Zeldana nods to her friends and begins the long trip back through the glass works and to the sheriff's office.
'I hope they're not hurt too badly... that one of their own would do such a thing... what truly lies in the depths of mortal's hearts, I guess can never be totally known.' Zeldana thought as they walked.
"this has been my strangest trip to this town. Hopefully the sheriff has plans to keep this place well locked down yes?"
He spoke mostly to Dewdrop as he followed along with the others spears in the long leather case over his back, the fancy statue spear in hand. He kept his eye trailing about everywhere else though looking for guards, trouble, random passerby's watching them, you know what ever may come their way.
you leave the room and enter the basement of the glassworks. Your eyes glance into every nook and cranny, searching for signs of any type of information that would indicate what happened to the guard that was posted below.
first one room, and then the next, each room remains the same as you investigated earlier today, and the day before. . No signs of a hidden agent, a goblin, a hazard to the environment. You summit the stairs; the smells of dust, damp, dank environment associated with the basement left below ground.
Entering the room above, you again see nothing untoward.
Where...where is the guard?Yeda asks, her voice holding an edge of concern as she shifts her grip on her sword hilt, sheathed upon her back scabbard.
Yes...it issazzat agrees, his tone monotone, his attention more focused upon the environment instead of his companion. He pauses the group at the doorway, examining it for any sign of impromptu trap that could damage his companions. Finding none , he motions the group to follow.
The room itself, where bags of different types sand and minerals used to create breathtaking works of glass arts lay in wait for a master who will never come, sits empty. A bright stream of sunlight punches through the lone window; motes of dust suspended in the air dance playfully through the warm rays.
The door to the outside stands open, swaying gently in the slight noontime breeze. From beyond it's open door, you hear the common sounds of a small village at full effect. The distant droll of humanity conversing with itself conducting trade.
If there's something going on...it's not here? Zeldana says, Corrin nodding in agreement. If something has happened, then it hasnt revealed itself to the public at large... He says, shifting his spear in his hand while Dewdrop steps up to him, rubbing Corrin's shoulder with his own.
To the Sheriff then...Loxley says, waving her hand.
Stepping through the doors (a quick glance by sazzat clearing the way), the party enters into Sandpoint once again. THe sounds that are indicative of a thriving municipality are all there. Commerce, industry, revelry, all hang upon the air.
The group moves through the town, walking the block and half to the town's garrison, and home to sheriff Hemlock.
You show up at the garrison and are greeted by Jorn, who wears both a heavy bandage around his skull, and a sad look upon his face.
Oh Zeldana! I am so glad to see you all back! Have you heard the Terrible news! Sheriff Hemlock is dead. Murdered! In Tsuto's cell! Along with 2 other guardsmen. And Tsuto's escaped! Ah it's so terrible! And the Lord Mayor has been arrested! Rumor says that she was involved. So many things happened very early this morning. I dont know if i should be angry, sad, depressed, or something else. He lowers his head, looking at the ground and shaking it.
The shock upon Zeldana's face was plain to see. Though what was running through her mind was a different story. Was this her fault? The Mayor wanted to send Tsuto away and because of her words he spent another night in their jail instead of somewhere else... Then again, some parts of fate couldn't be changed... It was hard however to tell the difference between what she changed, and what would have happened either way.
Zeldana placed her hand upon Jorn shoulder and offered a sad but comforting smile. "We'll all get through this, but first I must set things right. I don't believe there is any way the Mayor is involved, and I need act swiftly. Before things get out of hand... I can't let that happen again." She said. "Jorn, who arrested her, and where can I find her?" Zeldana asked. "Also don't shake your head too much. It's bad for you right now in your condition."
Tamm looks sideways at Corrin and says in a low voice "Sheriff's dead .... mayor's arrested .... goblins and mutants under the glassworks .... this place is going downhill fast."
Loxley had glaced around as they quickly left the glassworks. The eeriness of the place had prickled her skin, lending to a sense of dread she was in a hurry to dispel. A quick stop at the sheriff's office and then on to the inn was just what the doctor called for. But all they went up in smoke at the news they received upon reaching the office.
"Dead?" She said distractedly. "But, but how? The mayor couldn't possibly have... could she?" Loxley shook her head. "No, can believe it. Maybe, maybe she was forced to, or compelled magically."
Trying to shake off the tension and weariness, she tried to clear her head to think. "Zeldana's right we need to act quickly." She stepped up beside the witch. "Have guards been sent out in search of Tsuto? Is it public knowledge yet? Has Ameiko been told?" The questions nearly flooded out of her before she could stop herself, but she quickly reigned herself in.
Shock and confusion flashes over Yeda's face as she processes the news.
Hemlock murdered....? Can we see the cell? We need to investigate it immediately!
She nods at Zeldana's remarks about the mayor and adds Did Hemlock arrest her before his demise, or if not who? Who knows the circumstances of it better than this rumor?!
Yeda grasps to make sense of it all, as it fails to add up for her so far.
Tamm looks sideways at Corrin and says in a low voice "Sheriff's dead .... mayor's arrested .... goblins and mutants under the glassworks .... this place is going downhill fast."
He tilted his head to the side and looked at Sazzat Tamm curiously for a moment. Things did seem to be happening very quickly here.He handed the bandaged guard one of his goodberries.
"Here guard it will help with your head."
He began solemnly placing the berry in his hand.
"Who is in charge of the guard now? Does the mayor have an assistant? Has anyone tried to track the escape route. We need an expert tracker for sure."
He added patting Dewdrops shoulders to keep the elk from worrying.
jorn shakes his head back and forth, looking at everyone asking questions. his eyes grow wide as he tries to respond to everyones questions at once Yes. no. may. how? who? He lifts his hand up to his head and rubs it lightly, wincing at the difficulty of concentrating. Seeing Corrin offer the goodberry, Jorn picks it up and eats it. A sigh escapes his lips as he feels the magical effects flow through him, easing his suffering from mind numbing to merely excruciating.
Thanks Corrin. Zeldana, thanks. Youre concern for me, well, i appreciate that. Perhaps, when this is over, we could go out sometime. They say it's rude to say no to an injured person He says, winking at Zeldana and then wincing as a slight flare of pain lancing through his head.
Well, they have the mayor locked up in her house. wouldnt be fitting to keep her locked up in the local jail, what with it bathed in blood and stone remembering spilled blood. Plus, because of her Nobility, would be hard to say why we keep her locked in jail. Jorn says. He grows a bit squemish. I suppose i did, under my orders. The assistant sheriff, Harny, He was also killed. Him, Hemlock, and Mors. Harny and Mors were in the cell room guarding Tsuto. Had guard duty all night. I was to relieve them after my shift at the tunnel entrance where you both met me after my encounter with Karskin. Watch Tsuto for a couple more hours and then have the rest of the day and tomorrow off. Now, looks like no rest for the weary.
Yes, of course young Yeda. You may examine the cell if you want. I hate to say it, but the guard is pretty well thinned out because of this, karskin below, and the new goblin threat. If we were to get hit again by them, im not sure if we'd survive as a town... he trails off, looking far towards the horizon, imagination fluttering across his face.
Sazzat snaps his fingers under Jorn's nose, literally snapping Jorn out of his own thoughts.
sorry. yes. where was i? oh. Tracks. yes, last report says that Tsuto escaped through the gate to the north.
"Then why do people believe the Mayor had something to do with it when there are no witnesses?" Zeldana wondered. Then she gave a soft smile to Jorn. "How about you get better first before we talk about a date. After all if I say yes you'll want to remember it no?" She asked. "Get better, and I'll grant you the date you've asked for."
"Yeda why don't you, Sazzat, and Corrine go to see the scene, while Loxley and I go speak with the Mayor. See what we can dig up. Then we'll all meet at the Rusty Dragon to talk over what we found?" She asked to see if all would agree with her plan.
"We can take a look." Tamm agrees.
"I'm not sure how good of a detective I'll make."
Yeda nods and leads the rogue and the druid towards the town barracks.
None of this makes sense, there must be some witnesses, or else something funny is going on with this locking up the mayor... she mutters as they head out.
Jorn smile lights up his face. Oh, there's no way i would ever forget you Zeldana He throws a large wink at her before directing his gaze towards Yeda
The guard at the northern gate met with the Mayor who instructed him to leave his post at the gate. He did as she instructed, but he didnt feel right, so he came back about 30 minutes later. Claims he saw the mayor leading Tsuto out the gate. But, you may want to talk to him.
"That does sound suspicious."
"Either she is in league with Tsuto or she was under some compulsion."
"You guys try to figure out which while we check out the scene at the jail."
Tamm and his raccoon head off towards the jail.
Zeldana blushed lightly. "That is very sweet Jorn." She said with a nod of thanks.
"Or it wasn't her at all." Zeldana told Sazzat as she took out her cards and toyed with them. "There are many schools of magic, one of which is based around illusions. After all if the Mayor really wanted Tsuto released there are far easier ways at her disposal. For example she said she wanted to move him so that he could get a fair trial, if she wanted him free she only had to hire a group to take Tsuto away and then later let him go. Putting herself in the light and working as she did is the stupidest way to do thing. I don't believe her that stupid. But under some compulsion or if it wasn't her at all, I could see a much less experienced person making those mistakes. It is likely they needed the power the Mayor has over this place." She thought out. Zeldana drew a card from her deck and looked upon the face. "We must move even faster than before... If there is such a person that can dominate the mind or change their apparance moving against us... Well this just got a great deal more difficult."
Loxley looked apologetically at Jorn. She should have been more aware of his condition before allowing herself and the others to bombard him with questions. She appreciated Corrin's show of concern for the poor injured man.
At Zeldana's suggestion to split up she nodded in agreement. "I would think an illusion would have been easier." She said thoughtfully."Though a charming could be within reason. You said she was seen leaving with Tsuto. After everything, it would have been smarter to not comeback." Loxley shook her head. "We should speak with the guard to start with. There are still too many questions. Like where was she arrested? And even with the element of surprise, could she really have slain the guards to release Tsuto to begin with?"
Sazzat shoulders the door open, taking care to not step into the bloodstain.
with the door thrown wide, you see a sign of a massacre. Three large bloodstains coat the floor. One pools against the wall to your right, while another is directly inside by the door. the last covers a larger area by the interior solitary cell within the room.
the cell is unique, as it is a room within a room. 4 walls of stout iron bars, 8 feet in length, make up the sides, while the ceiling of the cell is also composed of the same iron bar construction. inside the cell is a small cot, with blanket. set upon the floor is a large iron bracket with about 6 feet of chain that connects it to a narrow metal collar. A lock has been casually discarded to the side, unlocked.
Rask! You have to believe me! I didnt kill those men! I didnt free Tsuto. Why would I? you easily hear the mayor speaking to the guardsman inside the room.
Sorry ma'am. Jorn is trying to make sense of what's going on. You recognize that this is a tricky situation. An older voice, sound of a rasp scrapping across a chalkboard replies.
As you step to the threshold, the guard looks at each of you, recognizing you for your help. He simply nods and steps out of the way, trusting you to help with the situation...whatever the situation is.
Loxley walks with Zeldana, nodding to the guard as they pass him to enter the house. Inside, when the man she guesses to be Rask steps aside for them she gives him a thankful smile and nod.
Turning he attention to the mayor Loxley tries to give her a reassuring smile as she greets her. "Your honor."
This is Zeldana's home town, so she lets her take the lead in questioning.
"None of us truly believe you could have had a hand in this."
She adds, trying to reassure her. "We've come to hear wht you have to say and try to sort this out. The others are investigating the jail and searching for clues."
"I'll get the water started." Loxley offers when Zeldana mentions tea.
"See what you can find here, I want to take a look at the bodies, see exactly what killed them."
He said cryptically to Sazzat and Yeda. Everything about this seemed off, wrong somehow. He made his way to the church, and once there explained to whomeever was listening that he needed to get a good look at the slain members of the guard. There was a need to ascertain how things happened.
Once shown the bodies (and preferably what they were wearing when they died) He began to go over everything with as fine a tooth comb as he could manage.
Yeda shrugs and looks around at places where blood has collected. She looks for distinct footprints or any interesting items left behind.
Given what we saw down below, I wonder if we should expect signs of any extraplanar actors here...
"Sure, let's go to the church."
Father Zantus finishes his prayer, and then rises to his feet with a loud sigh. Terrible events have happened these last couple days. It ways heavy upon the soul of Sandpoint, and her residents. There hasnt been a serious issue since Chopper hunted our back alleys. Tragic. he turns and looks at each of you.
Sir, we'd like to examine the bodies, to look for clues who would do this...Corrin begins in a respectful tone.
Yes, i suppose you would. Zantus agrees, turning finally and looking at each of you.
Each of you, in the last couple weeks, have done so much for Sandpoint, and as such, i wanted to take a moment and thank you. He walks over, his robes gently caressing the hard stone floor as he seems to glide over its hard surface. Standing in front of you, he reaches out a hand, and opens it, palm up. resting upon his hand are 5 small stones, a rich amber hue to their structure.
Please, take these. They arent much, but they will provide aide and comfort in the upcoming trials that you shall face as you seek justice for Sandpoint.
Father Zantus nods and then beckons you to follow with a nod of his head. he turns and walks through the grand area and out the back of the church, through the graveyard, and into the mausoleum in the back. Upon 3 cots lay the three murdered victims. A simple sheet covers their groin area, but otherwise they are nude, and have been cleaned of blood.
I shall stay out here, giving you room to examine. Father Zantus says to you.
Corrin, you step forward and immediately do a once over of each guardsman, and you easily see the deep stab wounds that ended the life of these men. Each stab wound is either in the neck, or under the jaw, going into the skull of the men.
The Lord mayor, Kenda, relaxes upon the chair that she sits upon, yet the look upon her face is filled with worry. Upon seeing Zeldana and Loxley enter, her face pinches in annoyance and slight anger. She opens her mouth to say something, but hearing the tone and respect each lady gives to the Mayor, she sighs a deep breath.
Thank you. I appreciate that. I know Jorn means well, and he's just doing the precautionary thing, but still, to be locked up in ones own house! Well...better to be here than in a cell. Tea is a lovely suggestion Zeldana. Id offer to help myself, but i am truly confined to this room...and get an escort should i need to relieve myself. She clicks her tongue in exasperation before continuing. Tea pot is hanged upon the rack in the kitchen, tea leaves are in the cabinet next to the fire place, on the left. The ugly Yellow container with a tea leaf drawn upon it. Tried my hand at pottery years ago...made that container and stopped there. Knew i had no talent throwing clay.
Zeldana gave a nod to the Mayor when she said where the pot was hanging and where to find the tea leaves. "Thank you Loxley, let me know if you need any help." She told her friend before turning her full attention back to the Mayor.
"Some talents take more work to hone than other." Zeldana told her as she took out her cards and toyed with them. "My fortune telling for example. But that is a different matter." She tapped the side of the cards against the pale of her hand to line them all up neatly. "Mayor Kenda before we start anything I wish to apologize. You wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for me. As if I had said nothing Tsuto wouldn't have been in Sandpoint, and three of our own would still be alive... I will carry that guilt all my life, and try my hardest to try and make things right if I can. I will not ask your forgiveness, for it isn't for me to ask, only you can deem if I am worthy of it. No matter if you choose to forgive me or not, I will help you through and out of this. But it is the right thing to do. I will be asking you questions during this, please I ask that you don't take any questions I or Loxley ask as an insult. We are here to help clear your name and get to the truth of what happened. If we can we'll even hunt Tsuto down, however this time I cannot honestly say he will return to be sent to a trial... Not after all of this." Zeldana said, keeping her voice low, honest, and the looked on her face one of humility and shame.
Tamm looks over the bodies.
"Looks like quick, professional work." he says.
"The stabs are all in the same place. It doesn't look like they saw it coming."
Yeda mutters to herself before following Sazzat and Corrin out of the jail.
Hmm, a smaller woman humanoid. Interesting distinct footprint...
As she catches up to them she relays the find but doesn't yet think much of it.
Certainly not Tsuto, but maybe the friend he was visiting down below? No need to jump to conclusions...
------------------------
Soon after at the church...
Yeda accepts one of the stones graciously and asks Thank you, what blessing does it confer?
------------------------
Out back in the mausoleum...
Yeda concurs with Tamm's observations, and adds Indeed. Didn't see it coming and were perhaps not conscious or entirely of sound mind...
She looks the bodies over for any sign of struggle whatsoever.
the mayor nods her head slighty. you have nothing to feel guilty over. It wasnt you who chose to kill those those guardsmen and the Sheriff. This was a malicious attack, plain and simple. People are responsible for their own actions.
She gets up and walks over to the middle of the room, taking a seat in the high backed plush chair; she waves her hand indicating for zeldana (and Loxley) to join her.Yes. you will have questions. I will answer.
Loxley found the tea pot and jar the mayor had indicated and started the pot heating. Setting three cups out she moved back to rejoin the others while she waited. Deciding to stand, she crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame to the kitchen.
Frowning at Zeldana as the witch tried to shoulder the weight of the tragedy alone, Loxley opened her mouth to protest but Mayor Deverin beat her to it. "Thank you for setting her straight, Madam Deverin." She gave the mayor a thankful smile and moved to join the two in the middle of the room at the mayor's beckoning. Still choosing to stand, but simply resting her left wrist in her right hand behind her back in a more relaxed version of 'parade rest' she learned from father's training.
She looks to Zeldana and nods for her to start the questions.
Zeldana blushed, though this was one of embarrassment, she knew neither the Mayor nor her friend meant anything by it. Moving to take the seat offered, the nodded Loxley understanding her intentions without words. "First, I would like you to tell me everything that happened after we left your office. Please, no matter how embarrassing, leave nothing out. The more we know, the easier it will be to prove to those who doubt that you didn't do this." Zeldana explained, then sat quietly for the Mayor to begin. She would ask questions through out the talk but only for clarification and never too long to hold her up.
Yeda notices the targeted mutilation in the groin area and shudders visibly.
Ug, either they wanted these pour souls to suffer or it's more ritual. Either way, the things we're finding... they can't be allowed to linger in a civilized, peaceable town such as this.
"Definitely a great deal of violence. Tsuto was pretty crazed and angry. Don't forget what he did to his father back in the glassworks." Tamm says.
"But apparently it's not just him and a bunch of goblin sidekicks."
"Someone came into town and pulled off this rescue. It definitely isn't a goblin rescue operation. They would have just burned the jail down and started a riot."
Kendra shifts in her chair. After you left...well, I had dinner at the office while i finished up some paperwork and then came home for the night. Alone. The guards found me this morning here. she says in a defensive tone.
"Whoever did the stabbing it was precise, which speaks of training. Nothing jagged so a sharp blade probably. I dont like this."
He muttered tilting his head and looking over the bodies. After a moment he lay beside one of the bodies and tried to judge the angle of the blade stabbing on himself trying to ascertain the height of the attacker.
"Yesterday, when we rescued Ameiko, she said that her brother had told her about a 'lady in the tunnels', or something like that." Tamm says to the others.
"We didn't find anyone or anything down in the tunnels under the glassworks that I would call a 'lady'. Maybe whoever this is was out and about contriving to break Tsuto out of jail while we were down there investigating."
"We should ask Ameiko if she knows anything else when we get the chance."
Zeldana gave the Mayor a worried look. "Why are you being defensive?" She asked. She couldn't understand why she would be defensive if she was talking the truth. She wouldn't lie would she? Unless she wasn't but why would she?
'No Zel you're being paranoid. What else would she do really... Go see- no no, she wouldn't do that after everything...'
Yeda nods as Tamm mentions the lady. Right, and the lone distinct footprint I could find in the jail was a lone, humanoid woman. On the smaller side. Yeah, let's talk to Ameiko next.
Loxley frowned at the mayor's defensive tone.
"Perhaps it's just the accusations ruffling her feathers." She thought even as her brow furrowed. She couldn't say the mayor was lying, but she felt her shoulders tense.
"Are you sure that's all you remember? Are there any spots in your memory that may be fuzzy, or possibly feel 'off'?" She asked hopefully. "Perhaps someone approached you to speak, but you don't remember the conversation or them leaving?" She paused for a moment in thought, then asked. "Who brought your dinner?"
"If we had been talking about that then I would understand, however we're speaking of time before it happened. Asking about everything you did through it shouldn't be something you're defensive about if anything it should be something you want everyone to hear as it would prove you're innocent... unless you're not being completely honest, but I don't want to believe that." Zeldana said, though her tone wasn't in a accusing way, more of like explain why this was odd. "You where not defensive when we spoke before asking about this. If you had been the whole time it wouldn't make me raise an eyebrow. However, the moment we asked you what you where doing that night you grew defensive.... I also noticed that you didn't answer Loxley's question." Zeldana sighed and settled back into the chair.
Taking a long moment she looked at Kendra, studying her. Then she looked at Loxley who was studying Kendra with much more keenness than herself. Following Loxley's lead she asked "You didn't see anyone at all? Not for anything? Not on your way home, not for dinner, nor anything else?" Shifting to lean foreword, placing her elbows on her knees she reminded her, "We're not here to judge you. We're here to help. If there is something that will clear your name we need it! They have someone who said you told them to leave their post then saw you leave with Tsuto. Unless we can prove that you where somewhere else there isn't much we can do to get you out of this right now! You'd have to wait till we found who really did it... and if we're not quick enough or strong enough we may not. I don't want to see you locked in a cage for something you didn't do, or worse... So please tell us again, but go step by step. Hour by hour. The smallest thing you remember Kendra could be the key to your freedom."
Looking to Yeda and Corrin Tamm says:
"I don't think I'm going to learn anything else from looking at bodies."
"I say we go find Ameiko and see if she remembers anything." Tamm suggests.
"If we happen to find a hot meal and a cool drink along the way, then so be it." he finishes.
The raccoon on his shoulder rubs it's little forepaws together and nods when Tamm brings up the idea of finding food.
Food... right.
Yeda finds herself smiling at the suggestion, and deflects only slightly.
Indeed, we wouldn't want your little Bandit to go hungry! And if we happen to see Ameiko first, let's offer her to join us for that meal anyway.
He paused and got to his feet to follow the others only pausing to once more turn around and look at the fallen guards. It was a shame what happened to them, they would have to find the fiend responsible and make sure they put it down so it wouldnt hurt other innocent folk.
"I'm sorry friends, may the earth take you back into her embrace."
He offered the bodies before hurrying to catch the others. He tousled his elk's forehead.
"Hey Dewdrop, off to find the Ameiko lady and get food. Hows some fresh oats sound eh?"
Loxley frowned at the mayor's indignation. She just couldn't understand if there wassomething she could want to hide. As Zeldana spoke, trying to reason with her Loxley watched and listened. Impressed with how reasonable and persuasive the witch sounded. If she was sitting where the the mayor was herself, she would have been willing to spill her guts. But standing next to her all she could do was give the mayor a pleading look when the tea pot began to whistle.
Loxley looked to kitchen, then back to the mayor."Please Madam Mayor, we just want to help." She said before turning to see to the tea and giving the two a bit more privacy. Removing the pot Loxley tried to still listen in on the other room as she filled the cups and found a tray. After a moment she rejoined Zeldana and the mayor with tea. She handed the mayor a cup first, then Zeldana. Taking her own cup she set the tray aside and held the warm vessel in both hands.
Corrin, dewdrop, Sazzat, yeda, and the trash-panda Bandit proceed from the mausoleum to the Rusty Dragon.