"I have not." Malan stands and greets Sandru. "Stars shine above you."
As she brushes her mother's hair, she idly examines her own face in the mirror, comparing it to the older face in the reflection. The Valdemar traits were all there, but as she had done so many times over the years, she sought again for differences, some trace of the unknown father who had left town, her uncle's money in his pocket, before she had ever been born. She had never dared broach the subject to her mother, to ask his name and was he good-looking and did he have a nice laugh; even to bring up such a shameful subject within the walls of Valdemar Manor seems uncouth. For the last decade, however, whenever she has thought of her vanished parent, she pictures someone bearing a striking resemblance to Sandru Vhiski.
Perhaps it was because of the cataclysm when her life changed at an age so near her own mother's life-altering event; perhaps it was the anger and hatred which her uncle obviously bore toward the oblivious Sandru that created an unwarranted connection in her mind to the man who had earned like enmity by seducing her mother. It's silly to still think about him after so many years. She has changed a great deal in a decade; surely he has as well, if he is even still living, in such a dangerous line of work! He has probably settled down somewhere, grown fat and bald, with a wife and a houseful of children. A narrow escape for young Corinna, she tells herself. If it weren't for Uncle's intervention, I could be that housewife with a husband who drinks too long at the tavern and gropes the barmaid, instead of an accomplished young wizardess with a bright future.
"There," she says, finishing and laying down the brush with a twinkle in her eye. "You look lovely. That's the latest style in Korvosa; your fashion-forwardness will positively put Alil to shame!"
Melon comes out of her room, she surreptitiously pretends to be still more asleep than she is, just so she can stretch and yawn and bring out a lazy, "What's this commotion, it sounds like somebody dyed."
Gilfroy pauses a moment in quiet concentration, and then...
Ranged touch attack:
The cream pie, which Melon is certain didn't exist until just a moment ago, flies out landing a glancing blow across her left cheek.
Gilfroy giggles loudly, then takes off, putting some heavy furniture between the two of them.
Aago looks at the giggling gnome and shakes his head. Isn't it a little too early the morning for such shenanigans?
He stands at the introduction and walks up to Sandru. "Good morning. The name's Aago Belwas. Any friend of Ameiko's is a friend of mine."
After a brief handshake he moves on to the bread. "I'll definitely have a bite or three of that!"
Aago pulls his hand away, chastened, even as his belly rumbles. "Crew?" he asks absently as he turns and looks for another basket of bread.
Aago pulls a generous helping of bread from the basket and nods to Ameiko. "My thanks. A man must break his fast with goodly amounts of food if he's got a day of goblin huntin' ahead of him."
After biting into the bread, Aago turns to Sandru. "Caravan master, eh," he says around the mouthful. "Where are you heading to?"
His gaze falls on Gilfroy, and he smiles. "Gilfroy, isn't it?" He moves forward, extending his hand. "I've heard a lot about you from Koya." He shakes Gilfroy's hand vigorously, then turns to Rajah. "And you must be the Blue Rajah. Koya spoke about the two of you a great deal last time she journeyed with me."
Melon has a twinkle in her eye as she scrapes off a hint of cream from her cheek then with one hand blindly grabs the longest bread in the basket. "That was your last mistake you blue-haired little runt! I will defend m'lady's honor! En Garde! ...oh. Hi Sandru."
"That is I, my good man. A pleasure." Rajah nods in greeting. "And I hope at least a small portion of what she told you about us was good." He smiles.
"Pleased to meet you," Gilfroy stammers as his little body is vigorously shaken by the caravan master. "I was so glad to hear that Koya was back out on the road again. But if you'll excuse me..." he ducks under the man's arm to get clear of Melon but trips over his own shadow, stumbling into some chairs. He attempts to pick one up to defend himself from Melon and her...bun, but gasps as he nearly gives himself a hernea. He contents himself with conjuring another cream pie and holding it up threateningly.
He calls out to the kitchen,
A muffled response comes back, and he turns and heads out the door.
"You'd best be careful," one of the women says. "We've just heard there's a group of Varisians camped by the bridge into town. They got there last night."
"It's Sandru Vhiski's caravan," Alil says, her eyes glancing briefly at Corinna.
"It hardly matters whose it is," the first woman says. "They have quite the nerve camping on our road and blocking our bridge. They'll steal from anybody who tries to cross it."
"Don't worry about me," Belven says. "I know how to deal with Sandru Vhiski. Besides, I'm sure Sheriff Hemlock's men will be watching them closely."
Sandru watches the scene with amusement, then turns back to Rajah. "Um, yes, yes. Most of what she said was good, indeed. Although she never warned about the gnome's...um...pranks?" He chuckles, then composes himself.
"Yes, well, I do not blame her for that." He can't help but shake his head and smile at the child-like gnome.
"At any rate, I have some hungry men to feed. Come out to the caravan when you have a chance and we can talk some more."
"Will do, my good man! Good day to you." He nods in farewell.
I should check on the Warden. Hopefully he's faring a bit better this day. He thinks to himself as he slips out of the tavern and heads toward the Cathedral.
Sandru Vhiski! She had been thinking of him only minutes ago. Not settled down, then. He could still be fat, bald, married. For ten years she hasn't seen him, and now he turns up in Sandpoint just as she has made a rare return visit? Her thoughts are swimming. She is afraid to meet anyone's eye, certain her face will betray her thoughts. What is she to do now? She already told her mother she had a letter to post in town. If she doesn't go, her mother will suspect the truth -- that she is afraid of accidentally meeting him -- and know her secret; if she does go, Alil and the others will think her errand a flimsy pretense to put herself in his way once more. What to do?
The hearty appetite she brought down the stairs suddenly gone, Corinna stares at her plate miserably.
Melon deftly steps out of Ameiko's way, taking the opportunity to tap Gilfroy on the head with her bread while he's distracted at Ameiko stealing his defensive pie. "There, honor restored." She laughs, "I haven't met many of you little folk, well - usually not for long anyway - none could really explain this thing they do, with the hair color. What is that all about?"
"Oh, it's very simple. When a gnome's skin and hair go white, it means they're about to die from boredom. This," he points at the few blue hairs, "this means I'm not dying anymore."
"Huh. Funny that, I always thought that when the skin and hair go white, they be about to die from a fright."
"Beautiful building, isn't it?" Walthus says as the Blue Rajah comes over to him. "I've never really had a chance to look at it before, as I'm so rarely in town." He takes a deep breath. "Quite magnificent. I suppose we should get going, though, shouldn't we?"
Rajah lays a hand upon his shoulder, "I could not agree more, good Warden. And I say, it is good to see you up and about! You seem to be faring much better." He smiles, relieved to see that Father Zantus was able to help him. "Yes, I suppose we should prepare to depart. Whenever you are ready, of course, I'll accompany you to the Rusty Dragon where the others are waiting."
Aago nods a farewell to Sandru and takes a seat at a table to eat. "Everyone should have a good meal," he says between bites. "We've got a long day ahead."
If she learns that Belven intends to go soon, she will wait before heading out, not wanting to run into him on the road. If he has already left or does not intend to go until later, she will leave immediately.
[ooc]I'm rolling all my good unmodified Charisma checks now; when she actually sees Sandru, the 1 is coming. :P
Mrs Hamsel looks at Corinna a little oddly, but if she suspects that Corinna is not being fully truthful with her, she doesn't say it. "Your uncle is still here, dear. I believe he's not going into town until later, probably after lunch. He has some business to attend to here. Would you like me to pass your letter on to him to have him post it when he goes?"
Aago finishes his breakfast with a satisfied slap of the belly and stands, brushing crumbs out of his beard.
"Thank you for the comfortable bed and the good food, Ameiko. With luck I'll live long enough to enjoy more of the same."
He grabs his pack, belches and looks to the others. "Shall we be off then, friends?"
Malan stands up with Aago. "I am prepared."
Spoiler=Everyone
Those of you at the Rusty Dragon gather all your things together and head out. Ameiko calls out a "Good luck!" as you leave. Walthus skips on ahead, clearly feeling a lot better than he did.
After you cross over the bridge out of town, you see three wagons parked just off the east side of the Lost Coast Road. Several horses graze nearby. Sandru and two other men are seated together on the ground between the wagons passing bread to one another and laughing. Sandru notices your group and waves.
Just to the south, you see Corinna coming along the road towards you.
"It appears that she is grown from good seed after all."
Her mind racing, she sees the caravan ahead at the fork in the road before she is really ready for it. She blushes and swallows hard, trying to slow her racing pulse. As she approaches however, her heart sinks: Shalelu's apprentice and that strange group of adventurers are coming up the road from Sandpoint. For a moment, she thinks to hide behind a tree and wait for them to pass by, but they have already seen her. Steeling herself for a doubly-awkward meeting, she forces a smile to her face and moves forward to greet them.
Corinna sees the rest of the party and raises her hand in greeting. "Good morning, all!" she calls. "Mr. Proudstump, good to see you up and about; you look much haler than when I left you last night."
"Yes, I'm feeling much better!" Walthus proclaims, walking up to Corinna. "Father Zantus's magic has worked wonders. Will you be joining us?"
Before Corinna can answer, a voice calls out, "Walthus Proudstump! A pleasure to see you again!" Sandru Vhiski is coming over, his hand outstretched. "You're not often in Sandpoint. What brings you here?"
"These good people, here," Walthus says, indicating Corinna and then the others. He takes Sandru's hand and shakes it vigorously. "They rescued me from near death and brought me back so that Father Zantus could treat me."
"Ah yes! I heard a bit about that from Ameiko this morning, but she was so busy, most of what she said was from different rooms and hard to hear. It didn't click in that you were the one they brought back." Sandru turns to Corinna, and holds out his hand. "I don't believe we've met. Sandru Vhiski."
"Co ... Corinna Valdemar,"" she blushes, offering up her hand limply, her eyes on his feet, completely missing her chance to make a stellar first impression. Still, she managed to speak and to remember her own name; could have been worse. The thought gives her enough confidence to look up at his face with a timid smile. Not fat. Not bald. A little graying at the temples, ten years on; makes him look distinguished, she decides.
"Corinna!" Melon exclaims, clearly pleased, "Truth be, I didn't expect ta see you here today. A little bit excitement in your life is contagious, ain't it?"
"Excitement is great! Sandru, is Koya with you in the wagons? I need to show her my blue hair."
"Yes, it is quite a sight. I shall never forget the first time I saw it."
"Good to meet you, Corinna," Sandru says and shakes her hand. He lets go and turns to Gilfroy. "I'm afraid not. Koya is back in town. You'll have to go back the way you came if you want to show her your...uh...blue hair." He peers closely at Gilfroy, as if looking for the small amount of blue in his hair and then glances at the others.
He straightens up again. "Well, I won't keep you waiting. The six of you clearly have an important task. Best of luck to you all." He gives a small bow and flourish.
Gilfroy turns to Malan with a puzzled smile.
"Was that a joke, or are you mocking me? Elves may take living forever as a matter of course, but some of us have to work for it."
"Of course, if that was a joke, it was damned funny!" His grin widens.
"I, uh ... I'm sorry. I was really supposed to...." Corinna blinks around at the group, holding up a letter ready to be posted that she is carrying in her hand.
"I'm sorry," she repeats, more calmly. "I actually intended to take this letter to the post in Sandpoint ... before meeting up with the rest of you, I mean. I expected to find you at the Rusty Dragon, not on the road. But I wouldn't dream of delaying you. Mr. Vhiski, was it?" she turns to Sandru, holding up her letter. "Would you or one of your men be going into Sandpoint today? And if so, would you mind taking this letter to the post? It's already marked with my uncle's seal so there's no postage due."
Sandru takes the letter from Corinna with a nod. "I would be happy to post it for you," he says.
Aago claps his hands together. "Well then, everything is settled. Nice to see you again, Sandru." He turns his attention to everyone else. "Now that we're all together again, let's be off! Warden, will you lead the way?"
"That's great!" Melon pumps her fist in the air, "BOOM! It's a party!" In an over-loud whisper she confides in Corinna, "There's something different about the gnome today. But don't mention it! There will be projectile confectionery if you do, and that is not a good thing for a lady in your position - why I imagine if something got spilled on you, you'd never live it down."
Melon's hair suddenly turns a shocking colour of blue.
"Let's get moving before everyone breaks out in gnome."
Sandru waves and heads off with Corinna's letter, giving one last odd look at Melon.
Walthus's eyes widen as he, too, looks at Melon. Stifling a laugh, he turns south and says, "This way!"
The trip along the Lost Coast Road is quick and uneventful. Walthus leads you past the New Fish Trail where you went yesterday, and continues southeast east. The road circles around the edge of the swamp. It's not long before another trail heads off the main road and Walthus turns you down this one.
"This is the Old Fish Trail," Walthus tells you. "Although once upon a time it was just called the Fish Trail, but that was before there was a new one. It used to go all the way to Sog's Bay, and people used it for exactly what it was named for. They would go to the bay and fish there. But then the Licktoads put up their village right on the trail halfway to the bay. So fishermen found the New Fish Trail and now use that. Of course, even that one doesn't get much use any more, since the goblin threat has spread across the whole marsh.
"The Old Fish Trail has fallen completely out of use past the goblin village and has been swallowed up by the marsh now. However, the goblins still use this part of the trail, so it's still in good shape. It does mean we're going to have to be careful from here on. They'll have spies along it, and those spies will be hard to spot. Goblins are very good at hiding. They're pretty lousy at finding, but we'll be pretty obvious. If you have any defensive measures, you might want to think about preparing them. It'll take about an hour or so for us to reach the village, not counting any encounters we have with goblins or other swamp denizens."