Kyras would get his reply in the morning. He is trying to control his temper and not act rashly.
Bjelich has not felt like himself since their encounter at the fort. He too returns to Oleg's in silence; his now unkempt appearance a stark contrast to his usual clean shaven self.
When the party arrives, he unpacks their gear from the horses and leads them into the stable. Bjelich spends quite some time tending to the horses, his thoughts remain fixed upon the events that unfolded a few days prior. We approached at twilight...Danna searches the white rock in vain...then the zombies come. Wave after wave... I couldn't stop them. Couldn't hold them back. Surrounded, then darkness.
Kyras' anger resonating throughout Oleg's brings Bjelich back to reality. An idea forms, I will accompany Kyras tomorrow.
Upon returning to Oleg's Danna searches out Svetlana and asks her about Kiph. Has she noticed anything odd about him, does he seem to be coming out of his shell at all? Has he said anything about his former life or parents?
She also looks for Crix and checks to see if he has been training hard.
She had personally asked each person with the most skill in a particular area to help oversee his training, the best archer, the best swordsman, the most knowledgeable of the local area. She herself is taking care of his education in tracking and knowledge of plants and animals. She made previous arrangements with Bjelich and the other priest to teach him first aid when they are available and for Grigor to teach him all about horses and riding. She gently suggested that Kyras might be able to teach him some fancy sword work in the hope that the two of them would develop a rapport.
As the zombies tore at your flesh, literally ripping your life from you, the incredible pain lasted a few agonizing seconds before the ground rushed up to meet you. No sooner had your head hit the earth did you jolt awake with a start. Gone was the sights, sounds and smells of the hillside fight, replaced with those of a secluded forest glade. You sat up and scanned the trees. You did not feel the slightest bit of fear or trepidation. Although you did not recognize the place, you somehow felt it was familiar...
A sound off to your left grabbed your attention and as you swivelled your head around to take a look you saw a large majestic stag step into the glade. Its eyes were focused upon yourself and its nostrils flared.
Before you could make any move or rise to your feet, there was a brilliant flash blinding you momentarily. When your vision returned you were once again laying on the hillside surrounded by your comrades...
Svetlana responds to Danna inquiries, That child is not right. He spends all his time wandering around the outpost. He barely eats... he barely sleeps.. he doesn't speak more than a few words. Oleg thinks we should send him north with the next wagon headed there. Perhaps one of the temples in Restov can help him.
Crix has been learning what he can... but at this point it is mostly working with Oleg. Kesten's men are too busy with their duties to spend any time with the boy and Kesten has been fairly melancholy the last few days. On the brightside, Crix does seem to be happier than you have seen him.
Danna listens to Svetlana's report on Kiph. We will defer to your judgement on Kiph. The outpost is probably not the best place for a young boy in his state anyway and you are all so busy here he cannot get the kind of help I am sure he needs. I will let the others know and if you can make arrangements we will pay for his passage.
Danna is happy to see Crix getting along so well.
After your return to Oleg's, and everyone had a chance to converse with those they wished to, everyone settled in for the evening.
Shortly after nightfall a light rain began to fall.
A few hours after that, the quiet of the night is shattered as you are awoken by the sound of some of Kesten's men raising the alarm! Before you even have a chance to get out of bed, a loud knock is heard on your door and a voice shouts, Come quick! The prisoner is dead! from the other side.
Bjelich wakes from the noise. He is in the middle of gathering a few important items when the knock on the door arrives. With his morning star in hand, he makes his way quickly to the lower floor and the source of the alarm - Topper's room.
Danna is wakened by the sounds of the alarm; she is momentarily stunned at hearing Topper is dead and a loud knock is at her door, but quickly throws on a dressing gown and, not knowing if they are under attack or if Topper has managed to commit suicide, grabs her spear.
She quietly opens her door and peeks out to see what is going on outside of it.
Kyras awakens at the sound of the pounding on his door. Rising from his bed Kyras pauses only long enough to grab his sword before pulling his door open. Confronting the man on the other side. What do you mean the prisoner is dead?
Bjelich wakes from the noise. He is in the middle of gathering a few important items when the knock on the door arrives. With his morning star in hand, he makes his way quickly to the lower floor and the source of the alarm - Topper's room.
** spoiler omitted **
As you grab your weapons close at hand and open the door you are greeted by one of Kesten's men. He is soaked from the falling rain and holds a lantern in one hand and his sword in the other.
Beg your pardons m'lords, lady, but the prisoner is dead. Had his throat slit from ear to ear. We are searching the outpost currently, but no one saw anyone, or anything, enter or leave the prisoners room since... well... since he did. The soldier points his lantern at Kyras.
Over the shoulder of the soldier you notice other lantern bearing soldiers moving about methodically throughout the outpost.
The one in front of you looks at you expectantly.
Bjelich glances inquisitively at Kyras then turns his eyes back to the soldier. Holding back his disgust with the soldier's inference, the cleric cautions him, Careful soldier, let's not start rumors! Any details you or anyone else has to the prisoner's demise shall be discussed in private when Kesten arrives. I trust he will be here shortly? Bjelich motions the soldier to move closer, out of earshot of the others save the party, then begins a barrage of questions, In the meantime, you can start by telling us a few things. When was the last time the prisoner was checked? Bjelich waits for the soldier to respond before asking his next question, Who discovered him? pauses...Are the grounds secured? Who was the last person to leave Oleg's? Bjelich pauses again then quickly adds, Who has been in the prisoner's room since the discovery? Bjelich notes the names of the soldiers involved and will request they be interviewed separately as soon as possible. As the soldier answers Bjelich's last question the cleric directs him to see to it that know one leaves Oleg's until further notice.
Bjelich glances inquisitively at Kyras then turns his eyes back to the soldier. Holding back his disgust with the soldier's inference, the cleric cautions him, Careful soldier, let's not start rumors! Any details you or anyone else has to the prisoner's demise shall be discussed in private when Kesten arrives. I trust he will be here shortly? Bjelich motions the soldier to move closer, out of earshot of the others save the party, then begins a barrage of questions, In the meantime, you can start by telling us a few things.
The soldier, who up to this point had been exceedingly polite, looks Bjelich squarely in the eye as he cuts him off mid thought. I made no accusation. I was merely stating the facts as they are known to us. You may be the chartered "law" around here... but I do not answer to you. You do not make demands of me. You do not command me, nor any of the soldiers here. I answer to Lord Kesten and he alone. And he answers to the Brevic crown... the same as you.
The soldier does not move closer to Bjelich when he motions. I think you should rethink your tact and tone before you ask me your questions.
And Kesten is not coming. I was sent here to summon you, not the other way around.
Bjelich shakes his head and moves past the soldier towards the prisoner's room... Soldiers and their chain of command ideals....
The soldier watches Bjelich go with a blank look upon his face.
As Bjelich trundles down the stairs the soldier turns back to the rest of you...
Watching as Bjelich trundles out of the room Kyras turns back to the guard.My apologies. Lead on good sir I would speak with Keston as soon as possible. Kyras gestures for the guard to lead the way as he stows his weapon.
As they walk along Kyras asks Where are Kiph and Crix? Has anyone made sure they are ok?
The soldier wordlessly accepts Kyras' apology with a slight nod. The rest of you have the good sense to put on some additional clothes before joining the soldier and heading for the ground floor.
I am not sure m'lord. I did not check on the main house myself...
Down below, Bjelich barges past another soldier and into the makeshift prison cell to find Topper's lifeless form prone upon the floor. A large pool of blood and a horrific wound to his neck leaves no doubt as to how he died. He hands are still manacled and the chain from them to the floor is secure.
Kesten sits on the room's bed off to one side. He is staring down at the body, but looks more tired and annoyed than anything else. As Bjelich enters in his dampened nightshirt, Kesten eyes him up before remarking, There is no rush my good man. He is beyond your help. You could have put some proper clothes on...
Hmph, yes. Bjelich looks himself over, I was certain I'd collected some clothes to put on... The cleric chuckles, It would seem the part about 'not needing to be in a hurry' was not passed along to me. Bjelich does not appear to be phased at all by his appearance. He scratches the stubble sprouting from his chin as he surveys the room for anything odd; uneaten dinner, was the bed used... Your men are to be commended though Kesten; upon their adherence to the proper chain of command. I'd hoped to ask the guard you'd sent a few particulars, however he insisted I speak with you. He casually folds his arms across his chest, While we wait for the others to ready themselves, can I inquire as to what measures your men have undertaken to secure the fort?
Kesten listens to Bjelich before wearily replying, The gate is closed... as it has been since sundown... just like every other night since we arrived. I have one man at the gate and another in the tower above. Two others are searching the outpost. One is right outside the door and another I sent to fetch you...
Kesten stands and walks over to the body. After jabbing a finger into the blood he rolls it between his fingers. Still warm and has not began to set. Whoever did this is likely still close by.
Standing up he looks to the door. Lock was picked. Whoever did it, did it quietly enough to not get Topper's attention. I don't think he realised anything was wrong until it was too late.
A moment later, the soldier from upstairs leads the rest of the party into the room. They are followed in by yet another soldier.
Beg your pardon sir, but we have finished our search. Everyone is present and accounted for except for the child Kiph. All that we have found of him is this... The soldier holds up the child's toy. Found it between the stables and the gate.
The stuffed toy is wet from presumably laying in the rain. But when the soldier hands it over to Kesten, the soldier's hand is red with blood.
Bjelich nods attentively as Kesten conveys what has been done and what has been learned since Topper's murder.
As the soldier hands over the stuffed animal, the cleric's expression turns grim at the sight of the soldier's blood stained hand. This rain is going to make finding the boy difficult. Turning to the others, We should set off at once if we are going to find him.
Kyras looks at the stuffed animal his brows furrowed. I presume that this makes Kiph our assassin. Odd that he would attack topper and not just try and kill one of us.
Kyras shakes his head at Bjelich's statement. Chasing him down in the dark in a rainstorm is folly. We would not find him and would more likely put ourselves in danger of falling in to an ambush.
Turning back to Keston. Is it possible Kiph could have scaled the walls without notice? With your leave I would like to speak to the gate guard to see if he saw anything suspicious.
Danna I think you need to talk to Crix again. See if he thinks Kiph could have done this?
With Keston's permission Kyras will head off to speak to the guard at the gate.
If he finds the guard. Soldier did you notice anything unusual tonight? Have you noticed the boy Kiph near the gates at all tonight?
Bjelich too takes leave of Kesten. He returns briefly to his room to collect the clothing he'd set aside, but forgotten to put on. Clothed, he heads to the stables to check on the horses...
One of the soldiers remarks, Or the child is also a victim. The blood could belong to the child...
Kesten turns and to address Kyras, Odd? You are suggesting a child snuck about unseen, picked a lock, slit a man's throat, silently I might add, and disappeared without a trace... and the fact he didn't try that on a room of hardened adventurer's as opposed to a weaponless and shackled prisoner is somehow unfathomable?
As for the wall? Are we talking about a child or an accomplished assassin? There was only two men on watch duty at the time. One in the tower and the other patrolling the interior of the outpost. With the dark and the rain, anything is possible I guess...
I did not see anything out of the ordinary. I have hardly seen the child at all... day or night. Definitely not out and about this late... in this weather.
Bjelich reaches the stables and ducks in out of the rain. Casting a light orison, he checks on the horses. A quick count reveals all are present and accounted for. Satisfied all is as it should be Bjelich is about to carry on with his investigations when he notices something odd. One of the saddles is quite wet... as is one of the horses.
Having properly clothed herself, Danna joins the others in by Topper's body. She examines the ground for any bloody tracks that may indicate the direction the assassin took.
At Kyras' mention of Crix her brow furrows then a look of alarm passes across her face, surely the noise of this night would have awakened him, where could he be?! She hopes no ill has befallen him and
Danna is unsuccessful in her attempt to find any meaningful tracks as the heavy traffic and rain have worked to obliterate any trace of the killer or killers movements after leaving the room.
Danna is reassured that Crix, Svetlana, Oleg and all the others of the outpost are safe and accounted for. Save for Kif, and of course, Topper.
Kyras continues to question the guard..
Who was the last person to leave and enter these gates and when?
A couple of trappers left earlier in the morning... and a trader arrived before supper. It was him and his two sons I believe... They are in one of the other rooms on the top floor. Other than yourselves that is all that came and went today.
Is this trader known to you. Where did he hail from. Assuming that the guard against has nothing to add kyras thanks him for his help.
KYras will go to the traders room. Upon arriving he will knock on the door. Assuming someone answers.
Good evening. Sorry to disturb your rest but there has been a murder this evening. Can you please account for your whereabouts?
Yes. Bandor makes regular trips here from Restov. Once a week or thereabouts. He is one of Oleg's regulars.
I will but my tone would not be accusatory merely investigative. Sense motive on guard and his responses please.
A man answers the door. Yes. Yes. We have already been through this with one of the other soldiers. We have been in our room most of the evening... have an early start tomorrow.
And the man?
Bjelich's eyes narrow. Clasping his holy symbol, he makes a gesture with his arms as he speaks a word in the divine language of Erastil. The cleric's skin ripples briefly then hardens.
Keeping as alert as he can, Bjelich moves to the stable doors. Once there he will alert a guard to come and assist.
Bjelich steps out of the stables and calls to one of the guards nearby. He begins to move towards you while asking, What is it?
Still watching the stable, Bjelich asks the guard, Have any of these horses been used since the rain started?
Not that I am aware of...
Relieved that there appears to be no other casualties, other than possibly the missing Kiph, Danna suggests a room by room search. It would be very difficult to slit someone's throat and not get a lot of blood on yourself, we should search the fort for any bloody clothes or hidden assassins, and find Kiph.
If Kestin has already organized this she volunteers to assist and asks where she should begin.
I will take Crix with me.
She finds Crix and asks him to assist her in the search. She also asks a few questions as they look.
Crix, did you notice anything unusual last night or in the days we were gone? Did anyone come here who seemed unusual or out of place? Was Kiph acting any odder than usual? Do you recall anyone from the Stag Lord as being a particularly skilled assassin?
I don't mean to pepper you with questions but you may inadvertently know something that could help us.
One of these horses has recently been used, I'd like you to assist me with searching the stable. Be weary, I don't know if anyone is still in here... With the help of the guard, Bjelich will proceed to search the stable for any more clues or persons within.
Kesten responds to Danna, We have done a cursory search of the outpost already, but with limited numbers and time, we focused our attention on making sure everyone else was safe. I am sure the search hasn't been as thorough as you are suggesting.
Feel free to go look about wherever you see fit...
Danna then heads off to the main house to fetch Crix.
Meanwhile, Bjelich instructs the soldier in the stables. Used? Used how? For what? the soldier asks as he warily looks about the stables, shining his lantern at the shadows and raising his sword defensively...
Apologies for non-formatted post. Grigor will have gone down to the stables with Bjelich. He will pretty much know more about the horses than everyone else at the fort combined, going to the stables himself at least twice a day when he is at Oleg's. After calling the guard, Grigor checks the whole collection of horses to see which is new and which has seen recent use. The recently used horse, he checks carefully to see if it is tired, recently saddled, what's on the bottom of its hooves, etc.
All excellent questions! As you have a lantern, please assist Grigor. I will start over here... As the soldier provides a source of light for Grigor, Bjelich methodically begins searching the stables starting at the front - working his way back towards Grigor and the soldier. He will carefully examine each for signs of blood on the gates, bits of metal that might hint at a discarded weapon, odd looking piles of hay, etc. He will do the same for the entrance to the loft; has the ladder/steps leading up been used, is it wet, signs of blood?