The Iomedaean inquisitor had listened silently to the initiate, Tomas Leleand. Jal had made the required introductions and she had simply inclined her head when her name was mentioned.
"There is no fresh straw in the stables and we have made the sleeping quarters as presentable as possible under the circumstances, Tomas. We have made do. Thank you."
She took a moment to look keenly at the man.
Achlys gently stilled him from retreating to the bell tower.
"How many people are presently housed in the priory? Are you expecting other travellers to come through the pass in such foul weather?"
The smile on her face was pleasant enough -- hoping to entice the initiate to answer and not look upon her with suspicion.
Well, the elder of us is Ruan and you already know, there is also brother Ythel, Sister Rosenn and Malvenos, I guess you already know Malvenos since he was supposed to be at the gate...Oh, there is also another guest, she came wounded yesterday and is now recovering in the infirmary
"This wounded guest... Is it a good idea to go see him and Pray for him?"
"Malveos and I are acquainted, aye."
After a momentary, thoughtful pause, the inquisitor continued,
"This other guest, who is wounded, where did she come from? Have any of you spoken with her? Perhaps we could go see her. Which way to the infirmary, please?"
I guess so, she need rest but she is recovering satisfactorily. - He answer to Jal -She came from shadowfell, we cure her wounds but she was poisoned. We also treated the poison reducing greatly its strength but some of the poison is still in her, but as I said she just need to rest... Well, I will go to the bell tower now, I will be there in case you are interested in hearing about theology and the great teaching our lord the noble one - The last thing was aimed to the Iomedeans.
Jal goes with the other to the infirmary.
Ok, for the ones to go there, The door of the infirmary is closed.
A believer in many gods, but a devout follower of Iomedae, Agramayne has little interest in theology or philosophy. His faith in the Inheritor and even more so in the noble sacrifice she represents, is unshakable, but that doesn't mean that he enjoys discussion of religious topics. He is a man of action and so politely declines Tomas's invitation to religious indoctrination.
He goes to the infirmary door with Jal and knocks loudly on it.
"Maybe we shouldn't do that, she may be resting.
"S'why I'm not barging in," says Agramayne.
Yes? - COming from the inside of the infirmary You hear the voice of a young woman.
Achlys had remained silent as the two males spoke to each other and had forgotten her presence.
At the sound of a female voice on the other side of the infirmary door, Achlys moved passed both men and answered in steady voice,
"Mistress, we seek to enter. We, too, are travellers. We have heard of your poisoning and wish to speak with you."
I would prefer to rest alone if you don't mind
Achlys tried the door handle to see if it would open or if the door was locked from within.
If everyone has left him alone Felixus will have a gander up the bell tower to have a look around.
The door is locked from within, and as per the rules Ach need more interaction to attempt the sense motive, for now she only gather the obvious, the girl inside want to be alone.
@Felixus
The small three‐storey tower contains the priory’s four bells. A wooden ladder propped under a trapdoor provides access to the tower’s upper reaches. Four thick ropes hang down through a hole in the middle of the ceiling. The upper storeys are dusty and have evidently lain all but undisturbed for years. More ladders, stacked against one wall enable access to the bells. Tomas is there ringing the bells.
The inquisitor attempted to coax the girl into talk through the door. She had locked it and Achlys wondered at the reason and the hesitancy to open it so they could enter.
"What is your name? I am Achlys. We mean you no harm."
Agramayne mouthed the word "maybe" to Achlys with a grim smile.
He rolled his hand in a "keep going" gesture."
Achlys noted Agramayne's silent addition and his gesture to continue coaxing the girl behind the door. She gave a nod to say she understood and waited to see if her words had any effect before continuing more determinedly.
"We seek to help. In the service of Iomedae and Darlen."
There was no use in rushing and pushing the girl into greater stubbornness at this point. Achlys quietly drew her head closer to the door and attempted to hear beyond the wooden barrier.
Look, I'm fine, I just need rest really. Can you just leave me alone pretty please? - She answer failing at hiding her annoyance.
You can't hear anything special inside, but there is a strong perfume in the air.
Achlys turned her had to the males beside her and then gestured to the door and her nose, hoping they understood her mime, and wondering if they too smelled the perfume.
She stepped a little distance from the door and whispered to her companions, "There is a scent coming from beyond the door. Can you smell it? Have either of you come across such before? I cannot understand why a sick traveller would be concerned with scents at the present time. A restorative, perhaps?" She wished she had paid more attention during her training in healing.
"I think she wants to be left alone, and we should respect her wishes. Let go and visit the rest of the place..."
Achlys look was inscrutable as she peered long at the crusader. She would have thought that one of his profession would want to understand why a stranger would lock herself away in a priory filled with pious people ... but this one seemed content to accept whatever came his way.
"You may carry on alone, if you are eager to see more of the priory. I find it curious that she would hide herself away. If she has nothing to hide then why the need for this concealment? What if another was hurt and in need of the infirmary? Does this not strike you as suspicious, Jal? It does for me."
Achlys voice was still low/hushed but now there was an edge to her tone -- an annoyance and suspicion of not only the girl but for the crusader, too.
Jal smiles at Achlys.
"Surely you are a good Inquisitor for your faith! But remember, we are but guest in this place, a refuge of peace and quiet. I assure you we are safe here, among friends."
Agramayne sighed. "You're both right. It is suspicious. But we are guests here and we've no proof that anything evil or illegal is occurring behind that door. We must respect her wishes. For now."
It was clear that the paladin was unhappy with his own pronouncement.
Achlys hands clenched by her sides. Both Jal and Agramayne spoke true words -- this was not their domain - they were merely guests unable to determine evildoing at present.
She was uncertain how safe they were in such a place -- she was not so naive to think that a priory was above harm and wrongdoing. Yet upon Gram's pronouncement, she merely inclined her head in solemn acceptance of the circumstance.
Before they moved on, Achlys issued one last pronouncement to the puzzling girl locked inside the infirmary, "We shall return." And it sounded very much like a promise.
I've been slow with the posting, so to refresh your memory let's recapitulate.
(i) The group leave the town of shadowfell and were ambushed by half-goblins on the road. After defeating the half-goblins the weather worsened.
(ii) The journey to the priory of Cymer was hard, wolves stalked the group and the harsh winter menaced to freeze the party, but you managed to get to the priory without any casualty.
(iii) In the priory you first met Malvenos, a half-elf that live there but it is not a member of the clergy. The half-elf let you in, but he seems reserved with your precense.
(iv) Next you met Ruan Gloyne, an aged human curate and leader of the priory. He let you stay at the guest chamber and invited you to the dinner.
(v) You have explored the Justicar hall, the sacristy, the vestry, the stable, the kitchen and the guest lodgings.
(vi) You met Tomas Lelean, a human priest. He told you that there are two other members of the clergy living in Cymer and outsider that is currently at the infirmary.
(vii) The outsider in the infirmary wanted to be alone and you couldn't convince her to open the door.
The only rooms you have not explored are the ones in the chapter house, a This two‐storey building. In the first storey there are several doors next to each other, probably the rooms of the clergy. The stairway to the second floor is there, you can climb them if you want.
Jal goes towards the stairs, hoping Achlys and Agramayne follows him.
Agramayne is right behind Jal. His gut tells him that something is amiss in the priory, but he has no idea what it might be.
Your Journey upstair is blocked by a grille locked with padlock.
In the inside you can see Sagging bookshelves crammed with scores of large, dusty books line the walls from floor to ceiling. Six reading desks stand in the chamber’s centre. Most of the books are well‐worn and obviously old. Several books lie open on the desks.
"I hope they let us peruse those books."
"Well," says Agramayne, "That's the whole place. It looks like everything here is going just fine. What say we all just relax and wait out the storm?"
Jal goes looking for the Kitchen / Mess hall, gets some food and goes to wake up Talmarie, with some warm food for her.
"Hello, may I come in?"
Achlys looked at the locked cage that housed the priory tomes and then at Agramayne.
With a mild scowl, she remarked upon Gram's last statement, "Not everything. There's still the stranger locked in the infirmary."
However, she acquiesced to rest before dinner. The inquisitor was still mildly injured and she hoped to be hale again come morning.
"I am done with this place for now. I will rest in my chamber before we dine with the curate and his acolytes."
And, together, with Gram, Achlys made her way down to the sleeping chambers.
Felixus is ready. He's still up in the bell tower (assisting if possible).
"I'll come with you," said Agramayne unnecessarily. He was never more than a few feet from Achlys.
Once back at their rooms, he said "Something is going on here, Lys," he said, using the nickname she suffered no one else to use. "I can feel it. But you rest peacefully until dinner. I'll be right here to see you're not disturbed."
The paladin took up a faithful watch outside the inquisitor's door. His sword was in his room as promised, but he folded his big arms and leaned against the wall next to her door. No one was getting into his charge's room without going through him.