For a moment it seemed like time didn't move, eyes locked for only a moment. Then the young woman blinked and began to continue on her path. "Good day." She said simply to Katrina when they came closer together.
"I'm just glad you're alright." He hugs her tight.
"Katrina could you attempt to speak with the corpse tomorrow. Perhaps the dead can provide some insight."
He then looks to Bearik.
"Yes please have the man brought here. I will send some people to clean up the bodies of the women. We will give them proper burials, if Quince agree's."
Quince nods to the idea of burying the bodies following investigation.
Cleonora chuckled a bit. "I'm nothing special. Just someone who knows what they're good at! And where their weaknesses are. Which I'd argue is more important." She stated very light hearted in tone. "I met your Warden this morning by the way! I expressed a willingness to work with your guard and give them a discount on any magical armor or weapons they'd need. To strength the guard is to strengthen the whole." Cleonora told him before pausing in her words to eat and drink more. "Though that point will be moot if I can't get anything set up." She shrugged. "Oh, does the court have an enchanter?"
"Oh really. Which warden? I am glad for your help and willingness to be a part things." He takes a drink. "Enchanter hmmm. an official one no. It sounds like you might well be in the running. If your trustworthiness holds."
"Sulvanii - the Warden of the People a councilor or vizier.
Saren - Warden of the Host our General.
Bearik - Warden of Fellowship our Grand Diplomat.
Katrina - Warden of the Faith our High Priestess
Jhod - Warden of well lets see he started as our Warden of the Scroll but he is now our Warden of Coin a Treasury position.
Kevros - Warden of Sword our high marshal
Sota - Warden of Scroll is our magister."
He looks wistfully into his drink, "Angeus our . . . my queen or was intended as such. Well that certainly is a trip down a different rabbit hole."
"Yes, I can prepare a speak with dead tomorrow, but only one."
She smiles at Tristan's attention and places her hands on his sides. She answers his question, "Yes, that was the cult. I was there. It was a massacre. I could do little to stop it."
Quince nods to Larina, "I am glad you were not caught up in the fighting. Though I know you can handle yourself. As for stopping it those who dabble in such darkness often come to . . . well dark ends." He motions toward the image.
He looks to Bearik, "Well anything we can do to identify them might reveal if there are those in their circle of associates that still need watching. Such infection does not always come clean in the lancing."
"Any symbols or iconography or literature might reveal more."
"We will have the corpse of the man brought to the castle. It will be in the stables. Also the woman with the strange jewelry,, bring her too the stables too. Stalker and the six men with him will take care of the scene." He relays.
"Stalker will collect what they can find."
Uh hmm, she mumbles out in Tristan's arms.
"Good, well there is not much we can do tonight. We will meet at the stables in the morning then. Thank you Katrina. You may be our only hope in gathering any information from this. If there is nothing else I wish to head back to sleep." He takes Larina by the hand and begins to head away to their quarters.
"Wait so... what happened to her? I mean if she isn't your queen, something had to of happened... Also, the court must not like the fact you're unmarried. Stability in a kingdom comes from two things, the way the King rules, and a clear line of succession..." Cleonora said, muttering a bit as this had to be personal for him and she didn't want him to think he had to answer her.
Then Cleonora went silent for a long moment, before blinking and looking Quince with a kind smile. "I'm glad I chose to come here." She told him. "And, your pain may never leave but it will get easier to carry... that I promis."
She gives you a big hug and a kiss, then whispers, "not tonight dear, I need to get that scene out of my mind. I am going for a run with Ash."
The next day she gets to the stables and casts her spell upon the man, though to her dismay it doesn't work. "It could have resisted me if it was a different alignment. Or if it was undead, the spell doesn't work at all."
"Whatever you need." He smiles knowing they will be back together soon.
The next morning Quince meets with Katrina. "Thank you for trying."
Later at some point Quince checks in with the various council members to catch up on information. Additionally he asks a few questions of Bearik and Sulivani about Jhod and his performance.
He catches up with Tristan, "Oh it seems we both met a new resident . . . Cleonora. She mentioned that she had met you. She seems that she wants to be of use."
"Thank you Katrina. Well at lease the cult is taken care of I guess."
As he is leaving Quince catches him.
"Cleonoran? Oh, the little magic item crafting lady. Yes, I spoke with her briefly a couple of days ago. As Warden your Grace, it is my duty to say be wary of any so quick to offer help. After the man came and spoke against us this could be a plant that seeks to get close to us through aiding us. One can't be too careful. She did seem nice enough though and I'm sure we can use her help if sincere. I would say arrange a lunch with the others and let her meet and express to them all what she has to offer."
"Wise words. Time will tell I think."
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Cleonora got up, dressed, and headed down. She got some breakfast before heading out to see about getting a meeting with this Jhod King Quince had mentioned. After all there had to be some paperwork she had to fill out.
She made her way in her normal blue outfit with her basket this time holding a pair of bracers and a chain shirt that had a bluish silver metal. When she got to the castle she asked the guard at the gate, "Could you help me, I am wanting to speak with a Jhod, and I believe he said the other one's name was Sota. The Magister and the Treasurer. Do I need to make an appointment or get papers from the Town Hall? I've never need to do anything like this before so I'm unsure of the process."
"Hmm, I wasn't under the impression there where none here." Cleonora commented.
She quickly catches her before she moves on, "No magic stores, enchanters, or what exactly?"
before she shook her head. "I am not faithful to any deity. So the cathedral wouldn't work well for me. I would only make those around me feel akward." She stated.
She nods understanding.
"If there are already enchanters, and they don't have their own shops, wouldn't they be at places like the cathedral and castle? I mean I don't see a large noble presence, so I'd have to believe they'd only be able to find work at those two places. I'd rather service the guard or military. Those who held defend the area."
Precisely, the cathedral or the castle, as I said before. Actually the cathedral and castle, work rather in tandem with each other. I am in charge of the cathedral as well as a Warden of the state. Even if you don't have our faith you are welcome to come to services, be healed, or come for any need you might have. We are here to serve." She says with a very simple smile.
"Sorry Miss there is no Town Hall yet... right Doam? Oh that is what that large building is... Doam you better help this lady then, I will follow to learn what the buildings are. Sorry Miss." The guard says as Doam a hobgoblin walks up in better armor than his guard counterpart.
A big gruff he asks, "Oi, what did you want with the Town Hall?! Jhod the Treasurer, and Sota the Magister... Sota is in the Town Hall, as Jhod is her' in the castle. Welcome to the new kingdom, a lot of us don't know about stuff and ask others. You won't get any straight answers from Sota, even if he was in. We will go see Sulvanii, he can direct us to the right stuff. He has been great in organizing everyone Bearik has been wonderful too. Though Bearik has had much more of an influence outside of the castle." Into the castle with two armed guards and soon enough to Sulvanii's room. Doam knocks first, tells you to wait and goes in as the door unlocks. It locks as he closes the door. But opens up shortly after and the miss and the guard come into the room as well. The room is nearly a cube with 50 feet on each face. The stone has been shaved down or eroded somehow. Two columns of braziers are set up showing you the way to Sulvanii. Beyond the braziers are not piles but stacks of coins. "Welcome to the Treasury, I am here to serve. Doam and Harry you may have a seat and enjoy the refreshments or wait outside." Sulvanii's hair and eyes burn as flames, he wears a fine nobleman's vest, a bright yellow shirt, and coal black billowy monk pants.
There are two couches that each could sit six on either side of the door. Before it is a glass table that floats in the air. Upon the table are many vessels of liquids, each are labeled one way or another, seamless glasses, a bowl of fruit, and a tray of sweets with name cards next to each of them.
"Cleo Nora Petal Ouda, you come to open a magic store I believe or have you changed your mind?" He asks slowly with nearly no emotion.
She paused a moment and looked at Katrina. "My point was that the castle and cathedral would be the places enchanters, if already here would be, thus they would be less likely to need my services. Though I do thank you for your offer."
Cleonora was a little surprised to see a hobgoblin here, though out of all the goblin kind they would be the most likely to live in human settlements. Their lawful nature was useful. She followed after them to meet this Sulvanil, and hopefully get somewhere!
Upon entering to meet with him, and the slight butchering of her last name, the real confusion came when he asked if she changed her mind. "It is Pet-Al-Ouda, but that was very close!" Cleonora said with a slight smile. "And no, I haven't. One has to make a living somehow, and I'm good at enchanting arms and armor, and other items. Thus, I felt it a good idea to open a little magic shop."
As you ask about Jhod, he tells you with a sour look, "He has been doing all he can, though to nearly no luck or possibly skill. I think it would be best to let him stand down and work in a less stressed position."
Quince listens with interest. "Thank you I will take that under advisment."
"Oh, now what did you want?" He thinks on it a bit then asks, "Was I suppose to be watching him? What did you want me to look for?"
Quince smiles, "Well to speak with my councilor. No you were not supposed to be watching him. I was simply wondering what you thought of him in any interactions you have had with him. Anything you think is amiss?"
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She spends a lot of her time at the cathedral. Mostly working at managing the people. There has not been a good manager yet and she has been filling that role. Most are simple servants with simple wages. Very few adepts. Then there is the clerics and the paladin, who she leaves to their own devices for the most part. As they said they would be crafting for the cathedral. Then she works with the people, make sermons, give sermons, and there are just so many questions.
She tells Kevros about it. Then she would let Quince and Tristan know. Finally she goes to Bearik, "I need a chaplain, a set of nuns, someone that can manage the cathedral so I have time for my sermons and the people. Please see if you can find someone or speak with your contacts."
He dismissively says hmmm, then asks, "How big of a building did you want? Most of the builders and carpenters are building single or double room homes. They take about four weeks to make."
"I thought of a way to save on space would be to make a two story building. The bottom being the shop made of only two rooms, a front shop for display pieces and for people to come in a look at things, while the back which would be larger than the front for the work space. Then the stairs which would be on the side of the building outside, would lead up to another two room floor that would just serve as my living space. A lot of shops back where I come from build like that to help keep land free for other buildings. If you put a small home ontop of a shop you no longer have to build a home for that person." Cleonora explained. "But I'm getting ahead of myself!" She set the basket down so that Sulvanii could see the two goods she brought with her. "I brought these to prove my abilities. If it was needed."
He motions with his fingers for you to bring them to him, he nods and makes little approving sounds.
"That would be ideal but would also take much more time to build it. Especially since the workers we are talking about haven't done something like that before. I will see what could be made or a placement of something else. I welcome you to stay at the inn or one of our fine boarding houses. But a decision on your domicile may take weeks, let alone making it. If you funded some extra hands and perhaps another planner, that would speed up the process. Otherwise you will have to wait." He relays to Cleo.
Sota is found in his offices, playing pranks on his workers. You find one leaving in a huff with pink hair, seeing you he shouts, "I quit!"
"I have a fair amount of coin left over from my journey down here. I could hire a planner to make the plans and hand it off to your workers. I'm not overly weathly but I can support at least," Cleonora did some quick mental math "One hundred and sixty days, though I would think I'd only need them for about thirty days. Even more so if I threw a few coins at some extra hands." She said. "Do you have any recommendations? It would make the process of finding one faster."
"Maybe setting hours that the sprite must be in to make decisions and work with his underlings."
"Sprite on a Schedule . . . sounds like a bard song. I will see what I can do."
Jhod stops and sits to enjoy tea and buns with you. He confeses, "Its just too much. So many questions and I have no answers. Give me back a simple parish. Sullvanii has been helping me and giving good advice."
"I understand. Well I will talk with Katrina. We are hoping to grow the settlement around what was Oleg's trading post. They will likely have room for a parish priest there. But I hope that you will keep at your work here to ensure a smooth transition. Have you been keeping free of your vice, if it was not already clear I don't think it has helped you." Quince will stay with him and talk through issues, and pray together.
Sota is found in his offices, playing pranks on his workers. You find one leaving in a huff with pink hair, seeing you he shouts, "I quit!"
Quince looks down to not laugh. He looks up, "Are you alright? What happened?" Quince listens and gently commiserates diplomatically. "Well if you no longer wish to work with the Warden of Scroll, in a position that would be unlikely to keep so capricious a fey interested overlong, and thus no longer working here when such a position needs to be filled I understand. Our magister is one we hope to learn as much as we can from." He smiles, [b]"Well if you wish to pursue other avenues a new business has recently come into town a woman named Cleonora is hoping to start a shop she is an enchanter and might well have need of your skillset."
He smiles at the pink haired worker, "I hope your day improves."
He walks on into Sota's office, he greets Sota in Sylvan, "Greetings little one. How are things with you these days? Tell me. I know you are having fun. I met your pink haired friend. Not everyone enjoys seeing your magic from that angle. Tell me of your work and its progress?" Quince listens and looks about gauging to see if how crazy things really are.
"Sota this is important work you are doing here. We need someone as skilled as you are in magic to help here. I don't want to keep you busy against your nature, but you are needed. I know that there a few things that can greatly help things run smoother for you and for those who work with you. I know this might be strange but these folk don't fly. In fact even though they can walk they often sit to work. as such then need to be in a single place to do it. And they work with you so . . .you kinda need to be in a single place to help them."
"The other thing that might be needed is being here at crucial times. Getting here just after breakfast, staying until nearly lunch taking a break, finding something fun for awhile in a place that doesn't send our less humorous people running with pink hair. Coming back for the afternoon. Make sense."
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"I don't know of anyone persay but going to Restov you should easily find one. I would suggest having Kevros and Katrina take you. So they can get away a while and work on wedding shopping. Or Tristan and Lorina. Otherwise it will take you weeks of travel." He realys.
Sota looks ashamed but quickly recovers. He accepts your suggestions at the change and will get on it right away!
"Would it not take me a few weeks of travel either way?" Cleonora asked with a raised eyebrow. "it's a few days from here to the boarder outpost and from there is it a few days travel to Rostov. There and back is about twelve days... On horse back mind you. And it shouldn't take more than a few days to gather the people needed." Cleonora pointed out. "I am just unsure how traveling with more people who know little to nothing about me not I them, is the best idea. I'm not even sure they'd want to go. After all isn't this Katrina you mentioned the head of the cathedral here? I doubt she could be gone so long."
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"You are correct in the distance. Nevermind. Good luck on your travels, we help to see you next month." He says simply concluding the present business.
Your Name,
Cleonora Petalouda just visited me. She is willing to go collect more workers to make the Caster Tower or a Magic Item shop at a cheaper cost to us. If one or two of you would make a quick run into Restov, that could speed up things. She is the first individual to give us so much help. She may be an excellent associate, her skills in magic crafting are nice too.
SULVANII
These papers fly magically and find you in a few minutes.
Cleonora gave a thankful nod before she packed the chainshirt and the bracers back into the basket and headed for the door, she stopped and thanked the guards once more before she let herself out of the castle and on to gather her items from the inn to head out immediately if she could.
The guards quickly catch up with you, to guide you out of the castle. Doam also suggests, "Sulvanii never smiles like that, before you leave town you might want to wait a bit."
To use later:
As you pass the outer walls you see a creature that resembles a powerfully built wolf the size of a large draft horse, with ebony fur and burning, fiery red eyes. Small flames infrequently lick at its lips. Upon it is a feminine form.
"He smiled?" Cleonora asked with a raise brow of confusion. "I guess I could delay it till dawn tomorrow. For the longer I delay the more it may cost. But a few hours shouldn't make too much difference." She shrugged. "Thank you. Doam was it?"
"Oh you likely didn't see it when you turned to leave. Yes Doam, at your service. Would you like an escort?" He says and offers. He thought to himself, 'She probably isn't into me, but it is nice to have pretty beside you.'