I dot with the mighty Sihedron Glyph!
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I really friggin hope that this actually friggin posts now
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Book 1: Burnt Offerings, Chapter 1: The Swallowtail Festival
You awaken in the Rusty Dragon Tavern, where you spent the night after a round of pre-Swallowtail Festival celebrations. Dappled sunlight from the morning sun, not risen for more than two hours, filters through the windows. After a moment, you hear the hustle and bustle of the townsfolk and visitors cavorting outside of the tavern, but no music. It seems you have woken up before the opening speeches traditionally given prior to the festival beginning in earnest. The smell of biscuits and some sort of savory meat waft through your room, overpowering the scent of fresh linens and ale which previously held sway in the room, no doubt cooked by the beautiful Ameiko, the exotic proprietor of the Rusty Dragon who made quite the performance last night with lute and song. You shift in your soft, warm bed, trying to decide what you will do on this fine day.
Svalk stirs in bed and slowly awakens to the smells of breakfast and last night's ale. Well, here I am... home.
He dresses in his armor after a minute of reflecting on the nature of what "home" was now.
After all, I may have grown up here, but that was years ago. While my mother was alive I still viewed Sandpoint as being home, no matter how far away I was. Now... what is this place to me but the grave of my parents?
Svalk sighs as he pulls his hair back into a braid. It was time to get answers. Though this festival was an unexpected complication to his quest, it might prove useful to make an appearance. Someone was bound to know the whereabouts of Watchman Hemlock.
"And who knows?" Svalk says to himself as he holsters his dwarven waraxe and heads down the stairs. "Maybe I can advertise my services as a smith to interested residents while I am at it."
The thought brings a smile to his bearded face and he heads down to greet the day.
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The noise from outside forces Tal to wake up and open his eyes. His head is still pounding a little when he tries to rise. He looks to the side and sees a pretty girl lying next to him. Oh damn what was her name again? Marissa, Clarissa, ugh it has to be something that ends with issa. He picked her up last night, another visitor to the town for the Swallowtail Festival. Not wanting to wake her up and have the morning after talk, Tal sneaks outside silently.
Thinking about the day before, Tal remembers bringing Talori to his aunt so that she could safely hide from the thugs looking from her. He lost sight of the other woman, Lena something, when he left to join the festivities in the town. She will be fine, the older woman looked like she could handle her self and my aunt will look after the young brash one.
As he walks down the stairs of the inn, he sees Ameiko cleaning up after the night before. "Walk of shame Tal?" She says with a wink.
"I am never ashamed of walking, dear Ameiko." Tal responses. They have hooked up a couple of times since Tal has been in Sandpoint, both understanding it was only for the night and having fun while at it.
"Could I bother you for some breakfast and water? My head is killing me." Tal says while taking a seat at the bar. Ameiko brings him some things to eat and they chat a little about the festivities and the strangers that it brings to the town.
Arthur had been excited to be in town the dedication ceremony was close at hand. He had been staying at the Inn for the last few days since he arrived in standpoint.
I thank you for the excellent food he says. Out of habit and training he looks left and right
Waking up to the hustle and bustle outside, Satinder slowly climbs himself out of his bed. Yawning and giving himself a stretch, he ponders for a moment of the upcoming day. "Hmm... so today is the day of the festival huh? I'm glad that I came back just in time, it's been too long since the family came here. I wish they could have been here as well, but it'll be fine..." Getting himself clothed decently, he adjusts his chain shirt under the loose fitting clothes he wears over it, and fastens his blades securely. He hoped that he wouldn't have had to need them in the first place, but he figured that it wouldn't be a bad idea for him to be prepared anyways. Counting his coins quickly, he finally leaves his room as he walks down the stairs and into the larger area of the tavern.
Taking a seat at the bar as well, he over hears an elf asking for food and begs of the same question. "If it isn't too much of a hassle miss, I would like to ask for some breakfast as well. I don't mind waiting for him to get his food first though." he states in a polite manner.
Skyla's eyes flutter open, and she groans slightly as she feels a headache start to build. She knew that she always stuck to water whenever she was in town, so the fact that she was feeling this bad meant she had either picked up someone elses drink...or someone else had changed hers.
Grumbling to herself, Skyla wriggles out of the sheets, and quickly strips, using Create Water to wash herself, as well as flatten her long hair, which had threatened to become unruly. Her stomach rumbling, Skyla dresses quickly, and navigates the stairs without too much difficulty, as she lightly requests some food, shortly after she sees a man sitting next to her, ask the elf the same thing.
Svalk heads down the stairs, and notices the multiple patrons in the tavern's common room, including an elf, two aasimar, and a woman that looks like she had actually bathed recently. Funny, I don't remember there being water set out for bathing, otherwise I might have at least washed my face.
Noticing the tavern's owner running around with plates of biscuits and some kind of meat, he is reminded of certain... priorities that need to be taken care of before setting out.
"Good morning, Miss.... Ameiko was it?" Svalk smiles and prays that he remembered her name correctly. After all, this place apparently changed hands since the last time he was in town. "First, thank you for the room. If you don't mind, I think I will leave some of my things in it for today, though depending on business I have to settle in town I might be able to relocate them to my family's home. Well, assuming it wasn't sold and still stands that is."
Svalk smiles again, though it is more strained this time, as he takes a seat away from all the strange people he is sharing the inn with.
"Second, would you happen to know if a watchman by the name of Hemlock still lives here? I have some personal business with him, but the messanger he sent five years ago only just now caught up to me. It was a miracle that he found me at all, really, but it does make it more challenging to track him down. Third, can I have a plate of that delicious smelling breakfast? Trail rations are good in their own right, but nothing beats a freshly cooked meal."
Arthur looks a all the "interesting" people who came in the Rusty dragon
5 years is indeed a long time for a message to reach.
Ameiko smiles at you and goes behind the bar, retrieving a small glass which she puts under a cask of water. She turns the spigot and crystal clear water fills the glass almost to the brim.
She saunters back over and places it before you then says, in her husky voice, "Oh, a glass of water? I thought that's what you said you were going for last night was 'a tall glass of water', wasn't it?". She chuckles a moment and nudges the glass with her finger, causing it to slide across the polished bar to stop right under your downturned head. "Oh come now, Tal, chin up! The day's only just begun and we haven't even cracked open the Aelvenberry Wine yet for tonight's festivities, imported straight from Kyonin. I'll tell you, one glass of that stuff and you'll be staggering worse than Jaylissa will be when she wakes up!"
She cocks her head after a second or so, " You DO remember her name, I hope?" she says with a smile.
Ameiko saunters off for a moment as you arrive downstairs and arrives back with a large metal tray holding 6 plates of food, sitting the massive thing down on the bar. She hands the man already at the bar a plate. "Cooked Dire Boar bacon, sunnyside-up Pointshrike eggs, and my own homemade biscuits! Enjoy!"
After you attempt to verify her name, she smiles, "Yes, but without the miss part. Much too formal for my tastes!" After you thank her for the room she nods, "It's no problem! Svalk was it? Yes, that's it."
Upon mentioning your house, she seems to know what you're speaking of. "Oh, you mean the old Arnbjorn house? The widow there passed on a few years back, but no one has been there since the constable closed it up, waiting on her son to return and claim it as his inheritance. You should go see Hemlock about it. He's probably patrolling somewhere around town. That man's definitely got a sense of duty!"
When you ask for breakfast, she beams, "Sure! I think it would be bad form for a tavern owner to let her guests go hungry, after all. I hope the food tastes as good as it smells! I haven't heard any complaints yet, so I hope you like it!
You look left and right, scanning the bar. The place has that sort of 'refurbished rustic' look. While the wood the tavern is constructed of looks a few decades old, almost all of the tables, chairs, and the bar appear to be relatively new.
After eating your breakfast Ameiko offered you and thanking her, she smiles and replies, [b]"You're welcome, Mr...?"
"It's no hassle at all!" she replies to you. She picks up one of the remaining 3 plates and hands one to you. She glances at your ears and takes note of your weapons, "Say... do you know Shalelu? You remind me of her for some reason."
"Of course you can have some food, dear, no need to be shy about it!" She hands you a plate practically covered in food. She also hands you a small note, folded over a few times. With that she nods and smiles, standing nearby to see if you read it.
"Now where's my remaining guest?" Ameiko asks out loud.
Skyla shoots her a quizzical glance, but nethertheless nods in thanks as she puts down her food and opens the note, keen to read its contents.
-Ameiko
Satinder looks back at Ameiko with a slightly puzzled look as he responds. "Are you talking about Ms. Andosana? If so, I really don't know her. My older brother and sister know her more than I do. Thank you for the plate though!" as he puts down a few copper and silver down on the counter before taking a bite.
[b]"You just reminded me of her for some reason. Maybe it's the ears and weaponry. No offense, I just don't see many of Elven blood around these parts of Varisia and I know you're not related to Tal here, so I was curious if you were some cousin of hers or something." Upon stating the name Tal, she pats the man on the shoulder sitting at the bar.
After taking a few bites while listening to her, Satinder swallows what he has in his mouth before responding. "I wouldn't be able to tell you to be honest. My older siblings never told me much about our father, so I don't know much about my linage. I do know however that Ms. Andosana isn't related to me. Do you know her well?"
Skyla flushed a little with embarrassment, but also counted her lucky stars..the way her luck could have gone, it could have been a lot worse.
She smiled at Ameiko, and mouthed the words "Thank You", while she considered tracking down the unfortunate Sczarni and giving him a piece of her mind.
Upon hearing the double news that his familial home is still standing (and sealed for him) and that Hemlock is still here, Svalk smiles.
Well, this might not be as hard as I was worried about. Now to find him.
"Thank you, this looks delicious."
Svalk digs in eagerly to the Direboar Bacon.
"And tastes even better! So, as you can imagine I have been away for quite some time. I don't remember watchman Hemlock, although from his note it sounded like he had at least gotten to know my mother a bit before she... passed."
Svalk hesitates before saying the last word. The letter from Hemlock was not specific as to how she had died, but it had indicated that it was not a natural death... and not to trust anyone but him or Sheriff Avertin when he arrived.
I like this tavern owner... but I really should talk to one of those two about the details first.
"So, I somewhat remember what Sheriff Avertin looks like, but given he probably will be busy with the festival and this Hemlock fellow was the one to write me anyway, would you mind describing him for me? I would like to learn what happened five years ago to my mother."
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Tal shrugs and puts an apologetic smile on his face "I remembered it ended on -issa." He takes another few big slugs of the water to clear his head up.
When Ameiko mentions a relation with Satinder, Tal says "Even though he has the ears, he is clearly an Aasimar my dear. You can tell by the set of the eyes and nose. Though one or both of his parents were of elven heritage, somewhere along the line someone had intercourse with an angelic individual which by chance came to light with your guest here." Tal says, indicating Satinder. "Furthermore, by the colour of his eyes and hair I can say that there is little chance we are close relatives. I also see no resemblance in his face. Don't forget there is a huge world out there Ameiko. There are a great deal of elves out there. But most of them have something better to do then visit a town such as Sandpoint."
"Oh damn that reminds me, I'm outta here before Jaylissa comes staggering down the stairs and have me leading her around the town for the rest of the festival. Thank you very much for the food and drink love. I will probably see you again tonight." Tal says with a wink as he wraps the remainder of his breakfast in a cloth and leaves a generous amount of silvers for Ameiko. He gets up and moves towards the door with the intent to leave.
Vladlena wakes up late. She wanders down the steps dressed in one of her typical suits and waistcoats, but she seems much less composed than usual and her outfit is a little crooked and a few errant hairs poke out from her head. Despite her rather...informal...demeanor, she does not smell of alcohol.
Almost mumbling, Vladlena speaks. "I do hope there is some coffee somewhere about" It takes Vladlena a moment to register Ameiko. She smiles at her childhood friend. "I do hope you learned to not burn the coffee by now, dear." Vladlena shuffles into a seat. She glances around, finally noticing the others. She straightens her back and speaks with a token more care at the new people. "Oh, hello there. I do hope you will pardon my tardiness. Never been much of a morning person, you know."
Svalk looks at the new arrival addressing the room. Something... is familiar about her, but he can't place exactly what.
It is almost as if I should know her. But I don't. Do I?
"Late riser or no, you should probably see to your hair. It is a tad messy, and allegedly there is a festival today."
He shakes his head.
"Anyway, I don't know about coffee, but there is still breakfast. The bacon is delicious, as are the biscuits. Heck, even the eggs are good, and I typcially don't eat them."
Arthur he says with a smile Arthur Brimstone and like to many others in this room i came to see the dedication ceremony. will you be gracing us eventually to some of your music ? i have been told about it he finish with a smile
Satinder gives a look of distant impression as the elf gives his statement. "I guess my kind aren't as uncommon as I was lead to believe. "
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Seeing Vladlena come down the stairs he walks over to her and whispers in her ear.
Our mutual brash friend is safe at my aunts. My friends spread some rumors that she stole a boat and left for another town across the ocean. They also stole a small boat from one of the fishermen, so the Sczarni will have a hard time figuring out where she went, but will look everywhere but here.
He steps back and says "Well I'm off for the festival, anyone care to join me? I can point out Hemlock if you like. He's the sheriff now since Avertin died in his struggle with the murderer called the Chopper. He made sure Chopper killed no one else." Tal says that very factual. It might come across as a little blunt, if it insulted you he didn't mean to. But if he does not try pay attention to what he says and who he says it to he will put his foot up his mouth.
Svalk notices the elf whispering to the lady who had addressed them all. Perhaps they know one another. Strange that she seems familiar still, though the elf certainly is not. He continues to munch on his last biscuit until he hears that Avertin is dead, which stops him from chewing for a minute. The news of a murderer also gives him pause. Could this be how his mother died?
"Avertin is dead? That is a shame. He was a good man: kind, fair, and liked by most. He was the one that introduced me to the dwarf caravan driver that ended up bringing me to Taggoret. If not for him, I would have probably ended up a thug or a drunk on these very streets."
Svalk pauses for a moment. He is clearly a bit emotional, but at the same time is trying to control it. Later on I will have to make a gift offering for your grave, old man. I wish you could have been here to see what became of the young man you sent off to play guardsman that day.
Svalk shakes his head sadly, but focuses on the elf again.
"Well, my good elf, I suppose I should accompany you then. On our way to finding Sheriff Hemlock," Svalk puts an unusual emphasis on the title, almost as if he is not sure whether the man who wrote him so long ago about his mother's passage is worthy of it, "perhaps you would be kind enough to tell me what you know of this murdering 'Chopper' fellow. I have a sinking suspicion that those details might be useful to me."
Svalk smiles grimly as he stand up. He leaves a few silver pieces by his plate, grabs his last piece of bacon, and follows Tal. As he passes Vladlena he again gives her a strange look, but then just nods politely and continues past.
Noting Svalk's comment about her hair, Vladlena runs her hands through her hair a couple times and readjusts her hair tie. She nods discretely at Tal as she finishes her ad hoc freshening up.
That Tal seems an honest fellow. I suppose I should have to apologize to him for doubting him at some point.
Her eyes follow Svalk as he moves to leave. Vladlena perks up slightly--the most she can muster without her coffee--at the mention of Avertin. The name brings to mind her purpose here, and her wandering, coffeeless mind does not recognize Svalk or even his faint recognition of her. Her expression darkens and she shakes her head. "I kept up with the news about The Chopper murders quite religiously at the time, so I must admit that I already knew of his passing."
Even though she tries to hide the signs, it's easy to see her muscles clenching in contained anger. "Though I have not had the opportunity to express my condolences until now." Father did not have a mind for the clandestine and was usually easy to trick, but he kept an iron grip on the mailbox after cutting Vladlena off from her Sandpoint visits.
I wonder who this Hemlock fellow is? I had heard that the Sheriff position had been taken up by a shoanti man, but that is a Chelish name.
As she drinks her coffee, Vladlena suddenly surges with energy. She grabs a couple biscuits in one hand, holding her coffee in the other, and she jumps up from the table. "I would love to accompany you to the festival. darling. Would be a shame to come all the way out her for a festival just spend it all eating." She regards Ameiko with tilted nod and a smile. "Even if it is such a fine establishment as this." She casually gives Svalk a once-over.
'The details might be useful to me?' Perhaps this ulfen fellow has similar business here to myself."
Skyla finishes up her breakfast, and inclines her head in gratitude to Ameiko. Eyes closed, she concentrates for a second, quickly determining what the weather will look like for the next 24 hours. Flashing a smile to Ameiko, she makes her excuses and heads out of the tavern, intending on buying a small potted plant, either to plant alone after the festival, or to take back home, and plant it for her garden.
Once on the streets, she stays alert, not quite expecting to find the person who spiked her drink, but ready for action if she does spot him out and about.
After arthur has finish his meal he will head to his room to put on his armor, out of habit, and head out to enjoy the festival, taking only some loose change with him.
Svalk notices the clenched muscles, the almost unbridled anger, as she recounts her following of this "chopper"... and inability to express condolances. Either someone she loved was killed by this person, or she really liked Avertin. Which would be understandable, he really was a good man. Svalk inclines his head to Vladlena.
"Well, your company would be welcome I suppose. I will eventually want to set up a stall or something to demonstrate my abilities with my blacksmith's hammer, but I do have time to wander with you two."
Svalk smiles to Vladlina and Tal. It has been a while since I have wandered the streets of my old home. I wonder how much has really changed since I left. These two seem to have been here more recently than I have, so having a guide isn't a bad idea. And...
"I have been trying to determine if I know you. You seem familiar to me, but I don't know why. Have you been to Taggoret before? Or did you grow in Sandpoint?"
Vladlena takes a close look at Svalk's face, trying to trace back the distinguishing features twenty years and cross-referencing them with the people she knew in town.
Holding her finger up to her mouth in a pensive gesture, she paces in front of Svalk, keeping her attention on him as she does so. She talks almost as if to herself, but her volume would not be out of place in the front of lecture hall. "Judging by your similar hair and eye color, the style of braids--and the bronze hair ornament of course--indicative of Irriseni background, and your approximate age, I would guess that you are Signe's son, Svalk, who left to find his fortune with the gnome--" She pauses for a moment, glancing up absentmindedly. "--sorry, dwarf, and apparently found it as a blacksmith, as indicated by healed burns and the extra development in your arm muscles." She gives Svalk's bicep a clinical poke. "Though I suppose that could also be the result of repeated combats with a hammer. Or perhaps a mixture of the two."
She moves back and stands still. "I believe I knew your mother during some of my all-too-brief time in Sandpoint. Sadly, in the jumble of twenty or something years of memories, I appear to have misplaced the one of our meeting."
She suddenly covers her mouth with her hand. "Oh, how rude of me!" She brings the hand down from her mouth and holds it out, open. "My name is Vladlena Petrovna Dasnadova. Lena or VP are acceptable nicknames.
Her voice drops to a more conversational volume, her eyes relax, and her mouth slides into a soft smile. The mock formality is gone now, replaced with a touch of honest concern. "Please tell me I got that right after making such a spectacle. I am too young to die of embarrassment."
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Once outside Tal squints against the strong sun and puts on a pair of sunglasses.
His eyebrow rises when he notices that both individuals are from Sandpoint originally but he let's it slide, it does not interest him that much.
As long as she does not start guessing my background...correctly
Tal takes the two along the easiest route to the festival. His eyes wonder casually and obviously when they pass a pretty girl. He also scans stranger's faces and outfits with even more attention though he tries to hide the fact from onlookers. Wairing sunglasses helps. Is he looking for a specific person?
As Lena recounts all the details some of Svalk's ulfen pride surfaces. His back straightens a bit and he stands taller for it, especially at the mention of his father. And here I thought I would be the only one who would remember his name anymore. It would have done him proud to be remembered in my appearance.
Svalk whistles, impressed, when she finishes.
"Mostly correct on all scores. I was trained in using this hammer," he pats his masterwork blacksmith hammer lovingly, "to craft in the dwarven style. That said, I was trained to use the more... traditional... dwarven weapon of choice for combat purposes." He gestures to the dwarven waraxe on his hip.
Ah... she must be the one that mom told me about in that last letter of hers... the amature detective roaming the town solving "mysteries".
"My mother wrote me a few times while I was in Taggoret, and in one of them she mentioned a young woman running around solving crimes and keeping an eye on her Uncle. She thought of you kindly, and mentioned even helping your Uncle in one such 'adventure' by playing the victim of a theft. Well met at last."
He walks along side Lena as they follow Tal. What is with those sunglasses? And why is he scanning the crowds?
The elf's face, however, gives away as much as his sunglasses. Svalk shakes his head.
"So, what can either of you tell me about this 'Chopper' fellow? You mentioned he killed Avertin, how many other people did he get? And for that matter, how long ago was all of this?"
Svalk tries not to sound too serious with his questions, but his eyes definetely betray his eagerness for the answers.
"Do I know her well? Of course I do! She's like a sister to me. She's been there for me more than my family has been in recent years." Even though she tries to hide it, her words sort of trail off, hinting at some hidden pain or regret. She quickly regains her composure, " But yes, she and I are the best of friends!"
Ameiko nods her head in acknowledgement before quickyly returning to chatting up the other strangers in the tavern and serving up beverages.
You head out into the festival grounds, looking for some sort of stall selling flowers. You come upon a rather small table, the whole thing covered in wondrous flowers. You see one that catches your eye, a small potted white flower that almost seems to glow in the light. It looks somewhat like a rose, but about twice as large and growing on a stalk rather than a bush or vines. As you reach to touch it, it unfolds, revealing a small reservoir of sparkling golden pollen.
Before you have a chance to do anything a young Varisian man, dark of skin and hair, walks up beside you, greeting you in a rich, thick accent, "Hello there, miss!" He looks somewhat nervous to be around you, shifting rather oddly. He seems familiar... wait, he was one of the boys from last night! "Look I'm, uh, sorry for what my friends did to you last night. They can be downright rude sometimes. My, uh, my name is Vincenze ." He extends his hand out, "Might I ask your name?"
"I'm glad you like it!" Ameiko beams.
When you mention Avertin, Ameiko's expression darkens, "You haven't heard? Avertine is dead... murdered by the Chopper a while back, just like Mrs. Arn-... I mean... your mother. It hit all of us pretty hard I think, because the old man was so kind, so good-hearted. That bastard Chopper took many good people in his rampage, may he rest in the Hells. So yes, you will need to go see Hemlock. He's tall, bald, got very dark skin and is wearing his constable tabard, so you shouldn't be able to miss him."
"Oh you're horrible, Tal! You probably told that poor girl you WOULD take her to the festival, didn't you?" Despite her words, Ameiko seems almost amused at the notion. Perhaps you're just that good of a charmer?
"An Aasimar? You mean like sweet Nualia?" Ameiko asks quizzically.
As you walk down the street, you see a lovely woman with pale skin like milk, fiery red hair to match her stunning blue-green eyes, and a figure that almost makes your jaw drop. It's that Shayliss Vinter girl! You don't remember much of her, given how she's been secreted away helping her father run his business, but apparently, she's blossomed since the first few weeks when you arrived. You had heard some of the boys around town talk about her and now you know why!
"Why yes, of course I don't burn the coffee anymore, Lena! Do you think I've grown so little in..." Ameiko suddenly stops speaking and smells the air, the scent of burnt coffee in the air. "DAMN IT!" She yells as she runs back to the fireplace, retrieving the roasting coffee beans. She pours you a mug of the stuff, bringing you s small parcel of sugar and and a miniature cup of milk to mix in, "Er, sorry Lena, I tried to fix it right! Will the sugar and milk help or no...?"
After you take the coffee and sip on it, Ameiko peppers you with questions. In your groggy state, you only hear some of it, but you cdan clearly hear "Where have you been all these years Lena? I've been worried, since you stopped even replying to my letters!
"Nice to meet you Arthur! My name is Ameiko Kaijutsu!" She holds her hand out as if wanting to shake hands.
Upon hearing you speak of her music, a smile crosses her face, "And whom did you hear this from... Tal? My music's good enough, I suppose, but it's not like I'm THAT good, at least I don't think so. No, I won't be playing at the Festival, because I'll be getting the drinks ready for everyone! Can't have a festival without some fine ale after all!"
Svalk's demeanor visibly becomes harder, colder, and wilder as he hears of the Chopper's involvement in his mother's death. Torag's bronze beard, I would kill him myself if he wasn't already dead! The man... or elf, orc, whatever... took my mother and one of my friends... who else died as a result of his... her... its hands?
"Thank you Ameiko. I appreciate you telling me, the letter I received from Hemlock merely stated that she had died of non-natural causes and to only trust him or the then Sheriff Avertine. I am guessing that was because no one knew who this chopper fellow was at the time. I can tell that it isn't a topic you really want to go into right now, so I will get further details from him."
He attempts a parting smile to reassure her that he isn't mad at her for telling him, but the pain is still visible behind it. With heavy heart he sets out with Tal and Lena, asking the aforementioned questions... with a more personal interest though.
Finishing his food, Satinder thinks for a moment on what the elf had said and what Ameiko had said about the other of his kind. After his plate is cleared, he gets up, thanks Ameiko for the wonderful breakfast and then heads out into the town to start exploring this wonderful festival that is to be taking place.
Vladlena her eyes aside and looks down. "After hearing about Auntie and Uncle, Father decided that Sandpoint was too 'vulgar' for a proper young lady and cut me off." The side of Vladlena's mouth turns up in mild disgust. "The dolt was just looking for an excuse." She closes her eyes, breathing deeply before speaking again. "By the time I got free of him...it just seemed rather too long. I was..."
I was worried you might have forgotten me.
"I was foolish, too caught up in my own silly problems." She turns back, staring directly at Ameiko. "Now that I am on my own, I concluded that--rather than send a letter--I would send myself to Sandpoint. No one can tell me where to go now." She takes another sip of the coffee, smiling contentedly. "The sugar and milk make it all better, darling." Vladlena normally drank her coffee black, but she had always made an exception for Ameiko.
Vladlena catches up to Svalk. Seeing the same anger and frustration in him that she once had, she places a hand on his shoulder. She speaks with a concerned gravity. "I offer my deepest condolences. It seems The Chopper took much from us."
Vladlena begins noting Satinder, Tal, and Arthur as they progress to the fair.
Well you do have a business to run after all and bills to pay. he says smiling at her
Any place , stalls you would recommend me visiting during the festival?
Skyla feels slightly flustered. She certainly didn't expect one of the Sczarni to boldly approach her in the street, offer an apology, and kindly give her a polite welcome. She takes the hand, returning the man's charming smile with her own, uncertain one. "You can call me Skyla and I accept your apology, it was quite...honorable of you to apologise for your friends mistakes, so thank you for that"
Skyla tilts her head to one side slightly "Did you seek me out just to say sorry?"