Reine nodded, thoughtfully.
"If we're going to be effective for you, it might help to know more about our relationships with the different factions in town, prior to... two weeks ago. Can you brief us on any of that? Much as it might be distasteful to play on our reputations and past relationships, not being aware of them might prove dangerous - or at the very least, counterproductive. Can you help with that at all?"
"The stories about the Briarstone Witch are very old. I remember some old man in a tavern here in town going on about them. She supposedly was part of the town until she got crossways with a Pharamin inquisitor. Then things fell apart and the entire town disappeared. She gets blamed now when anything goes wrong or people disappear." John tells the others.
He pauses and then continues:
"All of that is just old tales to scare kids with and sounds like a bunch of nonsense .... but get this .... she had a servant called the 'Tatterman'."
He stops to exchange glances with his companions.
"I didn't remember that until talk of the witch brought back memories. Makes me wonder what else is rattling around in my head that I don't know about."
Wrentz nodded at John, acknowledging his information but clearly not understanding the significance of it to the group. "Toli Remsatter is telling everyone he saw lights in a cave outside of town when he was out on the river, and between that and Elgrior's sandwich board and yelling, people are starting to whisper the Witch has come back."
She looked back at Reine. "The town is too small to have factions, per se. You were the town's main faction before you went to Briarstone. If the Count needed someone intimidated, he sent you." Her eyes flicked to John and then quickly away. "If he wanted to send someone a message or demand, Lady Desdmona was most often the messenger. Lots of people here in town have reasons to be afraid of you."
"Kororo seems to have replaced you, though. Or at least, she's replaced everyone at Iris Hill. It's only been two weeks since you went away but from what we have heard, the entire staff has been changed. The old servants were sent away and new ones brought in. But she's keeping to herself for the most part, with the Count away."
"As far as other factions go, there is the Agency. We... did not have a good relationship. The Count wanted us to provide services for him gratis, but I only do favors for my friends and the Count was... not a friend to the Sleepless Agency."
"Priestess Mavaine at the New Chapel had several public disagreements with the Count and you, Lady Desdemona. Apparently he was trying to get the Church of Pharasma to do favors for him for free just as he was the Agency, and she reacted poorly to it. Unfortunately, she's missing. You could talk to the artist, Lelwyn Hasok- he's working and living at the New Chapel."
"Hmm," Reine semi-grunted. "So Lady Desdemona was the velvet glove. I was the threat. John the enforcer. How did the good doctor fit in?"
"So, what have the people in the town seen over the last few days when they looked over at the asylum? Did they see the same yellow fog we saw from the inside? The disappearances sound like they may have started at the same time the fog was going on."
Broom listened to the rest of what was being said "We like the idea of getting cleaned up and then going into town today. We can do shopping, talk to people and then decide where to go tomorrow, with the Lady's permission of course." Broom smiled brightly at Des.
Desdemona smiled back at Broom - it was impossible not to, the woman was so cheery. "Perhaps we might also find the cave outside of town and have a look around before attempting to navigate the serpent's pit. But in any case, yes; a bath, clean clothes, and a walk through town seems in order." She cocked her head at Wrentz, birdlike. "Whom might I speak to about taking a look in that bookshop?"
"Papin owned the building the Booklayer is in. Her apartment is above the shop. If she left a key with anyone when she left, I don't know about it. I don't think she took out any loans, but you could talk to Prewyn Noddary at the Builders' Hall- he's a moneylender. I know she was friendly with Lenk Marris at the Depository. You might ask him if he knows any more."
Cesadia glanced at the window and the bright sunshine streaming in. "It's getting on toward midday- if you can't find people at their place of business you might catch any number of folks at the Stain right now. When the weather's nice like this, Gulston puts up a tent and tables on his patio and sells lunch."
Desdemona wasn't sure she wanted to eat at any place called "The Stain," previous hardtack meals or not, but she knew a dismissal when she heard one.
"You've been very helpful," she smiled as she rose. "At what times can we reach you here?"
"Good enough." John says and stands up abruptly.
Barring any further discussion, Broom stood up and waited to be shown to her room. Once there she proceeded to empty the copious contents of her voluminous pack and sort them out. There was such a wide variety of trinkets and knickknacks! That stack of papers still needed to be sorted and organized. That would be this evening's project.
As she cleaned them up and repacked them, she had another pang of apprehension. This still felt like stealing to her. After all the original owners of some of these items were still alive. What would people in town think if some of they tried selling some of these items?
The feeling passed in a moment. There was no use worrying about it now. They would just have to figure it out if it did become a problem.
She tidied up her clothes and shouldered the newly packed pack before meeting back with everyone else. The sunny day and prospect of exploring a new town and meeting new people put her in a particularly good mood.
"So, where should we go first?" she asked breathlessly. Without waiting for anyone to answer she continued "We say lets head to the Stain for some lunch! Then we can go to the market and do some shopping. Who knows what we will find there! We can pick up some things for dinner too unless we want to eat out again. Was there a kitchen here at the agency?
Then a quick trip to the temple to get the wand John was asking about, and we can investigate the priestess' disappearance. And after that, the book store! Or that guy that might have the key first."
A young man who looked like a junior servant- a footman, perhaps- was summoned to show the group to their rooms. They were taken to a hallway of dormitory style rooms, each with a bed, dresser, writing table and chair, and a washstand and mirror. The rooms looked comfortable but sturdy, good for students or trainees.
"Wash room is at the end of the hall, my lord, ladies. Group breakfast is served at 8 in the morning, luncheon at noon, tea at 4, and supper at 8. If you need something, just pull the bell." The young man indicated a bell pull in each room.
"I say we head to High Mart and see if we can't consolidate our wealth." John says.
"It's going to take resources to fix the town problems and get on with our search for Count Lowls."
John tries to remember what he can about High Mart.
He also tries to remember the best place in town to buy and sell arms and armor.
Reine, looking refreshed, if not happier, joined the group. "Getting supplied, so we're not depending on the goodwill of someone who clearly didn't like us until recently - and who has little reason to like or trust us now - seems like a good idea," she said, agreeing with John.
"Or, since it's about Noon now, we could see if we can catch lunch here before we go. Otherwise, we'll probably want to follow Broom's plan, and go to the Stain first, then shopping and selling."
Broom frowned and cocked her head just a bit, narrowing her eyes suspiciously as she regarded John. He seemed to suddenly know a lot about this town. Quite a lot. Were his memories returning? Or maybe... he never lost his memories in the first place.
As she contemplated this thought, more of the conspiracy started to come into focus. John was different than the rest of them after all. He was a man while the rest of them were women. That was curious.
And then there was the fact that his eyes were normal. They didn't turn black, they didn't have black veins and they weren't mismatched. Even Winter's eyes were mismatched. Very strange.
He also didn't seem to have anything supernatural about him. He didn't have a sentient shadow, black blood or fearful auras and strange cards that mysteriously appeared. He just seemed like a regular everyday guy. And that was very strange indeed.
But it was a sunny day out and she was excited about going out and exploring. Her smile quickly returned and the suspicions slipped away as she waited to hear where they were going first.
"I think we will learn more out in the town than we will here in this place." John says.
"The High Mart is an indoor market square with a variety of vendors. We will be able to acquire a lot of what we need there and be able to dispose of of some of the contents of Broom's satchel."
"There's a smithy here run by a dwarf woman named Binter. Binter is probably not the right dwarf for making arms and armor, but other dwarves rent the anvils in the place and they might be able to help."
Broom's stomach rumbled. "We agree, lets go! You know the way to the Stain, don't you John?" she asked, giving him an odd look. "We will follow you."
Broom adjusted her pack for the second or third time and then stood by the door waiting for John to lead the way.
"I do. I don't remember when I was there, but I've been there." John says.
"I can lead the way."
John led the group to the Stain, back down the road in the direction they had come from but instead of crossing the bridge to the island continued west past the Fish Market. A large building adjacent to the bridge across to the piers and backing up to the channel, the Fish Market looked like a repurposed town hall. The large double doors were thrown open, exposing a few stalls inside, illuminated by an amber-colored crystal lantern as large as a man.
Continuing on down the road, the group passed by a large building with an equally large fenced-in yard, over which the Briarstone survivors could see tall stacks of coal and lumber.
As they got closer to where John told them the Stain was- at the far western edge of town, with an unobstructed view of the Bay- they saw a wild-haired, bedraggled man trudging north, wearing a sandwich board covering his front and back. They couldn't read the writing from their angle, but it was likely Elgrior Nasmeth, who Cesadia had mentioned was preaching about impending doom around town but particularly at the Stain and the Silver Wagon. His eyes were on the ground and he barely seemed to pick up his feet as he plodded up the street away from the group.
Broom enjoyed the trip through the town. She paused as the group passed by the fish market. "We would like to see what they have today. Maybe when we go back to the agency?"
As they neared the Stain she noticed the bedraggled doomsayer shuffling along. "Do you think we should talk with him? Maybe he knows something or has seen something" she whispered.
"Do you need some fish?" John asks puzzled when Broom asks about the fish market.
When we see the bedraggled doomsayer:
"Maybe we can wrap him up and put him on the boat to the asylum where he can live with the rest of the crazies...."
"Do you need some fish?" John asks puzzled when Broom asks about the fish market.
Broom's stomach growled "Of course! A fresh perch or two would be nice for this evening. We could get some butter and tarragon from the market, and maybe a lemon or zeki fruit. Or maybe strusel berries if they have any!
A little flour, brown the butter, fry them up with the fresh herbs and finish with a little tart juice.
Oh! But you know what! We can ask at the Stain how they cook them here. Maybe they have local dishes We could learn."
Letting the doomsayer go on his way, the survivors kept heading west until they got to a large, weathered building overlooking the Bay. A large white tent had been set up over a brick patio closer to the water, and several people were sitting and enjoying food and drinks along with the nice weather.
The door to the building was open, revealing an old but well maintained taproom. Several people sat inside, as well, and portly, gray haired man with a bushy beard manned the bar. The whole place seemed quite busy, inside and out, with a trio of harried looking serving girls rushing about and the smells of meat cooking on a grill wafting around the whole place.
One of the girls saw them as the group walked up. She didn't seem to recognize them. "Hi, take any open table, we'll be right with you!" There were a couple of tables available inside but only one left outside under the tent.
"Thank you!" Broom said cheerfully as she made her way to the last table under the tent outside.
John follows Broom into the tent.
He unslings his shield from his back, leans it against a table leg, and sits down.
"I know I've been here before, but I don't remember when."
Reine followed the others, doing her best to take a seat that allowed her to see as much of the space around them as possible. Not because she was paranoid, but because she didn't know who might know them, and have a score to settle.
The tent was crowded with tables but the one the group was able to get was set up near the far corner, allowing for good sight lines both inside and outside. The patio had an excellent view of the Bay and the breeze coming off the water was fresh and crisp without being cold. All in all, a nice place for a lunch.
The tables were full of people enjoying the surprisingly nice weather, from folks who looked like common workers to what looked like local merchants to even a pair who looked like nobles, pleasantly chatting over half-eaten plates of food.
At another, both a red-skinned female tiefling in rough leather and with a bow leaned up against the back of her chair and an older, broad-shouldered, beaded human with a heavy sword slung from his chair, would lean in to whisper to each other and take surreptitious looks at the survivors from time to time.
At the last, all four humans were looking at the survivors and talking animatedly. From their clothes they looked like dock workers.
After a few minutes a different waitress from the one who had talked to them came out to serve the group. "Hi! Come out to enjoy the weather?" She handed out a short, double sided menu with food on one side and drinks on the other.
John notices nothing...
"Here to enjoy the weather and grab a bite to eat."
"We did," Reine said, "it is so refreshing to feel the sun on one's face." Reine gave the server a smile and a nod of thanks, using the motion to glance over the woman's shoulder at a table behind her - where Reine noted a slender young man with dark skin and cropped, curly black hair shaved on the sides glancing their way while talking to his similarly young female companion.
She flipped up the menu and glanced over the drinks side, turning it to catch the sunlight off of the bay. The turn also gave her the chance to look beyond the menu without raising her head. Which is how she picked up on a red-skinned female tiefling in rough leather and with a bow leaned up against the back of her chair and an older, broad-shouldered, beaded human with a heavy sword slung from his chair leaning in to whisper to each other and take surreptitious looks at the group.
Without reacting at all, Reine turned the menu over to the food side, and leaned in to point at something while showing the menu to John. Which allowed her to look in yet another direction, and spot a table of what looked like human dock workers who were looking directly at them and speaking animatedly amongst themselves.
"I'll have the meat sandwich, and a mug of ale, please." Reine said, still smiling.
*****
Once the server had taken their orders and left the table, Reine turned her smile to her companions.
"We have three tables of admirers, from what I can see," Reine said quietly to the others. She described each, and their directions and distances, without losing the smile on her face. "Don't look directly at them. Let's play ignorant for a bit, and see what happens."
Broom looked at the menu with a little disappointment. "You don't have any fish? We will have some stew then. And some iced tea please."
As she waited for the order to arrive, she looked around with interest at all the different people in the tavern. As she did so, she started to notice that there were some people looking back.
She was about to wave at the closest ones and say hello, but Reine warned against attracting attention so she suddenly took an interest in peering out over the lake. That had its own, special charm.
The server took all their orders, gathered up the menus, and headed inside. The group was left to their own devices for several minutes while the people at other tables ate, chatted, and enjoyed the sunshine. Eventually, though, the tall, older, very grizzled man stood up, slowly belted his sword on, and started walking toward the group's table.
"Heads-up," Reine said to the others. "Sword-guy and his tiefling friend are making their move. He's headed this way, she's got her bow. My guess is she won't shoot unless this gets ugly. His sword is on his belt, so let's see where this goes."
John looks up from the table to study the oncoming human.
He doesn't stand up yet because he doesn't want to startle anyone into making a rash decision if they're hostile.
At Reine's warning, Broom tore herself away from gazing out over the calling lake and looked over at the approaching man. She smiled pleasantly at him "Hello."
The tall, older man stopped a few feet away from the table and nodded politely at Broom. He seemed focused on John, though. "Word is you're out of work, John. Your Count ran off."
"I'd heard he left town." John answers.
"He and I had agreed to part ways before he left." he dissembles.
"but I'm still missing my last paycheck, so I'll be tracking him down to collect at some point."
The tall man nodded and gestured at the tiefling back at his table. Her hands- and bow- were conspicuously out of sight. "We've got a job guarding a wagon up to Carrion Hill, if you need some coin. Very generous payout for a week's worth of work. We could use another sword along. You interested?"
"I appreciate the offer, but I've got a few things to take care of here in town." John says.
"Keep me in mind though .... maybe next time I can come along."
The older man nodded. "That's too bad, but fair enough. We could use you now that you're freelance. If you change your mind, we're heading out from the Booklayer at first light." He briefly turned to look at everyone else around the table, a polite acknowledgment, and turned to head back to his table.
"So," Reine murmured as the man walked away, "sounds like they're going to be accompanying the left-behind books up to Carrion Hill. Think the owner will be OK with that? And why would someone be giving a 'very generous payout' for those books, do you think?"
"It sounds like that we have to move quickly if we want to investigate the book shop." John says quietly as he blows on a hot cup of soup before taking a sip.
"There seems to be a lot of people suddenly leaving town, doesn't it? The magister left on important business, the Count left for unknown reasons, the book seller left to another city and random people are disappearing as well."
Broom eyed the stew before taking a bite.
Broom was a little surprised, despite its appearance, it was pretty good.
"The books must be really important if even the heavily armed guards that were hired want the additional security of hiring John. We agree, lets go see what is at the book shop before everything gets moved."
She took a few more spoon fulls of the stew before adding "Do you think those guards are going to be at the shop this afternoon as well?"
"Someone has to load the books. Not going to be a quick or easy job. I'd guess they'll start soon, or work through the night. So if it isn't the guards, it'll be someone else there."
"Well, if we poke around and we're discovered. We'll probably end up tangling with those folks." John says.
After a moment's pause he says:
"It's pretty weird having them know who I am, but not knowing them."
"Well, when we are done with lunch why don't we visit Lenk since he knew Papin then head to the book store and see if anything is going on."
Broom had another spoonful of stew and chewed thoughtfully "We wonder who hired these guards? If the bookseller moved to Rozinport, why are her books being shipped to Carrion Hill?"
Desdemona had been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the servings at "the Stain." She had regarded the apparently-not-strangers who interrupted their meal with distant calm; distracted, as she was most often, by noticing the lighting change, but her storm-grey eyes perceptive despite that.
Mention of the bookseller finally drew her out of her contemplative silence. "I agree that we should visit that bookshop immediately after we've finished our meal. Perhaps we'll find more information about any number of topics of interest there. Carrion Hill, the Count, the disappearances, the apparent mercenaries; I expect many things will become clear once we've set our minds to examining the truths we find."
Then she flinched as a man passed, and his shadow fell over hers. Recovering smoothly as she could, she added, "I believe we would be wise to follow that age-old adventurer adage, and remain together for the duration of our stay in this... quaint fishing town. As well as propriety allows, of course."