Kaelaah has had few dealings with Sheriff Hemlock in the past, his life at Sandpoint has been bound almost completely within the confines of the cathedral as it was rebuilt... but, optimistic that Kaede may be able to convince the sheriff to allow the goblins to be spoken to, he tags along...
...and, if I get the chance, I think it may be prudent to buy a blade from somewhere... Salomae will know of such a place...
"Yes, I would value the Sheriff's input on these matters as well." Roakkad wonders if, given the circumstances, Brother Edrus will let him out of hatchery cleaning duty for the day.
"Of course, Father Zantus," Zache mumbles, staring into his breakfast and trying to stay awake. He rubs his eyes with the back of one hand as he pushes himself away from the table; stifling a yawn, he looks to the other Marked. "I'll see you all there... maybe Sister Callinova will let me get a nap later..." he mumbles to himself as he makes his way downstairs for his chores.
After a few quick chores, or other preparations, the time soon comes for the marked to head out. Gathering on the front stairs, they head west a few blocks before turning south on Main street and arriving at the Garrison.
The guards at the gate stop them and warn them that nobody is allowed to enter right now. However, one of them--a young man named Oliver--is a worshiper of Erastil and a regular attender at the shrine. He points out to his partner that these are the Marked and, after whispering among themselves about the rumors about the attack and something about the Cathedral, they decide a brief audience with the Sheriff might be acceptable. Oliver escorts you all there while his partner remains vigilant at the gate.
When you reach what must be the Sheriff's office, Oliver addresses his boss very stiffly, "Sir, the marked have come from the Cathedral to see you." The introduction made, he turns very precisely on his heels and strides back out of the room.
The large Shoanti man who serves as the town's sheriff, and calls himself Belor Hemlock, rises from his desk and asks, politely but sternly, "What can I do for you all today?"
Kaelaah, slightly bemused at the sheriff's gruff demeanour, holds his tongue...
...no doubt the sheriff would have preferred the attackers dead...I wonder if he has manage to glean any inforrmation...or have they just been frustrating him?
...the Shoanti, refusing to meet the sheriff's gaze, nods supportively as Salomae talks...
The awkward moment of silence before Salomae decides to speak for the group does not go unnoticed by the sheriff. He scowls a bit when she mentions that Father Zantus shared information with them, then stares out the window and begins scratching his chin when she finishes. After a moment, he says to Sal, "I 'think so' because one of the goblins told me so. Tell Father Zantus to lock down the cemetery and not allow anyone in there. I'll be by later to talk to him about it. And, you should always be prepared for the future to bring troubles- it always will."
"The cemetery? Have the goblins breached your burial lands? ". Such an action would be horrifying to a Shoanti.
"You've had conversations with them?" Kaede asks, both eager and nervous about what the goblins might have babbled about. Since coming to Sandpoint, her interactions with the guard in general has been quite limited, colored by a couple negative experiences that she had with the local law in Sakakabe.
"It's good to hear that they weren't coherent enough to give you any trouble." At this point, Kaede's tone starts to fade away. While she has other questions to ask about the goblins, she can't find a way to state them without insulting the Shaonti sheriff, something that she sorely doesn't want to do.
...okay, that's really weird... the cemetery? Why would this goblin raid have anything to do with the cemetery?. Kaelaah waits to hear if Hemlock answers his friend's question.
The sheriff smiles at Salomae as she speaks up. "Well, you've got some fight in you, don't you?" he asks with a hint of a smirk, "You ever get tired of mops and prayerbooks, you come by and we'll find a uniform for you. Assuming you can learn to take orders. Ha."
Relaxing a bit, he talks more candidly, "We often withhold information from citizens; mostly stuff that could put folks on edge or cause panic, and usually it ends up being just talk anyway. And that's the case here. If you all want to help, ask Father Zantus if you can come with him when I come to meet him. If that's alright with him then I'll share some more with you, and may just have a way you can help directly."
The detail about the graveyard is quite troubling to Roakkad. It was bad enough that the goblins would raid a village, though that certainly wasn't beyond the bounds of imagination. Goblins are known for being feral and shifty. Desecrating graves though, well, that was completely taboo. Only the most vile or wicked creatures would disturb the dead. Their spirits would anger. He is suddenly very concerned.
"Sheriff," he says, "we would be very glad to help in any way that we can. This goblin threat must be put to rest, and whatever harm they have done to your burial lands must be healed."
He turns to the others, looking for signs of agreement.
Kaede bows with respect to Sheriff Hemlock, and moves to leave, satisfied that they should get information from him at the Cathedral later.
So... the good sheriff got some information from the goblins, but he's unwilling to directly share for safety's sake, she muses on the way out of the Garrison, That makes sense. But something wrong with the boneyard is perturbing. I hope that Father Zantus will let us attend that meeting.
Uncharacteristically quiet, and fiddling with the hem of his scarf in silent frustration, Zache nods when Roakkad speaks up. "Thanks for your time," he mumbles, offering the Sheriff a handshake before the group leaves.
As they leave the Sheriff’s office, the intrigue of a discussion with Father Zantus ahead of them, Kaelaah asks the others whether anyone knows where he can get hold of a good weapon – with an awkward smile, he opines that, ”It seems that a life of quiet contemplation may not be for us”
.
Walking with the others to Savah's, Kaelaah remains in quiet contemplation of things passed and things yet to come... At the armoury, never one to barter, Kaelaah pays the asking price for an expertly smithed dagger...
...something to wear inside the boot should the need ever arise... and, if it never does, a knife is always useful on a hunt...
As Kaede, Roakkad, and Zache enter the Rusty Dragon they spot Tera and Aldern already seated next to each other at a large table. The nobleman rises and smiles as they enter. "Ladies and Gentlemen," he announces to the random patrons, "the heroes of Sandpoint!" A cheer goes up from not only those eating but from the staff as well. "...or, at least, some of them..." he half murmurs when he realizes some are missing. I trust the others are coming?" he asks nobody in particular. As everyone is seated he gestures to the barkeep and a steady flow of plates begin arriving at the table: roasted vegetables with herbs, salted potatoes, a hearty seafood stew, a spicy dish of curried pork, and stir fried beef with mushrooms, plus fresh baked rolls and a variety beverages. As the table is loaded Kaelaah and the Salomae arrive. They receive none of the fanfare that the group got but Aldern smiles and beckons them to the table. "Please, help yourselves," he declares gesturing towards the truly impressive spread.
As everyone settles into their meals he says, "So, you have all saved me from a dangerous and embarrassing situation and I don't really even know your names... please, tell me about yourselves." He is clearly talking to everyone but as he asks to know about his saviors he looks directly at Tera.
"I," says Roakkad, as he swallows a generous bite of seafood stew and stands, "am Roakkad Shrikkir-tsha, Hawk Brother, Kirdatch of the Shriikirri-Quah, Tamirrish skeklah-..." he pauses, noticing that the eyes of the others are beginning to glaze over. He reclaims his seat. "Uh, Roakkad. And this," he motion to his hawk, "is Tsharat. We come from the east, under the rising sun and the city of Kaer Maga to tend the Cathedral in the name of Gozreh." He tosses a piece of fishsteak onto the floor for Tsharat, who swoops down, seizing her prey.
He cannot help but notice Aldern eyeing Tara. He wonders if the interest is mutual, as Tara had never struck him as the type to pursue romantic interests.
"Kaelaah... Just Kaelaah... I'm sure you will not be surprised to learn that my heritage is not so distant from my friend Roakkad here", indeed, towering somewhere north of six feet and six inches, Kaelaah is undoubtedly Shoanti in origin...
"Before my time here, I travelled... Kaer Maga, Riddleport, Korvosa and Magnimar... I've seen such wonders out there in the wide world... But something brought me here... Something I can't understand brought me to this place... to Sarenrae".
Getting introduced at the Rusty Dragon is sort of a surreal experience for Kaede. After all, she comes here whenever she needs to relax away from the Cathedral. So, with a slight blush, she waves to those that she knows, and hurries to the table that Aldern has occupied.
After gathering slight portions of several dishes, she nods with a formality that is somewhat second nature to her. "I'm Kaede Mayumi. I'm from Tian Xia, hailing from the Minkaian city of Sakakabe. The Lady of Chrysanthemums guided me here to assist in Her name. Please look favorably on me."
Zache isn't used to the cheers, having grown accustomed to murmurs, but he grins broadly, even dropping into a quick bow just before taking his seat. Though a good half-foot shorter than Roakkad, not to mention Kaelaah, he manages to hold himself with as much pride and presence as the taller men - and to eat almost as much, eagerly digging into the curried pork.
When Aldern asks for introductions, he wipes his mouth on a napkin before speaking, the words rolling easily off his tongue as if reciting lines of verse. "Zacherius Anthonius Bartholomeus Kovachi, Seeker of Songs, Teller of Tales, and Dreamer of Dreams," he says smoothly, nodding at Aldern. "Four years have I been in Sandpoint, seeking the Starsong's counsel, and four years has she left me waiting. But still I wait, for perhaps the light of my guiding star simply hasn't reached me yet." After an awkward pause, he shrugs, adding, "But my friends call me Zache," before going back to his curry.
Kaelaah, unused to his surroundings, smiles inwardly at Zache's gregarious introduction, Why have one name when four plus a couple of titles will do?. With his plate piled higher than normal etiquette would allow, he nods appreciatively at Aldern.
Aldern pays attention to each person as they speak, and smiles frequently at all the quirks and idiosyncrasies on display. When Zache digs back into his curry he turns his attention back to Tera. "Humble too I see," he says with a charming half-grin, "please, tell me about yourself."
"Fascinating," the nobleman says with a broad grin as Tera finishes speaking. He gives her hand a little squeeze for emphasis but releases it before anyone could accuse him of being too forward.
"Well, as I said last evening, I am Aldern Lord Foxglove; my family owns an estate on the coast about halfway between here and Magnimar; and, you all saved me from a dangerous and embarrassing situation. I spoke to Father Zantus at the church about how I might reward you and he agreed that this would be appropriate..." As he speaks he pulls six velvet pouches out of his satchel and passes them around them table. "He also consented to me making you an offer... I would like very much to take a trip into the Tickwood to hunt one of their famed boars while I'm here, but it can be fairly dangerous... so, I'd like to ask the group of you to escort me on the hunt? Obviously, we can schedule the hunt around your duties at the church... What do you think?"
"Of course!" Zache says at once. "Such an opportunity doesn't come along every day; we'd be fools not to take it! Right?" he asks, beaming at the party.
Kaelaah looks at the immaculately stitched pouches of gold with some incredulity…
…is it right that we accept these? Maybe if Father Zantus consented then it is okay? We were only doing what any right-minded individual should…
Slightly conflicted as to whether it is the right thing to do, Kaelaah is not the first of the ‘marked’ to take a pouch… nor does he speak up when Lord Foxglove suggests a hunting trip… but with Zache effusively accepting the offer, he can hardly say no…
With a voice that is tinged with doubt, he accepts, ”A truly gracious offer Lord Foxglove… I would be glad to join you”
"A very generous gift, thank you." Roakkad bows his head, then tucks the pouch of gold coins into his robes. This could feed many Shoanti mouths in Kaer Maga.
"A hunt, you say?" The notion appeals greatly to Roakkad, whose people are famous for their trapping and hunting abilities. Still, growing up in the city, he never had much occasion to actually stalk game. His people grew small gardens where they could manage to claim a green space within the city, and while the occasional squirrel, devilfish, and even alligator made its way into the table, the great hunts of old were largely only stories to him.
But would Gozreh approve?
"I would like to join in your hunt as well, but like Salomae would like to know that, if we are to take the life of a boar, that its life not be wasted. What will become of its flesh?"
"When we take a boar," Aldern says with a roguishly charming grin, "we'll bring it back here. Ameiko will prepare it and we'll feast on it in celebration. Then she'll use what's left to feed the people of Sandpoint."
Kaede looks at the pouch in her hands in disbelief. Of all the things that came from that raid, getting rewarded like this was not one of them. Seeing the others claim the pouchs, the only proper response that Kaede could make is to be grecious. "This... this generosity is unexpected. Thank you." Kaede all but stammers out.
Then the discussion turns to the hunt, something that Kaede has never done before. Aside from the trip here, Kaede has always been more cosmopolitan, so hunting would be a new experience for her. And when Lord Foxglove's plans are laid out, she can see no fault in them. "More generosity, this time for the community. If that is your wish, then I would be honored to assist in this endeavor," she states.
"Then it is agreed. We will hunt a boar!" Roakkad gently pounds the table with his fist, rattling the plates and goblets. "When shall we set out?"
Kaelaah coughs at his friends over-enthusiasm, ”I think maybe we have another meeting that we may need to be at today? Sheriff Hemlock?… besides, these things take a little planning I would have thought… especially if it is to become a feast of sorts”.
”I think maybe we have another meeting that we may need to be at today? Sheriff Hemlock?… besides, these things take a little planning I would have thought… especially if it is to become a feast of sorts”.
"Oh yes, that..." says Roakkad, looking guilty to have forgotten. "Kaelaah is right. Mr. Foxglove, how long did you say you will remain in the village?"
"Lord Foxglove," Aldern corrects, "and I can wait a couple days if necessary. As Kaelaah said, there are some arrangements that will need to be made."
Kaelaah, fortunately sipping a tankard at the time, winces at his friend's faux pas... and then again when 'Lord' Foxglove pointedly corrects the mistake.
"As you say," says Roakkad, popping a salted potato into his mouth.