After some noise and shuffling in the kitchen, followed by the whistle of a kettle, it's not long before Kendra and Arabeth return to the others, both with trays in their hands. Kendra holds a tray with a teapot and cups and Arabeth a selection of sandwiches. "I thought... some of you might be hungry." Kendra offered them a small smile. Sitting the tray down on a table, she began to pour some cups of tea, letting each doctor it to their own tastes. Once everyone had a glass she poured one for herself, taking a seat holding it close. Just needing a moment.
Kazallin smiles at the girl. "Thank you, Kendra. Most thoughtful." He takes a cup of tea and cradles it in his hands, warming them; but though he's relaxed, he stays watching their host, waiting for her to open up.
Odessa murmers her thanks and takes a cup of tea and a small sandwich, taking a discreet sniff of the tea before sipping and letting it warm her insides before she takes a bite of her sandwich. Her eyebrows raise as she takes another bite. This is quite good. She finishes off her sandwich quickly, waiting for Kendra to speak.
Gwen smirks and takes a teacup for both herself and one for Phineas, setting his gently on the floor. Hers is filled with tea, doctored with sugar and milk, while his only has a small amount of milk. She also takes a sandwich and places it on the floor next to the teacup, before taking one for herself. Phineas eats it quickly before making a strange clucking, chuckling sound in appreciation. He turned around and took his spot next to Gwen on the couch, turning in the spot a couple of times before resuming his resting position. Gwen takes a bite of the sandwich and gives her thanks, "Thank you Kendra, it has been a while since Phineas and I have had much to eat." She then resumes stuffing her face delicately.
Arabeth's features actually show concern at Guinevere's admission and she sees that the lass and her pet's needs are seen to. Offering to keep Gwen's cup full, her plate like wise stocked and the small pet fox is also properly provisioned, Even going so far as to offer the cute little feline meat snacks for her own sammiches. (^_^)
"I don't feel very hungry..." Teflin expresses with sympathy, but his sandwich disappears instantly, and is washed down with tea. He drops spoonfuls of sugar into what's left in his cup, and slows his pace to sips.
Arabeth moves around making sure people are well served with sammiches , tea and coffee. Eventually, she herself settles. Gently, but fastidiously, arraigning her great cloak of black feathers. Taking off her shoes and curling her legs beneath herself.
She continues to be friendly and cordial to all. Especially seeing to Kendra's current emotional and physical well being in this most tying time.
Zevran sips his tea quietly, forcing himself to remain patient despite the trying circumstances.
"You... wanted to know what happened to Father..." Kendra was looking down, at her cup of tea, curled up in her seat. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. "Father h-had an accident. He had been going off and secretive for the past few months. He... he didn't tell me what was bothering him. I asked... but he just told me not to worry."
"I let the matter drop... but I almost wish I hadn't... s-seventeen days ago, I woke up... and he wasn't home. N-no one knew where he was. We search all over and found him, up near the remains of Harrowstone. T-the stone face, of one of the gargoyles there. It... it had fallen... a-and landed on Father." Kendra curled up in on herself. She wasn't crying but still, it had been hard to say in the first place.
Arabeth, haven chosen a seat for just such a development, reaches out and places a calming/supporter hand on Kendra's arm.
"This...'Harrowstone'..? It is a...?" Arabeth asks, hoping the distraction of explaining the local demesnes will help take Kendra's mind from the pain.
"Harrowstone is a ruined prison. It... it was partially destroyed by a fire in 4661, the building has stood vacant ever since. It's... it's possibly even haunted... We tend... to keep away from there."
Arabeth blinks in surprise at Kendra's admission of her father's activities. She continues to pat Kendra's arm in support.
Arabeth looks to the time, then rises and begins helping Kendra prepare for th reading which is son to happen.
Zevran's brow furrows as Kendra tells of what happened to her father. While sneaking around sounded exactly like him, having stood still while a large stone face landed on him did not. The professor was quick, resourceful. 'Most troubling.' He murmured.
"You must not blame yourself, dear. You know how stubborn he was. Even if you had pushed it, he wouldn't have wanted to worry you." Zevran paused to check a pocketwatch. "I suppose we have the reading soon, however, immediately following I would like very much to see this...Harrowstone. Things that go bump in the night do not trouble me." He smiled kindly at Kendra. "I would not ask you to accompany me, simply point the direction, and if there's something to be learned, rest assured that I will find it."
Phineas falls asleep, snoring cutely.
Arabeth resists the urge to move over to the couch upon which the cute little furry has curled up in sleep.
She can't resist emitting the small 'squee' of delight at the pet's antics. (^_^)
Precisely one hour after the funeral, there is a sharp knock on the door. Kendra, set her cup down to head to the door. Opening it, the group could hear her greet the visitor. "Councilman Vashian, timely as always. Please come in."
"Kendra." The man carrying a case nodded at Kendra as he entered. He was still dressed in the outfit he had worn to the funeral only an hour before. As he entered the room he looked at everyone there with obvious displeasure, but he held his tongue in check. He moved over to set his case down on a nearby end table.
Everyone, this is Councilman Vashian Hearthmount. He shall be reading my father's will." Kendra introduced.
"If all are present and accounted for, we may begin." He looked to Kendra for confirmation, ready to get on with business instead of chit-chatting.
"Yes, all who were named, are here." Kendra was solemn.
He reached into the case, pulling out a scroll case with the professor's personal seal on it, unbroken. He showed it to everyone present. "As you can see, the seal is unbroken. The condition for this reading was that all of those named must be present. I will now break the seal and begin the reading to the last will and testament of one Petros Lorrimar."
Breaking the wax seal, he opened the case. As he slid the scroll inside out, a small iron key falls out to to make a loud clattering when it lands. Unphased and undaunted by the key, he opened the scroll and began to read.
“I, Petros Lorrimor, being of sound mind, do hereby commit to this parchment my last will and testament. Let it be known that, with the exception of the specific details below, I leave my home and personal belongings entire to my daughter Kendra. Use them or sell them as you see fit, my child.
"Yet beyond the bequeathing of my personal effects, this document must serve other needs. I have arranged for the reading of this document to be delayed until all principals can be in attendance, for I have more than mere inheritance to apportion. I have two final favors to ask.
“To my old friends, I hate to impose upon you all, but there are few others who are capable of appreciating the true significance of what it is I have to ask. As some of you know, I have devoted many of my studies to all manner of evil, that I might know the enemy and inform those better positioned to stand against it. For knowledge of one’s enemy is the surest path to victory over its plans.
“And so, over the course of my lifetime, I have seen fit to acquire a significant collection of valuable but dangerous tomes, any one of which in the wrong circumstances could have led to an awkward legal situation. While the majority of these tomes remain safe under lock and key at the Lepidstadt University, I fear that a few I have borrowed remain in a trunk in my Ravengro home. While invaluable for my work in life, in death, I would prefer not to burden my daughter with the darker side of my profession, or worse still, the danger of possessing these tomes herself. As such, I am entrusting my chest of tomes to you, posthumously. I ask that you please deliver the collection to my colleagues at the University of Lepidstadt, who will put them to good use for the betterment of the cause.
“Yet before you leave for Lepidstadt, there is the matter of another favor—please delay your journey one month and spend that period of time here in Ravengro to ensure that my daughter is safe and sound. She has no one to count on now that I am gone, and if you would aid her in setting things in order for whatever she desires over the course of this month, you would have my eternal gratitude. From my savings, I have also willed to each of you a sum of one hundred platinum coins. For safekeeping, I have left these funds with Embreth Daramid, one of my most trusted friends in Lepidstadt—she has been instructed to issue this payment upon the safe delivery of the borrowed tomes no sooner than one month after the date of the reading of this will.
“I, Petros Lorrimor, hereby sign this will in Ravengro on this first day of Calistril, in the year 4713." He rolled the scroll back up and placed it back within the scroll case. He picked up the key before setting both down on the end table. The councilman turned to Kendra. "I will leave these here for you."
"Thank you Councilman Vashian. You are free to leave."
"Then I shall take my leave. Good day." With that, the Councilman quickly stepped out of the door and left.
Kendra took a deep breath before she looked back to the group. "Thank you, again. I... I don't... know what I'm going to do yet. I... I need time to think, t-to decided. T-that being said, all of you are welcome to stay here. For free. I... I couldn't ask you to pay room and board because my father insisted you stay. If... If you'll give me a moment, I'll go fetch the chest father mentioned." She then headed out of the room to fetch the mentioned chest.
Kazallin listens attentively to the reading of the will, and when Kendra leaves he sighs, sits back, and closes his eyes briefly. Let me find a song of healing here, Desna, he prays.
Opening his eyes, he looks around at the others, evaluating them. "I, for one, intend to honor Petros's last wishes," he says firmly. "But if none of you have objections, I would open this chest. If we are to be the guardians of dangerous tomes, best to know at least what those tomes are."
Arabeth quickly jumps up to help Kendra move said large sounding item of luggage, as well as help the poor woman in her time of sadness.
And...it seems Arabeth's cloak hinders the efforts in moving things as its voluminous folds get in the way as she tries to help carry the load from where ever the box has been stored.
Zevran was quiet during the reading, though his expression grew more and more concerned. At Kazallin's statement he looks to the other man, and nods. "Yes, I agree." He replies quietly. Zevran has a sinking feeling in his stomach that at least one of the tomes will involve Necromancy, but says nothing about it out loud.
Despite the circumstances, he is pleased that he can use Petros's last wishes as an excuse to stick around the house. He, too, wants to see Kendra protected, but he would also like to find out what happened to his friend. "After we examine the tomes," he speaks to Kazallin, "I must send word to my own university that I will be somewhat, ah, delayed. I assume that anyone who wishes to stay will need to make similar arrangements."
"With that said, we ought still have a few hours of sunlight left, so once that is taken care of, I will be leaving to see if I can discern what happened to Petros. Anyone who desires to help is, of course, more than welcome to, but it may well be dangerous, so I will refrain from asking anyone to accompany me."
"Besides," he adds quietly. "Kendra ought not be alone tonight."
Kazallin nods at Zevran. "I will accompany you. We should be able to investigate the location and be back before dark...though I may also visit Petros's grave sometimes tonight. Those villagers were none to pleased with us burying him there, and I fear mischief."
As Arabeth follows her, Kendra stops her, motioning for her to return to the others. "Please... It's not too heavy. I can carry it."
Kendra followed her back carrying the small chest made of oak and iron. She set it down, though she eyed it a little nervous. "T-this is the chest."
Odessa sighs as she approaches the chest, kneeling down and gently touching it. 'What harm ever came from a bunch of books.'
"Do you wish to stay while we open this, Miss Kendra? I know your father wished to shield you from the books in this chest but..." she trailed off, hesitantly, worried she overstepped her bounds.
Arabeth nods, letting Kendra move the chest, realizing that perhaps she's being too 'clingy' at the moment...
She frowns upon hearing Kazallin and Zevran's possible plans. Turning to Kendra, she asks,
"How far away is this 'Harrowstone' place, anyway?" After receiving an answer and getting an idea of just how long it might take to get to said place and back Arabeth looks thoughtfully at the two men.
"Well..I must agree that watching over the dear Professor's resting place is a good idea, I shall e more than happy to join yourselves there later." She gives a slight curtsey, even as she begins to put her shoes back on,
"Though I have a message to write to my temple informing them of some of these developments. The sooner such missive in on its way..." She shrugs, awaiting the developments of the opening of the chest and the view of its contents.
"...I'd rather one of you open it, but... I think I'll stay." She gave Odessa a small smile.
Looking to Arabeth, "It is just south of town. If you follow the road outside south, you'll come to it. It sits on top of a hill on the riverbank. Though, really, I'm not sure you should go there. It... it can't be safe. The place is in ruins."
Arabeth smiles reassuringly to Kendra as she tries to work out how long sch a walk might take. Though Arabeth indicates she is more than happy to have, perhaps, Zevran or such open the box...
Arabeth turns to Master Zevran and Kazallin, explaining the missive she must write and 'post' etc.
"I fear I have not the time to accompany yourselves on your scouting of this place. Though...given people's comments about watching over the Professor come the evening...Who wishes to stay and help Lady Kendra?"
Gwen sits and listens to what the others in the party are saying, and mulls over what the will said.
'Figures the old man wanted something from me, he never could just do something for someone else with out requiring payment.'
As she listened and scratched Phineas behind the ears she heard Arabeth's question. "I'll stay with Kendra, death takes such a toll and no one should be alone during the aftermath." Her voice is falsely nonchalant, and rather fragile as she says this. An unusual sound coming from the confident woman.
Kazallin nods. "It would be good for some to stay with Kendra tonight. And do not worry, my child," he adds with a smile for Petros's daughter. "We will not be gone long."
"Now..." he turns to the chest with a frown. "Let us see what our old friend has asked of us, eh?" Unless anyone indicates that they would like him not to, Kazallin takes up the key and, quietly keeping one hand on his holy symbol, unlocks and opens the chest.
Arabeth as well settles and makes ready with the 'Holiness' as Kazallin takes the key and opens the box.
She smiles in thanks to Guinevere's words, herself now worried that she might be becoming to 'cloying' in her attempts to help Kendra through this difficult time. Her Church's background being more suited to different aspects of life leaves her not well suited to comforting those who are grieving...
The lock opens easily, the key being a perfect fit. Inside, are several old tomes and one relatively new one. This newest tome is on top, bound with a leather cover with the words "Read me now!" screeched into the leather. The other tomes include one that has a rich purple cover, rimmed in polished steal. On the center of the cover, holding the book closed is a brass scarab set with a single eye in its center. One is jet black, hiding the details of its contents without glancing inside. Another, deep red, the color of blood, it's pages stark white in contrast. The last, is a dark grey, with a leather stamped cover.
Teflin is peering into the chest as Kazallin opens it, and reaches for the first book he can pick up, likely the "Read me now!", to begin skimming.
"Hmmm hmmm...you want to check the gargoyles? I think it was just poor luck, but I suppose someone should make sure that the others are sturdy enough." Pale green eyes quickly scan the pages as he flips through.
"I'd rather stay with the books, but I could escort you if you feel unsafe." The gnome looks up briefly to grin.
That one was on top. So yes, Teflin, that is the one you picked up. As you begin skimming it, you realize it's a journal, the professor's in fact. Most of what you see is just day-to-day things in a small town, but there are a few entries circled in red ink.
Zevran studied the books carefully, trying to discern if he had heard of any of them before. The jet black book in particular caught his eye and he opened it and began to leaf through it. His eyes widened more and more as he flipped pages. He peered over Teflin's shoulder to see the small gnome looking through the Professor's journal. Turning to Kazallin, Zevran spoke quietly. "We can examine the Harrowstone tomorrow. I'm afraid that there are things here that I must tend to. Will you still watch over Petros's resting place tonight?"
Kazallin, too, is sorting through the books--in his case, he's particularly examining the gray, stamped-leather book, only opening it very gingerly.
"Of course I will," he murmurs. "I believe you said you were a professor--perhaps you can make some sense out of these. I am interested in studying them when I have a chance, but I have...other skills...that may be of use at Petros's graveside."
Arabeth watches the men begin to pour through the documentation....and after Zevran's comment about the postponement of wandering about the town, rises and gets ready to go about her own business.
She looks to Guinevere, Odessa and Kendra. See if any of the other women folk wish to accompany her or need anything else bought while she herself is off to the 'Post Office' and otherwise shopping in the town.
"I look forwards to hearing of your discoveries gentlemen." She comments, with a smile to show she is being polite and considering that their current task is just as meritorious as her own endeavors, before heading off about her own business.
Upon realizing it is the Professor's journal, he flips towards the end to see the last entries, particularly the last red ink notes. After that, he goes back to the date when he met the professor, curious to read about himself.
"One moment now, one moment..." He chirps to Zevran, who he can feel is anxious for a turn with the journal.
"The Whispering Way is more than just a cabal of necromancers. I see that now. Undeath is their fountain of youth. Uncovering their motivation does not place me at ease as I thought it might. Their desire to be eternal simply makes them more dangerous."
There are then no more red marked entries until one dated two months ago.
"It is as I had feared. The Way is interested in something here in Ravengro. But what could it be?"
After several more pages, you come across another red circled one. This one only a month ago.
"Whatever the Way seeks, I am now convinced their goal is connected to Harrowstone. In retrospect, I suppose it all makes sense—the stories they tell about the ruins in town are certainly chilling enough. It may be time to investigate the ruins, but with everyone in town already being so worked up about them, I’d rather not let the others know about my curiosity—there’s plenty of folks hereabouts who already think I’m a demonologist or a witch or something. Ignorant fools."
The red circled entries are more frequent now, with the next only twenty days ago.
"It is confirmed. The Way seems quite interested in something—no, strike that—someone who was held in Harrowstone. But who, specifically, is the Way after? I need a list of everyone who died the night of the fire. Everyone. The Temple of Pharasma must have such a list."
Turning a page, you see one that's dated from eighteen days ago.
"I see now just how ill prepared I was when I last set out for the Harrowstone. I am lucky to have returned at all. The ghosts, if indeed they were ghosts (for I did not find it prudent to investigate further) prevented me from transcribing the strange symbols I found etched along the foundation—hopefully on my next visit I will be more prepared. Thankfully, the necessary tools to defend against spirits are already here in Ravengro. I know that the church of Pharasma used to store them in a false crypt in the Restlands at the intersection between Eversleep and the Black Path. I am not certain if the current clergy even know of what their predecessors have hidden down below. If my luck holds, I should be able to slip in and out with a few borrowed items."
Turning the page, you see the final entry, circled in red. It is dated seventeen days ago.
"Tomorrow evening I return to the prison. It is imperative the Way does not finish. My caution has already cost me too much time. I am not sure what will happen if I am too late, but if my theory is right, the entire town could be at risk. I don’t have time to update my will, so I’ll leave this in the chest where it’ll be sure to be found, should the worst come to pass."
Kazallin grimaces as he recognizes the gray book's contents. "The commands of dark gods. Is that what these books are?" Replacing the gray book, he takes up the blood-red one and opens it. "Well, such is this one too. Gods of pain, death, and disease..."
Zevran steals a look at Kendra to see how she takes it when Kazallin explains the books. A reassuring smile spreads over his face. "My dear, you should know that it doesn't mean anything that he had these. He was a scholar. You would be surprised by the books kept by my bed."
He turned back to Kazallin. "Yes," he replied. "I teach quite a few classes, mostly science or history-based. Things of that nature." He paused a moment, before adding quietly. "Sometimes I lecture about the Planes."
"As to these particular books, I'm afraid that I'm not familiar with most of them." He picked up the locked purple one slowly. "This, however, I believe comes from The Order of the Palatine Eye." His face grew very grave. "I know not what Petros was doing with it." Zevran turned the book carefully in his hands, looking at it from multiple angles before examining the lock.
At one of Zevran's comments Arabeth arches an eyebrow and smirks...
Teflin's eyes widen as he reads the recent red entries, but he tries to hide his concern from Kendra.
He puts on his normal grin.
"Well, I always knew the Professor to have a brave and adventurous spirit." He holds forward the journal to Zevran.
"I'll trade ya."
Zevran eagerly swaps books with the gnome and begins leafing through the pages leading up to the end, and looking deep in thought.
Not noticing the gnome's discomfort, Kazallin finishes with his book and picks up the black one. "All of these books are to be delivered to the same person..." he muses. "Ah, but this one is no religious text. Something about the Dark Tapestry...a subject, I confess, I'm not terribly familiar with."
Suddenly realizing that Kendra is still there, he gives her an apologetic smile. "Forgive me, child. I forget myself. We will, of course, see your father's books to their destination, as he wished. But there is no need to pry into them further now." He begins to pack the books back into the chest.
"It's... It's okay." She offered a small smile. "Father did enjoy his studies."
Arabeth continues to move around the room, helping Kendra with the 'Hostessing' chores as she awaits for the perusal of the books to be sorted and for people to get ready to go about their business for the afternoon.
Poor Teflin's distress is missed as she flits about the room.
Dessa watched Teflin hand off the journal with a grin, his smile making her uneasy for some reason...maybe the professor was involved in more than he let on. 'Perhaps buying a lantern wouldn't be amiss after all, if I can't get away tonight.'
As the books were being put away, Odessa approaches Arabeth hesitantly, "I would like to come with you to town...if you don't mind."
Zevran looks up from the book as the group begins to separate. Kazallin was asking for the book, and the ladies were preparing to depart for the town. "Right, yes." he murmured, handing the book back over to Kazallin.
Looking up at Arabeth, he spoke quickly. "My dear if you wouldn't mind mailing a letter for me? I'd prefer to stay here to, ah, tend to some things..."
Arabeth smiles in reply to Odessa and nods, even looking to Lady Kendra to see how the other woman's mood is. Then Zevran's comment brings Arabeth back to the moment and the solemness of said affairs and some of the brightness leaves her features.
"Of course you can join me." Arabeth looks around to the others seated about the room, "Any who would seek to purchase supplies of what ever nature, we should all go...Perhaps it will increase our bargaining advantage?"
She looks to Zevran and nods "Indeed, I'll place your missive along side my own." She replies with an honest smile before returning her attention to Kendra and beginning to work out what sundries her house hold might need.