"Wonky! Where are you going?" If she answers that she is going after the body, the clearly distracted gnome is motioned to the body of Mather that they already have with them.
The Vixen remains masked as she carries the pathetic little creature in her hand. How can a villain be so dainty?
Katrine puts her bow back in its holder on her back. "Ready when you are. Although... Pelipe, would you be willing to cast your cleaning spell on Storm? I don't think he'd appreciate another bath so soon." The wolfdog's muzzle and fluffy chest fur are covered in tooth fairy blood.
Having cleaned herself a couple of times with the spell, she realizes how foolish she was in not seeing how easy the spell was to be used in such a way, so when Katrine asks a favor of her, she chuckles and nods. The dog will find himself quite fresh, as if after a bath, yet without the terror of water. His hair would also magically return to its natural state as though perfectly dried.
"Quite simple when you know how."
She will head out of the bakery with a brief warning to Mr. Goshstone.
"Please do not close up. We will be returning. There are still some things we must do on the other side of your oven. If you do not mind, we will make good mention of your cooperation to the mayor?"
Dependent on her answer, she will plan accordingly and head out. Pelipe walks next to Ahto and slightly behind. When they pass by the beautiful setting on the way to the mayor's, she looks up to the watchtower and scenery of her domicile once more. While others may be used to such a place, she still isn't.
"So beautiful..." she takes in a deep breath of appreciation, only to be reminded of her rib pain.
Walking along the cobblestones, you find that the colors of Uringen somehow seem brighter, as though the very stones, timbers, and plants know that Nithra has been slain and the town has been freed from his blight. It may just be your imagination, but the people passing by on the streets also seem more chipper, more eager for their day.
...
"News travels fast around here, especially when spread by rescued gnomes running through town to rejoin their families," Lady Mayor Aurelia Ogden says once you return to her manor. "But just to give you the well-earned chance to boast, you have ended Mather Nithra's spree of malice, yes?"
When presented with the slain grig's body, her brows raise and she quickly waves away the sight.
"You can put that away, thank you. Please try not to let any drip on the carpet," she asks politely.
"We'll need to send word to the Embeth Travelers who live out in the forest. They've pooled together a bit of a bounty for anyone who could put an end to Nithra's reign, and you have duly earned it."
Pelipe will of course ensure that nothing is stained by the sight and dripping of Mather. She wouldn't tempt fate by dirtying the woman's floor.
"Mayor Ogden, we are also aware that many of your citizens burned with anger and hatred toward Nithra and his companions. We have here one bound for your township's justice since Mather Nithra has already faced justice. I am sure your guards can use him to confirm our story and to ask questions of...if he will speak...but also to appease the anguish your people have felt. Public executions, while brutish and violent, do send a message of a new era of peace and law when their oppressors are defeated. This is why we bear Mather's body as well. Your people need to see that he is indeed dead, as well as those who follow him. And...just for your knowledge, he was killed by a gnome's own hand. Wonky here struck him down with a final blow."
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"We returned with Mather's body as proof the deed had been accomplished. If you do not wish to make a public display of his demise, we will retain his remains long enough to satisfy the Embeth Travelers, and then dispose of it. Do you wish to interrogate the prisoner? If not, do you have any wishes regarding treatment?"
Ahto watches the Lady Mayor's reactions to his questions.
The Vixen approaches with the unconscious tooth fairy. “I didn’t use any lethal attacks, so this li’l one needs to be imprisoned safely. I speak Sylvan, if ye prefer I speak to the creature… but I’ve no interest in interrogation. It was following orders, I suspect.”
The Vixen will be relieved once the tooth fairy is taken from her.
Katrine nods in agreement at Pelipe's words. "Given what we've heard about Nithra's skill with illusions, it might reassure your people to see for themselves that he's really, truly dead this time."
”We are sorry for missing the official state function,” she says in a brief window of external focus before drifting into her mind again.
"You owe me no apologies," Lady Aurelia replies. "You attended to something far more important, and you've done our town a great favor in the process.
"That being said, I should caution you that Seripan will probably be rather bitter. She gets so excited when new visitors arrive and looks forward to performing for them. Unfortunately, she'll probably compose a limerick-like satirical song about you as revenge."
Lady Aurelia believes that a public display of the slain Nithra will not be necessary. She trusts that the citizens will trust her word, having seen the proof herself.
"Nithra's remains, as well as the captured fey, can both be turned over to the Embeth Travelers. They have more experience dealing with hostile fey, so they'll know how to both dispose of the remains and to interrogate the prisoner to learn information that can protect their camps and our town."
Pelipe briefly whispers to her group, "Perhaps a gift can be given to Seripan to ease her wrath? Perhaps one of the items from beyond the portal? Perhaps the small darkwood chalice? I think that is a very fancy item and worth a significant sum. I'd hate to part on bad terms with someone who was so kind to us."
“Her and Tyg together? That could be fun.” The Vixen says the word ’fun’ in the same tone she might have said ‘alien.’
"I believe she would appreciate that, although I'm not sure where you might find her at the moment," Lady Aurelia replies, thoughtfully. "If she's not at the Oaken Knot, she might be out visiting the rescued gnomes to learn their stories for inspiration for new songs."
"Well...perhaps we will see her on our way to inform the Embeth Travelers. Can you advise us on how to get to them?"
Before they leave, Pelipe has another question:
"Do your cities here have a mail depot and connection to sending and receiving letters by delivery, or is that handled by the Embeth Travelers as well?" "It was certainly hard to find this place. I imagine that wouldn't bother a ranger though."
Upon receiving her answer, Pelipe will present a curtsey in an offer of thanks and farewell should the mayor wish them to leave. If no one objects, and when they are ready to leave, she will exit with the others; keeping an eye out for the small performer.
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”I have one suggestion,” Wonky spouts before the team departs the mayor’s audience. ”Master Goshstone was unbelievably brave in allowing us to use his bakery as a launching point for our assault on Nithra’s forces, not the least because of the veritable hostage situation involving his brother. He should be rewarded for his bravery in some capacity, I believe. Your mayor-ness.”
The last word seems to be one of the few times that you’ve seen Wonky slip up with words. Emotions truly must have come at her hard and fast.
They're really okay with angering a fey musician? Katrine suppresses a wince. "Maybe Seripan would be willing to perform a song or two when we go to see her. That might ease her wrath a little."
Lady Aurelia explains that there is no mail service in Uringen, apart from perhaps hiring one of the local fey to deliver messages in town. The Embeth Travelers can more readily be hired to make deliveries further afield. She provides directions to the camp closest to Uringen.
"At least, this was the closest camp the last time the two halves of Uringen were synchronized. I can't promise that my information isn't out of date," Lady Aurelia admits.
"I agree that Master Goshstone deserves to be rewarded, but before we part, I believe you wanted to discuss some manner of trade agreement between our towns? I would hate for you to leave without accomplishing your original goal."
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”Indeed,” Ahto replies. ”Tamlyn and Uringen have similar populations, a mixture of mortal and fey. Merchants who are willing to make the journey can be assured of finding a market for goods and services that appeal to both folk. We ask that no tariffs and taxes be applied to goods and services from Tamlyn, and in exchange, we will extend the exact same terms to the merchants from Uringen. If it interests you, we might also discuss an alliance of mutual military support, should either of our states come under attack from hostile forces.”
Pelipe is learning a lot about Tamlyn and how Ahto is running the country in this discussion, so she attempts to listen closely. His method of ruling seems to promote all trade. What would she expect to improve? Perhaps taxes on items for sale that are vices? He may not think about these things in trade now, but as Tamlyn grows, if he hasn't restricted certain items or made it hard to sell them, it will become a den of crime. If his rule of law is stern, it will mean the deaths of many and back-alley deals. She will maybe discuss this potential problem some other time. Perhaps when they are alone or taking a rest for the night.
"A free trade agreement is certainly amenable. It should be no trouble to convince Mieren to agree to a similar arrangement for his half of town, which may be more convenient for your merchants when our half is...unavailable. New trade partners to the east will be quite welcome. I don't know the exact political situations in Pitax and Mivon, but they've made it more difficult to trade with the rest of the River Kingdoms to the north and west."
However, Lady Aurelia is cautious to agree to a military alliance for similar reasons. She is concerned that making such an agreement may earn unwanted attention - or even hostility - from the aforementioned powers in the River Kingdoms.
"Keeping a low profile may be prudent, at least until Tamlyn is better able to defend itself should other rulers in the River Kingdoms decide to flex their muscles and make a show of force upon your young settlement."
"I am impressed that your town has its own library, and a tad envious," Lady Aurelia replies. "The only library of significant size in either half of Uringen is here within my home, and I say that with regret rather than pride.
"Uringen, besides being a somewhat small town even when considering both halves, is simply too isolated, so we lack a proper repository or dealer of books. The handful of merchants who travel to and from Uringen are good enough to look out for texts that might be of interest to me.
"My family has always dabbled in collecting books, but I daresay that I've accelerated the effort, if only to further my own research into our town's condition. That being said, I would be happy to exchange items to further both of our research."
"The benefit of trade between places is that both improve. I'm certain by having trade with us, and with Tamlyn having a library, it won't be long before someone sees the profit in opening a business for collecting, lending, and selling books."
She will patiently wait for Ahto to sum up their agreement. She suspects Wonky is craving to return to the portal, and still, they have to travel to the Embeth Travelers.
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"Yes, we are quite proud of our library, and it would be a tragedy if it were set alight by hostile invaders. All the knowledge, art, and philosophy within them destroyed. Such a trove is worth defending, and we will be our best with the resources we have, but if we are overmatched on the battlefield..."
"I see what you're attempting to do," Lady Aurelia chides Lord Ahto. "I would like to agree to an alliance, but there's just too much of a risk of attracting aggression from other warlords. While you might argue that such a fear is irrational, I would counter that the exiled sword lords of Mivon and King Irovetti of Pitax are not renowned for being rational themselves."
Lady Aurelia sighs.
"I can agree to an informal alliance. I cannot sign any official documents, make any public declarations, and you can only expect aid from our half of Uringen. That is the best I can offer right now."
“I mean no disrespect, Lady Aurelia. The tyrants count on fear. Ye refrain from signing a paper to appease ’em… or not even appease. Simply, ye’re not rocking the boat.
“Meanwhile, the tyrants’re signing papers, forming alliances, getting all their ducks in a row. And while the peaceful remain a rainbow of happy li’l oases on the world map, the tyrants’re planting flags and divvying us up.
“By the time we realize we shoulda united, the slaughter of innocents has begun.”
VV honestly knows little of world politics, and admits as much if asked. “I know bullies and sociopaths. Ain’t a tyrant a bit o’ both?”
Katrine winces slightly as the Vixen continues to push for more. She may not be a diplomat, but surely one should be able to take no for an answer?
Whatever. She isn't a citizen of Tamlyn, let alone one of the ruling council, so what Katrine thinks doesn't matter here. The ranger leans against a wall and idly scratches her companion behind the ears.
The lady mayor rests her head in her hand as she listens to the Vixen's rebuttal. Her eyes rove over the enforcer, picking out certain details.
"Unless I'm mistaken, I believe your outfit incorporates some Milanite iconography. Given your passionate rhetoric, it shouldn't be a surprise. Don't you think the Everbloom would understand the need for her freedom fighters to act covertly, lest the tyrants root them out and quash their efforts?"
After attempting to allay the Vixen's concern, Lady Aurelia agrees with Ahto upon this informal alliance.
Her digression to respond to the Vixen is well meaning. She hopes to appeal to your enforcer's beliefs, while also impressing the Vixen with her knowledge, in order to make the unofficial nature of this agreement more palatable for her.
Pelipe understands that even some would see her grand uncle as being a bully and a tyrant. With two sides of the coin in her view, she understands both the mayor's view as well as VV's. She understands her place at the moment. She is a stranger to this land and her voice is nothing except by the leave of Ahto's grace.
She could always return home, but her desire is to make peace and alliance with this man and with his ambitions. Since they seem inclined to make a secretive alliance, she wonders if, by the will of House Garess, if he sent forces to aid Ahto's nation, this would politically shift this alliance into the open, further securing their potential diplomacy with the other nations.
Her letter to send home is becoming increasingly important, not only for these political affairs, but for a blessing from her father, mother, and the head of House Garess in the matter of Ahto. She thinks of all of this as she stands silently awaiting their removal from the office.
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"We would also like to extend the offer for those of your people who suffer from the ailment known as the Bleaching to accompany us back to Tamlyn. Miss Prong is trying to find a cure, and is in need of those willing to be part of her studies and research. We will not coerce anyone, and any who come may freely go at any time, should they change their minds. Those who wish to come may make the trip to Tamlyn with our party and under our protection."
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”Ummm….hmmmm,” Wonky lets escape as Ahto makes the offer. ”To be certain, I am not running any clinical trials or anything of that nature at the present moment. Experimentations involving other organic beings have not yet entered the realm of possibility. I am purely gathering information and perhaps completing some key bench research, but nothing more at present. I would not wish to offer any false promises, nor would I like to misrepresent the nature of the work that I am undertaking at present, though it be the most pressing and important work of my life, to be sure.”
Wonky offers a frozen smile to Ahto for a brief second, transforming it into a normal smile for all others.
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"My apologies if my summation was inadequate or misrepresented your work in any way, Miss Prong," Ahto replies, nodding to the gnome in acknowledgement. "My understanding of the healing arts ties more to my own profession, primarily concerning anatomy, physiology and the nature of lethal wounds and physical trauma."
He turns back to Mayor Aurelia. "Is this arrangement, as more accurately described by Miss Prong, acceptable?"
"As I am not a gnome, and I have no kin suffering from this condition, it does not seem my place to make any agreements regarding such matters. That being said, I will certainly pass your offer along to our gnomish citizens."
The Vixen nods at the mayor’s reply, “Covertly… yes, that’ll do.”
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"We will remain in Uringen two more days, conclude our business with the Embeth Travelers, and be on the road back to Tamlyn," Ahto says. "Thank you for your hospitality, your time and willingness to negotiate, he says, nodding to Mayor Aurelia. He turns to the rest of the group. "The rest of the evening, and tomorrow are yours to do with as you wish. We will depart for Tamlyn the following morning. Vixen, will you or Mrs. Kavinka please deliver the gift and invitation to Seripan before you retire to your personal activities? The rest of you are dismissed to do as you will."
Pelipe has already made it clear to Ahto where she is going after they excuse themselves to Seripan. After they disperse from the mayor's office, and bring their excuse and promise of future celebrations in Tamlyn with the fey, she will head back to the bakery and then will be returning to the oven to proceed through. If she can, she will pour her heart, mind, and soul into helping Wonky find some sort of way to distill a cure or remedy. She will extend all her knowledge, study, and wisdom into the perfection of this item.
Hopefully, with her help, Wonky can transform what she has learned into something that can be modified specifically for Wonky's race. Something that the small-sized alchemist's intuition of volatile mixtures to make something safe for gnomes to imbibe to completely remove this blight.
Over the next couple of days, she will also draft a rather extensive letter to her granduncle as well as two letters which afterward will be sent onward to her parents. She would also like to carve some time out of the next two days to spend some time with Ahto.
Locating Seripan proves to be unfortunately easy, as you can trace the sound of the grig musician's voice atop the carved stone well in the town square, in the shadow of the clock tower. She is performing a musical limerick about the Vixen's legs.
...
Meanwhile, after returning to the now liberated Spry's Heart, Wonky and Pelipe begin developing the very rudimentary framework for a potential treatment for the Bleaching. In essence, they postulate that it should be possible to extract and distill the magical energy of the First World, much as one would extract water from a well or ore from a vein, and use that as an transfusion to invigorate an afflicted gnome.
Of course, it will take more research, trial, and error to refine a process to extract, store, process, and administer this fey mana.
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Ahto lingers to speak with Mayor Ogden of the static side of Uringen. He makes certain to confirm the agreements independent of his agreement with Aurelia, both as a sign of respect for his office and just as importantly, to prevent the creation of any legal loopholes in the treaty.
Once he has concluded his discussions, he returns to the dress shop where Pelipe's gown was purchased, and requests that a replacement be made with the same measurements as before. "We are leaving in two days. If it is at all possible to have it finished before then, I would be most appreciative. If not, please have the finished dress shipped by Caravan to my attention in the town of Horace, the capital of Tamlyn. Please keep Miss Lightdriver's measurements in your records. If she is pleased with your work, other garments of your make may be requested for future events."
Pelipe lets out a sigh of relief when their research finally produces fruit. Now, there is one thing she wishes to know:
"Wonky...now that we have a general idea of how to do this, should we return this heart to the tree?"
Katrine and Storm accompany Wonky and Pelipe back to the First World, just in case Mather Nithra had allies who might show up. She doesn't know much about magic, but this won't be her first guard job. Not by a long shot.
Once the two scholars decide to call it quits, Katrine decides to browse the local dye and thread sellers. Maybe Uringen has something new and fun for her leatherworking! She also visits a stationery shop for mapmaking supplies.
Mayor Ogden is suddenly quite amenable once the subject of trade deals is raised, and Ahto finds little difficulty in striking a similar agreement with him and the static Uringen.
The dressmaker views the request as a challenge and gleefully accepts, promising to have the work done before you depart. The shop's reputation suggests that this is not just some empty boast.
...
Meanwhile, back at the glade known as Spry's Heart, while Wonky and Pelipe put their heads together to conduct some field research upon what proves to be the heart of the dead treant, other party members and allies retrieve the magic weapon at the bottom of the latrine pit, as described by the rescued gnomes.
After the dirty work is complete, and the weapon is retrieved and cleaned, you find yourselves in possession of a magic dagger enchanted to be especially deadly against fey.
The Vixen takes the dagger, looks at it, understands its vile purpose. A necessary evil.
She says to Ahto, “There are two of us who fight well without weapons. I could easily get close to the most evil o’ the fey—she who shan’t be named—and plant it in her heart. But…
“I think the dagger is best in Katrine’s hand.” She lays the dagger flat over both hands, offering it to Katrine if no one objects.
She does not state the reason (two, really) for the intended handover.
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After competing his errands, Ahto returns through the oven portal to check on the progress of the research team.
When Vixen says she thinks the fey-killing dagger is best in the hands of Katrine, Ahto immediately picks up on the rationale and nods.
"I have no objection. I have no need to carry the blade myself, and it should be in the possession of the one who will use it when it is necessary to do so. Are there any other thoughts on the matter? Miss Lightdriver, Miss Prong, do either of you desire to carry the dagger? if so, do you wish to present an argument? Miss Thalian, do you wish to accept the responsibility inherent in possessing such a weapon? It is being offered to you, not forced upon you, to be clear."