Euron looks up to see Whisper standing in the way of the others. His face and necks mard with bruises, then looks down at the small carving of a whippoorwill.
"It seems The Lady of Graves has sent me some stand for me, Whispers with me she see i want to help, she knows i was given a gift to help set what i did right." He lets out a sigh. Someone stands with me.. maybe i will get out of this maybe it's not my time to die, the lady of the graves hasn't called me to her boneyard yet.
Lives stays very still, watching all of the interactions around him. Flynn, who knows him, and well-trained fighters would recognize it not as passivity, but of steel-spring readiness.
He turns his head slightly, trying to meet Flynn's eye, raising an eyebrow in question. What next?
Flynn's lips curls in a slight snarl for a moment as the other halfling steps between them. His entire life and for generations before, the 'big folk' had underestimated halfling bravery, tenacity and skill. Well, not he. He looks the woman in the eye and knew her resolve was set.
Did he really want to spill that much blood, and of one of his own?
He sheathes his blade.
Aye, let him live then. For me, every day is still a blessing. For him, every day must be a curse, to live with what he's done. That's worse than any death.
He shoots Euron a look however, as if there were more but it is left unspoken.
He turns to Lillith.
I found one of your friends, a dark-skinned elf. I'm sorry, she was already gone. I had to put her out of that misery, but I couldn't recover the body - only this. he holds up the wicked knife he found on her belt. Perhaps you should take it before I forget. Of the others, there is no trace. he says with genuine sadness.
Flynn offers Whisper a sidelong look and talk to her in the almost sing-song intonations of their native tongue.
Dylech feddwl am beth yr ydych yn ei wneud yma, chwaer. Mae'r dyn yn un o'r ychydig uniongyrchol gyfrifol am y byd yr ydym yn gweld yn awr. Byddai'n cymryd deg hoes iddo i wneud iawn am yr hyn a wnaethant.
You should think about what you're doing here, chwaer (sister). This man is one of the few directly responsible for the world we see now. It would take him ten lifetimes to make up for what they did.
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Glad that weapons have been sheathed Lilith breaths a sigh of relief and goes to Euron to speak with him. Clearly the message is not meant for his ears alone though as her voice intentionally carries. Euron, you were used, You were a pawn,. This plague is not of your doing. The idea is ludicrous. Any rational person would understand that you were not a willing participant in what happened. You should feel guild for your part and I condone your position to help others because of it. But no one can seriously claim it was your fault. If you had not have been there they would have duped some other person.
Lilith is not surprised by the revelation that Whisper is of Pharisma, but other than showing no surprise she betrays nothing.
Her piece spoken she then listens to the others and in turn receives the dagger that belonged to the drow. You have my thanks for retrieving this and for what you did when you found her. She had not been at rest for a very long time. I prey now that she can find rest.
Whisper glances sideways at Lenneth but does not reply. Radek chafes under the tip of her blade, he backs up a pace only to have her follow, keeping it pressed there until he has moved back several feet and away from the party.
Stand down!
Nikolai's voice is loud as he limps across the courtyard
Both of you!
Radek sheaths his sword, but Whisper simply glares, moving back some paces towards the party and never letting Radek or Nikolai out of her sight. Nikolai raises a finger at her
It is clear to me from what I overheard from Euron himself that he was a part of the cult that planned the harvest, that turned our world in to this semblance of civilisation we currently cling to, that killed our families and loved ones...
He points at Lilith
A dupe? Perhaps, but is his crime any less than the soldier who takes gold from a despot, even if he turns away from the looting and pillaging of his fellows? A man may save a thousand lives, does that then mean he does not have to pay for the one he took yesterday? A year ago? Ten years?
he shakes his head
And you Flynn, you have carried this information to us for good reason, you flew back here to tell us of the snake in our midst, so it may not strike twice. Your ire may be spent, your mind might be convinced, but we cannot risk the danger!
his voice shakes with passion
It is clear, there has been a crime, there was a witness, he has confessed. All that is left is a sentence. Normally we would simply exile someone from the community, but this is a rare opportunity to strike back at the enemy. Radek, do you agree? Does your daughter's soul not cry out for revenge?
Radek sheds a tear, hand clenching on the hilt of his sword, sweat beading on his brow. He looks up, nods more assertively. Whisper shakes her head. Nikolai smiles
It is a majority decision Whisper, two against one, the sentence is dea...
No
The voice is only vaguely familiar, and though quiet, appears to carry a weight heavy enough to give everyone pause. Heads turn and there is a collective gasp. Violet is standing at the doorway to the keep, blinking in the cold light. She walks slowly to you, simple fabric dress gusting in the breeze.
This man is paying for his crimes with every tortured breath he takes, with each laugh he hears he remembers those who will smile no more because of his actions. He lives every day in a prison of his own making, a good man who made one mistake, and who will forever now until the end of his days atone for it. He has already passed sentence on himself Nikolai, you have no jurisdiction over him.
She stands there trembling, though it is not clear whether it is from the cold or something else.
Nikolai's face reddens
This council rules this community, there are rules which must be respected or we will devolve to chaos and fall on each other!!
he declares, waving his cane. As she replies, Violet's voice is soft and faint, but her words carry power of their own
There IS no community without me Nikolai, if I leave there would barely be enough food to last a few days. Accept this and move on...or I will...
The threat is left hanging, and Nikolai is rendered mute. After a few seconds he exclaims Bah! in a disgusted tone and turns abruptly away, walking back to the keep and muttering under his breath. The assembled community of Solace let go their collectively held breath, and all start talking at once. Most still have fear in their eyes as they look at Euron, but most bow their heads slightly to Violet and simply move on.
Violet turns to Flynn and Lenneth, smiling nervously to get their attention
Whisper is not ignoring you, she can't, or won't talk. Whisper is a nickname as she hasn't told us her own...
The halfling woman sheathes her dagger, before walking over and picking up the wooden symbol. She offers it to Euron, eyes never leaving Flynn's.
"You lucky man. But can´t see you now. Need time to think!"
Flynn's eyes never leave Whisper's either, but rather than a scowl, his small handsome face breaks into a smile.
Well, I always did like to make an entrance! he says with a laugh. And if this is the last bastion of humanity I'm glad to be part of it. Sir, you have friends in both high and low places by the look of things, and I can only assume they haven't been out there to see the havoc you helped wreak.
He gestures to Lillith then who is still turning the knife over in her hands.
Sleep easy, Euron. I'm sure the fiends you had yesterday would forgive you. Lillith, Lenneth; I'd be happy to talk you through what I found out there. The others, if they are to be recovered, are liklely much further downstream by now. But I will look again tomorrow, if you'd like. he says, serious once more.
Euron keeps his head down as Violet shows up and defends him in front of everyone even threatening to leave. With the council decision overturned he looks up at her and nods. I have to speak to her later i have to find out why she did that.
But he turns to the first person to stand up for him. "Whisper..." He looks at the silent halfling and for once feels he is needed, he is wanted. "Thank you." He says finding it strange to truly mean it after all this time. Taking the symbol from her he studies it for a moment then nods at her.
"I don't expect anything from you Flyn and sleep hasn't come easy for me since the harvest, i'm not just cursed for what i did I'm haunted by the lives of all the people i let die." He says unable to look at the man in the face, the shame still written all over him "I don't expect anything from these people, but i just want to help. As you said i have friends.. people who may not like me but understand i can help more alive than i could hanging from the walls."
Flynn sighs and turns his back on the scene. He begins to walk away with Lenneth, Skyfall giving final shriek before swooping up to one of the tall towers, unable to fight her instinct of getting high and seeing all around.
Flynn doesn't look up as she flies off, he knows she is but a call away.
I followed the direction you told me and came to what I guess used to be a bridge. It was obvious fighting had occurred there so I knew I was in the right place. We followed the river through the ravine for probably about five miles before we found the elf. It seemed like she died in the fall which is small mercy I suppose. he adds, wanting to spare them the worst of the details
But he never was a good liar, his face is too honest.
I was able to get her out of the water but we couldn't carry her back, just get that knife. I'm afraid I think the others have gone as well. he says sadly.
His own tale of the search over, he listens intently as Lenneth describes the scene.
So what do you make of that, was he murdered? Is this place all it seems?
Whisper breaks her stare at Flynn as he smiles at her, turning to acknowledge Euron's thanks with a small nod. She points at Violet, then sweeps her hand at the ground in a circle, encompassing Solace. Then she indicates Euron, moving her hand to point up in to the sky before bringing her hands together to pray for a moment. She taps the symbol Euron holds then touches him over his heart.
Turning to leave, she cocks her head as if recalling something, then turns to Lenneth. She points at the Pharasman holy symbol, then back at her own chest, then shrugs. She walks off in to the shadows of the keep as silently as she appeared.
Violet turns to you, dress still swirling
I wanted to speak to you when you arrived, but Nikolai forbade it. He dislikes anything that risks me, for obvious reasons. But I've watched you, you have good hearts.
her smile wavers
I've set the cat among the pigeons now, it was perhaps unwise to rouse Nikolai's ire, he has a way of leading, inspiring people and having them follow his words. Still, it is done now. I will do my best to help you where I can. Do you have any questions?
she looks nervous again, now you are alone with her.
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Whisper glances sideways at Lenneth but does not reply. Radek chafes under the tip of her blade, he backs up a pace only to have her follow, keeping it pressed there until he has moved back several feet and away from the party.
Stand down!
Nikolai's voice is loud as he limps across the courtyard
Both of you!
Radek sheaths his sword, but Whisper simply glares, moving back some paces towards the party and never letting Radek or Nikolai out of her sight. Nikolai raises a finger at her
It is clear to me from what I overheard from Euron himself that he was a part of the cult that planned the harvest, that turned our world in to this semblance of civilisation we currently cling to, that killed our families and loved ones...
He points at Lilith
A dupe? Perhaps, but is his crime any less than the soldier who takes gold from a despot, even if he turns away from the looting and pillaging of his fellows? A man may save a thousand lives, does that then mean he does not have to pay for the one he took yesterday? A year ago? Ten years?
he shakes his head
And you Flynn, you have carried this information to us for good reason, you flew back here to tell us of the snake in our midst, so it may not strike twice. Your ire may be spent, your mind might be convinced, but we cannot risk the danger!
his voice shakes with passion
It is clear, there has been a crime, there was a witness, he has confessed. All that is left is a sentence. Normally we would simply exile someone from the community, but this is a rare opportunity to strike back at the enemy. Radek, do you agree? Does your daughter's soul not cry out for revenge?
Radek sheds a tear, hand clenching on the hilt of his sword, sweat beading on his brow. He looks up, nods more assertively. Whisper shakes her head. Nikolai smiles
It is a majority decision Whisper, two against one, the sentence is dea...
Lilith lets this dialog play out before point out Your forget yourselves. You have no right to sentence us. We are visitors here and certainly have not accepted your rule over us. We have safe passage for a week and may leave unmolested by your word. You are free to ask us to leave. Beyond that you have no jurisdiction over us. If you attack us after promising us safety then you are no better than the biters outside your walls Her nostrils flare and her face brightens. Are you as good as your word? Or are you thieves and liars?
Flynn nods back before wandering off toward Lives.
I don't know about this place Lives, or it's people. Just our luck to land in the one place left that has a cultist in it! he says with a cheerless laugh.
Euron nods at Lenneth her words at least some comfort that maybe she doesn't hate him enough to throw him to the wolfs. I hope i have lost all their trust.. if we're to continue together i can't have them expect me to turn on them. Standing up he looks around as he dusts himself off, everyone still staring at him and that halfling who called him out Flynnvas. I knew if i started to congregate around people someone would remember me, but i never expect it to end like that. I have to prove myself to him, to everyone here. Lost in thought he again hears Violet speak and speak of Nikolai forbidding her.
He steps closer to her a small smile crosses his face. "Thank you again Violet. As you said this may have stirred things up but... I have changed i have a reason to be here i may not know why but i have a part to play in all this." He then nods at Lenneth's questions, in agreement at what she said.
Taking a shift of guard duty the halforc stands vigil, thinking for hours what to do next. His soul in tourmoil, his emotions in chaos he starts slowly to pray. After his shift is down, and feeling he did something useful he returns to the others. "I shan´t forgive you, ever, but I give another chance."
Violet listens to Lenneth's questions, looking more nervous the longer she stands there, yet something in Lenneth's voice appears to sooth her enough to keep talking. She clasps her arms around herself as she replies in a wavering voice
Afraid? Yes, I am afraid, afraid most of the time...
she shudders, almost quivering in place.
I..I was with two other groups before here...each time I was the only survivor...
her face turns ashen with recollection of memories not yet buried deep enough
When I got to Solace, I was near catatonic with fear. They were half-starved and when Nikolai realised what I could do to help, he swore to protect me.
the wind blows through the courtyard, a sudden reminder of winter's tightening grip on the land. She speaks softer now, so her voice doesn't carry
I'm no priest, as you've guessed. I follow the path of nature, of community spirit. My connection is to people not to the land, but Nikolai advised the others wouldn't understand, that they would do better with a figurehead they could relate to. Hence the ill-fitting robe...
She turns to Euron as he thanks her
I can sense the good in you, even if others can't see past their own prejudices. I don't know the truth of what you say, but I do know that either you were misled, or that you have truly turned over a new leaf. Either way, as you stand now you are a penitent man seeking redemption. There are so few good people left, I could not stand by and let you be condemned.
Violet looks up as Brae walks over from the keep, looking concerned. Their gazes meet and they exchange thin smiles.
Brae sounds worried as she speaks in rushed sentences
Nikolai has retired to his room it seems.
she looks around to make sure no-one nearby can eavesdrop, then adds
I fear for what is happening here, we are still under threat from both groaner and bandit, we can't afford to have a schism in our leadership.
she bites her lip and frowns, looking sideways before sighing and adding
I had hoped not to have to say this, leaving you to your own investigations, but I remember how angry Finas was with Nikolai... what if Nikolai had him removed before he could cause trouble?
Flynn nods back before wandering off toward Lives.
I don't know about this place Lives, or it's people. Just our luck to land in the one place left that has a cultist in it! he says with a cheerless laugh.
Lives sighs heavily, then shrugs.
"I think if he were powerful enough to have caused the Harvest all by himself, we would be shambling dead by now. If he can help, more the better. If we kill him, well, we don't get to know what he knows. Even more now, killing's a one-way journey.
That said, if there's even a hare's scent that he works evil for his old masters, I'll break him in places he didn't know he had, and leave the twitching pile for you to finish."
He is silent for a few moments, listening to Violet and the others. "Not good in a chieftan to keep secrets from the tribe. Starts "for thier own good", but rarely seems to end that way." he comments to Flynn, quietly.
After Brae has had her say, Lives gives Flynn a full synopsis of what had gone on and their investigation to date.
We must look hard at this Brae... he thinks suspiciously.
Euron turns to Azmerai watching him speak as he struggles with it all. "I don't forgive myself, I dont expect you to forgive me. I just want you to give me a chance to do some good." He looks on at the half-orc. I'm still hurting people even after it all
"We struggled to understand why you were lying, but it all makes sense. I don't see why people would care, i think this lie.. Lies hurt more than anything else."
He nods at her. "I seek redemption i seek to do some good in this new world, i just hope i can before my time is up. I still have a connection to the Divine, a small ember still glows in me. I hadnt met anyone else with the gift but it seems you still have a connection, although to the people as you said."
Staring at Brae, unsure of how she will take to him after everything was said. He can still feel the eye's of people on him like an itch he can't stop. "I didn't want to bring this down on Solace, we have enemies outside the gate i don't want to be the one inside."
He then studies Brae for a moment. "You.. Brae we a idea of what happened, we have an idea of who it was but not why." Euron lets that hang hoping to see if there is any sign from here. She seems to be very helpful.. making sure to steer us in the right direction?
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Not having more to add right now Lilith listens, her thumb running over the hilt of Tali's dagger, now in the sash at her waste. I need more time to rest and prepare spells. she thinks to herself. I am ill prepared for a confrontation with anyone. Finally she offers Violet, I know something of religion. I could instruct you, if you like, on the church of Abadar so that others will not so quickly see through your disguise. I could also instruct you in what I know of the Lady of Graves. This might also please Nikolai.
Later she catches up with Azmeria. I thought I saw you palm a bottle of ink from the supply room. Was that perhaps for me? After that last fight I am nearly our of scrolls and would love to begin to prepare more.
Flynn hops up and takes a seat on a low wall, taking in the sights and sounds of Solace. He has a sense that he and Lives have already fundamentally changed this place. Whether for good or I'll, who knows? But he isn't sure the stability of this place isn't just a veneer anyway.
So if you aren't from here and you aren't with Radek, where have you guys come from? Flynn asks whoever is listening
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Lilith, not ready to forgive the small man for attacking her friend glares and says nothing for a moment. Her thumb again rubs the hilt of Tali's dagger and she finally says It is a long way back to my home nation of Cheliax. But the intrigue here is similar to the high courts I fear. She pauses, lost in thought for a moment. Then she adds You know we had a chance to stop it. The Red Harvest. My master, Auton the Conjurer, was on to them; the Whispering Way. You can't perform magic at that scale and not be noticed by those attuned to the craft. He knew they were doing some ritual magic, but was not aware of the scale. He hoped taking out a coven of the Way would collapse the ritual like removing a leg from a chair will cause it to fall. But there were too many legs. She pauses again thinking. He killed so many undead those first few days. But we did not understand the scope of the magic then. He was bitten and eventually turned. One of the great minds was reduced to a mindless zombie. I had to put him down. Lilith turns her face away and begins to quietly cry.
Sensing her annoyance at him, Flynn simply looks up and shrugs.
Yours is a tale more common than you think. The Druids in my community also sensed a great disturbance in nature. Honestly, that kind of thing is beyond me, but I certainly trusted their judgement - they'd helped my community enough over the generations.
The halfling community escaped bondage in Cheliax and headed north to the mountains where we set up a new home. The druids there helped Sonna and his people immeasurably in those early days and it's thanks to them that I was ever born at all.
The Circle asked me to spy on one such group that I now know must have been the Whispering Way and guess who was there? You're good friend Euron. So you can take that look off your face like I'm the bad guy here, sister, because he's lucky I didn't just wipe him out like he and his Cult did to the rest of the world - including your master.
He reaches into his satchel and draws out a small piece of jerky, carving it into strips with a knife taken from his boot and begins chewing on it hungrily.
Anyway, what's done is done, I suppose. And I won't raise a blade to him again whilst I'm here. I just want to feel like this is a safe place to land and when I said I'd search again for your friends again, I meant it. Just don't try to judge me for missing the people who were taken from me.
Brae listens to Euron and stands firm, you sense concern from her but it seems she's waiting to see what you do next more than anything. She shrugs
I might have known them longer but I know no more than you all do, Nikolai lied to Finas and Finas found out that night I'm sure you remember. He's...he'd been morose since but that's to be expected, being told his family might have lived but then about the fire...
Both women respond to Flynn's question
I'm from the Land of Linnorm Kings sighs Brae
It seems a very long time since I saw the countryside, I do miss it...
Vi pipes up
I lived in riddleport, I was part of a charitable order trying to make sure the poverty-stricken were fed and clothed. Seems so fruitless now, they would have perished quickly I'm sure. Still there are always mouths to feed wherever I visit
she glances around, looking fearful again. Violet listens to Lilith and smiles nervously
That's a kind offer, I honestly don't know now what to do about it. Is it really worth keeping up this charade? I know the folks here would be upset or confused I misled them, but is faith in a god, in my being their conduit, is it that important right now?
she searches each of your faces, looking for guidance.
Brae notices Lilith's hand on Tali's blade, and she seems to remember something.
Did you find Finas' knife?
Finas' knife? I found that on the dark elf out there. Did she have something to do with this? Flynn asks, his attention being brought back to the investigation
Knowing Flyns question wasn't aimed at him Euron stands there uncomfortable. Things could have gone worse.. i could be hanging from the walls, its what i would have deserved maybe there is still time for that. But now i have been given time, time to do some good my secret is out there but i can't fall over now.
"I didn't make this any easy on us.. I thank you for standing by me at least for now. I will continue to show you i want to help i want to change what's happened." He quickly looks at Flyn then away before he can look back at him. "You're right about Nikolai Lenneth, they speak of no secrets what else could they be hiding for the good of the community? Could they have dealt with Finas, did he know something they didn't want anyone else knowing?"
I don't even know where to begin. You know these people, who is likely to talk about what's really going on here?
Brae shakes her head
No Flynn, that's not Finas' knife, it just reminded me he had a nice one. I just don't remember it being on him when I had to save the girls...
she responds to Lenneth's question
Finas didn't really have many friends here. He slept outside, spent his time either foraging or logging, sometimes scouting. I thin he was only just coming to terms with surviving his family when you showed up and set his world upside-down again.
she winces and listens to Euron's comment about Finas maybe knowing something
He wasn't a book man or even the inquisitive sort, just an honest man fond of an honest day's work and trying to get by as best he could. He barely had a presence here, but I'll miss him.
she nods at Lilith's comment
This is going to keep the community on edge, you'd best discover what happened as quickly as you can before rumour starts to spread of its own accord.
she thinks a moment before replying to Flynn
I'm probably the most open and honest, not to mention approachable believe it or not. Mallis keeps himself to himself but he might have seen something from up in his tower if he was on watch. Other than that all I'd say is don't trust anyone, be it they seem allies of the moment or not. Someone here is hiding something, of that I've no doubt
she turns to Violet
Do you want escorting back inside?
Violet shakes her head
I'm going to enjoy the air for once
Brae inclines her head
Well I'm going to see how Ashleigh and Tabitha are, you can find us in the main hall if you want t speak to us further
she moves off.
Violet opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out until several seconds later, following whatever internal debate was happening inside her head.
You know, with all the community out doing their work, it strikes me that there might be additional evidence to find given your recently granted free run of the castle...especially if you think someone did put poor Finas in there for some reason. I'll be out here if you want to talk to me further
she walks up the sharp incline of the wall's stone steps and sits on top of the wall, clearly enjoying being outside.
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Brae, I'd like to come with you to check on Ashleigh and Tabitha. I need to talk to them to hear first hand what they found in that store room. Its not an official inquire, but that is too big a loose end to leave waving in the breeze. Someone is dead and his body might have been used as a trap to kill others. Those girls might have clues we need to hear about. Her voice is asking but her body language says "I am coming".
Lives, I'm going to take a look around. Try and get a feel for this place. Want to come with?
The halfling wanders deeper into the castle, passing common rooms and a makeshift kitchen. It seems that, despite the altercation outside, there is a certain order to the place.
He continues simply wandering aimlessly, trying to remember the layout of where he has been all the while nodding or offering a wave of greeting to those people he passes.
Lives has been standing quietly, just observing those around him. When Flynn nudges him out of his thoughts, he nods wordlessly and moves to follow the halfling.
As they walk along, Flynn looks up at the tall Shoanti warrior.
Hey, I'm sorry about what happened back there, must have put you in an awkward spot. I just thought about all the people we've lost and reacted. I wish I had your resolve.
Is that a trait of your people, to be disciplined? My folk are all descended from slaves so I guess we can be quick to anger when we see something as unjust.
Lives chuckles quietly, showing a small, crooked smile.
"No, not really. The Shoanti are...were...a very passionate people. My reserve comes from, I think, their last great mistake."
After a minute or so, walking in silence, he goes on. "The Shoanti are spoken of as one people, but we are really a federation of the Quahs, the clans or tribes. One of the Quahs had the duty to care for and guide the dead. When the dead rose, the other tribes blamed the Skoan-Quah, and began to argue with thier spears before words could be spoken. And so, soon, we had killed off the people most capable of dealing with a tide of the Dead. And so, the Shoanti are, for the most part, no more."
another minute or two...
"A blow may not be taken back. A challange or insult not unsaid. A war not unstarted. A potential ally not unkilled. That. That is my...hesitation. Among my people, it would have been called a weakness. Perhaps it is only the cowards among my people that are left alive...".
Brae nods at Lilith
I'm sure that won't be a problem, they've had some time to get over the initial shock, and always best to interview witnesses as soon as possible after something happens, stop them being polluted by what others remember and all that
she leads off back to the keep, expecting the group to follow.
Brae leads you to Ashleigh and Tabitha, both huddled together with cups of herb tea. Brae smiles at them reassuringly
Now you've nothing to fear, they're here to help, just answer their questions it'll be ok, I'll just be over there if you need me she lays a comforting hand on their shoulders and moves over to the other side of the room, busying herself with kitchen work.
Ashleigh and Tabitha look up at you with red-rimmed and expectant eyes.
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Looking back to see who in the party is coming with her to help Lilith walks with Brae. I am glad you see it that way Brae. She is tempted to say more but holds her tongue.
Hi Ashleigh and Tabitha. I think you both know me. I am Lilith. I wanted to ask you about what happened in that store room and what let up to you finding Finas in there. Can you tell me that story, starting with what you were doing earlier in the day and what let you go needing to to to that room? This time just tell me the facts. I'll ask for your thoughts and opinions after I hear the story. Her eyes are disarming and she gives the girls her full attention.
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"A blow may not be taken back. A challenge or insult not unsaid. A war not unstarted. A potential ally not unkilled. That. That is my...hesitation. Among my people, it would have been called a weakness. Perhaps it is only the cowards among my people that are left alive...".
Aye, well weakness or no, your still alive. Flynn shrugs. Though some wars are worth starting if you ask me. There was a Circle of Druids that worshipped in the mountains near where our community began. They were wise men of an old faith and they knew something was wrong long before this started.
It sounds like Lillith's mentor also knew what was going on and your Skown-Quarr is that how you say it? I can't help thinking that if all these people somehow had the chance to speak, to compare notes. I don't know, something! All this could have been different. Now we are the ones left to pick up the pieces.
You know, from the air, nothing looks any different. Before we met I would spend hours every day with Sky just flying around the countryside. I wasn't even looking for survivors. In fact, I think I was deliberately not looking. I know that sounds crazy but it's all just fields and rivers and mountains up there. Every time I came in to land I would see the Dead and I'd remember that the world I knew was gone.
He wanders about the castle aimlessly. Through the kitchen and up the stairs.
Joining the others Azmerai slowly stands in the back of the room and listens.
Ashleigh and Tabitha nod and try to smile as Lilith asks them her questions, and though they seem somewhat reassured by Lenneth's words, they still look scared and in shock. Ashleigh begins
Well Miss Lilith, when we woke up and got to having breakfast, Brae told us you got back this morning but that we might want to brace ourselves, as not all of you came back
she seems to look sad at the recollection, wearing her heart on her sleeve
We got to talking and wanted to do something to show our condolences, Tabitha suggested we might weave something, a blanket or bag. We..we don't know how to do much else...
she looks miserable, and Tabitha's softer voice takes over
We don't want to get Brae in trouble, she was busy with her duties but we kept pestering for the key to the store. She eventually gave in and let us go ourselves, when we opened the door it was horrid...
her face pales
...we screamed when we saw it...him...
she goes quiet and Ashleigh finishes off their recollection of events
Then Brae came running, she grabbed something off the shelf and just kept hitting it. It just kept snarling and moaning, she just kept hitting it...
During the talk, as Lenneth keeps an eye on Brae, however apart from the occasional glance to check the girls are ok she doesn't appear concerned or tense.
Oi you!
The shout comes bouncing off the walls shortly followed by an average-looking middle-aged human male with a frown marring his features, as his eyes stare at Flynn. Finger pointing in an accusatory manner he stompts to a halt in front of the halfling
What do you think you're playing at having your huge bird flying past my nose!?
he glances about and perhaps for the first time sees Flynn is accompanied by a hulking Shoanti, and the air somewhat deflates from him as he tries to make himself as small as possible
..er, that is, I'm sure it'd be more comfortable on the roof rather than in the shattered tower...s'all I'm saying...
he backs away as quickly as he can
Euron follows the group, unsure of his place anymore he keeps quiet. With his secret out in the open for everyone he needs to watch where he steps from now on. It's all ruined.. i was making something of myself here.. i got too comfortable, i can never forget my place.
Lost in thought he hardly listens to what the others are talking about. Finas knife is missing if we find that we might find out what happened here
Flynn just smiles at the man's bluster.
If she's found a perch up there she likes there's not a lot I can do about it, to be honest. he says, knowing in fact the opposite is true but not wishing to tell the man.
The name's Flynn, and you are? I guess you're in the watch tower then? We arrived today, great place you have here by the way. We just want to help but everyone is preoccupied with the body they found downstairs. Did you know him?
Euron's thoughts of Finas' knife lead him to do a double-take. Checking around for anything amiss as he walks around, he sees what looks like fresh drops of blood outside the council chamber, just to the side of the door by the wall. It's only dimly lit here and might have been easy to miss had he not been on the lookout for unusual things.
The nervous looking man gets more nervous as Flynn talks about the giant bird that has taken up residence in the man's lookout platform, but he extends a hand and nods as the halfling introduces himself
Good afternoon to you Flynn, I'm Mallis he points a thumb over his shoulder at the door to the tower
quite an impressive...pet..you have there...
he holds his own hands, struggling to think of something to say before remembering he'd been asked another question
Finas? Not really, knew his story of course, difficult not to when gossip's all that keeps a place going sometimes. Seemed like a good guy, no-one deserves turning in to a groaner...
he sighs
Is Brae ok? She talks a tough front, wouldn't show weakness in front of those girls she's so fond of, but I bet it's affecting her...does she seem ok to you?
he looks concerned.
The girls smile briefly as Lenneth's words offer comfort. Ashleigh shakes her head
It was nothing, we've all lost someone, doesn't make it any easier to lose more though.
Tabitha's brow furrows
Unusual? Not since that bandit attack a few weeks back, that bandit got hit on the head but Violet couldn't mend him. I don't think I've seen anything else out of sorts. Ashleigh?
the girl looks questioningly
We stay upstairs in the women's room, can't see much from there. Occasionally you hear noises in the night, doors creaking and stone scraping, but Mallis explained it to me once, stone heats up in the day and at night it makes noise as it cools down. Something like that anyway.
she shrugs and Ashleigh continues
So there you have it, before this morning your group's arrival was the most unusual thing that happened.
Well the men's dorm room is down here,
Lives grins at Mallis, and echoes teasing he had been offering Flynn for weeks.
"You have it wrong, friend. It is Flynn that is Skyfall's pet. Blame the bird for where she steered the halfling..."
Turning more serious, after Mallis's questions, he poses on eof his own.
"Know you how others got along with Finas? Did he have friends, or those that avoided or disliked him?"
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Lilith takes in the information from the girls and tries to sense if they are telling her everything but she has never been good at reading people. She looks to Lenneth as her expression asking if the girl's story makes sense to her. She considers further before asking Who else has a key to that storeroom. The undead did not let himself in and lock the door after. I have to assume since Brae had the key that whoever put the udead Finas in the storeroom was either targeting
Brae, or was trying to sow descent among us.
Flynn laughs as Lives describes Sky steering him around.
Sometimes that's true. Rabbits seem to be pretty rare these days and if she sees one then she goes for it and I just hold on haha!
Nice to meet you Mallis, so you're the lookout here? I think we'll probably be spending a bit of time together. Between me and Sky we've got a pretty sharp set of eyes. But if we're going to be locked up in that tower together you better tell me you like dice. Or chess. Or Senet. Or Mancala. You don't know those last two, don't worry about it I'll teach you. Flynn says cheerfully.
Listen, as for Brae I have no idea really, I only met her about fifteen minutes ago. But she seems tough so if you twisted my arm I'd say she'd be fine.
What about that Radek guy. He seemed like he had his feathers ruffled even before we came. What can you tell us about him?