Thanks generosity. Self will do as able, make things better for many.
Una also nods her gratitude.
"Good idea, Ashe."
She shoulders her crossbow and moves out.
"... I'll see you all tomorrow at Zellara's. 'Goddess care and keep you all'..."
With no more words Ashe turns to leave his expression somber and introspect.
Ashe makes he way down to the Citadel's Quartermaster's office and has all of the loot from the Girigz lair exchanged for coin value turning all the unclaimed loot over to the Korvosan Guard for use.
Making he way to the prison cells he asks the jailor to see Verik.
At he cell Ashe greets him, "..forgive my late arrival Verik Vankaskerkin... but of late... I find my time is demanded of me. I'm sorry I was not at thy trail today. I did what I could to sue for leniency by the court. I know what was their decision ...one I do not entirely agree with... but I encourage you not to despair. Your life and personal worth or still of value. If it make any difference I wanted you to know I still think you are a good man... with much to offer! Your actions int he riot were motivated by a desire to help in the way your heart was ...mislead to believe was the best. It was a mistake true... but not one that need be allowed to ruin your life or hopes for the future."
Ashe sits down on a nearby stool out side the barred cell.
"I would ask you consider your options. You have a heart motivated by concern for those of low means... perhaps you would consider joining the Order of IOMEDAE? There you would be molded into the upright man you seem to want to be... and your cause might be more suiting to where your heart leads you?"
"But also if your heart craves freedom to choose your causes at your own decision... perhaps you might find your calling as a Pathfinder?"
Gesturing to him self hand upon his breast, "I too am a Pathfinder ... and I have traveled the world seeking adventure and the lairs of the wicked to defeat their schemes along the way helping the downtrodden and needy! Perhaps you may find your calling there a ...more suitable life to your liking? There are many possibilities beyond even what I have ventured to offer here. I only seek to admonish you.. do not give into despair.. your life is not over. YOU can be so much more than just a guardsman in a city ruled by those of ...questionable morals. Don't give up hope!"
"Well, it is late... I will leave you to your thoughts. Good Journey... wherever it takes thee.. and Goddess Bless thy efforts in the cause of goodness. If my offers intrigue you.. look for a package for you with the jailor ere you are released. Fare thee well."
Ashe leaves the man in peace and before leaving on 'Redhoof' he writes two letters of introduction... one to the Order of Iomedae in Last Wall - Vigil care of and one to the Decimverate of the Pathfinders, care of in Absolom for Verik Vankaskerkin on the honor of Asherick Whiteplume-Stolyarev as a prospective recruit for their scrutiny. Ashe also purchases a Longsword and weapon belt for Verik as a parting gift in favor of Iomedae's blessing. Gifts left for Verik on his release.
Ashe leaves on 'Redhoof' to make his way immediately to 'Trails End' the Saldado Residence. He will knock to waken Miss Tayce Saldado.
"Please forgive most gravely milady for the lateness of my arrival but I come to cure thy daughter Brieanna beyond any doubt! I can remove the disease afflicting her with but a touch if ye would allow it?"
If Miss Saldado will allow it Ashe will be brief and lay hands upon the child and the mother to remove any disease afflicting them. He will refuse all offers of reward and only ask that all praise be given to his goddess Iomadae. He will bless her family and as quickly as possible take his leave...
Ashe will make his way to the orphanage where the children were sent it is late but he will speak with the matron giving her the fact that he will be very busy in the future and may not be able to look into the children's welfare with but only sporadic regularity at best to explain the lateness of his call.
Asking into the prospects for the children rescued from Geadren Lamm's clutches he will leave 100gold for the care and keeping of the young lass with child and swear the matron to secrecy about who donated the gold for her... but also demand dire promises that the gold be given to the lass with child and not taken for others!
At that end Ashe will take his leave and head for the Grey District and the Cathedral of Pharasma. The Bishop may be asleep but he will direly request a brief audience. Ashe will make a report of the days findings as undoubtedly would be curious how after her speak with dead on the corpse of the Urgathoan cultist Rois, events transpired. Ashe will reveal all that was said to the Field Marshal and his Uncle Endrin asking that the bishop consult and coordinate effort with them to try to mitigate what is being inflicted upon the city.
Weariness indeed gripping at his limbs Ashe will take the time to visit Nexus and listen to the tribulations he is enduring. He will offer a gentle word of encouragement, admiration ad great pride for his steadfast advancement in the eyes of the bishop in his studies! He will part leaving him with an affectionate hug of friendship...
Finally, Ashe makes his way home... perhaps for a few hours sleep... maybe.
Icabhod will head out back to whereever they sleep. It has been a logn day and he needs to recharge.
Una delays only a little, to speak to Varrel.
"What do you think of Ashe's plan? Should we go look at the stars or head home for a rest for now, and see what the sun shows us tomorrow. I could go for some night-time sight-seeing, if you're up for it."
Unless you needing self more, self go to rest. Unless someone has something else for him, Gronk heads back to the Groteus shrine to rest in it's comforting presence.
Una delays only a little, to speak to Varrel.
"What do you think of Ashe's plan? Should we go look at the stars or head home for a rest for now, and see what the sun shows us tomorrow. I could go for some night-time sight-seeing, if you're up for it."
Varrel is momentarily choked up at the possible double meaning. But fortune favored the bold it was said.
I am willing to see what the night could reveal. If I might speed our ascent to the rooftops?He offers her his arm and (hopefully) she takes it, he uses 1 minute of his remaining 3min flight to RUN action fly them to the location soaring above the city at 150ft per round following the swift Majenko who wheeled and dived in front of them. He doesn't make too much small talk on the way, for fear of saying something foolish. Una HAD mentioned stars however.
That's Iomedae and there is Shelyn, goddess of love. I do not know them all but many scholars argue that the stars that mark the gods do not move, a constant reminder that we are never truly alone here.
His minute of flight up he dismisses it at a fair height and allows his at will featherfall to drop them safely to a roof. He hoped the flight was as excillerating to her as her touch was to him.
He produces a pearl of power.
My last use of my BLEND spell for the day. Shall we see what we may?
Una is a little startled by the flight but agrees its faster than climbing. "I think I prefer having my feet touching something. Not much for having my head in the clouds, y'know." She says to Varrel as they land somewhere near the Hospice of the Blessed Maiden (but well enough away from it that no sentries would spot their flight).
She nods at Varrel. "I hope this is one of those little illusions that goes a long way."
The Blend spell will allow me to Hide in Plain sight for an hour, but I still need to be careful. Unfortunately it is self only. I can cast an Invisibility spell on you that will last 6minutes allowing you to get in favorable position. We can take separate watch positions and stay in contact via Majenko. Once we have what we need, I will fly to you and speed us to Our house for the night and meet with the others in the mourning?
"Ah, well in that case, I can probably stealth forward without any magic. Just as good."
The night will favor us. Let's go. Majenko fly to keep us in your telepathy. We will not stay too far apart.
Daniel makes use of his second last minute of flight and casts BLEND.
Against the backdrop of the night his chameleon like illusion did much to hide his presence. Spotting the Magus was made all the more difficult because he flew 60 feet straight up, then across to the roof and then straight down, a longish route but taking him well out of line of sight and the visual limit of any human with torchlight.
He would need his last minute of flight to get them out of there.
He waits on the roof, keeping still and allowing Una to catch up with her own mundane stealth, which far exceeded his own.
Once she is in range he begins to look for a skylight or window he can spy through.
Using his weightlessness of Featherfall to aid his climb.
Majenko is a little torn between following Ashe on his evening errands... but a smile and a gentle word or two from Ashe sends him following.
Majenko, small though he is, turns out to be quite a fast flyer and keeps up with Varrel's flight path easily and on arrival at the Maiden Hospice... stoops in flight to dive into the night's shadows of the surrounding buildings; his strangely amethyst colored scales shifting to drink in the hues of the surrounding shadows - practically vanishing from sight!
But the soft buzz of his thought is still heard by both Una and Varrel as from the shadows the sneaky House-Drake maintains his 60'ft telepathic range with both of them as they move...
All the while he is watching to add his extra senses to cover their approach searching for threats they may not perceive with his own keen Draconic senses!
Una takes back up to the roofs, walking or crawling as she feels is necessary to avoid being seen.
She attempts to get a sense of the building, its floorplan, and any guards it might have outside.
Is there a way to reach the roof of the warehouse from nearby buildings? Or is it a bit distant?
Fair enough.
From her vantage point slightly behind a chimney on the roof of a nearby building, Una takes in what she can about the building. When she is certain that there was no patrol of guards or the like, she sinks down into the shadows, dropping from the roof to the ground below.
She looks around to the obvious signs of lights or streetlights that might be up around the warehouse.
Varrel moves to the side of the building and engages his fatherfall to safely land on the ground. He then stealths to Una and casts INVISIBILITY on her.
Majenko flutters in the air like a stirring breeze in the shadows completely unseen. Being a tiny creature his body is thin and long and somewhat like a cat his bones are very loose under his supple scaly hide... allowing him to squeeze into places one would not expect such a creature to be able to enter... especially a winged dragon.
So.. Majenko flutters lower to the ground in aback ally near the warehouse... diligently keeping within 60'ft of Una and Varrel... but seeking a knot hole or rat-hole sized gaps somewhere at the base of the warehouse walls... perhaps near the large set of three double-doors at the back near the loading docks that a tiny creature might gain entry through.
Barring that Majenko, still holding to the shadows, will try to seek out if there is an available chimney on the roof of the warehouse that a tiny 'sneak' might enter through.
With the light from the street lamps now passing directly through her invisible form, Una attempts to cross the street to the warehouse without being detected.
Once there, she examines the doors, seeing that they are locked she tries to carefully disable the lock with her masterwork tools.
Varrel keeps absolutely still after Una moves off, not wanting his own movement to give away something was there.
She looks at the chinks in the door.
Majenko peers at the room and the chains holding the large doors closed from the small gap his wings twitching with frustration...
Replying to Una,
There is a odd mental grousing emotions feeling coming from the tiny dragon as he ponders other considerations
The little dragon adds hopeful of getting approval for his rationalizing a way around his promise from Una...
Una creeps completely around the building, looking for windows, doors, or anything that might be a way in.
If that doesn't work, she climbs or ninja-jumps up to the roof.
Zzzz...Snort..Zzz..grease them up, yea..zzzzz
Varrel considers his current spell loadout and remaining scrolls.
Varrel does take a moment to cast DETECT Magic and scan the door and general area.
Varrel focuses his view. And telepathically follows his vision. Where is the emanation coming from?
Una mentally hears from Majenko,
Una drops back down again into the shadows, though she is still invisible.
She looks carefully where Varrel is intently staring.
Varrel cannot see the Aura clearly but it is there.
He relays via Majenko,
Una looks around for a sewer entrance.
With a flurry of amethyst-colored scaled wings the little dragon is in motion...
Majenko glides into the shadows and his skin shifts hue matching the surrounding shadows under the dock pilings searching for the sewer entrance... practically vanishing from sight.
Majenko grouses in frustration... he wants so very much to be helpful...
When the Moray Eel snaps at him he hisses and his stingered tail snaps out with deadly accuracy to sting the offending water creature... who probably should have left tiny dragon well enough alone...!
Telepathically,
There is a hint of actual apology in his mental tone...
Varrel hears the projection as well. As Una's Invisibility expires the camouflaged elf quickly moves to her side.
I apologize for this.... He engages his last minute of flight and spirits them as fast as he can towards the haunted home they share.
As he gains enough altitude to clear the wearhouses he streaks as fast as he can keeping low to the roofs should they be attacked so he can get them to ground if needed but also by going as the crow flies would throw off land persuit as the road turned and stopped at the drains and inlets.
He lands on a low set rooftop as his flight runs out.
I am sorry. But the durations of my spells were growing short. And I'd not risk a fight on our enemies ground and terms should we be caught. I would not leave you in that circumstance and so it seemed more prudent to leave with you undiscovered and together. Sir Whiteplume lacks in subtlety but makes up for it in durability and authority with the guard. If you truly wish to return in the night I will come with you and arrayed with better spells for such a mission. I am currently fitted for battle and as much as my will screams at me to put Duvalis to the sword he is still the queens man and we are not in a position to face her. This is a point that will need to be driven into Sir Whiteplume before we investigate the Man further. He needs to dissappear with no implication on us or the Marshall or we will face the queens minions directly. I fear we can no longer play the Knight's noble game. This needs to either be settled in the shadows or in full rebellion..... We all have much to think about.
He waits for her to berate him. Since they had first met, Una had proven a fierce woman and it was her fire that drew him to her. He had dared not make his affection plain, for she had not long ago lost her fiance and he dared not think that he had whatever her former had to match the man.
Varrel was a former slave, possesed of great skill with sword and spell but owned only what be wore and bore horrible scars across his body from over a hundred accumulated lashes.
Una he, believed cared not either way for his past. Varrel was Varrel to her. And how did she see him beyond a warrior of great skill but little direction. And tonight he had shown for what in her frustration might be considered cowardice.
He waited for her response. Regardless he felt shameful for not giving her more time to gather better information. But the hour was late and he needed to rest to renew his magic.
Majenko flutters away from the large sea creature in response as well see it for how actually large and dangerous the eel is in its motions... his sting startled it but did no appreciable damage.
Hearing Varrel's last directives Majenko does feel that day have been full of action and intrigue and now also feels the call of rest...
So will all speed he flies to Whiteplume Manor to enter the open skylight int he arboretum that Ashe always leaves open from him to enter.
Searching through the Mansions halls he comes to Ashe's room and already the youthful paladin is already asleep in his large ornate four-post bed. His shock-white hair tousled about in his sleep.
The tiny dragon curls up on the pillow next to him sleeping ... and occasionally keeping watch through the night...
Friend Varrel, Sir Asherick, and Lady Una (even you little Majenko) self has somber news. Old priest what bought Gronk and spake unto him the glorious news of Groteus coming be dying.
Self must be seeing and speaking him afore passing through great nothingness. Self be not worthy, but self be caring regional Groteus shrine. So few understand the joy of Groteus coming so be no one else for task. Belike try best all be done.
Self wishing you luck. May your temporary lives have joy. May you make things better for all before the peace of nothingness catches up to all of us. Be safe for little while you have left.
With that, the ugly man strides off to meet with his mentor one last time.
The next day...
Ashe will wake... perhaps a little later than he would usually wake. He'll make his way to the study where he will have Marcus bring him some morning coffee... while he takes the time to study the Tomes on Necromancy and Disease Lore recovered from Ryloth's Dead Warren's lair.
Majenko flutters about the room until... as usual, he eventually settles upon the head of the same old leather chair he likes - kneading his talons into the old soft leather {sort of like a cat} perching... and preening his wings.
Silently, Marcus enters with a plate of chopped raw fish for the Pseudo-dragon to snack on... and a hot cup of sweetened and creamed Cheliax coffee for Ashe while he pours over his books and studies.
Ashe will also study his Bardish histories, engineering, nature, and otherworldly lore as well. Ashe has had little precious time to keep up with his studies with all the crisis' that keep popping up... he feels his intent to become a Bard is continually being pushed further and further back with all the distractions.
His mother Sarah will seek him out in the study and through measures some direct and some subtle eventually get him to open up about the discoveries he has made. As his mother she has always been able to read her son and knows from his mannerisms of late he is deeply troubled about the safety of Korvosa... and his family.
In the end she will learn of his meeting with the Queen a press him for all the details even asking for details he did not consider. In finality she counsels him to be wary of the Queen's minions and she will make arrangement to protect her and Cynthia... leaving him with a kiss and her blessing with strong admonishments that his life is precious to her and that he should not take unnecessary risks... OR sacrifice himself when yielding to retreat and try another day when odds favor his efforts better.
Her part spoken his mother gives him a package that arrived yesterday from Absalom and a letter from the Pathfinder's Society... wax sealed with the emblem of the Open Road.
Opening the package reveals a ornate Wayfinder... the iconic and traditional badge of affiliation within the Pathfinder's Society.
Reading the accompanying letter...
Included, as if an afterthought, was also another piece of paper... a bill for value of the Wayfinder and 'Society Dues' to the amount of 250gp
Ashe chuckles grimly, 'how typical' of the Society. Ashe slips the Wafinder on and leaves 250gp with his mother and asks her to send it with a letter of receipt care of the Society in Absalom, and he pockets the bill.
Ashe will take his mother's advice to heart and though he would like to begin further studies into the samples of the Blood Veil disease he has in his Alchemist's lab to try to concoct a serum... he knows he will need far more research than the time currently permits him.
Ashe will get armored and armed heading out on 'Redhoof'... to see to his one task he could not complete the night before... He will visit the orphange.
So it is perhaps late morning [About 10:30 AM] when he arrives knocking at Zellara's door...