Tamm gets a cup of stew to fill his belly and a little cup of stew to hand over to Bandit.
"Everything went fine until that thing in the hole made the scary noise?"
"Yes, you did very well Loxley. It was those of us who failed to hold our feat that made it worse... We went running off into the woods like fools." Zeldana pointed out as she looked at Yeda's wound.
"I'm sorry you got so badly hurt Yeda... I can only feel that we are to blame in some part." The cartomancer sighed as she pulled out her deck to shuffle it. "Now you will bare something that will never let you forget that day..."
"It was a heck of a dive off that cliff though!" Tamm says.
"I've never seen someone make a dive like that before."
Ameiko shakes her head at Corrin. No. not since yesterday or the day before, i dont remember. Sorry.
ameiko looks sharply at Sazzat Shayliss? you mean, you havent heard? concern and surprise heavy upon her voice.
Yeda shakes her head at Loxley's remark. Don't sweat it. This is nothing. It's my mind that feels fragile right now...
As she says this, she remains focused on her leg that Father Zantus tends to. Suddenly she starts with a confused look and turns to Tamm.
I dove? I barely remember what I did after the scream, and before I came-to struggling in the water, trying to climb up the cliff face... I'll never forget that creature nipping at me as I tried to gain handholds.
”You’re too kind.”
Loxley gave Zeldana a weak smile, then smirked at Tamm.
”Never? Were you not watching when Corrin took his leap of faith into the waters to protect our companion? If anyone deserves praise tonight, it’s him.”
Picking up a tankard she toasts the Druid.
”To the hero of the day!”
Loxley starts to take a sip when Ameiko sounds concerned.
”Did something happen while we were gone?”
"Heard what?" Tamm asks, his interest piqued.
Katrine, Shayliss' sister, is gone. No note. No parting message to anyone. Just gone.
"Wasn't Katrine involved with a guy who worked down at the lumbermill?" Tamm asks.
"Have they checked with him?"
"She broke it off last I was told." Zeldana said. "At least Katrine told me she was breaking it off since he cheated on her. Which I couldn't believe she was surprised at. That man is not faithful."
This is what we're worried about? Local gossip. It seems like a thing we could leave to local authorities. We have a horde of goblins to contend with!
Yeda seems to stressed to think very hard about what seems like a minor, local happening.
Loxley reached out and placed her hand on Yeda’s arm.
”Its okay. Given what’s happen recently, a sudden disappearance can cause people to worry.”
She tried to sound calm.
”We can’t go back out at this hour, and no one is suggesting we abandon our current objective. They’re just showing concern for a neighbor.”
"Also to be fair this is the sister of the woman that Sazzat cares for. Shouldn't he be worried if only for how it would effect her?" Zeldana asked, pointing out the likely main reason their friend was asking about it.
The warrior grumbles but concedes. Fine... fair. We just need to watch the time.
She gives a slightly guilty-looking glance at Tamm but then quickly looks away.
Yes, she was. and Zeldana is correct. He did call it off with Katrine. From what i hear in a very brutal fashion. Guards did talk to him, but he's been working overtime at the lumbermill these last couple days. him and his crew.
"So she has disappeared after a bad breakup." Tamm says.
"Hopefully she didn't run away. The lands around here are too dangerous for her to be out on her own."
"Katrine always seemed a brat, but I don't wish her any ill."
"I should probably check in on the family tonight while we're here in town."
Ameiko shrugs. I know not. At the end of the day, she is a grown woman. She can leave if she wants...but it is odd for her to leave this way. Of course, her family is claiming she's disappeared, but who knows. Ameiko leaves the room.
Zeldana followed Ameiko out of the room as she told the others. "I'll be right back."
"Ameiko, can I ask a favor?" Zeldana requested as she came along side of the tavern owner.
ameiko nods. Shoot.
"Could I leave a letter with you for Jorn? It won't be long before news of us returning with one of us badly wounded circles through the town and I don't want him to worry. And, if you'll be willing, could I send any future letter to the Rusty Dragon to be given to Jorn? It is just easier to send the letters to a location instead of a person." Zeldana explained.
Ameiko smiles at Zeldana. Of course, my dear. Would be no trouble at all. As you know, he is in here most days for an evening meal. wouldnt be that difficult to get a letter to him. Write up what you like and i'll be sure he gets it.
"I should probably check on Shayliss and her family tonight." Tamm says.
"I'm not sure what we could do to help, but I can find out if they know anything."
Tamm gathers up his cloak, scoops up Bandit under one arm, and heads out to find out more about the missing sister.
"Thank you Ameiko, I won't forget this." Zeldana said with a thankful nod before she went off to write the letter.
Tamm opens the door partially and knocks loudly.
"Hello! Is there anyone here?"
Yeda heads back to her room and stews over the events of the day. For the time being she can't really let go of what happened to her mind and desperately grasps for any distraction she can find. On this night it's polishing her armor and re-sharpening her new greatsword.
Zeldana stepped away to get some parchment and began writing something to leave behind.
You will likely hear about us returning with one gravely injured. Things did not go as planned, and Yeda got fairly hurt, but we made it back in one piece. Sazzat really had to carry Yeda back and we had to deal with a creature I'm not fairly sure of what it was, however I am sure that we made it. The goblins will likely know we're going to return, because we didn't deal with them all as tending to Yeda was what we worried about most. We came so close to losing her that it actually scared me... Yet they said she'll be okay, so we'll be heading back tomorrow morning after we rest. Thus by the time you get this letter I'll have headed back out with the group. Ameiko has been very kind in allowing me to leave these letters for you with her at the Rusty Dragon and if I must journey further she is willing to let me send the letters to you there. I have learned that Kathrine has gone missing and I am worried for her. While we've never been friends Sandpoint is my home and when those here hurt how can I not as well? I'd like to help but... well we each have our own things to tend to. Please be careful in everything Jorn, being in the town doesn't always mean you're safe... we've learned that well as of late.
I hope to see you soon,
Zeldana Emraeal Luminita Dardlara Anca Nordlara Amaria
a.k.a Zel
Taking some time to ensure the ink dried Zeldana then folded the letter up and sealed it before taking it to Ameiko. It had Jorn's name at the bottom under the seal so Ameiko wouldn't misplace it with ease. It was just a folded paper on first look after all. "Thank you again."
you walk down the store and rounds the corner, observing Shayliss sitting in a chair staring up at the ceiling. She glances out the corner of her eye and appears to say something, but then gives a start and sits upright. Sazzat! OOOHH YOURE HERE! OOOO GODS ABOVE! she leaps to her feet and rushes you, wrapping her arms around your torso, and squeezing hard. Bandit, sitting upon your shoulder, clamps his claws into your shoulder as the sudden impact threatens to throw him off of your shoulder and onto the floor. Chittering and barking like mad, the Raccoon sounds off on the rude interruption.
Oh Sazzat! Shes gone! She's gone! My sister is gone! Katrine is gone! Shayliss begins to cry into your shoulder.
"I heard the news over at the tavern after we got back from fighting the goblins." Tamm says.
"When did Katrine disappear? Did she say anything before to make you think she was leaving?"
Loxley drank from her tankard as the others started to leave the table one by one. Tamm had looked concerned when he collected his furry companion and left. Yeda looked understandably upset as she retreated to her room. Zeldana had followed Ameiko out of the room on some business, and Corrin seemed a little distracted as well with personal matters.
It seemed all but Yeda and herself had the attentions of another to distract them from the day’s failures. She briefly considered following the warrior but decided instead to turn her own attentions to her books.
Refilling her tankard, she cleared a space and pulled two books from her pack. Setting her own book on the table to take notes, she opened the Abyssal tome in her lap and began flipping through it again.
finally, Shayliss composes herself again. still holding Sazzat tightly, she replies to his question I last spoke to her 3 days ago. She was a bit upset, wouldnt tell me about what though. although she had been upset the day or so before as well, but I dont know about what. Shed been like that before. Upset. She's been known to hold a grudge for a little while, but eventually she let's it go and moves on. For her to just vanish! I dont know! this is so out of character for her. it isnt proper! Shayliss squeezes sazzat tight for a moment longer and then lets go of him, stepping away. she looks up at Sazzat Are you...are you back in town?
Tamm gives her a hug in return.
"Back tonight .... Yeda took a nasty set of bites from a monster and needed to be healed up."
"We head back out tomorrow. We found where the goblins live, but we weren't able to break in on the first try."
"We have to deal with them or no one will be safe here in town."
"We didn't see any sign of Katrine on the road, but we will look for her tomorrow when we are back out there."
"Hey uh.... Ameiko. Does Shalelu.. uh we we uh..
He colored and got silent.
"Oh hey, Loxley, what are you reading?"
Loxley looked up at Corrin.
”Hmm? Oh, this.”
She holds up the book they had found underground the other day. The one written in Abyssal.
”It the book we found. I just thought I would go over it again since there was time.”
She set the book down and propped her chin in he hand, her elbow set on the table.
”Not all of us have potential bed warmers to look for.”
She playfully teased the red-faced druid.
She steps back and looks Sazzat in the eye while holding onto his hands. Can....can i spend the night with you? it's- its just that its so hard these last couple days without Katrine, and father being angry at her disappearance, i- i just need a distraction, a chance to get away, to just be. Can i? Please? she looks up and Sazzat and bites her lower lip.
If anything he colored a bit more and glanced to Ameiko his new sister. It was her friend after all. He started off with a stupid grin on his face it was slowly fading though.
"Do you think she really likes me? That it wasnt that she just felt sorry for me after well... oh my history i mean? I think she is amazing. A hero of Sandpoint pratically."
He shook his head slightly and remembered she had lead in with the evil book. His nose wrinkled like it smelled.
"Shouldnt we like just destroy it or something, No good can come from it I think... at least not in the simplest terms."
Loxley chuckled at Corrin's reaction.
"I've only met her briefly, but she doesn't strike me as one to bed out of pity."
She tried to reassure him.
"If she was, I'd have laid my own woeful tale before her."
The Arcanist grin mischeviously as she picked up her fork and speared a piece of stew. She waved it at him playfully.
"Seriously though, I don't think you'd go wrong continuing your fancy for her. But I'd do right by her if I were you. Don't underestimate her and bare her desires in mind, else I think she may have to set you straight."
Loxley ate the stew piece and chuckled.
Loxley sat up straighter and put a hand on the book. She frowned thoughtfully and took a moment to think.
"E-ven-tually."
She finally conceded.
"But right now, it may still prove useful. Anything we can learn about those that would use a book like this, may be advantageous to us. One never knows when something may prove useful."
She gave Corrin a reassuring smile.
"After jumping into the cold waters of the cliff, perhaps you may consider jumping into the warm waters of a bath. Shalelu may like the outdoors, but I'm sure she can appreciate good grooming when it's available."
He lifted up his arms put his head closer to his underarms and just lightly sniffed. . . and made a face that said he was indeed disgusted but the smell.
"You may be on to something miss Loxley. If the others come back i will be in a bath, just send someone to find me."
He moved to find his sister Ameiko and ask her where he could find the nearest hot bath. It had been a trying day. He didnt mention any sort of wild things he may have done.
"Do you want to come back to the inn with me?" Tamm asks.
the rest of the night passes uneventfully, a few more tankards of ale, glasses of wine, are passed around. Conversations with patrons to the Inn. the biggest news is, of course, the missing Katrine Vinder. Locals talk about if she fled her old man's opressive rules, if she was kidnapped by traveling gypsies.
The night settles down, and beds are warm and welcoming; sleep restive, quiet, (and in one case, mildly passionate). And yet, with night comes the inevitable morning after. A quick and simple breakfast, a long embrace between lovers (and some simple chitters from a shoulder 'coon), the party leaves the realitive safety of the town, and ventures forth again into the wilds beyond the walls.
Soon enough, the group finds themselves standing in the thick shadows of the thorny boughs of thistles, gazing out over a short expanse separating mainland from island. A simple rope bridge hangs suspended between the two, and for one of the party members, remembrance of yesterdays wild leap into the beyond rings true in her head.
across the bridge, laying upon it's side, is a goblin. its arms tucked under it's head, it lays still, only occasionally rolling over.
The bath was amazing, the food twice so. He was glad his sister was pretty great. He was slightly disapointed he had not seen Shalelu...though he wasnt surprised. She was the towns heroic ranger who did her best to keep them safe from goblins. Only a hint of self doubt and worry was there over it. He rose early, gathered some berries cast goodberry for good measure and made damned sure everyone had one ...just in case.
"whomever goes across first...we should tie a rope to. I dont trust this."
He whispered lowly to the others kneeling and studying the bridge.
Yeda grimaces as they approach the expand. She steps up to the rope bridge and tugs on the edge to get it to sway. She watches it dubiously.
It's like it's daring you to cross over so that it can collapse and drop you into the drink below...
the goblin rolls over, it's back towards you...
With a frown and a skeptical glance at the bridge he started to tie a rope to himself.
"I will see if I can sneak across, if not well, I've jumped off cliffs before."
He handed Yeda the rope and started to sneak across.
Yeda breaks herself away from her unpleasant fears of heights and falls and stands to watch Corrin cross. She draws a javelin and holds it at the ready as he approaches the goblin.