Slightly paranoid, Andjela wipes her mouth and stand to go find Anna... As she steps away from the table, she reaches for her sword which is never out of her sight.
Kendra looks up to the ceiling, as if trying to see through the wooden boards to Anna's room, "Hmm, I'm sure I heard her stirring, I'm sure she'll be down presently."
I'm nearly certain myself. Andjela speaks as she moves to the stairs.
Mornin', Anna mumbles, sleep still clinging to her as she moves towards the pot of coffee.
She looks about at the faces around the breakfast table, completely oblivious to the earlier concern over her whereabouts. What's the plan for today?
Good Question Anna. I say we try our luck at the town hall. And visit that magic shop too. Do a little research at both location, if they will allow it. And maybe check in with the sherif, if you all think that would be wise. Offer to help, I guess. The elf pauses, and appears to be trying to hear something. Well, as soon as Kimberly is up and had some breakfast we should be off.
Kimberly eventually makes her way down for breakfast.
she does her normal routine of having 2 bowls of oatmeal one for her and one for Teddy.
she calmly asks
Did you find the big bug?
Andjela remains standing as Anna enters the kitchen. She leans up against a wall.
I suggest the path of least resistance. As with any campaign, military or otherwise... incremental success builds to ultimate triumph. I am with you, no matter the course.
Good morning Kimberly. I trust you slept well. Bug? What bug are you talking about? Tolvan looks interested, but not concerned.
We found two... Andjela shrugs.
But how did you know about them Kimberly? They were in the graveyard we visited without you last night.
Anna looks wide-eyed at the young girl, and rubs her wounded leg instinctively.
Whispering to Kendra, If she's got some sort of seeing ability, we might need to have her with us on our little excursions. It'd be good to have a warning.
Changing the subject, Anna offers, I think I'm going to check out the monument in the daylight this morning. I think it's supposed to have a list of the names of the guards who died in the fire. We might be able to find some widows or relatives who still live in the area, and talk with them about Harrowstone.
Kendra has also been looking askance at Kimberly, pursing her lips in thought for a moment and then nods at Anna's words. She moves to kneel next to the eating girl, picking up a napkin to wipe some oatmeal from the side of her mouth, "What big bug are you talking about dear?"
the big flying bug out the window
She points to the window she saw the thing last night.
Kimberly looks at Anna
does your leg hurt? I hurt my finger last week and it really hurt. I learned a trick to make it better do want to learn it too?
Kendra looks a lot less worried, "Oh did you see a moth or something dear?" She then smiles proudly as the young girl offers to assist Anna, giving the Rogue an encouraging nod over Kimberly's head to offer a vote of confidence.
Our bugs did not fly Kimberly. Let me show you what they looked like. He opens his journal to a blank page and takes his charcoal and quickly sketches the centipede. Showing it to her he asks, Can you draw what you saw?
Anna, too, looks relieved about Kimberly's own bug adventure, and thus turns to focus on her breakfast.
When Kimberly asks about her leg, she smiles. Just a bug bite, but a big one. Miss Kendra fixed it up nicely already. See the bandage? Thank you, though.
Ok Anna but if you ever want to learn the trick just ask
Kimberly takes Tolvan's book (if he lets her) and draws a picture of the bug she saw out the window. humming a short tune while she draws.
This is the best I can do
she gives the book back to Tolvan Now don't loose it. she comments jokingly.
The drawing looks like a simplified picture of a mosquito with a larger body and bat-like wings.
I am not sure what it is but it does look dangerous.
Looks like a bat carrying a twig. I'm not much for wildlife myself.
Where are we going today? did you vist the doctor's grave last night? I don't have to go back to the Hospital anymore do I?
Kimberly's barrage of questions ar a good indication that she got a goo night sleep and is anxious to go do things.
whe she hears about the magic shop
cn we go there? I like to see magic tricks I know some magic tricks to maybe I can show them my tricks too. anyone wanna see my magic trick?
Kimgald chuckles. "I think if we are to go to the magic shop, child, we should want to see your magic trick."
Kendra smiles encouragingly at Kimberly, "Go ahead and let's see your trick."
Almost immediately after the magic trick is ended and before you all have time to react, there is an urgent knocking at the door. Kendra's brows come together even as she comes to her feet, "Who would be calling this early?" she asks no one in particular.
Moving out of the dining area and towards the door you hear a masculine voice sounding sheepish, and then Kendra responding. You hear two sets of feet coming back toward the dining area, and then the Sheriff follows Kendra into the room. He stands just inside the doorway, his hat clasped between his hands. His dark eyes to a quick scan from face to face, as if seeking people out, he does a double take upon seeing Andjela before continuing around the room. Seeming to notice something he quickly scans the faces again, and all this happens in the space of a breath, Begging yer pardon Ms. Lorrimor, folks." he says with a bob of his head in greeting. He swallows and presses on, "But there was another... incident at the Monument last night, and it was discovered this morning. There's two more letters, again written in blood, but the amount of blood on the scene is easily twice what is was yesterday morning. I was hoping to just pop in and out, but now I have to ask a few things."
He turns to look at Andjela, "Ma'am, I'm Sheriff Lamder and did you arrive to town this morning or yesterday?" He turns to include all of you, "Would you mind confirming for me that you all were here, inside the house last night?" and now he looks a little uncomfortable and his eyes flick towards the front of the house momentarily, "Lastly, where is the half-orc? Peter, his name was I think. Will he be coming in presently?"
Kimberly goes to the counter and grabs a knife at first she holds it menancingly then turns it into a less threatening position. she tkes a piece of rope and cuts the rope.
see two pieces of rope she holds them together and mumbles few words and releases her hand to show the rope is mended Tadaa!
she then gives a little curtsey.
mending spell
after hearing about the events she makes the symbol over her heart and looks worried.
Splatters spell her name just right.
she mutters to nobody in particular.
Anna chews, swallows, and wipes her mouth before getting up and offering the Sheriff her hand in greeting.
Good morning, sheriff. My name's Anna. I wish I knew if Pyotr will be back, but he left rather suddenly in the evening. We did go out, briefly, to see him off. I believe he cut across country. With the matter of the Professor's funeral over, he must have desired to return to his own lands, despite the Professor's last wishes that we stay and make sure that Kendra has some company.
This letter business is most alarming. What are the letters this time? Anna asks with wide-eyed, innocent interest.
Thank you for letting us know about this atrocity sheriff. The elf adds. As I said before, we are at your service in any way we can be to help solve this crime. It is as Anna says. "Peter" is unaccounted for. But he was NOT unaccounted for when the first letter was painted on the monument. So I am completely sure that "Peter was not involved. In truth I think the suspicion of the town is what led to his departure. Poor fellow was fearing a lynch mob. You see, he has suffered from racial discrimination in the past and was not willing to suffer it again.
The Paladin steps toward the Sheriff, extending a hand. Andjela Daywalker... I received missive regarding the professor and came as quickly as I could. Unfortunately, I arrived too late... yesterday, before nightfall.
Pyotr... or Peter, was already gone and I'd never met the fellow, although his name does sound familiar. We are both Paladin of Iomedae, coincidence enough.
Are these fine people... or am I, who have come to pay my respects under some suspicion? The professor's passing was long before we arrived. I'd suggest you turn your investigation to someone who was already here, my good man.
If some force is trying to cast suspicion upon us, they are some hack and amateur. A lawman such as yourself can easily see through such a ruse. How can we help you return this town to some semblance of peace and quiet, kind Sir?
Andjela stands, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed... verily waiting for the man to spew some suggestion.
The sheriff takes Anna's hand, holding it a few moments as she explains what went on last night. "I see. So you believe he cut across country? Didn't you see him off?"
Shrugging aside whatever thought had struck him, the man goes on, "Anna, you were actually described to me by a recent acquaintance of yours. A Mr. Rold, actually. Your name came up during some routine questioning, he seems to hold you in high regard. As to the letters on the Monument, they were 'ES' bringing the letters to read 'VES'. I'm wondering if they're initials of someone perhaps. We're also trying to locate the source of the blood, but so far have turned up nothing. The investigation is ongoing."
He turns to Tovlan, "The 'suspicion of this town', 'racial discrimination', had the half-orc suffered some of these during his brief time here?" Although he seems genuinely concerned, his eyes once again flicker, almost involuntarily, towards the front door before returning back to your faces.
He chuckles grimly at Andjela's words, "If I was any kind of lawman I'd have caught whoever was doing this by now. Just so you're all aware, there's no direct evidence or suspicion being directed your way. But, Kendra can attest to this, Ravengro is a small, tight-knit community and we've been through quite a bit in our towns history. Outsiders are suspicious by their very presence, but it's typically baseless fear, and I'm sure this time is no different."
Kendra nods along at his words about the closeness of the community, "He's right, change is scary around here. My father knew this better than most." The sheriff shifts uncomfortably at this, "Well, I appreciate your offer to help, just keep doing what your doing. I think being seen around town has helped. Don't be afraid to introduce yourselves and shake peoples hands, it cuts the mysterious stranger bit right in half. Well, be careful and I'll be seeing you folks later I'm sure." He inclines his head to the room and see's himself to the door. You can faintly hear his voice outside, "They saw their friend off and were right back here, I told you they're completely normal folks..." and the rest is lost as the sheriff walks away.
Kendra stands and starts clearing dirty dishes, "Well, that was interesting!" and bustles into the kitchen to clean up.
Tolvan will move to the window/door and take a look to see who was with the sheriff.
You catch sight of half a dozen local men and a couple women, following after the sheriff, apparently peppering him with questions. He seems to be handling them easily and setting them straight. They seem to be more concerned citizens rather than an angry mob. But it's hard to tell what their intentions were exactly.
I suggest we invite them for breakfast... I'm sure we can cover the cost, Kendra.
Anna starts laughing, as if she found that to be extremely funny.
The sounds of cleaning pause for a moment, as Kendra's head pokes around the door looking your way, looking slightly puzzled, "Invite who to breakfast Andjela?"
The people outside. They are harrying you... us. I say we turn the tables, invite them for breakfast and ask for their help.
Often times, the best defense... is a good offense. If will show them, we have nothing to hide. And, we bear the spirit of hospitality and cooperation.
Put bluntly... it should shut them up for a bit.
She looks towards the front door, some comprehension dawning, "Oh I understand, well I don't believe I'll be inviting them in today, but I do think you have a good idea. Maybe you all can go after them and take them out to breakfast? I'd like to get this place tidied up a bit anyways." With that she ducks back into the kitchen and resumes cleaning. She doesn't seem overly concerned.
Kimberly goes to the kitchen and starts to help Kendra clean up again humming her tune she was humming earlier in the morning.
Kimberly's demeanor has drastically hanged since the initial meeting in the graveyard. Kimberly seems more cheerful as if she finally has a place as close as she will ever have that she can call "home"
occasionally she looks out to see the others and smiles when the catch a glimpse of her peering at them, then hurries back to her work.
Anna finishes up and hands her plate to Kendra.
Speaking to the group, she begins, So. VES. That's a strange word. Vest? Vessel? Maybe they meant YES, and the blood smeared. I'm going to check out the monument. Kendra, can I borrow some parchment, in case I want to take notes?
Andjela gives Kendra a long look, perhaps sympathy... I'm with you, I need to get the lay of the land.
Kendra nods and heads into the study reemerging with several sheets of parchment for Anna. Looking at the others she puts her hand on Kimberly's shoulder, "I have a favor to ask you, Kimberly here is very special to me, and to my late Father, and after our... excursion last night and her strange visit from --whatever it was, I think she'd be safest in your company. If something comes here... I'd just feel better knowing my Fathers friends and allies were near to this girl." She looks down at Kimberly, "What do you think dear? Would you like to go with the Professors friends?"
Kimberly looks up at Kendra
OK
She looks to Teddy
Teddy, we're going on an adventure!
Anna smiles, but can't help but roll her eyes a bit at the thought of bringing Kimberly along with her.
Great. Come on, Sparkles, let's go take a look at the bloody monument.
Kendra waves from the door as you head off, making your way through town you arrive in short time at the Monument. Much to your chagrin, or relief, the Sheriff and his deputies have kept most of the populace away from the direct area around the stone monument. There on the face of it, in bright red streaks, are the letters 'V E S'. Flies are thick in the area, feasting on the still-drying blood. Still more blood is splashed about the base of the monument, and the amount used this time is clearly much more than the first incident.
The Sheriff notices people looking your way and waves you over, "Just thought I'd let you know," and he leans closer, "and all the folks watching us right now," and then stands back up, "that I've done my best to preserve the area for you all. If you find anything of interest, please let me know."
Thank you, sheriff, she says amiably. Then lower, trying to keep the crowd from overhearing, I don't suppose you had somebody watch the monument last night?
Anna will survey the scene, regardless of the sheriff's answer.
Not one for tracking or picking out trails, Anna will instead start looking at the names on the monument, taking note of any that begin with "V", "E", or "S".
The sheriff shakes his head, keeping his voice down, "I don't have the man-power, I've rerouted a patrol to comes past here, that's how we got here ahead of the crowd."
Despite her best efforts Anna cannot find anywhere on the large monument which holds a single name, with the possible exception of the large and bloody 'V E S'. The only words that seems to be there from its creation are on the front, in bold letters, 'You Guard Us Well'.
"You Guard Us Well." Something in the message gives Anna a shiver as she looks at it.
She peers at the bloody writing, looking for evidence of handprints, or possibly brush strokes. Something to indicate how the letters were made. She also takes note of the height of the letters, whether a man-sized person would have to climb up the monument or would be able to reach from the ground.
Andjela shrugs. It's hard to say, but could the tracks... step right into the monument? Where are these names?
Kimberly looks back as they walk she sees Kendra wave and kimberly waves back. She turns back to the group smiling totally unaware what she is about to see.
Kimberly ay first does not even realize that the letters on the monument is blood. she soon starts to "mimic" Anna's investigation trying to be just like her.
Kimberly soon starts to wander off to the east then stops about 20 feet away.
Are these important? she points to the tracks she was following.
Anna surmises the words seem to be splashed on, rather than brushed or drawn.