"It's gonna be dark soon, probably should get going. Plus, I am kinda hungry."
"And after dinner we can show everyone the Dance and Song of the Old Light!" Cian adds with a chuckle.
"Well, you'll just have to not wear the armor, silly." Ithylia gave her a smile. "Just... think about it okay?" Ithylia then bounded off heading the direction of the Rusty Dragon. At the mention of performing the song and dance of Old Light, her face was a big smile. "Yeah! If Triel is up for it! Or... we could save it for tomorrow! Or do both!" Filled still with WAY too much energy, Ithylia bounced back to the Rusty Dragon.
Triel cringes under her helmet at the idea of dancing without her armour. Oh, Ithylia, sweet summer child... if you only knew...
She doesn't look particularly enthused at the idea of dancing anymore today. "Maybe tomorrow... right now my feet aren't up for it."
"Okay!" ^^
I'm with Artemis, hunting makes man hungry.
As everyone takes their leave from the Old Light, Vanya mumbles something about catching up to them later. Once everyone is gone she finds a large flat stone. Laying back on the sun warmed stone she watches the sky, imagining all sorts of patterns and connections between the celestial bodies above. Counting the stars settles her until she is suddenly distracted by someone humming. "Who-?" When the humming stops she realises it was her, humming one of Ithylia's dittys. Out loud she says, "At least things seem to fit here." With that the wiaf gathers herself and strolls back to the Rusty Dragon.
As the night passes by with food and joy, denizens of the Rusty Dragon and those who live in Sandpoint come by to thank and listen to the stories of the "Sandpoint Heroes", as it becomes clear that even after a few days, the stories have begun to become exaggerated, with tales of the small one who stacked a pile of goblins four times his size and the beauty who's stare could stop a goblin's heart beat without hesitation. As the morning approaches, it's become a clear sight that the town is still trying to start it's rebuilding process. As you all begin to wake up, you notice that the Rusty Dragon isn't as populated as it was the night or morning before. Shortly after you finish your morning meal, Sherrif Belor walks into the inn and with a stern voice, announces a question for all to hear. "Where are the citizens who helped protect our town the other night? I must speak with them, as I have a request to make for them."
Triel tries her hardest not to listen too much to the rumours surrounding their little band, but the stories worm their way into her ears all the same.
The beauty who can stop a goblin's heart with her stare? Can't be Ithylia or Vanya--they're too pleasant to try that. Are they talking about...
The thought makes her eyes widen. ...me? Nobody saw my face, did they? No, aside from them--it's impossible. I've been careful--
The compliments and gratitude of Sandpoint's citizens bring her attention back to the present. She keeps her head bowed, saying nothing but accepting their gratitude with more than a little pride.
Bloody right you should thank me. Well, thank us.
----------
The first thing Triel feels upon waking up this morning is an aching pain in her legs, followed by the usual pain in her eyes as the sun's light hits them.
With a groan, she pushes herself out of bed, blinking rapidly and rubbing her legs to try and soothe them. Too much dancing. I'd heal it, but I don't think Gorum looks kindly upon using healing on injuries sustained out of combat.
After donning her armour (and forgetting to brush her hair this time), she *CLANKS* down the stairs to the Rusty Dragon's common room, grabbing herself a plate of eggs and bacon as well as an empty cup to fill with water. She takes a seat as far away from the rest of the common room as possible, leaving space for the rest of the party to sit with her.
She's about halfway through her eggs (making sure to keep her head bowed and concealed as best she can) when Sheriff Hemlock arrives, searching for them. She gives the Sheriff a polite wave, fixing her helmet to keep her face concealed.
"Sheriff Hemlock." She says before looking back down at her food.
Artemis gets up early, as is his custom, he heads over to the stables first to check on the horses and make sure they remember him. He heads back to the inn, just in time to see Triel find a seat. He asks one of the waitresses for some breakfast and is just getting to the table when the Sheriff arrives. He nods to him and says, "Morning Sheriff, what can we do for you or should I go get the others first?"
Ithylia, energized from the day and night before, awakes to a sunny morning. After going through some morning stretches, she clads herself in scarves. Using her color-changing butterfly scarf as a wide headband, she decided to wear her hair down today. She used her purple scarf to make herself a top, leaving her back and the tattoo that covered it exposed. A third scarf, her rainbow one, was used to make a wrapped over-skirt. Wearing her buttercream pants and comfortable shoes, she headed downstairs to get some breakfast.
Spotting Triel, she skips her way over there. "Morning" ^^ Getting some breakfast for herself, she takes a seat next to Triel. "It's such a nice, sun-shiney day. So, what are we going to do today? I know we have that boar for the feast tonight."
When the sheriff, comes in she gives him a happy wave from her spot. But most of her attention is on talking to her friends.
Triel waves at Ithylia as she makes her way downstairs, noticing that she's wrapped herself in scarves from the waist up. The colourful, eye-catching sight causes her to briefly forget her breakfast and just look at her.
Oh my...
It's when Ithylia sits next to her that she remembers what she was supposed to be doing. She turns back to her bacon, clearing her throat. "I don't know yet--I was hoping to finish breakfast first before doing anything."
The mention of the boar puts a small smile on her face under her helmet. She bows her head, lifts her helmet a bit and takes a bite of her bacon before fixing her helm and straightening back up again.
"Of course!" ^^ "I wanted to eat too ya know." Ithylia gave Triel a big smile before taking a bite herself. "I'm thinking of heading out to do some work today. You're welcome to come if you like."
"What, like performing?" Triel leans back in her chair. The thought of dancing for tips causes her legs to ache again.
"You can just keep me company. But yes, I'd be performing."
"Mornin', Sheriff." The mage says as he walks over, trying to smooth out his hair.
Triel looks down, poking her plate with a spoon in thought.
"...I'll see if I can make it." She looks up into Ithylia's eyes. She briefly glances over at Cian before turning back to the bardess.
Now the handsome mage is up... which leaves Vanya. And Jack.
Belor walks over towards your table, as you can see in his eyes that he finds Ithylia's decision of attire something different in public. He quickly shifts his gaze however to the rest of you before speaking once again. "I do hope that Sandpoint is treating you well, as you have earned it's many thanks. I must make a request of you however. After a day of investigations, we haven't turned much up. However Father Zantus has noticed something disturbing in the town's graveyard and has requested that you come to his aid if you are willing. He would be most grateful and in your debt should you help him."
"It's treating me well enough, Sheriff." Triel shrugs (*clunk*).
Although THAT'S certain to change if I take my helmet off.
The mention of Father Zantus needing help is what catches Triel's ear, especially the part where the good priest will be indebted to her. Gorum knows I need all the help I can get here...
"It'd be my pleasure to help." Triel sets aside her empty plate and turns to the rest of the assembled team... well, sans Jack and Vanya. "What about the rest of you?"
Am I going to have to get Jack out of bed again? I should pray to Gorum for protection first before I go up there if that's the case... and it isn't like Vanya to sleep in so late...
Ithylia, used to getting stares, smiles cheerfully at the sherif. Listening to his request, Ithylia gives Triel a nod. "Of course! I like Father Zantus ^^ He let me help cheer people up." She looked at the sheriff, an inquisitive look on her face. "Did he say what was wrong? In case we need to bring something special?"
As Ithylia turns to the sheriff, Triel notices the extensive tattoo on her back. Butterfly wings on her shoulder blades, and spirals, swirls & stars travelling down the rest of her back, disappearing under the rainbow scarf tied around her waist...
It's only when her gaze wanders to the rainbow scarf that she remembers where she is and straightens up. She clears her throat and directs her eyes back to the sheriff, her face heating up.
what's all this about now?
Jack seems to finally have arisen from his slumber, this time not being rudely awakened by his compatriots.
Trouble in the graveyard? My bet is they found a body, and it's dead, big surprise. Somebody hand me a shovel and i'll...
Jack stops mid sentence for some reason and just looks at the floor.
um, so right, we ready?
Vanya's eyes peel open to the glare of the well risen sun. Ah! What time is it?! The waif jumps out of her bed and throws on her dress and shambles down the stairs.
"Jack? Why are you staring at the floor?"
"Morning guys!" Ithylia gave them a cheerful smile and a big wave.
Vanya waves back to Ithylia, "GOod morning to you too!"
"Did you sleep well? We are going to go help out Father Zantus, want to come too?" She asks as she scoots over closer to Triel to make room for Vanya to sit next to her.
Cian waves his hellos to Jack and Vanya. "If it was just a body, I doubt we'd be needed. I'm sure the local militia can handle those, right, Sheriff?"
"Enough debate about what it might be, let's just go. The town's boring adventurers on another adventure!" Artemis gets up and heads toward the door, figuring the others will follow.
When Ithylia scoots next to Triel, the oracle makes no move to push her away.
You're too trusting, Ithylia...
When Artemis stands up to leave, she turns to the rest. "Well, I suppose that settles it." She rises from her seat to follow, pausing at the door to await the others.
The sunlight from the door forces her eyes closed again, and she leans against the open doorway, wincing under her helmet.
"Okay! I'll be right back! Since we are leaving right now I want to go grab a few things to take with me." She dashes up stairs to return shortly after with her backpack and fiddle. "If helping Father Zantus doesn't take too long, I'll see if I can't make a little money later." She gives the group a big smile.
As you all make your way north through the town, you eventually arrive at the town's graveyard. Once you arrive with Sheriff Hemlock, you notice that there are two other town guard men, a few acolytes, and Father Zantus himself. As you approach, Father Zantus walks up to meet you with a solemn, but still somehow warm, smile. "Thank you, thank you all for coming. Your help with our town was greatly appreciated the other night. And as it would seem that you all appear to be a strong and skilled set of individuals, I would ask of you that you help us attempt to solve something. After getting around to investigating our memorial of former citizens and family, we've noticed a disturbing pattern. As you can see, there are goblin tracks everywhere here, yet nothing seems destroyed or burnt. As you saw with the rest of the town, they had attempted to set it ablaze, but with so many footprints and no evidence of flame... Well we can't piece this together. If you would be willing to help us comb the grounds and possibly find if something is missing or has been dug up, it would make our investigation process much faster."
Still unused to the daylight battering her eyes through her helmet, Triel simply nods. "Sure, I'll take a look around."
She pokes around the graveyard, her eyes not used to the bright light...
"Artemis? Would you mind helping me with this?" She asks as she works.
Artemis nods and begins searching the grounds, looking for where the tracks lead to and from.
"Sure, Father Zantus! I'll look around!" Ithylia proceeded to skip around looking for hidden surprises. Maybe these гобліни were planning another party?
In response to Vanya
My grandmother told me the respect the dead, for if we listen they have much to teach us, even after they stop speaking.
At the graveyard
what were you after you little bastards? Father, was there anyone around here that might have seen them?
Surprised by Jack's sudden seriousness, Vanya stumbles and says, "You, er... She sounds very wise." Not sure what to make of the conversation she kind of drifts away.
* * *
"Hunt goblins in the graveyard?" Vanya giggles a bit, but stifles it. "What can I do to help?" She begins poking around looking for anything that might be out of the ordinary.
As soon as she finds a set of prints Vanya follows them, leaning close to the ground, she might remind some of a chicken pecking for corn in the yard. As she rounds a small mausoleum she bumps into Artemis. "Oh! Maybe I should watch where I am going and not stare at dirt!" She blushes and smiles at the country boy and waits for him to pass before she picks up the trail again. Not embarrassing at all... When she returns her attention to the ground she is excited to see footprints that were not made by the greenskinned pyromaniacs: "Hey! Everyone! Are these prints human?"
Huh... Triel stands up, her eyes still hurting from the sun's rays.
"Seems that way." Triel looks around. "Now, where are these prints going?"
"More than one... I think a group of people were here. I think we should follow them. Maybe some people went into hiding, or they hid something here, or maybe they were looking for something to take?"
"Could've been any of those things..." Triel bends over and examines the humanoid footprints more closely.
...did any of them have a limp? No. No, put such foolish thoughts aside. There's no way they're even still alive...
She's evidently inexperienced with footprints. "Artemis?" She turns to where she thinks the ranger is. "Can you make sense of these?"
"They are definitely not goblin tracks, human sized at least. Obviously, it's hard to tell if they are elven, half-elven or some other race, but we can all definitely see they aren't goblins. They don't look like any of the religious folks I've seen."
"Let's see where they go!"
Vanya stands near Ithylia and nods vigorously. "It's why we're here, right?"
Artemis looks over the tracks for a few minutes, taking a pebble and placing it in one of the tracks, then a leaf in another. Pretty soon, he points out two of the tracks and says, "Those seem to be headed for the mausoleum."
Triel blinks a few times as Artemis points out the tracks.
"The mausoleum?" She glances over at where the tracks are going. "Why are they going there?" She unlimbers her greatsword and gets ready for trouble.
I have a bad feeling about this...
"That can't be good. Unless someone just came to visit grandpa..." Vanya frowns as Triel gets ready to do violence. She may be right though!
"Better safe than sorry." Triel's watery eyes remain fixed on the mausoleum. "Goblins were running around here, and for some reason didn't put this place to the torch. Artemis, how recent are the footprints going to this mausoleum?"