"This Purple Moon...when will it rise exactly? Will we have time to administer the tea and return before it's too late?"
Will we need to worry about people attacking us for the rose? The priest furrows his brow in worry as more stressful thoughts come to the surface of his mind.
She seems to be speaking honestly.
"The Purple Moon rises every 5 years, at the first day of Winter. And lights the sky for a week. No more, no less. . "The Rose is valuable, but unless you advertise your finding, no one should know you have it... Much less that it is in my possession. I can arrange the delivery of the elixir, when the time comes. All I need is an addressee." she says after eating another biscuit "If you follow the recipe, I believe the tea will be enough to sustain the patient... For a while... One cup every night, before bed, should suffice. It might cause some mild nausea, however... I am not sure how human bodies deal with the coriander."
"If you want, you can rest for the day in the same guest house we offered you last time. If you prefer to leave today, I will lead you to the sanctuary where the body of Boddam rests for the time being, and then accompany you to the door."
Lady Qirra never drops her polite, gracious tone.
Brother Cyrus replaces the dome on the belljar and gingerly hands it to Lady Qirra.
He glances at his friends to see their answer on deciding whether we leave today or get some rest.
"We'd be happy to stay the night here, thank you lady Qirra."
Jaazkara thanks the Lady Qirra, both for her input as well as the offered food.
"My tanks' Lady Qirra. You have been most helpful. And 'dis food...it is quite decadent, indeed. I shall retire wit' my companions, after checking in on my new friend..."
"You are all welcome." Lady Qirra replies, although she does seem somewhat confused and bothered by Jaazkara's use of the word "decadent" to describe her sweets, but doesn't seem to take offense. "My apprentice will show you to your quarters. We will meet again in the morrow. Have a good night."
Just as Lady Qirra said, one of the thriae apprentices greets you with a short reverence and leads you downstairs... Just outside the conservatory you find a scholarly-looking thriae next to the giant chameleon you brought along, whose scales now sport a mix of blue and red.
"Hello, travelers..." she says with a friendly voice. "Thanks for letting us take care of your friend. My students were delighted to paint such a rare creature. They enjoyed seeing it change colors too."
She nods amicably and flies away, waving good bye.
Lady Qirra's apprentice take you back to the small inn near the edge of the thriae settlement. You do indeed, get the very same room you got last time. You suspect Queen Bel-ha's hive doesn't get many visitors... The chameleon (and Jaazkara, if she wants) is given a comfortable spot in the inn's completely empty stable.
Once again, you wake up early in the morning and can already hear the whole settlement moving and buzzing.... You're given a nice breakfast made mostly of fruit and honey. It doesn't take long for Lady Qirra and her apprentices to show up at the inn.
"Good morning, friends." says Lady Qirra, politely. "I have brought you your weapons, some rations... And the body of Lord Boddam."
As soon as Lady Qirra says these words, two other thriae approach, they return your weapons to you and pull along a horse carrying a small carriage, inside which lies Lord Boddam. You notice his body has been cleaned and there's no smell of rot anymore. One of Lady Qirra's apprentices comments shyly...
"He was... in bad shape." she says. "So we used a little magic to help preserve him. Hope that's... I hope that is okay." she then handles you a very well crafted small pouch. "This was... Among his belongings."
Lady Qirra smiles at her apprentice and gently touches her shoulder, then turns back to you.
"You did a great deed to this poor man... And shared valuable information with my hive. If you ever decided to visit us again, you will be welcomed as allies of Grand Queen Arara Bel-Ha and her hive. We wish you a safe travel and a strong life."
"And we thank you for your hospitality. You've done more for us than we ever hoped. If you ever need help, feel free to call on me."
"You flatter me, Frederick Forsythe. All I did was keep my promise to a man in love." says Lady Qirra. " A chosen counselor of Grand Queen Arara Bel-Ha always keeps her word." This time, her words let slip a glimpse of pride...
"Farewell, friends. Travel safe and live strong."
Lady Qirra makes a short reverence and floats away... Her apprentices follow suit. One of the apprentices stops for a moment, turns back to you and speaks a few words before leaving.
"We found a healing wand in Lord Boddam's pouch... I'm sure he wouldn't mind you using it, but try not to get hurt!"
After those words are said, she waves at you, turns around and hurries to catch up with Lady Qirra and the other thriae.
"May the gods watch over Her Majesties' Hive."
Brother Cyrus says his farewells to the Thriae and investigates the healing wand.
Afterwards he'll break the leaves.
Lord Boddam's pouch is a Pathfinder's Pouch. Inside it, you find a +2 silversheen dagger with the Pillowstone crest carved on its hilt, a wand of CMW (CL 3 - 21 charges) and about 200 platinum pieces , and a rather fancy shaving kit .
After you break the vial of dried leaves, you see those very same leaves be carried up and away by a light whirling breeze... About 20 minutes after that, Jarken shows up, stepping out of a tree.
"Ah'll be damned..." he says, torn between surprise and sarcasm. "Y'all actually survived..."
"Wow! Didn't expect you to come to us. How's Ayren doing?"
He gives you a creepy grin...
"Boy's doing just fine... Learnin' the value of hard work an' all."
"Good. He seemed like he needed some discipline in his life."
"He's gettin' sum', alright..." he says, then his voice changes to a more neutral tone. "Now... Ah believe Ah'm owed compensation... Y'all got it?"
Brother Cyrus nods and begins counting out one hundred platinum pieces.
It takes some effort, but Frederick pushes the dead wooden monster aside... Revealing a hole containing a variety of bones, most of which belong to small and medium sized animals, though a few vaguely humanoid skull also rest on the pile...Most notably, the half-orc sensate finds two obviously magical rings, one of which displays a carving of the holy symbol of Erastil. There are also quite a few glass vials,but only three of them are still intact.
Brother Cyrus successfully identifies the properties of the two lost rings...
Jarken examines the coins very closely... Not only taking a deep look and weighing them, but also smelling and biting each one.
"Seems everythin's in order..." he says, satisfied. "Come with me, city slickers... Ah suppose you wanna see your friend... He hafta be feelin' sum frazzle 'bout now."
He walks a few feet over to a patch of low grass...
You look at each other, but hesitantly follow Jarken's instructions. One you all (plus the chameleon and the chart with Lord Boddam's corpse) are inside the grass circle, Jarken whispers...
"Here we go..."
The grass grow fantastically fast and tall, completely enveloping the the circle, blocking your sight of your surroundings and causing you to feel an slight discomfort in your stomachs. The leaves then shrink back to their original size... Revealing a new patch of land... Right next to a plowing field...
Where an exhausted Ayren uses a rusty, old hoe to plow the land... Under careful watch of Carth, the gigantic tree creature who lifted the half-elf from the ground just before you left this place a few days ago.
"Hey, boy... Your friends ar here!"
"OH, THANK THE GODS!" exclaims the half-elf "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG???"
"Don't sound so relieved, boy" says Jarken, laughing. "Ah might think you didn't like mah company..."
"Am I free to go?"
"Sure... Ah bet Carth'll be disappointed, though... He enjoed only havin' to look atter you instead of doing hard work."
Ayren simply grunts, drops the hoe and sits exhausted on the ground...
Cyrus takes a deep breath and exhales.
"Ahhh! The smell of good hard labor. Oh! Ayren, how're you doing? Jobs mostly done by the way. Just need to wait for the Purple Moon after we get this medicine to Lord Boddam's lover."
"I think we've done more than our original arrangement stipulated, by the way."
"Well... You did find Lord Boddam" says Ayren, looking at the dead man on the horse cart. "But the arrangement was to find the cure. You're welcome to try and renegotiate with our employers, if you want, though..."
He stands up, grabs his hat and stumbles forward...
"Let's just leave this place, ok?"
"The arrangement was to deliver the cure. Locating and retrieving it from an undead infested swamp guarded by an unidentified construct creature was beyond those parameters."
"But yes, let's go."
"Well... There weren't really any parameters stipulated other than 'get the cure, get paid'." says Ayren as he slowly moves away from Jarken and Carth. "But I might be able to convince our employer that you did go 'above and beyond the call of duty', so to speak..."
The half-elf scratches his chin and mumbles to himself... Almost certainly concocting a plan.
"I'll see what I can do..."
Ayren seems to have chills when Jarken shouts good bye and Carth slowly waves at you with his wooden hands.
- - -
There is no rain or mud this time... So your trip is considerably easier than the way here. By the end of the day you finally reach Stonybrook, the mining town north of Blue Shell. Ayren seems overjoyed at its sight...
"OH, THANK THE GODS! CIVILIZATION! BLESSED BE THESE ROADS AND WALLS!" he shouts before running ahead and literally hugging a wall. "TWO MORE DAYS AND WE'LL BE BACK IN BLUE SHELL! ONE DAY IF WE DON'T SET CAMP!"
During this sequence of events, Jaazkara seems fascinated by the tree-creature, and inteoduces herself to it and Jarken, as well as Ayren.
She considers her place in the Natural Order, and finds her conclusions not to her liking. Following this line of thinking, she resolves to make changes according to her "vision" of the "proper" way of things.
"So where does Lord Boddam's lover reside? We have to administer this tea so she can hopefully last until the cure is made during the Purple Moon." Cyrus crosses his arms and frowns at Ayren.
"I'm supposed to meet them at the Duchess' place." says Ayren. "Well... One of her places, anyway..."
The half-elf leads you to a seemingly normal hardware store, where an old dwarf sits by the door, smoking a bronze pipe.
"Can I help ya, lad?" he says without looking at Ayren or any of you. "Lookin' for somethin' in particular?"
Ayren hesitates for a few seconds, as if trying to remember something... Then replies. "Oh... I'd like to buy... Uh... An woodcutting shovel!"
The dwarf raises one of his eyebrows slowly and takes a quick glance at your group...
"'Bout time..." he groans... "First door to yer right... Someone'll be there to see ya soon. I'll take your... cart.... to the back room." he says before standing up and pushing the cart with Lord Boddam's corpse around the corner.
"Uh... Okay." replies Ayren.
You follow the dwarfs instructions and end up in a small windowless room with nothing but a large wooden table and 8 simple chairs. You sit and wait...
About half an hour later, two women and a man enter the room... You recognize one of the women as Lorena, the town guard who helped you find Ayren when he was abducted.
The other woman is considerably older, probably late 30's... She has black wavy hair and wears a fine dress, although one customized to make moving more practical. She carries a silver rapier and dagger at her waist.
The man has blond (almost white) hair and light grey eyes... His clothing is meant for travel, but it's crafted from very fine fabrics and materials. He carries an adamantine axe at his waist.
The older woman is the first to speak.
"So... You're the ones Ayren hired to help?" Her tone is friendly, but confident. "What should I call you?"
"I am known as Brother Cyrus...this is Eitylen, Frederick Forrsythe, and Jaazkara. To whom do we owe the pleasure, milady?" Brother Cyrus indicates each in turn before asking his question with a light bow.
The woman laughs wholeheartedly. "'Milady?' That's a first..."
"They call me Duchess around these parts..." she says after recomposing herself. "This here is my friend Hermes. I believe you have a lot to talk about..."
The man quickly adjusts his lapel, leans forward, resting his elbows on the table and entangling his fingers, briefly coughs and then speaks with a formal, monotone speech pattern.
"My full name is Hermes Murex Pillowstone. Boddam was under my employment. Julius Boddam was under my employment. I see you found him and brought him back. But that was not the main goal of this mission. What else did you bring me?"
Ayren is about to speak, but the man glares at him and shushes the half-elf.
"I'd like to hear the tale from our new guests, Ayren... If you don't mind."
"Of course! Not at all, sir!" Ayren replies nervously.
"News, mainly, and a stop-gap measure for the time being. We located the cure, but it can only be mixed under the light of the purple 3 weeks hence. We do bring a tincture that will sustain your love until we can bring the full curative to you."
"I see. If this 'tincture' of yours works... You'll be compensated for your work." he then asks without ever breaking his formal tone. "And where is this 'cure' right now?"
Frederick waves for Cyrus to show him the medicine.
Brother Cyrus draws from his scroll case the recipe for the medicine.
"The ingredients for the cure are in safe keeping with the Thriae who are facilitating the making of the elixir. Till then, this medicine is supposed to sustain the afflicted...though not many survive."
To the older woman, Jazzkara says "'Duchess?' Is dis not a title? Are you dee...leader of dee city?" As she speaks she shifts uncomfortably, and fumbles somewhat through her words, painfully aware that she is completely unsure of how to interact with(assumed)"royalty."
Brother Cyrus draws from his scroll case the recipe for the medicine.
"The ingredients for the cure are in safe keeping with the Thriae who are facilitating the making of the elixir. Till then, this medicine is supposed to sustain the afflicted...though not many survive."
"So..." says the man, this time with a more stern voice. "I asked for a cure, and you bring me the recipe for a painkiller and an unsubstantiated promise of a cure... That will only be available in weeks to come... And might kill the patient." he doesn't seem pleased with the idea. "Tell me... Were you in my position, what sort of payment would offer for this?"
To the older woman, Jaazkara says "'Duchess?' Is dis not a title? Are you dee...leader of dee city?" As she speaks she shifts uncomfortably, and fumbles somewhat through her words, painfully aware that she is completely unsure of how to interact with(assumed)"royalty."
The older woman laughs again.
"Well... People do tend to listen to what I say, if that's what you mean." she says after she's done laughing. "But you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone of blue blood around here..."
Lt. Lorena sighs..
"There is no aristocracy in this town. M-... The Duchess is a respected and influential member of our community." she says.
To Lt.Lorena's words, the Duchess nonchalantly adds.
"Exactly. Hermes here is an old friend... I'm just here to accompany him and maybe share my thoughts on this little negotiation."
"Pay us what you will for now, I'm patient."
"Continue speaking in such a condescending tone, however, and we may well just leave you to figure out a new solution on your own. The 'painkiller' as you put it might buy you enough time to find one that doesn't involve the Moon Rose."
"Lord Boddam believed this route to be the best option so we walked along his path. Faulting us for finishing what he set out to do seems hardly appropriate."
"After all, what other options do you have?"
Jaazkara nods at the women's words, feeling both relieved and curious about the nature of the town she finds herself in.
"Ah, I see." she says with a dawn of understanding.
And then to Hermes,"'Dis woman, Lord Boddam's mate; who is she to you? You are very concerned, yes?"
"'Condescending'?!" he says, raising his voice quite a bit. "Do you have any idea how many snake oil salesmen I had to deal with? How many people told me they'd have an infallible cure 'if I just waited a bit more'? How many asked me to pay in advance 'so they could get the necessary ingredients'?" he then turns to Brother Cyrus. "And about my options, priest... I could go to the thriae and get this 'Moon Rose' of yours! Lord Boddam's body is already under my care! There's nothing stopping me from leaving this place without giving you a single copper coin!"
Lorena seems unsure of what to say, or even if she should say anything... She looks at the Duchess, who just gives her a sly smile and gestures for her to stand down for now.
Surprisingly, Ayren is the one who speaks next.
"Well... Nothing but your honor." he says, with a serious tone you hadn't heard before. Pillowstone glares angrily at him.
"You..." he says, but the half-elf interrupts his words.
"I'm not exactly a model citizen, but I always delivered on my promises, haven't I?" he continues to speak without caring if the man wants to say anything. "If I manage to keep my word... How could you do any less, Lord Hermes Murex Pillowstone, heir to the Pillowstone family and candidate to the council of Blue Shell? Surely, someone of your stature wouldn't behave with less dignity than a humble street rat like me."
Pillowstone stares daggers at Eitylen...
"Besides... If you really doubt my friends' honesty. Why don't you ask someone you trust? Someone who can corroborate our story. Someone who went just as far as us. Someone who literally gave his heart for this mission..."
The Duchess smiles. Pillowstone starts to speak but is once again interrupted.
"I'm talking of Lord Boddam himself, of course... Admittedly, he's indisposed at the moment, but I'm sure you can find someone with the means to return him to our world. Discount that expense from my share of our payment, if you will. But do not deny you still owe us that payment. And I fully expect a representative of the Pillowstone to keep his word."
Pillowstone groans again, this time more intensely. He stands up swiftly and for a moment it seems he's about to attack Ayren... But he takes a deep breath and regains his composure. Without looking to anyone in particular, he speaks...
"You'll be paid for Boddam's rescue. We leave to Blue Shell in 3 hours. If your tincture works, you'll be paid for it as well. Finally, should your cure prove effective, you'll be rewarded accordingly."
He then turns around and leaves, pausing just for a moment to look at Jaazkara and say...
"She's my sister."
With these words, he leaves the room, keeping as dignified a posture as king in his castle.
After he's gone... Ayren takes a deep breath himself... His relief is obvious.
"Surely he won't hold a grudge, huh?"
The Duchess laughs yet again.
"You guys really are interesting people..." she says. "I might find some use for you in the future."
Lorena sighs...
The Duchess then adds with a sly smile: "I'd get ready for travel if I were you. Hermes won't wait... And I don't think he'll stop to make camp either, so you have a long day ahead."
Ayren groans, looking exhausted already.
"And about my options, priest... I could go to the thriae and get this 'Moon Rose' of yours! Lord Boddam's body is already under my care! There's nothing stopping me from leaving this place without giving you a single copper coin!"
New understanding creeps its way into Jaazkara's mind as she puzzles out the meaning of Pillowstone's words, finally working out his brief explanation. She realizes the nature of the mans concern and suddenly sees him not as a demanding noble, but a loving brother desperate to save his sister and exasperated by swindlers and con-men.