Astor does not seem shocked at what happened to Lannet, having seen many people like him in his line of work. Astor listens the the exchange with Damien and Janna, only assuming that part of the lot that Damien is referring to includes himself, but he allows that to roll off. Chiming in his two cents. "Well, I hope you've got some sort of trick under your sleeve to get our guide back. The plan seemed too good to lose the little guy at this point to the law." Astor follows Damien back to the Inn to await the outcome.
Vhillish impassively watches Lannet be escorted to his cell;
"A spell in the donjon will perhaps make that one reappraise his predicament somewhat..."
At the group's debate he adds his stiff=lipped thoughts to the pot:
"As for a guide Master Evisthan, why we have field-craft aplenty amongst our company wot-wot! And to-boot we will all slumber safe in the knowledge our purses will not be tampered with by that light-fingered larcenist!"
"Well, no use crying over gaoled guides. Let us get moving."
Sam rushes to Lannet before they lead him off with parchment and pen.
"At least draw me a map of where to go in Stirge Wood. I know our group refuses you a share, but if your map is true, you can have my share."
Sam pleads desperately as he hands Lannet the parchment and prepares the ink and quill.
If Sam was given any gold as a treasure distribution, he hands it to Lannet telling him it is a full share so far.
I want to save the baby!
Damien looks down at the Sergeant, "There's no question a few days in a cell is no more than he deserves. Field-craft is one thing, but you really expect us to find the trail of a small traveling party more than a week past? I'll not deny you've a nose for these sorts of things but that's a tall order, no?"
Heading back to the Inn with Astor and Vhillish, , Damien pauses at the door. He looks to the diminutive Sergeant, gesturing to a nearby bench, "Keep an eye out for Janna, probably a waste of time but stranger things have happened. I'll bring you a spot of coffee from the kitchen."
Stamping inside he finds Glarian and asks for a cup of coffee and a pint of her strongest ale.
Janna heads to visit the Sheriff.
knowing that their guide was imprisoned. She approaches Lauriel
I am sorry to disturb you, and I am sure this has been discussed with you before. But I have come to ask if I may accept custody of your prisoner Lannet. As a member of the Academy Magika in Reme, I am sure you can be assured my ability to keep him safe is more than adequate.
Janna is a bit nervous in this dealing it is her very first time engaging in diplomatic negotiations. She did study most of the common customs in the Academy. Still the first time never goes as planned and it is no where near a textbook situation.
"I'll wait by the roadside Damien. Pick me up on your way out," says the deep gnome sitting alone on a hummock, his journal balanced on one knee.
Damien merely grunts at the deep gnome, "Fair enough..."
We should avoid the forest. If the wizard died there then the fate already make justice for that poor family. If not, then is unlikely they remain there.
Vhillish gives Damien a resigned look;
"Tall order sah? Height jokes at this juncture Lieutenant..."
The serjeant flashes his former officer a quick smile;
"... would expect anything other than gallows humour from you sah! Reluctantly I agree... without a tracker of the calibre of Grizzly Pock of the 33rd we might struggle to find 'em sah... but alas we both know Old Grizzly's enjoying an earth-bath as we speak... and somewhat unavailable... ahem!"
The veteran wistfully wrinkles his moustache at memories of fallen comrades, afore being snapped out of it by Damien's request. Vhillish nods and salutes;
"Righty-Oh sah. Eyes on the good lady it is."
The gnome will dutifully grabs his gear and accompanies Janna as she heads toward the Sheriff. The gnome tips his helm with a smile as he falls in beside her stride;
"M'Lady."
Kevezyat watches Samduc run after Lannet with boundless enthusiasm, "Whenever that one decides on a god to worship ,they'll be glad for it, his heart is as open as the sky."
Her eyes then flit to the dark form of Jerrid, writing busily in his journal "That one struggles in the light, a problem I never seemed to share, despite our similar origins. Freya bless thee, my dark brother. "
With a roll of her shoulders and a wry smile to Leoven, Kevezyat walks down the hill to join Damien at the Cockatrice as he watches Vhillish scurry after Janna.
"Now that our drama is complete....where do Janna and Vhillish go?"
Sam rushes to Janna and whispers:
"I have made the amulet undetectable it is yours if you wish to hold it again. I can provide a cover story so smooth, no one knows you have it again. But I am the master of misdirection, I would prefer you left it with me to keep it safe."
Sam rushes to help their leader and affirm his support:
"Janna is doing her best. She wants to make Freya proud, and I support her!"
Sam also affirms his support for Lannet:
"Lannet is a victim of circumstance. His soul is still in play. Put him in jail and throw away the key and you have failed him. Retribution is a petty goal, but rehabilitation is the best thing any jailer can aspire to. A prisoner converted to a true asset to society is better than spending resources on keeping a soul imprisoned!"
Damien downs a large portion of his ale in one quick gulp before answering, "She figures she might still be able to plead out case for Lannet. The ser...Vhillish is just keeping tabs. He'll grab us if they're able to pull a miracle out of their asses."
Damien downs a large portion of his ale in one quick gulp before answering, "She figures she might still be able to plead out case for Lannet. The ser...Vhillish is just keeping tabs. He'll grab us if they're able to pull a miracle out of their asses."
"Ah, I see. Perhaps she will hav better luck than I. " Kevezyat states, then with a sigh, she returns to her room and gathers up her gear.
Returning to the common room, she idly chews some fresh bread, waiting for the others to return, with or without Lannet.
Lauriel hear's Janna out.
"You and your friends have certainly taken an active interest in Lannet. The sooner we get answers the sooner he'll be free. Tell me, did he mention anything to you about the merchants prismatic gem? Maybe where he hid it, or who he sold it to?"
Janna thinks a moment. he did not mention anything of the sort, however, I believe that on this little venture I have planned, I am sure we can find just the right....motivation...to get the answers we need. If you prefer, you could deputise Vhillish here, I am sure his exempliary military record is sufficent to qualify for the job.
she motions to the militaristic gnome.
[b]this way he will technically remain under your custody, and be benifical in conducting this investigation.
Vhillish puffs his chest out with clear pride;
"Would be an honour Ma'am. I'll keep the little larcenist on the straight and narrow so I will!"
Finishing his ale quickly, Damien begins restlessly pacing the common room of the Cockatrice, the muscles in his jaw working as he walks.
Janna escorts Lannet outside keeping a tight "leash" on him, at least in the presence of the authorities. Also giving Vhillish time to recieve his orders.
Once together, Janna will escort them back to the Cockatrice.
Janna enters the common room first.
I'm back. she says simply.
Any word on our supplies?
Astor looks around, maybe having had one or two ales already this morning, and shrugs his shoulders. He's definitely not trying to take the lead this morning.
Vhillish stands poker straight at attention whilst receiving his orders.
Once sworn in he salutes mechanically before replying;
"Sah! On my honour sah! That little malingerer will purloin nowt under my watch... I'll be like an hawk, ever vigilant and ready to strike! The gem and Lannet will be returned - rest assured."
The diminutive serjeant then marches Lannet out and back to the Cockatrice as he barks orders at the gem-thief;
"Look lively! Swing those arms and keep that chin up you 'orrible little man! Your days of larceny are gone now Lannet! See I've got my eye on you now laddie..."
Damien ceases his pacing as Janna returns with Vhillish, Sam and Lannet, "I don't believe it, you got the little prick after all. Bringing him here I trust we're not overly worried about those merchant guards anymore?"
He's about to ask how she did it when he notices the sergeant's excessively satisfied expression, "And what's got you in such a fine mood? I...no, they didn't..."
Vhillish puffs his chest out with pride and his 'tache twitches knowingly;
"By Jingo sah, they did indeed! Deputised me they did sah! Just the ticket to keep this little (ahem) blighter in line... wot?"
Journal Entry 7
"So I am sat on a rock waiting for the others. There is still morning mist and dew on the grass but that is where the best of mother Freya lies. Not in that shrine and nor within our band. My mistake was in trying to help Shandril. Her shrine, her rules and on my oath I shall never step in there again. I cost a mother a baby so that is small punishment for my error. The Crucible was part of a nine day fertility ritual. Then Samduc and Lannet appeared so now Lauriel has the prismatic gem thief in gaol while she builds a case against him. He went like a meek lamb. Now people are fetching our leader, Janna, and tents (to protect from the inhabitants of Stirge Woods). Also Shandril spoke of a flower to make a tisane so that the aroma comes out in our sweat to ward us from stirges, yellow thimbleweed."
Damien rubs the bridge of his nose, "Just what I needed...sir.", a hint of a smile plays on his lips at the last.
He looks out the window and then around at the others, "Seems the market is finally starting up, lets get our mule and begone of this place."
Nodding to Glarian, he heads out to the market, picking up equipment they need quickly, sparing little conversation for the merchants he deals with.
Checking their new mule's tack, he adjust the saddlebags and makes sure the tents are well stowed before gesturing to the road and heading out. Offering the reins to whoever is inclined to take them.
Once they reach where Jerrid has sat on his rock, Damien simply glances at the gnome and continues walking, his attention on the road.
Leoven finally see movement in his companions. Damien goes to buy the equipment to the travel. Leoven just follow damien helping him to do the things as fast as posible, then, finally, the road.
Astor downs his last mug of ale and hops off the stool, following the small band of adventurers in to the market.
Kevezyat grins at the sight of Vhillish attempting to drill march Lannet down the street.
As the revelation of his deputization is revealed she says "Congratulations, Deputy. Perhaps your service will help repair our reputation in this fine town. "
She then gathers up her gear and joins the others on the road out of town.
Sam marches with Lannet to make him feel better.
"Ready to go."
Sam issues his favorite order to Lannet: "Swab, trim the mizzenmast."
Jerrid adopts a position towards the rear, he keeps his eyes and ears out as the others march away from "Unfairhill". He smirks to himself and pets Medus a little, giving the snake a tasty black beetle.
The deep gnome keeps his rapier tucked in his belt and keeps a sharpened dagger close to his restless fingers. While the party is on the trail and before they reach the woods, he decides to have his sling out and wrapped around a fist.
At Kevezyat's comment Vhillish puffs his chest with pride and allows an involuntary twitch of his moustache;
"My Lady. If by my actions reparations can be made, then by jingo I'll do so!"
The serjeant-depute falls into line at a point where he can both watch Janna and more importantly the larcenist Lannet...
As they proceed, I am guessing we made no progress on the location of Eralion’s keep. Janna comments a touch of disappointment as well as uncertainty in her voice.
Hearing the halflings words, Damien drops back from the front to walk near him and Janna, "And you'd know just how to access them, no? How would you have come to be so informed about an ancient ruin?"
Sam laughs:
"Are you offering Lannet a full share, or are am I on the hook for it? If so, it may be profitable for him to share."
Damien spears Sam with a hard glare, "I'm offering not to tell Lauriel the little shit tired to escape when we return him to her in a sack. Or have your forgotten that your friend is a prisoner now? Or which of us we have to thank for that?"
He turns back to Lannet, "So the vampire is a fairly new addition to the story? I'll admit to curiosity, why did you ever travel to a ruined tower in the middle of nowhere if you never went inside?"