Javell opens his mouth to speak, then just as quickly closes it again, unsure as to what he should say in this situation.
At Laurel's observation Albus replies, "Yes, I've started the old path, Uncle Zoius, guided me, through the before."
Albus says, "We do need to tell the Sheriff about all this. I also need to give these holy bones to the church for burial and inform the Lady about events too. But I want to make sure Laurel is protected as well. Finish locking up, Laurel, that should keep you sort of safe until I talk to the Sheriff and see what he can do."
If Laurel appears safe, for the moment, Albus will trot off to the Sheriff's office.
**Albus and Laro**
That whole Blackscour Taint business set me up pretty well and I've managed to set a bit of savings aside because of it even despite the Consortium taxes Laurel says as she sees you off. Give me the word and I'll be able to pack up and start anew somewhere else. Maybe outside the Vale altogether, they say the other parts of Andoran aren't like how things are here. I wouldn't mind seeing if that's true maybe
The Sheriff is at this office as he almost always is. As he's gotten a little older (though that's hard to tell with a half-elf) he's started to take less of a frontline role with the Guards and spending more time with training. The Guards have seen an uptick of recruits since they got the shiny new weapons.
Ahh.. Albus, Our Fount of Silver he says with a smile as Albus comes in. He becomes more serious though when he sees the expression on Ablus' face. He was a good reader of moods. Well, what's wrong now?
"Oh thank goodness," Aelerie breathes out when she detects no trace of poison in either the tea or her mother. Despite this discovery, her suspicion of Jalene has only marginally diminished. "I know we need all the friends we can get, but not everyone who says they are a friend is, Mama. We need to be more careful than ever about who we trust." Aelerie goes over to stop Vimea from cleaning up the spilled tea, her face pained as she tries to prepare her mother for the awful news. There really isn't any gentle way to say it, she realizes after a moment of hesitation, so Aelerie decides to be forthright about the situation. "The Consortium won't let Papa come home. I tried to bring him back with me but that bastard Teedum told us he would send word to his agents in town to have you killed before we got back." The thought brings angry tears to her eyes again, ones she fights down as she continues to explain things. "When I saw Jalene sitting here saying she was a friend of mine, I thought the worst."
**Aelerie and Javell**
Oh dear, oh my Vimea says as she slumps backward onto their humble floor. She looks distraught and close to tears. Did Jerask... did your father look alright?
Aelerie settles down on the floor across from her mother and reaches across the gap to hold the elder Mirisen's hand. "He looked scared, to be honest. As scared as when I had to tell him you'd caught the Blackscour sickness," she admits. She gives her mother's hand a reassuring squeeze, making sure the other notices the sincere look in her eye as she quickly adds, "But he looked healthy. Unharmed. And according to him and one of the nice boys from the lumber yard, they have him doing light work. Administrative work, it sounded like." Aelerie gives a halfhearted shrug, knowing that information was of little consolation when they both just wanted him home. "Mama, I'm so sorry for all of this. I never meant to... I only wanted to help people."
Albus sighs and says, "The worst, the LC is making its move against ... well us, the group that went to save the kids. What happened, - I caught only the end of it, but Aelerie's Dad didn't came back home so she and -" Albus relates the tale briefly with any comments by Laro added in. "So, I talked to Laurel, she's willing to leave, if need be, to be safe; honestly she's not to fond of being here, too many bad guys. I don't see a better option for the families, of course I'll stay regardless of what happens but the LC just has too many men and are too underhanded and cowardly to do much openly. But, you have way more experience than I dealing with them." Albus shakes his head, not liking his options.
Albus continues, "Oh, I have a few old bones from the Dwarf ruins that need burial, I need to nip over to the Church and have that taken care of, then check on how Aelerie is doing."
Laro looks up at the sheriff barely containing his anger, "Aeleriie's dad was overdue for coming back to town so we went to check on him. He's being held hostage there. The won't let him leave the camp and does light duties around it. The other jacks arn't happy about the light work he's getting. Payday threated to kill Aelerile's mom if we didn't leave without her dad. I damn near run him through with my swords. Her family needs out of here but the LC isn't going to allow it. It's time someone lopped their heads off."
**Aelerie**
Oh my little bird. Vimea says returning Aelerie's grip with a firm clasp of her own as she looks into her daughter's eyes This is not your fault. Never believe it is. This is all those... Lumber Consortium.... bastards
It's very odd for Aelerie to hear her mother curse. She's certainly angrier than she's ever been.
I''ll trust in you to do the right thing. But I'm not going anywhere without your father!
She holds up her hand to forestall any objection.
It's not just that I don't want to abandon him, but if I leave then they might think you're trying to get out from under their thumb and move against your father.
**Albus**
The Sherrif's hands clench into fists as Laro and Albus update them on what's been happening.
They don't like anything that's a threat to 'em. he says his voice strained. The only reason the Consortium bastards haven't offed me in my sleep is that they know I can't really do anything against 'em. Or the church Lady. Or the Mayor. But you four aren't under their control and poor Aelerie's the only one they can squeeze. I'm sorry I can't give you any advice but if you have any questions I'll surely answer them. And I'll have patrols keep a watch on Aelerie's home and your cousin's store.
Aelerie gives her mother a tearful smile and nods haltingly in response to Vimea's assurances. Though the language her mother uses to denounce the Consortium and its goons is surprising, Aelerie doesn't bat an eye at it. With the Consortium moving against them, Aelerie thinks it is high time for strong words and even stronger actions. What does surprise her, however, is her mother's refusal to leave the Hollow. "But Mama!" she begins, ignoring her mother's attempt to hold off any arguments. "It's too dangerous for you to stay in town. We don't know who we can trust!" Aelerie shakes her head, exasperated and afraid in equal measure. If her mother was set on doing something, there was little other than a miracle that would change her mind. Aelerie glances over to the corner where Javell stands, wondering if the man had happened to bring a miracle with him.
Turning back to her mother, Aelerie says, "I can't do anything that would be seen as moving against the Consortium until I know you're safe. ...Papa would never forgive me if something happened to you because I didn't listen to him."
**Aelerie**
Then I'll stay here for now and try to act as.. normal as possible. Vimea says pulling Aelerie in for a quick hug and a kiss. Now go with your friend and see how you can save my husband!
Albus shakes his head slowly at Laro's impassioned words. "I fear Master Laro that, however much the Gavel and his minion deserve a shortening, the letter of the law is on their side. Any open direct action against them and they would have a dozen witnesses to testify that we were the bad actors. Lying is one of their most favorite weapons. They have the manpower, the lawyers, and many politicians on their side or in their pocket. We must move carefully, but I have no good ideas." Albus thinks a second, "If they could be deceived it would work in our favor but I'm not sure they would believe any, they are better at it than I. A seeming break between the Sheriff and I might give them a feeling of things moving in their favor. Hmm, if we could contrive a reason for the Sheriff to arrest Aelerie's dad, and then we do a 'jailbreak'. He'd be a fugitive but we might work something out. I don't like this idea but I see no good options. If we fall out of their sight you can be sure they will suspect where we are going. We'll need Aelerie's clever mind on this." Albus throw out an idea he has little confidence is but seem a loss for a brilliant strategy.
Aelerie hangs her head in defeat in the face of her mother's determination. "Alright... But promise me that while I'm gone, the only people you'll answer the door for are Sheriff Baleson, Miss Laurel and Mister Hildrensocks, okay?" Once Aelerie (hopefully) has her mother's assurances, she returns the woman's embrace before rising, nodding to Javell and going off to see Mister Hildrensocks. Unbeknownst to Albus, Aelerie's clever mind is hard at work formulating a plan. But it is one that will require some outside help.
Laro seems to grow taller as his face get red and his anger bursts out, "Law or no law, I don't care! What is important is justice! These slimeballs break the law and lie and hide it and get away with whatever they want! Now they have gone and imprisoned someone with no cause! They've messed with my friend's and I am going to make them pay for that!" His outburst spent, Laro seems to resume his normal size and continues, "I think you have a point about a jailbreak Albus, but not from here. I was thinking that I could sneak into the camp and break him out in the middle of the night. As much as I'd like to run him through, I can just leave Tedeem a pile of sh!t in his boots for when he puts them on in the morning. I think we need to get Aelerie's mom and your aunt under one roof so there is less to be watched. I need to find out how they are communicating and what else they are planning. I need to talk to my friends still working for Kreed. I wonder what Aelerie could get out of his kid."
Javell returns the nod, a little confused by everything he's just seen, gives a quiet thanks to Aelrie's mother for the tea, and follows the arcanist out.
Albus sorrowfully shakes his head, "Master Laro, please restrain your justified passions! You are missing the point. If you act illegally, if you commit murder or what can easily presented as murder, then all the enforcers of the law would be turned against you.
The Diamond Legion is assigned to protect the timber trade as its duty. What happens if they get orders to send men to hunt you down? I was, actually until my resignation is accepted, am a member. So good trackers are available and they would follow orders. Even if they knew the full story they would have little choice but to bring you in.
Do not do anything compromising without a plan and definitely do it out of sight. It will not do any of us any good if you are caught or even accused. Justice will come, eventually I am sure, but tread carefully. You are not from here, we - my family, and many others with a great love for this land, for countless generations, find these upstart killers a great horror; if we could have fought them openly we would have done so. We don't, a just war requires a reasonable hope of victory or it is a great sin to start it, just gets many killed and leave an even worse aftermath."
Albus says, "I need to see Lady Cirthana and her help will be invaluable. Then we check back on Aelerie and maybe Master Hildrensocks as well. Master Laro, if you think you can make contact with your friends, unnoticed, that would be all to the good. Just be very wary, friends can be suborned into enemies, and if you are alone have a good escape route ready. I never would let you go alone except I have seen, or more precisely not seen, how good you are at moving unseen and unheard. You alone can be alone without the gravest of danger, right now." Albus does say the last with admiration, and anyone that knows how good Albus is at spotting things should be really impressed with Laro's skill. Albus will try to go to the Church, quickly and quietly. Master Laro can come or follow his own leads.
Laro shakes his head sadly at Albus, "And just what good have all your laws done the folks here? None! After all this time you're still stuck with this pigs! Don't worry I'm not dumb enough to go an slit Kreed's throat in public. We need to get your family outta here. I'm coming with you. We don't travel alone unless we have to. I'll try and find my friends in their after work haunts."
**Albus and Laro**
Albus and Laro leave the Sheriff, who seems stricken by his inability to do anything of much use in response to the distrubing news. Give me a heads up if you're going to do something dangerous or need anything else right? he does say as the two take their leave.
The walk to the church isn't a very long one and the small lanes of the village are quiet as most people in this part of Falcon's Hollow go to bed early. It seems peaceful.
At the church the Lady Cirthiana is with the acolytes as they finish cleaning up for the day. She looks up and smiles at Albus and Laro as they come in.
Albus nods at the Sheriff and says, "Of course Sheriff, I do my best to keep you up to date."
Albus enters the Church a little more abruptly than usual. "Greetings, May the Inheritor bless us all. There are a couple of matters we need to discuss. One I have bones of goodly dwarves from the old monastery that need burial. Two, the Lumber Consortium has decided to move against our little band of ... helpers. They started with holding Aelerie's Dad hostage not that we can prove it and then ..." Albus once again explains the situation as Albus understands it. Albus finishes with, "The Sheriff can do little, so I ask you for any advice you may have to offer, my Lady."
**Albus and Laro**
The Lady of the Church ushers Albus and Laro into her small office as soon as Albus starts speaking. My word Albus. Iomedae may be a straightforward and steadfast goddess but even she recognizes some need for discretion.
Her light tone fades away though as Albus lays the situation in town bare.
Firstly, we will treat the bones of the faithful Torag worshippers with as much care as our own. I do know some of their burial rites and I believe we can fashion a tomb in the basement. Perhaps if the situation in Falcon's Hollow improves we will be able to send a requst to the larger cities of Andoran for an official delegation to come and take these saintly bones to their final home.
She sighs. For now however.... your actions especially Albus.. have raised the stature of our little church and we have more new worshipers than ever as the good people of the Hollow feel bold enough to worship Iomedae openly in this lawless region. But many in town are criminals who have fled here to escape the law in other places and they are implacable in their opposition to any force of lawfulness and they will support the Consortium to their dying breath.
I wish I had a force of arms to lend to you as I should as an Iomedean cleric but... we only had the one Paladin assigned to us before she was called back. I can send another letter to the closest fortress but,,, such missives have been rebuffed in the past. We are too isolated, and our hold too tenuous to be assigned many resources I fear and one lumberjack not being allowed to leave camp will not change that.
From my years here... I do not think Kreed will move against us openly. We are not a threat to him but if he cracks down on us then it will lead to unrest and he seems to not want that to happen in his domain. I will tell the acolytes to move around in groups and be careful but other than that all I can offer is prayers.
She puts her hands on Albus' shoulders and nods at Laro. The two of you and your friends have done more for this town than anyone I can remember. I believe Iomedae, Erastil, and the forces of nature will bless you whatever you decide to do. Kreed is a bully and he needs to be stood up to. I know you four will be the ones to do this!
**Aelerie and Javell**
Aelerie leaves home and quickly walks towards the store where she's worked and learned so much. She is incredibly disappointed to see teh Goose'N'Gander is shut. All the signs are that her mentor and employer has gone on one of his 'walksies'.
She does find Kimi, one of the girls they'd rescued from the kobolds hanging around. She sees you and Javell and comes towards you. She seems happy to see the two of you but also worried.
Hey she says as she nervously twirls a dagger. It seems like she's been practicing with it. Aelerie, Javell, I think there's a problem.
"Kimi, right? Be careful with that dagger." he says with a grin, "But what's the matter?"
Albus is disappointed that more support isn't available but not surprised for the same reasons that he outline to Laro. He says, "I'm not so sure My Lady, for the same reason you, the Sheriff and the other goodly people here can do little. Kreed is a bully and if he was alone or with a few standing up would be no problem. But I keep hearing people saying that he single-handedly keeps the camps in line, but whenever I press for specifics on how he does that it's always the same story. He puffs his chest out, looks intimidating and boldly hides behind a line of surly sell-swords and sycophants. Kreed is nothing but he has the support and encouragement of the gavel, the gavel has the entire Lumber Consortium. The Lumber Consortium has a monopoly on the lumber that is used by so many people in this country, I don't even know how many but enough that the country will almost always support them over upstarts like me." Albus shakes a weary head. "An overt action against them will merely play into their hands, indeed it's probably what they hoped for when they did this. Gives them an excuse to get rid of us for good."
Albus looks around at everyone. "I'd be willing to risk my life for a chance against these evil doers; I do blame them for the murder of my father. I did nothing about it. Some of it is because justice isn't simple vengeance but even more it was because innocents would suffer for whatever I did and it wouldn't change a thing. Solve the larger problem and then the smaller become much easier."
Albus stares off to a bleak future pondering the many horrors that await.
Kimi smiles when she sees Javell but it falls off pretty quickly. It's Savra. I haven't seen her since you all got us back from the kobolds. Her Da is creepy and weird but he lets her came and play with us every few days. But he hasn't. lately.
Savra's father is the local gravedigger. Savra's his only family as her mother died a few years back. He's morose and keeps to himself and has been sending Savra out to town to get supplies as soon as she became seven years old. That's when Savra gets to spend some time playing with her four friends .
Aelerie lays her head against the locked door of the Goose'n'Gander with a groan, her plan to seek Brickasnurd's advice in potentially recruiting the fey to their cause gone in a flash. "Well, at least he's probably safer, wherever he is." Aelerie pushes away from the shop with a sigh, ready to go back home and retire for the night when she hears Kimi's voice. Aelerie momentarily forgets about the trouble her own family is in when she hears the girl mention a problem, but it rushes back to the forefront of her mind along with a feeling of exasperation when Kimi voices her concerns. "Kimi..." Aelerie begins, her tone chiding in response to the girl's comments about Savra's father. "I'm sure everything's fine. Considering the trouble you all managed to find the last time you got together, I'd say Mister Vade is just trying to keep a concerned eye on Savra." That Aelerie wished a few of the other parents of the Vale would do the same goes unsaid.
**Aelerie and Javell**
You don't understand. Savra's father is... well.. she's scared of him. She doesn't talk about it but, she's scared of him. Kimi says in an urgent tone. I'd go check on her myself but... I can't get any of my friends to go with me. If you don't help me then I'll go to the graveyard myself to make sure she's okay!
"We'll go, Kimi. Don't worry. Or, at the very least, I will. I can't say I would advise that you come along, but when I was your age, I would have done the same." he says in a gentle tone.
Albus shruggs and says, "Let's go to Aelerie's home and see what's up there. I suspect that your idea of quietly getting her father out is the best but they will be on guard for that. We'll see." Albus asks the Lady, "M'Lady I thank you for all you can do, the blessing of the Inheritor be upon you, and I ask the boon of yours on the dark days ahead."
Albus says to Laro, [/b]"If there is anything else you wish to do here, now is the time Master Laro, or off to see if Aelerie has found out anything."[/b]
Laro stops outside the temple and thinks for a moment. "Let's go and catch up with the others and then I'll see if I can get any info out of my contacts."
"What do you mean she's afraid of him? Has he... hurt her?" Aelerie asks. When Javell volunteers to go check on Savra, she gives the woodsman a sidelong look. It was getting late, and although she knew of Falcon's Hollows gravedigger, she has no doubt that a late-night house call from her would seem very strange to the man. And if he learned that their visit was because they believed he was hurting Savra... She had warned her mother only a short while ago that they needed to be careful about who they considered a friend, but that doesn't mean she wants to make enemies out of people she would otherwise be on good or neutral terms with. Still, Aelerie's concern over Savra's well-being outweighs the potential trouble her meddling might cause. Nodding in agreement with Javell's assurance, Aelerie turns to Kimi. "We'll go and check on Savra and make sure she's okay. But you head home, Kimi. It's getting late, and I don't want you to find yourself in a situation where you need to use that knife. Okay?"
Kimi seems really relieved at Javell's words. I really wanna come. How can I help learn how to protect people if I don't? You guys aren't going to be around forever!
To Aelerie she says No, nothing like bruises or anything. But... well.. I think her da is a bit... well like you with the y'know...
Kimi makes wild motions that you think are supposed to be arcane gestures.
Knowing that Albus and Laro were going to visit the Sheriff and the Church, Aelerie and Javell walk quickly to both places. It does not take very long as Falcon's Hollow is quite small. They meet Albus and Laro as they come out of the humble doors of the Iomedean church. The two groups fill each other in on what's happened to them since they last talked.
Albus listens to Aelerie's plan and says, "We best get inside somewhere too many ears out here." Moving somewhere private, Albus says, "Aelerie, inciting the fey to attack would likely not be difficult, the problem is they are both angry and wild. You cannot expect restraint or discrimination on their part, many are rather dark to begin with. They'd be as soon to hurt or kill all they reach, including your father." Albus sighs and continues, "Master Laro's course of action seems best, keep as quiet as possible and out of sight. The less public, the fewer problems. But I am open to further suggestions to make any plan work well."
After hearing of Savra not being around Laro says, "While Aelerie's family's safety is important, I think we have some time. I fear there may be something more urgent we need to take care of. Savra's disappearance is worrying. I think we need to head there now and check in on things. We can continue our other planing while doing so."
Albus readily agrees with one exception, "In public say nothing of importance, the gavel will hear it as soon as we do, almost. Savra's father has been odd for some time, it may be overcautiousness but a careful approach should allow for some assessment."
Aelerie gives a quiet sigh when Albus voices opposition to her idea. "I wanted to talk to Hildrensocks about it first. Given how much time he spends among the fair folk, I feel he would know best whether the fey could be trusted to work with us toward a common goal." The arcanist isn't surprised by Albus's hesitance about allying with the First Worlders in the slightest. Despite how the law had failed his family and was presently failing hers, Aelerie knows that there is precious little that the woodsman holds more sacred, and as much the fey are the embodiment of nature, so too are they the embodiment of chaos.
When Laro's plan is mentioned, Aelerie's concern about its viability is evident in her own hesitance. "If you think that could work, Laro. But my father is not the spry young man he once was—the Consortium has seen to that—but even if he were, he still would not be half as capable of sneaking around as you are. Do you think you could sneak him out without detection?" she asks, hopeful.
Lastly, when the issue of Savra is raised, Aelerie nods her agreement that they should investigate the girl's seeming disappearance. "Of course. We should do what we can to help others while we consider the best course of action to take." The mage scrubs a hand over her face, the events and disappoints of the day clearly having taken their toll on her. "I'm afraid someone else will have to come up with the reason why we're calling on them so late. My mind is stuck on other issues right now..."
Having resolved to investigate what Kimi is talking about the group travels to the small graveyard that services the people of Falcon's Hollow. Well the not well off people of Falcon's Hallow. The well of people have their dead taken to fancier places such as Oregent.
People who've spent any amount of time in the village know that Sharvaros Vade is the reclusive gravekeeper and digger, he lives there with his daughter Savra.
It's only a fifteen minute or so walk north west of the twon but it's still getting to be dark by the time the four + Whisper get there.
Visiting the graveyard usually is done during the day. Sharvaros leaves those coming to pay respects alone and only comes out if there's a new person to be buried. There's a dilapidated barn type building to the north west corner of the graveyard and a squat stone building to the north east. None of you have ever been inside but presumably that's where Sarvaros and Savra live.
The graveyard seems deserted, as it usually does.
Just before entering the graveyard proper everyone other than Albus and Whisper hear the snap of someone steeping on a twig behind them.
Aelerie, Laro, and Javell turn to see Kimi heading behind a bush. Apparently she'd gotten a little careless while following.
She looks a little embarrassed, though not very, when she's found out as she steps out from behind the bush.
Look, I'm not leaving until I find out how Savra is she says stubbornly.
Laro walks up to Kimi and says to her, "When are you going to learn. This isn't play time. This is serious business. If you get hurt it's permanent. It's good you want to make sure your friend is ok, but let us do that. You stay out of the graveyard. Go back down the road and we will get you when we know things are safe."
If Kimi gives him any lip Laro will respond with, "And what were your plans when undead come for you? How do you hand a skeleton, a ghost, a shadow? Let us handle this."
Javell gives Kimi a wink and a small as Laro scolds her, and mouths I'll teach you some stuff later, okay? to hopefully make her less disappointed about having to leave.
Look, I'll stay in the middle and not get close to... bad things... Kimi retorts How'm I going to learn to fight things otherwise! she says You guys're going to leave sometime just like my da does. I don't want to be defenseless and this is the only way I'll learn how not to be!
Albus sighs and says patiently, "Look Kimi, we don't even know there is something wrong, we did take you seriously; we are checking it out but it needs some delicate touch, okay? That's not you. We want Savra's father to take no offense or things could just be worse. So there's that."
At Kimi's protest Albus holds up a hand, "Kimi I'm not finished. You make a valid point about needing training, I've actually thought about it. I'm just busy right now. I don't want to leave but I may have to. If not I'll start to, if I do leave, by absolute necessity, I'll look for someone good to do it. I know you'll just get into more trouble if you are not taught rightly. You are clever, brave, and strong, but you have no self-control, no disciple. Any good warrior needs that control or they are just a brute and usually a dead one. But a need a week or two to deal with some stuff of our own." Albus tries to be reasonable but suspects that Aelerie or Javelle would have better luck getting through this stubborn child.
The Hero of the Vale bonus might apply but I suspect that's long gone with regards to Kimi.
Aelerie raises her hands in surrender when Albus looks to her and Javell for assistance. "I told her to go home and wait for us before we came here," she says, shaking her head at Kimi's persistence. "Short of casting a spell on her, I don't know what else I could do or say to stop her at this point," Aelerie grumbles, sounding uncharacteristically weary of trying to protect the girl from her own worst impulses.
Kimi opens her mouth to protest but then shuts her mouth again. Well it's dangerous to go back alone in the dark right? she says half heartedly. You all know that the risk of the twenty mintue trek is only mild so she'll go back if you insist now.
But lookout for you know.. magic stuff. she says That's all Savra every said about her da.... He's got.. magic stuff.
Albus smiles at Kimi and says, "Not that dangerous Kimi, you've done much riskier things before in the past. Go home and we'll take care here." At Kimi's other words, Albus continues, "Thanks for letting us know about any magic he may possess, but you have seen what Warpriest Javelle and what our own Aelerie is able to do. I doubt he's better. And you've seen Master Laro and myself in action, you know we can take care of ourselves. Magic is tool like any other, used as weapon, well, if trained and not surprised, one can do much to protect oneself."
Kimi retreats and you guys are still at the entrance to the graveyard. Let me know your plan from here.