"I'd like to be there when this occurs. At the very least, I could help separate you two when things go sour." she adds with an impish smile.
Well, then, Markis stifles a yawn, I suppose it is time to retire, at least those of us without the endurance of mountains.
He assists in whatever nighttime preparations are called for, then turns in for the night.
The stone-like watcher is unfazed by his long vigil, but the morning arrives without incident, and you breakfast quickly. The trip to Lord Mahindra's estate takes only a few moments, and you find yourselves back where you were the night before.
Nesipho keeps a wary eye as they approach the estate, but doesn't hesitate in giving a solid knock on the door.
Tania, as she wakes and prepares for her meeting, and taking her time grooming Ashaka, who roars in pleasure, finishes by casting a few defensive spells, in case there is trouble.
Having vigilantly stood watch over the group in the night, Breccia stoicly follows behind the others once they have decided to leave and head for the estate. Contrary to his usual unflinching demeanor, Breccia greets the morning not with weapons drawn but with a tiny ceramic teacup in one hand, a soothing aromatic blend of herbs wafting up from within. Quietly sipping at the tea, the tall stone warrior watches the front door of the estate just behind Nesipho, seeming content with the day's turn of events thus far.
The door opens in response to Nesipho's knock, and a servant appears within, asking your business. Upon hearing that you wish to speak to her master, she nods and leads you within, asking you to wait in a small study. The house is well-appointed within, and looks more impressive than it did from the outside; Mahindra is evidently a man of careful ostentation. Your wait is short, and soon Lord Mahindra himself appears before you.
Despite his reputation, Mahindra is a grandfatherly man, with a graying beard and a broad smile. When you present Lord Raheem's letter to him, Mahindra strokes that beard in thought for a few moments before speaking in Vudrani.
He grins a little and adds something else.
While waiting for their host to appear Nesipho makes a careful study of the contents of the room, looking for anything that might tell more about the interests of this man or his passions.
Unable to understand a word Lord Mahindra has said Nesipho gives an apologetic look to Tania and Prashant.
Tania presents her most disarming smile as she bows somewhat and utters in Vudrani:
Likewise unable to speak Vudrani, Breccia moves to stand beside Nesipho as he watches the body language and mannerisms of the foreigner Tania and Prashant are speaking to in an effort to assess him in a way that the oread can understand.
_____
Mahindra chuckles at Tania's reply.
He winks, but quickly sobers as he continues.
Tania, now a little more interested and feeling the potential of a real lead, takes a moment to translate the last piece to her companions: "It's interesting, no? Perhaps we could investigate this murder in the hope of it leading to more information?"
She turns to Mahindra:
Prashant smiles at the man's suggestion. "मैं चल पथ तक मैं घर पर फोन द्वीप से मुझे लगता है जैसे मैं इस समय एक पति या पत्नी, दोस्त के लिए बाजार में नहीं आ रहा है. हालांकि, मुझे लगता है कि मैं निश्चित रूप से मन में अपनी सेवाओं को रखना होगा, बसने चाहिए." As Tania has brought up the subject of the murder, he allows her to continue to take point, merely nodding and interjecting when clarification is needed.
"I agree, Tania. This might be the chink in the Cult's armor that we have been looking for."
"I am not in the market for a spouse at this time, friend, as the path I walk takes me far from the island I call home. Though, should I settle down, I will definitely keep your services in mind."
Mahindra shrugs slightly as he replies to Tania.
The matchmaker nods in acceptance of Prashant's reply, offer a brief smile before he returns to the serious topic at hand.
Tania wonders for a moment, looking at the man, whether he had in fact offered himself as a spouse to this woman struck by a dark fate...
She nods in thanks and turns to the others: There was a woman, beheaded and found in the market. He knows where she used to work. Perhaps we could head there and ask the neighbours about her and her connections. That's our best lead so far..."
"Definitely. This lead is already two days cold - let us not let it become three. The longer we take, the further the Cult gets from us."
Finally hearing something he can understand, Breccia turns his profile towards Tania, finally regarding the others instead of the subject of their interrogation. There's a moment of stony () silence before the oread's voice rumbles out.
"" Breccia states in the earthen tongue of elementals. Then, with an incline of his helmeted head he reiterates and simplifies the phrase. "We benefit greatly from action."
___________
The rolling stone does not gather moss.
Vitusa's shop is physically quite small, but it once showed signs of class and elegance. The floors are polished wood, many of the small tables and racks are carved marble, and some of the small bowls made for holding incense that you see appear to be made of mithral. Now, however, the refinement has been covered with the patina of death: broken pottery shards cover the floor, spilled incense has not been cleaned up, and when you enter, a young woman is desperately trying to sand down a large bloodstain in the center of the floor. She looks up, surprised, when you push open the store's door.
The girl's voice shakes a little as she speaks, and you can see her eyes are red from tears.
As they enter the store, Breccia enters last and stoops down to enter the doorway. He steps just to the side of the door and leaves it open to the street, watching for anyone coming in from outside. In his hand furthest from the door, Breccia draws one of his punching daggers and keeps it firmly gripped. The other hand is left open, for the time being.
"We should search the premises," Breccia intones, seeing the girl's obvious distress but showing no outward compassion or empathy.
Oh, hey, Markis starts, uncertainly, in greeting to the woman. Would you like some help? We heard about your tragedy... He puts his hand behind his neck in an awkward gesture.
Tania leaves Ashaka by the door with a wet kiss between his eyes. She walks inside and tells Markis: "She might not understand. I'll translate in case."
She simles to girl and bends to her level, saying in Vudrani: "देवताओं को तैयार, मैं तुम पर इस प्रकार barging के लिए माफी, लेकिन मेरे दोस्त भीख माँगती हूँ और मैं इस दुखद घटना के बारे में सुना है और इस क्रम में जगह लगाने में तुम्हारी मदद करना चाहते हैं, लेकिन अधिक महत्वपूर्ण बात, उसकी मौत की परिस्थितियों elucidating में और न्याय के लिए अपराधियों को लाने के लिए. आप हमारी मदद करेंगे? मेरा नाम तानिया है. तुम्हारा है?"
The girl does not, in fact, show any signs of understanding Markis or Breccia, but comprehension dawns as Tania begins speaking. She stares for a moment into Tania's face, then a fresh burst of tears explodes out of her and she seizes the sorceress in a desperate hug, sobbing into her shoulder.
Tania tenses at first, but soon relaxes and shares the embrace, not saying anything, instead letting time do its work.
When you're ready...
Prashant's heart sinks as the woman sobs into Tania's shoulder. He lays a comforting hand upon the woman's back. "आप की जरूरत है समय ले लो. एक प्यार के लिए दु: ख में कोई शर्म नहीं है. हमारे सवालों का एक जादू के लिए इंतजार कर सकते हैं."
"Take the time you need. There is no shame in grieving for a loved one. Our questions can wait for a spell."
Frustrated at his inability to understand the speech of the woman, I definitely need to learn this language, Nesipho moves slowly about the shop look for clues beyond the obvious shattered pottery and violence that has taken place here.
While Nesipho begins a slow, methodical search of the shop, the girl's sobs finally ease. She pulls back from Tania, sniffling and wiping her nose awkwardly. Looking around at the group, she suddenly gets to her feet, placing her palms together and bowing her head in a sign of respect.
Toward the end of the speech, the tears threaten to well up again, but the girl keeps herself in check this time, although just barely.
Tania keeps her eyes on the girl. She says to the others: "She's devastated by the loss, I'm going to try to have her tell us more, but slowly. Let me know if you find any clue in the room."
She resumes her conversation with a kind voice:
The girl sniffles a bit, but answers readily enough.
She breaks off, taken by a few more sobs. After a couple moments, though, she continues.
[spoiler=Vudrani]"It was horrible... Her head was... gone... Just... and blood and everything scattered and spilled across the floor... The guards came and they searched, then took the body and had it cremated. Mistress didn't really have any family; I don't know who's going to claim the ashes."
As Nesipho pokes around, he discovers an earring made of copper, with a complicated snowflake pattern cut into it that is not particularly common in this part of the world. It has blood an incense on it, as with everything else in the area, and it is likely many would have overlooked it had they not taken as thorough a search as Nesipho did.
Nesipho whispers in polyglot, "Yini lokhu?"
What is this?
"Tania." Waiting till she looks his direction he tosses the earring to her. "Does she recognize that? Did it belong to her or Mistress Vitusa? Oh, and don't scrape the blood off, it might prove useful if we can find a scryer."
Nesipho resumes his thorough search but adds, "We may want to speak with a jeweler as well. They may be able to tell us something of its origin."
Nabeeka confirms that it was Vitusa's, one half of the pair she wore most often.
"It is possible her killer took a token of his victim. It is also possible it fell during the struggle. It could be her blood, it could be the killers..." she pouts as she undermines her own hope. "And perhaps there is no relation with our endeavour. Calistria's stepchild! We're going nowhere!"
She turns to the girl, trying not to sound angry.
"Magic's our best bet to find our missing earring's twin, but I didn't memorize the rites for any divinations today. That's my fault, and I will learn this lesson well. Perhaps one of the priests can ask for the Teacher of Teacher's intercession on this in my stead."
The girl seems genuinely distraught, and indeed seems to share some of Tania's frustration.
Tania tries to remain calm. She looks at the others, eues alight with inner fire: "She seems to remember something!"
She places a hand on the girls shoulder, supportive.
The girl shrugs and makes a vague gesture toward the bloodstain on the floor.
Tania forces a smile on her lips:
she turns to the others: "She doesn't know more... We'll have to make do with what we find here. Let's search this place from top to bottom!"
The girl shakes her head. She also looks a little confused by Tania's request, given what Nesipho's been doing while the conversation was going on, but waves a hand around the shop in invitation.
"Ok, let's make sure we don't miss a thing!" says Tania as she starts helping with the search.
"Well do we seek out a diviner first or go take a stroll down the beach where our young friend came from?"
Once the search reveals little less, Tania looks to the others: "Whoever did this knew what they were doing... Let's look for a diviner then?"
"Of course the Cult would have assassins," Prashant mused darkly. "This is what they do. But you're right, let's find us someone that can magic us up a lead."
Not sure if we need to make a Diplomacy check to find that out, but here goes:
Prashant's discussions around town find several possible sources, from a number of wizards-for-hire to priests of Irori, Nethys, Gruhastha and Likha. All are available and able to cast the necessary spells for the usual prices.