Arabeth nods, both to indicate Master Pervilash may enjoy his repast and to Lady Tiressia's words. She looks to her companions briefly before replying.
"I think the case is that, while Master Oleg and Lady Svetlana definately have a child. The child currently being held by them would seem to not be the one they consieved." Arabeth sighs.
"Hence our seeking your help with what appears to be some sort of child exchange..." Her voice trails off as even she finds the case somewhat baffling.
Seraph considers Tiressia's words carefully before shaking her head. "The idea of a changeling has been dispersed. However, I do not believe Svetlana would stray. I think that one of them has a previously unknown ancestor. " She indicates her own features as evidence. "As both my parents were human, yet here I am. As I will tell Oleg as well."
Returning to what Tiressia had said. "Not a miracle. Being a fey you should be seen as neutral and thus Oleg would accept your words. As for using Magic. Torod..." Seraph looks to Torod then. "Would you allow yourself to be enchanted before Oleg to lay his claim to rest?"
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Torod obviously does not like the idea. "If Oleg agrees to abide by the findings. Yes."
Something about Seraph's words bring out a reaction in Arabeth. She walks over and places a comforting hand upon the other woman's shoulder. Inclining her head Arabeth confides.
"I was left an orphan on the temple steps because of my... differances..." Arabeth looks to both Seraph and Arctorus, a wan smile upon her features.
"There are more... similarities between us than you know." Now Arabeth looks to Torod and Asta.
"I am sorry for keeping secrets. Being a stranger and new comer to the town." Arabeth sighs, "I've always just found it easier to blend in when not...um... 'Showing off'...." Arabeth searches for the right words then shrugs, giving a rustle to her feathered cloak.
"Still, such things can wait. Now we should focus on poor Oleg, Svetlana and the child... Or children..."
Torod obviously does not like the idea. "If Oleg agrees to abide by the findings. Yes."
To have your will stripped was not easy to accept, she nods at Torod's words. "Understood Torod. Thank you my friend."
Looking to Tiressia. "Before you go to speak with the other Fey, if you would please come with us and help us see this through to the end. If Torod will undergo such enchantment to dispel Oleg's doubt then I believe so to will Svetlana. Which will give us our answer. If you are okay with coming with us for the evening. I do not believe it will take long if magic is involved."
Looking to Asta then she bows her head. "However, we cannot proceed without your permission Milady, enchantment is outlawed and I cannot proceed without your instruction."
She places a hand over Arabeths and squeeze it gently. "I was a Foundling, my parents didn't want a monster. It was not an easy life but each of us have our own path to walk." She turns and gives her a firm hug, trying not to hurt her with her armor and armaments. "You don't ever have to hide among us."
Turns and gives her a firm hug, trying not to hurt her with her armor and armaments.
Seraph notes the armor being worn under Arabeth's cloak. Well made and form fitted stips of of leather masterfully held together with fine wire. (Leather Lamellar). Arabeth's physique is also reslient. No fine temple flower hides itself beneath the sable feathers as Seraph notes the masterwork sword carried at Arabeth's hip, peeking out from under the cloak.
Arabeth returns Seraph's hug just as warmly.
"Thank you." She replies greatfully to the other woman's offering of freindship. Since their sdie discussion is of 'Inclusion', Arabeth does look to Arctorus... Offering him a small part also in the sharing of fates she and Seraph have agreed upon.
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Tiressia inclines her head to Seraph, ”I you wish I will speak with this Oleg, but not all humans are as trusting in fey as you give them credit.”
The dryad and small fey dragon accompanied your group to Olegton to speak with Oleg. Walking into his trading post,
Seeing who has entered his shop, Oleg growls, ”Can’t leave a man and his family alone, can you!”
Svetlana puts her hand on Oleg’s arm ”That’s not the way to speak to the kingdom leaders, be polite at least.”
Oleg grumbles ”Leaders. Hah. I knew them when they were green would be hero’s, stumbling through their first battle with bandits a little over an year ago now they are all lord and lady this and that. What do you lot want, I have a business to run?“
Svetlana looks crossly at Oleg before turning to the group ”Greeting, welcome to our humble shop, want can we do for you?”
Seraph draws away from Arabeth impressed with what she discovered. She gives the other woman a gentle shoulder squeeze as she repsond's to Arabeth. "Anytime." Seraph had been embracing her faith more in the recent days since her almost fatal encounter.
When Lady Tiressia respond's favorably she turns and bows as deeply as she can in the saddle. "We will try not to waste your time Lady Tiressia." With that she takes up her position and guards the rear of their band with Arctorus.
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She greets the guards and dismounts outside the gates of Olegton. She disarms as well before heading to Olegs shop. When she enters she is clad only in her armor and personal resolve.
She weathers Oleg's lambasting with a smile, using no magic to sway or otherwise force a change in opinion. She came only as herself and took all of Olegs anger and aimed to redirected it if she could. Despite his attitude she waits until she is next in line at his counter before gently correcting Svetlana politely. "We are not here in any official capacity Lady Svetlana. I'm here for those I still call my Friends Oleg." Though Oleg's tone made her frosty she responded candidly and matter of factly. "A business and family were once threatened by those same bandits, yes? A good thing such green adventurers came by to help.." She lets the words hang in the air before saying sharply and straight to Oleg. "Cut the griefing Oleg, I'm not here to compare sizes with you. I will renounce my House on the spot if it will please you." She doesn't speak quietly, she speaks even toned and if there was anyone else in the room it was easily heard what she promised to do. She wasn't bluffing either.
To her, her 'house' so far was nothing more than a name. A name she would burn to ash and scatter to the winds for her companions, all of them. After saying that she returned to a more pleasant tone. "We'd like some of your time this evening when your business is closed. Both of you if you please." She bows her head to Svetlana in an obvious sign of polite respect, something a Kingdom leader or noble wouldn't normally do. "It's time to lay this foulness to rest, we will remain for one evening. If you cannot spare the time..." She doesn't finish, letting the obvious end to her words remain unsaid. She took out a pouch of gold then and set it on his table, fifty gold coins in all. "Let it not be said I don't pay for ones time. Good day to you both, may fortune always be in your favor."
"... then I have misjudged you."
She's not trying to be rude, but i'm hoping its clear that despite Oleg's hot, nasty goading. She still has respect for him and his family. Which if he decides not to seek them out later.
Arabeth waits for Lady Asta and then others to speak to Oleg and Svetlana, taking the time to peruse the wares the store has on offer.
Picking an item theat takes her fancy.
Aproaching the counter she smiles and greeets the pair of shop owners.
"Good day. This is of what cost?" She asks politely.
Absently adjusting the hem of her great cloak as she introduces herself. Though her choice of item clearly shows she's distracted and that shopping s not her motivation for being here today.
Torod stands there quietly not wanting to make the situation worse.
"Stop acting like a bear with a sore tooth, Oleg," Asta says as she sweeps into the shop. "You were a lord yourself not a month ago. Aye, and married to a lady."
Approaching Svetlana, Asta firmly shakes her hand, looking her in the eye.
"And at the very least, that has never changed, has it?"
Turning to Oleg, she nods at Seraph's words. "One evening. And let it not be said I'm a miser; I'll pay for a fine dinner, for all of us to share. Wine, as well. But eat or not, you will give us the time, for the memory of all of us saving each other's skin and founding a kingdom together."
As the others talk, Arctorus stands behind everyone else, keeping his eyes firmly planted on their backs. He isn't certain as to why Knight Seraph asked him to do this, but he didn't want to disappoint. He figured perhaps there was some sort of creature in the area that was fond of clinging to ones back like a tick or something along those lines.
The thought made him wish someone would watch his own back, but he did not dare to stop his own task at hand to try and look at it himself.
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The group comes upon the small town of Olegton consisting of a barracks, stable and a few homes.
Entering Oleg’s and Svetiana’s shop, Seraph makes it know they are here as friends not on official business and want to speak with them after hours.
Arabeth peruse the wares finding mostly a basic mix of necessities that one would find at a trading post. Pots pans, tools, fabric, food staples. She does find a coonskin cap that catches her fancy, probably made by a local.
Torod stands quietly.
Asta calls on Oleg to stop acting like a bear, and speaks with Svetlana. Asta offers to pay for a fine dinner and wine.
Oleg chuckles roughly, ”Yea, I here the Barracks mess hall is serving stew tonight.” He still doesn't seem happy, but he is willing to tolerate the unexpected visit. ”It’s getting late, we can go ahead and close early Svetlana.”
Arctorus standing behind the others wonders about other creatures in the area.
Oleg and Svetlana both are taken aback when they spot Arctorus, but recover quickly ”I see you have been making new friends.”
Oleg and Svetlana both are taken aback when they spot Arctorus, but recover quickly ”I see you have been making new friends.”
Even though Oleg's comments are more directed towards Arctorus than herself, Arabeth politely offers a small cursey in return as she steps aside before following towards where ever the pair are leading them towards.
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During the evening, your group along with Oleg and Svetlana eat at the barracks mess with the officers. The meal is surprisingly good for army food. Oleg is civil during the meal, but his mind is not changed. He confides that he liked the way is was before the bandits and the kingdom when it was just Svetiana and him tending the trading post. They are considering starting over some place else, but whatever they decide they are not returning to their positions in the kingdom.
As the meal continues the subject changes to the army and their patrols up and down the road and around the kingdom. One of the officers comment ”For the most part the Kingdom is quiet except for the occasion wolf, goblin or such, but we have run across several increasing instances of graffiti. It usually entails a symbol along with something along the line of ‘Down with Staghart, death to all men!’”
He shows the symbol he had copied in his notebook of a bloodshot eye, ”I don’t recognize it, does it mean anything to any of you?”
Arabeth does her best to be polite, courteous and freindly with those gathered around the table.
At the military gentleman's raising of concern, Arabeth leans closer and peruses the image he's jotteed down.
"Hmmm... I believe it has to do with Hags." Arabeth's gaze quickly flicks first to Svetlana before she looks candidly to every one gathered.
"This is the symbol for Gyronna," Arabeth points to aspects of the illustration,
"The Hag of hatred, extortion and spite. Her following draws upon the hateful, spite and bitterness of women within thier community." Arabeth frowns,
"A cult of Gyronna represents a threat to any community. In my short travels and readings, even before within my temple, tales abound of isolated communities through out the River Kingdoms that have torn themselves apart from within due to the machinations of the Angry Hag’s priestess." Arabeth's voice grows serious.
"If the cult is indeed seeking to settle roots within the kingdom? I would think it be found and eliminated before it can set the town's folk to each another’s throats." Arabeth leans back as she thinks briefly some more..
,
,
,
"A plot to cause and sow dissent between freinds. Which goes so far as to involve the innocence of a child? Perhaps the target of our ire is not to be directed at the fey.... But the machinations of a Hag cult?" She puts forth her idea/opinion on the matter.
Arctorus listens quietly from behind the rest, still doing his best to both listen to the conversation as well as stare at the backs of the leaders of this community. The words of the new lady, Arabeth, confused him.
”Plots, roots, and sowing...what threat are gardeners or farmers? Are they magical? Do they use farming cult magic in their plants?”
Arabeth smiles as she turns to answer Master Arctorus' question.
"I'm sorry. Not quite. There is a group. Probably lead by a leader who's seeking their own personal power and strength. They seek to cause trouble and strife simply for their own benefit while others suffer." (^_^)
"That they may have struck against our hosts is what is I finished with." Arabeth rephrases her previous thoughts.
"Bah!" Asta says, throwing up her hands at the news of Gyronna's involvement. "This is why I sent them an invitation to attend the coronation and set up their own shrine in Greenheart! Why did they have to be difficult and stay away? I wanted to prevent this sort of nonsense!"
Arabeth nods.
"In our own way we should be as subtle against the cult as their actions artowards us. Why, should we do well? The people at large might never know such a problem had occurred."
Not able to keep his thoughts to himself, Torod stops eating long enough to say, "You should make her the spymaster, Asta, instead of the child Imiria." He goes back to eating.
Asta looks around to see who all might have heard that -- then dope-slaps Torod.
Arabeth arches an eyebrow, trying to figure out who the "Cat's mother" is that Torod is reffering too.
(¬_¬)
"Can we get back to why we're here? Oleg, I didn't... we never... I swear."
Arabeth gently leans closer to whom ever is sitting beside her and whispers,
"Um... Is such a thing usual?" She inclines her head and indicates the small, furry body scampering across the floor.
Arabeth goes quite still at Lady Asta's gestures for still and calm. The looming, furred body having nothing to do with her reactions. Nothing what so ever....
Jus' sayin'. Nothin' to worry about. Nup, no sir-ee...
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At Torod’s outburst Oleg gets red in the face as he tries to control his temper , ”I’ve said I would be civil, but I’m done here.”. Oleg get up and leaves. After a moment Svetlana gets up as well, ”I must be going as well to check on the child.”
Meanwhile the rat turns towards Asta it’s nose sniffing the air, and squeaks back
Torod can be seen to start to turn back in on himself. "See, Seraph. He won't talk about it at all. I don't even think he believes it. He's just hurt at the rumors and he's too proud. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to fix it."
I am the dominant (first of pack) Witch who lives in the big stone human-nest upriver.
I have already spoken with the rats there, offering them food for knowledge; yellow cheese and fried pork.
I am a good person to know and be friends with; I pay for information I can use to stay the dominant Witch in these lands, and I pay well.
So who are you?"
Before Svetlana can leave, Asta puts one hand on hers.
"If you do not wish to return to the Council, I will respect that. But may I please meet and examine your child? Upon our friendship, I will not hurt your baby, but I wish to be certain."
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Svetlana smiles at Asta ”Of course, your welcome to visit and see our child.”.
The rat sits on it’s back feet and squeaks back to Asta
Arabeth offers what little skills she has in regards to the health and keeping of children.
Afterwards she wanders out side and enjoys the evening's calm and quiet. Her great cloak of feathers keeping any of the night's chill from her frame.
Asta does take the opportunity of studying - and playing with - the baby. And casts detect magic on him. And talks to any animals who frequent the house and its environs for more information.
Torod hangs back. He obviously wants to go, but is also very worried over Oleg's response. "I'll take Chuffy out of the city. He is uncomfortable here."
When Oleg gets up to leave she gives him a level look, her inhuman eyes flashing in restrained anger. "Torod promised to be enchanted to prove his innocence Oleg. Think about that while you lay in bed with your pride."
"No Torod, stop running away." Seraph grabs his hand before he can leave.
She looks to Svetlana as well, her eyes somewhat sad at the rather... rough state she was in in her opinion before she asks directly. "Can we see the child as well?" She indicated Torod when she said this.
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After the dinner is over Arabeth, Asta and Seraph are welcome to visit Svetlana’s child. Svetlana apologies to Torod, but thinks it would be best if he didn’t visit her and Oleg’s home right now.
Looking over the child there are no magic auras, the child appears to be a healthy half-elf boy. There are no animals in Oleg’s house.
Torod and Chuffy take a walkabout during the other’s visit.
As it is evening, Tiressia and Pervilash take their leave while the leaders spend the night at the Oleton barracks before heading back to GreenHart the following day.
Reaching GreenHart after a full day’s ride, your group notices a bloodshot eye carved in a tree trunk just outside town. It may have been there before you left, but if you did see it before it meant nothing to you at the time.
Waiting at the castle for Queen Asta, are two town citizens who are very distraught parents of Tig Tannersen. They start speaking even before you have a chance to dismount, ”Tig has always been a handful. Collecting ‘pets’ from the wilds and along the riverbanks has placed him in danger many times, but now he’s in real trouble! I just feel it in my bones! He’s been missing for too long this time. Please, you must help find Tig and bring him home!” they plead.
From their description of Tig Tannersen as a young freckled face boy of about 10 with unkempt hair and wearing overalls sounds very familiar to Asta. She has seen the boy fishing or frogging to the south just about every time she used her river vision magic.
The Troll is near the far limit of Asta's spell to the south.
Asta immediately heads to the waterside to check for Tig... and... well.
It is probably impossible for Asta to grow any paler, but her eyes widen. She quietly promises the parents she will do what she can before taking the council a distance away and whispering commands.
"I saw a Troll, using the boy's fishing-rod and wearing his hat.
Seraph, go fetch a party of Outriders. I want them armed for Troll. Tell them to carry bows and arrows that can be lit up.
Arctorus, go get us fresh horses; we have a long ride ahead of us and probably a fight at the end.
Torod, Arabeth, hit up the arsenal. Get us all crossbows, bolts, rags and a cask of pitch so we can make more fire-arrows.
Everyone, move. We meet at the castle gates in fifteen minutes."
For her part, Asta hurries to the rookery tower, where she utters a trilling cry to wake up some ravens -- and also some bats.
Arabeth wasts no time, hurrying off to do Lady Asta's bidding in preparing for the ride and fighting to come.
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Arctorus looks about, almost panicked, at the order given him by Asta. He looks around confused a moment before heading to the stables. There, he asks to see the horses.
He moves up to each one, and starts sniffing at them individually. He takes the freshest smelling ones and leads them to the castle gates, holding their reigns in his claw.
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Asta has had the kingdom preparing to battle with trolls for some time now. Torod goes right to the casks of oil and the crates with soaked rags. He directs Arabaeth to the bows and crossbows and arrows and bolts.
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Asta calls everyone to action to be ready at the gates in fifteen minutes.
Hurrying to the rookery tower, Asta wakes the birds and bats, being dusk the birds are just settling in and grouse about being asked to fly at night, while the bats are ready to take flight disappearing into the night sky.
Arabeth does her best to repair for the coming ride and fight.
Arctorus looks around spotting the stables he rounds up fresh smelling horse, and gear.
Torod quickly finds the cask of oil, rags, crossbows, and bows.
After much activity, everyone is ready at the gates in the quarter hour. With fresh horses the hero's gallop of to the south along the Tuskwater lakeshore almost to the mouth of the Gudrin River taking nearly two hours to reach the spot in Asta’s vision.
Nearing site, the group dismounts and makes their way carefully to the shore, it’s dim light, but Torod’s elven eyes spot a trollish figure still using the cane pole to try and catch fish.
It hasn’t noticed your silent approach, give you the drop on it.
Asta:
Seraph:
Arabeth:
Arctorus:
Torod:
Chuffy:
Troll:
WHile they ride Arabeth would ask,
"How will we find the child?" Though her concentration is more in keeping her seat as they gallop through the coming lengthening afternoon shadows.
Upon dismounting Arabeth prepares her healing spells and skills. Reching out and affixing her life essence to those of her fellows.
Life Link (5 max bonds, 150 feet) (Su) As a standard action, establish bond that drains your HP to heal others who have taken 5 dam.
Before they move off (Since they are stopping to hobble the horses, yes?) Arabeth brings another thing to her freind's attention.
"Uhm... just so that it does not come as a...um, surprise? I tend to, well, lose my thoughts in combat. People tell me that my speech, it becomes... stranger..." Now she does look to her freinds to note their reactions.
Asta excuses the birds, settling for the bats. She makes sure everyone is properly armed before departure. She listens to Arabeth's concerns and nods. "Just stay in the hindguard when we approach and do your thing."
At walking distance from the troll's fishing site, Asta calls the halt. "It'll be tricky. Outriders, take up screening positions; surround and stand ready to shoot the Troll from a distance. I want some of you on the other side of the river in case the beast tries to swim for safety.
My friends, come with me; we'll have to try and intimidate the beast into cooperating and telling us where the child is. Arctorus, Seraph, Torod; if necessary, I want you to kneecap and pin the creature."
Next, the Witch Queen utters a trilling cry up to the night sky.
Widening circles; see if there are more trolls; see if you can find the human boy. Report back to me quick as you can!"
Asta waits for the Outriders to take up positions and for her friends to voice their own ideas before acting.
Arabeth nods at Asta's comands though she continues her spell casting upon her freinds.