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"Maybe they were Pathfinders who wanted to prove themselves before they had a chance to go on their confirmation, which is why they don't have wayfinders? We should bring their bodies back to the Grand Lodge when we're done just in case, so then maybe they get their names on the Wall of Names which isn't actually made of names like you might think but is a big wall with names carved [b]in the wall!"[/b]
"OK, if nobody can use the wands and scroll I'll hold on to them just in case. Hey, I'll use that wand of protection from evil on you guys before we go any further!"
"Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't! Keeps life interesting!"
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J. thanks Wulbknavel for the protection. She's eager to get away from the dead guys and says "I'm feeling uncomfortable, let's move on."
A wide chamber lies just beyond the hallway where the treasure hunters met their end. The spirit of a young girl with blond hair sits in the center of the room. As J. and you approach, the spirit gets up, turns around, and addresses J.
"I’ve been waiting for you a long time, Junia. Waiting for you to come back. Why did you leave me? Won’t you come back to me? Then we can all be friends again."
J. is paralyzed by fear and guilt, and can only mutter "Cassiel, Cassiel, I’m so sorry, please forgive me" over and over again.
Grishan explains that this is the spirit of their friend Cassiel Marlinchen who died with him in the necropolis.
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Jarlaxle gives J.'s shoulder a comforting squeeze, before bowing, and addressing the spirit.
"Greetings Cassiel! 'Twas not J.'s fault - she was in a coma for most of the time she was missing. It was pure luck that she happened to slip on a ring that kept her nourished, so she didn't starve, and become a restless spirit, herself. I am sure that if she could have saved you, she would have; but you were both only small children..."
He then sighs, sadly.
"Unfortunately, she can't come back to you, now - you belong to two very different worlds; she is still alive, whilst you, unfortunately, are not. Don't let her be an anchor, tethering you to this world - it is time for you to rest, to move on to the next stage of existence, in the afterlife."
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"I remember that ring, she found it somewhere and later she did not suffer from hunger or thirst like the rest of us. I think if it was not Junia's fault and Grishan was able to forgive her, I should do it as well. I'm glad she did not suffer for weeks or months. Thank you, I'm free now." the incorporeal Cassiel says and Begins to fade.
Cassiel moves on to her final rest, and the spirits of several other children that are lurking nearby follow her into the afterlife.
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You head back to Decilane Manor, but before you reach J.'s home a man in a uniform similar to Junia’s, but with more medals and polish, emerges from a side alley at a brisk pace. "Finally, I found you. I heard around the lodge that a team of Pathfinders was headed in to the Tri-Towers Yard." He bows his head.
"My brother was one of many children who died when the earthquake hit. As a result, I take great interest in expeditions leading in to that cursed site. The last Pathfinder expedition seven years ago found his body, and as a result, my Family was able to give him a proper burial. Those agents also found some..." Colson pauses, and then continues delicately, "...reports about my brother’s after-school activities that would have been quite embarrassing if made public. Did you, by chance, find any information about my brother?"
You know this man, it's Major Colson Maldris, the leader of the Liberty's Edge Faction.
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"I know this looks bad. And I’m not going to try to justify my actions. These notes paint everyone they touch in a negative light. But, Pathfinders, in situations such as this one, it is important to consider the bigger picture, the greater good, and the unfortunate realities of politics. Skilled orators can take even the hint of scandal and spin it into a mountain to bury their target, preventing almost anyone from seeing the accomplishments and value of the People beneath. Remember what we discovered two years ago, my friends, and the seeds of corruption threatening Andoran that sparked the decision to separate Liberty’s Edge as its own entity. Were this information to become public, members of that conspiracy among Andoran’s politicians would use their oratory against all our works, which would deal a crippling blow to our cause’s influence. They would tarnish not only my own reputation, but the reputation of the Liberty’s Edge as a whole, and by extension, the reputations and of all of the Pathfinders who tirelessly work under our banner to promote the cause of freedom. It may even spell the end of our movement to promote the cause of freedom throughout the Inner Sea and beyond!" Major Maldris explains why it's not a good idea to hand it over to the Society.
When Wulbknavel mentions Grishan Junia shoots him an annoyed glance. Major Maldris is taken aback. His eyes flash with fury, then soften as he realizes Wulbknavel isn't playing a cruel joke, and he whispers, "G-Grishan?"
Grishan does not emerge from Junia, but J. speaks a few words for him, "Brother…not yet."
Grishan’s conflicting emotions cause tears to roll down J.’s face. "Grishan isn’t ready to talk yet." J. explains.
Major Maldris is distraught, and he apologizes to his brother for not being able to save him.
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"Um, not yet. We need to decide on the fate of these documents first, methinks." Xavier shoots a glance up at Maldris.
"Unless your intention is to try and force our decision, Major?" That last word spoken with just a slight sneer and a tone of "you've held yourself so superior for so long and now look at you".
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"I'm sorry Major, and J. And Grishan. I thought you'd like to talk but I guess I was wrong. Anyway, if you want to destroy the documents then just give me! I know lots of great places where I could get rid of them!"
Wulbknavel would love to give them over to Gloriana Morilla as blackmail material.
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"You are not the one to decide who is honorable and who should lead the Liberty’s Edge. I will remember your faces and your names. Whenever you need a favor from the Liberty's Edge, I will think twice about that." Major Maldris says, turns around and walks away.
After Major Maldris leaves, Junia speaks for Grishan. "Thank you. From me and Grishan too." The rest of the journey home is uneventful.
"Grishan always wanted to be an Eagle Knight like his brother. He got his wings so young, and he wanted to follow him anywhere, and fight for freedom, no matter what. Now everyone will know. Colson said he trusted me, but he lied. He hid our family from me."
Both J. and Grishan have learned much about themselves and their power. J. feels that she is ready to finally leave the Drownyard behind her, but has come to realize that she cannot follow in her mother’s footsteps. She instead wishes to strike out on her own and get to know her newfound powers better.
She also asks if any of you might be willing to sponsor her to begin training with the Pathfinder Society.
Grishan, for his part, has a better understanding of his past and his relationship with his brother. He realizes that his bond with her is far stronger than the connection he still feels with his brother, and he is determined to follow J. wherever her journeys might take her.