(Meanwhile, the elven contingent are in the process of leaving.)
I make sure to say my good-byes to Hamathain before they go.
"Yeah." is the answer of Urthona to the suggestion of the church official.
Urthona waves to the elf leaving the court. "Take care, Hamathin."
Mirra waves at the elf as he walks away, "See you, thanks for the help."
Inquisitive?? So it seems I have a little competition. Wonder who that might be.
"So where do you want to have this discussion, after our last experience with the 'Purified' I would prefer some neutral ground."
Mirra tries to keep the Purified part from coming out derogatory as she checks all her gear to make sure it is all present.
"I know of a discreet place in Skyway we can go - and their orange pancakes are delicious."
(Try a Knowledge (Religion) check, DC 10 (which can be tried untrained).
1d20=7, Colvare only knows hat he likes orange flavour pancakes.
"That sounds perfect."
Rayne, who has been oddly silent since his release simply nods.
The Church guards summon some skycoaches, which whisk the party off to Skyway, a part of the city which floats freely above city with no direct connections to the ground. The party get into the coach with the High Deacon and High Warden, with Andrei in the other with the other guards. Toppe continues to make inconsequential conversation which Agan is silent.
Skimming over plush residences, the coaches land in a beautiful plaza with manicured trees, bright blooms and striped lawns. Liveried footmen take the doors and the group are ushered into a large space, divided up into discreet booths of various sizes. Waiters move about bearing platters of mouth-watering dishes and bottles of fine wine. While the guards stand to attention by the booth, the party and the Flamic dignitaries sit and are brought menus by the staff. It is difficult to see who else is around – the restaurant is designed to maximise the diners’ privacy.
“I would recommend the quail in Mror brandy to start, or the salmon salad,” advises Toppe, “And the Talenta steak with couscous and mixed pickled roots is surprisingly good too. And you must try the pancakes!” He leans over conspiratorially. “This place is often used by business people – not only is it hard to see who else is here, but they have glamers to prevent spying and other divination magics, so we can talk freely once our orders are taken.”
“Indeed,” says Agan, once the waiters depart, sitting awkwardly on a welll-stuffed seat, he swords resting by her chair. “You have presented perhaps the best opportunity that we have had for capturing Norek ir’Krone. In case you are unaware, he is a wanted criminal in Thrane. He was in command of the Church Armies at Carteb Ridge, and he disappeared on the eve of battle, leading to the loss of many good men to the Cyrans. It is an ongoing priority of the Church to ensure that he faces the justice he denied his troops when he abandoned his command. As far as we are concerned, he is guilty of their murder, and must be found.”
“While no guilt attaches to his daughter for his action,” continues Toppe, “It is known that they were close before his disappearance. The bizarre goings-on in the University, and the connection to Alidaber ir’Krone, seem far too coincidental not to involve the equally bizarre disappearance of her father. What we hope is that you can lead us to the hideout of one of Thrane’s worst war criminals.”
“I'm sorry if this is a repetition of the questions the Watch put to you, but perhaps you can tell us what exactly happened in the University that night?” asks Agan.
“I'm sorry if this is a repetition of the questions the Watch put to you, but perhaps you can tell us what exactly happened in the University that night?” asks Agan.
"As I mentioned before, we were investigating Alidaber for the professor. So we were hanging around the university around closing time, hoping to catch some inkling of her late night activities. Just after dark, we were attacked by Drow fleeing the building.
"We don't know where Alidaber went, or how she got out, or even what she was doing before we saw the Drow.
"Do you have any idea how the Drow are involved?"
"None, but it points very strongly to a connection with Xendrik, where Alidaber has travelled on a number of occasions. Perhaps her father is there."
"None, but it points very strongly to a connection with Xendrik, where Alidaber has travelled on a number of occasions. Perhaps her father is there."
Colvare grins, "Perhaps with a little funding we could tell you." Failing that, we did manage to find out that the student, appears now to be heading for Stormreach or some other distant horizon.....that could be another lead, again, we could help in that direction with the required transport passes...."
Toppe smiles back. "Yes, indeed, an expedition! You and I are thinking along the same lines. Ah, here come the starters."
Toppe smiles back. "Yes, indeed, an expedition! You and I are thinking along the same lines. Ah, here come the starters."
"Well, I can't speak for us all, but that sounds very interesting. Which lead would you rather we followed?"
"Whichever seems most likely to lead to Norek ir'Krone. I suspect that would be his daughter, but I think neither should be neglected."
"Whichever seems most likely to lead to Norek ir'Krone. I suspect that would be his daughter, but I think neither should be neglected."
"That's the question though isn't it? Which is more likely, we suspect there is a Xendric connection from the presence of so many Drow, but we know, well, are almost certain, that the boy has gone to Stormreach. He *may* have no connection to Alidaber, but she may be traveling with him..."
"Therein lies the crux of the matter," says Agan. "We need you to investigate this matter, and hopefully deiver a criminal to us. You seem to have few qualms about this - are you happy to be in the Church's employ?"
"Therein lies the crux of the matter," says Agan. "We need you to investigate this matter, and hopefully deiver a criminal to us. You seem to have few qualms about this - are you happy to be in the Church's employ?"
"Well, I cannot speak for the others, but I am ambivalent to the church, your money is as good as anyones."
Rayne yawns, stretching himself awkwardly in the posh chair.
"Of course the boy is connected! It's merely a matter of tracking him down and choking the answers from him. As for being in the Church's employ..." Rayne made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "So long as you don't ask too many questions, I won't cause too many problems."
The changeling grinned slyly.
Agan gazes down her nose somewhat at Rayne. "Very well. Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement." She turns to the rest of the party. "Are you willing to help us find Norek ir'Krone? We can provide you with material assistance and leave the path of the investigation up to you, but we will have one of our own men included as part of your team to ensure that our investment is not wasted. I believe you know Warden Imarad." Andrei nods to the group, but maintains his expressionless mien.
"Yes," adds Toppe, "I'm afraid supervision by a member of the Church is not negotiable."
Agan gazes down her nose somewhat at Rayne. "Very well. Perhaps we can come to some sort of arrangement." She turns to the rest of the party. "Are you willing to help us find Norek ir'Krone? We can provide you with material assistance and leave the path of the investigation up to you, but we will have one of our own men included as part of your team to ensure that our investment is not wasted. I believe you know Warden Imarad." Andrei nods to the group, but maintains his expressionless mien.
"We do, indeed, and his help will be much appreciated.
"What were you thinking along the lines of material assistance? Cash up front, a credit line some place, or just expenses paid if and when we return? I assume we will always be able to contact you through Warden Imarad?"
"We were thinking an upfront sum to equip you for the rigours of the jungle, and a line of credit will be assigned to Warden Imarad to be used at his discretion to cover expenses. Is that agreeable?"
Mirra silently stuffs food in her mouth as they talk watching the Thranes the whole time.
"The churches money is as good as any so I am alright with this arrangement."
Benedetto has grown more uncomfortable as the discussion has continued.
"May I have a word with the good Warden?" he asks, gesturing towards Andrei.
"Of course," says Agan. "Warden Imarad, please join us."
Andrei takes a seat at the table.
"Of course," says Agan. "Warden Imarad, please join us."
"A private word, please?"
Toppe and Agan exchange a look. "As you wish." They nod to Andrei, and get up. "We will wait outside while you deliberate. Follow," says Agan to the rest of the guard detail.
"Yes, please delay dessert until we return," says Toppe to a waiter as they leave.
Andrei looks at the party. "What do you want to know?"
Andrei looks at the party. "What do you want to know?"
"Phew! Well, you obviously haven't told them very much, or we would be being pinned to a wall by now, not offered a job. I'll put it simply Andrei, But please don't take offence, our lives could very well rest on your words now, and your whole career. Where do your loyalties lie? With our old friend, or with your new Church?"
"My loyalty has always been to the Church. But I'm not convinced that Alidaber has done anything wrong, and that isn't the choice they are asking you to make. They want Norek - frankly, most Thranes would wring his neck if they had the chance, and maybe Alidaber would too. I don't even really know if this has anything to do with him anyway. In a sense I hope not, for Alidaber's sake - she has been through enough already."
"My loyalty has always been to the Church. But I'm not convinced that Alidaber has done anything wrong, and that isn't the choice they are asking you to make. They want Norek - frankly, most Thranes would wring his neck if they had the chance, and maybe Alidaber would too. I don't even really know if this has anything to do with him anyway. In a sense I hope not, for Alidaber's sake - she has been through enough already."
"And if Alidaber turns out to be correct? How amenable will your church be if Norek actuallydid do the right thing? If his reasons for leaving at that point saved more lives than were lost in the war and they lose their scape goat? How amenable to that will you be?"
Andrei looks uncomfortable. "Ir'Krone must answer for his actions. He has already had a trial. Why did he run away, instead of seeking the help of the Church elders? Alidaber's letter sounded more like the ravings of the insane to me than a rational justification. And anyway, the Church is not inhumane - if there is a further case to answer I'm sure he will get a hearing, assuming he can back it up."
Andrei looks uncomfortable. "Ir'Krone must answer for his actions. He has already had a trial. Why did he run away, instead of seeking the help of the Church elders? Alidaber's letter sounded more like the ravings of the insane to me than a rational justification. And anyway, the Church is not inhumane - if there is a further case to answer I'm sure he will get a hearing, assuming he can back it up."
"Hmmm, well I guess that's the best I can hope for. It looks like we have an accord. Now, who is going to bring your superiors back in, I think I'm ready for some pancakes now..."
Andrei calls back his superiors. Over the pancakes, Toppe asks, "So, are we in agreement? We consider that a payment of one thousand gold each should be sufficient to allow you to equip yourselves appropriately - does this seem reasonable?"
Rayne does some mental math and then narrows his eyes slightly, moving his fingers in the air as if manipulating unseen digits.
"A thousand gold apiece is barely enough to secure adequate protection, much less any mystical aid which I most certainly assure you we will need. Last I checked, basic wands run around 800 gold in these parts and I think we'd all like some decent armor and weapons if we're going to be cavorting through the jungle. Thirteen hundred gold I think sounds more reasonable for the task at hand, don't you?"
Mirra puts her fork down, "I agree with Rayne I think a bit more might be needed, unless you have got transportation already figured out?"
Agan rolls her eyes, but Toppe smiles warmly. "I don't think thirteen hundred is unreasonable in retrospect."
Rayne smiled. "Then we have an agreement."
The changeling turned and gave a sly wink to Mirra.
Toppe beams, while Agan looks somewhat sceptical. "Excellent," chortles the cleric. "So, are there any questions that you have at this stage?"
Toppe beams, while Agan looks somewhat sceptical. "Excellent," chortles the cleric. "So, are there any questions that you have at this stage?"
"I think I'm good. In short, you want us to bring back Norek, and you don't really care how we do that. We get 1300 gold up front, plus the standard reward for bringing in a criminal once we return. Andrei tags along, to give us both Church guidence, and armed might, and also to report back to yourselves, and make sure we keep on the streight and narrow.
"Unless you have any more precise detail on Norek's location, I think we will start out in the direction of Stormreach and our earlier lead, and see what we see.
"Are we ont he same page?"
"Ah don't want money from th'church. Just what belongs t'mah tribe. Got taken away hundred'n'fity years ago during the Purge. But we ain't no lycantropes, not then, not now. 'Tis just a bowl. Sure, a magic bowl, but just a bowl none'th'less. Made from wood, 'tis darkwood, but somehow glowing from within. Th'Elders say, contains spirits o'the Ancestors. That's why it's magical."
Benedetto finishes his breakfast and leans back.
"The note we found in Varen's room indicated that he'd be at the Lyrandar Tower for a day or two. Shall we see if he made it there without bein' killed, or if he's still there with the professor's ledgers, waitin' for his airship?"