Walking along the courtyard and a narrow hallway you are taken to a room with a simple long table where half a dozen military figures, all scarred, sit around a map of the city and Irabeth in the center looks up and motions you to enter. "These are the folk I was telling you about. Commanders Lepaul, Droidane, Stefan, and Sergeants Fray, Baskins, and Tippun, these are Aero, Thom, Nebbin, Saoirse, and Lucius." Nods and salutes greet you.
"You five have done what most have not. You survived, and more than that, you've successfully destroyed demons and their cultists. We are receiving conflicting reports about a demonic army approaching Kenabres. We know that Queen Galfrey is at least a week out. But all of that is moot if we don't retake the Gray Garrison. The damned demons have taken that and most of Old Kenabres proper. We can't send a sizable force to take it, for fear of communication with the demon army and leaving the walls, what are left of them, defenseless. But...a small group could infiltrate it for an all-important mission."
She looks each one of you in the eyes for a moment. "The destruction of the wardstone fragment they have there."
"But don't we need the wardstone to protect us?" Nebbin asks, shocked.
Aero steps up, "We have other grave news as well." Aero will hand them the note.
”And it’s not just that,” Thom rasps when he finally gets over being in this room of military personalities. He fishes out the papers with names, locations, and dates, then moves to hand them to Irabeth. ”Some of these dates are still to come.”
”Sir,” he continues, looking over at Irabeth, ”should we give our debrief here or some other time?” If Irabeth requests the debrief, Thom does his best to report on every detail of the events of the day, leaving nothing out (unless someone stops him or tells him not to).
Otherwise, he seems surprisingly eager to agree to a mission of this level of obvious danger.
"And don't we still have to go to those other places first? Or do you want us to go to the Gray Garrison first?"
Lucius agrees with Thom and Aero: this is a good time to share the cache of documents they uncovered.
"We were only able to raid the Tower of Estrod this morning. If we have time, I'd still like to strike the other safe-houses before undertaking this mission. Clearly they have not all been cleansed of useful intelligence as they were supposed to. We may find something useful." A pause. "To that end I suggest that you turn our captives over to your interrogators at your earliest opportunity. Be cautious with the demonspawn: he possesses dangerous magics."
"I'd also like to be clear on the nature of our mission. You say the Wardstone should be destroyed. These cultists seek to turn it. It would clearly be a disaster if, for instance, they used the Wardstones to seal your Goddess out rather than the demons in. I can assume that destruction is preferred because we lack the forces for a proper capture, but the last time I made assumptions it nearly cost me and my compatriots dearly."
Irabeth chuckles warmly at Nebbin, "What we need is a whole wardstone."
Irabeth nods at Thom and says, "Yes of course, what did you learn at the Tower?"
While listening to Lucius and reading over the document, she sits down heavily and sighs. "Storasta, Gundrun, the Shudderwood. We can't protect them...we'd be slaughtered in the field unless we bring enough to totally drain Kenabres. We have no choice but to hope that the Queen's army is delayed because of those places." She gives a sharp nod to Lucius, "Yes, there is an inquisitor we found recently who survived and is...looking for answers. That would be best if these prisoners you mention are taken to him." She points to the aide that brought you to the meeting, "Please see to it." The aide salutes and turns crisply and walks out of the meeting room.
She stands again and points to a location on the map spread on the table labeled 'Gray Garrison'. "You are correct, Lucius. The fragment is now useless in keeping demons out or at bay. But if Areelu Vorlesh is coming, and all signs point to this, then there may be some nefarious use to which she can employ the fragment. There is still power in it. Quednys has something which..."
A side door bursts open and the head librarian of Blackwing walks in, stumping a short staff curiously wrapped in cloths on the floor every other step. "Which can drain the fragment of its remaining power. It is called a rod of cancellation. This is it, and be careful not to uncover it and touch it to any magical items lest it be drained of magical powers and the rod itself become useless. Touch this only to the wardstone fragment...that should render it inert and stop any plans Areelu has for it." He puts the wrapped rod of cancellation on the table.
Irabeth's smile, having faded slightly when Quednys interrupted, returns again. "Nebbin, yes it is important you look at these other cultist hidey-holes. I am asking you of the Gray Garrison now, for it is extremely dangerous. It will take planning. It will likely take more than one attempt. There are some crusaders who can attack it as a distraction, and we received word from our emissary to the descendants of the First Crusaders that they are overjoyed and on their way to the Heart. A day or two would be necessary to prepare for the jaunt into the Garrison. We can't spare much more than that...we don't know exactly how soon the demon army and Areelu Vorlesh will be here."
Thom's silver mask cocks sideways in confusion. "Sir, so you want us to finish up the existing orders while you make preparations for our assault on the Gray Garrison? Or are you leaving the priority up to us?"
Lucius nods. "That gives us the rest of the day to investigate the other two safe-houses before the assault on the Garrison. What assistance do you need from us to prepare for the assault? If we can have the curse the demonspawn laid on Thom lifted, we can head for the next safe-house immediately."
Thom can't help but perk up at Lucius's final question, clearly hoping someone at the Heart can help with ... whatever it is Faxon did to him.
Irabeth nods again, "There should be a suitable member of Iomedae's that can help Thom with his curse. Indeed, he did look more weak than I recalled. But anyhow, yes, it is up to you if you wish to investigate the other two safe houses and if you wish to attack the garrison tonight. This could be delayed until tomorrow's night as well but after that is when I start to hesitate. I am awaiting some reconnaissance from a team of two I sent this morning. I have a feeling the demons chose the Gray Garrison because of it's centrality and ease of defense...as well as the cathedral being nearby and Terendelev's body close."
Thom nods in relief, happy to let the more strategic thinkers do the planning for the next steps of the plans. "I'll be ready to march as soon as this daemon's filthy curse is off me."
Saoirse takes a moment considering the options after all the information is laid on the table, "I'm all for ridding this city of more demon safe houses. No need to leave enemies behind us when we can help it."
Nebbin nods nervously, but with growing enthusiasm, as he realizes his companions have come up with a plan.
Irabeth thanks you, as do the commanders, for accepting the dangerous garrison mission and for your checking the safe-houses.
The aide comes back and whispers in Irabeth's ear, who then motions to Thom, "There is a member of Saranrae's flock that Christina here found who can cure your curse. He's outside the door and in the courtyard."
As you take your leave, you come out into the courtyard and see a strange looking priest...clad in a robe made of strips of bright yellows and oranges. He comes over to you hurriedly and speaks in another language. "Vi ste ti koji trebaju iscjeljenje? Pa ti si se blagoslovio Dawnflower!"
Thom feels back to his normal, pain-wracked self.
*********
As you go to leave the Heart to the next safe-house, Irabeth comes hurrying up to you. "Take this as thanks and to help."
She gives you a backpack filled with some things.
Despite some rather obvious discomfort at the man’s foreign words, Thom endures the blessing. After a few satisfied shoulder-rolls, though, his dark eyes take on a smiling look through the mask. ”Thank you … ah … sir … Priest? And Saranrae, I guess.” With a final nod serving as a weak period to his broken sentence, he resettles his heavy pack on his restrengthened shoulders and looks at the group.
”Anything we need to do before we head out?” he rasps, feet suddenly ready to do some walking.
Heading to Topaz Solutions, the streets don't look as threatening anymore. Whether or not that is your own sense of power, or perhaps hope that you've found survivors and help is coming from the Queen...you aren't sure.
An herbalist shop, rather unassuming in appearance, comes into view. A wooden sign above the door bears a carving of a bundle of orange herbs and flowers hovering over a beaker filled with smoking orange liquid. The building’s windows are tightly shuttered, but the front door hangs halfway off its hinges.
About half a block away, Lucius calls the group to a stop. He holds a disguise self scroll. "Shall we attempt infiltration again, or a more...straightforward approach?"
"Infil ... Infitr ... sneaking in didn't really work last time, did it? I mean you got in, but then we had to fight everyone anyway. And Thom got cursed even worse. I mean, cursed."
The silver mask pivots over towards Nebbin, but Thom doesn't remark on the comment.
"You're assuming it wouldn't have gone worse with a different approach." He shrugs, "It worked well enough, I think. As for now ..." he seems to be at a loss for brilliant ideas.
"Someone wanna try scouting it out?"
Saoirse shakes her head as she looks at the door barely hanging on its hinges. "We do have another place to attack today, I think it would be best if we dealt with this one quickly."
"If we are simply going to break in the door, we should see if there is a second exit. Let us check around the back."
Aero nods at the planning.
"I bet Thom'll appreciate not getting slapped around for awhile first."
Nebbin follows the others as they walk around the building, keeping an eye out for cultists, demons or worse.
Around the western side of the building in the back you do find a single door that looks like it's been well used recently.
"There is a back door!" Nebbin whispers, impressed with Lucius' thinking. "So Thom and Aero will guard it, the rest of us go in the front, like Lucius suggested?"
"Sounds good. Aero nods.
Lucius starts creeping back around to the main entrance. "Wait until you hear us break in, then come in the back way. Do not let anyone escape."
You hear a slight rustling on the inside of the building, some hushed voices. At most it seems like three people, but you can't make out exactly what they are saying.
Lucius will activate his shield just before Nebbin breaks in the door.
"Ready? And you want me just to try to knock the wall down?"
Nebbin nods nervously and charges into the barrier, leading with his earth breaker as he slams into it. When it doesn't give on his first attempt , he takes a step back and slams into it again.
With the first pound Aero begins working on the backdoor with his tools, calling once more upon fortune's favor.
Saoirse tightens the arm strap on her shield as she hears Nebbin's bulk slam into the door. Focusing on the door as she prepares to run through it in front of Lucius and Nebbin.
Thom stands at the rear-door, longsword in-hand as he looks nervously in every direction while Aero quietly works the lock. "You were right, you know ... not getting slapped around would be nice this time." He checks his gear one last time as he waits, Nebbin's door-pounding sounding hollow from this side of the building. "I guess we'll see what happens this time."
At the first pounding of Nebbin's hammer you hear squeals of surprise. The second blow shatters the doorframe and the door flies inward. Inside you see three men, dressed in various shades of dingy black. One says, "Don't 'urt us. We just been lootin' 'at's all! We'll leave quietly with our treasures...we don't wanna fight."
"You're not cultists?"
At the dull thud and wood-wrenching sound, Thom looks to where Aero works at the lock. "I think that's our cue."
Lucius looks to Soairse for a better appraisal of truthfulness.
Saoirse scrutinizes the three men as she keeps her shield up. Her eyes flaring to a soft white color as she calls on her Goddess to help guide her. "You'll forgive us if we make sure."
Another of the three says, "No...we ain't no cultists...maybe to money but that ain't so bad is it? We don't wanna fight."
Nebbin gives a sigh of relief as the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach dissipates.
"Oh, good. I didn't want to fight either."