Shadlah cracks her knuckles and closes her eyes, focusing for a moment. Her skin loses its stony texture, taking on its former smooth, tattooed appearance. She then turns to the dark-haired woman who'd just introduced herself, bowing stiffly, without taking her eyes off her.
"I am called Shadlah Broken-Earth, daughter of Zoyah Whispers-to-Crows, descendant of the Sundar-Quah," she intones. "To whom do I owe my thanks?"
"Your thanks? I should be thanking you. I am Joanna, just a humble servant of Iomedae," the young knight says as she holds out her hand. "That could have gone a lot worse if not for your help, so thank you, Shadlah Broken-Earth."
She may have just caused a scene by drawing the goblins to her, but there were limits to all things, and Joanna figures that mentioning her last name here would fall under the heading of bad ideas. Still, as she had said, she did owe Shadlah her thanks for her help.
"How can I repay you, Shadlah?"
Shadlah's handshake is firm, her hand worn and calloused, her eyes hard as she looks Joanna over. "Well-met, Joanna of Iomedae - and friend," she adds, her eyes briefly flicking to Arsith. She indicates her table with one rough hand. "What are you drinking? I have questions that worldly folk such as yourselves may be able to answer."
"Tea at the moment," Joanna says with a smile, "would you care to join us? I think Arsith would like to meet you."
A white haired woman in a beautiful armor walks to Shadlah and Joanna, with a genuine and warm smile on her lips.
I am Arsith, and I'm happy to meet you.
She brushes the goblin blood off her splendid heavy mace, a piece of exquisite weaponry with the head of the mace a raven spreading its wings, and the handle engraved with the names of Lenore and Asrith on one face, the word "Nevermore" on the other.
"Well-met, tshamek," Shadlah says, inclining her head slightly to Arsith. She gathers her tools and her drink from her table, moving to where the others had been sitting, taking a deep swig before resuming work on her canine craft. "I heard most of your conversation. It seems you've been through much." With a smooth sweep, she reveals the dog's tail, the tattoo of a wolf rippling over the tendons of her left hand. "Tell me, are you familiar with a foul man who calls himself Fenster?"
With the last of the goblins having run, the patrons of the ‘Mush Room’ return to their meals, their drinking and their conversations – one or two collect the bags which had been taken from them a few moments ago and, at least one – nodding in appreciation, orders a bottle of wine for Joanna’s table… Grumbling, two lads with buckets come out from behind the bar and start mopping the spilt blood from the floor.
Brother Titus lays a strong hand upon Joanna’s shoulder, ”You have learnt much young Josephina… I scarcely recall the little girl that you once were”, and then, to each of the fighters, ”None of you are injured? I’m afraid the occasional incursion from the marshes is the price that one occasionally pays for eating in Ordellia… It is well that you were here”. Donovan, his wife and Shel also express their gratitude and, for the manner in which the menace was defeated without injury to anyone in the building, their admiration.
Teldon helps Briana up onto her horse then climbs onto his own. "Shall we head straight to Heidmarch Manor, or should we stop at The Arvensoar to make sure they got our missive about the kidnappings?"
Joanna looks to Shadlah and Arsith before turning back to Brother Titus.
"I think we got out of that without a scratch," she says as a smile forms on her face. She gives her mentor a hug before sitting down and enjoying her supper with friends, old and new alike.
===
Joanna can't help but make a face at the mention of Fenster.
"I know he's a vagabond that lives in the Underbridge and brokers information. He tried to weasel a stack of crowns from me before Teldon made him an offer and managed to get what we needed from him," she says as she frowns at her drink at the memory. "Why do you ask," she inquires as her gaze, no longer frowning, but curious, rises to meet Shadlah's.
"They are a nuisance, not a threat." Chip, chip, chip, and the ragged texture of the tail appears. As she works, Shadlah pays little attention to Joanna's acquaintances, keeping her attention on the two adventurers. Taking another deep drink, she answers, "I went to him, understanding he could direct me to like-minded people in search of adventure and profit. He said he knew of a group who he suspected were treasure-hunters, who'd sought his help." She watches Joanna's face, even as her hands continue working in the dog's rough coat. "Would that be you?"
* * *
Expolring Fenster's hovel...
Zee shakes her head at the signs of the struggle. "The Harrow did say he'd meet a bad end... although one needen't have the Sight to predict that."
* * *
Now...
Responding to Teldon's question, "Hmm... Well, I suppose we could see what the city guard has to say about your letter. Honestly, it would not surprise me if they dismissed it out of hand-- the kidnappings only seem to happen to members of the city's underclass. I have a feeling that this may be a problem that we'll have to solve ourselves."
Life and love are my most precious treasures. My heart is now open to a new hunt in the future, after spending some time in mourning.
is Arsith's cryptic answer. She kisses her signet ring after saying these words.
"That may be true," Teldon replies with a scowl.
At this rate we're never going to get back into the crow... I understand the girls feel a sense of duty to society, to somehow protect or save it, but we do have a mission we're supposed to complete at some point too...
"But we should at least check and see if they've considered it." With everyone more or less in agreement, he leads the way back up to the Arvensoar.
Briana’s thoughts about the fact that it is no longer raining are almost instantly dampened by a persistent drizzle that rolls in from the sea… once more the friends find themselves slogging along roads that have become shallow mud; the single positive note is that the rain has dispersed the crowds waiting outside the Arvensoar (the cold rain having already shrouded the top of the towering edifice as it worsens). With no queues, Teldon is quickly seen by the solitary clerk in the grand reception area…
…with a bored yawn, she inks her quill and acknowledges the friends, ”Yes?”
Teldon almost responds sharply to the woman's bold display of boredom but considers the benefits of a friendly beurocrat and opts for a different approach... "It could be worse," he says with a forced smile, "somewhere a sewer repairman is having a very busy day." Rather than trying to rush to their business he attempts to invest a minute in making the receptionist more favorable towards them...
The official tries to maintain her austere demeanour... but the thought of the busy sewer workers - if such a thing exists in Magnimar - brings a smile to her face. "One of the worst jobs in Magnimar yet people flock from leagues around to volunteer... Each one more optimistic than the last with their dreams of a Thassilonian relic washing out in the latest heap of effluent... You're right, they'll be busy this evening"... and, with a much more helpful demeanour, "Now, what can I do for you?"
Teldon nods as Briana asks about the missive. "We had an opportunity to examine a Varisian nomad who had been abducted while in the city and was subsequently found alive but... damaged. We believe we may have discovered some valuable information about the abductions and sent the aforementioned missive regarding it 20* days ago. We were wondering if it had been received and if it's been considered or acted upon?"
Joanna looks at Shadlah with a slight frown of confusion.
"Yes, we did seek his help, but we were after a Natalya Vancaskerkin at the time for the Pathfinders. Not exactly hunting treasures," she answers, "and whatever profit there has been, there's been more than enough death to go with it."
"We also would like to know if we can be of any further assistance in the investigation."
Shadlah watches Arsith's cryptic answer and display, eyes flicking back down to her sclupture befoer turning on Joanna. After a sigh, she sets down the tools, clasping her hands and leaning heavily on the table, hard stare fixed on the other woman.
"You are not the only one who's suffered loss. I was a treasure hunter, until I lost four friends to a trap. I've tried to eke out a living selling my crafts, but while I don't mind living rough, I despise doing it here. I need an adventure - the further from this city, the better. And as you've seen -" she holds one hand flat, a ball of stone appearing above it, slowly spinning "- I can be very useful if your travels happen to take you into earth and stone."
She drains her mug, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "If you are the people Fenster spoke of, he thinks you seek fortune. And if so, I want in. If you aren't the group he spoke of - and you may well not be, as he said there was a man among you - it could well be you need someone of my skills anyway."
Sorry for your loss, Shadlah. It never easy to die, or to survive.
Listening to the strange woman, Arsith smiles suddenly widens
Oh yes, we have a man among our group, tied with the bounds of love to one of our... how shall I say it, "sisters in adventure"? As for your gift, I must say that I am impressed, and I never saw anything like that. Are you using some elemental magic? I'm sure you would be very helpful in any kind of group-except maybe some sea dwelling pirates.
"The past is done and buried," Shadlah says quietly, only half to Arsith. "Regret won't change it."
At the comment on her magic, Shadlah smiles, a hard smile like a crack spreading through baked earth. "I don't know what it is, or where it came from, but it's useful," she chuckles. She clenches her fist and the sphere vanishes. "What business do you and your 'sisterhood' have in town?"
"Let me see... Hmmmm... Hmmm....", the clerk leafs through a thick tome of loosely bound paper, "Aaah, yes... Officer Kasadei is actually on duty this evening - I expect, if you have information about the disappearances, than the officer would very much like to talk to you". Turning a plaque on her desk to 'closed' (causing audible consternation in the queue forming behind the friends), the clerk stands and with a "Follow Me", she leads them through a labyrinth of corridors...
Twice you have met Officer Kasadei now and twice she has been wearing the armour of a city guard... This, and her demeanour as she reads through various journals scattered across the desk, suggest that the officer is a more 'hands on' type of official. When the clerk knocks at her door, she looks up with a sigh before a broad smile of recognition grows across her face. Standing and offering a hand of friendship, she greets the friends, "It has been a while my friends... You have been away from the city? Your message said Galduria? Did you ever track down the Tower Girls? They seem to have disbanded... There's not been a word - even when I've rattled a few cages!!! Were they your reason for travelling north?"
Zee smiles warmly at the captain, and graps her hand, pulls in for a hug, and gives her a traditional Varisian "air-kiss" on both cheeks.
"Lynelle! It's wonderful to see you again!"
Releasing her embrace, Zee responds to her questions. "Yes, we did discover that the Tower Girls had disbanded. It was actually other business took us to Galduria, but while we were there, we crossed paths with a Varisian caravan that had recently left Magnimar. A young man was in the caravan who had been one of the disappeared, but like many of these cases, he reappeared a few weeks later... damaged. In this case, his eyes had been chirurgically transplanted with those of another creature. While he could still see in dim light and darkness, he was blind in sunlight. Yet, the man had no recollection of the weeks he had been missing.
"We attempted to help him. While we could not cure his day-blindness, we did help him restore his missing memories. As much as I hate to say it, we did not do him any favors by that: he recalled being drugged and abducted by small, pale humanoid creatures with milky-white eyes. They took him to some kind of underground laboratory and conducted cruel medical experiments on him-- including the chirurgery. After they were done with him, they used some kind of mind-affecting magic on him to wipe his memories, and then let him go in a back alleyway in Dockway. Fortunately, he was able to find his way back to his Varisian family, and they left Magnimar.
"His description of his captors only leads to one conclusion: Derro. There is a band of Derro somewhere in the city who are abducting citizens and performing experiments on them. We wanted to know whether you received that part of the letter, and if so, what the city is doing about it. And, if there is anything we can do to assist."
Noticing the officers preference, Teldon stands quietly by while Zee and Briana talk with her. He tries hard not to outwardly react to his crushing frustration when Zee offers their help.
at least she didn't start swearing oaths like Jo does... still, it would be nice if just once we could carry out our actual mission without getting sidetracked by every single 'wrong' the needs 'righting'... though, I suppose if we get wrapped up in this I'd finally have a chance to track down the maker of the swampseer's poison and find out how they're involved... and I never did get into Billivin's either...
For a moment, Officer Kasadei looks slightly flushed... her illusion of authority dented by Ziomarra's familiarity, and in full view of the clerk... But, consummate professional that she portrays herself as, she brushes it off and smiles at Ziomarra, "Miss Callinovo... Your business in Galduria is beyond my jurisdiction so I shall say nothing more than I hope you enjoyed your time at the Town on the Lake".
Still ruffled, she continues, "Your message was received and, having spoken to the Solemn Order, it would seem that your suspicions may have some basis in fact. There haven't been any recorded sightings of Derro in this city... Ever. But, they told me of the troubles that the Andoren city of Augustana had two decades past... and, how over a period of several years there were similarly strange disappearances - and reappearances. I have had time to read about Derro deeds and their methods... and, having done so, I am going to need to ask for your utmost discretion. If what I have read, and what you have heard, is true then we are at the precipice of a full-blown panic here in the city... Better that they think it slavers than they know the truth of it". After seeking assurances of the friends' silence, Officer Kasadei continues...
"The mayor has authorised me to obtain and utilise whoever... or whatever... is needed to track down these Derro. And stop them by any means necessary.". The finality in the officer's voice makes it clear that she means to see the Derro dead...
"There's a reward... a sizeable one"
...and, it can't help but be noticed, Officer Kasadei doesn't seem overly concerned about Fenster...
"The past is done and buried," Shadlah says quietly, only half to Arsith. "Regret won't change it."
At the comment on her magic, Shadlah smiles, a hard smile like a crack spreading through baked earth. "I don't know what it is, or where it came from, but it's useful," she chuckles. She clenches her fist and the sphere vanishes. "What business do you and your 'sisterhood' have in town?"
Joanna shakes her head, clearing her darkening mood rather than denying what Shadlah had said. She looks at the shoanti with a bright cheerful smile.
"If we are a sisterhood, then it is one of chance, or divine providence," she says with a chuckle, "we are back from, ah, shall we say errand. I'm afraid that joining us won't get you out fo the city right away, but we don't know where our quest will lead to next. If it is adventure you desire, our path offers it in spades, and I'm sure that your skills will be useful before it is said and done with. If you still want to join us, then why not come with Arsith and I to Heidmarch Manor? I'm sure Lady Heidmarch would be happy to have you along with us, if to try keeping us out of trouble," she finishes, her gray eyes boring into Shadlah's.
Realizing that she may have overstepped the bounds of propriety with a captain of the guard, Zee nods at Brianna's response. "Of course. We will use the utmost discretion, Captain. We have seen how jumpy the townsfolk can be, and we shan't accidentally start a riot."
Zee arches an eyebrow at the mention of a reward. "A reward? Um, just how sizable is it?"
Shadlah watches Joanna, her own stare unflinching and hard as flint. Eventually, she nods, still unblinking. "Alright. I'll come with you." She begins packing her tools back into a rather worn haversack. "I am ready when you are."
sizeable reward, eh? now this sounds like the kind of good deeds my father would have gotten caught up in.
Arsith finishes her glass quickly.
I'm ready too.
”The reward? Mayor Grobaras has authorised me to pay one thousand gold to the person / group who sort this problem out… and, if there are any folk to be rescued, there may be additional reward for getting them out safely”, the Officer lets the numbers hang in the air for a moment before continuing…
”You’ll investigate then? Of course, you will need maps for the sewers - we do have some records… although I doubt that they have been updated in quite some time. Be careful, the maps might not be so accurate and, from what I hear from officers who have had cause to enter the drains, there are no records for where they connect into the old Thassilonian tunnels… If you are going to go down there, you will need to be on your guard – there are stories of worse things than Derro down there… much worse”, Officer Kasadei scribbles a note on a scroll, ”It’ll take me a few days to get you your maps – why don’t you come back in three days? I will have maps then… and, if I can entice them back to the city, maybe a guide as well”
As the new acquaintances start discussing their return to the Heidmarch Manor, Shel pipes up, ”I’m coming too… You promised that you’d introduce me to Lady Heidmarch – and that you’d put in a good word”
"I think so! Thank-you for your time, Captain. And please let me know if you would ever like a Harrow reading."
"That I did. If we're all ready, then let's go," Joanna says as she smiles. She stands, and turns to leave, but stops halfway and turns to Mr. Donovan instead. "Mr. Donovan, can you take care of that matter I mentioned earlier, please? I'd be most grateful if that didn't fall through," she tells him before excusing herself and leaving with Arsith, Shadlah, and Shel for Heidmarch Manor.
===
A short while later, at the gates to the grounds around the manor that doubles as the Pathfinder Lodge, she turns to the two newcomers.
"Don't worry about proper ceremony or etiquette. Just be polite and respectful and things will be fine," she reassures Shadlah and Shel, but mainly Shel, before entering.
As the trio rides from the Arvensoar up to Heidmarch manor Teldon comments to Briana and Zee, "That timing is fortunate, Agent Sylvain should be back around that time as well... we can go finish our business in the Crow and then come back to handle both of those situations."
When they arrive at the manor he looks for signs that the others are already there...
"Yes. I hope that the curse of the Shard has run its course."
"Polite and respectful?" Shadlah repeats stiffly, as if offended by the very idea that she would be anything but. "What are we doing that would require ceremony and etiquette?" Shaking her head slightly, she follows after Joanna, wondering what she's managed to get herself into.
"According to some nobles, everything," Joanna answer in a tone that makes her opinion on that view clear. "and I didn't mean to imply that you wouldn't be polite. I was just saying that's all you needed to be," she adds in an apologetic tone, "besides, I doubt you'll make a worse first impression than Teldon, Brianna, Nalathi, Ziomarra, and I managed."