A smile crosses the sheriff's face, exposing the gaps among his teeth. Some years ago, the changes in his life gave Corindus the confidence to overcome his self-consciousness over his missing teeth.
He had never doubted Miara's side of the story, but it was nevertheless vindicating to hear his deputy not just corroborate but praise his daughter. Now he simply needs to decide whether or not to let his daughter know that he knows about the nesting box.
"Yes, please do," he informs Deputy Hawks regarding the Barns boys and their fraudulent reports. "I'd like to have a word with Mr. Barns myself, but I know it wouldn't go well. I can't imagine him reining in his own temper, especially not when he thinks someone's insulting his boys.
"Moving on to new business, how are preparations coming for the festival? We need to be ready. If things get too rowdy, the Barns boys will look like saints by comparison."
Danika:
Danika smiles greatly
"I'll tell mom and be back before dinner."
She then runs off excited.
Luk:
Luk smiles some
"You've got yourself quite the adventure seeking daughter there, Darrion.
Way more so then my two daughters."
Obromi:
Obromi
"I'll let you get back to work father."
Obromi then leaves the Room.
Wu Chen after entering the Busty Minotuar sees it is as it generally is,
Though as get to your usual table you notice a small group of men helping Mr Barns up off the floor as it looks like he had the crap beat out of him.
Deputy Hawks:
Deputy Hawks replies
"Yeah his temper can be quite bad, just glad his wife somehow manages to stop him from getting worse."
"Seems we have managed to find and fix most of the security and safety holes that were in past festivals.
Though there will always be something we haven't thought of yet."
"It was hard work doing rumor control after the festival about 7 years ago when you raided that barge and rescued a good number of kids.
So many questions being asked, just glad the our Old boss, Sheriff Baleson figured out what to say to calm everyone down.
Heck some of the rumours are still flying about, heck even rumors of how the day everyone forgot still get brought up every now and then."
She walks up to the men and extends a hand—expecting that her succubus allure will make her the center of attention, and that the man will happily accept her hand. Be aware, she reminds herself, even prolonged hand-holding is dangerous.
"Please rise, Mr. Barnes." Her tone is that of a young lady who respects her elders. Mr. Barnes does not need a girl's sympathy. He needs respect. Once he's up, she then looks Mr. Barnes in the eye and states, "The man and lady in black did this. Please help me understand their motivation."
Wu Chen considers offering to speak away from the other customers, but only if a waitress can be in the room with them. Wu Chen wants to avoid being alone with a man.
(Despite the lack of incidents, the girl has not been able to fully trust her own body for the past seven years. Especially when her fifteenth birthday marked her status as an adult...)
Darion responds back to Luk Yes she is quite adventurous I don’t know to be glad or worried though. I guess it is all part of being a parent but sometimes I think it would be better to keep them all locked up safe until they can take care of themselves. But then I realize that these little adventures is how they learn to take care of themselves. So I worry and gauge each situation as it comes... now back to our research have you discovered anything else today?
"Rumors will always fly," the sheriff says dismissively. "I may not be well traveled, but that has been true wherever I go: Augustana, Olfden, the Hollow. Of course, if the rumors get folks too riled up, then we need to step in.
"Speaking of which, what else do we have on our plates today? I find it hard to believe that only the Barns boys will be giving us trouble."
Luk:
Luk replies
"As I said earlier, these intersected runes are tough nuts to crack especially with some intersected runes working with opposing schools well.
It would help to have either the original research notes, or the originator of all this."
The men have helped Mr Barns up on his feet just as Wu Chen gets to them.
Mr Barns:
Mr Barns replies
"It was just a miss understanding between me and that b****.
Then she beat my a**."
Deputy Hawks:
Deputy Hawks replies
"Well, Ms Schrödinger cat, Erwin, got wandered off and was found alive in a crate in the Busty Minotaur.
She really treasures that cat since her Husband and two children died due to the Black scour taint 7 years ago."
"Old John is still asking for an investigation into the rumours of events that happened 7 years ago during the festival, but is now starting to add in his public cries that the Sheriff's office and or Deldrin Baleson knows something and is covering it up.
I'm not sure how to deal with this one."
"Payday has been trying to collect some more 'taxes' from folks and some folks have refused to pay the 'taxes' to Payday.
Both sides are calling out each out to be arrested, and it's just a mess."
Wi Chen makes an earnest effort not to reel back when she catches whiff of Mr. Barns' breath. He both sounds and smells like a potty-mouth!
The teenage nun keeps her composure, and knowing how attractive her succubus-touched form is, she makes an expression that is the perfect storm of feminine beauty, innocence and righteous honesty as she replies,
"Perhaps if you learn how to talk in the presence of a lady, you will not get beaten up by one."
Wu Chen stands before the drunkard, letting her words sink in. If, after a few seconds, the man makes no intelligent reply, Wu Chen walks away and leaves the bar—wondering if she can catch up with the mysterious woman in black who beat up Mr. Barns.
"That cat gets up to almost as much mischief as the Barns boys," Corindus sighs with an amused shake of his head. "I swear he can be in two places at once."
The fleeting joy washes away from his face, and the sheriff resumes his more severe, contemplative mood.
"I don't like the idea of Old John making folks restless, but even if I go talk to him, he'll probably just use it as a chance for a confrontation. Oh well, we didn't take these jobs because they were easy. However, Old John will have to wait his turn. I think Payday demands priority. I need to remind him that I have even less patience for him than Baleson did.
"Any idea where the pug-nosed goon is right about now?" Corindus asks his deputy while grabbing his jacket.
Before Wu Chen leaves Duke stops Wu Chen.
Duke:
"I'd not want to you to chase after them, it's best if you Don't Go after Sheppard and his servant.
Your still reckless as ever, I'm sure you don't want to become Sheppard's prey and sold off.
He's a Slave reclaimer, piss him off and you might end up as a product."
Deputy Hawks:
"Erwin does cause mischief, but at least he is helpful at times getting rid of mice and rats.
Heard Erwin somehow killed a Dire rat that was trying to make a home near the Busty Minotaur.
Old pug-face is likely right now in Mr Kreed's office right now.
I already got Leon ready to escort him back here to discuss the matter when he's done his meeting with Mr Kreed.
As I figured you'd be wanting to talk to him about the 'taxes' he's collecting."
Luk:
Luk adds
"Looks like we'll be needing some more research material, and books to record our notes.
Who should go get the empty book's this time?"
Wu Chen replies, "A slave reclaimer? Thank you for warning me. But exactly how dangerous is he? So dangerous he should be left alone? Or will innocent children be enslaved because I choose to do nothing?
I truly do appreciate your warning. But when you say I am reckless... while it's a fair comment, my recklessness is the reason no child was enslaved on the night I became... this.
"I can never be normal. Every time I look in the mirror I am reminded of the price I paid. It was a sacrifice. And since I vowed not to lie, I cannot say I have no regrets for making this sacrifice. But I do not regret freeing slaves.
"I want to tell Corin of this man. Is there more I can tell our local lawman than 'a slaver's girlfriend punched Mr. Barns?'"
Wu Chen gathers info on the slave reclaimer, and intends to go to Corin to report any illegal or suspicious activities.
You go about your day as usual, but then noticed two kids exiting from a somewhere near The bathhouse, both children going different ways.
your curiosity has you find a well hidden door, and find a underground passage that has some guiding marks.
You follow to a room with two men at work in a room covered runes all over the place, with 5 mirror in a semi-circle focused on a altar.
Focused on work you almost don't notice someone new enter the room.
the Mirrors are Large, 4ft wide, 11ft tall.
Roll perception to get an idea.
The sheriff steps down from his office to the dusty logging town road. He squints his eyes against the bright, waning morning light and sees Wu Chen approaching quickly. He raises his hand from shielding his eyes and hails the young friend.
Wu Chen walks up to Corin—one of the few men she feels safe around...
She reports her findings, describing the man called Slade and the mysterious woman. As for why Mr. Barns was attacked, the nun says, "I think he deserved it. He called the lady a witch with a bee." Conscious of her accent, she adds, "Not bumblebee. Letter B.
"He said more dirty words in my presence, but I am too ladylike to punch an idiot for being an idiot. I am more concerned about Slade's line of work: slave reclaimer. I became... like this," she says of her body's succubus-touch. "—because even as a child, I knew someone must stand up against slavery.
"But this time, I come to you instead of pulling a crazy stunt."
At first, Corin's face twists into a grin as the young nun nimbly dances around the foul language. However, that mirth flees when she mentions the newcomer's trade.
A grim look crosses the sheriff's face. The talk of a slaving reminds Corin of the press gang that stole him off the street in Kintargo. The smoldering anger burns hotter when he thinks of the danger posed to children such as Wu Chen. For a moment, he wants to draw closer to reassure her, but he quickly thinks better of it.
"I'm glad you came to me. You did the right thing," he says, proud of his young friend. "If he attacked Mr. Barns, I'll need to have a word with this man anyhow. I'll see if I can find out what brings him to town - and whether he'll be leaving soon.
"Could you do me a favor? Could you find Mr. Holdfast? We could probably use his help on this, too."
If Wu Chen agrees to collect Darion next, Corindus will try to find this man in black so they can have a word with him together.
In the shadows of the room a tall hooded figure stands quietly; listening with strong skepticism as you begin to address him with a tone that would reflect familiarity. With some hesitation he slowly steps into the light, revealing a faint shimmer of silver that reflects off the outline of his black hooded cloak. Beneath the cloak's hood an expressionless pale visage seems transfixed on you.
As your words begin to fill the room, his eyes slowly take stock of the area in an attempt to understand what exactly is going on. After lowering a six foot long scythe into a less threatening position, he replies with a subtle, soft-spoken tone. “As you have professed, you have me at an uncomfortable disadvantage.”
“I am Thorion. A priest and representative of the Pharasmite church. I have been in the area for quite some time. Strangely, this is the first time that I have noticed this poorly hidden underground room.” With each of his statements a feeling of tempered caution can be discerned by his posture. “Now that you have a name to go with the face, perhaps you can introduce yourself and explain what is going on down here.”
Wu Chen says, "I am happy to help." And so Wu Chen lets Corin know where she last saw Slade, and she heads over to...
Oh dear...
The place with the mirrors. Wu Chen knows she is never to enter there. She approaches the area, wondering if there are people working with Darion that can go in and get him. That or she can knock, but she prefers not to enter the building at all.
Thorion stands unmoving as you begin to explain the unusual surroundings. ”Pharasma’s teachings include those revolving around Birth, Death, Fate, Prophecy, and Rebirth.” After summing up the nature of his goddess, he takes a moment to consider the entirety of the situation.
“I am uncertain if I have a skill that would aid this pursuit, as I am unsure about the process. It will be interesting to see how you intend to determine my intentions, seeing that I am still in the process of deciding them. Currently, aside from simple curiosity, I have no vested interest in your pursuit. That is assuming the process doesn’t become an immediate threat of some kind.” Thorion’s granite like expression makes it virtually impossible to get a sense of his intent. His posture, on the other hand, remains defensive. Aside from his posture, he remains still as he continues to observe the situation.
After his logic knot is woven, Darion then takes his eyes off the man and goes back to his work. No longer paying any mind to the cleric and his lethal looking weapon.
He doesn’t look up but gives the man one more casual statement If you are going to help your not going to do it there. Come see what you can make out of some of these inscriptions if you like.
Thorion simply raises a single eyebrow as the conversation takes an interesting turn. Although the reaction is less then overwhelming, it is the most you have seen from the priest. After completing your well plotted path to intrigue, he moves over to the inscription. While looking over the lettering, he begins speaking to you in a softer more relaxed tone.
“Most of what you said could have been deduced from anything by a clever man.” Thorion glances at you for a brief moment. “Pharasma may simply have another reason for my presence here. Either way, your deduction, in itself, is interesting and something to contemplate.”
The Runes are in Multiple Langauges, and makes a chaotic mess when trying to read it with spells.
Thorion simply nods in agreement after you finish your explanation. “This writing is not directly translatable with any language that I currently know. I have cast a comprehend language spell, which would normally allow me to understand unknown languages. To that end, I am only able to pick out bits and pieces of the inscription. It would appear that the inscription is literally written in numerous languages. This is a little odd from my experience.”
Thorion continues to concentrate on the inscriptions. “Can you give me a little more insight about what you know about the place?”
Spells are not a solution to solving it, time, patience, thought, and research are.
"From my best guess, magic alone isn't going to be enough to translate this." After taking a moment to consider other options, he looks back over at you. "This looks like it will probably take a linguistics specialist and a fair amount of time to resolve. I would be interested in the outcome of the research, assuming its pursued further."
"On a different note, I have been looking for a somewhat older version of Pharasma’s disciplines and doctrines known as "The Bones Land in a Spiral.” I have been told that the religious text was uncovered somewhere in the area, but I haven’t been able to discern where. Perhaps you have head something about it?”
After his last statement, Thorion steps back away from the inscription and stands off to the side with a more relaxed posture.
Corindus head to the Busty Minotaur since that was the last building the man was seen and and might of mention where he was going.
Though has to ask himself, how did Wu Chen know his profession and name without talking to him?
And she likely has no connections to the crime underworld to even know it.
Though has to ask himself, how did Wu Chen know his profession and name without talking to him?
And she likely has no connections to the crime underworld to even know it.
These thoughts bounce around the sheriff's mind. Although some men might have dismissed Wu Chen's worries as the imagination of an excitable child, Corin trusted her precociously sharp mind. Nevertheless, it would be folly to charge recklessly into the matter, especially without his old friends or deputies at his side.
For now, he ambles to the Busty Minotaur to inquire after these new arrivals and learn what other Valers might have observed.
Wu Chen paces about the building where Darion is working.
I really should not go in there? Does Mr. Holdfast not have colleagues?
She feels foolish for being hung up on such a simple task, and unless there is a wizard nearby, she works her way toward the mirror room—
Her mind screams in alarm, Do not even THINK of entering!
As Wu Chen approaches, she calls out though trembling lips, "Mr. Holdfast? Darion?" The closer she gets to the door, the slower she walks and the more she trembles. "C-Corin s-sent me... p-please come out if-f you c-can?"
If she gets to the door, she freezes about 5-10 feet away from that damned room. She reminds herself what may be at stake—and what was at stake the last time she was here. Fear is no excuse for selfishness, Wu Chen. Face your fear!
Wu Chen swings the door open and—
—not only does she not look scared (even though she doesn't set foot in that child-traumatizing Hell-hole that she's only revisited in her nightmares)...
...but also...
...Wu Chen's succubus-touch brings out her borderline-otherworldly beauty. She's probably projecting a bunch of pheromones or yins or both, which honestly scares her more than the room. But she doesn't look scared. She's pretty sure she nailed the look.
"Mr. Holdfast," she says calmly (this time), "Are you available to meet with Corin at the Busty Minotaur?"
Unmoved by the added presence of the new arrival, Thorion looks over at Darion. “It appears someone is looking for you.”
Wu Chen makes a small bow to the stranger who is not a stranger to Darion. "I am Sister Wu Chen, Fighting Nun of Eternal Maiden Shelyn."
She then considers the truthfulness of her introduction, and adjusts to ensure she is presenting herself honestly.
"That is to say, I train to fight on a daily basis. But I serve my goddess primarily through nonviolent means, such as dancing at Crystalhue festivals." The succubus-touched teenager smiles innocently.
Duke:
Duke sees Corindus enter
"Seems the little one for once decided not to be reckless.
I can figure your gonna wanna know more about, him."