questioning Qakisst more than the prisoners. “Sen sadece, Caleb duracaktır!” Qakisst held up his hands to fend off Caleb’s questions.

“What did he say?” Caleb looked around confused. The few guards in the garrison turned to watch the heroes with some bemusement.

“He said…”

“Stop it Tessa! You had your eğlence, uh, fun yesterday.” Qakisst glared at Tessa as he continued, “I will explain later, Caleb. Right now can we just question these idiots? Uh, anybody have lamp oil on them?”

“Here.” Konnor handed Qakisst a small vial of lamp oil, “Are you going to do what I think you are?”

“I think so.” Qakisst smiled.

“Oh this should be good.” Sapphire watched Qakisst rub the oil into his hair and around his face. Athos and Caleb just stared as Konnor and Qakisst walked back into the holding cells to talk to their captives. Behind Sapphire in the doorway, the on duty guards were on their toes to get a good view as Qakisst pulled up a chair and stepped into the cell with the one conscious prisoner.

“Hi.” Qakisst smiled at the prisoner. “We would like it very much if you would tell us about your boss.” The guards watching the interrogation jumped when the oil covering Qakisst’s head erupted in flames and the prisoner started screaming.

Fifteen minutes later a still smoky Qakisst walked out into the fresh air outside the garrison and sat in the grass laughing. “Mübarek Şafağıçiçeği; I think he shit himself!”

“That was a bit extreme, Q.” Athos looked pale as he followed the group outside. “And I think your hair is still smoking.”

“It worked. We didn’t have to lay a finger on him and he told us everything he knows.” Konnor leaned against the garrison smiling. “And he definitely shit himself.”

“Okay, now that you’re done trying to scare the crooks onto the straight and narrow; how do we find this Dahlia he was working with?” Tessa twirled around the street stirring up little dust devils as she moved. “He didn’t really give us much to go on other than their meet up point by the south bridge.”

“Cousin? Can we talk?” Caleb gave Qakisst a worrying look and motioned to the side.

“I am sorry, Caleb. I know that was a bit much, but it worked. Did it not?” Qakisst sat up, his tightly curled Mwangi hair turning to ash and drifting away in the wind. “Oh hey, I should regrow that. Kukua.” Qakisst ran his hands over his head brushing the ash away and his hair grew in instantly to replace the burnt curls.

“Please?” Caleb gestured to the side of the garrison away from the holding cells.

“Tamam mý!” Qakisst surged to his feet and stomped around the side of the garrison.

“Um, that was freaky as hell. Are you okay, Kisst?” Caleb followed Qakisst around the corner.

“Um, I am fine. Why?” Qakisst did his best to hide his annoyance, but utterly failed.

“Well; because you just lit yourself on fire to scare the shit out of some guy. That’s a bit extreme for you; isn’t it?” Loki slipped up behind Qakisst and leaned into the back of his legs tumbling the young ifrit to the grass.

“NIYE!” Qakisst flopped onto the ground with a thud.

“Loki, stop that!” Caleb chased his lupine companion back to the streets then offered Qakisst a hand up.

“I am good down here.” Qakisst lay back as the other Sandpoint heroes peaked around the corner.

“I’m sorry about that. He is a bit of a prankster.”

“It is okay. Tessa told me about his knack for tricks and jokes. I am not mad at that; just tell him to bring my wand back. Just because it is made of bone does not make it a chew toy.” At Qakisst’s comment Caleb looked back to the street to see Loki and Tessa playing tug of war with the finely crafted knuckle-bone wand. “That did hurt thought.”

“No changing the subject. What is up with you? What you did in there was rather frightening; and since when can you heal people.” Caleb slumped to the ground next to his friend of many years.

“Açıkcası bilmiyorum.” Qakisst sighed as he looked up into the blue afternoon sky, “I think I always had the potential; but the voices telling me how to do things started after you drown me at Thistletop.”

“WHAT!?!” The chorus of voices startled Qakisst into sitting up.

“Selam, uh… Nedir… Hi. You all heard that, huh?” Qakisst smiled sheepishly as he looked back at his friends looking around the corner of the garrison. Pavo had joined the group along with a few other guards now staring at Qakisst. Tessa had retrieved the bone wand from Loki and was trying to convince him to chase a different stick down the street; but Loki was not in the mood.

“Did you just say we drown you in the bunyip cave?” Caleb gripped Qakisst’s shoulder and turned him away from the crowd peaking around the corner.

“Yes, he said,… huff,… that you drown him in the bunyip cave.” Tessa heaved a long dry stick down the street as Loki sat grinning at her unimpressed. “I told you all not to go down there. Fetch, Loki! Go on, fetch!”

“And now you’re hearing voices?” Sapphire stepped forward out of the pack to kneel next to Qakisst with a worried look on her face. “What are these voices telling you to do?”

“Durdurmak, Sapphire. They do not tell me to hurt people or to do anything. They seem to be teaching me to cast curing spells and how to see flaws in metal. One voice seems to tell me how to shield myself with my faith in the Dawnflower. I have not worked that one out yet. I think I can even purify food and drink; Selam! Why did I not do that last night?” Qakisst’s exclamation brought a laugh from Konnor who was peaking around the corner with Athos and the guards.

“Are you really telling us that you’re some kind of cleric now?” Caleb cocked an eyebrow and looked Qakisst in the face as Sapphire continued to kneel next to him.

Qakisst lay back into the grass, “I am not a cleric. Seriously, everybody. I do not have wild voices in my head telling me to do horrible stuff. No dark powers telling me to open Runewells under Sandpoint or some crazy stuff. They’re telling me how to make things and help people; not how to hurt anybody or destroy things.”

Pavo’s voice came from the back of the crowd, “You know you just proved Korva right, don’t you? You can’t tell her that you’re not spirit touched anymore.” Pavo’s voice seemed flat. Caleb chuckled slightly at the thought of Korva Viskalai bragging about being right all this time and Athos flat out laughed. Qakisst grew slightly pallid at the thought.

“I did say that you really are spirit touched, Qakisst.” Athos stepped out from the crowd and gripped both Caleb and Qakisst under the arm. “Up; both of you. We have a thief to catch still. You can discuss the new shaman’s powers of prophecy later.”

“Here’s your stick, Junior. Loki seems to have slobbered all over it.” Tessa handed the knuckle-jointed bone wand she had retrieved from Loki back to Qakisst.

“Safi.” Qakisst made a funny face as the minor magics he commonly called to do minor tasks stripped Loki’s slobber from the wand. “Thank you for not leaving tooth marks, Loki.” Loki grinned toothily back at Qakisst and took off down the road while Qakisst turned to Tessa, “He really does act like he understands.”

“Uh, Caleb? Are you going to be bringing that, uh, furball into town with you all the time?” Pavo stood next to the guard shack with the other guards watching the big wolf lope down the street.

“Probably. He has decided that this place isn’t as bad as he thought.” Caleb rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he turned to follow Loki along with the rest of Sandpoint’s young heroes. “I guess I should bring him by to meet the sheriff sometime soon.” Pavo and his co-workers simply stared after them as they left.

A quick rush down to Market Street and the Scarnetti lumber mill allowed the party to set watch over the bridge, but after an hour nobody matching the description of their target showed up. Qakisst, concealed inside the mill, watched the bridge but could only see Athos and Sapphire in the brush on the other side.

“Hey Q! What are you doing in my mill?” The always unfriendly voice of Banny Harker startled Qakisst from his vantage point.

“Hiçbir şey! I am looking for thieves, Banny. Have I found one?” Qakisst flopped out the silver plated badge he had been given by Sheriff Hemlock and scowled at the lumber mill’s foreman.

“You’re too funny, Q. What are you really doing?” Banny scowled but kept his eyes on the badge.

“We caught a pack of thieves in the market earlier. They were supposed to meet up with their boss at the south bridge if things went bad; but it looks like she bolted without them.” Qakisst turned back to look at Banny, “I cannot exactly stand out on the bridge without being seen, can I?”

“Yeah, I guess freaks do stand out a little too much. HEY!” The air above Banny Harker opened up and water poured over his head soaking him to the skin.

“What?” Qakisst looked questioningly at Banny as the water stopped flowing, “I am a fire sorcerer, Banny. Somebody else around here must dislike you.” Qakisst smiled and slapped the big mill manager on the shoulder. “I will let Katrine know you are all wet next time I see her.”

“You can’t hide behind that badge all the time, Vishtani!” Banny held out his arms as water dripped off of him.

“Did it ever occur to you, Banny…” Steam rolled off Qakisst as his temperature jumped up and fire rolled across his fingertips , “…that the reason so many of my friends jump in my way is not to protect me, but to protect other people from me?” Qakisst strolled out of the mill onto River Street and headed down to the bridge to join the rest of the party.

The Exchange

The Greatest Show in Varisia:

After a brief discussion, the group split up to complete their preparations for the evening’s trip to the theater. Their missing bard had vanished and the owner of Sandpoint’s somewhat famous theater, Cyrdak Drokkus, had invited the group to be special guests for tonight’s show. It would be considered both impolite and a personal slight if the party did not attend. Qakisst rushed home to change into his new clothes. He had not bought anything elaborate, but still wanted to be at least presentable in the very upscale establishment. Showing up in his ratty old vest and leggings would never be appropriate; even though Cyrdak had told him his normal festival clothes would be perfectly fine. Once cleaned and dressed, Qakisst went looking for Laure’s apartment. It took him a while to find the upstairs entry off of Tanglefoot Alley, but Qakisst had given himself plenty of time.

When he arrived, one of Laure’s housemates greeted him with a wry smile and invited him in to sit on the couch, “Hey, Q. Don’t you look nice tonight. I was wondering if you were going to snazz up for your big date.” The finely dressed Pixie Girl snuggled up close to Qakisst as she led him to the couch.

Qakisst looked around the entry room and smiled as he accepted the seat on the couch, “You have a very nice place. I am jealous as I do not think I could afford such niceties. Does Kay own the down stairs to the building?”

“Kay owns the entire building. She rents the upstairs to Laure, and I. Oh, and to Sarah.” Gretchen settled onto the couch next to Qakisst and smiled. “I heard you got your own place now; surely it’s as nice as this old place with all the treasures you must have recovered from Thistletop.”

“Uuuhhh…” Qakisst blinked unsure of how to explain that most treasure wasn’t coin. They still hadn’t figured out what to do with the giant gold helmet; and many other things from Thistletop would only be useful to scholars; but had little value.

“Oh, knock it off Gretchen. His place has a bed and a kettle. I swear all his money went to the healers.” Laure stepped out from the back hallway dressed in yellow as usual, with black trim and a black hat. “How do I look, sweetie?”

“Like I do not deserve such a wonder.” Qakisst stood and took Laure’s hand, “I came early expecting to have a wait.”

Laure scowled at her housemate as she spoke, “Not safe to leave a hot guy like you sitting around here. Somebody might steal you away.” Laure stuck her tongue out at Gretchen with a grin as the pair headed to the door arm in arm.

“I would never do such a thing!” Gretchen gave an innocent smile then looked at Qakisst and winked. “Come earlier next time Q. I’ll show you around the place and you can say high to Kay and Sarah.”

As the two descended the stairs Qakisst laughed. “She was teasing me, I am sure.”

“She was. Gretchen is a wonder; but I do like the privacy at your cottage. We have our own bedrooms here but the interior walls are a little thin and I didn’t think you would be comfortable if we could be heard.” Laure poked him in the ribs as Qakisst blinked. “You are actually kind of loud.”

“Şaşırtmak! Am I doing something wrong when…” Qakisst pinched his brow as less pleasant thoughts that he might be heard flooded his mind.

“Oh I’m just teasing, Q.” Laure’s grinned as the two turned down Festival Street. Qakisst tried to give her a disapproving look; but could not manage it as he struggled to contain his own laughter. “That’s better. I see you have your sense of humor back; but if I make you uncomfortable just tell me.”

“No. I am not uncomfortable. And I just like that I can be honest and open with you. You do not judge me like some people might or treat me like some divine freak.” Qakisst rolled his eyes playfully as he walked and drew Laure closer. Most people they passed waved as expected. A small hand full showed some disapproval by ignoring the couple. As they walked Qakisst made a point of very cheerily greeting those that seemed to try and ignore the couple. “I do not even mind that you invited yourself to tonight’s festivities as I had planned to invite you yesterday; but yesterday just… I have not the words.”

“So are you going to tell me what was going on yesterday? And why did acolyte Rauno spend ten minutes pounding on my door to wake me yesterday morning?” Laure cocked an eyebrow looking at Qakisst

“Çünkü Master Gandethus asked him too. Ah… He wanted to make sure that what is happening to me seni etkilemiyor; is not affecting you.” Qakisst took a deep breath then looked into the air around him. “Bana dışı bir gece veremez misin, lütfen?” The voices around Qakisst grew distant and quiet; Qakisst looked stunned like he’d just been slapped and paused mid-step.

“Umm, who were you talking too, and are you doing it again with the whole language thing?” Laure stopped and looked at Qakisst, whose mouth was hanging open.

“I did not think that would work.” A broad grin came across his face as Qakisst looked at Laure, “No, I am not. But it is quiet. Listen to it? I have not had quiet in several days.”
“I hear the sound of people heading out for dinner this evening. Hardly quiet, Q.”

“Let us get dinner and I will explain as we eat. I am famished” Qakisst urged Laure on to the Dragon and dinner where they found themselves directed to join Caleb, Athos, and Master Sabyl Sorn of the House of Blue Stones monastery. Qakisst blinked in surprise at finding Sabyl seated next to Athos.

“Master Vishtani, very pleased to be joining you this evening. Athos has informed me that you have found a new gift. I would be most pleased to hear all about it over dinner.” Sabyl rose to greet Qakisst and Laure as they arrived, followed by both Caleb and Athos. “It is a pleasure to see you as well Ms. Veiskin. We saved you seats.”
“Place is packed tonight, Q. Won’t be a better table for hours.” Athos smiled. “And a pleasure to see you as well Laure.”

“Uh, Master Sorn, bu beklenmedik bir durum. Uh, sorry; this is an unexpected pleasure.” Qakisst gave a curt bow to Sabyl as he helped Laure take her seat. “I have not seen you since our trip to Windsong Abby.”

Sabyl returned to her seat and smiled, “I am still smiling from your little story during our night under the stars. I should very much like to meet Ms. Previ someday to thank her for the wonderful laugh your shared adventure provided.” Caleb and Athos sat once Sabyl had seated herself.

“Something I might enjoy, Sweetie?” Laure looked sideways at Qakisst.

“Sana daha sonra söyleyecektir.” Qakisst blushed, “I will tell you later. I would rather not repeat that one in the Dragon.” He then smiled sheepishly at Laure, “Just promise me that you will never play ‘How I Met’ with any Varisi; please.

“Hey Junior!” Tessa slipped into the seat next to Qakisst, on the other side from Laure, “And the name of the game is ‘How I met Cousin Kisst.’ Don’t go shortening the title.” Qakisst sighed and blushed an even deeper maroon color.

“How I met Cousin Kisst? Wait, what?” Laure gave Qakisst a puzzled look.

Sabyl frowned, “I am sorry, Qakisst. I think I have inadvertently embarrassed you.”

“Hayır, hayır.” Qakisst took a deep breath, “No, it is not your fault. I mentioned the game.”

“I do like games.” Laure smirked and looked sideways at Qakisst.

“You do not get to play. Lütfen, I will explain later.” Qakisst covered his face with his right hand.

“You’re doing it again Junior; take a deep breath and relax. All friends here.” Tessa pulled out a long thin tape measure and started measuring Qakisst’s head. “You’re pretty symmetrical, right Kid?”

“Tessa, do you have to do that now? This is supposed to be dinner before the theater.” Caleb held up both hands questioningly while Laure looked past Qakisst at Tessa in confusion. Sabyl and Athos chuckled softly.

“Is she measuring my head now?” Qakisst turned to Tessa with a stunned look.

“Hey, this is very important and precise work. It is going to take the better part of a week to complete, if not longer.” Tessa continued to measure Qakisst’s body as drinks began to arrive at the table. “I like the form you chose finally, Junior; but are you sure about your choice of inks?”

“You’re getting another tattoo?” Laure sat up and turned to Qakisst then covered her mouth. “Uh, shit. Sorry; Qwakisst, I’m sorry.”

“You let somebody else ink you, Junior? Should I be offended?” Tessa gave Qakisst a faint smile as Qakisst pinched the bridge of his nose between both thumbs.

“I did not let anybody ink me, Tessa. I, um… ne diyeceğini bilemiyorum; onu istekli değildi.” Qakisst slowly moved his left hand to grip Laure’s right arm softly to reassure her that he was not mad as he continued to pinch the bridge of his nose with his right; but the color of his face deepened showing his embarrassment. The words of fire flooded his mind and Qakisst found it difficult to understand the conversations as it continued.

“Woah, Q. That must be some tat to make you blush like…” Athos stopped mid-sentence as angry winds washed around him nearly stealing his breath. Caleb swallowed his near laughter as lanterns all throughout the Rusty Dragon swayed in the inexplicably intense breeze.

“Shut it, Athos! Now!” Tessa stood up behind Qakisst and gently pushed his head forward even as she snapped at Athos with more venom that anybody had ever heard from the ephemeral woman. Her tone changed completely as she brushed her fingers through the tightly curled hair on the back of Qakisst’s head. “It’s okay, Junior. I just need to see it. Okay?”

Laure turned pink in embarrassment and whispered to Qakisst, “I am so sorry. I really am.”

“Onu tamamdır. Ben Laure, sizinle kýzgýn değilim.” Qakisst squeezed Laure’s arm gently even as Tessa rooted through the hair on the back of his head.

“What did I…” Athos sat back looking stunned as both Caleb and Sabyl looked confused.

“Just shut it, Rock Head” The winds stirring up the Dragon had begun to die down as Tessa examined the back of Qakisst’s head. “Don’t worry little Laure, he said that he is not mad at you. I understand why he kept it a secret though.” Tessa leaned over Qakisst’s left shoulder between he and Laure as she continued, “Don’t worry though. It ain’t enchanted so it can be removed if we just find a wizard with the right spell.”

“Bu olabilir? Sizden daha mübarek Şafağıçiçeği.” Qakisst seemed to relax as if all the weight of the world just disappeared from his shoulders. “Uh, I…”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Junior.” Tessa turned her face from Qakisst to Laure, “And I think you’ve apologized enough. He should have told me before though. That thing would be gone already if he had.” Tessa ruffled both their heads then stood up. “Changes my starting point since that has to go away first; but this is not insurmountable; easy to deal with. We will get it removed in Magnimar.”

Caleb, Athos, and Sabyl looked on in confusion as Qakisst took a deep breath and tried to regain a more natural coloration. Laure hugged his arm and whispered yet another apology to him. Caleb was first to regain his voice as plates of food finally arrived. “Uh, do we get even a polite explanation? And can you put Athos’ head back on, Tessa?”

“I would expect Athos to be more sensitive about such issues considering…” Tessa looked about her and Qakisst looked at her with some trepidation, “… what happened to his brother.” Athos and Caleb continued to look confused. Sabyl covered her mouth as her eyes flooded with realization. Slowly realization dawned on the two men as the memory of what had brought Athos to Sandpoint came to them.

“Lütfen; Tessa it is not Athos’ fault. He did not know. Almost nobody did.” Qakisst took a deep breath as he worked to control his emotions. “Yes, I have a slave’s mark on the back of my head. I grew up a slave in Qadira. It is something I am not proud of; but it is the past.”

“Cousin? Why didn’t you ever ask one of the Tattooed Sorcerers to remove it?” Caleb leaned in over his plate with honest concern. Qakisst looked somewhat confused as his mind raced to translate the Taldan language into something he could understand at that moment.

“I was too…” Qakisst looked down at his plate as he continued to struggle with his emotions. Laure hugged the young ifrit; still feeling guilty about exposing his secret in public. “…embarrassed. I do not often talk about my life in Qadira. There are too many dark memories.”

“You have no need to explain, Qakisst. Or reason to be embarrassed.” Sabyl picked up her glass as she looked across the table, “And I am all the more impressed with you now. To freedom; my friends.” She raised her glass in a toast. The other five raised their glasses returning the toast.

“Well this table looks too depressed to be this well dressed. You must be going to Cyrdak’s theater tonight.” Ameiko Kaijitsu stepped up behind Qakisst as the six drank their toast. Qakisst gulped once then turned to Tessa.

“Gerçekten Kadin üzerimde bu kadar çok kadar sinsi zevk alır mı?” Qakisst’s face flushed maroon once more.

“Maybe, Junior. Why don’t you ask her?” Tessa elbowed Qakisst as she picked up her utensils to dig into her food.

“Mr. Vishtani? You have a question?” Ameiko smiled.

“I was, ah, wondering why you avoid dancing with bana, ah, with me.” Qakisst turned to look at Ameiko looking over his shoulder and caught her blushing slightly with discomfort as he turned the tables on her. “You, uh, left early from festivalidir, Tekergün; um Wheelday.”

Ameiko seemed flustered for a moment as if she had expected a more traditional stammer from Qakisst. For months he had always been completely tongue tied in her presence; yet he smiled up at her innocently waiting for an answer to his question. “Well, er… It had been a very long day.” The Dragon Lady fidgeted a moment before finishing her reply, “We will get to that dance eventually. I am quite sure.”

“Evet. Yes, we will.” Qakisst smiled up at Ameiko, thinking of sailors swearing and the soup ladle she had nearly laid her father out with. “Bizimle katılabilir olurdu? We would be glad of your company.” Qakisst gestured to the table to invite their hostess to join them which brought a flush to Ameiko’s face.

“As you can see, I have a most crowded inn tonight. I simply wanted to pay my respects to my saviors. I am ever so grateful for what you have done for me.” Ameiko gave the table a nod before excusing herself, “I hope you enjoy the theater; and you still owe me the story of your Wheelday dinner.”

“It is a buluşma.” Qakisst smiled even as he blushed slightly before Ameiko returned to the kitchen.

“Did you just…”

“Tessa Kapa çeneni.” Qakisst gave Tessa a dirty look.

“You really can’t stop from slipping into, what is that language?” Caleb gave Qakisst a slightly worried look as Athos and Sabyl laughed at the absurdness of it all. “So are you going to please explain all of this to us finally?”

Qakisst took a deep breath, “Eat, before it gets cold.” He picked up his fork and knife and started in on dinner. “I will explain as we eat; if you do not mind.”

“Please. I have been waiting since yesterday’s deluge for an explanation.” Laure started on her dinner.

Qakisst’s explanation lasted through dinner and continued on the walk to Sandpoint’s theater. The revelation that Qakisst may well have actually drowned at Thistletop had been unsetting, but Qakisst continued to assert that he was alright now. The idea that he was some sort of oracle of Sarenrae fascinated Sabyl and Athos, but worried Caleb. Tessa’s assurance that none of this would be any problem did not seem to reassure Caleb but he agreed that Qakisst’s new powers of healing would be a blessing with Laranys returning to Absalom tomorrow.

To everybody’s surprise, when they arrived at the theater they found Sapphire accompanied by Master Belvin Valdemar along with Konnor waiting on the steps. Cyrdak rushed out to greet all of them and escorted them as honored guests up to his personal box to enjoy the show. Sapphire accompanied Belvin to his family’s personal box and at some point Konnor slipped away from the group to remain absent throughout the evening. Qakisst was certain that he had arraigned to meet with Shayliss someplace in the theater and expected to hear Mr. Vender storming into the theater all evening.

The performance was a marvel of theatrics. Jugglers, acrobats, singers and play actors astounded Qakisst throughout the evening; and Laure clung to him with a thrill. But it was during the last performance that Qakisst sat bolt upright. Magnimar’s newest diva, the Fire Rose, had agreed to travel to Sandpoint for tonight’s show. The beautiful young woman stepped out onto the stage in a red and gold dress that flickered like fire and began to sing.

The voice was riveting. It touched the soul of everybody present and stirred emotions the audience had never felt before; but as Qakisst watched her move about the stage he could see it and feel it. The unmistakable music of the spheres that only bards could command; and in the exact same registry and tone as the bard that had entranced the audience in Market Square that afternoon. The Fire Rose was their missing thief.

Qakisst sat stunned. He could not believe it. This marvelous performer who could command concert halls and royal audiences was a common thief. But as he studied her movements and voice any doubt Qakisst had faded. This was not some fluke. Not some case of a common teacher with one great student and one bad student. The human woman on the stage was the elven blooded woman they had chased that very afternoon. She was even using a similar charm spell on the audience as he watched. Qakisst’s eyes darted around the audience below looking for suspicious activity; but he saw none.

Carefully Qakisst cast the whispering wind spell that let him send quiet messages; sending a message on a breeze first to Tessa and then to Caleb, “Do you recognize our thief from this afternoon?” Tessa looked at him from her seat and grinned a wicked grin. Caleb looked a little more stunned, but did not look away from the stage now as he studied the talented bard as she performed. Tessa leaned forward in her seat and whispered their startling discovery to Athos who looked back at her in disbelief.

The Exchange

I find Konnor to be cliché in many of the worst ways. He reminds me of an adolescent playing spy; like a twelve year old pretending to be James Bond. That's part of why I refer to him as Drizzt 254875.9; especially now that I know he isn't a half elf. The player actually wrote the character up as the son of a famous drow adventurer of good reputation. The player really does ham it up too.

The Lion:

Konnor practically vibrated with excitement. He and Shayliss Vinder had slipped into the empty Kaijitsu box of Sandpoint’s theater for some quiet time. He had known the box would be empty. With the passing of Lonjiku Kaijitsu the only owner of the private box was Lady Ameiko; and it was fairly well known that she despised the theater’s owner.

That gave Konnor and Shayliss an opportunity to spend a quiet evening someplace that Shayliss’ overly protective father would not find them. But to Shayliss’ detriment; Konnor only seemed to have eyes for the Fire Rose. The young lady pouted a moment before taking a more direct approach to getting Konnor’s attention. She locked lips with Konnor which brought him back to their semi-private wrestling match in the Kaijitsu box.

As much as Konnor was enjoying Shayliss’ amorous attentions his mind was a buzz. He knew it was her. This Fire Rose singing on stage at the moment had to be the mysterious bard they had chased out of the market square earlier in the day. The voice, the way she moved, the little things that most people never looked at; all marks. All tells that a trained expert could use to identify somebody.

As the show finally drew to an end Konnor smiled a too fake smile at Shayliss, “Hey baby, I need to get you home before your Daddy comes looking for you. You remember what happened the last time he caught us together.”

“Oh it’s okay honey. I told Mom and Daddy I was turning in early. They think I’m tucked away safely in bed.” Shayliss rolled her shoulder in that special way that allowed the strap on her left shoulder to slide down her arm.

“Oh no. Not here, baby. Too many other people around.” God and Tankard, Konnor thought to himself. He did not have time to play games with his current strumpet. There were things to do and as much fun as rolling around with Shayliss was; this was simply more important that a little carnal pleasure. “I’ll tell you what; here’s my key for my room at the Dragon. Don’t let anybody see you going in. I’ll spend a little time being seen just milling around. Then if your daddy asks anybody they will honestly tell him that I haven’t been anywhere near you.”

“Oh Konnor, you’re too smart.” Shayliss practically beamed with pride as she kissed Konnor then slipped out of the booth before the final curtain fall. Konnor smiled as Shayliss left and turned his attention back to this Fire Rose.

“The game is now afoot.” Konnor slipped stealthily from the booth as the crowd below leapt to their feet in ovation. As he shifted from shadow to shadow heading for the stairs the roguish young dark elf flipped his cloak around so that the darker interior lining showed out to alter his appearance and to better blend into the shadows. He then reached into his boot and pulled out the porcelain mask he kept with him always. No one would know who he was, Konnor thought to himself.

Konnor could hear the calls for an encore echoing through the hall as he slipped down to the back stage entrance. With the show nearly over and the working staff focused on the final performance he knew there would be no problem slipping into the back of the theater to the dressing rooms and guest quarters.

Konnor quietly moved into the prop storage area beneath the stage and moved into the separate section where performers and guests of Sandpoint’s theater stayed. Staff workers, gaffers, and stagehands stayed in this bottom area. Konnor expected that he might find a hint about the two elves that had been killed and the two others that had been captured; but no luck. From there he slipped up the stairwell at the back that led up to the offices and guest quarters when he heard a shout.

“Hey you, what are you doing back here?” A big burley but well-dressed Shoanti man approached him. “No fans in the back of the theater, boy.”

Konnor did not hesitate. A flash of powder and smoke flipped from his fingertips to cover his movements. Before the lumbering Shoanti could react to his actions Konnor jumped back down the stairwell from landing to landing. He only made it down to the second floor landing when he heard people coming up the steps.

“Crap.” Back up the steps he went, three at a time. The big lumbering Shoanti was at the fourth floor landing looking down the stairwell when Konnor came up the stairwell on the rail, “Pardon me.”

The big bouncer lashed out to grab Konnor but came up empty handed. Konnor spotted an open window just above the stairway landing behind the bouncer and flipped himself out it feet first.

“HEY! Kid, don’t…” The theater’s head bouncer turned to follow Konnor out the window and looked down expecting to see the worst. There was nobody there.

Just as Konnor passed out the window he grabbed the top of the window frame and triggered the magic that was his noble birthright. He levitated strait up even as his hand gripped the window frame just long enough to redirect his momentum back up over the roof of the theater. Looking just out over the edge he saw the bouncer stick his head out the window looking for him on the ground below. Konnor quickly pulled his head back lest the bouncer look up and see him, and quietly moved along the roof to the other side. Even as he looked down over the edge for the window he expected at this side of the building, the window closed.

“Damn.” Konnor knew there would be too many people in the guest area of the theater now. He would have to investigate later. Knowing that he only had a limited time before his levitation magic exhausted itself and not wanting to be caught stuck on the ceiling of the theater Konnor took a running start and leapt for the far side of the roof of the Turandarok Academy. Just as he passed over the edge of the Academy Konnor resumed the levitation magics of his ancestors and floated down to the rooftop.

From there it was a short walk over to Main Street next to the Blue Stone monastery. Konnor stepped over the edge of Turandarok’s roof and floated to the ground with no one in sight. He quickly flipped his cloak back to right-side out and stowed his mask back in his boot; then walked the short distance back to the front of the Theater.

At this point Konnor thought that perhaps a more direct approach would garner more success. Not seeing any of his new friends about; he strolled back up into the main entrance of the Theater and quickly located the owner, Cyrdak Drokkus. Cyrdak had invited them to the show so maybe the eccentric, and if Konnor was honest, and overly flamboyant bard could get him a personal audience with this Fire Rose.

“Oh, oh my. Master Elvenson; Konnor is it? Yes, have you heard the excitement? It seems that a masked man tried to sneak in to see the Fire Rose.” Cyrdak shook with exhilaration even as Konnor was walking up to him. “I certainly hope that this was nothing more than a fan-boy stunt.” Cyrdak leaned in a little too close for Konnor’s comfort and whispered, “But if not; I am sure that I can trust that Sandpoint’s heroes will be here to keep our star safe.”

“Um, yeah. Sure we will.” Konnor paused for just a moment, “Hey, you don’t suppose I could meet Fire Rose could I?” Konnor smiled toothily and tried to move away from Cyrdak without looking uncomfortable.

“Oh, I don’t think so with the excitement of the evening. She was very tired after tonight’s performance and asked not to be disturbed.” Cyrdak shrugged at the request and patted Konnor on the arm. “She is amazing though, isn’t she?”

“Yeah, she’s incredible. I really wish I could meet her.”

“Oh, I shouldn’t. But I will ask. Your cute young friends Qakisst was asking about meeting her too. I told him that maybe if all of you meet over at Cracktooth's in the morning she might be willing to have breakfast with you. But no promises.” Cyrdak stepped beside Konnor and unexpectedly lifted up the corner of his cloak. “My, this is a marvelous cloak you have. Very nice. Make sure you wear it tomorrow. Fire Rose will expect you to look your best if she meets with you.” He winked at Konnor and grinned.

“Oh now I must be off. Lots to do; and we still need to find out how somebody snuck into the theater.” Without a salutation or regard, Cyrdak moved off into the crowd of people still milling about the lobby.

Well hell, Konnor thought to himself. Somebody breaking in spoils any chance I’ll have of slipping back in to investigate more behind stage. “Whomever this idiot kid is, he is messing with my mojo.” Konnor mumbled to himself as he headed down the steps and across market square. As he passed Vinder’s General Store he saw the owner, Ven, staring at him with a glare from the entry.

“Keep moving dark elf.” Ven held a broom with an undeniable menace as he glared after Konnor.

“I’m staying away, you old coot.” Konnor stuck his tongue out at Ven and turned up the street toward the dragon before smiling to himself. “And now to go stay away from your daughter in a nice private room.”

Moments later Konnor walked over the threshold of the Rusty Dragon and looked about the tavern and inn. Next to the stairs he saw Tessa working on some poor sod’s shoulder with a full set of her torture pens and inks. Why anybody would let that crazy woman stab them a thousand times with tattoo ink was beyond him; and yet the idea of a great eagle tattooed in full color across his back had a certain appeal. But tattoos could be used to identify somebody so no way was Konnor letting the crazy artist near his skin.

“Hey Mystery Boy.” As he walked past Tessa near the bottom of the stairs up to the Dragon’s guest rooms she called out to him in that too annoying way she had. “Nice freefall down to Turandarok. Good form.”

“What are you taking about?” Konnor crooked his head back as he passed Tessa with squinted eyes.

“Have you ever considered cliff diving? Though I doubt they have a huge call for that were your parents live. Merchants, you said? Don’t think I haven’t looked into that.” Tessa smiled with pursed lips then went back to her customer.

Konnor looked at Tessa as if she had three heads then bounded too energetically up the steps. As he left Tessa looked up and yelled out in ignan, “<Say hi to Shameless for me.>” Konnor tripped over the last step nearly falling before catching his balance. He stood up, glared down at Tessa then stomped down the hallway.

Pulling out a set of well used picks, and being very familiar with the locks on the Dragon’s rooms Konnor walked up to his room, checked the door quietly before swiftly tripping the lock open, and slid in the door with a grin. Who cares if Tessa knows? She has enough of her own secrets.

“Baby, what took you so long?” Shayliss’ voice drifted down the hall as Konnor closed then locked the door.

The Exchange

A quick little break in the current action. Athos wrote a final chapter for our Laranys before she departed for Absalom. Our beloved player Sam went off on a more exciting adventure as a newlywed a month after we finished Burnt Offering. This was our farewell to her the morning after Konnor's theater adventure;

Goodbye Laranys:

The last few days had been quite a bit slower paced for Laranys Gallantara than the previous ones. After her weeks of searching and all the excitement of uncovering the threat to Sandpoint, she had found her father, Iannan. He was now safe and recovering from his ordeal. She spent most of her time looking after him and helping out around the Cathedral as she could.

Meanwhile, her strange group of new friends had returned to Thistletop and finished off the evils that dwelled in its dungeons. They had come back just three days ago with the body of a great hermit crab that was living in a giant golden helmet that weighed over 20 stone. Of course, they had brought the beast back to donate it to a feast for the town. During the feast, Athos and Caleb had thrilled their audience with the story of the fight against the great beast while Tessa and Qakisst used magics to provide dramatic effects for the story. It had been a truly wonderful night.

Qakisst had made sure there was enough room to dance and a bard to play at the crab feast. He had insisted that Laranys dance with him one final time before she left. My how the young ifrit loved to dance! Laranys had been out of breath just trying to keep up with him. Sapphire had no shortage of young men waiting to dance with her as well. Laranys was glad the young aasimar was fitting in so well here in Sandpoint.

Fireday had brought another large group of traders and merchants to Sandpoint. Laranys was able to pick up a few more things for her and Iannan’s travels. Her friends were their usual selves, with Tessa offering tattoos to anyone who could pay, while Konnor constantly looked like he was about to pick someone’s pocket. Laranys was pretty sure he did not actually rob anyone, but would not guarantee it.

Qakisst and Athos had shown up at the Cathedral that afternoon insisting that she join the rest of the party at the Sandpoint Theater that evening. They were all the guests of Cyrdak Drokkus, the owner of the theater, for a performance by the Fire Rose. She was a well-regarded performer just beginning to make her way onto the Magnimarian circuit. Qakisst was bringing his lady friend Laure and Athos was to be joined by Sister Sabyl. They told her Sapphire was to be on the arm of Belvin Valdemar, the son of one of Sandpoint’s founders and one of Sandpoint’s most eligible bachelors. Finally, she let them convince her to go.

That afternoon Caleb regaled Laranys with the story of his and Shalelu’s latest adventure from which he had just returned. They had drug Athos and several town guards off to kill some ogres that were marshalling goblin forces. While they had survived and felled their enemies, Laranys got the sense that, as usual for Caleb, it was very close to disaster. He clearly reveled in the life of adventure he had found in the hinterlands protecting his town. May the goddess watch over and protect him from his own sense of adventure.

The theater show had been spectacular. A jester’s act had gone first to amuse the crowd with juggling and acrobatics. Then a woman had come out to the stage in an ankle-length green dress with thorn designs running through it in shimmering silver thread. The Fire Rose had long red hair hanging down her back and it trailed behind as she danced and sang several songs. Although Laranys was not familiar with the show, Cyrdak told her it was all the rage in Magnimar. Still, Laranys could tell a talented performer when she saw one. She excused herself from her friends after the show and checked on Iannan one last time before going to bed.

“The Dawn brings new light.” Laranys whispered to herself. The words of the Dawnflower were never more true than on this day. Today Laranys and Iannan would begin their long journey back to Absalom, the City at the Center of the World. She looked around the Cathedral in Sandpoint and could not help but feel a little sadness in leaving. Sandpoint would never compare to Absalom, but she had found she really enjoyed the quaint little town. ‘Perhaps in another life…’

She finished packing the last of her things into her bag and made her way outside. Her friends would be leaving for Magnimar by horse later in the day. They were to escort Lady Kaijitsu to find new workers for the Glassworks and testifying against the prisoners from Sandpoint. The group of adventurers and a few members of the town gathered to see Laranys and Iannan off on their journey.

Father Zantus wished her safe travels and thanked her for all she had done for the town and the Cathedral. Sheriff Hemlock thanked her for her efforts in thwarting Nualia’s plans and saving their community. Mayor Deverin warmly wished her well and thanked her for all she had done to help put the final chapter of the Late Unpleasantness to a rest. Ameiko reminded her that should Laranys ever be in Sandpoint again there would always be a place for her to stay at the Dragon.

Athos stepped up and put his hands on her shoulders. “My father’s people would say ’May your spirit guide you.’ Take care, priestess. It was an honor to go into battle with you by my side.”

“Let your thunder roll across the Storval Plateau.” She tried not to mangle the saying he had taught her in Shoanti. She could tell from his slight wince that she had not gotten it quite right.

“I shall have to travel to this Absalom if I hear you are not keeping that scimitar sharpened.” The big man grinned down at her.

“I will be sure to keep a sharp edge to not disappoint you. Be well, my friend.”

Caleb gave her a quick hug. “Thanks for saving my bacon all those times. If you guys ever make it back on a research trip, I’ll gladly show you around through all the Thassilonian ruins we can find.”

“If I ever make it back, I would not want anyone else to be my guide.”

Qakisst practically danced as he rocked back and forth. His lady friend, Laure had accompanied him; despite obviously not being a morning person.

“Oh, my friend. Why are you so fidgety this morning? I know that it is not too early for you.” Laranys looked at him thinking that Qakisst blushed so easily.

“Çünkü sana kisstbimde ne olduğunu hiçbir kelime var. I have no words for this moment that I wish had never come. Would that when I rescued you from Lord Foxglove’s attention I had been a braver man myself.” Qakisst hugged her, and seemed reluctant to let go. “I will miss you more than I can stand. Someday I will come to see the Temple of the Shining Star in Absalom. You will show it to me, yes?”

“Most assuredly, yes.”

As the two parted, Qakisst raised Laranys’ hand to his lips as he bowed. “Then hiçbir vedalar var; no more goodbyes. We will meet again with the Dawnflower’s blessings.”

“You are becoming quite the charmer, my friend.” Laranys smiled and looked past Qakisst to his companion, “Laure, please watch over our fiery young friend in my absence.”

“I’m not sure I can keep up, but I will certainly check on him when I can. As one former acolyte to another; it has been a pleasure to meet you Lady Laranys.” Laure smiled as she stepped back with Qakisst. As they did, Tessa flitted onto the docks looking a bit haggard.

“Why do ships have to leave so early? Can’t they be decent and at least wait until mid-morning?” Tessa glared at the sun barely risen over the horizon. “Oh, I almost forgot, I got this for you.” Tessa handed Laranys a painting of Sarenrae’s angelic ankh. “It’s to remind you of the tattoo you should have gotten! It would look lovely tattooed across your shoulders, my dear. Try to take care of yourself.”

Laranys hugged her and knew she would miss the odd tattoo artist. “Take care of yourself and try to keep Qakisst out of trouble.”

“Junior? Well, if you insist.” Tessa’s hair blew back as she slid across the dock to stare out to sea.

“It’s been fun, hasn’t it? I envy all the adventures you’ll have in the big city.” Konnor spun his mask in his hands trying not to look Laranys in the eyes. She could tell he did not want to appear too sentimental. “Have a beer for me by the Starstone.”

“I will toast to the Drunken God in your name. Goodbye, my rapscallion friend.” As she hugged Konnor she whispered in his ear, “I recognized your drow heritage the moment I met you. You choose your path, not your blood.”

She saw the shock fade quickly from his eyes as he then smiled back at her. “You have been a kinder friend than I deserve.”

Sapphire gave Konnor a playful shove out of the way and embraced the slightly taller woman. “It was a pleasure to meet such a fine representative of the Dawnflower. May she watch over your travels and lead you to safety and happiness.”

“I leave it to you to guide the others now. Remember that redeeming the enemy is sometimes a greater victory than defeating them. May the Inheritor lead you to victory.” Laranys was certain she saw a tear in the tough aasimar’s eye as they parted.

Laranys helped her father down off of the docks and into the boat. She got him settled into his place and turned to wave to her friends standing on the shore watching the boat slowly slip out into the Varisian Gulf. She stood on the deck watching them and Sandpoint fade into the distance for a long time before heading back below deck.

Other adventures now await Laranys elsewhere in Golarion. “Goddess Sarenrae, guide my footsteps.”

The Exchange

A thing to know about Tessa is that she's tiny. Not game terms tiny, but she's that little lady that everybody thinks is so frail. It is the one thing that sets her apart from Abby, who she is based on. But frail she is not. And our budding alchemist decided that she had dipped far enough into alchemy. After all, some of her best friends are witches.

The Witch:

Tessa strolled up from the docks in the early morning light. She hated to see Laranys leaving almost as much as she hated getting up this early in the morning. If only she had some potion or spell that could bind the weather so that the tides would roll out at a more reasonable hour. Saying goodbye would not be so difficult at a more reasonable hour.

But it had been a more pleasant goodbye than one might have expected and now more important things needed to be done. Qakisst had also spotted their street thief in the guise of Fire Rose last night; the newly famous Magnimar bard. Tessa could admire the bard’s skill and audacity in her actions; but no recurring villains. Nobody escapes. Nobody comes back for revenge later. Too many people wanted revenge already.

But you cannot just walk up to a famous Magnimarian performer and make accusations of criminal activity. You needed proof; but how to get it? This would be no simple task. Fortunately Junior had managed to convince that simpleton, Cyrdak to arrange a breakfast meeting between this Fire Rose and Sandpoint Heroes. And it was equally fortunate that their dunderheaded Mystery Boy had not screwed everything up climbing around on rooftops last night.

Gah! How Tessa hated that term. Sandpoint Heroes. Like killing goblins and halfwits was somehow special. No matter. They had a date for breakfast with the Fire Rose and Tessa had an idea. As her little group of malcontents gathered at the Dragon Tessa dug into her pack and began mixing a few chemicals and in minutes stepped up behind Konnor. With a smile at Caleb she tipped up the strange concoction and smiled.

Tessa’s features turned fluid and shifted as Caleb and Athos stared at her. Qakisst and Sapphire seeing their reaction turned to see Tessa’s features solidifying into those of the elven street thief they had captured yesterday. Laure stood beside Qakisst with a stunned expression on her face.

“How do I look?” Tessa cocked her head sideways and fluffed her now long straight black hair. Even the now masculine voice matched the rogue elf’s voice, but the attitude was all Tessa. “Am I ready for a night on the town?”

Konnor spun around and stepped back with a start, squinted his eyes, then chuckled. “Very cute, Tessa. I didn’t know you could do that.”

“There are better ways to get through life than by hanging a piece of sheetrock off your forehead, Mystery Boy.” The now elven featured Tessa smirked at Konnor a moment then turned to the others. “So, shall we go rattle the Rose to see how she reacts?”

As the six of them strode up the street to Cracktooth’s for breakfast, Tessa could hear the Pixie girl, Laure and Qakisst in a whispered argument.

“I don’ understand why we’re doing this?”

“I told you last night, she is using magic to help a bunch of pickpockets.”

“Why would she do that?”

“We do not know!”

“This is silly.”

“Your right Sweet Buns. It’s silly as hell. And we’re almost there so save the argument till later.” The elven male Tessa glowered at both of them.

“That is creepy as hell.” Laure looked wide eyed at the transformed Tessa.

“You are always asking me what we do. You get to see first-hand today.” Qakisst squeezed Laure’s arm gently, “Now forget everything you have been told and seen; and fan girl for us please.”

“Why am I here again?”

Qakisst stopped in the street to face Laure. “Because you were with me last night, and it would look suspicious if you were not here now.”

“Where is everybody else’s company?”

“Sister Sabyl is meeting us there, Master Valdemar had work requirements, and Shayliss is hiding from her father.”

“Sweet Buns, if you can’t keep your cool let me know now. I don’t need you blowing this for us.” Elven Tessa zipped around Laure and Qakisst with a frown on her face. “You’re a highly trained Pixie girl. Give us your best vapid man-catcher so our Fire Rose thinks of us as simpletons. And pay close attention as you’re doing it. I will have questions for you later.”

Elven Tessa slipped aside and waited for the rest of Sandpoint’s guardians to stroll into Cracktooth's. Sister Sabyl, with perfect punctuality strolled up and took Athos’ arm just as he was entering the tavern doors. Tessa watched the others enter as well. Caleb strode, Konnor glided, Qakisst shuffled, and Laure’s walk changed exactly as she hit the threshold into a hip swinging mindless tramp romp as she held to her sugar daddy. Tessa smiled inside as she thought, ‘Not bad. I knew those Pixie girls had more between their heads that anybody gave them credit for. This might just work.’

Elven Tessa waited a couple minutes before entering Cracktooth’s. She had let the others get settled at the table where Cyrdak was fawning all over the Fire Rose like the useless sycophant that he was. When Elven Tessa walked in, looking like a man that the Fire Rose had known for years multiple expressions rolled across the Magnimarian performer’s face so quickly most people would miss them.
Panic, fear, realization, anger, and then calm. Calm as though all was right with the world. A near perfect mask as impenetrable as Konnor’s. Nearly as impenetrable as Tessa’s own. All this played out in less than the blink of an eye as Tessa slid into a seat next to Caleb. “So sorry I’m late. I have so wanted to meet you all my life.” Elven Tessa smiled in a masculine and toothy grin at Fire Rose. “Your voice is captivating. It leaves me stunned and unable to move, to hardly breathe.”

As Tessa focused on the Fire Rose, Qakisst seemed to struggle with an overly fawning Laure. At one point his eyes rolled up in his head as though in frustration; but Tessa caught the subtle movements of a detection spell. She knew he was using what he called his ‘othersight’ to scope their target for dangerous magics. The Fire Rose’s expression changed most subtly, showing that she had caught Qakisst doing so. Yes, this woman was good. Really good.

The conversation bantered back and forth with Laure showing some real acting chops, Konnor proving Tessa’s belief that he was an idiot, Caleb playing a far simpler version of himself, and Sabyl showing keen attention to details even as she conversed casually. Athos seemed almost bored; yet Tessa could see his eyes scanning for danger constantly. She would have to have him work on hiding that as a good bodyguard has to be able to not be seen doing his job. Qakisst kept up a barrage of mostly useless questions about being a bard and where all the Fire Rose had performed. Tessa thought that it was a good mix of useful and useless questions; but the Rose was slowly becoming more closed up as the morning breakfast progressed.

That’s the problem with interrogating bards. They are so damned good with language. This one was exceptionally good at it. Fire Rose stayed exactly long enough to seem polite, then claimed to be exhausted and sternly requesting that Cyrdak escort her back to her room in the theater. After the two performers were gone Tessa huddled everybody tightly around the table.

“She’s good people; and scared.” Elven Tessa smiled.

“Scared?” Laure grimaced slightly, “More nervous; but extremely confident.”

“Good eye, Laure. I agree. She’s not so much scared as nervous. She has done this before.” Sister Sabyl looked thoughtfully at the others around the table. “I think your little scam artist has had lots of practice.”

“And she definitely knows that she’s caught. She’ll be looking for a way out of town fairly quickly.” Caleb looked around then turned to Konnor, “Did you get it?”

“What this?” Konnor held up a handkerchief. “She’s good, but not that good. Loki shouldn’t have any problems following her if she makes it out of town.”

“Yeah, but we still don’t have any proof that she was involved in the market scam.” Athos grunted as he dug into what was left of breakfast. “She eats like a bird too.”

“She was shrouded with a transmutation spell similar to the potion Tessa is using. A fairly simple one that does purely cosmetic changes.” Qakisst looked over to where Tessa had been seated and stopped. “Bekle neden? Where did Tessa go?” The party looked around and Tessa was gone. Konnor smiled knowingly.

Tessa, Looked in through the back door of Cracktooth’s at her friends. Good in a fight, and even she admitted that Caleb and Konnor could be stealthy when needed, but none of them were truly good at subterfuge. No; it was up to Tessa to find some evidence connecting this Fire Rose to the two thieves in jail and the two heading for the graveyard. After a glance, Tessa tipped up another bottle and her skin flowed like milk as her clothes reassembled themselves into the perfect disguise even as she walked out the back. Nobody would question the Fire Rose as she came and went.

Fire Tessa floated up the steps to the Sandpoint Theater with all the appropriate fluid grace. She caught a few glances in her direction and could see a bit of confusion. Good. Fire Rose had not left yet if people were wondering when she had gone back out. Fire Tessa glided through the halls of the theater’s back stage area and down to the basement to Cyrdak’s office.

The office was a surprisingly cramped space filled with papers and books, shelves full of manuscripts, and even props that had not yet been moved to permanent storage. Fire Tessa strode in as though she owned the place.

“I am so terribly sorry to disturb you my dear Cyrdak; but I seem to have misplaced the key you gave me earlier.” Fire Tessa looked exasperated, “Would that I had realized this before going all the way up to my room. Be a dear and give me another, would you? I need to have a rest before this afternoon’s show.”

Cyrdak leapt to his feet when he realized that it was the Fire Rose, “Oh yes, I am so terribly sorry. You should have sent a stage hand to see me. You shouldn’t be rushing up and down stairs, m’Lady. I can escort you back to your room if you like.” Cyrdack stood and pulled open a cabinet with keys pinned to two dozen pegs. Each peg was numbered carefully and as Cyrdak reached to pull a spare key from its peg a rogue wind blew over the stack of manuscripts on the table under the key box. “Oh my.” Cyrdak rushed to stop the stack from scattering across the floor.

Fire Tessa craned her neck to see the one key swinging on the room marked 4-G, then pulled her head back once Cyrdak stood up with a hand full of manuscripts. He quickly shuffled the manuscripts into a neat stack then took a key from the wall box. Fire Tessa leaned carefully to the side to see that the slot marked 4-G was now empty. “Thank you dear Cyrdak; you are a marvel to work with. Promise to keep a place on the stage for me.

Fire Tessa smiled broadly at Cyrdak and headed to the stairs. No chance spending too much time with the dolt. Cyrdak was no genius; but he was a trained bard and actor. Even he would pick up on any subtle clues that Tessa was not who she seemed to be if he had enough time. The general working staff would have no clue though. Tessa had spent over an hour this morning learning her target’s speech patterns and habits. She’d learned them well enough to get past Cyrdak in a brief encounter. It would take a well-trained person actively suspicious of her to tell the difference between the Tessa and this Fire Rose.

Without incident Tessa made her way to the 4th floor apartments that Cyrdak maintained for distinguished guests and performers at the back of the theater. Like other theaters that Tessa had been in before, the audience chamber was immaculate and well ordered; but the back stage area and the performer’s quarters were living chaos. Creation in action; even in this empty hallway. Props, ropes, sandbag weights, and all the accoutrements of the stage lay about. With such chaos about it would be simple to slip into the Rose’s room once she left.

Tessa set up a watch from a quiet corner and waited. And waited. And waited. Perhaps she was asleep, Tessa mused to herself. “Well, can’t wait for Junior to grow up. I’ll be here till the next age.” Quietly Fire Tessa slipped up to the door and listened. Nothing. So she quietly inserted the borrowed key and turned the lock carefully. Hearing noting she slipped into the room. Then things got complicated.

And yeah, you know where these names are taking us.

The Exchange

Do you know how hard it is to catch a bard at anything? Tessa is about to find out.

The Wardrobe:

Dahlia shuffled through her more extensive luggage and costumes for the things she knew she would need; just essentials once more. Performing on stage as the Fire Rose was nice work, but the others were not content with the money they could bring in this way. So they had kept up the act of emptying the pockets of the crowd while she kept them occupied. Unfortunately somebody spotted them in yesterday’s market. Dahlia had not even realized that something had gone wrong until the snapdragon had exploded right in her chest.

Her elven companions had slipped out of the crowd to cover her escape as was the contingency plan, but it had not been simple town guards that had caught them. Despite herself, a faint tear trickled down her cheek. Teriel and Zorliss were dead and Lener and Gedwin were in jail. If she did not move quickly she might just end up joining them. Dahlia shuddered.

Folding the more elaborate gowns and layering them into the wardrobe trunk she was digging through, Dahlia pulled out her travel togs and her survival gear and stuffed them into the pack she planned to take. If all went well she would send a note to Cyrdak for her stage gear later. Perhaps the Fire Rose could reappear in Korvosa or down south in Cheliax. If not, all of this would be worthless to her now and it would simply slow her down.

“Oh, why are you crying like a child?” Dahlia mumbled to herself. They knew the risk. They all knew the drill. The boys would disable any guards, cover Dahlia’s escape, and get out of town themselves. They were not supposed to get into a fight with more capable mercenaries or adventurers. Why did they not just run? Backwater towns were not supposed to have anyone who could see through her abilities to mesmerize the crowd.

The ‘Sandpoint heroes’ that had been special guests at last night’s show had insisted on meeting her. She tried to put it off, but she could not resist too much without drawing suspicion. Being the local celebrities, Cyrdak had convinced her to share breakfast with them this morning. She had used Cyrdak to find out what she could about the group, not that he was all that useful.

What a fool she had been. As soon as she had seen them she recognized the boy with the bull’s horns from the market that had hit her with the snapdragon. That one was clearly Qakisst; the local blacksmith turned sorcerer. Dahlia had looked for the too fast vagabond that had chased her from the market; but she was not there. She expected that one to be the chemist named Tessa. The others were the ones that fought her friends. There had been a few extras in addition to the town heroes, but she was able to identify the group from Cyrdak’s descriptions. She had studied the group and paid attention for anything she could use if they caused trouble.

She had struggled to maintain her cool while surrounded by potential adversaries. Having a fit in Cracktooth’s would not have done her any good, and she could not really blame these would-be heroes. She had known how dangerous what they were doing could be, but they had made it through close calls countless times before. She had always known that they could die; but her heart wanted to scream out, ‘You didn’t have to kill them, did you?’

When she saw Lener Hask enter Cracktooth’s, she had fought to keep her face calm. She knew he had been captured but there he had been walking up to their table. However, his movements had been off just a little bit. Dahlia had known the elf most of her life. His movements had been smooth and even, but just not right. And his eyes lacked the faint mischievousness she had always known; replaced with an emptiness of emotion that scared her. It had been like looking into a void, a darkness without end. She had known then that it was not him. It had to be Tessa using some alchemical magic.

Right then was when she knew that they had figured out her ruse. They suspected, but they could not prove it. If they could they would not have been playing games with her. That meant that she had a little time to find a way out of town. How much time she had Dahlia had not known, but her days as the Fire Rose were over on the Lost Coast. She had done her best to reveal nothing while playing the part of the prima donna. She took the first opportunity to make an excuse to leave and insisted Cyrdak escort her back to her room.

As Dahlia packed, her mind had raced trying to put the pieces together and anticipate her opponents’ moves. She had not made it across most of Avistan by being slow to react when a plan fell apart. Dahlia had a few more things to grab and she would be ready to slip out of town.

Dahlia heard a key in the lock and her blood froze. That was not a pick, or a crude spike to force the lock. But, Cyrdak had the only other key. “Cyrdak, not now. I am not decent.” Dahlia’s hand slipped under her pack and pulled out a dagger that she hid behind her as she turned to see who was trying to slip into her room.

Dahlia gasped. Strolling into her room without a care was the Fire Rose. Anger rose in the young bard, “A clever trick.” She spoke the words to a sleep spell to disable the intruder. Nothing. Was she an elf? Immune to sleep?

The not-Rose closed the door tight and called out in a strange language, and Dahlia felt a sinking despair in her heart. She was not familiar with the magics but she felt them grip her; tug at her nerves, throwing off her sense of balance in the world. Dahlia had heard of witch hexes that would impair the defenses. So she had to fight a witch to get out of town.

The not-Rose then pulled out a little glass vial and grinned. “You might want to just lay down on the floor and surrender. It will save you a great deal of pain.”

Dahlia calmed herself and sang out a melody, infusing it with a charm spell as she backed around her pack and toward the wardrobe. Even if her target had resisted simple sleep spells, Dahlia’s charm spells were nearly impossible to resist.

“I’ll take that as a no.” The doppelganger threw the vial hard which struck Dahlia even as she brought her cloak up to try to protect herself.

BOOOOOOM!

Fire and pain erupted from the tiny vial with incredible force. The wardrobe chest caught fire along with the curtains. Dahlia slammed back into the wall beside the wardrobe and dropped the dagger as she slumped for a moment.

As her opponent closed with her, Dahlia grabbed her rapier and charged into the witch trying to push past her to the door. The two women tumbled to the floor and the witch proved far faster and more agile than Dahlia imagined. In seconds Dahlia found herself in a chokehold unable to get her rapier around. She panicked. All of her magics required sound and she was quickly losing her breath.

“Shush, little songbird. Time to go to sleep.” The witch taunted Dahlia as she struggled to escape. In desperation she tried to claw at her doppelganger’s face, but the woman twisted around and hooked her leg around Dahlia’s arm even as she tightened her grip around Dahlia’s throat.

Dahlia gasped desperately for air, “P l e a s e, d – o – n – ‘ – t k – i …”

“Sleep now, little songbird.” Dahlia barely heard her unknown assailant’s final whisper before blackness engulfed the young bard.
--
AIR! “MMMMmmmm!!!” Something was in Dahlia’s mouth; and something was covering her eyes. She struggled in panic but found herself bound tight. Regaining her sense of self, Dahlia stopped struggling and listened.
“Kutsanmış Şafakçiçek, sen ne düşünüyordun nereye?” A nasal slightly high pitched male voice, probably somewhat panicked, shouted from across the room.

“Oh pipe down, Junior. Her disguise spell should be wearing off any time now.” Dahlia did not recognize the female voice. Could this be the witch who captured her?

“Yeah Q, I don’t see what the issue is. We know it was her.” This was a soft voice that sounded elven in its tone. But having spent so many years surrounded by elves, something was off to Dahlia’s ear.

Dahlia listened carefully to her captors, hoping for some chance to extract herself from this situation. She did not recognize that hissing, popping language the first voice had spoken before. These other two obviously understood him.

“The issue is that you broke into the Theater and assaulted the Fire Rose without being able to prove that she has done anything.” The nasal male has an odd accent that Dahlia recognized from the bull horned boy. So it was the town’s heroes that had grabbed her.

“Eh, it worked, Qakisst. We know she was the bard in the streets yesterday. So, we drag her up to the Sherriff; problem done.” Bingo, that one was the big guy, Athos. That meant the elvish voice probably belonged to the hooded kid with the mask, Konnor. Dahlia thought that she might have a way out yet. At least four of the group were human. Now if she could just get the gag loose.

“You can stop your struggling, little songbird. There’s a wire thread through that cloth in your mouth that won’t stretch. And look what we have here; a new hair style, yes, and a darker skin tone. Look at that. I told you her disguise would wear off soon.” The mask lifted from Dahlia’s eyes to reveal a small room. From the looks of it, she was probably in one of the inns in town.

“MMMMMmmmMMMMmmMmmmMMM!” Dahlia squinted in rage at the woman who had caught her. She could see her as she was now. A Varisi from the look of her clothes and the impressive array of tattoos, but she did not look Varisi. This was the missing Tessa from breakfast. The hair, eyes, and skin were all off from other caravan wanderers that Dahlia had met.
“Well look at you. Sorry about the haircut. Dummy over there thought it would spoil your disguise.” The witch motioned to the masked elf to Dahlia’s left.

Qakisst stood to her right, and she had heard Athos behind her. But it was this witch in front of her that scared Dahlia. The eyes were empty, cold, emotionless, but frighteningly intelligent, calculating, piercing. Dahlia shivered.

“Don’t worry, songbird. Now that you look like you again, we’ll just be turning you over to the sheriff. But we’ll also be telling him about your tricks and who you have been pretending to be.” The witch smiled at Dahlia as she walked past her. “But I will admit; I like your style.”

The door opened. Dahlia could not turn to see who had come in, but she heard two sets of boots. “Blessed Inheritor! How did you catch her?” The angelic female voice struck Dahlia with a kind of shame. Dahlia placed it as the pretty girl with the furry ears and cat-like eyes, Sapphire.

“Tessa took it upon herself to invade the theater after breakfast.” Qakisst sent a glare over Dahlia’s head. ‘How young is this kid?’ Dahlia thought. He sounds like a ten year old most of the time.

“Hey, I helped.” Okay, the whiny elf made two ten year olds.

“Well, Tessa managed to catch her. Now we just have to figure out how to handle turning her in. Those charms of hers seem pretty potent. Can they hold her?” Damn, Dahlia thought. She hadn’t expected the big Shoanti to think of things like that.

“That’s a good point, Athos.” A new voice? Dahlia thought this might be the grungy guy, Caleb. She remembered that he is some kind of ranger.

“Bards can be a problem, but I’m betting that Sheriff Hemlock has some kind of plan in place.” Why did that voice make Dahlia feel so guilty?

“Not really much of a problem. Old Vachedi is mostly deaf. He runs the cell block most of the time.” Dahlia’s heart sank. “He will have to be the one bringing meals to Fire Rose here until she gets sent to Magnimar, if they even do that.”

“What do you mean, Q?”

“What did we catch her for? Conspiracy to commit larceny? Aiding and abetting a couple of pickpockets? She might get only a couple weeks in lock up before Sheriff Hemlock throws her out of town with a warning.” Dahlia could not place the kid’s accent. If she could figure it out, maybe she could use that somehow.

“Fine with me. She didn’t pick a fight in the streets like her lowlife friends.” The angelic voice’s insult stung. They may have been lowlife, but they had been her friends. “By the way, what happened to her hair? It looks like her last hairdresser was a goblin.” Dahlia’s eye’s widened.

“Super-genius hacked it off to see if the cut strands reverted to her true hair color after I choked her out. They didn’t.” It sounded to Dahlia like Tessa was right behind her.

“MMMMmmmMMMmMMM!” Dahlia glowered as she tried to turn her head to find Tessa.

“Don’t worry, songbird. I can get Junior here to grow it back out for you. Junior?” Tessa’s face appeared right next to Dahlia’s as she spoke.

“I need to have her permission.”

“Are you kidding? She’s all tied up, Kisst.”

“Yeah. So? If I am going to use magic on a helpless prisoner, I need her permission.”

“No funny stuff, songbird. At least five people in this room are highly resistant to charms. You’ll have to guess which ones.” Tessa pulled the gag out of Dahlia’s mouth.

“You b@&$~! Lay another hand on me and I swear it will…” Tessa shoved the gag back into Dahlia’s mouth.

“We already know how that fight ends, songbird. Now, do you want to look your best for your court hearing, or do you want to look like a goblin slicer was used by your last hair stylist?” Tessa smiled, “We don’t have to be nice, songbird.”

“Please?” The bull horned boy put his hand out to remove the gag from her mouth. “Your choice, m’ Lady.” Dahlia gave the boy a scowl. “I am sorry, but I do not know your real name.”

“Leave me be.” Dahlia scowled at him.

“Very well. Grab up her pack and her stuff. Time to get her to the sheriff’s. Put the gag back, Kisst. We don’t want her trying to charm some guard and creating a fight.” Caleb voice rang out from the doorway with finality.

“I am sorry, m’ Lady.” Qakisst pushed the gag into place, but was neither rough nor forceful. He was not soft though. Once the gag was in place he tightened it enough that there would be no spitting it out on the walk to the town garrison.

Dahlia felt hands freeing her bindings before they lifted her up and pushed her towards the door. She stumbled but hands gripped both of her arms preventing her from falling. On one side stood the big Shoanti warrior; on the other the much smaller Qakisst. Dahlia hung her head and cried quietly as they led her to the sheriff.

The Exchange

After turning in Dahlia Firerose to the Sheriff we took off for Magnimar to put our Thistle top captives before the Justices there. While there we took a little side job that ran us through Revenge of the Kobold King; and spent some time retraining or just hanging around Magnimar. Then after two full weeks it was back to Sandpoint and the beginnings of The Skinsaw Murders. I'll start posting stories from that part of our adventure after Christmas. But first it's time to introduce our newest friend. Well, Qakisst's newest friend. Most of the party hasn't quite come to trust her yet.

Dahlia Firerose: This experienced bard and con artist has traveled much of Avistan looking for a life with some meaning. Her elven friends have made good money in each town they set up in until their luck inevitably runs out. Then the 4 of them with Dahlia would slip out of town and move on to the next gravy train. But Dahlia just isn't happy anymore with living from one scam to the next. She's looking for a better life: a life where she doesn't have to drop everything and run.

The Exchange

I had started writing about Qakisst's dreams of the celestial city of Sarenrae before I made the decisions to have him take a dip into Oracle. I like unusual class combinations and had always planned on Qakisst taking a level or two of fighter. But as I had siad before; I couldn't find exactly the fighter archetype that I wanted. When Athos pointed out the metal mystery to me I knew exactly who Qakisst was right then. And his dreams suddenly had real meaning as opposed to just being a literary device for my character. And if Qakisst can visit the dreaming city of his Goddess, why can't her other followers.

Skinsaw: Becoming the Dream:

Qakisst walked in the garden of his dreaming city with a broad grin on his face. The previous two weeks had been only slightly less unusual than the previous month and the young ifrit worked to process everything. When he had left for Magnimar Laurie had eagerly waved goodbye with expectation that he would be back soon. Qakisst felt badly for the young Pixie Girl. He liked Laurie; but Qakisst did not feel the love he knew she wanted. He would have to find a way to convince her to seek more appreciative companionship; and yet when she curled up to him at night he could not say no to her. “What a mess,” he thought to himself.

During the Magnimar trip Sandpoint’s guardians had testified against the crazed wizard Lyrie on her involvement in the plot to destroy Sandpoint, rescued a few remaining survivors at a lumber mill southeast of the big city, and then spent a week stuck in Magnimar waiting for Lady Kaijitsu to complete her preparations to reopen Sandpoint’s famous Kaijitsu Glassworks. To pass the time Qakisst had spent his days training with the Magnimar Smith’s Guild in the enchantment of magical arms and armor. He has spent his evenings under the tender care of Lady Tessa and her tattoo needles.

It had been a painful and exhausting week, but Qakisst stood topless in the dreaming garden smiling. He was impressed that he had been able to bring his real world tattoos into his dreams so easily; and even in the bright sunlight the soft glow of his tattoo form was visible.

“Your new visage is interesting, brother. I like your tattoos.” A slender woman with dark copper skin and slender black horns not unlike Qakisst’s sat in the shade behind him. Qakisst turned with a start. Nobody but the Dawnflower, or her servants, had ever spoken to him in the garden before.

“Who…” Qakisst stood stunned for a moment when he saw the beautiful young woman in only a golden waist belt and loincloth before he looked away with a blush. She leaned back and looked up into the sky through the leaves and smiled.

“You were never this shy as a little boy, brother.” The woman moved like liquid fire to stand next to Qakisst, “It’s really cute to see you blush.”

“Who are you? I know this is my dream so you are not really my sister.” Qakisst looked annoyed. “I would not dream of my sisters like this, so who are you to invade my dreams?”

“I’m a little hurt, Hearth-Heart.” Desert robes of white and silver with golden trim erupted about the young woman with the traditional hood and veil of the wandering Kelish tribes of Qadira. “I like the feel of the sun and you’re roving around in your own head topless; why can’t I?”

“You did not answer my question.” Qakisst scowled.

“Mother named me Keqiss for the light in her heart. I know it has been over 30 years since you last saw me in person little brother but I come here too.” The young woman moved around to face Qakisst and looked at him. “This is her place and she lets me come here to find peace.” Keqiss nodded toward the brilliant sun above them.

“You cannot be Light-Heart; that is impossible.” Qakisst looked around trying not to face Keqiss. “Goddess!? Please, are you here?”

“Oh please, Hearth-Heart. Do you actually think that the Dawnflower would talk to you? You’re just a kid.” Keqiss smirked and shook her head.

“Arrogance does not become you, Light-Heart. I talk to Hearth-Heart all the time.” The brilliant light of the sun above them dimmed slightly as it approached them. From the light a golden angel of incomprehensible beauty stepped out and smiled. “Be nice to your sister, Hearth-Heart. She rarely sleeps this late in her day or wanders the garden here in my city.”

Keqiss dropped to her knees and touched her head to the ground. “Most glorious one! I mean no disrespect!”

“My clerics are so terrified of offending me, Hearth-Heart. Your sister has long been terrified of offense. Almost as much as you are afraid of offending your compatriots.” The Dawnflower floated about the siblings on lightly fluttering wings.

“But I am asleep. This is only my dream. I don’t understand.” Qakisst turned to follow the Dawnflower’s motions without moving about, his arms spread in confusion.
“Brother! Bow!” Keqiss whispered loudly as she smacked her brother’s foot. “This isn’t simply a dream!”

“No Light-Heart, this is not simply a dream. But I have never required you to bow or scrape the ground in my presence. You learned that silliness from the desert people that dare not look long into the sun for me. Now, you have slept long enough Keqiss. Your husband needs rescuing from your brood.”

Keqiss did not rise as she spoke, “As the Goddess wishes.” The young woman faded out of the dream.

“She is so wonderfully devout, your sister.” The Dawnflower rose slowly into the air as she smiled at Qakisst.

“But this is my dream? I am asleep?” Qakisst looked confused and disbelieving.

“You are asleep my sweet Hearth-Heart and you are dreaming; but this is never just a dream. I have been allowing you to come here since you were a little boy; a place where you would always be safe when you needed to clear your mind.” The Dawnflower spread her arms and looked out over the garden and across the great courtyard. “Don’t you remember?”

“But… but…”

“No buts, my child. You are right. You have always had the potential to be my oracle. You have always belonged among my servants. Even as a scared child when your father would lock you in the box. I told you then that you would always be safe here. Do you remember?”

Qakisst dropped to his knees and touched his head to the ground, “Please forgive me my inappropriate behavior, blessed Dawnflower!” His voice quavered as he spoke.

“Oh stop it! I don’t like it when the others bow and scrape. I am not some mortal queen worried about my social standing. Get up.” The goddess turned away with a smirk. “You could be more respectful than to call me crazy; but I understand your doubts in my decision to burden you with the oracle’s curse. Now stand up and show me your new tattoos. This Varisi tradition intrigues me.”

“But, but if this isn’t just a dream…”

“Then yes; you have been talking to the Dawnflower Sarenrae for some forty years like your favored aunt, and I do not disapprove.” The floating figure reached down and pinched Qakisst’s cheek as he stood at her request. “Your sister used to talk to me in a much more relaxed manner. But the clerics have convinced her that she must be so serious and proper in her interactions. I was hoping that encouraging her to leave the library to meet you might loosen her up. It looked like it worked for a moment but you have become a bit prudish as manhood approaches.”

“But,… I have never seen her here before. Or anybody else?” Qakisst looked around and searched for people.

“The people that are allowed to come here are very respectful of each other. You usually wish for peace and quiet so they instinctively let you alone just as you instinctively let them alone.” The Dawnflower lifted up to the sun resuming her journey across the sky. “But I knew you wanted to show off your new Varisi tattoos and that your sister would love to see you again.”

“Are my…”

“No, my dear. Your other sisters have other talents. They are not my servants like you and Light-Heart, and so I cannot grant them access to my city in the dreaming. And no, I cannot tell you which are free and which are not. There are rules that even the gods must follow. Nor can I tell you which are doing well and which are struggling. It is not permitted for me to simply do so.” Qakisst could feel the sun shining warmly with some regret. “But as Keqiss is also my servant I can allow the two of you to meet here when you are both willing. You will have to ask her about her life and she will have to be willing to tell you. If you look carefully enough you may even find your friend Laranys here one night.”

“Goddess…”

“No Hearth-Heart. Clear Light-Heart from your mind. You will be able to find her later if she sleeps late or if you sleep early. Now, your young friend Cassidy is asking of me a favor. I think she would like you to have a little more faith in her.”

“Cassidy?” Qakisst looked confused. “Did I do something to offend her this evening? She seemed to have so much fun.”

“No you did not offend; and she feels more than you might realize. Now Hearth-He…”

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Qakisst felt himself yanked rudely from the dreaming by a loud pounding on his door. “Blessed Desna, what time is it!” Qakisst threw his feet to the floor and stomped through the house to the front door where he yanked open the viewing hatch at eye level in the heavy oak door to his cottage. “Who is it!?! What? Vachedi this had better be good!”

Standing outside the door stood guard apprentice Vachedi Viskalai with his trainer; Guard Watchman Amily Berinni. “Um, hi Kisst. You need to get dressed. The Sheriff wants to see all of you.” Vach and Amily both looked pale and slightly sick.

Qakisst felt dread closing around his heart at the softness of Vach’s voice. “Okay, give me a couple minutes to get myself together.” He quickly gathered his gear and dressed as if ready for a fight. Sheriff Hemlock would not send his oldest nephew to wake Qakisst without reason.

The Exchange

I imagine any group of players kind of feels this way about the opening events of the Skinsaw Murders. It's a murder mystery and we the players are being asked to solve it. But when nothing looked exactly like one of the players could be a possible suspect it became obvious to us. With Tessa Loundexx on our team, we really are a forensic team.

Skinsaw: C.S.I. Sandpoint:

When Qakisst was ready, Watchman Berinni led them both down to the Sandpoint lumber mill where they found Tessa already waiting for them looking most displeased. Konnor showed up with Guardsman Neider minutes later. Qakisst looked around. “Hey, where’s Caleb?”

Vach nudged Qakisst, “His Dad said that his bed was empty. He never slept in it last night.”

“It’s still last night, Little Hemlock.” Tessa looked grumbly at the big guard apprentice as another guard arrived to tell the Sheriff that they could not find Lady Sapphire. Vach scowled at Tessa.

“Any idea where your friend Sapphire might be?” Sheriff Hemlock looked at the party. Tessa and Qakisst looked at each other with a smirk and Konnor grumbled.

“Check at the Valdemar estate. She may have spent the evening with Master Belven.” Qakisst and Tessa nearly laughed at Konnor’s grumbled response to the question.

“What’s the matter Mystery Boy? Don’t you like the Inheritor’s warrior having a little fun with one of the Valdemar family? You’re not jealous are you?” Tessa poked Konnor in the side.

“She shouldn’t be so trusting.” Konnor shot back quickly.

“A’right, a’right. Enough.” Sheriff Hemlock scowled at the pair as they bickered. “Neider, head down to the Valdemar estate and see if Sapphire is there. We’re not going to wait on her though. Lady Sapphire will just have to catch up when she gets here.” Belor Hemlock paused and looked over his shoulder back at the big mill behind him. “There’s been a murder, and it ain’t pretty.”

“Murder never is, Sheriff. Not even when it’s performance art. That’s the point isn’t it?” Tessa drifted next to Belor, “Who’s the victim this time?”

“Do you mind, Lady Tessa?” Belor grumbled at Tessa. “We think that the first victim is Banny Harker.”

“You think?” Konnor raised an eyebrow.

“Wait, Banny? But if…” Qakisst grew pale. “First victim?”

“Awe hell.” Tessa tipped her head back slapping herself in the face with both hands. “How many victims are we looking at?”

“Two.” The sheriff practically whispered the reply.

“No, no, hayır, hayır, hayır, değil Katrine hayır. Mübarek tanrıça yok!” Qakisst‘s face turned ashen as his speech shifted to his native tongue.

“You’re doing it again, Junior.” Tessa chided Qakisst even as she stepped past Sheriff Hemlock.

“Wait a moment, Lady Tessa. I’m not sure you’re ready for this.” The Sheriff reached to grab Tessa’s arm but got nothing but air.

“I have scarier fond memories that any of your worst nightmare’s Sheriff.” Tessa moved into the building slowly, followed by Konnor, Vach, and Guardsman Berinni.

The Sheriff turned to get ahead of Tessa and continued, “We had to call in a few people to identify Banny Harker. His face was cut away before he was nailed to the wall up by his office.”

Tessa turned to the gaggle behind her. “You two, go guard the perimeter, get any guardsmen in the building outside. Nobody but the Sheriff and us in the building. I don’t want tracks spoiled or clues trampled before we can have Caleb and Loki check them out. Come on Junior. No loitering in the background on this one. Grab my kit when you come in, Kid.”

“What is that smell?” Konnor wrinkled his nose as Sandpoint’s guardians went up the steps to the second floor of the mill. At the top of the stairs nailed to the wall by a pair of wood chisels hung the body of a badly mutilated man. His face had been carved away and his jaw ripped from his head.”

“Blessed Dawnflower have mercy.” Qakisst stood at the top of the steps holding Tessa’s chemistry kit as Tessa and Konnor began inspecting the body.

“Come on Junior. You’ve seen worse.”

“Are you okay, Kisst?” Belor looked down at the shorter ifrit with some worry.

“Yeah. I have seen worse. I just did not know them so well.” Qakisst looked around the floor. “Um, Izlerin bir sürü Tessa daha vardır. Bunu nasıl önem taşıyan diyeceğim?”

“Keep it in Taldan or Varisi for the masses, Junior. Just relax and try to stay in the cleared path when walking.” The air had grown unnaturally still as Tessa carefully examined the ground near where the body hung from the wall.

“Sorry.” Qakisst looked sheepish.

“This guy has several bite marks and what look like claws. The pattern is four fingered like a humanoid with a trailing pattern to the side like a thumb. It also looks like these wood chisels were used just for ceremony or cruelty after the fact. Not a lot of blood from those wounds.” Konnor carefully inspected the body on the wall. “This nice little carving in his chest looks familiar though.” Konnor pointed his dagger to the gruesome carving of a seven pointed star in the victim’s chest.

“A Shihedron star; that’s just awesome. There are barefoot tracks on the floor too. A big human or similar race. They are damp too.” Tessa knelt in the sawdust that covered much of the floor. “Where the hell did Caleb take off too? He went back to his parents after dinner last night.”

“Cassidy did not mention anything last night about Caleb going anywhere; but he never seems to tell anybody anything anymore.” Qakisst carefully opened Tessa’s chemistry kit and turned it to face her.

“Cassidy? Isn’t that Caleb’s little sister?” Tessa looked up at Qakisst and grinned. “Were you making time with Caleb’s sister, Kisst?”

“Hayır!” Qakisst’s eyes shot up as he glared at Tessa. “I would never be so presumptuous as to think that a girl like Cassidy would be interested in a freak show life like mine.”

“You were dancing awfully close with her last night, Q.” Konnor carefully followed the tracks in the dust to the back stairs leading down to the work floor. “Down this way Tessa. And the tracks are damp here too.”

“Wait a moment before you go down there, Konnor. It’s pretty gruesome.” Sheriff Hemlock knelt next to Tessa as she examined the footprints in the sawdust.

“I danced with several girls last night and I did not sleep with any of them; if that is what you are insinuating, Konnor.”

Konnor stopped at the top of the stairs to wait as Tessa and the Sheriff continued to go over the footprints. “Yeah, but the cute brunette with a passing resemblance to the Mayor and with Varisi features. You danced extra close with her; and I saw you leave with her as well.”

“Siz korkunç bir kişi sizsiniz.” Qakisst barked at Konnor even as he scanned the dusty floor looking for any clues. “Hey, what’s this under here?” Slowly Qakisst pulled a dagger out from under one of the lumber storage racks that lined the upper area of the mill’s second floor with the tip of his own dagger. “Nice make, not cheap but not masterwork. No family mark on it. It is covered in; woah. Bu şeyin pis kokuyor!”

“Careful Junior.” Tessa took the dagger from him with gloved hands.

“I am not touching it, Tessa.”

“Hey. Why am I getting drug out of bed before sunrise by Bethana? She came in my room and told me that the guard was looking for me. Neider nearly ran me over when I came out of the Dragon.” Sapphire’s hair was a tangled mess and her armor looked as though it had been hastily strapped on. “Great Inheritor!”

“Not the best of performance art, is it Sapphire.” Tessa looked up at her. “Can you give us an approximate time of death based on the body’s condition?”

Sapphire looked about the floor before carefully moving over to the body still hanging from the wall. “I’m not a chirurgeon, Tessa. My healing training is limited to helping those still breathing; but I’ll do what I can to try and figure it out.” Much of what Sapphire commented on about the state of Banny Harker’s remains duplicated Konnor’s earlier assessment, but she was able to determine that he had likely died sometime well after midnight.

“Who found the body, Sheriff?” Qakisst stood back out of the way watching Tessa and Sapphire work as he rolled over in his mind what they knew.

“Ibor Thorn. He came in to open the mill and found the mess up here. He stopped anybody else from entering the mill and sent for help. He’s pretty shaken up. We have him down front in the loading area.” The Sheriff looked at Qakisst. “Are you sure that you’re okay Kisst? Rough life or not, you look a bit freaked out.”

Tessa and Sapphire turned to face Qakisst as the Sheriff stood next to him. “I am no fan of Banny or Ibor. But this is…” Qakisst ran his hand over his face as he paused. “Do his parents know yet? His family?”

“Not yet. We haven’t contacted any family yet.”

“Sheriff, your men can take the body down now. But tell them to disturb the dust as little as possible.” Sapphire looked around. “We’ll want Caleb to have a look around when he gets here.”

“That may be a while, Sapphire. Nobody knows where he took off for last night.” Tessa stood holding her gloved hands up and looked over her shoulder. “Bring the kit, Junior. Okay Sheriff, where’s our next customer.”

“Do you have no respect for the dead, Tessa.” Sapphire glowered at the slim Varisi tattoo artist and chemist.

“The dead, yes. Their left over bodies; not really.” Tessa carefully walked through the worn paths in the sawdust without disturbing a mote. “The damned things tend to get up and do terrible things once the original owner is no longer home. Check out the dagger Junior found under that drying rack over there. Stinks like death warmed over.”

As Tessa and the Sheriff joined Konnor at the top of the stairs Sapphire carefully picked up the dagger with a handkerchief. She examined it closely and sniffed, “Uhhhgg! Uhhhllll!! Oh, blessed Inheritor; Ghoul stench!” Sapphire held the contaminated dagger at arm’s length and dropped it so the tip buried itself in the wooden floor and followed the others down the back stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs Sapphire found Qakisst standing there holding Tessa’s chemistry kit and struggling not to vomit. As the Sheriff led Tessa and Konnor toward the large water driven band saw that dominated the center of the room the group could see a body mangled and nearly rent into two by the powerful cutting blade. Qakisst shoved the chemistry kit into Sapphire’s arms and looked left and right in panic before rushing to the balcony overlook to the lumber mill’s dock where he emptied the content of last night’s dinner from his stomach.

“Hold up Tessa. Qakisst is sick.” Sapphire looked with some concern at Qakisst, who was still bent over the balcony rail.

“Let him be, Sapphire. He’ll recover in a few.” Tessa looked back with a frown. “He can’t really help much here but to gawk. Maybe when he gets his stomach under control he can have the worst job.”

“You’re not going to make him clean this up, are you Tessa?” Konnor looked at his cohort with a little shock.

“No. But we sure as hell aren’t letting you tell Vinder what happened to one of his beloved daughters.” Tessa turned the split skull on the mangled body to show the mangled half face of Katrine Vinder. “Didn’t you hear him earlier? He knew if Banny was one body that Katrine was likely the other. Maybe nobody else understood him, but you speak ignan well enough to know what he said.”

Konnor looked at the mangled face to Katrine Vinder and his near obsidian skin visibly paled. “Oh damn. I’m an idiot.” The roguish darkelven hero turned away in shock. Speechless his thoughts turned to Shayliss Vinder, Katrine’s younger sister and tears welled up in his eyes. “Damn, damn, damn.”

“What d’ya know. The kid actually has a conscience.” Tessa turned to Sapphire. “These two are going to be basically useless for a while, Sapphire. Junior went to school with both victims and Mystery Boy is dating a family member of one. Help me scope this out. I don’t think we’ll find much here. From the force that she hit the saw it looks like it was running and she was thrown from up there.” Tessa pointed up through the opening in the ceiling to the upper deck and work floor just outside the main office nearly thirty feet away.

“The attacker had to be incredibly powerful to toss her this far even from up there.” Sheriff Hemlock looked at Sapphire. “I doubt even Vachedi or ol’ Gorbi could make that toss to a struggling body. It would take something as powerful as an ogre to make that toss.”

“Some ghouls are extremely powerful. Generally called ghasts due to their identifiably more powerful connection to death.” Sapphire frowned. “They’re more likely to leave behind that horrible stench on that dagger I left upstairs too.”

“I need to see.” The strained voice of Qakisst came from behind Sapphire.

“Junior, you can’t do anything here. Just go back out front before you puke on something important.” Tessa looked up from where she was examining the body.

“No, I need to see her.” Qakisst shook visibly as he stepped around Sapphire, “If I am going to face her father I have to face this.” Tears ran freely down Qakisst’s face as he looked upon the mangled remains of his one-time classmate.

“That’s enough, Kisst.” Sheriff Hemlock pulled Qakisst back. “I should have known better and made you stay upstairs.” Qakisst turned away hugged himself tightly.

“You picked him to play in the big leagues, Belor Viskalai.” Tessa turned to watch Qakisst as she chided the Sheriff in his native Shoanti tongue. “It’s a little late to second guess yourself after sending him off with us to storm Thistletop.”

“I didn’t pick you for this. The attacker did.” Belor turned to look out over the dock side open wall of the mill. “We found a note addressed to one of you pinned to Harker’s body.” Belor Hemlock held up a sheet of parchment covered in blood.

Qakisst turned to stare as Sapphire pulled the note from the Sheriff’s fingers and held it up to the light. Her face blanched as she read the note. “This is…”

“Yes, m’Lady. It is addressed to you.” Belor frowned as he turned to Sapphire. “When word leaks out you’re going to have problems with some of the locals. Especially the Vinders.”

“I guess I won’t be buying supplies for ink from Vinder ever again.” Tessa looked over Sapphire’s shoulder at the note.”

The ornate and smooth script on the envelope addressed simply to “Lady Sapphire” did not match the macabre scene in which the note had been found. Inside the envelope a cryptic note. "You will learn to love me, desire me in time as she did. Give yourself to the pack and it shall all end. - Your Lordship"

“You seem to have made an impression on somebody, Sapphire.” Tessa reached over Sapphire’s shoulder with a gloved hand. “I wish you had left the note where it was found, Sheriff. The aura on it will have changed now.”

“I feel dirty.” Sapphire looked away with disgust on her face before looking at Qakisst. “Hey Qakisst? Maybe I should do the interview with the family. I feel somewhat…”

“I can handle it.” Qakisst cut off Sapphire before she could finish. “You did not do this Sapphire; and you going into an interview with a guilty expression will not help.” Qakisst looked back at Katrine’s remains. “Better that Mister Vinder not connect you with that. I have been hated before. I can handle it.” He then walked up to the front of the mill leaving the others to complete their survey of the crime scene.

“Vach!” Qakisst wiped the tears from his eyes. “Vachedi! Where’s Ibor?”

“You sure you want to talk to Ibor? You know he don’ like you much, Kisst.” Vach looked down at Qakisst with concern.

“His brother tried to stab me in the gut with a dog slicer five years ago so I am not very sympathetic. I do not give a damn if Ibor does not like unhumans. He found the bodies, he gets to talk to me.” Qakisst’s eyes hardened as he looked back up at Vach.

“Okay, Kisst. He’s over there in the wagon loading bay.” Vach pointed off to the warehouse structure attached to the lumber mill. Qakisst strode over to the doors to the warehouse and paused at the door.

“Bu benimle hakkında değil. Bu benimle hakkında değil. Bu benimle hakkında değil.” Qakisst took a deep breath and entered the warehouse door.

Seated on a low stack of lumber that waited for a wagon sat Ibor Thorn, face buried in his hands. “Hello Ibor. I am sorry for your loss.”

Ibor looked up, face haunted by what he had discovered. The two locked eyes for a moment before Ibor turned away. “Thanks, Q.”

“Can you answer a few questions, Ibor?” Sympathy strained Qakisst’s voice. His personal history with the Thorn brothers as well as Banny Harker grated at his nerves, but Qakisst fought down his dislike and sat across from Ibor.

“I’ll manage, Q.” The haunted expression of Ibor’s face as he turned to look out into the large warehouse.

“I am sorry if you have been asked some of these question already. What time did you find the bodies?”

“Just after five bells. I came in and the saw was still running. I thought that Banny had fallen asleep in the office again with…” Ibor’s voice trailed off.

“Have they been meeting in the mill a lot?”

“Sort of. Banny would push the workers to stay late, run another load, then send them home while he shut down. Ha!” Ibor let out a hollow laugh. “He’d leave the saw going while he and Katrine slipped up to the office. The noise kept anybody away and covered up any sound they made.”

“Do you know about what time they met last night?”

“I don’t know, Q. Seriously. I don’t.” Ibor looked at Qakisst then down. “Banny came back from dinner and sent me home after eight. I presume that shortly after that he sent the work crew home. That was about nine bells.”

“Did you see…” As Qakisst questioned Ibor, Sapphire slipped into the room and stood back watching. Neither man seemed to notice her.

“No. I didn’t see Katrine; but I know she showed up shortly after that. She was probably waiting for me to leave.” Tears began to slowly run down Ibor’s face. Qakisst paused a moment to let the young man collect himself before he continued.

“Ibor; Banny made a lot of people angry often enough to make enemies. Any of them hate him enough to kill him?” Qakisst struggled not to stammer as he spoke.

“You mean besides you, Q?” Ibor looked up, but there was no anger or accusation in his voice. Ibor paused and looked away. “Maybe.”

“Ibor this is not…”

“No, Q. I’m not accusing you. I know about your little conversation with him two weeks ago. An’ you have more reason to hate Banny than anybody short of ol’ Vinder. I know you didn’t do this; an’ we both know Vinder didn’t do this.”

“But there is more; is there not?” Sapphire’s sudden interjection startled Qakisst; but Ibor continued without reaction.

“Maybe.” Ibor paused a moment before looking up at Qakisst. “Banny was cooking the books.”

Sapphire squinted from her place against the wall as Qakisst’s eyes shot wide at the statement. Qakisst waited a moment before encouraging Ibor to continue, “You know that because….” Qakisst narrowed his eyes as he overcame the shock of Ibor’s accusation.

“He and I had more than a few fights about it. You know what ol’ man Titus can be like. If he found out the books were off he would have been furious. If he has found out that it weren’t no error there’s no telling what he could do.”

“Is there any evidence that Master Scarnetti might have found out already?” Sapphire stood quietly studying Ibor as Qakisst continued to question him. The young mill manager looked exhausted, terrified, sick, and overwhelmed. He was in no shape to try and deceive anybody and was clearly still in shock over the events of the morning.

“I don’t know. I just don’t.” Ibor slumped down and buried his face in his hands again.

Qakisst stood up and walked to the door, “Vach, have somebody take Ibor home. Do not leave him alone either. He is in pretty bad shape.”

“Sure, Kisst. I’ll see to it.” Vach stepped into the warehouse to escort Ibor home.

“Hey Q.” Ibor paused before being led out of the room. “I’m sorry for everything. Banny, he…” Ibor stopped as Qakisst turned back to face him.

“You cannot apologize for him, Ibor; but thank you for trying. I hope Banny realized how good a friend he had.” Qakisst looked Ibor in the eyes then turned away. “Go home, Ibor. Go see your family and get some rest. You cannot do anything more here.” Qakisst walked back to the front of the mill.

The guards watching the front of the mill were urging gawkers to move along with little success. Qakisst rubbed his eyes trying to put on a brave face. “Hey Neider, has anybody notified…” Qakisst paused looking at the crowd.

“Yeah, Capt Merik went to fetch…” Qakisst coughed to cut Merik off.

“Thanks Neider. See what you can do about this crowd.” Qakisst turned back into the mill to find Sheriff Hemlock behind him.

“You did good there Kisst.” The Sheriff led Qakisst off to the side. “Better than I could have. I remember the day I watched you and Ibor’s brother go at it in front of Turandarok. I wasn’t completely sure this was my best idea; but you have a way with people.”

“Heh. It was your niece that went at it with Ibor’s little brother. She never gave me a chance to light his head on fire.” Qakisst sat out of sight of the crowd gathered outside and leaned back. “I remember the day well. My first day back to Turandarok after Mamma’s death.”

“Her dad wanted to ground her for a year after that fight. I had a hell of a time talking him out of it without Korva knowing I’d seen the whole thing.” Sheriff Hemlock leaned against the lumber drying rack across from Qakisst. “I thought you were going to become one of my in-laws back then.”

“A lot of people thought that back then. Korva had quite a crush on me; but I knew she would outgrow it.” Qakisst smiled at the memory.

“How did you know that?”

“Because I did not feel the same way; and love is a two way street.” Qakisst’s smile faded. “One of the few things I learned from my birth parents.”

“You think you’re up for this next one? Vinder is not going to be easy to deal with.”

“I know what you are doing, Sheriff. I have been a distraction before. You know he is going to blame somebody but you thought we would send Sapphire in to talk to him who he would have a harder time blaming. Unfortunately for you, Sapphire is as subtle as a rock to the head and Tessa is right about what the note will do.” Qakisst stood up. “Nah, let him vent at me. I will try to get him to help if he knows anything. If he does not at least he will hate me instead of you or the Mayor. If he does not tell me he will tell you later when he has calmed down some.” The young unhuman Qakisst looked up at the taller Belor. “I am used to people hating me and I have survived worse.”

“You sell yourself short, Qakisst. You’re a lot more…” Qakisst held up a hand to interrupt the Sheriff.

“I do not have a low opinion of myself, Sheriff Hemlock. I have a low opinion of all of them.” Qakisst gestured out the large warehouse door of the lumber mill as he spoke softly for the Sheriff alone. “Vender is just like every other common person. Scared of what he does not understand and unwilling to take the time to understand it.”

“Qakisst, that’s hardly…”

“Charitable? Neden ben hayırsever olması gerektiği? Ben öncesi bir şenlik ateşi üzerine atılmış oldum. Onu hiç eğlenceli değil. No fun at all.” Qakisst turned away from the Sheriff and walked back to the warehouse loading bay where Ven Vinder now sat stunned and waiting.

Qakisst stepped into the loading bay with two guards at his heal. He looked in at Ven Vinder as one of Sandpoint’s clergy explained to Ven what had happened to his daughter. At first Ven argued with the young acolyte. It could not possibly be his daughter, he screamed. When the acolyte said she was sorry for his loss he began to sputter about bad jokes and horrible pranks until he turned around and saw Qakisst standing just inside the warehouse entrance.

“YOU! YOU DID THIS! YOU KILLED MY DAUGHTER!” The middle aged and slim shop keeper practically threw himself across the loading floor only to be caught by the two guards that had accompanied Qakisst.

Qakisst looked back into the rage filled eyes of Ven Vinder and he could not stop the tears. “I am so sorry, Mister Vender. I am so sorry; but I need your help to try and catch the bastards that did this to your daughter.”

Vender spat at Qakisst who did not turn away, “I’ll kill you all. You bastards did this! You and that freak darkelf!”

“Please Master Vinder! We need your help. I cannot undo what happened but I can try to make sure that the people responsible pay.” Even as Qakisst tried to talk to Ven, the devastated father screamed and raged, foaming at the mouth.

“Enough. Take him up to the tank and lock him up.” Sheriff Hemlock stood behind Qakisst with his arms folded over his chest. “When he starts to cool off I’ll bring Mrs. Vender and Shayliss to pick him up.” Qakisst looked over his shoulder in disbelief. “What? In his current state he’s dangerous. Both to himself and anybody he’s around.” Belor frowned. “I think I’ll try talking to…”

“Daddy!!!” Shayliss Vinder came crashing into the loading bay followed by her mother, Solsta. Both were crying uncontrollably. Qakisst cut Shayliss off with his arm as she tried to rush to help her father.

As the guards struggled to remove Ven from the room without hurting the older man Qakisst whispered into Shayliss’ ear. “Please stop, Shayliss. He will be okay. Please” Shayliss stopped trying to push past Qakisst after a moment and looked him in the eyes as he spoke. “I am sorry. I am so sorry.” Tears continued to pour from Shayliss’ eyes.

Shayliss finally collapsed into Qakisst’s arms crying uncontrollably even as the guards drug Ven from the loading bay screaming. Solsta Vinder leaned into the Sheriff crying and in shock. Qakisst helped the younger Vinder daughter to a seat even as Konnor slipped into the room from the side door and sat next to the devastated Shayliss now that her father was gone. The sheriff helped Solsta to the seat next to her daughter and stepped back as Solsta and Shayliss grieved. Konnor sat with them saying nothing as he held Shayliss’ hand.

“I thought you told him to stay out.” Belor leaned over to whisper to Qakisst.”

“Like I can control him any better than you can. He has been hiding just outside the room since Ven got here waiting for her.” Qakisst looked up at the Sheriff. “He might not be as horrible a person as I have always thought.”

Qakisst waited nearly half an hour before the crying subsided to the point that he felt brave enough to kneel in front of Solsta Vinder. “Mrs. Vinder? I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot…” Qakisst paused to control his own tears, “…I wish I could make this not have happened; but I cannot. Please, help us catch whoever did this.”

Solsta smiled weakly through her tears and placed her hand on the side of Qakisst’s face as he knelt there in front of her. “You’ve always been such a sweet boy, Qwakissst.” Qakisst managed not to grimace at the abuse of his name. “Katrine was at home and in bed at nine bells. She must have slipped out after that.” Solsta paused to comport herself. “When the guardsman came to the door this morning we couldn’t understand why.” The tears came again freely.

Behind Solsta Konnor looked extremely uncomfortable with Shayliss sobbing uncontrollably on his shoulder. Part of him wanted to tell her that things would be all right; but the part of him that had grown up an outcast of his own people knew the lie in such words. After death came it was never right again.

“Berinni; take them home. They can’t do anything here.” Sheriff Hemlock looked just over Solsta’s head out the door to the warehouse.

“I want to be with Ven.” Solsta spoke softly.

“We will come and get you as soon as he has calmed enough to control himself. Right now he’s dangerous to everybody around him.” The Sheriff knelt in front of Solsta where she sat. “You know more than anybody how precious his daughters were to him. He’s not sane right now, Solsta. Let the healers help him and when he can handle himself we’ll come and get you. I promise.”

Solsta’s expression turned hard. “Promise me that whomever did this will pay, Belor Viskalai. You promise me that.” The Sheriff knelt speechless at Solsta’s quiet rage. “You get whomever did this, Sheriff and you make sure they pay.”

Solsta allowed the guards to help her to her feet and she took her daughter’s hand. Pulling Shayliss to her feet mother and daughter went out the warehouse door holding each other tight.

“I don’t know which is scarier. Mr. Vinder or his wife.” Konnor sat wide eyed where he had been comforting Shayliss just moment’s ago; looking unusually pail for his dark skin.

The Exchange

Skinsaw: Lost in the Light of Day:

Qakisst and Sapphire stood on the far shore of the Turandarok river with Daviren Hosk, the owner of the Goblin Squash Stables. Since the heroes had brought him the stuffed remains of an oversized and mutated three armed goblin to display in his stables the onetime ranger had become rather found of them. As Caleb was nowhere to be found, Qakisst had asked Daviren if he could use his considerable tracking skills to help them track Banny and Katrine’s attacker.

Sapphire and Tessa had managed to follow the attackers trail easily enough out the loading dock doors over the lumber mill’s riverside dock. Wet footprints had drug sawdust to the water’s edge that was easy for the untrained to follow. Qakisst had thought to bring Daviren out to the far side of the river to check for other tracks; and the ranger found them easily enough. Unfortunately the tracks came out of the water, milled around like somebody had been watching the town from the shallow marsh ground across the river, then returned to the water.

There were no marks of a boat, or raft. The tracks just walked back into the water. Sapphire grumbled as Qakisst cursed in his native tongue.

“Watch your language, mister.” Sapphire smirked at Qakisst.

“Like you understand the voice of fire.” Qakisst glowered at Sapphire, unwilling to banter with the Inheritor’s warrior.

“It did not take much imagination Kisst to figure out that your language would make a genie blush.” Daviren looked out across the river. “Whoever is traipsing around barefoot out here could have been swimming back and forth all night. It’s been a dry month so the river is running shallow. Easy enough to cross in a low tide. I can’t tell you anything other than it’s a medium humanoid probably of average height and weight.” He stood up and brushed the dirt from his hands. “There are so many tracks here I can’t even tell you how many. I can tell you that there’s no blood.”

“Blood?” Qakisst looked at the older ranger puzzled. “Why would there be blood if they just came out of the water?”

“Swimming is more strenuous that you might think. Any wounds would still be bleeding, and he might have been a rude bastard but Banny knew how to fight. I doubt that he bought the farm without at least getting a shot in.”

Qakisst looked away and grunted, “Banny bir savaşçısı değildi; onun bir kabadayı oldu.”

“Don’ be speaking ill of the dead, Qakisst! Your momma would not approve.” Daviren stretched his back and looked around. “Since none of the tracks head into the woods I’m about as useful as Caleb right now. Looks like your friend Tessa is waiting on you up there.” Daviren motioned to the bridge.

The trio climbed back up to the roadway and crossed the bridge into lower Sandpoint were Tessa and Konnor waited on them. Konnor seemed sullen and wore his mask even though the Sheriff and Mayor had warned him not to do so in town.

“Mind if we take some horses out on guard business, Daviren?” Tessa smiled sweetly at the stable master.

“Like you were ever sweet and innocent Tessa. You’ve been working the market every autumn since I was a boy.” Daviren shook his head at Tessa, “Sure. Why not. You get any more oversized goblins to stuff for my entry let me know. Three plus that big black stallion of Sapphire’s, right?”

“Please.” Tessa fluttered her eyes at Daviren and he chuckled and walked past her to the stables. Once Daviren was out of earshot Tessa rolled her eyes. “Okay, so I’ll never be a Pixie Girl. That was almost worth it for the look on ol’ Hosk’s face though.”

“Are you bored, Tessa?” Sapphire gave Tessa an amused look.

“Nah, just seeing if there’s something to this whole companionship thing. Junior’s dancing with everybody and dancing horizontally with Ms. Veskin, Mystery Boy is playing rat catcher with Shayliss, and you’re priming young Valdemar for another round of hide and seek. Even Caleb has his furry little boyfriend. I’m starting to feel left out.” Qakisst and Konnor gave Tessa dirty looks as she described everybody’s social life.

“What about your tattoo loving fan boy, Bechi?” Qakisst strolled past Tessa and headed up River Street as he recovered from her social activities recital.

“Please. The goblin we stuffed for Hosk has more brains right now. Hey? Where you running off too, Junior.”

Qakisst glanced back at Tessa, “To get my gear. You are not flirting with Hosk without a reason.”

“Why don’t you keep it at hand all the time, Qakisst?” Sapphire shifted her armor and adjusted the straps as she spoke.

“Because you cannot strap a spear to your hip or back, and this starknife isn’t going to be enough if we get into something real.” Qakisst rushed up the street to fetch his gear.

“Maybe I should teach him to swing a sword.” Sapphire watched her friend rushing away. “Where’d he get the starknife at anyway?”

“No idea. Don’t worry about it; he’ll be back before Hosk has four horses ready. Hey!” Konnor started as Sapphire strode into the stables. “You should know Hosk don’ like people messing with his stables.” Konnor tipped up his mask to drink from his flask as he chided Sapphire for entering the stable master’s domain.

“A proper rider straps her own saddle, Konnor. Master Hosk knows that well enough.” Sapphire disappeared into the stables.

Sapphire and Daverin returned shortly with horses and Qakisst arrived just in time to climb into the saddle. The stable master chided the quartet as they headed across the southern bridge out of Sandpoint, “Bring my babies back to me in one piece.”

“His babies?” Konnor chuckled questioningly once across the bridge.

“So, were are we off to, Tessa?” Sapphire rode next to the whimsical sylph.

“It seems that this was not the first unusual murder this month.” Tessa sat side saddle as her horse trotted down the road. “There was a rather grisly scene at an old barn south of the town. A clandestine meeting between a few disreputable people. I made a copy of a note that one of the guards found. Recognize the handwriting?”

“Wait, you copied the handwriting?” Konnor seemed to perk up as he spoke.

“Of course I copied the handwriting style.” Tessa snarled as she handed the note to Sapphire.

“Messrs. Mortwell, Hask, and Vhiski;
A deal has come about that I need capital for. It involves property and gold, and though I am not at liberty to share the exact details, it will make us all rich. Come to Bradley's Barn on Cougar Creek tonight. We will discuss our futures there. - Your Lordship"

“Wait, Vhiski?” Qakisst’s voice raised an octave as he said the name.

“Yeah, your Harrow playing buddy Vhiski.” Tessa held her expression even as she spoke. “They identified the bodies of Torch Mortwell, Lener Hask, and Gedwin Tabe among the victims; but no Jubrayl Vhiski. They did find a crazed survivor. A man named Grayst Sevilla.”

“Boktan.” Qakisst swore.

“Yeah, Junior. I thought you might recognize the name of one of ol’ Juby’s toughs.” Tessa gave Qakisst a sympathetic look while Sapphire scowled. “He was out of his mind with shock. Father Zantus examined him and couldn’t do anything for him.” Tessa turned to Sapphire in the saddle. “He was suffering some kind of wasting sickness with bite wounds that resisted healing magics. He’s dying.”

“What?” Qakisst’s face turned ashen and his horse slowed.

“You know what kind of hobbies Jubrayl has, Junior. They were always going to get him and those close to him into trouble.” Tessa slipped her leg over the saddle horn to ride seated. “Let’s get this over with.”

“I am sorry Qakisst.” Sapphire slowed to ride beside Qakisst. “I know they have been your friends. I do not approve of your Sczarni connections; but that does not mean I do not feel for your loss.”

“He’s not dead, Sapphire!” Qakisst shot Sapphire an angry glance.

“If Father Zantas could not cure his wasting affliction it is unlikely that I will be able to stop it. It is only a matter of time.” Sapphire looked down then at Qakisst. “Does he have any family?”

“No. Just the Sczarni.” Qakisst’s expression darkened as he looked away. “That is how they wind up on the streets in the first place. Nobody else wants them. Try to imagine what that feels like.” Qakisst spurred his horse to catch Tessa.

The Exchange

It doesn't come up too often, but Qakisst definitely considers the Sczarni a part of his extended family. Not because he has a roguish streak in him, but because they have always stood by him. Family sticks with family no matter what.

Skinsaw: Family Matters:

The remainder of the ride to Kabe’s Asylum was quiet. Qakisst fumed angrily, but refused to inflict his temper further on the others. He simply grunted his responses without speech when the others spoke to him. After a time they left him to his thoughts and chatted with each other. The ride to the Asylum was relatively short and the group stepped down from the saddle in front of the impressive three story structure on the edge of Cougar Creek at just past ten bells.

“I don’t see anybody about the yard?” Sapphire stood tall in the saddle on Shadowmyst; the impressive black stallion that the party had rescued from Thistletop.

Qakisst walked up to the great double doors to the somber building and banged the door’s brass knocker hard. “I did not even know this place was out here. How many crazy people can there be from a place as small as Sandpoint?”

“Not that many. More is like some of the patients must come from Magnimar.” Tessa pulled out a couple of bottles of something colorful and began to mix them as they waited.

“Must not have much of a staff. Grounds look clean enough; almost too clean.” Konnor began to look around the front of the building when a loud explosion shook the front porch to the asylum. He turned to the door to see Qakisst glaring through billowing smoke back at Tessa. Sapphire worked to calm the horses before they bolted back for Sandpoint.

Qakisst turned around from the door, smoke billowing around him and waved his hand in front of himself to clear his vision. “Are we getting impatient, Tessa?” Scorch marks covered the front of the door behind Qakisst.

Tessa began to shake back and forth the second vial, still in her hand. “Your temper is rubbing off on me.”

The viewing hatch in the center of the right side door opened and Qakisst quickly stepped in front of it to shield the person from Tessa’s impatience. The tall thin person on the other side of the door had darkish mottled skin with scales about his eyes and a crown of small horns about his head. The obviously tiefling features shocked Qakisst. He had been unaware of any tieflings living in the Sandpoint region. “Good gracious! What is this noise? You’ll disturb the patients and the doctor will be blaming me! Whatever you’re selling he won’t want any. Please be gone.” The viewing hatch closed in front of Qakisst.

“Out of the way, Junior.” Tessa shook the vial in her hands.

“Just stop, Tessa!” Qakisst struck the brass knocker again, hard as Sapphire laughed. “Hey in there; we are on business for Sheriff Hemlock. Open up.”

“The hatch opened up and the same mottle skinned tiefling looked out. “On business for who?”

Before Qakisst could speak Sapphire yelled out from the bottom of the steps to the porch, “Either Sheriff Hemlock or the Inheritor. Which is your preference?”

Qakisst turned briefly back to Sapphire and scowled then looked at the man behind the door. “We have been sent on business by Sheriff Hemlock regarding Grayst Sevilla.” Qakisst showed the small silver and copper badge that had been given to him shortly after the Swallowtail Festival.

“Sheriff Hemlock, you said?” The tiefling nervously looked past Qakisst at Sapphire and Tessa. “I will fetch the Doctor. He will not be happy. The patients should not be disturbed; he will say. Please to wait in the lobby.” The tiefling could be heard pulling locks and bars on the door even as he spoke. He pulled the door open and allowed the four Sandpoint guardians into the front entry.

Once the four were inside; the tiefling, dressed in white like an orderly might be at a larger facility, nodded to them then rushed back down the hall to find the Doctor. “He’s a nervous fellow. Doesn’t seem happy to see us.” Sapphire stared after the orderly as he left the room.

“He probably isn’t. I’m betting he’s gotten used to the quiet screams of the void that you hear in places like this.” Tessa drifted about the room looking at the décor with some interest.

“Stop it Tessa. This place is creepy enough.” Qakisst looked about nervously. The others listened to the voices in the hallway. One of the orderly that had admitted them to the building, the other a nasally voice that they soon discovered was a well-dressed man in white.

“This is not a good time, Gurnak. Send them away.” The nasally voice seemed irritated.

“They say the Sheriff sent them. They have a badge.” The voice of the intern replied.

“Are they in guard livery, Gurnak?” The nasally voice retorted.

“No sir. But one had bull horns like the town newspaper said about one of the Festival heroes. Another has a mask like described in the news story too.” The intern called Gurnak argued with the unknown voice.

“Very well. Why are they here?”

“They said it is about Grayst Sevilla. The new patient that is growing sicker.”

“Get Gortus and bring Mr. Sevilla down to the foyer. I don’t want the other patients disturbed by a pack of adventuring tuffs making noise. Make sure he is properly restrained. He’s growing more violent as his condition progresses.” The Doctor walked into the foyer and looked over the foursome. “This is a serious and somber place. What business have you been sent for, please? I am Doctor Habe; and I am a very busy man right now.” The Doctor seemed too serious; as though desperate to maintain a professional image.

Qakisst turned to look at the Doctor and smiled. “We have been sent to question Grayst Sevilla regarding the incident where he was injured. The Sheriff assured us of your cooperation.”

“Yes, I am sure that he did, Mr. Vishtani.” Qakisst looked startled that the Doctor recognized him. “Don’t be surprised. We get news out here too. Gurnak is quite taken with your little group’s story in the papers. You have positively made his day by paying us a visit; but I must insist that you interview Mr. Sevilla here in the foyer. Having the four of you traipsing through the building will disturb the other patients greatly and I can’t allow that. Their lives are disturbed enough now.”

“So what’s your specialty, Doc?” Tessa spoke from behind Doctor Habe, startling him.

“Caring for and studying the mentally ill.” Doctor Habe stepped back from Tessa when he turned to see her. “You don’t approve?”

“Of the mentally ill? What’s to approve?” Tessa’s grin sent a visible shiver down the doctor’s back.

“Tessa! Behave.” Both Sapphire and Qakisst chided Tessa for antagonizing Doctor Habe. Within moments Gurnak arrived with another tiefling dressed as an orderly, presumably Gortus. The two of them pushed a wild looking and pale man strapped to a rolling litter that could be stood up. The man strapped to the litter drooled and chittered to himself without a thought.

Qakisst stepped in front of the man with a sad and sullen look. “Grayst? Grayst, it is Cousin Kisst.” Qakisst spoke in the Varisi tongue as he looked up at the taller man bound to the rolling litter.

“Stop the razors!” Grayst shouted at Qakisst when he finally spoke. “There are so many teeth on the razors! The Skinsaw Man is coming; please make them sto…”

“Grayst, pull it together. Jubrayl sent you to Bradley's Barn. Why did Jubie send you to Bradley’s barn?” Qakisst tried desperately to get the crazed man’s attention with some success.

“Cousin? Can you stop the teeth? Jubrayl wanted to know what his Lordship was up too; but he wasn’t very trusting. The razors will cut him soon enough. There’s no escape from the teeth, Cousin. Please make them stop. The razor teeth hurt and the Skinsaw Man is commm…”Grayst froze looking over Qakisst’s head then giggled like a happy child. Yess! Yessss, I see. I seeze her!”

“What?” Sapphire called out with a start when she realized Grayst was looking directly at her.

“Yes your Lordship, I will tell her.” Grayst leaned forward stretching the bonds that held him to the upright gurney. “Jubrayl wanted me to watch and learn what his Lordship wanted. But the Skinsaw Man is coming and his Lordship could smell me. Jubrayl will to be unmade, but he sent me. So his Lordship unmade me and made me promise to remember a message. His Lordship had told me of the beauty of Sapphire. She is so beautiful like the heavens. If you will join his pack his Lordship will end the harvest in your honor. If you will be his the pack will not harvest everybody!”

Grayst screamed out and surged free of the bonds holding him to the gurney. His fist struck one of the orderlies sending the tiefling to the floor. Qakisst froze for a moment seeing his one-time Sczarni friend go berserk in rage. “You will feel the razors in the teeth!”

“Grayst, durdurmak!” Qakisst stumbled to the side swatted by Grayst’s powerful blow.

“Grab him!” Tessa bellowed from behind the still standing orderly even as the Doctor screamed in terror.

Konnor jumped forward to grab for one of Grayst’s arms even as the madman seized Sapphire and bit hard into her arm as she tried to fend off the unexpected attack. Gortus grabbed Grayst’s other arm as Gurnak got back to his feet to try to help. Qakisst grabbed Grayst about the feet to pin him back against the gurney and within seconds they were able to retrain the still struggling man.

“Cerrah Habe, sakinleştirici alabilirsiniz. Onu nakavt et bir şeyler almak!” Qakisst was screaming at the Doctor in Ignan while Tessa smirked.

“Hey Doc, you got anything to calm this guy down or do you let the patients rage till they get it out of their system?” Tessa’s smirk frightened the Doctor when he realized she was talking to him.

“What? Oh! Yes, yes. Wait, I’ll get… Yes! I will get my bag.” The Doctor fidgeted and bounced as he spoke then dashed into the back hallway. “Get him back to his room! I will get my kit!”

“Qakisst, ipimi alabilirsiniz! Benim paketi ulaşamıyorum.” Konnor struggled to hold Grayst’s left arm along with Gurnak while Sapphire and Gortus held his right. As soon as Qakisst released the struggling man’s legs he was kicked in the face and sent sprawling to the floor. “Hurry Up, Q!”

“Ben onu alıyorum! Bildiğiniz acıdı.” Qakisst struggled to his feet and grabbed the long silk rope from Konnor’s pack. Within a minute Grayst was bound tight once more to the gurney.

“Sapphire, what is wrong with him? He is not just crazy; is he?” Qakisst rubbed the darkening circle under his eye where Grayst had kicked him.

Sapphire held her hand to the viciously deep bite mark Grayst had made in her arm and called on the blessings of the Inheritor. Light flared from her hand as the wound closed. “I am so sorry, Q. Your friend is dead already but he just doesn’t know it yet. He’s in the final stages of ghoul fever.”

“What fever?” The orderlies looked at each other with fright as Qakisst turned to Sapphire.

“Your friend was bitten by a ghoul. He has their corruption taking over his body. He’ll be dead before the day is out, and tonight he’ll wake up an undead thing.” Sapphire looked Qakisst in the eyes. “I am so sorry. He’s too far gone for me to help.”

Gurnak looked around before he spoke. “We need to get him back to his cell like Doctor Habe wanted.” The two orderlies tried to lean the wheeled gurney back but Grayst began to furiously struggle again. Both Qakisst and Konnor grabbed the gurney before it could fall. “Please help to get him into his cell. Even with rope, he will break free and we cannot stop him. Please.”

“Come on Q. Let’s get him up the stairs.” Konnor grabbed the handle grip near Grayst’s left foot and waited for Qakisst. Between the four men they were able to control the gurney enough to prevent Grayst from shaking his way lose.

As the four climbed the stairs followed by Sapphire; Tessa turned to the hallway leading to the back of the first floor. “I thought he didn’t want the other patients disturbed.” Tessa’s eyebrow shot up and she smiled. Somebody was up to no good; and they hadn’t checked for approval with lady Tessa first.

The Exchange

Never split the party! Somebody always winds up dead.

Skinsaw: Secrets in the Cellar:

Tessa slipped quietly down the hall following Doctor Habe. In his haste the doctor had not closed the doors behind him, and Tessa found an open door to stairs leading down to the basement. Even from the top of the stairs she could hear voices. Carefully Tessa slipped down the stairs as she strained to hear who the doctor might be talking too.

“They know!” Doctor Habe’s voice rang true in the stairwell. A different kind of fear tinted his voice.

“Quiet you fool. They do not know anything.” An unknown but sharp voice brought a grin to Tessa’s face.

“You said this would be a simple observation. Assured me that nobody would care about Grayst’s condition.” Habe seemed to be near panic.

“Why did they come to question Grayst?” The calmer voice seemed to drip with disdain.

“They want to know what happened at the barn where Grayst was found. One of them recognized Grayst’s condition.” As Habe spoke Tessa whispered a silent hex to bolster her power.

“I am close to tracking down this ghoul lineage, Habe. Keep them in the dark and we will both still get what we want.”

“Nah, I think you’re done for.” Tessa’s sudden appearance in the room caused Habe to scream like a little girl as a glass vial flipped out of Tessa’s hand to explode against the wall beside the strange dark clothed man speaking with the doctor.

“Foolish girl, you should have remained hidden.” Fog erupted from the man’s hands and a second door into the room where the three of them stood slammed open. Shambling forms staggered into the room and turned towards Tessa even as the strange man moved to cut off Tessa from the door.

The fog quickly filled the room as Tessa sent wind scattering around herself trying to clear the air. Out of that same fog the doctor lashed out at Tessa with a scalpel while seconds later shambling forms reached out of the fog to grasp at the slim sylph. Trying to slip out from between the attacking creatures in the confusion, Tessa sent another vial crashing into the corner where she had seen the strange dark man. A foul nauseating stench joined the fog and gagged her as she struggled to see through the putrid white mist.

“Damnation” Tessa thought to herself. She had not expected the doctor to put up a fight, and his companion seemed more dangerous than she had expected. “Who keeps a closet full of zombies in the basement of a sanitarium!” Tessa flipped out another explosive and tried to slip along the wall where she found another zombie wandering in the fog. The slow witted creature slammed Tessa back towards the far corner as others shambled toward the noise; driven by their master.

“You would be the Varisi tattooist called Tessa. I had heard that you where smarter than this. Your companions,…” BOOM! Tessa flicked a vial in the direction of the speaker. “… will be easy prey if they are no brighter than you.” The dark man responded by sending a wave of negative energy rippling across the room.

“GAHH!! Damned dark clergy!” Tessa cried out as the pain of unlife washed across the room. Everywhere she turned to try and get clear of this infernal magical fog she found undeath shambling about striking at her. “Not going out like this.” BOOM! Tessa sent another explosive vial tumbling into the mist at the sound of the dark cleric’s prayers.

“HEY! Have you seen a short skinny tattoo wandering around with a Varisi girl attached to it?” The voice of Konnor shattered the fog for a second as the ring of folded steel striking armor echoed into the room.

“Over here, Mystery Boy!” Tessa lashed out with her dagger, now desperate to keep the shambling dead at bay. “The doctor is in here someplace with some crazy dark cleric.”

“Merhaba, bu adamın uçuruma kim?” Qakisst’s voice came from someplace near the stairs followed by the rushing sound of fire.

“You cannot fight the darkness, fools.” Ripples of unlife echoed across the room trying to drag the life out of the Sandpoint guardians.

“Gah! Give it a rest. This isn’t getting you a date anytime soon.”

“Biri On neler oluyor söyleyeceksin? Birilerinin uçuruma kanalize?”

“Tessa, are you flirting with this guy?”

“Quiet, Mystery Boy.” BOOM!

“HEY! Do you both mind not trying to incinerate me?”

“Sarenrae iyiliği için ateş Bildigim!”

The rushing sound of fire erupted in the fog again as Konnor and Tessa sliced at the shambling undeath attacking them. Qakisst, pinned outside the door send one last stream of fire scorching across the threshold as the fog slowly cleared.

Laying on the ground with multiple slices from Konnor’s blades, his hair burnt away lay the dark cleric. The bodies of the desecrated dead lay scattered about the room in disarray. In the corner lay Doctor Habe, the life sucked out of him by his co-conspirator’s power to channel dark energy.

“That was fun. What did you guys do with Sapphire. She’s going to be pissed that she missed out.” Konnor and Qakisst looked directly at the smiling Tessa with disbelief.

“Aklını mı kaçırdın?” Qakisst coughed to clear the stench of foul magic from his throat as Tessa riffled through the doctor’s pockets for information. "Who was this guy? Hey!”

“Why do you do that? Just talk in ignan when the shit hits the fan.” Konnor flipped the now dead dark cleric onto his back and began examining him for magical trinkets and valuables.

“I do not do it on purpose.” Qakisst scanned around the room with othersight even as Konnor did the same thing to the cleric and the doctor. “Are you both okay? I had to use some of the Dawnflower’s blessings to heal myself. You both look pretty torn up.”

“That is going to be a problem eventually, Junior. And yes, I’ve been better.” Tessa dumped Doctor Habe’s pouches onto one of the operating tables in the room.

“What’s going to be a problem? And what in the seven heavens happened here?” Sapphire strode into the room having finished examining the other inmates held in the upper levels of the sanitarium.

“Tessa found some new playmates.” Konnor held up the severed arm of one of the zombies that had been under the dark cleric’s control.

“So I see. Zombies? And looking at the body Qakisst is standing over, I’m guessing that the good doctor was not their master; was he.” Sapphire stepped over one of the desiccated bodies to stand next to Qakisst as he called upon the goddess Sarenrae to heal the worst of Tessa’s wounds.

“Nope. And you don’t suppose you could ask the Inherritor for a little help, do you? Mystery Boy and I got hacked up pretty bad here. Junior’s gifts for healing are still somewhat limited.”

“If you think it necessary, I can channel the Inherritor’s gifts and heal both you and Konnor.” Sapphire pulled out her sword, marked with the Inheritor, Iomedae’s emblem and called on her patron’s gifts.

“Sure wish I could figure out how you do that.” Qakisst stepped back as Sapphire finished tending to Tessa and Konnor. “So…”

“So… What’s troubling you Kid.” Sapphire turned back to face Qakisst.

“Simple cure spells won’t help Grayst, will they?” Qakisst leaned against one of the tables and looked out the door at the stairs.

“No. I’m afraid they won’t.” Sapphire gave Qakisst a sad look. “And even though I have been studying ways to try and cure disease I don’t think I will have them figured out in time to help him. He will be dead by tonight. I’m sorry Qakisst.”

“What’s going to happen to him?” Qakisst frowned as he watched Konnor carefully checking the room for any other secrets.

“Nothing good, Junior.” Tessa finished clearing up the tables and shelves around the room as Konnor finished checking the closet that the zombies had come out of.

“Tessa is right. If your friend dies of the disease, his soul will be consumed by the dark force taking over his body. That night he will rise as one of the hungry dead. Recreated a ghoul, he will be compelled to seek out the living and devour their flesh.” Sapphire held her gaze steady as she examined Qakisst.

“Okay.” Qakisst stepped away from the table he had been leaning on and headed for the stairs that would take him up to the inmate’s ward.

“Where you going Junior?” Tessa watched Qakisst knowingly.

“To help Grayst.”

“Q? I’m sorry, there’s nothing you can do.” Sapphire moved to follow the young ifrit.

“Yeah there is, Sapphire. And he knows it.” Tessa grabbed Sapphire’s arms to stop her from following Qakisst. “You said it yourself. If the disease kills Grayst he comes back as a ghoul. His soul consumed by the dark powers that will animate his body. Junior is going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Are you just going to let him go up there and murder his own friend?” Sapphire pulled free of Tessa’s grasp.

“He’s not going to murder his friend. He’s going to set him free the only way any of us can.” Tessa turned back to sorting the limited treasures recovered from Doctor Habe and his cohort. “You keep forgetting that even if Junior is rather childlike; he is still three times your age. He knows what he’s doing; and he can handle it.”

“Handle it?” Sapphire glowered at Tessa as Konnor headed up to the foyer to get out of the line of fire.

“Yes. He can handle a lot more than you think he can.” Tessa tossed the limited bounty into her pack and headed for the door. “I know you look at him and see a little boy that is too small for his britches pretending to be a man. I see a man hidden behind the face of a little boy.”

“You can’t be serious?”

Tessa paused on the stairs; blocking Sapphire from following Qakisst. “Oh don’t get me wrong. I bet he spends tonight at the Dragon dancing like a dervish to forget. He might even get drunk while he’s doing it. But Grayst is his friend and he isn’t going to let his friend turn into a monster.” There was a touch of sadness in Tessa’s eyes that seemed out of place as she stepped out of Sapphire’s way.

Sapphire gave Tessa a disbelieving look and rushed up the stairs to follow Qakisst. Tessa continued up to the foyer to see Konnor sitting in the shadows in the corner waiting for the others.

“Not slinking around the rest of the place looking for secrets, Mystery Boy?” Tessa seemed unusually calm; the winds that normally fluttered about her were unnaturally still.

“You’re a cold b+%+#, do you know that?” Konnor’s bluntness brought a smile to Tessa’s face.

“Call me what you will, but I cared enough to let him do what he has to do, and Sapphire cared enough to want to stop him from having to do it. You’re sitting in the lobby.” Tessa walked out the front door to stand on the broad porch attached to the asylum and wait for her compatriots to finish their business.

The Exchange

When we returned from our brief trip to Magnimar I was rather stunned to find that Dahlia Fire-Rose was still hanging about town. Even more so when she plopped down at a table with a morose Qakisst and wanted to talk. Even more so when she wanted to dance.

Writing this chapter was harder than any other. I re-wrote it 5 times trying to get the dialog right.

Skinsaw: Dance of the Fire-Rose:

Qakisst sat in the Rusty Dragon feeling dejected. This had been a horrible day. From before the pounding started on his door at five bells everything had gone horribly wrong. Slowly Qakisst stirred the food on the plate in front of him; some kind of fish with diced vegetables and rice. It had long since grown cold.

“What’s the matter, Q? Is something wrong with your dinner tonight?” Merlii, one of the Dragon’s serving girls refilled Qakisst’s ale as he continued to stare out over the crowd.

“No, it is fine Merlii. I am not very hungry.” Qakisst continued to push bits of fish around the bowl.

“I can get you something else if you like.” The young serving girl smiled at Qakisst. “I’ll come back around in a moment and check on you.” Qakisst smiled back with some effort then settled his chin back into the palm of his hand to lean on his elbow.

Grayst was dead. He had been dead for a few days. He just had not known it. Within hours he would have succumbed to ghoul fever and been cursed to rise as one of the hungry dead. That did not make Qakisst feel any better about shoving the sharp point of a starknife through Grayst’s heart while the man was strapped to a gurney. To save his friend’s soul Qakisst had been forced to take what was left of the man’s life.

Merlii came back around to stand next to Qakisst unnoted. “Are you okay, Q?”

“Yeah, I am fine.” Qakisst mumbled with his chin resting in his palm.

“For such a smooth talker, you are a lousy liar, Q. I think that’s why everybody loves you.” Merlii pulled Qakisst’s plate out from in front of him. “I’ll see if the kitchen has any of the meat pies you always like. Whatever it is that’s got you down Sweetie, it can’t be that bad.”

“It is nothing, Merlii. Just me.”

“Well your friend Lauri just came in. Maybe she can pick your spirits up.” As Merlii motioned to the entry of the Dragon Qakisst spotted the bright yellow dress and bronze colored hair of Lauri Vieskin and smiled slightly. “See, already a smile.”

Qakisst sat up straight as Merlii headed for the kitchen. Lauri slipped up to the bar and seemed to be talking to Bethana, the Dragon’s bartender and manager. After a moment Bethana slid a drink across the bar to Lauri as Qakisst watched from his seat in the west common room.

The patrons in the Dragon seemed more subdued that their usual rowdy self. Lauri could be seen scanning the south common where Sandpoint’s guardian heroes usually sat before her eyes finally turned to the west room. When her eyes locked onto Qakisst’s she frowned as he waved. “Uh oh.” Qakisst thought to himself. He had no idea how much Lauri knew about the events of the last few days but she did not look happy to see him.

“Hello Q.” Lauri stepped up to the table beside Qakisst. “Care for a dance?”

“Oh? Um, if you like.” Qakisst stood up and went to step away from the table offering his hand to Lauri.

“What’s the matter, Q? Don’t you feel like dancing with me?” Lauri looked at Qakisst with one eyebrow raised. Alarms were shooting through Qakisst’s brain faster than he could sort them out.

“Sorry, I am not feeling very festive today. It is not your fault; it is just me.” Qakisst looked off to his right toward the Dragon’s stage where the new bard, Dahlia was singing. “Singing is not the best music for dancing either.”

“Maybe you’d rather we just slip off to bed or something then, Q.” Lauri gave Qakisst a come hither look; but her eyes sparked with a subdued anger. The alarm in Qakisst’s head exploded.

“That is okay, Lauri; only if that was what you really want.” Qakisst stepped back to the table he had been sitting at and motioned for Lauri to join him. “I am sorry that I am not good company tonight, Lauri. I do not want to chase you off; but I feel like I am ruining everybody’s mood.”

“So you’re telling me this is a bad time?” Lauri’s eyes narrowed slightly as she stood next to the table; not taking the chair Qakisst was offering. “Is that it, Q? You’re not in the mood for my company?”

“Grayst is dead, Lauri.” Qakisst slumped into his seat; no longer caring if Lauri joined him or not. He may not have been very experienced with the differing moods of women but the young ifrit knew that there was no point in trying to please Lauri at the moment. Honesty then was the only wise policy.

“What?” Lauri looked stunned. “Who?”

“One of my Harrow playing buddies.” Qakisst looked out the window next to his seat. “He never went to Turnandarok; so unless he was spending time at the Kitten that I do not know about you probably did not know him.”

“I… I’m sorry Sweetie.” Lauri slid into the seat opposite Qakisst. “I didn’t know.” Her somewhat angry demeanor shattered under the news of Qakisst’s friend.

“Nobody did. He was sent out to that sanitarium south of town a few days back. Spooky place.” Qakisst looked down into his still full ale. “He died just before noon today.”

“Oh sweetie, I really am sorry.” Lauri reached across the table and took Qakisst’s hands. “When did you find out?”

“Just before noon.” As Qakisst continued to examine his ale Merlii slipped a plate of meat pies in front of him.

Lauri looked confused for a moment as the realization that Qakisst had been there when Grayst died sank in. “Q I am so sorry. You must have been really close to him.”

“Not really. We played cards together. He used to ride caravan with us before I came to Sandpoint. His Dad passed on about six years ago. He came back to Sandpoint after that and went to work down by the docks. No family other than… Well you know how it is.”

Lauri’s expression hardened slightly but her tone remained soft, “One of Jubrayl’s boys?” She sat up straight pulling her hands away from Qakisst.

“Yeah. I have my disreputable friends.” Qakisst picked up his drink and sipped at it. “I am just in a mood. This does not mean anything, Lauri. It is just me.”

Lauri stood up from the table and squeezed his shoulder. “Let me know when you need me, Q.” She then slipped through the crowd and out the door.

“Lauri, do not sit around waiting for me to need you. That is not fair to you.” Qakisst whispered to himself as he sat staring out the window. He watched Lauri saunter up the street with some appreciation; though he could not see the tears in her eyes as she walked away. Nor did he realize anybody else had joined him until the music changed. When the more lively sound of a mandolin filled the room, Qakisst looked up to see who the new bard taking the stage was and found himself eye to eye with Dahlia.

“Rough day, Mr. Vishtani?” Dahlia, the once famous Fire Rose, looked at him with unexpected sympathy. “I heard about the Varisi guy; what was his name?” Qakisst managed not to jump as Dahlia made her presence known.

“Grayst.” Qakisst’s expression remained dower, but he did not turn away. “And I am sorry about your friend Lener Hask.”

Dahlia looked away as her jaw tightened. “Thank you. We haven’t spoken since…” Dahlia paused to look down at her own drink.

“I take it that he did not agree with your desire to leave the old life behind?” Qakisst smiled softly and looked out the window again.

“He kept insisting that we just needed one more score and we’d be set for life.” Qakisst echoed the last five words as Dahlia spoke. Hearing Qakisst echo her words made Dahlia chuckle.

“I am all too familiar with the life of a stalking horse.” Qakisst smiled slightly then signaled to Merlii for a refill. “Momma would always be furious when she would have to go into the village garrison to retrieve me when one of the Sczarni clan kids would show up at our wagon. It is why she finally settled in Sandpoint where somebody other than the Sczarni kids in caravan could keep an eye out for me.”

“Is that how you spotted me in the market the other day, experience?” Dahlia looked straight into Qakisst’s.

“Something like that.” Qakisst nodded to Merlii as she refilled his mug in front of him and gave him a curious look. “Momma was a master bard; so I have a passing familiarity with bardic talents.”

Dahlia looked at Qakisst dubiously. “Raised by wandering Varisi, were you?”

“Uh, yeah. Kinda.” Qakisst looked past Dahlia and sighed in remembrance. “Momma Liandra adopted me about fifteen years ago.”

“Adopted? That explains your exotic Varisi features…” Dahlia waggled her fingers above her forehead which caused Qakisst to snort ale out his nose with a laugh as he drank. “…though not your unusual accent. But fifteen years ago? You barely look old enough to be fifteen now. Did she have any idea that the baby she adopted would grow up to have such striking features?”

“Evil woman.” Qakisst struggled not to laugh as he turned away to pull out his handkerchief and wipe his nose. “Actually, I was only a couple inches shorter when she found me. A bit over three cubits I think.”

“Please. Even if you had a touch of elven blood, which you don’t, you couldn’t be more than twenty now.” Dahlia smirked. “Or are you telling me you have a lot more growing to do?”

“No, I do not have any elven blood that I know of; and probably not much more growing unfortunately. But genie are immortal and most of their unhuman offspring live lives more comparable to your elven ancestors.” Qakisst smiled at Dahlia. “I will be sixty when spring comes next year.”

“My elven ancestors? No wonder you look like a twelve year old. A full elf of sixty would still be a student hard at their studies.” Dahlia prodded Qakisst verbally. “Does your mother know what trouble you get into in her absence?”

Qakisst turned away and closed his eyes. He bit off the sharp retort he wanted to bark at Dahlia and paused a moment.

“Oh geeze! I’m so sorry, I…” Dahlia covered her mouth as she spoke, realizing her error.

“You did not know.” Qakisst did not look at Dahlia; but he did not seem angry either.

“Actually, I did. I just did not think. I... Wow, I just put my foot in it, didn’t I?” Dahlia blushed slightly with embarrassment, hand now covering her eyes. “I am sorry. Somebody told me earlier last week that you are orphaned but I… I just…”

“It is okay, Dahlia. It has been five years; so it is no worse than a light kick in the head now.” Qakisst gave Dahlia a faint smile as he spoke and the words took a moment to register. When she realized that Qakisst was poking fun at her, Dahlia’s expression changed to one of relief and she snorted loudly.

“You…” Dahlia snorted again. “You… hehe…” Laughter finally broke through the bard’s self-control. It took Dahlia a moment to compose herself before she could even look at Qakisst. “You are a wicked little brat. I am very sorry though; that was rude of me to say the least.”

“It really has been five years. I am working really hard at controlling my temper when people stick their foot in it over Momma. Last time it happened I got into a fight with a blacksmith. Very painful.” Qakisst adjusted his jaw like he was trying to put it back into place.

“I’m guessing that you are not referring to Savah Brevinacky, are you.” Dahlia raised an eyebrow at the idea of the small ifriti man across from her getting into a fist fight.

“Hayır, benim tanrıçasıdır vay! I would not have lived through it if I had even lifted a finger toward Savah. She is a hell of a lot scarier than Das Korvut.” Qakisst made a mock expression of horror before laughing.

“I met her the other day. She didn’t seem all that scary to me.” Dahlia’s offhand comment brought another smile to Qakisst’s face.

“So she was flirting with you, was she?” Qakisst picked up one of the meat pies Merlii had brought him earlier and pointed it at Dahlia as he spoke.

“How did…” Dahlia looked a bit startled by Qakisst’s suggestion and the innuendo hidden in it.

“When I am not chasing goblins around the Hinterlands with the Mayor’s nephew I work for Savah.” Qakisst bit into his meat pie after answering the obvious question. “I am very familiar with her taste in women. I would not have thought you her type but I am betting that you are quite the charmer when you want to find out about people.”

“I guess I’m busted; but you? You are full of surprises, Mr. Vishtani. You hardly look big enough to be chasing goblins about the Hinters; let alone swinging a smith’s hammer.” Dahlia raised an eyebrow as she studied Qakisst. “Foreigner, weapons smith, sorcerer, and the child of a famous local bard; who happens to pick fights with blacksmiths that could lift a horse one handed to shoe them. And if memory serves, you are on at least a passing familiarity with the beautiful young lady in the yellow dress that I saw leave not thirty minutes ago. A young lady that I hear works at the Pixie’s Kitten most nights; and yet you have a somewhat demure reputation. You’re not like anybody else around here; are you, Mr. Vishtani?” Dahlia leaned on the table and smiled at Qakisst.

Qakisst’s mood darkened a little at Dahlia’s description. He then looked right at Dahlia with a serious expression. “You do not need to use little trick questions to find out about me or go carousing around the town prodding people to talk about me. My life is not a secret. Just ask.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Vishtani.” Dahlia gave Qakisst a slightly self-conscious smile. “You intrigue me; and you have been unexpectedly nice since you returned to town the other day.” Dahlia paused and looked down into her own drink then looked up at Qakisst’s eyes. For a moment the mask of calm so many bards wore by instinct cracked. “But I’m not sure where to start.” Dahlia struggled to find words for her questions. She thought back to just over two weeks ago and her capture by Sandpoint’s guardians and she could not even understand why she was sitting here with this boy who was older than Dahlia herself.

“Start with what you want to know the most. You probably know most of it anyway. I know that you have been asking around town about us since Sheriff Hemlock let you out of jail last week.” Qakisst and Dahlia both sipped their drinks to cover their nervousness. “Keth told me how curious you were when you stopped to have your rapier sharpened.”

Silence followed Qakisst’s words for nearly a minute. Dahlia finally broke the silence between them with the most complex of questions, “Why?”

“Ne? Ben anlamıyorum?” Qakisst sat back uncomfortably in his seat; the meaning of Dahlia’s question all too apparent to him. “You, uh.. You did not hurt anybody. You were caught. There was no reason to get stupid and do that to you.”

“Does that matter? You didn’t have to be nice to me. You even had reasons not to be. I was helping Lener rob people. I was the bad guy, right? Why did you do it?” Dahlia looked almost plaintive in her need to know why Qakisst had offered to help her at her lowest moment. “And why ask my permission? Why did you care?”

Qakisst’s voice turned into a childlike whisper; like he had been caught committing the most heinous crime with his hand still in the cookie jar, “Ben, çaresiz bir zincirlenmiş, dövüldü, ve hatta bir cenaze ateşinde üzerine atmış. Ben en acıklı hayatını kimin oynamak yok; Ben zaten puberte öncesinde o oyunu kazanmisti.” Qakisst drained his cup to hide his embarrassment. “Nobody should be treated like that. Konnor is an idiot; and he should not have done that to you.”

“You are such a strange mystery, Mr. Vishtani.” Dahlia strained to see into the young ifriti’s heart and soul as she spoke, “Why did you care about how I felt? Why were you trying to be kind to me even as your friends were getting ready to haul me off to jail? Why did you even care about my welfare or anything about me? Why are you even being nice to me at all now?” Dahlia seemed exasperated with confusion as she rattled off questions at Qakisst. “And what is that language you slip into? I’ve never even heard it before coming here.” Dahlia sat up and stared across the table. “What is your game, Mr. Vishtani?”

Dahlia’s blunt questions were a bit more than he had expected; but Qakisst had long ago asked these questions of another bard himself. He knew where the questions were coming from. “No game.” His mind flooded with memories of his younger self and his hearth-mother having a similar conversation after Liandra Vishtani had risked her life to rescue him from an angry mob in Korvosa. “I know what it is like to be alone and scared. What it is like to be trussed up and turned over to the town sheriff. What it is like to wonder if they are going to kill me, or throw me in prison.”

Dahia looked at Qakisst with doubt and a touch of anger, “I am supposed to believe that the darling hero of Sandpoint knows what the life of a thief is like? Run out of town once your welcome has run out?”

“I met Liandra VIshtani just after she had rescued me from an angry mob in Korvosa. She distracted the mob while her driver and one of the caravan guards pulled me off the make shift pyre I was slowly roasting on.” Qakisst paused to take a sip of his drink. “I have not always been so resistant to fire, so yeah, I know what it is like to be scared and alone. So terrified you do not even feel the fear anymore. I have lived on the streets and fled from town to town looking for a new life.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Peki? You are a trained bard. An ustası… a master of voice and song. Tell me if I am lying.” Qakisst frowned and took another bite of meat pie. “Jubrayl is always telling me I run a good bluff; but to be honest I have never been a good liar. Am I lying now, Fire Rose?”

“Nobody does something for nothing. Down here on the streets everybody expects something.” Dahlia stared accusingly at Qakisst.

“You do not have anything that I need, Dahlia.” Qakisst shrugged as he tried to smile.

“Nothing?” Dahlia’s temper flared with her frustration.

“Not really. Honestly, I did it because I know what it is like to be on the street and scared. You are part elven; can that not make it tough to fit in? I know what it is like not fitting in.” Qakisst looked out the window as his voice trailed off. “Even now, as a darling of Sandpoint, there are people that would as soon I not exist. Not as many as before but they are still there.”

Dahlia stared at Qakisst in bewildered disbelief. The two of them sat quietly for a while as the crowd at the Dragon thinned over time. Finally Dahlia spoke up, “I still think you are up to something, Mr. Vishtani. Not even the priests are this altruistic.”

“You will have to take my word for it. Now if you will excuse me, I feel the need to dance and Chamandi has been making eyes at me for nearly an hour trying to get me to dance with her.” Qakisst stood up and nodded to Dahlia then walked into the east Common Room behind Dahlia’s seat.

Dahlia turned in the seat to watch Qakisst stroll across the crowded inn wondering where he thought he was going to dance. As Qakisst turned to look toward the Dragon’s small stage he called out in to the Varisi bard seated there, “Jamarie, play Our Lady for me please.” The bard shifted in his seat and grinned as he switched to the popular Chelish waltz.

Upon hearing Qakisst’s request the patrons in the east common began to push their tables out of the center of the floor creating the makeshift dance floor that had become tradition since Sandpoint’s Guardians had become regular patrons of the inn. Dahlia raised an eyebrow as she observed.

“Chamandi?” Qakisst held out a hand to the young Chelish girl and she smiled as she accepted his hand. The pair moved out onto the impromptu dance floor even as a line of young ladies began to gather near where Chamandi had been standing.

Qakisst let his mind wander as he danced easily about the floor. He was fighting his own mood though and knew that he was pushing the young lady beyond her abilities. After only two songs the ever persistent Chamandi was well and truly winded.

Qakisst guided her to the edge of the floor and gave her a polite bow. “You are ever so much more graceful than I am, Chamandi.” She smiled at him even as her cousin scowled at Qakisst from his seat nearby. Qakisst quickly stepped over to take another hand and resumed dancing.

Anaya Burkard lasted through nearly three songs before begging for a break. Unlike Chamandi though, she seemed to sense that Qakisst was in a bit of a mood tonight. “Are you okay, Q? You seem a bit tense tonight?”

“I am fine Anaya. It has just been a rough day.” To Qakisst’s surprise the young lady leaned in and kissed is cheek; then smiled.

“If you insist, Q. But if you want to talk someplace…” Anaya blushed suddenly, “Just talk. You know; you look like you need a friend.”

Qakisst smiled back. “I am surrounded by friends, Anaya. Thank you.” As he released the young lady’s hands he gave a curt nod and backed away before turning to the next young lady.

While the line of suitable dance partners was not long, it never seemed to diminish until to his surprise Qakisst found himself face to face with Dahlia once more. He smiled as he took her by the waist expecting her to be a somewhat reluctant dance partner. “More questions, Lady Dahlia?”

With the very first note Dahlia grasped Qakisst by hand and arm and practically pulled him into the dance. She was like fire and water and air all at once sweeping the young ifriti along with her. Qakisst found himself barely able to keep up, let alone lead the dance, and was stunned. He had always been the best dancer in Sandpoint but not anymore. The Dance floor about the pair cleared as others began to watch.

At first the crowd began to clap. Then the crowd began to cheer. As the song ended the pair passed in front of Jamarie on the small stage. Dahlia looked over her shoulder at Jamarie to say, “Fulsa’s Tango please.” Jamarie’s grin showed that he knew the song well as he starts into the far more complex and salacious song.

The pair covered the small dance floor from end to end with a pace that Qakisst found breathtaking. Finally he was forced to begged for a break. “I cannot keep up.” He gasped breathlessly as the crowd cheered the pair on. As Dahlia stepped back out of the dance floor pulling Qakisst along with her the crowd erupted in applause.

When Qakisst slid back into his seat across from Dahlia panting with a smile on his face he realized that it had been Dahlia that had guided their last dance to end in the corner between the two common rooms by the table where they had been seated earlier.

“Seriously, Mr. Vishtani…” Dahlia slid into her seat as she started to speak.

“Ah, ah! After…” gasp, “…that...” Qakisst took a deep breath, “…you call me Qakisst.” Qakisst wagged a finger in front of Dahlia as he cut her off.

“Okay. Seriously Qakisst; I am impressed. I am not used to having a partner that can keep up.” Dahlia wiped moisture from her brow. “And look at you, you were dancing for more than an hour and not a drop of sweat on you. I bet you’re faking being out of breath.”

Qakisst continued to struggled to catch his breath, “That was…” he inhaled deeply, “…amazing. Not even Korva or Tanjah can keep up with me; and they have been my dance partners since they were little kids.” As his breathing slowed Qakisst grinned again. “Thank you.”

Dahlia smiled, “You have lived up to your reputation as a dancer, Mr… Qakisst. We will have to do this again sometime.”

“I hope so.” As Qakisst looked up at Dahlia, Merlii slid pint mugs of ale in front of each.

“Compliments of the owner.” Merlii smiled at them both. “She quite enjoyed the show and told me to remind you that you owe her a dance, Q.”

Dahlia looked at the startled expression on Qakisst’s face and laughed. “Is there a story behind that expression?”

“Bir dakika.” Qakisst sucked in a deep breath. “Ahhhhh… Can she give me a moment?”

“I think you’re getting her usual rain check, Q. She was smiling though as she headed out the kitchen door. That’s new.” Merlii left the pair sitting in the west Common.

“Gahhh! Neden beni böyle alay tutmak gerekmektedir?” Qakisst slumped forward grabbing his horns in both hands, elbows on the table.

“Her usual rain check?” Dahlia raised an eyebrow as she watched Qakisst.

“Evet, Ejderha hiçbir zaman kimseyle dans eder. O çok fazla erkekler alay sahiptir.” Qakisst looked up. “Sorry. The Dragon Lady… she enjoys teasing men a little too much.”

“What is that language? I’ve never heard anything like it.”

“Ateş sesle. The voice of fire. Taldan scholars call it Ignan.” Qakisst looked past Dahlia at the makeshift dance floor. “When I am stressed or nervous I cannot clear my thoughts. My thoughts race in ateş sesle and I cannot find the words in Taldan.”

“Does this happen a lot? How do you…” Dahlia looked with incredulity at Qakisst.

“I practice being calm.”

Dahlia snorted. “You? Really?”

“What else can I do?” Qakisst rubbed his eyes. “I am tired, m’Lady. I am tired and I can do nothing else.” He looked up at Dahlia and tried to smile. Looking back at him he saw one green eye and one blue. He sat up startled.

“Okay, now I believe you. And you are not the only one who is different.” Dahlia smiled and her left eye faded from blue into a green that matched her right eye.

“I had forgotten about the eyes.” Qakisst stood, dropped several coins on the table then bowed to Dahlia. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. I hope we can dance again soon, m’Lady.” Qakisst then slid away from the table where Dahlia sat, gripped Merlii by the hand before she could dodge him, and danced her about in a small circle before bowing to her as well and disappeared out the door. Merlii, looking flustered went back to work.

The Exchange

Skinsaw: The Orrery:

“Good morning, Hearth-Heart.” The sun rose above Qakisst in greeting.

“It is not yet morning, Godess. I would feel it if it were.” Qakisst lay shirtless in the garden of the dreaming city with a book in hand.

“This is an unexpected change. You have been to the library.” Light cascaded across the garden warming everything. “And you are right. It is not yet morning in the waking world as we are well into autumn now.”

“I thought I might see her in the library. The woman I met yesterday morning.” Qakisst carefully placed the book aside; his place marked by a strip of cloth. “You told me that she spends time there when dreaming.”

“She is your sister, Hearth-Heart. She is also my cleric and my voice within her tribe.” The winged form of the Dawnflower settled out of the rising sun and made to sit next to Qakisst. The garden itself rose up to form a comfortable seat for her as she settled effortlessly onto the makeshift throne that formed from branches and vines. “Now, tell me what you are reading. You may have gone to the library looking for her, but it looks like you have found something else to interest you.”

Qakisst blushed, “There was an older gentleman there. He asked if he could help me. He told me that Keqiss had left with the rising sun. That confused me for a moment until I saw the globe behind him. It turns; doesn’t it?”

“Very good, Hearth-Heart. Most people never notice the orrery moving above the desk.” The Dawnflower smiled.

“The orrery? Is that what the globe is called?” Qakisst looked puzzled.

“The globe is only a small part of the orrery, and right now that globe is above the librarian’s desk. By next spring it will be on the far side of the great chandelier in the library. All the globes floating in the library revolve around the chandelier just as the celestial bodies revolve around the sun.” The Dawnflower smiled as Qakisst slowly puzzled it out.

“All the globes? But some of them are massive? I saw nothing supporting them.”

“The wanderers are not supported within the heavens, Hearth-Heart. They are supported by the heavens. Thus the orrery in my library has no crude wires supporting the heavens that they model.” She smiled at him and watched the confusion play out on his face for a moment. “The globe you saw spinning slowly above the librarian represents Golarion as it travels around the sun. Just as all the other globes represent the other wandering stars. They are as large as they should be.”

“But…”

“But they are so very far from your home on Golarion that they look as a wandering point of light against all the other stars fixed in the distant tapestry that is the sky. Now, you are evading the original question.” The Dawnflower smiled.

“Oh, sorry. I asked him about the oracles. He gave me this to read. It has stories about the people like me that have been chosen to carry what the book calls a divine spark. But I don’t understand. This says that the spark is a gift, yet says that it has a terrible price.” Qakisst’s eyes looked sad as he looked up upon the goddess.

“Because of the nature of such gifts and the ego of most mortals there must be a price to remind them that the gift that they are entrusted with is not a gift given to them; but a gift given through them.” The Dawnflower looked away as she spoke. “Because I believe in you so; the price you pay is less than many others. Your tongue will not always serve you when you wish it to do so.”
“But I do not…”

“I know.” Sarenrae turned back to Qakisst, sitting in the grass by her feet. “I chose you because I believe I can trust you to use my gift with good intent. I gave you the gift of understanding the Riddle of Steel to make up for it.”

“But…”

“No, it is not fair. You know that there is a burden that goes with this gift as well as the price.” The garden seat upon with the Dawnflower rested slowly sank into the grass lowering her to sit upon the ground next to Qakisst.

“But…”

“You have every right to be angry at me. I will not be upset. I have made your life more difficult for my own reasons.” There was a sadness in Sarenrae’s eyes as she spoke.

“Why?” Qakisst’s voice was a barely audible whisper drowned out by the light of the sun as he snapped out of the dreaming. Sitting in his bed alone Qakisst felt tears on his cheeks as the morning sun just touched the tip of Sanpoint’s highest feature. Yet as he sat in the soft candlelight of his bedroom Qakisst could still hear his goddess’ voice as clear as day.

“I have given you a light against the coming darkness.” The voice faded in the quiet room. The soft light of the ever-burning candles and his own tattoos flickered about Qakisst’s bedroom as he stared into the silence that followed.

The Exchange

Skinsaw: A day without Caleb is like...:

Qakisst was a bit slower than normal arriving at the Dragon for breakfast. Sapphire has already seated herself at their usual table along the windows on the south wall when he walked in. As he approached the bar Bethana looked up at him and frowned.

“I would have thought you to be in a better mood this morning, Mr. Vishtani. You seemed to be of better spirits when you left last night.” Bethana pulled up a mulled cider as she looked at Qakisst, “You’ll have a plate of sausages, potatoes, and eggs with greens in just a moment. Oh, and these are for you tonight.” Bethana passed him a small envelope. “Bard Dahlia asked that you and a friend come and see her perform at the theater tonight; on her.”

Qakisst took the cider and the envelope, which he looked at with a touch of suspicion. “Does your boss know that Lady Dahlia is having you pass out tickets to Cyrdak’s theater?”

“We will keep this a secret. And before you ask, I think it is because you were honest with her last night. I don’t think Dahlia Rose is used to honest people.” Now cheer up and have a seat. Breakfast will be out shortly.

Qakisst looked in the envelope at the two tokens for Cyrdak’s theater then tucked them into the wrapped folds of his scarf were it looped around his haramaki. It made for an incredibly convenient pouch and he always marveled at how well the two items worked together. As he slid into his seat across from Sapphire he smiled. “Good morning, m’Lady.”

“Your slower than usual today, Qakisst. Did you have company last night?” Sapphire smiled impishly at Qakisst.

“No. I was alone last night. Laurie is a bit upset about something and with Grayst’s death yesterday I wasn’t very good company most of last night.” Qakisst looked down at his cider and sighed.

“You did the right thing, kid. I know it doesn’t feel like it but you did.” Sapphire patted his hand as Qakisst looked up. The cook’s assistant, Miwan slipped plates in front of both heroes and gave a curt nod as Sapphire pulled her hand back.

“Thank you Miwan.” Qakisst smiled up at the young Tian girl as she gave a polite bow and retreated to the kitchen.

“Do you know every girl in Sandpoint by name?” Sapphire smirked at Qakisst as she picked up her fork to begin eating.

“I think so. I know nearly everybody in town to some extent. Sandpoint isn’t that big.” Qakisst stirred his eggs into his potatoes as he reached for the pepper shaker that Miwan had left with their plates.

“It’s not that small a town either, kid. You can’t know everybody, but you sure know all the ladies.” Sapphire poked fun at Qakisst’s budding reputation as a ladies man. Qakisst snorted and began going through a list of the entire town’s population, including who lived where and what they did for a living. He had barely made it midway through the residents of Tower Street when Sapphire begged him to stop. “Enough. Enough. You proved your point. How do you do that? There must be a thousand people living here.”

“A few more than that, I think. Especially if you include the outlying farms. But I’ve lived here for just over ten years. I went to school with almost everybody under the age of 25, you find out who their parents and siblings are, then I’ve been working in the armory for five years getting to know more people, spend most of that time bouncing between the Feedbag, this place, the White Deer, Risa’s Place, the Hagfish, Cracktooth’s, you get to know people. You learn who to avoid and who will sit and have a drink. You get a feel for a town.” Qakisst shoveled a heap of potato and runny egg into his mouth and chewed for a moment. “It is actually kind of strange to have spent so much time in the Dragon over the last six weeks; but free food is awfully hard to turn down.”

As Qakisst spoke Konnor slipped into the seat next to Sapphire with a plate and proceeded to eat, carefully lifting his mask just enough to do so. “I see that you are your ever cheerful and outgoing self this morning, Konnor.” Sapphire scowled at her roguish compatriot.

“I thought the mayor told you to quit wearing that stupid mask around town?” Qakisst glowered at Konnor as the young elven born man carefully ate while concealing his face.

“The mayor isn’t here, and neither is her friend Hemlock.” Konnor continued to eat without pause even as he replied. “Any sign of Caleb yet.”

“None, and his parent’s haven’t seen him since Moonday evening.” Tessa spoke from directly behind Konnor causing him to start slightly.

“I might have stabbed you.” Konnor turned to glair at the elemental born sylph.

“Yeah, that spork you’re using looks so deadly.” Tessa stuck out her tongue as she slid into the seat on the other side of Sapphire.

“It can be.” Konnor spat back at her as Miwan arrived at the table to deliver a cider and plate for Tessa. “Can I get another ale, please?” Miwan’s expression at Konnor’s request projected her disapproval even as she confirmed his request and slipped off.

“It’s barely past seven bells, Konnor.” Sapphire looked sideways at Konnor as she spoke.

“Yeah, so? Cayden guides me and deserves a proper toast before each meal.” Konnor raises his mug up as he speaks, “In Cayden’s Name!”

Qakisst and Tessa lift their mugs and echo the roguish elf’s toast, “In Cayden’s Name.”

“Stop encouraging him, you two!” Sapphire glared at Qakisst and Tessa.

“Never piss of a god, Sapphire. Especially a drunken rabble-rouser like Cayden Cailean. He’ll have you drinking bitter brew and hung over for a week after.” Tessa stacked wedges of potato on her plate with the sausage links, only to slice them all up into finer bits. “The Inheritor may not find him as reliable as she would like, but there’s no more doubt to his divinity than her’s. SO! Who wants to go tromping around in the woods looking for signs of ghouls?” Tessa’s enthusiasm brought a scowl from all.

“Should we not find out what happened to Caleb?” Qakisst looked between the three seated across from him feeling somewhat at a loss without the half-Varisi ranger.

“As far as we know absolutely nothing has happened to Caleb.” Tessa shrugged. “Doesn’t he disappear for weeks on end like this normally?” Sapphire looked back and forth between the two.

“Well, yeah? But with the murders that have happened?” Qakisst shrugged as he spoke; not really sure if his apprehension was honest fear for Caleb or just a part of the general unease from the dark events of the last few days.

“So far, whoever is responsible for what has happened has been very public about it. If they had managed to get a hand on Caleb don’t you think they would be bragging about it somehow?” Tessa shrugged as she finished her plate before any of the others, having hardly been seen to touch it. “If something had happened to Caleb we would know.”

“I guess.” Qakisst looked uncertain; but Tessa’s logic seemed irrefutable.

“So where too then?” Sapphire looked around at the four.

“The notes we found from the creepy doctor seemed to hint at a ghoul lineage coming from the marshlands and farmlands to the south. We could look there?” Konnor pointed at the group with a sausage on a fork as he spoke.

“That’s a lot of area to cover. We’ll need a ranger.” Tessa looked about the Dragon at the few adventurous people about the inn. None seemed to be dressed in the light armor and woodland gear that marked a ranger.

“Inconvenient that we have lost ours.” Qakisst glared at Tessa.

“Not my fault that Loki decided to take his pet for a walk. We’ll just have to twist Hosk’s arm to get him out of retirement for a morning. I’ll go bat my eyes at him again.” Tessa moved to stand but Sapphire gripped her arm.

“Let me talk to Hosk. We won’t get anywhere with him laughing all morning.” Sapphire stood up from the table and headed next door to the Goblin Squash Stables.

“Does she realize that she’s about as diplomatic as a punch in the head?” Konnor looked at Tessa.

“She and Host speak the same languages. Horse flesh and goblin stomping; he’ll come.” Tessa zipped out behind Sapphire. “Don’t dawdle boys or I’ll beat you there and back again.” Qakisst and Konnor looked at each other and shrugged.

Less than thirty minutes later the four heroes rode south out of Sandpoint with a grumbling Hosk in the lead. “And why am I here?” Hosk looked less than pleased; yet not angry.

“Because the only two trackers in town that come close to your skill are out traipsing around the wild.” Tessa prodded the stable master. “It’s a good thing for us that a master tracker like yourself lives right by the south gate of Sandpoint.”

“My ass is well and truly kissed now, Lady Tessa. So what are we going to be looking for?” Hosk slowed his horse waiting for Tessa to ride up beside him.

“We’re going to be searching around some of the farms and border marshes for any sign of ghouls.” Tessa looked up along the road. “We’ll wait till we get past the Deskert farm. Kisst’s two buddies showed up for work just before sunrise so it’s not likely that ghouls are regularly this far north.”

“Yeah, wait… WHAT?” Qakisst spurred the boot chewing toe biter that he had gotten stuck with again when he heard Tessa’s explanation. “Tessa, are you serious?”

“Well, I wasn’t using that as a yardstick originally; but I did hear the two of them heading to work this morning out my window. Those boys can be loud.” Tessa turned to face Qakisst. “Did you know that Keth really likes…”

“AHhhhahahaaowww!!!” Qakisst held up a hand pointing at Tessa in warning as his horse turned back to nip at his right foot. “Lanet olsun atı, Bana ısırarak dur!”

“Is something wrong Qakisst?” Sapphire caught the tone of panic in Qakisst’s voice just before his horse took a nip at his foot.

“This should be good.” Konnor chuckled from under his mask.

“No, nothing is OWWW! Master Hosk! Why do you keep giving me this evil beast?!?” Qakisst struggled to get his mount to behave and stop chewing on his feet.

“What’s the matter Junior? Don’t you like Keth’s singing voice?” Tessa shifted to ride side saddle as she looked back at the young ifrit struggling to manage his mount.

“Singing?” Qakisst finally got his horse to stop spinning chasing his shoe by prestidigitating his boot to smell like hot peppers.

“Yeah. What did you think I was going to say?” Tessa looked at him as Deviren Hosk laughed.

“Nothing.” Qakisst lied in a somewhat more convincing tone than he normally managed. “I thought you were going to start in on one of those horrible songs he sings. OWWWW!” The toe bitter nipped at his left boot.

“We’ll talk later, Junior.” Tessa smirked at him as she turned sidesaddle to ride alongside Hosk. “So, we’ll ride south of the Deskert farm and start checking farms for news. See if anybody has seen anything suspicious. When we reach the edges of the Whisperwood, Deviren here can do his thing. We should be back in Sandpoint by midday.”

By nine bells it became apparent that none of the farm folks had time to stop and talk. All available hands were in the fields working harvests on their own farms or their neighbors. A few groused about a lack of help from some of the neighbors; but nobody had time to stop and go over questions with Tessa or her compatriots. Over the next two hours the group patrolled along the woodlands looking for any sign of undeath. They came up empty. As the sun approached midday Hosk called an end to the snipe hunt.

“Lady Tessa, we can wander around out here for weeks and we won’t find anything. We have no starting point. If you had any clue to point us to a more specific starting point I would gladly help out, but I have a business to run and we are not accomplishing anything.”

“We do have intel pointing to this area, Deviren.” Tessa protested Hosk’s rebellion.

“No, m’Lady. You don’t. We haven’t seen or heard anything and nothing is out of place down here.” Hosk pulled himself back up to his horse.

“Host is right, Tessa. We’re stumbling around blind out here. We need more information.” Sapphire trudged up out of the brush where she had been looking about along Foxglove River.

“I’m finding nothing but month old goblin tracks, Tessa. Let’s head back to town and you can work your case there. Go over your evidence again and see if you can find something that you’ve missed.” Hosk started his horse back toward the farmlands and roadway south of Sandpoint.

“Come on Tessa. We need to find Caleb and go over the evidence again. I am going to wind up with poison oak or worse trudging around out here at random.” Qakisst followed Sapphire out of the underbrush.

“I thought you liked traveling through the wilds, Q. Isn’t that what Varisi do?” Konnor slipped up quietly to his horse and mounted his saddle.

“No. We follow the trade roads and our shoes. My shoes want to be someplace else.” Qakisst struggled to mount his horse and it turned about nipping at him. “Look horse, you’re going to be cooked for steaks in a minute. Ah! Master Hosk! Ben bu canavarın nefret!”

“You better not hurt my horse, Q.” Hosk laughed as he looked back at Qakisst.

The Exchange

Skinsaw: I've been through the desert on a horse with no mane:

Just after midday the Sandpoint Guardians walked out of the Goblin Squash stables leaving Daverin Host to sooth a very angry and slightly singed horse.

“Master Hosk is not happy with you, Qakisst.” Sapphire fumed.

“I did not mean it, Sapphire; and I healed him too. I can only say that I am sorry so many times.” Qakisst slumped his shoulders in obvious regret.

“Leave him be, Sapphire. The horse started it.” Tessa slipped ahead of the group and entered the Rusty Dragon as she spoke.

“How can you say that, Tessa?” Sapphire yelled at Tessa as she followed her friend into the Dragon.

“Well, that particular horse has been after Qakisst’s toes since two days after the Swallowtail festival. Never bites anybody else; just Junior.” Tessa slipped up to the bar and smiled at Bethana working behind the bar. “We need four plates, Bethana. And I would like a couple apples on the side.”

“I will have that right out, Ms. Tessa.” Bethana slipped back into the kitchen.

“I’m still not buying it, Tessa. The horse didn’t know any better.” Sapphire continued to argue with Tessa but glared at Qakisst as she took a seat opposite Qakisst.

“Wow, you have an awfully low opinion of horses, Sapphire.” Tessa slid into her seat and looked at Qakisst. “That one should be smart enough to know not to play with fire.” Tessa’s pun drew a scowl from both Sapphire and Qakisst.

“I agree with Tessa this time, Sapphire.” Konnor slipped into his seat with his empty mug to wait for the Dragon’s waitress to serve them.

“How can you say that?!” Sapphire’s ire turned on Konnor in a flash.

“Because he tried everything else; and he could have easily killed the horse and not just caught its mane on fire.” Konnor shrugged and slid his mug over to the end of the table as one of the kitchen staff. “He also put the fire out right away even after the horse threw him.”

“You okay, Kisst? You did take a pretty rough spill back there.” Tessa leaned her head to the side to look into Qakisst’s eyes as he stared down into the plate that slid in front of him.

“I am fine, Tessa. I have had worse falls in my life.” Qakisst sipped at the cider that the serving girl left behind.

“You still didn’t have to light his mane on fire.” Sapphire continued to scowl. “Why would you do that?”

“I was heating my spear to keep the horse from biting me. When he bucked I lost the spear and grabbed his mane.” Qakisst looked away. “My hand was still red hot.”

“That isn’t …” Sapphire’s continued protest as Qakisst cut her off.

“AFEDERSINIZ, Sapphire! I do not have a personal link to the glory that is heaven! Ben ateşe kalbinde bağlanmış duyuyorum!” Qakisst turned to Sapphire with a scowl, “My life is fire, and passion, and rage!” Qakisst’s plate flew across the room as he stormed from the east common.

Tessa slapped Sapphire. The unexpected strike did not hurt the angelic warrior, but shocked her. “You’re a right royal b~+%& today.”

“Me? He set an innocent animal on fire!” Sapphire’s arms waved about her hair.

“No, he singed its hair and that’s all. And it was an accident! Now go apologize to him.” Tessa leaned into Sapphire from her seat scowling.

“Apologize? Why?” Sapphire scowled back at Tessa.

“Because it was an accident, he feels bad enough without you beating him up over it, he doesn’t deserve to be ground down over something like this; and because you are being a cruel vindictive b~~@@. That’s my job; not yours.” Tessa’s rage sparked a sense of unease in Sapphire as she sensed darkness in the smaller tattooed woman’s anger. “Even ol’ Hosk isn’t this pissed about it; but you’re taking it like a personal attack on you.”

“I…” Sapphire continued to glower.

“Just stop.” Tessa jabbed Sapphire in the breastplate. “Do you actually think Qakisst that cruel?” Sapphire looked from Tessa to Qakisst, now sitting in the other room talking to one of the serving staff, then back to Tessa. “Do you think him cruel like that?”

“No, but he shouldn’t be that careless.” Sapphire harrumphed her reply.

“Neither should you.” Tessa turned away from Sapphire and picked up her plate to go and find a different seat. “That’s how you destroy friends and friendships. I know.”

Konnor lifted his mask only enough to nibble at his lunch and watched Sapphire for a moment. Sapphire looked at him as he stared back at her. “What? You think I’m out of line too, Konnor?”

“Let’s just say that I know what it is like to have something struggling to escape locked up inside me. Keeping it under control takes effort beyond anything you can imagine. And even I don’t envy him having a personal pipeline to the heart of fire itself.” Konnor slipped his mask up enough to look into Sapphire’s eyes. “We don’t all have angels for ancestors, Sapphire. If he was half as careless as you’re accusing him of being, he would have burned Sandpoint to the ground long before Nualia got a chance to try.” Konnor smiled before pulling his mask back into place then moved to join Tessa at a different table.

Sapphire sat for a moment looking at her plate and fuming. She looked around at the sparse lunch crowd before standing with her plate and moving to sit with Qakisst. They were quiet for quiet for several minutes before Sapphire spoke, “I’m not one to deny my mistakes. I overreacted and…” Sapphire swallowed as she paused, “…I am sorry.”

“I know.” Qakisst pointed out over the west common almost as if ignoring Sapphire.

“Am I going to get the cold shoulder for a while? I’ll understand if I do.”

“No. I just need to concentrate to clean up my mess.” Sapphire turned to look where Qakisst was pointing and saw the sparks of light and swirls in the air that showed the minor magics Qakisst could control cleaning up the mess that was left from his scattered lunch plate. “I really am sorry about what happened. I did not think the horse would spook. I thought it would shy away from the hot spear haft resting on the outside of my stirrup.” Qakisst shook his head. “It was stupid. I really am sorry.”

“I’ll talk to Hosk later. He’s a little pissed, but you didn’t cause any permanent harm.”

“It terrifies me, you know.” Sapphire gave Qakisst a confused look. “The idea that I might someday do something careless like that to one of my friends.” He reached up and tapped his left horn with his finger. “Do you know what these represent? Why ifriti have horns when none of the other elemental touched do?”

“They’re horns. They’re just part of who you are.” Sapphire chuckled and sat back.

“No. My skin and eyes mark me as ifriti. These horns mark my connection to the heart of all fire.” Qakisst smiled. “Most ifrit have horns that are an inch or two in length at most. Mine are over eight inches long and growing. The stronger my connection to the element grows the longer my horns grow. It is only a coincidence that I have other such endowments.” Qakisst smirked and blushed slightly as Sapphire’s head jerked around to face him.

“Smartass.” Sapphire struggled not to laugh.

“Eat your lunch while I go and apologize to Bethana for making a mess. Then we need to go find Caleb so we can figure out who turned a ghoul loose on Banny Harker and Katrine Vinder.” Qakisst stood up then looked around. “Hey? Where’d Konnor go?”

The Exchange

Skinsaw: A Pocket full of Ruinlord:

Konnor slipped out of the Dragon and headed across market square. He knew that the others would not need him to find Caleb, and he was not really very useful in the woods anyway.

On their trip to Magnimar the party had come across something unexpected; something extraordinary. Deep in a haunted crypt buried in a hillside about two days southeast of Magnimar the party had found a body. And not just any body. It was the body of a woman of such beauty that even gods could feel jealousy. The sarcophagus that the body had been found in had been covered in Thassilonian runes and the body had been perfectly preserved. Ageless.

Ageless that is, until Konnor had insisted that the party had to bring this body back to Sandpoint for Brodert to study. She had obviously been somebody of considerable importance in ancient Thassilon and her body had survived unblemished and eternally young for over a thousand years. Konnor had made the mistake of presuming that the preservation magics had been placed on the body, or at least on some article of her clothes. It had not.

To carry it the body, Konnor had slipped the remains into a magical sack they had found. Qakisst called the sack a bag of holding; which he said was the framework for an extra-dimensional space inside. Whatever that meant, Konnor knew from previous experience that the bag was bigger on the inside than the outside and weighed next to nothing. Carrying the remains back to Magnimar had been easy. It was there that he discovered his error. The once beautiful woman began to decay. The preservation magics had been on the sarcophagus and not on her clothes.

The smell had been horrible. Fortunately for him, Konnor had been carrying another Thassilonian artifact that would stop decay but it could not reverse it. Still, Konnor had been right. Brodert Quint had been most excited by their find; once the party had located him.

When the party had returned to Sandpoint on Sunday they had insisted that Konnor deliver the Thassilonian corpse to Brodert right away, but he had not been home. A quick check around town revealed that nobody had seen Brodert in two days. Fearing the worst, the entire group rushed down into the catacombs that had been found hidden under the Glassworks expecting to find a raving mad man storming around the complex.

What they found was more embarrassing that frightening, though Caleb and Qakisst had called it frightening enough. Both claimed to have been scarred for life by the experience. Floating in a strange room with no gravity had been a naked Brodert Quint.

The Thassilonian scholar had stumbled into the room and found himself stuck. In an effort to escape the floating room he had tried throwing everything on himself to try and create some form of motion. Apparently he had not had any success as most of his clothing had been floating around just out of reach when the group found him half-starved and badly dehydrated.

Once rescued and re-clothed, to everybody’s relief, Brodert had been jubilantly insistent on examining the body right away. Not even Sapphire’s demand that he needed food and water deterred Brodert; though the party was able to insist that he examine their unusual find back in his workshop and not in such close proximity to the still gurgling, if inactive, runewell.

Since his rescue from the catacombs, Brodert had been sequestered in his home and workshop with the preserved body. After three days Konnor wanted to know if Brodert had learned anything from her yet.

Thassilon fascinated Konnor. Of all the ancient world only Thassilon was old enough to have some knowledge of what his people had been like before Starfall. At least knowledge that he could access. Konnor knew full well that the elves that had returned to Golarion knew quite a bit about pre-Starfall elvish culture; but they could not truly tell him why his people had stayed here and not left for safer worlds. The fact that they weren’t likely to treat him as anything but a monster did not help.

Elves knew the secrets to world spanning magical gates; most had left Golarion just before the fall of Thassilon but his people had chosen to stay. And that stay had condemned them. To protect themselves from the catastrophic effects of Starfall the Drow had moved far underground. Deeper than even the dwarves remembered, but their time in the darklands changed them. A change that went all the way to the core of their souls. As a people, the Drow were twisted and evil. Corrupt through and through. Any hint of compassion was mercilessly crushed by the matriarchal rulers of the Drow and few ever escaped once they turned their interests to you.

Konnor’s parents had escaped mostly through luck. They had hidden away in the surface world desperate to avoid any contact with their own people and with the elves who had long ago condemned all the Drow as an embarrassing stain on elven honor. When Konnor had been born they hid him away among the surface peoples and disappeared from his life for his own safety.

Unable to ask his own people, or their elven cousins, Konnor had taken to studying archeology as a way to answer some of his own questions about life. When he had come back to Sandpoint a few years ago he found a kindred, if befuddled, spirit in Brodert Quint. And as crazy as the old man could be at times, nobody in Sandpoint knew more about history than Brodert.

Konnor strolled up to Brodert’s house and found the door unlocked, as usual. He shook his head and smiled under his mask. Despite the many times tragedy had struck in Sandpoint over the last ten years, Brodert never remembered to lock the door.

“Hey, hey Brodert. You home?” Konnor walked in without a thought. The small living space was covered in manuscripts, old tomes, maps and charts; many of which Brodert had penned himself.

“In the kitchen, my boy.” Brodert called out from through the kitchen door.

Konnor slipped through the familiar path between piles of books and strolled into the kitchen. There on the table beneath a simple sheet lay the still beautiful if no longer pristine body he had brought back from Magnimar. “Um, you’re going to scrub that table before you eat at it next time, right?” The body lay beneath a somewhat stained white sheet.

“What?” Brodert turned to look at Konnor, magnifying lenses mounted to the outside of his own glasses made him look like a strange insect. “Oh, my. I haven’t eaten at this table in five years. You know that Konnor. Now come look at this.” Brodert motioned his dark-elven guest forward. “These markings on her clothes and the marks on her skin. I have finally been able to identify them and I think I have an answer for you.”

“An answer?”

“Yes my boy. An answer as to who this is. It is my belief that this is Runelord Sorshen, or somebody very close to her in her personal retinue.” Brodert held up the burial clothes that had been worn by the body covered on the table.

“Well that’s something. Um, who is Sorshen exactly?” Konnor looked under the blanket at the finely crafted tattoos that covered her arms. “And what do these tattoos mean? Should we have Tessa examine them?”
“Oh, yes…” Brodert shuffled around the room and sifted through a hand full of books until he found what he wanted. “… Sorshen was the Runelord of lustful sin. It is said that no person could resist her charms. Not man, not woman, not even those with no sexual or sensual desire.” Brodert flipped through several pages before laying the book out in front of Konnor. “Read this. It should give you some idea.”

Konnor picked up the book and skimmed through the pages quickly. “So charm magics. But elves are highly resistant and outsiders are immune to most charm magics.”

“Not her charms. Legends say that angels and demons prostrated themselves before Sorshen and even the other Runelords feared her charms.” Brodert shifted around a few other books before picking up the journal he had been writing in when Konnor had arrived. “Now, where did you say you found her body? We’ll need to go and examine it right away.”

“Whoa, Brodert. Lost tomb infested with undead kobolds and things like those sin-spawn creatures we found in the catacombs down stairs.” Konnor pointed down at the floor in the general direction of the Glassworks. “But they had bodies like her body but with heads and limbs twisted and warped like the things that came out of the rune-well.”

“But that is intolerable. We cannot allow such an important find to be destroyed. We have to study…” Brodert seemed shocked at the idea that he would not be able to study something so important.

“Sorry Brodert. We haven’t even had the chance to take you out to Thistletop yet.”

“Quite right, but this one is a priority if it is at risk.”

“It’s not at risk, Brodert; it is destroyed. You get my notes. It is absolutely not safe and completely overrun. We barely got out.” Konnor handed back the book Brodert had given him. “And they were tearing the place apart when we made it out.”

“But…” The look of devastation on Brodert’s face startled Konnor.

“”I’m sorry Brodert. Really. I grabbed what I thought was the most important thing I could carry. Had to argue the whole way back to Magnimar with the others. They don’t understand; you know. You are really lucky we got out with her and the few things we found with her.”

“Damn. Is there nothing we can do?” Brodert looked at Konnor with a sense of despair.

“We study what we can, Brodert.” Konnor reached into his pack and pulled out his logs. “I did find these sketches in my notes. They were done pretty quickly under pressure; but they at least give you a general view of the crypt complex. Sorry I didn’t get a chance to do any rubbings or take real measurements.”

“You do your best, my boy.” Brodert unfolded the sketches and set them out on the sheet covering the body laid out on the table.

“Now; let’s go over the complex and the layout. Describe everything for me.” Brodert handed charcoal and paper to Konnor and smiled.

The Exchange

Skinsaw: Walking the Lost Coast Road:

With lunch completed and wounded egos healed Sapphire, Qakisst and Tessa headed out for the northeast gate heading out along the old coast toward Thistletop. Qakisst had finally won the debate over going to look for Caleb and after a quick check with Captain Merik at the garrison the trio headed out the gate where Caleb had last been seen leaving town Moonday night.

“Where the heck did Konnor go?” Qakisst grumbled as they passed the gate.

“He knew what we were doing. Maybe he didn’t want to set foot in the guard shack again.” Sapphire shrugged.

“That’s silly. Mystery boy walks past the shack almost every day hanging out with Brodert.” Tessa walked backwards in front of Sapphire and Qakisst.

“Ol’ Quint? What the heck does Konnor do at Brodert Quint’s?” Sapphire cocked her head looking back at Tessa.

“Not sure. But over the last month if he hasn’t been hanging out with us or playing hide and sneak with Shayliss Vinder he has been at Quints.” Tessa shrugged.

“Believe it or not, Konnor works part time as an assistant to Master Quint.” Qakisst smirked and looked thoughtfully up at the noonday sun. “He has done so for at least the last year. I have no idea if he shares any of Master Quint’s stranger ideas, or exactly how long Konnor has worked for him, but everybody in town knows that sneaking freaky spends two or three days a week working for Master Quint.”

“Brodert isn’t here, kid. You don’t have to kiss up to him.” Tessa glided from in front of Sapphire to in front of Qakisst as she continued to stroll backwards down the road.

“Ne?” Qakisst looked quizzically at Tessa.

“You keep referring to Brodert as Master Quint.” Tessa squinted at Qakisst. “Why do you always feel the need to crawl up everybody’s ass with excessive respect? Brodert isn’t the only person you do that with.”

“Ben…”

“He’s being polite, Tessa. Not everybody enjoys being offensive.” Sapphire shook her head looking at Tessa.

“Oh iyi…”

“Yeah, I enjoy being offensive at times; but only with people that deserve it.” Tessa stuck her tongue out at Sapphire before continuing. “That still doesn’t explain the kid constantly prostrating himself in front of every elder and supposed authority figure in Varisia.”

“Leydi Tessa Defol!” Qakisst scowled as he continued walking.

“Better, kid. But it doesn’t explain why you are always kissing up to everybody.” Tessa stopped in front of Qakisst who stepped around her without pause.

“Haven’t we had enough yelling and screaming for one day, Tessa?” Sapphire looked from Qakisst to Tessa. “We have Caleb to find.”

“Sure.” Tessa spun to follow Qakisst. “We can do that and tear down Junior’s mental barriers too.” The slender sylph easily floated back in front of Qakisst. “Come on kid, why do you do it?”

Qakisst stopped and sighed, “I was raised to be polite, Lady Tessa. That is all it is.”

“No it’s not.” Tessa drifted back in front of Qakisst on the roadway. “You have not called me Lady Tessa in weeks. Now you feel like you are in trouble and it’s back to Lady Tessa.”

Sapphire gave Tessa an odd look as Qakisst replied, “Ben bunu yapmak niçin olarak lanet biliyor.”

“Then stop. You are your own man now, Master Vishtani.” Tessa smirked, spun around and headed back up the road. “Every bit the equal of anybody in the Mimnani house.”

“Not to pry Qakisst, but what is she on about?” Sapphire slowed to wait for Qakisst. “Earlier she was chewing me out for being too harsh on you and now she’s picking a fight with you.”

Qakisst sighed. “It is a family thing.”

“So she can bust your chops but I’m not allowed?” Sapphire looked askance at Qakisst as the two of them started following Tessa.

“Hayır.” Qakisst pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sorry, Hayir means no. Not my Varisi family.” He paused a moment, but Sapphire knew not to interrupt. “While she was working on my forms when we were in Magnimar Tessa had to remove the mark from the back of my head. You give Tessa six hours a day of access to you every day for a week and she finds out what she wants to know.”

“Mark from the back… blessed Inheritor no. You were…” Sapphire looked wide eyed at Qakisst as the two of them marched after Tessa. “How did you…?”

“We are out in the middle of nowhere, Sapphire. You can go ahead and say it. I was a slave. I was born into slavery.” Qakisst looked away. Sapphire’s face flushed as she sought the right words to respond with.

“Really? I got a lot more respect for you now, Q. Not just a self-made man, but you really have climbed from the very bottom of society to the top. Who’d a thought?” Konnor’s unexpected voice directly behind Qakisst and Sapphire sent them both jumping forward and spinning to see the porcelain masked dark elf walking quietly up behind the two of them. Qakisst’s face flushed a dark brass color as both he and Sapphire glared at Konnor.

“Sen hiç kimseye bir şey demeyin.” The softly glowing tattoos that now covered much of Qakisst’s body flared brightly enough to show through his linen shirt as his body temperature shot up.

“Wouldn’t dare; and obviously you weren’t bound into service around here so it’s no big deal.” Konnor pressed past Sapphire and Qakisst as he spoke to continue following Tessa. “Ben şeyler hakkında Qakisst bir sürü hakkında sizi seçin, ama aptal deđilim. Siz bunun içine doğdunuz dedi. Only the Chelish and the Qadirans do that. We can't help who our parents are so it's not like you're to blame for being born a slave.”

Steam swarmed around Qakisst as his face flushed a nearly black bronze color. His fire ink tattoos glowed almost daylight bright through his shirt as he stomped to the far side of the road while continuing to follow Tessa.

“You can’t help yourself, can you Konnor?” Sapphire looked up and shook her head. “One way or the other you have to find the most offensive thing in the world to say.

“What? I said it wasn’t his fault.” Konnor shrugged. As Sapphire glared at him he felt an odd sense of guilt wash over him, but the feeling quickly passed.

“So which one of your parents did you inherit that silver tongue from?” Sapphire maintain her professional marching pace.

“Oh, I don’t know. Probably my Mom.” Konnor shrugged.

“And which one of his parents do you supposed he inherited being a slave from?’ Sapphire slowed as she realized that Tessa had left the road on the left edge and was speaking to somebody just inside the treeline.

“What? No idea.” Konnor looked confused as he slowed behind Sapphire.

“Oh, all my friends! Barnabas is very glad that you have come to visit him!” Across a thick branch just above Tessa in the woods lay Barnabas, the small draconic creature that had helped Sandpoint’s heroes find the hobgoblin necromancer that had nearly sacrificed Sapphire to his dark god.

“Barnabas! Oh my sweet little dragon! How are you.” Sapphire bounced off the road to rush up to where Tessa stood.

“Barnabas is happy to see all of you. Have you come to play in the woods today?” Barnabas stood on his four limbs, stretched out his wings and turned back and forth like an excited cat upon the thick branch he occupied.

Qakisst strolled across the road to join the others as Tessa spoke, “Sorry pretty boy. As I was saying, we are looking for Caleb. He came out this way two nights ago and nobody has seen him sense then. We kind of need his help.”

“Such a shame. I know that he starts his patrols in the woods to the north, not that far from Thistletop where you drove the goblins away.” Barnabas looked into the woods and nodded with his head in the direction he knew Caleb would sometimes go.

“Want to go looking with us?” Tessa smiled and practically bounced.

“Oh no. The mad woodsman doesn’t like me much. He thinks I belong to the witch they call the Tickwood Hag.” Barnabas stood on his hind legs with a start at the idea of going into the coastal forests.

“Mad woodsman?” Sapphire looked alarmed but Tessa looked annoyed.

“Tickwood Hag? That’s just a myth.”

“Oh no; the Tickwood Hag is quite real as is the woodsman hinting her.” Barnabas lept into the air and zipped away. “Go north, and you’ll find him wandering the forest looking for her.”

“Well, rescuing woodsmen from dangerous hags or witches from mad men. Either way it sounds like something Caleb would do.” Qakisst shrugged, his temper having cooled some and pushed aside the brush along the edge of the road so that he could push into the woods.

“Right behind you Junior.” First Tessa, then Sapphire and Connor pushed into the brush to find Caleb.

The Exchange

I always try to give credit where credit is due. It's the artist in me. I don't know who to give credit too though for this next chapter. The idea of the Tickwood Hag comes from one of the fan magazines and Athos and Caleb apparently incorporated it into Caleb's back-story. SO my thanks to those who created the story behind the Tickwood Hag. Now; when we played through this little chapter of the story with Caleb patiently sitting there waiting for us to finally stop floundering around come find him I did not know the full story of the Hag. In fact I didn't know anything about the Hag at all; I just knew that Caleb had been missing for the better part of a game session while his player sat there grinning at us for some reason. Now I know a whole lot more and can finally get past this stumbling block in my story.

But what to write about? I find Gregan uninteresting and found our little adventuring troop's encounter with him in the woods rather bleah story wise. Sorry Athos; but Gregan was dull. However, now that I know the truth behind Caleb's past I find that interesting. So I present another chapter from Caleb's view;

Skinsaw: The Tickwood Hag:

Caleb smiled in the warm afternoon sun as he cleared a downed branch from near the small cottage in the woods. There was enough deadwood down throughout the forest that he would be able to cut plenty of firewood for the coming winter. He felt at peace out here in this cabin in the woods.

Loki romped around through the forest nearby chasing rabbits. When he had come out to the cottage with Loki loping along behind him it had startled the cabin’s occupant. But fortunately Melissa and Loki had become quick friends. Caleb’s mind rolled back through the years to the first time he had seen Melissa and he smiled.

It had been almost eight years since Melissa’s parents had decided to make Sandpoint their basecamp. They had been explorers and researchers of Thassilonian architecture; and there was plenty of that in the woods near Sandpoint. Melissa had been eleven back then, and Caleb had been twelve and terribly shy.

He remembered her brilliant red hair more than anything, but her smile had been just as stunning. She had been forced to stay in the orphanage when her parents were out of town and had hated it so. The orphans seemed to resent that when her parents came back to town she would be free to return to some kind of family life. The other students had just presumed that she had friends at the orphanage.

Few of the children in Sandpoint seemed willing to step out and make friends with the young Korvosan girl. The few that had done so had scared the young girl due to their unfamiliar heritage and traditions. What none of them knew was how terribly lonely Melissa had been.

Caleb found her beautiful beyond compare and though he tried to hide it many of his friends knew. More than one would punch him in the arm and tell him to ask her out, but he never could. Caleb’s tongue would freeze anytime Melissa looked in his direction.

In the weeks leading up to the Sunwrought festival in 4700 Caleb even worked up the courage to ask Qakisst to teach him to dance. Throughout the month of Desnus Qakisst had spent hours teaching the awkward young Deverin boy to dance with the help of his own sister Cassidy; but when the day of the festival came Caleb found himself frozen to his seat unable to move.

It was there that a young man in red and black, with the emblem of an inquisitor of Asmodius had first caught Melissa’s eye. Fresh from the training schools of Korvosa, Gregan was eager to spread the faith and bring the benefits of order to the wilds of Varisia. He had come to Sandpoint to preach in the Sandpoint Temple as Sandpoint’s first Asmodian priest.

Just as Caleb had been enraptured with Melissa, Gregan seemed equally captivated by the young lady. He was young at seventeen, but had mastered his studies and been approved by his order to spread the word of his faith. Strong, good looking, and being from Korvosa; Gregan had practically swept Melissa off her feet at the festival while Caleb simply sat watching.

Caleb grimaced at the memory of Qakisst giving him grief all summer long over dance lessons that had been for not. It had only gotten worse when summer ended. Gregan came to Turandarok to teach religious studies twice a week and his fervor for his Asmodian faith was captivating to many of the Chelish descended students, especially Melissa. Their shared Korvosan heritage gave them something in common, and the lonely young girl soaked up the charming young man’s attention.

While it was frowned upon for any of the teaching staff to be too close to any of the students; Gregan was not specifically a member of the teaching staff and his age made him closer to the 7th and 8th year students than to any of the other teaching staff. Nobody thought anything of his attentions toward Melissa except Caleb; who simply felt crushed that he had stood by while the most beautiful woman in the world slowly fell in love with somebody else.

Sitting through Gregan’s classes had been torture for Caleb. Melissa preened under Gregan’s attention, the other Chelish students felt somewhat emboldened by the teachings of the historically Chelish faith, and many of the Varisi students simply refused to attend Gregan’s classes. Caleb endured the classes out of pride. He had at first come to the class because Melissa was taking it but had stayed so as not to look like a quitter. As Autumn progressed into Winter Caleb became even more despondent. With the Spring Caleb finished his exams and accepted apprenticeship under his own father without even trying to apply to any other trade.

As Summer started Caleb did not even attend the Sunwrought festival for his own coming out celebration. He had been unable to bring himself to ask the woman who captivated his heart the year before, and felt no desire to celebrate. He had come to feel trapped in his own life. He rarely saw any of his friends now and found little reason to go out to visit people. He simply buried himself into training in his father’s furniture business.

What Caleb did not know was that with the arrival of Spring Gregan had transitioned from showing attention to Melissa in class and at any town festivals to talk of marriage and children. Still young at just thirteen, Melissa had been shocked at the idea of marrying so young. She put off giving an answer all through the Spring and into early Summer but a public proposal of marriage at the Swallowtail festival that year by Gregan sent Melissa into a panic. She was not ready to marry, and Gregan’s talk of tradition and children had come to frighten her over the course of a year.

Caleb’s shyness and fear of rejection had caused him to miss that Melissa had begun to reject Gregan’s advances for months and months. When Gregan had insisted that a year was plenty of time to court and that a marriage was in order Melissa had had enough. One afternoon she tromped out the north gate for a quiet walk away from her overly insistent suitor so that she could try to figure out what to do about him. Unfamiliar with the woods she had simply disappeared.

Gregan had been despondent and the town had sent several search parties into the woods for days, but no trace of Melissa was found. Rumors that the Tickwood Hag had taken the girl began to circulate through the town and Gregan packed his gear and rode out into Tickwood to find Melissa or avenge her.

Caleb cried each night for a month hating himself for failing to even be able to talk to Melissa, let alone tell her how he felt; but life went on and more tragic events drove the loss from everybody’s minds except for Gregan’s. A few months after Melissa disappeared the Lady Kaijitsu died in a tragic fall from the balcony of her estate. Immediately after that the Chopper murders started and Caleb himself was attacked by goblins in the woods.

That attack had changed Caleb’s life. He had been lucky that Shalelu had come along in time to save him from the goblin attack. She had taken him to a small cottage hidden in the Tickwood where his wounds were tended just enough to allow him to travel. Caleb never saw anybody but Shalelu in the cabin but he had felt there must be others. Unknown to Caleb one of his healers had recognized the young woodworker from her days in school. She had not been there when he finally woke for fear that he would recognize her.

That encounter had changed Caleb’s life. He had become obsessed with learning the way of the woods and had overcome his natural shyness to stalk Shalelu any time she was near Sandpoint just to learn from her how to track and how to hunt. How to move as one with the woods.

At first Shalelu had worried that Caleb might have become obsessed with her, but the young woodworker quickly dissuaded her of that idea. It was not Shalelu that Caleb fell in love with but the freedom of the woods; though the memory of Melissa never left him. Time healed the loss, though the memory of Melissa never went away.

As Shalelu trained Caleb she introduced him to the different denizens of the woods. The witch Lathan, the druids Silvanus and Ragnus, and many others. Eventually they introduced Caleb to the Tickwood Hag. At first Caleb had been incensed. Rumor still held that the Hag had killed Melissa and Caleb had not forgotten. Shalelu had been stunned by his visceral reaction and had nearly been forced to restrain him so that Lathan could explain that he and the Hag had merely helped Melissa escape Gregan’s attention. They allowed Gregan to believe that the Hag had killed Melissa so that he would give up hunting for her.

What they had not expected was for Gregan’s obsession with Melissa to become a rage against the Hag that could not be squelched. No longer able to search for his heart’s desire Gregan transformed his hunt into a quest for vengeance; but the Tickwood Hag was clever and had many friends. In time that list of friends included even Caleb.

It took years before Caleb fully trusted the Hag, but something about her actions, her movement, the little things she said pulled at the strings to his soul. It took years for Caleb to learn the truth and that truth changed his life forever. She had become his friend and his confidant, her kindness was without limit, and her compassion was endless. Caleb would defend her with his life if need be.

The only problem was Gregan. His obsession consumed Gregan’s soul. The once driven man of order had become a crazed and dangerous lunatic hell bent on vengeance at all cost. After Lathan passed beyond this mortal world Shalelu and Ragnus had implored Caleb to begin helping in the task of diverting Gregan’s attentions away.

Caleb relished the challenge. Maybe he would never see the brilliant red hair and dazzling green eyes of the girl he had let go; but Caleb would never allow the obsessive and possessive Gregan to pollute her life again. He would gladly keep Gregan chasing shadows in Tickwood the rest of her life. It was only after he had spent a year helping the Hag and over three years since he had become Shalelu’s apprentice that Caleb learned the truth.

There was no Tickwood Hag. The Varisi myth had incorporated every strange occurrence in the Tickwood for over a hundred years. The many druids and witches that had once inhabited the area had encouraged these stories to keep people out of their forest. When Melissa had stumbled into the forest by accident Lathan had recognized her potential by her two curious companions. A pair of cats, one black as night and one white as snow.

Lathan took it upon himself to teach Melissa the art of witchcraft and she had taken to it as though born to it. But Gregan had come looking for her and had invaded the boundaries of Tickwood. It had been Lathan that had come up with the idea to tell Gregan that Melissa had been a victim of the mythical Tickwood Hag believing that a despondent Gregan would return heartbroken to Korvosa and eventually seek solace in the arms of another.

Lathan had been wrong. Gregan’s heart had hardened and his fervor shifted from lust to vengeance. Realizing that Gregan would scour the woods looking for her; Melissa had come up with an idea of her own. She would be the Tickwood Hag.

With all the forest and its many denzins to protect her Gregan would never discover the secret or find her, she would be able to continue to help others with the help of her friends, and Gregan would never turn his ego and possessive desires onto another. What Melissa had not counted on was Shalelu turning up at her cottage one night with a badly wounded Caleb Deverin.

She had recognized him right away. The shy young man that she had looked upon so fondly before Gregan had come into her life. With a touch of sadness for what might have been she tended his wounds for Shalelu and kept out of sight until the elven ranger finally took Caleb back to Sandpoint.

What nobody had expected was Caleb’s sudden fervor for woodland life. At first she dreaded his training with Shalelu; though she could never decide if it was fear of him or fear for him. In time she figured out that it was fear that he would turn out to be like Gregan, obsessed with possessing her as Gregan was obsessed.

Time and Caleb’s humble nature proved that this would not be true. And Melissa’s own heart betrayed her in time. She simply could not keep up her hag act around Caleb. Little things she would say or do would cause Caleb to look at her in wonder, and finally anger. Just over a year ago he had finally had it. He had yelled at her for mocking him.

Her actions and manner told Caleb that she obviously knew of his feelings for the young Melissa who had fled into the Tickwood so many years ago. He demanded to know why she mocked him so. Why she spoke words that only Melissa would say, teased Caleb with the hints of Korvosan speech on purpose. Why she looked at him the way she did.

Melissa allowed the illusions that hid her appearance from the world and muttered the only words she could think of, “I cannot help it. I love you.” Part of him had wanted to run; part of him had wanted to lash out. Melissa was gone from his life. That is what he had been told for so long, yet there she stood, her red hair and emerald eyes exactly as he remembered.

It had taken Melissa hours to calm Caleb down. He flipped back and forth between disbelief, rage, joy, fear, all his emotions laid bare as Melissa explained how she had come to be the Tickwood Hag and why he must ever keep her secret. Nobody else must ever know or Gregan would surely learn the truth. But even as the truth had freed him from the grief he had buried down deep inside himself it had shackled Caleb.

He knew the truth now, but nobody else ever could. Certainly not his friends and family. Nobody kept secrets in Sandpoint and Caleb now feared once more for Melissa with Gregan still to this day desperately seeking revenge on the Tickwood Hag, not knowing that the Hag was herself the young woman he obsessed over.

Caleb marveled at the strangeness of his life. He had found the love of his life twice, but he could never share that knowledge with anybody. His thoughts returning to the present, Caleb lifted his axe and returned to splitting firewood. The day was warm and the breeze was cool. The forest sounds soothed him and Caleb felt at peace.

POP!

Caleb’s head jerked up and he looked around.

POP!

This sound was so familiar, but he could not place it.

POP!

It was not part of the forest. It sounded like…, “No. No, no, no.”

POP! “Knock it off Junior. He won’t see those through the canopy and you’ll just catch the woods on fire.”

“I am not hurting anything Tessa, and they flash way above the trees so nothing is going to catch fire. HEY, Over there!” First Konnor, then Qakisst with his constant prattle, and finally Sapphire and Tessa came just into view in the woods.

Caleb nearly panicked. They couldn’t find this place! He slammed the axe blade down into the log he had set up to split just as he heard a whisper in his ear.

“Caleb, are you okay?” The whispered voice of Qakisst carried from an impossible distance. “Just whisper if you need help.” Even in his moment of anger Caleb marveled at his friend’s magical abilities. Had he always been able to send whispered messages to this distance with magic.

“No really, it is me. It is a new spell, kind of. Just whisper your reply if you are okay.” Qakisst had moved up to the edge of the clearing with Sapphire while Konnor and Tessa moved along the edge of the clearing.

Caleb gritted his teeth, “Get out of here. I’m fine but she can’t see you.” He waved his arm as if to shoo his friends away. “I’ll explain later, just go.”

“What?” Qakisst’s whispered voice carried on the wind only to Caleb. “Are you…”

“NO! Just go. Please.” Caleb’s voice carried a bit too far overwhelming the spell and echoing through the clearing where the Tickwood Hag’s cabin resided. The door to the cabin behind him opened a fraction.

“Caleb, was that you? Is somebody else there?” The voice from the cabin was strangely melodic even as it crackled with feigned age.

“No, no. It’s just me. Go back inside and I will be there shortly.” Caleb spoke calmly over his shoulder to the cabin even as he waved off his friends just inside the tree line. He turned back to Qakisst and whispered, though louder than he needed too, “Get out of here now. I can’t explain here. Just go.”

“But…”

“I will see you at the dragon tonight. Go!” Caleb was in near panic. He could fool Qakisst easily in the woods, and probably Sapphire too. Both were naturally trusting so even if he disliked doing so he could lie if he had too and they would accept it. Konnor and Tessa where another matter. Konnor did not fully trust anybody and Tessa had a nose for trouble with an uncanny mind that would sort out any discrepancy in his story.

“Fine, we are going; but this had better be good. We have been looking for three days.” Qakisst motioned for everybody else to move on and slipped back into the woods.

Caleb moved like lightning. He gathered his pack and rushed into the woods to find their tracks. He then followed them back until he found the unmistakable trail of Gregan. The fools had nearly led Gregan right to Melissa. Within minutes Loki slipped out of the woods to stand next to him and the two began breaking up the trail, covering the tracks his friends had inadvertently left, and hiding the secret path to the cottage of the Tickwood Hag.

The Exchange

I skipped over the little side adventure we went on after Burnt Offering in my journal because I had gotten a little behind in my writing. This wouldn't be any problem except that there was a beautiful in character near screaming match the night after our character's returned from Magnimar and our little side adventure. You see, Caleb has a younger sister and brother. Conner Deverin has made a short appearance in the story but Cassidy has only received brief mention because the party just hadn't had any interaction with her. That is, until Qakisst casually invited his old school friend Cassidy to come hang out at the Dragon to go dancing.

Caleb flipped out. The Conversation went something like this just after Cassidy walked out of the room;

Caleb: "Did you just ask my sister out on a date?" Gripping Qakisst by the shoulder and turning him around.

Qakisst: "What?"

Caleb: "You just asked my sister out on a date!"

Qakisst: "No. I just asked Cassidy if she wanted to hang out tonight."

Caleb: "That's a date!"

Qakisst: "No it is not."

Caleb: "You can't date my sister."

Qakisst: "What?" Looking wide eyed at Caleb.

Caleb: "You cannot date my sister!"

Qakisst: "Beni Dalga geçiyorsun? Am I not human enough for your sister!?!" Grabs his ifrit horns and shakes himself by the head.

Caleb: "No, no; it's not that. You just can't date my sister!" Holding up his hands defensively.

Qakisst: "I am good enough to be your friend but not to be Cassidy's friend?"

Caleb: "Kisst, that's not it. You know that's not it. You just..."

Qakisst: "Hayir, Caleb. You do not get to tell me I cannot be friends with Cassidy." pointing directly into Caleb's face standing nose to nose. "Hayir!"

At that point Qakisst stomped out of Caleb's family's house. Shortly afterward Cassidy gave Caleb a bigger piece of her mind; but later he put good effort into stalking the two. However Qakisst and Cassidy decided to dodge Caleb by having dinner at the White Deer Inn before heading down to the Dragon to hang out and dance. Caleb, believing he had blocked Qakisst when he didn't show up at the Dragon right at dinner time, headed off into the woods for the night not knowing the pair spent the evening (but not the night) together. Qakisst may not be a perfect gentleman but he is not a cad. However it was a hilarious bit of role-playing fun considering that both Caleb's player and I have grandchildren now. So even though I skipped over their first not a date here is the story of Cassidy and Qakisst's second not a date.

Skinsaw: We're not doing this, right?:

Qakisst walked slowly arm in arm with Cassidy Deverin, down the street. When Sanpoint’s guardians had returned from their search for Caleb shortly before five bells they had made a point to stop at the Deverin house to let Caleb’s parents know that they had found him and that all was well. They did not tell Kale Deverin that his oldest son had been haggling and trading favors with the old hag of the Tickwood that lived east of Sandpoint in exchange for the wicked creature leaving Sandpoint alone and information on other evils wandering the woods.

On impulse, when Caleb’s sister had stuck her head into the room while Tessa was not explaining where the party had found Caleb, Qakisst had flashed Cassidy the two tokens for Dahlia’s performance at the Sandpoint theater and had pointed from her to himself while smiling. Cassidy had beamed at him her brilliant white smile while shaking her head and dashed off.

Unlike what Qakisst had heard of most young ladies, Cassidy had returned before Tessa’s non-explanation was finished and had walked out the door arm in arm with Qakisst. Qakisst quickly made an excuse to his compatriots and left them to find their own way back to the Rusty Dragon while he and Cassidy strolled to his place so that he could quickly clean up.

“How can you stand to be this close to me right now, Cassidy? I must smell horrible.” Qakisst leaned away from his companion even as she gripped his arm.

“You smell like sweat and wood smoke, not really that bad.” She smiled at him. “You’re not going to make me wait while you take a bath or something, are you?”

“No. It only takes me a minute or so to clean up. I am magical, remember?” Qakisst smiled his too white smile at her.

“Wait;” Cassidy looked sideways at him letting him slip a little farther away as she extended an arm slightly, “you can clean up with magic?”

“Any wizard can do it. Most of us sorcerers can too. It is a simple enough cantrip.” Qakisst looked wide eyed and innocently at Cassidy.

“Then why the heck am I always having to clean up wood shavings and dust from the house if I can just get you to come over and magic it away?” Cassidy scowled somewhat jokingly.

“You cannot afford my rates for cleaning services.” Qakisst smirked at her. “Besides, the little elementals I summon to clean can break things, and I would get bored after half an hour of following them around just to sweep a floor. The job would never get done. There is the fact that the little things get out from control some times and wander off. Then I am all day looking for them to send them home.”

“You are pulling my leg; right?”

“About the tiny elementals getting lose? No.” Qakisst’ comment made Cassidy look at him in wide eyed silence as he opened the front door of his cottage. “You can sit out here in the front room and wait if you want. I will only take a moment.”

“Hey, did you leave these candles burning all day when you were out?” Cassidy called out to Qakisst as he disappeared into the back room. “That has got to be expensive, and aren’t you worried the place will burn down?”

Qakisst’s shouted from the back. “What? Oh yeah. The candles are magical. We found them at Thistletop buried down in the old Thasillonian ruins there. They are like very small ever-burning flames.”

Cassidy slipped through the bead curtain to the first room and glanced around as Qakisst replied to her; then quietly poked her head through the bead curtain covering the doorway to the back bedroom of the cottage. She started to pucker her lips to whistle at Qakisst knowing he would be changing clothes; but the wind caught in her throat when she saw the elaborate glowing tattoos covering his entire body, and then the massive pattern of scars that crisscrossed his back. “Wow. When did you do that?”

“HEY!” Qakisst yanked the pants he had been pulling up into place and looked over his shoulder startled; then stammered for a moment trying to figure out what he should say. “What are… uh. Yeah. Do you like?”

“The tattoos or the other, um. Have you…” Cassidy flushed in embarrassment then stepped back out of the doorway. Qakisst slipped his feet into his sandals and followed carrying his shirt, vest and harimaki.

“Have I what, Cassidy?” He smiled at her from the doorway.

“I shouldn’t pry. I’ll just go wait out front.” Cassidy’s feet would not move even as she looked away.

“It is okay. Please, ask.” Qakisst pulled his shirt on as he spoke.

“Are those scars on your back?”

“Yes.” He turned long enough to tuck in his shirt as Cassidy glanced at him then looked away again.

“How did…?” Cassidy heard the snap and click of metal as Qakisst buckled the chain belly warmer that was wrapped up inside his family scarf.

“It was a long time ago, Cassidy. Before I met Mamma Liandra or even knew who the Varisi are.” Qakisst turned her to face him as he spoke. “It is not something I talk about often; but if you want to ask I am okay with that. But I would prefer that it wait for another time if we wish to eat before this evening’s show.” The young ifrit leaned in and kissed Cassidy on the cheek. “We should get going.”

“You still smell like wood smoke.” Cassidy’s voice trembled.

“I always smell like wood smoke. I am ifriti.” The pair stood staring for a moment before Qakisst smiled. “Your brother would shoot me if he saw this.”

“Yeah.”

“We should go.”

“Yeah.”

“Cassidy?” Cassidy did not move as Qakisst motioned to the cottage door and back at her. “I…”

“Yeah, we should go.” They kissed. Then blushed. “Um…” Cassidy twirled her fingers in her hair.

“Yeah, before Caleb shoots me.” Qakisst pushed Cassidy to the front door and out of the cottage.

A long silence held the pair as they strolled down the street toward the Rusty Dragon, Qakisst’s shoes guiding them. Cassidy finally reached out and punched him playfully in the left arm. “That was kind’a awkward.”

“Yeah, sorry. I should know better than…”

“Oh no you don’t.” Cassidy punched Qakisst in the arm again. “Don’t you dare pull that, ‘I know my place’ crap with me, Qakisst Vishtani.” Cassidy stopped in the street and spun Qakisst to face her. “I know all about your angsty issue with how people perceive you. None of that matters one bit. We are Varisi and that is all that matters.” Cassidy leaned in and smirked at Qakisst, “Got it?” She punched him in the arm again.

“Do you beat on Caleb and Con like this all the time?” Qakisst leaned back looking down into Cassidy’s eyes.

“Every day.”

“Is that why Caleb will not sleep in the house more than a day at a time now?” Qakisst grinned, then ran up the street before Cassidy could punch him in the arm again.

“You horn headed little rat!” Cassidy chased Qakisst all the way to the Dragon’s front door laughing when Cassidy finally caught him just as the two pushed through the main doors to the rowdy inn and tavern.

“I guess we are eating at the Dragon tonight.” Qakisst held the door open as Cassidy punched him in the arm again. “Ow.”

“Don’t be a wimp, Kisst.” Cassidy grinned up at Qakisst as she walked through the door. “I’d buy dinner tonight, but I hear you get free food here.”

“Yeah, I maybe should have picked…” Qakisst ran his hands across his hair.

“Nah, I like the cooking here. And I like Ameiko; come on.” Cassidy headed across the east common room to the small table where Lady Ameiko Kaijitsu normally sat when not working her kitchen or slapping people with soup spoons. “Hey Ameiko, mind if we join you.”

Qakisst’s face flushed as he looked around Cassidy’s head to see Ameiko seated at her corner table under the stairs next to the bar. “Ah…. Benim hanımefendi Kajitsu.”

Cassidy spun around hearing the strange language from Qakisst as Ameiko chuckled slightly, “You are ever the flatterer, Master Vistani. There are so few men so politely tongue tied around me.” Ameiko stood and hugged Cassidy as Qakisst’s face became a deep bronze tone. “And I don’t see you here very often, Cass. I’m a bit busy with books, but I will always make time for you.” Ameiko closed up her ledger and slid it to the side and slid back into her seat.

Somewhat awkwardly Qakisst helped Cassidy take her seat before sliding somewhat clumsily into the third seat opposite Ameiko. “Ben...” Qakisst grimased as his tongue betrayed him, “I appolagize for benim beceriksiz dilidir.” His tongue’s continued betrayal brought Qakisst’s hand to his face with embarasement.

“Kisst, what is up with you?” Cassidy turned to Qakisst as Ameiko covered the broad smile on her face with one hand. Qakisst held up a finger as if signally for a moment to collect himself then turned to the left looking back over his shoulder.

“Sakıncası var mı? Insanlarla konuşuyorum ve ben her saniye kafamın içinde bir silah eğitimi ve ileri düzey şifa yaklaşık çığlık atan ile düşünemiyorum! Ben bir saatten zorunda lütfen miyim?” Qakisst looked almost pleading into the air behind him as Cassidy and Ameiko looked at him somewhat bemused, “Lütfen?”

“There must be a story about that, Master Vishtani. Your dinner for a story?” Ameiko smiled.

“You already ödemeye, ah... pay for my dinner my Lady and it would be terbiyesiz, ummm... rude to bargan for my company’s dinner.” Qakisst took a deep dreath and and struggled to calm his nerves.

“Seriously, I have never seen you...” Cassidy looked at Qakisst and a light of understanding came on in her eyes. Qakisst nudged her foot gently under the table.

“I am özür, uh... sorry. They are sometimes very insistant.” Qakisst looked to his right at the wall under the stairs then back to Cassidy.

“This truly does sound like a marvelous story, Master...” Ameiko found herself cut off by Qakisst.

“Lütfen... Uh please to be stopping that. Ben...,” Qakisst took a deep breath, “I would most wish that you call me Qakisst.” Cassidy gave Qakisst a slightly annoyed look as he continued to struggle finding the right words.

“I will do that, Mr. Vishtani, if you would please explain your little conversation over your shoulder? Do we have a deal?” Ameiko smiled like a cat who had cornered a mouse.

“I’d love to hear about that too. Kisst?” Cassidy looked at Qakisst and gripped his arm almost as if in support, but more to keep her friend from running off as she glared at him.

“Ah...” Qakisst ran his mind through the calming mental dispilines that Master Gandethus had taught him in school before he continued. “I hear ateşe içindeki sesler, uh, voices in fire. They have always been there, but have gotten louder in the last week or two.”

Both women looked at him somewhat stunned, “You hear voices.”

“Master Gandethus and Father Zantus assure bena... uh... me that the voices are messengers from the Dawnflower speaking to me.” Qakisst tried to smile meekly. “Bu çok zor düşünüyor ve başka dilleri konuşmak için yapmak.” Then he shook his head slowly, “They make it hard to find right words.”

“And that conversation over your shoulder?” Ameiko looked at him with a bemused smile.

“Ben sinirlendirmeye onları anlatıyordum. I told them to, uh... to... piss off; I think.” Both Ameiko and Cassidy nearly choked at Qakisst’s comment.

“You told the voices...”

“...from the Dawnflower...”

“...to piss off?”

“Well, somebody is there beni konuşuyor, uh speaking to me.” Qakisst held his hands up and shrugged; then twirled his finger around his temple making a loony face. “They do not even stop when I am trying to sleep. Ben çılgın bir olmalı, ben biliyorsun.”

“I have heard crazier things, Qakisst.” Ameiko smiled at Qakisst. He flushed bronze in response to her speaking his name. “And since I have heard that you are to endure that hack, Cyrdak’s establishment tonight I will leave the two of you to eat. You can use my private box if nobody has snuck into it tonight.” Ameiko winked at Casidy which made her giggle and Qakisst cough.

“You do not, ah...” Qakisst paused as Ameiko stood.

“No, I need to check the kitchen. Stay and enjoy.” Ameiko signalled Qakisst to sit back down as she slipped back into the kitchen.

“She forgot her ledger.” Qakisst pointed at the leather bound notebook.

“And you found your tongue quick enough.” Cassidy nudged Qakisst’s elbow on the table. “Do you expect her to believe that story about voices in your head?”

“The voices are very real. Ask Ruano at temple.” Qakisst looked to the wall to hide his disapointment that Cassidy did not believe him.

“What? Ruano can hear them too?” Cassidy sat up straight and gripped Qakisst’s forearm.

“No.” Qakisst shook his head, “Ruano found me curled up in the fetal position last Oathday before we went to Magnimar; on the stone floor begging for help because the voices wanted my attention.”

“You still stammer in your native tongue around Ameiko more than anybody.” Cassidy squinted and stared at Qakisst, but did not pull her hand away from his arm.

“I am so sorry, Cassidy. I...”

“Are you in love with her?”

“I do not know. I really like you though, a lot.” Qakisst looked away then looked back, “She just scares the crap out of me.”

“And your friend Lauri Veskin?” Cassidy gave Qakisst a wicked grin as two plates of food were slid onto the table along with mugs of ale.

Qakisst’s eyes rolled up in his head and he sighed, “I want to be her friend. She wants to be rescued by the Swallowtail Hero Quawkiss.” Cassidy nearly choked as she took a sip from her drink. “He is an odd fellow with hair like a Chelish poodle that is on fire but does not burn; and can lift whole goblin tribes with his pinky and toss them out to sea.”

“You still slept with her, Kisst.” Cassidy released Qakisst’s arm and picked up her fork to eat.

“She is surprisingly hard to say no too. Especially when you do not really want to say no.” Cassidy snorted at Qakisst’s comment.

“Oh yeah. I get that. You’re a guy and she threw herself at you.” Cassidysquinted at Qakisst as she took a bite.

“Yeah, uh... I did go to her after Chopper’s Island. I...” Qakisst stared at his food while pushing it around with his fork and knife.

“See, you went looking for it.” Cassidy gave Qakisst a knowing look. “You’re as much a dog as any guy.”

“I had nobody else to talk to. Not about that.” Qakisst’s voice came out as a barely audible whisper and the expression on his face startled Casidy. She paused for a moment and studied Qakisst as he looked down at his plate pushing turnips around.

“Caleb never talks much about what happens when he’s out chasing goblins and ogres with Shalelu; but he just walks away when anybody mentions the island now. And they had that service for Simon Korvut the next day.” Cassidy leaned forward and turned her head to look up into Qakisst’s eyes. “I’m not stupid, Kisst. None of that is your fault though.”

“That does not make me feel any better about it.” Qakisst shrugged, took a bite of his food. “Just be warned. The last time I tried to talk to anybody about what happened on Chopper’s Island I wound up naked in bed with them crying my eyes out.”

“Um yeah, not ready for that yet.” Cassidy smirked, “You’re cute as hell, but it will take more than that with me.”

“Especially if Caleb plans to shoot me if we ever actually did anything.”

“We’re not dating, right?”

“No, not at all Lady Deverin. I would never dare ask a noble lady to stoop to my lowly level.” Cassidy punched Qakisst in the arm as he finally started to eat.

The Exchange

Late this summer an event happened that was both a wonder and a terribly sad day for me. My youngest son departed for College. I do have two older children but they never had the interest in higher education that my youngest has. My youngest always wanted to study science and started his studies in psychology late last August at Ohio University (Go Bobcats!).

That meant the departure of Tessa Loundexx from our game. It was a sad, sad day for me. All of my children have grown up and moved on in their lives; but each of them have made me a better person and I hope that each of them is better for having me as their father.

Skinsaw: Caleb, are you yanking my chain?:

A hag? Tessa’s mind rolled over the implications. The legend of the Tickwood Hag had been a part of Varisi lore for a century or more but Tessa had always presumed that it was no more than a myth. No actual signs of a hag had ever been seen around the Tickwood and only the rubes just blindly accepted the idea that there was something as unhuman and powerful a real hag living in the Tickwood.

And yet, Sandpoint’s guardians had found Caleb playing nursemaid to somebody out in the woods who seemed pretty good at illusions, could manipulate the fey, and had reportedly killed some girl from Sandpoint a few years back. But in exchange for Caleb’s help she let the locals alone, and even helped out a farmer or two?

No way. Tessa smelled a mystery. Caleb is hiding something and this just might be bigger than these Skinsaw murders. At the very least it showed that Caleb could not be trusted so Tessa was going to go snooping around yet again to figure out if this was a danger to herself; and maybe her compatriots.

Morning arrived way too early, but Tessa’s newfound friend fluttered in through the window after an early pre-dawn feast of small insects to wake her. Knowing the others would be showing up soon Tessa slipped out of her room and down the stairs where she found Bethana prepping the common rooms for the day.

“Oh. Good morning Ms. Tessa. This is a bit of a surprise.” Bethana started when Tessa slipped up to the bar with a smile.

“Too much to do, to many people to annoy today. No time to dawdle, Bethana. Can you wrap me up some things for the road? I have a few things I need to be about.” Tessa leaned over the counter to look Bethana directly in the eyes as she slid the elderly Halfling a list. “And I am counting on your legendary discursion. Nobody is to know. Not even your boss.” Tessa’s smile and tone were pleasant beyond compare but electric sparks seemed to surround the slender elemental born tattooist which startled Bethana. “Pip, pip. Junior will be here all too soon and I need to be out the door before that.”

As Tessa waited for Bethana to bring her a travel pack she looked about the room. A flood of memories washed over her mind. Nearly two months of work and fun rushed through her memories as the activity of the last six weeks replayed in her mind. As Tessa smiled Bethana slid the travel pack across the counter.

“Are you not going to say goodbye Ms. Tessa?” Bethana held the travel pack even as Tessa took hold of it.

“Why would I do that Bethana? I’ll be back soon enough.” Tessa smiled.

“How can you be so sure, m’Lady?” Bethana let go of the pack and reached for her cleaning cloth to continue prepping for the morning crowd. Already a small handful of early risers were entering the common room.

“That’s easy, Beth.” Tessa looked about with a fond smile and sighed, “The building is still standing.” Tessa’s blunt statement startled Bethana. “See you in a week or two.” With a wide grin on her face Tessa zipped out the front door of the dragon and headed around the Goblin Squash stables to head up river street. As she went she drank deeply of one of her strange concoctions and her form shifted. When Tessa walked out the north gate it was with the appearance of a tall voluptuous Chelish girl that the guard would not soon forget.

Vachedi Viskalia stammered while he opened the gates in the early morning hours as he asked the beautiful young pilgrim with religious robes and skin like silk if she would need an escort on her trip to Windsong Abby. Tessa turned and replied, “You’re too kind Little Hemlock but I will be quite all right.”

The startled expression Vachedi gave Tessa was priceless but she managed not to smile as the young man fawned nervously while she walked out of the town and up the road. Part of her felt guilty about walking away in the middle of one mystery to go chasing another; but this Skinsaw man was obviously an agent of Lord Foxglove if not Foxglove himself. All the clues were now pointing in his direction and Tessa found the idea of confronting the foppish troll distasteful and insignificant.

The Tickwood Hag though was a mystery worth looking into.

The Exchange

Yeah, yeah. I haven't been keeping up. Our game is somewhen well into Hook Mountain and I'm still writing Qakisst's Journal for Skinsaw. It's been a very busy spring.

The terrible case of Hayliss Korvaski:

Qakisst arrived at the Rusty Dragon only shortly after sunrise. As he strolled up to the Dragon he passed a tall beautiful Chellish girl that he did not recognize. The young lady smiled at him as she walked away. His eyes followed her as she turned onto River Street. “Nasıl onunla birlikte dans ediyor kaçırmış?”

“I will wager that you simply do not remember, Master Vishtani.” Bethana smiled at Qakisst as he entered the Dragon. She was wiping down the inside windows on the doors.

“Huh? How did you…”

“I do not speak ignan, but I do speak young man quite well.” Bethana smiled briefly. “Your mother would be proud to know you were looking straight ahead and not at her bottom.”

“My eyes are solid brass. How can you tell where I was looking?”

“You didn’t whistle.”

Qakisst laughed. “Bunu hatırlamak gerekiyor zorundadır. I will remember that you are watching me.”

“Very closely. Laure stopped by looking for you last night.” When Bethana mentioned the young Pixie girl Qakisst blushed slightly.
“Ah…”

“I told Laure that you left early.” Bethana looked up at Qakisst while she paused in whipping windows. “Laure is my friend, Mr. Vishtani. She is Lady Kaijitsu’s friend too.”

“Uhh…” Qakisst paused, “I…”

“You can’t help her fascination with adventurers, Mr. Vishtani. But try to be kind.” Bethana went back to cleaning windows with such exuberance that Qakisst knew he had just been dismissed.

Qakisst walked up to the counter feeling a bit small and asked one of the morning service staff to bring him porridge and a couple apples then found his usual seat facing out the window onto Market Street. Moments after he seated himself Sapphire joined him.

“Why so glum looking, Qakisst. I thought you’d be in a great mood this morning.” Sapphire eased into the table across from Qakisst. “Didn’t you go to the theater with Caleb’s sister last night? What’s her name, Casey?”

“Cassidy. And yeah, we went to the theater last night.” Qakisst sighed.

“Did Caleb show up in your bed with Loki looking to do an inspection?” Sapphire mock pulled an imaginary bow to shoot imaginary arrows at Qakisst.

Qakisst laughed, “Hayır, hayır. No, but I did hear growling around my bedroom window last night.” As he spoke Qakisst pulled out his pearl handled dagger and cut up apple slices to drop into his poridge. “I had Cassidy home just an hour after the last curtain call. We took a walk along main by Turandarok away from the waterway. I am not stupid enough to tempt this ghoul killer by walking around near the river, and I am not stupid enough to try and get Cassidy into my bed.”

“Oh really?” Sapphire looked sideways at Qakisst.

“I admit that I would not argue if Cassidy tried to get into my bed; but I am not stupid. Caleb would not need to shoot me if I did something unwanted to Cassidy. Cassidy would not give him a chance.” Qakisst smiled, “She had to compete with two brothers and had no sisters. She is far scarier than Caleb. Besides, she is a noble and I... not so much.”

“You don’t believe she’d used her position against you, do you?” Sapphire raised an eyebrow as she looked at Qakisst. One of the serving staff brought Sapphire a plate of eggs and sausage.

“HA! Hayır. She would rather die that trade on her heritage, but she is still a noble. She has that luxury.” Qakisst pointed his spoon at Sapphire. “Sakın bana anlamıyorsunuz. Nobles have the luxury of making friends with commoners. Commoners do not get to decide to be friends with a noble.”

“That’s hardly fair to Cassidy, Qakisst.” Sapphire gave Qakisst a disapproving look as Konnor slid into his seat with his mug and a bowl of porridge and several sausage links.

“You have not spent very much time around nobility, have you?” Qakisst smirked at Sapphire as Konnor lifted his mask enough to nibble on a sausage. “The good ones like the Deverin family try to be friendly and will even make friends with commoners, but though they do not intend it so it is still on their terms. The bad ones like the…” Qakisst paused and looked around, “…like…” he leaned in to whisper briefly, “…Lonjiku Kaijitsu would make sure that any common children allowed to interact with his child was properly disciplined in advance so that they would behave with proper difference to their noble children. Fortunately his one child has more in common with nobles like the Deverin family than her own father.”

“Is that why you are always so nervous around her?” Konnor pointed a sausage at Qakisst while holding his mask a few inches from his face.

“Nasıl?” Qakisst sat up straight with a bit of indignation.

“That’s my future wife you’re making eyes at all the time.” Konnor winked as he slipped a piece of sausage under his mask to eat. Sapphire snorted a laugh and flicked egg at Konnor.

“Oh yeah, that’s going to happen oh masked wonder.” Sapphire lifted her cup into the air. “Too grand delusions!”

Konnor started to lift his cup into the air then paused part way, “Hey!”

“Hey Caleb. How is your wife?” Qakisst waved to Caleb as he came in the front door.

“You mean his witch, don’t you?” Sapphire smirked as she switched from picking on Konnor to Caleb.

“Har, har, har. I only do a few tasks for her so the hag leaves other people alone.” Caleb swung his pack around to rest it in a seat next to Sapphire. “I’ve already eaten, so I’m ready to go as soon as everybody is here. Where’s Tessa?” The group looked over their shoulder at the top of the stairs where the guest rooms were.

“Haven’t seen her yet.” Sapphire shrugged.

“Even though she hates mornings she usually beats sneaky freak here.” Qakisst pointed to his right with his thumb.

“Hey!”

“Leave him be, Kisst. Sapphire, could you go knock on her door?” Caleb scowled slightly at Qakisst.

“She’s not there.” Bethana walked behind Konnor and Qakisst as she spoke.

“What?” The group replied as one.

“She rushed out the door early this morning before Mr. Vishtani arrived. Told me she had to take care of something and would be back soon; but emptied her room completely so I do not expect her tonight.”

“Damn it!” Caleb grumbled.

“Did she say where she was going?” Sapphire looked quizzically at Bethana.

“Does she ever?” Bethana headed for the kitchen.

“Did she say when she’ll be back?” Konnor shrugged as he spoke.

“When her shoes show up.” Qakisst pushed himself back from the table in annoyance and grabbed his gear.

Before the adventurers could leave the Dragon guardsman Nedir showed up looking for them and directed them to meet the Sheriff across the street at the Sandpoint Boutique. The request shocked the group who quickly rushed out the door to look across the street. Several guards now stood outside the boutique; guards that had not been there just thirty minutes before.

Standing outside the boutique not looking his usual pristine self, stood a very agitated Sir Jasper Korvaski fidgeting outside the door to his sister’s shop. As the Sandpoint heroes approached he glanced in their direction before looking away. It was obvious that the retired paladin and elder statesman was badly shaken.

As the five entered the small shop Caleb gasped. Qakisst and Konnor looked away from what hung before them. Sapphire stepped up to the grisly sight of a badly disfigured woman pinned to the back wall. As had been done to Banny Harker’s remains, this woman’s face had been mutilated by having her lower jaw ripped away. Her body had been cut ritualistically with a shehedron star carved above her left breast.

“Rather frightening, isn’t it Caleb.” Sheriff Hemlock stood to the side looking both thoughtful and disturbed.

“What? Who is…” Caleb stumbled to ask the obvious.

“Hayliss Korvaski?” Qakisst looked ashen faced as he turned to the sheriff. His voice barely rose above a whisper.

“Sir Jasper found her this morning. He came looking for her this morning when she realized that she didn’t come home last night.” The sheriff grimaced and looked around. “Where’s Tessa?”

“Not available.” Konnor dug into his pack to pull out a journal and charcoal stick. Looking somewhat shaken, he stepped up and began taking notes.

Sapphire examined the body as Konnor took notes. Caleb and Sheriff Hemlock stood in the corner where the sheriff updated Caleb on the events of the past three nights. Qakisst, feeling useless stepped out onto the from step where the sheriff’s nephew, Vachide sat with Sir Jasper quietly talking.

Qakisst knelt in front of the elderly paladin and tried desperately to keep a somber face. Sir Jasper had never been anything but polite and proper to him and the anguish in the man’s eyes felt like a physical blow.

“Sir Jasper, I am so terribly sorry.” Qakisst felt like he wanted to choke seeing the tears in Jasper’s eyes.

“I know you are, son.” Sir Jasper reached out and patted Qakisst’s shoulders. “I know you understand.” As he spoke, Sir Jasper closed his eyes and turned his head while he fought to control his emotions.

“Sir, we will…” Qakisst paused as Sir Jasper turned back to him.

“Don’t. Do not promise what you cannot guarantee, my boy.” Jasper paused a second then looked up at the eve above them. “I know you will do everything you can. Just don’t make any oaths or promises you may not be able to keep.”

“Yes Sir.” Qakisst looked over at Vach then back at Jasper. “I have to ask some questions if you feel up to it, Sir.”

“Hayliss did not come home last night.” Sir Jasper pinched the bridge of his nose as he looked down. “It is not unusual for Hayliss to come home after I have gone to bed, so I would not have known what time she should have come home. If she has a large order or is in the middle of making a dress or some such she stays to finish her work. But we always have breakfast in the morning if we’re both about; so when she didn’t come down for breakfast I came here looking and …” Sir Jasper’s voice trailed off.

Behind him, Qakisst heard a commotion as Sir Jasper’s voice trailed off. He glanced back to see Cyrdak Drokkus arguing with another guard.
“No, no, no. Let me past please. Jasper needs me right now” Cyrdak awkwardly tried to push around a couple of the town’s guards.

“Let him through, guys.” Qakisst stood up and stepped back from Jasper. Vachedi nodded to the two guards and stood to clear the bench next to Jasper.

Cyrdak rushed forward to nearly crash into the seat next to jasper. Only the seriousness of the situation kept Qakisst from giggling at the sight of Crydak desperately stumbling forward in his need to comfort Jasper.

“Come on.” Qakisst motioned for Vach to follow him as he stepped to the other end of the walkway in front of the Sandpoint boutique.

Vach looked back at Jasper and Cyrdak, then looked at Qakisst. “Did you know…”

“Know what?” Qakisst looked past Vach at Jasper now crying on Cyrdak’s shoulder. “Oh, yeah. I thought everybody did.”

“Really?” Vach looked back at Jasper and Cyrdak.

“I thought guardsmen were supposed to be more observant.” Qakisst looked sideways at Vach as Caleb stepped out onto the porch, looked left at Jasper and Cyrdak, then looked right at Qakisst and Vach.

“I just never thought about it.” Vach shrugged.

“Never thought about what?” Caleb stepped up to Qakisst and Vach.

“He is just figuring out that Sir Jasper and Cyrdak are a couple.” Qakisst spoke softly as he looked up at Caleb.

“You’re kidding, right?” Caleb glanced over his shoulder at the couple seated behind them as Sapphire and Konnor stepped out. “I thought guardsmen were supposed to be oservant, Vach.”

“Hey!” Vach looked indignant.

“Keep your voice down.” Qakisst scowled at Vach.

“I’m so glad that Sir Jasper has Cyrdak.” Sapphire stepped up to the trio. “I’m afraid that I got another love letter from the killer.”

“You got a what?” Caleb looked sideways at Sapphire.

“We were going to fill you in when breakfast was interrupted.” Qakisst looked embarrassed for Sapphire as he looked back across the street.

Caleb looked from Sapphire to Qakisst. “You can explain now.”

“If you had not…” Qakisst found himself cut off by Sapphire’s hand over his mouth.

“The killer has been leaving messages for me demanding that I join him in his pack. And in the area of each of his victims there has been something to mark the presence of ghouls or ghasts. Lady Hayliss managed to stab her attacker with a knitting needle. Probably didn’t hurt him much, but the stink of ghouls was left on it.”

“Anything useful in these notes?” Caleb looked at the four people standing with him.

“Not that I have seen. Just a twisted obsession with me joining his pack.” Sapphire looked disgusted. “The sheriff has the previous notes locked away. I think we will have to go up to the armory to see all of them.”

The group left Vachedi to tend his duties and watch after Sir Jasper as they took the latest note to the armory to examine along with the previous evidence. They found Pavo on desk duty when they arrived at the armory.

“Heyla, guys. What brings you here?” Pavo sat up in his seat at the sentry desk. “Let me guess, more of this murder mystery the Sheriff has you about?”

“Hey Pavo.” Caleb led the pack into the office with a disturbed look about him. “Yeah, and I’m late to the party.”

“Hi Pavo. Can you pull the evidence files, or whatever for Harker, the Hambley Farm, and the Sanitarium for us.” Qakisst stepped up behind Caleb as he spoke. “We want Caleb to have a look.”

“Officer Korbit.” Konnor stopped just inside the door.

Pavo rolled his eyes as he stood and moved toward the back room to pull the evidence boxes. “At least lose the mask when you’re in the office, Konnor.” The rest of the group turned and looked at Konnor at once.

“FINE! Fine, I’ll lose the mask in the office!” Konnor yanked off his mask and stomped out the front door.

“I got it.” Sapphire followed Konnor out the front door to the Guardhouse as Pavo walked out of the back office carrying a chest to the desk.

“Show them to me in the order they were found, Pavo.” Caleb stood over the front of the desk as Qakisst sat to the side looking unhappy.

“Sure, Caleb. Here’s the first one found down at the Bradley place.” Pavo pulled out the badly stained parchment that had been found with Grayst before his death.

Messrs. Mortwell, Hask, and Tabe—
A deal has come about that I need capital in. It involves property and gold, and though I am not at liberty to tell you the exact details, it will make us all rich. Come to Bradley’s Barn on Cougar Creek tonight. We can meet there to discuss our futures.
Your Lordship

“Your Lordship? Somebody has an inflated sense of ego.” Caleb knelt to examine the document, carefully turning over the page several times.

Qakisst looked up at Caleb. “Do you see anything?”

“No. Just want to make sure I know it.” Caleb sat the first document aside. “To track something you need to know it.”

“You cannot track somebody from that note; can you?” Qakisst sat up.

“No, but as I learn more about our quarry the easier it will be to understand and predict his actions.”

“Here’s the one we found with Harker.” Pavo looked from Caleb to Qakisst as he pulled out the second note.

My beloved Sapphire,
You will learn to love me, desire me in time as she did. Give yourself to the Pack and it shall all end.
Your Lordship

“Nobody else has seen this, have they?” Caleb looked at Pavo.

“No, the Sheriff is keeping it under wraps as best he can.” Pavo shuffled uncomfortably. “Lady Sapphire doesn’t deserve this kind of attention.”

“No. No she doesn’t. Next one?” Caleb turned the second page over and over before setting it aside.

“This is Lady Tessa’s handwriting, even though she apparently matched Grayst’s handwriting and the handwriting of the first two notes. Its Grayst’s comments to Sapphire from Habe’s nuthouse.” Pavo pulled out the crisp piece of parchment that look like it had just been pressed.

“Where’s Grayst now?” Caleb looked up at Pavo, who blanched and fidgeted looking at Qakisst. Qakisst surged to his feet and walked out. Caleb looked after Qakisst before turning back to Pavo. “What was that about.

“Apparently there was no way to save Grayst. He was dying of ghoul fever.” Pavo looked around before looking back to Caleb, “One of the other guards told me that when they brought his body back there was a clean cut right into his heart, like a starknife or a wide punching dagger.” He passed the note to Caleb who stared back at him.

He said. He said you would visit me. His Lordship. The one that unmade me said so. He has a place for you. A precious place. I’m so jealous. He has a message for you. He made me remember it. I hope I haven’t forgotten. The master wouldn’t approve if I forgot. Let me see… let… me… see…He said that if you came to his Misgivings, that if you joined his pack, he would end his harvest in your honor.

“Wait.” Caleb looked at the other documents then at the note Tessa had scribed of Grayst’s mad ramblings. “QAKISST!”

“What is it?” Pavo looked up at Caleb.

“Misgivings. QAKISST, Cousin get in here quick!” Caleb turned back to the door to yell.

Qakisst looked in the door, an unhappy scowl on his face. Caleb looked back at him again, “Cousin, is this accurate? Is Tessa’s note accurate?”

“What?” Tears welled in Qakisst’s eyes as he walked forward to look at the note. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Misgivings?” Caleb looked right at Qakisst.

“Yeah, he said misgivings. What about it?” Qakisst pulled a badly stained handkerchief from his vest and wiped his eyes.

“Did Lady Liandra never tell you any ghost stories. Misgivings.” Caleb looked from Qakisst to Pavo and back.

“No. I had nightmares for years after she found me. She never told horror stories because of that.” Qakisst shrank back from Caleb.

Caleb looked from Pavo to Qakisst and back, “Give me the next one.” Pavo handed Caleb the next note recovered that morning from Hayliss Korvaski’s shop.

My beloved Sapphire,
You continue to ignore my invitations, my love. Did you not sense my need for you that evening after we danced?
Your Lordship

“SAPPHIRE!” Caleb shouted to the front door. Sapphire and Konnor looked in the door, Konnor pulling his mask back off his face.

“What?” Sapphire stepped into the office.

“Before Sunday, did you dance with anybody here in Sandpoint?” Caleb looked up at Sapphire.

“Seriously?” Sapphire leaned back on her heals and crossed her arms.
“Before Sunday when we returned to Sandpoint.” Caleb looked sternly back at the holy warrior, “You’ve danced with our murderer, Sapphire.” Caleb pushed the latest note across the desk.

“W..w..what?”

“Misgivings?” Light sparked in Qakisst’s eyes, but Caleb shushed him.

“Um… Qakisst and your brother Connor. One of the twins that works with Qakisst at Savah’s, Pavo, and Fox…” Sapphire paled.

“You danced with Lord Foxglove down at the Dragon. He literally dominated your attention the night we brought that giant crab back from Thistletop.” Caleb stared at Sapphire.

“You didn’t know that the Varisi call his estate home Misgivings.” Caleb looked from Sapphire to Qakisst.

“What?” Sapphire looked stunned as Qakisst’s mouth flopped open.

The Exchange

I did not cover much of what happened between the end of Burnt Offerings and Skinsaw. During our brief trip to Magnimar our GMPC departed to look for his brother as the GM had located another player. That would have made us a party of 6 PCs, except that the extra player didn't pan out. Then with Tessa's departure and our GMPC Athos having gone off looking for his brother in Magnimar we were temporarily down to a party of 4; until the Pathfinder Society started nosing around.

The Road to Purgatory:

Qakisst rode calmly down Lost Coast Road more than an hour south of Sandpoint beside Sapphire. It had taken a little effort to convince Master Hosk to let Qakisst have a horse again, but Sapphire’s insistence that she would knock his head off if required had finally swayed the elder ranger. Caleb led the party on the ankle biting mare that refused to let Qakisst come near it now.

“No problems with this horse, Qakisst?” Sapphire looked down at Qakisst’s left stirrup.

“Heyir; none at all. Why?” Qakisst looked at Sapphire nervously.

“Because Caleb has kicked that mare in the nose twice keeping it from biting him.” Sapphire nodded towards Caleb as she rode.

“Is this that old nag that Kisst usually rides?” Caleb prodded the mare forward even as it tried to nip at his foot again.

“She won’t let him near her now so you’re just going to have to work with her, Caleb.” Sapphire shrugged then looked at Qakisst, “And I’m sorry I blew up at you yesterday. If that nasty old nag won’t behave for Caleb I don’t think there’s any hope for her.”

“Who’s that up there?” Konnor rode up on Sapphire’s left side and pointed up the road. The party was approaching the Hambley farm on the edge of the Foxglove estates and they could see two travelers inspecting tracks on the edge of the road.

“No, no, no.” A powerfully built man in splint armor stood up as he spoke. “Those are bare footprints, and those are definitely wearing some kind of shoe.”

“So there are at least two people wandering back and forth across these roads. Any sign of rot in the tracks?” A slender woman in robes stood behind the armored man looking off across the fields.

“No idea Seren; and we have company.” The armored man turned to face the party as they approached before raising his sword arm with his hand empty. “Hail, friend.”

Caleb raised his hand in a similar fashion, “Hail to you. What brings you so far from Magnimar, Sir?”

“How do you know we are from Magnimar?” The woman called Seren raised an eyebrow as she looked past her companion.

“Because only Sandpoint is behind us, we do not know you, and this road leads to Magnimar. You’re dressed to nicely to be farm folk, and you are not part of any of the estate guards in this area.” Caleb held up the gold and silver badge given to each of Sandpoint’s guardians to show his authority as he spoke.

“You aren’t wearing Sandpoint livery, Sir. Nor are you Sheriff Hemlock. I am told that he is Shoanti.” Seren spoke calmly so as not to provoke.

“He is.” Caleb studied the pair standing on the edge of the road. “It is not safe in this region though. We have reason to believe that there may be a ghoul in the area. We are investigating that possibility for Sheriff Hemlock.”

“I am Seren, and this is Luthor. We have been sent out to investigate rumors of undead activity. Perhaps we are investigating the same issues.” Seren’s eyes seemed unfocussed as she looked past Caleb to Konnor, Qakisst, and Sapphire. “You’re compatriots?”

“Also tasked with finding this ghoul by the sheriff.” Caleb replied as he slid out of the saddle.

“Don’t be rude Caleb.” Sapphire slid out of the saddle and walked forward. “I am Sapphire Idylkin. This is Caleb Deverin; and our other companions are Konnor Elvenborn and Qakisst Vishtani.” Sapphire smiled and extended her hand to Seren.

“Sapphire!” Caleb’s grumbled response rolled off Sapphire without comment.

“Stop being rude, Caleb. Not everybody lives with a hag in a shack in the woods.” Qakisst slapped Caleb on the back. “Hi. You said you were sent to investigate? The Sheriff and Mayor did not tell us that they had notified anybody in Magnimar about our recent troubles.”

“Uh, yes. Our organization has started hearing rumors of trouble from some of the farms to the northwest, and a few farm hands have disappeared near one of the smaller villages about four hours behind us.” Seren looked up at Luthor who seemed to be trying to out bluster Caleb then back to Sapphire and Qakisst.

“Four hours that way is Waypoint. Qakisst, did the Sheriff report any troubles from Waypoint to you?” Caleb looked at Qakisst while puffing out his chest.

Qakisst looked back at Caleb with a bit of a frown. “No. He has not mentioned any issues out in the country other than the Bradley farm. We passed that well over an hour ago.” Qakisst looked back up the road before continuing. “When we came down this way the other day we did not find any signs of ghouls; but some of the farmers complained that some of their neighbors were not coming out for the harvest gang.”

“That’s a nice blade. Very heavy. Kind’a slow though.” Konnor slipped up behind Luthor and examined the big man closely as he spoke. “So what organization is interested in undead activity?”

Sapphire glared at Konnor as Seren seemed to chuckle. Luthor turned with a start to look at Konnor. “Why the mask, boy?”

“Scared by acid; very disturbing. Wouldn’t want to frighten small children.” Konnor looked up at the much bigger Luthor; his grin hidden behind his mask as he held up what looked like an expensive pocket watch on a fine chain. “Is this your wayfinder?”

The startled Luthor snatched the dangling totem, “Don’t mess with that…. HEY!”

“Sorry, you dropped it. I must say that a wayfinder is a tad expensive to simply drop on the ground.” Konnor’s hands remained empty, but ready as Luthor examined the watch like trinket he had recovered from Konnor.

Sapphire and Qakisst looked at each other in confusion and Seren shook her head and covered part of her face with her hand. “Luthor, please don’t lose that. They are expensive.”

“What is a wayfinder?” Qakisst looked from Sapphire to Konnor to Luthor then Seren. Luthor finished tucking his compass like devise away inside a pouch while glaring at the masked Konnor.

“Pardon Luthor’s gruffness. He is not used to dealing with subtlety.” Seren smiled and stepped between Luthor and Konnor before answering Qakisst’s question. “A wayfinder is an enchanted compass. It sheds light on command as well as pointing the way north.”

“I imagine that comes in useful on the open road.” Konnor stepped around Seren so that Luthor was between he and Caleb. “I did not think that there were Pathfinders this far northwest of Korvosa though.” As Konnor moved Luthor gripped his sword hilt at his hip closely watching Konnor’s movement.

“There is certainly a lot in Varisia to interest the Pathfinder Society, what was your name? Konnor?” Seren turned to keep track of Konnor but her eyes seemed to track Qakisst and Sapphire at the same time. “We have established a new lodge in Magnimar under the Heidmarch family. We are hoping to explore the ruins throughout the region and protect many of the artifacts from looting and black market sales.”

“Of what interest would ghouls be to you then?” Caleb raised an eyebrow as he closely watched Luthor who glared back at him. “Examining the monuments scattered throughout Varisisa hardly involves hunting undead.”

“You might be surprised, Master Deverin.” Seren turned to smile at Caleb even as she watched Qakisst and Sapphire.

“Only because Caleb is an idiot.” Sapphire strode to the edge of the road and knelt to look at the tracks Luthor had been examining when the Sandpoint guardians had rode up. “Nearly a quarter of the monuments scattered about mark some kind of holy site or graveyard. Perfect hiding places for ghouls. If you’re going to examine the monuments of Varisia its best to make sure that nothing is going to eat your survey team. So Caleb, what do you make of the tracks Luthor was examining?”

“You will have to excuse Caleb and Konnor. They are not the trusting types.” Qakisst smiled at both Luthor and Seren.

Seren smiled back as Luthor continued to quietly scowl. “We’re used to it. Pathfinders are not always welcome in many areas. Our charter is to explore and preserve the knowledge and treasures of the ancient world. So some people simply lump us in with the grave robbers and tomb raiders of the world.” Without pause Seren switched her speech from the more common Taldan to the Kelishite tongue of Qakisst’s birthplace. “I did not expect to find an ifrit wandering around the hinterlands of Magnimar. And Vishtani is hardly a Kelish name, yet you have the accent of the Kelish born. Your face tells a totally different story though.”

Qakisst turned to Seren with a slight start then narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. “I know your words, but I prefer not to speak in that tongue if you please.”

Switching to the local Varisi language, Seren smiled apologetically, “I do not mean to offend; simply to understand. Vishtani is hardly a Kelish or Mwangi name.”

Qakisst looked sideways through slitted eyes in the same unfocused manner that Seren had first examined the Sandpoint guardians when they had approached. “It was my adopted mother’s name.” His othersite caught sparks of magic from Seren and Luthor’s armor and weapons as well as the wayfinder and a few other items the duo carried. “You are well outfitted for exploring, m’lady.”

“Are you two done fencing with your wits?” Sapphire stepped up to Seren and Qakisst. “Before Konnor and Luthor decide to stab each other in the throats lets all make nice and be friends.”

“Introductions would be better over warm mead at an inn; but I don’ think there will be time for that today.” Caleb stood next to Luthor by the tracks along the side of the road. “If we can all agree to play nice for a while I think we are investigating the same problem. There’s no reason not to help each other out.”

“You are the legal authorities in this region, m’lord Deverin, and the Society does have a policy of deferring to the authorities when required. Shall we compare notes?” Seren pulled out a journal and opened it to show Caleb. “This is what we’ve found so far.”

The Exchange

Okay, you haven't been seeing much of Dahlia yet. But give her some time. She's still studying her quarry at this point. However, the Guardians of the Old Light are making new friends all the time. Their two new friends are Pathfinders out of Magnimar; sent to investigate rumors of undead activity just as we are confirming our suspicions about a certain Magnimarian noble.

Serren: An experienced shaman of aasimar blood; Serren joined the Pathfinder Society to learn more about her gifts and to find a place that can accept the unusual nature of her heritage and the gifts that came with it.

Luthor: Luthor found the soft comforts of temple life too simple; too calm. His natural tenancy to seek combat made him a natural as a war priest. His place in the Pathfinder Society gave him a place to express his anger in a way that is marginally socially acceptable. While less interested in the knowledge of the past than other Pathfinders, Luthor knows that his talents are all too necessary to the Society in a violent world.

The Exchange

We did the Hambley farm last October; but it took forever for me to get time to write. I'm getting slow.

A Harvest of Ghouls - Part One:

After calming potential rivalries, and comparing notes on the strange activities of the previous few weeks in the Sandpoint area the six armed adventurers agreed that they would need access to the Foxglove estate. That meant finding the groundskeeper, Rogers Craesby; who lived on the edge of the estate.

The Sandpoint guardians had come upon Serren and Luthor following tracks on the road near the Hambley farm just a few miles from Foxglove manor. By mutual agreement the six decided it best to investigate the Hambley farm before moving on to Craesby’s house and the Foxglove estate.

Caleb was used to the winding twisting paths through the fields, but the others found them confusing. Before long Qakisst and Luthor were both accusing Caleb of being lost.

“We are not lost. These paths through the fields wind around so much to discourage brigands.” Caleb shook his head. “If I didn’t have you lot and four horses I’d have cut across the fields, but it would be extremely rude of us to trample down the field like a herd of wild elk.”
“What is with all the scarecrows?” Sapphire stood up in the stirrups of her tall black stallion and looked around the fields. In the distance across the waving corn tassels she could see the top of a barn, but no discernable path toward the Hambley farmhouse.

“There’s always a few scarecrows. They keep more than crows away.” Caleb stood in his stirrups and the biting nag.

Qakisst stood up in the stirrups and looked around, his head not clearing the tops of the corn. Sapphire looked away from Qakisst, covering a laugh, and looked at Caleb, “There’s more than a few, Caleb. I count two dozen at least.”

Caleb looked around and frowned, “There are more than I might expect. Perhaps the Hambley’s have had a particular problem with birds.”

Seren frowned and looked at Caleb, “You do not sound convinced, m’lord Deverin.” She raised an eyebrow as she commented.

“I’m not.” The biting nag stood stock still as Loki slipped out of the corn field and padded up next to Caleb. Behind them Qakisst had clambered up to stand on the saddle of his horse to see over the tops of the corn.

“You’ll break your neck doing that, Qakisst.” Sapphire rolled her eyes at Qakisst as she continued to scan about standing in the stirrups.

“Yes momma.” Qakisst mocked Sapphire as Seren and Caleb continued to discuss his discomfort. “Hey, did that scarecrow move?” Qakisst stood up full height on the back of his mount and pointed off to the side some twenty feet.

“It is likely just wind. We need to find this Hambley and get access to Faoxglove’s estate. Why are we wasting time?” Luthor grumbled at Qakisst, but Sapphire and Caleb both stood tall in their stirrups and looked where Qakisst was pointing.

“I don’ see any movement, Cousin;” Caleb paused as he stared intently at the closest scarecrow, “but I don’ like this. Test it, would you?”

“If you say so.” Fire licked along the tips of Qakisst’s fingers and his horse skitted slowly to the left in excitement. Sapphire grabbed its reins to make sure it wouldn’t spill Qakisst as snapdragons erupted about the young ifrit. He reached up and flipped one out to pop harmlessly into the nearby scarecrow.

Qakisst expected to need to call water from the Goddess Sarenrae to put out a possible straw fire. Instead the scarecrow erupted in rage, bellowed and began to struggle. Sapphire and Caleb dropped into the saddle instantly and pulled weapons. Seren and Luthor followed their actions pulling their weapons as the ragged scarecrow erupted from the corn surging toward the party.

Qakisst flipped a second snapdragon at the charging scarecrow, but the small burst of light and flame only angered the creature. Copying Sapphire and Caleb, Qakisst dropped into the saddle then grunted in pain.

Sapphire grinned and surged her stallion, Shadow Myst forward to intercept the charging scarecrow which she cut down with a single swing of her greatsword. The head came away from the scarecrow and rolled to the ground in front of Caleb and he slid out of his saddle. The young ranger knelt and pulled the burlap hood from the now severed head to find a twisted and grotesque face with mottled skin stretched tight.

“A ghoul. And it’s hard to say, but I think this might have been Morlin Deskert.” Caleb used the burlap sack to turn and pick up the head.

“Wait; who?” Qakisst gingerly slid out of the saddle and walked over stiffly. Sapphire rode up behind him and slid out of her saddle.

“Morlin Deskert.” Caleb turned the macabre head to face Qakisst. “I believe he’s an uncle to your working buddies at Savah’s.” Caleb dropped the head next to the body and stood up. “The Deskert family is rather large and insular. They work a lot of land for my Aunt, but keep to themselves most of the time.”

Qakisst paled as he looked down at the headless body. Sapphire slapped him on the shoulder, “It sucks when it hits this close to home. You need a break, Qakisst?”

“He don’ get one.” Caleb pointed up the curved path at a shambling form with ropes around its wrists and a burlap sack over its head. The creature bellowed and charged. Caleb pulled out his scimitar and kukri as Sapphire strode forward pulling her greatsword into another overhand strike. This ghoul didn’t fall until Caleb’s follow up strike disemboweled it.

“This is not boding well.” Seren stayed behind Qakisst and Luthor as Caleb and Sapphire strode forward.

“Loki, guard!” Caleb pointed back to the horses and Loki gave him a disappointed look before padding back to the horses.

Konnor stayed in his saddle with the horses and looked about. “I’ve a feeling nobody will object to us going straight for the house now, Caleb.”

“Yeah, they will.” Caleb moved far enough ahead that he could see yet another scarecrow hanging just off the path up ahead. The limp form hung as though lifeless on the post. “And we’re going to have to search every one of these scarecrows for ghouls now.”

A snapdragon sailed past Caleb and Sapphire to burst against the scarecrow’s chest. The scarecrow howled and surged off the post that had held it to rush at the approaching group. Sapphire and Caleb once more made short work of the howling creature before quickly confirming a ghoul.

“You trying to burn down the farm, Kisst?” Caleb scowled back at Qakisst.

“It is not that dry, and this is the safest way to tell if a scarecrow is a scarecrow.” Qakisst shrugged at Caleb. “Get me to high enough ground and I can scope them all in about a minute.”

“I don’ know, Kisst.” Caleb stood up from examining the latest ghoulish scarecrow.

“He’s right m’lord Deverin. We will be all day or longer searching the fields on foot or horseback.” Seren looked thoughtfully at Caleb and Sapphire. “And if the Hambley family is trapped in their farmhouse by these creatures…”

“Awe hell.” Caleb frowned and whistled. Loki came loping forward. “Come on Konnor, bring the horses and let’s get moving.”

The group quickly saddled up. For speed, Qakisst found himself riding with Sapphire to allow Seren and Luthor to use his horse. Qakisst had only grumbled slightly as it was obvious that he was far lighter than the heavily armored Sapphire and Caleb, and even Konnor wore heavier armor than he did.

Within minutes the six of them dispatched yet another ghoulish scarecrow before finally winding and twisting their way into the open yard surrounding the Hambley house and barn. Loki shied away from the barn and growled as the group rode up.

“What’s wrong with him?” Konnor slid from the saddle and pulled weapons as he looked around.

“Somat don’ smell right.” Caleb slid out of the saddle as well and moved closer to the barn.

Qakisst slid off the side of Shadow Myst as Sapphire urged the big stallion to gallop around the barnyard.

“This place stinks of death.” Luthor pulled out a massive hammer from a pack that did not seem large enough to hold it; which caught the attention of Caleb and Konnor. The blunt weapon showed the wear of combat and had obviously been crafted for war.

“Caleb, take my spear. It has better reach than your curved blades.” Qakisst held his spear forward but Caleb waved him back.

“I’m good, Kisst.” Caleb used the point of his kukri to lift the latch on the bard door and the big door slowly swung open on its own. Flies exploded from the barn in all directions in a cloud thick enough to obscure vision for several minutes.

“Spirits of my ancestors, what is that stench?” Seren stepped back away from the barn as she covered her face with her sleeves.

“I found the livestock.” Caleb stepped back from the doors and readied his blades. “Not very lively anymore.” The swarm of ghouls that had been chewing on the livestock trapped in the barn turned to snarl at what they saw as fresh meat.

“Caleb, get back!” Qakisst stretched out his hand and fire erupted from his palm igniting the remaining rags covering the charging ghouls.
Sapphire and Luthor rushed forward to get between Qakisst and the ghouls. Caleb glowered at Qakisst then turned to strike out at the charging ghouls with Sapphire and Luthor.

“I will have Loki sit on you if you keep rushing forward like that, Kisst.” Caleb’s blades whirled around him slicing at the foul attacking creatures.

“I should let you get overrun?” Qakisst stepped back and send a bolt of fire into one of the still standing ghouls.

“You don’ need to get so close.” Caleb grimaced as a ghoul clawed at his arm.

“Stop bickering, boys.” Sapphire scowled as she cut another ghoul in half.

“I have to be close enough for the fire to fan out or I can only hit one.” Qakisst continued to step back as he sent bolts of fire into the approaching ghouls. “I know what I am doing. Remember that I am three times your age.”

“Do they bicker like this all the time?” Serren called up a healing hex and sent a surge of healing energy into Luthor and he brought his massive hammer down upon the last ghoul.

“They are like an old married couple at times.” Sapphire wiped gore from her blade. I rode around the house and the windows are intact. No light coming from inside, but its mid-day so no reason to burn candles.” She turned to Caleb, “Any more ghouls out here?”

“No. We made enough noise riding up so if somebody was alive they heard us.” Caleb looked at Sapphire then at Konnor. “There are recent tracks everywhere thanks to our little fight here. No telling if the area is clear yet.”

“Are any of these bodies the Hambleys?” Luthor turned one of the destroyed ghouls to face Caleb.

No; so they can’t come out or they won’t come out.” Caleb turned to the house as Sapphire hung her greatsword from her back once more.

“Or they did come out, and they are hanging out in the field like a perverted crop waiting for harvest..” Qakisst shuttered as he spoke.

The six heroes looked around at each other with obvious trepidation. Sapphire broke the silence first. “Nothing for it. Let’s check the house.”

“Kisst, can you toss those snapdragons through the window glass?” Caleb looked back at Qakisst as he headed to the house and pointed at the horses. “Loki, guard!”

Qakisst gave Caleb a puzzled look. “Evet…Um… Yes.”

“Good. The house will be too crowded for six of us to fight in. Can you see into the dark house from outside without having to stand right in the window?” Caleb stepped up onto the porch at the front of the house.

“Caleb I can take care of myself.” Qakisst protested the idea of staying outside the house.

“And you can also contribute from outside more easily than anybody else. Don’ argue with me Kisst.” Caleb poked a finger at Qakisst then turned to the farmhouse door. “Sneaky, check the lock.”

“Boy, you come back after a week and suddenly you’re in charge.” Konnor grumbled as he stepped up onto the porch to examine the door handle. “No lock, possibly a bar on the inside. No traps or funny business.”

As Konnor stepped out of the way Caleb checked the door handle, and pushed open the door. “Seren, stick with Kisst. I don’t want anybody left alone while we’re here.” Both Qakisst and Seren stuck their tongues out at Caleb as he stepped through the door into the house followed by Sapphire, Luthor, and Konnor.

“Your friend is a bit bossy, Mr. Vishtani.” Seren moved around Qakisst to step off the porch.

“Tell me about it.” Qakisst followed Seren off the porch and around the south side of the house.

“These windows are filthy. Don’t know how we’re going to see through them.” Seren moved up to the first window and tried to look in through the dirty glass.

“You are lucky that the Hambley family is fairly wealthy.” Qakisst stepped in front of Seren and pulled out a long thin piece of metal which he slid up into the thin gap between the upper and lower sash of the window. Two quick taps sideways tripped the latch that Qakisst could see just inside the glass locking the sashes together.

“It seems that I am also lucky that you are a man of many talents.” Seren smirked at Qakisst as he pushed the lower sash open. The stink inside the room rolled out and Caleb’s voice could be heard now through the open window.

“I told you to stay outside.” Caleb could be seen glaring at Qakisst.

“I am outside. And while we can both see into the dark room, we cannot see through dirty glass.” The two men glared at each other which made both Seren and Sapphire chuckle.

“Behave, boys.” Sapphire could be seen moving into the back hallway. “Looks like a kitchen door ahead on the left. Q, scope me from the next window please.”

Qakisst shrugged and moved over as Seren watched the others move into the hallway. The kitchen window was smaller and higher up at its base but the same basic design. Qakisst stepped up to it and examined it quickly before pulling out his thin metal jim.

Through the dirty glass he could just make out the door on the far wall opening as he quietly slipped the jim between the sashes of the window to tap the latch open. Before he could finish unlatching the window he saw a blur of motion from the cabinets as he watched Caleb and Sapphire step into the kitchen.

“Sıçmak!” Qakisst’s mind flooded with fire as he saw childlike but emaciated creatures throw themselves at Sapphire and Caleb. Qakisst dropped the shiv and slammed his left fist through the glass startling Seren as he called up snapdragons to swarm about himself.

From the ceiling three fully adult ghouls dropped down behind Sapphire and Caleb pushing them into the room and slamming the door shut in Luthor’s face. Qakisst sent a snapdragon sailing through the window to strike one of the adult ghouls behind Caleb dazzling the creature but not slowing it.

Sapphire struggled to bring her long heavy blade around in the tight confines of the room as Caleb kicked at one of the smaller ghouls; sending it rolling across the floor. The child like creature seemed unfazed even as Qakisst sent another snap dragon through the window to explode in its face.

“Yere yat! Aşağı almak!” Qakisst screamed at the pair trapped in the room as he shoved both his hands through the shattered glass pane.

Sapphire saw the motion of Qakisst’s fingers and her eyes shot wide, “Incoming!” Great sheets of fire flooded the room singeing everything. The ghouls caught the worst of it as anything loose and flammable burst into flames. Caleb had managed to flip the table between himself and the ghouls blocking most of the fire and Sapphire had pulled her cloak over herself just in time.

The fire overwhelmed the child like ghouls that had crawled out of the cabinets, but was not enough to destroy the fully grown trio that still pinned Sapphire and Caleb away from the now locked door. As Qakisst sent yet another snapdragon sailing into the now burning room the door shattered inward. Luthor surged into the room with his great hammer in hand to knock the largest of the ghouls back away from Sapphire giving her enough room to cut one of them down with her greatsword.

Moments later Luthor crushed the head of one as Sapphire and Caleb made short work of the last. In the hallway behind them Qakisst saw Konnor cleaning the fine Tian blades he carried.

“I think we know what happened to the Hambley family now.” Konnor sheathed his weapons and began a careful search of the room and then the house for anything useful.

The Exchange

Qakisst suffers from a rather intense form of survivor's guilt. He survived to be free, but not all of his sisters did. He watched his father die at his mother's hands, then later watched his mother die. Then had to live through the death of his adopted mother. That is a lot of guilt.

It is a good thing that Snap Dragons do not do much damage.

A Harvest of Ghouls - Part Two:

Qakisst stood atop the Hambley Barn looking out across the fields. More than a dozen scarecrows still hung near the pathways through the farmland around the area. Without effort he called up the swarm of snapdragon fireworks that responded to his summon and sent them sailing one at a time out to strike a scarecrow.

Most of the hanging figured surged and cried out in pain before bursting their bonds and leaping down from the post upon which they hung. Two of the scarecrows just slumped down on the post from which they hung. That puzzled Qakisst, but not enough to give him pause. He watched the moving ones and yelled down to Caleb and Sapphire.

“I see thirteen scarecrow, but only eleven of them are moving. The last two are clear out on the east side where we first came in. The others are shambling this way.” Qakisst stepped to one side on the slanted roof and let himself slide down the wood shingled roof.

To everybody’s amazement Qakisst let himself slide off the roof as if to fall. With surprising skill the young ifrit hooked the crossbar of his boar spear onto the edge of the roof as he slid off, arresting his fall and dropping to the ground with surprising ease.

“That was impressive, Cousin.” Caleb looked at Qakisst slightly wide eyed.

“So you’ve been to Korvosa, Mr. Vishtani?” Seren smiled at him. “That explains where you learned to open windows.”

“Ghouls?” Sapphire interrupted the conversation pointing out at the corn fields. “Mutual admiration later. Where are they coming from, Qakisst?”

“Oh, ummm; three from there. First one will be here any moment. Two from there, four from that direction, and two more from that direction.” As Qakisst pointed around himself at the fields Luthor rushed in the direction that the first of the ghouls was expected from.

“Did you have to wake them all at once?” Konnor rolled his eyes and rushed after Luthor.

“Good question.” Caleb looked at Qakisst. “You could have stayed up on the roof and kept hitting them at a distance while we hit them on the ground.”

“I can only call so many snapdragons before they will refuse to come to my summon, Caleb. Quit trying to baby me.” Qakisst pulled his spear down from where it was still hung from the barn roof.

“Kisst, seriously. You don’t need to get close so why do you?” Caleb moved to see Sapphire and Luthor crouching behind bushes just before the corn fields where Qakisst had said the first of the ghouls would come from.

“Is this what Shalelu sounds like when she is yelling at you for charging ogres with a scimitar?” Qakisst padded along behind Caleb as the young ranger glared at him. Loki followed Qakisst and the young ifrit could swear the great wolf was laughing.

“Fine! Stay close and don’t get killed.” Caleb pushed Qakisst behind a pile of straw near the edge of the cornfield and turned toward the edge of the field.

“Göt deliği.” Qakisst stuck his tongue out at Caleb and pulled out his wand of armor tapping himself with it.

The six heroes quietly hid behind wagons, bushes, stacks of hay, anything available while watching the edge of the field waiting for the inevitable. Seconds turned into minutes turned into tens of minutes as they waited.

“Kisst, I thought you said they were coming this way.” Caleb looked back at Qakisst.

“They were. I swear, they were.” The desperate look of fear on Qakisst’s face reflected all their fears.

“What do we do now?” Konnor sheathed his blades and stood up from inside the flat wagon.

Caleb bolted for his horse followed by Sapphire. Seren looked from the field back to Konnor before saying, “We go after them.”

Before anybody could argue, Sapphire rode up and grabbed Qakisst’s arm, “Up you go.” She pulled the young ifrit up behind her on Shadow Myst and spurred the horse after Caleb who was already riding out the dirt trail through the corn fields with Loki loping along beside him. Konnor followed quickly behind them as Seren and Luthor mounted their borrowed horse to follow.

Qakisst held tight to Sapphire’s waist as the big stallion closed the distance with Caleb’s mount. As the pair rounded the corner to head out of the last field they plowed headlong into a throng of hungry dead surging to pull Caleb from his mount.

“CALEB!” Qakisst screamed as Sapphire pulled Shadow Myst into a tighter turn to avoid the biting nag Caleb had been riding. Loki yelped and leapt sideways to avoid being trampled even as Qakisst let go of Sapphire and found himself flung from the back of Shadow Myst.
Qakisst hit the grown with a heavy grunt and pushed himself to his knees to set his spear against any charge. “Caleb, sen iyi misin?” Qakisst found himself looking at six of the ghoulish creatures that had once been farm hands in the area.

Konnor, Seren, and Luthor came around the bend pulling up just short of Qakisst as Sapphire spun Shadow Myst around and pulled out her great sword. “Somebody get Caleb clear!”

“Bekle, ne? Ben Caleb'e ulaşmak için var!” Qakisst was already moving as Luthor struggled to get clear of his mount along with Seren. Konnor leapt clear without even stopping his mount while pulling the long curved katana from his back.

The agile dark elf sailed through the air and triggered his power of levitation allowing him to float to the ground directly over Caleb as the deadly curved blade slashed out at the swarming ghouls. “I got him. Q, yukarı ateş ile bana yanar.”

“Çılgınsın!” Qakisst protested.

“Yap! Şimdi yap!” Konnor flipped around his cloak as he sliced open a ghoul’s chest then dropped over Caleb.

“Sen delisin, Konnor!” Qakisst swung his spear out to the side and trust out his open palm. Fire erupted outward before him enveloping the area around Konnor and Caleb. The ghoulish scarecrows staggered back as Sappire rode circle around behind them to strike. Luthor charged on foot around the other side attacking any ghouls followed by Loki who tripped and bowled over any ghoul that got close enough.

As the fire evaporated into the air Konnor and Caleb stood up under the singed folds of Konnor’s cloak to strike out at the scattered and burnt creatures. The battle did not last long, but the hungry dead did not go down without causing damage. The ground everywhere within 30 feet was scorched with fire and covered in a combination of blood and ichor. The six heroes stood panting and exhausted. The ground around them was covered in body parts.

“Everybody okay?” Sapphire looked around to see where the horses had gotten off to as Caleb wiped gore from his blades.

“I’m bit; so is Loki.” Caleb looked over at Sapphire. “Anything I should know about ghouls and disease?”

“I’m fine.” Konnor sheathed the two short Tien blades he favored and walked over to where his katana stuck out of a dead ghoul’s chest. “Only a few scratches.”

“Lanet Olsun. I am bit too.” Panic devoured Qakisst’s usually cheerful expression.

“Damned ghoul fever. I’m bit as well.” Luthor wiped his hammer back and forth across saw grass that lined the fields.

“Sapphire, can you cure such taint? Or is there somebody in Sandpoint that can do so?” Seren pulled out her healer’s kit and began to clean Caleb’s wounds.

“Taint?” Caleb looked from Seren to Sapphire.

“Ghouls can infect their victims with a bite. Surviving a ghoul attack can prove worse than being killed in one. The sickness transforms the victim into one of the hungry dead.” Sapphire pulled back Qakisst’s vest to inspect his shoulder where he’d been bitten.

“Are we…” Qakisst asked the obvious looking at Sapphire as his heart thundered in his chest.

“Maybe, but its okay. You’re not nearly as far along as Grayst was. I know enough and have enough skill to remove the disease should you be infected.” Sapphire looked up at Qakisst and there were faint tears in her eyes. “I truly am sorry that I couldn’t help Grayst, Q. But I can make sure the same thing doesn’t happen to any of you.”

“I know, Sapphire. I know.” Qakisst called up the minor magics available to him and the dirt and grime of battle fell away from him; even clearing from his wounds.

As Qakisst’s shirt began to stitch itself back together Sapphire cocked an eyebrow at him. “You couldn’t help with cleaning my gear that way, could you?” She spread her arms and gestured up and down her gore splattered armor.

The grime fell away from Sapphire’s weapon and from her gauntlets. The startled look on her face when the minor magics brushed across her palms let Qakisst know that she understood even before he spoke. “Only if you actually want my mind feeling every inch of you up.” Qakisst blushed slightly. “My magic is a personal extension of my mind and soul. Even though it takes the form of little elemental spirits you can feel them and I can feel part of what they feel.”

“Uhmmm, on second thought I’m fine.” Sapphire blushed slightly.

“I would require a signed note from Master Belvin too.” Qakisst grinned at Sapphire.

“That’s not going to happen.” Sapphire’s retort brought a laugh from both Caleb and Konnor even as the angelic warrior turned back to Qakisst. “But thank you for being honest.” She patted him on the cheek “You’re one of a kind, Qakisst.”

“I have no problems with it, if it will get the stink out of Luthor’s clothes.” Seren stood from where she had been tending Caleb’s wounds and moved to help Luthor with his injuries.

“Women like my smell; not like those dandied fops you usually spend time with.” Luthor huffed with a snarl. The Sandpoint heroes turned to look at the pair wide eyed.

“Only the ones that work in the tanneries that have no sense of smell anymore.” Seren carefully blotted clean the bite and scratch marks left by the ghouls before calling on the healing spirits that were her friends.

“Enough abusing your cohort, Seren. I count eleven heads. Kisst, you said there were how many scarecrows?” Caleb stood up and whistled for Loki.

“I saw thirteen, but only eleven moved when I hit them with a snapdragon.” Qakisst bent to retrieve his spear then followed Caleb. “I guess we should check out the remaining two.”

Loki came bounding out of the corn leading Shadow Myst who herded the other three horses out of the field. Caleb looked at Sapphire and nodded toward the horses. “You teach him that?”

“No. Probably just pure animal charisma.” Sapphire pulled herself into her saddle before reaching down to give Qakisst a hand up. Caleb and Konnor pulled themselves into their saddles as Luthor and Seren mounted their borrowed horse.

Fifteen minutes later the six heroes approached the eastern edge of the Hambley farm. They could easily see one of the remaining scarecrows hanging limply from its post. Caleb pulled up his horse some forty feet short and dismounted. Loki yipped and bounced back and forth but would not approach the scarecrow.

“Caleb wait.” Sapphire rode up next to Caleb before stopping and motioned for Qakisst to slide down from his perch on the back of her saddle then dismounted herself. “Let me check for the taint of evil. A ghoul will be unable to hide from the Inheritor.”

Caleb and Qakisst watched as Sapphire stepped forward, her eyes becoming unfocused in a way not too different from how Qakisst could check for magical auras. “Anything, Sapphire?” Caleb pulled out his scimitar just in case.

“No. Nothing.” Sapphire stepped back and shook her head to clear her eyesight when all of them heard a faint moan from the scarecrow.

“Did you hear that?”

“Konnor, stop messing around.”

“Lanet?”

“That wasn’t me.” Konnor glowered back at Caleb as he dismissed the accusation. “Practical jokes is Tessa’s area of expertise.”

“Yok, yok, yok; HAYIR!” Qakisst rushed forward toward the dangling scarecrow and pulled up his spear.

“Kisst? What are you doing?”

“Blessed Inheritor, no.” Sapphire ran forward behind Qakisst followed quickly by Serren. Just before Sapphire could grab him Qakisst brought his spear up to stab just into the very top most tip of the burlap sack that made up the scarecrow’s head.

The sharp fine point of Qakisst’s spear cut easily into the lose burlap and Qakisst flipped up the spear yanking the sack away from the scarecrow body. Scorching from the snapdragon that had struck the scarecrow just half an hour earlier could be seen on both the sac and the tattered shirt on the scarecrow.

Suspended from the crossbar hung a battered and badly wounded farmer. His head tipped up wobbly and his glazed eyes drifted across the party before him, “He.. hel.. help meee...” The man’s voice trailed off as he slumped down.

“Mübarek Şafağıçiçek, ne yaptım?” Qakisst threw his spear to the side and grabbed the man’s legs lifting him up even as he called upon the Dawnflower’s blessings to heal the battered and singed farmer.

Sapphire grabbed the man about the waist and helped lift him up as she called upon the Inheritor to save her new charge, “Inheritor help him; Caleb this one is still alive!”

“Horran?” Caleb stumbled with recognition. “Horran Guffmin?”

The remainder of the group surged forward to help, and quickly the badly wounded man lay upon the ground drinking from a cup Caleb handed him. Horran Guffmin, a local farmer, sobbed incoherently as he struggled to drink. The healing gifts given to his saviors still surged through his body fighting the ghould fever and nitting his wounds back together.

“Qakisst, where was that other... Qakisst?” Sapphire stood up from her new charge and looked around. “Caleb, where’s...”

“Damn it! Loki, seak!” Caleb looked around as he spoke to Loki. The big wolf looked back at him in confusion. “Damn it, dog. Find Kisst. Seak.”
Loki pulled his head back, sniffed the air, and bolted into the corn field. Caleb and Luthor rushed to follow with Sapphire right on their heals.

“Well, Mr. Guffmin I think it best I wait here with you. What do you think, Konnor?” Serren looked at Konnor who was carefully examining the post and crossbar Horran Guffin had been hanging from moment’s before.

Qakisst came crashing out of the cornfield into a pathway and looked around. It took him a moment to get his bering before he rushed to his left up the path. By shear luck he had guessed right and within minutes he stood 15 feet from the last scarecrow as tears rolled out of his eyes.

“Ölmüş etmeyin lütfen, Ölmüş etmeyin lütfen, Ölmüş etmeyin lütfen!” Qakisst raised his spear up to poke at the very top of the burlap sack covering this scarecrow’s head.

“Qakisst wait!” Loki rushed up to circle Qakisst as Sapphire and Caleb came running up the lane followed by Luthor. Even as Sapphire spoke Qakisst cut and pulled away the burlap sack uncovering the face of thr battered and badly mauled Lettie Guffmin. Her chest and arms where singed slightly from the snapdragon that had exploded against her chest earlier.

“Sapphire!” Qakisst looked back at the others as he spoke, tears streaming down his face. Sapphire rushed forward to grab the woman’s limp body and lift up. As she did so she called once again on the Inheritor for aide.

As Sapphire’s healing gifts began to knit sinew and muscle back together the woman strapped to the scarecrow stand gasped and struggled to breath. Caleb and Luthor lifted her up and cut her bonds to get her free so they could lay her down on the ground. As Sapphire tended to the woman’s wounds she looked back at Qakisst.

“You didn’t know, Qakisst.” Sapphire’s soft voice slammed into Qakisst’s chest. “This wasn’t your fault.”

“Bana Sapphire yalan söyleme. I f@@#ed up and I nearly killed two people.” Qakisst turned away and hugged himself tightly as he fought to control his emotions. He failed.

The Exchange

Have you ever had anybody volunteer your personal space for something. It kind of annoys you.

Sodden:

At Konnor’s insistance; Sandpoint’s heroes had gone back to the Hambley farmhouse to do a more thorough search; to include under the barn. This unenviable task had fallen to Qakisst who could use his minor magics to keep the worst of the stench at bay; and to Sapphire due to her divine immunity to disease.

Under that floor they had found the Hambley family savings, squirled away inside a burried and locked chest. Konnor had seemed particularly pleased with himself for insisting they come back; until both Caleb and Qakisst said simultaniously, “We had better turn it in to Sir Jasper at the Merchanile office to see if any relatives lay claim to it.” Seeing Sapphire agree with them; Konnor had rolled his eyes but not protested.

The extended search had taken nearly three hours, which Serren had used to heal up and feed the couple that they had rescued. The pair were etremely weak; but once the Inheritor’s gifts given through Sapphire had burned away the ghoul fever the pair were found to be healthy enough to ride.

At Luthor’s insistance Serren rode one of the horses so that she could be at the same level as her charges should they need attention. The group piled what salvage they had found onto the bitting nag and started off for Sandpoint.

The rain started about twenty minutes out from the south gate. Qakisst trudged along behind the horses feeling miserable as steam rolled off his soaked clothing. Everybody seemed as miserable as possible but Qakisst felt particularly foul.

He had nearly killed someone. No, he had nearly killed two someones. If ever he needed proof that he was not a hero this was it.

The group slogged through south gate with no more than a nod to the duty watchman who did not come out of his guard shack as he waved the all too familiar heroes in. Horses were quickly turned over to Master Hosk for care at Goblin Squash Stables and the group stood just inside the stable doors looking out into the rain.

“This isn’t going to quit any time soon, is it?” Sapphire held her hand out the stable door to sample the rain.

“It’ll be like this till morning, and probably half of tomorrow too.” Caleb pulled up his hood and looked around at everybody. “Best to get these two up to temple where they can get proper care. Then I think it best that we stick together tonight till Sapphire and Serren clear the lot of us as fever free.”

“What?” Konnor seemed indignant at the idea of spending the night in close quarters.

“Good idea, Caleb. Hey Qakisst, can we borrow the floor in your house?” Sapphire shook the water from her cloak before pulling it back on.

“My house?” Qakisst looked back at Sapphire in surprise as he rearranged the gear in his pack.

“Oh, good idea. If any of us do get sick we don’t want to risk spreading it to anybody at the Dragon or at temple.” Caleb grabbed a pair of horse blankets to cover the Guffmin’s for the trip up the hill to temple.

“I thought you had to be bitten to catch ghoul fever.” Konnor raised an eyebrow behind his mask.

“No, not specifically. But that is the most likely way. The infection can come from any infected fluids, and we all got pretty covered in gore. Best to be sure.” Serren looked out the doorway at the pouring rain as she answered.

“I guess you can use my house. I only have one bed though; and there’s no food in my place to speak of.” Qakisst shrugged. He didn’t particularly feel like company, but he didn’t particularly fell like being alone either.

“Flip you for the bed, Sapphire.” Serren smiled at Sapphire in mock challenge.

“I don’t need the bed if it comes to that, Serren.” Sapphire looked at Qakisst still fussing over his pack.

“Anybody sleeping in my bed is sleeping with me; and I sleep naked when I am home.” Qakisst pulled his pack back over his shoulders and looked at Caleb. “I will go to the Dragon and get food for everybody. Konnor, can you give me a hand?” Konnor nodded but did not voice his reply.

“That sounds reasonable to me, Qakisst. How about you, Sapphire?” Serren smiled at Qakisst, who’s eyes shot wide in response.

Sapphire coughed in surprise, “Hot stuff here isn’t my type. You can have the bed.” She then stepped out into the rain followed by Caleb and the Guffmins. Konnor laughed behind his mask and followed them.

“Ummmm…” The color drained from Qakisst’s face as he stood there unable to speak.

“You are such a terrible slut, Serren.” Luthor shook his head and followed the crowd out into the rain.

“Amaaaa…”

“You’re such a prude, Luthor.” Serren looked back into the stable door at Qakisst. “Don’t worry. I respect my elders properly, Mr. Vishtani.” Serren’s devil may care grin brought a loud laugh from Luthor as Qakisst found himself standing alone in the rain.

“I’m telling your friend, Laurie. Caleb’s sister too.” Konnor slapped Qakisst on the shoulder and pulled him out in the rain to get food from the dragon.

The Exchange

I loved the movie Inception; didn't you? Laranys is back; or is she?

A Dream within a Dream:

Qakisst fumed in the dreaming. He felt uncomfortable and out of place. He was certain that he could feel the hard floor of his sitting room where he knew his physical body lay while he slept.

“This is my house,” his dreaming mind thought as he struggled to scan through the books laid out before him in the grand library. The table before him shook where his hands had slapped the surface. For the first time ever Qakisst became aware of the vast crowd in the library as they looked up at him.

As Qakisst cringed at having disturbed the dreaming studies of his fellow dawnflowers they turned back to their own tasks and faded from his mind. Knowing that his mood would not allow him to study the books he had requested Qakisst quietly closed them and left the building without comment. As he strolled out onto the large balcony along the front of the library that overlooked the grand gardens where he usually spent his time in the dreaming, Qakisst found himself wrapped unexpectedly in warm and loving arms.

“My friend!” The voice of Dawnflower Laranys of Absalom filled his ears as she hugged him from behind.

“Şafağın bir kez daha bizi bir araya getiriyor. Hello Laranys.” Qakisst gripped her arms that wrapped around his chest from behind and he felt the tension leave him mortal body so far away in the living world. “You are well?”

“I am. More so than you I think.” Laranys turned Qakisst in her hands and held him at arm’s length to look at him. “You are troubled, my friend. Walk in the garden with me and tell me how you and Laurie are doing.” Qakisst scowled slightly and looked away for a brief moment before looking back to Laranys.

“We are not doing well I am afraid.” Qakisst ran his fingers across his eyes then around his horns to rub his own hair. “Neither Sandpoint’s chosen guardians or Laurie and I.”

“Awwwe…,” Laranys took Qakisst’s hand and squeezed it tight. “What has happened between you and Laurie?”

“That is easy. I like Laurie, but I do not love her. I never have felt that strong an attachment to her.” Qakisst turned to walk with Laranys to the gardens and frowned as he spoke. “I have even been honest about that from the beginning with her; but she clings to the hope that I will fall in love with her and whisk her off her feet.”

“Are you certain? You were spending an awful lot of time with her before I left Sandpoint.” Laranys leaned forward to look into Qakisst’s eyes.

“I am, m’Lady.” Qakisst smiled back at Laranys with a wicked grin. “I would have happily spent my evenings with you; but I knew that you would not have been so inclined.” Laranys’ eyes shot wide and she self-consciously pulled her hand back from his to cover her heart.

“Qakisst!”

“Do not worry, my friend. I knew the first night when I saw you sweating under the attention of Lord Foxglove that you were not ready for or interested in a romantic relationship.” Qakisst smiled and danced around Laranys with amazing grace. “I am still very proud to have rescued you without any anterior motivation.”

“Are you so sure?” Laranys looked sideways at her friend as they strolled down the grand stairs leading into the gardens.

“Most assuredly.” Qakisst smiled. “I had so much attention that night all I could think of was escaping and hiding. I was trying to do so when I saw you looking harried and harrowed by Foxglove.” Qakisst reached over and grasped Laranys’ hand, pulled it to his lips and kissed it before releasing his grip and spinning into the garden. “That is when I realized we would always be friends.”

“If you had been this charming then I might have swooned that night.” Laranys feigned week kneed distress which made Qakisst laugh.

“I was glad to rescue you from unwanted attentions.” Qakisst’s expression became more sorrowful. “I fear that Lord Foxglove is not the beneficent sponsor we had once thought.”

“Oh?” The startled distress broke through Laranys’ more playful expression.

“There have been several murders in Sandpoint.” Qakisst locked eyes with Laranys and his sour mood returned full force. “At each event a letter has been left for Sapphire from somebody calling himself ‘Your Lordship’ insisting that she join his pack.”

“His pack?”

“Yes, and there are ghouls involved.” Qakisst turned slightly to the side and looked down; but his eyes locked onto Laranys’ face to see her reaction.

“Ghouls? Are you certain?” Shocked disbelief showed on her face as Laranys looked back at Qakisst.

“Yes.” Qakisst looked away for a moment before looking back at Laranys. “The Craesby family who serve as groundskeepers for the Foxglove estate were, I do not know how to say it,… unmade?” Qakisst shivered as he spoke. “As were the Hambley family who ran the farm closest to Foxglove Manor. It was infested with more than a dozen ghouls.”

“Oh! I wish I was there to help.” Laranys looked over Qakisst then turned him to his right and pulled back his vest to reveal his shoulder. The somewhat startled Qakisst began to protest until Laranys poked him where he had been bitten earlier by one of the creatures at the Hambley farm. Qakisst grimaced in pain as Laranys poked his shoulder. “Oh no.”

“I am infected, am I not?” Qakisst looked away briefly. “It is okay. Sapphire is with us and we are locked safely in my cottage. I have time.” Laranys threw her arms around Qakisst and hugged him tight.

“Qakisst I…” Tears welled up in Laranys’ eyes.

“Do not cry.” Qakisst stepped back and wiped away her tears with his thumbs as he cradled her face in his hands. “Sapphire insists that she can cure this taint and I believe in her. Plus I still feel the Dawnflower calling to me softly in the distance. I will be fine and so will the others.”

“I know. I just…”

“We miss you too heart-sister.” Qakisst hugged Laranys once more then whispered to her. “I hear her calling to you. It must be morning where you are.”

“I want to stay longer.” Laranys held tight to him as she slowly faded out of the dreaming to awaken someplace across the inner see on a ship bound for Absalom.

“Go with the morning’s blessings, little sister.” Qakisst smiled as he found himself holding air. The warmth of the sun shown upon his shoulders and he turned.

“I am sorry to say that she will not remember but faint glimpses of this dream, Hearth-Heart.” The Dawnflower floated just out of reach behind Qakisst, her wings spread wide in the glory of the sun.

“She will not?” Qakisst turned and glanced up, then bowed politely and briefly; though he did not kneel.

“Not all of my followers remember their time in the dreaming. For most it is like a distant memory long forgotten that still guides their waking thoughts.” The Dawnflower smiled down at him. “And I see you are coming to grips with the knowledge that this place is real and that I am Sarenrae.” Qakisst blushed slightly and looked away.

“I hope that our conversation does not give Laranys any distress in her waking hours.” Qakisst glanced up at the goddess as she floated above him.

“I cannot say with certainty, but you can probably expect a letter around mid-winter from her.” Sarenrae smiled down at him and began to rise into the air. “And you are not so far behind Laranys’ time that it is not also time for you to rise.”

Qakisst’s eyes opened slowly in the semi-lit sitting room where he slept on the floor with Caleb and Luthor. He could see that Konnor’s bedroll was empty and glanced out through the hanging bead curtain that covered the door to his public room where Konnor sat reading a book by candle light.

Qakisst quietly slipped clear of his bedroll and pulled on his vest before padding barefoot into the front room. He moved quietly enough that Konnor did not look up, and stepped up to look over his shoulder. Konnor turned to speak then surged up to grab at him startling Qakisst. He stumbled backward and tripped over something spilling himself onto the floor in the sitting room.

In horror Qakisst looked at the deformed and twisted face of Konnor through the cracked porcelain mask. Konnor’s features had pulled taught and his skin had turned gray. The masked Konnor hissed at him with hunger.

Qakisst panicked and grabbed for Caleb’s foot to shake him awake. The young ranger turned and hissed though a gaunt and greenish face. Qakisst scrambled to get away from Caleb and saw Luthor turning over, his skin also gaunt and greenish. Both warriors reached for Qakisst who scrambled through the curtain covering the door to his bedroom where he expected to find Sapphire and Serren sleeping.

Arms grabbed at him from behind and tore at his vest as he struggled to his feet and turned to run for the back door to his kitchen. Qakisst slammed through the hard wooden door to the kitchen and slammed it shut throwing his back against the door. Standing before him in a great woodland clearing were Sapphire, Serren, and Tessa around a great black cooking pot chanting. Their bare midrifts were scared and bloody with the mark of the Mother of Monsters.

“So glad you could join us, Qakisst.” The unexpected voice came from the cauldron that the three women attended to. Qakisst stepped forward slowly, unable to control his limbs. He craned his neck to peer into the cauldron where the voice came from. Floating in the inky black liquid steeped in the pot floated Nualia’s head; smiling at him. “WHY DIDN”T YOU SAVE ME!” The head screamed at him as the three witch like women grabbed him and pushed him head first into the cauldron.

The Exchange

I have spent forever working on the story of Misgivings. I'm pulling my hair out, and those of you that met me at Gen Con this year know that there isn't much to lose. I finally managed to grind out the first chapter of Misgivings, and have begun working on the next one.

Dancing in the Parlor:

The soft voice of the Dawnflower yanked him clear of the dream just as Qakisst screamed in terror. He sat bolt upright from his place on the floor and smashed his horns into Sapphire’s forehead knocking her backward. In total panic he spun around flinging his bedding around the room and sending everybody scattering.

“KISST!” The loud bark of Caleb’s voice caught his attention and the two men locked eyes. Slowly the panic faded from Qakisst’s eyes and he slumped to sit on the floor among the scattered bedding. “Are you okay, Kisst?”

“Here Sapphire, let me help you.” Luthor helped Sapphire to her feet from where she had fallen when Qakisst had unexpectedly sat up. She held her face just above her right eye and shook her head.

Qakisst sat panting as if he had just run a marathon and looked up at Sapphire. “Sorry.”

“My fault. I shouldn’t have tried to wake you.” Sapphire’s hand glowed with the bluish green light of healing magic as she moved to kneel next to Qakisst. “Especially not when you have been infected with something as nasty as ghoul fever.” She knelt in front of him and motioned for him to turn his left shoulder to her. “Don’t be shy now, Junior.”

Qakisst chuckled as Sapphire spoke in her best imitation of Tessa and turned sideways. “Funny Sapphire. I am glad you did wake me.” He shuddered at the remembered dream.

Sapphire ran her hands over the bite marks on Qakisst’s arm and shoulder. Qakisst winced in pain. “Not so bad, is it Qakisst?” The bluish green energy flowed across his skin as it attacked the barely noticeable fever and knitted back together the bite marks that had come open over the night.

“I have endured worse.” Qakisst smiled up at Sapphire as he spoke, “But I will gladly forgo a repeat if possible.”

Sapphire’s hand slid past Qakisst’s shoulder to run along the spider web pattern of whip scars that covered his back. “I see that. I bet there’s one hell of a story to go with those.” Her expression of concern and understanding calmed Qakisst more than he thought possible. “When you are ready. I don’t imagine you share that information with many people.”

As Sapphire stood she ruffled his hair and declared Qakisst hail and hearty, “He’ll live now; provided he quits charging into the enemy’s teeth.”

“Sapphire!”

“If he does it again I’ll take his spear away and hang him up by his horns.” Caleb stepped back into the room with his hands full of bread and fruit. He looked down at Qakisst and glowered, “My sister said to tell you good morning, cousin.”

“You saw Cassidy this morning?” Qakisst sat up tall even as he blushed a deep maroon in color. Caleb simply growled and tossed an apple at him.

“Down, loverboy. We have work to do.” Sapphire handed Qakisst his shirt and vest. Put yourself together and let’s get moving.

Qakisst took little time to ready himself and soon enough the six heroes were on the Lost Coast Road heading south out of Sandpoint. After yesterday’s adventure in the fields of the Hambley farm, and knowing that they would likely have to leave horses untended they walked. The group did not arrive at the edge of the Foxglove estate until nearly noon.

The sky had remained overcast through their long march but a light rain started just before the group passed the Hambley farm. As they approached the grounds of Misgivings the rain picked up and lightning streaked across the sky. The heavily armored Sapphire and Luthor looked at each other and bolted for the doors of the manor quickly followed by the others.

As Konnor bounded up onto the entry porch he looked at Sapphire with a grin, “I thought you weren’t scared of anything.”

Sapphire scoffed as she shook the water from her cloak, “There is fear and there is respect. I do not have to fear weather to respect its power.”

“Yeah, right.” Konnor adjusted his mask and shook his head. “Let’s see if this key we found works.”

Konnor fitted the key that had been retrieved from one of the ghouls on the Hamley farm into the lock and it turned with a faint grind. Click. Konnor looked over his shoulder at his companions as they gathered on the porch; then turned the door knob on the grand old estate doors.

With a gentile push the doors opened slowly. Rust in the hinges creaked and ground but did not stop the door. “After you Sapphire.” Konnor stood up and stepped out of the way.

Sapphire slipped into the entry followed by Caleb then Luthor. Caleb paused and looked back. Just off the porch Loki bounced back and forth. The big wolf growled softly and simply would not step up onto the porch.

“Come on Loki. Heal.” At Caleb’s command Loki grew even more agitated then bolted away from the mansion past the well in the overgrown front lawn and into the brush and rocks surrounding the estate. Caleb looked at Sapphire then Luthor, “Well that’s not good.”

“You do not suppose he is playing a prank on you, do you Caleb?” Qakisst fidgeted on the porch looking back at where Loki had run.

“Prank?” Serren looked from Qakisst to Caleb as she stepped in through the now wide open doors to the mannor. Qakisst followed her with a nervous scowl as Konnor brought up the rear.

“Not this time, Cousin. Somemat has him scared.” Caleb walked about the entry room looking up and about as he did so.

The main entrance to Foxglove manor was dominated by the massive form of a stuffed manticore; with its wings stretched high toward a vaulted ceiling. The walls about the entry were covered in mounted trophies from beasts hunted all across Avistan and as far away as the Mwangi Expanse. By habit, both Qakisst and Serren’s eyes fluttered and unfocussed. The two began to scan the room for hints of magic that might give some clue as to what the group was looking for.

“Hey look at this?” Konnor scanned down the walls at the endless collection of stuffed and mounted creatures until he came to the head of a monkey mounted with its mouth wide open as if screeching out a warning. Dangling from the mouth hung a simple pull cord chain.

“Wait!” Qakisst reached out and grabbed Konnor’s hand just before he grasped the pull cord. “That is magical.”

“What?” Konnor’s hand moved back reflexively, “The monkey head is magical? Cool; what does it do?”

“I do not know.” Qakisst stared intently through unfocused eyes. “It is some kind of abjuration.”

Caleb turned to look back at Qakisst from a set of double doors leading to another room. “What is adjudication magic?” Serren chucked from where she stood examining the east wall.

Qakisst looked over his shoulder at Caleb and smirked. “Abjuration is the art of magical defense. Wizards that specialize in abjuration create charms and protective items. They are tough as hell to harm when it comes to it.”

Konnor reached back up to try and pull the monkey head from the wall. “So this will protect me. Nice.”

“Stop it, Konnor!” Qakisst gripped Konnor’s arm. “I have no idea if it protects the person pulling the cord, protects a member of the Foxglove family, protects the house, or just sets off an alarm.”

“Carful Konnor, you’ll wind up trapped in a resilient sphere or something crazy.” Serren moved to the bottom of a grand staircase on the east wall. “Up first of around the first floor to start?”

Thunder shook the building and the wind outside picked up speed. Both entry doors leading to the porch slammed shut with a thunderous crash. Everybody jumped to turn to the entrance except Sapphire. The Iomedaean paladin shrugged and started for the first door in the north wall in front of Caleb. The sound or rain started and the sky darkened.

“Good thing we got here before the storm dumped buckets of rain on us.” Sapphire then gripped the door handle and pushed. Luthor grunted in response as everybody else turned back to Sapphire as she pushed into a long hallway that went to the right. A single door stood directly across from her.

“Keeping to the left, right?” Sapphire looked over her shoulder then stepped across and opened the second door into what looked like a small if functional ballroom.

Upon her entrance into the room a grand fireplace in the west wall erupted in fire to light the room. “Sapphire, wait.” Caleb rushed into the room behind her and froze in his tracks. “Melissa?”

“Who?” Qakisst followed Caleb into the room trailed by Serren and Luthor as Konnor worked to remove the mounted monkey head from the wall just outside the room.

Without comment, Caleb’s arms came up into a near perfect dance pose as if some invisible partner were folding herself into his arms. He then started about the room in a traditional Chelish waltz. The eerie silence combined with Caleb’s perfect posture and steady movement to an unseen orchestra had everybody else turning and looking about while drawing weapons.

Sapphire stepped into the center of the room and spun about looking for some source of unholy corruption. “He won’t even dance with me when asked, but he’ll take up with just any old ghost.” As Sapphire scanned the room and Caleb continued to dance with a horrifyingly happy grin on his face. “Show yourself, fiend!” As she spoke, Sapphire held forth the Inheritor’s blade she weald and a pulse of radiant healing energy flooded out across the room.

Briefly, the outline of a beautiful woman appeared outlined in Caleb’s arms then faded out of existence as the positive energies of the Inheritor broke the spirit’s connection to the living world. Caleb instantly returned to his less light footed self and staggered to a stop.

“Wha… What just..?” Caleb stood stunned and slowly spun toward the rest of the party.

“Haunts.” Serren stood nervously inside the door next to Luthor.

“What’s with the green glow on the walls?” Konnor stepped up behind Serren and Qakisst holding the monkey head under his arm.

“Wha… Oh. Phosphorescent mold. Looks like a thin layer on all the walls.” Caleb slowly turned around. “Was I…”

“Yes.” Sapphire looked Caleb up and down, “Almost as well as Qakisst. So, who’s Melissa?”

“What?” Caleb turned back to Sapphire then glanced at Qakisst and Konnor. “Oh, nobody.”

Qakisst rolled his eyes, “She left like six years ago, Caleb. You can let go now.” Qakisst moved into the room with more surety now and traced Caleb’s dance expertly across the floor. “Traditional Chelish waltz, basic steps, very formal pattern. Probably a noble.”

“Can you prove that, Qakisst?” Serren raised an eye as she watched him tracing through the dance steps on the ground.

“No. Just an observation.” Qakisst now stood next to Caleb and looked around the room. “Nobles dance because it is an expectation, so they tend to be very formal and traditional. Varisi dance for fun and tend to be very open in dance style. Chelish men dance like nobles if at all, Chelish women dance like they’re afraid.” Qakisst turned and smiled, “Sorry, it is a passion.”

Caleb shuddered, “No, no. It’s good Kisst. Never thought your love of dance would do you any good but get you punched by somebody’s brother.”

“Are you going to punch me?” Qakisst smiled at Caleb.

Sapphire stood near the center of the room and turned looking up at the ceiling. “Any idea who’s spirit was trying to dance with you, Caleb?”

“No. But I saw her.” Caleb looked around, “Did anybody else see her?” Nervous replies of no, or barely came back to Caleb who seemed unsettled. “Oh.”

“Don’t worry Caleb. We know you saw her. You were caught in the haunt.” Serren slowly scoped the room in othersight as Caleb and Sapphire stood in the center looking about. “Describe her.”

Caleb paled slightly, “Uh, Okay. She was tall, slender, young, bronze haired. She kept it in a simple style, more like mother’s hair.” Caleb jerked around and looked at Qakisst. “She was Varisi, but wearing expensive Chelish clothes. And happy, right until the last moment. Then she was angry, almost maniacal.”

“That tells me that her danve partner was probably a Chelish noble. Lord Foxglove?” Qakisst looked around, “Or perhaps his father?”

Sapphire looked in Caleb’s eyes, “This whole place radiated evil. Whatever happened here corrupts everything.”

“I bet it’s a lich.” Konnor stood by the servant’s entrance at the back of the room examining the door frame. The rest of the room turned and just stared. “Definitely a house lich.”

The Exchange

I really started to hate the manor pretty quickly.

Skinsaw: Angels and Butterfly Wings:

After berating Konnor for trying to spook people the group moved through the next room where they found a badly diseased rat trapped in a washtub. Caleb split the rat in two inside the tub before it could escape and the party moved on to what appeared to be a sitting room, thick with dust and disuse. A second door led out of the sitting room in the back right corner.

“Serren, don’t move.” At Konnor’s warning the others turned and saw dusty footprints pacing back and forth across the section of floor that Serren had just stepped into. Serren froze as the color drained from her face.

“What do we do?” Caleb whispered in a nervous tone.

Sapphire raised her holy symbol as if to act but Luthor covered it with his armored fist, “Wait. There will likely be worse things that this.”

As the others watched Serren began to fidget and mumble to herself, “Got to get out, got to get out, got to get out!” With supernatural speed she reached out and grabbed Qakisst by the arm and started moving for the door only to stop after a single step.

“Um, Serren?” Qakisst quietly prodded the still pale shaman with the crossbar on this spear.

“I am fine.” Serren sounded anything but fine as she shook off the unexpected control of the haunt that had tried to seize her mind.

“Are you sure, Serren?” Luthor’s uncharacteristic concern make Sapphire smile.

“Can I have my arm back, please?” Qakisst looked down where Serren still held him by the arm. The rest of the party looked at her as she slowly released her grip on Qakisst.

“I…” Serren looked around somewhat bewildered.

“Step over here away from the window, Serren.” Caleb motioned her away from where she stood. “What did you see?”

“I,… Um. I didn’t see anything. I felt. I felt the need to leave, to run. And to get my child out…” Serren blushed and looked at Qakisst, “Sorry; I felt the need to try and save my child before the house could,… could kill me.”

“House lich. I’m telling all of you.” Konnor knelt by the door in the back right corner listening through the keyhole. “House lich.”

“Shut up, Konnor.” The chorus of voiced silenced the young drow.

“Do you know who it was that needed to excape?” Sapphire turned back to Serren, “Who was this parent and who was the child?”

“I don’t know.” Serren shook her head.

“How much does anybody here know about Lord Foxglove’s family and history?” Luthor looked from the party to Konnor by the door.

“Ummm. Na’ much. He’s a noble from Magnimar that comes up to Sandpoint sometimes to hunt.” Caleb scratched his head. “I think he has family in Korvosa. Tha’s all I know.”

“Okay, then let’s move on.” Sapphire stepped up to behind Konnor. “Go ahead and open the door, sneaky.”

Konnor gave Sapphire a dirty look then returned his attention to the door. “Its not locked, but it is stuck.” The thin dark elf stood up out of the way.

“Is it trapped?” Caleb moved up to in front of the door.

“This whole place is a house lich trap.” Konnor ducked just before Sapphire could swat him in the back of the head as Caleb kicked the door open.

“So much for subtlety.” Serren sighed, “You fit right in with this group, Luthor.”

Caleb stepped carefully into the next room. A large mahogany table surrounded by high-backed chairs dominated the room covered by a moldy white cloth. Cobweb-choked the chandelier hanging from the ceiling above. Twin fireplaces loom to the west around a grand entrance that opened back up onto the mail entry, while to the east, a bank of stained glass windows obscures what could have been a breathtaking view of the Lost Coast.

“Well this is interesting.” Sapphire stepped unfront of the great stained glass windows. Each of the windows depicted a stylized monster rising out of smoke pouring from an intricate seven-sided box covered with spiky runes. “Hey Qakisst, what do you make of this?”

Qakisst looked from north to south at the four great beasts memorialized in glass that depicted a gnarled and tangled tree with an enraged face, an immense hook-beaked bird with sky-blue and gold plumage, a winged centaur-like creature with a lion’s lower body and a snarling woman’s upper torso, and a deep blue squid-like creature with evil red eyes.

“Well; that first one is a treant. The third one is a sphinx and the forth a kraken. At a guess I would say the second is a roc and not a gryphon. Interesting choices.” Qakisst moved slowly to stand at the center of the four images.

“it looks like they are erupting out of those boxes at the bottom of each image.” Konnor pointed to the base of each image where a small stylized box rested hidden in a smoky glaze of the glass.

“I am not so sure.” Qakisst knelt to examine the box under the sphinx. “It almost looks like they are being pulled into the boxes. Look here.” Qakisst pointed to the box within the image under the sphinx. “This writing on the box. That is not an entrapment spell. That is a binding spell.”

Luthor and Caleb turned to look at Qakisst from where they had been examining the table. “I don’t see the difference, Cousin.” Caleb scrunched up his face in confusion.

“Are you sure, Qakisst?” Serren knelt beside Qakisst to look closer at the image.

“Kesinlikle.” Qakisst looked back at Caleb. “Entrapment spells capture physical things. Bindings capture souls or spirits. This is necromantic writing.” Qakisst stood up and stepped back from the glass windows as he shivered. “I think who ever designed these windows was trying to depict binding the souls of these creatures.”

“Yer kidding, right?” Caleb stepped up to stand next to Qakisst.

“House li…”

“SHUT UP, KONNOR!” The entire group barked at Konnor, who jumped slightly.

“Gezz, a guy can’t even have a little fun.” Konnor knelt at the door opposite the one they had entered through. Finding no traps he pushed the door open to look in upon a well-appointed, if untidy library. “Hey guys, found the study. And something happened here recently.”

The other five turned from studying the stained glass windows to look past Konnor into the next room.

“I doubt we’ll learn much more staring at this glass.” Serren shrugged and turned to head into the next room.

All six heroes hesitated at the doorway to the study. Serren, Qakisst, and Konnor all scoped the room in othersight before Sapphire finally entered the room. Two voluptuously stuffed chairs sat before a fireplace on the east wall. The further chair was tipped over on its side. Every available inch of wall space features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with books, their spines riddled with mold. A brightly colored scarf, its reds and golds contrasting sharply with the drab, moldy palette of the room, lay draped over the side of the fallen chair. A single book, open and face-down, sat on the floor between the chairs.

Slowly the others followed Sapphire into the room. “Don’ touch anything, people.”Caleb’s cautious warning hardly seemed necessary.

“It looks like there is blood over here, Caleb.” Sapphire carefully knelt next to the fireplace, disturbing nothing. As Caleb came to check out Sapphire’s find the rest of the party moved slowly to check the books along the shelves and the door in the west nook. “Be extra careful, people. It looks like there was violence in here which increases…”

Sapphire did not finish her statement. As she looked up she saw Caleb suspended in the air by the red scarf that had been draped over the tipped over chair. His fingers dug at the edges of the scarf that had wrapped tight around his throat and was lifting him off the ground without any apparent attacker.

“Inheritor release you!” Sapphire’s cry caught everybody’s attention and the group turned just in time to see Caleb crash to the floor grasping for breath. The spark of positive energy erupting from the holy symbol in Sapphire’s outstretched hand cascaded across the room and the house itself seemed to protest.

“Caleb!” Qakisst rushed forward to help Caleb sit up. The young ranger coughed and sputtered as he righted himself. “Blessed Redeemer, are you…”

Caleb coughed and gasped for air. “Aldern… cough, cough. Ahgg.” Caleb jerked upright as Qakisst called up a minor healing spell. “Damn it, Kisst. Why does that have to hurt so much?”

“To remind you that the god’s gifts are not free.” Qakisst shrugged.

“What about Aldern?” Sapphire seemed both worried and angry all at once as she knelt next to Caleb.

“I think he killed his wife.” Caleb stared blankly back at Sapphire. “I think he strangled her right here.”

“What?” Sapphire looked wide eyed back at Caleb.

“I think, cough, cough…” Caleb started coughing again.

“Hold on.” Luthor looked over Caleb’s shoulder. “Strangulation doesn’t leave blood.”

“She was’na alone.” Caleb picked up the book and turned it up to see the page that Aldern Foxglove’s wife had been looking at the night she died. The book described Varisi traditional foods, but the pages were splattered with blood.

Behind her, Sapphire heard Konnor stand up from the fire place. “Looks like this is the other murder weapon.” Sapphire turned to see Konnor holding up a stone bookend, carved to look like a praying angel with butterfly wings, with one wing snapped off. Dried blood covered the statue along with hair and skin. “This was in the fire place, but the fire hasn’t been lit in months. The dust in this room says that it hasn’t been disturbed in at least a month or two.

“But that would mean that…” Qakisst paused and looked at Caleb and Konnor.

“What, Qakisst?” Sapphire looked down at Qakisst.

“All of this started before the goblin attack on Sandpoint.” Qakisst began to scowl, “It means that we saved his life right after he had murdered somebody. Now he has murdered maybe a dozen somebodies!” Qakisst could feel the anger seeping out of his self like licks of flame searing his fingertips.

Sapphire gripped Qakisst’s shoulders, “You can’t tell who deserves to live or die at a glance, Qakisst.”

“But all those farmers. Katrine…” Qakisst stood up, anger still flashing in his eyes.

“Are blood on his hands, not ours.” Caleb reached up and gripped Qakisst’s arm, “Pull me up, cousin. Lets go make sure he pays for his crimes.”

Ooops. I quit tagging all the pages written for Skinsaw properly. Everything since June till now has been a part of Skinsaw Murders.

The Exchange

Scream, monkey, scream.

Skinsaw: The Dark Abyss:

Chapter 19: The six left the library and found themselves in a small drawing room. A quick glance out the window startled Sapphire as the reflection looking back was not her own. Anger rose in the pit of her stomach as she remembered Aldern being so eager to dance with her shortly after she first arrived in Sandpoint a month ago.

As Sapphire stomped out of the drawing room into the main entry the rest of the group followed. “Sapphire?” Caleb touched her shoulder cautiously. “Are you okay?”

Sapphire looked back at Caleb as everybody else piled in to the entry, “She was a beautiful woman.”

“Sapphire?” Caleb looked wide eyed at her.

“I saw her reflection in the window just a moment ago. A haunted image, but beautiful.” Sapphire looked down then up at Caleb. “I’m going to make sure he pays the price for his crimes.”

“AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!” Behind Sapphire Qakisst screamed. The entire party turned to see him staring at the great stuffed manticore that dominated the entry. Smoke rolled off of Qakisst’s body as if he would burst into flames at any moment. His scream echoed throughout the house as his hair turned to ash and began to blow away, smoke poured out of his body for several moments before he dropped to his knees with tears in his eyes.

“Sweet Desna.” Caleb paled unable to move even as he asked the Traveler for help.

“Qakisst!” Sapphire threw her cloak over the top of Qakisst and pulled him to the ground. His skin was hot to the touch but cooling already. The young ifrit looked wide eyed up at Sapphire when she uncovered his face from her cloak. “Qakisst, are you…”

The now bald Qakisst shuddered as tears rolled out if his eyes. “Ateşi.”

“You can’t be hurt by fire, Qakisst.” Sapphire pulled him up into a tight embrace as Qakisst shook.

“Aldern annesinin. Burada yanarak öldü.” Qakisst fumbled in his own mind for the words to speak. Konnor gripped Sapphire’s shoulder and looked down at Qakisst.

“He said Foxglove’s mother burned to death in this room.” Konnor looked over Sapphire’s shoulder at Qakisst. “You look funny bald.”

“Siktir git.” Qakisst snarled at Konnor as he gathered his wits and Sapphire helped him to his feet. He ran his hand across his scalp dusting the ash that had been his hair away and new hair grew in its place. “Nywele za.”

“What was that last part?” Konnor looked confused at Qakisst, but Serren laughed from behind them.

“Just the verbal for a cantrip, Konnor.” The Pathfinder smiled, “I think he’s done telling you what you can do with yourself.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, Kisst?” Caleb looked all around the great entrance as he spoke. “I wonder why that didn’t hit any of us when we first entered the house?”

“Because it did not want to scare us away before we got deeper into the house.” Qakisst looked around him and shuddered. “It does not want us to flee.”

“It?” Serren stepped carefully in front of Qakisst and looked into his eyes. “The haunt I encountered wanted to flee desperately. You’re not referring to the haunts that seem bound up in this place, are you?”

“Hayır.” Qakisst shuddered again then looked all around. “The house is not just haunted. I think it is possessed.”

“House lich.” This time the party did not cut Konnor off. They simply turned and stared at him. “What?”

“Shut up Konnor and find us the servant’s stairs.” Caleb looked up the grand staircase to his right and made a funny face.

“Why not just…” Caleb cut Konner off before he could finish his question.

“Because if Foxglove is around, he doesn’t use the servant’s stairs.” Caleb looked from Luthor to Sapphire, to Serren. “Any objections?” Nobody objected.

Konnor quickly found stairs leading up from the grand hall behind the stuffed manticore. Everybody noted that Qakisst stayed as far from the manticore as possible. The stairs led up to a landing inside a closed hall off the grand staircase. Just outside the stairwell they found the entrance to a child’s room. Carefully they made a quick inspection, during which Konnor stood up and stepped out into the hallway.

The rest of the party turned at Konnor’s sudden departure. Serren followed him into the hallway to check on him. “Konnor?”

“That was weird.” Konnor shook his head.

“What was…”

“I saw them.” He looked up at Serren. “I think they were Foxglove’s parents. They were fighting, and I mean really fighting.” Konnor scrunched up his face, “I think Foxglove is dead now. I think I was seeing one of his memories.”

As the others piled out of the child’s bedroom they each gave Konnor a sympathetic look. Room after room the party explored; more haunting visions assailing each of them in turn. By the time they had finished exploring the second floor Qakisst was convinced that Konnor’s joking reference to a house lich was far too accurate for comfort. Everybody’s nerves were frayed to near the breaking point when they assented to the third floor.

It was there that they heard a soft voice crying down the hallway. The six adventurers paused and looked at each other. The voice sounded terribly distressed and Sapphire dashed up the hall and around the corner followed by Qakisst then Caleb, Luthor, Serren, and Konnor.

The voice came from the end of the hall on the right. Sapphire reached the door before anybody could stop her and threw open the door. Inside the cold and damp room a few crates lay scattered about. The ceiling sloped down to only four feet high on the northeast, leaving little room. On the far side of the room stood a full sized mirror bound in a dark wooden frame. The figure of a young woman in Chelish clothes but with her hair in the simple long braids of a Varisi wanderer stood. The young woman hid her face from the mirror, crying as if afraid to look; but even more afraid to look away.

Sapphire paused, then looked back at Qakisst and Caleb. “Magical trap?”

“Iesha?” Caleb’s voice cracked as he recognized the woman from the dancing haunt.

“She is not dead, is she?” Qakisst reached past Sapphire with his spear and carefully tipped the mirror up to face the ceiling. The woman before the mirror stood up straight and howled in rage. Her gaunt skin stretched tight over her frame.

“Aldern! Aldern! I can smell your fear! I’ll be in your arms soon, my love!” The hateful snarl gave lie to Iesha’s words as she turned to the party.

“GAH!” Qakisst’s startled cry did not stop him from grabbing Sapphire and preventing the Iomedian warrior from pulling out her sword. “Let her past!” He pressed Sapphire up against the wall and yelled to the others in the hallway just outside the room. “Let her past!”

Iesha scowled at the six intruders into her home, but she did not touch them. She paused only long enough walking past Caleb to turn and look at him before continuing on. Caleb seemed to choke as Iesha looked at him before she rushed for the stairs.

“Quickly, follow her.” Serren’s call set the group into motion.

“Are you nuts?” Konnor yelled out as everybody pushed past him.

“She’s a vengeance spirit.” Serren reached the top of the stairs and saw Iesha at the bottom. “She’ll lead us directly to her killer.” The party gave Serren one last look before rushing after Iesha.

The wailing spirit of Iesha forced her still decaying body down the grand staircase and to the stairwell that led into the basement. Once there the group found themselves assailed by rats that Qakisst quickly torched with a burning hands spell. Iesha ignored the plague of rats and smashed through the door to a long hallway. In the time it took Qakisst to incinerate the rats Iesha’s vengeful spirit drove her body through three more doors. By the time the group caught up with her she was rearing at the floor in a storage room.

“What’s she doing?” Caleb held out his arms and blocked anybody else from following the vengeful spirit. Iesha’s arms smashed down onto the floor cracking the wood flooring.

“Digging.” Konnor shrugged. “Any way we can help?” He looked from Qakisst to Serren.

“Sorry. Not something I ever learned to do.” Qakisst rubbed his own head and shrugged.

“Sorry, Konnor. You might look around and see if we can find a secret passage.

“In this tiny room?” Konnor looked over Caleb and Qakisst’s shoulders at Iesha. “I ain’t getting within arm’s reach or her again if I don’t have too.”

“She will not touch you as long as you don’t get between her and her killer.” Serren moved closer to the frantically digging Iesha and knelt. “Beautiful lady, how can we help you?”

The frantically digging Iesha did not reply to Serren; nor did she waste time. In only ten minutes she smashed through the floor to uncover a hidden staircase that led down into the cliff face beneath Foxglove Manor. “Oh my sweet Aldern. I will see you soon, my love!” The rage in Iesha’s dry croaking voice made everybody shudder.

“Follow her!” Qakisst dashed for the steps and followed Iesha’s vengeful spirit into the dark.

“Damn it, Kisst. Get back here!” Caleb followed them both, with Konnor and Sapphire right on his heels.

Caleb stumbled into the darkness at the bottom of the stairs and paused. He looked left and right on the landing platform when Sapphire touched his shoulder from behind and whispered his name.

“Caleb, hold up.” Sapphire looked behind her. “Konnor, we need light.”

“Got it.” Konnor’s voice came out of the darkness and dancing spheres of light erupted faintly in front of Caleb before dancing about the open cavern at the base of the stairs.

“Aldern!” The cry of Iesha ahead of Caleb drew the group forward. Caleb pulled his weapons and rushed forward toward the angry voice from out of the darkness.

“Caleb! The lights can only move so fast.” Konnor, Sapphire, and then Luthor followed after Caleb.

Serren paused at the bottom of the steps and looked down at the ground. In the muddy ground she found several sets of boots moving in the direction Caleb had moved to follow the wailing voice of Iesha Foxglove. A separate set of prints moved off to the left and down a separate tunnel into the darkness.

Serren scowled and followed the lone set of footprints moving to the left. These prints moved into a narrow tunnel that led some fifty feet into the darkness, but her angelic eyes easily pierced the darkness. Ahead the tunnel curved back toward the right. Serren followed the curve and was just stepping out into a larger open cave when Qakisst grabbed her and pushed her back.

“Geri çekil, Serren!” A monstrous scream punctuated Qakisst’s cry as he pushed Serren back into the narrow tunnel. Behind Qakisst a massive demonic creature with great wing like folds of skin hanging off it’s arms and unimaginatively long fingers lumbered out of the damp dark cave to slam against the entrance of the tunnel. Fire leapt from Qakisst’s fingers to strike the creature even as he pushed Serren back.

“I don’t speak ignan, damn it!” Serren pulled Qakisst backward into the tunnel even as he sent fire back through the tunnel at the massive lumbering creature. “You’ve got a spear, use it!”

Qakisst pulled back into the straightest section of the narrow passageway and again sent fire back up the tunnel to strike the monstrous creature squeezing into the tunnel after them. When Serren grabbed the butt of his spear and shook it he glanced back, heard her yelling in words he did not know before he stopped and set the spear against a charge and knelt in front of Serren.

Serren called out to the spirits of her gods and sent a surge of strength flowing into Qakisst’s arms. Qakisst recognized the enhancement and smiled. As the monstrous creature surged at him in the dark he lunged forward shoving his spear into the creature’s chest. Ichor exploded but the monstrosity continued to lash out even as the metal spear in Qakisst’s hands turned white hot. In the distance he and Serren heard a wild scream like nothing they knew.

--
Caleb swung wildly in the flickering lights of Konnor’s conjuration as yet another ghoul leapt out of the darkness. Sapphire hedged his right and Luthor his left. Konnor stood mouth agape against the left wall as a ghoul covered its ears crouching before him. In Konnor’s hands hung the screaming head of the monkey that had been mounted on the wall near the dining room of the mansion.

Konnor did not move even as the monkey head continued to wail. Blood ran down his arms where the ghoulish creature crouching before him had bitten into him.

“You idiot!” Caleb screamed as he cut the head away from another of their ghoulish attackers. Konnor did not move.

Sapphire smashed one of the creatures before her and nudged Caleb to move to cover Konnor. “He’s not moving. Luthor, Caleb, cover him, quick.”

Luthor moved to his left slightly and smashed the hungry dead creature at Konnor’s feet. “Look up the tunnel! There’s more coming!” As Luthor pulled the massive axe he used up from the now sundered creature at his feet he elbowed Konnor right in the face knocking the dark elf back behind him and to the ground. The monkey head fell to the ground where Luthor smashed it into the mud beneath his boot. “Where is Serren? What happened to your boy, Q?”

“I don’ know, but when we catch up to him I’m going to kill hiiii…” Caleb swung wildly slashing with his kukri at the second wave of charging ghouls when one of them bit into his arm and he found his muscles tightening up. Sapphire could see the panicked look freeze onto Caleb’s face.

“Damnation! Luthor, they got Caleb.” Sapphire mashed the face of the ghoul that had just attacked Caleb then thrust the hilt of her sword forward, the emblem of the Inheritor carved into its pomel. “Blessed Inheritor release these wretched souls!”

With her cry, Sapphire sent the divine energies of life slamming into the hungry dead that assailed her and her friends. The creatures screamed in pain and pulled back from their hoped for meal and yowled at Sapphire. The monstrous humanoids turned and snarled at the hand maiden of the Inheritor as they collected themselves, then they charged.

Luthor heard Sapphire’s cry and moved to push Caleb back behind him where he had unceremoniously dumped Konnor with his elbow. As he did so, the injured ghoul that had paralyzed Konnor grabbed at his leg and clawed into his flesh.

“Well dammmnnnn…” Luthor felt his limbs betray him and stiffen. His barely audible cry caught Sapphire’s attention just as she rush of undeath slammed her back. She barely managed to keep herself between the charging hoard and her companions.

“I will not yield!” Sapphire cried out and smashed yet another decaying skull on one of her ghoulish opponents. The creature buckled and slumped to the ground as its brains spilled out.

Half decayed bodies of the hungry dead began to pile up at Sapphire’s feet as she cleaved too and fro in desperation. Seconds extended into minutes and her enemies seemed endless when she felt teeth sink into her arm where her armor had come loose. “No!” She felt her muscles tighten as toxic death seeped into her blood. “I will not yield!”

Sapphire fought off the paralytic effect of the ghoul and swung, knocking the creature back when fire came out of the darkness behind her and engulfed it. Sapphire did not pause to look. Instead she swung to her right and smashed yet another ghoulish creature opening it’s unliving skull.

“And I thought we had been busy.” Serren moved up beside Sapphire and gripped the paladin by the arm sending healing energy surging into Sapphire.
“Where were you!” Sapphire swung to her left smashing another ghoul as it reached out for Serren.

Qakisst stepped up over Caleb where he lay on the ground. “Ben de Sapphire seni gördüğüme memnun oldum.” His hands stretched out before him and he touched his thumbs together while fanning out his fingers, “Shabiki wa moto.” Fire spread out from his fingers to engulf the tightly packed ghouls.

The stench of burnt flesh filled the cavern as Serren turned and called out to her ancestors for aid. The blue-green energy of life flooded the cavern smashing into the hungry dead overwhelming those that had not been incinerated by Qakisst.

“Caleb, sen iyi misin? Kuzenim!” Healing energy spread out from Qakisst’s fingers across Caleb’s chest where the young ifrit checked his friend’s wounds. “Sapphire?” Qakisst looked up at Sapphire with fear in his eyes.

“I should slap you!” Sapphire smashed the skull of the last moving ghoul and glared back at Qakisst.

“What did I… gahh!! I hate that!” Qakisst pulled Caleb into a sitting position against the wall while looking up at Sapphire.

“Where were you?” Sapphire turned to Qakisst and growled again.

“You were following me!”

“We were following Iesha!”

“Can you two stop yelling.” Serren struggled to pull Luthor into a sitting position.

“Owww.” Konnor groaned lying in the mud.

“I thought I was too. I stuck to the left side of the wall and was following her when she disappeared ahead of me.” Qakisst sent more healing energy into Caleb as the young ranger began to cough and struggle to move. Qakisst moved to kneel in front of Caleb, “Are you okay?”

Sapphire yanked Qakisst to his feet away from Caleb. “I don’t have time for Caleb to kill you right now. His paralysis will wear off in a few more seconds. Go help sneaky.” Caleb’s left hand closed around open air where he had been reaching up for Qakisst. Qakisst looked down at Caleb’s angry expression then moved to help Konnor.

Sapphire pulled Caleb to his feet. “I’ll hold him later while you beat him.”

“Qakisst or Konnor?” Caleb struggled to steady himself as his muscles slowly came back to his control.

“Yes.” Sapphire smiled.

Spanking the Monkey - curing Drizzt 254875.9 of his silliness:

We had cast detect magic on the monkey head found in the foyer area; but nobody had been able to identify it. All we could figure out what that it was some kind of Abjuration magic. Guess what spell is an abjuration spell. Alarm.

The look of Athos' face when our little Drizzt 254875.9 pulled out the monkey head and yanked the cord was priceless. It effectively because the dinner bell for every ghoul in the dungeon. I first posted about this on the board about a year ago; but it has taken a long time to get everything for Skinsaw written into my story/journal. Needless to say, this did cure Drizzt 254875.9 of a lot of his silliness. And nearly getting the party killed really helped straighten out much of the problems we've had with him.

The Exchange

It has taken me a year to get a journal written for the final fight with the Skinsaw Man. Was starting to think I would never get here.

Skinsaw Murders: To dance with the Devil:

The six heroes stood above a pit in the caverns beneath Foxglove Manor. Water swirled and surged in the bottom of the tidal pool that formed the bottom of the pit.

“There must be a tunnel under water that leads out to the sea.” Caleb craned his neck to look down into the pit. A heavy huffing sound filled the cavern as the waters surged up and receded within the pit.

“Shush.” Serren gripped his arm and pointed across the pit where she could just make out in the darkness Ishia pounding on a door along a ledge on the far side.

“I can’t see that far in this darkness, Serren.” Caleb looked to his side at Serren. “I do not have othersight like you or Kisst.”

“Nor can I, and you know it.” Luthor peered over both their shoulders into the darkness. “Othersight? I have never heard darkvision called such a thing.”

“You can discuss semantics later. It is slippery all around the ledge. Have a care, Caleb and keep to your left.” Serren looked back at Sapphire. “You should probably go first, Sappire. You can see and are better armored.”

“No, I’m good. Just have Konnor call up those blue balls of light again.” Caleb moved slowly out onto the ledge from the tunnel they had come out of.

Konnor replied from the back. “Sorry Caleb, I can only manage that gift once a day.”

“I got you, Caleb. Hold up your kukri.” Serren reached out and tapped the guard on Caleb’s kukri as he held it up. Torch-like light erupted around the weapon without heat. In the light just beyond Caleb’s reach, a small emancipated figure howled in rage at the light that had spoiled its surprise.

“Blessed traveler!” Caleb swung around as the small creature leapt at him and found himself struggling to keep the too quick creature from biting him. “Goblins!”

Five other emancipated forms came at Caleb and Serren from both directions around the pit. Their bodies stinking of death, but their oversized goblin heads making them unmistakable.

“Blessed ancestors, I think they’re ghouls.” Serren coughed from the stench as she tried to back away into the tunnel. She brought her holy symbol up and sent a burst of life energy out to try and drive back the foul little creatures. They did not move.

“I got you Serren.” Luthor grabbed his fellow Pathfinder and pulled her clear giving Sapphire space to step up to the ledge.

“You’re not kidding about it being slippery up here, Caleb.” Sapphire swung at one of the foul goblins but found it difficult to connect while trying to keep her footing.

“Onları göremezsiniz ben onları vurmak olamaz!” From the back of the tunnel a bolt of fire shot past everybody to strike one of the deathless goblins. The small creature slipped from the ledge and disappeared into the pit.

“About time you were useful!” Caleb called back at Qakisst as he moved into the spot that the goblin had just vacated. There he could give Sapphire room to move and attack the deathless creatures coming from her right while he attacked to the left.

“You two are hogging all the fun, you know.” Luthor stood with his axe in hand watching the two warriors easily handle the small ghoulish goblins now that they had firm footing.

Within seconds the ambush had been dealt with. Caleb moved to his left and Sapphire to her right onto the ledge overlooking the pool. In the water below the dead bodies of emaciated goblins could be seen bobbing in the surging water. Across the pit, Iesha continued to pound on a heavy metal door mounted in the wall on the narrow ledge.

“What do we do about that?” Sapphire pointed across the pit at the door and looked at Konnor.

“Wait for her to pound it down.” Konnor looked back at her. “What? I’m not getting within arm’s reach of her.

“I will do it.” Qakisst stepped up onto the ledge looking across at Iesha.

“You’ll do what?” Caleb turned to glare at Qakisst. “You can’t melt that door.”
“Piç!” Qakisst stuck his tongue out at Caleb before he continued. “Maybe I cannot lift a dagger off a sleeping man in the market, but I did spend enough time with Szarni to know the basics of getting last a lock.” As Qakisst moved up to the ledge Caleb scowled at him.

“Konnor can do it.” Caleb blocked Qakisst’s path around the ledge.

“Konnor cannot do it!” Konnor indignantly snarled from the back. “Crazy dead woman can do it.”

“Delay is not a good idea.” Serren looked across the pit at Iesha. “She could pound on that door forever, or Foxglove could complete whatever he’s doing in there and come storming out any time now.”

“Not to mention that there’s water all through this place. I think the tides can push sea water up into this cavern through that pit.” Luthor pointed down into the pit were the goblin that had fallen when Qakisst set it on fire tried desperately to climb up, only to be sucked back down by the surging waters. “Hrmm, tough little bastard.” Caleb and Sapphire looked over the edge and frowned.

“Caleb, I can do this.” Qakisst nudged Caleb’s shoulder. “I think she will trust you and I. We are Varisi.”

“Kisst, I can’t just…” Caleb shrugged and looked over his shoulder to where Iesha continued to pound at the steel door.

“We do not have a choice.” Qakisst stepped back and gestured to the tunnel where Caleb would have to step to let him past.

Caleb stepped out of the way and glowered towards Konnor. “Something happens to him and I’m taking it out of your hide.”

“Something happens to him it just proved that I’m right.” Konnor glared back at Kaleb. “I still vote we let the crazy dead woman pound the door down.

As Caleb and Konnor argued Qakisst moved along the ledge followed by Sapphire. “You sure you can do this, Qakisst?”

“I think I have too. It just may take me some time.” Qakisst moved slowly, making sure that he kept his footing on the slick ledge. “You should probably stay back a little bit. If you slip, we will not have any way to get you out of that pit.”

“Not leaving you alone, Qakisst.” Sapphire smiled. “The Inheritor would never forgive me for leaving a friend alone.”

As the pair approached the raging Iesha Qakisst glanced back. “Thanks.”

When Qakisst made it to arm’s length from Iesha he stopped and shuddered. The emancipated and decaying form continued to pound on the metal door with no progress. Qakisst swallowed hard then spoke in Varisian.

“My lady, I am Qakisst. I would like to help you.” Iesha did not respond to Qakisst as she continued to pound of the door. “Please, my lady. I can open the door and help you find lord Foxglove.”

At the mention of the Foxglove name Iesha stopped pounding and turned to glare at Qakisst. Behind him Sapphire began to pull the great sword from her back. Qakisst motioned for Sapphire to stop

“Please, my lady. I remember you, let me help. Let me open the door.” Qakisst carefully pulled out a bundle of tools which he opened to show to Iesha.

Iesha growled viciously, then stepped back along the ledge giving Qakisst access to the latch and the keyhole. “Aldern, I will hold you soon!” The threatening endearment made Qakisst shudder as he stepped forward and knelt at the door.

Qakisst knelt as Sapphire locked eyes with Iesha. The two stared at each other across the short distance between them. Sapphire could see the rage in her counterpart’s eyes, but also the sadness behind that anger. For a brief moment Sapphire could feel the cold hand of death that gripped Iesha even as rage and hate filled the vengeful spirit.

“Qakisst, how’s it going.” The calmness in Sapphire’s voice was startling.

“I cannot rush this or I will damage the lock and I am not good enough to open it if I break it. Maybe Konnor could, but she will not trust him.” A faint click brought a smile to Qakisst’s face. He reached up and grabbed the latch then pulled it open using the door latch to keep his balance as the door swung out at him.

“Aldern, my sweet. Come to me!” Iesha surged through the opening door nearly knocking Qakisst from the ledge. Sapphire caught him by the collar and pulled him back as the door swung the rest of the way open.

“Up and out of the way, Qakisst.” The Iomedaian warrior slipped past Qakisst and stepped through the door. In the room the image that met her shocked her.

Aldern Foxglove, emaciated and gaunt stood dressed in his finest clothes. The powerful ghoulish creature gripped the vengeful spirit buy the throat and held her at bay. He pulled out a mask that appeared to be made from layers of flesh.

“Splendid! You’ve come to me! Welcome to our new home, my love. I knew my letters would sway your heart! Now, let us consummate our… our… hunger!” Aldern Floxglove put on the mask and his appearance flowed like water before solidifying in the form of Sapphire herself.

Caleb and Luthor surged into the room seconds later as Sapphire stares at Sapphire; one of them gripping the struggling form of Iesha. Two ghouls rushed past both Sapphires, ignoring Iesha and charged at Caleb and Luthor.

“Which one is which?” Luthor yelled as he swung his axe at one of the ghouls. Behind him Serren, Qakisst, and Konnor entered the room.

“The one holding or fighting the vengeance spirit!” Serren yelled out. “She cannot be fooled by any illusion or alteration.”

As Luthor and Caleb fought the two ghouls one of the Sapphires hurled Iesha across the room and pulled out a great sword to match her opponent. In seconds the mirror images clashed about the center of the room. About them the sparse furniture of a laboratory scattered around in the struggle. The western wall of the roughhewn cavern room pulsed with phosphorescent mold. The outline of a man could be seen in the mold, its heart beating for all to see.

“Bu da ne dokuz cehennemden var?” Qakisst pointed at the back wall covered in mold, “Lanet olsun, lanet olsun, ben gönderilmemiş mücadele içinde değilim!”

“You’re in the fight now, Q.” Konnor pushed past Qakisst and moved to help Luthor as Serren paused to observe the room itself.

“I think we found the heart of Konnor’s house lich.” Serren pulled out the symbol of her ancestors and held it forth. As others slashed and smashed about the room she called on the holy power of her divine spirits. Brilliant white light burst out from her and struck everything. The fake Sapphire growled in anger, Iesha howled in pain as she surged to her feet, and the entire room shuddered then responded.

Black energy struck out from the mold and smashed into Serren knocking her to the ground even as Iesha rejoined the battle against the fake Sapphire, ripping the mask away and restoring Aldern to his emaciated unlife. Foxglove’s ghoulish weapon transformed from the likeness of Sapphire’s greatsword to a wicked long razor more than a cubit in length. He lashed out at Sapphire with the wicked weapon showing considerable skill.

“The house didn’t like that, Serren.” Luthor called out from where he continued to battle one of the ghouls, this one particularly tough. The ghoul maneuvered to flank Sapphire even as it clawed at Luthor.

“Onu var.” Qakisst sent fire searing into the mold figure on the wall as Sapphire and Iesha both pressed Foxgolve back into the room. The wall lashed out with black energy that slammed Qakisst from his feet.

“HAHAhahaha!” The deranged undead Foxglove laughed seeing Serren and Qakisst stunned in their attempt to attack the mold figure they thought to be the spirit of the house. “Our bond will not be so easy sundered, my love!”

“A little help when you get off the floor, Kisst!” Calen held his own against the second ghoul, but could not push it back to where he could help Sapphire.

Serren nudged Qakisst and pointed at Caleb. Qakisst nodded and summoned two great streams of fire which he aimed at Caleb’s opponent. Force back, the ghoul was unable to stop Caleb from moving around to behind Foxglove.

Unable to effectively strike at their opponents, Foxglove’s ghoul guards soon crumbled to dust and bone. Foxglove himself threw up his weapon and scrambled for cover.

“No, no!” Foxglove cowered as Iesha staggered forward toward him. “What happened? Where has the hunter gone?” Foxglove’s face twisted as the group moved to cut off any chance of escape he might have. His expression shifted from rage to fear to loathing as he looked around at his attackers. “My love, I wonder how your deaths shall affect your friends. What things might you have done that will go unfinished? What will those broken promises spawn? How will your murders shape the world?”

Iesha drug the ranting and deranged Aldern Foxglove to his feet. “My love, let me show you the love you have shown me.” She snapped his neck and both undead monstrosities began to crumble to dust.

“Thank you, my friends. I knew you would save mmm…” Aldern’s last words faded with the dust as his broken bones crashed to the floor with those of his dead wife, Iesha.

The group looked at Sapphire, who’s normally chocolate colored Mwangi skin looked ashen and cold with shock. Behind them all, the dark heart of Foxglove manor continued to beat.

The Exchange

With the Skinsaw Man defeated we were ready to return to Sandpoint; except that we hadn't finished searching the house. Stupid us, we had to finish searching the house.

Skinsaw Murders: Man vs. House:

Unable to destroy the unloving growth of strange mold that covered the one wall of Aldern’s final hiding place, the Sandpoint guardians cleared what evidence they could find and locked the vault with the House’s dark heart still beating.

As the group slowly moved through the tunnels returning to the house proper above them the carefully catalogued and searched each room. As they went, the collected any and all useful items and trinkets. Sapphire and Qakisst commented that this felt somewhat like looting as they went.

“It is looting, Sapphire.” Konnor looked back at her as they moved. “To the victors the spoils.”

“Besides, we will have to pay for a fairly powerful priest to exorcize that thing down in the caverns.” Serren looked back over her shoulders. “I think Lady Heidmarch will have a few ideas on how to do that.”

“Assuredly.” Luthor nodded as he followed Konnor and Caleb up the stone stairs.

“Who is Lady Heidmarch?” Qakisst looked to Serren as he spoke.

“Oh, she manages the local lodge for the Pathfinder Society.” Serren smiled back at him. “Remind me to tell you about the Society over dinner tonight. You might be interested.”

“No way, Serren. He gets into enough trouble without getting sucked into the junior archeology league.” Konnor yelled back from the top of the steps. “Hey, should we finish searching the third floor? We missed most of the rooms up there when what’s her name went crashing after Foxglove.”

“Yes/No.” The conflicting chorus of replies caused Konnor to turn. He’d expected Sapphire to object and maybe Qakisst, but not the others.

“Okay, vote before we go farther.” Konnor looked around the group.

“No vote for you. You set off the alarm.” Caleb sneered at Konnor.

“Hey!”

“No.” Caleb held up a finger and pointed at Konnor. “Okay everybody else, finish checking the house say aye.”

“Aye.” Sapphire’s affirmative brought a wide eyed look of shock from Konnor.

“No.” Qakisst shook his head, his face slightly ashen in appearance.

“No.” Serren looked around, “The haunts still fill this dark place.”

“Aye.” Luthor glowered at Serren, “We should make sure there is nothing too dangerous before locking the place up. Know as much as we can for our report to the Lodge.”

“We search.” Caleb nodded for Konnor to head up the grand staircase to the upper levels of the mansion.

“Caleb, are you crazy?” Qakisst moved to get in front of Caleb, “This place is evil. We should burn it to the ground right now.”

“No!” Serren grabbed Qakisst by the arm. “If you shatter the cage now Vorel Foxglove’s spirit will escape and do no end of harm once not confined to the house.” Qakisst looked back at Serren with fear. “If these fools want to search the house let’s be quick about it; but the house must stand until we can exorcize Vorel’s spirit.”

Qakisst looked from Serren to Caleb then nodded. “Okay. But can we please be quick.”

The group rushed up the grand staircase that they had just two hours ago rushed down. Up into the attics level where they had found Iesha, the group this time carefully examined each room finding store rooms, a servant’s room, and a private study. More shocking memories and horrors from the Foxglove family past assailed them but nothing unmanageable until Caleb tried to stab himself in the neck with a broken piece of desk. Only Konnor’s quick reflexes stopped him long enough for Sapphire to channel the Inheritor’s energies clearing the haunt.

“Still think this was a good idea, Caleb.” Qakisst glowered unhappily at Caleb.

“No.” Caleb glared back. “It is necessary though.”

“No fighting, boys. Just a couple of rooms left.” Serren moved to a door in the east wall of the long hall and examined it before motioning to Konnor. “Anything dangerous here, Konnor?”

“Just the house lich in the basement.” Konnor knelt to examine the door.

“You’re never letting that go, are you?” Caleb stepped up behind Konnor.

“Never, ever, for the rest of my very long elven life.” Konnor checked the latch on the door and stepped into the room.

“You’re only half elven, you won’t live that long.” Caleb followed Konnor into the room cautiously.

“I’ll outlive you. I’m invincible.” Konnor carefully scanned the room around him as the others slowly moved into the room.

A desk and a chair sit in the middle of this drafty room. Chimneys rise to the west, while to the east, two intricate stained-glass windows are set into the wall. The northern window depicts a dark-haired woman with pale skin, large green eyes, and a black-and-red gown; with both hands she wields a jagged iron staff. The southern window has been broken on its lower half and patched with canvas; what remains of its upper half depicts a handsome man dressed in regal finery and a crown of ivory and jade.

Caleb knelt next to the window beside the canvas patch. “Hey Kisst. What do you think caused this?” Caleb brushed the edge of small scorch marks that mar the wood near the broken window.

Qakisst Stood holding the battered and ruined remains of a once expensive telescope that had been smashed on the floor. A large trapdoor in the roof above him had been tied shut by several lengths of rope. “No idea, Caleb. It could…” Qakisst grew pail and smoke rolled out of his clothes as if they would catch fire from the inside. “Traver hayır; bu yapamayız!”

Before anybody could react, the mercurial reflexes of Qakisst sent him running for the canvas patch in the window. Flames erupted from his every pore and his clothing scorched and started to burn. Caleb reached out to try and stop him, but Qakisst’s fiery form spun to avoid his grasp and flung himself out through the broken window.

“KISSSSSSTTT!” Caleb nearly flung himself out the window trying to grab his friend only to be grabbed by Luthor by the belt before both went out the window.

“AAAAAAAAAAEEEEEEEEEEEE!” The high pitched scream of Qakisst Vishtani shook the entire house as his five compatriots all filled the once more open window. At the edge of the roof sat Qakisst, slumped over with the long arrow of a weather vane sticking out of his chest.

By luck, the act of shifting to avoid who he thought to be part of the haunt had sent Qakisst on a slightly different trajectory than Cyralie Foxglove had gone some twenty years ago. Cyralie had gone out the stained glass window, down the steeply sloped roof and over the cliff below where she died on the rocks below. Qakisst had spun around and slammed into the wildly spinning weather vane hard enough that the arrow drove through Qakisst’s backpack right into the back of his right shoulder and came out his chest just inside his right shoulder. The eternally young ifrit hung limply from the vane just on the edge of the house, not moving.

“KIIISSSSTTT!” Caleb tried to climb out onto the roof but Luthor and Sapphire held him back. “Let me go! Let me GO!”

Sapphire slapped Caleb hard to get his attention. The Sandpoint ranger looked ready to fight them all.

“I got rope. Hold him still!” Konnor quickly fashioned a rope harness from silk climbing cord that he pulled from his magical bag. “Damn it Caleb, hold still!”

Caleb realized what Konnor was doing and quit fighting Sapphire and Luthor. “Come on, come on, come on!”

“He’s not moving, Caleb.” Serren looked out the window. “And I can’t channel that far.”

“Move, move.”Caleb didn’t wait for Konnor to check the harness twice, and nobody tried to stop him. Sapphire positioned herself to feed the rope out the window and directed Luthor to anchor the back end of the rope behind her. Konnor climbed out the window behind Caleb.

“Konnor you fool, you’ll fall!” Serren snarled at Konnor.

“He can levitate, Serren. He’ll be fine.” Sapphire watched Caleb move down the roof to Qakisst.

“KISST! Can you hear me!” Caleb looped his leg around Qakisst’s to keep him from falling and checked his neck for a pulse. The faint thump of a beating heart barely registered. “Oh goddess, oh goddess! He’s bleeding out!” Caleb gripped Qakisst’s haramaki to try and pull him free.

“NO!” Konnor moved out over the edge of the roof and triggered his levitation. “You’ll kill him. Give him this!” Konnor held out a potion vile to Caleb; then gripped Qakisst by the neck and horns, pulling his head back.

“Please don’t die, Kisst!” Caleb pulled off the stopper and carefully poured the content of the bottle into Qakisst’s mouth. Qakisst sputtered and groaned for a moment then struggled to not scream.

“AAAarrr.” Qakisst’s eye’s snapped open and his head tipped back and he fought the pain. “Ne? Ne? Caleb? Bana ne oldu?” Caleb looked up to Konnor.

“He doesn’t know what happened to him.” Konnor gripped the edge of the roof to keep from being blown away by the wind. Rain splattered everybody. “Can we move him?”

“I don’t think we have a choice.” Caleb looked back at Konnor with fear. “Can you hold him while I pull him free?”

“Yeah.” Konnor hooked a belt harness he had pulled out to the base of the weather vane to keep him in place and to free both of his hands to help Caleb. “Ready.”

As Caleb began to move Qakisst the young ifrit screamed and fought to stop him. Caleb paused and gripped Qakisst by the chin. “Kisst, we have to get you off this thing. Kisst, look at me.”

Qakisst’s head lulled back and forth a moment until his left arm came up holding a pair of metal cutters that he tried to push into Caleb’s hands. Konnor reached over Qakisst’s shoulder and grabbed the cutters before Qakisst could drop them.

“Q, Q, I got ‘em. Ben onları var. I got ‘em.” With care, Konnor pried the metal cutters out of Qakisst’s hand and looked at Caleb. “Cut the barb off the end of the weather thingy.” As Caleb cut away the arrow point on the end of the vane, Konnor pulled out an additional length of rope and wrapped the length around Qakisst before moving to tie the other end to Caleb. Qakisst, for his part prayed to the Dawnflower.

It took Caleb nearly a minute to cut the directional arrow off the vane then tuck the cutters into his boot. “Ready Konnor?”

“As ready as I’m ever going to be.”

“Kisst, you ready?” Caleb looked into his friend’s eyes and was startled to find peace.

Qakisst smiled back at him. “I believe in you, Caleb.” Caleb blinked then nodded to Konnor.

With a great heave, Caleb pulled Qakisst forward off the long spear like directional arrow of the weather vane. Qakisst screamed and slumped forward onto Caleb. Once free of Qakisst’s back, his pack pulled off where Konnor had unbuckled it and hung on the vane.

Sapphire pulled up the slack and pulled Caleb back toward the window. Luthor stepped back into the hall and braced himself in the door frame just in case. As soon as Caleb was close enough he turned and lifted the limp body of his friend into the window sill.

“Get him, Sapphire! Grab him!” Caleb scrambled in the window as Sapphire pulled Qakisst in, finding himself still tied to the young ifrit.

Sapphire cut the rope connecting Caleb and Qakisst and pulled open Qakisst’s shirt sending the sea shell buttons scattering around the room. “He’s still bleading; he’s still living. Serren!”

Serren knelt and brushed her hands across Qakisst’s chest. Flesh began to knit itself back together slowly. “That’s the best I can do. I have exhausted my healing gifts.”

“I got his pack. He had a few potions still.” Konnor clambered in the window holding the badly damaged pack. He knelt and began sifting through it. “Damn it Q, don’t you label anything?” Konnor blinked his eyes and his perceptions shifted. He sorted through the hand full of vials in Qakisst’s pack until he found a curative and handed it to Serren.

“Sit him up.” Sapphire and Luthor moved Qakisst into a sitting position as Serren worked to pour the curative potion into Qakisst’s mouth. He sputtered and coughed before bringing his own hand up to his chest. Blue light surged around Qakisst’s hand and his wounds stopped bleeding.

“Qakisst?” The group looked down at Qakisst as he lay back in Sapphire’s lap.

“I hate this house.”

The Exchange

One of the problems I have always had with role paying games is that people just magically make all the pain go away. I hate that. But it is a necessary function of the game.

Skinsaw Murders: The long walk home:

Qakisst stumbled in the mud as the Sandpoint guardians crossed the Lost Coast bridge into lower Sandpoint. Caleb grabbed him and pulled him to his feet. Rain soaked the town in torrents so that the guards in the bridge shack never saw them approaching until they heard Caleb’s voice.

“Up we go, Kisst. We’re almost there.” Exhaustion strained Caleb’s voice as both he and Sapphire supported Qakisst. The guards scrambled hearing Caleb’s voice and rushed out into the rain to help. They found Caleb and Sapphire half dragging an exhausted Qakisst followed by Konnor, Luthor, and Serren. All six heroes looked like they had crossed the gates of hell twice.

“Sweet Desna!” Guardsman Neder paled as he rushed to help Sapphire and Caleb get Qakisst back on his feet. “Jema, get up to the Temple and tell them we’re coming.”

“Hold up, Jema.” Caleb shifted his grip on Qakisst’s arm. “Sapphire has already tended our wounds. We’ll be going straight to my parent’s house. Its an easier walk.”

“Caleb I have to…”

“Don’ give me crap about it Neder. We’ll summon a healer if needed.” Caleb’s voice was stern but not rude. “Tell the sheriff to come around in an hour if you have too. We got Kisst, you keep to your post.” Thunder punctuated Caleb’s commands.

“Nothing doing, Caleb.” Neder sternly returned Caleb’s gaze, “Your aunt and my boss will both have my hide if I leave you to wander off. Jema, since Master Deverin isn’t taking this group to Temple zip up to the Dragon and get any hand that can help get this lot home.”

“Neder, bunu yapmana…” Qakisst tried to protest and lost his footing again. Sapphire grabbed his waist and pulled him up tight. “AhhhhhHH!” Fresh blood stained Qakisst’s shirt where his wounds still had not fully healed. Before either Caleb or Qakisst could protest further help Guardsman Jema rushed up the half block to the Dragon for help.

“Dear Pharasma have mercy; Q, you’re soaked in blood.” Neder helped pull Qakisst into the open doors to Hosk’s stable, just inside the city gates, and out of the rain where he got a better look at the six heroes. “I hope that’s not all yours.”

Qakisst managed a faint smile and looked up at Neder. “Diğer adam bir ev vardı; yani bu bana tüm sanırım.” Konnor coughed with a smile. The rest of the group looked from Konnor to Qakisst and back.

“He said the other guy was a house. More appropriately a weathervane in Q’s case.” Neder looked wide eyed at Konnor as Hosk came walking up from the back of the stables followed by one of his apprentices.

“You lot look a mess. Sit Q down over here, Neder.” Hosk pulled out a stool from the side wall for Qakisst and pointed to the bench along the other wall for the others. “The blessed Redeemer seems to be looking out for you, boy.” Hosk pulled Qakisst’s head back slightly, waved a candle in front of Qakisst, and looked into his eyes, pulling them open to see how his pupils responded to the light. “Follow the light, Q. Yeah, he’s all there.”

“Bu yüzden pürüzlü değil, Usta Hosk.” Qakisst pulled back his head and blinked to clear his vision then smiled up at Hosk. “Sha Bildiğiniz, sizi sev… Uh, she liked you, you know.”

“I know, Q.” Host smiled softly. “Here boy, drink this.” Host shoved a cup of rain water into Qakisst’s hands. “She’d be mad at me for not watching out for you.” Hosk looked around till his eyes locked with Caleb. “He’s lost a lot of blood, Caleb. He needs to see a healer.” A crowd from the Dragon stood just outside the stable entrance in the pouring rain watching.

“He’s got one, Hosk.” Caleb motioned to Sapphire with a nod before he continued, “He needs a clean bed and somebody to watch him through the night. He’ll be getting my bed, it’s as good as any bed in the Dragon and Ma will make sure he’s fed and comfortable. Can you get us up the hill without us getting soaked any more than we are?”

“Caleb!” Ameiko pushed through the crowd and grabbed Caleb’s arm. “You look like hell.” Ameiko’s gaze crossed the rest of the group until his eyes fell upon Qakisst. “Spirit of my ancestors!”

“You two, be useful if you’re going to stand here. Hold him up.” Host scowled at Caleb and Ameiko who were standing next to the seated Qakisst.

“Göründüğünden daha kötüdür.” Qakisst smiled faintly up at Ameiko and drank from the cup Hosk had given him as the elder ranger pulled horse blankets over Qakisst and the others. Konnor laughed again.

“You’re killin’ it today, Q.” The others looked at Konnor. “Oh. He said it’s worse than it looks.”

“That is not funny, Qakisst.” The Red Dragon’s proprietor protested as she helped Caleb hold Qakisst steady for the stablemaster.

“Are these burn marks?” Hosk pulled parts of Qakisst’s clothing aside to see minor burns in the cloth and on his skin.

“Evet, öyle düşünüyorum. Yes.” Qakisst smiled up at Hosk as his water cup filled itself from the Goddess’ gifts. “I am okay.” His pail complexion made a liar of him.

“No, you aren’t, Qakisst.” Sapphire turned to look at him. “None of us are after that mess.”

“You’ve most certainly seen better days, Q.” Hosk pulled aside the bandages on Qakisst’s shoulder and saw that they were soaked through. “Petter, grab the kit please.” Hosk’s apprentice rushed to the back of the stables for a first aid kit as Hosk continued to check first Qakisst, then the others in turn.

“Hey! Who’s riding in my carriage?” The Sound of Belvin Valdemar from the doorway made Sapphire smile. “A little bird told me I should bring it here.” Guardsman Jema followed Belvin into the stables.

“Your knight in shining work leathers is here, Sapphire.” Caleb smirked at Sapphire and pointed back out into the rain. “Think he’ll give Kisst a ride up the hill to my folk’s house?”

“Hi Sapphire.” Lord Belvin Valdemar, Sandpoint’s most eligible bachelor took Sapphire’s hand and kissed it before looking past the crowd just inside the stables. “I heard that you might need a rescue from the rain and… Sweet Desna!” Belvin stopped. “Is that Q?” He looked past Sapphire to the seated ifrit, soaked in his own blood, who was now being supported by Ameiko and Caleb while Master Hosk continued to check his wounds.

“He’s going to be okay, but we really could use help getting him up to Kale Deverin’s house.” Sapphire smiled at Belvin and fluttered her eyelashes. Belvin smirked and gently pushed Sapphire away with his hand on her face.

“Stop teasing; of course I’ll help,” Belvin pulled himself closer to Sapphire to whisper, “but shouldn’t we take him to temple?”

“Dad’s house will do. Qakisst mostly just needs rest and food.” Caleb looked over his shoulder at Belvin.

“I can send up some of the pocket pies he likes.” Ameiko looked over Qakisst’s head before tweaking his nose. “Would you like that, Qakisst?”

Qakisst smiled uncharacteristically up at Ameiko, “Ben Hoşunuza giden bir şey istiyorum.”

“Hey!” Konnor stood up from the bench on the other side of the stable entry, “That’s… Hey!” As the crowd looked in his direction the masked elf sat back down in embarrassment.

“I will be fine now.” Qakisst grinned devilishly looking up at Ameiko even as his head lolled from side to side.

Thirty minutes later Qakisst found himself tucked carefully into a bed in the Deverin house sleeping. He had managed to walk through the threshold mostly under his own power but nearly collapsed once in the entry. Conner Deverin had rushed up stairs to clear off Caleb’s bed while Cassandra and Cassidy helped Qakisst to the table to sit; where Cassandra promptly forced two cups of soup into not just Qakisst, but Serren, Luthor, and Caleb as well. Konnor and Sapphire had declined to join them inside Kale’s home.

Once fed, Qakisst was half carried up the stairs where he insisted on getting himself into bed. Caleb and Conner had refused to leave him alone and helped him strip out of his still wet clothing. Once dry and in a night shirt Qakisst was carefully laid back into the bed and made to sleep. His exhaustion prevented him from fighting at all.

Conner Deverin slowly walked down the stairs hugging himself as Caleb followed. The younger Deverin boy looked back up at his brother with obvious fright then glanced at the door leading to the sleeping Qakisst. “What happened to him?”

“Ah…” Caleb ran his fingers through his hair looking past Conner to Cassidy at the bottom of the stairs.
“Don’ you be sugarcoating it just cause I’m here, Caleb.” Fear and anger flared in Cassidy’s eyes as she glared up at her older brother. “What did you get Qakisst into?”

“He… ah, he nearly went off the roof of Misgivings.” Caleb continued down the steps looking around. Serren and Luthor had left to find rooms at the Dragon before it got too dark, leaving Caleb to explain their encounter with Foxglove Manor. His family looked back at him with mixed expressions. “We had tracked Banny and Katrine’s murderer to Foxglove manor, things got tense, and Qakisst got thrown out a window in the attic.”

“How does that explain the hole in his chest or those scars on his back?” Conner fidgeted back and forth on his feet as he watched Caleb sink into a hard chair.

“I think the scars are old, but the wound in his chest came from getting impaled on the weathervane on the roof.” Caleb’s description made Conner wince and Cassidy paled. “Nearly killed him when it drove all the way through. An’ we nearly killed him again getting him off of it.”

“Oh my.” Cassandra Deverin stood in the kitchen door covering her jaw in shock.

“You sure you should be taking him out on these adventures, Caleb? You scare the…” Kale Deverin was interrupted when Caleb jumped to his feet.

“I canna’ stop him, Dad! He’s three times my age even if he looks younger than Conner.” Caleb stepped in front of the fireplace and folded his arms over his chest. After a pause he turned back to the room and grimaced before continuing, “And if I’m honest, I’ve needed him out there. He,… He can do stuff that I canna’ do. Amazing stuff. I just have to figure out how to stop him from rushing into the middle of things.”

Cassidy glowered at her older brother then stomped through the kitchen past her mother before slamming the door into Kale’s workshop at the back of the house. Caleb looked around stunned, “What was that?”

“She’s scared.” Cassandra glanced over her shoulder where Cassidy had gone as she replied. “She worries that every time you go out tromping in the woods that you won’t come back. Now you’re taking Qakisst with you, and she’s always liked him even if she wouldn’t always admit it. I don’t think she’s ready to deal with the idea of both of you coming back full of holes; or not coming back at all.”

“Mom, I…” Cassandra cut off Caleb’s reply with a smile.

“I know, Son. You wouldn’t be the man you are if you didn’t go; and we are so terribly proud of you.” Tears welled up in Cassandra Deverin’s eyes as she continued, “That doesn’t mean that we aren’t scared out of our wits every time you go out the gates of town looking for trouble. Now we have to worry about two of you.” Cassandra Deverin glided up to her eldest son and wrapped her arms around him. “Your sister just wasn’t ready for that.” Caleb found himself awkwardly surrounded by his parents as he looked up the stairs past his younger brother.

The Exchange

Sorry, had to go watch Flash and Agents of Shield.

Anyway, I have to say I really enjoyed writing the above chapter. When we game we so rarely focus on family or relationships. We never see how adventurers' families would be scared for them.

I spent 20 years in the US Air Force; and while I had a very safe career without ever getting shot at or bombed, not all of us do. I know it scares the crap out of our families too. When Desert Shield started back in 1990 my Mother called my office every day terrified that I was going to be deployed. She needed to check on her baby boy so badly that I had to finally forbid her from calling. I'm pretty sure she started smoking again at that time. I still feel guilty about that too. That stress and worry I remember from my Mom is kind of how I imagine the Deverin family feels every time their oldest boy, Caleb goes rushing off into the woods. Proud, but terrified.

So let's meet the Deverin family. I'm pretty sure all of you already know his aunt, Kendra Deverin, mayor of Sandpoint, and probably even know a few of his other extended family members like Gavin Deverin at the Two Knights brewery. For his origin story, Caleb was imagined as having a simple family that disliked politics and preferred hard work. Good small town people of good character.

Kale Deverin, the younger brother of Sandpoint's mayor works as a carpenter in town. He is a simple and straight forward man and a good father.

Cassandra Deverin, a beautiful and loving Varisi woman who took root in Sandpoint when she found the love of her life in Kale. She has been described as a honest and quick witted woman who loves her family even more than the open road.

Caleb Deverin you have already met. This 20 year old adventurer and former apprentice of Shalelu is the hero of Sandpoint these days and though modest, relishes his status as a hero.

Cassidy Deverin is a sassy, strong, and tough young lady of 18. She gives as good as she gets, but only because she believes in being fair, but don't turn your back on her. She has a mischievous streak and I'm betting has something in common with half the NPCs of Sandpoint. A level in rogue. Seriously, I swear that half the NPCs in Sandpoint have a level in rogue. She also has had a bit of a crush on a certain ifrit resident in town but isn't sure what to do about it.

Connor Deverin is the youngest of the Deverin children at 16. He's a bit quiet, but happy. You see, Connor can get away with anything because his parents are always so worried about Caleb that it never occurs to them to keep a closer eye on their youngest. Fortunately he has a real eye for crafting furniture and will eventually take over his father's business one day. He may even be mayor eventually, nobody knows.

The Exchange

I came up with the idea of Qakisst's dreams as a simple story tool at first; but when I decided to make Qakisst an Oracle of Sarenrae the dreams took on a whole new meaning. Visions and dreams from the gods is a concept as old as mythology, but one that is only rarely explored in role playing games, and really never as part of the background.

When I first started writing background stories for Qakisst I wanted his dreams to be a safe place to reflect and grow. Having the story transform them into an actual part of his transformation into a servant of Sarenrae has been marvelous fun. It also gave me a vehicle to introduce Qakisst's actual family without mucking up Athos' running of the Runelords story. But to put a limit on myself I went through his origin story and assigned classes and roles to each of Qakisst's 6 sister. Only Keqiss is also a priest of Sarenrae, so only she has access to the Dawnflower's celestial city, what Qakisst calls the Dreaming City.

In my idea all priestly classes, be it cleric, oracle, or any other divine caster has access to the realm of their deity while sleeping. The same connection that allows the divine caster to gain spells from their god grants them access to that god's realm while dreaming. I imagine this is rather unpleasant for some. I don't even want to imagine what Nualia's dream visits to the realm of Lamashtu were like.

Inside the dream priests of every type can mix, mingle, and share with each other if welcome to do so by others; but most people don't fully remember their dreams and this holds true for even most divine casters. All they remember are visions and faint dreams of divine glory. A few, who have become exceptionally close to their god begin to remember more. Even before I decided to make him an Oracle, Qakisst was always an incredibly devout believer in the Dawnflower and her message of redemption.

Skinsaw Murders: Dreams with my Sister:

Qakisst lay drowsily in the grand garden of Sarenrae’s dreaming city. He was vaguely aware that others were resting in the shade nearby, but he was happily draped across a low flat stone outcrop soaking up the sun as he rested. As he had grown more sure of his bond with the sun goddess, Qakisst’s awareness of other devotees in the city had grown.

When he had been a child he had been completely unaware of anybody else in the city except the Goddess herself. As he had matured he had come to the subconscious realization that he was never actually alone in the city; just given respectful distance by the others.

Since his near drowning at Thistletop he had become fully aware that he shared this sanctuary with all of the Dawnflower’s devotees; both mortal and heavenly. The great crowd of souls would seem oppressive except for the instinctive requirement that none ever disturbed a living soul without that person’s desire. Qakisst greatly wished to not be alone, but he had not seen his friend Laranys or his sister Keqiss. So he chose to lay in the sun and enjoy the heat.

In the distance he could hear a faint voice speaking to him from the waking world, but he could not make out the words. Qakisst sat up and looked about. He could not see the source of the voice, but he found Keqiss dozing in just a loin cloth next to him with her head just inches from where his had been resting a moment before. His head snapped away with a start and he groaned at an unexpected pain where his wounds in the waking world pulled against bandages he did not wear in the dreaming city.

“Nobody else can see me, brother; as I do not wish it.” The white and gold robes of a Kelish wandering priest erupted about Keqiss’ form as she sat up. “Most of my tribe is nearly as squeamish as you about seeing my body. It is nearly as funny watching them trip over themselves trying to avoid seeing me while at the same time trying to sneak a peek at me, in spite of their squeamishness when I sun myself inside my marquee, as it is to see you desperately look away when we are here in the celestial garden.” Keqiss made a funny face as she realized that her brother was poking at a dent in his right breast just below the collar bone. “Are you bleeding, Hearth-Heart?”

“I… Yes, I think I am.” Qakisst’s reply brought a look of panic to his sister’s face. “No, no. Don’t worry. I can feel somebody changing my bandages.” Qakisst smiled crookedly, “I think she poked me when I turned in my sleep. I felt it.”

Keqiss’ smile returned as she realized her brother was safe someplace. “So you have a guardian angel looking out for you?”

Qakisst lay back down, “I guess.”

“Is it your cute dark hared friend?” A mischievous smile crept across Keqiss’ face.

“Stop.” Qakisst smiled back, “It is probably just lady Cassandra checking on me. Caleb made me stay at his parent’s house tonight.”

“Ohh, a noble lady.” Keqiss rolled onto her stomach and poked Qakisst in the arm.

Qakisst gave his sister a dirty look, “Lady Cassandra is the mother of three, Caleb’s mom, and quite happily married to Caleb’s dad.”

“Well then, I guess no guardian angel for you.” Keqiss sat up and leaned over Qakisst, “Unless one of her other two children is the beautiful young girl with dark hair and green eyes I saw you with when scrying you out last month.”

“Yeah, Cassidy does have…” Qakisst choked momentarily then glared at Keqiss. “Stop it. Cassidy is a noble born daughter. I hardly qualify as good relationship material for a high born lady.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, little brother.” Keqiss traced her fingers along the faint outlines that marked the wound on Qakisst’s chest in the waking world. “Our mother was one step short of being a god, and like him or not, our father was a noble lord of the Qadiran satrapy.”

“Please stop; that tickles.” Qakisst brushed his sister’s fingers away from his chest. “And our f… he slaved us out! He does not deserve to be our f…” Qakisst could not finish the sentence.

Keqiss sat back and looked up into the sky, “Say it, Hearth-Heart. Never be afraid to say his name, or call him father. You’re right that he did not deserve to be our father, but our father he was.” As she turned away to look across the garden, tears flooded Keqiss’ eyes. “I wish I could have seen him die, Hearth-Heart. I wish I could have seen him torn apart, but he was our father. There is no denying that we are Bekyar Mimnani’s children.” The two siblings stared at each other for a long moment before Keqiss continued. “If nothing else, his rotten soul is staring up out of the abyss watching us lay claim to the name against his will.”

Qakisst smiled, “Heh… I should not take pleasure in that, but I cannot help it.” He turned his head back to the sky and smiled. “How long can you stay?”

Keqiss lay back down with her head next to her brother and stretched out, “It is still not quite midnight where I am. You came to the dreaming very early tonight; no doubt due to your injuries.” As she spoke, Keqiss gave Qakisst a concerned look.

“No doubt.” Qakisst smirked. “I’d never been stabbed with a house before.”

“A house?” Keqiss’ eyes went wide as the assertion.

“It’s a long story.”

“I have several hours to listen, Hearth-Heart.”

“Okay.” Qakisst fidgeted for a moment. “Um, Light-heart?”

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry. You don’t have to swaddle yourself for me.”

“Only if you’re comfortable, little brother.” Keqiss smiled up at the sky as the heaviest of her robes melted away to a light silk blouse and pantaloons. “Now, tell me about this young noble you like.”

In the waking world Qakisst could not see a young Cassidy Deverin crying as she carefully changed the dressing on his wounds. “I’m not doing this again and again, Qakisst Vishtani. I can’t. I can’t handle losing both of you.” Tears flowed freely down the young noble with dark Varisi hair that looked so much like her aunt. “You and my idiot brother are going to get yourselves killed.”

The Exchange

Just in case anybody is wondering, I had written a lot of the story post Misgivings while working on Misgivings. The house is exceptionally complex and I really don't think I did it justice. However that does mean that I get to upload several chapters pretty much all at once.

Skinsaw Murders: The Morning After:

Qakisst woke with the rising sun feeling much more like his normal self. He could see that Conner’s bed was empty and unmade, and the younger Deverin boy’s soaked clothing from yesterday lay draped half way into a hamper against the wall. His own clothes were nowhere to be found.

“Well, this is awkward.” Qakisst mumbled to himself as he sat up. He found himself in a long night shirt and nothing else, so he took a chance and gingerly got to his feet. No dizziness like the night before, and his stomach rumbled as he moved to the hamper to see if his clothes were in there. Nothing.

“You look more alive than last night.” Conner Deverin stood in the doorway with a tray of food. “But if my Mom catches you out of bed she’ll flip out.”

“I can come down to the table if you tell me what happened to my clothes.” Qakisst spread his arms and gestured to the unaccustomed night shirt he wore.

“I think Mom tossed them in the scrap pile down in her sewing room,” Conner smirked and motioned to the bed, “Back in it, before she finds out.”

“Please do not make me wrestle you for your pants, Con.” Qakisst tried his best to look menacing but failed miserably.

Conner looked back out the bedroom door and down the stairs, “MOM! He’s threatening to walk around naked.”

“Tell him that I’m still stitching up his pants!” Casandra Deverin’s voice came through the door from down the stairs.

“But my pants were not torn?”

“Oh yes they were.” Conner carried the tray of food he’d been holding to the bed Qakisst had slept in. “Your shirt and vest were completely shredded and soaked clear through with blood too. Your own according to Caleb.”

“Fine, I will borrow a pair of yours.” Qakisst frowned as he looked around the room.

“You can’t have my dress pants, and I only have two other pair.” Conner grinned. “The pair I’m wearing and the pair soaked clear through from getting you out of Master Belvin’s carriage yesternight.”

Qakisst smiled and raised an eyebrow. “That’s fine.” The sodden pants hanging over the edge of the hamper stood up, rose into the air, and water vapor oozed out of them as a murky mist. The fine mist rolled like a miniature thunder cloud over to the window which opened itself to let the angry micro-storm escape the room. The now clean and dry pants floated over to Qakisst and settled across his arm. “I can fix my vest easy enough; can I get that back?”

“Um…” Conner stood staring as Qakisst sent the little elemental magics scattering about the room cleaning up.

“Stop showing off.” Cassidy snarled from the doorway as she headed down stairs. “Give him a shirt, Conner. He’s too stupid to know what’s good for him anyway.”

“Uh yeah. In the wardrobe. Take the short sleeved white shirt.” Conner gestured to the wardrobe cabinet in the corner then started back out the door, “I’ll go grab your boots.”

Qakisst pulled on the linen breaches he had cleaned. They were slightly snug around the thighs but otherwise fit perfectly. He opened the cabinet and looked for the shirt Conner had referred too, finding it quickly. He examined the shirt then set is aside, pulled off the night shirt and stood in front of the full length mirror that stood between the two wardrobes in the room.

With some care, Qakisst untied the bandage and lifted the dressing from his wounds. Dried blood clung to the dressing and pulled at his skin. Qakisst grimaced then called forth the healing gifts granted him as an oracle of the Dawnflower. As he lay his hand across his shoulder the wounds under the dressing began to nit themselves together. Conner whistled from the doorway.

“Wow, Kisst. You didn’t get those at Misgivings yesterday.” Conner gestured to the network of whip scars on Qakisst’s back as he set the boots down.

“No.”

“Cassidy is going to freak when…”

“She has seen them already.” The little magics at his command carefully cleaned the now mostly healed wounds and the dressings before Qakisst re-secured them in place.

“Oh, ok… wait, what?”

Qakisst glanced over his shoulder at Conner, “She snuck a peak in on me while I was changing my shirt last week before I took her to the theater to see Dahlia Firerose perform.”

“What? Hey! I know I teased you about making time with my sister but what the hell?” Conner puffed up his chest and scowled at Qakisst.

“We did not do anything, Conner.” Qakisst gave a lopsided smile. “And she peaked without my permission, so do not expect any apologies from me.”

“Did you tell her where you got…”

Qakisst interrupted Conner with a puff of air from his cantrip, “No, and I am not telling you either.” He pulled on the white linen shirt carefully and fastened the collar. “That was a long time ago and I do not like to think about it.”

“Momma will be mad that you let your breakfast get cold.” Cassidy stomped past the door heading for her room down the hall.

“Sorry about that.” Conner shrugged and looked down the hall after his sister. “She’d been in a mood this morning.”

“Um, kadın dün gece burada mıydı?” Qakisst sat and pulled on his boots once the dried mud and blood pulled free and piled itself neatly in the middle of the floor.

“What?” Conner turned back to Qakisst. Trying to ignore the swirl or muck and debris that rose from the floor and floated out the window.

“Sorry. Was she in here last night?” Qakisst glanced out the window to make sure that there was nobody under the window sill before releasing the floating detritus to fall to the street.

“Yeah, a couple times to check on you.” Conner stepped back out into the hallway as Qakisst picked up the breakfast tray and walked to the door. “You were really messed up, Kisst. Your shirt and vest were soaked in blood and you were pail.” The younger Deverin boy shuffled down the stairs ahead of Qakisst. “Like wet ash in color; and cold too. I didn’t even know you could get cold.”

Qakisst followed Conner down the stairs. “Yeah, it was pretty rough.” The pair walked into the kitchen where Qakisst took a seat and began to devour his breakfast.

“Why do you do it?” Conner pulled up a seat across from Qakisst and pulled an apple out of the fruit bowl in the center of the table.

“Do what?” Qakisst looked up at Conner. “Help people?”

“You can help people without climbing out onto roofs chasing bad guys.” Conner gave Qakisst a confused look.

“I did not climb out onto a roof. I was thrown by a ghost… or something.” Qakisst finished the food on his plate and reached for an apple also.

“What?” Conner sat up. “Caleb didn’t say anything about ghosts.”

Qakisst spotted lady Cassandra looking into the kitchen from her sewing room. “I have a feeling that there are lots of things that Caleb does not tell you.”

The angry voice of Cassidy behind him startled Qakisst, “Are you going to tell us? Cause I for one really want to know what happens to him all the time.”

Qakisst felt a part of himself wanting to shrink away under Cassidy’s glair, but the greater part of him felt a cool anger that steadied his nerves. “I cannot say what Caleb always does, but what I do is to do those things others just cannot do.”

“Well tha…”

“SADECE DUR!” Qakisst barked as he gripped the edge of the table. “I am not a normal person. You know that.” He stood and faced Cassidy as he spoke, “I love that you look at me and see just another boy; but I am not just another boy. I just am not. I am fire and magic and emotion given physical form. I cannot just stand by and not act.”

“I guess you aren’t.” Cassidy gritted her teeth as she spoke and stomped out of the room.

“Cassidy!” Qakisst called plaintively out to her as Cassidy left.

Qakisst and Conner stood in the kitchen for several moments staring out the doorway where Cassidy had stood before Conner spoke. “At least Laure still likes you.”

Qakisst turned wide eyed toward Conner just as Kale walked through the kitchen and smacked his youngest on the back of the head as he passed.

“OW!”

The Exchange

As I have written more and more about Qakisst's life in Sandpoint I have come to a realization. He has a lot of mothers. I wonder what this says about my own Mom. She worked much of my childhood so I spent a lot more time with my Dad. Maybe in some ways I'm writing about wanting a mother that was always there. But more likely I just like the strong female characters, pus Athos assigned Savah as my boss when I first handed him my background story (the short version); so he got another mother figure for his life. I suppose at some point he really needs a father figure.

Skinsaw Murders: Partners:

After being forced to eat more breakfast, and being poked and prodded by lady Casandra, Qakisst was finally allowed to depart the Deverin house. He strolled down to his own home and changed into more familiar clothing before going to the Armory to check in with Savah.

As soon as he stepped into the warehouse doors he found himself wrapped up in an unexpected hug from Savah. She then held him at arm’s length and looked him up and down, “Well, let’s see it?”

Without comment, Qakisst pulled his shirt opened and showed her the faint scaring on the right side of his chest and shoulder. He could see Keth and Ben working in the back of the shop, though both had slowed to watch as Savah checked him over.

“I thought healing magics didn’t leave scars.” Savah poked his chest.

“Sometimes.” Qakisst struggled not to role his eyes. “But if you cannot get something fully healed right away it will tend to scar a little.”

“I thought your Goddess granted you healing gifts, Kisst.” Savah poked and the small indent in his chest where the weathervane had broken through the skin.

“And I have used some of them.” Qakisst gave his mentor a faint smile. “I am okay, Savah. Still a little weak, but okay.”

“So you could heal yourself more?”

“Yes, but I am not going to just waste my gifts like that.” Qakisst gave Savah a defiant look. “Something could happen later today and I would need them.”

“Qakisst…”

“No, Savah. I will take care of myself, but I will not exhaust my gifts for personal comfort.” Qakisst smiled, “I have been in worse shape than I am right now. I am not bleeding and there are no broken bones.”

“Qakisst…”

“Savah, in private please?” Qakisst motioned to the all too public shop at the front of the building.

“Okay.” Savah turned to head up to the storefront and barked back at Keth and Ben, “Quit gawking, boys. Plenty of work you can be doing.”

‘Please, please, please stop.” Qakisst did not wait for Savah to start questioning him as he followed her into the storefront. “I have already had the riot act from Lady Cassandra, Cassidy is yelling at me, Laurie will not even talk to me, so please stop. I have had enough overprotective mothering and I still have not been to the White Deer yet. I fully expect to be mugged by lady Quinta, Korva, and Tanjah later today. Be stern, fatherly, and just tell me to be careful; okay?” He pushed one of the stools behind the counter up against the wall and sat leaning back.

“Qakisst…”

“Yes Dad?” Qakisst smiled at Savah as she glared back at him.

“You aren’t going to make this easy, are you?” Savah pulled up the second stool and sat directly in front of Qakisst.

“I swear, I am not trying to get myself killed or injured for attention.” The young ifrit rubbed his hands across his face before wrapping his fingers around his bull like horns.

“Tell me what the hell happened.” Savah paused but Qakisst did not reply right away. “There were rumors that you died last night. Rumors that you’d lost an arm. Give me something, Kisst.”

“Have you heard the stories about Foxglove manor being haunted?” Qakisst let his arms drop to his sides and just leaned back against the cool brick wall.

“Yeah, who hasn’t.” Savah shrugged, “Just stories though.”

“I had not.” Qakisst looked up at the ceiling. “Mama Liandra never told me ghost stories. She knew I do not like them.”

“Well then, I guess…”

“They are all true.”

Savah gave Qakisst a disbelieving look, “They’re just stories, Kisst.”

“No, they are not.” Qakisst looked Savah right in the eye. “Vorel Foxglove built the entire house as part of an effort to escape death.” Savah looked wide eyed back at him, “It did not work exactly like he expected. His spirit became bound to the house. That is what has been haunting the house for over forty years.”

“Qakisst, that’s just silly.” Savah shook her head in disbelief.

“Just living in the house cost Aldern Foxglove his life.” Qakisst looked away. “The taint of the house is what transformed him into a ghoul. Aldern Foxglove became a monster living in that house. He…”

“Come on Qakisst. You know I’m no fan of that foppish ass, but a monster?” Savah stood up and spread her arms in disbelief.

“Aldern Foxglove is dead. Twice dead, now.” Qakisst tipped his head back against the wall. “He was the one that killed all those people this last month. Banny Harker, Katrine Vinder, Grayst Silva, Hayliss Korvaski, all the farm folk south of town that have disappeared.” Tears welled up in Qakisst’s eyes. “All dead because Aldern Foxglove’s great uncle was scared to die.”

“Are you okay, Qakisst?” At the sound of Keth Deskert’s voice both Savah and Qakisst looked back at the door to the workshop. Savah looked about ready to bite Keth’s head off but Qakisst grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

“I am fine, Keth. Just a little overwhelmed by it all.” Qakisst stood up and walked over to the workshop door where both Keth and Ben were listening in. “Keep all of this quiet, guys. We still do not know who all the victims are.”

“And get back to work!” Savah’s bark sent the twins rushing back to their stations.

Qakisst turned back to Savah, “They are going to blab to everybody tonight.” He covered his face with both hands and sighed.

“You sure you’re okay, Kisst?” Savah stood up and wrapped her arms around her one time apprentice.

“No.” Qakisst sighed again. “But I will survive.” He then stepped back out of Savah’s grasp and gave her a faint smile. “We have to go to Magnimar to investigate the Foxglove townhouse and make sure that none of Vorel Foxglove’s taint extended beyond the mansion.” Savah looked up at him with disbelief. “We’re leaving tomorrow.”

“But Qakisst…”

“I have to, Savah. I promised Solsta Vinder I would get whoever was responsible for her daughter’s death. Vorel Foxglove had patrons backing him and Aldern Foxglove was taking instructions from some cult both before and after he became a ghoul. He may have been the one that actually killed her, but he was sent by somebody else to kill Banny Harker.”

“But why? I mean; sure Banny was a rude ass but he didn’t deserve to die.” Savah slumped down onto the stool behind her and looked at Qakisst in disbelief.

“I will not argue about what Banny deserved, but Katrine certainly did not deserve what happened to her.” As Qakisst stood up and looked around Savah watched him closely. “In any case, I am going to Magnimar to make sure all of this is finally over.”

“Then what?” Savah tilted her head as she looked at Qakisst.

“I think I might like to come home.” Qakisst turned in a circle looking all around the armory’s storefront.

“So Sandpoint is finally your home now?” Savah smirked at him, “No running off to chase your shoes?”

“Maybe eventually, but I was not talking about Sandpoint.” Qakisst turned his head to face Savah. “I was talking about this place.”

“You’ve grown too skilled to be my apprentice anymore, Kisst.” Savah shook her head. “I don’t think going backwards is the answer.”

“I did not say I want to be your apprentice, Savah. More like a working partner.” Qakisst smiled and looked wide eyed and innocently at Savah.

“A part… What?” Savah stood up knocking her stool back.

“Come on, Savah. I do not want to be your competition and I think I want to say here.” Qakisst smiled pleadingly.

“Look Qakisst; I spent a lot of money and time setting this place up.” Savah looked around trying to think of an appropriate reply.

“I have money Savah. More than I ever dreamed of growing up.” Qakisst fidgeted but continued to smile. “I will pay the buy in, and you can keep your name on the business and the storefront. I will even let you use my reputation to advertise.” He gave a slightly distasteful look before smiling again. The two looked at each other for several moments before Qakisst continued, “I am the best metal smith in Sandpoint, possibly even in Varisia. Ben metale şeyler… GRRRR… I can do things you know nobody else can do with metal.”

“That language thing…”

“Is not a problem I cannot overcome.” Qakisst stood arms wide looking plaintive.

“Qakisst I…” Savah gripped Qakisst by his shoulders and looked at him with a touch of pride.

“Will not regret it any more than hiring me in the first place.” Qakisst smiled broadly.

“I will think about it.” Savah smiled back.

“That is all I can ask.”

The pair stared at each other for several moments before a pair of voices from the work floor door interrupted them. “Do we…”

“…have to…”

“…call him…”

“…boss…”

“…now?”

On another note; the idea behind the Deskert Twins was just a fluke. By that same fluke I grew up with quite a few sets of identical twins in my tiny population 1k town in eastern Iowa. I always found twins incredibly interesting and had always wished I'd had a twin brother. I still don't know which one is me; Ben or Keth. I'll probably properly introduce them once more information on them comes through in the story.

The Exchange

One last one before I lay off for a while. I just want to get all of the aftermath of Misgivings out before I continue writing on the Magnimar portion of Skinsaw. And more about my new friend Dahlia along with Qakisst's continuous emotional problems coping with his feelings for a certain bard.

Skinsaw Murders: The Bard and the Bartender:

Qakisst left the Armory with a good feeling and headed for the Rusty Dragon. He walked in the door in the late morning and found Lady Kaijitsu behind the bar of her own establishment sorting through bottles and talking to a couple of merchants that had come in for Market Day. He looked around in the dimly lit common room and saw Dahlia sitting by the stage sorting through the contents of her backpack. Seeing nobody else he decided to join the bard and get a deeper glimpse into her life.

“Had enough of Sandpoint?” Qakisst smiled and waited for an invite to be seated.

Dahlia looked up, smiled back, and gestured to the chair opposite her own seat, “Not at all. Nicest place I’ve ever been arrested in, but I do have a few things to do elsewhere for a week or so.”

“Oh, so you will be back in the spring with all new songs to wow us? I look forward to it.” Qakisst looked around for one of the serving staff but saw nobody other than Ameiko haggling at the bar.

“I don’t think it will be that long. I just need to go to Magnimar for a while. I heard that you lot are rushing off to Magnimar today.” Dahlia looked out of the corner of her eye at Qakisst while continuing to shuffle through the contents of her pack.

“Tomorrow actually.” Qakisst continued to look around for any of the service staff.

“They’re outside serving drinks in the market today.” Dahlia motioned toward the entrance with a nod. “So tomorrow? That’s wonderful.”

“Wonderful?” Qakisst turned to Dahlia with a confused look.

“Yes. I have one last performance here in the Dragon tonight and was planning to leave for Magnimar tomorrow morning.” Dahlia shrugged and stopped sorting her gear to look at Qakisst. “Could I beg to tag along with your crew? It hasn’t exactly been safe wandering around alone lately and since I’m trying to keep clear of any of the less scrupulous associates from my past I could really stand to have some trustable traveling companions.”

“Why are you packing so early today if you’re leaving tomorrow?” Qakisst looked across the table at Dahlia’s scattered belongings.

“Well, actually packing properly is kind of a new concept to me.” Dahlia’s comment drew a puzzled look from Qakisst. Dahlia shrugged with a smile. “I’m more used to shoving anything within arm’s reach into my pack and rushing out the window before the city watch kick the door in. Actually packing is kind of new to me; which would explain this mess.” The roguish bard gestured to the eclectic assortment covering the table.

Qakisst snorted a laugh and ran a hand across his eyes. “Ben o nasıl bir şey hatırlıyorum.” He looked up at Dahlia with a smile, “I thought for years that it was normal for Varisi to just throw everything into the back of the wagon and rush out of town in the middle of the night.”

“You didn’t have anything to do with them rushing off in the middle of the night, did you Qakisst?” Dahlia smirked at Qakisst even as she waved to the bar with her mug to attract Ameiko’s attention.

“More than a few times, ben eminim.” Qakisst laughed and blushed slightly.

“Good to see you in one piece today, Mr. Vishtani?” Ameiko stepped up behind Qakisst quietly, startling him into silence. “Can I get you anything while I am getting something for Dahlia?”

“Ah…”

“Stop teasing the poor boy, Ameiko. Get us both an amber and get him a plate of something to eat. Rumor is he had a rough day yesterday and needs his strength.” Dahlia gave Ameiko a stern and disapproving look before speaking in elvish. “Epi si ou kontinye ap jwe di yo jwenn ou ap ale nan pèdi l 'nan dam Deverin.”

“B+%@%.” Ameiko stuck her tongue out at Dahlia with a laugh then turned back to the kitchen to find something for Qakisst and Dahlia. Qakisst stopped fidgeting as he watched the Dragon’s proprietor walking away.

“Why do you let her do that to you?” Dahlia turned back to Qakisst while slowly loading the extensive content on the table into her pack.

“Ne yap? Er, sorry. Do what?” Qakisst looked down at the table then out the window as if trying to find something to focus on besides Ameiko or Dahlia.

“Play with your head like she does.” Even as she spoke Dahlia cast the comprehension spell to keep up with Qakisst’s linguistic gymnastics.

“She is not playing with my head. I just…”

“She is most certainly playing with your head, Qakisst. She always approaches you from behind; and she does it because she knows you get nervous around her so she doesn’t want you to have a chance to ready yourself. She does it to get maximum effect. You don’t have time to think and bam, she’s in your face and asking you some question designed to keep you off your guard and flustered.”

“Hayır. She is not…”

“She’s teasing you because she knows that you do actually like her, as opposed to the endless stream of drunken sots that just want her body, or her money, or her title.” Dahlia leaned back. “She’s teasing you because you’re actually worth talking too.”

Qakisst took a deep breath to calm his nerves before looking Dahlia in the eye, “I do not think…”

“Right you are, Mr. Vishtani.” Ameiko’s unexpected quick return cut Qakisst off as she leaned over him from behind and placed a plate of bread and sliced apples in front of him along with a mug of ale. Quick as could be, she slipped around him to deposit another mug in front of Dahlia before turning back to Qakisst “Anything else I can get for either of you; now that we’ve cleared up the workings of Qakisst’s thought processes?” She smiled broadly at both of them when neither replied; then slipped back to her place at the bar with a nod. “Enjoy.”

Dahlia watched Qakisst watching Ameiko for a moment before clearing her throat, “Please, tell me again how the trained bard with masterful vocal control and an impeccable sense of timing didn’t just do that on purpose.” Dahlia smiled over the top of her mug before taking a sip. Qakisst glared back at her for a moment before picking up a slice of apple.

“That does not mean anything.”

“Really?”

“She is a noble and I am just another customer in her inn. So she gets a kick out of yanking my chain. When she gets bored where will that leave me?” Qakisst shoved the slice of apple into his mouth and chewed with a bit of angry resolve.

“With a thrilling life experience worth remembering?” Dahlia rolled her eyes dreamily, letting her right eye momentarily return to its natural blue in contrast to her left eye’s natural green. “And just maybe she won’t get bored. You are kind of interesting.”

“Whatever.” Qakisst pushed back from the table to stand up.

“Wait, wait, alright. I’ll leave it alone.” Dahlia grabbed his hand, “Don’t go, Qakisst.” Qakisst eased back into his seat but still looked somewhat upset. Dahlia sized him up for a moment before continuing, “You are really sensitive about this.”

“You said that you would let it alone.” Qakisst glared at Dahlia.

“I’ll leave the issue with Ameiko alone, but its something else deep down, isn’t it, Qakisst?” Dahlia gave him a concerned look. “You don’t have to talk to me about it, Qakisst. You hardly know me and you can’t actually trust me yet; not after our last Market Day encounter.” The reminder of how the two had actually met brought a brief smile to Qakisst’s face, “But whatever it is that has you this bundled in knots you shouldn’t keep to yourself. You’ll wind up old and bitter like me.”

“You are not that old.” Qakisst seemed to relax a little.

“I’m old enough to be your mother.” Qakisst scoffed at Dahlia’s reply. “Okay, not your mother, but I’m as old as your buddy Caleb’s mother. And I’m a hell of a lot more worldly than you or any of your three girlfriends.”

“I do not have three girlfriends.” Qakisst tried to snarl at Dahlia but laughed slightly instead.

“As good looking as you are, you should have more. You probably would if you got over your fear of everybody’s father.” Dahlia stole a slice of apple from Qakisst’s plate as she spoke.

“It is not fear of other people’s fathers that keeps my pants buttoned up.” Qakisst’s protest drew a laugh from Dahlia and both of them heard a slight chuckle from the bar which made Qakisst blush a deep bronze color.

“Well then, what is it that keeps you from taking advantage of Chamandi’s constant attempts to get you alone, or Laurie’s infatuation with your adventurous life, or Korva’s devotion to you as a friend?” Dahlia gripped Qakisst’s hand to make sure he did not try to run off. “What is it you fear so much that you can’t bear to be with a woman?”

Anger rose in Qakisst’s chest and he barked out at Dahlia while flames seemed to light his eyes, “Ben onun gibi olamazlar!”

“Like who, Qakisst?” Dahlia gripped his hand in both of her’s to make sure he could not flee. She could feel the heat of his hand becoming almost unbearable, but she trusted him not to burn her so she gripped him tighter. He stared at her with anger still flaring in his eyes. Softly she spoke, “Its okay, Qakisst. You can tell me. Who don’t you want to be like?”

“Babam.” The softness of Qakisst’s voice caused his words to melt into the air, but Dahlia understood.

“I don’t think you ever have to worry about that, Qakisst.” Dahlia struggled to hold onto Qakisst’s hands despite the heat coming off of them, “You care too much about other people’s feelings to be like him.”

Qakisst’s temper did not subside, but his hands cooled, “<What would you know of my father.>”

Dahlia let go, no longer fearing Qakisst would leave. “Nothing, other than his son hates him and is scared to death of him.”

“Feahhh!” Qakisst spat in reply. “<He has been dead for nearly twenty years. Why should I fear him?>”

“That’s a good question. Your father must have been a real piece of work to still have a hold over you after all this time.” Dahlia raised her mug and smiled at Qakisst, “To our fathers. May they get all that they deserve.”

Qakisst stared back at Dahlia in angry silence even as she still held up her mug. Silently another mug appeared above the table attached to Ameiko’s hand. “To just rewards.” Ameiko’s salute cracked the angry scowl on Qakisst’s face as he looked to his left at her. She looked down at him with both apprehension and faith.

Qakisst sat up strait and gripped his mug thinking for a moment before raising it, “No.” He paused and looked at both women, “To our loved ones, both lost and still with us. May they forever fill our hearts with light.” Both Dahlia and Ameiko hesitated for a second before repeating the toast and tapping Qakisst’s mug with their own.

“Good choice, Qakisst.” Dahlia smiled at him before taking a drink.

“Yeah, good choice.” Ameiko smiled with tears in her eyes as both she and Qakisst took a drink. She sat her mug down on the table and sniffed sadly before turning to return to the bar. Qakisst caught her hand before she could get out of reach and looked up at her.

“He was my friend; and I miss him too.” Qakisst locked eyes with Ameiko for a moment then looked to the dragon tattoo on her left shoulder. A startled look flashed in her eyes; then Qakisst let Ameiko slip her hand free of his as she looked back and smiled while fighting back tears. Ameiko returned to the bar as Qakisst turned back to Dahlia. The two of them stared at each other in silence for several minutes before Qakisst finally found his voice.

“How did you know?” Qakisst picked up a piece of apple and fiddled with it nervously.

“About you, or about Ameiko?” Dahlia raised an eyebrow quizzically as she looked at Qakisst.

“Either. Both.” Qakisst looked up and sighed. “<I already know why> Ameiko,… <why she is sad all the time.>”

“I caught that. He must have been somebody special.” Dahlia smiled at Qakisst, “But I knew it was somebody. And you; don’t let your father rule the rest of your life, Qakisst. Like I said, you’ll wind up bitter and old like me.”

Qakisst smiled mischievously, “You do not seem bitter to me.” Dahlia made to protest the reference to her age until both of them heard a chuckle from the bar. They both turned to see Ameiko laugh despite the tears filling her eyes.

Qakisst and Dahlia smiled and looked at each other as the lunch crowd began to fill the inn. “I hear rumor that you have a musical instrument.” Dahlia’s smile became mischievous.

“Uh, yes. A guitar.” Qakisst wiped his eyes and looked at Dahlia in confusion.

“You know how to play?” Dahlia’s smile grew broader still as she looked back at Qakisst. “Bring it tonight, five o’clock.” Dahlia finished her ale.

“I do not know…”

“You just said you know how to play; so bring it and you be ready to play, Mr. Vishtani.” Dahlia’s insistence finally swayed Qakisst.

“Fine, but I am not nearly as good as any of the bards that regularly perform here.” Qakisst stood up and looked around. “I got a few other things to do before then.” He paused and looked back up to the bar, “Thanks Dahlia.”

“Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t seen my play list.” Dahlia stuffed the last of her things into her backpack and stood up. “See you at five; with, your, guitar.”

The Exchange

Road Trip!

Skinsaw: the Road to Magnimar:

Qakisst, Sapphire, & Konnor strolled along the Lost Coast Road with Dahlia in the cool morning air. Behind then Serren and Luthor trailed along discussing Pathfinder Society issues. Konnor and Qakisst argued back and forth in ignan as Sapphire grumbled slightly. It seemed that Qakisst had forgotten to mention to the two of them that Dahlia had asked to travel with them this morning. While Sapphire was slightly annoyed by the oversight, Konnor was positively livid that Qakisst had given a total stranger permission to travel along with them.

“<You know she can hear us, don’t you, Konnor?>” Qakisst rolled his eyes in dismay.

“<I do not care. It is not like she can speak Ignan.>” Konnor glowered back, “<And you still should have asked about bringing a total stranger into our group. She could be a plant; waiting for us to let down our guard. You should not be so damned trusting!>”

“<It is called ateşi ses; and you had no problem joining us in the Dragon with your guitar last night, so she isn’t really a stranger.>” Qakisst shook his head, “<Plus she knows the comprehension spell, so it is actually kind of important that she can Hear You!>” Saying that he turned to look over at Dahlia and smiled apologetically.

“Do they do this often, Lady Sapphire?” Dahlia turned to Sapphire as Qakisst and Konnor continued to argue with each other.

“According to Shalelu; constantly.” Sapphire looked over at the bickering boys then back to Dahlia, “It is a good question, even if Konnor was very rude about it earlier. Why travel with us? You could have left with the caravan this morning.”

“Well, most of the merchants were heading farther up the road to Galduria. The ones that were heading to Magnimar left early and plan to push all the way through to Magnimar tonight, I don’t have a horse so I wouldn’t have been able to keep up, and as all of you have proven, there are ghouls out wandering the area so it isn’t really safe by myself.” Dahlia smiled apologetically. “I did ask Qakisst if he would ask all of you.”

“Yes you did.” Sapphire looked over at Qakisst with a slightly annoyed look. “And I don’t really mind except that when we first met things got really ugly really fast.”

“I don’t know what to say about that. Lener and his boys knew the drill. If anybody showed up that I couldn’t fascinate they were supposed to just hightail it out of town. They certainly weren’t supposed to get into a fight with a warrior maiden of Iomedae, or the Mayor’s nephew.” Dahlia sheepishly looked at Sapphire. “I’m not saying what we did was right, but we weren’t supposed to hurt anybody.”

“Your definition of hurting people seems a bit different than mine.” Sapphire gave Dahlia a slightly disapproving look, “I’m not one for redemption like Qakisst, but he vouched for you this morning so I ain’t going to say no. I know that life goes bad for some people, I do understand that, but you had it pretty good as a performer; you didn’t need to be helping out a pack of thieves. You’re pretty lucky that most of Sandpoint is fairly forgiving.”

“Well, yes. I guess that I am.” Dahlia felt the oppressive weight of condemnation in Sapphire’s tone. The angelic born holy warrior seemed to exude a righteousness at times that embarrassed less honest people.

“And since Sheriff Hemlock certified your release I have no problems traveling with you.” Sapphire gave Dahlia a stern look, “But that does not mean I trust you. I am sure you understand my meaning.”

“Yes.” As she replied to Sapphire, the elder bard began to regretting her choice of traveling companions at the moment; yet she could still hear Qakisst arguing on her behalf. Enthusiastically reminding Konnor that quite a few of his activities were not exactly righteous actions. It seemed that he really did believe in her. That was almost more painful than the guilt that seemed to fill her whenever Sapphire started getting sanctimonious on her. Sapphire’s righteousness made Dahlia want to crawl away and hide; but Qakisst’s almost empathic defense of her made her ashamed to not try and be a better person.

Watching the two argue back and forth Dahlia came to an understanding. The two were not just arguing in Ignan because that was easier for Qakisst. They did not want Sapphire to know everything they were arguing about. As Dahlia listened she came to realize that Qakisst had as much of a roguish streak to him as any Varisi she knew. It was no wonder the Varisi called him cousin, both openly and with affection. No matter where he had been born or where his blood came from; Qakisst was Varisi at heart; but it was a good heart. He actually cared about people. He even seemed to care about Konnor, even though he obviously disliked the dark skinned elf.

And what a surprise Konnor Elvenborn had proved to be. Elvish legend said that his dark skin reflected a dark heart in his family. When she had first met him Dahlia had nearly panicked at the sight of him; but he had proven to have more morals than many of her one time elven associates, and he played the guitar too. Not as well as Qakisst by far, but he did know how to play. And despite some reluctance, he had willingly joined in last night when invited. The not quite impromptu jam session had gone on until nearly midnight and everybody had a wonderful time.

That had been then, though. When Dahlia had shown up this morning to join the trio, along with their new friends from the Pathfinder Society, everybody had been a little surprised. Luthor and Serren had cheerily said yes to the idea of having a trained bard along, as had Qakisst. Konnor and Sapphire had not been so enthusiastic. Caleb had left a note without explanation, saying that he would catch up in Magnimar, so the vote had been three to two in favor of Dahlia traveling with them. Sapphire had relented at that point, but Konnor had made a point of arguing all through the morning. Serren and Luthor, for their part, kept a polite distance as the group marched along.

Eventually Serren matched step with Dahlia and asked why there seemed to be so much controversy about her traveling with them. With a nervous chuckle, and a slightly reproachful glance from Sapphire, Dahlia recounted the story of her arrival in Sandpoint a few weeks after the Swallowtail festival. While the perspective was that of Dahlia, she kept to the truth about her choosing to help her less than honest cohorts in another of their schemes to bolster their pockets while scoping out which of the nobles might be worthy marks based on the shopping habits and pocket contents of their servants on Market Day.

While Luthor chuckled at Dahlia’s description of her initial introduction to Qakisst being a Snapdragon firework in the face; Serren locked on something completely different. “Wait, wait a minute. You’re the Fire Rose?” Serren looked wide eyed at Dahlia.

“Um,…” Dahlia gave a confused grin. “Not what I expected you to fixate on out of that story.”

“Sweet Shelyn; I saw you perform in Magnimar early last month. You were wonderful!” Serren clasped Dahlia’s hand in joy.

With some embarrassment Dahlia looked around seeing Qakisst still arguing with Konnor up ahead and both Sapphire and Luthor rolling their eyes. “Thank you.” With an embarrassed smile Dahlia tugged at her sleeves and her outfit shifted to that of the Fire Rose in full regalia.

Serren laughed out loud, “Sleeves of many garments? No wonder you can change looks so quickly on stage. Those certainly couldn’t be cheap.”

“Ah hehe, yes. They are not cheap. And they only work for some outfits.” Dahlia blushed as she realized that Sapphire was frowning at her. “The more complex outfits and costumes can’t quite be duplicated with precision so I still have a trunk load of costumes locked up in Cyrdak’s theater. “He agreed to let me keep them there so long as I promise to perform at least once a month in Sandpoint. So I will be hanging around this area for the foreseeable future.”

“Considering you’re responsible for nearly burning down the theater, I’m surprised he didn’t confiscate them.” Konnor interjected with a scowl.

“Your friend Tessa was the one tossing fire bombs around.” Dahlia shot back with a glare. “What magics I know are all charms and enhancements.”

“Enough Konnor.” Sapphire rolled her eyes. “Tessa already told us how the firefight went. She’s lucky Master Drokkus didn’t make her pay for the damages. If it had been more than a few curtains and a dressing table I’m sure he would have.”

“Its still her fault.” Konnor nodded toward Dahlia.

“They have a strange definition of fault where you’re from, Konnor. Where is that again?” Dahlia scowled at the dark elven man, “And wasn’t it you that though hacking my hair up would break the transmutations that let me change my appearance? I still owe you for that haircut.”

“You did not get anything you didn’t bring on yourself.” Konnor snarled.

“I was unconscious and tied to a chair by you lot.” Dahlia barked back, “How was hacking my hair up going to prove anything to anybody?”

Serren slowly gave distance to the rest of the group but Luthor kept right up with Dahlia as she and Konnor yelled back and forth, a huge grin plastered to his face. Sapphire shook her head and separated the arguing pair.

“Enough!” The Iomedean warrior gripped both Dahlia and Konnor by the arm. “You don’t trust each other. We get it! I don’t really trust either of you; but I’m not yelling it for everybody in Magnimar to hear!”

“Actually Sapphire…”

“Shut up Qakisst!” Sapphire shot the young ifrit a quick glance before returning her attention to her current charges. “Konnor, if you’ve nothing nice to say, shut up. Same for you, Dahlia.” Sapphire released both of them and stomped forward. “Or I swear I’ll knock you both out and drag you the rest of the way to Magnimar.”

Dahlia replied with a meek grin and stepped to the other side of Qakisst as they continued walking up the road. Konnor glared at her and barked in Ignan at Qakisst. “<This is your fault.>”

“My fault?” Qakisst laughed back at Konnor.

“Shut up, Konnor!” As Sapphire glared at Konnor, Dahlia quietly whistled a marching tune as she walked.

The Exchange

Skinsaw: Reasonable Suspicion:

In late afternoon the party made cap across the road from WayStation, the small village and traveler’s Inn that was halfway between Magnimar and Sandpoint. Most of the group was surprised when Dahlia chose to camp in the open with them instead of staying at the inn, but Qakisst just shrugged and pulled out his guitar to play during the evening. The remainder of the trip to Magnimar the next morning passed uneventfully, with Konnor grousing quietly to himself, while Serren and Qakisst questioned Dahlia about various musical forms and her many performances. While Qakisst was honestly curious, Serren seemed more fan than simply curious. When the city gates came into view Luthor and Serren took leave to report to their superiors and see if they could find a way to cleanse Foxglove Manor of Vorel Foxglove’s malevolent spirit. The others headed for the commons entrance without much care; until they tried to enter the pedestrian gate.

“Name.” The overworked gate guard looked down at a clip board as Sapphire approached the front of the line.

“Sapphire.”

“Full name please.” The guard turned his eyes up without moving his head.

“Sapphire Idyllkin.”

“Purpose for visit.” The guard furiously scribbled on his check list.

“Sandpoint official business.” Sapphire smiled, resigned to a bit of bureaucracy. The guard looked up with a slight start, looked the heavily armored warrior of the Inheritor up and down, then scribbled a few notes.

“One copper to pass the gate. Weapons to be peace bound while in the city.” The man smiled politely and motioned to the exchequer behind him in the gateway. Sapphire pulled out a copper coin and paid the clerk at the desk before binding the holding straps on her sheath around the pommel of her sword.

“Name.” The guard did not look up as Qakisst stepped up in line.

“Qakisst Vishtani.” Qakisst calmly waited for the inevitable questions about his name.

“Spelling please.” The guard made no comment about Qakisst’s mixed name or heritage.

“Uh, q a k i s s t; um, no. Two ess’. Yes, that is right. V i s h t a n i. Yes, that is right.”

“Purpose for visit.” The guard seemed annoyed at having been corrected.

“Um, Sandpoint business, and personal business.” Qakisst’s statement made Sapphire look back at him.

“How long do you plan to be in the city?” The guard looked up.

“Um; Sapphire, daha ne kadar biz burada olacak? Er, sorry. How long are we going to be here?” Qakisst looked around the guard at Sapphire.

“I can’t say. Hopefully no more than a week.” Sapphire smiled and looked back at Qakisst and the guard.

“Okay, I would say ten days. Lady Sapphire can be overly optimistic.” Qakisst smiled.

“Ma’am, is this… man with you?” The guard looked back at Sapphire while pointing to Qakisst.

“Yes, we both work for Sheriff Hemlock in Sandpoint.” Sapphire tried not to look bored or impatient.

“Very well. Keep that spear pointed up. One copper to pass the gate.” The guard gave Qakisst an annoyed look and motioned to the exchequer.

“Name.”

“Dahlia Rose, on personal business.” Dahlia stepped up to the guard.

“Welcome to Magnimar, Lady Rose. I hope you enjoy your stay.” The guard motioned Dahlia threw the gate. Both Sapphire and Qakisst raised an eyebrow as Dahlia smiled at the exchequer and walked past to stand next to them. The clerk smiled up at Dahlia and went back to his work.

“Did you just…” Sapphire glared at Dahlia.

“World famous opera singer and renowned performer.” Dahlia smiled at Sapphire somewhat meekly.

“Name.”

“Konnor, with a kay.” Konnor stepped up to the gate guard.

“Full name.”

“Just Konnor. No last name.” Konnor seemed unnaturally calm as he spoke to the gate guard.

“What’s the mask for, just Konnor?” The guard looked up.

“Just my choice.” As Konnor spoke Sapphire and Qakisst resigned themselves to waiting a few extra minutes.

“And this?” The speed at which the guard pulled out a dagger and held it to Konnor’s neck startled everybody, but Konnor did not move. He instinctively knew the guard would not stab him as long as he did not react.

“This?” Konnor spoke without moving, even as he tried to look down while several other guards moved toward the pedestrian gate. Qakisst stood dumbfounded and Sapphire gripped the peace bound hilt of her sword. The guard hooked the tip of his dagger into a chain around Konnor’s neck and slowly lifted out the partially visible sihedron medallion that Konnor had recovered from Thistletop a month earlier.

“What would this be?” The guard reached up and gripped the seven pointed star medallion and glared accusingly at Konnor.

“It’s a trinket, a magical medallion we found in some goblin infested ruins.” Shock showed in Konnor’s eyes, even through his mask.

“You’ll have to do better than that, boy.” The guard frowned as he turned the medallion back and forth before releasing it to fall against Konnor’s chest.

“Guardsman, is there a problem?” Sapphire looked over the guardsman at Konnor, who now stood with his hands out wide, and clear of his weapons. Before the guardsman could reply, another guard in an officer’s tabard stormed into the checkpoint.

“You two, you came in with him. I saw you on the road talking. Do you know this man?” The tall well-appointed guard captain stepped up behind Sapphire and pointed at Konnor. The blond haired captain glared at everybody.

“Yes.”

“Evet.”

“Unfortunately.” Dahlia scowled, almost grinning at Konnor’s misfortune. The guard captain looked at her for a moment with some confusion.

“Lady Rose, you know this man?” The captain stepped around Sapphire to point at Konnor.

“Well, yes. I arrived with these three from Sandpoint this morning.” Dahlia smiled sweetly, “Is there a problem Captain…?”

“Captain Robins, ma’am.” The guard neatly snapped to attention as he addressed Dahlia. “I am afraid I need these three to come with me. If you like I can have you notified after I am done talking to them.”

“That’s quite alright, Captain. I will stick around and see what the problem is; if that is alright with you.” Dahlia smiled politely, and innocently. Qakisst and Sapphire looked at each other confused.

“As you wish, m’lady.”

“<Whatever you’ve done Sneaky, I am so going to make you regret it.>” Qakisst turned to Dahlia, but his eyes locked onto Konnor as he spoke.

The Exchange

I never quite found the idea that Konnor, a drow, could so easily wander around publicly without drawing the attention of a few elves. Too many, are too conveniently forlorn in the campaign world. But every once in a while, he gets funny looks, and jumps through hoops to hide himself. It can be funny to watch Drizzt 254875.9 squirm when he's worried somebody will recognize him for what he is, in game.

Skinsaw: Justice:
Dahlia stood in the back of the office where Justice Barrowman sat at his desk. Konnor stood at the front of the desk pleading his case as Sapphire and Qakisst stood behind him attempting to help.

“So where did you say you found this medallion?” The Justice scowled at the magical trinket he held in his hand.

“At Thistletop, in a goblin overrun ruin.” Sweat ran down the back of Konnor’s neck as he answered. His characteristic mask sitting on Barrowman’s desk.

“And just where is Thistletop?” The Justice scowled up at Konnor.

“Uh, East of Sandpoint, just off the coast from the…” Konnor looked about for help.

“The Nettle Woods, not far from the Lost Coast Road.” Qakisst came to Konnor’s rescue.

“Son, I am not taking to you just yet.” The Justice glared at Qakisst. “This is a serious investigation. Do not force me to separate the three of you.”

Sapphire glanced behind herself at Dahlia, then back to the Justice. Qakisst visibly shrank into himself in response to Barrowman’s rebuke. Konnor seemed undeterred.

“I don’t know the name of every cops of trees in the Magnimar region. Q is the local hero.” Konnor gestured to Qakisst. “He and Sapphire were both there too.”

“And how long ago was it that you found this thing at this Thistletop?” The Justice looked back and forth between the three adventurers.

“I don’ remember, just over a month?” Konnor shrugged.

“We have been in Sandpoint for the last week, your honor. Before that we were here in Magnimar testifying before Justice Ironbriar against a wizard named Lyre and an oaf named Orik van Kaskerkin.” Sapphire’s held her temper, but her impatience was beginning to show.

“Young lady, you…” Justice Barrowman found himself cut off by Sapphire.

“…Cannot be intimidated. The Inheritor guides me and takes all fear from me.” Sapphire smiled politely. “Justice Ironbriar asked us to take a mission to a logging camp nearby after we testified. Then we came back to Magnimar for a week so that Qakisst could finish an internship with one of the smithing guilds. I am certain that Justice Ironbriar will happily testify to our good names; possibly even Konnor’s.”

Justice Barrowman glowered at Sapphire, then looked up at the two guards that were standing just inside the door. “Captain Robins, go get Justice Ironbriar for me. His court should be letting out soon. Tell him that it involves the Star Murders.”

At the mention of the Star Murders both Sapphire and Qakisst turned to look at each other wide eyed. Even Dahlia stood up straighter.

“Sir?” Qakisst softly spoke looking up with his head still down.

“Mr. Vishtani, do you have something to tell me?” The Justice looked at Qakisst suspiciously.

“Sir, the case we are investigating for Sheriff Hemlock; several of the victims were marked with a 7 point star cut into their chest, just like Konnor’s medallion.” Qakisst shook slightly as he spoke, almost as if afraid of how the Justice would react.

“I am well aware of how the Star Murder victims were mutilated.” Borrowman growled softly at Qakisst.

“But Sir, the murders we are investigating happened in Sandpoint not Magnimar.” Qakisst seemed almost plaintive as he looked up at the Justice. “We haven’t been in Magnimar in over a week, and were only here part of the time for the two weeks before that.”

“You are not helping your case much, Mr. Vishtani.” The Justice frowned.

Qakisst pulled out a package of notes he had carried from Sandpoint involving their investigation. “But we were here in Magnimar when the first murders happened in Sandpoint at Bradley’s barn. And from your interest in this Star Murderer, there have been more killings here in Magnimar while we were in Sandpoint.” Uncharacteristic sweat appeared on Qakisst’s brow. “There were at least two murderers.”

As Qakisst finished speaking the door to Borrowman’s office opened. Justice Ironbriar entered and smiled weakly. “I should have known this trouble would drag you lot into it.”

“Justice Ironbriar. You are familiar with these vagabonds?” Justice Borrowman looked past the three Sandpoint heroes at Ironbriar and Captain Robins as they entered the office.

“A bit harsh, Borrowman. I am familiar with them; and these three are hardly vagabonds. Lady Sapphire is bound to a prominent temple and Master Vishtani has been making quite a reputation as a smith, I hear.” Ironbriar stepped up to the desk, lifted Konnor’s mask, then looked the dark skinned elf in the eyes. Konnor avoided the elder elven Justice’s gaze and smiled nervously. “They took care of that issue at the Hollows lumber mill for me too. So I can account for their whereabouts during at least two of the murders.”

“Hrmmm…” Borrowman seemed almost disappointed. “So what is this thing all about?” He held up Konnor’s sihedron medallion. “Amazing coincidence that we’re investigating a murderer that leaves a seven pointed star carved in the chest of his victims, and this mask wearing stranger shows up wearing a seven pointed medallion at the gates.”

“Yes, strange. But I find it unlikely that young Konnor here would waltz into town openly wearing the calling card of a serial killer if he were actually the killer.” The two Justices looked at each other before Ironbriar continued. “And what was that you were saying about more killings in Sandpoint?” He turned to Qakisst.

“Uh,… Three men were killed at Bradley’s Barn, an abandoned hay barn near town before we returned to Sandpoint last Sunday. They had a sihedron mark carved in their chests too. And…” Borrowman cut Qakisst off.

“What kind of mark, boy?” He held Konnor’s medallion up and pointed at Qakisst with it.

“A sihedron mark. The seven pointed star. It… O bir... O…” Qakisst took a deep breath to try and calm himself, but Borrowman’s patience had been exhausted by then.

“Spit it out boy! Don’t play games.” The Justice got to his feet behind his desk and seemed to tower over Qakisst.

“DURDUR ŞUNU! Ben… I can… ben cannot focus to… words. I cannot find words if you yelling keep at me!” Qakisst stood as tall as he could and glared across the desk at Justice Borrowman.

“I got this, Q.” Konnor patted Qakisst on the shoulder and smiled at Justice Borrowman. “A sihedron rune is the symbol of ancient Thassilon’s ruling lords. The broken parts of the rune cover half the ruins in Varisia. Each section represents one of the seven schools of ancient Thassilonian philosophy. Thassilonian wizards are said to have aligned their seven schools of magic to these seven philosophies, drawing power from them to enhance their magic. The philosophies noted a virtue and a sin that aligned to each school of magic.” Konnor straightened up and looked at Qakisst and Sapphire even as Justice Borrowman began to scowl at him. “Hey, you don’t think that whoever is doing these rituals is trying to use the sins and virtues of their victims to augment some kind of magic ritual, do you?”

“Now look…” Justice Ironbriar held up a hand to his counterpart to stop him from interrupting.

“Well, Qakisst?” Sapphire looked between Konnor and Qakisst while keeping an eye on Borrowman.

Ben… er… Sorry; I do not know.” Qakisst took another deep breath, “The note we took from… Foxglove listed a group of people noted for being a bit tight fisted or possibly greedy. The three men at the barn were all known thieves; uh… Banny Harker was supposedly cooking the books at the Scarnetti Lumbermill; and despite Sir Jasper’s upstanding reputation, his sister was noted for overcharging people she did not like. I guess if you knew how to harvest a strong emotion or vice, greed would be an easy one. Ancak böyle bir şeyi yapacağını dont'bilmek nasıl. I have no idea how you could do it.”

“You expect me to believe that somebody is harvesting greed like a crop of winter wheat?” Borrowman slammed his knuckles into the decktop.

“Ben yapa… ah, I do not even know if it can be done; but somebody seems to think that they can.” Qakisst pulled a collection of parchment out of his pack and held them out to Justice Borrowman. “Olanların dışı işaretlenmiş ... sorry; the ones marked off on this list were found with the sihedron carved into their chest and their lower jaw removed.”

“Their lower…” Barrowman sat down. “But we haven’t told anybody about that.”

“Several other victims have turned up dead, or infested with ghoul fever, that were not mutilated. Their names were not on the list.” Sapphire gestured to Qakisst. “Go ahead and give it all to him, Qakisst. Even the notes from Foxglove.”

Qakisst shrugged then pulled all the notes that they had gathered from their investigation into the Skinsaw Man’s murder spree, clearly showing that Aldern Foxglove had been the killer. “We identified Lord Foxglove as the Skinsaw killer. He had been infected with ghoul fever and…”

“He became a ghast, a powerful intelligent ghoul.” Sapphire continued when Qakisst could not. “Not only was he marking people with this rune, then killing them; he was infecting local farmers to build up his ‘Pack’ of personal monsters. But he was not marking these victims for himself. He was working for somebody here in Magnimar.”

“Your name is on several of these notes, Ms. Idyllkin.” Borrowman looked up at Sapphire.

“I am well aware of that. Aldern Foxglove was a sick bastard. The transformation into a ghoul broke his already twisted mind. But from these notes, somebody who knew he was infected used him to commit these murders. Somebody that thinks they can harvest greedy souls. It doesn’t actually matter if they can or cannot, they think they can; and they aren’t done.” Sapphire stood over Borrowman’s desk and looked down at him. “We came to Magnimar find out who. Who are the Seven, and who is Xanishia. They are responsible for all of the deaths we’ve been tasked to investigate; including the death of Aldern Foxglove.”

Justice Borrowman looked up at Justice Ironbriar. “I suppose you think they can help.”

Ironbriar looked down at his counterpart, “They handled the mess at Hollow’s sawmill for me. And looking at these,…” He shuffled through the notes Qakisst had provided, “I think they have gotten farther than we have. We never had a name before today. Let them work with Captain Robins here. They are deputized agents under Hemlock; so they even have some authority.”

“Hemlock! A small town sheriff out on the fringe!” Borrowman scoffed.

“Meaning you have a free scapegoat if required, one that won’t even be affected if you have to cut him lose, and you get four sets of free hands that you can dismiss any time you need too.” Ironbriar smiled at Sapphire as he spoke to Borrowman. “Or you can tell the Lord Mayor that you’ve made no more progress this week than last. He will love that. In any case, these three have my confidence. And how bad can they be since they’re also playing bodyguard for such a noted lady.” Ironbriar turned to face Dahlia who had thought she had remained unnoticed by him in the back of the room. “Marvelous performance last month, m’lady. I look forward to your next concert.” Ironbriar bowed to Dahlia then stepped out of the room. “Your call, Borrowman. You’d better do something serious before the Mayor starts asking people like those Pathfinders to investigate. You know what kind of body count that always leaves.”

The Exchange

I'm still trudging through righting the log for Skinsaw. Quite a heavy duty module. Very dense.

Skinsaw: SCI Magnimar:

With considerable reluctance Justice Borrowman agreed to let Sandpoint’s guardians continue their investigation of the Sandpoint murders in Magnimar, under the agreement that they would work with Captain Robins’ team on the Star Murders mystery as well. He also returned Konnor’s mask and medallion to him, though warned that the mask should not be worn in the city. As soon as they were out of the Justice’s office, Konnor donned his mask and glared at the guard Captain. Choosing to be more diplomatic, the Captain chose to ignore it for now.

After a brief review of the Star Murders case, and comparing notes on those killings and the Skinsaw Murders in Sandpoint, Captain Robins agreed to issue a writ granting approval to search Foxglove Townhouse. With testimony showing that both Aldern and Ishea Foxglove were dead, there would be no complaints about a search, so Justice Borrowman signed off on the writ granting approval. After departing the courthouse and finally settling into rooms at the Golden Lion Inn, the four adventurers headed for Foxglove Townhouse. While the urgency of looking into the murders in Sandpoint had faded some, finding out that there were similar murders in Magnimar made the group decide to continue their investigation without delay. Sapphire and Qakisst had been somewhat surprised that Dahlia had continued to follow along with them, and Konnor had been rather upset by it; but the writ signed out from Justice Borrowman’s office had included Dahlia’s name as one of the investigating members, and the elder bard was proving to be rather useful when it came to snooping around.

“So when we get there, you two… three hang back and I’ll climb over…” Konnor used his fingers against his other arm to mime climbing a wall when Qakisst interrupted.

“We have a warrant, dummy. We do not have to climb the walls.” Qakisst slapped Konnor’s arm with the leather case that held the warrant assigned to them.

“But if somebody is in the house we need to sneak in quietly.” Konnor glowered back at Qakisst.

“If somebody is in the house, it will be the house service staff. They will not likely know that Lord Foxglove is dead. Sneaking in lets them claim self-defense.” Dahlia smiled as she shook her head. “This isn’t a second story job. You get to walk in the front door and ransack the place from stem to stern as long as you don’t break anything.”

“But what if…” Konnor made to protest.

“No, Konnor. No what ifs. Any servants have to let us in. Besides, it should be my house by the time this is over.” Sapphire smiled as they came around the street corner leading up to Foxglove Townhouse.

“Your house?” Both Qakisst and Dahlia sputtered in reply.

“Why yes. After all, he was planning to marry me. Even if he was a deranged undead monstrosity; his choice makes it clear that he intended me as his wife; next wife anyway. So the manor house will be mine soon enough.” Sapphire wistfully smiled as she walked up the street.

“You have the strangest delusions, Sapphire.” Qakisst smirked as he followed her up the street.

“Plus Aldern had at least two sisters. I think they live in Korvosa, but I’m pretty sure they’ll challenge any claim and you’re an Inheritor. You can’t actually lie to get this crappy place.” Dahlia gestured to the somewhat shabby townhome surrounded by the better maintained homes around it.

“Nothing that a coat of paint won’t fix.” Sapphire smiled and opened the gate leading up to the narrow townhouse.

Qakisst bounced up the steps to the front door ahead of Sapphire and grabbed the knocker on the door. “I do not think you should tell the house staff of your grand delusions until after the investigation, Sapphire.” Bang, bang, bang.

“We should have gone around back so I could climb up and check the windows, nobody is going to be here.” Konnor looked up and down the mostly empty streets as he spoke. Before he could continue the door to the townhome opened with not a sound.

“Good afternoon to you, Sir. May I help you and your compatriots?” A finely dressed gentleman in a traditional suitcoat stood in the doorway with a smile.

“Hi.” Qakisst smiled up at the tall gentleman. “We have a warrant to search the Foxglove townhome. We are investigating the death of Lord and Lady Foxglove at their mansion estate outside Sandpoint.”

“Death? Oh my, there must be some mistake.” The butler looked down at Qakisst then back into the home. “Lord Foxglove is in his library right now, and lady Iesha is in Absalom.”

“What?” Konnor, Sapphire, and Dahlia stood stunned at the door. Qakisst made a funny face and slapped the warrant case against the butler’s chest and bolted past him.

“Sorry, sir. You do not get to loot the silver while we figure out what is going on.” Qakisst’s voice trailed after him as he dashed into the entry way and up the stairs as soon as he saw them. Light coming from a room at the top of the stairs led him to a small private library. Qakisst slid to a stop on the polished wood floor in the hallway.

Across the room behind an opulent desk sat Aldern Foxglove opening letters with a rather ornate and old looking letter opener. “Qwakiss?” Aldern jumped to his feet. “My friend! Please come in.”

Qakisst stood slack jawed for a moment. He could hear the others coming up the stairs as he stood there.

“Qwakiss?” Aldern stood up behind his desk and gave Qakisst a concerned look. “My boy, please come in. What seems to be the problem. Qakisst stepped into the room somewhat stunned. Just behind him Sapphire and Konnor caught up and walked in, followed by the butler then Dahlia. When Sapphire entered the room her eyes had the same blank expression that Qakisst would get when using othersight to look for magic. “Konnor, lady Sapphire! It is so good to… awe hell.” Aldern’s expression changed from joy to anger in an instant as he realized Sapphire was using Inheritor granted ability to seek out evil. As her eyes scanned the room and locked onto him Sapphire reached over her back and grabbed the two handed blade hanging from a strap on her armor.

As Sapphire called out a warning and pulled her sword free, the visage of Aldern Foxglove’s face turned almost liquid; its face melting into a faceless, eyeless form. At the same time the creature reached up and flailed out with its arms, its limbs stretching out to strike Qakisst and grab ahold of him at an impossible ten feet. Qakisst found himself yanked forward into the desk, but he managed to keep his feet under him as he tried to bring his spear up between him and the creature that had taken lord Foxglove’s place.

Behind them Sapphire heard Konnor grunt with pain followed by a melodic voice encouraging them to defend themselves. Sapphire glanced back and saw Konnor wrapped up in the same kind of elongated arms that now held Qakisst. The butler’s visage had also melted into a faceless form with no eyes, and it grappled with Konnor in the entry to the room. Dahlia had pulled a rapier and was attempting to help the roguish elven born Konnor even as she continued to sing of glory and pride. Sapphire found it strange, but the music seemed to guide her to help Qakisst, who was struggling to bring his spear into place while grappled.

Sapphire sliced down at the extended limbs holding Qakisst from across the desk. To avoid losing the limbs the creature let go of Qakisst and yanked his elastic arms clear of Sapphire’s blade.

“Qakisst, get over to the left!” Sapphire yelled out instructions to no avail.

“Kahretsin, Safir, seni şimdi anlamıyorum biliyor. Konnor!” Qakisst found his mind a buzz in sound that blocked out anything except the voice of fire. He moved to his left to try and flank the false Foxglove as Sapphire moved to her right. Behind Sapphire he could see Konnor struggling to break free of the other faceless monster’s elastic limbs. Panic seeped through his mind, but it was pushed away by the comforting sound of a singing voice. Though he could not understand the words, Qakisst was very familiar with the touch of the music of the spheres that only a true bard could call upon. He smiled and hurled fire at the false Foxglove even as Sapphire harassed it from the other side of the desk.

“Kind of busy, Qakisst!” Konnor yelled back at Qakisst as he finally slipped one of his short tian blades free of its sheath and cut deep into his faceless attacker as he and Dahlia moved into flanking positions.

Within seconds the two faceless abominations lay dead at Sapphire and Konnor’s feet; both badly scorched as well as hacked open. Qakisst flopped into the seat that the false Foxglove had previously been sitting in with a groan. The voices in his mind receded to a more manageable sound level as he began examine his wounds. There was considerable blood.

“Ow, O acıtıyor .” The soft blue glow of healing magics exuded from Qakisst’s hands closing up his wounds, but he still groaned. “Uhggg. Life drainers.” He looked around at the others. “Who else is hurt?”

“I feel like I’ve had my life sucked out of me.” Konnor flopped into a padded chair.

“Hey! Don’t get blood all over my new furniture!” Sapphire scowled at Konnor.

“Aren’t you supposed to be an upstanding moral example to the masses?” Konnor scowled back.

“I am a perfect example of how to conduct one’s self in a time of war. Spoils of war go to the victor.” Sapphire stuck her tongue out at Konnor.

“Hey Konnor, anybody else in the building?” Qakisst looked up from searching the desk.

“Don’t think so.” Konnor leaned back and sighed.

Three voices spoke as one, “Well go check!”

With a grumble Konnor got to his feet, but before he could make his way out the door Sapphire grabbed his arm. “Make sure you yell out if you see anybody.” Where Sapphire gripped him, the blue light of healing energy erupted and moved up across his body. Konnor winced in pain from the accelerated healing.

“Close and lock the front door too. Just in case.” Qakisst called out to him even as he continued to shuffle through papers. “Sapphire, can you make any sense of all this. I feel like my head is swimming in numbers.”

“Here, let me look.” Dahlia stepped up behind Qakisst as Sapphire searched the room. “Most of this is just day to day operating papers, but they’re all old. Several Weeks old. At a guess, I would say that the real Aldern Foxglove hasn’t been here since middle of last month.”

“Can you tell what they were looking for?” Qakisst moved out of the chair to give Dahlia more room.

“From the look of it they’re going over his holdings and finances. They’ve been at it a while too. Probably since late this morning.” Dahlia looked down at the two twisted and boneless bodies. Their blank faces staring up.

“What are these things?” Sapphire nudged one with the toe of her boot.

“I do not know.” Qakisst shrugged.

“Me either.” Dahlia continued to go through the paperwork on the desk as Konnor walked back into the room.

“Door is locked now, nobody else in the building. So who were these guys?” Konnor flopped back down into his chair.

“We do not know.” Qakisst began searching through the books on the shelves. “Quit sitting around and help us search this place.”

“What about the rest of the house?” Konnor got up and walked over to the ornate fireplace on the north wall and began checking out the mantle.

“The rest of the house will be there when we get done here. This is Foxglove’s office so anything important will be here.” Qakisst looked over his shoulder as he pulled out a couple more books.

“So like this little hiding spot?” Konnor pressed on one end of the mantle and out popped a hidden drawer.

“Nice.” Sapphire stepped over to check out Konnor’s discovery.

“How did you…” Qakisst stopped fumbling through books and walked over to Konnor and Sapphire.

“Mantle is larger than is needed for this size of fireplace.” Konnor grinned back at Qakisst.

The Exchange

I play a lot of Pathfiner Society now. So much so that I had to volunteer to be a VA when the opportunity came up. But in Golarion, how much do the average and every day people know about the Pathfinder Society and how does the Society go about introducing itself to every day people? As you already know, our Drizzt 254875.9 does not really care much for the Society, but don't expect me to show exactly why. It is not like Konnor is going to admit that he fears what the Society might just know about the Drow as a people.

Skinsaw: Meet the Pathfinders:

Konnor’s thorough search of Aldern Foxglove’s town house office confirmed that Aldern had indeed killed his wife. The Magnimar noble then turned to his family contacts in the secretive Brotherhood of the Sevens to cover up the crime. The Brotherhood had promptly begun blackmailing Aldern with the information he had provided them.

Required bribes turned into favors, then at some point into the Skinsaw Murders in Sandpoint that mirrored the Star Murders in Magnimar. Unfortunately nothing in Aldern’s journals and ledgers explained the murders. The only lead found was the written instructions to Aldern that he bring his payments to the Brotherhood at Sevens’ Sawmill on Oathdays at midnight.

Qakisst sat in the common room of the Golden Lion on Monday morning sipping warm cider and eating breakfast. The next chance to confront the Seven was over three days away and the young ifrit was already feeling antsy. He frowned as he considered his situation.

Tessa had wandered off unexpectedly without comment, Caleb had disappeared on some personal errand unexpectedly, and Athos had departed the month before to track down slavers; yet he was still working to figure out the murders in Sandpoint with Sapphire and Konnor. Cassidy wasn’t speaking to him, Korva was barely speaking to him, and Laure was staring daggers at him in public; not to mention that his tongue abandoned him any time Lady Kaijitsu walked by.
Qakisst sighed and looked around the sparse common room as a bleary eyed Dahlia slid into the chair across from him. “You do not look your usual chipper self this morning.”

“I do not know what to do, Dahlia.” Qakisst slumped into his chair in depression.

“I thought we had agreed to have Konnor spend the next couple days scoping out this Sevens’ Sawmill.” Dahlia signaled to a serving girl even as she spoke.

“Oh. Yeah, but what is he looking for? And what do we do if we see anything; find anything?” Qakisst took a deep drink then sat up straight. “We are not the city watch; we do not actually have any authority here.”

“That’s easy, we go tell our new friend Capt Robins.” Dahlia smiled. “I have no doubt that he’s eager to have this whole business solved.”

“No doubt; but should we bring one of his men along? What about Sorren and Luthor? I do not even know where to look for them.” Qakisst picked at his plate as he spoke.

“Really?” Dahlia perked up. “That’s easy. We go to Heidmarch Manor not too far from here.” The serving girl slid a plate of fruit and cheese in front of Dahlia. “Want to meet the Pathfinders?”

“Heidmarch Manor? That sounds like a pretentious noble family home? Are they patrons of this Pathfinder Society?” Qakisst began to eat now that he has something to occupy his thoughts.

“Patrons? Don’t be ridiculous. The Pathfinder Society doesn’t have patrons, they are patrons.” Dahlia smirked. “They’re the most organized group of tomb robbers in history; but they don’t do it for wealth.” Qakisst gave Dahlia a dubious look. “Okay, they say they don’t do it for wealth.”

“I,… I do not get it.” Qakisst squinched his eyes in a confused expression.

“The Society considered themselves archeologists and historians. They’re also dedicated adventurers and occasionally even good citizens.” Dahlia smirked. “I’ve met a few Pathfinders as I’ve moved around. They’re mostly misfits with good intentions and too much curiosity; but they have several very wealthy members who establish meeting lodges in major cities all across Avistan. Lord and Lady Heidmarch established a lodge in their manor house when they settled here in Magnimar. I haven’t ever been inside a lodge; this should be fun.”

An hour later, with a groggy Konnor in tow, Dahlia, Qakisst, and Sapphire walked up the wide cobbled sidewalk along one of Magnimar’s most wealthy districts toward Heidmarch Manor. Qakisst felt incredibly conspicuous and Konnor looked absolutely pale, though that could have just been the porcelain mask he wore.

“Where did you say we’re going this morning?” Konnor looked around as they strolled up the sidewalk.

“To check in on Luthor and Serren.” Dahlia looked back at Konnor. “Why so fidgety, Konnor? Worried that they won’t like masked men where we’re going?”

“I’m just tired. You weren’t up till sometime around three bells staring at a building while sitting in the cold.” Konnor’s mask almost expressed his displeasure as he glared at Dahlia. “You could have just left me in bed.”

“No deal, Konnor.” Sapphire nudged him with her elbow. “We all need to know where this Pathfinder lodge is.”

Konnor stopped suddenly. “What?”

Sapphire stopped and turned as Dalhia and Qakisst looked over their shoulders. “We all need to know where…”

“No way.” Konnor turned to head back to the way they had come.

“Hey!” Sapphire reached out to grab Konnor’s arm but missed. “What the hell, Konnor?”

“Don’t worry about him, Sapphire. People where he comes from are just a bit shy about meeting new people.” Dahlia stopped in front of the entry to a large estate and looked back at Konnor with a grin.

Konnor stopped and glared back at Dahlia. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Dahlia smiled and turned into the gate she was standing next too. “I just know how shy people from your homeland are.”

Konnor turned to follow Dahlia, “What the hell does that mean?”

“Just remembering that you’re not from around here.” Dahlia looked back at Konnor then turned to face a guard at the estate entry. “Good morning. Can I inquire if Serren and Luthor are in residence today?”

“None of us are orig…” Qakisst’s voice trailed off as he found himself pushed behind a glaring Konnor.

“Look…” Konnor stepped around the corner as he pushed past Qakisst only to stop in his tracks. Standing with Dahlia was a young guard with the compass rose symbol of the open road on his tabard.

“I’m sorry m’lady, I am not familiar with those two names.” The gate guard pulled a clipboard out of his guard station and began to flip through the paperwork on it. “Are those first names or last names?” He smiled at Dahlia and glanced over her shoulder. “How about we start with your names. If anybody on the grounds is expecting you they would have sent notice.”

“Well, this is Konnor.” Dahlia gestured to the stammering masked adventurer. Konnor stood sputtering in elven beside her. “He’s a bit tongue tied.” Dahlia smiled while Sapphire looked over Konnor’s shoulder as he continued to sputter. “Beside him is Inheritor Sapphire Idyllkin, and that is Master Qakisst Vishtani behind her.”

“Ah, here they are. Um, you do not look like a Deverin so I am going to guess that you are Ms. Tessa Loundex.” The guard looked up as Qakisst giggled and Sapphire coughed.

“Uh, no.” Dahlia became decidedly serious. “I am most certainly not Tessa Loundex.” The guard looked up from his clipboard quizzically at Dahlia. “Dahlia Firerose. Ms. Loundex wandered off chasing her shoes.” Qakisst was certain that he could hear Dahlia’s teeth cracking.

“Ah, Ms. Firerose. Here you are. It looks like you were added to the expected guest list this morning.” The guard smiled, “And may I say that it is a pleasure to meet a bard of your reputation.” Dahlia’s frown evaporated at the guard’s recognition.

“Thank you, sir. Now, did Serren or Luthor leave us any instructions?” Dahlia elbowed Konnor to get him to quit sputtering as he was pinned between her and both Qakisst and Sapphire who blocked any chance he could simply slip away.

“Actually no.” The group gave the guard a slightly shocked look, and Konnor tried to slip back between the others. “But Lady Heidmarch left word to have all of you escorted to her sitting room should you stop by. She is most eager to meet the Guardians of Sandpoint.”

“Reputation?” Sapphire smirked at Dahlia knowingly. “Maybe we should help update the Pathfinder’s information.”

“Ha, ha.” Dahlia stuck her tongue out at Sapphire.

“If all of you would come this way?” The gate guard opened the great metal gate across the riding path and gestured up the lane. As he did so, Konnor turned to head back the way he had come. “Mister Konnor?”

“I know where to find you guys, I’m heading back to bed.” Konnor started back for the Golden Lion as the rest of Sandpoint’s heroes stared after him.

“A moment before you depart please, Mister Konnor.” The guard stepped up to the street corner and held up a black envelope. Konnor paused to look back. “I have instructions to give you this if you chose not to accept Lady Heidmarch’s invitation.

Konnor stared at the envelope as everybody else stared at him. As the moment extended into endless seconds Konnor reached up and took the envelope. Then walked away.

“What is that all about?” The guard looked at Dahlia, Sapphire, and Qakisst.

“I do not know.” Qakisst shrugged.

Dahlia continued to watch Konnor walk back up the street as the guard motioned to the gate, clipboard still in hand. As Konnor walked around the curve she turned to follow Qakisst and Sapphire as the guard escorted them onto the grounds of Heidmarch manor.

As the three Sandpoint heroes entered the main doors of the old castle like manorhouse the guard stopped and turned to them. “If the three of you can wait here; the majordomo will be with you in one moment. I must return to my post.” With that, the guard rang a hand bell that sat just inside the door with a single sharp, precise tone, then sat the bell back down on the stand where he had picked it up from and walked out the front door.

Qakisst waited for a moment as the guard left before speaking. “I hate that sound.” Dahlia and Sapphire replied with a puzzled look. “Sorry. Bad memories that are hard to explain.”

“I find that fascinating, Master Vishtani.” The contralto tone came from the top of a grand staircase at the back of the entryway. At the top of the stairs stood a tall, stately, and immaculate woman with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Half way down the stairs a well-dressed house servant moved with a silent grace that startled the three guests. “Why should the sound of a servant’s signal bell distress you?”

The trio turned to face up the stairs as the servant arrived at the foot of those steps to gesture up toward his apparent employer. “Lady Dahlia, if you and your companions would please follow me.” The elderly servant smiled, “The lady of the house is obviously ready to greet you.” Qakisst blushed a deep brass color as he started up the stairs.

Lady Heidmarch held her place at the top of the stairs and smiled at her guests. “If you do not wish to answer, I do understand.” She turned as the trio reached the top and headed back up the walkway, obviously expecting the trio to follow. “It does mark that you have worked in some fashion in a noble house though.”

Both Sapphire and Dahlia glanced at each other then at Qakisst as they followed the Magnimar noble to her library. Qakisst mumbled as he followed, “Bunun, oldukça uzun bir zaman önce Leydim oldu.” His face immediately flushed a deeper color as he realized he had spoken in Ignan and not Taldan. Dahlia looked like she was desperately trying to choke down a laugh.

Lady Heidmarch stepped past a door on her right and turned back to the group gesturing to the room. “Usta Vishtani merak etme. Ben de ezoterik dillerde bilgili duyuyorum. İstersen bu tarafta görüşmesi devam edebilirler.”

“Hayır teşekkürler.” Qakisst flinched as he stepped into the room. “I mean, no I…” Qakisst paused to take a deep breath, “…do not believe, ah, it would be appropriate to exclude others from…” The young ifrit’s voice trailed off and he shrugged.

Sapphire’s expression remained neutral as she followed Qakisst into the library. “I am impressed with your linguistics skill, Lady Heidmarch.” She scanned the room as she moved in followed by Dahlia, then Lady Heidmarch herself.

“Don’t be, Inheritor Sapphire. Serren informed me of Master Vishtani’s particular linguistic issues as an Oracle.” Lady Heidmarch motioned to seating that was scattered about the comfortable personal library. “I deal with people from many backgrounds, and tongues is a most useful spell. Please make yourselves comfortable. Seni Herhangi bir problem konuşan sahip olmanız halinde ben seve seve senin ihtiyaçlarına uygun edecektir.”

Qakisst took a deep breath as he sat gingerly on a soft chair next to the fire place. “Ben… I can understand you well enough, my Lady. You are…” Qakisst nervously looked around the room, “…correct that I find myself, uh, rahatsız edici bir, uh rahatsiz…”

“Uncomfortable?” Lady Heidmarch seated herself across from Qakisst in front of the fireplace.

“Hayar,.. ah, yes. Uncomfortable.” Qakisst seemed to almost shrink into himself as he looked down at his feet.

“Torval, can you have refreshments brought up, please. And clear my calendar for the next couple hours. We have lots to talk about, but we’ll wait for young master Konnor to return before we start.”

Dahlia smirked and turned to look at Sapphire who replied to lady Heidmarch’s comment. “I don’t think Konnor will be joining us.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure he will change his mind.” The noble lady turned to Dahlia as she commented, “Now, my dear lady Firerose. I loved your summer show at the Triodea. I must say that I am thrilled to meet you. I am certain that a bard of your talents has more than a few stories to share.”

“Ah, well yes. One or tw…” Dahlia’s voice trailed off as the door to the library opened once more for Konnor, who stool in the entry holding the black envelope opened. The entire room turned to face Konnor, his masked face unreadable as he stood in the doorway.

“See, Konnor is here and here comes Torval with refreshments.” Their host motioned for Konnor to enter the room as she stood. “Gwelwch yn dda ddod i mewn, Konnor. You’ve proven yourself and are more than welcome here.”

“How did you…” Konnor seemed to struggle between anger and astonishment as he stood in the doorway.

“It is what we do, learn ancient secrets. But we are also adept at keeping them if needed. I trust the information is at least part of what you have been searching for?” Lady Heidmarch moved over to the entry and motioned to Konnor. “Please, come in and sit. You will never be harmed here Konnor.”

Konnor looked behind him at the servant, noting the manner in which the well trained man moved casually, no intended threat but completely prepared to act as needed. He turned to face Lady Heidmarch and shrugged then entered the room.

“My aren’t we the eclectic group of neurotic people?” Dahlia smiled and looked about the room. Her compatriots gave her a stern look before breaking into laughter.

The Exchange

Caleb is back. His player had to take a break for a couple games due to becoming a grandpa. Some things are just more important than gaming, but we were really glad to have him back.

Skinsaw: Masks:

Konnor sat in the common room of the Golden Lion late Toilday afternoon with his back against the stone worked wall near the hearth. He wore his hood pulled up and sat staring at his mask in his hand. Dahlia sat on the far side of the room singing for the crowd as Qakisst sat behind her playing the guitar.

Sapphire slid into the chair opposite Konnor and slid a beer to him. “You look sober. I’m not used to that.” She gave him a bemused smile as she spoke.

“Heh!” Konnor looked up. “I’m sober most of the time and you know it.”
“Just not used to watching you contemplate your face shield.” Sapphire pointed at the mask in Konnor’s hand. “Half the time people are trying to get you to take it off, now you’re sitting in an open bar in Magnimar for the entire world to see.”

Konnor chuckled and flipped his hood off. His features were those of a young fair skinned elf with rich black hair. He smiled at her and tucked the mask back into a pocket in his cloak.

“Whoa! When did you get the new hat?” Sapphire raised an eyebrow as she looked at Konnor. Konnor gave her a surprised look in return. “Don’t be so shocked. Ever sense everybody voted to give the hat of disguise we found at Misgivings to Caleb instead of you, you’ve been b$!+#ing about it.”

“It would have saved a lot of money to give it to me, and I can make better use of it that Caleb.” Konnor frowned then took a drink from the beer Sapphire had brought him.

“Probably, except that Caleb is actually nearly as light footed as you are, and he’s never given anybody reason to distrust him.” Sapphire leaned in, “That’s not to say we all distrust you; but we don’t actually trust you either.”

“Why the hell not?” Konnor sat up and glared at Sapphire. “What have I done to make you distrust me?”

“Didn’t I just say we don’t distrust you?” Konnor made to protest Sapphire’s reply but she held up a finger to stop him. “You make the mistake of thinking trust and distrust are simply opposites. You haven’t given us reason to automatically distrust you; but when did you ever give us reason to trust you either? You never talk about yourself, or your personal life.” Konnor’s jaw opened and closed without reply as Sapphire continued. “I can understand some of that; cause I got some nasty crap I don’t talk about in my background too. And Qakisst never talks about those scars on his back and absolutely refuses to use the word father in reference to his own family. We’ve all seen the way he acts when talk about fathers comes up.” She took a drink then continued, “But you? Nothing. Konnor isn’t an elven name, it isn’t a Mwangi name either. It is pretty commonly a Taldan name. You don’t have a Taldan accent. You don’t have an elvish accent either. You don’t have any accent. Nothing to hint at your background or history. You have worked hard to erase yourself from history. You aren’t some merchant family’s wandering son like you told the others. You are a man who does not want history to find him. We are okay with that; but because of that we can’t really take the step into trust.”

Konnor looked back at Sapphire with a blank expressing, spinning the half empty mug of beer back and forth between his hands, but did not reply.

“At some point either you’re going to trust us and risk getting hurt again or you’re going to be forced to disappear again, and you can’t afford to leave any clues behind when that time comes. So you don’t fully trust us; which means we can’t trust you like you want.” Sapphire raised an eyebrow as she looked over her beer a Konnor, “No, you need us to trust you. Don’t you?”

“No idea what you’re talking about.” Konnor turned to face the stage as if ignoring Sapphire.

“Makes no difference to me. You can spend your own coin on whatever you want and we don’t really get a say in it.” Sapphire sat her beer down. “Don’t expect Dahlia or Qakisst to like it though.”

“Like I care a rat’s ass what she thinks.” Konnor looked up at the stage then back to Sapphire. As Konnor spoke, Serren and Luthor slid into chairs at the table.

“Nice hat, Konnor. Thank you for not disguising your wardrobe. I might have thought Sapphire was trying to talk up a possible bed warmer if I hadn’t recognized your clothes.” Serren smiled. “Luthor was worried we’d be scaring of a new gentleman friend of her’s until I pointed out your medallion.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Serren.” Konnor glared at her before tipping back his mug and finishing his beer.

“I am certain of it.” Luthor smiled as he looked at Konnor. “So what did Lady Heidmarch have to say to get you in the door?”

Konnor casually motioned to a passing waitress as he looked at Luthor. “No idea what you’re talking about.”

“As you say.” Luthor smiled. “So on to other activity. Have you managed to come up with anything while watching this lumbermill you’ve been casing?”

“Shouldn’t we wait for Sparky and his song bird.” Konnor accepted a beer from the waitress as he glanced to the stage where only moments ago Dahlia had been singing.

“Don’t worry about us.” Dahlia slid into the seat next to Konnor as Qakisst helped her push her chair in, before taking his own seat.
“Afternoon Dahlia. Joining us for more fun?” Sapphire smiled and elbowed Qakisst.

“Yeah, don’t you have someplace to be, Ms. Firerose?” Konnor glared at Dahlia.

“Oh no. After our little adventure at Foxgove’s townhouse I want to see what happens next.” Dahlia smiled at Konnor.

“That is not a problem for anybody, is it?” Qakisst looked around the table with a smile. “Having somebody that can use the music of the spheres will be a huge help.”

“Music of the spheres?” Serren raised an eyebrow as she looked at Qakisst. “I have never heard bardic talents referenced that way before.”
“Uhmm…” Qakisst looked somewhat stunned by Serren’s reply.

Dahlia smiled, “It is a Varisian legend that there is magic in music itself, and that bards can access that magic through their music in a way that is totally different from how wizard access magic through schools or spheres of influence.”

“There are similar legends in Casmaroon too.” Qakisst scowled then shrugged as a waitress brought he and Dahlia drinks. “Neyse, anybody objecting to Dahlia joining us.” Konnor raised a hand to object, “Anybody besides Sneaky the hair butcher?”

“Hair butcher?”

“Don’t ask.” Dahlia groaned while looking at Konnor.

“Just go over the saw mill, Konnor.” Sapphire rubbed her index finger between her eyebrows.

“But…”

“Dahlia is in, now go over the saw mill.”

“Fine.” Konnor gave Dahlia a dirty look before glancing around the room. “For a business as large as the Seven’s Mill is, they do about a minimal business. But they do do business. Probably just enough to provide cover for whatever they’re actually doing.”

“Which is?” Serren gave Konnor an impatient look.

“No idea.” Konnor shrugged. “I saw no sign of extra shipments or deliveries passing through the mill. There is some regular foot traffic late in the evening, but I don’t know enough about lumber to say if that’s normal.”

“So really, we have nothing.” Luthor glowered.

“Close.” Konnor took a drink then continued. “All the other saw mills shut down well before the Seven’s Mill. After ten bells they send the work crews home and shut up the doors, but the water wheels keep running and the saws keep going. Why keep the machinery running if you’ve sent the workers home?”

“Because you are hiding something.” Qakisst looked away then looked back at Konnor. “So you think they are using the noise from the mills the same way that Banny Harker was? To keep nosy people away?”

“That would make sense.” Everybody at the table turned to face the unexpected voice of Caleb.

“Caleb!” Qakisst jumped to his feet upon hearing his long time friend’s voice. “Caleb?” His excitement quickly subsided as he turned to see the grungy and dejected Caleb Deverin.

“Later, Q.” Caleb pulled a chair over from an empty table and spun it so that he could sit backwards on the chair as Qakisst sank back into his seat. “What do we have? What’s going on?”

“Sapphire, Dahlia, and Qakisst looked at each other before Dahlia told Caleb about their encounter in Foxglove’s townhome. Konnor then repeated his observations of the Seven’s Saw Mill.

“Okay. So we stake the saw mill out on Oathday, send somebody in to ask a few questions and get the lay of the land, then we bust up whatever we find there. Then we’ll be home by Starday.” Caleb’s haunted expression startled Qakisst.

“Caleb, are you okay?” Qakisst reached out to grip Caleb’s arm. Caleb pulled away.

“I said later, Q. I…” Caleb looked back toward the front door of the Golden Lion inn, “… I can’t talk about that, think about that right now.”

“Caleb, where is Loki?”

“I said later!” Caleb barked as his face turned flush, then turned away from the table.

“Oh no.” Sapphire covered the lower half of her face even as Qakisst reached up toward Caleb. Serren and Luthor shuffled uncomfortably in their seats and Dahlia reached over and pulled Qakisst’s hand back.

Konnor raised up his mug and looked up at Caleb, “Run with Thunder, Loki. Run with Thunder.”

The Exchange

We dawdled a lot in Magnimar for reasons I never really understood, except that we just thought we should wait till the right time to make our move.

Skinsaw: Stakeout:

Caleb and Qakisst stood in the alley across from Seven’s Sawmill and watched as Konnor, magically disguised as Banny Harker, exited the mill. Konnor casually crossed the street and headed up the alley past the pair who fell into step behind him.

“Anything?” Caleb Glanced nervously from Konnor to Qakisst.

“They’re not hiring, they don’t have a main office, and they wouldn’t let me upstairs.” Konnor turned out of the alley and crossed the street. “Where are the others?”

“Waiting for us at Vascinti’s bar.” Qakisst glanced around. “We were starting to draw attention. Not a lot of beautiful women hang out near the docks.”

“And you don’t draw attention?” Konnor glanced back at Qakisst.

“Tieflings don’t, and Q can pass for a Tiefling easy enough at a distance. The fact that people tend to shy away from tieflings was to our advantage.”

“You could give him your hat of disguise so he looks less conspicuous.” Konnor gripped the brim of his cap and shifted it. His features changed from those of Banny Harker to the pale skinned elf he had been presenting himself as.

“We tried that. No matter what disguise he tries, he has those foot long hat hooks on his head.” Caleb grumbled as the three crossed the street and strolled in the front door to Vascinti’s bar.

A quick glance around found Sapphire and Luthor seated in the back corner. A bard with a strong tenor voice finished his song and moved to join the group at their table.

Qakisst gave the minstrel a sideways glance, “This is a different look for you, Dahlia.”

“Fewer people bother men than bother women. Three beautiful women with a brawler like Luthor here draws attention.” Dahlia slid into the back of the table, glanced around, and let the spell covering her features fade. Her mismatched eyes briefly showed themselves before transforming into a matching green.

Luthor raised an eyebrow. “Heterochromatic? That’s not something you see every day.”

“Oh? Um. No, it isn’t.” Dahlia smiled meekly.

“Get that from your mother’s side?”

“Leave it alone, Luthor.” Serren stepped up to the table and took a seat next to Dahlia. “He’s a nosy git about the strangest things.” Serren turned to look at Konnor, Caleb, and Qakisst. “Anything useful, boys?”

“Foot traffic seemed sparse, just like Konnor has said all week.” Caleb leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know what we’re looking for specifically, but this place isn’t keeping up with its competitors.”

“I got a basic layout of the building, dock area, and the floor above, but not the top floor. They say there are no offices up there, but there’s something up above the work area. They’ll probably be on higher alert tonight, since they seemed to be suspicious of any question. They also had never heard of Banny Harker, so I could have walked up as any commoner off the street.”

“Alright, we should take the better part of valor for the evening then.” Sapphire finished her drink and stood up. “We’ll meet tomorrow evening and start planning our foray into darkness. Everybody stay out of trouble.”

The Exchange

And what were we waiting for? Oathday night. Why, because we wanted to confront the Seven. Be careful what you ask for.

Skinsaw: The Oathnight Massacre:

Qakisst fidgeted as Caleb and Luthor stared out across the street from their alley hiding spot in the late Oathday evening. Dahlia and Serren compared notes on the history of hags to pass the time.

“Will you stop fidgeting, Qakisst.” Caleb glanced back at the young ifrit. “You’re going to give our position away before Konnor can find us an entrance.”

“Özür. We have been standing out here for two hours. Kendimi tutamıyorum.” Qakisst stopped and leaned against the wall, his foot tapping softly.

“Couldn’ you at least speak something more common if you are going to mash languages together?” Caleb gave Qakisst an annoyed look.

“Ne?” Qakisst looked up confused as his foot stopped tapping before he realized he was speaking in ignan. “Ah! Özür. Sorry. Ateş sesi is how I think. It is the language I was born speaking. I cannot just pick what language I was born to speak.” Qakisst stuck his tongue out at Caleb.

“Leave him alone, Caleb. Oracles cannot help what the gods have done to them.” Luthor addressed Caleb but did not turn away from his place watching the Seven’s Sawmill.

“Oh I know, Luthor.” Caleb turned to Luthor. “That doesn’t make it any less annoying. I’m sorry, Q.”

“So sorry I annoy you, Caleb.” Qakisst huffed at Caleb and began tapping his toes unconsciously again as he looked past him and Luthor at Konnor as the dark elf dashed across the street. “Did you find anything, Konnor?”

“Place is locked tight.” Konnor moved farther into the shadows of the alley before stopping. “I can get us in, but it will take me a few seconds; a minute at most.” Konnor pulled out his tools and smiles. “Did fluffy ears ever show up?”

“No.” Luthor glanced back at Konnor before resuming his observation of the mill. “I do not know what the town guard needed an Inheritor so badly for, but I hope that she does not find trouble she cannot handle.”

“After we found out about Foxglove, I do not think there is anything Sapphire cannot handle.” Qakisst rubbed the back of his head. “So how are we doing this?”

Moments later the office entrance to the sawmill opened as Konnor smiled. He had led his party across the street without anybody noticing and disabled the locks to the manager’s entrance to the mill. With no sound at all, he slipped into the door followed by Caleb, Qakisst, and Dahlia. After just a second Dahlia stuck her hand out the door and motioned the more heavily armored Luthor forward, followed by Serren.

Luthor’s whisper shattered the silence. “Is the whole place this dark?”

“Do you want them to see us coming?” Konnor whispered back.

“We don’t all have othersight, Konnor.” Caleb prodded his companion. “If it is going to be this dark all through this place, we need a…” Caleb stopped as Qakisst rolled up his sleeves. Torch like light filled the room. “Yeah, that works till you get your fool head taken off since you’re now the most obvious target.”

“I am always the most obvious target, Caleb.” Qakisst tapped his horns then pointed to the door on the far side of the office. “Besides, I know you have got my back.”

“Let Q and I lead, Caleb. We can see farther in the dark.” Konnor slipped over to the door and listened as Qakisst moved up. Caleb gave Konnor an annoyed look as Konnor slowly opened the interior door and slipped out into the workroom floor.

“Sauti juu upepo.” Qakisst’s whispered words reached out to everybody at once. “I have cast the message spell. Only we can hear within the whisper as long as you keep your voices down.”

“Good thinking, Q.” Konnor motioned to the others toward the stairs leading up to the foreman’s office to his right. “Lower the light a little bit more if you can. I think I hear faint voices.”

Everybody looked around for the source of Konnor’s voices as Qakisst covered one arm to reduce the light from his glowing tattoos. Konnor looked around the open floor that made up the rest of the main level to the mill; then moved slowly up to the stairs and up them. The stairs wrapped around to the left as they ascended along the outer wall. They wrapped back around again and again as the party ascended the stairs toward the top of the mill. The soft glow of lantern light spilled out from around the corner at what would be the top floor.

Konnor froze just before reaching the corner leading into the center of the building and motioned everybody else to stop. Without a word he pulled out his tools and began working on something on the floor with great care. After shaking his head he marked out a space on the floor.

“Do not step inside the marked space. I think it is an alarm trap.” Konnor’s whispered voice carried across the message spell. Qakisst softly echoed Konnor’s words as everybody carefully stepped past the trapped step on the stairs.

“Kuteketea.” Qakisst whispered as he tapped Konnor on the shoulder. The dark elf faded from view under the effect of Qakisst’s magic. “That will make you unseen by any but the strongest magics.” He repeated the word and tapped Caleb as he allowed the young ranger to pass him on the steps now that there was a light source ahead.

Quietly both Konnor and Caleb slipped up into the room at the top of the stairs, with Qakisst, Serren, Dahlia, and Luthor half a flight behind them. The stairs opened up to the right into a large room. The furniture had been pushed back out of the way and several masked men in colorful outfits stood in a circle. At the center of the circle a figure in colorful robes knelt over a bound man covered in blood. The bound man had been marked on his chest with the sihedron rune.

“YOU!” Caleb’s voice echoed out from thin air and the entire group of masked men turned to the stairs as one. Confusion from the masked men changed to action as the group pulled long thin blades and formed a semi-circle around their leader.

A scimitar erupted through the chest of one cultist as Caleb faded back into view, a raging snarl on his face. As the cultist collapsed to the floor the three masked men moved as one to surround and overwhelm Caleb.

“You idiot!” Konnor faded into view as a pair of cultists stumbled past him with open guts; falling to the floor without ever realizing they had died on the dark elf’s blades. “Q, buraya hızla kalkmak.” Konnor moved to get next to Caleb before the young ranger could be overwhelmed when he heard an infernal voice chanting from inside the circle of cultists. “CASTER!”

Qakisst and Dahlia rushed up the stairs pushing past Luthor as soon as they heard Caleb’s battle cry. Luthor and Serren rushed up the steps immediately behind them. When they reached the top of the steps the found chaos.

Konnor stood with his back to a wall over the top of Caleb, who lay in a bloody mess on the floor. Cultists surrounded Konnor moving in for the kill.

“Umeme!” Ash fluttered from Qakisst’s hands as a scrap of paper in his hand erupted in blue light that shot across the room as a bolt of lightning. Konnor, expecting the blast flattened himself over the top of Caleb to cover him. The cultists, including their leader did not fare quite as well. Their bodies jerked in time with the electrical surge, but only a single wounded cultist dropped to the ground. Dahlia slipped along the back wall pulling her rapier and filling the loft like space with song. The music of the spheres emboldened the Sandpoint Guardians.

Several of the cultists broke away from Konnor, leaving him to fight three of them, and moved to intercept Qakisst and Luthor, lest the pair charge their leader. The cultists spoke in a strange cant that most of the party found impossible to follow.

“I was wondering how long it would take your pathetic little band to stumble onto us. You kept me waiting long enough.” The cult’s leader continued to chant is an eerie almost damonic voice. Dark energies cascaded out from him to engulf both the cult members and Sandpoint’s heroes.

“Mpira umeme!” Serren sent a pair of tumbling balls of electrical energy bowling around the room bouncing from cultist to their leader. The enigmatic cult leader leapt clear, but one of his followers collapsed to the floor jerking and shuttering.

Luthor smashed one of the cultists aside with his shield and smashed another with his axe, but still found himself surrounded. “Damn Q, we need some area control!”

“Q, alevleri o şey fanın yapmak!” Konnor yelled instructions to Qakisst and a fan of fire swept past Konnor from Qakisst’s hands, then Qakisst screamed. Sheer numbers were overwhelming the party. Now Konnor found himself standing over both Qakisst and Caleb fighting four cultists.

The wicked thin long blades used by the cultists slashed and hacked at Konnor and Luthor as the flashing blue balls of electric energy controlled by Serren flashed about the room. “Dahlia, can you get to Qakisst?” Sarren pointed toward Konnor and his two protectees.

“I need a little help.” Dahlia’s rapier slashed and parried the thin wicked blades of the cultists. “AHH! Damn it, there’s too many of them!” Ball lightning shot through one of the cultists attacking Dahlia and a shield slammed into the other.

Luthor grunted with pain as one of the cultists slashed the inside of his shield arm when he moved to help Dahlia. “I got you covered, Dahlia, GO!”

Darkness flooded the room snuffing out light from the lanterns hanging about the room. Even the bright glow of Qakisst’s tattoos faded into darkness. “Focus on the elf. With the tiefling down the others are blieahaiahrgggg!” The cultist leader shook from the electrical jolt of ball lightning.

“Did that hurt, you sick bastard!” Serren’s voice called out from her hiding place at the top of the stairs. “Yeah. I can still see you.”

“Master, the elf has disappeared. I do not seeaaarrrgh!” A voice cried out of the darkeness.

“You’re not the only one that can play with darkness and shadows.” Konnor’s voice rang out. “Serren, can you lift the lights or can we handle this?”

“AAArggghh!” Luthor’s voice cried out in the darkness and a crash of armor hit the floor.

“Aliyebarikiwa muumba kufanya hii moja nzima.” Dahlia’s voice sofly carried to Konnor standing above her in the deep darkness surrounding him. “I got Qakisst, but you’re going to have to channel, Serren. We need Luthor.”

Balls of lightning zipped about the room striking cultists and chasing their leader, who dodged in the darkeness as he cast spells to bolster himself and his remaining followers. “I can’t reach Caleb.” Celestial energy surged out from Serren touching Dahlia, Qakisst, and Luthor, but also touching several cultists.

“My thanks, Pathfinder. You make my task easier.” The cultist leader sent a charm at Luthor as the big warrior stood up. Luthor shook his head and turned toward Konnor in the darkness then swung his axe sideways at the cult leader’s voice.

“Pathfinders are not so easily corrupted, fiend.” Luthor shifted to his right trying to find his foe in the darkness, but not connecting. “Serren, we really need light.” To his left a roar of fire filled much of the room.

“Bring the lights up, if you can, Serren. We’re only handicapping Luthor and Dahlia letting them fight in the dark.” Konnor continued to dance and shift driving the cultists back from Caleb’s body laying along the wall.

Light flooded the room as both darkness spells shattered under the counter spell. Qakisst rushed forward running a cultist through with his spear. “Konnor, beni koru.” Konnor shifted to his right pushing the cultists away from Caleb.

“Gorum!” Luthor, light flooding his senses bellowed to his god and charged the cult leader; the strength of Gorum surging through his body.

“AAaieeee!” Dahlia called out and her song went silent. Qakisst spun around as he cast a healing spell on Caleb and saw one of the bloodied and battered cultists slash at Dahlia, who collapsed.

Serren sent a ball of lightning bounding at the cultist standing over Dahlia, but the man jumped back out of the way, only to find the head of a boar spear sticking out of his chest. As the cultist slumped to the floor he lashed out, striking Qakisst, who collapsed with him.

“Damn it, Qakisst is down again. So is Dahlia.” Serren pulled out her mace and smashed the head of a cultist that tried to trip her. “Konnor, cover Luthor!” Serren smashed the head of the man at her feet and channeled her celestial power again, bringing three cultists back to consciousness as well as Dahlia and Qakisst.

Dahlia shook her head and cleared her voice, calling up the music of the spheres. Qakisst pulled a scroll from his vest where he lay and read the arcane writing on it. The scroll erupted in ash and smoke as the young ifrit struggled to stand. Balls of electrical energy danced between Qakisst & Dahlia and the three rising cultists.

“That’s not helping, Serren!” Konnor cried out as he found himself once more surrounded by cultists.

“I can only exclude so many of them from the power of life. I’m doing my best to keep us alive!” Serren yelled back at Konnor.

“Your compassion is going to be your undoing. Ungggg!” The cult leader staggered to his left as Luthor’s axe glanced off the man’s armor. “Wunde!” Black light enshrouded the cult leader’s hand and the man reached out to grasp Luthor’s arm.

“YEARRRGGGHH!” Luthor screamed in pain then pushed the dark priest away. “Serren, a moment of your time please!”

As Luthor battled the cult leader and Konnor danced and dodged around the efforts of several cultists, the smoke and ash from Qakisst’s scroll coalesced into a winged serpent that lashed out at one of the cultists, dropping the man.

“Bu yüzden o ne yapar bulunuyor!” Qakisst clambered to his feet and stepped forward to stab at one of the cultists as Dalhia stepped up beside him stabbing another. The two cultists staggered back but did not fall.

“Wait? You didn’t know what that scroll did? Are you daft?” Konnor dodged the slashing blades of two cultists and cut one of them down.

Two new balls of electrical energy sprang from Serren’s fingers as the previous two faded out of existence. The two balls of energy streaked across the room to strike at the cult leader. One of the balls found its mark, leaving the man staggering from the electrical charge, but he still would not fall.

Dahlia stepped left to dodge a cultist’s attack and found the man shifting quickly to attack Qakisst instead. “Damn it.” She tried to shift back to cut him off too late leaving Qakisst between two cultists.

“GAH!” Qakisst collapsed again as the two cultists turned to Dahlia.
One of the cultists face spat blood at Dahlia when a mace crushed the back of his skull, the other gasped for air when Konnor slipped past Dahlia and opened the man’s chest with his slim Tian blade.

“Luthor, you still there?” Konnor turned back to the room to see Luthor slumping to the floor at the cult leader’s feet.

“The three of you have no chance agahhahahhahahaa!!!” As the cultist went to step forward to press his attack a ball of bright blue lightning struck the cultist sending him staggering forward awkwardly. Konnor dashed forward to catch the man while his reactions were still hampered by the electrical attack and buried his blade to the hilt in the cultist leader’s chest.

“The Skinsaw Man is eternal.” The leader slid to the ground and gasped, coughing blood before his soul separated itself from his body forever.

Konnor pulled his wakizashi from the robed figure at his feet and stabbed the man again, just to be sure, “Well that was fun.”

“Not funny, Konnor.” Dahlia knelt between Qakisst and Caleb and called up her healing magics. “Thank Desna, they’re both breathing.” Turning to Serren, “How’s Luthor? Is he still with us?”

Serren knelt over Luthor and called up a minor healing spell. The big Pathfinder coughed and shook his head while gasping for air. “He’ll live.”

“Not for lack of trying.” Luthor sat up and called on his own faith to heal some of his wounds. “Looks like we stumbled into a meeting of some kind.”

“Stumbled? Ne? I do not think so.” Qakisst glowered at Caleb as he struggled into a sitting position, “What were you thinking, Caleb? You nearly got us all killed!”

“So what?” A darkness filled Caleb’s eyes as he struggled to his feet. “We’re not dead, so it doesn’t matter.” He moved slowly over to the now dead cult leader and bent down. “Lets see who’s under the mask.”
Caleb pulled the mask away and Qakisst gasped. Dahlia stood up and stepped back in shock. Caleb looked back at the others in confusion.

Konnor stood over the body wide eyed, “Justice Ironbriar? You have got to be kidding me. Justice Ironbriar!” We gave him all the information we had on Foxglove, and he was Foxglove’s contact?”

“That’s your contact in the Magnimarian Courts?” Serren looked over Caleb’s shoulder at the body on the floor.

“This is not good.” Luthor struggled to his feet.

“We just killed a Magnimarian Justice.” Qakisst sat back against the wall and called up another healing spell to help Caleb. “Nasıl dokuz cehennemlerinde biz kentine böyle seyretmek açıklamak için gidiyorsun?”

“Search the place, quickly.” Serren seemed to be pulling herself together quickly. Every nook and cranny. Find everything that implicated Ironbriar and hopefully explains this mess. Then let’s get out of here. I don’t think the writ of permission from Ironbriar is going to be good for very much longer.”

The Exchange

OMG! Another chapter finally!

Skinsaw: Morning at Heidmarch Manor:

The early morning darkness enveloped Qakisst as he dozed in the comfortable bed given to him by Lady Heidmarch’s staff. His thoughts drifted about the building with an unnatural degree of confusion even knowing that the Guardians had decided that it would be best to stay at Heidmarch Manor tonight instead of at the Golden Lion Inn. The Pathfinder Society would be more inclined to hold a favorable view of the group until they had solved more of the mystery behind Justice Ironbriar’s apparent treason.

The bunkhouse style dormitory room in Shalast House didn’t offer much in the name of privacy, but Qakisst had grown used to sharing living space when needed. It was the name of their current residence that tickled the back of Qakisst’s mind incessantly. Qakisst knew he had never been here before, but the name was strangely familiar. He sat in the dreaming city of Sarenrae on the edge of the courtyard his back facing the desert sands that surrounded the city. Qakisst’s eyes drifted over the great and vast open city trying to take in everything.

“You are woolgathering, brother.” Keqiss settled onto the ground next to her brother. “I’ve only a few minutes this night. Tell me that’s troubling you before I go.”

Qakisst smiled at his sister. “It is good to see you, sister. If I am to be honest, there are several things bothering me. I just don’t think I quite know what they all are.”

“Maybe it will help to start with the beginning of what is nagging you, if you know where that is.” Keqiss ruffled Qakisst’s hair playfully as she sat beside him.

Qakisst gave a lopsided smile and ducked out from under his sister’s hand. “How did we not know that Justice Ironbriar was our opponent, and not our benefactor? For that matter, how did we not know that Aldern Foxglove was no benefactor, but a seriously deranged opponent?” Qakisst gave a more thoughtful look to his sister. “I feel like somebody has been playing us since the Swallowtail Festival erupted into chaos and goblins.”

“I’m not sure if that sounds exciting or frightening.” Keqiss wrapped an arm around her brother and hugged him from the side.

“A little of both, really.” Qakisst looked up into the late morning sky. “Nualia was supposed to be some blessed gift to Sandpoint, but she winds up going crazy, burns down half the town, and runs of to join a cult in Magnimar before coming back to Sandpoint and digging up some strange Thassilonian ruins under the city and under Thistletop. Foxglove tries to befriend us, but turns out to be a corrupt and deranged pawn of his grandfather the House Lich, who was also a cultist from Magnimar. The Justice that we have been working with for months over the goblin raids and the Sihedron murders turns out to be the cult leader that had been manipulating Foxglove, and possibly Nualia. But he’s a pawn for somebody else. Some woman named Xanesha.”

“Wow.” Keqiss leaned back and looked at her brother. “All I have to worry about are wandering tribes of orcs and the occasional gnoll.”

“On top of all that,” Qakisst shrugged in exasperation, “Caleb has come back after one of his little side trips and he is really depressed and angry. His wolf friend Loki is missing, but Caleb won’t talk about it, and I don’t know what to do.” He rolled back to lay on the ground with his arms wide. “Can I go back to pretending to still be 12?”

“Even we have to grow up sometime, little brother.” Keqiss smiled down at him. “I will think about you, and contemplate your dilemmas. Unfortunately the sun is calling to me already. I will look for you again tomorrow.” With her last comment, Keqiss faded into the waking world leaving Qakisst to contemplate his many dilemmas before the sun rose in the Varisian east.

Qakisst drifted back to wakefulness in the visitor’s barracks in Shalast House on the grounds of Heidmarch Manor. He could see Caleb sitting up in his bunk looking over the other beds in the dim light of the early morning. “Caleb,… are you not sleeping?”

Caleb’s head slowly turned to Qakisst. “I’m fine, Q. I’ve gone without sleep before.”

“No, you are not fine.” Qakisst sat up, keeping his body mostly covered so that the glow is his tattooed form would not wake anybody else. “Whatever has happened, you can tell me. Please, let me help.”

Caleb turned away and stood up, walking for the bunkhouse door. “I’m not ready yet, Q.”

Qakisst grabbed his shirt and pulled in on over his head as he moved to catch up with Caleb. The brief light of his exposed tattoos caused Luthor to turn away from them, and roused Dahlia from her sleep. As Qakisst moved past her bunk she reached out and gripped his wrist.

“Let him go, Qakisst.” Qakisst looked down with anger at Dahlia. “You can’t help him until he wants help. Trust me, I now.”

Qakisst frowned at Dahlia in the pale pre-dawn light of their barracks room. “You do not know what we have been through together. I…”

“I don’t have too; and you know that.” Dahlia released Qakisst’s arm. “We’ve both seen enough pain to know that you can’t help somebody until they want help. Give him time.”

“Okay.” Qakisst sat back onto his bunk and slumped his shoulders. “It just hurts so much watching my friend suffering. I am not very good at being stoic.”

“Well, clean yourself up and let’s go get breakfast.” Dahlia smiled in the dim light.

“You’d better hurry before Luthor wakes and eats everything in the house.” Serren sat up indiscreetly letting the blankets fall from her barely covered body. Qakisst and Dahlia looked at each other, then glanced at Serren before looking away again. Qakisst whistled softly as he turned away. “Glad you appreciate a good show, Qakisst. Now, tell me; how do you sleep with those glowing tattoos and do they cover everything?”

Qakisst blushed and looked away from both Dahlia and Serren. “Um…”

“Didn’t you tell me that lady Tessa did your tats?” Dahlia cocked an eye and turned to look at Qakisst. “Just how familiar is Ms. Loundex with your anatomy, Qakisst?”

The light from Qakisst’s tattoos flared as his entire body turned flush and he surged to his feet grabbing his pack. “None of your business.” As Dahlia and Serren giggled and Luthor cursed in his sleep, Qakisst rushed out the door.

“I can’t wait to ask Sapphire is she knows anything about this.” Dahlia smirked in the pre-dawn darkness as Serren continued to giggle.

Fifteen minutes later a grumbling Luthor joined Serren and Dahlia as they strolled into the glass enclosed arboretum of Heidmarch Manor. Qakisst sat finishing his breakfast at the table in the center of the room.

“Where is Caleb?” Serren looked around.

“He finished and decided to walk around the grounds instead of sitting here waiting for us.” Qakisst frowned as he continued to dig into the egg pie and sausage on his plate.

“Rangers can be that way when one of their companions has been lost.” Sadness filled Serren’s eyes as she spoke. “The depth of the connections a ranger forges with their animal charges are often as deep as any relationship between friends. Sometimes as deep as a parent and child.”

“Though I always wonder who the parent is and who the child is.” Luthor slid into a seat, grabbed a plate, and began shoveling food onto his dish.

“More like brothers in this case.” Qakisst smirked briefly before becoming more serious. “Okay, so we know that those carrier pigeons we found last night flew off to Underbridge.”

“And we know that our quarry is expected to be in a tower from what I was able to scry. I just couldn’t get a good enough look around to tell what tower.” Serren shrugged.

“There cannot be many towers beneath the bridge.” Qakisst looked around the group. “Does lady Heidmarch have any maps of the city?”

“Of course she does.” Luthor spoke even as he continued to eat. “Every good Pathfinder Lodge has local maps just in case. I’ll check those for possible sites.”

“I can help with that.” Dahlia pipped in.

“Actually, I have something more important for you to do.” Qakisst turned to Dahlia. “The ledgers and journals we brought back. They are in code and use at least three languages you were able to identify. We need them translated; can you do it?” Qakisst grinned at the once roguish performer.

“Um, I don’t know. I’m not a cryptographer. Maybe with lady Heidmarch’s help.” Dahlia looked doubtful.

“Lady Heidmarch will likely be dealing with the Mayor on a number of unrelated tasks important to the Society today, but the library is available, and a couple of junior Pathfinders are available to help.” Serren smiled at Dahlia. “If we’re really lucky there might even be a code breaker among them.”

“There isn’t. I already looked.” Luthor chewed a sausage link as he spoke. “But there are a couple of fairly bright linguists that can help.”

“I guess that will have to do. So while I’m doing that what will the rest of you be doing?”

“Getting our hands dirty.” Caleb stepped up behind Dahlia as he spoke. “Luthor, can you get us close enough to this tower that Serren can recognize it from her brief scrying?”

“Possibly.”

“Then let’s get this done. I want out of this city.” Caleb’s dark eyes appeared haunted.

Yeah, yeah. I've been stuck in a rut.

The Exchange

I'm only a little over a year behind the campaign now. But finally getting someplace.

The Obsidian Tower:

Caleb leaned against the doorway to a Varisi cobbler while Qakisst talked to the proprietor inside. He glared at Luthor while Luthor glared back.

“Stop it, boys. Qakisst is right. The Varisi know the streets of Underbridge better than anybody. Luthor narrowed us down to three options. This will hopefully narrow it down even more.” Serren stood beside the door opposite Caleb. “We’re already going to have a hard enough time explaining to the authorities what happened with Ironbriar. Let’s not cause any more damage than necessary.”

The door to the cobbler’s shop opened and Qakisst stepped out. Caleb fixed his stern gaze on Qakisst, “Well?”

“New boots. What do you think?” Qakisst gestured to his feet.
Caleb’s stare turned dark, “You bought new boots?”

“You have to grease a palm to get good information.” Qakisst ignored Caleb’s gaze. “Good boots too.”

“Q, if you don’t get to a real point I’m going to strangle you.” Caleb reached up to grip Qakisst’s collar.

“Relax, Caleb.” Serren placed her hand on Caleb’s shoulder. “Nice boots, Qakisst. But on to important matters now.”

“Fine.” Qakisst scowled then smiled at Caleb. “The old ironworks stack is one of Luthor’s three targets. It still has an active foundry, and nothing like that was in Serren’s description from her scying. The old clock tower is a teetering mess, and hardly safe to climb so that’s a possibility, but the obsidian tower is supposedly haunted.”

“A haunted tower? That’s suspicious even under normal circumstances.” Luthor grinned.

“Right, obsidian tower.” Caleb’s eyes narrowed. “Do we know anything else about it?”

“It was built from material mined from the Ironspire Bridge before the city banned stripping the bridge for materials.” Qakisst looked up at the Ironspire in the distance. “The builder was an eccentric old wizard who was rumored to be a necromancer, though nobody could ever prove that.” Caleb gave Qakisst a sharp look. “I am just reporting what the local rumors say, Caleb. Anyway, strange noises are always coming from the tower late at night. Nobody does business right next to Obsidian Tower, and the houses near it are all abandoned. So homeless beggars and brigands are likely to control the street, unless the place really is haunted.”

“Talk and walk, people. Let’s get this done.” Caleb looked up and down the streets before looking at the others.

“This way.” Serren headed back to the long wide street towards Underbridge.

“So where is Konnor, again?” Luthor toward Qakisst as he spoke.

“The note he left this morning said he was going to find Sapphire and warn her about what we ran into last night.” Qakisst looked up at the taller man. “And since he knew we’d be heading to Underbridge, he said he would catch up with us there.”

“Does he realize exactly how big Magnimar is?” Luthor squinted as he looked at Qakisst. “Each district is larger than most cities. Even Korvosa is not larger, though it is more crowded.”

“I do not know. It does not really matter, since he was gone before any of us woke up this morning. That means he likely never went to bed at all.” Qakisst shrugged.

“I just feel that the four of us may not be as well equipped to deal with any situation as we like. None of us have Konnor’s knack for locks, if you know what I mean.” Luthor looked around the foursome and gave Qakisst a knowing look as they followed Serren into the maze of side streets.

“Actually, I am pretty good with a set of picks, if it comes to that.” Qakisst grinned up at Luthor. “I am not as good at finding traps as Konnor, but I am nearly as good at taking them apart.”

“SO! What brings such an upscale group of visitors to our streets at such an early time of the day?” The sudden challenge came from a lone man dressed in a blue sailor’s uniform, marking him a Chelish Navy crewman leaning against a crate in the back alley shortcut Serren had chosen.

“Just passing through.” Serren looked up at the drunken tough. “Don’t think you will slow us much; nor will your friends.”

“Hey Serren, are we having trouble up here?” Qakisst slid past Caleb to stand beside Serren as several other men began to step out from doorways and hiding places along the walls in front and behind the quartet.

“Hey, I heard about you.” The dirt coated sailor pointed at Qakisst as he turned to one of his gang. “He’s that little felborn runt the Varisi are always telling funny stories about.” The sailors all laughed as their apparent leader pointed at Qakisst.

“You have a reputation?” Luthor looked at Qakisst then back to the head street tough.

“I hate that game.” Qakisst snarled.

“Listen here, little pitborn wagon boy. This ain’t Varisi territory. We was going to let you off easy, but…”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!” Caleb rushed forward pushing past Qakisst and slashing out with his scimitar wildly. The gang leader barely had time to gasp before blood sprayed from a massive gash in his chest.

“He cut Mescik! Get ‘em!” The Chelish toughs rushed forward to surround the foursome.

“Goddess! Caleb was that really necessary?” Serren stepped back shocked and called up her spirit totem to defend her as she scanned the area around them. The nine armed men in Chelish naval livery had surrounded them with saps and daggers in hand.

“Kwa Mungu unipe nguvu!” Qakisst’s arms swelled with magical strength as he swung his spear around to strike one of their attackers with the metal haft. The sailor staggered backward from the impact.

“Great Gorum’s hammer! That’s going to come back to haunt us for sure.” Luthor turned his massive axe sideways and used it to force one of the Chelish men into another. “There was no call for that, Caleb!”

Caleb slashed wildly at the nearest of the Chelish thugs cutting the man badly, though not as severely as the first. “So hungry!” Rage filled the ranger’s eyes as he flailed back and forth with both scimitar and kukri.

“<Qakisst, we need crowd control now>!” Serren cast a minor cantrip to try and stop the first sailor from bleeding out on the ground and her spirit totem screeched as it manifested around her.

“<When did you start studying the voice of fire, Serren?>” Qakisst spun his spear out in an arc in one hand and thrust the other out before him. “Kuchoma moto!” Fire erupted from his palm and fanned out across the attacking sailors, “<Tell them to flee before I introduce them to their dark lord.>”

“Flee or face Asmodius’ child, you fools. Flee now!” Serren bellowed as loudly as she could while Luthor grabbed one man and threw him across the alleyway to smash into another.

“Grab Mescik!”

“Get out of the way.”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!” Caleb slashed the back of yet another sailor, who staggered away then ran for his life.

“Caleb!” Luthor laid the side of his great axe hard against Caleb as five of the sailors dragged their wounded away in panic, “Enough!” Caleb slammed into the side of the alleyway hard turning to snarl at Luthor.

Serren and Qakisst rushed in to grab Caleb before he could charge the bigger and more heavily armored Luthor. “Enough/Yeter!”

The furious Caleb struggled to raise his weapons and shook in bloodlust even as Luthor stepped back and pulled a cloth to wipe down his weapon. “Whatever happened to you, Caleb; this is not the way.” Luthor turned and walked up the street.

“CALEB!” Qakisst screamed in the ranger’s ear as he and Serren struggled to restrain the young man. Slowly sanity seeped back into Caleb Devrin’s eyes. “Ne yapıyorsun? What are you doing?”

“I...” Caleb’s angry stair came with no answer as he looked back at Qakisst; his dark eyes filled with rage and hunger. Caleb straightened himself and shrugged off his companions. “They attacked us.” As Qakisst and Serren loosened their grip on his arms, Caleb surged forward and headed back toward underbridge.

“They were drunken sailors looking for a fist fight, not brutal monsters, Caleb Devrin!” Serren turned to follow Caleb with Qakisst right behind her.

“You cannot be serious, Caleb?” Qakisst retrieved his spear and rushed to keep up. “They were looking for drinking money and hookers, not a death match.”

“I have a right do defend myself!” Caleb barked back over his shoulder. “They had weapons.”

“They had sand bags and toothpicks, and were hardly a threat to a seasoned warrior such as yourself, Lord Devrin.” Luthor waited at the end of the street as he spoke.

“There were ten of them!”

“And you could have handled them all harmlessly if you weren’t barreling around like a drunk Shoanti child.” Serren stopped right behind Caleb as he glared up at Luthor. “That’s twice you’d barreled in without thought. Last night you nearly got all of us killed. This morning you nearly gutted a boy who was probably pressganged into the Chelish Navy. Hardly upstanding nobility type actions.”

“FINE!” Caleb pushed past Luthor and headed down the main street toward Underbridge. “I’ll ask you for permission next time!” Serren, Luthor, and Qakisst all looked at each other in stunned silence before turning to catch up.

Caleb fumed in silence as the quartet wound through the endless streets of Magnimar on their way to Underbridge. Only as they approached the great iron edifice did he finally slow down enough for the others to catch up.

“Which way.” Caleb scowled back at Luthor.

Luthor glared at Caleb for a moment before replying, “Left up that street.” Keep the bridge in view, it should be about another mile.”

“Does this damned city go on forever?” Caleb glanced up the various streets of the intersection then pushed through the crowd with the others right behind him. As he made his way deeper into the afternoon shadow of the ancient Thassilonian artifact the crowds thinned and grew more impoverished.

After just over half an hour, and well into the afternoon the group spotted a deep black tower rising above the skyline. “I thought you said another mile.” Caleb snarled.

“About. Give or take a mile either way.” Luthor glanced at a map showing the twisting streets of Magnimar. “Its hard to say with all these winding streets.”

“Are we there yet.” Qakisst trudged past Caleb on up the street in the general direction of the black tower. “Are we there yet.”
“I’m going to kill you if you keep doing that, Q.” Caleb fell into step beside Qakisst as Luthor and Serren followed.

“It’s getting very quiet.” Serren’s soft voice carried up the street as the quartet turned right onto a dingy walkway with no lanterns hanging from cracked and bent street posts. The shadow of the great Thassilonian artifact now covered everything in sight. “Up there!” Serren pointed to the end of the street where the road ended in a cross street.

On the far side of the intersection stood a massive, obsidian tower, easily 6 stories high. Houses at the far end near the tower showed the battered neglect of abandonment. Only a hand full of people were present to observe the quartet as they moved up the walkway, though none bothered to do so.

In the distance a howling moan filled the air. “I understand why people think it is haunted.” Luthor pointed to the tower ahead of them, “What in Gorum’s name is that sound?”

“I don’t know.” Serren and Caleb spoke simultaneously. Qakisst cocked his head to the side and continued forward, bringing his spear head down into a defensive position.

“Q, what are you doing?” Caleb followed Qakisst up the street. “You know you don’t belong on the front line.” Serren and Luthor readied weapons and followed Caleb as he trailed after Qakisst.

Qakisst smiled, “You big babies are scared of the wind.”

“Hardly the wind that I’m worried about.” Luthor glanced left and right observing the few local squatters scattering for safer spaces.

“But it is the wind that is making you nervous.” Qakisst pointed up at the tower with his spear. “Look at it. It is a giant flute. See how the windows are spaced in an arc going up the side. And I do not see window covers or glass in them. It is a giant flute.”

Serren’s eyes followed where Qakisst pointed up the tower as the quartet continued advancing up the street. “Very clever. I bet it gets really loud in a strong wind.”

“Do you suppose it was built that way a-purpose?” Luthor moved in front of Qakisst, along with Caleb.

“If it was, the designer was tone deaf.” Qakisst grinned. “It is horribly tuned, but it does make it sound haunted.”

“Does this look like the place you scried, Serren?” Caleb looked back at the Pathfinder shaman.

“I can’t say. I only got a look at the inside.” Serren shrugged. “Lots of machinery, and the walls were dark colored, but finished. There were windows, but my spell wouldn’t let me see out of them far enough to know for sure.”

“Al’right, let me check it out quiet.” Caleb motioned for the others to stop as they reached the last building before crossing the street to the black tower.

“Ghaibu.” Qakisst tapped Caleb on the shoulder and the young ranger faded from view. “Caleb,...”

“Q, stay here.” Caleb rushed across the street, unseen under the power of Qakisst’s simple spell.

“You have less than a minute before you can...” Qakisst sighed, “Why do I even try.”

“Good call, Qakisst.” Serren looked past Luthor and Qakisst watching the broken door covering the entrance to the obsidian effidece across the street. The door shifted under unseen hands. “He’s in.”

“Is this a good idea?” Luthor stood next to the dilapidated shop on their side of the street watching the lopsided door to the tower across the way. “He has been acting rather squirrely lately.”

“Caleb is fine.” Serren watched the door Caleb had passed invisibly through.

“He is not fine, Serren. I do not know what happened to Loki, but he is not fine.” Qakisst frowned as he stared across the street.

Seconds passed into more than a minute as the thrio stood watch. “Something is not right.” Qakisst leaned forward.

“Give him time, boys.” Serren reached for both Luthor and Qakisst’s arms.

“Kunong'ona juu upepo.” Qakisst took a deep breath as he cast the message spell then started across the street. “Ghaibu.”

Serren just missed grabbing Qakisst as he faded from sight. “Damn it, Qakisst.”

A soft whispered voice filled Serren’s ears. “Something is not right. I will just look through the doors.” Unarmored and invisible, Qakisst slipped noiselessly across the street.

“Qakisst!” Serren whispered back sharply.

“Trust me.” Qakisst’s soft voice filled Serren’s ears.

“He’s trying to get himself killed, isn’t he.” Luthor watched across the street where he knew Qakisst had to be going.

As Qakisst approached the black stone tower, he ducked to the right, around the smooth curved wall and glanced in a window just barely low enough for him to see in. In the darkness of the room he saw possible movement, but could not distinguish anymore. With a frown he moved back to his left around the tower wall to stand in the doorway. The battered and partially unhinged door stood open where Caleb had left it.

Qakisst focused his eyes and let his othersite peer into the gloom of the tower. He could see the shadowed figure of Caleb moving very carefully through stacks on broken crates and boxes, crouched as if hunting. Qakisst whispered softly, “Kunong'ona juu upepo.” Caleb looked back in the direction of the doorway as Qakisst spoke. “Only you can hear me, Caleb.”

Caleb shifted to one side, anger tinting his voice as he whispered. “I got this, Q. Get out of sight.”

Qakisst rolled his eyes, though nobody could see through the vanishing spell he was still under; when two small bodies leapt from a crate just ten feet from Caleb and charged for the door.

“Run Marta, run!” Two small child like forms hit the door almost simultaneously, but seeing them coming, Qakisst dropped his spear to the ground, stepped back, and threw his arms out wide, snaring both children as the pilled out the door. The act of grabbing the two children disrupting his spell, Qakisst faded into view just as he grabbed the two children.

Both children screamed as Qakisst’s arms pulled them in tight. Qakisst made a shusshhing sound and he struggled to grip both children. “Shhhhhhh!! It is okay, shhhhhhh!”

“Le’ ‘er go! Le’ ‘er go!”

Serren and Luthor charged across the street upon seeing Qakisst grapple the two children. Caleb slid out of the shadows and stepped up in front of Qakisst in the doorway, a look of disappointment evident on his face.
“Le’ ‘er go! Le’ ‘er go, pleaz!”

Both children flailed about wildly as Qakisst began to sing a soft lullaby while struggling to hold his captives.

Hush my child, don’ say a word,
Daddy’ gonna buy you a mockward bird.
And if that mockward bird won’ sing,
Daddy’s gonna buy you a golden ring.
And if that golden ring turns brass,
Daddy’s gonna buy you a looking glass.

“This is a surprise.” Serren knelt beside Qakisst as he held the two children, a young girl maybe four years of age and a young boy maybe twice that age. “Nobody is going to hurt you, boy. You’re safe now.”

“Le’ ‘er go! Le’ ‘er go!” The small boy flailed, his fists slamming repeatedly on Qakisst’s back. Qakisst kept his head down as he sang, keeping his horns out of the way so as to cause no damage to flailing arms. “Pleaz le’ ‘er go. Don’ ‘urt ma sis’er, pleaz msr fel.” Qakisst began to giggle, interrupting his song.

“I am not felborn child; though I am unhuman. My name is Qakisst.” Qakisst tipped his head back and smiled as the boy. “And who would you be, good sir?”

Caleb growled. Luthor stepped past Qakisst into the tower door where Caleb stood, and looked up into the tall hollow structure. “Anything else in here besides wayward children, Caleb?”

“Not likely. They’re clever little sneaks though, these two. Been here a while.” Caleb looked up into the hollow interior of the tower with Luthor. “No upper floors. Brave kids. Probably figured out that the building makes that haunting noise in the wind and used it to be able to hide where nobody wants to follow.”

“Nobody, msr. A’m nobody.” As the young boy ceased struggling and looked down at his feet Qakisst smiled as a memory welled up in him from his first meeting with his adopted family.

“Everybody is somebody, my child. Even you.” Qakisst softly admonished the young boy for thinking so little of himself, just as Caster Benjamin had done to him some fifteen years ago. “So if you would, please to share with us your name. If you do not give me one Caleb there will make one up for you and it is a devil of a time getting rid of it once he tells all of his Varisi family. Trust me, I know.” Qakisst gestured toward Caleb with his horns while smiling.

The young girl, now burying her face in the crook of Qakisst’s arm giggled, then took a deep breath.

“Think that is funny, do you Marta?” Qakisst turned to look down at Marta. Marta gasped and looked up at Qakisst.

“‘ow d’you gnow ma name?” Marta looked up at Qakisst’s smiling face in awe, though her eyes immediately fixed on the eight inch horns that rose from Qakisst’s brow.

“I am magical. I can read little girl’s thoughts.” Qakisst continued to smile. “Little boys are harder, because their heads are so busy looking for ways to get in and out of trouble.” Marta looked wide eyed at Qakisst while her brother laughed. “Do not laugh too hard. Caleb is still thinking up names for you, young man.”

“Nico.” The young boy whispered and turned away from Qakisst.

“Say it again boy. With pride this time.” Qakisst grinned ear to ear as he turned to face Nico. “Make sure people remember you.”

The Exchange

Okay, a year and a half.

Lyrie and the Stitched Man:

Chapter 37: Caleb fumed and paced back and forth as he and Luthor watched from a distant alley, a dilapidated old clock tower built during the initial settlement of Magnimar. The city had first sprung up in the shadow of the Ironspire, but quickly outgrew the sheltered region to cover the entire bay area around the ancient Thassilonian ruin. When the city founders decided to move the city’s seat of power away from the initial settlement to the newer Alabaster district Underbridge fell into disrepair. The district manager for the Underbridge area moved their offices to a safer region of the district; and the old clock tower became a neglected afterthought.

“Where are they?” Caleb barked at Luthor as he repeated his steps for the one thousandth time.

“On their way back from Heidmarch Manor, I would guess.” Luthor leaned in a doorway observing the tower in the distance.

“We don’ have time for this!” Caleb barked again.

“We have more than enough time to take care of innocent children.” Luthor watched Caleb closely.

“They weren’t going to go anywhere.” Caleb snarled. “We should have gone back for them after finishing more important work.”

“I think Qakisst was right. They would have been gone if we’d left them until later.” Luthor glanced up at the tower then back to Caleb.

“They weren’t our responsibility!” Caleb spat.

“They are my responsibility now, Caleb.” Qakisst glared at Caleb as he rounded the corner followed closely by Serren. “Your Mother would be ashamed of you for not thinking of children first.”

“Don’t you dare judge me!” Caleb’s glare grew dark as he stepped toward Qakisst. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

Qakisst looked back at Caleb and shook his head in sadness. “No matter how much you hate me I will always be your friend, Caleb; you cannot keep living like this.”

“Like what, Q!” Caleb gritted his teeth as he snarled anew at Qakisst.

“Like you hate every living person in the world.” Qakisst turned away from Caleb and headed up the street toward the old clock tower. “Anything going on of interest, Luthor?”

“Not a thing. Nobody’s gone in or out in over two hours.” Luthor fell in beside Qakisst heading up the street.

“I hate this place.” Caleb growled and glared at Qakisst, but fell into line behind him as Serren followed along watching him.

“Whatever happened to you after Misgivings, Caleb, he cares very much for you. I hope you’re worth it.” As Serren continued to follow Luthor and Qakisst, she caught a glimpse of a faint smile from Caleb that sent a shiver up her spine. When she turned to look at him the snarling anger was back.

Serren spoke in broken ignan as she shook her head, “<How long known him have you?>”

“<Do not do that, Serren.>” Qakisst did not look over his shoulder as he replied. “<He is angry and hurt, but he is still a good man.>” Turning to look at Caleb, “Caleb, care to see what we find in this tower?”

“Keep behind me, Q. I mean it this time.” Caleb moved in front of Qakisst and motioned for Luthor to move up with him. The four adventurers crossed the last street before entering the grounds around the old city clock tower. Caleb circled around the tower to the left finding no windows to peer in.

Lightning cracked across the sky as Caleb returned to the front entrance to the tower. “Back door is boarded over tight. Only one way in I can see.”

“That’s not a good sign.” Luthor looked up the side of the tower. “No windows I can see either; but what are those odd scaffoldings up near the top? They don’t look like part of the original structure.”

“Maybe somebody was trying to repair the tower?” Qakisst shrugged as he looked up at the attached scaffolds near the top of the tower.

“One way in means only one entrance that needs guarded. Keep close. I’m betting we’re being watched.” Caleb looked back over his shoulder before leaning up to the door to listen. He then tested the door and pulled it open. “Not locked.” Rain began to unload from the overburdened sky above just as Caleb slipped through the doorway.

The interior of the tower proved mostly hollow. To the right and across the back wall small rooms lined the exterior to the square tower. To the left, behind a mostly intact supply wagon, barely intact stairs ran along the interior wall leading up into the darkness. If the stairs had ever had a railing, it had long since crumbled with age. A square platform in each corner connected succeeding flights of stairs going beyond even Qakisst and Serren’s othersight.

“Great. Now we’re all wet.” Serren shook water from herself as she entered the clock tower behind Qakisst and Luthor.

“You’ve been all wet before, Serren. You’ll live.” Luthor looked left to the rickety stairs climbing unprotected up the interior of the tower. “That will be fun to climb.”

“We scope the base first. That supply wagon hasn’t been sitting there forever.” Caleb looked back at the others briefly before scanning the hollow interior of the tower. “But quietly. Q, cast that whisper thing you can do.”

Qakisst stuck his tongue out at Caleb before turning toward the stairs, “Kunong'ona juu upepo.” Qakisst’s voice turned into a faint whisper that only the four could hear easily. “You could ask, politely.”

Caleb glared at Qakisst before moving to the first door to the right. The door hung awkwardly on its hinges as Caleb carefully pulled the door open. “Luthor, cover me.” Caleb’s whispered voice carried easily through the magic conduit between the quartet.

“Right behind you.” Luthor unslung his weapon and readied himself for whatever they might find. He followed Caleb from door to door down the right side of the building while Serren and Qakisst checked out the wagon for any clues.

“Bu da neydi?” Qakisst looked over at Serren with confusion first, then shock as he realized that he had no words in common. “Bok!”

“I don’t know, but keep it down.” Serren looked back at Qakisst just in time to see sparks beginning to form near the base of the stairs. “Shit!”

Caleb and Luthor hearing the curse from the far side of the room had no time to react. Before them a massive, misshapen man surged up from crates stacked just inside a door on the far side of the room from both Qakisst and Serren.

“Unholy hell!” Caleb called out as he brought his kukri up to try and deflect the massive man’s overhand attack. At the same time, Luthor tried to get out of the strait line between Qakisst and Caleb. All four were too late.

The dark skinned form of Lyrie Akenja faded into existence on the bottom step of the stairway to the top of the tower as electricity arced from her precisely twisting fingertips striking all four heroes before slamming into the massive deformed man slamming his fists down onto Caleb on the far side of the room. “That’s for what you did to Tsuto.”

“Sppppelllcassssterrr!” Serren’s unnecessary cry sparked the four heroes into action.

“Işte Lyrie bu!” Qakisst struggled to his feet and rushed Lyrie as he thrust his spear forward. “Ironbriar'ın seni koruduğunu bilmeliydik!” The spear just missed the Mwangi mage as she stepped back up the decrepit stairs.

“Uhhggg!” On the far side of the room Caleb staggered back into Luthor from the impact of the massive man that stood before him even as his muscles jerked from the electric jolt to his system. “Wwwwhat thhhe hellll!”

“GOLEM!” Luthor screamed out as he shook off the electrical surge and sidestepped Caleb to swing his massive axe at the twisted big man before them.

The deformed and stitched golem roared as he swung wildly with his bare fists, knocking Luthor back. The brutish monstrosity of a man then charged at Caleb.

By the stairs, Qakisst slashed with the tip of his spear at Lyrie as she carefully ascended the stairs to the right. But as she focused on Qakisst, Serren called on the blessings of her goddess to bring forth a hammer of force behind Lyrie. The hammer struck with considerable force, staggering the dark wizard and blocking the stairs.

“Nguvu!” Balls of force zipped out from Lyrie’s fingers to strike Qakisst in the chest. “I will kill you, you unhuman freak!” Rage showed in Lyrie’s eyes. “You and that mask wearing monster! And when I’m done with you, I will burn Sandpoint to the ground just like she wanted!”

“You’ve certainly annoyed this young lady, Qakisst.” Serren focused on directing the divine force of the hammer she had conjured against Lyrie as she summoned the crackling electrical sphere she had used against Ironbriar and his cultists. “This won’t help against that flesh golem, so you get to play with it, little miss.” The ball lightning bounced up onto the stairs just missing Lyrie even as the unearthly hammer swung at the Mwangi mage.

On the far side of the room, Caleb and Luthor maneuvered to flank their monstrous foe. The soulless patchwork golem roared as he surged to his left swinging wildly at Luthor knocking the big Pathfinder from his feet.

Caleb followed as quickly as he could slashing the creature with both scimitar and kukri while Luthor rolled to his feet. “Keep up, Luthor. If this thing gets you on the ground he’ll stomp you into paste.”

“Smart-ass!” Luthor put everything he could into his swing even as the monster slammed him against the wall. The axe cut deep, but the patchwork creature just growled in pain.

On the stairs, Lyrie focused and called up a surge of electric energy that she gripped in her right hand even as she worked to find a way past Qakisst down the stairs. With his spear tip between them, Qakisst avoided Lyrie’s touch. The young ifrit suddenly spun, swinging low with the haft of his spear. Lyrie easily jumped the apparent attack, only to have Qakisst reverse directions and pull up, slamming the boar guard into Lyrie’s side sending her tumbling to the floor.

As Lyrie struggled to her feet, Serren’s spirit hammer came down on the prone woman knocking the wind from her. Serren maneuvered her conjured electrical sphere over the Mwangi mage at the same time rendering the woman unconscious.

Seeing Lyrie collapse, the golem howled in rage and charged for the door. Luthor swung wildly slashing at the creature’s side slowing it down allowing Caleb to reach it just before it could escape into the streets beyond the doorway. Caleb’s scimitar cut the creature’s stolen spine dropping it to the ground.

“What the hell is this thing?” Caleb looked around as he spoke. “It hits like a runaway wagon-train.”

“A flesh golem.” Luthor wiped the blade of his axe on the filthy rags that still covered the now destroyed creature. “A patchwork man made from stolen body parts and animated through dark rituals.”

“Who would create something like this?” Caleb scowled.

“O yapmadı. Bunu yapmak için çok daha yetenekli bir büyüteç gerekir.” Qakisst held his boar spear pointing at Lyrie.

“Damn it, Q!” Caleb snarled at Qakisst.

“Afedersiniz!” Qakisst snarled back, then took a deep breath. “You know ben açıkça… gah! You know why!”

“Who is she?” Serren looked over at Qakisst. “She knew you, and I presume Caleb.”

“Lyrie Akenja.” Qakisst took another deep breath.

“I thought we had already dealt with her.” Caleb glanced from Qakisst to Lyrie, then back.

“Yeah. Ama…” Deep breath, “We turned her over to Ironbriar over a month ago.” Qakisst poked Lyrie’s side carefully. “We should have guessed when we found Ironbriar running that cult that she would show back up.”

“Any other old enemies we should expect?” Luthor grabbed one foot of the golem and pulled the entire body back in the doorway.

“You don’t think…” Caleb turned to Qakisst and paused?

“Orik?” Qakisst looked back at Caleb.

“Orik.” Caleb held Qakisst’s gaze questioningly.

“I doubt it.” Qakisst shrugged. “Orik was mainly dangerous because he was stupid. I am pretty sure Ironbriar actually sent him to the Blackarrows. I doubt he kept an incompetent idiot around who might accidently give away secrets.”

“Orik Vancaskerkin?” Serren and Luthor said the name at the same time.

“Yeah.” Qakisst looked at them both with surprise. “You know him?”

“Unfortunately.” Luthor sighed.

“He’s stumbled into trouble a couple of times where the Society has gotten involved.” Serren rolled her eyes. “Not really a bad man, just a serious hazard to himself.”

Caleb scoffed as he looked at Serren.

“Yeah, that sounds like Orik.” Qakisst sighed before kneeling next to Lyrie and shifting to othersite to examine her equipment. “Where is her damned cat?” With care, he began divesting Lyrie of anything magical along with her spell component pouch.

Caleb watched Qakisst closely. “What are you doing?”

“We have questions. She should have answers.” Qakisst looked back up at Caleb.

“She is dangerous, and if we’d finished her last month, I wouldn’t still be twitching from that lightning bolt she conjured.” Caleb fingered the blade of his Kukri carefully.

“She is a captive and needs to go before the Justices.” Serren looked up the stairs into the darkness while talking to Caleb.

“She’s already been before one of the Justices, and look how that turned out.” Caleb looked up to see where Serren was staring at.

“You can hardly say that she has been before a Justice when it was Ironbriar’s court she saw turned over too.” Serren looked back at Caleb.

“Fair enough.” Caleb sheathed his blade and looked into Serren’s eyes. “So after I question her, we truss her up like a moth in a yarn ball. Wake her up, Q.”

“Those scrolls and that potion is all she had magical.” Qakisst pushed them off to the side and pulled Lyrie up straight before using one of his minor cure spells to wake her.

“AAAAAAAAAyyyyeee!” Lyrie jolted awake as the healing energy forced her bruises and cuts back together.

“Hello, Lyrie.” Qakisst smiled almost pleasantly at the young mage.

“Nice to see you again, Lyrie.” Caleb scowled over Qakisst’s shoulder. “You can answer Qakisst’s questions or I get to play with you. Your choice; but there’s no good cop in this scenario, so you better hurry up and decide.” Behind Qakisst and Caleb, Luthor and Serren gave each other worried looks.

Lyrie spat blood into Qakisst’s face and began to curse at him in Polyglot, the language of the Mwangi. To everybody’s surprise Qakisst responded in Polyglot and kept up with Lyrie’s diatribe of foul language. After about five minutes Qakisst stood up and glared at Lyrie.

“She is all yours, Caleb.” Qakisst turned away from Lyrie. “Come on, Luthor, Serren. Help me check these other rooms while Caleb gets answers.

“<Is this wise>?” Serren leaned in close to Qakisst and whispered as Qakisst walked to the back of the tower.

“<He’s not a monster,> Serren.” Qakisst gave a reassuring smile to Serren as he motioned for Serren and Luthor to follow him. Caleb watched them all turn to the back of the tower and grinned even as Lyrie questioned his parentage in five languages.

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