Kev fails to find Katrina in the castle, her office is locked and dark, so are her chambers, Even your chambers are vacant.
You would eventually find her frazzled and working hard to keep the cathedral workers on task.
"Thank you Sulvanii, that will help me in deciding a few things." Cleonora said with a nod. "I can make a trip to Restov before the academy is finished, however the larger cities of Brevoy may be out of my reach for the time. Though if I budget my time just right and maybe see about borrowing a horse it would be more possible." She added as she though through the choices before her.
"Sulvanii do you have a horse or mount you would be willing to lend me? I understand if not, both in not wanting to lend it and not having one. Just figured while I'm here I'll ask. If I leave as soon as possible it would be best. So likely tomorrow morning." Cleonora said. "Also Sulvanii, please know I mean nothing by this but, would you be willing to answer some questions when I return? I'd actually like to write a book on the Plane you're from..."
Cleonora, who had gone to change after speaking with the group, when to this speech. She wasn't with the group, after all she wasn't a Warden or a council member. Narrowing her eyes she though 'What does it matter how many festivals there are so long as there are some? These people have roves over their heads, food in their bellies, clean water, and jobs... in fact I don't think I've seen a beggar since I got here...'[/i Cleonora crossed her arms and slightly shook her head. [i]'He starts up over this? The fool... I cannot forgive.'
Kev sees Katrina in her frazzle state and already knows the answer to attending Quince's speech, "Hey there's my favorite person! What can I help you with so you can leave soon? Sulvanii wanted me to let you know that you currently have a surplus of 34 gold a month. Quince is having his rebuttal speech against Gregori soon and wanted me to attend but I want to make sure to take care of you first." Kev smiles.
She looks at you and her eyes are vibrant green almost like a snake. She turns from you and sighs. Her eyes back to normal. "Let's just go. I need a break."
"I don't have a mount, let alone a horse of some kind. No need. Since you are getting along so well with some of us, the Wardens, might I suggest you bring up your trip to one of them before you leave." He suggests.
"You want to write a book about the elemental plane of fire? I suppose though I would require you to bring something you think I have not experienced before, each time you come to collect information."
Gregori had started his speech early, only a small crowd had gathered. He was talking upon a cart. This time it seemed that he approach was different, asking questions of the crowd. "What have your Wardens done for you? Yes they helped you build your homes but when was the last festival that you had? Ah see they come to make me silent King Quince and his merry band!"
A few of the people scoff but most just watch him and then turn to see what Quince will say.
"You honor me Gregori. I was made High Warden of Council, by group of heroes who have rested a lawless land from bandits. By the rigid and lofty court rules of Brevoy I think I would be counted but a Baron. So your honor is noted. But these the People of My Heart have come and from a wilderness have made homes and live. Speak loud Gregori over ring of hammers of our growing city." He hops on a crate, "speak louder friend lest the bells of the cathedral drown out your words, the toll the days, they call the children to classes, and they sound our future growing. In their clarion ring they speak of opportunity. So please speak loud. For the hearts of the Greenwatch beat loud and strong. They thunder in the chests of those who once conscripted by a cruel bandit potentate. They hear you with free ears. They stand tall among the people you speak to now as protectors their fellow free folk. The beat thrums in the chests of mothers whose children are returned from the wild. Those hearts thrum
like the saws of artisans and craftsmen building all around you. An academy, a theater, a new village in the north where Oleg's Trading Post stood. So stand tall speak your peace there are none who fear it though you expect them to deny their eyes, ears, and the very hearts in their chest." Quince motions toward Gregori with a polite slightly smug invitation. He remains on the crate waiting.
"But what about the disappearances?! Nothing has been said of these women or of their hearts. What was their fault in all of this that they should be silenced? Of Jillian Thorn, of Rosa De'Leran, or of the others that are missing. And it seems odd that it would all be in one night too?!" He retorts changing the subject mostly.
Katrina takes a step forward but then shakes her head, whispering to Kev, "Should I speak up or... I could blow up the way my mind is now?"
Cleonora deflated a bit when Sulvanii suggested she asked one of the Wardens. Wasn't sure that after today many would lend her a horse. Either way it was worth asking and she would have to tell them she's leaving either way.
However she perked back up when he agreed to let her speak with him on the fire plane. "Really? Is there a limit to the amount of time I can speak to you about it? For example can I spend a whole day on it with only one item or experience?" She asked. "And could you give me an idea of what you would like? Like I don't think you've ever been bitten by a snow leopard but I don't think that is what you're asking for."
Cleonora seemed a little surprised that this man would know about the missing so soon, especially their names. Was someone feeding him information?
For the moment Cleonora said nothing, and just watched what Quince would do.
Quince sees Kevros and Katrina together in attendance of the speech and it looks like Katrina wants to step in and say something supporting the King.
Kev smiles trying to cheer up Kat a little and whispers, "I hope you don't blow up?" Then switches to a more serious visage, "All kidding aside, even being frazzled they may be more responsive to a caring nurturing priestess than someone the people may feel threatening in power such as a King. I will back you up just in case since it is important that the Wardens show strong leadership, that we support the King, and most importantly, the citizens."
Quince gives a small signal of approval if Katrina wishes to speak.
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"After my work period I will give you four hours of time for one item of experience. You could bring me an exotic food, drink, a new dish, texture, or text. Use your imagination." He replies to you Cleo.
With a quick prayer she casts guidance and light. She steps forward and takes the attention, "My good people, let me speak on these matters your high preistess requests." She gets up on a crate herself letting the crowd move as needed as she dismissed the light spell. With a strong caring voice she announces, "We are all people, we all make mistakes. Some of those mistakes take us down roads we never thought we would travel. I never thought I would be a head priestess and so close to Erastil. Some paths can be wonderful. But the path those women took was of wrath and cruelty, someone had killed them for the path they chose and the guards finding the fleeing man was struck down as he went to attack them. So yes they are dead and funeral rites are being prepared once we solve this grisley matter. This only happened just last night, so Gregori I would suggest you come clean with your contact otherwise you will be thought to be apart of this whole mess. Not here of course. My people, we have not told you yet for we are still looking for answers and seeing if those at fault will slip up. All the funerals will take place once it is settled, please be patient with us for we want Justice for everyone!"
Gregori steps down. Most of the folks murmur amongst themselves. The crowd is not on anyone's side but also as they begin to disburse nod to their Wardens. Giving handshakes and back pats.
Quince looks to Tristan and says quietly, "Its clear he knows something. I think its safe to say at this point the level of surveillance he is under is extreme."
Quince nods in an awkward approval of Katrina's forthrightness on the matter.
Kev walks up with Katrina during her speech but stays back a little so she has the focus of the people. (After her speech, Kev helps her down from the crate unless of course that was a figure of speech.) He gives her a hug and whispers in her ear, Great job! Now let's get out of here before we get drawn into something else?! He smiles.
"But it must be one you've never experienced before. Might be harder than it sounds given the fact you've likely been alive longer than I. But we'll see how it goes." Cleonora agreed with a nod. "I've taken enough of your time now, I'll take my leave." She said politely before she left.
Cleonora grinned a bit under her hood with how everything turned out. She was relieved that there wasn't another thing she'd have to bail them out of.
When it was all done she made her way over to the group of Wardens. "Well, not bad, not bad at all. There just might be hope."
She gladly accepts Kev's help down, only to think to herself, Twirl me around!. She walks with Kev until Cleo approaches.
With a frivolous smile and a confident look she replies, "Cleo don't say it that way, that sounds so dour," then she grabs her arm in her own and whispers, "especially with so many ears around."
Cleonora laughed a bit from Katrina's statement. "I'm the one who always looks on the down side you know. Too many positive people you know." She teased. "Besides I can take care of that guy with ease if he becomes a problem. I was actually thinking about getting the people watching whipped up into a mop to run him out. It's easier than you think you know."
"Oh we know, we are trying to take the higher ground and doing it as diplomaticly as possible. Still letting freedom of speech part of our doctrine." She says with a smile.
guidance, eagles splendor, enhanced diplomacy
"Oh that is all well and good, but you still must be responsible for what you say. For example would you let it stand if I threatened Quince? Or Kevros? Or even yourself? If he keeps it to his speech I'd be find with it, but that doesn't seem like his play. Not with how he changed topics so quickly. If you really have a point to defend you don't abandon it so easily." Cleonora pointed out.
"That is true we should have a bylaw about being responsible for what you say. Well I think he is grasping at straws, he doesn't have much to stand on, nor does he have much support anymore." she responds.
"Of course he is grasping at straws, he doesn't want change he is trying for something. If he finds the right thing it'll all go up. It doesn't even have to be true, just has to be convincing. Trust me." Cleonora said with a sigh. "Question is, what is the something he is trying for?"
she shrugs letting the others talk if they want or they can remain silent too.
Keeping his voice down, "Cleonora, more will be revealed in due time. It is good to see you taking an active role by being present here. I hope to see you tomorrow at Court. Have a good evening. Kev neck bows to Cleo and leads Katrina away when she is ready holding her hand.
"Oh actually I may not be able to make it. I'm hoping to head out tomorrow morning for Rostov, to find some teachers for the academy. After all I need them here when it opens after all. If I don't do this now we won't have the people for it." Cleonora said.
"Cleo, don't worry yourself someone, I think Tristan and Lorina will take you to Restov tomorrow after the meeting. Plus the meeting has to do with several aspects of the Acedemy." She states.
"Well if my opinion on this is requested then I'll happily sit in. I am charged with the academy's future and the future of the brightest among us. This isn't to be taken lightly." Cleonora commented. "I will see you all tomorrow then"
The next day the council of Wardens is called with several guests including Cleonora.
Introductions are made so you can know all in attendance:
Ruler Quince
Consort None
Councilor Sulvanii
General Saren
Grand Diplomat Bearik
Heir
High Priest Katrina
Magister Sota
Marshal Kevros
Royal Enforcer Larina
Spymaster Stalker
Treasurer Selena
Viceroy Svetlana
Warden Tristan
Prospective Headmistress : Cleonora Petalouda
OLD NEWS:
Gregori, and his rabble rousing. Is there any new news?
Cult Problems, Stalker.
NEW BUSINESS:
Appointment of Headmistress, Sota.
Budget for Academy, Jhod.
Naming of the Academy, Sota.
Appointment of Assistant Selena to Jhod.
Request to create Tazylford
The problem of Gregori, has decreased. His following has decreased severely. Also his sources have been located and silenced.
The cult poses no threat any more. All members are supposedly daed.
After Stalker's report Cleo is brought into the hall to cover the points on the Academy.
Sota in his flamboyant way brings up the appointment, "For the appointment of Headmistress of the Academy we have Cleonora Petalouda. Are there any other suggestions? No? All those in favor, against. By unanimous vote Cleo has the position and shall keep it upon merit and capability."
Jhod brings up the budget: "The budget for the starting of the Academy. I have been told several estimates, 105, 85, and 70. Then a monthly stipend of 60 gp."
"Also does the starting of the academy include the purchase of book?" Cleonora asked. "Starting magic books can get expensive. I'm willing to do most of the scribe work myself if you can get me the materials. My spell book has all of the beginning spells within it so it would be hard to do just.. take... Forever." Cleonora said with a long sigh when she realized just how much work it was going to be.
"I'll also be leaving soon to get teachers for it. I'll break down how much we'd be willing to pay after we finish making an official budget here. Let's say we take the least amount of gold suggested, 70, with beginning this I'd have to hire eleven teacher, and pay myself, as well as the staff to cook three meals a day for the students and teachers, clean the facilities, and keep the grounds. The ground keepers, cooks and cleaners would be the least paid. But even a month of that would run four gold for the keeper a month, twelve gold for three cooks a month, and one gold and two silvers for three cleaners. Which comes out to fourteen gold and two silvers, the remaining fifty-three gold and eight silver pieces would go to filling the larder with food for all of the students and teachers which I'd estimate at about five gold for now, I'm not expecting us to be totally full upon opening. Which leave fourty-eight gold and eight silver pieces to put towards getting supplies for the classrooms and teachers. This first round of supplies will be the most expensive, I'd put it at twenty gold easily, even with me doing most of the work for the magic books. And it may run even higher. But we'll keep it at twenty for right this moment. That comes to twenty-eight and eight gold pieces left for me to find eleven teachers. I can't pay more then four teachers for a month with that. I don't mind dipping into my own funds to help and not getting paid the first month it opens. But most of the professors I know are getting at least two gold a day."
"We could minimize the ongoing cost by charging the student an amount per semester. It would help in the long term."
After Stalker reads his report, Kev responds, "Thank you Warden Stalker for the Update. Wardens and Members of the High Council, I suggest we send a nice message to Mr Gregori that he is welcome to stay in Elkheart and the Greenwatch if he can decide in his heart that he will become a loyal and contributing citizen of Elkheart and the Greenwatch. If he can not find it in his heart to be loyal and contributing citizen, he is welcome to move elsewhere outside of the Greenwatch."
Kev nods, "Aye, Cleonora will be a good fit as Headmistress."
After Cleo speaks, Kev looks to Jhod for a response to her concerns.
"I have a feeling that Gregori is more nefarious than just a speech. He seemed to have his finger right on the pulse of several missing women."
Kev nods his head in agreement, "Yes, I agree and this is his reprieve to change his ways like the Stag Lord bandits currently in our employ. If he tries this again, his life is forfeit after we draw information from him. However, there are two things he has showed us." Kev looks at Stalker, "Perhaps we should increase our spy network to make sure something like Gregori does not happen again or gives us advance warning? And maybe we should have a paid holiday so the people can honor their dead to show the citizens we care?"
Quince nods though the set of his jaw suggests that he doubts Gregori's ability or willingness to change.
"Well done Quince. I will suggest again we befriend him. He is getting information from somewhere. Surveillance has given us nothing. You and Katrina bested him. He holds less power over our people. If you best him again they are likely to run him out on a rail. If that happens his employers are likely not to be happy. He will have nowhere to turn or go. If we gain his trust, perhaps he will tell us who sent him in exchange for protection. Either way, I will have a team ready to secure him if he speaks again. I don't mean to keep him from speaking. I mean we will secure him once you refute his information once again. For his protection. If you wish it."
Tristan looks to Kevros.
"We already have a quarterly holiday. We have our Founders Day. The summer and winter solstice and then the Harvest Festival. We have parades and respect given for those lost in the previous months at each. For a kingdom just a year old this is already a lot. When we founded the kingdom we only had founders day. We have grown from there. The next step would be a festival each month. We are doing well but I'm not sure we are that well off yet. Perhaps once we have merchant and noble families move here to stay."
"Well done Quince. I will suggest again we befriend him. He is getting information from somewhere. Surveillance has given us nothing. You and Katrina bested him. He holds less power over our people. If you best him again they are likely to run him out on a rail. If that happens his employers are likely not to be happy. He will have nowhere to turn or go. If we gain his trust, perhaps he will tell us who sent him in exchange for protection. Either way, I will have a team ready to secure him if he speaks again. I don't mean to keep him from speaking. I mean we will secure him once you refute his information once again. For his protection. If you wish it."
Quince looks at Tristan quizzically, "Employers? You think he was sent. That's troubling."
Quince listens to the exchange between Kevros and Tristan, "He has proved an unpleasant nuisance to which without evidence is simply sharing an opinion. His speeches do not worry me as the truth can defend us. If all he is a voice crying he can be silenced by our actions that prove him wrong. As such we give him too much power to accost him and we invite that we are threated by his accusation. What worries me is the level he is informed of the bad news he seeks to spin against us. For instance he knew of the missing women which makes me think he is involved. How he is involved and being able to prove he has done something to cause harm that is what we need to know. Talk can sort it self out."
Quince thinks a moment, "I think Tristan is right we already have several holidays. Did the missing women, excuse me dead cult members have family locally? If so Katrina and I can visit and offer condolences and we can see where that leads."
Gregori's speech waned on and attempted to again to inflate problems to be blamed on the Wardens. Katrina's honesty blunted any horror he could raise about the missing women. He went on for a short while. But finally a voice from the crowd called out, Svetlanna Oleg's widow was the source. Her thick accent chided, "Are ya done yet? The wardens of this our land have bleed fer it before they invited any to work it. They brought justice down on those who defied it and gave an opportunity for ya to live without fear that some one with a stronger arm and a little more cruelty could take everything." She looks about surprised at herself, "I was there when the first wardens came to me husband's trading post. Everything they set out to do they have done. Ya stand in a village clearing where a forest ruin stood. And now a second village is growing up around my old home. Its naught but a small fort with a few new buildings, but like Elkheart, like the Greenwatch around it, it’s a promise, Fort Promise, it says to those who would that you can breath free, work as you will and prosper here. So quit shakin' yer jowls and go. Yer welcome is burnt. Speak again and it will be the last time you do with all yer teeth." Many in the crowd chuckled even more cheered. A few clapped Svetlanna on the back. The crowd wasn't having anymore speeches and Grigori went his way seething.
Quince smirked and looked over at Tristan, "So ah let's make sure that Oleg's Hold is renamed Fort Promise. It's got a ring to it." He sighs, "Come friends, we owe Svetlanna a drink. They'll be enough business at tomorrow's council meeting."
"I do. I told you I believed he was sent when he first started speaking out. What other reason could there be? A random person just shows up and knows everything about what we have done and speaks against us? If not sent by someone perhaps a demon or devil out to cause mischief, but that seems a little far fetched. I have grown up here. This area has been uninhabitable. I can't imagine all are happy we are here settling and prospering. Do you want me to take him into custody after his next speech or not? If you feel there is nothing to gain then so be it."
Kev nods and shakes his head, "When we implement the monthly festivals, let's call those Citizen or Commoner Days or one of the festivals as such? If Gregori was able to get them thinking that we do not pay attention to the common citizens, this will let them know we are."
Kev then switches gears to Gregori, "If Gregori continues after our usual pardon, then we make him disappear."
Quince nods along with Tristan vaguely remembering the conversation.
Quince chuckles, "Svetlanna has been training. She wants to be an adventurer now. I'd like to just see her take a few of his teeth." He does his best Svetlanna impersonation, "Quit yer jowl shakin'."
He grows more serious, "Honestly I would suspect that Stalker will turn something up on Grigori before long and we will have a great reason to run him out. Perhaps tarred and feathered. Or in a box."
"The few informants that we have found are mostly paid citizens. Gregori has an entourage of about six men and women who work up the crowd and connect with the citizens willing to wag their tongue for a little silver. We made an example of one of the entourage due to his foolishness, to his detriment. He thought he could wag his tongue at acolytes and get away with it. He only lost a digit in the duel physically. The acolytes have been more present around those who have been wagging their tongues. As you have asked we have only watched him and his entourage." He relays to the council.
"I suggest that we up the budget to 105, thus allowing Cleonora to collect up to 8 teachers. The extra would be used for buying books and such. The teachers you recruit would likely be used to create said books if they come this month as opposed to next. We will provide room and board to them at no charge, within the castle or possibly the cathedral." He offers.
Jhod nods in agreement and looks to Bearik.