Regeris has been thoughtful and quiet - even for him - but finally speaks up. "I think we can split up, although it's not ideal. I don't want to drag Tiora around, she needs money, shelter, and security. Rolth is a cunning, thoughtful foe and will take a while to figure out how to strike should he come at us. We are not easy prey.
"Also, Emi on your theory, I'm not sure things are that neat. I can't imagine what advantage Rolth has from us clearing out his lair, destroying his servants, and alerting Pharasmans to his presence. It's plausible that a prolific body snatcher happened to steal bodies relevant to us. However, we should behave like what you said is true because it will keep us more cautious and thoughtful."
With great effort Emi keeps her mouth shut and nods. The outcome is what she wants and she's far too tired, and honestly uncertain, to debate the rest.
"Will we see you tomorrow, or will you need more time?" she asks Kayleigh.
"So... who wants to come home with me?" Tassira asks, her hands wringing nervously.
...someone, please volunteer...
"I will," Nebbin says almost instantly. "I said I'd look out for you, and I will! Kayleigh, you should come too. Then you can help Tassira's mom and I can make sure you're OK too."
Regeris moves over to Tassira a little awkwardly. "Kayleigh and Nebbin will be with you. You've been through hell and it's not over, and we are all behind you. Emi and I are best used elsewhere though, even if just for this. Nebbin is the best protector you can ask for, and I know of no finer healer than Kayleigh."
Tassira feels a measure of relief. "...this means a lot to me. Thank you."
Kayleigh blushes a bit when Regeris calls her a top-notch healer.
"Oh, I don't know about that," she says softly. "I will say that my rates--no charge--can't be beat!"
To Tassira she adds, "I'll treat your mom as aggressively as possible--I'll prepare a bunch of remove disease spells and use them all on her tomorrow morning, if I must. If she's been...sick...for a while, though, it might take several attempts for my magic to take."
"If your parents can put us up for the night that'd be best, but if not...," the young woman breaks into an amused smile, "Nebbin and I will take Emi's advice and 'get a room' somewhere in the neighborhood."
Nebbin flushes at Kayleigh's comment.
He looks like he's about to say something, but doesn't quite know what to say.
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The Road to the Temple of Aroden
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Emi and Regeris find plenty of places to outfit Tiora in the shops south of the Bank. They're perhaps unsurprised when she steers them towards leathers.
"The truth is, in my old life... the time before I got taken, I was a runner and a cutpurse for a gang here in Bridgefront. I'm really not sure I want to go back to that life, but I don't know what I'm going to do otherwise. I still rate Able, I suppose, and could probably find a place in a passing crew..."
"Back in that tomb I heard a sister's voice in Kayleigh's voice, but when I listened harder I found that the voice I heard was coming from the symbol of her goddess. Even now I can hear the calming tones of that voice in my head. I want the professor... 'Rolth' to hurt in my hands. Maybe Milani can help me manage, or rechannel that outrage into an effect."
She nods in satisfaction, outfitted in the new gear.
"I do know the value of a friend, and I thank you guys for helping me. You have my word that I'll repay you. But could you happen to spare some arms or the coin to purchase some? Just something to protect myself. And maybe kill professor Rolth with?" she smiles
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Vantyev Estate
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It takes time to wind up the hill toward the Acadamae and by the time the group reaches Tassira's childhood home, the sun has set in spectacular fashion over the bay. She lets herself in, past the overgrown gate and through the meager yard to the huge double doors at the front of the estate. She knocks three times before an answer comes. It is her butler, Lorne.
"Home with friends again I see, Miss Tassira." He gives her a friendly hug and looks past her to the stoop for bags. He takes in Nebbin and Kayleigh's uncomfortable smiles.
"Your mum's retired for the night. I could just peek in if you insist it, but she might turn me into a frog if she's awake and catches me. Your father is out as yet," he says. It's hard not to catch the worried tone in his voice.
Nebbin tries to make himself unobtrusive.
I wonder where her father is, he thinks. It's kind of late, and dangerous out, but I don't want them to think I'm prying. I don't want to be rude.
He looks behind him, to see if there are any bags, or dads maybe returning from whatever they were doing.
Emi gives Tassira a hug goodbye, which probably comes across as a little stiff and awkward to the mage given Emi's reticence with displays of affection.
"It may be difficult, but I'm sure it will be fine in the end. You mother will be well again."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Aside from clothing, Emi makes sure Tiora gets something to eat from a street vendor. They've a long walk back to the temple and it looks to Emi like the girl could use a sandwich.
She offers up her dagger to Tiora for the present when she brings up obtaining a weapon. "I'm sure we can find a decent smith somewhere along the way. What in particular do you prefer?
Emi doesn't reply to Tiora's comments about Milani and revenge immediately, but a little later as they walk she does return to the subject.
"I'm no stand in for Kayleigh on the subject, but from what I've learned from her since we've met, I think Kayleigh would say community is at least as important as any of the other ideas for understanding Milani. Ending oppression, correcting wrongs, yes. But those things are done by the community, not the individual."
"You're now among like minded people. Maybe the first thing you should consider is joining with us to find Rolth. It would take some patience perhaps, But we'd all be stronger and surer together when he's found and the time comes."
Tassira looks quite relieved that Lorne answered the door instead of her mother.
"There's no need for that, Lorne." She nods. "Let her rest."
"...we've just come back from our search." Her eyes start to tear up anew. "...we found Olaf."
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Temple of Aroden
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"Oh, simple blades," she answers, stuffing a piece of roasted foul that you bought for her into her mouth. "This dagger will get me started, thank you. Do you think they pawned my knives? I'm a fair shot with a shortbow, but I kind of developed a talent for throwing things. In melee I usually try to run." She grins and rips another bite off the leg with her teeth.
Emi and Regeris find the Temple to be secure. Everyone expected is accounted for and there are no surprise guests. When he hears that the others are not expected, Garlan drops the bar on the doors and comes over to meet the new guest. Hal and Jilly bring steaming bowls of soup and soft bread to the table, and before long there's enough water on the boil that steaming baths are in the offing.
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Vantyev Estate
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"Found him..? But, we only just buried him." Lorne looks confused, and words come tumbling out of him.
"Your mother was very angry when you left, and decided that you'd forfeited your right to be at the funeral by leaving. She insisted on burying him like that, without trying to find you. Did you find his killer?"
Figuring that Tassira needn't relive the story of the horrors in the burial warrens, Kayleigh gently tells the butler what the party found there, leaving out some of the more gruesome details.
"I don't suppose you attended the funeral, Lorne?" she asks with just a hint of hope in her voice. "Perhaps there was someone there who seemed...out of place?"
When the friends discuss arrangements for passing the night, Kayleigh's eyes suddenly widen. "Tassira--did you ever search Olaf's room after his death? There might be a vital clue in there! This might be our only chance to look, while your mother is...indisposed."
Looking a bit uncomfortable, the priestess adds, "And how do we address your father when he returns? Will 'Lord Vantyev' suffice?"
"...I... I didn't search his room." Tassira shakes her head. "It didn't feel right... going through his effects so soon."
"Lord Vantyev will do, Kayleigh. Olaf--" She swallows. "--and I were the only ones allowed to call him Dad."
After Emi speaks up, Regeris follows suit, having been silent and introspective on the trip. "I am a Milanite like Kayleigh. I can describe our goddess to you, although Kayleigh may do a better job of explaining what she means. But the Everbloom has reached out to you in some way, and that's important."
Regeris pulls his holy symbol off. "Feel this in your hands - I'll need it back but perhaps we can get you one if it feels right." He hands the symbol to Tiora. "We also call Milani the Everbloom. No matter how cruel or dark the world is, a rose will always bloom. There is always hope. She is the fight against tyranny and an enemy to oppressors, slavery, and cruel authority. Her followers vary. You can find some like Kayleigh, who is a community caretaker and protector. Or others like me, I think more like a military operative in a war. What she means to you may vary. But what we all believe is that we must never bow to a tyrant, or let harm come to those who cannot defend themselves."
He fishes out some coins. "I wouldn't say Milani is vengeful - but Rolth must be stopped before he hurts more people. That is clear. I believe we can work together, whether you want to work closely or from afar. Here's some money in addition to the dagger. If I come across a short bow I'll save it for you. Keep in touch with us. We can work together, and I think Kayleigh can offer you some necessary healing considering what you've survived."
-----
Later on, while they wait for the others to return from the Vantyev estate, Regeris sits down with Emi at the temple. "Let's go through your theory again. Convince me."
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Emi offers to put Tiora up at the temple if she has nowhere else to go, but doesn't push the proposal if the woman seems unenthusiastic about the suggestion.
Once back at the temple Emi helps Tiora get settled . She checks on the kids, especially Carawyn, and waits eagerly for a bath to be ready. She puts off Regeris until the morning. "I'm too tired to put two thoughts together right now. In the morning, when my head's straight and I can sort it out sensibly I'll lay out my thoughts to you."
Emi rummages under her bunk and is happy to find the roughly 1/3 of a bottle of whisky she was expecting to still be there. She takes it to the bath with her. She soaks until the bottle is empty and the water is cold. Emi takes one particularly large swig as a toast/apology to Neziana. She feels guilty for the things she assumed about the dead woman. When she disappeared, Emi assumed she'd taken the shiver and slipped away to sell it. She has been wrong about the shiver, and now it looks like she was perhaps wrong about Neziana leaving. She'll probably never know if Neziana intended to return, but it seems right to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Now the shock and panic of having been blinded is behind her, Emi also wonders if she wasn't lucky for in the end. There were many things the others saw in those rooms and tunnels that she's not so sure she would have wanted to see herself. Some things once seen can never be unseen.
The next morning Emi sits down with Regeris. While she sips on a mug of very strong and sweet tea, she explains to him what she thinks is happening.
"Alright, let's begin with what we can be sure of, the connections. Gaedran Lamm and Rolth, the Professor, are connected in some way. The key dagger shows this. We found ours among Lamm's things, and the piece of the same kind of dagger was found by Kayleigh in Rolth's room. We are linked to Lamm because we're responsible for his death."
"Among the bodies below the mausoleum, the ones collected by Rolth were Olaf, Neziana, Amistan, the priest from this temple who was Kayleigh's friend, and the Shoanti man from the street brawl. Four people in some way connected to us. What are the odds? There are dozens of deaths, maybe more in the city every day, especially recently. How could he randomly snatch so many of the very few who have a connection to us?"
"I think it's reasonable to conclude Rolth knows who we are, knows Lamm is dead because of us, and wants revenge. Rolth is immensely cruel, a sadist. He wants us to suffer, simply killing us wouldn't be enough for someone like him. He's taken loved ones and people we recognize and desecrated their bodies in ways that are almost unimaginable. We know this first hand. He might do what he's done just for his own satisfaction, but I doubt it. How can we suffer when we're not aware of what he's done?"
"He can't bring his zombies and flesh golems to us. How would be get them here through the streets? He would need for us to come to him. Olaf is the only one of his victims he murdered, or directed someone to murder, he was also the last of the four. It's true we don't know for sure about how Neziana came to be there. He may have killed her, but he didn't tip us off. Or, if he tried to we missed it. There was no way we could miss Olaf though. We absolutely would find out, and certainly look into it."
"He left plenty of clues, including the calling card mark of the key dagger. He may or may not have known we'd recognize it because we took Lamm's stuff. But, the larger point is we did nothing very clever to find him. We just followed the clues. Too many, I think personally, for a supposedly successful serial killer. Given what we now know about his skills with necromancy he may or may not be the original killer from years ago. So, by doing the most basic investigative work, we find his hideout within a single day."
"When we arrive he has packed up and left. I may be wrong about him intending for us to receive his message because he wants to keep toying with us. He may have not expected us to survive. It might also just be a coincidence he was gone when we showed up. But if it was a trap, I would think his people would have been ready for us, and they didn't seem to be. I'd also think he would want to be there for the big moment when we died. If it's a coincidence it seems like a big one."
"I'm still leaning toward him planning for us to find the his place. He cleared out, taking what was important to him. That his servants and helpers weren't among those things shouldn't surprise us. He showed us his handiwork, and he left us his name, but nothing more. Either way, I don't think he's finished with us yet. He will want to kill us eventually, but not before he's wrung out as much suffering as he can from us."
"I think he will keep targeting people who have connections to us when opportunities arise. He wants us broken first."
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Temple of Aroden
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Tiora follows you back to the temple, accepts the offered bath and bowl of soup, accepts the donation and the holy symbol and happily finds a pew in the main chapel to sleep in. She sits up late into the evening, settled into a corner with a mug of hot tea, watching the younger orphans at play.
When Emi peeks into the chapel in the morning, she's momentarily alarmed to find Tiora missing. The bar's still seated on the door though, so Emi looks around a little more thoroughly before raising an alarm. She finds the young woman sound asleep in one of the pews in the chapel of Milani.
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Vantyev Estate
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Lorne shakes his head in reply to Kayleigh.
"No, I wasn't. It was just the two of them, Tassira's parents."
He helps Tassira settle into her room and goes off to open guest rooms for Kayleigh and Nebbin, leaving you alone for some time.
Going through Olaf's room is a sad affair. His possessions from his dormitory room have been boxed up and are sitting in a corner of the room. Otherwise there's a thin layer of his familiar possessions left here, just the stuff he didn't take with him to college. It's alot more painful than informative.
Eventually Lorne is able to draw baths for you three and open rooms to get everyone settled. There's cold rations to be had and a bit of the butler's dinner left hot.
Nebbin scratches his head.
"Maybe we should see if Tassira's parents know someone named Rolth? It's probably too much of a coincidence, but maybe?" he suggests. "Or if anyone strange has been hanging around. I mean, maybe they could have tried to hurt Tassira's mother or father instead of her brother but couldn't get to them?"
________________________________________________
Vantyev Estate
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Kayleigh seems disheartened and dejected as the three friends rifle through Olaf's belongings, searching for a clue that likely isn't there. She nods in agreement at Nebbin's suggestions. Even though she's confident that Tassira's spell removed the stench of the warrens from her, the temptation of a warm, relaxing bath is too much to pass up. Though the soaking relieves much of her physical fatigue and tension, the quiet period allows her troubled mind to race.
At the meal provided by Lorne, she picks at her food. As has become the custom, much of her portion ends up being scraped onto Nebbin's plate to help satiate the giant warrior's bigger appetite. When it's time to retire for the evening, she thanks Tassira for her hospitality, wishing the mage, "Peaceful dreams." Her good-night message to Nebbin is similar: "Pleasant dreams." When she finally manages to nod off herself, however, her own dreams are neither peaceful nor pleasant.
Agreeing they need a good night's sleep, Regeris fails to get much sleep in the night anyways, and spends it poking at the rose bush in the back, but not changing anything having no real skill with horticulture himself. He's his usual self the next morning as he settles in to talk theory with Emi. As she speaks, he stares intently into space, listening.
"I'm convinced. That place was so overwhelming I didn't realize how many friends and even acquaintances of yours were there - so many of them I didn't know. Connect that with the keyblade and I can't think of a better explanation than your theory."
He scowls, drumming his fingers on the table. "There was a second reason I doubted your theory which still eats at me. Tallisan Wyndser, the Abadarian investigator. If I'm a criminal mastermind trying to torture a group of people by murdering friends and family, having the Bank of Abadar investigating my doings is highly inconvenient. Talli is a contemptible prick, but he's competent and has vast resources. Why didn't he find the tomb first? There was a narrow window between Olaf's body being stolen and our arrival at the tomb, but that's still an uncontrolled variable. A second question is how Rolth knows everything. how are we being monitored?"
Tassira goes through the motions of investigating Olaf's room, taking a bath & getting dinner with a drained detachment, her eyes hollow and on the verge of tears.
Perhaps it's the only way she can think of to keep herself together.
Emi shrugs and shakes her head.
"I don't know. The only difference I see with Wyndser is he had seen Olaf's body before the burial, and did not know we had the key dagger. If he had already seen the body, why go again after the burial?"
She pulls out the piece of paper with the drawing of the dagger from her pouch. "The reason I pushed to visit the tomb was to see if the mark on Olaf's clothes matched the dagger we have. Since Olaf's clothes were already destroyed we would have left empty-handed if the theft of the body hadn't been so obvious, with an easy trail to follow."
"As for how he can keep tabs on us.... Maybe magic? Tassira might have something to say about it. Maybe he just hires or bribes people for information. I doubt he spies on us himself. And he doesn't need to know what we had for breakfast, just who we know. Otherwise I have no ideas."
Emi shrugs again. "It doesn't all hold together perfectly, but I think there's enough to consider him to be our most immediate threat. That's why I was insistent about coming back here instead of going to Tassira's house."
After breakfast Emi catches the children, Hal, Jilly, Carawyn, and the rest, individually as she can and asks them about anything they remember involving Lamm and a "Rolth" or a "Professor". Anything said, or any visitors referred to by those names while they were with Lamm.
"It's more than reasonable to revisit a body if you uncover information that gives an earlier information better context. Or Tallisan could have come with us, prevented us from entering, and summoned a host of Abadarians to storm the place. I may be speculating too wildly though - my concern is whether or not Tallisan is in league with Rolth. That may just because I don't like him."
Regeris sighs as he thinks. "I've read up on enough wizardry but can't recall much about scrying. Tassira may know if there's a way we can determine if we're being scried upon. However, just having someone report information on us back to Rolth is cheaper, more practical, and more likely. Either way, I think some judicious paranoia is in order."
While Tassira questions the children, Regeris follows along, not asking questions but simply judging their responses. Once done, he sweeps the area around the Temple, looking for anyone who may have a regular view of the place such as the homeless or nearby homes and stores.
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Temple of Aroden
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All of the orphans reply with blank stares at the name Rolth and the term 'professor'. All of them except Carawyn. Regeris can read that she has something more to say, but she waits until Emi has asked all her questions and the other children have pleaded ignorance before catching Emi afterwards.
"Mr Rolth was Lamm's son. His only kin at all as far as I ever heard. I remember him being there when I first went to the fishery - I don't think I knew who he was then - but after a while he left and hardly ever came back. That's why the others don't remember him."
"I saw him once outside talking with Gaedran. The old man got really mad and when he stormed back in he said something about ungrateful sons."
"I overheard him, and he knew. He beat me bad that day - really just for having ears."
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Vantyev Estate
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Tassira, Kayleigh and Nebbin all awake before anyone comes to wake them. They find their floors to be entirely deserted of anyone but themselves as they rise and put themselves back together.
Coming down the stairs they find the house kitchen staff at work putting on a breakfast. Lorne stands by to greet you as you come down the steps. He whispers that Tassira's mother is still indisposed in her chambers above, but that Tassira's father is in the dining room sitting at his breakfast.
Emi lays her hand on Carawyn's shoulder. "Thank you. It's very helpful to know that." Then she looks Carawyn carefully in the eyes. "I haven't seen you in a couple of days. How are you? Maybe we can talk for a little while? I have a favor to ask if you wouldn't mind. Could you help me braid my hair up? Something very nice looking?"
Around noontime Emi finds Regeris to tell him she will be going out to visit Orisini. "I'm still holding his gold. I doubt he might think I'd take it and disappear, but it's been a few days. He should have an explanation from me for the delay in talking to Devargo Barvasi. He should also know about Rolth. Master Orisini is the only outside person I've been seeing, so he is a potential target."
She throws on her armored coat. It's easy to remove and she hopes Orisini will extend his usual offer. She also slings her rapier on her back. Not long after she is knocking at his door.
Tassira is the first to wake up in the morning--and not entirely of her own volition. Her sleep last night was quite troubled--it's a miracle she was even able to prepare spells. She steps downstairs after getting dressed, her gait slow and weighted down.
When she sees her father, her heart briefly leaps in relief. While he wasn't the most permanent presence in her life, he tried to be the best father he could for his children. It was painful for her to see him in so much pain: his stately black hair is greying at the temples, his chin is covered in stubble, and his blue eyes look rather haunted.
...how much of that is from Olaf's death and how much of it is from Mother's addiction?
"...Dad?" Tassira says as she approaches the kitchen table. Her hands start to shake and tingle.
Kayleigh looks more than a bit frazzled from her long night of dreams, nightmares, and potential visions. Though suffering from an alarming case of bed head, the priestess tries to act courteously before Tassira's noble father. After the mage introduces her and Nebbin, Kayleigh informs the man of the spells she's memorized to help alleviate his wife's condition.
As Emi starts to take off, Regeris touches her shoulder to stop her. "I'm going to tail you for a few blocks but won't bother after that point. I want to know how Rolth knows so much about us." He hesitates a moment. "My parents are with the Bank and a potential target. I'm not going there yet as I'd prefer not to run into Tallisan without he group, but keep that in mind as we go over our theories."
Once Emi leaves, Regeris gives a minute before he exits out the back of the temple, hoping that if there is someone watching, the eyes are on her. He then follows her at a reasonable distance, watching for a tail.
Nebbin fidgets a little as introductions are made, not wanting to misstep. Still, he has other things on his mind:
"We should go as soon as we can," he whispers to Kayleigh. "We need to make sure the others are all OK. Also, you have some of your hair sticking up. Yes, there, but also ... well, most of that side."
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Temple of Aroden
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Carawyn happily helps Emileva with her hair. The two chat amiably for the twenty-odd minutes it takes to complete the job. Carawyn floats between complaining about all of the bad habits of the boys, to possibly mooning a bit over the younger Hal, to asking prying questions of Emileva about who the hairdo was for. In the end Emi leaves with an attractive coif and some reasonable assurance that Carawyn is well and truly healed of her dependence and freed from her potential servitude.
Regeris follows her movements, but picks up no initial tails. As he leaves the shadow of the temple a shout from across the street catches his attention. The shout grows suddenly louder as the head and shoulders of a man is thrust up above the crowd next to a lamp post. The speaker wears a black cowled robe and the straight black-gray tresses of his hair spill down the front to obscure a red symbol on his breast. Regeris doesn't need to see the symbol clearly, however, to know who he's dealing with.
"The Dark Father demands your fealty before receiving his succor! This is right and natural in the world! As the First, it is the right of Asmodeus to lay claim to your fealty. And he demands it!! Place your trust in him, and his grasp will bring you back to the law! Will bring Korvosa... back to the law."
The man continues to shout, a litany of prayers and remonstrations. All in the name of dark Asmodeus. Regeris has a choice before him as Emi disappears toward Garrison Hill. Continue tailing her or attend to the Devil Barker?
Emi's impulse is to deny everything. But, if she wants Carawyn to open up to her, she will have to show the same. Still, she plays coy with her answer. "Only time will tell if it's for someone. There is a certain gentleman I call on sometimes. I think he might be a baron or a count. He doesn't bring it up so I'm not sure. Anyway, if he refuses to see, then my hair is just for myself I suppose." If Carawyn presses for details Emi only describes him as handsome and quite intelligent, an artist in his own way, kind in his concern for others, and not given to talking much about himself.
Emi sympathizes with Carawyn's complaints but can't offer much in the way of advice. "Ignore the boys as best you can. It's not your job to fix their problems. Maybe someday they'll catch up. Don't pin any hopes on it though."
She finds the possibility of Hal beginning to preoccupy the girl a mite depressing. It's not anything wrong with Hal, but the reminder Carawyn occupies such a tiny world at the temple that Emi finds troubling. At the same time, for numerous reasons she can't recommend the girl get out away from the temple more often. Instead she falls back onto her question from earlier. "My guess is you don't see yourself spending the rest of your life here. So, I'll ask you again now. What do you want your future to look like? Think on it and tell me sometime. If you have plans, I might be able to help."
++++++++++++
Emi agrees Regeris's idea is a good one and immediately puts it out of her mind. It will work best if she completely ignores him following her.
Kayleigh flashes Nebbin a sheepish smile as she quickly gives her hair a finger-comb, likely not improving the situation much but at least evening the raggedness out. Despite looking and feeling rather disheveled, Kayleigh meets the gaze of Tassira's father without a flinch, trying to take measure of the man.
Regeris feels a flush building up to his neck as the realizes a diabolist is preaching right outside of the temple. He freezes in place for a moment as Emi starts to move out of sight, and spares a quick glance to try and judge the motivations of the preacher.
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Vantyev Estate
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Mr Vantyev stands when he sees his daughter enter the room and meets her halfway down the table with an embrace. He sees Kayleigh and Nebbin looking in and straightens.
"Who are these?" he asks. "More of your friends, come to steal you away? Your mother told me you were searching for Olaf's killer with some friends, but I paid an Abadaran Investigator to look into the matter and he'll root out the killer before long. I've no doubt its linked somehow to the street violence that the protesting mobs bring."
The look on his face is bloodthirsty as he speaks. His animus against the people in the street is genuine enough.
"It's not possible to preserve any property or enterprise when the streets have gone mad. I've struggled to keep our options open and our business making money, but the guard has been overthrown in whole sections of the city. Travel on the streets is no longer safe. Not for you, not for your mother and not for Olaf."
He gives Kayleigh a curious look as she speaks up about Mrs Vantyev.
"When she's up and about you're free to argue with her about her habits if you choose. Say prayers, tell her she's going to kill herself. If she wants her dreams she's going to have them, and woe to the person who tries to take them by force. She's still formidable when she's disturbed."
"I must spend most of the day down at our offices. This afternoon I'll be back up at the court to petition the throne on our behalf. We'll see what progress you've made with your mother when I return tonight."
"I need you to run manage our family's estate in the long run. Your brother was interested in the business and would have made a great leader eventually, but he is gone now. I need you to remain here at the estate where it's safe."
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Lord Vantyev," Kayleigh says as the family patriarch finishes speaking (and presumably leaves?). Once she can speak with Tassira in private, the priestess asks, "How should we handle this? Should you broach the subject with your mother, or would it be better if I try to talk to her?"
Though she's itching to ask if Tassira will remain at her family estate to help manage it in these trying times, Kayleigh waits to address that touchy subject.
Nebbin interjects as Tassira's father talks, hoping to be helpful.
"Oh, we know the guards had some trouble, but we're trying to help. We've all joined, taking care of things to try to make the city safer," he says reassuringly, smiling at Kayleigh and Tassira to make sure he knows they were included. "And people don't usually bother us if I'm around. I'll make sure Tassi is safe."
Is Tassi her nickname? I guess I can call her that if I'm acting like her brother, right? I hope she doesn't mind. I never had a sister but I think brothers are supposed to use nicknames. I wonder if Kayleigh has a nickname...
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Vantyev Estate
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Tassira can see there's something about her friends that's upset her father. He clenches his mouth with an idle hand and turns in place, pacing back towards his seat but keeping his back to Nebbin and Kayleigh. He stares up at the portrait of an ancestor thoughtfully and waits for Tassira to steer closer before saying to her in hushed tones...
"A Milanite? Seriously Tassira, bringing a priestess of the goddess of Insurrection into our home when we have a case before the court? You'll have us branded as rebels."
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Outside the Temple of Aroden
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The barker is across the street from the temple. It has to be an intentional provocation. He can certainly be heard from the temple steps. Standing on tip-toes to see over the street traffic, Regeris can see that the barker is not alone. He has one robed wingman helping support him upon his perch, and in the tight crowd who knows who else might be lurking unmarked.
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Master Orisini's Dueling Academy
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A student answers Orisini's door. Over his shoulder, Emi can hear the tell-tale back and forth of the fencing class. The student leads her to the familiar sitting room outside Vencarlo's office and makes sure she's comfortable. After a few moments, Vencarlo darkens the doorway. Sweat stands out on his brow and lip, and he uses a towel to mop his neck as he comes in.
"Emi!" he calls, wide smile on his face. "How have you been and what have you been up to?"
It's as if her goddess wants Kayleigh to overhear...wants to test her faith and devotion. Kayleigh says nothing and gives no outward sign of having overheard Lord Vantyev's words.
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Nebbin waits for Tassira and her father to finish their discussion, being too proud to eavesdrop.
He's probably telling her how proud he is that she joined the guard. That's sweet that he's embarrassed to show it in front of us, I guess.
Did Talli set this up? Damnit now I'm becoming paranoid. Emi can take care of herself.
Regeris abandons his tail on Emileva deciding that he needs to determine the severity of the threat. He whispers a prayer to his goddess, and finds an out of the way place to settle in and just watch for a little while.
Tassira sighs. "...Kayleigh's a good healer. And she offered her assistance without me asking for it. Besides, I've been working with her for a while now--she's more interested in helping people than fomenting rebellion."
Though Nethys knows Ileosa hasn't been doing a good job of ruling...
"I think she can help Mother. Please, give her a chance, Dad."
Emi smiles back, but when she stands to greet Orisini she does so perhaps a little too quickly to avoid betraying some nervousness.
"I am well Master Orisini. Thank you. A lot has happened recently so I've come to bring you up to date. It may take some time to cover everything. If you're busy at the moment I can certainly wait until you are free."
After pausing for a moment Emi adds "It's very good to see you. It seems like it has been a long time."
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Vantyev Estate
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Tassira's father continues in his low voice.
"Yes, well. You know Tassira that we're not poor. I've offered to pay for the same service from the Bank. Your mother would have none of it. Around the same time you left school she welcomed the drug back into her life. You can offer her treatment, but I doubt she'll submit."
"And when your friends leave, bid them do so discretely. Our fortunes rest on the whims of a young and impetuous monarch, any credible suggestion of treason in our family might devastate our interests."
Half an hour later he's hugged his daughter again and stepped out into a waiting carriage.
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Outside the Temple of Aroden
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Regeris observes five of them milling about in the crowd like they're expecting trouble. The speaker occasionally breaks from his admonitions into Infernal hymn, at which point the other four reinforce his voice in call and response fashion. So they self-identify and are not hard to pick out.
They seem content to agitate the passers-by on the west side of the plaza before the temple. Though they occasionally glare at the building, they make no moves to get closer.
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Master Orisini's Dueling Academy
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"Please, Emi. Call me Vencarlo. And yes of course I have time. My apprentice leads the current class. I was just participating and observing."
His expression dampens a little as he reads Emi's expression and posture.
"What's happened? All is well at the House of Aroden, I trust?"
Kayleigh seems a bit more quiet, aloof, and respectful than usual as she waits for Lord Vantyev to depart and for the lady of the house to rise and shine (and be treated for her shiver addiction). If things linger too long, however, she gently reminds Tassira that their trio was to regroup with Regeris and Emileva to try to make sense of the murders and bodysnatching that seemingly targeted their small clique. The priestess seems a bit anxious about the return to the Temple of Aroden.
Once her father leaves (sharing one last hug with him before leaving), Tassira looks over at Kayleigh and Nebbin.
She takes a breath, steels herself, and walks up to her mother's bedroom door.
Her hand shakes as she knocks twice on it. "Mother? We need to talk."
Nebbin stands behind her, trying to hunch down so he looks less imposing, to offer support.
Regeris swears under his breath, but ever-cautious he decides that they need not be confronted yet. He settles in for a long watch, trying to pick up on any conversation between the five or distinguishing features. If they're there for confrontation, he's there to disappoint them.