Pelipe readies herself and carefully mounts onto Ahto's back. His increased strength will find her easy to bear. Even when the spell eventually wears off on the way back, she is quite light compared to carrying, say, a man off the battlefield. She will not choke him but does wrap her arms down onto his armor and holds on tight.
As she mounts her horse and the call comes as to where Althea is, she shakes her head.
"Let us not doubt our new ally so soon. Perhaps she bravely searched the body of that hulk while we all ran? I meant to check on her, but my mind skipped a bit."
Sprocket makes for a nearby stand of undergrowth, but he leaps back with a start as the errant Althea makes her reappearance, emerging from betwixt the shrubs and trees. She drags along the young daughter of the Strouds who led you here, pulling her along by the arm.
"Pardon my absence, but this little one had interesting things to tell me," Althea reports, gesturing towards the changeling girl.
This elicits a sudden spasm of shock and anger from the child. She struggles to twist herself free whilst shouting about how "you promised!"
Althea just calmly speaks over the child's tantrum.
"Mathilda here was telling me about her sister's friends in your town. It seems that Jocelyn woman you were all speaking about has gathered together her own little cult dedicated to Gyronna, hidden within the very heart of Tamlyn. When you return home, you may want to begin some investigations to root them out."
Althea rolls her eyes and groans as Mathilda redoubles her impotent struggle against the surprisingly strong noblewoman.
"Does someone wish to take her before I strike her?"
"Gyronna?!" Katrine glares at the girl. "Well, Vixen, somehow I don't think Jocelyn will be switching sides any time soon. Those who follow the Angry Hag are filled with nothing but bitterness and spite. Oh, and treachery. Let's not forget that part." She speaks with the authority of someone who has investigated the unholy religion before, which she has. Where you find cults of Gyronna, you often find hags.
With that, Katrine gives Althea a respectful nod. "Excellent work. Both here, and in the fight. That was a nice shot with your ray spell." She turns to Ahto. "What do you want to do with the kid?"
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Ahto fixes the child with a stern gaze. "Do you wish to return the the Ditches, or do you wish to accompany us and be a citizen of Tamlyn? Be warned, if you come with us, you will be raised as a responsible, law-abiding individual, and you will be held to account for any deception or betrayal to the full extent of the law. Do you understand?"
“Treachery…” The Vixen goes cold for a moment. Emotionless. Detached. Her grip on the reins tightens into a fist.
She turns to the child. “Get on me horse. Now. It’ll be best for Jocelyn if ye’re with me when I speak to her.”
The Vixen’s tone suggests there is no choice but to get on the horse.
"Yes, thank you for the allegiance." she mirrors to Althea with Katrine's words. Her laughter over Sprocket's congratulations doesn't last long as something must be done with the child.
Something unsettles her about leaving this decision up to the child. There were times in her youth that even she would have run away and that wouldn't have been good for her. Through her still labored breath, she tries to correct both the Ahto and the Vixen, even though it unsettles her to stand against them, "If we are going to treat the Strouds as people who have swore to rightfully uphold the laws of Tamlyn, then we cannot betray those laws and take their daughter without their permission, as unreasonable as it sounds. Especially with unknown dangers ahead of us in Uringen. Am I wrong?"
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”If the child believes herself abused, she can seek asylum and emancipation. She would be our ward until the Strouds came before us and petitioned to have her returned to their custody. At that time, a thorough investigation would be conducted. If they never come forward, we can safely assume that they had no genuine interest in the child’s welfare,” Ahto replies. ”As I said before, I will not force her to make such a claim, and I will not forcibly remove her from these lands, if she wishes to stay.”
Am I wrong? Pelipe asks.
“No.”
The Vixen says nothing else. Ahto speaks and the Vixen waits for Mathilda to either claim she is abused, or express her desire to go home.
Althea lets a short, haughty laugh fall from her lips. She speaks before Mathilda can offer any response in her defense.
"You would do well to distrust everything this little...creature says," Althea states. "While you were distracted, she took me aside and tried to recruit me to her cause. She asked me to take her along, promising that she and her sister in your land would help me usurp you.
"If you think you can reform her with your usual strategy, you are inviting knives in the back. No matter what false oaths you extract from her, no matter what crocodile tears she offers, this creature will never be simply a little girl."
"I am actually impressed by Althea's loyalty. Perhaps she just wanted to do something right for once?"
Pelipe will look to the child and will shake her head. "So pretty. I would have loved to have a daughter like you. Smart and strong with such an aura of innocence. Children like you should not have to know such evil...should not have to lie constantly for love or to see such wickedness and be a part of it. I can't imagine what kind of a grown woman you will become...whatever it may be, it might just be a pale image to what you could be with honor, community, and love in your life," she voices, hoping to sow doubt in the young child's mind over the influence laid upon her.
"Are you ready to continue on Althea?" She looks to Ahto briefly, "Should we return to Glowerhaven to see if they were harmed? We aren't very far."
The Vixen says to Mathilda, “Seems having ye with us was the hags’ plan, so taking ye to yer sister violates nothing. However, once Jocelyn learns of the agreement, she’ll know that any deception or harm to the people o’ Tamlyn goes against yer mother and aunts. Their lives’d be forfeit.”
She looks the kid in the eye.
“I don’t want that. But there’s a difference from being forgiving and being a sap. Help me talk yer sister into doing the right thing, even if it means you and her leave town. No matter how much she betrayed me trust, I don’t want her getting hurt or worse.
“For Jocelyn’s sake, I hope you understand what I’m saying… and what I’m not saying.”
Her masked face is that of a remorseless killer.
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"Uringen has been delayed long enough."
"It is agreed," Wonky remarks, abruptly standing from the wagging tails and wet noses of Sprocket and Doo-dad. "We have travelled this far and risked this much to attend to the wonders of Uringen. I wince at the thought of turning back to Tamlyn now that this treachery has been unveiled, regardless of how vile."
Katrine sighs, looking at the defiant changeling girl. "Just send the kid back to the hags, Vixen. Do you really want to deal with her all the way to Uringen and back to Tamlyn? I don't."
Ahto recognizes no deception in Althea's account - and this is not simply the result of carefully choosing her words to present something that is technically the truth, as the girl Mathilda did. Althea spoke truthfully.
"Frankly, my recommendation would be to simply end the child here and now. Remove any risk of her growing up to bring misguided vengeance against you in the years ahead. Failing that, just send her off with her kin. You can do nothing for her. Let her be what she will be. At least you can have her do it far from your doorstep."
Althea is also quite eager to reach Uringen, having heard much about it from both Vark and the party and finding her curiosity raised.
"That is what makes this so evil. I can't picture myself killing a child...These hags use them like a shield...despicable. Do you really wonder what Ahto will do?"
Her eyes settle on the Lord of Tamlyn and awaits his decision with the occasional flicker of eyes in the direction of Althea.
"She is being uncharacteristically helpful...Gaah...all of this political drama...but....what did you expect?"
She consciously rubs and massages her fingers in each hand, "It has been so long since I've touched beautiful stone...I have so much inspiration right now, all going to waste..." At such thoughts, the mage looks to Ahto and studies his form, his jawline, fierce eyes, and strength. It is clear she is studying him while he speaks, but it is not clear as to why. "A massive statue, yes..."
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"I will not execute a child, even one so clearly set on a path of of mayhem and anarchy as this one, merely on the supposition of what she might do. She has not yet violated her family's treaty, even if it was her ultimate goal to do so."
He looks to the girl and says, "Go now, back to the Ditches, child. Remember this day in later years with regret. You had a chance to live a better life, one shaped by justice and prosperity. Instead, you chose a life of deceit and pain. By siding with the Strouds, you have ultimately sealed your fate, be it in the near future or centuries hence. Leave, and do not show your face, in this or any other guise, in Tamlyn or Glowerhaven ever again."
He turns to Althea and says, "Release her."
Althea makes an exaggerated show of releasing Mathilda and letting her run off into the woods, after her wicked family. The Chelish noble raises her hands into the air, as if ridding herself from some burden or responsibility.
"When this viper returns, fully grown and with her fangs, you had best pray to Abadar that someone will be there to protect you while you sleep," Althea cautions as she watches the treacherous changeling child slip into the wilds.
"As naive as it may sound, there are times in some people's lives where they may consider their past actions to be foolish and will work toward what is right and good. Some do it out of personal choice, some do it out of necessity..." "Like you..." "I'd imagine she has a chance to come around still. In any case, that's good advice, even for yourself, as you're the one who dragged her out and said she should die. She may remember that one day," the mage warns as she pulls her horse around to get ready to go. Every minute that passes, she begins to feel more recovered. "To Glowerhaven quickly. Then onward to Uringen!"
She will ride with the others back to check on the people and the damage caused. Given the size of the hulk who protected the hags, she is worried.
"Yeah, she'll probably come back to haunt us. But I just can't kill a child. Who knows, maybe teenage rebellion will work in our favor when she gets a little older." Katrine sighs, untying her mount and pack mule from the tree where she left them. "At any rate, Pelipe's right. Let's go tell the folk of Glowerhaven that their hag problem has been dealt with."
The Vixen feels how Wonky looks. Her own face doesn’t show this, but her silence as the kid skitters off…
Katrine’s words snap her back to reality.
“Let’s go,” she says softly.
In your absence, Glowerhaven has suffered a terrible blow. Furrows in the ground, pulled down barns, and slaughtered livestock speak of the horrors unleashed by the Strouds' ogre-kin sons before you secured their withdrawal. Miraculously, it seems that very few of the village's defenders fell in battle, but injuries abound.
You find that the folk of Glowerhaven have now embarked upon the difficult path to recovery.
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Ahto maintains a stoic expression as he approaches the town's leaders.
"This attack is unfortunate, but it should be the last. We defeated the Strouds and forced them to swear oaths to no longer attack, harass or harm the citizens of Glowerhaven. Should you find evidence that they have done so, send word to us in Tamlyn, and we will pursue them and execute them for violation of the terms of surrender. In the meantime, I offer my healing skills and the blessings of Abadar for the benefit of the wounded. Please bring me to those most severely injured, then gather those with lesser injuries, and I will see to them after."
The party's previous visit to Glowerhaven has left the residents with a fearful respect for Lord Ahto's company. Thus, they quickly comply when summoned together for healing. There are many faces that register mild surprise at this compassionate side of the stern man who so recently delivered pronouncements in the square.
As you tend to the villagers, you learn that many people were spared the ogre-kin's initial onslaught because they were still reveling in and around the pub, rather than working on the edges of the village.
The Vixen says to Pelipe, “Ye saved lives by getting men drunk. Color me impressed.”
Pelipe gets red-cheeked as the Vixen congratulates her for saving the town. "Whoever would believe that?" She nibbles her lower lip and takes the praise with a chuckle. She tries to not be so cheery that the demise of these poor people is overshadowed, but it is humorous.
The mage will do what she can to aid them once Ahto's magic runs dry. By taking some time to study her tome, she can refocus her spells per day to better heal the people as well. The party will see that she does have the ability to heal herself and others, but it takes time to prepare for it, which they did not have back at the Strouds.
When that is gone, she will resort to binding wounds on people and animals using boiled cloth or whatever else they could find.
When that is finished, she will do her best to organize food for everyone. Those who are capable, bringing a tiny portion each potluck style to serve everyone. She then will cook a series of capable stews for the whole of the town.
For a speech during the meal, she will stand and raise her voice to those in attendance, hopefully inspiring them. "You will have to come together as a community this next year. Work together without worry of profit and outdoing one another. This will help all of you get back on your feet and replace that which was lost from you. Rebuild each other's homes, replant each other's fields. Share your livestock to breed and replace that which was killed. Together, you will overcome the trials of this place. Come together as a community and give thanks to Abadar."
The Vixen says to Pelipe, “Ye saved lives by getting men drunk. Color me impressed.”
Katrine chuckles, hidden under her hood once more. "This is the first time I've ever seen free drinks save people's lives."
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Once the injured have been tended to, Ahto spends several minutes transcribing key precepts from the Manual of City Building, especially those pertaining to restoration of infrastructure and allocation of resources towards reestablishment of local commerce. He presents the copies to the town leaders.
"These guidelines will guide you in your recovery efforts. They are tried and proven methods for addressing the damage efficiently and restoring business as usual within the town proper."
They say a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. That proves to be quite true here, as the potluck stew that Pelipe provides makes the residents of Glowerhaven more receptive to Lord Ahto's presentation of the more operative tenants of Abadar. Of course, the healing provided by the Lord of Tamlyn and his coterie also ensure that they have the attention and respect of the villagers.
Even though Glowerhaven sits far from Tamlyn, within the borders of Mivon, you have ensured a friendship between your peoples.
Pelipe is aware of the expedient nature of their task. She could see that the demise brought upon the village was, in a way, their fault. The mason also could not see it in her heart to abandon them. Still, after having fatigued herself earlier, then ridden more, then cooked, healed, and helped clean, once Ahto's group is ready to go, she's plum exhausted.
"This vast destruction brings to mind Todd and Lankey. I wonder if my parents will receive my letter?" She caresses her horse's neck in affection and worry. It was he that saved her life that day. "Good Assentimos. Good horse..."
With things in the town concluded as they may without spending a month there repairing things, she asks the others, "Are we ready to carry on?"
She idly wonders when and where they will make camp.
The Vixen’s is not a talented cook, but she’s happy to help stir a pot or move things around. She will, of course, earn herself a bite for her labor… but only if the food is abundant. The people of Glowerhaven have been wronged by the Strouds.
And so has the Vixen. She doesn’t want Jocelyn to die for her betrayal because she still cares about her. It hurts to admit this. The Vixen’s isn’t supposed to give a f!#%. Isn’t this how Vikki died?—not seeing the monster behind the familiar, friendly face?
As the party rides off, VV rides alongside Katrine.
“Katrine… I get why ye hate them so much. I can’t hate Jocelyn. She, like yer birth mother seducing yer father, put on a convincing act. Even knowing she sees me as nothing, as a fool and a tool, I picture her face and see a friend.
“I think the best I can do is tell her her mother’s agreement, and since she’s proven deceptive, she needs to leave. Ain’t a way to stay in Tamlyn without violating the agreement. Her whole cult’ll have to go.
“I don’t want to harm her, physically. It’s so weird to me… ye’d think I’d be pissed and wanna kill her. Maybe I should, but I won’t…”
A dark thought crosses her mind.
“Unless she guises as me to bed me wife. Then a quick death will be me parting gift to her.”
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Wonky considers the town of Glowerhaven upon their return.
"I wonder what supplies a small town like this would have," she says to no one in particular. "Perhaps at least I could source some food for my good-boys before we go; shall we peruse the merchants?"
She aims her query at the ears of Abadaran, expecting an appropriate reply.
From whatever meat can be scrounged from the animals killed in the assault, Pelipe will gladly make some carnivore rations for Wonky and save her some money if allowed by the villagers. Smoke-dried meat would be good for Wonky too if she wishes it, and the cook will make it have just enough flavor even the gnome would like it.
The barding she cannot help with, but will linger in town until Wonky's business there is done. Once everything is finished, she will set up to ride and head out with Lord Ahto onto the road. As they leave, and those who seeing them away standby, she blows a playful kiss to the sky in their general direction, waves, and trots away.
Katrine sighs and nods. "I get it. But you'll need to make an in-depth investigation of how far her cult of Gyronna has spread, and make everyone who participated renounce the Angry Hag in front of Ahto while he has his truth-telling active. Sometimes a witch hunt is necessary. Have you heard of Heibarr before, and how the city fell?"
"I can usually find enough game to keep Storm fed, but some dried rations for emergencies wouldn't go amiss. It's always best to have a backup plan." Katrine looks over at Wonky. "I'm happy to hunt and forage for the whole group, which of course includes our furry friends."
The grateful residents of Glowerhaven provide old bridles, yokes, saddles, and other leather scraps that could be made into improvised barding for the dogs. The local leatherworker can offer some assistance but has no experience of his own when it comes to creating barding, since the training passed down in his family is more so focused upon the aforementioned bridles and yokes.
A sum of 5-10gp would be considered a fair market price for what they're offering you.
Katrine studies the pieces of leather provided, humming under her breath. "Hmm. Well, I've never made barding before, but there's only one way to learn! I have made leather armor, at least, and I'm very familiar with canine anatomy."
Katrine sighs and nods. "I get it. But you'll need to make an in-depth investigation of how far her cult of Gyronna has spread, and make everyone who participated renounce the Angry Hag in front of Ahto while he has his truth-telling active. Sometimes a witch hunt is necessary. Have you heard of Heibarr before, and how the city fell?"
The Vixen’s isn’t too comfortable with the term ‘witch hunt.’ But then, her father wasn’t seduced by a witch…
“Never heard o’ Heibarr.”
VV speaks few words because she’s ready to listen.
From the moment she joined the fateful expedition into the Stolen Lands, Wonky began perusing as much material on the River Kingdoms as she could get her small, erudite fingers on. Thus, she has heard of the sad fate of Heibarr.
Heibarr was originally settled as a trading post about a thousand years ago, along a tributary of the Sellen River, by a priest of Aroden. The settlement soon encompassed both banks of the river, and over the centuries grew into a bustling town of upward of 3,000 people.
About three centuries ago, the mayor of Heibarr decided to build a toll gate beneath the bridge that connected the two halves of the town across the river. This violation of the third River Freedom, despite the prosperity it promised to bring to Heibarr, left the town deeply divided.
This discontent erupted into all out civil war, and the town tore itself apart. Within twelve months, the entirety of Heibarr's three thousand-some residents were either dead or fled, the toll gate destroyed, and the once-prosperous town now but a fell ruin.
Whilst reading about this fall, Wonky found it peculiar that a civic matter like river tolls could organically ferment into bloody conflict, and so quickly...
As they ride, Pelipe listens intently to the tale but does not chime in. The progression of madness likely was fueled in this instance by greed, a desire for power, or perhaps even an outside source infecting its will into people's hearts and minds. What she does assume is that reason could not be found in the city of Heibarr.
Instead of speaking, the enchanting Pelipe rides in picture-perfect form upon her steed and keeps watch as best she can. The only flaw in her form is that her hand still subconsciously hovers over her rib. Eventually, as time wears on and the path stretches out before them, the cupping hand to her rib will lower as her pain subsides.
"Ah, so you know most of the story already." Katrine gives Wonky a respectful nod. The gnome is proving to be knowledgeable about many things. She looks over at Ahto next. "I'm not sure about the legal details, as this was... hmm, a couple hundred years ago at least. Maybe more. As for factions, it's my understanding that the mayor and town government stood to gain in the short term from the taxes on the river gate, and the merchants stood to lose in the long term due to river captains choosing to take their business elsewhere."
"Under ordinary circumstances, this would have been an unfortunate mistake but one easily fixed. Either the merchants would have successfully pressured the mayor to remove the gate, or the town would have elected a new mayor." Katrine sighs. "Unfortunately, Heibarr had another problem, and that was a hidden cult of Gyronna. They saw an opportunity for destruction in the citizens' unrest. They used lies, rumors, whispering campaigns, and perhaps magic- the stories are unclear on that point- to fan the flames and turn people against one another. That was what turned a simple government blunder into a civil war. Now the ruins are haunted by the angry ghosts of all those who died there, and the followers of Gyronna make pilgrimages to Heibarr in order to witness the power of their goddess." She pauses. "I'm not kidding about the city being haunted, either. I've camped a safe distance away a few times hoping to catch cultists making offerings, and sometimes you can see the ghosts at night."