"They don't have much on you and I though Grace", Elisai remarks, giving the documents a good once over to see how detailed they all were. "I think impersonating Tal's parents is a possible action they could take, although they would have to be careful at avoiding repeating the same tactics over and over again...the detail in these documents suggest that these people are relatively intelligent, its possible they have a different plan in store for Tal"
Grace stops and peers out the window.
"We are an incredibly well organized little band of adventurers, aren't we? Tell me, Elisai my darling, are we in a tragedy or a comedy right now?"
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Tal lifts his hat and his face returns to his old one for a moment, long enough for the father to see his son's black eyes peering back at him, before replacing it and returning to his previous disguise. "Satisfied senexhi?" Tal says using the word he often called his father when he was being authoritative.
As soon as they enter the magical shop Tal looks around to see if he can find anything amiss from the shop or his father. "Is mother still in trance or is she knocked out from the wine?" Tal knowingly lies at his father and tries to gauge the response to see if this is a shapeshifter as well.
"Well, I wouldn't call it a terrifically smart decision when half of us ran in a random direction and left the other half alone. All that did was make us a good deal more vulnerable all around, so I imagine a Tragedy wouldn't be far off. No...I think its best to stay where we are. Its less exciting, but we end up doing the others no favours if we get lost ourselves and run into trouble, our friends are capable enough to probably handle any unexpected surprises, and anyway, it might serve as an object lesson."
Delendir observes the scene with tension, grasping strongly his longsword ready to use it in defence of Tal in case weird and confusing things continue to happen around.
"I guess you are my son," Tal's father says before opening the door. "Your mother is still awake. It's not that late."
After letting Tal and Delendir in, he locks the door then turns to face his son. He sighs, then slaps Tal across the face with the back of his hand.
"IDIOT! What the hell did you do to get Jacobs so pissed off, eh," he asks, looking ready to beat Tal into a pulp.
the journey to the Arvensoar is quiet, right until the bottom falls out and soaks Jessica, Kiley, and their escort a bare three minutes from the headquarters of the city guard.
"Let's see if we can find something dry for you two," one of the guards says once everyone's inside, "and try not to tempt fate in the meantime," he adds to the chuckles of his comrades.
Once some dry clothes are gathered up and Jess and Kiley have a chance to change, Jess returned to the fire. She looked at the guards and asked, "Is there anyway we can get a bite to eat? Please?"
"Wow, your resemblance with your father is awesome Tal!" the half-elf seems surprised "I am sorry man, we came here without a lot of time for catch ups. We got in problems with a tribe of skinshifters or something like that. Your son will explain you the details, but please, help us, we are desperate!"
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Tal takes the hit in stride and swipes his cheek whilst looking back at his father in annoyance."I see you haven't changed much. As to Jacobs, it was supposed to be a little spark to scare him, but the old fart drank so much whiskey his beard was soaked in it. You know how these nobles get with their precious beards..." He says absentmindedly as he inspects the house.
"Now, that is not the reason we are here father. We need a diviner and I'm sure you know of one or two. We need a localization spell cast on our two friends who just got kidnapped by those Norgorber fanatics. Time is of the essence here, So will you help us?"
Kiley shivers from the cold as she and jessica sat by the fire burning in a guard's common room.
"Jessica," Kiley says quietly as they wait for some dry clothes, warm blankets, and some food, "do you still trust me>"
Kiley curls up tighter next to Jessica, a shiver running through her as she remembered the brutal beating.
"She-- she muddled my mind. I believed her. I believed what she said, and a small part of me wanted to do what she wanted me to do," Kiley says quietly, "I was, am, weak.If was strong, that wouldn't have happened. If I was strong, I wouldn't have been so scared. If I had been in your place, we'd still be trapped, because I would be too afraid to do anything."
"You lost your family five hours ago, and you can get us out of a fix like that. I lost my family five years ago and-- and--" Kiley buries her head in her knee, "I could have hurt you. I could have killed you, and then what? Tal and the others would hate me! I-- I don't want to go through that. They're going to hate me enough as it is."
KIley looks up at Jessica, and the already emotional girl can't hold back the tears in her eyes either. She just hugs Jessica as the two of them cry.
"I'm not nearly drnk enough to hear this. Tal what the hells have you gone and gotten yourself mixed up this time," Tal's father says as he covers his face with one hand, "I swear, idiot boy, you bring more trouble on yourself than anyone I've seen! It's been two years, who know--"
"That's enough!" an elven woman says from the stairs leading up stairs, "It's been two years since we've seen our son and you stand there and berate him when he comes to us for help? Sometimes I wonder what I see in you," she says as she walks into the room. It may be because she's an elf, but she does bear a striking resemblance to Tal. She turns to Tal and the others, her voice calmer now.
"Even if it's not under ideal circumstances, I'm glad to see you. I think we may know of someone, but it's late and I doubt he'll be happy to be disturbed," she tells them, "I can take you to him if you want. I'm sure he'll understand if we explain it's an emergency."
Tal's father looks sullenly at first his wife then his son.
"Do whatever you want, I'll watch over the shop while you're gone," he says waving to the door as he heads back upstairs.
"Well, then, since it's just us, shall we go," Tal's mother asks.
Shortly after both Jessica and Kiley break down crying, a trio of women in the uniforms of the guard come with dry clothes, hor food, and blankets. Two of them hold up the blankets as screens so the two young women can change and dry off with some privacy. After getting dressed, the blankets are handed over so they can wrap up and stay warm as they eat.
"So," one of them, the one who'd helped jessica and Kiley get changed, says as the two of them eat, "From what we've been told, you were kidnapped and somehow escaped, can you tell us what happened?"
Rain splatters the windows as a storm comes down outside. As the two of you are going over what you have found, someone knocks on the door.
"This is the city guard," a commanding voice says over the din of the storm, "we're here on a tip from the Shelynite church."
Delendir cannot avoid a chuckle as the mom tells off the father "I know now why Tal has a hand with girls". He then nods at the woman as she proposes to meet with someone the Darkariels know "I think it will be fine, whatever if we can find our friends." he then looks at Tal guessing it is his call in the end.
His mood lightening immediately he bows in thanks to the woman for her offered assistance. "It is most appreciated, Miss..." catching himself at not knowing her name he promptly ends the bow, offering her a stoic smile instead.
"I suppose it could be the actual city guards." Grace says, thoughtfully. "Or it could be more shapechanging monsters. Either way, perhaps we had best avoid them."
The opera singer glances sideways at her fellow diva.
"They might get the wrong idea and try to arrest us for being so damned sexy, after all."
Kiley stays quiet through the questioning, eating the hot meal and letting it warm her from the inside. She feels the pain unheard in Jessica's voice and wraps the priestess in a hug when she begins to describe the discovery of the death of her family and the events afterward.
"You would probably be right" Elisai remarks dryly, shrugging and casually glancing around the room, looking at the various items around, idly fiddling. She doesn't really function well in enclosed spaces, preferring area's where she can swing her sword around if bored. Summoning a musical instrument, Elisai decides to fill the time composing a new tune.
After a minute or so, the guard bursts down the door. They ask some rather pointed questions when they find you two inside, though after they find the DuMornes and the creatures, they aren't as abrasive, even becoming a little apologetic as they leave with your accounts of what happened.
The guards listen to Jessica's account of what happened with increasingly worried looks. After she finishes, they escort you to a smaller room with a warm fire going. Two of them stay to keep you company and to keep watch over you as well.
A little while later, the third returns saying Jessica's story had been confirmed, and that she and Kiley were free to go.
It's only a few minutes to the mage Tal's mother mentioned. She manages to persuade the cantankerous man out of fireballing the lot of you, and into helpin gyou find Kiley and Jessica. Thirty minutes later, you rush from the place heading to the Arvensoar.
It's nearly midnight when everyone returns to Jessica's home. The day had been long and wearing and sleep finds the companions easily. The next morning dawns to an overcast sky and a constant drizzle of rain.
Delendir is very happy to see the two women again, and despite his introspection does not let him hug them with his strong arms, he becomes clearly emotional during hours, standing there with glassy eyes "I am sorry. I should have set a guard. I should have been able to track your attackers girls"
The night is now advanced, and the journey has been long, the ranger is terribly fatigued, and despite his attempts to keep on guard he easily crumbles into the dreamy hands of Desna.
Ghina, shaken by the events, keeps alert just next to her companion taking close attention to his rest.
Upon sighting Kiley and Jessica Sunday breaks into a mad dash to get to them, stopping just shy of tackling the poor girls as some unseen thought that crosses his mind at the last second makes him jerk back. "... Are... are you both okay?" he manages to say inbetween fidgeting.
When the group found Jessica and Kiley at the Arvensoar Jess threw herself into Tal's arms and held onto him tightly for a few minutes before they all returned to her home. Reaching there she collapsed into a chair and began to elaborate on what happened to them while she clutched tightly to Tal.
Grace sighs softly. Honestly, she was just about to go answer the door. Truly.
However, she gracefully answers questions and charms the guards until they have no reason to suspect she or any member of the party are anything but innocent victims in the whole affair.
When the others return, Grace kisses both women and then suggests a guard be set. Especially since the front door needs repair.
Kiley stays close to Sunday when she's back with the others.
As the night goes on and everyone catches up after the very seemingly excruciating day, a well deserved nights rest catches up with everyone. As best of a rest as could be, circumstances given. Early mid morning however, a knock on the house door reveals a few Magnimarian guards and an elf behind them, quite obviously distinguished from the guards in his more noble regalia. As they step into the house, the elf speaks up with a stern voice. "Ms. DuMorne? It saddens me the news of your family. This is a tragedy, most grave indeed. You'll have to forgive these guards however, although we do not see you as suspects and do not doubt your claims, we still must investigate your home as per our system. Would you mind leaving the premises for a short time? My men should be finished by the afternoon should you wish to return. Before you leave however, I must ask you a question. Are you and your group here the ones I've heard about from Sandpoint?" he asks as he looks over the group.
Kiley sleepily follows the others to the front door, still half-asleep from the ordeal last night.
"Didn't you guys do the investi-thingy while you had Jess an' me in the Arvy-whatsit," she asks drowsily before stifling a yawn. "'Sides' what's so important about us bein' from Sandpoint anyways?"
Quietly moving into the main room alongside Kiley, Sunday is drowsy and irritated about being woken up but doesn't let out any grumbles as the tiny fighter questions the rude guards.
When she went to bed that night Jess was to scared to be alone, and she didn't want to let go of Tal, so she pulled him to bed with her. She was too tired to do more than that, she just wanted him beside her for comfort. She woke later in the morning than normal and completed her morning prayer before stepping out on a balcony overlooking the street. She began to sing a song of heart wrenching sorrow and pain for those who cared to listen, the sorrowful music greeting the guards when they arrived. As they knocked on the door her song ended and she came downstairs to answer the door.
There were tears in her eyes as she answered the guard, "I-I understand sir. There are places I should go, pp-people I should inform. As for Sandpoint, yes, that is probably us, is there a reason you ask?"
Already awake when the guards arrive, Delendir stands up, catches his main belongings and strokes his hawk before going downstairs to the hall.
He there analyses carefully the self-told guards.
"We might be from that town... who knows... why do you ask?" and regarding the first question he adds to his companions answers "I would prefer to stay around while you investigate. Truth be told we had been terribly deceived just recently. Forgive us a bit if we are being overcautious now."
You don't seem to notice anything suspicious about the man or the guards, as they appear to do exactly what they came to do, investigate the scene.
The elf looks at Jessica for moment, before looking towards the rest of you. "I suspect that would be a wise choice Ms DuMorne. And you all seem to fit the quaint little group of those who stood up for Sandpoint in it's very trying recent days since their festival. Sheriff Hemlock mentioned you and what you did, and I do find it somewhat inspiring. While you're courage is valued, I don't believe that I need to explain to you that we have our own ways and system in how we treat such matters. I would recommend that you keep to yourselves in any official matters and let us do what we do best. Rest assured, we will find your kidnappers, and if there is any foul play suspected here, then we shall get to the bottom of that as well. There is no need to take matters into you own hands, so please spend your time here in Magnimar to relax and enjoy the comforts it offers to you. Now please, if you could leave so that way we may do our job." he finishes speaking as he side steps in order to let you all out of the house.
"Well, a breakfast out would do us all good anyway." Grace notes. She's wearing a simple corset, lace top, and tattered black widow's skirt over a pair of knee high leather, buckled platform heels. Her hair, normally up in a bun, hangs loose about her shoulders.
"'Slong as they have pancakes," Kiley says quietly, waking up a little more at the mention of food. Despite the sleepy antics, she is fully dressed in a loose, white tunic with a red and blue scarf tied around her waist. A pair of black, wool pants and sturdy leather boots completes the outfit.
A bit forced to move on, Delendir decides to follow the party out of the house grunting. He is wearing a half-ragged scale mail with thin leather shirt and trousers underneath. He goes retrieve the donkey from the stable and calls Ghina that comes flying through some of the openings.
Once the group is outside and having a breakfast at some fancy place, Delendir starts talking "We need to do something to stop the people that kidnapped you. What did you discover? Do you know where to find them?" he let's the girls talk then adds "If we have no clue of where to go next, I suggest we go to the Foxglove manor here in Magnimar as it was our first idea. I start to fear you are all right and these is somehow related to what we found back at Sandpoint and these Brothers of the Seven"
"We've a stop to make along the way." Grace says as she leads her friends through the streets of Magnimar. The route should be familiar to both Jessica and to Sunday.
"Here we are. There are people inside who deserve to know Jessica is safe, after all."
Grace motions to the Temple of a certain goddess of beauty and art.
Ready to leave Jessica nodded to the guard and said, "We'll get out of your way then." She grabbed the few things she still needed and headed out the door with the others. As they walked Jessica simply followed along, leaning against Tal the whole way, and paid little attention to where they were going. It wasn't until they arrived at the temple that Jess paid the least little attention to where they were. Her eyes lit up a little pushing the pervasive gloom in her mind back a bit. She looked at Grace and said, "Thanks Grace, this was a good choice I think. Why don't we go in and I can show you around some?"
Elisai gives the guards a quick once over, but decides that they are indeed precisely what they appear to be, so she quietly trails after Grace in search of breakfast. Like Jessica however, Elisai appears to be quiet pleased as the stroll takes them in the direction of the Shelyn temple, music being such a large part of her life.
Kiley smiles as she notices Jessica cheering up a bit.
"Lead the way," she says cheerfully.