As the man stands and heads for the stairs Euron get up from the table looking confused he looks to the others. "What is going on?"
Polonius looks at the man and can't help but think there is a desperate familiarity to him. But how could there be? He is sure he has never met him before.
And then it hits him. Like a blow to the stomach.
Polo's hand moves instinctively to the blanket in his satchel, that plain yellow thing with the flower motif in one corner, so like the one on the amulet he wears around his neck. It's threadbare now, unravelling. He would have to get Lillith to look at that.
Or Valex, he's been spending time with the seamstresses.
The tension in the room is unbearable, palpable. It's like a living thing, a caged animal with the door unlocked, ready to pounce.
And then, the most unexpected thing happens.
Polo begins to laugh.
It begins as a throaty chuckle, but within moments it is a full blown roar. His shoulders heave with it and tears roll down his eyes.
You know, the first time I met Kaiya, I didn't even see her. All I was looking at was the tip of a crossbow bolt. Pointed right here. he jabs his thumb into his forehead in a very definite gesture. For months I'd been running and hiding, scrambling to survive, watching for any passing trace of Groaners and else besides only to be killed by a little girl with a crossbow. he bursts out into a fresh gale of laughter, dimly aware that people were watching him, probably believing him to be crazy. Speaking as a man who believes firmly in empirical evidence - he would have to agree they were probably right.
After a moment his laughter turns to a cough and he looks up at the man who introduced himself as Savah.
Bravest girl I ever met. And a credit to you. She kept Evane safe as best she could. Had that crossbow you made for her, almost as big as her and yet she wielded it like a militia man.
Polonius stands and walks to the man, brushing aside his speartip and taking something out of his bag. The blanket. He offers it to Savah and then begins speaking, reciting a notation found in the journal Turrey found all that time ago:
Finas went hunting for food a week ago and has yet to come back. I fear the worst. I hope we can gather some supplies and head out to somewhere safer. The children are quiet now, I fear for them in these times, they deserved a better childhood. I leave this journal as a record of our being here, and just in case you come back Finas, we're going to try for Magnimar like we discussed. Maybe things are safer in the big cities and the King's army has managed to secure it.
Is that you she wrote about, Finas?
The tension is palpable, the man's hands whiten as his grip tightens on the spear, and Whisper's eyes dart back and forth across the man as she changes stance to present less of a target area, shifting her weight ready to dodge and strike.
When Polonius begins to laugh, the others watching turn their gaze suddenly in confusion, though the two potential combatants are unmoved. As Polonius begins to speak of Kaiya however, you notice Savah's locked gaze with Whisper falters, and he glances at Polonius as the gnome continues to describe his first meeting with Kaiya. Seeing the yellow blanket, the spear drops from numb fingers and clatters to the floor, the noise echoing around the room. He gently takes the blanket, anger and hostility draining away in a heartbeat. He leans against the wall and slowly slides down it clutching the fabric. He closes his eyes, rocking back and forth as tears stream down his cheeks.
Whisper stares down at the gnome, inclining her chin a fraction to acknowledge him, then spinning on her heels and sheathing her knives, though somehow she still seems to only have the one scabbarded on her hip. She pauses for a moment, pinning Euron with her stare for an uncomfortable few breaths, then pads back upstairs.
Anyone watching the gathered crowd for their reactions
Anyone listening to the general hubbub and asking some questions of the folk gathered around
Brae looks troubled, ushering everyone off to their rooms and beginning to finish the rest of the cleaning herself, leaving the great hall quiet apart from the sobs of Finas.
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Lilith calms as the spear clashes to the floor. There is a tale here to be told. she thinks as she looks about for and notes the reaction of the others in the room.
Moving to Brae, Lilith begins to silently help her with the cleaning, trusting her to break the silence when she is ready to do so. After a short while she urges It would be better if you shared this story I think.
Polonius is oblivious to the crowd, his entire world is this man right now, not the opinion of the onlookers.
He kneels down before the man and presents the blanket. As Finas buries his face in it and wails, it takes every ounce of Polonius' will not to break down with him for that wail is all too familiar. He heard it first from his own mouth when he learnt that Amelia had gone.
I tried. God knows I tried. the gnome says. I just wasn't strong enough, or fast enough or... I don't know...
How do I tell this man that everything I touch turns to ashes?
I would give anything to have kept her safe...
In that moment, with this stranger before him, his heart breaks.
Looking on Euron has no idea what is going on but he understands the weight of it all, he then spots the look Whisper is giving him and slowly puts his dagger away. She was ready to take his life, and doesn't seem to like others stepping on her toes.
Spotting the commotion of the others Euron does not move, but sees the recognition in their faces.
He follow Lilith asking about what this is all about. "I'd like to hear the story too."
Noticing Tali move away Azmerai slowly follows her, hoping the noise will hide his leaving.
Azmerai and Lilith spot Tali in one shadowed corner by the main door. Unseen by all but the elf and half-orc, she vaults over the upstairs gallery railing and floats to the floor smoothly, before ghosting off out the door.
Inside, Brae looks unsure
Not sure that it's my tale to tell, but poor Finas is in no state...
she looks pityingly at the man curled up against the wall, and the gnome sharing his grief. She sighs, glancing between Lilith and Euron as she speaks
He'd been cut up pretty badly when he was found, it was touch and go whether he'd make it. Violet managed to save him and he woke up after three days. Immediately he wanted to return back to Sandpoint, but in the state he was in, he wouldn't have lasted half a day. The only thing that kept him here was Nikolai, he told Finas that one of our scouts had come by with news, that the fire in Sandpoint had finally raged out of control and burned it to the ground. He grieved, but he lived. Nikolai saved his life, but finally all he earned was Finas' hate it would seem
she shakes her head sadly.
Finas looks up at Polonius, clutching the yellow blanket with tear-streaked hands
Why?...Why did you leave her...? his voice cracks and his head collapses against his knees in utter misery.
Brae moves across, laying a hand on Polonius' shoulder and giving it a squeeze, before reaching down to Finas and helping him up. They move in to the common room as Brae waves away Ashleigh and Tabitha's offers of help. The girls look at each other, needlework forgotten, then walk upstairs together leaving you alone in the hall. Moments later, the magical light from the sconce expires, plunging the room in to darkness lit only by the fragmented moonlight from the holes in the wall.
The church. Polo says. Whatever was happening there was centred on the church. There was some kind of intelligent undead that was harrassing us. I... had to leave her in the armory to... protect her, to keep her out of harm's way. I desperately wanted to get back to her, I tried! But by the time we got there it was ablaze. We searched everywhere but she was nowhere to be found.
Euron listens on silently the story and the reaction piece it all together. "I never met your daughter, but i am truly sorry for your lose."
Brae turns back to you
I'm sure you did your best to take care of her and try to keep her safe. At some point in the near future he'll be ready to thank you for caring for her, but today is not that day.
she glances at Lilith
He'll also be grateful for knowing she's missing rather than confirmed as having passed, but we should leave that one a while. He's grieving them again now, the children he thinks he should have already died trying to save...
she follows Finas in to the common room, orange light from the tiny fire casting a warm glow around her features.
A shadow detaches itself from the wall nearby, gliding across the room till it is next to a pool of moonlight, whereupon you recognise Tali's features.
Had I a choice I would not intrude on your thoughts at what is obviously a difficult time, however I need you to come with me for a few minutes
she leads you outside, around the corner of the castle to the area of the west wall that has collapsed. The air is crisp and cold, sky clear and the moon is bright above you.
My silver sister shines upon us, and I need friends true to me to join together and venerate the beautiful light
As she speaks her hands move in odd motions, tapping each other and gesturing in a patterned manner, repeating movements and pausing intermittently
she sighs at your non-plussed looks, momentarily chewing her lip with frustration before shrugging and suddenly breaking in to a rhythmic chant in an unfamiliar language.
The melody is difficult to follow and one in every few notes is off. She is a horrible singer...
She stops suddenly, to everyone's relief, and points out across the broken rubble to a stand of trees not too far off
I thought I saw something move there...
she urges, eyes wide and nodding at you with a tight smile...
If you've something to say spit it out or write it down! I'm an alchemist not a bloody mystic. Polonius says, his temper roused by the encounter with Finas.
He takes her meaning well enough however, a place to talk without anyone to listen. He looks at the drow for a good long time, jaw working.
Well then let's go take a look, the security of this place is the top priority of course. he says. I'll get my gear.
If this is a trap...
Euron grabs his equipment not sure what to make of everything being said, but doesn't want to be caught unprepared. He narrows his eyes at Tali. "We had better check it out then." Something strange is going on here.
Tali is impatient as you return inside to gather your things, walking up and down by the wall. When you return she is talking to Radek and shaking her head, and you catch the tail end of the conversation
...no need, we're just being cautious, good citizens and all!
Radek nods at her, rubbing his face as he yawns.
All right, but use the front path, if you try and climb down the rubble-choked hill here in the dark you'll fall and break your necks
he leads you around to the wagon blocking the archway and gets the two farmers playing watchmen to throw the ropes down so you can climb over the wall.
Twenty minutes then...
Climbing up and over with the knotted ropes is easier than you remember, and it takes just a few minutes to get down to your destination, the copse of trees Tali pointed out a few minutes ago.
There is nothing here.
She turns on you, eyes blazing and teeth gritted.
I will never forgive you for making me sing...
She glances around, seemingly satisfied that you are alone and unobserved.
So Cale and Danel, the two men I know from before, have made a few observations during their time here. They told of how plans to steal or hoard food never seem to work, how the council always seem to know what's going on. They say it's impossible to keep a secret in Solace
she looks around at each of you
Just be careful what you talk about to each other and the community, assume someone is always eavesdropping
she checks the light of the moon one more time
Also, Violet never seems to come out of the Chapel, works, eats and sleeps there apparently. It wasn't always so, she lived among everyone else before the council was formed, but since then she's always had more to do it seems.
she raises her eyebrows as if acknowledging more questions are being raised than answered right now.
They were reluctant to speak any more in the scant minutes we could snatch, but if anyone has any ideas I'll ask them
she stows her bow and looks serious.
One last thing, I think I should teach you at least the rudiments of Drow Sign Language, being able to communicate under the noses of watchful eyes could prove useful in a number of ways. I was serious about the singing...
She spends a few minutes running through some basic signs with you all, enough so you can convey very basic messages such as "danger", "help" or "kill", before giving a grudging nod of satisfaction.
It'll do for now till we get more time. We should be moving back unless anyone has anything to say whilst there are no ears to hear...
No-one Lilith speaks to has met anyone named 'Benvolio', though several note there was a gnome here a couple of months ago calling himself 'Ty'. He was a part of the same missing group that Jandra was, sent to scavenge a nearby village but the group never returned. There is some dissent as to the colour of the gnome's hair, the auburn-haired scarf-wearing woman arguing with Brae that it was brown, and Brae insisting that it was red, and only appeared brown because the woman has poor eyesight...the woman storms off.
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Lilith listens to Tali's ominous warning. Then they know I have explored some of the restricted areas; The chapel and store room. Unless doors are very tight they are not proof to my ability to teleport short distances. Funny thing is that I found nothing of real interest in these and cannot say why they were restricted. I am quite perceptive and do not miss much. I think its time we go and have a heart to heart with Violet. And until we learn more we should travel stay in groups of threes, no less.
Lilith is very interested in learning the drow sign language and commits as much to memory as she can. If you can continue to teach me Tali, I will dedicate myself to learning this language to fluency.
As they return to the castle, Polonius takes heed of Tali's warning, but Lilith's message that Brae had met a gnome with red hair is too difficult to ignore and he seeks the woman out before she retires for the evening.
Brae? Would you mind if I had a brief moment?
My friend Lilith tells me that you knew a gnome here, one with red hair who went by the name of Ty. I was hoping you might be able to tell me more about him, I have seen no others of my kind since this all began.
Euron follows along with the sign language making sure to learn everything taught. "This place can never feel like home when you have to watch what you say, and all these secrets... We still have a lot of people to talk to. But you're both right if there is something strange going on here Violet will must know. We stick together we speak to Violet." He says the last few words more to himself to make sure he know their next move.
"I wouldn't want Indigo to get into any trouble.. they said they haven't seen any animals like cats and dogs since the harvest. But you could be right about them not being suspicious of a cat." He looks to Lenneth, tries to read her face. "It will help us, but i leave it upto you if you wish it."
Tali replies to Lilith with a nod
Aside from being a survival boosting effort to help our group against others, it's a trust thing too.
she glances at Polonius
Even if it only goes one way
As Lenneth ponders the group's discussion, Tali grins
Indigo could learn much by pretending to fall asleep in the right spot, good idea!
The walk back is uneventful, the knotted ropes are flung down to you and within minutes you are inside the keep again. Radek has gone to bed but Tali advises the watchmen of the false alarm, though stresses thorough watchfulness throughout the night just in case.
Brae has just finished tidying the main hall as Polonius comes looking for her
You're fortunate master gnome, yon Finas has fallen asleep in the common room and I was just about to put a blanket on him and go to bed myself
she takes a battered metal pot off the slowly cooling range and pours the thick brown liquid in to two cups, a metal goblet of fine craftsmanship and a slender blown glass flute with spirals etched on the side. The hot tea steams in the cold room and Brae gestures for Polo to take one
I made this for Finas but he isn't going to drink it now, I trust you enjoy elderberry tea?
she settles herself on a chair and listens to Polo's questions.
There's never been a great presence of any folk out here apart from us humans, just the occasional fellow like yourself and your two elf friends passing through. Still, I remember Ty quite well, he kept himself to himself but sooner or later everyone ends up talking to me, guess I've just got one of those faces
she smiles warmly at Polonius
He came to us a few months ago, nothing but the pack on his back and a pick-axe on his shoulder. Said he'd been mining for one of the local landowners, prospecting for coal and gems and the like, been trapped underground for a while but managed to make his way out.
she sips her tea thoughtfully
He and Jandra were sent to a nearby farm I think it was, standard job to check the place out and bring back anything they could or at least report back if there was something of interest. They didn't return I'm afraid, that was a few weeks ago so I'm guessing they met their ends there. Nikolai would have more information, he's the one that selects the scavengers and the locations to check.
she looks at Polo curiously
So did you know Ty then, before all this happened?
As the rest of you leave Polo to chat to Brae, you see Shayliss asleep on the floor and nothing amiss. The moonlight is still strong but thankfully little of Luna's radiance reaches through the tapestry over the window and you are able to bed down for the night without distraction.
I'm not sure Brae. Polonius responds honestly as he sips at the steaming tea. He reminds me of someone I knew once and I'm hoping I am lucky enough that he is still alive somewhere. Are you able to describe for me? The gnome I knew had fiery red hair and, you probably never saw this, but a birthmark on his left shoulder.
I will wait for you to tell me whether her description sounds like Benvolio or not. Shall we do that in a PM?
Valex is fairly quiet during the day and the excursion, keeping to the background.
"Aye, we should stick together as much as possible" he opines quietly, as the group is gathering in their room for the night. "What are our thoughts on plans for the morrow?"
Again, just before he beds down, he will set a silent Alarm on the doorway.
Euron sits on his bed roll and as most nights begins to clean his armor and weapons sharpening them. "We should stick to what we were doing you three are doing good work around here. Me, Polo and Lenneth will head out again as we said we spoke to Nikolai and he gave us his blessing to check up on these tracks again. If we are to protect this place we need to know what is out there waiting."
Polonius sits and tries to act aloof when Brae describes the gnome. As she paints a picture a smile grows ever wider across his face and he can contain his excitement no longer.
He was here. He was here, I knew it! He came here months ago but when did he and this Jandra head to the farm and where is it, please I must know.
Brae smiles but shakes her head regretfully
I don't know the details sorry, Nikolai tends not to explain himself outside of those who need to know. He only tells the group themselves where they are headed, and because no-one came back, he'd be the only one that knows that information.
She reaches out and lays a hand gently on Polonius' shoulder
Well whoever he is to you, I hope he's still out there. He had a fierce curiosity about him that one, I remember the thirst for answers in his eyes. Now, I must get these old bones to bed!
She rinses the tea cups and heads off upstairs. Everyone else is back in the guest room, tired after a full day.
The next morning, after another breakfast of thin gruel, you have a brief opportunity to talk to anyone (except Violet who is again absent from the meal) before you head out.
The night passes slowly, interminably so. More than once the gnome stirs in his slumber and thoughts of hammering on Nikolai's door seems perfectly reasonable.
But somehow he restrains until morning when he can wait no longer and, bleary eyed, he searches the castle for the man.
Polonius can't see Nikolai anywhere around, but Mallis points him in the right direction
He's usually in the council chambers doing councilly things no doubt!
When Polonius gets there, he can hear heated voices coming from the council chambers. A few moments later, the door is flung open and Finas storms out with a face like thunder, Brae moving quickly in his wake to try and keep up. She offers Polonius a wry smile and glances back to the chamber, whispering
Good luck...
Despite its size, the chamber is fairly sparse. A large circular table rests in the middle, one missing leg replaced with a stack of moldering tomes. The surface is scored with lines in what seems like a deliberate design burned in to the surface, slicing the table up in to individual segments. It now sits covered in sheafs of paper, many maps both new and old, as well as open books on a variety of subjects ranging from farming to stonework. All the books are in serious disrepair, with missing pages and water damage very prevalent. Candle stubs in fancy candelabras vie for space with rusted metal gauntlets and odd chunks of stone acting as paperweights.
There are a handful of mismatched chairs scattered around, and two wooden framed cots strewn across the far wall with rumpled blankets on them. The walls have the usual collection of tapestries and blankets covering them, and an odd gilt-framed mirror of dark glass sits off to one side, mounted above a fireplace that judging from its appearance hasn't been used in a long while.
Nikolai leans on the table, a scowl etched deeply on his face. Whisper removes her hand from where it was resting on top of the old man's in what looks to have been a reassuring gesture, glancing up at Polonius and raising an eyebrow in enquiry as the gnome pauses in the doorway.
Mallis passes by the party as they discuss what they'll be doing today, and clears his throat quietly
Sorry to intrude and all, just wonderin' if you he realises he's been only staring at Lilith
...that is, any of you, wanted to come and have a proper look up at the top of the tower? It's not got much in the way of amenities but the view compensates quite nicely, at least in my opinion!
he smiles nervously.
Tabitha and Ashleigh appear nearby, though they are taking pains to deliberately not notice each other. Tabitha sports a small bruise under one eye. As Finas stomps through the hallway at a rapid speed, Brae tuts as she passes the girls, wagging a finger in their direction.
The keep seems a little more vibrant as everyone falls in to their usual work routines.
Playing a little cluelessly enthusiastic, Valex beams at Mallis's offer. "I'd love to see the tower tops! Not just the view, but, Lilith, we could get another view of the structure, maybe see where scaffolding might help..."
Valex prattles on amiably about architecture and the view as he gets his gear together, hoping that the in the stream of innocuous chatter no-one pays much heed to the fact that he is bucking on his sword belt.
Polonius nods to Finas as he passes but the man fairly walks over him in his haste.
Trouble? he asks, lightly knocking the door. I'm sorry to interrupt, Nikolai, but I was wondering if I might ask you some questions about a man who was here recently, a gnome called Ty. He disappeared on a routine visit to a farm but I was wondering if you could tell me what he was like, and where he had come from. Most of all, Id like to know where this farm is.
Euron waves off Mallis. "No thank you heights are not my thing. I'm going to go speak with Violet before we head off, I'll see you all later."
Euron then heads to the stairs he see's Violet stand on every night and goes looking for the woman, ready to ask some questions of this strange woman.
"Euron, Lilith, I'd like to go with you for that, as well..." Valex adds quietly.
Euron turns back as he's about to leave. "Ok we'll go together i'll go look out for Whisper, thats another i'd like a long talk with i don't think i've heard her speak once." Then again heads off as he seeks out Whisper.
Mallis' face lights up at Lilith's response, then deflates slightly as she invites everyone else. He grins good-naturedly though and leads everyone up the inside stairs to the tower door
Priviledge of being the permanent lookout he winks, producing the key to the chunky-looking door. It swings open to show the first floor of the ruined tower, it's crisp and cold despite being bathed in morning sunlight.
You notice Polonius walking in to the council chamber doorway as you go through to the tower, and Tali has fallen in behind you, evidently keen to see the view too.
Mallis continues his tour-guide monologue
So watch yerselves here, we've done our best to make it easier but you don't want to be falling off, the ground'll pack quite a wallop from up here he gestures at the multiple ropes that are dangling down from the floor above. Due to the damage to the tower, where you climb up is right next to the open space leading outside.
Just watch how I climb and if you aren't sure we'll chuck a rope down and you can tie it round your waist whilst you climb he reassures with a firm smile, before turning and scampering up the makeshift rope ladder like a pirate climbing rigging.
Reaching the top is giddying, and unprepared for the wind you are glad of Mallis' hand on your clothing as you pull yourself up on to the lookout platform.
None of the roof has survived, leaving the entire top open to the panorama you see stretched out before you. Affording a full view all around the keep, despite having seen the same scenery from below, it's breathtaking to have such an elevated position that shows you everything at once. The mountains to the west give way to flat plains to the north, forested areas to the east and south, and you can just make out a ribbon of twisting blue which has to be the river winding its way across the landscape.
Not a bad place to spend your workday eh?! Mallis quips as he pats the stone fondly
Pretty useful place to have truth be told. I've seen some sights fit to freeze a man's soul to his boots, with the hordes and all he visibly shudders, but notices Tali's blank-looking expression and adds
Forgive me if'n you're already aware being long-term survivors and all, but we've seen maybe half a dozen hordes of undead, hundreds of the things all moving slowly together like locusts in search of food. They've mostly gone past at a distance, but a couple of them shambled right by like they didn't even see us hiding behind the walls. he muses, looking like he's thought about this quite a lot. Then again, he's likely thought about a lot of things intently given his solitary vocation. He grows a little grim
There was one group though, came straight for us the minute they spotted the keep. Swarmed over that rubble down there, climbing over each other to get to the top and get through to us. We sure were lucky to have Violet by our side that day. Don't know what it was she did, but there was a flash of light and the zombies inside all collapsed, the ones outside just seemed to lose interest and wandered off together. Good timing too as we were all sick afterwards. he looks a bit concerned then, and quickly moves on to reassure you
It wasn't the plague, must have been flu or something, we were all fine again after a few days. What I'm trying to say in my roundabout way is, this place is safe, the people make it that way. Just in case you're still deciding on staying or not
he clears his throat again
So anyways, I've got to get on with staring at the horizon and I'm sure you've got things to do yerselves, I wish you fortune with whatever you're doin'
He helps you down the rope and you continue on with your day's activities.
Trouble? murmurs Nikolai
Just old sins back to revisit, they never stay buried no matter the reason for digging them deep he sighs, turning his attention fully on Polonius and trying to summon a smile. As Polonius talks of the failed scavenger hunt with the missing community members, Nikolai's face grows dark again, as if there were invisible anvils on each shoulder weighing him down.
I do recall him, I remember all that pass through this place no matter their origin or final destination. I believe he was a miner from the hills, used his pickaxe to good effect against the risen dead certainly. He didn't speak of family or a previous group, he came to us on his own with a tale of being trapped in the mine he was working in when the world turned all those months ago.
he gestures to one of the seats surrounding the haphazardly piled table, leaning on his cane and lowering himself down on to another rickety chair. He nods at Whisper and she moves out of the room, closing the door behind her.
I didn't spend much time with him, my daylight hours are often spent in this room, scrutinising these tomes and searching for ways to better our lot. Perhaps Brae might know more, she seems to have taken on a mother hen role here. Or perhaps Quinn, I believe they were on patrol together quite a lot.
he stares directly in to the gnome's eyes, frowning slightly in curiosity
So why the sudden interest in him and the farm?
As Euron comes down from the tower he sees Whisper closing the council chamber door behind her. As the other members of the party file past, she stays perfectly still, just staring at the oracle. Once the others have gone, she points to the holy symbol Euron is wearing and makes a complicated sign in the air with her fingers.
As Euron attempts to engage her in conversation, Whisper just raises one finger to her lips. Once Euron stops speaking, she points at him and holds her hand up flat, tilting it one way then the other as if she's weighing something. She closes her hand slowly, her expression neutral, before turning on her heel and walking down the stairs and out of the hall.
Those knocking on the Chapel's locked door where Violet is known to be inside are met with silence. Peeking through the door you can see her at the end of the room, hunched over a desk and very intent and focused on writing on some parchment.
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Lilith genuinely enjoys the climb and views and is appreciative of Mallis's tour. She focuses on how she might be able to make the structure more structurally sound, even taking some notes. As he talks about Violet and her use of power to save them she listens intently and asks a few clarifying questions, trying to understand the magic and listening carefully for some indication of control in place of a turning of damaging.
You know Mallis, I have very sharp elven eye sight. Perhaps I should request to come up here with you some and help you watch. But I have some many tasks that need to be attended to first.
I have seen none of my kind since this all began, and I believe I may know this gnome. Polonius replies, telling the truth but perhaps not the whole truth. I'd like to look for him if you can tell me the location of the farm?
These tomes, what are they? Myself and some of the group are quite learned, perhaps we can help?
Vaelx tries very hard to keep his expression unchanged as he glimpses the tapestry. . I'll need to find a way to examine that...perhaps there is more to violet than a false priestess?
. . . . . . .
"Thank you, Mallis, for sharing the view. Now, if I don't get downstairs, the ladies will have taken all the thimbles, and my weary thumbs couldn't bear that..." Valex jokes, beginning his decent. As he returns to the halls below, he muses over the sights from the tower, trying to remember anything of interest that he might know.
. . . . .
At Violet's door, a sudden inspiration strikes Valex. He leans to the door and calls out in a guttural and hissing language.
In Necril - a common "know thine enemy" language among the Order - "Will you speak with us, madam?