"Thank you for your hospitality. You are generous indeed. I have many questions, but I do not want to bombard you so soon after arriving home. Perhaps you could simply point us to some shops after dinner and we'll give you time to relax and settle in."
Nadya nods to Davosh and prepares the kettle. I have a vital delivery to make after eating, she says as she pulls out a bowl filled with small apples, pears, celery, and hazelnuts, but I vill be back by sundown. You can check Venrana's Sundries for vhat you might need — north side of the square next to the town hall.
The boys return, and Nadya takes the blankets they bring, then hands each an apple and a stalk of celery and shoos them back out, their wide eyes locked on Ali and Davosh as they exit. She gives the blankets to you — there are a half-dozen — and pulls out just as many mugs for tea. She fills each with the steaming liquid, taking one for herself.
After a long sip, Nadya stares off into the distance a moment before setting her mug on the table and going to a battered chest near the door. These should help me return quickly, she says, pulling out a set of fine snowshoes and shutting the chest, setting them atop it. She returns to her mug and takes another drink. The tea is flavorful, if weak, with a hint of mint.
"Nadya, I'm accustomed to stares, but the children have a keen interest in Ali and I, what causes this? I'll be happy to check out Venrana's. I'd like to get some snowshoes, but I'd also like to get more.... esoteric supplies. Do you have a local witch or hedge wizard who might trade for potions, or even sell the recipe for magic spells? I'd like to scribe some scrolls..."
"Do you need help on your delivery? Is it dangerous? " Vojtek offers his assistance.
Nadya smiles at Davosh's question. They have never seen a being like Ali — an elf, I believe? — and you must admit, your eyes are a curious set, hmm? She continues regarding his other inquiry: Check with Verana for potions and the like; you never know quite vhat you'll find on her shelves. You might also ask at the chapel. Rolf is a pleasant fellow, if absent-minded.
To Vojtek, Nadya shakes her head. I do appreciate the offer, but it would be foolish of you to knock on the door of the Pale Tower. The foods brought back should go there as...as payment.
She thinks a moment, then asks quietly, I do not have enough silver to pay Kashka to vatch the tvins again. If I might impose: can one person stay vith them until I return this evening?
Vojtek volunteers and grins at thd kids frighteningly
Uh, Vojtek, maybe that's not the best job for you.
She smiles at the little 'uns. You kids mind if I stay and keep an eye on things while your Ma is out?
The mystic shrugs at the observation about his eyes. Elves ARE strange after all.
"thank you. Vojtek will be a proficient sitter of babies. Please, what is this Pale Tower and the people who take your food as payment? Payment for what?"
I would actually like to browse some wares.
-Posted with Wayfinder
The boys are sufficiently intimidated by the barbarian, but remain curious enough about Ali to come out from behind Nadya when she asks. The boys are clearly twins, identical, in fact. One tentatively reaches out to touch the tip of Ali's pointed ear as she stoops to talk at their level.
Nadya purses her lips at Davosh's question. The Pale Tower is the home of Nazhena Vasilliovna, the Vhite Vitch who rules our region of Irrisen. She is quiet a long while, as Ali entertains the boys with dancing lights. Finally, she says quietly, And the food is payment for my Thora.
At the mention of Thora, one of the boys scrunches up his face and starts to cry, while the other looks at Ali and then at Davosh and asks in wonderment, Are you going to help Mama get Thora back?
BOOM! That's as good as it's going to get!
"What is the story here?"
Something about Nadya and her boys is familiar. Upon reflection, her face resembles the ghostly girl you met outside the High Sentinel Lodge. And the boys have the same color hair.
Kappi isnt quite sure what story or whatever is going on.
However, he is ready to go with Davosh to go shopping. He figures nobody should go anywhere alone.
"Ma'am, before Kappi and I depart... And forgive me me if I offend or pour salt in a wound, but in our wanderings we came across a ghostly figure of a girl with a striking familial resemblance. It presaged a strange encounter with a doll..."
The Mystic lets his opening hang.
Nadya looks confused at Davosh's words. Vhat? No, she is being held at the Pale Tower — Nazhena told me so herself. Nadya pulls out a locket, opening it and showing it to the party. It bears a small, painted portrait of a young Ulfen blond child. The image looks very much like the ghostly girl.
I have a chance to see my daughter again. I do not know how I could be here had you not been there to protect us from the giant bug, Nadya says, with damp eyes but a slight smile. Now I must bring the food to the Pale Tower, to secure my daughter's freedom after she...after she made fun of Nazhena during a visit to the village. Tears stream down Nadya's face as she tells the tale. She quickly wipes the tears away, perhaps ashamed to show weakness, and continues. Thora is a sveet girl, but brash. She didn't mean anything by her teasing, but the Vhite Vitch vould hear nothing of mercy and took her avay. She said ve could have her back if I got them a store of food, enough for a small army. Nadya shrugs sadly and shakes her head. They often demand food to leave us alone, but this vas more than ever before. Still, vhat could I do? Vhat vould you do, if it vere your child? I vould do anything for her.
The boys are both quietly crying now, listening to the story they have obviously heard before yet still hanging on each word.
... Vhat vould you do, if it vere your child? I vould do anything for her.
The boys are both quietly crying now, listening to the story they have obviously heard before yet still hanging on each word.
At this, Ali's eyes burn with inner fire. She had gripped her sword hilt as Nadya began her tale, and at this last ("what would YOU do?") her grip audibly tightens as her knuckles turn white. She makes eye contact with each of her friends.
I know what *I* would do.
"This is wrong. I think you've been lied to. I think I want to do some looking around there. Maybe WE should bring the food."
Vojtek's smile has transformed into a scowl. He turns to Ali, Watch these children, I have some work to tend to. Men's work.
Vojtek gets up, draws his well-worn but deadly beautiful Greatsword with a crystalline ringing sound. He starts out the door, then stops and turns to ask directions when he catches the rising fury in Ali's eye. He looks at her questioningly, genuinely confused by her reaction. He looks at her quizzically. In fact, he assumed she would be completely in favor of the girl's rescue.
Ali takes a deep breath as Vojtek gives her the questioning look. She walks up to him and peers intently into his face and eyes. After a moment, she steps back. You know Vojtek, you really don't *look* that stupid...
She draws her own well-worn blade. Not "men's work." OUR work. She turns to Nadya. Where is this tower? As Davosh suggests, we will take care of this.
Vojtek makes an impressed, exaggerated frown, clearly eyeing the lady with respect for her pluck and valor.
He turns to Davosh and opens his mouth to ask a question, but remains silent for a span of a few heartbeats.
He wants to ask about the marble's destruction but thinks it might be better to let the heterochromatic-eyed man channel the ancestors for wisdom.
I was hoping Edward would do it, alas....
"Nadya. They don't have your daughter. Your daughter has passed to Pharasma's hands*. We encountered something bound to her spirit in our lands. I fear that she's been murdered for someone's nefarious purpose. Nadya, hear me, and hear me well. We'll avenge her. Vojtek's verve is felt by all of us."
To his wiry barbarian friend, "A sword swung against the tower will result in needless death. The ancients provide us wisdom through their experience. Knowledge will get us face to face with an enemy to fell."
Back to Nadya, "Please, let us assemble equipment and information. Anything you can help us with. A map, description of the tower, guards, etc will be helpful. Let us avenge Thora. And tell us of this Nazhena person. All you know."
I do, in fact, tell her this.
As Davosh speaks, Vojtek recognizes the wisdom of the ancestors and sheaths his weapon, settling in to plan for the assault.
Edward's words flow smoothly and seem to calm the woman a bit. Vojtek adds vigorous nods and empathetic interjections to Edward's tale. He presents a rough exterior, hardened by decades in the icy north. But the pain of loss stings deep in his barbaric soul and he can see the woman's plight through the lens of the agony he experienced when the White took his people from him on the tundra at the edge of the ice.
Vojtek Diplomacy to Aid another: <- more like "pathetic" interjections :(
|
Boys, Nadya what my friends have said is true. I offer my nay our condolences on your loss. It saddens me that we are the bearer of bad news, but please take consolation in the fact that you now have closure, and that Thora is now with "insert their god here"
Nadya, I know this is much to take in, and while we are willing to help you exact some vengeance, lets take awhile and have a proper wake for young Thora. We can wait while to honor your dead
As Edward and Davosh share what they know as gently as possible, Nadya is horrified and grief-stricken. She takes the twins into her embrace and tries to explain as best she can about Thora, then the three of them weep together for their loss.
But only for a few moments.
Soon enough, Nadya has returned to the strong woman the party has come to know and respect. She dries her eyes and kisses Orm and Mjoli on their cheek, then straightens.
Perhaps, she says, her face revealing a steely resolve, I shall take you up on your generous offer to help deliver my ransom to the Pale Tower.
"Tell me Nadya, do all in town suffer the same as you? I want to know as much as possible."
All fear Nazhena, Nadya replies, and vith good reason. Ve are less than a day's journey avay from the Pale Tower, so ve see her more than most.
Perhaps, she says, her face revealing a steely resolve, I shall take you up on your generous offer to help deliver my ransom to the Pale Tower.
Ali offers her embrace to the family, if they want it. Vengeance won't bring her back. But it shall still be my--OUR--pleasure to bring this Witch to justice, and stop her from harming anyone else.
Well then, let's go shopping.
Going shopping then?
Shopping!
-Posted with Wayfinder
Lets go
Kappi and Davosh (and anyone else, if desired, since Nadya sees no pressing time crunch to deliver her ransom now) make their way into the village to visit Verana's Sundries. As they walk along Waldsby's main thoroughfare, they see several locals dart in and out of buildings while trying to steal glances at the foreigners. No one stops to speak with them, however.
As they near the center of town, Kappi sees a brawny man with a well-made fur coat hurry out of the side door of the town hall on their right. A brief moment later, a comely woman peeks out the front door, then steps out, striding across the square before them to a large building on the south side, which bears a weathered wooden sign with a white rodent and the words "The White Weasel" scrawled in difficult-to-read print below it. Shortly, the man reappears behind them, walking briskly and making his way south on a street leading away from the hall.
In the middle of the square, they note a large statue of a beautiful woman. They must have walked past it this morning, but with the commotion deflected by Nadya as they went through, they didn't look closely at it then.
Curiously, there is a strong resemblance between the statue here and the one back in the square of Heldren. If it's not in fact of the same person, it was certainly made by the same sculptor.
A small bell is heard as Kappi and Davosh enter Verana's Sundries on the north side of the square. Within the cozy shop sit shelves of useful gear — ropes, bags, furs, and cold-weather equipment — and a rather bored-looking teenage girl who hasn't yet noticed the two of you; she is too busy writing short lines and sketching oversized hearts in a small book.
Wisdom check.
The statue looks familiar but the lad cant place it. Obviously Kappi would have figured it out but the bored looking teenage girl quickly takes over the sixteen year olds thoughts entirely.
The young rogue saunters up to counter. He speaks to the girl in a mixture of Varisian, Taldane, and Skald. He tries to sound worldly and experienced. As he continues talking he gauges her response and will talk primarily in Skald though he continues to throw in Varisian words to try and sound exotic and exciting.
What a beautiful blossom I find among the cold and snow. I am called Kappi Matarito. What is your name lovely one?
Oh! the girl exclaims, leaping from her stool and slamming her book shut. I, um, didn't hear you come in! She scrambles to place it out of sight, and is clearly flustered, though whether that's from surprise or from the smoothness of Kappi's approach is unclear to the rogue.
She finally looks up as her hands nervously smooth out her apron. Um, hello! And um, welcome to Verana's Sundries. I'm Milivsa! She squints slightly, then continues. I don't recognize...Are you the newcomers who came into town with Ms. Petska this morning?
"We are, and we come looking for equipment of a particular bend. I need to expand my spellcasting repertoire. May I see what you have for scrolls and potions?"
The Mystic looks a bit with the BLUE eye, "What is that you're reading my child?"
We are, and we come looking for equipment of—
Ooh, equipment! Milivsa says, interrupting Davosh and clearly interested now. Then, in rapid fire: What sort of equipment? We don't get many visitors here. Are you planning another trip? Where to? Are you staying in town long? What brings you here anyway?
I need to expand my spellcasting rep—
YOU CAN CAST SPELLS? That is so COOL where do they COME from how do you DO it what's the scariest spell you ever cast?
May I see what you have for scrolls and potions?
Milivsa stops and stares for a moment. I...I don't know what those are.
What is that you're reading my child?
Suddenly nervous all over again, her eyes dart to the book behind the counter and she stammers out a few words— Oh! N-nothing, just a journal I write in sometimesohlookhere'smymotherthey'relookingforoceansandcrawls!
This last is said as a door behind the counter opens and a woman of maybe thirty summers steps through. She is fair-skinned, like most from the north, and has golden hair that is beginning to grow white around the temples. She shakes her finger at Milivsa. Please stop screeching, girl. I'm right here. As Milivsa drops her eyes, the woman notices Davosh and Kappi just then; she gives a well-rehearsed smile as she says, Ah! Welcome to my shop!
Milivsa rolls her eyes once they are out of view of her mother. She is clearly not chastened by the scolding; if anything, she is more indignant than before.
Vojtek maneuvers to interposed himself between the mother and Kappi, allowing the young rogue to behave roguishly in Milivsa's line of sight.
Perception
Kappi is obviously too excited to pick up on that.
Yet, he is good with distractions and teamwork. Back in the day he had picked a few pockets with help from his Varisian cousins.
Kappi makes his move.
He speaks her name with a Varisian accent making it sound exotic. Milivsa.... Then making sure her mother doesnt see he gooses her rear (which Kappi is sure is ten times better than the scrawny girl who broke his heart back among his People)
Sleight of hand