We could hide it in tonight supper. Sylee has already eaten.
She seems amused by the idea, but doesnt consider it seriiously
Someone enters the dining room. It takes you a few seconds to recognise the Sergeant Drexell, as he isn't wearing his Gendarme costume.
Good evening everyone. I know only a few of you.
It's easy to see that he's not very used to social events.
But Caithlin promised me an interesting discussion, so... here I am.
"Ah--good evening, sir. I presume you're Sergeant Drexell?" Therric extends his hand for a handshake. "Name's Therric--squire of Sarenrae. We've got some news for you that we think you might be interested in hearing..."
Suddenly feeling like she is guilty of somthing, Alayna puts her hands behind her back and gives a curt, "G'd eve ta ya, Sergeant."
Cameron feels a slight thrill of adrenaline, this was getting serious. Clearing his throat, Cameron gets up to speak, "Good evening Sergeant. I think Caithlin has the right of it, we have a topic I think you'll find interesting. Regrettably we're lacking proof for much of this but some facts are known."
He sips from the wine glass and explains, "I'm sure you know of Lymas Smeede, what you might not know is our Boss Saul borrowed 500 from him. This morning was the due date on the loan, and according to Saul he had entrusted Larur the dwarven manager to look after the monies over night and pay Smeede. We were called in when according to Saul, a runner told him that Larur had vanished and his place had been turned over. Saul sent us to investigate, we didn't find Larur or any sign of a struggle. We then went to inform Smeede the loan couldn't be paid and to inquire after Larur. Smeede claimed, and I believe him, that he had no knowledge of Larur's whereabouts and naturally demanded the load be paid in full. So far so what, why would you care? Well when we spoke to Saul later, he was shocked to hear that we hadn't killed Lymas Smeede. Saul claims Larur made off with the cash, while possible, I would be extremely surprised if that's true. Needless to say all this makes me very uncomfortable. Saul is up to something, but what I couldn't say. Whatever it is, it's certainly not running a casino. He simply doesn't care about that. Anyway I guess we could do with some advice, and it's fair to say I'm worried about Larur."
Drexell listens to Cameron with interest, trying to find something in his pockets
Sorry, I'm so used to taking notes... was sure I had something to write on. I'll ask To Caithlinn if she had a few sheets she could give me, and you'll say all that again, but slower this time. I don't want to miss any information.
As Caithlinn and Nessa come back from the kitchen with the first dishes, the man you knows as "Sergeant Drexell" smiles warmly.
Gaeren, it's a pleasure to see you. I'm glad you could take your night off.
It's a pleasure for me, Caithlinn. It's been a long time.
He kisses the elf woman cheek, gently
I got only sweet memories of the few months I spent here, as a young boy.
Looking back at Cameron and his friends
I will admit that I had an hard time trusting you, as you work for Saul.I'll be honest, and say I still have my doubts. ButI heard you worked your asses off to stop the crimes on the docks, and put your lifes on the line to avenge simple prostitutes. So yeah, I'm willing to listen to you now, and to tell you what I know or suspect. You don't have my friendship, but you got my respect.
Cameron was momentarily at a loss for words, "Uh, I ah. That is to say, thank you. Whatever Saul is up to he needs money, and lots of it. The man looks like he's expecting an assassin to jump out of every shadow. I wouldn't be surprised if there where more debts involved too, but I don't think that's why Saul is losing sleep. The answer might be in Larur's accounts. Naturally we didn't get to see those when Zahel asked to see his office. Kinda weird Saul let him do that to be honest, but he did after he'd spent ages removing stuff." He then looks Drexel squarely in the eyes and asks, "Is there anything we should be looking for, or anywhere?"
Nessa gathered a load of food and plates and then carried them out to help Caithlinn set the table. The appearance of the seargent, and his kiss on Caithlinn's cheek, left her confused. She looked at Drexell and asked, "You know Mom?" She then looked at Caithlinn and finished, "You raised Drexell?"
Therric is briefly confused by the exchange of affection between the sergeant and their hostess, but pushes it aside when their meals arrive. "Well, this looks quite delicious. Thanks very much!"
"Tha fact tha' Saul would'na let us see the accounts is what quirks me brow most."
Alayna relaxes a little as she realizes Caithlin's deep connection to the community. Best way ta get birds ta sing is ta teach 'em ta eat from yer hand.
Caithlin answers first
I couldn't say I raised him. He came here from time to time, for a few weeks, a month sometimes, whenever he fancied, when we were a few decades younger. We had our arguments too, and sometimes it was years before our tempers-well, mine, mostly: you don't pray to a vengeful goddess for numerous years without taking the bad habit of holding grudges- cooled down.I hope now that he knows he's always welcome here.
She puts her hand on his arm, and he bows and kisses Caithlinn's hand
You were my "family" when no one else would care about me. Even mother seems too weak a word for everything you have done to me. Including losing your temper sometimes and helping me becoming who I am now.
He smiles
And I am becoming very hungry, seeing all this food.
Caithlin makes you sit around the table
You will speak of your business later. Let's enjoy each other company first.
There is a flashing smile on Caithlin's lips as she says these words, and she looks at Cameron
May I ask you a favor, Cameron? Could you call the blessing of Desna on our little meal?
Cameron was please to be asked and replies, "But of course."
Standing up, Cameron collects his thoughts and beings, "They say The tender of dreams watches over all those who travel. There are many kinds of journey, some of the body and others of the spirit." He glanced subconsciously at Nessa and Therric, and continued, "Tonight we journey through a meal, artfully prepared by our glamorous hostess Caithlin. Just take a moment to look at your fellow diners, what an unlikely yet wonderful group we have here. There can be little doubt that the dreamer tipped the scaled here and there to put us together. It is right and proper we give thanks to Desna and our generous hostess. Join me in a toast. Ladies! Thank you."
Camreon sat down and began the serious business of appreciating the meal.
Therric looks the gathered diners over. A preacher of Desna, a shifty-eyed sleuth, a swashbuckling sailor, a shadowy lady from parts unknown, the most beautiful tiefling he ever lay eyes on, and himself--a squire of Sarenrae who found himself in the middle of something strange.
Desna's got a point there.
He raises his glass and clinks it before tucking in.
After listening to Nessa and Drexell's story, Zahel looked at Caithlinnn with a renewed esteem... But as he heard Drexell's words, his heart sank in spite of himself.
He had been raised by an old elven woman too, after all, both a substitute parent and a mentor. She had spent more than a decade to take care of an abandoned child, when no one else would have wished to. He owed her more than just his life, as he felt the grief of her death filling him with a deep sorrow.
Come on. Caithlinn and her are two different persons. This is not the place, nor the time to mourn. Dont disturb her reunion with Drexell, he thought, scolding himself.
As troubled as the half-elf was, Cameron's speech managed to divert his attention. Zahel's excellent memory had often led him to become stuck in an infitine loop of painful memories, but Desna was a reminder that you needed to move on.
Not forgetting your past, but trying to accept it, with all its times of joy and grief, pain and happiness, for a bright future of possibilities as infinite as stars was yet to open wide before you.
The investigator raised his glass, while bitter-sweet memories of his childhood succeeded to sorrow.
"To the Lady of Luck then," he said softly. "And may our paths be lit by Her light."
Having taken a seat Nessa nodded in agreement with the prayer and toasted as well. She was sitting beside Therric and drank her glass to the toast before digging into her food with a most unlady like delight. After all that had gone on today she was quite hungry.
The meal is as delicious has it might be, and some fine wine do it justice.
Of course, the dessert are those delicious honey pie that you tasted once before.
Caithlin plays the role of the hostess very well, having a word for everyone, helping the conversation along. When the dinner ends, she leads Zahel and Krucina in a quiet side room, where they can study the poetry book.
She gives Nessa and Therric an amused look, and whispers to the flirting duo
Do everything a lady of my age won't do anymore. There are enough empty rooms upstairs.
and sits nearby Cameron and Alayna, while Drexell takes notes of the recent events in the Gold Goblin
So you think Saul is up to something, but you don't know what? Smeede is one tough customer, anyway. Could your boss have made a mistake? It won't be the first time...This unpayed loan might be his downfall.
He turns back to Nessa and leans in to whisper something in her ear.
"So, uh... you, um, want to take her up on that...?"
He's blushing slightly.
Nessa gave Therric a hungry look that had nothing to do with food and rose. She gave him a come hither look and quickly headed up the stairs to find one of the empty bedrooms well away from the one she shared with Sylee.
Therric watches Nessa leave for a bit before getting up to follow her.
Once this whole business with Saul is done, where would be a good place to take her out for dinner? I should ask Caithlin before we leave.
Cameron nods to Drexell, "Yes he made a mistake. I'm none too keen about working for him after this, but I'll never find out what he's up to if I just walked away. You could be right, I'm pretty sure Smeede is going to get his coin back one way or another. As long as nobody gets hurt I won't stand in his way when it happens."
"Saul is the type a' right-bastard that'd sail your merchantman right onto a reef, if it suit'd 'is needs. He 'as made threats agains' me, an' while Sylee was wit' me." Alayna is scowling by this point but she lets her feelings be known, "Tha man 'as made a fair wind a' makin' friends hate 'im. If I 'ad known that, then I woulda never been a hand on his crew. For now, it's enough to say he needs ta be hurt." Like a fickle wind, Alayna smiles, "At least the Dreamer found it right ta' put me in with you lot!" It is strange to see her almost bloodthirsty speech become levity. Almost as if they are not too far apart from each other...
I feel the boss is cheating us of our money. The games should win more gold! Maybe the boss keep some gold for him? That won't be below him.
Sometimes, the boss got more money than he should. Staff isn't payed much. I wonder where he found the money to get the games in the first place.
I think the boss suspect something about me. Or maybe I'm paranoiac? After Zilcher's show, everyone is on his nerves. I should contact someone to keep an eye on me.
Drexell has gone back to his home, or wherever he goes. He told you he will look out for any other clues about the prostitute killer, and send message here. He can't be seen too often at a known criminal gambling house.
Everyone is nearly asleep in Caithlin's home, in separate or common rooms.
Everyone is asleep, except the two who are working on the dwarf poetry book.
"Oh, Sarenrae's mercy... I'm so sorry, this has never happened to me before, I swear." He meekly mumbles, too mortified to even speak up.
...and you look incredibly tasty right now.
...
...wait, what?!
"Nessa... I think I caught something bad."
His face pales some more and he peeks at her.
He swallows and coughs, feeling his throat burn.
You all hear that something is wrong in Nessa's room, even if you don't know what.
Suddenly bolt upright, Cameron found himself in a strange room. Something had disturbed his sleep, he looked around bleary-eyed trying to workout what it was. Realizing he was still tipsy, Cameron slumped back into bed. It had been a strange night, with Drexell being cordial and Caithlinn's flirting. Truth be told he was half expecting her to knock at his bedroom door, which would have been exciting...
Suddenly the sound again, a male voice seemingly distressed. Suddenly Cameron was sure it was Therrick. Shaking his muzzy head, Cameron got up and padded over to the room Nessa and Therrick had taken. Feeling a bit of a lemon, Cameron knocked and called out, "Is everything OK in there?"
Nessa opened the door and backed out right into Cameron. She closed the door and spun around before grabbing Cameron's short and saying, "Something's wrong with Therric, he says he wants to eat me, and not in a good way. He looks sick and sounds like it too." Amazingly Nessa seems very distraught over the possibility that something is wrong with Therric, more than would seem likely if she weren't becoming emotionally connected to him. It's also obvious to Cameron, and anyone else who comes out into the hall, that Nessa is completely naked and not thinking a thing of it as she's pulling herself against Cameron in fear of what's happening to Therric.
Cameron was not prepared for the sight that greeted him, "Uhhh... Ahem um, I... Yeah, I'll see what I can do for him Nessa. I don't suppose you know if hes eaten or ahm taken anything unusual in the last 24 hours?"
Cameron whispers a short prayer to Desna and gently pries himself away from Nessa and goes to examine Therric. As he does so he tells him quietly, "Don't worry, we'll get to the bottom of this. It's going to be OK."
Therric doesn't say a word as Cameron examines him, instead intently looking at a part of the bedroom wall.
Bleary eyed and tousled, Alayna asks, "wots this then?"
Cameron examines Therric and immediately notices a sickly sweet cloying smell, 'Oh gods what's happened to you Therric?' He gently helps Therric remove his shirt and barely surpresses a gasp when he sees the oozing wound on the man's shoulder. He takes a moment to compose himself and then looks Therric directly in the eyes as he whispers something.
After hours of hard work, Zahel and Krucina, with dark circles under their eyes, managed to finish the translation.
"Larur's notes are clear enough," he sighed as he read what the poor dwarf had left behind. "And Cameron was right. We need to pay another visit to Saul. And not a courtesy one."
The night was far advanced, and the half-elf was feeling exhausted. He rubbed his eyes, thinking that he probably should get at least a few hours of sleep before dawn.
But his thoughts were interrupted by a very weird noise coming out Nessa and Therric's bedroom. It woudn't have been that alarming, if it wasn't so unnatural. As if someone was... Vomiting?
"Did you hear that?" he asked to Krucina, suddenly worried.
The muffled discussion that followed was enough for him to decide to go check on the lovers. He exited his room, but when he arrived, Cameron was already here, Nessa looking on the edge of panic.
""Something's wrong with Therric, he says he wants to eat me, and not in a good way. He looks sick and sounds like it too."
Oh, no...
Now fully awake, Zahel stepped inside the room, following Cameron. His nostrils were immediately assaulted by a strong odor of vomit.
Sometimes, he hated when he was right.
"Do you know what he contracted?" he asked, wincing when he saw the infected wound.
As more people piled into the room, Cameron turned around and with quiet force told them, "We need to quarantine Therric. Everyone out!" He glanced at Zahel and said, "Yes, Ghoul fever. It's contagious... Somebody needs to tell Caithlinn. Right now however I need to talk to Nessa."
Looking grim, Cameron then leads Nessa into an adjoining room for a little privacy.
Nessa met Alayna's eyes in a panic and said, "Therric's sick, we were enjoying ourselves when he almost bit me, not playful bit, tear a chunk bite and then he threw up." The tiefling was horrified at what was happening and she put her arms around Alayna and actually started to cry as she folded her wings down around them both while still unclothed.
When Cameron came out to tell her what he found out Nessa said quietly, "Oh no." She considered and said, "I think they would do that for him in thanks for avenging our sister that ghoul turned. We'd have to ask."
Sounding relieved Cameron tells her, "I'd uh suggest you don't delay. It's real late so it might be best to take an escort... I'll rustle up a poultice and a tonic for Therric, but all I can do is help him fight any secondary infections. His fate is in the hands of the gods. As scary as that may sound, I believe we where thrown together for a reason. This is all part of their plan, somehow. Have faith and we'll pull through."
Cameron checks his packs and selects a few bitter tasting herbs which he boils together with a heavy dose of honey in a copper urn. It didn't smell or taste particularly great but it would Therric sleep, and it would fortify him against mundane infection.
Having let the tonic steep for a few minutes he heads into Therrics room to wash and bandage the wound. He hands Therric a steaming mug saying, "I know this smells funny and tastes bad, but the willow bark and camphor will help you sleep. There's various other herbs in there, arrow root and rosemary, to draw out mundane secondary infections. It won't cure you but it will give you strength to fight it."
Therric quietly takes the mug of tonic from Cameron and starts sipping from it. "Thanks, Cameron..."
"...Sarenrae's mercy, I feel like a moron." He guiltily stares into his mug. "I wasn't taking care of myself and I was too distracted to notice something was wrong..."
Alayna hugs Nessa back, Like a child, too much, really. SHe murmurs into her ear, "Be calm girl, we 'ave a good an' loyal crew, we'll see our friend healed." Inside her heart, Alayna mulls the thought, He got bit so terrible when I fell. I know wha' I owe the man, now...
"Alrigh' then. We're off on a'nother adventure. Never a dull night in the Dreamer's work, eh?"
Alayna goes and prepares for a long night ahead. Whip and Scourge on her hips. Her rapier and trusty knife resting in their scabbards, side by side. An' a lot'o other blades all about, too! Within minutes Alayna is ready to go off the veiled temple of earthly delights. "Let's hope there ain' too many louts tha' need manners taught to 'em."