Three days after the companions returned from Thistletop, Sheriff Hemlock returns from Magnimar, a dozen hired law enforcers in tow. After getting a report from his underlings on the goings on in his absence, the group is contacted early at the Rusty Dragon by a young messenger, the party being asked to meet Hemlock at the garrison at their earliest convenience.
Kiley feels the bottom of her stomach fall out as she listens to the messenger. She had told Nualia she'd talk to the Sheriff, and that she could at least convince him to let her live, but now...
Now she was far, far from sure she could do anything.
Kiley finishes her breakfast and gets ready, all the while hoping that she wasn't about to make a liar out of herself. With nothing to keep her from this, she heads to the garrison, her nerves making her stiff and anxious.
Having been spending time with Tal today, Jessica walks with him to see the sheriff, her arm threaded through his and leaning lightly against him.
Having spent the last three days drinking more than usual Sunday wasn't even hung over when he woke up half-drunk on the third day. Moving downstairs for breakfast he proceeds to drink more than eat, if he ate anything at all.
Traipsing to the garrison with a bottle in one hand he holds out his other towards Kiley when ne notices how off she's acting.
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Deciding that she could use some distractions to keep her mind off of the goblin assault, Tal took Jessica with him on a few errands these couple of days. Walking through the woods, meeting some local fisherman and along some of the better sights of the area.
On the current day he's curious to find out what Hemlock and the mayor have in store for them after reinforcements have arrived and they removed much of the threat.
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As Delendir comes back to town from his last check to Sandpoint's surroundings, he finds Jessica and Tal walking on the streets "How is it going? The fields seems calm. Perhaps those goblins finally retreated after all... Where are you going?"
Updated about the messenger and Hemlock's return, the half-elf joins the couple in their visit to the garrison.
Almost out of instinct, Kiley takes Sunday's hand, and nearly crushes it as her tension causes her to ratchet up the pressure. She doesn't even seem to be aware that she may be breaking Sunday's bones.
Nonplussed Sunday continues to walk with Kiley, not letting out a single sound as he loses all feeling in his the hand she's gripping.
The group slowly makes its way to the Garrison, the thoughts of everyone ranging from trepidation to curiosity to dutiful. The companions pass a pair of new faces in guard uniforms, their heraldry marking them as mercenaries from Magnimar. Soon enough, the group of seven makes it to the building, and are admitted inside quickly.
You are ushered into the same meeting room where a few days ago you were asked to help patrol Sandpoint and keep it safe whilst Hemlock was away. You don't wait long, as Sheriff Hemlock enters, looking grim. He shakes hands with each of you, smiling wearily. "I have heard much about your good works in my absence. Both Tsuto Kaijitsu and Nualia reside in my holding cells. What do you think I should do with them?"
His tone is curious, but Hemlock is not known for generosity or leniency. Mayor Deverin is usually the one who keeps his iron sense of justice in check. The fact that he would ask your opinions says volumes about his opinion of your group.
Not letting go of Kiley's hand, though it's doubtful he could even if he wanted too, Sunday casts some abstract glance around the room before speaking up. "Tsuto... I would ask Ameiko about. Nualia though... she was driven to madness by an abusive father, abandoned and ridiculed by her lover, used by a town, had.. her child die... and was corrupted by a Quasit."
Stopping he takes a long drink from his bottle to let the others speak.
Kiley, suddenly realizing what she was doing, let's go of Sunday's hand and winces as she sees the marks her fingers left.
"S-sorry, Sunday, I d-didn't mean to crush your hand like that," she says as her cheeks begin to burn bright red.
Tuning to Belor, Kiley takes a deep breath and looks the man in the eye.
"I-I know that Nualia's done some terrible things, and she knows it too, but I think she really wants to set that behind her and do the right thing. I don't think she expects to be let off without punishment, but I think she wants to make amends for what she's done," Kiley looks at her feet, "Please, Sheriff, don't kill her when she's finally making a friend. D-don't kill her w-w-when I'm finally g-g-getting something right."
"Don't worry about it." he says softly while flexing his fingers to work oxygen back into them when she lets go.
Though when he hears her start to clam up through her pleading he puts his still blue fingers back around her hand without a word.
Still staying near Tal as the Sheriff speaks, Jessica listens to what is said thus far, seeing and making not of Kiley and Sunday's actions towards each other. Hmm, that's interesting. She decides to add her take on things, ]b]"From all that has happened, I realize it will be hard to give them a second chance, I agree that Ameiko should be asked for her thoughts on Tsuto. As for Nualia, if Kiley believes there is a chance for her redemption, then I am willing to take Kiley's word for it. Despite what the rest of the town may think, everyone deserves a second chance, especially those who lost their way as those two have."[/b]
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"Redemption is not something you just get. It has to be earned. It also takes time, however we cannot let them out of their prison because they cannot be trusted. Whilst in their captivity I doubt that they will change their ways. They inherently did terrible acts, I don't think we have anything to motivate them to do good. And from my perspective, neither of them feel very sorry for what they have done. Nualia might have been corrupted at a young age and Tsuto might have done things for love, but that does not excuse either of them from the horrifying acts they comitted. Right now, both of them are murderers and in any other city they would have been killed on the spot. And I think the people of Sandpoint deserve some closure. Perhaps a quick death of the two would grant all parties peace of mind.
I'm sorry Kiley, but you are too close to it. I know you pray that they can redeemed, but her mind and body is warped beyond return. " Tal says with a serious tone, but tries to show some empathy towards Kiley.
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Tightening the grip on his bottle instead of Kiley's hand Sunday begins speaking without turning to face Tal. "You say redemption can be earned, and then you turn and deny someone a chance, just cause? You're a twit. Also if you kill her, as she is now, then the demon wins. What do you think happens to the souls of those who follow the Mother of Demons, twit?"
Sunday finally cranes his head to look at the elf before finishing. "As she is right now, with the light just barely shining out of her reach, if they were to kill her her soul would go to the Abyss and she would be remade into a demon. What solace would that bring, other than proving Nualia right?"
Delendir looks to either side of the table listening the arguments then explains his with a very calm tone "For much pity I feel for Nualia, she has to be judged as for the local rules. That's why we took her here. Same for Tsuto. They have killed people and ploted to kill. I don't know what the law is in this case, but it should be applied, be it a fine, prison, forced work or death. Otherwise we might start to mix personal motivations" he looks at Kiley "And people will start to think they can behave freely and do whatever they want without consecuences."
"At what point were you thinking there were no consequences? We're asking for a chance for Nualia to make up for what she did, not be forgiven." Sunday growls.
Grace leans against the wall and files her nails.
"Kiley isn't too close." Grace says, examining her nails and blowing dust off them. "She's the victim. Nualia killed her mother. Doesn't that make her wishes in the matter more important than anyone else's here?"
Kiley's jaw tightens as her eyes begin to smolder with red-hot anger.
"Have you bothered talking to her? Either of you," she asks through gritted teeth, "Of course I wouldn't expect Tal to bother. Why do that when a spell can get the job done?"
The young fighter gives Tal a sidelong glare for a moment before turning her attention back to Sheriff Hemlock.
"Redemption may have to be earned, but what about mercy? I know that you have other considerations, but please, don't kill her before she has a chance to earn that redemption. Don't cut her journey short just as she's beginning to take those first steps."
Hemlock says in a mild voice, "Many others' loved ones died in the fire that laid the previous temple low. They might not be so forgiving as Kiley, were I to ask them. You have done Sandpoint a great service, though, so it is you I ask."
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As Daud stands before him Tal pinches his nose as the wave of alcohol in his breath comes his way. He looks at him holding Kiley hands and raises an eyebrow at the drunk. The two foolish hot heads together now? Gods save us. "Swearing and drinking just shows stupidity, Daud, it won't help you win any arguments with me." He says to the man before turning back to Kiley
"Spells are tools Kiley, just as words and your weapons can be. She could easily have put up a convincing lie or act just as Grace did when she tricked Tsuto into sharing all that information. Some spells can be reliable in getting the truth out of someone who is skilled at lying, or calming someone who is hysterical." Tal says and holds Kiley's gaze long enough to make his point.
He turns to the others and continues his argumentation.
"It was her own choice to turn to Lamashtu and her actions speak quite loudly. We know her history is a cruel one but she went above and beyond to try and destroy the entire town. You have been listening to what what I revealed from her journal, yes? If it wasn't for us she would have butchered everyone in the town and who knows what else if that sinspawn creating artifact was still operational. Nothing in her journal sheds any positive light on her actions at all. Every criminal might have a sad past, abused by a parent, mistreated by kids of his age, but that does not excuse them from their crimes. And hers are as horrible as they come. "
He turns to Grace in person and continues
"To respond to your question Grace, Kiley is still too close to it, she couldn't believe Nualia did the act before, and it could well be that now she want to redeem her in order to save the memory of a girl she once knew. But if it helps, me and you can ask her a few questions to gauge how she is. I believe together we can get the truth out of her and she if there is some redeemable aspects in her." Tal starts to walk towards the jails and holds the door open for Grace, inviting her along.
Before going in he turns to the group a final time
"Even if the girl is redeemable, we have to think of the townsfolk as well. I doubt they would accept mercy to someone who did acts like hers. They would accuse us of favoritism just because Kiley knew her. They would storm the jail with pitchforks and torches, crying for justice. But I guess that is for Hemlock and the Mayor to deal with." He finishes with a shrug.
"You invaded my mind!" Kiley snarls as she lets go of Sunday's hand and faces the elf.
"You choose to cast a spell that let you affect me how you wanted, consequences be damned! I thought you were my friend, Tal. I thought you valued me more than that. I guess I was foolish to trust you even that much. Nualia may have tried to kill us, kill me, but at least she was honest about it!"
The small woman stands inches from Tal, glaring up at the taller elf and trembling with barely constrained rage.
"You could have talked me down, or let Grace or anyone else do it, but instead you cast a spell on me, muddled my thoughts, to calm me down. That's not what a friend does. Maybe I am foolish for trying to help Nualia, but at least I'm trying."
Kiley turns away, tears welling up in her eyes.
"What Nualia did to Sandpoint, to my mother, and to everyone here hurt, Tal, it hurt so badly that I thought I was going to die. Even at its worse, though, it never hurt as badly as when someone I thought was my friend broke into my head and messed with it. I shouldn't be surprised, though, You're about the only one that has less shame here than Shayliss."
"I don't have to win arguments with a twit, and I may be stupid, but I know I'm stupid, whereas you can only claim to not be. And just because a tool if effective doesn't mean it should be used, spells that make a person act a certain way... are a vile creation." Growling Sunday flinches slightly when magic is brought up.
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Tal shoves a hand in Daud's direction and ignores him totally. Instead he moves to stand behind Kiley. His hands tentatively move to her shoulders, but he thinks better of it and withdraws them.
"I tried talking you down but you were hysterical. You forced me between trying to quiet you down with a temporary spell or endangering everyone by alerting all the goblins in the building. If something didn't happen quickly we could have been overrun, killed by a horde of goblins alerted by your screaming. I couldn't let that happen so I acted in what I knew to be the quickest way to calm you down, with a spell.
Don't you see that you left us little choice at that time? If I hurt your feelings so be it, but I acted the way I did for everyone's best interest, including yours.
Sure spells can be messy. Other spellcasters can dominate your mind completely and force you to attack your friends with you being unable to do anything but look on. Would you still hold it against me if I stopped you with a similar spell then? Spells, even the messy ones can be used for good if used appropriately.
You are wrong if you think that I'm not your friend Kiley. You can be very annoying at times, but I still see you like the little sister I never had. Please forgive me for this transgression. It will not happen again."
"'Redemption is not something you just get.' That's what you said," Kiley tells Tal in a mocking tone.
"You don't get to justify doing it just because it was more convenient to do it than finding some other way to shut me up. You trust me not to cleave you in half by accident, and I trusted you not to cast spells on me that warp my thoughts and my mind."
Brown eyes look into Tal's, hurt and anger smoldering in their depths.
"Sunday's right, you are a twit."
"Other spellcasters can dominate your mind completely and force you to attack your friends with you being unable to do anything but look on. Would you still hold it against me if I stopped you with a similar spell then?"
Sunday's eye twitches before the rest of his body when the elf says this. Slowly he'll bring his abused hand up to point at the wizard before trying to talk. If you, if you ever do that to her, or anyone else, I WILL kill you."
"It will not happen again."
"Liar."
"Sunday, don't."
Kiley steps between the two, her brow furrowed by worry.
"If you keep talking like that, Belor's going to have to lock you up. There's no need to threaten him, anyway. If he's lucky, no girl will ever talk to him again after this gets out."
Unnerved Sunday quickly looks backs and forth between Kiley and Tal, and then even quicker to Jessica, before averting his gaze completely. "With what he just admitted I don't think he would really care if women willingly did anything with him or not."
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"Piss off you drunk, this does not concern you." Tal says to Daud and turns again to Kiley.
"Are you really so blind that you continue to view it like that I did it out of convenience? I did it out of urgency for all of those present here. If you fail to see that than I had higher regards for you than you deserve. At least the people in this town know I would never do something vile as that. So be it then. " Tal says and moves to leave the prison altogether.
He turns around in the doorway observing the gathered and says
"I wash my hands of this Hemlock whatever you chose do, the consequences lie on you.
As for you two, you really deserve each other, a couple of blind idiots with temper issues. I doubt anyone would believe your word anyway once they find out that you want to keep the girl who send in hordes of goblins and started the fire alive." with a shrug he exits the prison.
"Kiley, you're willing to offer redemption to a woman who killed. You might consider forgiveness for someone who is your friend. Even if he is an idiot."
"Jessica, you should explain to Tal what he did so he can genuinely apologize. Probably after sex. Men are more willing to see reason when they've exhausted themselves pleasurably."
Grace shakes her head.
"Sunday, your temper isn't doing anyone any good here."
She steps away from the wall.
"Sheriff, I think you have the diversity of our party's views on the situation. The rest falls to the law of the land, I believe."
"And you suggesting Jessica whore herself out isn't either." he retorts.
Jessica is startled as everything spins out of control before she can act. The sister she never had and the man she might love who are as siblings themselves, or were anyway, having such a hideous falling out. She found herself unable to formulate a response, never having dealt with things like this before. She watches as Tal storms out, not grasping what they meant about him and and other women doing things it all became clear when Grace made her suggestion.
Jessica felt the blood drain from her face at the statement, particularly when Sunday made it clear what Grace was meaning. She looked horribly upset all of a sudden, tears in her eyes and said, "Y-y-you mean, he doesn't...Tal has s-s-s...relations with other women?" Tears well up in her eyes as several things become seemingly clear, her voice is very quiet and lost when she continues, small in a way it never has been before, "You mean he doesn't love me?"
The drunk turns somber, his agitation and anger cooling quickly as the priestess starts to cry. Wanting to console her somehow, but also not wanting to stick up for the wizard he raises his hand to say something, his fingers flexing back and forth as words fail him for a moment. "He might, he might not... but I detest him so my opinion is already colored. You can simply ask him, or take someone who is really good at reading people," he casts a sidelong glance at Grace, "with you when you ask or have her ask for you..."
Scratching his head he adds "Or you could give him a scenario and see he how he reacts... going by Nualia and m... you could tell him... you're... with child... and see how reacts..." Not sure if that was the right thing to suggest Sunday immediately lowers his head and shirks back.
"I don't know anything about love. It would probably be best if you ignored me. Nair... I loved her... I still do... I think that's love, but I think that is different from the love you know. My apologies, for coming into your lives, all of you, and ruining them." With that he slumps back against the wall.
"Maybe." Grace says. She slides her nailfile away into a belt pouch. "Does he love you? You'd need to ask him, dear. That's a conversation you should have with him in your own time."
Between Grace's question, Jessica's breakdown, and Sunday's obvious pain, Kiley finds her self at a loss for words. She slumps down onto the floor next to Sunday, all of the anger in her seeming to have left with Tal.
"What have you to apologize for, Sunday? Seems my life was pretty f%~#ed up to begin with." She grabs the bottle from his hand and drains it in one long pull.
"I'll just leave now. I think I've made enough of a fool of myself for now," she tells Belor as she stands up. "Sorry for all of the trouble I've caused."
With that, the young woman leaves the Sheriff's Office.
Kiley heads for the Rusty Dragon with all of the urgency of someone in dire need of a drink. She waves off Ameiko, or anybody else, when she walks in, going for the bar and grabbing four bottles of the cheapest rotgut that was guaranteed to get someone smashed after a few shots. She leaves the payment on the bar top and starts to head for her room, only to turn around and go back the way she came. Only a few minutes after she'd left, she arrives again, going for the cells. Nualia's cell, to be specific.
"If you want it, it's yours," she says, holding out one of the bottles as she takes a seat next to the bars, "It might cauterize your taste buds though."
One of the bottle's fellows is soon uncorked and the smell of cheap alcohol wafts from the opened rotgut.
"Seems to work for Das and Sunday, so I thought I might see if drinking helps my troubles," She says before throwing back two mouthfuls of the stuff. The liquor burns all the way down, exploding in her belly like a punch to the gut.
Kiley sends two more mouthfuls after it, then another two. Soon half the bottle is gone, and the young woman's cheeks begin to heat.
"You know, after we killed Bruthazmus and beat Orik and what's-'er-name, I still didn't believe it was you?"
She takes another long pull from the bottle, the pleasant sleepy buzz of drunkenness wrapping her mind and slowing her thoughts.
"I lost it. Started screaming, and I'm surprised you didn't hear me. Everyone was worried I was going to bring the whole Thistletop tribe on our heads. Then Tal cast a spell on me, made my mind all fuzzy, like I'd been hit really hard upside the head, minus the headache," Kiley looks at the bottle, swirling the foul-tasting liquor around inside before taking another swig.
"I don't think anyone agrees with the way he did it, but he had a point about me screaming my head off," she looks off at something beyond the walls of the garrison, something only she could see, "So why does it feel like he betrayed me? Why can't I forgive him? Is this what it was like? What it's like to have someone you were close to betray you?"
Snuffling a bit, Jessica looks up at Grace and Sunday, with a slight smile, "Thanks, you're right, I should just ask him, but, well, I'm not sure I can explain it well." Looking at the Sheriff, "I'm sorry for this sir, I guess events have finally caught up with me. If you'll excuse me sir, I should go." Giving the rest a small smile, "If' you'll excuse me, I think I need to go pray for guidance. I'll be at the temple if you need me. I'll see you later at the inn." With that, she quickly leaves the sheriff's office and heads to the temple.
Not phased when Kiley finishes his drink he is however struck silent as both her and Jessica say their piece and leave. Feebly lifting up a hand in protest he can't decide who to go after before he turns to Grace and asks, his voice low and worried, "What should I do? I don't want to be alone now..."
Standing there dumbstruck and at a loss Sunday's decision is partially made for him when Kiley returns, booze in hand, and makes for the cells. "Kiley..." is all he manages to weakly say as the fighter ignores those present in her walk. Trepidly he follows after her, but doesn't attempt to say anything else.
The Sheriff listens to everyone as they argue and talk, then hears Grace's statement about the laws of the land. He gives her a level look, then addresses the group with a firm voice. "The law of the land is clear. For their crimes they should die. I will hang Tsuto from a gallows for all the town to see, exposing him as the mastermind behind the goblin raid and the perpetrator of the horrible murders at the Glassworks."
"As for Nualia...what is dead should stay dead. She will die in her sleep in her cell, and myself and the other deputies will take her body in the blackest part of night to the graveyard, dig a grave beneath her empty tombstone, and ensconce her there. The Town will never know that the lovely creature who died in the fire those years ago was really a merciless killer. They might hear 'rumors', but they will fade with time."
"I have spoken with Ameiko, and she is in agreement with Tsuto's fate. I have come to trust your judgment, though. I have stated their fate without your intervention...what say you?"
Nualia looks up as Kiley arrives, a shadow of a smile on her face. "I thought you wouldn't be coming tonight." Hesitantly, she accepts the bottle, taking a deep swallow and grimacing afterwards. "That is some foul stuff. Do you mean to kill me?"
The woman shakes her head, "What happened to me was little things borne over long years. Yours seems a sudden stroke. It's hazy...liquid, there are valid points for both parties. You will have to see if you can find it in yourself to forgive him. Or else cast him aside. Keeping him close will be a festering wound, if you can not forgive."
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"Sheesh" Tal says as he stands outside the prison with the door closed behind him.
He wanders aimlessly for a while trying to sort his thoughts on what happened and tries to think of the different paths things will likely play out. Eventually he ends up in front of the Rusty Dragon, decides to go in and orders a bottle of wine for himself. He takes the most secluded booth and sits there drinking the wine at a steady pace.
Elisai observes the intent discussion about the fates of Tsuto and Nualia with interest, but from the safety of the corner. In truth, Elisai didn't particularly have a strong opinion either way. She had never particularly liked the idea of executions, but on the other hand, both Tsuto and Nualia had done some truly horrific things and Elisai would have prefered a punishment rather than a scott free "see you later".
Unfortunately, the discussion quickly turned sour with everyone storming out, and Elisai rubs her eyes in frustration. It was clear that trust in the group had been shattered, but she had no idea how to go about restoring that. Quietly humming "Lean on Me", under her breath Elisai heads straight for the temple of Shelyn, following after Jessica, making a mental note to keep an eye on Kiley, the swordswomen was unpredictable and she wasn't quite sure of she would snap, or indeed which direction she would snap.