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Bellicus snorted as Leynus struck his hand with the spoon, rubbing the spot where it struck. "That we are, Leynus. I wonder at the wisdom of its inclusion, but then, such is not my decision. Perhaps it is here as a reminder to us - though we might go as we please, they value us as much as this creature." He regarded the thing for a moment through narrowed eyes, grimacing as its tail appeared to move indepedently of the creature's will. "Just stay where I can see you."
Noting that Bellicus seemed much more presentable after his bath, Val was about to compliment him, but was drawn aback by his utterly mean remark to Akshara. She joined him and Leynus at the table. To Leynus, she said, "I was half-expecting you to join me in my set! Perhaps next time?" She turned to Bellicus. Her mouth was smiling, but her eyes were not. "My, you clean up nicely. But spare some kindness for her. Her name is Akshara, not 'pit-thing,' and, like it or not, we all need to work together. None of us are responsible for our own parentage. I judge a person by his character, not his lineage." She dropped the smile, sighed loudly, and leaned in closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. "Look-- she's feral, that's clear. Given how she's been reacting, I fear she's never received kindness in her life. I would imagine she'd be a formidable opponent in a fight-- that's my guess as to why House Thrune sent her along with the rest of us. In order to receive loyalty from her, we need to show her what loyalty is. And that starts with kindness. And on top of that," she paused for dramatic effect, "it's just the right thing to do."
She leaned back in her chair and took the last swig of ale from her glass. "And a hot bath sounds exquisite! Thanks for the idea!" Val then got up to find one of the barmaids to inquire about drawing a bath for herself.
Teral sat up slightly at Bellicus' comments to the beast girl, shooting the man an angry glance. The casual bigotry did not sit well with him. He seemed about to say something, but saw Val leaning in to speak to him, and mentally shrugged, settling back down onto his chair. He looked up at the barmaid's approach and signaled for another drink.
It looked like he was resolved to spend a good portion of the night drinking away his melancholy.
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"And that," Anton says quietly to Akshara while indicating Bellicus, "is an a%~+%#@."
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Akshara sat beside Anton, largely overwhelmed by the amount of conversation and the speed at which it happened. She leaned in as if proximity to the speaker might elucidate her more on the words' meanings, ears pitching towards one speaker and then another. Behind her, Akshara's tail flicked and twitched of its own accord, occasionally dipping into the hearth to idly stir at coals.
The brief explanation of deities was a little over Akshara's head, Valeria could tell, but her interest was had. While she may not be a fast learner, Akshara seemed to have a keen curiosity for things foreign or unknown. It was evident that Alshara wanted to learn, but whatever savage environs she was raised in made it a slow process.
Topics rose and receded like the tides, enough to make Akshara's head spin, but the coarse attitudes of the Chelish knight creating friction with some of the others didn't go unmissed, but the subtle social morays that were implied by the words were. Those cues, important ones, were a bit beyond Akshara's limited understanding.
"Gold eye friend," Akshara quietly said, belatedly, to Valeria. There was humility in Akshara's words and also something resembling shame. Her ears folded back and tail slipped out of sight beneath the trail of her long, patchwork jacket. "Aekum, shom, aram," is spoken from memory. Three words in the common Taldan tongue; friend, eyes, and gold. After explaining that, she started to stand up and raised her arms above her head, stretching from one side and then to the other.
Then, with a twitch of one ear, Akshara looked at Anton. Then, her attention lifted to Bellicus with one ear flicked to the side. "A'shole?" Her brows twitched, it wasn't quite the right pronunciation.
Close enough.
"Aye, child. Pay him no mind. Some men try to distance themselves from the natural world. It rarely does them any favors." Anton pats her shoulder gently. He then turns to the singing priestess. "I suppose you could call it the Green Faith. I am part of no organized man-made version, though. I simply recognize the perfect divinity of the Cycle itself. The delicate balance and our last refuge from the excesses of 'civilization' and men like our proud swordsman here."
Eventually, the evening drew to a close as the Old Boar's usual patrons left for the warmth of their own homes and their own beds, leaving only the seven "traveling" companions and a few other strangers who were passing through the town - this was Oakhurst's only proper inn with rooms and beds. The thunderous snoring of the barkeep echoing throughout the inn was enough to keep some of the travelers awake longer than they would have liked, while others found the comfort of an actual bed to be irresistible, falling asleep almost instantly.
The next morning, you awaken to a fine meal of smoked fish, bread, cheese, and (of course) ale. The relatively simple meal is far better than what you grew accustomed to over the past several weeks of captivity and travel, and the astute barkeep makes sure to keep it coming until you are satisfied.
Shortly after, one of the Thrune guards enters the inn, makes eye contact with one of you, nods, then goes back outside. It is time for your meeting with your "employer."
Outside, Vasdralo is waiting with half of his guards (six of them) and three people you do not recognize: a thin, stern-looking woman standing with her hands on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently; a slightly rotund man in a rather fine winter cloak nibbling on a piece of cheese; and, standing slightly behind the man, a halfling balancing a tray of meat and cheese in one hand and holding the leash of a dog that is quite larger than he is (especially considering all that hair) in the other.
The dog begins to bark at the first whiff of Akshara.
"Quiet now, settle down..." mutters the halfling, but the dog keeps barking, and the rotund man kicks out lazily at the halfing, his booted foot sending him sprawling in the cold mud. The man grabs the leash from the halfling and tugs, causing the dog to yelp, but the barking stops. "Can't even trust you to keep Barbazu quiet, can I? And look at that, you've dropped my breakfast. Get back to the house and bring more. Be quick about it! Useless slip*..."
The woman clears her throat and the man returns his attention to the motley assortment of individuals gathered before him. Vasdralo makes the introductions: "Mayor Lergis, Madam Hucrele, these are the adventurers who Paralictor Rovarus contracted to find the missing Hucrele children. They may seem out of place, but we believe they are entirely capable of getting the job done."
The mayor finishes chewing and is about to speak, but Madam Hucrele interrupts him: "Why not Hellknights? Real Hellknights? Why send this... rabble... instead of your finest? I paid for-"
"You paid for the Paralictor's aid," the mayor interjects, "and this is what the Paralictor sent. And..." he looks each of you up and down, almost as if he is considering purchasing you, "I must say that I for one am pleased. We don't need great big oafs - no offense meant to the Order, of course - wandering into that tomb of a place, only to get lost. We need people with experience skulking, and backstabbing, and magicking, and hunting, and... well, probably killing. That's the only use I see in sending Hellknights. Killing, I mean. But no, the citadel has become a wild place... and we need wild people to go get your children back."
Madam Hucrele crosses her arms in front of her. "I suppose they will have to do. But remember, Lergis, I want justice. True justice."
Vasdralo reaches for a scroll at his belt and says, "I assume you speak of the treacherous Hellknight, Grachius. You will be glad to see this decree from the Paralictor stripping him of his rank and ordering that he be brought to Oakhurst to be sentenced in your own court for the unlawful abduction of your children. I think you will agree that these unusual terms are quite agreeable." He hands the document to her and she looks over it. "Yes... yes they are."
She holds the document out for the mayor to read, and the two of them step away for a moment to peruse it together. Meanwhile, Vasdralo turns to you and speaks quietly so as not to be overheard: "You likely have learned that the Hucrele children left with a Hellknight to go to the citadel. This business is no concern of yours. If the knight still lives, kill him. By no means are you to bring Grachius back to Oakhurst, or anywhere else. He failed in his own mission and is sentenced to death. As for your true mission... Belak is your primary concern. The Hucreles are expendable. If you find them and they hinder you in any way... well, simply do not allow them to hinder you. I wish for you to set out as soon as possible. Ask what questions you must of myself, Madam Hucrele, and Mayor Lergis - remember, as far as they are concerned, you are here to find the upstart Hucrele children and the Hellknight - and use your gold to buy what supplies you need. The trip to the citadel is only just more than a day, but you should plan to be away for a week or more. And Chelish winters are cruel, as you know."
The halfling comes running back at that moment bearing a new tray of meats and cheeses for his master. Out of breath, he briefly glances up at the seven of you, then quickly back down at his feet to ensure he doesn't make eye contact.
Elion will check to make sure that no-one else is listening then ask Vasdralo, "I don't know what hold you have over the rest of these people but I know what you've got on me. So, you've shown me the stick, how about the carrot?"
"Tell me what you know of this druid."
Val glances at Anton and then says, "That was my question also."
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Akshara has no such questions.
Except what is in her mouth?
After making quite the face, and a small, disquieted noise, she expels a lump of cheese from her mouth onto the street. Wrinkling her nose, she brushes one clawed hand across her mouth before edging away from both the plate and the halfling. Regretting her decision entirely, Akshara mournfully stares at the meats left on the plate with ears folded back. She chose poorly, but she will not be fooled by cheeses a second time.
Circling the party and using their number as a buffer between herself and the disastrous attempt at breakfast, Akshara lopes around on all fours and sometimes in a crouch. Never standing her full height at any point, the tiefling makes a slow circuit of the party while trying to get the taste out of her mouth by licking the scaled back of one hand repeatedly.
Wile waiting for his reply regarding the druid Belak, Val regards Vasdralo cooly. In a low voice so as the mayor and the noblewoman wouldn't hear, she adds, "Oh, and at the time of my arrest, it was the height of summer. While my possessions..." she glances at her old and battered lute, "...or lesser replacements thereof... that I had on my person have been returned, I had not been prepared for winter in the middle of Sarenith. Or for a week on the road without the chance of earning my keep as a troubadour, for that matter."
With a sardonic half-smirk, and with a slightly louder voice, she bluntly asks of her handler, "Perhaps if House Thrune wishes us to be successful, you could spare some additional coin to allow us to purchase appropriate supplies in town before we embark?"
Teral, only giving half an ear to the proceedings, watches the furred member of their party slowly doing her circuit with a mildly amused look in his eye. He does glance up when Valeria mentions extra supplies, and adds, somewhat sardonically, "It does seem unlikely that we can bring these children back - alive, anyway - without at least a few extra furs to keep them warm."
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Bellicus rolls his eyes as the rest of his group opine on such ridiculous concepts as 'acceptance' and 'understanding'. It's about what he expected from dissidents and malcontents, and he at least knew where each of them stood now. Except the pit-thing. It never spoke up, only glared at him with its inhuman eyes. It was probably best to assume it was against him until it proved otherwise.
Bellicus stretches after spending the night in the pallet provided before the hearth. It was little more than straw and a blanket, but compared to the conditions he'd dealt with in prison, it might as well have been a nobleman's goose-feather bed. He put on his armor, checks his weaponry, and goes outside to perform a bit of practice before breakfast. His hunger abated by smoked fish and small beer, he follows the guard outside to meet with the mayor.
He listens to the exchange between the mayor and the Hucrele woman, learning what he can. Paralictor Rovarus. So that's who's behind springing us all. Now why does he need a group of adventurers with plausible deniability? That bears pondering. He listens to the mayor, nodding his head at the words. "Your will be done," he replied quietly, though inwardly he balked at the implication. I will not relish putting children to the sword simply for being an 'inconvenience.' Hopefully, it shall not come to that.
"Yes, as these folk say, whatever winter gear Oakhurst has to offer, we would like to use. We can hardly help these folk if we freeze to death along the way."
Vasdralo turns to Anton and says, "The druid Belak is an enemy of the House and the state, a corrupter of nature and a friend of demons. You need not know the exact details of his crimes, only that he is a threat that needs to be removed before he is able to accomplish whatever twisted goals he might have in the citadel. He is twisted man and will likely try to trick you into believing that he is trying to preserve the proper balance, as druids ought to... but in actuality he only seeks to corrupt nature for his own sick purposes."
In response to the request for additional funds, and the talk of reward, Vasdralo scowls. "We provided you with sufficient gold to purchase whatever you need... 20 gold pieces each, last night. Do not try to-"
Madam Hucrele briefly looks up having overheard Val's request for additional funds, and says "I am happy to provide 25 gold pieces to each of them, as an advance on their reward."
"Ah yes," says Vasdralo, "the Hucrele family has agreed to pay each of you 125 gold pieces for each child you bring back alive. Less if you are able to recover their signet rings as proof that they are deceased... but..." he continues more quietly, "House Thrune will make up the difference in that event. In addition, you will be allowed to keep whatever plunder you find in the citadel. You will need it in your future service to the House. The goblins have been raiding the countryside for years, and there is no telling what ancient treasures might await in the citadel. Your haul will likely be... quite sufficient, and more than enough for a reward."
When Akshara eats a piece of cheese off the plate, the halfling's eyes grow wide with shock and he cringes as Mayor Lergis shouts, "by the cursed Abyss...!" and raises a hand to strike... someone. Before his blow can land on either Akshara or the halfling, Barbazu barks wildly and moves to chase Akshara, causing the mayor to stumble and release the leash. The large dog lunges after Akshara, but stops short, sits, and wags his tail, waiting for Akshara to run so he can keep chasing her. Before his master has a chance to recover himself and punish anyone, the halfling rushes over to the dog and grabs his leash, drawing him away from Akshara and the rest of the group. "Sit, Barbazu! Stay!" The dog reluctantly obeys, but whimpers softly and keeps wagging his tail and staring at Akshara. The mayor steadies himself and glares at the halfling, then says, "On second thought, I've lost my appetite. Take Barbazu for a long walk. I'll deal with you later. Right... where were we..." and he resumes pouring over the document with Madam Hucrele. The halfling skulks away, tugging on the dog's leash... and "accidentally" drops a few pieces of meat (not cheese!) on the ground.
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Bellicus nods in thanks to both Vasdralo and Madame Hucrele. "Thank you, both of you. I would like to know more about the children, Madame - what they look like, if they've any skill with a weapon or not, that sort of thing. Also, whatever you can tell us about this renegade Hellknight would go along way to being prepared against his duplicity. Oh, and what is this about a magic fruit?"
Madam Hucrele sighs and replies, "my children Talger and Sherise are twins, and they're sixteen years old. They think they're old enough to go out on grand treasure-seeking adventures, and they'd been asking me for months if they could go to the citadel, just to look around, so they said. I refused, of course. Talger has some combat training - he hopes to be a knight one day - and Sherise dabbles in wizardry, but neither of them is prepared to face any serious threats. When that Hellknight came along saying that he needed help on a divine mission to search that forsaken place for the source of those apples, I demanded that he stay away from my children. But the next day, all three of them were gone, and Sherise had left this note..."
Madam Hucrele hands it to Bellicus. It reads: Dear Mother - Talger and I think we're finally ready. I know you mean well, but we don't want to be merchants. We want people to remember us, like all those stories that father used to tell. I learned a new spell to ward off harm, and Talger is stronger every day. He wants to squire for Sir Grachius, and I think it's wonderful. Goodbye, mother ~~ Sherise
"I was of course furious when I got the note and immediately contacted the Paralictor. I had to wait two whole weeks for his response - and he told me that this Sir Grachius was a wanted man! How could such a thing happen? You all should be performing this service to me freely for allowing a disgraced knight to run off with two children, probably to get them killed! I am only offering payment to motivate you to fulfill your obligation to me as members of the Order, and to ensure that we get to put Grachius on trial."
"As for the magic apples... well, there are no such things. It's just some goblin treachery, isn't it Lergis?"
Mayor Lergis looks up from his fingernails, which he has been idly cleaning. "Hmm? Oh yes, the fruit. Rubbish, pure rubbish. Proved it myself last summer, you know. I don't think anyone in town will ever be making that foolish purchase ever again!"
Elion suspects that the mayor knows something else about the fruit.
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Elion politely nods his thanks to Vasdralo, keeping his thoughts to himself, "Interesting. If he were intending to play us false I expect he'd have made a more generous offer. I wonder if he intends to keep his promises?"
He'll stand back diffidently and listen as the others question Lergis and Madam Hurcrele.
Elion thinks that Vasdralo is confident in his authority over the group, and also confident in your abilities. It's hard to say whether the man truly intends to free you some day, but he does seem to believe that he is going to get more than one mission out of you, suggesting that he really does intend for you to keep the treasure you find as well as the 125 gp reward, whether it comes from the Hucreles or House Thrune.
*edit*
He'll watch the Mayor and follow him when he leaves. He may be holding his tongue because of who's in earshot. Once they're apart from the group, "Excuse me Your Honor. It would be helpful to know what the superstitions people think the magic fruit does. Anything you can tell me will be helpful. I'm sure you don't want us hanging around any longer than necessary." He looks around as if to ensure that they're unobserved then whispers, "Just between you and me, these people creep me out!
The mayor seems taken aback for a moment and looks Elion up and down once more. He laughs softly and says, "sometimes unsavory people are necessary for unsavory tasks such as this. I know that I wouldn't want any of my own town guards undertaking such a mission. The less our town is exposed to the citadel, and the goblins, and whatever else dwells there, the better. As for the fruit... well... it was rumored to have magical healing properties. Treating injuries, curing disease, that sort of thing. That may once have been true... but... no more! I bought the last one myself, you see, after Caron the barkeep said that the one he bought the year before didn't work." He narrows his eyes and says, "I think I can trust you with a little secret of mine. I didn't use the apple to try to heal anybody. I tried to plant the seeds of the fruit I bought and grow a sapling, but the little tree was horribly twisted and thorny. One night, one of my dogs attacked the thing. The tree was ruined, and the dog died! I suspect the apples are corrupt somehow. I didn't want to frighten the villagers, so I merely said that the apples were a nasty goblin trick."
"I appreciate your candor Lord Mayor. Would it be possible to examine the remains of the tree? One of my companions seems to think he's some sort of tree himself, perhaps he'll have some insights."
Before the mayor walks off with Elion, Val addresses the mayor and Mme. Hucrele. She makes a somewhat dramatic bow, and affects a Varisian accent in her speech. "I am honored to meet you both. My name is Valeria, and I am at your service. Before we set off to rescue you beloved children and bring this disgraced knight to justice, can you tell us more of this citadel? When was it buit, and to what purpose? And what befell it so that it is now overrun with goblins and debased druids?"
Thinking to herself: We will rescue these kids. For that matter, they might very well be better off no longer under this woman's thumb! And I very much want to hear what this Sir Grachius has to say for himself befiore I take arms against him.
Leynus listens quietly through the addressing of the party. He takes the time to carefully examine the area and try and place it with any of the information he had gathered on Cheliax prior to entering it. After all, he had to have sufficient information to avoid it as carefully as possible. He sighs. If only he had maintained his policy of keeping a careful distance from the nation.
Leynus gladly accepts the additional 45 gold from Vasdralo and Madam Hucrele. He does not engage either of them in conversation. However, after noticing Elion engaging the mayor in conversation and glancing around carefully, Leynus does sidle quietly up to them and listens in on their hushed conversation. After hearing the latter half of their conversation, he speaks. "Indeed. I am sure Anton would relish the chance to observe this strange phenomenon. And if I may make a request, sir, I would like to perhaps ask a few questions of your halfling over there, if I may. The life of one so low, to the ground and otherwise, I find leads to interesting insights."
Teral heaves an expansive sigh, clearly bored and uninterested in the goings on. He looks about, trying to get his bearings in the still-unfamiliar town, and maybe get a bead on where one might go to pick up some cold weather preparations.
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Discussions of preparations for winter roll off Akshara like so much morning dew off of a leaf. Instead, while the others plan for their expedition that she is being dragged along for, the tiefling has taken to creeping away from the gathering, spying on the halfling and canine, circling back around and generally nosing into whatever she can find of interest.
Every so often, one of her ears perks up towards the conversation and she offers a side-long look at the company she's to be keeping. It's not clear if Akshara truly understands what they've come here to do, or if she simply is carefree enough to not care to plan ahead for it. Possibly some of both.
Stopping her inspections of the ground and others, Akshara tilts her nose up to the air and gives a sniff, then looks to her right sharply, then her left and stands up in a hunched posture with knees bent. Remainign motionless for a time, she gives a flick of another ear, eyes quickly moving to watch... something? Possibly nothing. THen she crouches down again and looks up to Anton.
"Rats," she growls with one ear lifted straight up and the corner of her mouth likewise perked up. She seems to be excited about this revelation, as unrelated to current events as it is.
The mayor shrugs and says, "you want to see the sapling? It was months ago that I tried to grow it, so we don't have it any more. I burned it. All I can remember about it was that it looked like no more than a bundle of prickly sticks by the time the dog was through with it. Then again, it didn't look like much more than that even when it was alive."
He grows indignant when Leynus even mentions the slave, but seems to think that the request is reasonable. "Well... yes, I suppose. That does make sense. But really, if he knows anything that he hasn't already told me, he'll be in for it. You, slip! Get over here! We might have a use for you after all!"[/b]
The halfling hurries over and bows his head. "Yes, master?"
"These adventurers have some questions for you. Answer them!"
Meanwhile, Madam Hucrele speaks with Valeria about the citadel. "We don't know much about it - it used to stand above ground, and it was the home of dragon worshipers as far as we know. The rumors about demons only arose after the Thrune Ascension. Long before our time, it fell into a great rift in the earth - that's how it came to be called the Sunless Citadel. Monsters of all sorts must have inhabited it since then. The goblins are just the latest."
Valeria does not get the sense that she is lying or hiding anything.
Teral sees the owner of the general store reluctantly opening his store at this early hour at the request of one of Vasdralo's guards. He stands impatiently just inside the door, waiting for you.
"Where humans gather to live, they leave waste. Rats feed upon the waste. It is a rather-stretched form of the Cycle. Be aware, child, the rats of human places are diseased and foul ...not good for eating."
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"It's quite likely that Sir Grachius will resist arrest, Madam Hucrele," Bellicus said flatly. "Any Hellknight stripped of his rank knows what to expect when he is eventually found. I would be surprised if he didn't fight to the death. Will his head satisfy you in his steading?"
His life for my exoneration. Distasteful business, this. Still, it is approved by House Thrune. We are executioners, not assassins.
After Mme. Hucrelle's brief history of the Sunless Citadel, Val bows before her with a flourish. Still affecting a Varisian accent, she closes with: "Thank you for that background, my lady. I shall do everything within my power to return your missing children to safety.".
And I do mean that... although I'm not sure I want to return them to your custody. You're not much nicer than the Paracountess!
"A shame. Our tree guy will be disappointed. Oh, one more thing, I'm told there is a ranger named Karakas living south of town. Would you know exactly where?"
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At Anton's instruction about the rats of civilized lands, Akshara's ears fold back and her nose wrinkles. Furrowing her brows, she looks side-long to the druid as if not entirely trusting of his words. After a moment of self-doubt, however, she settles down on her haunches and rests her forearms across her knees, looking decidedly put-off by the tease of fresh meat.
To Bellicus, Madam Hucrele says, "if Grachius resists and you must kill him, I have no qualms. But I will of course require proof of his death."
To Valeria, she says, "See that you do - and I am grateful for your help. Just try not to put any more foolish ideas into their heads."
To Elion, Mayor Lergis says, "Ah yes, Karakas. He's somewhat of a loner, not really a resident of Oakhurst, but he stops by from time to time. He lives on the Old Road about half-way to the citadel. Most of the farms along the way are abandoned, but his has a thriving garden. You can't miss it."
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To Akshara, the rats say, "nya-nyaaaa!"
Elion raises an eyebrow in surprise, "Rude rats." Turning to Akshara he adds, "You know... Anton didn't say you shouldn't chase them, just that you shouldn't eat them."
"Oh, um sure. Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." Damn, put my foot in my mouth again. I'm never going to get the hang of talking to these people.
Teral leisurely makes his way over to the impatient shopkeep, ignoring the man's attitude, and starts picking out items, gathering up a few furs and some warmer clothing, as well as several extra days rations.
Leynus waits patiently while the halfling makes his way back with the dog, and nods at him when he arrives. "Greetings, my small friend. I requested your... master, the honorable mayor here, if you might answer some questions for me. Or us, as it were. If you would accompany me? Walking while talking would be a more expedient use of our time than simply standing here."
With that, he moves towards the opened general store and away from the mayor. "Do not be concerned. I simply want to know a few things about the recent events plaguing your town. I have no intention of telling the mayor anything you might tell me. As far as he will ever know, you were entirely satisfactory. If all you know is what has already been reported to us, than that is just as well. Now, for the questions."
"Firstly, the Hucrele children and this errant Hellknight, Grachius. Did you ever notice anything suspicious about this man? Behavior unbefitting a Hellknight, odd questions, strange habits? And did you ever notice him in the company of the Hucreles prior to their vanishing? Anything information you can give on him would be valuable to us."
"And secondly, these magic fruits. While they are not the focus of our mission, I have become curious about them. How long have these goblins been coming to market to peddle them? Where did these legends of healing spring from? And lastly - why did the fruit mayor Lergis planted grow so strangely? Did you tend it yourself? And were there any revelations on the cause of death of the dog?"
Leynus pauses for breath after this flood of questions. He takes the opportunity to listen both to the halfling's response and attempt to recall anything he knows about the areas near the Ashen Plains.
After taking her leave from the mayor and noblewoman, Val walks over to the Oakhurst general store. She gives the shopkeeper a pleasant smile. "Good morning!" She also greets any other members of her group that may be in there. Still affecting a bit of a Varisian accent, she engages in some smalltalk with the shopkeeper (if he's amenable) while she browses his wares. The items she selects are mostly winter survival gear. While she is settling up for the items, she then tells him, "Well, you have most likely heard that my companions and I have been hired to find Madame Hucrele's missing children. I was wondering if you'd met that Hellknight that the Hucrele twins went off with... Sir Grachius, I believe was his name... and what you thought of him?" She also places another gold coin on the counter and slides it toward him.
After that, Val spies an old fiddle for sale hanging behind the counter, and asks to see it. She tunes it and plays a short fiddle tune on it for just a moment, deciding that it's just too tempting not to purchase.
After she finishes the transaction, she turns to leave, but then turns back to the shopkeeper. "Oh, one other thing. Two other names came up while we were asking after the Hucrele twins: a local ranger names Karakas and a druid called Belak. Have you heard of either of these people? We might want to see if they had any information to aid our search."
After getting whatever information she can from the shopkeeper, she bids him good day, and meets up with the rest of the party near the start of the Old Road.
The mayor explains to Bellicus that the citadel is not quite 30 miles away - just longer than a full day's travel on the Old Road, or nearly two days for slower travelers. The ranger's home is only about 10 miles outside of town.
The halfling answers Leynus's questions, seeming glad to get a chance to talk to someone. "I never saw the Hellknight, and I hardly knew the Hucrele children. I spend most of my time at the mayor's manor, you see. The goblins, though... they have been coming here for years. A dozen, perhaps? Maybe more. Slightly longer than I have been here, in any case. They bring a fruit every summer, and there are rumors that there is also a winter fruit which they always keep for themselves. The healing rumors were based on fact, as far as I know, but perhaps exaggerated. But two years ago the barkeep at the Old Boar, where you stayed, supposedly bought a fruit to save his wife and it didn't work. And last year... the mayor... he tried to plant it..." the halfling glances around to make sure the mayor is out of earshot. "I didn't help tend it, the mayor wouldn't let anyone else touch it. Then one night... it came alive and attacked the dog!! I never said anything because I knew it sounded so stupid. But I trust my eyes. That twig thing came alive! The dog killed it, but we weren't able to save the poor creature. The mayor things the tree was poisonous and made the dog go crazy. I think it just bled to death!"
Meanwhile, the innkeeper has become much more hospitable as you start spending gold, even offering each of you a warm beverage while you shop. "Karakas and Belak, eh? Karakas I know - he used to come here every other week, sometimes every week, to sell food from his garden and buy supplies that he can't find or make himself, and to bring news of goblin activity. A nice man, that one, but somewhat of a loner. He's been 'round these parts as long as I can remember. That Belak fellow... now, I can't say that I've ever met him for sure, but maybe thirteen years ago an odd-looking little man in brown robes came through asking about the whereabouts of the citadel. Could have been anybody, but... could also have been this Belak you're looking for. I wish I could be more helpful." He pockets Valeria's gold and gives her a wide grin. "Come back any time!"
Your questions answered as well as they can be, you set out on the Old Road. The sky is overcast, leaving the landscape gray and dreary-looking. The barren field to the west is particularly gray, looking almost as if it is covered in ash.
Abandoned farms and even small villages dot the countryside along the road, but the occasional bird or small animal is the only sign of life. Ten miles south of town you come upon a farmhouse that looks more recently inhabited. A garden growing a variety of winter crops lies in an untended mess around the house, and a broken fence near a make-shift stable suggests that whatever animal lived there has long-since fled. Searching the garden and the home itself, you find a comfortable if austere living space for one. You are unable to find any sign that anyone has been here in at least a few weeks, except for a few cats who seem to at least be keeping the place free of rats. Very little of value is here - it seems that whoever lives (or lived) here carried most of what he owned with him when he left.
Elion will take a look around:
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As the group approaches the abandoned house, Akshara gives the structure a wide berth. Stalking off the roadside opposite the farmhouse, she sniffs at the air and gives long pauses between her strides. Occasionally Akshara will bolt upright and look in a direction away from the farmhouse, ears pivoting and twitching in different direction before she crouches down low again. She seems content to give the building its space.
Crouched there just off the road, Akshara claws at the ground a few times, leaving scratch marks and furrows in the dirt with her nails. Her yellow-gold eyes alight to Anton, expectantly, though what she's looking for isn't readily obvious. Maybe it's not something she expects from him at all, more so than a judge of what she should be doing and behaving like.
Akshara doesn't seem to be following orders, so much as following along. The tiefling may not even be entirely aware of the gravity of her situation. It's hard to feel a prisoner with no chains under an open sky. To her, the illusion of freedom is freedom enough; supplemented by her blissful ignorance.
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Val's gaze follows Akshara for a little while. Her expression mixes amusement and concern for the catlike tiefling girl. "Akshara! Don't stray too far from the rest of us!"
Looking at the recently-abandoned house, Val suggests, "I think we may have found the ranger Karakas' house. The shopkeeper said that he lived on the Old Road 10 miles south of town, which is here, and that he hadn't been seen in town for a few weeks. This place matches the description the mayor and the shopkeeper gave of it. I fear something may have befallen him."
Val looks around the house and garden some more, hoping to find any clues as to what may have happened here.
Regardless of what she finds in the house, Val opines, "Despite the temptation of sleeping with a roof over our heads, I think we're still too far from the citadel to spend the night here. While I don't want to camp just outside of a goblin lair, I'd rather be fresh when we arrive at our destination." She adds with a grin, "Plus, given my line of work, I've done plenty of camping at the side of the road. It'll be just like old times!" At that last line, her face saddens a bit, and she sighs wistfully. "...Back when I was free." Val closes her eyes for a second or two-- Blessed Desna, please show me the road to freedom someday soon! --and when she opens them, she seems to return to her more cheerful self.
Anton keeps an eye on Akshara but allows her to wander freely away from him. He takes a look at the winter crops.
Leynus thanks the halfling, bows at the waist, and turns into the shop to purchase his things.
Out on the road, snug in his new long winter coat, he relaxes slightly. The road is a comfortable and familiar place to be.
Leynus assists Val in looking around the abandoned farmhouse.
"I agree with Val, we should continue on and make it far as possible before stopping for the night. Besides, it would feel odd to take advantage of someone's hospitality without them having intended to offer it."
Elion will nod his agreement with Valaria's opinion.