--Findelye's House--
Fin smiles at Luna's wise words. She answers, "You do your party credit by your wisdom. Now let me return the favor to those by whom I am employed. Clearly you came into the Bloody Dagger for more than just to tell one of the local citizens that you may or may not have defeated the plague of worms? What, pray tell, did you want to accomplish in coming to me with this information?" Fin taps her fingers on the neck of a lute that rests next to her as she speaks.
--The Bloody Dagger--
Jun all but bursts into the dank and dingy Bloody Dagger and is immediately confronted with the knowledge that the people he came here looking for are not present. The grizzled barkeep looks at him and says, "Can I help y'with somethin'?"
--Galador's Goods--
After waiting what Galador clearly feels is a lengthy and patient interval he says, "Do you think you'll be purchasing anything today? Or just browsing?"
The Bloody Dagger:
"I was here with some people not all that long ago. Did you happen to see what where the group that I did not leave with went?"
Psalm winces at the question feeling the compulsion of the spell knowing this is part of the subject that they had so far avoided. He sighs resigned to the realization that either Fin is not in on it or they are already in whatever trap the mastermind of all this is.
Letting out his long sigh Bazzle looks down at the rabbit, "The worms were the pet project of a sage who experimented with what seems to be creatures from some other place. His experiments killed him. But his journal mentioned a goblin. That same goblin we found being forcibly being relocated by mercenaries. When the goblin shared what little he knew your name came up as one who paid them." He flashes a tense gaze at Luna a warning that things might soon get rather hairy. "We hoped to feel this out delicately but at this point you are either an enemy hoping to figure what we know before you strike or given your connection to the Republic possible allies in a larger problem that holds Blue Blossom Haven."
Nikeisha nodded. "I'll take one of the crystals, thank you." She looked around. Since no one had come to get her it was time to head out, anyway. Something was going on.
--Galador's Goods--
Galador grabs a fist sized ruby-red crystal that has a swirling of light twisting and turning about inside it. Then he closes the container that holds his arcane foci. Bringing the crystal to the counter he makes some notes his ledger book, and then says, "This beautiful crystal is fifteen gold pieces." He begins wrapping the focus crystal in a small piece of soft leather, tying it up with a bit of red yarn to form a makeshift bag.
--The Bloody Dagger--
The barkeep looks at Jun like he just proclaimed himself king of the continent. "You bloody daft boy? I never seen ya before this very moment. You thinkin' o' some other place?" The Dagger's rough, and already decently drunk regardless of the hour of the morning, clientele all chuckle at Athard's brutally honest assessment.
--Findelye's House--
A wide, ear-to-ear grin overtakes the beautiful bard's face when Psalm lays out their whole truth. "I appreciate your truth; I always find the truth the best thing among friends, don't you? Therefore I will return the favor." She pauses for a moment, gets up from her stool, and moves around into the kitchen, opening a cabinet and retrieving a green apple from a shelf, and takes a hefty bite, wiping some juice from the corner of her mouth daintily. "You and your friends have found yourselves in the middle of something that, politically speaking, runs deep. There are people involved here that are in top positions in the Senate and some of the Orders. I, as befits my desire, am working for both sides, or more to the point, working for no side at all except my own." Findelye takes another bite of the apple, and then comes back around to sit again on her tall stool by the kitchen counter. "I'm guessing, now, you have more questions than you did just a moment ago... Yes? Please, ask away." The half-elf's smile is both inviting, and for whatever reason, a bit intimidating, as if she were your schoolmaster, teaching you your lessons.
Can I get one of those apples. I am starving.
--Findelye's House--
Fin doubles over in joyous and raucous laughter at Hack's question. She then goes immediately to the kitchen, grabs an apple and throws it to him. "Pardon my lack of hospitality." She says, still in the kitchen, "Can I get anything else for any of you? My cupboards are well stocked. This conversation might take a while, eh?" She winks at the barbarian, holding open the cupboard so he can see the sundry.
Psalm turns mouth still agape at the rather large chunk of information Fin divulged. He looks rather incredulously at Hack. He lets out a breathless whisper, "Really."
Psalm turned back toward the woman. "Well I guess we have cards semi laid out." He taps the tuft of hair beneath his lower lip as he thinks. "This sounds like we have stumbled into a bit of dangerous intrigue. This does open several questions."
"The first human deaths of these worms were children. Relatives of Senator Akassa it sounds like if things are as tumultuous as you say that it is not far fetched to assume that the killings were politically motivated and that help from the capitol was denied similarly. Correct?"
"If you are somehow playing all angles here I need to ask how well known our presence is among the players at this game? More important who have we angered?"
"Assuming things here don't reveal a ton of new information . . ." He pauses stumbling over his next words he tries to hid his discomfort with the truth compulsion by stopping to pet the rabbit again. "We hoped to seek information about what Galador's role in all this was. As his name was also mentioned by the Goblins. He I assume is involved in this."
"We have little interest in politics. We hoped to see lives spared. I have not hope of fomenting what is political intrigues in to larger open conflicts. Especially when it will make enemies for us. However, this cost the lives uninvolved children. Justice should get its due."
Passing over the coin and pocketing the foci, Nikeisha headed outside and looked for the others. "So, I can't help but feel like that didn't go to plan."
Quint gets Nikeisha's attention when she exits, then rounds a corner out of sight to wait for her. You could say that. I didn't find the ledger, but I did find Grugiz trussed up in the attic! Galador's in this deeper than we thought, and more dangerous, too. We need to get the others before we try anything else. As he says this, Quint is already walking in the direction of the Bloody Dagger.
Nikeisha nodded. "He's got some guards, that's for sure, and they looked more than just for sure. I would count Galador out either. I get the feeling he might not be bad in a fight. Or maybe he's just got a very aggressive sales tactic."
Luna looks around uncomfortably. "Nothing for me, thanks. As you well know since you seem to have some magic that will not allow us to lie to you, what my friend Psalm says is correct. Now, you say the truth among friends is best, does this mean you are counting us as friends? And if so, how will we know when will change and it will become more beneficial to you to either sell us out or stab us in the back? You have already shown yourself untrustworthy by your own admittance to working for your own desires rather than that which may be for the good of the nation or the people. And what is Galador's roll in all this? How powerful is he? And who else should we be aware of? Is the mayor here involved? How trustworthy is he? What is his role? ... And I am sure there will be more questions later. Just can't think of them right now."
"Yes, well, nevermind then. Let me rephrase: I am looking for my hired help. They specifically said they would be in this place: a Northman who called himself Hack, and a Gnome. They would have been talking to a woman."
"Yes, well, nevermind then. Let me rephrase: I am looking for my hired help. They specifically said they would be in this place: a Northman who called himself Hack, and a Gnome. They would have been talking to a woman."
--The Bloody Dagger--
"Gnome and a Northman? Yeah, they and a proper elf lady left with Fin, our minstrel. Not sure where they went though. If I had to guess, I'd say her house. I wouldn't go there without an invite though, girls got spells that protect her spells if you know what I mean." After dispensing his free knowledge the burly black-bearded barkeep goes back to moving dirt from place to place on his bartop with a soiled rag.
--Findelye's House--
"Whoa there, bosses. Slow down a bit. Let's start with this, since I'm sure it's your first concern. I call everyone friend that hasn't proved otherwise. Okay?" Fin looks down her nose at Luna and then touches the tip of said nose with her index finger, followed by pointing that same index finger at Luna. "Speaking of proving otherwise. Galador is not a chap you want to irritate. He's connected, to whom I'm not quite sure yet, which is one of the reasons I was brought here in the first place. As to his involvment, so far all I can prove is that he did what he was paid for, ergo having supplies delivered when and where he was asked. Regardless, though, his guards are all ex-military, well paid, and loyal. Don't go letting your mouths write an "I owe you" your bodies can't make good, where Galador is concerned." Turning her attention to Psalm, Fin taps her teeth with her finger a second, looking up into the rafters of her house for a moment, and then says, "I think you might be seeing ghosts in shadows, as the expression goes. If Akassa's nieces were targeted specifically, I've no knowledge of it. My own guess about that is it was just unhappy coincidence. Very unhappy for my superiors at the Order, cause, it sent you all here, and their little research project got mucked up for it." Thinking for a moment again, Fin tucks a stray strand of hair behind her slightly pointed ear and then says, "Ah, almost forgot; you asked about the mayor. Camatil is a loyal Republic man. He does what he's told, and he tries to do right by all citizens. As far as my information gathering has gone, he's on the up and up. Is that it? Did I forget something? I'm guessing you, again, have more questions than you do answers." The beautiful half-elf smiles wide again, and offers up, "Ask away, but let's try and keep it to a few at a time, okay?"
When Quint arrives at the Bloody Dagger with Nikeisha and Lindaer in tow, he looks around for the rest of the group. Spotting only Jun, he hurries over to him. Well, where are they?
"I have a coin for the first man who can give me directions to her house." Jun says as he pulls out a Gold crown.
Quints eyes begin to widen when he spots the golden glint of the coin. Her? He must mean Fin! He instinctively begins to rack his mind to determine if he can earn that coin (which would have been worth quite a lot to him only weeks earlier, when he was living on the streets of Rydwyrna) before anyone else can speak up. Then, just as quickly, he realizes not only that he has no idea where Fin lives, but that he's part of the group that is (apparently) trying to learn that location.
He dips his head slightly in embarrassment at his momentary excitement before looking around to see if anyone's else's reaction betrays that they know the information that they seek. If they don't take the offer, we may need to find some other way to learn what they know...
Right...guess that means I can have that apple.
Hack shrugs an picks an apple from the table and bites into it as the juices flow down his face.
Mmmmmm...that is a fine apple. Did you have anything to do with the creation or killin' caused by the worms, lady?
--Findelye's House-- Turning her attention to Psalm, Fin taps her teeth with her finger a second, looking up into the rafters of her house for a moment, and then says, "I think you might be seeing ghosts in shadows, as the expression goes. If Akassa's nieces were targeted specifically, I've no knowledge of it. My own guess about that is it was just unhappy coincidence. Very unhappy for my superiors at the Order, cause, it sent you all here, and their little research project got mucked up for it." Thinking for a moment again, Fin tucks a stray strand of hair behind her slightly pointed...
"We as you are probably figuring were not aware of other investigations or the 'research project' your order is working. I assume that would be related to Galador and who is working for?" He pauses a moment, "If we mucked it up then I assume our efforts have made Galador marginally aware of us or at least that the proverbial heat is on."
Nikeisha briefly wondered if it was worth the coin to get Shenkt back, but she quite liked the others.
Nikeisha briefly wondered if it was worth the coin to get Shenkt back, but she quite liked the others.
**********
Findleye's House
"Pardon my directness or rudeness my 'friend'. You say your 'superiors at the Order'and say they sent us here, and 'their research project' got messed up. So to sum this part up, if I understand correctly, it is your belief
1. That this 'Order' sent us here;
2. the research that created these killer worms was being conducted by this same 'Order';
and 3rd, we ruined their research.
Does that about sum it up correctly? And if so, will this 'Order' then be angry at us and wanting revenge or satisfaction of some sort from us?"
"Is that what she meant?" Psalm looks at Luna. "I thought the research we messed up was perhaps her investigation into what Galador. Because she didn't know who he was working for yet. If he was supplying the wizard with the worms then he works for whoever was behind the wizard."
Psalm looks between them, "Right?" A quizzical look on his face.
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--The Bloody Dagger--
A dirty man in ragged leathers with a notched sword and a battered shield strapped across his back, who was engaged in a game of dice, stands up, and says, "I'll take that coin. Follow me." Then he walks to the door and out into the wet street. Thankfully, as you follow him out into the air, you feel a definite let up in the misting rain. The wind is still awfully vigorous and gusty, but the slicing drizzle seems to be coming to an end. The rugged man leads you up the street a small way, and then points at a rather nice, rather large house with a well furnished and well kept porch. "There." He says, pointing with one hand, and holding out his other hand flat to receive his promised payment.
--Findelye's House--
Fin looks at Psalm and then Luna like they just asked her to open a gate to the lower planes. Then she looks at Hack and says, "You must get a lot of headaches traveling with these two."
After a winking smile, she continues talking to the gnome and elven princess. "You're not following me. Maybe I'm moving too fast for you. Let me lay it out nice and slow like..." She pauses, takes a deep breath and says, "I'm a Sender, paid by the Republic, and her citizens when they have need, to send magical messages to other Senders all across this great land. I also happen to work for a few other individuals in the field of information gathering and investigation, to help maintain the safety of our great Republic. Part of my job with the Order was to help Arthugh do his research. I didn't know what he had cooking down there, not until after you all came and destroyed it. Then I did some investigating of my own. Galador was hired by my superiors in the Order to get supplies to him in as clandestine a manner as possible. A task he performed beautifully well. If he's involved in some other way in this, I've yet to discover it. You all, which is to say you three and your other partners who are not here right now, whom, yes, I know about, were tasked by Akassa to figure out what killed her nieces and was claiming livestock throughout the province. You did, admirably so, and quickly. In so doing you destroyed whatever chance my superiors had of gaining from Arthugh's research. Which, as you so astutely point out, puts you on their naughty list. So, you've done well by the Republic for Akassa, but done poorly by the Republic for a few of the higher up types in the Arcane Order. I, as is my wont, am gathering and giving information to all those who ask. It just so happens that I've become so good at it, that there are a lot of different people who pay me well for what I find out. So, I'm not your enemy. Likewise, I might not be your bestest of friends, because, someone is eventually going to pay me to tell them what I know about you, and, well, you just told me quite a bit, now didn't you? See? Not that complicated, right?"
Quint runs toward the house, then slows to approach quietly as he gets closer, looking for a window to peek through to make sure they're in the right place, and that they're not walking into a dangerous situation.
Nikeisha held back, waiting for Quint to find out the situation and wave them over as needs be. The last thing she really wanted to do was annoy a wizard who was simply sociable.
Still effected by the truthful compunction. Psalm looks at Luna. "You were closer but we both were right." He glances back at Fin. "Given the choices I am not at all upset to annoy any force Republic or otherwise who truck in magical abominations which wantonly kill its own citizens." He looks around realizing his words but he sets his jaw knowing they can't be unsaid.
"I suppose you don't have a handy price sheet for what you would need to let what you have said here about the Arcane Order be verified or to testify yourself." Psalm looks somber, "You say that the Senator's relatives weren't direct targets. It would seem the Arcane Order perhaps should have been more careful with their abom . . ." Psalm calms knowing his moral outrage is irrelevant to Fin. "Their experiments caused death of innocents what of Republic Justice and short of that . . . true justice might want a say."
With a smile and a nod, Jun hands the man the coin then knocks politely on the door.
--Findelye's House (Inside)--
The enchanting half-elf minstrel laughs, again, whole-heartedly, when Psalm mentions a potential price sheet. "You lot are much more fun to work with than most of my customers. As to justice, that's not my job, nor, in my experience, is the Republic's justice ever really..." she pauses for a moment, tapping her teeth with her index finger again, then continues, "righteous. Honestly, you probably already did more right by those little girls and the farmers who lost livestock than any 'justice' the government agents would dispense." Findelye stops as their conversation is interrupted by a knock at the door. She smiles, and says, "Hmmmm, I wonder who that could be?" Her slightly smug smirk makes it apparent that she has a very good guess who is at her door.
Going to the door, she opens it to find a man that is her male counterpart: half-elf, judging by his garb well-to-do, by the instruments hanging about him, also a minstrel. At his side stands another gnome, and behind them both a human girl who is, for lack of a better term, a bit rough around the edges. Findelye opens her door wide and waves the three in saying, "Come on in, you are most welcome. I do believe you all know my current guests." Again, her smirk tells everyone paying attention that when she says, 'believe,' she actually means, 'know.' Likewise, when Quint passes the threshold and she perceives that he has overcome her magical zone of truth-telling, she smiles ear to ear, and says to him. "Here's one that is good at keeping secrets."
Psalm looks toward Luna as the hostess moves toward the door. A look of concern washes over him and he puts his hands on his weapon subtly.
Psalm notices that if anything, Luna actually seems to take a more relaxed pose upon hearing the knock. After all, when your body is your weapon, one's ability to maneuver agily is both the best defense and the best offense.
When she sees the others enter she resumes her previous pose.
Well, welcome guys. This lady here is full of news, and has some good apples.
Hack takes a last bite and tosses the core in the corner as he eyes the hostess at the door.
Problem is, I can't tell whose side she is on.
At the mention of secrets, Quint's blood runs cold. What does she know? What have they been telling her? Quint has secrets of his own, but he can't immediately say which of them, if any, might be of interest to Fin. He begins trying to list them in his head, but quickly realizes that perhaps that is exactly what Fin wants! Does she have some sort of mind-reading magic? Quint looks her square in the eye, looking for any sign that she is aware of his flurry of mental activity.
Unfortunately, he's never been that good at reading people's reactions. His father had tried to teach him that it was an important part of haggling, but he lacked the patience to learn.
Psalm sighs in some relief when the others enter. "She's on her own side Hack. Her own skin and purse are her prime concerns."
Psalm nods to the others as they enter. "Everyone this is Findely she has helped answer some questions for us and we have shared some information with her." He looks around with an amused annoyance, "Some sort of truthieness bewitchment going. Might have helped loosen out lips a little. I doubt our hostess is under that compunction."
"Findely was aware of our involvement in investigating the worms and has let it be known that we have apparently stepped in the middle of some sort of Republic political game. Apparently our mystery wizard was under the employ of the Arcane Order. They are not happy we upset their experiments." Psalm turns to fin, "If the truth matters to an information broker it might be better said that we stopped the experiments that ran wild when their agent lost control of his abominations a mess that would have been much larger without our help." Psalm nods curtly. "She's charming enough but she will likely sell whatever information we reveal. So if you think it would be bad to share anything . . . don't."
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Ran wild and killed him! Quint adds quickly, somewhat relieved to have SOME information about what magic is at play. He's still on his guard about his own thoughts, but is relieved to have some idea of what's going on. He still reveres the Arcane Order, and doesn't believe that they would condone continuing such an experiment once it became so dangerous to innocents. He rationalizes, though, that Arthugh must not have realized the danger until he had been weakened to the point of being unable to stop it. Surely the masters would have been wise enough to take more care, but if Arthugh had been such a master, he wouldn't have been given such a remote and undesirable assignment. Perhaps he was just an inexperienced student who got in over his head?
Nikeisha kept quiet, on the theory that what she didn't say couldn't hurt, and simply nodded at the woman and the unusual turn of events.
Jun bows before entering her home.
Jun smiles in appreciation, then enters quickly and says "Thank you for your hospitality, but I just came to collect my companions. There is a situation that is brewing currently with our other assignment that requires our full compliment, regardless of how good of a host this lovely young woman might be."
Jun then turns to Fin and says "I would love to speak with you at length when things are not more pressing. I believe that there is a great deal of information that we could share with one another that would benefit us both."
--Findelye's House--
"Something more pressing than good conversation?!" Fin drops her mouth wide open and brings her open hands to her cheeks to express the hyperbole of shock. "Do tell, I'd love to know what need presses so urgently. Remember, I have allies all over. Perhaps I could be of some assistance?" Fin says.