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Perplexed by the conversation, Carson sums it up to the others, "It sounds like someone kidnapped Nolaria and used magic to affect her mind. Confusion of some kind. Blackfeather keeps calling this person Yellow Boots. We need to ask around and see if anyone knows who that can be. Let's head back to the temple,then Pricknettle's, and then back to the inn. Yellow boots should not be that common so keep and eye out for them on the way."
He turns and caws out one last message to Blackfeather. "If you see Yellow Boots follow him as best you can and then come find me at the Witch's End."
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Carson heads back to the temple with Harada and Grel in tow. Seeking out Ildirs and updates him on what they found.
"We out where Naloria was kidnapped. We found her raven, Black Feathers, and with a little bit of magic he told us that someone he called Yellow Boots took her. Does that name mean anything to you?"
Ildris is clearly surprised by your revelation, "That bird, you can't separate the two of them. His nest's in the eaves of the temple..."
He peers into the distance, pensively, "I don't know anyone called Yellow Boots. You know, one of Nolaria's good friends is an apprentice at Dependable Drummady's cobblers. It's either Pavolus or Betrona, that's the way with siblings, easy to forget which is which. Or is that too literal? Shoemakers... boots?"
Then something seems to click in his mind and he blanches, "Wait, did you say kidnapped? Nolaria was kidnapped?"
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Harada frowns, remembering discretion suddenly "Uhhh, poor choice of words. He went off with somebody the bird calls Yellow Boots. Carson had a rough childhood and overblows everything. We'll go find him and bring him back in no time..."
Harada starts to drag people out "Common, to the Cobblers, lets get this sorted out before any rumors accidentally go flying."
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Carson looks at Harada with a mixture of shock and admiration.
"Boots and cobbler. I should have seen that connection.
"Kidnapped. Abducted. Seized. Snatched. Carried off. Taken against her will. Whatever you want to call it we have proof that she was either drugged or incapacitated by magic. Yellow Boots took Nolaria somewhere."
Turning to Ildris, "My colleague is correct. We cannot let this become common knowledge without inciting panic in the city. We need to keep searching. We have several clues and several more people to talk to before the day is over. I hope we can find all of the missing people before any harm comes to them. You must keep this quiet for now. We have rooms at the Witch's End. If you find any information that might be helpful you can get it to us there."
Not waiting for Ildris to respond, or ask a lot of questions, he turns and heads out the door.
"Come on Harada. Thanks for keeping me in check. I am a man of action and not words. I forgot that we are supposed to be keeping a low profile on this mission."
Ildris summons all of his dignity, "Sandra is right, the people would not respond well to such news."
The tension in his body betrays the conflict of his roles as priest and father: Happy hunting. May the stag guide you. And if anyone should be injured, bring them to me. Any of you, as well."
But you'll be kind of far away, what if we don't get to you in time?
Ildris shrugs helplessly, "I have my duties; be careful."
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With a few surly directions from locals, you find your way quickly to the cobbler's: Dependable Drummady's.
You approach from behind, passing first the yards at the back which still carry the unpleasant tang of the tannery but soon reaching the workshop and the main entrance, where the warm scent of polished and softened leather fills your nostrils.
Upon entering, the room is determinedly quiet and focussed. Heads are down and the tall, slender woman who works behind the counter barely glances your way.
Even as you left the temple, Ildris called back Kay for some advice with a patient. She promised to return when she could...
The woman looks up from her work, gives you a long look and then responds curtly, "No, we haven't sold any yellow shoes recently."
Despite his attempts to be subtle, you all recognise Verathis from the pathfinder lodge in Absalom.
The woman relpies to Grel, "What I am, Master Dwarf, is a very busy woman with a lot to do."
The name 'Dependable' Drummady Laterna hangs from the wall behind the woman.
She continues her work, artfully cutting leather with precise tools over a straining shoe anvil, "Anyone looking for a pair of shoes?"
She mutters to herself as she works.
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"Verathis, Verathis Adrazek. Its Grel right, we met when I first joined our little club. Our friends asked me to help you out over here. You can tell me how things are ging after this. Going to a shelf Verathis decides between the boots he was looking at and takes them to the woman I would like this pare if I could. he says with a smile.
The woman looks up at Harada and, at the mention of her son's name, something seems to give within her. She carefully sets down her work, sits on her stool and pulls the sweat-stained cloth from her brow.
"Pavolus, eh? You've some news for me of my son, my boy?"
She sighs, "I haven't seen him or his sister for two days. They are good kids, it is not right. Now tell me, what do you know, that send you asking after my son?"
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Verathis steps back up to the counter and in a friendly but professional tone says"What we know thus far is that Pavilus is part of a group of friends that have not been seen for that same period of time. According to the familiar of Nolaria Winters, another member of this group, Nolaria was somehow forced, likely magically Hypnotized, into following a man called yellow boots. We suspect finding yellow boots will help us see what all of these children have been up to. If you are wondering why a group of strangers is looking into this, it is at the mayors behest."
Stunned by your directness, reassured by your candour, Drummady speaks openly, "I know who you mean, that group, really good friends. Tight. Gellion is the real leader, the most charming... My son's always been sweet on him. Recently, Pacolus spent hours carefully crafting a beautiful pair of boots as a gift to Gellion. Yellow boots."
She shakes her head, "Cobblers rarely make yellow boots."
She shrugs, "The old graveyard, the orchard... that's about it, except for public places."
"Gellion?" She thinks for a second, "He's a funny, polite, kind... he's the bright-eyed, keen one who always wants to try things. A lot of their games and schemes are his idea. He calls me Mrs Laterna and takes off his hat when he comes in, likes to be helpful... everybody likes him, as far as I know. His parents, I've not met them but by all acounts they're good sorts. Locals."
Drummady shrugs, "He must be local, I think he still lives with his parents. Ask at Pricknettle's: she'll know!"
She looks you over nervously, "Are you sure you're going to find them?"
Unconsciously, she flexes the leather between her fingers, spoiling the carefully cut lines.
Drummady completes the sale with barely a word, leaves the money on the counter and watches from the doorway as you leave.