Kiera grins and says, "Glad to be of service! Though it was pretty shocking running into Nualia and figuring out her plans, we're just as happy that the town will be safe for now. Hey, at least Hemlock can save some money since he won't have to pay to barrack a bunch of Magnimaran troops here!"
Zantus chuckles as he herds everyone ahead of him and out of the office. "Right now, we are just so relieved that there is not going to be another large scale incursion on Sandpoint. We will send out rangers to make sure there are not any other masses of goblins, but from what you say, it should actually be less than usual activity for a while. Stamping out an entire tribe is no little deed and will have repercussions for the whole area!"
At the bottom of the stairs, he blesses each of you before sending you on your way and turning towards the temple himself. "Rest well this night. You have earned it, and so much more!!"
"Thank you, Father!" says Kiera with a wave.
"C'mon, guys, let's get us some real dinner! We've been on the road and the seas long enough that I've worked up a real appetite."
"An actual meal that isn't trail rations would be most welcome." Andrezi says with a smile.
Turning quickly to Father Zantus and Mayor Devorin, he adds. "Much as Kiera has already said, glad we could help out."
I reluctantly get back onto the boat, trying to keep the contents of my stomach in my stomach, especially with the added motion of the horse in the boat too. I still look a little green as we get back into town, although my the time that Father Zantus joins us my complexion has returned to normal. I still don't say much, just in case I start to feel nauseous again.
As we leave the office and food and drink is discussed I nod in eager agreement.
"Where should we go? The Rusty Dragon? Fatman's Feedbag? White Stag?" says Kiera. "I guess we have that permanent invitation to the Rusty Dragon, but if you want something different to eat, there's always the option."
"I sat we head back to the Rusty Dragon, the ale was fine and the price even finer," Volkar said with a chuckle. He bent his head to get out the tightness in the muscles. "Plus a decent night sleep would be a great reward as well."
"To the Rusty Dragon, then!" says Kiera as she runs her hand along the brim of her tricorne hat. "Ale and wenches ahoy! Or, um. Whatever, since I guess there aren't dwarf pirates? Are there?"
Father Zantus disappears into the deepening twilight while the party turns their heads towards a warm meal and comfortable bed. Along the way, you are hailed by several townspeople glad of your return and happy for your presence!
Entering the common room of the Rusty Dragon, you hear a screech of happiness followed by a flash of color.. and suddenly Ameiko tumbles into you, reaching around your shoulders and giving everyone hugs. Breathless and smiling, she steps back and gives you each a mock glare "You shouldn't run off like that! Everyone was thinking the worst, and that something happened to you!!" She waggles her finger convincingly enough at you before laughing once more. "I'm just glad to see you safe and sound. Come on, Find a table and I'll bring some dinner out for you; you look half starved!"
"What, and never come back to your cooking?" says Kiera with a laugh as she hugs Ameiko in return. "Never! And we're famished! Let's have at it - what's on the menu tonight?"
"Perhaps even a bit more than half." Andrezi quips before going up to the bar to get an ale and sitting down at the table.
Once sitting at the table, he retrieves his Harrow deck and begins a spread. The mirthful grin on the priests fades as he interprets the cards. "Peaceful for now...but unfortunately, it won't last."
Quickly he sweeps the cards up and back into a pouch. "But that is for another day." he says forcing levity back into his voice.
"Pffft," says Kiera with a dismissive wave of her hand. "We stopped Nualia, broke the goblin hordes, and defeated Tsuto's scurrilous and salacious ambitions. What could possibly go wrong?"
"It's the thirst that is in need of quenching, Mistress Amekio," Volkar said in response to their hostess' assessment of their condition. "And something savory to use that ale to wash it down would be greatly appreciated as well."
Volkar looked at Miss Kiera when she mentioned pirates. "We have pirates, some dwarven women, but most dwarven sailors are merchants, it's easier to to sell things than to steal them at times."
I nod in agreement to Volkar, "Aye, some of our brethren live by the sea and have salt in their blood. But I've never met them." I watch Andrezi's card in fascination before ordering my own food and drink for the evening. I nod along with Keira, but not responding to her summary of what has happened.
I quickly get to eating my hearty meal and take big gulps of my drink, thankful to be feeling better once again.
Ameiko gladly lists off a couple of menu items for Kiera, and letting the group take their pick before disappearing to to the kitchens with the orders.
"We've got some roast fowl just in the oven.. I made a nice honey glaze with some peppers from home. Sweet fire it is indeed! Then there is some carved roast; we slaughtered a cow just the day before yesterday. Both come with veggie medley, mostly some potato and carrots with a bit of onion fried in too. Thats like to put some hair on your chest too, if you're not careful!" she laughs. "You know my cooking by now! And I'll have some drinks out to you soon, Master Volkar!"
Soon enough for everyone's tastes, a serving girl brings over a platter of mugs for the table, and that is soon followed by your dinners. As you are tucking in, a familiar shadow looms through the door, stopping for a moment before heading your way. "Here you are! I heard you were done with the council and settling in, figured I would join you to conclude our own business!" Orik says, grabbing a chair from a nearby table and spinning it around to join you.
"Greetings Orik, and the food and drink here are almost like a curing salve," Volkar said raising a mug in salute to Orik.
"Well, if You're willing to share a table once more, we can deal with business after the meal.. it is more hospitable that way, after all!"
With the supposed invite accepted, Orik too soon has a platter of food and a mug of ale in front of him. He dives in with relish, glad as the rest of the table to be off of trail rations and eating a real meal!
I raise my tankard of mead up in greetings to Orik at the same time as Volkar, "Join us, relax and be merry for we have made this area safe once more." I thank Ameiko again for the food and drink laughing as she mentions a hairy chest before digging into the honey glazed fowl.
I am completely relaxed, although a bit embarrassed by all of the attention, I focus on my food and my friends as we talk. "It's good that we all survived Thistletop my friends."
Kiera says, "Agreed, I'm glad we somehow made it out of there. Orik, you really were a great help, thanks again." She sips at her ale and works her way carefully through a selection of delectables.
"It will certainly be nice to relax for a while." Andrezi says, while sampling the various dishes brought out and more than just a few ales.
"So, Orik, what's next for you? Once you've received your other 200 gold that is."
"Warm room, good wine, and other delights?" Volkar said with a wry grin. When Daelric called them friends, he raised his mug at his fellow Dwarf and made a slight, silent bow in recognition.
"Thank you, all. For the company, and for the gold!" Orik says with a laugh. "I do not know what lies next for me. There is hardly anyone around here that I would be willing to work for, even if they could afford me. I will probably set out in the next few days, and see what the fates have in store for me. To be honest, I enjoyed your company.. but that type of fighting is not for me. Sandpoint is friendly and charming, but I wish I could return home to Riddleport. Unfortunately, that is not.. wise.. at the moment, so I've been thinking I may head east to Korvosa and see what I can find out that way." Orik finishes with a deep drink from his tankard.
"If you find yourself in that area, ask of me."
"All right, I'll keep that in mind," says Kiera with a chuckle. "Korvosa, huh? Maybe stay out of trouble this time." She grins widely at Orik.
To Volkar she says, "I think you have the right of it, though. I'm going to get some relaxation and maybe work on some personal projects. And go sailing a bit, though you don't have to come this time!"
The meal eventually wraps up, and the companions sit about the table enjoying a singer in the corner and the lively atmosphere of one of the most respected establishments in the little town. After sharing a few tankards, Orik concludes his business with you, before heading off to whatever the fates have in store for him, his pockets significantly heavier than when he entered.
"Alright, we need to settle up with you Orik," Volkar fished into his tunic and pulled out a pouch. "We owe you another two hundred pieces of gold. So, we need to pay that before you part. Any one of you joining in this time around?"
Kiera pauses in mid-bite of lunch, goes for the pouch of money in her adventurer's sash, chokes on her noodles, coughs several times and turns beet red, then finally gets her breath.
"I'm all right, I'm all right," she says finally, taking large gulps of breath. "Just went down wrong."
Finally she goes through her coins and says, "Volkar, since you fronted the original half, you shouldn't have to pay more now. Here, I'll put in a third of the remainder." She fishes through the coins and produces 6 platinum pieces and 7 gold. Then she passes Volkar 3 platinum and 4 gold. "Daelric, Andrezi, you chipping in, or do you need me to float you for now?"
Kiera pauses before putting away her purse and says to Volkar, "Uh, do I owe you interest?"
"No problem at all." Andrezi says, reaching into his coin purse to produce the requisite gold for each Orik and Volkar.
The team works out the gold and Mistress Kiera chivvies the boys into paying their fair share. As the evening winds on, good drink follows good food, and good company rules over all. Every now and then a thankful townie will come over and thank the group for saving the town, and for watching over them in Sheriff Hemlocks absence.
I place my thick fingers into my money pouch and dig around for the promised money, I pull out 33 Golden Sails each of the shiny and clean of grime. I make 3 piles of 11 in front of Orik before nodding and closing my pouch again. "It were a pleasure, Orik."
"Mistress Kiera, we weren't gone long enough to charge interest. I am not a member of the banking clans," Volkar feigned dismay and winked at her.
Kiera chuckles and finishes her meal.
"Gentlemen, I have some writing to do. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to be pretty busy the next few days, but I am sure I'll be here for lunch every day!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
True to her word, Kiera rents some space and busies herself with lab work, copying scrolls, bringing in odd components purchased from the local shops Bottled Solutions and the Feathered Serpent. Each day she stops by the Rusty Dragon for lunch, as promised; sometimes she takes an hour or so to go for a short jaunt on her boat on the waters north of Sandpoint, but never very far.
About a week later, she swings by for lunch as usual, hoping to see her friends, with a brown-paper-wrapped bundle under her arm. She sits down for lunch and asks Ameiko if Daelric has been by yet that day.
I spend the entire of the next day at the blacksmiths, getting measured up for a new suit of armour and giving a detailed description of what I would like. I then pay for the blacksmiths lunch, as thanks.
I am hardly in town the next couple of days, as I am beyond the outskirts looking for any sign of my father, although I fear there will be little sign left of him after so long, I do not let that damper my hopes. A couple of times I see Kiera out on her boat and the thought of the bobbing on the waves, makes me nauseous again.
On the fourth day I return to town, and help out any of the locals that need help, as well performing proper prayers in the temple. I eat at the Dragon for most meals when in town. I has just gone high sun when I walk into the Dragon again and order myself another hearty lunch and a small tankard of mead. I go to sit down when I notice Kiera sitting at a table by herself, so I walk over and join her, offering to buy her a drink. "So, did you get all of your writing done?"
"Thanks! I did, though unfortunately one of the spells I was hoping to learn wasn't available here. I'll have to go to Magnimar or something for it," says Kiera. "Appreciate the drink! I've been pretty busy and a lot of it involved chanting over and over again. My throat's a little sore."
She hefts up the brown-wrapped package from beside her and puts it on the table. "Part of being busy was this. Open it! It's for you." The package is only a few inches high, square, squishy, and wrapped in brown twine.
Andrezi spends the majority of his time while still in Sandpoint at the temple, helping out Father Zantus any way he can. He does how ever make a point of meeting up with his companions for meals most days.
Volkar wandered amongst the shops of Sandpoint in the morning and purchased the various ingredients he needed for additional alchemy potions and extracts.
He also placed an order with the cooper for additional wooden and metal flasks. He made a few suggestions about extending the metal bands and placement of the filling hole.
As he wandered about, he inquired as to whether there might be someone in Sandpoint familiar with the ruins and history of the area. Some of the things in Thistle Point continued to intrigue him.
=====
If Volkar gets a lead on someone, he will seek out that person in the lunch/afternoon.
"You should have said at the start of our break, I had an order, measurements and specisfications sent to Magnimar. We could have put an order in for you as well." I look at the brown parcel and reach for it, "For me?" I carefully open the package, untying the string the placing it at the side, before carefully unfolding the paper to reveal what lays within.
Kiera waves her hand aimlessly. "Nah, it's not that important. I'm just always looking to expand my magical repertoire. Lets me make a wider variety of interesting trinkets, too." She grins as Daelric opens the parcel.
The cloth inside is soft wool and brown, though as Daelric removes it he finds that it is a broad-shouldered hooded cloak. It is reversible, with green on the inside. The hem has very faint silver stitching in dwarf-runes that read "Discipline, Duty, Unyielding Will." Each rune is surrounded by a small halo of arcane script.
The brown back of the cloak has an embroidered image of an unfurled scroll with a cave lizard perched upon it. The lizard's brown coloration blends easily into the fabric, except that it has a soft glitter when shifting across the light, from a bronze thread run throughout the design. When reversed, the green backing has the same image, flipped left-to-right, as the embroidered threading comes through both layers of the cloak.
Kiera leans forward at the table and says, "I made this for you - well, I mean, I had the cloak made, but I added the runes. I hope that this will help to protect you against threats to come."
I stare in amazement and wonder at the cloak, my eyes lingering on the holy symbol for quite a while. I look up at Kiera and brush away a tear before it becomes too obvious that Dwarves can cry. "It's beautiful! I'm surprised you know the Oath-keepers symbol and colours, not many non-Dwarves even know of him. I wouldn't be surprised if Volkar could tell you them! The symbol you may have noticed briefly from the pendant around my neck, but only the truly devout recall his colours." I get up, place my hand on the symbol of the cloak, "I shall protect you from harm whenever possible and I promise, no I make an Oath that I shall repay you for this kingly gift."
Kiera blushes slightly, her freckles standing out on her nose and cheeks. "?I'm not afraid to say that I had to do some diligent research," she says. "But the necklace was the key. The lizard is an uncommon symbol, and going through references to dwarven gods eventually got me there. Then it was just a matter of making sure that this reflected your values - I learned dwarf-runes over the last few weeks for that, and looked specifically for the important ones. I picked bronze for the metallic thread because it has a blend of both brown and green."
"You've been such a vigilant friend and protector, Daelric, I just wanted some way to let you know how much I respect that dedication, and to honor that commitment."
The friends are able to settle into an easy routine now that they are safely returned. The next few days are mostly rest.. muscles knotted from continual stress and fatigue unwind, and flesh magically healed eventually forgets the pain of the wounds.
Father Zantus listens to what you've discovered about Ezekial Tobyn and Nualia studying the journals you've found in Nualia's room. He resigns himself to the idea that Father Tobyn wasn't man everyone thought he was, and that, given Nualia's demonic features, Tobyn's body was probably sacrificed at the temple of Lamashtu under Thistletop.
A couple days later, Sheriff Hemlock returns from his trip to Magnimar at the head of two score warriors. He stands astonished as Mayor Devorin informs him of the recent turn of events.. his reaction is mixed fury and shame over the time wasted in travels and having to beg for help, as well relief that his town is safe once more. He seeks each of you out in the coming days, graciously extending his personal thanks and pledging his friendship.
Kiera finds a bit of an unexpected results of the past couple of weeks.. the hometown girl has been elevated to somewhat of a celebrity status around town. Her quiet and friendly life is a bit disrupted, as any time she emerges to the public eye on her trips to Bottled Solutions and the Feathered Serpent tend to end up with a crowd of gawkers, well wishers, potential suitors, and lookie loos of all types. The men, as strangers, are given a wider berth but still quiet a room simply by entering it.
Two months pass since your final return from Thistletop, and Sandpoint has been relatively peaceful. According to Shalelu's reports, the goblin tribes, who had been united under Nualia, have fallen to bickering among themselves; they no longer seem a threat to the town.
The days pass in leisure and comfort.. until early one bright morning a sudden knock rousts you from deep sleep. Stumbling to the door, you find an urchin clutching a note addressed to you. As soon as the paper is out of his hand, he takes off, presumably to wake the other Companions. Opening the note, you find the cramped and messy hand of Sheriff Hemlock, requesting that you come with all haste to his office.
With her initial run of chores completed, Kiera spends a good deal of time dodging notoriety and getting back into a normal routine. She seems embarrassed by her sudden fame and occasionally grumbles that she's not a real local because she's only lived in Sandpoint for a year. Still, she does try to put on a good face and her usually cheerful demeanor doesn't flag, especially when she's called upon to do the occasional magical trick for the local children.
She spends about a month of the downtime working at Bottled Solutions, helping to mix alchemical concoctions and make simple remedies for people.
Realizing that she really has more money than she will ever earn from mundane work, she spends a good amount of her vacation days puttering around making additional scrolls "just in case" and occasionally sailing in the bay with her pirate hat on (and even taking children on boat rides), as the fearsome Pirate Mage-Captain Videns and her half-pint crew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When news comes from Sheriff Hemlock of a new issue, she quickly doffs her tricorne, passes the urchin a silver piece, grabs her satchel, and rushes off to see what's afoot!
While the past two months have been relaxing for the most part, Andrezi's wanderlust is beginning to get the best of him as he is starting to get it in his head that it's time to move on, perhaps with the next merchant caravan.
Oh this can't be good... Andrezi thinks to himself as he reads the note. He feels guilty as the thoughts of perhaps this is something exciting enter his mind. After reading the note, he goes to reach into his belt pouch to give the urchin a few coins, but he is already gone. I'll have to make a mental note to give the child something the next time we cross paths...
Gathering his belongings, he heads off to see what has the sheriff in such distress.
On arriving at the Sheriff's office in the Garrison, Sheriff Hemlock alternates between pacing and staring out a window behind his desk. He looks drawn.. and worried. As each of you appear at his door, he waves you to a chair and courteously offers refreshments, but refuses to say why he summoned you until all are present. Finally, he turns to the assembled group and leans heavily against his desk.
“First, let me thank you again for all you’ve done for Sandpoint. It’s fortunate that you’ve proven yourselves so capable, because we’ve a problem that I think you can help us with— a problem that I wish I didn’t have to involve anyone with, but one that needs dealing with now before the situation grows worse. Put simply, we have a murderer in our midst— one who, I fear, has only begun his work. It was before your time, Kiera, but you doubtless have heard stories of the Late Unpleasantness, how this town nearly tore itself apart in fear as Chopper’s slayings went on unanswered. I’m afraid we might have something similar brewing now." The Sheriff sighs heavily before continuing.
"Last night, the murderer struck at the sawmill. There are two victims, and they’re… they’re in pretty gruesome shape. The bodies were discovered by one of the mill workers, a man named Ibor Thorn, and by the time my men and I arrived on the scene, a crowd of curious gawkers had already sprung up. I’ve got my men stationed there now, keeping the mill locked down, but the thing that bothers me isn’t the fact that we have two dead bodies inside. It’s the fact that this is actually the second set of murders we’ve had in the last few days."
“I come to you for help in this matter—my men are good, but they are also green. They were barely able to handle themselves against the goblins, and what we’re facing now is an evil far worse than goblins. I need the help. But I’m afraid you’ll need the help too. You see, I’m afraid that this particular murderer knows one of you as well.”
The pause grows pregnant with an ugly anticipation as the Sheriff reaches into his desk and draws out a scrap of parchment folded in half. Dark red smears and blots mar the pristine paper on the outside. He hands the paper to Kiera saying "We found this at the scene. It was pinned to one of the.. bodies.. using a sliver of wood."
“You will learn to love me, desire me in time as she did. Give yourself to the Pack and it shall all end.”
Your Lordship
"Multiple murders?" Andrezi asks. His curiosity becomes concern as Sheriff Hemlock explains the note and how it was addressed to Kiera.
"Have your men found any leads as to who has committed these atrocities?"
Kiera takes the note and quietly reads it, murmuring to herself in a barely-audible fashion. As she reads it her hand starts to shake.
Finally she hands the note back to Sheriff Hemlock and says, "You think... you think whoever did this is after me?" Her lip quivers and she says, "These people... they died because some... some monster of a person is obsessed with me?" She brings a hand up to cover her mouth. "I know about the Chopper, I've heard all about... the killings, and the wooden birds, and... everything. But this is someone else, right? It has to be. They found old Jervis Stoot dead, the last sacrifice to his profane god... at least, everyone assumed it was him. But he'd killed the old sheriff, nobody will ever know what Avertin found. Sheriff, do you think it... it could be the real killer? Or is this someone new?"
Volkar had spent their time after Thistle Top working on perfecting both his small bombs and then moved on to trying to perfect his curing potions. He realized he needed better tools, and spent some time searching about for the right set of beakers, pots, and the like. He also spent some time sharing mead with the local scholar studying the old remains of the light house at the western edge of Sandpoint. He got a better sense of the ancient inhabitants that long ago walked ancient buildings and deep hidden fortresses like what they had found.
He had settled in for the night and was looking forward to a good nights sleep when there was a knocking at the door. Volkar was a bit slower to rise and work his way down the stairs. When he finally did so, he saw that Andrezi and Kiera had already taken off at a rather rapid pace. He pulled on his cloak and followed after them, leaving the comfort of the inn behind.
He saw them race rather quickly to the Sheriff's office and they were moving much quicker than his smaller legs were able to carry him. When he did finally, catch up, he took a few seconds to catch his breath at the door and then then let himself into the office. He listened as the Sheriff described a double set of murders, one being at a sawmill.
He listened to Kiera ask her questions and nodded at Andrezi when he asked about leads. He moved into the room and took a stand near the group. "So, why would someone want to involve Mistress Kiera in such a grisly state of affairs?"
----
I spend nearly every day out looking for more signs that my father has passed through this way, but finally feel like giving up as after weeks of searching, I still have no clues as to where he could be. I continue looking; despite my decreasing hope of finding him, and spend a lot of time away from the town. I return every few days to get a hearty meal and strong drink from the Dragon before heading out again.
It is on one of these return trips that I return in time to see Keira and Andrezi rush into the sheriff's office, with Volkar following slowly behind. I decide to see what the trouble is all about and follow too. Once inside I greet my friends before taking a seat and listening to what the sheriff has to say. "You said there were two victims but only named one of them, who is the second victim?"