Perception:
Sia plays along perfectly with the antics of the two fae, and seems genuinely sorry to see them go. The next night is a restful one, and Sia just sleeps like a log except for her watch.
Perception 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
A comparison between her and the two flighty creatures seems all the more apt when, after studying her spells she seems to be utterly spellbound by a particularly fascinating rock glinting in the water.
Cal stays quiet during the encounter with the fey; he's clearly still mulling over the altercation with Yossian, although he does his best to keep the mood light while the cheerful little sprites are present. He doesn't speak much at all, only responding in short but polite sentences when spoken to, until the next morning.
Over breakfast, however, Cal notices the elk browsing nearby. "Erastil favors us t'day, friends. Look there; fer elk t' be so near an' yet unafraid, that' a sign o' His favor. We should leave soon before anythin' happens t' frighten 'em off."
Sia blinks and looks over in that direction at Cal's proclamation. She bites off a gasp of astonishment and delight at the sight, before nodding to Cal and slowly backing towards the horses, trying to be as quiet as she can.
"I'll take you word about Erastil's favor, but it is a pretty sight to behold." Estruven says softly.
The male elk turns to regard Cal as he speaks, his eyes watching with an oddly knowing expression for many minutes as his mates take their fill from the stream. Then they are quickly gone, walking away into the woods on the other side and disappearing completely in only a few seconds.
The exploration seems to go very well that day. Whether it's because the forest is naturally thinning or you just happen to be finding the best routes, you cover ground much faster today than previous days. By lunch you find yourselves faced with the decision of whether to continue back towards Oleg's or further east towards where Perlivash and Tyg told you the radishes could be found.
Yossian tramps sadly back to Oleg's, his mind a whirl of rage, frustration and confusion. He keeps his sword and bow ready, looking out for bandits and other dangers.
With the fast time made through the forest, and what with leaving same forest behind and heading back out into the clear hills, it doesn't take too long to get back to Oleg's. By about noon the next day you've made a wide circuit around the fort and found no trace of anything amiss. Cal does notice some fairly recent traffic on the road to the trading post coming from Restov, but that is most likely a good thing since Oleg was expecting some guards in answer to his call for help.
By lunch, you find yourselves once again rolling through the gates of the trading post, smelling Svetlana's delicious cooking, and with the promise of an actual bed to sleep in that night.
It takes only a glance to see that things have changed in your absence. The most immediately obvious are the set of four tents pitched just south of the stables, and the two guards on duty. One at the gate, and another in one of the towers acting as a lookout. This might explain the fact that both Oleg, and another, armed, man are there to greet you as you ride in. Oleg with a giant smile on his face and hands ready and willing to give a shake and a clap on the back (at least to the men, the women he just gives a sort of awkward but firm hand-shake).
The latter watches the reunion from a couple paces back, his hands resting easy at his side as he appraises each of you. He is dressed in worn if well cared for leather armor, and he wears his sword as one who is familiar enough with it to at least not trip over it. His brown hair is worn close to his skull and his face is as worn as his armor, but the small smile and the glint in his eyes shows he is more amused by the scene than anything.
That expression only changes as he catches sight of Norbert, hanging in the back and looking around furtively like a trapped rabbit.
"So how did it go?!" Oleg asks as he looks around at everyone. His eyes too catch on Norbert and he frowns. "This one of em? he asks roughly.
The sight of Oleg's brings a smile to Sia's face. The guards get a quick smile from her. "Gone well so far?" she asks the first one. "Any trouble since you got here?
She accepts the hand-shake with some amusement at his reluctance, then sighs when his eyes fall on Norbert. "Yes, this is one of them. He was quite helpful with information on the Stag Lord. Little we didn't already know, but he corroborated most of what we did. And a deal's a deal, so, if you could, please get together a three-day supply of food and a sack to store it in. Put it on my ledger, we've got some things to sell as well."
The other newcomer gets a slightly shy smile.
The guard only shakes his head in answer to Sia's question, letting his superior fill in the details if he wants to.
Oleg gives Norbert a look up and down then grunts an assent. "I'll get something togeather. Guards here set up a cell, just in case of this. Reckon he'll be comfortable enough there till morning." He gives everyone another smile, then motions towards the stranger. "Guess I should do some introducen. This here is Kesten. He arrived shortly after you left with some men from Restov. Seems the higher-ups heard me after all. He's been workin on getting things straight here in case we were attacked again. Gotta say we're glad to have 'im." He runs through all the names, pointing out each for the guard.
Kesten gives a short bow. "It's a pleasure. I'd heard about your charter and I'll help as I can. But I think at least for now that help is best applied in keeping this a safe haven for you to return to. Not to mention protecting citizens of Brevoy." He motions to the guard and the man takes charge of Norbert, moving him off towards the tents.
Sia gives a small curtsey in reply. "Siarani" she says, perhaps a touch quietly. Come to think of it, if she has a last name she hasn't used it once on this trip. "I'm sorry if this makes trouble for you. But I think it's best to keep things out there on a professional level if possible. Mindless slaughter would just invite bandits who want us dead, instead of ones who just see it as good business sense. If that makes any sense at all."
Yossian dumps his stuff in a corner of the bunkhouse where they stayed before, sullenly eats a bowl of stew in silence, and spends the evening on the outpost walls, examining the weapons there, viewing the lay of the land, and mentally reviewing the defense of the outpost, in advance of the war that he believes must now come.
When finally he can get Oleg alone, he engages him.
"What n'yer be wantin', Oleg? Of course, yer be wantin' the bandits ter leave yer alone soas yer can build yer place up, but what then?"
He sighs.
"Me an' the others had a fallin' out. They's seemin' ter know, or think they know, much'n more than me. I took this job, and I was just thinkin' that it was drivin' out bandits. No-one told me anythin' else. But the others, well, Sia an' Cal, they seem ter think that they are conquerin' the wilderness, leadin' the way fer settlers from the north. Maybe someone told them somethin'. Maybe they're'n just ambitious. Reckon they can set themselves up here as big important folk."
He looks Oleg in the eye briefly. "I thought'n we're here ter drive away the bandits. See 'em swing, or clear out if they're lucky. But they're wantin' ter be makin' friends with them. Redeemin' them. Like'n if they says sorry and bats their eyelashes at Sia, she's forgivin' them and sendin' them on their way with a promise ter be good in the future. Cal's just doin' whatever Sia says, and he don't like me much. They seems ter think they can turn the bandits inter good citizens, what will set up a farm or somethin'."
He bangs his fist against the wall. "Me, I'm a simple man. I'm thinkin' that if someone was sorry they was a bandit, they'd stop bein' a dammned bandit. If they's still a bandit, that's 'cos they ain't sorry. I ain't sure they's the best people ter leave hangin' around. If they ain't sorry now, they'll just'n be goin' back ter banditry when they sees an easy score."
"And then there's this bandit Lord, the Stag Lord. He ain't just goin' ter sit by while Sia tries ter turn his army inter a church choir. He's goin' ter counterattack. In strength. And where'n yer think he's goin' ter hit? And whose'n goin' ter defend yer when he does? Sia, with her books? Pops, if'n yer can point him in the right direction? They ain't thinkin'. They're pushin' the Stag Lord inter a war they ain't ready ter fight."
He lowers his eyes. "But then what der I know? They all thinks I'm an monster, who wants ter string up these poor, innocent bandits who must'n be so very sorry for all they've done cos they say so. They thinks I'm a coward cos I wants ter know the lay of the land afore I goes blunderin' in startin' wars against a foe I don't know. They thinks I'm an idiot cos they expects me ter follow a plan that don't make no sense."
He looks at Oleg again. "So I is askin' you, Oleg - what is it that you be wantin'? You want ter turn the bandits inter farmers what will bring yer stuff ter trade? You wants ter trust 'em around that Lady o' yours? You think that settler's'll follow, and we should be thinkin' o' them, and what they be needin'? It's you'll have ter be livin' with the consequences. Or dyin' with 'em, if'n I'm right an' Sia's wrong."
He sighs once more. "This'n seemed an easy job. Well, not easy, but simple. Just clear out the bandits by rope an' sword, the charter said. Explore a bit. But it seems that I was the only one took the charter at its word. Everyone else is thinkin' somethin' different."
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Gorax gives Oleg at bear hug of recognition, almost ignoring the guards and treating the outpost like home, "Oleg, how its good to see you, where's Swetlana, I can smell her cooking 100 yards from here. Come take me too her, how I've missed you both", though with a wink to Oleg he says in a quieter tone, "Or is it her cooking? you're a lucky man to have such a fine wife." He continues in a louder friendly voice, "We had such fun, a big fight against those bandits, soon put paid to them" he laughs. His voice continues with a tinge of sadness, "But we lost Yossain, not to the bandits or anything, for some reason he left and never returned. You never know he may turn up again one day."
Gorax will excitedly make his way to Oleg and Swetlana's house and call in to Swetlana, if she's not around. He will not enter the house unless invited, he stays back outside the door.
Oleg sees Sia engaging the guardsman in conversation and leaves them to it. Instead he walks along with Gorax joking easily back and forth about his wife, her cooking, and beating up on bandits. At the mention of Yossian he shakes his head a bit. "Oh, he's here. I figure he headed straight back to have some time to think to himself. We talked a bit before, but I reckon you'll seem him pretty soon." He motions for Gorax to sit at one of the large tables, and takes a seat next to him as Svetlana hurries out carrying food and drinks. She gives Gorax a wide smile, and calls greetings to everyone.
It doesn't take much to notice the difference in demeanor from the last time you were here. Obviously both Oleg and Svetlana have been much reassured. Not only by your own work, but by the presence of the guards as well.
Kesten walks up to Sia as most of the others walk away. "You don't need to apologize. Part of our job here is to keep the peace, and if this man was a bandit, then he should be punished." He pauses, looking after Norbert as the man is led away. "You say that he cooperated, giving you information. Do you think he knows any more? Do you want me to question him as well?"
Now what you're really askin' me is what I want you to do with bandits you catch out there. I can't deny I was a might pleased to see that one swingin' from the rope. And I didn't want the others anywhere near me or my wife. But I also imagine there's plenty others out there I don't know from Adam. The way I see it you got two kinds of bad out there. There's the bad as want to be bad. Cause it makes them feel good. Makes em feel all big to pick on someone else who can't defend themselves. And then you got the bad as just don't know what else to do. Like the street thief stealin' to survive. Sometimes life deals a hard hand, and some just don't see another way to make it better. So they do what they have to. I aint sayin' it's right, or that they shouldn't be punished. But what I guess I am sayin' is you can't use the same punishment for everyone. We hung one... I reckon you killed others in battle, and you let others go. I imagine there are plenty out there that, if you showed them how, would make a might decent farmer. And some others that would spit in yer face if you tried. But I guess that's the gamble you take... Guess that's what makes us better than them. We're willing to try to see the good where there may not be any, and they only want to see the bad."
Sia gives Kesten a look, then leans up against the side of the nearest building. "That's the hard part, isn't it. I understand what you're saying, although I don't know what punishment's even remotely appropriate. I mean, I don't even know that he's committed any actual banditry. He certainly didn't resist being taken captive, though that's more down to my enchantments than any will on his part. He might have defended himself, he might have surrendered. I just don't know."
"What I do know is that in the mess that followed, our companion threatened to shoot him in the back to try to 'motivate' him to answer more honestly. Which shut him up right quick, but thankfully I don't think he knew anything else." The woman sighs. "It doesn't seem right to just hang him up at this point. I figure, send him northwest and we never see him again, and he has to figure out how to start a new life, and that's punishment enough for associating with such a crowd."[/b]
Yossian sticks out his hand. "Good luck ter yer, Oleg. I hope it comes well fer yer."
Yossian collects his stuff, and heads off north into the night.
"Oh, he's here. I figure he headed straight back to have some time to think to himself. We talked a bit before. Seemed conflicted on how to handle the bandits you all snagged. Took his stuff and headed back up north. Don't reckon he'll be coming back soon by the look of him."
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Despite Oleg's and Svetlana's light spirits, Gorax is visibly deflated when Oleg tells him that Yossain has decided to head off back up north. However the goodness found in Svetlana's food soon makes him forget his sadness. "You know next time we go out, I'm sure we'll find some radishes for you. Sia didn't want to go find them. To be fair, without Yossain's help in the wilderness, we only have Cal who can look after us with any competence. Estruven's a bit like me, she's much happier when we're bandit hunting, than just travelling. I don't know, but all Sia wanted to do was get back here as fast as she could, she rushes too much for me." Gorax laughs. "Come on Cal, Estruven you come sit here and have a bite, while Sia talks to them others." Gorax turns to Oleg, "So who are them others? they look all fancy in their uniforms. So what they doing here now then?"
Estruven gravitates to Kesten and his men when they reach Oleg's. She starts off with some small talk, but it is not long before she brings up the topic of battle and training with arms, trying to get a feel for their fighting ability and knowledge of battle.
When she hear's Gorax's invitation to join them at the table, she gives in to the wonderful smell of a well-cooked meal and excuses herself before sitting next to Gorax and waiting for her bowl.
Once Oleg out of earshot she says "Gorax really wanted to bring you those radishes back Svetlana. I have a feeling you'll be cooking with them soon!" and gives her a wink.
Svetlana gives a laugh at Estruven's mention of the radishes. "I'm sure that you had far more on your plate than hunting for plants. They'll still be there when you get to them." She hands out full bowls to everyone, including one for Sia and Cal for when they sit down. As she does, she starts to tell Estruven about everything that has happened since they left. The most interesting piece of information that hasn't already been covered by Oleg is the arrival of a man calling himself a priest of Erastil. Svetlana doesn't quite know what to make of the man, she confides that he seemed rather desperate. He arrived just after the guards did, and hasn't left. Nor has he given any indication that he will any time soon.
Oleg sits down next to Gorax. "Oh they're the guards that came in from Restov just after you left. A good lot overall. Look after themselves and even help out with a thing or two around the place. Not too bad and we're more than grateful for the peace of mind." He gets a smile on his face and spreads his hands, "Now tell me how it went? I'd love to hear the story."
Kesten considers Sia for a moment with a sober expression, then nods and looks over at the tents where Norbert is being jailed. "Well truth be told, we could use some manual labor here. Might be a good idea to keep him jailed here, put him to work fixing up the defenses of the place. That way we can keep an eye on him and if he really does have more information, maybe get it out of him. Even if he doesn't, it's a boon to us, and keeps him from running back. Then after a time we can let him go if he's minded himself."
Sia blinks. "I wish I had thought of that."{/b] she admits. [b]"Although even if I had, I'm not really sure I would have wanted to put you out like that. Since you're offering, though, it does seem like a fitting way to do things."
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Over dinner and beyond Gorax will relate to Oleg the story of their adventure, as he saw it. Well, we left here on those horses. Now that's the first time I've really ridden those beasts. The first few days were really uncomfortable, had some real difficulties. Then saddles aren't nice on yer, well you know what I mean. You know we was going through the forest, nice forest by the way, not as scary as I thought it would be and al of a sudden I don't know why the horse kinds jigged about. Down I went, that was painful, thought I'd broke me collarbone or somatt. Anyways, then we meet these two creatures, Sia spoke to them first, she talks to anything, weird that though isn't it..but... and so he continues...
In the evening, he will go see the priest and ask if he would pray with him to Iomedae for strength. He pays a few coppers for the privilege if required.
Gorax will relax during the time spent at the fort, he practices a bit of archery with his new bow. If he can take part in weapons training with the guards he will practice his longsword. But for the most part will lounge around, help Oleg and Svetlana and eat food. He will mainly hang out with Estruven to discuss fighting and stuff like that. He won't have that much to do with Cal or Sia, they are too clever for him.
Calath nods at the guard captain. "Aye, that'd be perfect. 'E's got a debt t' society needs payin' off, an' hard labor t' build up that which 'e worked t' destroy is truly fitting. I believe 'e's tellin' th' truth about 'is circumstances an' not really wantin' t' be a bandit, but 'e still must repay all the ills 'e's done. An' let me say, 'tis a relief t' see you all here. We kin go off an' do our sworn duty now without fear fer Oleg and Svetlana."
When Gorax calls him over, Cal gratefully takes a seat, as well as a bowl of Svetlana's lovely cooking. "Thank'ee, ma'am. Yer cookin' is truly heavenly t' a soul as has been wanderin' in th' wilds with naught but 'is own cookin' t' keep 'is belly filled." He favors her with a warm smile.
Cal lets Gorax tell the story, only interjecting when the big man forgets something, when asked for input, or when he feels he has some special insight.
Kesten gives Sia and Cal a short bow. "I'll make sure that the guards are aware and then join you for dinner then." And then he heads off towards the tents.
Dinner is a cheerful affair, much more so than your previous stay, made all the merrier by the extra company. Just as it is getting started another stranger joins everyone at the table, introducing himself as Jhod Kavken, a priest of Erastil. He doesn't speak much, unless spoken to and watches the newcomers with obvious interest as he listens to Gorax's story of their exploits. By the end of the tail, his mood seems to have improved greatly.
Kesten also joins the throng shortly, though he is even more taciturn than the priest. He sits a little removed from everyone else and just watches.
After Gorax's story, Jhod will gladly pray with him, no fee required, but if Cal shows any sign of being a worshiper of Erastil himself, it is to him that the priest gravitates.
Estruven gravitates to Kesten and his men when they reach Oleg's. She starts off with some small talk, but it is not long before she brings up the topic of battle and training with arms, trying to get a feel for their fighting ability and knowledge of battle.
Svetlana...starts to tell Estruven about everything that has happened since they left. The most interesting piece of information that hasn't already been covered by Oleg is the arrival of a man calling himself a priest of Erastil. Svetlana doesn't quite know what to make of the man, she confides that he seemed rather desperate. He arrived just after the guards did, and hasn't left. Nor has he given any indication that he will any time soon.
Estruven will grab her grub and take a seat near Jhod the priest. Knowing what Svetlana told her earlier of he man, she makes polite conversation to try to get some information out of this mysterious fellow.
She smiles at Jhod and breaks the ice. "Hi, Estruven. Estruven Elluri, daughter of Sven from New Stetven. I see you are a follower of Erastil."
Well, no. To illustrate the difference in a modern-society way...quickly, name the Chief of Police for your home town. No using the internet, either. Most people probably can't do it unless they have a reason to be dealing with the police a lot. Even the head of the CIA is something you'd probably have to think about for a few minutes.
But the Royal Assassin can be a very public figure, in fact it's knowledge of their presence that generates the Unrest reduction per the description. This is backed up by the idea that it might be the public executioner, whose job is essentially to stand around with a giant axe until you need someone killed, which s/he proceeds to do in a public and gory fashion. That's taken straight from the book, by the way. While most people probably don't know every beat cop on the force, or even very many of them, that isn't really how it used to be. It used to be that the local police officer was someone you saw and knew, even in very large cities.
Sia's plan would be to play up the person's successes in the public eye, so they know they are being taken care of by someone in whom they can have that kind of supreme confidence, rather than rely on fear that you might just disappear in the night if you honk the ruling body off.
That evening passes relatively quietly and it isn't long before the call of bathes and beds is too powerful for most to ignore. Oleg insists on everyone staying at least the next day, and it isn't too hard to convince everyone (with the exception of a possibly exasperated Sia). The next day is filled with everyone taking part in their own activities. The guards are more than appreciative of any practice or expertise that the adventurers are willing to give them, and Kesten sees to it that Norbert is put to work.
He has him working with one of his own men repairing the towers and the ballistas that used to be in them, a task that Norbert is none to eager for. It's obvious from looking at him that he isn't used to physical labor and he's none too enthused at first to get on it. However after Cal explains to him the rest of the deal, he tackles it with a grim determination. He is treated fairly by Kesten and his men, but far from coddled. The work is hard and the hours long. It will most likely be weeks before all four towers are repaired.
Estruven is able to get little enough out of Jhod at first. He is proud of being a priest of Erastil, and is more than willing to help them if he can, though he does not believe that Erastil is calling him further into the wilderness at this time. He actually tells her that he was sent to the post by Erastil, but now believes that the rest of his purpose must be carried out by her and her friends. He is particularly interested in talking with Cal. That night, he catches Cal (and whoever else happens to be around) and tells him a short story.
"When I was in Brevoy I had a particularly vivid dream about an overgrown temple of Erastil guarded by a huge, angry bear. Upon waking from the dream, I felt an irresistible tug to the south, and realized that Erastil had given me that dream. The tugging led me here, but then it stopped. Soon after, I learned about you all and your charter from Svetlana. I've also heard rumors of “lost temples” to Erastil in the Stolen Lands. I think that I was sent to ask you to look for just such a temple. One guarded by a large bear."
Kesten spends most of his time either watching over his men, or keeping to himself. He always seems very businesslike and rarely smiles, even when everyone else is gathered at meals and joking around.
Towards the end of the day the lookout yells down that he sees a single rider approaching from the road. No alarm is raised, but all eyes are certainly focused on Kyrie as she comes through the gate.
All things considered, Kyrie is in a fairly good mood by the time she finally reaches Oleg's. The journey to Rostland was long enough to allow the initial bitterness to fade, and she finds herself actually looking forward to spending the next several months in the wilderness, far away from civilization and noble scions with poisoned tongues.
She pulls the hood her cloak back as she approaches the gate, shaking out her snow white hair and letting the lookout study her face before she addresses him. "Hullo, the fort," she calls out the traditional greeting. "Will you admit a weary traveler? I've money to pay for lodgings, and a Charter that concerns these lands."
When asked for her identity she replies, "Kyrie Meryve, adopted scion of House Medvyed, Chartered to aid in exploring and pacifying the Stolen Lands. I was told I would find several others so Chartered here?"
Sia does, indeed, spend most of the day pacing back and forth, very clearly agitated by the fact that everyone else wants to relax for an extra day. Even if the continuing effort would probably burn her out before too long, this is not something she cares to hear.
However, when the newcomer shows up, it's at least something to pique her interest. Wearing her all-weather gear she's a rather stark contrast to the little girl Kyrie may last have seen her as, her hair a bit longer perhaps. She watches the elf with a cocked head, and listens when she speaks, her eyes slowly going wider with each moment.
"...Auntie Kyrie?" she asks, almost too quietly to be heard from that distance. Suddenly, she practically runs at the girl who looks several years her junior. "Auntie Kyrie! What the hell are you doing this far out! Oh, I missed you when I was back in town, but I guess that would be expected since you live down near Stonekeep and not up where I do but that's not important right now and - " It's about at this point in the run-on sentence (Seriously, shouldn't she still need to breathe?) that she reaches Kyrie and pulls her into a massive hug, running at her with maybe a little too much enthusiasm since she barely slows down.
Kyrie blinks at the sudden shout from the at-first unfamiliar woman, and barely manages to finish dismounting in time to keep from being bowled over. She tentatively returns the hug while racking her memory, trying to remember why 'Auntie Kyrie' sounds so familiar...
"... Siarani? Wait, what am I doing here? What are you doing here? Didn't your parents send you off to the Academy in Absolom a couple years ago? What in the name of Cayden Cailean's beer mug are you doing out here?"
The guards and Oleg just stare for a moment at the reunion, then attempt to go about their business as best they can. Obviously this must be some kind of friend of the family.
"When I was in Brevoy I had a particularly vivid dream about an overgrown temple of Erastil guarded by a huge, angry bear. Upon waking from the dream, I felt an irresistible tug to the south, and realized that Erastil had given me that dream. The tugging led me here, but then it stopped. Soon after, I learned about you all and your charter from Svetlana. I've also heard rumors of “lost temples” to Erastil in the Stolen Lands. I think that I was sent to ask you to look for just such a temple. One guarded by a large bear."
"Lost temples? T' Erastil? That's right strange. Elk Father's not known fer havin' temples out in th' wilds. He's th' shepherd of villages, not th' guardian of th' wilds, like th' Wind an' th' Waves. Even stranger t' have a bear fer a guardian. Not I'm callin' you a liar, mind; I jus' find it right strange. Fer sure, if I come across any such place guarded by a bear, I'll let ya know."
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Cal chuckles at the reunion. "Well, Sia, guess ya can't complain too much 'bout restin' up a day, now, can ya? I take it you two know each other? Mind introducin' me?"
Sia chuckles a bit sheepishly. "Well, I had no real way of knowing about a sixth person being sent on this little errand," she says to Cal. [b]"Oh, right. This is Kyrie, an old friend of the family. We pretty much grew up together, but she's older so I always called her auntie, which doesn't make much sense now that I look at her again."
She sighs as her old friend asks an explanation. "Old man cut off my tuition, said I had to come back up north to 'pay off a debt.'" She snorts. "I would probably have passed the journeyman exams this year too. Oh well, no help for it."