"Some of the people on the list," Rodrick puts in nervously, "they're not bad people, just people looking to help out a fellow down on his luck. Daktani's almost always down on his luck, to hear him tell it, and being persecuted unfairly."
"Aye, that's true," Halgra nods. "Don't antagonize anyone needlessly. There'll be some few folk that'll take his side against the Patrol, no matter what; we don't want that number to be any higher than it has to. Trunau has to stand united."
"Of course, Chief Defender. We'll bring him in alive and see justice done the lawful way."
His eyes flick briefly to Alicia. "And we won't create any unnecessary trouble, either."
Vhailor nods enthusiastically and honestly, showing his committal to following Marikel's instructions in terms of the terms of their further investigations.
At a glance from the Chief Defender, Jagrin Grath gets to his feet and passes over a folded piece of parchment to the priest. "You'll find Sara Morninghawk's name on there," he says gruffly. "I don't advise taking an aggressive tone with her. She's given Daktani some work from time to time and might know where he could be found."
The other names on the list are Urnsul, Katrezra, Melira, and Othdan. In addition to the smithy Clamor, Daktani is also known to have done odd jobs on occasion at The Killin' Ground and for Gorkis Meeson at That 'N' Such.
Ali rolls her eyes at Marikel. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Marikel opens and looks at the paper, frowns, folds it carefully back to how it was and hands it over to Alicia.
"Thank you very much. We'll do all we can."
He half nods, half bows to the room.
"And thank you for your trust. In all of us. We won't let you down."
Through supreme effort he doesn't look at Alicia. Instead, he heads towards the door.
"Will that be all?"
"You'll be at the funeral tonight," Rodrick half-asks, half-invites. "At sunset, in the Commons?"
Vhailor nods at Roddy's half invite, smiling his intent.
"You'll be at the funeral tonight," Rodrick half-asks, half-invites. "At sunset, in the Commons?"
"Of course," Marikel agrees.
He thinks "So soon after the previous gathering too. These poor people."
Alicia grunts noncommittally, kicks to her feet from her chair, and follows after Marikel.
As Marikel leaves he looks to the others and heads into town, maybe towards the smithy.
"Miss Alicia. You and Banny spoke to Miss Sara yesterday morning, didn't you." It is hard to tell if Marikel is asking a question or making a statement.
"How did that go? I think we should start there."
The party takes their leave from Ivory Hall and walks back out into the chilly morning sunshine.
You recognize two of the names: Katrezra is a half-orc with a face and arms scarred not by weapons but pocked by acid, flame, or disease. Rumor has it that he was a slave at an orc temple in an active volcano before escaping and seeking sanctuary in Trunau. You believe he lives in a sort of half-orc boarding-slash-flophouse in the Inner Quarter.
Melira is a name you overheard applied to a guide who escorts travelers out of Freedom Town. A human woman, she enjoys a less than warm welcome when her path leads her to Bloodmarch Hill, as most citizens of Trunau view Freedom Town as a hive of criminals and otherwise untrustworthy people.
"She didn't seem to know anything--but then, we didn't ask her about our half-orc friend," Alicia says. "I recognize two of the other names on the list, though. One's a half-orc who lives in a flophouse in the Inner Quarter. The other is a woman who guides people from Freedom Town to here. If he was wanting to flee the city, he may well have run to her first--or if he hasn't run yet, he may go to her when he starts to feel the urge to run. I could see if I can't track down gossip about whether she's in town while you guys talk to Sara?"
Marikel does a double take as Kaleb speaks but recovers quickly.
"Mr Kaleb. Good of you to join us again. I hope this won't be too unpleasant for you. How much of the situation are you aware of?"
"Snippets and bits and pieces i've been able to start shaping together. I would appreciate a full breakdown of what we're up against. Master Frum has been very keen for me to lend my aid wherever I can."
Kaleb had been passive in the meeting, nodding when required to show understanding and occasionally making sounds of assent and acknowledgement.
"You'll be at the funeral tonight," Rodrick half-asks, half-invites. "At sunset, in the Commons?"
Kaleb nodded in assent with a soft and sympathetic smile, thinking that to speak would only exaggerate the slight awkwardness of attending a funeral for a man he did not know. Once the group had left he voiced his thoughts-
"Marikel, would you prefer us to split our marks between us or are we taking a united approach? I am a stranger to the town, so perhaps I would be best placed to approach this Sara Morninghawk, masquerade as a mercenary?"
Marikel explains the situation to Kaleb as they leave.
"So, Mr Kaleb, we were awoken yesterday morning with the news that Mr Kerst Grath, the son of Patrol Captain Mr Jagrin Grath back there, had jumped to his death from the cliffs behind the Longhouse. When I saw his body, however, I knew from experience that he hadn't died from a fall despite the fact that one of the guards had actually seen a figure jump and his body was found at the foot of the cliffs. We checked out the jump point and sure enough there was a ledge right below it leading into the caves that dot the cliffs below. And we checked out where he was found and we found the cave where he'd been murdered. There was mining stuff there and signs of use. On our way back into town, we checked out the old church ruins outside and we were atttacked by a flood troll. We defeated it and questioned it to learn that it had killed Mr Kerst on the orders of a half-orc named Daktani. He is known to the watch and so we're currently looking to find him and bring him in."
He nods thoughtfully at Alicia's suggestion.
"Very well, Miss Alicia, splitting up should help speed our investigation. However, we don't want to be seperate when we find this fellow. How about we meet you outside this flophouse in the inner quarter?"
Marikel returns his attention to Kaleb.
"Mr Kaleb, Miss Sara Morninghawk has shown she can be trusted to be discrete. She was one of the few that knew that Miss Kelver and Mr Kerst were secretly married. Perhaps your ruse may be more useful later."
Marikel makes his way steadily to the blacksmith shop.
Alicia nods at Marikel and beckons for Kaleb to follow her. "Come with me--we'll see if we can't snoop around a bit." With that, the rogue hustles off toward the Inner Quarter.
The party separates in the Inner Quarter, the priest and gnome heading further down the hill toward Clamor in the Lower Quarter while the girl and the halfling remain behind to do some metaphorical digging.
Morninghawk's Fine Steel is living up to its more-commonly-used name as Marikel and Vhailor approach. The smithy door is propped open to let the cool outside air into the cramped and overheated interior, and the ring of metal on metal mingles with the shouts of voices raised over the sound.
Marikel makes his way to the smithy doorway and knocks politely. A moment later, he realises the futility.
After a few attempts, Marikel manages to make himself heard. The message is passed across the small shop by shout from one smith to another before it reaches its intended recipient. Sara Morninghawk raises a protective mask, squints across the smithy at the pair silhouetted against the light of the open door, waves them over, thinks better of it, waves them back again, removes the mask, carefully sets down her tools, and weaves her way through the workers, equipment and open flames to the front door.
She steps out into the cool morning air, appreciatively stretching her sweat-spangled arms and pushing a hand back through her damp hair. She gives Vhailor a quizzical look but addresses herself to Marikel. "What is it you're needing, Padre?"
Alicia and Kaleb linger in the Inner Quarter to make subtle inquiries. They learn that Katrezra's injuries make it difficult for him to work steadily, so he mostly subsists on odd jobs and the charity of the half-orc community. Depending on whom they're speaking to, the scarred half-orc is described as creepy and off-putting (human interlocutors) or merely shy and retiring (his own kind). Some of the half-orcs refer to him with a kind of mystical awe, seeming to believe that the combination of his physical presence at the orc holy site with his personal suffering have left him with prophetic powers: at any rate, it seems to be clear that he is known for cryptic statements which some interpret as oracular. He can usually be found in a flophouse nestled in the shadow of the Inner Gates, an address also known to have been shared at times by Daktani, Urnsul, and Othdan.
Melira seems to be little known in the Inner Quarter. She spends little time in town, as the Barterstones are her usual waystation for picking up and dropping off travelers. If she enters Trunau at all, it might be to purchase supplies or rent a room for the night; the Lower Quarter might have more news of her and how recently she might have been in town or may be expected, particularly Jess Meeson's general store and the Ramblehouse.
"What is it you're needing, Padre?"
Marikel gives a friendly nod and lowers his voice to normal volume figuring only the three of them can hear him with the clash and ringing going on inside.
"Morning, Miss Sara, and thanks for your time. You helped out our friend Banny yesterday concerning the hopeblade that was planted near where the jumper was seen. You may have heard that Kerst's suicide was a set up and we found a creature that admitted to killing him. But we're still looking for who may have planted the blade and jumped. We believe a fellow by name of Daktani may be able to help us and were wondering if you knew where we might find him or someone who could point us to him."
"Daktani?" she repeats, mildly surprised. "You think he had something to do with this?" She thinks a moment and then shakes her head. "Haven't seen him in several weeks. He used to hang around here pretty often. I think he was courting a woman who was working here for a while, Urnsul. But she quit. Said she was going to try her hand at prospecting. I figure she'll be back eventually. Most folk think they'll be the ones to stumble on a new line of ore or a cave of diamonds." She gives a short laugh. "Doesn't take them too much scratching on the outside of Bloodmarch Hill to learn that the most valuable supply of ore in town's here at the smithy. Might not be glamorous, but it pays steady."
Having agreed to meet Marikel at the flophouse later, Alicia drags Kaleb along to the Lower Quarter in search of more information about Melira. She starts with Jess Meeson's general store, and suggests that Kaleb look into it at the Ramblehouse--she's not too eager to have to deal with the halfling proprietess again.
The amiable Halfling got along well with the townsfolk who seemed quite happy to converse with the newcomer.
"Very well, Alicia. Time for a little chat with my auntie..."
The tone of trepidation in the young warrior's voice made it clear he would rather have faced a Frost Troll. But he set off for the Ramblehouse nevertheless.
"Haven't seen him in several weeks. He used to hang around here pretty often. I think he was courting a woman who was working here for a while, Urnsul. But she quit. Said she was going to try her hand at prospecting. I figure she'll be back eventually. Most folk think they'll be the ones to stumble on a new line of ore or a cave of diamonds."
"Prospecting, hey? We may have found some of her equipment while looking through the caves. I'm sure you're right though. Once she realises the value of a good hard day's work over false hopes of unearned fortunes, she'll be back. If you don't know where Daktani is, could you direct us to Miss Urnsul perhaps? Thank you."
"Believe she was staying at the Howling Hound. Place just inside the Inner Quarter, gives newcomers a place to lay their heads and get their feet under them, those that can't pay Cham Larringfass or stay on her good side." She chuckles. Marikel and Vhailor realize that the Howling Hound must be the same flophouse where Alicia said another of Daktani's known associates lives. "If she's prospecting, though, she may be camping at their dig site. Protecting their claim from jumpers, you know." She laughs again. "Who am I to judge? If I hadn't been trained as a smith, I might be tempted to dig for a fortune as well. If that's all, Padre," she goes on, glancing back into the smithy, "I've got work to do."
Alicia and Kaleb follow the road through the Inner Gates and past the plashing waters of the Hopespring into the Lower Quarter before parting ways, Alicia to head to That 'N' Such and Kaleb to return to the Ramblehouse.
Kaleb finds the common area of the Ramblehouse much quieter than when he left, breakfast having been cleared away and luncheon not yet being served. Most of the guests with business in town are out dealing with it, only a few permanent residents dozing in a corner or playing a game of draughts by the dying fire.
Kaleb doesn't know if he feels cheered or daunted by the fact that Cham Larringfass herself is seated at the reception desk, frowning down at a sheaf of papers she's looking over.
Alicia approaches Meeson's Goods & Salvage, or, as it is more commonly known around town for the eclectic range of mundane goods it sells, That 'N' Such. The dirt yard in front of the combination shop and residence is enclosed by a ramshackle split-rail fence and dotted with old metal tanks and tubs, stacks of rusty barrel rings, large pieces of prospecting equipment, mostly used, and other less-identifiable stacks of crates and loose goods. Before she reaches the fence, Bumpus picks up her scent and bays hoarsely from inside the dilapidated building to announce the arrival of a potential customer.
A loaded crossbow in hand, Jess Meeson appears in the doorway, squints at the waif-like blonde, and snorts, allowing the weapon to swing toward the boards of the porch, as she recognizes the teenager. "What is it?" she asks abruptly. "You found the polecat that was messing with people's hopeknives? You need Bumpus to tree the bastard?"
"Not exactly," the rogue replies. "I'm trying to find someone who might help us with that, though. Have you seen the guide-woman Melira around lately?"
Kaleb took advantage of the lull to quietly place himself into noticeable proximity with the innkeeper. When an opportunity presented itself he tried his most gallant smile and peered over her shoulder as he spoke in a cheery, care-free manner.
"Need a hand with the inventories Auntie Cham? Pretty sure this establishment's paperwork taught me to read you know... I can probably remember a lot of your processes? Tell me if I can turn that frown upside down!"
I have two plans here. I either butter her up before making gentle inquiry, or I do such a poor job with the paperwork she will be looking for ways to send me packing... Kaleb convinced himself.
"I've got work to do."
"Of course, Miss Sara. Good day."
As they leave, Marikel turns to Vhailor."Well, we were going to meet Miss Alicia at this flophouse anyway. Iomedae's Blade shines brightly."
"Have you seen the guide-woman Melira around lately?"
She snorts and spits emphatically into the dirt. "That Freedom Town trash? Turned up here with a passel of strangers five ... no, six days ago. Geared up and took herself back where she came from the next day, as far as I know. Reckon she'll show up again in a week or so with another group of luckless dreamers, thinking they'll strike iron ore in Bloodmarch Hill. She seems to specializing in would-be prospectors here lately."
"Need a hand with the inventories Auntie Cham? Pretty sure this establishment's paperwork taught me to read you know... I can probably remember a lot of your processes? Tell me if I can turn that frown upside down!"
The halfling looks up, and her frown of concentration turns into a weary smile. "You're a good boy, Kaleb, and a sight for sore eyes to see you back from among the dwarves. I can't say I ever approved of sending you away from your own kind," (her tone turns a little sharp as she scrutinizes the young man for over signs of dwarven affinity) "but it seems to have done you no harm at any rate. Tell me, you're planning to stay, are you? I can put you to work here, easy as pie. Always more sweeping and painting to do ... or are you angling for an office job, double-checking numbers?"
"Yeah?" Ali replies to Jess, her curiosity evident. "Any of them look familiar?"
"Who looks?" Jess shrugs. "A bunch of dusty half-orcs, desperate for coin -- especially after being robbed and cheated by the crooks in Freedom Town." She frowns. "You think one of them was the bastard who did in the Grath boy?"
Marikel and Vhailor leave Clamor and head back up to the Inner Quarter. The flophouse Sara Morninghawk referred to is set well back from the main road and crowded close to the wall of the Inner Gate. The two-story structure looks older than the wall; its uncomfortable siting is undoubtedly due to its already being present when the town's defenses were improved. Though the house itself is somewhat shabby and down at the heels, the placard over the doorway of a baying white dog has clearly been painted fairly recently, and the path to the front door is neatly swept.
Alicia and Kaleb appear not yet to have arrived.
"Not sure," Ali demurs. "Was Daktani one of those half-orcs? Or did she mention him at all?"
"Daktani? Has he taken up prospecting now? I'd think that'd be more work than he'd care to apply himself to. Shiftless riff-raff," she judges dismissively. "Gorkis pays him sometimes to haul things." She nods toward some of the larger pieces of equipment in the dirt yard. "He's not as young as he used to be. Or as thin. Or as good-looking." She sighs regretfully. "No, I can't say as I've ever seen Daktani with the Freedom Town hussy or heard the two names together."
"What about Katrezra?" Alicia asks. She raises an inquisitive eyebrow and adds, "Or maybe you know where I could find Daktani?
"Cat-razor?" she asks. "What kind of a name is that? Don't know where Daktani is. Gorkis might. " She raises her voice to carry back through the door. ""
After a moment, Gorkis Meeson, a middle-aged human male with a bald head and a sizeable paunch, shuffles into view in the doorway, wiping greasy fingers on an unlaced shirt. "Daktani? Lives up at the Dog House, don't he? Other side of the Inner Gates?"
Alicia and Kaleb appear not yet to have arrived.
Marikel looks around and finds a place to rest around a corner from the Howling Hound, but with a view of the comings and goings there.
"We shall wait here for Miss Alica and Mister Kaleb," he announces to Vhailor. "Patiently."
Vhailor smiles at Marikel's pronouncement, taking the opportunity to strike a relevantly irrelevant conversational line "So... pity we didn't find any ghost rats, but doesn't it strike you a bit strange? I mean how did the creatures get in there with no-one noticing?"
"Yeah?" Alicia replies to Gorkis. "Seen him lately, maybe?"
"So... pity we didn't find any ghost rats, but doesn't it strike you a bit strange? I mean how did the creatures get in there with no-one noticing?"
"It's never a pity when ghosts aren't found. All who are dead deserve rest and it is evil to disturb them. But the presence of those creatures at the old church was strange and I am concerned about them. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. I'll see that it's attended to once we've dealt with this unpleasant murder."
"Yeah?" Alicia replies to Gorkis. "Seen him lately, maybe?"
The man narrows his eyes in concentration, glancing around the yard and counting on his fingers. "He hauled away that there old iron bathtub," he finally replies, nodding to an empty corner of the yard where, presumably, the tub used to reside. "I believe that was the last job he did us, right around Winter Week. Five weeks ago? Six?"
"Need a hand with the inventories Auntie Cham? Pretty sure this establishment's paperwork taught me to read you know... I can probably remember a lot of your processes? Tell me if I can turn that frown upside down!"The halfling looks up, and her frown of concentration turns into a weary smile. "You're a good boy, Kaleb, and a sight for sore eyes to see you back from among the dwarves. I can't say I ever approved of sending you away from your own kind," (her tone turns a little sharp as she scrutinizes the young man for over signs of dwarven affinity) "but it seems to have done you no harm at any rate. Tell me, you're planning to stay, are you? I can put you to work here, easy as pie. Always more sweeping and painting to do ... or are you angling for an office job, double-checking numbers?"
"I'm planning to stay aunt, but my offer to help with the paperwork was only meant a temporary one... I'm a warrior now. The Dwarf folk saw to that. I suppose i'm asking for your help, aunt. I'm investigating the "suicide" of Kerst Grath. A few names have come up in connection with foul play. One of those names is "Melira"- I understand she sometimes stays here in the Ramblehouse"?
"Thanks," Alicia says. Without another word, she turns on her heel and hustles for the flophouse, leaving Kaleb to catch up to them there.