Innis is struck by deja vu and concludes that gnomes are most peculiar creatures; spilling over their words as they do. Innis half-laughs half-coughs as Merelda presents her new creature. "Good tidings indeed. The Lady revels in our conflict, may we reap more vengeance in her name and ours."
When it come time for business Innis will redistribute the resources that she had acquire the other day.
Innis frowns and attempts to frame her next statement carefully. "Now to correct the sorry state of you lot." She retrieves the newly crafted wand. "This may feel a tad unpleasant but necessary measures call upon us to face such unpleasantness from time to time." she heals each of her teammates with the infernal wand.
The wand quickly stitches and mends each of the group. While the effects are thankfully short lived the evil power of the wand is obvious as the magic sets to work. For Innis the orphan girl of mixed and unusual blood there is something oddly kindred and euphoric about the experience.
Cassandra reached out and gently troked the insects thorax, careful to be gentle and not touch the wings or joints. She didn't do so for long before she backed away with a nervous smile only to see Lililinda's reaction. She realized she had misinterpreted the gnome's reaction and faced her own fear for nothing. Still it was good to try and overcome these drawbacks and so she said, "Thanks you Cinder, for being an insect you are quite...er, lovely." She gave the insect a sheepish look as she said, "Sorry, I've been terrified of insects from a young age, but you're alright...I think."
The feel of the ward's power was disgusting and left her feeling nauseous for a time. Afterwards she was at least healed in body if not spirit and said, "Thanks you Innis. Now, I need to pray for a time before we leave." Cassandra slipped away and found a room with plenty of space and began to hum a tune before moving into the steps of a dance as she sang a hymn to Shelyn.
Merelda smiles at Cassandra's obvious fear and her honest statement.
"You are very brave Cassandra. We of the faith are trained to not fear such amazing creatures as they are evidence of our goddesses will,
but your willingness to forgo your healthy fear in order to understand Cinder better is much appreciated."
Merelda takes her things from Innis and stows them. Frowning at the large spear, she shrugs.
"I'll make do."
Cinder enjoys the stroking of the human woman, then proceeds to climb up Merelda's arm to her left shoulder where she perches waiting for what's next.
"Kirzon, I trust you can lead us the the Abbey Green area, we must be on the hunt once more"
Lililinda seems oblivious to the outside world until Innis pokes her with the infernal wand. "WAH!" she flinches. "What was- No, nevermind. I don't think I want to know."
Fara looks inquisitively at the mention of the funeral parlour. "The Green Mortuary? Well it lies in the Abbey Green. Head north of the Quickfall Abbey. Keep following along the main road until you reach the road leading away from the Blackwood Bridge. Follow that road you can't miss the building it is right beside a small cemetery park."
Merelda taps her chin, considering.
"With the town in lock-down we will need to be careful on how we get there. The watch will be more hindrance than help right now."
Turning her head slightly she raises an eyebrow.
"Cinder? Do you think you could scout our path for us? Warn us if a patrol is coming, or in our way?"
Antennae wave gently and insects wings flutter-buzz for a second. Merelda smiles.
"I think that's a 'he's willing to try it' if nothing else."
With almost everyone set to go, Innis will explore the establishment for their last member. She will knock politely to gain Cassandra's attention "Cassandra we shall be off soon. I trust you've not taken too much a fancy to this quaint little place? "
Cassandra donned her armor and gear then returned to meet the others and leave. Her gear was clean, her clothing neat, and she'd somehow gotten her hair had been brushed and tied back and she'd applied some small amount of makeup. "I'm ready if you are," she said as she looked at her gathered companions.
"Right! Let's get going then." Lililinda stands up, closes her notebook (the sharp eyed might catch a glimpse of something in black and yellow stripes) and grabs her bag. "Now, before we all end up eating each other." she jokes darkly.
"Yes, let get going. Must we leave through the basement however? I regret feeling a little intimated by the shocker lizard infestation
below, which my lady innkeeper, I suggest you get a handle on quite quickly. These things tend to nest easily and reproduce just as easily too."
Having piqued Innis' curiosity she will get close to Cassandra and purr "You move quite beautifully when out of all this baggage." she taps Cassandra's breastplate for emphasis.
"You must allow me to play for you sometime. A dance without music is like a night without the stars and moon lacking so much for all that your bear yourself in it."
Giving Innis a smile Cassandra said, "I would be delighted Innis." Her expression shifted to one of amusement as she leaned slightly on her glaive where it was grounded. "I would say though that music is everywhere, you only have to listen to it."
Fara looks at Merelda with her soft eyes, "It took me awhile to board up this door and I won't be unboarding it until you tell me Cassomir is safe. Once the threat is resolved I'll find someone to remove those lizards from the cellar. Until then it is the only safe way in or out of this place that I can properly seal. When you return you know the phrase to get in. Just thump on the cellar door and wait for me."
"Ah Nicias emboldened by heroic spirit I like it!"
A heavy frown on her face, Merelda moves to the basement and waits for her turn to leave. She shrugs.
"Yeah. Cold water again. Lovely. Might as well get it over with?"
Fara accompanies you to the kitchen where she opens the door leading into the partially flooded cellar. She wishes you good luck and squeezes Kirzon's shoulder rather tightly nodding her head in encouragement when he leaves.
You see no sign of the shocker lizard in the cellar and you are quick to leave understanding that there are far greater threats that must be considered in comparison to the shocker lizard.
Cinder flies around attempting to keep a watch out for you. Coming back every now and again to report to Merelda. It is one of these first communications that however things do not work as they are supposed to and your team walks right into the Constabulary.
Innis never one to drop her guard quickly spots the constabulary before they notice the group. Immediately she warns Kirzon and the dwarf takes them down a side street to avoid the watch. None of you cannot help but look back over your shoulders as you continue to proceed through The Fen. You avoid one more group of constables before you are able to make it to the invisible border that seperates the Admiral's Fen from the Imperial Naval Shipyards.
Cinder drops back onto Merelda's hand and begins to move about her palm in what looks almost like a dance of some sort. Cinder's antennae move frantically sometimes touching Merelda's palm other times not.
"Cinder says soldiers with spears are ahead! Let's move, we need to get clear of this area fast!"
Nodding in acknowledgement Cassandra moved in the direction that Merelda told them to go, making sure to keep everyone more fragile ahead of her, just in case.
Cinder preens at Merelsa's understanding, and quickly takes off to help guide again. Alighting on various roof tops and tall objects, he quickly scans the areas ahead of his non-flying 'warrior-sister,' but also keeping an antennae out for winged predators or other dangers to him-self.
So far he was not too disappointed in his new companion and her 'swarm,' but they were obviously sicker than a broken nest. The goddess wanted him to stay by her side however, until the end. Cinder shrugs off the feeling of doom, and continues his patrol for the group. Doom is for the enemies of the goddess, not her followers.
Lililinda hurries along with the group, nervously glancing back. It would be just her luck that if they got caught, it would be by the same guards she zapped a few nights ago.
It seems like it takes forever to make it through the Shipyards without getting stopped or caught from what Cinder is able to tell Merelda most of the patrols are in the Locker stopping anyone from leaving the city or from entering it. You watch as the Constabulary and even the River Patrol have set up barricades at any of the entry points from the Locker to the Shipyards . Angry shouts can be heard from captains and crews wanting to leave but that are being held back.
Leaving the Shipyards you cross the ruins of the Quick Fall Abbey before entering the Abbey Green district . You are surprised not see any patrols in this area but as you close in towards the only bridge leading into the city you see a large contingent of guards posted here. You stay clear of them and move in haste to the Green Mortuary Funeral Service.
The Mortuary sits across from a small well maintained cemetery park. The mortuary is surrounded by a 10 foot wall that surrounds it and the grounds. You can see there is a two story carriage house standing at the entrance to the mortuary.
"We should check out the carriage house first. It may have lookouts for the cultists. Any way we can sneak in?"
Turning to Cinder, Merelda points at the buildings of the funeral home.
"Cinder? Would you fly around and see what you can see? Anything obvious is fine, just be careful. I don't want you hurt."
Antennae wave and the large vermin's wings flutter in agreement. He quickly takes off to do a once-over of the compound.
Innis activates her ring of mage armor now that the group has made it to their destination. "We could try and sneak around just say the word."
Cinder lands in Merelda's palm and begins dancing about.
Kirzon there are lots of tracks coming and leaving. You see footprints and wheel tracks some are old but others appear to be made within a days time.
Merelda interprets Cinder best she can...
"No obvious foot patrols in the open, but there is a large animal of some sort...four legged one, hiding in a hut or...doghouse maybe? Could be a big dog of some sort...but its hard to say really."
Placing Cinder back on her shoulder, she purrs to him.
"Good job Cinder! Thanks for the warning. Kirzon...got anything special for a big animal?"
"It's in a carriage house, so perhaps it's a horse?" Lililinda suggests.
Looking at one another you choose to head towards the carriage house with Cassandra leading the way followed closely by Kirzon and Merelda with the rest of you filing in behind.
The grounds are empty as per Cinder's reconnaissance and nearing the carriage house you can see a single-story red brick building almost fifty feet away from the carriage house.
The carriage house is a split-level red brick building, with a single-story barn dominating its western half and two-story building making up the eastern half. A large iron gate, secured with a padlock and chains,
stands before a 10-foot wide, 25-foot long passageway that leads through the center of the carriage house and into the mortuary grounds beyond. A tarnished brass sign attached to the gate reads: Green Mortuary Funeral Service, Tirus Dreen, Proprietor. Our Family Helping Yours.
Nicias looks at the iron wrought gate. He does not see any traps but does notice that attached to the wall in front of gate is a short leather cord attached to a brass signal bell.
His first attempt on the lock is unsuccessful and the gate remains locked.