Karri spends a long time going through the armory. She smirks at frowns at intervals, but eventually settles on a couple of items...
"These will do. It seems we are done." Karri turns to Kroft and says, "Does this mean we are on retainer, too?"
"Well, you've proven time and time again that you're the most effective people I've got when it comes to handling serious crises." Kroft nods. "I won't require your services when it comes to dealing with everyday crime--I've got my Guardsmen for that."
"But when something really serious goes wrong, you'll be the first people I call." She smiles. "But, hopefully, we'll have some time to settle in before that happens."
"Yeah, sure," Lyla agrees without much enthusiasm. "We'll be here when you call, Marshal," she bows, preparing to leave. "Oh, and thanks for the gifts."
She waits for the rest of the group to step out of Kroft's office and raises her hands in the air, urging them to stop and listen. "Guys, during our recent free time, I sold our loot and made some purchases on your behalf, based on the wish list you gave me. I'd like to hand it over to you tonight." She stares at them a little more seriously than the occasion warrants. "Over dinner." She looks down and scratches the back of her head. "With my family." Lyla rolls her eyes and starts blurting out word after word. "Yes, I want you guys to meet my family, ok? Especially Demitri and Karri, who haven't met any of them yet. I mean, except for Hyrgan, but let's not mention that. Plus, you two love dinner parties, if I recall correctly, right? So there, it's an invitation for a celebration dinner." When she finally stops speaking, her cheeks are burning red. "Nadia can come, too. There'll be other kids."
Nalun smiles and says As long as you don't serve me halfling sized portions...
"Right, I love dinner parties..." Demitri says sighing a bit. "I would love to go. And so would she." Nadia claps her hands happily at the thought of meeting other kids.
"Of course, Lyla," Ortik says with his easy smile. "I'd be delighted to join. Speaking of Hyrgan, how is he holding up? I imagine he's still shaken by everything..."
Lyla twists her mouth and shrugs with Ortik's question. "We're dealing it the Fairwoods way, I guess. Not really talking about it..." She looks down looking a little sad. "I'm not great with that kind of stuff. Hey! Maybe you could talk to him! You always know the right thing to say to cheer people up and boost their confidence." She throws a playful punch at the dwarf. It works on me, anyways."
Once the party has taken their rewards from the Volshyenek Armoury, it's off for dinner with the Fairwoods family!
The party's walk to the Shingles is dogged by grateful people practically swarming them, all too eager to show their gratitude to the newly appointed Champions of the city.
"--We can't thank you enough for all that you did--"
"--I thought heroism was all but dead in this place--"
"--I'm going to name my first child after you!--"
"--Can I have your autograph?--"
It's almost a miracle on its own that the party is able to get to the Shingles at all.
The Shingles are considerably quieter than the jubilant streets below. The rope bridges and plank walkways that make up the upper reaches of Midland have a few grateful souls that cheer the party as they pass by, but they're otherwise respectful of the party's personal space.
It isn't long before the party finally reaches the home where the Fairwoods family is staying.
Demitri and Nadia are all smiles as the party is greeted by fans. Nadia especially giddy at all the attention as she skips alongside her father.
"You ready?" He asks Lyla.
Why don't I know how to be invisible? Karri does her best to smile at tte people, They are why I stayed. Aren't they? but she finds to attention unnerving to say the least. Finally at Lyla's family home she blurts, "Indoors. It will be, uh, glad to meet your family."
Lyla appreciates the heartwarming reactions the group provokes on the streets, but not for a matter of ego. As the group walks past the bridges and walkways of the Shingles, she shares her feelings on the matter. "It's almost as if people are happier than before. I know we've been through hell since King Eodred passed away, and so many have lost loved ones. But still, what we've done... it's like we gave them back their hope." She looks up, another thought crossing her mind. "People haven't had that since Blackjack went away. That's what he was all about, I guess."
Reaching the rented home, she answers Demitri with the same question. "Are you?". She also smiles at Karri's comment. "Good, 'cause you're going in." The halfling girl opens the door to invite everyone in. "Mind your heads", she warns them. A smile appears on her face when she sees the table set with tons of delicious food. She looks at Nalun and teases him. "You see? Our portions are not halfling sized; actually, they're sized for halfling appetite. Try to keep up." A little nervous, she introduces everyone.
"Guys, this is my sister Marra, her husband Davlos, and their boys Jess and Robb. That one who's already started eating is my brother Triblin", she says pointing a finger that causes the glutton to stop chewing for a moment, "And, well, you know Althea and Hyrgan," she adds, waving at her mentor and her brother, the latter seeming a little tense about meeting the party again. Lyla walks over to her father and embraces him, a rare display of physical affection on her side. "And this grumpy old fella who won't stand up for guests is my dad, Barwick Fairwoods."
Having changed sides from the party over to her family's, she makes the reverse introduction as well. "People, meet my friends Demitri and his daughter Nadia. He looks a little too serious and honorable, but that's just because he is. It might take bit of ale to loosen him up," she says winking at Demitri. "That's Karri by his side. She's our magic expert, she can summon all these weird animals that you kids will love," Lyla says, rubbing Jess and Robb's heads. "That one, I call him slim, but he sometimes goes by Nalun, too. I thought I knew everything about the Shingles, but that one has mileage, too. Spent the last week hitting taverns with him and he knew some places I'd never heard of. No, dad, I'm not telling you where they are. And gimme that mug, you're getting off that stuff," she admonishes the old Barwick. "And last but not least, my good dwarf friend Ortik. I swear I got him some nice clothing a while back, but he already spoiled it with mud, so there you have it. I'll bet he washed it off and gave it away to someone who needed it more. Go figure."
"It is nice to meet you all." Demitri replies while Nadia just waves hello to everyone. "The food looks delicious. Thank you for having us in your home."
Nalun shrugs as Lyla introduces him as if to say Sorry for introducing your daughter to even more disreputable places...
S'a pleasure. Nalun says to the gathered family.
Karri says hello as she drops an almost formal curtsy, "It is a gift to finally meet Lyla's kin."
"It's good to see you all again," Ortik says as he shakes hands with the Fairwoods kin. "Now that the dark cloud that's been hovering over the Old Dame has blown out, it's good to experience the sun's warmth - and that of friends and family."
The assembled Fairwoods family extends a hearty greeting to the gathered heroes, with Jess and Robb practically jumping up and mobbing Karri when Lyla mentions she can summon weird magic animals. Trilbin snickers from his plate of turkey and vegetables.
"Aye, Lyla, I won't be standin'." Barwick grumps with a small smile. "Though, it's more that I can't right now--not when there's some good eating to be had."
Hyrgan acknowledges the party with a little wave, but seems reluctant to make eye contact, staring straight at his plate. It's rather untouched compared to the others.
"Now, what are the lot of ye waiting for, then? Get your tallborn arses around the table and dig in!" Barwick waves the party in and directs them to seats around the dinner table. Turkey, mashed potatoes, dozens of spiced vegetables, several bread rolls, and a large bowl of gravy all sit crowded together on the table, with barely enough room left over for utensils, plates and mugs of some manner of ale.
Demitri smiles as he sits down, helping to pass the food around for everyone else first. Nadia is excited to sit down at a table that wasn't too big for her for once. She is even more excited when she is given a healthy portion of mashed potatoes and gravy as it is her favorite. Though less happy that she has to eat some vegetables with it as well. "Thank you for this wonderful meal." Demitri tells the Fairwoods family after he takes a few bites of turkey.
The family gathers around the dinner table once more and starts digging in with gusto. Jess and Robb keep looking over at Lyla in between stuffing their faces with turkey and potatoes.
"What whush it like in thurre?" Jess asks through a mouthful of food. Marra shoots her a glare.
"Jess, don't talk with your mouth full!"
Jess swallows and tries again. "What was it like in there? Did you really kill a bunch of creepy guys?" She sounds much more eager to hear the details than a normal child should.
Hyrgan winces and takes a small bite of vegetables.
Karri clears her throat and answers Jess's questions bluntly, "Imagine the worst of the plague here in the city. Now, take it all and put it into one building. We went there for Korvosa," She looks to Nadia and Demitri, "And each other, I'm sure." Her eyes return to Jess, "There we found the heart of the plague, evil men, some more beasts than men, and they defended their wickedness with spell and cudgel. Fortune smiled on us and we prevailed. Korvosa will survive, for the now." When she finishes she sinks into a kind of awkward silence. Oh, you really should embellish the details, your hound tearing flesh, the charnel odors and your elation at slaughtering the cultist. Kasdaye chuckles, and adds, Tell them how much you look forward to bending my evil to your will.
Lyla bites a big chunk of meat off a chicken's leg; waving it around, she picks up where Karri left off. "Yeah, Jess, we straightened those guys out, but you shouldn't think about the killing, ok? We sometimes have to do things we don't like in order to protect you, your brother, your mom, everyone." She swallows and goes on. "But we always give people a chance to get back on the right track, even if they're wrong, even if they're bad."
Squinting her eyes, Lyla leans forward over the table, pointing the chicken leg at her niece. "Killing is always the very last resort, and it must be really justified—in our case, we have the authority of the city watch, but we are still held accountable for what we do, not only in this life but in the next when we meet Pharasma. There's often other ways to beat the bad guys, you just have to think harder. Did I ever tell you about my good buddy Zeke?" She then goes on to tell about the otyugh befriended by the party, trying to make a parable out of it, hoping to set a good example for the kids. Wow, never thought I'd be the one laying down good advice, she ponders.
The Fairwoods children listen quite attentively to Lyla's story of befriending an otyugh in Korvosa's sewers, and how showing him mercy proved to be beneficial to them down the line. "Ooohh..."
Barwick and the other adults at the table seem rather surprised. "Huh. Wouldn't 've thought that a garbage-eating creature would've been smart enough to act that way."
"Well that's why you don't underestimate anyone, even giant garbage eating creatures. Give others a chance to show who they really are and they might surprise you. "
Nalun says Sounds like Demitri should trade in his sword for a rose... grinning at the man.
"Not a chance."
"Zeke may not be the sharpest tool in the drawer," Ortik says between bites of the sumptuous food. "But he has a good read on situations, and our temperance has led us to resolving situations without needless bloodshed. That's probably more important than a strong sword-arm or magical knowledge in my estimation."
Trilbin pauses with a mouthful of food, looking at Ortik oddly before blinking and swallowing. "Oh, you meant Demitri. Right." He chuckles sheepishly and goes back to his meal.
Marra scoops up another helping of mashed potatoes and puts it on her plate. "Well, now that all this business is over and done with, what do you suppose will happen next, Lyla?" She leans over to her sister with a hopeful gleam in her eye. "Think they'll make you a noble?"
Nalun snickers at the question Yeah Lyla, they should make you a noble. Then you'll be forced into dresses, and have to go to balls.
Lyla chokes and coughs out a piece of chicken. "Yeah, right! 'Cause all I wanna do is spin around in a ridiculous dress like a bibelot, sucking up to that hag", she blurts out without thinking. Her eyes widen as she realizes she has openly offended the Queen; she is glad that it has happened in a controlled environment. Wow, better watch my big mouth out there.
She looks down and starts playing with the food, cutting a roasted potato in bits."Don't get your hopes up, sis. It's not like anyone is handing out titles of nobility. Besides, people need land—lots of it—to be noblemen. Saving a city doesn't cut it." Lyla grabs a piece of potato and stuffs it in her mouth. "But you know what, I don't care about that. Since we got this gig with Kroft, we've earned more than enough to live comfortably down here. I actually like the Shingles, you know. Anyway, I'm just glad you don't have to put up with living in Thieve's Camp anymore."
She chugs a mug of rootbeer and wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. Looking at Marra, Lyla asks "How are you all liking it here so far?"
"Oh, this place is quite lovely." Marra looks around at the dining room. "A bit roomier than what we're used to, but the roof doesn't leak, and the walls keep the wind out just fine."
"But still, Lyla..." Marra turns back to her food with a more hopeful tone. "...just imagine what you could do if you were made a noble. Heck, you've gotten more recognition than any hobbit ever has in Korvosa!"
"Marra, darlin', you don't need to keep pesterin' Lyla about that. She's already made herself pretty clear on that." Barwick replies after swallowing a gulp of beer. "Still, I wouldn't be surprised if those noble highborn prigs feel inclined to hobnob with ya--more out of obligation than anythin' else."
Lyla waves her hand dismissevely. "Tell you what, sis: if I get an invitation, I'll consider it. But they'd better invite you all, too," she says, pointing her fingers to Demitri, Karri, Nalun and Ortik. "If you think I'd feel awkward in those court dresses, just think of Ortik having to trim his beard and comb his hair to look proper in his fancy noble attire", Lyla chuckles, taking the spotlight off herself.
Karri smiles briefly at the idea of enoblement, then her expression goes flat. As if the vulgar racists that are Korvosa's elite would let a halfling or a dwarf amongst there numbers. "No, Lyla is right, it would be political suicide for Ileosa to give us much more than she already has."
Nalun smiles. Suicide would be a welcome... He doesn't finish the thought, but you get the idea.
"Yea I don't particularly like those things either."
"Ugh, all that finery," Ortik grumbles, trying to wash away the memory with a mouthful of beer. "Don't remind me about that, Lyla. All that work you did to dress me up like a Janderhoff merchant? Intolerable! My beard smelled like rosewater for a week afterwards." He gives a mock grimace aimed towards the children to elicit a laugh, smiling once their tittering fills the air.
That last jibe of Ortik's actually gets a chuckle out of the quiet Hyrgan--one that results in the root beer that once filled his mouth being snorted and coughed back into his glass and onto his lap.
The revelry continues well into the night...
Demitri talks with the grownups while Nadia plays with the other children. It had been a while since all the orphans were around so she was getting lonely.
Oathday, 9th of Pharast, 4711 AR
The next morning, the party wakes to the sound of pseudodragons flitting about and chirping. Some of them wake up with headaches from the party.
You've been meaning to do this for a while now.
Sure, your falchion has seen you through a great deal of battles--it's always been an old reliable. But there's something about a rapier in your hand that makes it feel rewarding to use. Especially considering the surprising number of enchanted rapiers you've found so far.
You've decided it's time to put more focus on wielding it. Perhaps someone at Citadel Volshyenek would be eager to teach you more about the fine points of it.
The citadel's gates are open and manned, and those Guardsmen at the gates are quite happy to see you. "Hail, sir Nalun! Kroft hasn't called on you today, mind if we ask what brings you here?"
Demitri wakes up, washes his face and then goes about the epic quest called parenting. He gets Nadia to wake up so she can wash up as he makes breakfast. The smell wafts throughout the home.
Welp boys. I need some practice. I'm thinking you two and I'll grab this here and see if you can hit me. Nalun lifts his Rapier
Oh, and grab your shields. I'm gonna find a way to get around those.
Nalun gets to work parry/block/riposte/lunge, again and again and again.
Several hours later...
Nalun wipes the sweat from his face with a rag
Good work boys. Tomorrow?
Karri finds her way upstairs after the dinner party, [/i]Charming, but... Nothing.[/i] She collapses on the mattress and is asleep in mere moments. The morning finds her groggy but curious about the coffee and bacon smell from the kitchen.
Getting up and throwing on a robe the scarred sorceress makes her way downstairs. She hovers in the hallway watching Demitri as he goes through setting a table and serving breakfast. As he is ready to call the house down, she catches his eye and she offers one of her rare smiles. Do I dare? if I move this moment will end...and there is something here I feel I need.
Demitri smiles back. "It's almost ready, have a seat." Nadia waves to Karri.
"Aye aye, sir!" One of the new Guardsman recruits salutes you. "Come by tomorrow, and I'm sure we'll have a proper instructor for ya!"
--------------------
Nadia fidgets in her seat as Demitri prepares breakfast and serves it, eying the bacon on the plate before her with barely-concealed carnivorous hunger.
She doesn't make a move to eat it though, instead looking expectantly over at Karri. "Daddy always said it's rude to start before everyone else is ready." She says in a louder voice than usual. It appears the dinner party did much to help her confidence.
Karri stirs from her reverie and smiles back at Nadia. "No, sweet child eat now. I just need to hurry up before it's all gone!" She walks into the kitchen and takes a plate offered by Demitri. As she can sense his genuine kindness, and...And nothing. He needs me the same as I need him - we serve the same city and that is all! An echoing thought dances madly in her mind, And you want him! Hahahaahah! Karri sits down, and fidgeting much like Nadia she watches the girl eat, and then offers Nadia her share of bacon, too. "To make sure you grow strong like your father!"
Nadia giggles and starts munching on bacon. "Thank you." She beams at Karri.
"I did say that and it's good that you remembered. Being courteous is important." Demitri states as he sits down to eat. "Though I would personally prefer that you grow to be kind like your mother was. That is far more important than being strong. Though being strong doesn't hurt."
Ortik heads downstairs after a long slumber, his eyes bleary, one hand massaging his creased forehead. "Ugh. Someone remind me never to go cup for cup with a halfling. 'Ale goes in the ale stomach,' my ass." He sniffs the air, catching the scent of breakfast. "Not sure I'm up to bacon today, but some plain eggs would probably help with the hangover." He heads into the kitchen to fry up some breakfast, but he can't shake the feeling that's there's a tension hanging over the breakfast table that he can't immediately place.
It's not the usual feeling of unease that comes with a legion of demons haunting her soul and manifesting in her summons, though...
The weeks seem to grind by in Korvosa as things finally start to settle down. The silence that falls over the city isn't a peaceful one... rather, it's the silence of a man crippled by wounds and pain. The number of Grey Maiden patrols increases by the day, compared to the once plentiful squads of Korvosan Guardsmen keeping the peace and the flights of Sable Company riders in the skies. Those few citizens who venture outside their homes do so quickly and quietly, as if they're afraid that another calamity will strike the city if they tarry too long on their errands. The damage done by the plague and the riots may have been greater than anyone ever believed...
The most troubling news as of late has to do with Old Korvosa. The quarantine hasn't been lifted even in the wake of the plague's cure being distributed, and the Grey Maiden patrols are especially vigilant around the bridge leading into the stricken district. Sailing craft bearing even more of the steel-clad warrior women prowl the St. Alika Narrows to dissuade anyone from approaching the island by sea. House Arkona has gone suspiciously silent on this matter.
No one is courageous enough to say it aloud, but the words "martial law" seem to hang over the city like a funereal shroud.
------------------------
Wealday, 29th of Pharast, 4711 AR
Majenko flies about to the party's homes, bearing hastily-scrawled letters in a familiar hand. The little pseudodragon's claws are shaking with fear as he hands the letters off.
Field Marshal Kroft
Karri reads the note impassively, "Not at all expected." She goes upstairs and puts on her walking boots, all the while Kasdaye ringing in her mind about a new chance to come into the world of men. Shortly, she is back down, a hint of someone else's smile on her lips, "We are ready to serve Korvosa." Of course, serve whatever you like. We both know you want to unleash us again. If only to make someone feel your hurt.
This can't be good. the already dour bounty hunter mumbles to himself, his face souring with a grimace.
Nalun locks up his house, newly rented on Haborview Boulevard South. And heads to Nadia's house to collect the others before moving on to the Citadel.