"Pffft. Silly, uh, shortshanks? You did know many more words if you did burn the books! Like Gresgurt! He knows more than... six? Six!"
Hearing Andi's comment, however, the goblin is far less enthusiastic than he is in defending his biblioclastic habits.
"Uh, why bring Gresgurt to Sheriff? Maybe set free, out of town? Maybe with a sambv-... zandw-... bread and meat? Because he is good friend?"
"But he said he wanted to eat the tiny longshanks. That must mean one of us, or maybe someone in Aeren's family!" Empheria realizes, and tries to size up the little creature. "Maybe we should at least tell Aeren's parents, 'cause the goblin was in their house. What do you think, Aeren? It's your room, after all."
"Gresgurt was just so so hungry to even eat little longshanks! Not personal! Just empty tummy!"
For a long moment, Vorin just stands there in indecision. On the one hand, his sense of compassion makes him want to help the creature. On the other, he might lose his newfound hero status if they get caught.
In the end, he says, "I think we should let him go. But we gotta be sneaky, we'll be in big trouble if anybody finds out." To the goblin, he adds, "But you gotta promise not to hurt anybody!"
Talsin looks at Andi and Vorin aghast, and begins shaking his head. "Let him go? We should take him to an adult. They attacked us! He might come back and try and eat us again!"
Vorin shakes his head to Andi, and says, "Aeren gets a vote, too. It's his room."
"I- No, I don't want to free it! It wanted to eat me!"
Despite Gresgurt complaining about his predicament, you drag the pest downstairs, causing Aeren's father to almost fall from his chair in shock. After explaining the situation, the unfortunate goblin is carried to Sheriff Hemlock, who congratulates you again for your valor. The Baretts are profoundly grateful as well, and promise that you are always welcome at their home.
There's still a couple of hours before lunchtime, if you want to meet Foxglove now. Otherwise, the cathedral square is already populated by loiterers of all ages enjoying the fresh breeze.
Talsin begins to nod as Andi suggests this. "That does sound important. It's not dark, it can't be too scary, and this way we don't waste an adults time."
"I'm coming too!" Empheria promises.
Vorin nods quickly in agreement, "Let's go!"
As long as it's not in the woods, can't be too scary. Can it?
There are few graves in the cemetery, as Sandpoint was founded recently: mostly it's the victims of Chopper who rest here. As you hang around, looking for clues, Andi is the first to spot that there are cracks in the stone door leading to the cathedral crypt.
Vorin steps up to the crypt beside Andi, and says, "I think this one belongs to Mr. Tobyn - he used to be the town cleric - and his daughter. Why would they mess with his grave?"
The door budges a little. It could probably be opened with some effort.
"Maybe we can all open this together. Put your hands on the door and I'll try to pull you," she offers.
If Andi pulls the door again, Empheria tugs on her arm as hard as she can.
As the girls pull, the sandstone breaks in three parts, debris crumbling to the ground. It's unlikely that you broke it by yourselves, it must have been weakened. The question, however, is pushed out of your mind as two skeletons, standing upright and clutching ruined swords, stumble out of the crypt at the sound of rattling bones. You had heard of undead in fireside tales, but to see them in real life is another thing altogether. Your knees tremble at the sight of their empty sockets, which seem to glow with an unholy light.
"Are those really skeletons?" Empheria wonders aloud.
At any rate, she was sure enough they weren't friendly to send a blast of fire aimed at them.
Vorin's eyes pop open wide, and for a moment Vorin stands there, fumbling for a weapon. Everyone of his instincts is saying to run, but he can't.
He ends up with his dagger in hand - though probably more by accident - and he immediately turns on his reckless bravery act, shouting as he throws the dagger at the one nearest Emmy, "Leave my friends alone, bonebreath!"
"Ahhh, Hommang!" Talsin shouts as he reaches out with his magic for one of the skeleton's swords, hoping that even the dead might feel heat.
As it turns out, skeletons without muscles are quite fragile: an onslaught of cats and a healthy dose of fire bring them down quickly, dissipating the magic holding them together.
Meanwhile Vorin, taking half a step back to get a clear line of fire, trips over a headstone remembering Herbenson Vane, Who Loved The Drink More Than The Drink Loved Him, and goes tail over teakettle in the damp graveyard earth.
Looking inside the crypt, next to the skeleton bones, you find an old, tattered black robe, discarded on the ground. And further inside, Ezakien Tobyn's resting place has been pryed open and robbed of the mortal remains of the priest.
About a minute later, Father Abstalar Zantus, the head cleric of the cathedral, hurries over to you, looking furious. "Hoy! What are you doing there? Don't you go disturbing the dead!"
Empheria is taken off guard by the accusation and confesses immediately. "I'm sorry! But we only disturbed it because it attacked us first. I was afraid it was going to kill us."
Vorin's eyes widen at the approaching cleric, and he points quickly to the other two, "What they said."
"Oh, the dead attacked you, sure, and maybe you'd have me believe-" Father Zantus' stride is interrupted as he notices the worn weapons and rusted chainmail among the remains. His eyes flash white as he mutters a simple spell and his forehead corrugates into a frown. Without a word, the priest storms inside the crypt. "Father Tobyn's remains are gone! Who could... And how? And especially why? How did you stumble upon this... this mess?"
Nodding, Vorin says, "He said the attack was so some 'longshank' - that's what they call humans and elves and stuff - could come here to the graveyard without anybody seeing."
"This is ominous. If the attack was a cover to steal Father Tobyn's bones, and two skeletons were raised..."
The priest kneels, picking up the tattered robe, and grimaces in disgust. "I think it would be for the best if you forgot this. I'll speak with the Sheriff and we'll see what to do. And thank you for disposing of these sorry creatures, I'll see that they are laid to rest."
It comes to your mind that the Sheriff's office has a window very close to a tall, easy to climb oak, perfect for eavesdropping.
Empheria looks at the others. "I'm not sure I want to forget about it, though. The grown-ups made a mistake before when they didn't find Gresgurt, and it might happen again. What do you think?"
Vorin nods quickly in agreement, and says, "Let's go!"
When they get to the office, Vorin is among the first of the group to start climbing up the tree.
After being betrayed by a crumbling piece of bark, Vorin manages to rise up, and you quickly move near the Mayor's window. From your position you manage to eavesdrop on some scraps of conversation.
"...romancer. I'd never heard of humans controlling the goblins, but the little bastards are perfect distractions. What worries me..." says Father Zantus' voice. The rustling of leaves in a sudden breeze cover his last worries, and the beginning of Mayor Deverin's reply. "...the Unpleasantness as well? Smells of conspiracy. And if so, why not dig up Caspar's bones, or Stoot's? I don't think one could resurrect the Sandpoint Fire, Chopper sounds more likely."
"We're not dealing with logic here. The one way..." again Father Zantus' words are lost in the wind. "... of Lamashtu. Although the cunning shown is uncommon for a worshipper of the Mother of Demons. But if I'm right, we can't expect logic, only madness."
"I'll keep that in mind, Abstalar. Although I believe it was a prank-" "Pranksters don't raise the undead." "Alright, an act of spite and defiance, rather than some mysterious plot by a dark goddess. In any case I've set up patrols near the closest goblin lairs. Meanwhile, I'd have you check for anything that can be done with Tobyn's bones, just in case."
With few pleasantries, Zantus rises from his chair and walks away, closing the door behind him.
Looking embarrassed at another fall, Vorin finally scrambles up and then waits. His eyes widen as he listens, however.
After it's over, he asks, "Demons have mothers?" Then, he adds, "This sounds scary. But I don't think the mayor was listening."
"The Mother of Demons is stealing dead bodies, and Mayor Deverin thinks it's a prank?" Empheria says with widened eyes. "What can we do? I'm sure Father Zantus knows a lot about demons and undead, but he doesn't want us to get involved. Or we could ask Gresgurt for more information, but then we would have to convince Sheriff Hemlock to let us in."
Vorin nods quickly to that, and says, "Yeah, and maybe he'll listen to us and know what to do!"