Demitri raises an eyebrow at the mention of 'among other things'. "Was she now? I suppose I could pay her a visit after returning this."
Marissel nods as Demitri introduces him. And his eyebrows raise at the mention of Marshall Kroft asking after Demitri. You have friends in high places it seems.
"She was my boss." Demitri replies.
Sabina nods at Demitri's answer, leading the group to the top of the stairs. A large pair of masterwork oaken doors bars the way into the throne room of Castle Korvosa.
Sabina opens the doors wide and steps in.
She steps aside, allowing you entrance to the throne room. The throne room itself is pristine but strangely empty—an open area with a vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows of past kings and queens looking down from the eastern wall, and crimson tapestries hanging along the others. An immense fireplace offers additional light and heat to the hall, and a silk carpet provides a gently arching path to the throne’s base.
The Crimson Throne of Korvosa is an incredibly elaborate throne carved from a block of obsidian, with many carved niches along the sides and back. The top of the throne bears many obsidian spikes, with red silk cloth entwined amongst its bases. The throne bears velvet cushions reinforced with gold studs: each of these gold studs bears the coat of arms of Cheliax.
Seated upon the Crimson Throne itself is Queen Ileosa, clad in a black, flowing mourning dress & veil. She is a vision of otherworldly beauty, her deep red hair resting upon her shoulders in elaborate braids. A silver coffer sits in her lap.
"These citizens--Demitri, Jakob, Karri, Lyla, Ortik & Marissel--were fortunate enough to find that which was taken from you, and kind enough to return it to its rightful bearer." Sabina says, pointing to each of you in turn. She looks to you and holds out a hand with an expectant look in her eye.
Nervous with the chatter of her Legion, Karri is silent, her face an impassive mask. Make us! Kill the queen! Kill her hand! Silnce!
Demitri hands over the brooch to Sabina. "It was the right thing to do, your Majesty."
Sabina smiles at Demitri as she relieves him of the brooch. She steps up to the Queen and presents the brooch to her, kneeling before her as she does so. A smile appears on the queen's face as she takes the brooch and holds it up to the light. The imp's eye twinkles.
Sabina takes her place at the queen's side. Queen Ileosa puts the brooch around her neck and addresses you all.
"Truth be told, I had not expected to see it again once it was stolen from me. I had resigned myself to losing a precious piece of my husband's history, and then you all arrived at my door, bringing it back to me."
Queen Ileosa stands, walking over to one of the stained glass windows that line the room's eastern wall. She runs a hand along it before looking to you all again. Her silver coffer remains in her hands.
"It would've been easy enough for any of you to simply leave this city and sell the brooch elsewhere. The fact that you have not done so is proof enough of your moral integrity." She says as the sunlight from the window falls upon her. "It's certainly more than I could say for others of Korvosa."
She approaches Demitri and presents the coffer to him. "Such forthrightness should be properly rewarded, I believe."
"And perhaps... others could stand to learn from your example." The queen says as she returns to her throne.
A wistful look is in her eye. "I love Korvosa, much like Eodred did. Such anarchy in the streets is enough to make my heart break, and for my husband to roll in his grave. I think you would be inclined to agree with me when I say that these riots cannot go on any longer."
She looks you all in the eyes. "To that end, I have a proposal for you. Field Marshal Kroft, leader of the Korvosan Guard, is in dire need of aid in returning order to Korvosa's streets. Should you be interested in helping her, pay a visit to Citadel Volshyenek. She will provide you with more information."
Queen Ileosa stands. "Good evening." With a whirl of her dress, she leaves the throne room through a side door.
"Thank you, your Majesty." Demitri says accepting the reward. "I would be more than happy to help." He replies before being escorted out.
Marissel bows low. As he listens to her speak, his eyes seem to brighten. Once the queen is gone, Marissel can barely contain himself. A chance to really make a difference. I don't know about the rest of you, but I will be going to Citadel Volshyenek.
Sabina watches Queen Ileosa depart before turning back to you all. She escorts you out of the throne room, proceeding down the stairs to the streets below.
"You don't have to go to the Citadel right away; in fact, now may be a good time to finish any business you have around town." She says as you descend.
"Odds are, you'll have a lot to keep you all busy in the coming days. Best to face them without having to look back, eh?"
Ortik bows as well before the Queen withdraws, taking the moment to reflect. She seems concerned for Korvosa. Maybe she's not as bad as everyone makes her out to be.
"Actually, I believe I've got some other business to attend to with the Field Marshall, mylady," he replies to Sabina as they descend from the throne room. "I need to talk to her about a friend of mine who's in trouble. I believe she could help him out." A chance to present Lamm's journal to the leader of the Guard! I've got the window and the lever, now I just need the arm strength to wedge it open!
"Yes. I have a few things to take care of myself." Demitri will stop by the market to pick up food for the litter of children and then to his home to pick up some things for his own child.
Sabina directs you back down to the ramp, where the guards keep your gear. They open six footlockers (and one jewelery box containing Marissel's gun) for you and let you get yourselves re-equipped.
The silver coffer that Demitri carries is worth about 50 gold pieces by itself. Opening it reveals 12 gold ingots, each bearing the coat of arms of Cheliax. They're worth 100 gold pieces each.
The sun is sinking low in the sky, casting long shadows along the streets leading deeper into Korvosa.
Marissel takes his gun, thanking the guards for their care of it. I have some people I need to check on. Shall we meet back at Zellara's?
Once a meeting place is agreed upon, Marissel goes to check on Semond and Deredel first--he has a few questions for Deredel. Then he continues on to check on Donna and Mercia and tell them the good news, their father has been avenged, before returning to the meeting place.
Jakob will make his way back to Old Korvosa, to check in on his parents and let them know Hannah's safe. If the streets seem safe enough, he'll bring Hannah with him as proof.
"Yes, Zellara's. She might have the children's best interests at heart, but I'd really prefer if we had a more, um, natural presence at the house. I've got an errand or two to take care of myself, so I'll head over after that. Stay safe. All of you." And, with that, Ortik starts walking with purpose towards Citadel Volshyenek.
Karri bids the group goodbye. Will I see them again? She takes a long walk about town, avoiding most of the rioting. Any thugs that come too close get a look that should chill their blood. While she wanders she does some serious introspection. Although, even that has a chorus in attendance. Muttering to herself, "Now what? Where to? I have avenged Velaro, but... " she stops, glaring at an old couple that was staring at her. Karri hurries on her way. More blood would sate you! No, Velaro would not approve. I must honor him. He's an anchor! Drop him and be free! Hush!
After a time she ends up back in front of Zellara's house. As she looks at the door, she catches the faint smell of Velaro's cologne. She smiles to herself, Maybe he is with me, in this place? Zellara can't be the only shade in Korvosa. She opens the door and enters the room, shoving her Legion to the back she smiles at the folks in the room.
You reach Goldmarket without incident. A couple of food stands are still open, manned by die-hard vendors.
Semond's home is, miraculously, undamaged. A couple of people hurry past you, anxious to get out of the wind's path. You can't blame them; the wind has that familiar Calistril bite to it.
The way back is littered with signs of riots and misery: some homes are fortunate enough to have only suffered broken glass and doors, where others have been burned beyond repair. You can see some scavengers picking through the larger wrecks--they take a look at you, but one look at your bloodied, kitted-out form is enough for them to leave you well enough alone.
Hannah is waiting for you when you reach the house. "May we go home now?" She asks.
The alleys and cobbles of Korvosa are silent... save for one sound as you turn onto a side street leading to the Citadel. It sounds like someone sobbing.
Getting closer, you can make out the form of a Korvosan Guard sitting underneath a lit street lamp, his uniform stained with what appears to be a mix of sweat and cheap ale. In his hand is a nearly-empty, dented tankard of... something that could charitably be called ale.
He raises his head as you approach. You recognize him as the patrol leader from yesterday, the one who ferried Gartaman Raelk's body to the Grey District--Grau Soldado. The guardsman breaks into a smile as he sees you.
"Neffi! You old codger, I haven't seen ya since Sandpoint! C'mon, I promised ya I'd get ya a round at the Creaky Hammock. Let's go--we can still catch happy hour!" He slurs.
A restaurant in the Heights. Closed, now. Nobody remembers its name, but you do. The Brass Rail is an empty husk of a building... but you remember. Velaro used to take you here.
A breeze speeds you on your way. Some unsavory types eye you as you walk past; you glare at them. Challenge them with your eyes. They look away. They cannot look at you--they're weak. Weak, and they know it.
The streets of Korvosa are silent--your inner demons could stand to learn from the city's example. The chill of the air settles on your clothes. You press on.
You wander past the street where Velaro was found. A knife in his back. A smile on his face. A beautiful smile. Even your Legion agreed. How do you feel about that?
Zellara's home stands before you at the end of your walk. The sounds of children playing within catch your ear--did you want that future with Velaro? Would it have been as pleasant as it sounds?
Entering the home, you see Zellara sitting on the stairs next to Demitri's girl. The girl watches the other children teasing each other, running around... acting like children.
Demitri will walk up to one of them. "I need enough food to feed a lot of kids. How much?"
"'Ow many are we talkin', 'ere?"
"Bloody 'ell, yeh're not serious, are yeh?"
He looks back in his stall. "Ya, I've got enough 'ere to feed yer kids. Whole thing's gonna run yeh about 9 Crowns 'n' 5 Shields."
You can hear him muttering as he starts packing the food you need together. "Abadar's scales... people really need to start pacin' 'emselves these days... hell, the missus 'n' I 'ave our 'ands full with two rugrats as it is..."
He looks back at you in the midst of his work. "'Ave yeh given any thought as to 'ow yeh're gettin' this all to the kids?"
"I'm helping take care of kids for some people. Only one of them's mine. Do you know a place where I can rent or buy a cart?" Demitri says as he starts counting out the money. "Technically it's not a lie.."
"Well, that's a relief. Fer a minute there, I thought yeh'r outta yer mind."
He rubs his chin. "Well, fer rentin' a cart..."
The vendor pauses in his packing to whistle loudly.
"Finn! Get over 'ere!" He calls out to the back of his stall.
Soon, a young, brown-haired man who looks no older than fifteen emerges from the back of the stall.
"Yes, Pa?"
"Get the cart hitched up. You'll be needin' to make a delivery soon."
The teen nods and runs off into the back. The vendor looks back to you.
"I can lend ya my cart fer this. It'll run ya about 15 Crowns, and it'll carry all ya need." He says. He leans closer to you. "An' I think yer a smart man to be makin' yer purchases now. Most o' tha rowdy folk 'ave gone 'ome fer the night. If yeh tried this in broad daylight, yeh'd get mobbed."
He sounds like he's speaking from experience.
"Sounds fair. And in fact, I'll buy any sweets you happen to have too. The kids deserve a treat."
"The sweets are the only thing left in my stall fer today..."
A big grin spreads across his face. "Ha HA! Just wait 'till the missus 'ears about this! She thought I was a loony, goin' out to market when riots were goin' on!"
"Well, I've got me several bars o' chocolate 'ere. If yeh're wantin' 'em, it'll cost ya 65 Crowns total. 13 bars fer 13 kids." He says, his grin still on his face. His packing returns with renewed drive.
"Deal." Demitri replies knowing he is being ripped off, but these were desperate times and the vendor needed to feed his own family.
Soon, the food & candy is loaded up into the horse-drawn cart, with the brown-haired teen driving. The sun has faded behind the horizon.
"Stay safe, you two!" The vendor calls after you as you set off.
The walk to Zellara's home is tense. A wagon loaded up with enough food & candy makes a tempting target, and every shadow looks as if it could conceal a desperate mugger.
The breeze blowing down the street does little to provide relief, but as you turn onto Lancet Street, Zellara's home comes into view.
The cart stops in front of the house, and Finn hops out.
"Need some help with this?" He asks.
In the doorway, you think you see the form of Karri.
You also hear a teenage boy's voice saying "Need some help with this?"
"Yes, thank you son. I appreciate your help. Karri, is that you? Would you mind helping me with these groceries?"
Ortik briefly considered playing into Grau's delusion, maybe getting a free drink out of him, but decided against it. "I'd love to, Ser Soldado, but I'm not sure I've the time," he says, slowing for a moment to speak with the inebriated sergeant. "I've some urgent business to take care of. You go on ahead, I'll catch up."
Marissel walks to the door and knocks, then waits for Semond to answer.
Semond. I can't tell you how good it is to see you alive and well. How's Deredel? Is today one of his good days? I'd like to talk to him. Marissel's face growing more somber as he asks about his brother.
He sighs in defeat. "Of course. I'm *so* sodding drunk that I can't even stand up, let alone walk. Can't do anything right these days..."
He takes a shuddering breath. "First, messing things up with Sabina, then Raelk, then THIS--" He waves his tankard in the general direction of Korvosa. "--mess. Should'a prob'ly just fed myself to an otyugh. Saved myself the trouble."
"Yes, Marissel. Deredel's lucid, but he's not quite able to stand yet." She says, stepping aside from the door and beckoning you in.
Marissel steps inside, gives Semond a quick hug and starts to head back to his brother's bed. He stops after a few steps. He turns back to Semond, I did it Semond. That b%$~*&d, Lamm, is dead. He turns back and continues to his brother's bed.
Deredel. How are you? I'm glad to see you survived the rioting today. He sits unsure for a minute how to continue. Finally it just comes out. Lamm's dead. I killed him today--well, I had help. But he's gone. Marissel hesitates, Before he died, he said something . . . he said he- he stops. Breathes deep. Starts again He said you had been his partner. Marissel looks down into his brother's face, eyebrows raised in a quiet, unspoken question.
Ortik sighs as he hears Grau's mood turn dark. He feels the weight of the book in his satchel, heavier than a mere journal has any right to be. The Citadel is just down a few more streets. He could just keep walking, and go see the Old Man, release him from his wrongful imprisonment. It would be so simple.
But the Old Man would never forgive him.
"Don't you go blaming yourself for this, Ser Soldado," Ortik says, helping the drunken man to his feet. "Korvosa had a lot of problems before you or I came around, and it still will after we're gone. And there's no sense blaming yourself over Raelk's death. It weren't you what stabbed the man. Blame that rat bastard Gaedren Lamm for that. As for you and Sabina, well, that's probably betwixt the two of you, but if you want an ear to bend..."
"Of course I can help." Karri forces a smile and helps to unload the food for the extended household. "Just don't expect me to make anyhting with all of this!" As she helps she seems to relax, as if settling into a routine.
"Wouldn't dream of it. I can cook for the young ones." As the rest of the food is brought in, Demitri thanks the lad before searching for pots and pans.
The children all stop their playing to look at you, their eyes lighting up as they smell fresh food. Zellara looks on, a warm smile on her face. Nadia sits up on the stairs, her eyes wide.
Soon the pantry is full of packaged ingredients for dinner. As Demitri looks around for pots and pans, he finds some in cupboards under the counter. Surprisingly, they're clean.
"I tidied up a bit before you came home." Zellara says from the stairs. You notice that she appears solid; evidently, it's to keep Finn from realizing what, exactly, is going on with her.
"Glad to hear Lamm's been put under. Serves him right." He says, rubbing his eyes.
At the mention of Deredel being Lamm's partner, a guilty look crosses his face.
"Wait, partner? Deredel, what's he talking about?" Semond asks, her hands wringing.
"...this isn't easy for me to talk about." Deredel finally says, his hands clenching and relaxing.
"Marissel, after Maxis was killed... I was desperate. We didn't have much of anything left. One of Lamm's men--" He swallows. "--came to me with a deal. He needed a new dealer for shiver. The pay was good, but I should've asked about the severance package." He says in a transparent attempt to make a joke. He starts laughing, but it rapidly turns into a coughing fit.
"It was alright, for a while. Made money, could support us. Got too curious for my own good. Dipped into my own supply. Got hooked. Lamm didn't take it well." He continues, lying back down on the bed.
"Got mad enough to overdose me on shiver. Said I could have as much as I liked. Threw me out on my ass. Then you found me, and..." He trails off, finished.
Semond says nothing.
"...thanks, ser. Abadar's key, I'm a right bloody fool." He says, half-walking, half-dragging himself down the street with you.
"Was my fault Sabina 'n' Vencarlo split up. She and I were his best students, and I wanted her, and so did he. I set 'em up in a duel. Sabina got her pretty face cut, 'n' Vencarlo lost a couple o' fingers. When he found out, he threw me out on my ear... think that was the first time I ever saw him so pissed off." He says, starting to calm down.
"Been lookin' in the bottom of kegs for support 'till all this came down 'round me." He finishes as the two of you turn north from Eodred's Square. Citadel Volshyenek stands at the end.
Demitri nods in appreciate to Zellara. "I think a hearty stew for tonight. And if you all eat your dinner, you can have dessert too." He says to the children as he starts peeling/cutting the vegetables.
Ortik nods as the sergeant pours out his heart. "Well, you're not the first person to go looking for answers in a substance. And we dwarves know a thing or two about the power of liquor. The problem with going to find answers at the bottom of a bottle is that they never seem to be there, but gods above, do you hope to Heaven that they'll be at the bottom of the next." He continues on towards Citadel Volshyenek, one step at a time. "Whatever became of this Vencarlo?" The beginnings of an plan begin to form in the crafty dwarf's head, but before it could be built, he needed to know more about the people.
You can tell that this is perhaps the first time these kids have eaten well in weeks, if not months, by how quickly they scarf down their food. Even Zellara seems surprised. Finn certainly is.
"Vencarlo? E's got a fencin' school in Old Korvosa. Not takin' many pupils as he used to, but he's doin' well."
Any more conversation is cut off by a familiar drawl as you make it to the steps of Citadel Volshyenek. "Well, the prodigal son returns."
Griggs & Simon stand at the entrance of the Citadel. They appear to be rather tired.
It's about now that they notice who you're with. Griggs' jaw drops. "Sarge? Where have you been, ya leatherhead? Kroft's been lookin' for ya!"
Simon moves to help you carry Grau in. He appears to have lost some weight since you last saw him--either that, or he's getting better at sucking his gut in.
Demitri will fix up a plate for Finn. "Are you hungry?"
"Th-thanks." He says, glancing between Demitri and Karri. He takes a seat on the floor and starts eating.
If the streets of Korvosa were quiet, then by comparison the Shingles are like a grave. The only noise you hear, aside from your own footsteps, is the howling of the wind as it winds its way through the maze of alleys, walkways and bridges high above the city streets. The Shingles appear to have been untouched by the madness below; it appears that everyone with clear heads made their homes up here.
It isn't long before you see Althea's home around the next corner. A light illuminates the home's front window.
"You're very welcome." Demitri will make sure that all the children have their fill, doling out seconds and even thirds if needed. He will also make enough for the adult party members when they get back. After the children are done with dinner, he gives them each half a candy bar as a treat.
With a simple "Thank you," Karri takes a bowl and finds a chair. She tastes the stew, finds it needs salt, but holds her tongue. No need to be rude to the man.So, just kill him. make the babies watch him bleed! Hush! Karri's eyes don't focus on anything as she debates the complete lack of merit in her Legion's demands.
Finishing her stew she excuses herself and goes to her room upstairs. The scarred girl lights one candle and sits on the bed. She whispers into the darkness, "Zellara. If you can hear me I have some questions for you." Karri waits a moment and then addresses the air, hoping that Zellara is there. "Why did you pick me? Was it a gift, or a test? Did I pass? Did I earn the gift? If slaying Lamm was for your revenge, and mine, too really, why are you still here? Is there something else you still need from me?"
In darkness she waits, her voices clamoring...
Nadia never strays far from your side during dinner. She nibbles on her chocolate bar with barely-concealed joy.
"To answer your question, Karri... it was a bit of both." She says, taking a seat next to you on the bed.
"You see, I can see what's troubling your soul, even if nobody else can. A host of demons and other unpleasant sorts, each seeking to stake a claim on you." She says. Her eyes briefly flash green.
"The gift was Lamm's death, and the test was to see what you'd do with it. You kept your demons in check, refusing to succumb to their temptations of power." She offers an encouraging smile.
It fades quickly, however, as other concerns spring to her mind. "And the reason I'm still here..." She raises her left hand. A card floats above it.
"...this troubles me. When it came up in the reading, I thought it could either refer to you, or something else. And this..."
She raises her right hand. The Rakshasa.
"...concerns me even more, because I know now that it, and the Mute Hag, no longer relate to you. They concern Korvosa in its entirety. I have seen innocent people, myself included, suffer under the tyranny of others for too long. Lamm, other criminal elements, even perhaps the Queen herself... I can't stand by and let it happen any longer."
She lowers her hands, the cards fading. "Do you understand now? Secrets of grave importance are being kept, and they'll bring more calamity down on the city."
Jakob stays with his family long enough to ensure that they are safe and that Hannah is recovering from her ordeal. He doesn't give their parents any details of what happened, other than to say that she's suffered enough, and that they should be gentle with her. He tells them that the Queen's Hand has offered him work. Then he explains that the Queen's Hand is a title, and not the Queen's actual hand. Hannah reminds him that he did meet the Queen, and his parents exchange a look of dismay. The girl has always had a wild imagination, and her time away has obviously not helped any.
It is dusk by the time Jakob returns to Zellara's, grateful for the meal Demitri provided.
Ortik gratefully accepts Simon's assistance as they help the sergeant into the Citadel proper. "The Field Marshall's been looking for him?", the dwarf says. "Well, we need to get him presentable then. If we had a bit of willow bark, we could have him chew on it to help lessen the effects of the booze, but I'm fresh out. Cold water will have to do. Lots of it now, please and thank you. I can stall her for time - I've a matter or three to speak with her myself. Yes, I'm sure she'll meet with me, Griggs, I've an invitation from Her Majesty herself. Pick your jaw up, Griggs, or flies will get in. It's the gods honest truth."
"At the bottom of a keg o' bub, of course." Griggs replies, having found his voice. He turns to you, wrinkling his nose. "Dare I ask what you're here for? I'm guessin' bringing home drunk sergeants wasn't only one thing on your list." He leads you in the opposite direction of the barracks, to a set of double doors west of a training yard.