Corinna hesitates as they reach the fork that leads to the Valdemar manor. "Would you mind terribly just bringing Lady's body onto the grounds? Up on that little hill under the tree?" she asks Gilfroy, not wanting to have to lift the stiffening corpse off his pony and carry it herself.
Aago pauses. "I was planning to report to the Sheriff but if you need my assistance with your dog, I can do that first."
"Of course, my dear, think nothing of it," Gilfroy responds, leading Umbral up towards the manor house. "Where would you like to bury her? Any favourite apple trees or other spots she liked to play?"
"She liked the hill," Corinna responds, leading them there with a bit of melancholy. "High enough that there was a breeze and lots of interesting smells, I suppose. If you'll excuse me just a moment, I'll go and get a shovel from the stables." By the time the pony has reached the place under the tree Corinna indicated and Aago has lifted down the dead dog, she is climbing up the hill toward them with a shovel in her hand. If anyone offers to take it from her, she demurs. "I'd like to do this myself. It's the least I can do for her." With a snap of her fingers and a syllable spoken in a commanding tone, she summons her unseen servant. "Dig a grave, please," she instructs it and waits while the shovel begins to dig seemingly of its own accord, at a steady if not energetic pace.
Rajah is impressed at the handy little bit of magic. "Well, that's convienent. And clever if I do say so myself. Well done."
While Malan heads off to report to the sheriff, the rest of you assist Corinna with the funeral for Lady. It takes time for the unseen servant to dig the grave, but eventually a spot to lay the dog is ready. You lower the dog's body into the grave and then Corinna orders the unseen servant to fill it in again.
Malan will quietly go with the rest of the group to bury Lady. The sheriff will have questions of everyone. It will do little good to report alone.
Corinna wipes her eyes and sniffles a little as the unseen servant finishes its work. "Yes, well ... thank you all very much. I'm sure there have been real people buried with fewer mourners present. Oh, Mr. Fezziwig, let me pay you for your blanket so you can replace it." She counts out 8 silver pieces from her pouch and offers them to him. "I'm sure you can find another at the general store in town. I'm sorry that one ended up as a shroud." She hesitates, glancing up at the house. "Well, seeing as how I'm home, I suppose I might as well stay. No point in walking to town just to turn around and come back here. I'm sure you can report back to the sheriff without my help."
Aago stands awkwardly to the side after he has helped to place the dog's stiff form in the grave, though his eyebrows raise with surprise and curiosity when the grave begins to fill itself after a few strange words from Corinna.
When all is said and done, he moves closer to the young woman and lightly touches her shoulder. "Again, I'm sorry for your loss. I know how difficult it can be to find such true friendship as I have no doubt Lady offered you."
He studies her face for a moment, trying to see what might lay behind her careful composure but she is quite closed to him. Shifting uncomfortably he offers, "I am sure you want to be left with your grief and find solace with your family, but...truthfully, your presence would be welcome as we speak to the sheriff. That way you can represent your family and also have more to share with them when the meeting is done."
"I too am truly sorry, Corinna. I am sure she was a fine as companion as one could have." Not understanding why she pauses and glares up at the house, he can only guess. "I completely concur with Aago, love. And just from yesterday's meeting with your family you seemed quite... uncomfortable." He pauses a moment, thinking maybe she's just distraught over Lady. "But again, as Aago said, if you wish to not be bothered, we understand."
Sense Motive:
"Seems to me that you'd probably rather avoid the stiff necks at the house, though far be it for me to judge, as the last thing I need right now is some lecture on not talking down on jerky people."
"Corina, you are the one most invested here. Your perceptions and opinions are crucial. You would be doing your town, your dog, and yourself a disservice by running home to mommy. Come with us to report to the sheriff. Then you can return home having seen the task through, like an adult."
Corinna flushes a little at Aago and Rajah's gentle words; she frowns slightly at Gilfroy's criticism of her family; but at Malan's scolding, she takes offense and straightens her spine. "I can do my dog no further disservice," she points out quietly, the fresh grave at her feet obvious, "and as for my perceptions and opinions, what do they add up to? All I did was stand in the back and try to stay out of trouble; I wasn't there when you interrogated the old goblin or fought their leader. If the sheriff wants to know how many times you were struck down by the goblins or what it looked like when you were thrown out the door of the hut, I believe he knows where my family lives; that I had a good view of." 'Running home to mommy': how dare he! He knows nothing about my family. I'm the only one ever to leave Sandpoint and make something of myself on my own, instead of staying around here and relying on the Valdemar name to clear a way for me, she fumes.
Rajah turns away covering his mouth while "coughing", doing his best not to laugh out loud.
"Corinna, you really need to decide your own mind. You can't talk about your family without letting on how poorly they treat you, yet you always stop yourself, like you have to make yourself toe some line. All Malan means is that you need to decide if you're going to follow the family and live your life being badly treated trying to get approval you won't get, or you can stand up for yourself and make your own way."
"Yeah, I see that look you're giving me. I don't know your family,but I can tell they don't treat you nicely, and I like you; therefore, by default, I don't like them."
Aago's astonishment over Malan's extreme lack of tact fortunately overwhelms his sense of outrage and though his fists clenched briefly, he remembered Shalelu and pushed the ire down.
"I suspect that you're unaccustomed to human ways, Malan, but there's an old saying that may be of use to you: You'll catch more bees with honey than vinegar. I'm sure that's difficult for you to understand so why don't you think about it for a while."
He turns to Corinna. "I don't know you well but I know you're better educated than the likes of us; both in social conduct" he looks pointedly at Malan, "and also the sorts of knowledge that can be gleaned from books. That knowledge may be useful with Sheriff Hemlock. So please accept my apology on Malan's behalf and accompany us. You may be of more help to us than you yet know. Besides," he finishes with a grin, "there's sure to be some good food and drinks awaiting us at Ameiko's! You really must share in the celebration so you can see the best part of an adventure."
"You know, Corinna, I must agree with both Gilfroy and Aago. They both make very good points. Personally, I don't see how you can resist accompanying us. There is just far too much charm." He quickly glances at Malan, "Well... for the most part." He gives her a smile and a wink.
"I do not need you to apologize for me, Aago nor do I need you to explain me Gilfroy. I will admit that I could have been more tactful in my comments, though. I just do not see a reason to treat her as if she is frail. He turns to speak to Corinna. You said that you didn't do anything except count how many times I was struck down. You are wrong. You willingly walked into danger on two separate occasions. When combat started you fought your trepidation and stood your ground. That is being brave bravery. You stood rear guard for the rest of us so that we could not be flanked. It matters not that you did not swing a blade or cast a spell, just your presence gave us all a measure of protection. That is teamwork. While the rest of the town remained in their comfortable homes, you went to do what had to be done. That is being responsible. It is your right to go home if you wish and I shall not concern myself with it further. You should know though, that you are far greater than you think you are." Malan will hear whatever her response is before going to report to the sheriff.
Unprepared for the elf's praise, she blushes. "Well," she glances back at the house, "I suppose I could go into town. It's not dark yet, and there oughtn't to be any goblins on the road tonight," she concludes triumphantly. "Let me put away the shovel, and I'll be ready."
When she comes back from the stable, her muddy boots and the hem of her robe are clean; she obviously took magical advantage of an opportunity to tidy up before going into Sandpoint.
As Corinna leaves to clean herself up, Rajah turns to Malan, "Well said my stoic friend." He nods.
After Corinna returns cleaned up, you head back to the road into town. You pass by Sandru's caravan on the way. They've moved back a bit from the edge of the road where they were earlier, but otherwise have everything laid out exactly as it was before.
Sandru calls out to you as you pass. "Any luck?"
"Not for my dog, I'm afraid," Corinna sighs. "We found them all dead. But we did kill the goblins' leader and burn the village," she ends on an upbeat.
Melon falls around Corinna's shoulders, again, "You shoulda seen her Sandru! She was there, with us, like a real adventurer! She just says a few words, and things happen!" More quietly she adds to Corinna directly, "You have got to teach me that! That clean thing. I constantly get dirty. Well mostly blood. Not mine! Mostly. And I mean, admit it, it also helps with the hair. Right?"
Sandru walks over to the group. "I'm sorry about your dog," he says to Corinna. "At least you got the brutes that did it. What are your plans now?" he asks the whole group.
Corinna is distracted (and mortified) by having to disentangle herself from Melon in front of Sandru. She tries to step behind Aago, judging he'll provide her the most cover. "I don't think I can teach you," she hisses desperately, "but the spell's still active if you'd like me to tidy you up. Only you'll have to step away where I can see you."
Rajah seeing Corinna having to fight off Melon... again, "Melon! Would you please stop draping yourself all over Corinna. Can't you see she does NOT like it. Have a little respect. If not for yourself at least for others." He shakes his head in irritation.
Turning to Sandru, "Well, good sir, we are headed back to the sheriff's to report our findings. Then probably to Ameiko's for a bite to eat. What say you and your crew join us for a bite?" He offers.
Aago agreeably stands between Melon and Corinna. "It was a good fight," he adds with a grin. "Hordes of goblins fell at our feet and now the village is little more than ashes. Do join us for our celebration; the more the merrier."
Sandru looks both amused and embarrassed as Rajah gives Melon a talking down. He regains his composure quickly though. "We would be happy to join you at the Rusty Dragon," he says. "Shall we meet you there in, say, an hour?"
"Very good! In an hour then." He bows his head in farewell and then turns to the others. "Well? Shall we be off?"
Melon sticks her tongue out at Rajah, then whispers to Aago, "You know, she's trying to hide from Sandru, but I wouldn't expect a man to understand."
Melon sticks her tongue out at Rajah, then whispers to Aago, "You know, she's trying to hide from Sandru, but I wouldn't expect a man to understand."
As the group resumes its journey to the sheriff, Aago falls in beside Melon and quirks a smile as he whispers back. "Oh, I'm sure. But she's a timid thing and perhaps it'd be wise to ease up just a little ere you startle her half to death."
Blushing furiously, Corinna stays on the far side of the road from the caravan as the group approaches the town.
"Hah! I betcha that she's a completely different girl at her wizard school thing," Melon replies to Aago. She points to the mansion, "It's that thing. It has her spooked. It is in her mind, won't let her be."
"No. She has not let it go."
Aago casts a look at the blushing Corinna and a small smile touches his lips. "Enough of this chatter. In my family, talking about someone like this is enough to get one's arse kicked." He keeps his voice low and picks up his pace after the last word.
The sheriff is quite pleased to hear your report, particularly that you burned the goblin village. "That'll be the last of the raids, then," he says. "From those goblins, at any rate. And fewer goblins is always a good thing. I'm sorry to hear about the dogs. I'll see to it that the Scarnettis and Valdemars are informed. Thank you all for your hard work. You're a testament to this town." He shakes each of your hands in turn.
Aago offers the sheriff a firm grip. "My pleasure, truly," he rumbles. "But, ah, there is one more thing. The goblins were fighting skeletons. Granted, the skeletons came after they stole something from someone but skeletons running amuck in the swamp may be of some concern."
Corinna seems pleasantly surprised by the fact that the sheriff has volunteered to explain the news about the dogs to her uncle rather than expecting her to do it. "We found a map," she puts in after Aago's information, displaying the fan. "My understanding is that the goblins took something from one of the places marked here and the skeletons came after them to get it back. But I don't speak goblin. Mr. Fezziwig and, uh, Shalelu's friend conducted the interrogation." She defers to them for the details.
Sheriff Hemlock frowns at the news of the skeletons. "Well, I suppose as long as they don't leave the swamp, there's nothing to worry about. If they leave the swamp though..." He shakes his head.
"That is why we planned to go back." He pauses only briefly before continueing with a slight grin. "Miss Corinna insisted upon it really. She refused to return to town until she had gotten a solemn oath from each of us to go right back out to take care of those undead abominations once we had reported to you. I have never known someone more eager to see to a town's well being."
"That is why we planned to go back." He pauses only briefly before continueing with a slight grin. "Miss Corinna insisted upon it really. She refused to return to town until she had gotten a solemn oath from each of us to go right back out to take care of those undead abominations once we had reported to you. I have never known someone more eager to see to a town's well being."
Rajah looks at Malan curiously. "I don't recall Corinna demanding such, Malan. Not that I doubt Corinna's desire to see the town safe mind you, but I would have remembered such an oath. Of course, it is possible, that nearly dying twice and being thrown may have caused some form of mental impairment that would cause your brain to make you think such an event took place. You might want to stop by the temple and speak to Father Zantus as soon as possible." He advises.
Gilfroy punches Rajah in the gut, although given the height differential, it's closer to his groin.
"What is wrong with you? Sabotaging another teammate's play?"
Aago ignores the word play and nods to Hemlock. "Well, that's that. All's well that ends well, eh?" He slaps his belly hard. "Now if you'll excuse me, sheriff, I've a mind to head down to the 'Dragon and get a bite to eat. Killin' goblins hungry work! And thirsty too."
He heads for the door and pauses to look over at Corinna. "Are you coming? There's sure to be plenty a good time to be had." With a grin, he heads out into the night.
Sheriff Hemlock looks uncertain throughout the exchange following Malan's most recent statement. "Yes, well," he says. "Good work all round. Enjoy yourselves at the Rusty Dragon. Don't drink too much, mind."
The Rusty Dragon is quite busy this evening, but you're able to find a table for yourselves. Once again, Ameiko offers you food, drink, and lodging on the house in return for your services to Sandpoint. "You realize that if you keep helping Sandpoint out like this, you're going to drive me bankrupt, don't you?" she says with a wink.
Sandru joins you as promised along with the two other men from his caravan. "This is Bevelek and Vankor," he says, introducing the two men.
Aago grins and holds up his cup in salute to Ameiko. "P'raps the next job will pay better and then we'll not only be able to decline the offer of free meat and mead but also be able to tip outrageously!" He takes a long swallow of beer and belches in appreciation.
When Sandru arrives with his other men in tow, Aago wipes his greasy fingers on his shirt and stands to greet them.
"Aago Belwas," he says and grips each of their hands in turn. "Please join us, the more the merrier!"