Aloysia tries to mask a slight scowl, "Yes, evidence."
"Well, lets get on with it. I want to know what's down that grate!"
The trip back to Citadel Volshyenek is just as quiet as on the way there, though many avoid your gaze leading a train of captured men and you find yourselves the sole walkers on several side streets as many people scurry to hidey holes.
Before they depart, Jolon speaks to the spirits to heal the three injured men, so while they are bound and gagged, they are whole. He takes point in the group, a firm hand on Verik's shoulder.
The gates of the Citadel crank open for you and you are sent to Cressida's office while Verik and his cronies are led away. You open the door and walk in just as a cleric is tapping the Field Marshal with a wand. The bags under her eyes lighten just a touch and her posture straightens a little more. "You can leave now Gaston. Thank you."
The cleric gives a small half bow and wanders past you back into the Citadel proper. Cressida smiles at you, "It's good to see you again. You completed that much faster than I anticipated. I thought you were going observe them for a bit before moving in, but that's why you're not part of the guard. You're much more efficient." She writes another slip for the treasury for 500 gold and hands it to you.
"Night will be falling soon, and I've just received word from the Queen. She wants you to give her her brooch herself so she can thank you 'properly'. The streets, as you've probably seen, are starting to settle down a bit even though things are tense. It should be safe enough to head to Castle Korvosa when you leave."
"We'd planned on investigating the place further after we'd secured Verik. We didn't want him trying to escape while we were looking at the place. And we figured you'd have a better chance of getting information out of these lads as to just what the Hell was going on there."
He nods at Aloysia.
"Please, show her," he asks.
Aloysia's face twists slightly, then pulls out the sack of valuables and tosses it on the table. "This came from somewhere, and it definitely wasn't from a butcher shop."
Cressida pulls the sack closer to her and sifts through it mumbling all the while, "Jewelry...coins...a lot of personal looking effects. I agree this doesn't look like the type of thing used as common currency. Do we have any idea where this could be from?"
Jolon frowns and pinches the bridge of his prominent nose.
"Unfortunately, we do. Among the meat being stored in the back of All the World's Meats were several cuts taken from...people. We suspect they've been killing people, pocketing any valuables their victims had and passing their butchered flesh off as something like veal or pork."
A look of disgust crosses her face, "I'll be sure to question them about it myself with help from a priest. Anyways, if you've no more questions and are ready to head to Castle Korvosa the streets should be safe enough, and afterwards if you need a place to stay please come back here."
"Certainly, Field Marshal. Could I perhaps send a missive to the Cathedral to let them know I will not return there tonight?"
"Write the letter and I'll have it delivered as you leave."
As the Field Marshal said, the streets are cleared of the rioting and major violence of the past 30-odd hours, though the tension is so thick a particularly dull knife could cut through it.
Castle Korvosa’s long shadow looms over the city as a terrifying testament to the power of whatever mighty overlord ruled this land thousands of years ago. A magnificent achievement of architecture, the castle walls and spires rise high into the sky above. The entire structure looms even higher because of its ancient foundation—a Thassilonian monument in the shape of an immense flat-topped pyramid. Although one corner of this impressive foundation has fallen into ruin, the additions built onto the sides by eager and talented Korvosan masons have created one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of Varisia.
Castle Korvosa can be approached from all four directions—ramps and stairways allow access up the sides of the pyramid to the courtyard surrounding the central structure. Normally, petitioners to the monarchy would approach from a broad ramp, wait in a public courtyard to speak to the Korvosan Guards on duty, and hope for a chance to be heard. In these frantic times, the Castle has been locked tight and bristles with swords and crossbows.
As you approach the large gates a voice calls out to you, stern and bellowing deeply, "Halt! What business do you have at Castle Korvosa?"
Jolon takes point, responding in his own stern, deep voice.
"The Korvosan Guard's business. Field Marshal Croft informed us that the Queen would like to thank us personally for the recovery of her stolen brooch."
Cecil remains quiet, but sticks with the party. He seems distracted often, but is attentive enough not to wander off.
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Aloysia scans the area for anyone she may recognize among the nobility, particularly any who may recognize her.
The guard nods at you and motions you closer while waving down the rest of the guards. "Weapons please. They will be returned to you after your visit with the queen."
He leads you inside and draws a pack of rather nervous guards wielding heavy crossbows and swords. As you reach the top of the pyramid and the stairs curling up to the castle's third floor you are greeted by a stern looking woman dressed in magnificent full plate armor. She nods as you approach, "Greetings. They tell me you’ve something that belongs to the queen. Is this correct?"
Aloysia hands the man her weapons, and pauses for a moment to memorize his appearance just in case she needs to find him later for trying to take her pretties. She keeps her mouth shut as today has been mildly frustrating already, and doesn't want to muck up the progress Jolon has made so far.
Gamon shrugs, handing over his axe and shortbow before unhooking his quiver and tossing that on the pile as well.
Jolon nods and unbuckles his swordbelt, sword and dagger still in their scabbards, quiver full of javelins hanging from the side, and hands them all to the guard. The whispering in his head grows stronger with each one, but when he comes to the klar strapped to his arm, the whispers suddenly surge and he winces.
"No...this is their place. They would not...Please, be silent!" he manages, shaking his head before finishing handing the klar over.
"Please see to it that no harm comes to this. It is the last thing of my late mother's that I have. She and all of my ancestors would take great offense should it be mishandled," he says gravely.
When they are greeted by the knightly woman, Jolon bows politely.
"It is. I am Jolon Vulture-Heart. By what name may we call you?"
"You may call me Sabina. So I have been told you have some property belonging to our queen? Please show it to me if this is so."
Jolon opens his satchel and removes the brooch, holding it out for Sabina to see.
"It was among the items stolen by one Gaedren Lamm, a petty crimelord we brought to the Lady's judgment."
Sabina smiles and steps aside, holding out a hand to welcome you to Castle Korvosa. As the guards make to follow, she steps in: “You may return to your posts. These heroes pose no threat to the queen.” She stops you before entering the throne room itself and asks, "How would you like to be announced to our queen?"
"Subtly," Aloysia says with a sarcastic tone.
Cecil surrenders his gauntlet, spell component pouch and, as an afterthought, his quill when asked for his weapons.
He looks down at himself, making sure he's clean and presentable. At least he hadn't any major injuries. He didn't want to make a bad impression on the queen. Gods knew making a good impression on her could do wonders for his books. If people knew that the queen herself read his stories? He couldn't help but tremble a bit in excitement. Or was it hunger? He forgot when the last time he ate again. Oh well, he smoothed his hair back. He'd eat when this was all over.
Sabina smiles and steps aside, holding out a hand to welcome you to Castle Korvosa. As the guards make to follow, she steps in: “You may return to your posts. These heroes pose no threat to the queen.” She stops you before entering the throne room itself and asks, "How would you like to be announced to our queen?"
Jolon smiles at the notion of being called a hero, perhaps a bit more toothily expected. When Sabina asks her question, he stroke his chin.
"What do you mean?"
Sabina shrugs, "Titles, heroics, background. Anything to tag onto your name. Just think of what the old nobility used to like for examples."
Gamon shakes his head, No honorifics for me, I'm afraid.
"Oh, I'm also known as the Rosegilt, then." Cecil adds. "My books circulate most noble libraries here."
Jolon nods.
"I am a Brother at the Grand Cathedral of Pharasma, if that's what you mean. That is honestly all I suspect Her Majesty will care to know about me, as I am not merely a half-orc, but my human blood is Shoanti."
Sabina nods, "Then it is time to see our queen."
She pushes open the door to the Throne room, empty of all but the Queen herself at this time of day. "Presenting to Her Majesty, Jolon, Brother of the Grand Cathedral, Aloysia, Cecil the Rosegilt, and Gamon Neles."
Queen Ileosa sits upon the Crimson Throne. She is a vision of beauty despite the black mourning dress and veil she wears in honor of her husband’s death. A small silver coffer sits in her lap. The throne room itself—an open area with a vaulted ceiling, stained-glass windows of past kings and queens looking down from the eastern wall, and crimson tapestries hanging along the others—is pristine but strangely empty. An immense fireplace offers additional light and heat to the hall, and a silk carpet provides a gently arching path to the throne’s base. Sabina takes the brooch from Jolon, hands it over to her queen with a flourish, and then takes up a position at the throne’s left side as Ileosa addresses you.
"This brooch was stolen from me some time ago—I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope.
“I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens—these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this precious heirloom to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet perhaps you can serve your city more.
“The Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it could certainly use the aid of heroes such as you. I am glad you have journeyd to Citadel Volshyenek. I am certain Field Marshal Cressida Kroft appreciates the help and support that you are even now providing her. Now, I need to retire to my chambers—my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning.”
With this, the queen directs Sabina to hand over the reward for returning the brooch. The bodyguard swiftly does so, handing the small silver chest (itself worth a sum of money) to the you. Inside the red-velvet-lined interior rest 12 gold ingots imprinted with the royal seal of Korvosa—each bar is worth 100 gold on the market.
Sabina escorts the PCs back out of Castle Korvosa, asking, "Do you require an escort back to the Citadel?" She bids farewell after leaving you with (or without) your escort.
Jolon bows.
"You honor the memory of your husband, Your Majesty. Wherever Pharasma's judgment sends him, know that the best of him will live on in you,"
He wishes he could say more. Even though the woman before him is a queen, she is also a grieving woman, just like those he had seen in the Cathedral.
After Queen Ileosa departs, Jolon listens to Sabina's question.
"I do not believe such an escort will be necessary, Lady...forgive me I do not believe we caught your family-name? In any case, we would not have found the brooch in the first place if we were not fairly battle-ready."
As the queen speaks Aloysia sets to scrutinizing her making sure she speaks what she means.
She also scans the room for anyone she may recognize.
But when the coffer is handed over and opened just the slightest of a raise comes to her right eyebrow. She never will change in her love of the precious things. Formalities ended, she lets out a small sigh of relief to be done with it for now. Nobility is to be blackmailed, not associated with.
Aloysia senses the genuine hurt and grief behind the Queen's surprisingly strong visage in this time of sadness.
Sabina merely bows her head Jolon's way, "My surname is Merrin, though that does not matter as I am merely a handmaiden to our queen. It is my duty to protect her at all cost, so Sabina is my name to all. Farewell, and try not to let any rumors get to you."
Jolon bows.
"A bodyguard and handmaiden stands beside a queen as an equal in Pharasma's eyes. Do not sell yourself short, Sabina Merrin," he says gently.
The dark fills the alleyways and spaces between buildings on your march back to the Citadel, and the streets are only barely lit by the stars and moonlight above. Luckily with the calming of the populace the lanterns above have been lit on schedule, so the way forward is well-marked, though decidedly empty.
Aloysia tries to keep her head on a swivel in the trek through the night hoping to avoid getting surprised by anything lurking about.
Her paranoia helps her pick out the sound of flyers coming behind. "Gentlemen, I believe we have company heading our way," then takes the opportunity to try to find a shadow to step into and pull her dagger in case these things mean harm.
"I sense nothing..." Jolon says idly.
Gamon removes his axe from his back, I do, you may want to be on guard.
Jolon sighs and draws his sword.
"It's probably a few feral imps or maybe a house drake or two."
Cecil sighs, but keeps his mnemonic devices on the tip of his tongue, ready if violence breaks out.
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Maniacal giggling sounds from above, followed by sibilant words spoken in a terrible tongue. "Погледни! нова драма работи..."
The giggling magnifies as four shapes come swooping down from the dark, revealing themselves to be Imps as Jolon thought. The perch on windowsills and gutters around the square you find yourselves in. One of them waves the others quiet, then shouts in common, its voice squeaky and less than intimidating. "Hey you," it shouts, pointing at Gamon, "Go give your elf friend a BIG hug, but put down your weapon first!"
Aloysia slides from her corner and attempts to put a dagger in the imps face
Gamon chuckles but ignores the advice from his friendly neighborhood flying....thingy, instead choosing to swing his axe at it.
Jolon closes his eyes to focus as he sheathes his sword, the whispers rising again as he slowly, deliberately pulls a javelin from his case.