"Your help would be entirely welcome - someone who can handle themselves in a fight will be very useful. I can't speak for the Church, but maybe this could help to get back what you lost."
Mirra looks down and watches the bubble float to the top of her ale. After a moment she looks up again. "I am in. I need a new job anyway so this one will work. I just need to talk to some people before we go anywhere."
"What people? This isn't something that should be discussed with anyone else."
Benedetto thinks to himself.
"Ah'm in."
The half-elf sighed. "I suppose that marching straight into the guard house and delivering a testimony to incriminate the lot of you wouldn't be very sporting, so I suppose I'll help you..."
With a flick of his hand, he swatted some of the thin white hair out of his face. "Besides, I need something to occupy my time for now." Rayne smirked, casting a discerning eye over his erstwhile allies.
"What people? This isn't something that should be discussed with anyone else."
"I can't just disappear, people will start to look for me which might lead to the university and who knows where that will lead. So I need to tell some people that I am leaving town for a while and thats all."
"Andrei, Colvare and I are all Thranes, though Colvare doesn't recognise the Flame. This matter, possibly contrary to appearances, would seem to intimately involve the Church, and me, and my father."
"You mean maybe there was more to your father's disapearence than possibly the Church made known? You know you can trust me, even if this touches on the church, for friendship's sake if nothing else."
Hamathin frowns. "Wait -- while it is of course charming to help the human woman in need, unless I'm much mistaken she has not yet told us what she needs help doing." He looks to Alidaber. "We have each answered your question."
Alidaber nods. "OK, that seems fair. Some of this is old news to Andrei and Colvare. But it seems to be pertinent, so bear with me.
"My full name is Alidaber ir'Krone, and my father is, or maybe was, Norek ir’Krone. He was a senior general for Thrane in the Last War, and his last command was at Carteb Ridge in 994, on the borders with Cyre. Anyway, for reasons no one knows, my father abandoned his command on the eve of battle and disappeared, never to be seen again by anyone, including his own family. The Thrane advance faltered and was ultimately turned back by the Cyrans, largely due to the sudden loss of command. My father was disgraced, condemned in absentia, and life became kind of tricky for our family after that. I left Thrane after the war and came to Breland, and got involved in the Xendrik expeditions – history has always been an interest, both for me and my father.
“That’s the official version, anyway.
“What I never revealed to the investigation after my father disappeared was a letter I received from him, which was delivered after his disappearance. I keep it with me at all times.” Alidaber takes out a folded note, now fragile with age, from inside her jerkin. Carefully unfolding it, she reads:
“Dearest Bear
“For what I have done to you, your mother and our family, I can only beg your forgiveness. I can only say that I would not do this if I had any choice, but events have moved too fast. Much more hangs on the outcome of my actions than a simple, petty war between human princes.
“For the sake of Khorvaire, and maybe Eberron itself, I must hide what I have found and hope that it, and I, are never found. It is agony to write these words, but we can never see each other again. Do not try and find me – some things must remain secret, and the fate of nations overshadows my desires to live a simple, happy life with my family. Some things are worse than loneliness and separation, but that is the least of my burdens right now. Please remember me as I was – a loving father and husband.
“Time is short. I can only offer oblique advice, and hope that you never have need to understand it. The black sun must never be allowed to rise over Thrane, or any of the nations of Khorvaire. This is to what I sacrifice my life and happiness. Pray that I am successful.
Destroy this note one you have read it.
Father
Alidaber carefully refolds the note and puts it away again. “Frankly, when I read this the first time, I assumed that the strain had snapped my father’s mind, which was the ultimate conclusion of the tribunal. But I didn’t destroy it, but kept this note as a reminder – if I showed it to the Inquisition they would have taken the last item my father sent me. I kept it out of sentiment, I suppose, but didn’t really think it held much in the way of use.
“In the meantime, I got on with my life. With my father’s disgrace, the ir’Krone name was mud in Thrane, so I came to Breland and, with my military training, I was able to get involved with the Morgrave expeditions. I did well, and while it doesn’t have the same cachet as being a Knight of Thrane, at least I felt I was doing something useful.
“Anyway, I was with Professor Jone when he found the Haromgar Obelisk in Xendrik. It was an important find anyway – evidence for the existence of an otherwise legendary ruler at the end of the Giant Empire. But the Professor translated some of the writings on the obelisk. Apparently this ruler, Torgarn, summoned something called the Black Sun, which destroyed his kingdom
“Obviously, I made the connection. The Professor and I were very keen to get back to Xendrik to see if we could find more of these obelisks, as the writings imply that it was one of a series, telling the whole story of Torgarn. So we had spent the last few weeks planning a new expedition and trying to scrape some funding together. I didn’t tell him about my father’s note, but he was intrigued anyway by the find. I hoped to get some good people, as I had a feeling that something so dangerous that my father had to abandon his family should be treated with due caution. I had heard that you” – she nods towards Andrei and Colvare – “were in Breland. I wanted some people I could trust, as well as hired help. No offence,” she adds to the others.
“So the Professor had just completed the full translation of the obelisk, and wanted to show me something on the obelisk he had found. We found some of the guards killed and, like idiots, decided to check if the exhibit was alright – sometimes you can take academic detachment a bit far, I guess. The obelisk was being set up as a centrepiece of a new exhibition on the Giant Age. And we were jumped by some horror story out of Xendrik. And I couldn’t protect the Professor….
“Even before I can even really begin my investigation, something horrific boils up out of nowhere and kills the innocent. My father was right – this is clearly very, very serious and extremely dangerous. I can’t cope with this on my own. Will you help?”
"Ah'll help. Sounds dangerous. When d'we start?"
"You've known me long enough to know that friends always come first. Of course I will help Alidaber. My only question would be: Do we head directly to Xendrik?"
Hamathin listens thoughtfully to Alidaber's tale, then the hint of a smile touches his features.
"You could not have better ensnared me had you set out to -- this is a tale I would hear the end of. I, too, have people in Sharn to whom I need to speak before leaving, but your confidence is safe. I need only tell them an expedition for historic artifacts is involved, and they will need nothing else to understand my going.
"I am Hamathin, Acolyte of the Undying Court, and I will come to help you, Krone."
Mirra listens to Alidaber tell her story while she drinks her ale. Wells I have never been to Xen'drik, I guess I will have to pack for a long trip. she thinks as she downs the last of her drink when Alidaber finishes.
"I am still willing to help, what's the time line, that sort of thing?"
Benedetto looks to be considering something weighty. Finally, he makes up his mind. "All right. Who's 'Bear'?"
Looking at his now empty goblet, "Looks like we have a long night of planning ahead. Exchuse me while I rustle us up some food and some more ale." Colvare leaves the room, careful to shut the door behind him, so noone will overhear, and also making a quick check to see if anyone is taking any undue notice.
"All right. Who's 'Bear'?"
"Er, that's me - Alida-bear."
"I'll need you to come to Xendrik - but not yet. We are going to have to arrange this expedition ourselves, and that won't be easy - or cheap. But I have friends and contacts and know the territory - plus I need to get out of town. You guys are not so obviously tied to this, and can probably skulk about a bit here to greater effect.
"We need the Professor's notes. He said he had a full translation of the obelisk, and we need to see if that contains any clues. It is probably in his house in Ivy Towers - I can give you the address. His wife is a paranoid old bag, but maybe you can charm her or something, or steal them if need be. I'm going to lie low for a few days in by the docks in Cliffside - it'll take me a few days to get a boat to Stormreach - so we can talk again after you get the notes."
"We need the Professor's notes. He said he had a full translation of the obelisk, and we need to see if that contains any clues. It is probably in his house in Ivy Towers - I can give you the address. His wife is a paranoid old bag, but maybe you can charm her or something, or steal them if need be. I'm going to lie low for a few days in by the docks in Cliffside - it'll take me a few days to get a boat to Stormreach - so we can talk again after you get the notes."
Rayne grinned impishly. "Does his wife know you well and trust you? If so, I think that getting the notes will be no problem whatsoever. Also, what was the professor's name? And her name, for that matter?"
Benedetto volunteers, "I can probably get into the house and snoop around without her noticin' me, but I confess,...()...ma'am, that I'm not sure I'd recognize the right stack of papers.
"Excepting that, if a big ol' shadow giant and a possel of drow show up an' grab a sheaf of papers, I'd consider that a hint."
"Yes, she knows me and no, she doesn't trust me. She thought the Professor and I were having an affair. Anyway, his name is, or was, Gared Jone, and his wife is Trinka.
"Yes, good point about the notes. The Professor used to write up his translations in a large, black notebook - they should be in there. Hopefully without the giant and drow."
"Yes, she knows me and no, she doesn't trust me. She thought the Professor and I were having an affair. Anyway, his name is, or was, Gared Jone, and his wife is Trinka."
"Hmmm..." Rayne scratched his chin in thought. "Damn. What are the odds of you having a picture of this professor or knowing where to get ahold of one?"
After a momentary pause, he smirked. "You see, madam," Rayne allowed his guise to waver, slowly reforming into a very accurate replica of Alidaber herself, "I am a changeling."
Alidaber raises an eyebrow. "Very impressive," she says to her double. "You might have a better chance of getting in as me than as a stranger. But then again, you might not - it probably depends on how you play it. And, for the sake of accuracy, I don't normally sport a spiked gauntlet - somewhat baroque for my tastes."
Rayne's characteristic smirk was evident even through the disguise. "I should think not. I don't suppose you'd be keen on letting me have at your wardrobe... 'for the sake of accuracy,' would you? You know this woman better than I. What would you say and do to get the notes?"
"I can also easily get into his house because I need to talk to her anyway. You see her paranoia took hold enough for her to hire me. I was in the process of confirming or denying her suspicion of your affair."
Mirra looks at Rayne, "I might have some pictures that you could use but I will have to check. If we go now before anyone finds the dead professor this might be a little easier."
Hamathin watches Rayne's display with evident fascination -- perhaps the . . . fellow? . . . had some use after all -- but says nothing. Subterfuge is not his domain.
Urthona's mouth stands open as Rayne shifted appearance. "Wow."
"All right. So: Mirri calls upon the widow to get her to open the door and keep her attention, while I sneak in, get the book, and leave.
"Does that make sense, or should it be more complicated?"
"What would you say and do to get the notes?"
Alidaber shrugs. "I don't know - I tend to be on the straight-talking side. I suppose I would say that the Professor wanted his notes and sent me to get them. But that was if it was me - I don't know what anyone else might say."
Alidaber shrugs. "I don't know - I tend to be on the straight-talking side. I suppose I would say that the Professor wanted his notes and sent me to get them. But that was if it was me - I don't know what anyone else might say."
"Simple. Straightforward. I like it. Any chance I could have at your wardrobe for something less conspicuous?" Rayne gestured to his studded leather armor and gauntlet. "I assure you that I can repay you for any damage to the clothing should something go wrong."
The changeling flashed a grin, made even more unsettling by the fact that he still wore the woman's face. After letting the visual image settle, the changeling focused once more and settled back into his comfortable half-elven form, the one he had been wearing earlier. "The sooner the better."
"Okay, we'll go via my apartment in Forgelight Towers. You can pick something up there. Any more questions?"
"When will we meet again and what can Ah do t'help?"
After what seems to be have been an awfully long time
"Well, I doubt it will take all of use to find the old Prof's notebook, I'll see about renting a room here and get some kip. Meet back here in the morning? Or before?"
"Like Alidaber said, we should be ok for tonight, but from morning we will want to lay low a little, well, I will." Colvare grins.
"It's hard to see how my presence at the professor's house can possibly help, but I am interested in the expedition."
While the operation at the professor's house is going down, I will try to find a weapon shop and purchase a pair of javelins.
"This inn's well enough for me. Ah'll stay here then." Urthona looks for the innkeeper to get himself a room for the next night(s).
"If we are done here," Hamathin looks around, "I will return to my quarters and make arrangements. This room again at daybreak?"
With a yawn, Colvare says, "Sounds like a plan. Till morning my friends."
"I think we should try to get the notes now - the first place the Watch would go once they discover what happened in the museum is to the Professor's house, and then it might be impossible to get them.
"There is a tavern - the Sea Devil Reef, by the docks. We should meet there tomorrow, at noon."
"There is a tavern - the Sea Devil Reef, by the docks. We should meet there tomorrow, at noon."
"Very well."
Shagraat hunches forward, a sudden thought intruding on his reverie.
"Are these notes the kind of thing that others might be after? Should we be worried enough to case the house before sending the changeling in? If so, and this is to be a night maneuver, I offer my services. Perhaps we might benefit from having some support nearby in case something unexpected goes down? Certainly with my night vision, I should be able to remain discreet."
"I believe that if we act hastily, there is little reason to believe someone will beat us to the research notes. With that in mind, we should be off. This should be a swift and simple operation, no need to case the property first," the changeling scratched his bald chin a moment. "Though I wouldn't mind some of you hanging around outside... just in case."
"Ah can look around, but Ah'd be noticed, too. Can make a quick getaway though."
Mirra gets up and grabs her gear. "Alright lets get some of Alidaber's outfits and get to the professors house before the Watch finds his body."
Shagraat's going to tail the group to the house and pick a nice deep shadow to linger in while the deal goes down. Somewhere across the street or something. The cowl of his cloak will be up to further obscure his features.
Rayne, Mirra and Alidaber will go to the house, Urthona will accompany the group, if it may help, and Shagraat will follow in the shadows. Colvare needs to rest, Hamathin will get his affairs in order.