Grod, are you ok? Sam asks the warrior. The others seem to have the interrogation under control and he thought the time for harsher words than he can muster were more appropriate.
"Skreed finds me. I never know when or where. The messages are in a code I don't understand. From what I gather, they have not yet found what they are looking for."
Grod makes to rub his head, then quickly pulls his hand away, wincing. "Well, I'm hanging in there, but if you've got some curative magic to spare, I would welcome it." he says to Sam.
Yverstrix shakes off his fatigue, then joins the interrogation, asking, "So then you've just relaying messages that you don't understand, by voice, to the troll? You're never bringing replies, or dropping messages for others?"
"Replies? Sure. But they don't make much sense either. Honestly, there isn't a whole lot of messages, and I expect it's just status updates. For instance, I brought Skreed a message that 'the rays move across the field' and he replied with 'the hill is high but the valley deep'. Does that mean anything to you? But no one else - just the flood troll and Skreed."
Feeling a little better, Grod re-enters the conversation. "And this 'Skreed', what does he look like? Any identifying marks; tattoos, scars, particularly prominent features?"
He gives a detailed description, but it doesn't sound like anyone you have seen.
"Replies? Sure. But they don't make much sense either. Honestly, there isn't a whole lot of messages, and I expect it's just status updates. For instance, I brought Skreed a message that 'the rays move across the field' and he replied with 'the hill is high but the valley deep'. Does that mean anything to you? But no one else - just the flood troll and Skreed."
That doesn't mean anything to me. But then I'm not so military minded. Perhaps Kurst could make more sense of that? I say we take him in without delay.
"I don't know much about the tunnel. I know some cleric was in charge of digging, looking for whatever they are seeking, and then the tunnel collapsed so word is that Skreed killed him. Then they all went elsewhere. I don't think they found what they were looking for."
"Those other names you mention, I don't know them. And I don't know anything about assassins."
"We need to get him and word of this pending attack back to Halgra," Mortoth repeats.
"Agreed." Grod says, nodding to Mortoth.
As you enter the gates, the guards see you and ask your business. Once they are satisfied you are who you say you are, one of them notices your prisoner. "Daktani, what trouble have you caused now?"
Apparently the guard knows your traitor, and explains that he is known as a scoundrel and expected thief. They help you escort the prisoner to Halgra's home, but no one is there. They suggest taking him to the barracks and locking him up, where this can all be reported to Kurst Grath.
Yver sighs, "He's not after telling us anything useful, but maybe the codes would have some meaning to people who are after knowing more about the town than we do.... Or they might be catching a detail of his story we're missing."
Sam relays what they have found so far from the prisoner, which isn't much.
Perhaps Mr Daktani doesn't know any more than he suggests but surely if there is the suggestion of an attack then the townspeople must be prepared? Not that they need much preparation. he adds remarking that the whole town always seems to be on the verge of battle anyway.
Kurst listens you your concerns, and then replies. "What makes you think there is more than one tunnel? It sounds to me like the attempt has already failed. Not to worry, friend. We are well prepared for orc raids, and even if they are planning something now, we will see them coming and be prepared. We have withstood many an orc attack."
"Meanwhile, please come tonight to celebrate Rodrik's life as we perform his funeral ceremony at sunset. I am sorry my brother had to give his life for disrupting this planned raid, but at least we now know he did not take his own life. "
"Indeed," the witch drawls mockingly, sarcasm dripping from her words like poison. "Clearly a gang of saboteurs doing as they please within the walls are hardly a threat - it's not like they killed anyone of worth after all. While I have no reason to believe there's more than one tunnel either, that their activity only increased after the collapse means whatever they're up to is still on track, and I fail to see the source of your confidence in dismissing them, given the recent events. Surely now you have enough proof to rally the militia in force and search the town up and down for whatever holes that trash is hiding in?"
"Who would we even be looking for? No, the fine people of this town do not need our limited resources to turn their homes and businesses upside down in a witch-hunt. I agree, there are probably a few bad apples in town. But if we start rounding up half-orcs, I expect current prejudices will simply escalate."
"As long as the attack won’t take place until the half-orcs signal for it," Kurst reasons, "and as long as the militia keeps guards stationed at the beacons and around the city walls, Trunau has little to fear. Even if the saboteurs signal the attack from outside the town’s walls without being detected, the militia should have time to sound the alarm and close the gates."
"Listen, I see you are passionate about this. Starting tomorrow, I will assign a few of the more level-headed guards to start investigating."
Mortoth nods, but asks again, "We found catacombs holding ashes in the Plague House. Seeing as no one uses it for that purpose anymore, I have to wonder if there's not something similar here within the walls. It's the sort of place one might try to tunnel to - and that would perhaps hide secrets like the ones these traitors are searching for. Do you know of anything like that?"
"I don't know of another place like that. Perhaps something at the Sanctuary?"
Well, shouldn't someone check? Sam asks befuddled. I understand what you say about witch hunts and such like and... and most of the guard will want to attend Roderick's funeral of course, I mean that goes without saying, so no doubt there will be fewer guards around to do this kind of thing.... he rambles. flustered.
But from what I've seen the town is always preparing for an attack and now there may be one.... he doesn't finish but merely shrugs. There were assassins! he exclaims as if that explained everything.
Drawing the others aside, out of Kurst's hearing, Mortoth says quietly, "Rodrik's funeral will represent an opportunity, one these searchers won't be able to pass up. If we try to search the town while the funeral is going on, we might spot them."
Yverstrix shrugs, "I'm agreeing that there's no sense trying to start a panic, but I'm thinking that there's a middle ground... one where the guards are after keeping an eye out for strangers... other than ourselves."
He follows the others outside, then nods, "Mortoth's plan is after being a sensible one... though it might be worth looking in the holes we're after knowing about."
Grod nods at Malthu's suggestion of heading to Sanctuary. "While we're there, we could ask about catacombs."[b] he says, though it's clear that healing is first on his mind. He leans a bit on Cera, who had been waiting outside the Plague House. [b]"We should probably attend the funeral, though. You never know when some more assassins might crop up, and we're the only people around who are looking for threats right now."
Mortoth concurs with the idea of seeing what healing and/or hospitality the Sanctuary might offer for the evening.
Sam chews over what they have learnt in the last few hours. An attack? Possibly. That Trunauians are stubborn? Certainly.
He wasn't sure what he was expecting from this place but the people here lived on such a ragged edge that he wondered if he would ever have the opportunity to learn anything about the area beyond the fact it was constantly on the brink of war. He wondered about the relics and lost knowledge in those mountains and wondered more why no one seemed to care about any of it.
But he had found a group that were capable and determined at least and now he felt like if there really were danger in this town and an imminent attack he should stay and help. Whatever help he might provide that is, maybe he can distract the orcs with a lecture about symbology in ancient Ustalavic texts.
The Dr sighs and restrings his bow. He actually was a pretty good shot at least.
"We can also see to divving up the loot while at that," Shivarra's eyes glint with interest.
Yverstrix shrugs, "Not saying you're after being wrong, Grod... Though I can't shake the thought that the funeral is too perfect a time for the villains to act while everyone is distracted. And I'm thinking the catacombs are worth exploring... If they'll let us in, that is."
The high-priestess at Sanctuary is more than happy to let you explore their lowest level, but you find no signs of foul play.
Even though it is daylight, rest and recuperation is something most of you are looking forward to. And a little bit of negotiating with the local merchants, and you are able to sell off and divy your loot ().
As evening approaches, you still have to decide whether to attend the funeral service. It is to be a very small gathering of family and close friends, but Kurst assures you that he counts you among them.
He also has a friendly chat with Sam. "Hey Doc, appreciate all you're doin' fer us here. It's not like this is your home, so riskin' yer life out here's real brave. If you ever write a book about this, go tell 'em about what we did here, so the locals'll start appreciatin' us."
The doctor becomes somewhat flustered.
Malthu it's a pleasure. I may have just fallen in with you but as long as I'm not slowing anyone down then I'm more than happy to help. he says.
I'm still hoping that I can make my way into the wilderness. I cannot describe to you how rich with history I believe it to be beyond those walls. Perhaps if I show that I am at least somewhat capable, and not the pampered buffoon people think me to be, I will finally secure a guide.
.............
I'd be happy to come along Kurst. It seems only right to pay my respects.
Katrezra is happy to speak with you. "I am not sure how much I can help, but ask me whatever you like."
"I have had nightmares of recent, but nothing distinct enough to tell you. Burning, screams, smoke and falling timbers. Perhaps it is just dreams of the plague house burning down, but it seems like something more. I will find you and tell you if anything else comes to me."
Shivarra takes her share of the loot mostly in coin, aside from a vanishing potion.
"Might as well," Shivarra shrugs. "If we're lucky, there will be another attack."
Grod looks up from honing his greatsword long enough to nod his assent to Shivarra's words, then goes back to his blade.