Alik listens and nods approvingly.
"I saw small tracks shortly before I attacked the tree, but they were scuffled in the rush to save the wagon. We should look in the area surrounding the place of the fire. If there were intruders, I imagine we will find the missing goat with them as well." Alik turns to look out at the edges of the camp.
"Probably missing more things than just the goat. Fire was probably a diversion for thieves to raid supplies. You should have non-fighters check our goods and trackers and sharp eyes looking for tracks. Have fighting men stand by, guard until we get scent."
Alik waits for Almah's acknowledgement of his suggestions.
"I know as little as you at the moment," Almah says to Garruth, shaking her head, "I was in my tent when the fire started. The others were all outside, however. It is very possible that one of them saw something." She pauses, pondering Alik's suggestions. "I will have one of my guards do as you say - given our circumstances, I can trust no one else."
Without another word, she nods to Garavel and then heads back towards her tent. Her majordomo lets out a tired sigh, perhaps the most emotion you have seen from him since you first met.
"Your plan is sound, Alik," he says to the ifrit, looking off towards the burnt wagon. "I did not see anything myself, and Almah's guards were not particularly keen on searching the wagon thoroughly."
Jaykae smiles awkwardly but turns serious as they are told to investigate and find out what happened. She blinks at the woman trying to figure out how she could help with such a request. As a bard she had no idea about tracking or not enough to be a big help. Maybe by bolstering confidence?
"I'm not sure what I can do but we always help. Right Kei?"
Ruika looks around; "What was aboard the wagon?" 'Other than Eloais.' she asks, in case it was directed at an individual or a specific supply.
"Talk to people, guilt tears you apart." the darkness under the hood fixes upon the Zerda twins, her words are a suggestion despite the method of delivery. Implying that they can use their considerable charm and persuasive powers to find who is in the caravan,
"The camp contains?" she asks wondering how many people are in it and inquiring what else there is.
"Eloais was a Harrower from Almah's homeland of Varisia - he acted as her personal fortune teller. His wagon was doubtlessly filled with whatever baubles men of his craft require. Though I confess, I have never seen the inside of his wagon."
"Now that he is gone, asides from the six of you, there are sixteen of us in the camp."
"Our gnoll expert, Dashki,"
"Our priest and alchemist, Zastoran,"
"Almah's four personal guards,"
"A band of six mercenaries who joined us just before your group,"
"The camel drivers, Hadrod and Hadrah,"
"And of course, Almah and myself."
The witch stands stock still, this is less than she thought and the callousness of the reaction to Eloais' demise shows that like many of his ilk he was secretive and resented. 'A Varisian, far from home and master of hidden fortunes...well my rebirth was written in the sky. It doesn't take a seer to read my fate.'
Slowly the hood rotates to take in the others, 'These are the only people to trust, these 5.' "No outsiders did it?" she looks to the pale rolling desert sands, half statement- half query. Then she wonders if the other 16 realise their task and they'll be treated with suspicion (something she's used to).
Corneilious whispers to the group:
"If I had to wager a guess I'd say we start with the Mercenaries. To me it sounds their allegiances would lay with the highest bidder. They'd have nothing to loose by destroying the camp."
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Garruth considers the people of the camp and nods towards Corneilious when he mentions the mercenaries "One would assume they would have the least reason for loyalty... that sudden column of flame though didn't seem like a normal fire to me. With no one mentioned as well versed in magic I would like to speak with the alchemist. Perhaps he can shed some light."
Ruika considers both points, both valid options. Reasoning that they'll have to investigate, she points to Garruth; "Introduce you to him." she states.
Just then a small orange creature darts from under the cloak straight towards the Zerda twins and barrels into their legs. Rubbing it's snout against their legs, the robed figure gasps in surprise before a stream of Elven flows out.
"that sudden column of flame though didn't seem like a normal fire to me."
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that to begin with?
"Ah!" Jaykae squeaks happily as she picks up the little red creature and nuzzles it with her face, cuddling it and squeeing gently. She seems extremely enthused with the animal (whatever it is).
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Garruth blinks at Ruika when she points it should probably be obvious what she means but it doesn't click right away, then the small creature rushes out of the robes over to the twins and Garruth smiles "So that's what that was, I was wondering why you seemed to have two scents! Is that who you were going to introduce?"
He looks towards the small fox rubbing against the Zerda twins' legs and smirks to himself. Hearing the string of Elven, although he doesn't understand the words, it seems pretty clear it's a scolding. He leans in closer to converse more quietly with Ruika "Don't be too hard on the little tyke, I know the feeling... it's not the easiest urge to resist, you can at least allow a little attention." He looks back towards the twins seeing Jaykae pick up the little creature and cuddle "Aww... so unfair, I only got an ear rub."
Keiko gasps in surprise at the small fox coming at her to sniff. "Whoa whoa, where did you come from!" Her surprise passes when Jaykae picks up the scent. She nods towards Corneilius and says, "I can take a look too, if it was possibly magic..."
She just stares dumbly at the wagon for a few moments and shrugs.
Jaykae rubs noses with the little fox, "More than an ear rub would probably require spending the night in our tent and ..." Her eyes open wide and her mouth drops as she realizes what she's said then hides her blushes in behind the fox, "Ah ... well ... I ... uhm .. possibly magic you say? Oh well ..."
She looks to the tree and tries to see what she can see while cuddling the fox and pretending without good results that she hadn't yapped what she had yapped.
"Not sure." She shows the fox to her sister still pretending behind the rosy blushes that she'd not spoken of other things.
"Whoa... Whoa!" says Keiko, waving her hands and shaking her head at Jaykae, "Don't invite the nice catman to stay in our tent!"
She waves her hands at Garruth to indicate that he should forget whatever Jaykae said.
Alik simply nods and moves to look for any trace of tracks near where the chickens and goat were tied up.
Then Alik goes to the wagon area where he thinks he saw the tracks as well.
Your search of the area around the holding pen turns up a myriad of different footprints. It proves easy enough to determine which animal each trail belongs to. However, you note that none resemble the footprints you saw earlier.
Despite the extensive commotion around the wagon earlier, you manage to find traces of the tiny footprints. The tracks around the wagon are mostly obliterated, but you find that they connect to a more or less intact trail leading away from camp.
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Garruth blinks towards Jaykae was she suggesting what he thought? The excessive blushing seemed to confirm it he chuckles a bit and shakes his head when Keiko waves her hands. "Hmmm sounds like that's been vetoed, too bad... I haven't a tent of my own."
He changes the subject returning to the matter at hand "Well I had best find this Alchemist and see what I can learn from him. I suppose I should take a closer look for evidence of magic as well, best to have as much information as possible to talk over."
Chastened she walks over to the ladies, underneath the hood she smiles. 'He usually doesn't take to other people.' she thinks watching the nuzzling fox, cavorting in Jaykae's hands. Moving over to the twins, she nods; "Lyssa likes you, you good people." she states simply.
All this talk of tent's confuses Ruika. 'Do they mean rutting? I suppose the women had their tents for that.' she remembers from the tribal days.
He follows over Garruth to the wagon running through her mind the different spells and effects. Concentrating upon the strength/intensity of the fire, speed of combustion, trying to note any smells or unusual textures to the flames.
"I know Zastoran." she points out to Garruth, in reference to him wanting to find the alchemist.
Corneilious paces the grounds searching for any additional clues.
Jaykae gives her sister a pained look as she realizes that more than Garruth heard that and probably thought the same thing. She couldn't even look at the cat man now.
It often took her moments after saying things to realize that they were said wrong but when saying them they sounded right in her head. She would have to be much more careful with her speaking. Songs and tunes were much easier than actually talking to others.
"Thanks we like Lyssa too." She says as she holds the little one, "Did you want her back now? We should talk to people but Keiko will talk. I'm ... well, I don't do so well with words except in song." She blushes again.
"Yeah, I'm pretty good with people," chimes in Keiko, patting Lyssa on the head with a curious expression before she looks towards Ruika, "Ah, I guess we are pretty decent people or something."
"She enjoys your company." Ruika states simply there is just a hint of mixed emotions. The delicate gloved hand strokes under the fox's chin that Jaykae holds. A warm lyrical voice rolls from the gruff Orc-native lips.
Taking a step back, crunching through the sands to Garruth; she gently punches his arm. "Take you to Zastoran." the robed figure then hitches up her long dark material, showing shapely ankles and calves. To avoid making too many marks, with her soft shoes of a light silken material. There are a glimpse of bronzed flesh.
Ruika goes over to look further at the cart, before she leads Garruth to the alchemist.
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"Hmmm it was a big one alright, but I don't see any signs of magic having been used" Garruth seems to be reasonably certain.
He sighs softly Jaykae seems to be incredibly shy about him now, not even looking towards him, he hopes that doesn't last very long. Those thoughts are interrupted by a light punch from Ruika, he looks towards her and smiles "Yes of course, let's go my friend" She was an interesting one, she kept so much to herself Garruth couldn't tell if she had any interest in the others. She was also always in that dark robe, only now the slight peek at legs indicating that there is a real body under there.
Trying to concentrate more on the task at hand Garruth follows Ruika to the alchemist pushing curious thoughts of who is hiding under the robe out of his mind for now.
After walking past the burnt ruin of the wagon, Ruika learns nothing other than the rough dimensions. A memory returns of the razed village of her youth as the acrid smell of smoke fills her. The charred remains of her loved ones, clan-mates and friends left lying there after the terrible genocide.
Balling her emotions deep in her gut she turns away from the wreckage and move towards the alchemist. Her eyes flick to Garruth and whomever is coming with them. Silently she slips towards Zastoran; "Hello. Tragic, poor Eloais." she points to the burnt caravan. "He have anything flammable in there? Or enemies?" she queries politely.
Jaykae considers their options and shrugs, "Maybe we should go see this gnoll expert, Sis?" She asks as she starts walking, not sure which way to go but decides on the tree first, "Or do you think we could make anything out with tracks?"
The twin considers possible motives for this attack of the camp.
[ooc]Sense Motive
Alik waves his hand and calls to the others. With a grand gesture he points into the wilderness.
"I have found a trail of suspicious tracks leading out. We should go investigate."
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Garruth follows along after Ruika to the Zastoran he keeps quiet letting her ask her questions before talking to the man. "Hello sir, I am Garruth I wish we could have met under better circumstances" He offers a paw believing it is the proper human greeting "We are looking into the fire in the wagon, my charming companion and I were hoping you would be able help, your information could be invaluable to the investigation." Garruth talks smoothly and calmly giving his most charming smile.
The two of you find Zastoran sitting by his wagon, reading a book. Upon seeing Ruika however, he snaps it shut and smiles, standing to greet you. He is all too eager to shake the catfolk's paw.
"It is good to meet you as well, Garruth! I see that you are friends with this young lady here," he says, looking to Ruika, "Now that I think about it, I do not think I ever caught your name!"
Upon the mention of an investigation however, Zastoran's expression falls into a frown. With a sigh, he leans against his wagon, as though he had suddenly become tired. "Better circumstances would have been preferable," he says with a humorless chuckle, "But I will help you in any way I can. It is the least I can do."
"Flammable? Well, I can't say for certain, but I am sure he had some kind of candles in his wagon. To go along with the whole nonsensical fortune teller motif."
"And I don't know about enemies, but Eloais was a rather... uptight individual. I cannot say he really had any friends on the caravan," he says, before adding in a disdainful tone: "Well, asides from Almah of course."
You are unable to determine why someone would attack the camp in such a manner, but it does seems strange to you that the animals coincidentally escaped right when the fire started.
When Alik points out the footprints, Garavel kneels down to inspect them.
"Hm. This is certainly worthy of suspicion," he states plainly, nodding his head slowly, "But these tracks look like they lead quite a distance away from the camp. It would perhaps be unwise to venture out at night, at least not without consulting Almah first."
"I am Ruika Grumnash, seer and shaman of the Bloody Tempests." she says with a gruff tone, holding a caress femininity.
"So, was he advisor to Almah, or her mate as well?" Ruika asks querying. 'Doubtful as she looked disinterested and mates are about passion.'
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"I do not know what else might have caused the fire," Zastoran says, shaking his head, "There are any number of oils he might have had on the wagon. Though, I do not believe Eloais was very much skilled in magic. Perhaps it was just an accident...?"
As the discussion turns toward the topic of the relationship between Eloais and Almah, Zastoran frowns.
"Eloais only ever volunteered his services to Almah. Their sessions were always held in private - not even Garavel was permitted to attend them. As for what kind of relationship they had... I cannot say for sure. But I do believe Eloais was a charlatan. There is not a doubt in my mind that he was using his Harrowing nonsense to take advantage of the poor girl. She is better off without him."
Alik looks at Garavel intently. He lowers his voice for Garavel.
"This may be true, but they may yet be close. By morning they may be long gone. My kind can see well in the darkness, and I bet Mancat can as well. Until the job is done, the Pactmasters own my neck. You have but to ask, and I will do what needs to be done."
Garavel is silent for a moment as he contemplates the matter, studying one of the footprints. "The night is still young; there is time to mount a search if we must."
"I do not know what matter of creature might have made these..." Garavel starts hesitantly, "I recommend that you speak with Dashki. He is a trained tracker, and is well-versed with the wildlife in these parts."
"And perhaps more importantly, Almah holds his opinions in high regard," he adds with a grimace, "If he believes something out there might be responsible, then she will be inclined to agree with him."
"What were Trevvis and Kallien doing by wagon?" Ryuika wonders in case they were the ones that set the fire, but had it blow up in their faces. The open hood turns towards Garruth to see if he had more idea than her. 'How to wheedle out the guilty, without intimidation.'
Alik nods to Garavel with acceptance.
"I will go and relay this information to Almah and Dashki, and we'll allow their counsel to settle the matter."
Alik hefts Freaksfire and seeks the caravan leader and her trusted tracker.
"The same way as any of us, I suppose. Eloais was a very well-traveled man. He joined us about a month ago, back in Solku. Almah is Varisian herself, you know - perhaps she saw a kindred spirit in him."
"Those two were the first to spot the fire," Zastoran explains, glancing briefly at the campfire where the six mercenaries are sitting, "They tried to get Eloais out before the blaze got too hot, but the fools only got themselves hurt. All of the mercenaries were hanging around the campfire before that."
"Almah should still be in her tent," Garavel says as he stands up, wiping the dust off his pant legs. He looks about the camp before pointing towards the Sultan's Claw. "And that would be Dashki."
In the direction Garavel is pointing, you spot the dark-haired tracker sitting on one of the large tree's roots, eating a piece of fruit.
Turning back to the alchemist; "Mercenaries, new? Where from?" she subtly implies both their origin and where they were recruited.
"Kei? Something is strange with the animals getting out at the same time as the fire started but I just can't put my finger on why." Jaykae looks to her sister, "It would work great with lyrics if we could figure out what. A tune's in my head already ... but ah this is real. Should we go see if anyone found out about tracks?"
Jaykae still cuddles little Lyssa and suddenly looks about to see if anyone had been walking with them as she'd talked much more than normal at that moment and she was used to talking to her sister but not many others.
"Hmm? Yeah, I guess someone might have released the animals as a distraction or something..." says Keiko, considering that for a moment, "Why don't you and I take a look at the animal pens, and see what happened? If something broke, or if someone just happened to open it..."
She gestures for Jaykae to follow and runs to the pens.
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Looking back towards Zastoran Garruth asks "Do you know of any other groups or settlements that are set up nearby? Perhaps the one or ones responsible came from outside the camp."
"Ah!" Jaykae squeaks as her sister runs off. She holds Lyssa tighter against her chest and follows, "KEI! Hey slow down the little foxy will get scared!"
Corneilious leans against a nearby wagon and eyes the Mercenaries suspiciously.
"Those six joined us soon after this expedition first started," Zastoran says, scratching his curly white beard, "I do not know where they came from though. And I believe the only settlement you'll find anywhere around here is Kelmarane itself. And if the gnolls there are already aware of our presence here... well, the mission might be over before it even begins. I doubt that's the case, though."
As the two of you return to the holding pen, you spot Hadrod near the gate, inspecting its latch.
"That's strange, it's not broken or anything," you hear him mutter, "Must have just popped loose somehow..."
The mercenaries are indeed quite rambunctious, laughing aloud as they trade crude jokes. Your presence does not go unnoticed, as one of the caravan guards spots you. He confers with the other five before calling out to you.
"Hey, I need a refill!" he shouts, waving a an empty flagon over his head, [b]"Think that fancy spell of yours could make booze?"
The hooded figure nods her head, understanding that they're few suspects and if it was the gnolls then they could probably overrun the camp. 'Motive, Opportunity, Ability and Temperament - that's what we have to analyse.'
Lyssa in Jaykae's arms enjoys the bustling movement, softly purring and curling her bushy tail around her body.
"You'd be surprised friend. Ragathiel offers all kinds of magics to his faithful."
Corneilious puts his finger in the cup and casts Create Water while raising one eyebrow to the man.
"There you go friend. That'll be the best drink you ever had."