"I'm sorry, I can't help you." he insists.
Two more sense motive checks from each of you, please.
Sander Bryton is a consul, one of the elected officials responsible for directing Andoran’s military. Although the consul General Reginald Cormoth is the head of the Eagle Knights, Sander Bryton often assists the general directly in deciding Eagle Knight actions and policy. The Bryton family—all successful military leaders going back four generations—has been prominent ever since the People’s Revolt. At no time has the elected national government not included a Bryton.
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Khellek studies the man as he has his students. A skilled orator knows his audience and can speak to their most pressing concerns.
"Quite the impressive visitor you had. Was Bryton offering the assistance of the Eagle Knights with your missing daughter? We may be a little more...discrete.. than that." offers the scholar.
You are escorted out by Dorabeth. After you are out of earshot of Andares, she stops and says, "Please save the young mistress! I'm terribly worried about her. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Can I answer any questions for you now?"
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"Could you tell us where she was last seen?" asks Khellek.
"That would give us somewhere to start. Also.."
He describes as well as he can the scene of the scrying as relayed on
"Can you think where this might be? "
He pauses and offers her a scholarly smiles.
"I'm also curious about picking up a book, where might I lay my hands on a copy of the essays of Alysande Benedict."
"She was just gone one morning when the household woke up. The place you're describing sounds like the abandoned villa. It's interesting you mentioning the works of Lady Liberty; the young mistress loved reading them. In fact, a few days ago I saw a man with a Galtan accent buying some from the shop in town. I don't know where you could buy them today, because the shop is closed for a few days. She seemed happy here, although I did notice a little more friction with her father recently. I don't know of any young men she was serious about. That doesn't sound like her."
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"The people of Galt" stays Khellek in his most lecture-like manner, obviously pleased to lecture on one of his favourite subjects.
"Are currently in the throws of their own 'Revolution'. They have perhaps taken a slightly more bloody tact to it than those of this good country, but never think that the Andoran revolution was without death, murder and revenge seeking as well. Perhaps he was seeking it for inspiration about how to bring their revolution to a conclusion. It has after-all been going in one form or another since 4640"
He clears his thoughts "Not that we know this gentleman is related, however it does seem an unlikely coincidence. So, it is also possible that he wanted the book to keep his prisoner entertained. That would be a good sign, as it presumably means she is not in immediate danger and we have every chance of securing her return intact."
Captain Demrick hears Khellek's questions, and offers to take you part of the way and give you directions for the rest of your journey.
Dorabeth smiles and asks "Is there anything else I can do to help?"
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"Well, directions to a good bookstore and any local sites of historic interest would always be appreciated." nods the scholar.
He settles into the chair, reluctant to leave the comfortable surroundings.
One day, when I on the cover of the Chronicles... Maybe I'll retire to a place like this. Appropriate for my standing I think.
However as the others make ready to leave he sadly accompanies them.
"The job of a scholar is never done. How did the villa get ruined?"
Demrick shrugs. "Some stupid noblewoman burned down her villa when she was about to flee during the revolution. Probably wanted to make sure that if she couldn't live in luxury there, no one else could use it either."
Dorabeth seems reluctant to answer, but her love for her young mistress convinces her to speak. "I don't know the details, but I know that recently the master started to teach her much more about the family business and about leading the town. At about the same time, I started to notice a strain between them."
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"Ahh, the young. So full of their sense of purpose, but not wise in the ways of the world. "
He sighs. "More than one tragedy has sprung from such an innocent beginning. Why, I think of the case of Lord DeWod of Taldane, well it just so happened that..."
He realises the rest of the team has up sticks and left him behind.
"So sorry, must dash. I'm sure we'll find her safe and sound." he adds reassuringly.
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Meran remembering Khellek's lectures moves slowly down the road with Demrick and the others. "He'll be a long in a moment. In the meantime, I'd like to ask you why you think the Mayor doesn't want your help? It doesn't make sense. If my child were missing no matter what the kidnappers said, I'be be asking for as much help as I could get."
Demrick looks startled by Jarlaxle's comment, but more by someone actually voicing it than by the idea. "I'm not sure how I would react. It could be that he does fear for her safety if he helps. He's a cautious enough man that in that case, he would not even be willing to drop any hints."
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"If he arranged it.." interjects Khellek as he walks briskly up behind the rest of the team. "Why would he go out of his way to involve us?"
Once on the road again, the years seem to fall away a bit from the elderly scholar. His stride is slightly more rigorous, until he notices anyone noticing that is :-)
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"I just note that we are here trying to get his favour to win support for an expedition to..." he glances over at their guide "exotic locales. If he has arranged for his daughter to be kidnapped, then rescuing her is hardly likely to make us popular."
He pauses.
"Unless it is to win public sympathy, which it does seem to have done. In which case her kidnap and subsequent rescue would be advantageous. In that case, I think we would be well advised to try non lethal means to secure her release."
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"He didn't ask for our help. We came to offer it in hopes of a mutually beneficial agreement between him and the Pathfinders in the future."
Meran shrugs and looks at Demrick. "We really do want to help the young lady, but if the Mayor is grateful for our assistance it doesn't hurt. However, he is unwilling to let us help. How much support do you think we're going to get if we insist on moving forward without his approval? It's the right thing to do of course, but he might not be grateful even if we bring her home safely."
Demrick pauses before he answers. "I really can't tell you how the mayor will react, or what he will do. All I can tell you is that you'll have to dedice what you think is best, and do it. Guessing about other people's reactions is always risky."
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"True, but preparing for various contingencies may also help save us from being taken by surprise.." interjects Khellek.
"Why, some of the most notable generals of history won their battles not through tactics or superior forces, but by being prepared with plans and contingency plans - so they could take advantage of unexpected moments of weakness in their enemies."
Demrick realizes he has reached the point where he needs to go a different direction from you, but points you to the road you need to follow. You are confident you will not have any trouble finding the place, so you walk on for just a few minutes until you reach what can only be the place Demrick described to you.
This barren stretch of land is a sharp contrast to the
surrounding fields of well-tended grapevines. At the center
of the waste, at the end of an ill-kept path, sits a large stone
villa in the old Chelish style that has partially collapsed as the
result of fires long-since extinguished. Rotted timbers and
soot flank scorched bone-white walls, and collapsed piles of
blackened wood are all that remain of additions to the north
and south ends of the main hall. Rain-slicked bare earth
extends approximately three hundred feet away from the
house in all directions.
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Khellek looks at the delapolated villa with concern.
"That doesn't look very safe..." he notes
Looking around the area he adds "If she is held here, our approach will be evident to anyone keeping watch.."
With a shrug he adds "I for one don't fancy getting my boots any muddier than necessary. I think I'll stick to the path if we are not to take a concealed route."
He peers up, looking short shortsightedly at the manner, hoping to see signs of someone in it.
You start to walk up to the ruined villa. As you approach, Meran notices that you are not alone.
Meran, you may post your action for the surprise round.
The two bad guys in the building have cover until they act.
surprise round:
Meran
bad guys
round 1:
Althera
Meran
Roran
Jarlaxle
Khellek
Emelia
bad guys
Someone in the house front cries out, "Come and get her if you dare, hounds of the upper class!" Someone else in the house fires a bow at Roran.
Two other arrows fly at you also, one from the north and one from the south.
Entire party is up.
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"Hounds of the upper class?" snorts Khellek.
"A true scholar my friend is a hound to nobody but Truth! History is replete with failures of nobility. Some, let us discuss the works of Lady liberty!"
Only then does he notice that arrows are flying all around. He fumbles around on his belt, unhooking his crossbow with a bit of difficulty.
"Now where did I put my bolts? "
The elderly scholar spends a few more precious seconds finding one of them and fumbling it into the elderly crossbow's mechanism.
"I'll have you know, I know how to use this. Now put away those bows and come and talk with us like reasonable people."