The guard does not collect spell components.
The guard does try to follow Baraels blather, but you can see him decide that Sabina can deal with it and he leaves. A short while later, Sabina Merrin, personal guard to the Queen among other things does in fact arrive. She nods curtly at the party and listens carefully to Charlie's opening gambit.
Smiling warmly she says, "I see. I was told you were simply here for the commission, but clearly that was an error. I presume you brought the broach with you. Let us see if the Queen is available shall we?"
She leads you into the keep where the guard is thick and ready. She is universally saluted as you walk through to the main structure encased in rich black marble. She takes you up a wide set of stairs to the very entrance to the throne room itself and bids you to wait while she goes inside.
A short while later, she returns. "The Queen will see you. How would you like to be introduced to the Queen? Do you have titles, or possibly a group name?"
Fondo smiles as Charlie cuts him off, then sees Sabina Merrin. He gets that look in his eye, and a wannabe suave tilt in his hips. "Milady, I would be happy to follow you anywhere. But there is no need for expediency. We realize that Her Grace must have many other audiences before us. Twould be a pleasure to wait with you anon. I am Fondo Barondo. Er. Harrow reader."
Looking sideways at Fondo. Really? Now? Although she is atractive.
Nikolay steps up and his hand starts for a salute, but ends simply an offered hanshake.
"Nikolay Vasilevich, ma'am. It is an honor to meet you. I have no title and our "group" her met only recently. At this time we have simply had...mutual interests."
Briar sniffs a rose from his armor as Fondo makes his pitch.
Human courtships are so entertaining. Fondo's methods are as well. It's not unlike the priest who those sound bursts into the lake and calls it fishing.
When Sabina's attention is upon him, Briar will step forth and introduce himself.
"M'Lady Sabina," Briar says with a full elven bow. "I am Briar Kaleseder, son of Rose and Bramble Kaleseder, brother to Thorne Kaleseder..." Briar pauses to see if Sabina's face reveals any recognition of the name 'Thorne' before continuing on. Sense Motive "...of the Council of the Elven Nation of Nirmathas. Hail."
Briar will nod again and step back into line.
Barael stares directly at Briar, a mild mixed look of frustration and admiration, while trying to get his name out. He smooths back his hair a couple of times. "I'm Barael. First time in the keep, let alone the throne room. I have no kettle-kit uh, etiquette for what's to speak to the Queen." Barael looks past Sabina, at the doors. "Any quick instruction before those doors open?"
"I am Briar Kaleseder, son of Rose and Bramble Kaleseder, brother to Thorne Kaleseder..." Briar pauses to see if Sabina's face reveals any recognition of the name 'Thorne' before continuing on. 1d20+7 Sense Motive "...of the Council of the Elven Nation of Nirmathas. Hail."
Dandi listens to Briar list his heritage, considering just how to explain her presence amongst all the more respectable members of the group, even Fondo offers...some passable purpose for his being. The Devil is dead. Why do I stay, Wraith?
She waits them out, offering only her name, "Dandilion Dreamstruck" wincing a little at the sound of it. Surely no *real* parent would saddle their child so? But it is the only one she has, the only one she remembers, and so it must stand.
"Any quick instruction before those doors open?"
She smiles non-committally at Fondo and addresses Barael, "No instruction needed. Just be polite and speak when you are spoken to, but not before. Our Queen is very tired so I expect this visit to be short."
Her eyebrows rise a little at Briars titles, but she repeats them faithfully. She does not appear to recognize the name of your brother, though she does seem interested in some way.
As you enter the throne room, Sabina announces the party as they requested and in a clear loud voice. She then steps aside to allow the party to enter the throne room.
Queen Ileosa sits upon the Crimson Throne. She is a vision of celestial beauty despite the black mourning dress and veil she wears in honor of her husbands death. A small silver coffer sits in her lap.
The throne room itself is pristine, but strangely empty. It is an open area with a vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows of past kings and queens looking down from the eastern wall, and crimson tapestries hanging along the others. An immense fireplace offers additional light and heat to the hall, and a silk carpet provides a gently arching path to the throne's base.
Sabina takes the broach and carries it to her Queen with a flourish, then takes up a position at the throne's left side as Ileosa addresses the party.
"This brooch was stolen from me some time ago - I had not expected to see it again truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope."
"I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens - these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this bauble to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet, perhaps you can serve your city even more."
"I should have you go to Citadel Volshyenek and visit with Field Marshal Cressida Kroft. The Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it can certainly use the aid of heros such as yourself. Now, I need to retire to my personal quarters - my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning."
With that she stands and moves behind the throne to a somewhat hidden door and departs.
"As I suspected, a short interview."
Sabina leads you out of the throne room, giving you each a heavy pouch of 4 gold ingots imprinted with the royal seal of Korvosa - each bar is worth 100gp.
"You should move quickly to the Citadel. This is thanks for the return of the brooch, and also a down payment for your commission as agents of the Queen attached to the Guard. I do have a quick moment if you have any pertinent questions, but I expect you'll get better answers from Field Marshal Kroft."
She walks you down the long staircase to the Keep proper and briefly awaits your queries.
Briar says nothing to the Queen, nor to Sabina afterwards...there is nothing to be said.
And this is how I will find the magic? Brother, you deceitful cur.
Briar waits patiently as the rest ask their questions, but he is anxious to figure out what is next for the group.
What could they want this motley group of HarrowCast to do? "The HarrowCast"...is that my new title in life? Bound to serve a power that I do not understand by forces that I cannot control?
Briar sneers.
In person however, she certainly seems to care about her subjects - enough anyway to part with good cash to try and get control of the city proper. A Queen who really did not care, would let the riots run their course and only protect the wealthy upper crust of society.
The now dead King was much better liked and did a lot to try and help his people - including the orphanages as you've already seen. He too was a part of the system however and favored Chellish born over the local Varisian born. There are few (if any) Varisians high up in the government or military.
Varisians are definitely second class citizens, but no less than that. They are not, routinely anyway, discriminated against overtly. Most residents of Korvosa have Varisian blood in their heritage. However pure blooded Varisians are rare.
"Only one question from me. The worst of the riots, where in the city do they rage?" Barael has one ingot drawn from his pouch, and traces the royal seal with his forefinger. Before he gets to the bottom of the stairs, the pouch is cinched again.
Aroden, surely you mock me. Or you've whispered sweet words to Desna, and brought consoling dreams to life. The pinch. When will it come? This nightmare turned round, we must wake from it sometime.
Barael makes the mistake of securing the pouch around his belt, too close to center mass, and groins himself a single time in his effort to bound down the stairs in haste. The rest of the walk, he tries to mask attempts at rubbing away the discomfort of a plum squeezed.
Fondo bows deeply as the queen withdraws, thinking to himself, If you need a new King, I might happily serve...
But I know that I am too common for you, or even for your shieldmaiden. You like not the common folk of this city. Strange that you would have the guard protect us, if protection is truly their charge, but...
He mutters aloud, barely in earshot of Sabina, "...the cards spoke of finding those who would also shield the innocent. If it means a commission, would that be so bad?"
He bows a bit less deeply as the party stops at the base of the steps. His affect is a bit more formal, his brush with Korvosa's monarch having reminded him of where power, law and tyranny lie. A small smirk on his lowered face betrays another sort of game afoot.
"Milady Sabina, the Crown has been so good to the poor children and families of this city. I would be honored if I could also contribute in some way. I thank you for securing us this audience. I pray that we might meet again."
"Only one question from me. The worst of the riots, where in the city do they rage?"
Sabina anwers, "The Field Marshal will have better information than I, but I believe the worst hit is Old Korvosa, followed by the midlands. I heard a rumor that the dead were rising in the Gray district, but the priests of Pharasma have repudiated it. I mention it only to point out that much information is rumor these days and so you should trust with your own eyes and ears."
"Thank you Fondo for your service. You are a tribute to your people. I am sure we will meet again." she smiles back.
Nikolay remains silent during the audience with the queen.
The queen spoke to us first, but I heard no questions asked and don't think she was interested in our opinion. It is comforting that she at least expresses interest in helping the city, perhaps if only for her own pride as its new ruler.
- Knowledge local
---
Nikolay greets Sabina after the audience. Without bothering to look around to the others, "Thank you for your time and patience. We will meet with the Field Marshal and see how we may be of assistance."
My people need no tribute, unlike your Queen's kin and their devils. We have stood guard over these lands for eons. No doubt as long as Asmodeus has minded yours. But you are pleasing to my eyes and I hope well-meaning.
"I am but a poor example of my people's kindliness. May Desna ever guide you, milady."
Thoroughly impressed with The Queen, Dandilion can't help but join in the conversation, "Gosh, she was pretty, even with that ugly thing on her head! What?"
She ponders long and hard on trying to make sense of the words that were said and those that went without saying, and what she may have said wrong (again) all the way down the stairs. Finally, her care and concern gets the best of her, and she pats Fondo gently on the shoulder, , "you know, I don't think your that bad an example, Fondo. You've got the scarves and earrings schtick down, and now you even have Zellara's cards. You do still have her cards, don't you?
Fondo pats Dandilion on the shoulder. There, there, little dreamer. The world doesn't make sense to me either, even when I'm drunk.
"Cressida, I mean Field Marshall Croft, she's one of the golden ones, she is. Level-headed, fair, and willing to trust when trust is earned. I, for one, am ready to apply myself to this commission. She said agents of the Queen. Agents attached to the Guard, but not of it? Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough. Is there an official, sealed, document we're bearing to Cressida? I'm happy to be the bearer."
Barael really wants the commission papers, but doesn't want to appear overeager.
There is no documentation for this commission. At least not yet.
Citadel Volshyenek as you know, is located in Midland overlooking Jeggare Harbor where it serves as the main base of operations for the Korvosan Guard. The Citadel is currently operating on a skeleton crew as almost all the available guards are hard at work in the city, desperately trying to keep order. Two nervous and youthful guards stand at the entrance to the Yard, but as the Queen promised, the party is expected.
They quickly wave the party through, and another guard escorts the PCs into the central keep where a slightly tired-looking woman rises from her desk to greet the PCs. This is Field Marshal Cressida Kroft, an attractive dark haired woman dressed in the red armor of the Guard. She introduces herself and asks for your names as she bids you to sit.
"Ah yes, you are the ones sent by Queen Ileosa. Greetings - my name is Cressida and, ah, heroes of your caliber are exactly what Korvosa needs now. You've been on the streets, you know as well as I how bad things are out there. But they are getting better."
"Every little bit of aid we can get from upstanding citizens like you helps. If you're willing, I'd very much like to retain your services as agents of the Guard. I don't need to say of course, that you'll be well compensated for these services. The Queen has seen to that having established a fund for just this purpose."
"Will we be able to stay together as a group when we get to the Citadel? Will we be able to meet again with you fair Sabina? Your beauty is only outmatched by your wisdom and tact. You are at least the equal in that regard of my friend Fondo here."
As Fondo nets the citadel, his demeanor shifts again to a more formal, military-stiff posture. He does not salute the guards or Creasida, but draws himself up to his full height and nods in a curt but cordial fashion. Sometimes one must take on the airs of a tyrant to negotiate with one.
"Field Marshall, I am Fondo Barondo. I wish to help the citizens of this city in what way I can. Your fairness is well known among the people here. Perhaps you might require a liaison who is handy with the rapier?" And inclined to make sure your reputation for fairness is a reality.
Sense Motive
Briar's sneer lessens as Barael explains (and tries to hide) his eagerness for working with the Guard and, in particular, Cressida.
"It is nice to find one that has faith in the guards. Or maybe you just have faith in Cressida. Let us see what this commission entails. Maybe we can help this city get back to the right path..." ...so I might get back to hating my brother.
"Thank you."
She seems honest and forthright.
"Korvosa's got enough troubles as it is without my own men loosing their way and going rogue. As much as it pains me to admit though, this has happened several times already. Guards have deserted their posts, more concerned about friends and family than the city. I can understand this, yet not all of the deserters have family - some are simply using the riots as an excuse for personal gain."
"One such man is Verik Vancaskerkin. Worse than a lone deserter, he's convinced a small group of fellow guards that the Queen is going to ruin the city. Whether she does or not is not the point - right now we have a city wide crisis on our hands and I need all my guards working with me to see us through. A deserter is worse than a lost resource - it's an infection."
"Vancaskerkin and his men have hold up in an abandoned butcher's shop up in Northgate - the place was called All the World's Meat. Try to avoid killing any of the deserters if you can, but if you must, you must. For Verik it's important that you capture him alive and return him to me for interrogation. Finally see if you can find out why Verik deserted. Bring him to me alive and I'll authorize a masterwork weapon or armor and shield for each of you from the armory as well as a few crowns for expenses."
Cressida offers you a spot in the Citadel barracks if you need somewhere to spend the night or rest. She expects some results in the next few days, but not immediately. You also have free access to the Citadel, including the mess hall.
She stops and smiles, "I suppose I should ask you if you have any questions."
As Fondo nets the citadel, his demeanor shifts again to a more formal, military-stiff posture. He does not salute the guards or Creasida, but draws himself up to his full height and nods in a curt but cordial fashion.
Nikolay now gives Fondo a sideways glance as the man's demeanor changes.
I do not get this man at all. It's almost as if he draws a card before each meeting to pick his mood.
Nikolay introduces himself to the Field Marshall--his hand only making it to his shoulder this time before the salute turns to handshake.
---------
Verik Vancaskerkin
- Knowledge local (or possibly personal experience)
"I couldn't agree more about the deserters Field Marshall. We will be happy to deal with them and have Verik explain himself. A quick end to this should convince others otherwise." Again, Nikolay does not bother to look around for the party's approval.
As far as sergeants go, he's not among the toughest, but he stands up to a fight well. He wields a bow very effectively and is also decent with the spear. You've met him a couple times and he always treated you with respect.
Fondo feels the sap at his wrist. Are these renegades friend of the people, or foe? If they have feud with Ileosa for good reason, I cannot say I would stand against them. But my friends the mouse and the mastiff will no doubt think different. We shall see.
As Cressida mentions the barracks, Fondo thinks about Madame Zellara's home. In his heart, he already thinks of it as home.
You know nothing particular about the sergeant.
Abandoned structures in Korvosa are claimed by the throne after a period of between six months and two years to give any rightful owners or heirs a chance to claim the property. The process can be speeded up by getting a Magistrate to rule on ownership - but simply burying the head of someone doesn't give you the rights to their place.
Squatting is theft and can result in six months imprisonment by Korvosan law.
"Well then, jel'empral, let us see what peace we can bring to the good people of the city." says Fondo to Nikolay and Barael, using the Varisian term for younger brothers. "Are you with us, jel'enedra? Uncle? Granduncle? Field marshal Cressida, consider this task to be in good hands."
"Are you with us, jel'enedra?"
"hmmm? Yes, Bratr Přítel, if the people have need of us, then I'll be there." Dandi frowns seriously, tipping her hat to the Field Marshal Kroft as she answers Fondo's question.
Her fingers twitch and twists her ring as she considers the various ways things can go so very wrong.
Briar nods to Cressida, but largely remains silent.
Does she even know who we are? Are we a different set of harrowed cards that has been dealt to her purposes beyond her ken?
Briar looks to the offered barracks and shrugs his shoulders.
Probably just as safe as the elven encampment. I doubt the Harrowed Home is safer.
Finally finding a reason to use his voice, Briar will speak up.
"Do we wish to go now or wait for a bit? If we would go now," Briar looks at the sun and judges the time to be mid-afternoon, "or we wish to go at night, or in the morning. I, for one, would find the barracks accommodating enough. If we camp here, I could leave some gear and move faster as we undertake our mission. I trust the safety of this place well enough."
"I feel that I should tend to my... Beebi Zellara's home while we attend to her last wishes. But yes, the Citadel seems quite..." Prison-like. "Secure."
"Will you join me there, jel'enedra?" Fondo seems to have let go his earlier flirtation with Dandi—there is no innuendo in his request. "And you, nano?" he says to Charlie. It's clear that he's already assumed that Nikolay and Barael would prefer the barracks.
"Are you sure your Beebi won't mind, Fondo?Is it far from here?" She looks around at the... very... sturdy...walls of the prison, err Citadel, and nearly jumps at the chance. Whatever flirtation might have begun their acquaintance, Dandi's pretty much decided that Fondo flits and flutters and never lands.
"It is nice to find one that has faith in the guards. Or maybe you just have faith in Cressida. Let us see what this commission entails. Maybe we can help this city get back to the right path..."
"Oh, aye. I would be faithful to Cressida. Can't say the same about all the Guard, sadly, after today. Let her be our rock in this tempest." Barael slaps his cheeks, as if to wake himself up a bit. "Briar, when we have an audience with her, you should inquire about your brother. Seems she might have an understanding of striking individuals moving throughout the town."
***
"Ah yes, you are the ones sent by Queen Ileosa. Greetings - my name is Cressida and, ah, heroes of your caliber are exactly what Korvosa needs now... ah, heroes... ah, heroes... ah, heroes..."
She had to think about it before she chose her words. We haven't earned that name, "heroes", not yet. She's being polite, to us, as well as for the Queen.
***
"Korvosa's got enough troubles as it is without my own men loosing their way and going rogue. As much as it pains me to admit though, this has happened several times already. Guards have deserted their posts, more concerned about friends and family than the city. I can understand this, yet not all of the deserters have family - some are simply using the riots as an excuse for personal gain."
"Watch Sergeant Grau, does he have a family?" Barael waits until Cressida allows questions before he asks this question. "Thank you for accommodating us and our wanting to help. How many men call that butcher's shop their new post? Do you have names of the men, and maybe their families, loved ones who would see them safely back on the Guard? From what you've learned, are they holed up, or do they come and go freely?"
***
Barael cocks his head in Fondo's direction at his spatter of Varisian. He refers to us, Nikolay and I, as jelempral... what, imperial? I can see that. "Yes, I'm ready to begin. Let me just get settled into the barracks, and we can decide how we want to proceed. Maybe over supper in the mess hall?" Barael speaks as if the mess hall is a newly opened dining room in the Heights. "Oh, and I aim to reward Master Saul, in coin, in business, or both, most likely."
"I suppose I should ask you if you have any questions."
"Are we the only alleged heroes searching for Vancaskerkin? And could I replenish my healer's and surgeon's kits from your stores?"
"And you, nano?"
Yes, I can already hear the walls talking to me and they are saying "Run!"
"Watch Sergeant Grau, does he have a family?"
"Grau? He's not involved in this. But yes, he did have a family. Sadly they died last night in the riots. Or rathe his wife did - they did not have children I understand."
"Thank you for accommodating us and our wanting to help. How many men call that butcher's shop their new post? Do you have names of the men, and maybe their families, loved ones who would see them safely back on the Guard? From what you've learned, are they holed up, or do they come and go freely?"
"These are largely things you'll have to tell me. With all that's happening, I have not had an opportunity to investigate the depth of Verik's depravity. There are several men missing from the North Point district, but I do not know how many have joined Verik and how many are missing for other reasons. Verik himself is single I believe."
"Are we the only alleged heroes searching for Vancaskerkin? And could I replenish my healer's and surgeon's kits from your stores?"
"You are it. I don't have anyone else in the guard that I want to risk. A smaller group might be co-opted into joining Verik and a large show of force will only result in much bloodshed. I can afford neither. I am hoping you can handle it more cleanly."
"As to the kits, certainly, please feel free. Sergeant! Please make these folks comfortable and help mr. Buckminster find what he needs from the surgeon." You get the sense that it's OK - this time - but that you should check again before helping yourself.
Dandilion shifts and fidgets as the conversation continues, finally flashing what she hopes if a helpful smile and adds, "If you'll excuse me, Ma'am? I'm going to step outside. I'm happy to help the people but I may help best from outside this brick den of soul oppressing lawfulness. Fondo, Uncle Charlie? I'l see you outside when you're ready."
with another smile, she sidesteps around people, and heads outside unless stopped. There, that wasn't so bad, was it, Wraith?
"What's that I hear? Grau'd just lost what's most dear? Poor fellow. I would have lost my mind and drowned myself in spirits, if such'd happened to me. Field Marshal, is he here? We had occasion to meet him this morning, and I'd like to give him my regards."
When the party eventually does depart for the butcher's shop, Fondo steers them by Zellara's. He carefully checks to see whether anyone has entered since the morning.
"Grau is currently at his post, and I'd rather not have him bothered by personal visits. He's got a bad hangover as it is. I think he may still be a little drunk in fact, but he's working none-the-less."
You did not find a key to the door. You did not 'take-20' search the flat, but the key was no where obvious.
Presuming you carefully search the flat that evening, you still find no key.
Briar thanks Cressida for her offer and turns to Barael and Nikolay.
"You two will be staying here, yes? There is some measure of security and resources here that may help us."
Briar looks about for a quiet spot about the Barracks for which to work and opens up the packaging on his purchases from Phaeton.
Fingering his holy symbol, Briar begins to recall the whispered words from his morning prayer, strange symbols of intertwined divine and arcane magicks.
His brow furrowed in concentration, Briar again and again dips into his well of arcane inks, using their residual power to enstore a spell of power.
When finished, Briar breathes deep and takes a look at his work.
I wonder if it says what I think it says.
Briar looks to try again. Briar takes out a longer sheet of paper and repeats the process, repeating the whispers of his dreams in runic words.
Briar will take the longer of the two scrolls and place it within in scrolltube, within hands reach.
The other, the first that he completed, he will roll up to pass off to another.
"What? Really? Why not?" Briar asks, curious.
* * *
While at Zellara's Briar looks about for a quiet spot for which to work and opens up the packaging on his purchases from Phaeton.
Fingering his holy symbol, Briar begins to recall the whispered words from his morning prayer, strange symbols of intertwined divine and arcane magicks.
His brow furrowed in concentration, Briar again and again dips into his well of arcane inks, using their residual power to enstore a spell of power.
When finished, Briar breathes deep and takes a look at his work.
I wonder if it says what I think it says.
Briar looks to try again. Briar takes out a longer sheet of paper and repeats the process, repeating the whispers of his dreams in runic words.
Briar will take the longer of the two scrolls and place it within in scrolltube, within hands reach.
The other, the first that he completed, he will roll up to pass off to another.
After about two hours, Briar emerges from his quiet area and heads over to Nikolay, seeking a quiet personal conversation.
"You have some magical training, yes? Can you tell me if this means anything to you? It might confirm whether I'm completely delusional and/or insane or not. It's important."
Briar hands him the first scroll.
Scroll of Identify
Briar stands with Nikolay and awaits his answer.
He still might be insane, but there is magic here.
Nikolay detects magic and examines the scroll.
"Yes. It is magical. A scroll to assist in identifying the properties of a magical item. Where did you get it?"
spellcraft
"What? It's real? It would work?!" Briar says aloud before regaining his composure, a smile spreading across his face.
It was not a dream and I do possess some power.
Briar holds up his left hand and looks at it, then his right one, a look of disbelieving on his face.
"You can keep it. I just made it. It might be useful in our futures. I must...go think."
Briar walks away to find a place to sit and just....think.
Barael nods agreement to stay in the barracks to Briar. Taking up a room in the barracks, Barael positions himself with a bed that allows him to lay out his alchemist's kit, and observe from the side those who enter from the door. He lays out two vials and their stoppers, with a cleaning cloth, just within reach. Should his work be interrupted, he'll resort to cleaning them idly until the interruption passes.
Let's see what can be distilled properly here. The quantity, might have the makings of 4 doses, maybe. Let's not screw this up. Strain away the body tissues, make sure the consistency is thick enough, dense enough to stay on surfaces.
The Guard, they make use of these treatments, don't they? For the Plugs, and those abominations below. Wonder who deals with that side of armaments around here.
"On Aroden's Grave, please be quiet, Bayer. Don't want to dribble this stuff about on account of my nerves and your yelps." Barael finishes corking his first dabbles in poison.
Those of you in the Citadel are given a largish room that would normally hold a squad of 10 or 12 men plus a smaller room where the sergeant would reside. With all the guard currently out the room is all yours for as long as you're working for Cressida.
So you do have a little privacy and more space than you expected. That may change when things settle down.
Upon reaching Zellara's Dandilion excuses herself and heads into one of the bedrooms. She takes a deep breath, then pulls Wraith from her hiding place and sets her free to roam about the room.
"It won't be so bad, helping the Guard, Wraith. Maybe they'll even like us enough not to harrass us and stuff."
She pulls a bag from one pocket, and several vials from another, over and over again, until her entire kit lays upon the table.
She keeps talking to the spider as she works but she can't help but continuing listening for noise from the other room; she isn't used to sharing space with others.
It is enough to throw off her concentration, making her fumble a vial at a critical juncture; the acid flask is ruined.
Nikolay watches as each of his new companions takes off.
We could have gone today. Oh well.
Nikolay stays in the barracks. Trains a little with sword and spell until approached by Briar later.
I could go home, but there isn't much more than here. In fact there's more here. A purpose. I didn't realize how there was nothing left with Lam's death. What will I do now? There is no one to admit to the killing.
"What, we're not going to the butcher shop today? We have the whole afternoon before us...?"