You return through the now silent prison building and find the way completely unimpeded. Outside, you find the site of the Professor's death easily enough, having been there days before. Again, you see the odd runes about the foundation, where ivy and grass has been cleared and along this edge a series of sinuous runes had been etched and smeared with blood. The remains of the gargoyle statue that was reported to have killed the professor is just beside the foundation, cracked but still extremely heavy.
"Do you guys have any idea what these runes mean?"
Leeoli shakes his head in frustration.
"No, like so many things in Harrowstone, these remain a mystery." Rufus does study the runes for a while, trying to memorize them. "Does anyone have chalk, or parchment and quill? These may be worth writing down. Perhaps once we've access to the university library we can try to decipher them."
From his investigator's kit, Leeoli produces ink, pen, and parchment. Good idea.
It's easy enough to trace the runes, though it will take perhaps an hour to do so.
Zaz, you mentioned when we first came here that these runes were part of a larger ritual that involved both abjuration and necromantic magic. Do the runes reveal something new to your eyes today?.
Zazaria examines them again but shakes her head. Alas, no...the true meaning of this rite may be more arcane than divine, and that's not where my talents lie. Vrilli?
Vrilli sets to examining the runes, tracking them along the wall to try and get the full picture. Zazaria says a quick prayer to her goddess to assist his survey.
Gritting his teeth in frustration, he shakes his head in the negative. Sorry, no....I can't figure this one out
I do not have the ability to detect magic, but I wonder whether an enchantment is still active here. Leeoli shakes his head...then let us copy the runes and head back to town.
"Perhaps Kendra has some insight. I imagine she's familiar with some of her father's work. Before we head back though, I wonder if we might chat with the shade you spoke of. Maybe she has information as well."
It is possible, but I my estimation, not probable. Still we might try
Once you reenter the workshop in which Vesorianna had first been seen, you can immediately see that things have changed. Where before you had encountered a wispy, nearly invisible form of a sorrowful maiden, you now see the strong form of a woman who has found her cause.
Vesorianna materializes right before you, and moves close, her now strong gaze eyeing you with something like resolve or conviction.
You've done it! I feel the change, the five are no longer strong. Their spirits have retreated. Have you found anything of my husband's? I may be able to use such a thing to banish all the vile energies of this place and make the veil firm once again!
Leeoli was surprised by the change. He supposed he had expected her to be diminished with the five prisoner's spirits defeated, as that seemed to be her earthly purpose.
A token from her dead husband? He was not sure, but it could be Leeoli mused. I do not know if this was his, lady, but we found a badge upon a skeleton in the dungeons below. Leeoli retrieves the badge from his pack and holds it toward the spirit.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Vesorianna looks stricken as she sees the badge. That...that was my husband's... Oddly glowing tears roll down her translucent cheeks to disappear before they hit the floor. She reaches for it, and somehow her hand proves solid enough to actually grasp it. She holds it up before her in wonder, then clutches it close to her breast, her head bowed.
What you've done...you've saved this town. I can use this badge as symbolic authority to cleanse this prison of any evil spirits. I fear I've much to do before my rest, but you have my eternal gratitude for what you've done. This place will be safe for anyone who may come, when my work is complete...and I will rest forever alongside my husband.
With that, her form diminishes, no doubt on its way to cleanse the prison of vile spirits with her new found power.
The trip is as uneventful as you imagine the mission will be - though dark clouds follow overhead, the storms mostly keep from pelting you with cold raid and violent winds. The town of Ravengro is drab and dark - surly farmers and suspicious commonfolk mostly. You head to the south to the house you'd been directed to - a large, if old estate that backs up to a river. The house seems to be rather well tended and kept up. A half-circle pathway leads up to the entrance, allowing for carriages to turn and exit. A heavy wooden paneled door lies in waiting, closed and presumably locked.
Well now, I stand corrected, Dura!
Leeoli relaxes and smiles genuinely. us spread the news to the town.
Dura grins. "Kendra will be excited to hear this."
Rufus watches, marveling at the apparition of Vesorianna, and touched by her dedication both to cleansing the evil from the prison, and to her husband who burned here.
"I hope that she'll see him again," he offers weakly, the dust and ash of the room catching in his eyes and throat.
He claps his hands at Dura. "Indeed! She'll be overjoyed to know that we've brought at least this bit of closure to the Professor's story. Let's return at once."
You leave the prison behind, and interestingly enough as you proceed out the front gate, you see that many of the carrion feeders have found something else to do besides wait for your demise. The prison grounds are quiet and still, but somehow less foreboding.
As you continue back to the Lorrimor manor, you feel a slight break in the damp, cloudy days to which you've become accustomed. You receive several waves and nods from folk out tending to their farms, or traveling upon the simple road that runs north to south on this side of the river.
You approach the Lorrimor estate, and see that Kendra now has the door half open, and is greeting a rather large, well armed Orc at her front door.
Gur. Leeoli isn't actually surprised to see the brute. They'd crossed paths, once or twice...swords once. Still,that had been a misunderstanding of the ordinary kind. After all, Gur IS an orc, and he WAS dangling the bar waitress by her feet. Why would Leeoli have thought she had a crick in her back? Leeoli since apologized and bought a round or three.
Leeoli glances back at Zazaria, but she was withdrawn, and lost in thought, just as she had been for the last weeks. He was sure now that Zazaria was planning to leave for home. He did not blame her, but would miss her.
Rufus feels better than he has in a fortnight, actually smiling as they walk back toward the manor. His mood is at odds with that of some of the others, as Zazaria is curiously silent.
"Gur? Who's this now? Another pupil of the Professor?"
Gur gives his best approximation of a smile at the woman behind the door, no sooner does he get the words"I'm here for the books." out of his mouth, then he is forced to turn as the others arrive. "You have to be kidding me, what in the nine hells brings you lot this way." Hard appraising eyes stare directly at Lee. "Still leaping in without thinking boy, or did life finally knock some sense into you?"
Dura hadn't expected to find a huge orc waiting for them at Kendra's house, but not much about this town seemed to fit with any expectations. At least he seemed to be in a friendly mood. "Kendra! We have so much to tell you!"
Dura gives a hand signal to Daniel to let him know not to attack this new individual (at least not without some provocation on his part). She would hate to see some sort of problem develop over a misunderstanding.
All I do is think. I observe the reddish mud on your boots, and so I know you traveled here from the south where there is much iron in the soil. I observe the gristle between your teeth, and surmise you stopped by for a pastry from the baker. Think think think. But no. No sense at all have I learned. You? Leeoli smiles. Have you met Rufus, Dura?
"Heh, you know I have nothing left to learn in life. Though you are wrong about the pastry, it was two meat pies and a sausage." With a flush and a momentary look of consternation, Gur turns back to the woman at the door. "Sorry Miss, I seem to have become distracted with your other guests. Mayhaps I may come in and discuss some business I have with you. About your late father's estate and some things that must be returned whence they belong."
"Why, hello." Rufus extends a gentlemantly hand, it and his arm fully draped in the dark fabric of his jacket and glove. "My name is Rufus van Hildegoath, of House van Hildegoath of Lepidstadt, son of Cornelius van Hildegoath, though he rest in peace, and his ladywife, my mother, Winifred van Hildegoath. It seems you have business with our dear friend Kendra here. And you know Leeoli as well."
Rufus's eyes assess the macabre axe that Gur carries. "Perhaps we should all retire to the parlor and discuss these matters. Hmm?" He waggles his eyebrows at Kendra to suggest this would clearly be for the best.
"Well met. Any friend of Leeoli's..." She offers her hand to the orc.
"Oh, friends is it now. I would not call it that little lady, more aquaintence. Though if a lovely lass such as yourself wishes to be my friend, I would not rebuke you the attempt. But, business before pleasure." Gur waits to be let in.
Leeoli snorts, but then turns serious. I assume you are here because a letter from our departed friend Lorimor. We have much to tell you.
Kendra looks surprised at the interaction at first, but then forgets herself in her emotions. She rushes forward and throws her arms around Dura in a sisterly hug. She steps back, a bit abashed, then clears her throat.
I can't wait to hear it! Every morning that you leave for that place, I fear you'll not return to...to the town.. Her eyes dart to Rufus, then she clears her throat again before turning to Gur.
I apologize, good sir, it seems I've forgotten my manners with all this at once. Of course, please come in.
The study is large and we'll adorned, though there aren't enough seats for everyone - a point which Kendra apologizes for more than once.
She remains standing as she ushers everyone in, then looks to each of her guests. I'm sorry, for I fear I've no idea where to begin. Mister Gur, I fear my excitement at seeing my friends return safe and sound has put out of sorts. Please, why don't you tell us why you've come so far?
Rufus refuses to sit while Kendra stands, though does position himself near her, hands clapsed before him as he waits to hear about Gur. His sword he leans on the wall just behind him. With everything awful that's happened, it seems natural that something just awful is about to occur.
"It is of no consequence Miss, take the seat you had set aside for me. I do not believe your chairs would support my form very well, I would not wish to break them." Gur looks over the others and then back to Kendra."Besides, what I want will not take long. I am employed to return a set of tomes to where they belong, relinquish them and I will be on my way."
Kendra nods her thanks and takes the seat. Ah, I see. Who sent you to gather these tomes...and did they give you any idea of the specific ones you're looking for? She glances aside at Rufus as he stands beside the chair. I think maybe we know the tomes you speak of...did you come at the request of Embreth Daramid perhaps?
Why does that name sound familiar? Oh wait, was she the one you said your father had asked US to deliver some books to in Lepidstadt?"
Is that so, Gur? It just happens that Rufus, Dura, and I were preparing for a journey to return a particular noxious tome to Judge Daramid for safe keeping. Daramid was no doubt informed that friends of this houshold would deliver it to him, but it seems he was inpatient to receive it..understandable given the circumstances..circumstances of which I am not sure you are completely aware. In any case, you can be sure that we will not entrust the tome to you Gur, but we will allow you, given some token with Daramid's seal attesting to his trust in you, to accompany and profit from its safe delivery. This is no simple delivery, but a mission against dark forces...forces that would overwhelm any single one of us. More blades accompanying us would be most welcome. Leeoli looks at Gur with intent and earnest seriousness.
"Ahem, her trust, and multiple tomes. I will accept that you wish proof for who I represent, but do not think to impugn my honor further in the matter."
Gur pulls from his satchel a writ of execution for the property of the will.
No impugning of honor. Just dire enemies requiring the careful choosing of allies. You are the only one among us that may not have been invited here by the late Professor Lorimor. In any case, I am glad to have you with us.
"Bah, if you think a headsman of dove and axe could be among your foes, maybe you should think about your life choices. "
Leeoli squints at Gur. I know little of you, dove or axe, except for your predilection to speak roughly and boastfully, referring to my companions as little ladies, and to me as boy, and yet takes offense that we should ask for some token before entrusting you with tomes of such power that undeath rise against us, and this, no personal offense, from the prodigy of orcs, whose cultural affinity with evil and mindless violence in incontrovertible. I am sure you who chose a different way are used to having to earn trust rather than receive it, but you do your self no favors by the demeanor of your words. That said, the token of Daramid I do not question,and again we welcome your companionship. So let us move on. Tell us of the road, and your travels.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dura moves to put herself between Gur and Maleye. "Easy, fellas." She lowers her voice as she chides them. "Let's just remember the hospitality of the woman who just lost her father, here. I will be VERY displeased if you upset her." Her voice lowers and starts to become more of a growl towards the end.
She clears her throat as she continues. "We're all going to the same place. We've all been charged with the same task. And on the roads of Ustalav, there is something to be said about safety in numbers." She forces a smile. "Now, if you gentlemen would like some tea, that can be arranged. I plan to make sure that Kendra has the details about what we experienced in the prison. If there is no further pressing business in the morning, then we can be on our way and have done with."
She turns to Kendra. "Now look what they've made me do. I've ended a sentence with a preposition." A grin breaks across her face as she makes her way to the kettle for hot water.
Leeoli turns to Dura, almost not seeing her, but then breaks out in a grin. Yes of course. Let us have some tea and a preposition.
In the morn, let us find the the council. They agreed to pay us for our work here, and though it was a thing we'd have done without pay, we need the gold for our travel.
"Your friend is right, we seem to be in violent agreement here. I respect the Lady's mourning and her hospitality... no offense was meant Lady Lorrimor. As to my speech, do you deny that Miss Dura is a Lady, or do you object to the fact that she is some five hands smaller than myself. As to my parentage, I am used to such disgust with my breeding, though both of my parents were half breeds it does seem I gained more of the orcish blood of my ancestors. That being said, I can no more help the circumstances of my birth than you can help having brown hair."
Gur chuckles and shakes his head. "And I forget that you are done growing and probably considered of good height for a human, you all just seem so tiny for full grown adults. So it is settled, I will refer to you as Man from this point forth, I swear this by lord Damerrich's weighted swing. That should suffice, not true?."
Leeoli nods. You and Rufus will make quite the pair up front in a fight, no doubt about it.
Kendra had gotten used to large, intimidating men...and women with weapons traipsing about her abode, but the towering form of Gur was something else entirely. She watches the exchange with interest, but sinks back a bit further in her chair as if seeking an escape. Suddenly, she's quite a bit more happy that Rufus is near at hand, and she in fact leans a bit to his side.
As the situation is diffused, Kendra smiles and nods to Dura in thanks. I understand Gur, and appreciate that you're so dedicated to your task. If you'll please stay with us for a bit, I'd very much like to speak to my friends here about their trip today...it is quite important for me, personally, and this town...perhaps all of Ustalav in its entirety.
Rufus is a bit taken aback. For such a beastly creature, this Gur speaks with a learned tongue. "I would be interested to hear your lifestory, Mister...Gur, is it? Perhaps as we travel north to Lepidstadt we can exchange tales. As I mentioned, I am also native to the region, though I won't begrudge you for failing to recall my family name. Most would rather see it forgotten. Including some who bear it." Rufus smiles at Kendra, that mirthless, empty smile that echoes with regret.
"How do you take your tea?" He asks no one in particular.
Kendra gives Rufus a grim smile then puts a comforting hand on his arm. Why Rufus, I don't think you've ever made me tea...I think I could get used to that. She smiles warmly and continues. Just a bit of honey for me...though I'm fine with whatever our newest guest would like.