"I think Eudomia and I could handle that," Teldon answers smiling at Briana, "and if she's not otherwise occupied, Alika can join us."
After pausing for another swallow of coffee he continues, "I don't expect that meeting to be overly lengthy, we can stop by the Arvensoar and debrief with Officer Kasadei about the Derro and the abductions afterwards."
"Of course, Master Crispin. I wouldn't dream of separating you from the lovely and talented Eudomia," Joanna replies in that same aristocratic accent she had slipped into when she'd been under the influence of the Shard of Greed. She winked at both of them before Teldon continued on.
"That sounds like a good idea. I don't know how long it will take to find Captain Brast's widow, but you'll likely be finished before Arsith, Shadlah, and I are," she says in a more normal voice. She finishes off her fourth plate and stands after stacking that one with its fellows.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to have some letters delivered and see what Shadlah's up too," She says before turning to leave.
===
After asking to have the three letters she'd written delivered, and providing the coin to pay for the task, Joanna decides to check in on Natalya, having not gotten the chance to before she'd collapsed of exhaustion on the bed in her room the night before.
===
After visiting Natalya, The young paladin tracks down Shadlah, and asks if the Shoanti woman had a moment to talk.
"I know we haven't really gotten to know each other, so I was hoping that we could have a chat before we have to go running over half the city. If you haven't had breakfast, we could get that taken care of while we talk," the young woman says, obviously a little unsure if she was going about this in the right way.
Eyes flicking briefly to the others as they depart, Shadlah stiffens, clutching the chunk of marble tightly in one fist. "What did you want to say?" she asks, her voice taking on a gravelly edge as she hands over her empty teacup. "I know little of your society, though an old friend once spoke of you."
Sleep doesn't come easily for Shadlah, and it takes her a long time of tossing and turning to find a solution. In desperation, she grips the covers tightly and rolls, taking the sheets and blankets with her. Under the bed, she feels far more comfortable than atop it, and she manages to drift off quickly, hip, knee, and shoulder pressed into the floorboards.
When she wakes, she dresses and washes her face, staring at herself in the mirror over her wash-basin. She runs a hand over her scalp, feeling the soft stubble forming over her tattoos, before taking the razor to it again. As she works, she opens her body to the earth again, and before her eyes, her face changes. Smooth, bronze skin takes on the sheen and veined texture of marble; every line becomes a crag or valley. As she finishes shaving, she closes her eyes, blocking the conduit and feeling the stone recede.
The smell of coffee beckons her, and she makes her way downstairs in her usual clothes and various leather wrappings, bumping into Jo on the stairs. Uncertain why everyone seems to want to talk, she reaches into a pocket, closing her fingers around a piece of sandstone. "What did you want to say?" she asks, for the second time in twelve hours.
Shadlah's question causes Joanna to pause for a moment.
"I wanted to get to know you," she answers as the two of them head down the stairs, "I know some about Briana, Teldon, Arsith, and Zee, but I hardly know anything about you. Is there anything you like to do when you have time? Do you carve anything for yourself when you work on the stone? Do you have any funny stories from your last party?"
The paladin clams up as the last question comes out. Her cheeks darken as looks away.
"Sorry," she mutters, "I shouldn't have brought that up."
Lady Heidmarch apologises for keeping Shadlah from a well-deserved rest before launching into a treatise of the Pathfinder Society, "Shadlah, you must surely be aware that your travelling companions, to an extent, have been working for myself... and, ultimately, for the Pathfinder Society? Their explorations, and the relic that we seek to reform, could usher in a new age of peace for Varisia... but, until such a time as we are ready, their mission must remain secret. Whilst I am pleased that my Pathfinders have been able to draw upin your skills and abilities, I am afraid that the time has come to ask whether you are willing to register as a Pathfinder yourself?"
"I'm confident that you are aware of some of this but, please, hear me out... The Pathfinder Society has existed for more than 400 years. Our members include treasure hunters, explorers, tomb raiders, historians, and vagabonds who roam the farthest reaches of the world seeking lost relics and answers to the world’s most enigmatic and dangerous riddles. These heroes brave vine-choked jungle ruins, ascend snow-capped peaks, and comb sun-seared desert sands in search of buried tombs and monuments of bygone ages... and knowledge".
"Society members send records of their exploits to their venture-captain superiors, who in turn review them for accuracy before forwarding the manuscripts to the leaders of the Pathfinder Society. The most exciting and enlightening of these have the potential to be printed and distrubuted as volumes of the famed Pathfinder Chronicles".
"Of course, nearly all Pathfinders are trained in the necessary skills at the Grand Lodge in Absalom, but a few experienced adventurers - such as yourself - may be given field commissions in the Society. So long as you are willing to abide by the principles of the Society, it would give me great pleasure to appoint you to the Pathfinder Society"
Lady Heidmarch, her eyes soft but flashing with intelligence, looks to the Shoanti for a response.
As the friends gather for breakfast, Lady Heidmarch flits to and from the room, each time she reappears, she is carrying a new tome. Apologising for her inattentiveness, she tells the friends that she is preparing a report for the Grand Lodge of Absalom and that, over the next few days, her time will be somewhat limited.
Regardless, she does finally sit down and, picking a particularly rosey apple to snack upon, she provides some advice to the group, "As I told you last night, the Lady's Light is in an inaccessible and under-explored region of Varisia... only the foolhardy would venture there inadequately prepared. There is only one person that I can think of who may be able to provide local guidance... although, I'm afraid to tell you that this guide is somewhat, how should I put it? Eccentric".
"Jasper Kandamerus... that's the fellow's name, although I wonder if he even knows that these days. Unselm saw him in Rag's End a month or so back... and, as far as we know, he has no fixed address... by all accounts he spends much of his time in Beacon's Point these days, preaching to any who walk by about dire apocalypses that will surely soon come to Varisia. I'm sorry to say that Jasper’s never been quite right in the head since Varisia’s close brush with Runelord Karzoug rising from his tomb several years ago, and is now convinced that event presaged an unavoidable doom that surely will come to Varisia within a year".
The Venture Captain then, somewhat wryly, observes that Jasper’s been prophesizing the “end of Varisia by the end of the year” for several years now, and that he surely is more mad than prophetic in nature, "However, of all the souls in Magnimar, it is only that one broken man who has explored the Mushfens to any great degree".
The door to Natalya's room is ajar when Joanna returns upstairs... and, peeking in through the door, the Iomedean sees the first of the shard bearers lying upon her bed. Lit by gently flickering candles, Natalya's unconscious face seems to be somewhat peaceful.
"I guess Arsith, Shadlah and I should seek him out since we'll be over that way anyway," Joanna says after Lady Heidmarch finishes speaking.
Joanna quietly squeezes through the doorway and makes her way to Natalya's bed. Holding the silver symbol in her hands, the young paladin prays quietly over the still unconscious form of Natalya Vancaskerkin.
"Iomedae, please watch over her. She's fighting for her life against something overwhelmingly powerful, but she is still fighting. She may not have been a shining example, but perhaps she can become more than she was, as you've allowed me to become more than I was. I pray that you'd help guide her back to the land of the living, and protect her from whatever evil is wishes to keep her from where she belongs. May you light be a guiding beacon to us all."
With that, she turns to leave as quietly as she came.
After Joanna finishes getting ready for the day, she goes to find Arsith. Joanna's brief tenure as the bearer of the Shard of Greed was something she'd like to forget, but something had been nagging her since it had happened.
How did Arsith see her?
One way or another, she needed to find out, because as much as she was happy for her, she was starting to be worried by all of the "Sweetie Pies" and the offers to pay for everything.
"Arsith, do you have a moment," she asks politely, "I-- I need to have ask you something in private."
Once the two of them were where the others couldn't overhear, the young Iomedaean takes a deep breath and takes the plunge.
"Arsith, how do you see me? As a sister? A Friend? Or do you see me as something more," she says, hoping that bringing things out in the open would help make this easier to deal with.
Joanna, though, was almost certain that it was a vain hope.
She smiles and winks
I guess that's it. I feel confortable enough with you, and you only, to show myself as I am. Maybe I feel myself in debt with you, because you took the time to reach for me while I was in pain, and showed me a path to hope and a better life. And for you it's a natural thing, you would have done the same for a complete stranger, but I find this admirable.
I sometimes feel like I was born again, thanks to you. That my heart, which was void of any feeling that wasn't anguish, pain or sadness for years is now overflowing with light and love. I'm still missing Lenore, but I know that, sooner or later, I'll be in love again with a girl. And I can only hope you'll be around to give us your blessings.
Walking side by side with Jo, Arsith suddenly stops
You're not bothered with the "sweetie pie" thing, I hope? For me, it's just a term of endearment, and I'm so used to call you with that surname I'll have an hard time stopping.. And now I'm afraid I might have hurt your feelings, that maybe you had something for me..PLease tell me, Jo...
Lady Heidmarch continues, ”It should not be too difficult for you to locate Kandamerus, there are many street preachers down there in Beacon’s Point… as indeed there are throughout the ‘Shore’… but he definitely stands out in his declarations of the end times. Unselm will come with you as well – he has, in the past and when poor Jasper was more lucid, collaborated on some research… if Kandamerus sees a familiar face, it may be of some help in securing his aid”.
"I actually keep my eyes closed when you're getting ready for bed," Joanna confesses as her cheeks turn pink when Arsith mentions her having seen her in the buff.
"I see you as a sister, Arsith. I was worried that you might be seeing me as something more than that," Joanna says, trying to choose her words with care, "I know you don't lust after me, but I was never worried about that to begin with. I've had people look at me with naked desire, even before that time we went to that awful place on Washer's Row, but I've never seen that from you. If you wanted to share that intimacy with me, I know it would be out of love, and not carnal desire."
Joanna takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
"I was worried that you wanted that kind of relationship with me. Calling me Sweetie Pie all the time, buying things for me, and then some of the things that the Shard (at least I think it was the Shard) said made me wonder if that was how you felt about me."
"Arsith, I love you, and Briana, and Zee, and Shadlah, and Teldon. I love you like family, and I don't want to hurt any of you. I couldn't see any of you as a lover, though. It'd be weird, like courting a cousin. Beyond that, I'm just not attracted to women. I've always wanted to have what Briana and Teldon have, what my momma and papa had, but I just haven't had any luck."
Joanna's voice trails off as her face begins to heat again. Obviously feeling very awkward.
"Sorry, I'm not very good at talking about this sort of thing," she mumbles to the white-haired priestess.
Arsith thinks a little
I don't know if I was attracted to women before I met Lenore. I think that if she would have been a man, I would have loved her too. I guess. I don't exclude loving a man, that would be an insult to my goddess, but I do prefer women. That's just how I am, who I am, just like my white hair. I mean, I could put on a redheaded wig, I would know when I see myself in the mirror than underneath that, my hair I still as white as before. I can't fool myself. I hope this part of my personality don't offense you, Joanna.
"Thank you," Joanna says as she gives Aristh a hug, "and not to worry. I'm not offended by you being honest. For what it's worth, I think you look good with silver hair."
Letting go, she turns so she can face the Shelynite Priestess.
"Though you might want to lay off on calling me Sweetie Pie. Lady Venicelli always called me that, though I don't think you are doing it to belittle like she was."
"Um, now that she's mentioned it, I think Briana's plan might work better," Joanna says.
Realizing she'd slept the night, Zee rises and quietly heads out of the house to the garden. Looking into night sky, she watches the stars for a while, finding Cynosure in the north. She closes her eyes and dances with abandon under the starlight, hearing the Song of the Spheres in her mind. She opens her eyes to see the first light of dawn begin to brighten the eastern sky. With a mysterious smile on her lip, she re-enters Heidmarch Manor and returns to her room to perform her morning Harrow reading.
...Neutral
...Good
...The Wanderer
At Breakfast...
Zee nods at Lady Heidmarch's recommendation about approaching their guide to the Mushfens. Her ears perk at the mention of the 'God of End Times.'
"So, he's become a priest of Groetus?" She frowns. "Every one of Groetus' followers I've ever had to deal with is half-mad. The worst was the one who came for a Harrow reading when I lived on my own in Kaer Maga... His reading said he'd live a long and happy life... and he shouted at me for telling him he'd live to see old age! I guess you cannot please everyone..."
"I am afraid to say that poor Jasper found something back when he was a Pharasmin acolyte in Kaer Maga... whether he received a vision, was subject to some kind of an attack or came into contact with some powerful relic, we've never been able to establish... but something broke inside of him and his obsession with the end times grows ever larger... over the years since his madness struck, he has wandered Varisia - including the Mushfens - searching for something to prove his claims", there is a sadness in Lady Heidmarch's voice as she discusses the friends' potential guide.
"Whatever his current religious affiliation, I believe I may be able to convince Jasper to help us," Teldon offers, "if you don't mind waiting for us?"
"I don't mind waiting. I think it's likely to be you three waiting on us, though, so do you mind waiting? Oh, and are we meeting up here at the manor or somewhere in the city," Joanna asks.
"Zee, is there a decent restaurant in the Shore where we could meet for a late lunch before seeking out Jasper?"
I've never been in Kaer Maga. Heard some rumors about it, it seems to be a strange place.. No offense meant, Miss Z. As an ex-Pharamin myself, I'd be happy to be of assistance to Jasper, of course.
Taking a deep breath through wide nostrils, Shadlah folds her arms across her broad chest and frowns. "I know little of your society," she says evenly, "other than what Regnar spoke of. He also spoke of the Aspis Consortium and the Ulfen Guard, so I know little more of the Pathfinders. But if you expect my loyalty, I expect your honesty. What are you sending your Pathfinders to do?"
Shadlah nods along at the questions, before the rhythmic motion of her head stops at the last one. An awkward silence falls over the two, and her hand grips the sandstone tighter.
"I enjoy my carvings," she says finally. "They are what I do to pass the time. I also enjoy food and drink. I like mushrooms and stout ales. I like to collect stones from every dungeon and city I visit. One day, perhaps I will make a chess set. Or carve myself a friend."
Allowing herself a small smile, a bare twitch like a crack in dry earth, she withdraws her hand from her pocket, rolling the sandstone back and forth across her knuckles. "Everything I carve, I carve for myself," she shrugs. "Every moment spent chiseling and polishing brings me closer to the stone. It is almost meditative." Taking a deep breath and staring just past Jo, she finishes, "My last party... were an overall dour bunch. There are stories to be told, but not now. I believe now, I need breakfast - and there are things to be done."
Back with the group, Shadlah listens quietly to the conversation, slowly working her way through her breakfast and coffee and watching the venture captain warily.
"Just call me Joanna," the young paladin says with a small smile, "Papa always called me that."
"I'm sorry," Joanna says softly, "I didn't mean... I--"
Her voice falters before she wraps the shoanti in a hug.
"I'll be your friend, Shadlah," she says, "I'll be your friend and I promise that we're not a dour bunch."
The young Paladin tightens her embrace, but not so much as to hurt the bronze-skinned woman. She just stands there for the moment, offering her love and support and a shoulder to lean or cry on if needed.
Lady Heidmarch seems to weigh up Shadlah’s response before continuing, "What I tell you now, must remain of the utmost secrecy until such a time that the expedition’s objectives have been secured. You are a treasure seeker? You may, in passing, have heard of ‘the Shattered Star’…a powerful defensive item created well over 10,000 years ago by Xin, the founder of the empire of Thassilon. At that time, the item was known as the Sihedron; a seven-pointed star made of the seven skymetals infused with powerful magic. You will know, of course, that the Runelords rebelled against Xin… as a result, this artefact was broken into seven parts, and the Runelords each claimed a shard for their own. In the 10 millennia since Earthfall and the end of Thassilon, we believe that the shards have shifted locations, yet they have never been reassembled into the Sihedron".
Lady Heidmarch pauses, "Thus far, your companions have located the Shard of Pride, originally worn by Runelord Xanderghul... and, with your help, Karzoug’s Shard of Greed… and now we have the opportunity to find the Shard of Lust – if what Arsith saw is to be believed, it lies within the Lady’s Light but a few days travel from here. Shadlah, do you see? The Sihedron was perhaps one of First King Xin’s greatest creations…to have the opportunity to find it’s lost parts, and, potentially, to reform it would allow us to learn so much more of Thassilon than we could ever have hoped for”.
”Shadlah… were we to reform the Sihedron, not only would your exploits be recognised throughout the Inner Sea, the safety of Varisia against threats known… and unknown… would be assured. Join the Society, become a Pathfinder… explore Varisia… and the Thassilonian ruins that are scattered across our lands. Do it for the Society, for yourself and for the people of Varisia”.
...Lady Heidmarch, leaves the implied question hanging in the air...
"Decent restaurants in the Shore? There are many! In Dockway, The Old Fang is always fun... it's close to Underbridge, which makes it feels more dangerous than it really is. The Basilisk's Eye is more of a workingman's tavern, popular with dockworkers and sailors. And over in Beacon's Point is the Shield and Sheepdog, a laid-back place popular with artisans... What kind of place are you looking for, Teldon?"
"We're headed to Beacon's Point to find Jasper, why don't we meet at the Shield and Sheepdog?"
With breakfast finally vanquished and the plans for the day discussed, Lady Heidmarch bids the friends farewell, "I'll ask Unselm to head for the Shield and Sheepdog around lunchtime... I will wish you luck with your endeavours and maybe we could try again for dinner this evening? Now, if you'll excuse me, I must finish this report by the end of the day".
Once it is decided that the friends will head to the Arvensoar as a group, they gather the items that they will need for the day and head out of the Heidmarch Manor and into a glorious morning. Far removed from the darkness and the unknown of the catacombs beneath the Crow, the fresh air, the warmth of the sun and the general hubbub of the streets of the Capital District is a stark contrast to the friend's recent days...
...and even the inevitable queues outside of the Arvensoar can do little to dampen the friends' spirits. Taking their place at the back of the line, the group settle in for a long wait - and then a familiar voice calls out to them, "Hey... it's you, them folks that was looking for the missin' folks", stepping out from the line, Stinky Jack smiles a toothless smile at Briana and the friends. Staggering towards the group, "Some of you aren't who you used to be? Anyways, did you ever find the voices in the sewers?"
From the length of the queue, and the rate at which it is moving, it could be lunchtime by the time the friends get into the Arvensoar.
"Um, I know all the name switching is probably getting on your nerves, but could you please just call me Anna while we're not here at the manor? For now, at least," Joanna asks before they leave out the front door of Magnimar's Pathfinder Lodge.
Joanna leads the others along the roads to Washer's Row, Once there, she looks for a friendly face and makes her way over.
"Excuse me, my name's Anna, and I was hoping you might be able to help me with something. I'm looking for a woman named Liza Jane. I heard she'd worked around here about ten years ago. My friends and I found something of hers," Joanna explains with a friendly grin on her face and with as much charm as she could muster.
Joanna tries to ignore the smell as Stinky Jack. It was, if it was possible, even worse than the last time.
"Hello, um-- Sorry, but I'm afraid I didn't catch your name," Joanna says politely, "I'm Anna and we may have. Did the voices belong to little green gremlins singing of things better left unsaid?"
The wealth and tastefully stated architecture of the Summit gives way to the grime, the functional and the downright squalid as the friends make their way through Dockway, into Beacon's Point and ultimately into Washer's Row. The atmosphere changes somewhat as the more ramshackle houses of this part of town draw closer and closer... the streets here are narrow and the houses loom over the friends, blocking out the sun and casting ominous shadows across the group.
Everywhere they go, conversations pause and suspicious eyes watch them for a while...
...until Joanna sees a young lady, carrying a bundle of textiles and walking the streets on her own. Approaching her, Joanna asks after Liza Jane - an outside chance at best given the young lady's age and the length of time since Brast's 'passing' - considering the question for a moment, she looks over the friends, "Now, it may be that I do know this Liza Jane... but it depends really on who's asking... and how much they really want to know".
"Oh, it's just the three of us, and we'd really like to know. Would this make it worth your while," Joanna asks as she pulls out a a couple of gold crowns.
"Yes, we did find the voices, actually," Teldon answers shaking the malodorous man's hand, "and we silenced them."
we shouldn't have to wait in this ridiculous line with these people...
Before Jack has a chance to respond, he turns his attention to Briana and Zee and says, "wait here so we don't end up even further back, I'll return momentarily." Then he trots off for the front of the line.
When he finds the watchmen responsible for the line and access to the building he exchanges the customary pleasantries then explains, "We hadn't set a specific meeting time but I believe Officer Kasadei is expecting my friends and me. We're the ones who discovered the source of the abductions in the shore, rescued a number of abductees, and dealt with the creatures responsible. We sent a representative yesterday with the survivors and a brief report but I know the officer will want a full report. Unfortunately, we don't have time to wait through this whole line, could you please let her know that we're here."
Arsith waits to see if they got more informations after Jo gave some gold to the woman.
Teldon’s approach to the officers at the head of the queue is noted by a number of people within the line, all of whom are quite happy to voice their displeasure at the impudence of the man… and, when the guards – clearly having been previously told to expect Joanna or a representative – agree to let the friends proceed straight into the Arvensoar, the discontent within the line becomes a lot more vocal…
”One rule for us… another for those who can pay, I’d say!!!”
”Shouldn’t be a line anyway!!! Why ain’t there enough of you?”
”If there was proper policing on the streets, I wouldn’t even have to be ‘ere”
Meanwhile, at the back of the line, Stinky Jack, as pungent as his name would predict, leers at Briana and Ziomarra, ”Murder!!! Bloody Murder… that’s what brings me ‘ere today… not only ‘ave people bin going’ missin’ over the last months… but now they say there’s a killer at large in the Dockway… terrible the killings are… ‘orrible and gruesome… but I ain’t seen no-one doin’ anythin’ more than collecting up the bodies… ain’t no more city watch doin’ patrols than there was before… it ain’t right I tell yer, it an’t right!!!”
”Now, that’ll do nicely… thanking you very much”, a hungry hand pockets the coins proffered by Joanna… and then the woman, looking beyond Joanna and the friends along Washer’s Row, suggests the friends follow her, ”Come on then… Liza Jane ain’t been working down here for a long time now. Once her husband went missing, she moped around for a year or two… it was tough for her, scratching a living… but, you know, people move on don’t they? She’s done well for herself as well”.
The woman leads the group all the way out of Beacon’s Point and into Keystone… there is a notable change in the architecture and the associated atmosphere within the predominantly middle-class area, ”Liza Jane married a merchant and moved into a nice little place in the Marches… she still comes around Washer’s Row every month or so… makes sure the girls get the work cleaning clothing from her household and from her husband’s business… she hasn’t ever forgotten where she came from bless ‘er”
…as they approach a well-appointed house at the corner of one the streets, the woman smiles, ”It’s this one ‘ere… now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got errands… and it don’t really do for a girl like me to be seen around ‘ere”. Making her apologies, the friend’s guide heads back to Beacon’s Point… and, with nothing else to do other than to ring the bell of the house, Joanna announces their presence to the building’s occupants…
The front door opens, and a woman – middle aged but well-dressed and still carrying a certain amount of beauty – stands there, ”Yes? Can I help you ladies?”
"Excuse us, Jack," Teldon interrupts as he jogs back up to Briana and Zee, "we are expected. This way ladies. Have a good day, sir."
He does his best to get the girls away from the man as quickly and cleanly as possible, and to usher them to the door before they hear to many complaints.
Joanna thanks the woman as she heads off and turns to ring the bell.
Once the middle-aged woman answers, Joanna gives a curtsey and introduces the group.
"Yes ma'am. These two are Arsith and Shadlah, and I am Anna, we are looking for someone named Liza Jane. I believe we have something that rightfully belongs to her, and were told she lives here now, would she happen to be available to meet with three adventerous young women," Joanna asks pleasantly.
"Well ladies, you seem to have come to the right place... I am Mrs Liza-Jane Hufftack", she smiles, "What makes you think you have something of mine? There's probably more than one Liza Jane in Magnimar, you'd think".
"We had heard you used to be wed to a Captain Brast," Joanna says as she fishes the brooch out from a pocket in her vest. "We'd also heard he named his boat after his wife, Liza-Jane," she continues on as she shows the brooch to Liza-Jane, her voice getting soft as she adds just one more thing, "and we had found this with his remains. I'm sorry to bring up old pain, but we thought you should know."
Thankful for an audience, Stinky Jack carries on, ”Terrible business it is… dead folks, all dreadfully murdered, being found all over the Dockway… it only started two weeks ago… or was it three? I forget that bit… and no-one cares, the City Watch just say it’s either brawling got outta hand along the quayside or its some Sczarni business… but I ain’t buyin’ that… nah, someone or something is walking the streets at night… someone should do something about it”. An expectant look in his one good eye, the vagrant is clearly waiting for the friends to agree to do something about it…
…and then, with barely disguised grumbling at Teldon leading Briana and Ziomarra to the head of the queue, the friends are ushered into the Arvensoar. Guided directly through to Officer Kasadei’s office, the friends are made to wait for a few more minutes before the door is opened and a portly gentleman, with a somewhat disgruntled, quite literally waddles out… looking past the fellow leaving, Officer Kasadei sees Teldon, Briana and Ziomarra and, with a smile, calls them in. With the friends seated, the official of the City Watch rifles through the drawers of her desk and, smiling, produces a bundle of manuscripts…
Looking at it for a moment, she smiles at the friends, ”This…”, gesturing at the bundle, ”is… was… the ongoing investigation into the missing folks. I can’t tell you just how pleased I was to receive the messages from yourselves yesterday… Beacon’s Point and Dockway will be a lot calmer now that trouble’s passed us”. Stopping herself for a moment, she reaches into the drawers another time, and producing a small leather pouch, ”A reward… Lord-Mayor Groboras asked that this be passed on in recognition of your services to Magnimar. It was derro that were doing the kidnappings you say? Peculiar that they would be found here in the city… where exactly did you encounter these creatures?”
…Officer Kasadei’s tone is friendly and inquisitive rather than interrogative.
The woman, seeing what Joanna has in her hand, steadies herself on the doorframe, and gasping, ”Ohhhhh… oh Lockerbie… oh no…” For a moment, it seems that the woman is about to break down… but she regains her composure and, looking up and down the street to see who else may be around, invites the friends in. Moving to a small lounge just off of the vestibule, she asks the friends to sit, ”You say there were remains? Where did you find him? Oh, my poor Lockerbie… In my heart I knew he was gone… but I always dreamt that he would return. The silly dreams of a young girl I suppose. I should bring him back, arrange for him to be buried back in Sandpoint like he always wanted… Francesco…”, Liza-Jane, clearly trying to convince herself, ”…he will understand”.
At the Arvensoar...
In Kasadei's office, Zee exchanges a glance with Teldon adn Brianna, nods, then replies, "The derro were using the sewers in Beacon's Point, Dockway, and Underbridge to find and abduct their experimental victims."
She fans her Harrow deck, then expertly shuffles the cards one-handed, flipping over one card.
"The Harrow led us through the sewers to their location. The abominable creatures will not be bothering the citizens of Magnimar any longer."
She then flips another.
"Well..." Teldon adds, "there was some diligence and hard work on our part too, but there was some luck involved. At any rate, the derro won't be climbing out of the sewers to terrorize the people of Sandpoint anymore."
Tossing the bag to Ziomarra, Officer Kasadei smiles, "Well... the Harrow, diligence and hard work have brought you a fair reward... and saved the citizens of Magnimar from the depravations of those creatures. Your efforts, for better of for worse, have drawn the attention and appreciation of the Lord Mayor... you have a forwarding address to which I can forward any further work? ...either from the Lord Mayor or from the City Watch".
"I'm not sure there is much to recover," Joanna says quietly, "We were deep into the chambers that the sewers connect to, and I'm not sure we could lead you or some help you have appointed back to that place. We don't know how he wound up where he was from the bay, either."
Joanna looks up at the woman and places a hand on her arm.
"If he loved you as much as you loved him, I'm sure that he'd forgive you for not braving that mess just to recover his remains," the young paladin says quietly, "I think that he'd want you to live life to its fullest and cherish the time you had together, and not dwell on what might have been. That's the best way we can remember anyone, isn't it?"