Melgur Harvaks is taken aback by the arrival of Manny and company after their absence two days prior.
The shop is a modest one compared to some of the others, and its works are very specialized (light armor, archery equipment, and the smallest of weapons, all of which gilded in a silvery color). A front display lays half-empty, and one of the arrowheads on display is very chipped.
Melgur has three apprentices; twin girls and a one-eyed boy who quickly ducks out of sight.
The dark-bearded proprietor motions to the adventurers to come into the corner of his establishment for a quick conversation. The motion is a futile one, as there are no customers present, but worth the effort.
"I'd thaa' ye' werenae coming."
** spoiler omitted **
Sure enough, the sheriff returns upstairs within ten minutes, and he narrows his eyes at Sorval in unspoken scrutiny.
"I think it'll be back to my office, then." he sighs, motioning to the catfolk and leading her upstairs after a quick wave of dismissal to the lunching guard.
"I know you 'ave been gone and back. What news have you got?"
The faculty are certainly pleased to have Zeltor back. Moreso than he had ever remembered, in fact. He is placed in the usual schoolroom and is likely pleased to discover Ermes has returned to school, and with more interest in his surroundings than before.
Mostly in Zeltor, however. The monk can feel his eyes on him almost constantly.
Otherwise, the day passes with blissful innocence compared to those past, and Zeltor is granted 3 gold pieces for his trouble in teaching. Granted, the dwarven youths who had gone at one another the other day weren't on friendly terms, but nobody tries anything on school grounds.
When it grows time to complete his day, Ermes and Worren's mother appears outside the schoolhouse with a basket of sweet pastries for the tiefling. She's hardly the same woman from before, but actually being able to sleep will do that to a person.
"I cannot thank you enough for bringing our child back to us."
"I can see tha'," Melgur grimaces. "Bu' in tha' future, it'd be polite ta tell me ye willnae be coming. We had a scare las' night."[b]
Left to her own devices, Sunny is provided with Marduzi's meal and sent with an amused quirk of Lorranith's eyebrow back into the outside world.
For the first time in a long time, she doesn't sense any palpable immediate danger around her. Not that she'd care anyway, but it certainly made the chilly spring air around her that much easier to appreciate.
Marduzi's young friend opens the door the the brewery when the young elf arrives. Red-haired and lanky, he leads her into the area of the structure that contains the cots, where Marduzi finishes changing bandages on an unfamiliar young man. His color isn't amazing, but he's awake and being helped to his feet by an older gentleman, most likely his father.
[b]"Easy does it, Worren, easy-," Marduzi coaches, catching Sunny's glance before finishing the process. He fiddles with some crutches until they're beneath Worren's arms and then faces Sunny.
"You're back already, then?" he asks. "Excellent, I was getting peckish..."
Manny nods at Ruul's words. We went out to try to deal with a bandit problem and got hung up overnight. Plus there was a rampaging owlbear, apologies.
Manny looks down at the burn spot. What kind of scare did you have? Another theft?
"Na. Attempted arson, li'. I had a bad feelin', so I came a-running back this way and unlocked the door aft I'd close, an' there wes that fire, consumin' one of me best bows."
Well we are here and will be lending a hand. Manny leans in with a quiet voice. So tell me about yer help, just want to see if there be anyone with a grudge.
"Tha' only help I go' are Herila, Hroldi, and Suun. Ye can see them millin' about tha place, now. Well, tha, an me ol' lady when she comes by. Ain't no need to worry 'bout them, s' far as I know. Now, my nephew.. that's another matter. His boys bully Suun evr' now an' again, an' he's competin' jes' across the way. Used ta be my apprentice, bu' took issue with my aesthetics, so there i' is. My loss is his gain."
He believes every word of this.
Sunny is allowed to enjoy the beautiful mountain spring day free of danger after being sent out of the tavern with the wrapped lunch. There is no real sense of urgency in anyone around her, save for the more crotchety crafstmen, but the people of Maheto run by the old adage of minding their own business when possible.
The brewery is much as she left it, though a middle-aged woman who reeked of the stills greets her at the door and leads her back to the cots, wherein Marduzi aids another patient (a young man coated in bandages) stand up wih the aid of another man and some crutches.
"Well done, Worren... Now, I'm normally all for bedrest, but your father assures me you'll be back in less than an hour after sitting outside. Make sure you keep drinking water, and I'll see you soon."
Sniffing the air, Marduzi springs a modest smile.
"Back already, Sunny?"
Manny nods. Well we can definatly keep watch here if need be. Perhaps Ruul can sniff around with me and we see if they had a hand in the fire.
The brewery is much as she left it, though a middle-aged woman who reeked of the stills greets her at the door and leads her back to the cots, wherein Marduzi aids another patient (a young man coated in bandages) stand up wih the aid of another man and some crutches.
"Well done, Worren... Now, I'm normally all for bed-rest, but your father assures me you'll be back in less than an hour after sitting outside. Make sure you keep drinking water, and I'll see you soon."
Sniffing the air, Marduzi springs a modest smile.
"Back already, Sunny?" Sunny nods affirmatively, her blond locks flicking over her eyes as she shakes her head.
"Aye! An' they ladled on a whole lot'a extra shrooms!" She exclaims cheerfully, then pauses and colours a little,
"A'cept...they's not rilly a whole lot a' shrooms left...'cause I eated a whole lot..." She absently tugs at the hem of her shirt having put the package down where indicated for Mr Marduzi one bare foot slipping behind the other, before becoming distracted by poor Worren. Quickly skipping over and helping the fellow out into the bright, clear spring day.
Upon Worren getting settled Sunny perches close to him and looks at the fellow inquisitively, "Here? Whut did ye run up agin' ta' be endin' up like this? Were it some nasty coral? There be 'Fire coral'...Oooo, that's nasty stuffs!" She declares, before twisting about, bringing her side to bear and thence lifting her shirt to show off her flank and ribs.
"See here?" She indicates with a finger, tracing up her side, "I were a lot younger an' I done be silly. Rubbing up agin some coral. Put a slice in me good, it did." She some how manages to twist herself around a little more,
Examining the site of the old wound.
"Um...'Rain-song', that be her name in'a speakin' of tha' peoples, She nods affirmatively, happy with her translation of the Elven healer's name, "She be havin' such soothin' hands." Sunny sighs at the memory, then blinks herself back to the present, as she drops her shirt and leans forwards,
"So! Whut be done t'ye self?" Her large blue eyes looking into that of Worrens.
(^_^)
There's no sign of a forced entry on the door or the solitary window in the main shop, and the minotaur finds the other door to the outdoor workshop just as secure. The privvy is likewise safe. However, there is a conspicuous crack in the workshop wall that had only been sealed by a nailed board... which appeared to be in place until Ruul got closer. Something or someone had removed it.
However, nothing larger than a stoat could have entered through this opening.
Manny comes over and checks the wall.
But no doubt sees nothing new.
Manny waves over the dwarf. Can you tell us anything about the damage to this wall? Looks like there was a board over it that got removed. The opening is pretty small though. We dug out a shaprechanger a while ago so maybe there is another one around?
Zeltor welcomes the chance to be back at school, and a semblance of a more ordinary life - events precipitated one after the other during the last couple of days, end even though he is a pragmatic one, not all has been easy to assimilate.
With a smile he acknowledges the return of Ermes, and keeps an eye on the by to make sure his integration is smooth.
By the end of the school day, he welcomes the boy's mother with a nod - "It is good to see that things are getting back on track" - he retorts - "How have you and your son been. Everything returning to its usual routines?" - the tiefling questions.
Manny scratches
"Ah. Tha' ud be tha' work of ma' son durin' his youth. With a trowel, no less. Proud as I am, I need ta' fix it. I keep forgetting ta do that..."
Manny just feels around the wall to see if it will give up any more secrets.
Manny nods and heads out to beat the bushes, askinh about the time when the dwarf's shop was burned.
There was nothing else inside the shop, but outside Manny and Ruul swore they could see little animal-like footprints and smell some sort of natural musk.
Asking around town told them only that there had been a fire in that shop close to sixty years ago. Of course, only the elven and dwarven tenants of the area could provide such information.
"So, no loose ends aside from the large one, then? I can trust your tellin' me you have been in some sort of scrape, and it would be in poor taste to ask you to go find the head, now."
The gruff soldier coughed in a moment of awkward silence. "That was a joke. I couldn't ask for that on a description of hearsay. Even if I could, that is apparently the minotaur's modus operandi and not yours."
He sighed. "I can offer you some recompense. Did we have an amount we agreed on?"
Worren looked away from Sunny, strained.
Marduzi approached after looking at his raided lunch and gingerly touched the elf's shoulder.
"He was brutally attacked, Sunny. Now might not be the best time to talk about it. You might want to know that it was your companions that came to his rescue if it comes up."
Trying to distract the zippy young woman from the fervently blushing Worren (he had seen a bit when that shirt hiked up), Marduzi coaxed a little more.
"Just how differently do the healers work where you are from?"
"No normalcy, yet, maestro, but at least we are as of yet together. As for your asking, Worren is on the mend. He can move around and feed himself."
She wrinkled her nose and looked wearily to the right for a moment.
"He is... different now, though the healers say that is normal after something like this..."
Ermes tugged at his mother's skirt.
"Oh, look at me, nattering away... I'll have to bring something to your husband. We just wanted you to know that we are grateful, Sir."
Hmm..Little animal prints and musky. Perhaps some wizard sent their rat to do some magic vandalism? Think you might be able to track a bit Ruul?
Marduzi approached after looking at his raided lunch and gingerly touched the elf's shoulder.
"He was brutally attacked, Sunny. Now might not be the best time to talk about it. You might want to know that it was your companions that came to his rescue if it comes up."
Trying to distract the zippy young woman from the fervently blushing Worren, Marduzi coaxed a little more.
"Just how differently do the healers work where you are from?"
At Marduzi's initial comment it's clear that Sunny would have flung her arms around the poor fellow, only the Ceric's restraining hand stops her impulsive action. At the mention of her new 'friends' Sunny smiles and nods in agreement of their generosity and wonderfulest natures. (^_^)
At Mardzui's question about healing and home, Sunny frowns a little in concentration/consideration.
"Well...." She begins slowly, "I in't never rily had tha' nonce fer learnin' spells..." She says, "Though I un'erstand tha' teachin' of tha' Goddess an' such.' To which she gently clasps her hands before herself, folds/crosses her legs and goes amazingly still for a few moments seemingly in contemplation of the 'divine'. Before opening her eyes and continuing.
"But I in't trully, y'know, felt tha' stirrin's in me self about such things." She admits looking wide eyed up at Mardzul, "So, I can't rilly be tellin' ye of them stuffs...." Then her smile brightens.
"I were all'a'ways lots more interested in whut where happenin' about tha' place! I were all'a'ways lookin' forwards ta' when tha' Sea Folk were migratin' past!" Her voice begins to pick up speed as her recollections unfold and the remembered joys it brings back.
"We kin would be spendin' our time a'tween visits makin' things ta' trade with tha' folk. Our hands and such," She extends her tanned arms and wiggles her fingers, "Jus' seem ta' be more quick at doin' tha' rilly fine things they seems ta' has ta', y'know, squint at."
"Tha' Elders would be workin' out which bit of tha' island might be needin' a touch more height an' such. Them's workin' on settin' up rilly big poles with banners an' such on 'em, while others would be settin' up tha' rock throwin' thingys on'a beach." Sunny wiggles into a slightly more comfortable, legs crossed position as she relates her memories.
"Then, when they's Sea Folk arrive, there's all'a singin' an'a dancin' an'a tale tellin'." She blinks.
"Here! Y'know they's Sea Folk? They be sayin' they come from a place where tha' water, it don't move!" Sunny's voice carries her amazement at such a notion/idea/tale, "An' they comes all'a way along an' to our islands. It be a right long trip even by they's reconin'. An' they's more'n glad ta' be meetin' and greetin' us. Gives 'em some chance ta' kind'a gather 'em-selfs, like." She shakes her blond mop.
"It were them tales of them comin' all'a way to home an' that bein' only a part of they's journey whuts give me itchy feets." She giggles, extending her legs and wiggling her toes.
"Any-who, they comes all'a'ways ta' home and lots of tha' other islands about, but t'is jus' all part of they's trip to another place they say tha' water all turns solid. this whole trip? They say it all be in'a line... Goin' on fer ever an' ever." Sunny scrunches her face and shakes her head.
"Their way of explainin' things like that rilly does me sconk in. Them going from place to place but all'a'ways movin' on, never needin' ta' go backwards." Sunny blinks and continues.
"So, they's arrive an' there's tha' singin' an' tha' dancin' an' tale tellin' and us throwin' rocks with tha' big wooden thingys on'a beach an' they's young 'uns and later they's champions all havin' a go at catchin' with tha' different sized rocks an' such. An' them throwin' 'em back ta' be gettin' tha' poles, them targets we's set up. With us givin' 'em tha' prizes afer tha' best rocks dropped on'a spot." Sunny grins.
"Well...here me an' some of t'other like kin were all rilly entranced by all'a' stories an' with tha' help of all'a me kin we put t'gether some stuff an' hitched our selfs ta' tha' bottom of one of tha' boats whut come washed in from tha' seasonal storms we be gettin'. Y'know? When tha' great storm gets all riled up every season? Some times, maybe aver few decades or so, we get some ship all banged up an' come limpin' in't our cove an' we help 'em out when they's nice enough people." Sunny's explanation meanders along.
"A'cause sometimes...well...some peoples, they's kind'a strange." And Sunny frowns again, again shaking her head, "It be somat I still be havin' right trouble understandin'. Why some folks do tha' strangest things they do...." Sunny looks to Marduzi and thence to Worren.
(^_^)
"You say Worren is different?" - Zeltor insists just a tad - "How so?"
"Well, I can give you the information that your brother has headed up to one of the orc strongholds, at least. An' I can offer you some decent equipment if you're in the market for it... I think some of the old enchanted gear should fit you."
Sheriff Forthan knits his fingers together.
"And I believe I can give you 3500 gold to do with what you will.
-Is there anything else?"
The tracks scamper about in circles quite a bit and reach the cobbles before disappearing. There's no way to track them back to a lair.
From Marduzi's expression, Sunny can assume the healer picked up about half of her story.
"There really is no real way of predicting humanoid nature, that is true..."
He sighs wistfully. "I would have given quite a bit to have seen the sea folk, but some things are not to be in this lifetime."
"His eyes are sensitive... and he jumps at every shadow. To be frank, I think he's lost some eyesight... whether it is a permanent change or a temporary setback, I don't know."
"A'... Righ' when I was young en' spry. That was my faul, I think... Well, ta' be honest, I dun' remember leaving the lantern in the shop, but it started aligh' whilst I took a nap. It upset m' wife somethin' fierce though. Didn' get a day of peace abou' that until she went, Torag rest 'er soul."
"There really is no real way of predicting humanoid nature, that is true..."
He sighs wistfully. "I would have given quite a bit to have seen the sea folk, but some things are not to be in this lifetime."
Sunny smiles, happy that there's at least a little new understanding between them all. "Well... if'n things develop in'a future, maybe we can hop a ship home ta'gether, hey?" (^_^) She offers Marduzi brightly.
Hmm...So we will probably need to camp out and see if it returns. Maybe set a snare for it.
"I.. I don't think so, Sunny. But I appreciate the offer. And if you're heading off, I just remembered something that can be of use to you."
He walks into the next room for a minute and returns with a stoppered bottle.
"They're smelling salts. You can use them to wake someone up, even in dire circumstances... I suppose you could use them on your friend, too, but it can cause a strain if the injured party is in too bad of a way and tries to move.
Someone gave the Prior this some time ago, and he only mentioned it in passing, but I think you could use it more than we."