"I'm sure that the Professor has p-plenty of books on the t-town's history in his collection," Edwyn remarks to Ezra aloud, catching sight of the message on her board. It takes a second or two for it hit him. Oh... right.
He awkwardly shuffles after Ezebelle, more than a little embarrassed with himself. He was sure that the Deputy would respond.
Riff reads over Ezra's chalkboard thoughtfully and responds. "Library? No. Although there are a few places that have plenty of books and some of them probably have some history in 'em. Yes the Lorrimor estate would be one. I heard Petros had a lot, but now they're Kendra's I suppose. Another would be the Temple of Pharasma." He gestures to the south west. "And the I figure the town hall has a small library, but they likely wont let you use it unless you get on their good side. Oh and Alendru Ghoroven probably has some books in his school or what's it called... ah the Unfurling Scroll. They're both over in the town proper." He gestures to the south east.
Ezebelle shakes her head in exasperation. Books? We're discussing books when there is a killer on the loose? Stupid, stupid scholars.
She looks back, glaring at the group discussing books.
"The Books will be there for a while, this trail wont. Wonderful thing about history, it's over and not going anywhere. So come on and let find out who did this while we still can, and then you people can get back to learning Ravengro's life story or whatever. I promise that the books won't have escaped their bookshelves by the time we get back." She states, motioning down the trail.
"Be careful, now. And if you turn anything up for find this perpetrator, be sure to tell me, one of the other deputies or the sheriff. I reckon he owes Blake here for the sheep and we might draw up a fine for property damage. I'm gunna' head over to the monument and take a look around. I might see about getting it cleaned up to." Riff says and sets off towards the monument.
Blake, the farmer, walks over to the sheep and picks it up. "Thank ye' for the offer to help," he says shyly. "Whoever done this deserves a good ass whoopin'." He walks with his sheep towards a barn on the side of the field next to a modest single story house.
Cassiel can't help but snicker at Blake's remark. Finally, someone who agrees with me, for once.
He turns back to Ezebelle, gesturing to the trail. "After you."
Ezebelle continues down the trail slowly, unsure of where it may be leading them.
"Be careful, I can't imagine whoever is at the end of this trail will be happy that is was followed back to them." She warns the rest of the group.
Ezra nods at Ezebelle. Books do indeed keep. Onwards! Keeping an eye on the townsfolk that she may pass, Ezra continues to ride her tiger through town until or unless she detects some level of unrest generated.
Happy that the situation did not devolve into needless violence, Edwyn sighs before following after Ezebelle. He was not really sure whether he wanted to know who - or what - was responsible.
The trail leads down and around a rather large manor, between it and the river. Across the river you can see a large Inn which has yet to stir. No one in the manor seems awake yet, either. The trail meets with a small road briefly and then cuts west across another field. After the field it meets a road heading south.
Here, opposite the field, stands the Temple of Pharasma, the town's lone religious structure. A belfry stands above it all, with spiral shapes adoring each corner and a large bell with a multitude of lines swirling inward. The large front doors are wooden with black iron bolts dotting it.
The eastern facade of the temple displays an intricate stained-glass mural depicting a stern ashen-skinned female, with a large dark hood obscuring her face and a hour glass in her hand filled with red sand. The figure seems to be casting judgement a regal looking man.
The trail continues south down the road.
Ezebelle pauses a moment, admiring the temple.
"Where was this man going? Not often that a killer wonders past the front doors to a temple..." She remarks.
"The trail continues south, but what do you make of him coming this way? Should we be concerned about what the clergy are doing in this town?" Ezebelle asks, concerned that this ritual may be part of a larger scheme.
I wonder if there is some other reason he came past the temple? Perhaps someone from the temple knows the motive for this crime?
Cassiel pauses to check out the temple's eastern facade. He whistles.
"Evidently, Pharasma wasn't fond of the ol' Count. She probably didn't appreciate having her courts filled with souls who died before their time."
He turns back to Ezebelle. "It could be an effort to confuse anyone who follows the trail. The perp probably wouldn't just go in a straight line from his hole to a farmer's barn; that'd be too easy to track."
His next few words are muttered to himself. "This could also mean that it isn't local kids... the trail's too twisty. Like someone's trying to avoid pursuit. I doubt kids would go to this much effort to hide what they were going to do. I need to see more..."
"O-oh dear," Edwyn murmurs, clutching his spiral-emblazoned amulet. At least the trail doesn't lead into the temple...
"During my watch, I saw no one traveling this road. I doubt they came before my post, as that was during the day, but it is possible that they came after I retired."
I am thinking maybe I should order my cat to hide in the brush and surprise our morbid graffiti artist. I could sleep near by to catch him, perhaps."
Ezebelle looks at Utho. "At least that's something. If he came at night and twisting everywhere, then it means he was at least trying to hide his crime, and that hopefully he did this alone. Time to find this madman." Ezebelle steels herself and continues along the trail, a hand constantly on her warhammer, ready for something to happen.
The trail follows the road south towards a long covered bridge. You pass a few small farm houses on your right and off to the left, across rows of wheat, you can see another large manor. The sky is full bright by now, but a thin grey overcast permeates all. The morning cold remains and you sense that the mild autumn weather is all but finished for the year. A murder of crows wheels nearby and then settles on a tree. A few farmers tend the fields and you pass a towns person pulling a cart of apples.
The covered bridge cross the river back to the eastern side of town. The bridges roof is a tired red and the wood seems to be old, but well constructed. It creeks slightly as you step onto it, but holds the weight of the entire party with ease. You can hear the water of the river churning underneath.
As you you leave the covered bridge, you can just see Kendra's house to the east, on the north side of the small subsidiary.
The trail veers immediately to your right, to the south into a patch of oak trees with few red and orange leaves still clinging to the branches.
Cassiel appears to become more perplexed by the trail.
"Our guy took the main road? Awfully gutsy of him; anyone could've seen him coming that way if they were awake."
His hands move to ready his longbow.
Ezra also takes note of the fact the party is traveling down the main road, oblivious to Cassiel's observation. Travelling the main road would seem to indicate that either (i) this villain is amazingly bold, taking no care to hide himself or his actions. I don't think this fits. If he were so bold, he would likely have written more. Or at the very least done something to ensure the message made a firm statement. (ii) villain is a complete novice and fails to understand the basic concept of stealth. Not too likely since he did take care to perform the actions at night and out of sight of the general populous. (iii) the villain responsible is operating with a deep enough understanding to realize a man on a road is much less likely to attract attention than a man skulking about in the fields late at night. In which case, it is relatively safe to assume the person responsible is working towards a goal, in which case there is almost certainly more to come.
Making sure to keep her mental notes firmly in place, Ezra continues to ride silently behind her allies.
"where is this guy going?" Ezebelle ponders aloud.
Reaching the edge of the path of trees she quietly unsheathes her shortbow and nocks an arrow, looking back to ensure all of her companions are similarily prepared. Confident that they are ready if this turns sour she quietly enters the trees, continuing along the trail.
Cassiel follows Ezebelle's lead, nocking an arrow in his longbow.
He tries to follow her lead as quietly as possible.
The patch of trees is roughly 150 feet deep by about the same width. Beyond it you can see two buildings. One is a simple two story house, well off to the east side connected to the main road by a smaller way. The other building is considerably smaller and to the south side.
As you move carefully through the trees, the dead leaves crunch quietly beneath your feet. Nothing seems to notice your presence.
The trail cuts straight through the trees towards the shack on the other side. The trees clear away about twenty feet from the building. Around the shack are hand lumber saws and stacks of wood. There is also a barrow full of farming tools.
Failing to notice the quieter moves of her companions, Ezra continues to plod along on her tiger, moving towards the smaller building. In all the good stories, the murderer lives in the shack, not the mansion.
"I think we are finally nearing the end of this chase." Ezebelle quietly whispers. "Be on your guard."
Ezebelle creeps up to the shack, after signalling for the rest of the group to be as quiet as possible
Chasing after what could be a murderous madman with a group of strangers... what have I gotten myself into?
Taking a deep, therapeutic breath, Edwyn chooses to distract himself from this though by focusing on not stepping on any wayward twigs.
catching on at long last, Ezra dismounts and signals Noni to be silent as well.
The shack is roughly thirty feet wide on the side facing you and made of warped wooden planks. The door facing you is simple and wooden as well and a small latch holds it closed, but there appears to be no locking mechanism, at least not on the outside. There is a single window on the side facing the river, but from the distance and the angle, you can't make out what is inside.
Knowing that he lacks a certain... finesse, when it comes to the art of stealth, Utho allows himself to fall back about 20 feet from the rest of the party.
Cassiel tries to stay silent as well.
...unfortunately, a cold breeze blows through, causing him to sneeze.
He gets a sheepish look on his face and opts to stand back.
"Anyone want to try and be diplomatic before I go bursting through the door?" Ezebelle whispers to her companions, the muscles in her arm tensing as she draws her bowstring back.
Made a mistake the last time I accused someone, might at least try and see if they are innocent first this time...
Ezra looks at Eebelle slightly confused, then moves around the house to cover any other exit besides the door.
Cassiel raises his hand.
"I might need some help keeping him distracted, but I'll try."
"Sounds good Cassiel. Pretty sure arrows are distracting." Ezebelle whispers as she pulls back on her bowstring. She looks back to Cassiel, waiting on him to make the next move.
Cassiel winces as he sees Ezebelle pull her bowstring back.
"Okay, what exactly are you planning to do with that?" He asks, pointing to her nocked arrow. "Well, aside from shoot something, I mean?"
"It's a small shack. If someone is inside they have to go through us or the window. The arrow covers the window. Tough to jump through a window with an arrow through your leg. I like to think of the arrow as my solution to ensure the person doesn't try and run. Ezebelle rationalizes.
"Besides if worst comes to worst Ezra can patch up any damage the arrow may do. But fine... there, arrow un-nocked." Ezebelle continues as she releases the tension on her bowstring.
Cassiel shrugs his shoulders. "Alright... point taken. Do you want to cover the door or the window?"
"I had b-better keep w-watch," Edwyn suggests, glancing side to side. "Out here."
"I can cover the window." Ezebelle whispers, getting into position to overlook window.
Cassiel sighs. Oh, boy. Here's hoping this doesn't turn ugly...
He decides to take a look around as he approaches the shack's front door.
Ezra moves back away from the window to allow her companions to take position. Once she is out of the way, she orders her tiger to defend her should anything unto wards emerge.
The tools and materials laying near the shack indicate that the inhabitant of this shack performs manual labor on a regular basis. The river flows noisily some one hundred feet or so from your position, down a bank to your west. The roof of the shack is thatched, but in decent repair. You spot a rabbit as it sprints from a pile of leaves into the patch of trees behind you.
Quite a peaceful start to a day. Here's hoping it stays that way...
With some hesitation, Cassiel walks up and knocks on the door.
Utho stands behind a tree, as close as he can to the shack.
"One moment!" You hear a gruff voice call from inside. After a few moments footsteps approach the door, you hear a latch unhitching and the door turns open. Behind it stands a man it takes you a few seconds to recognize. He is the older man from the Restlands, the one that seemed to be leading the mob that tried to prevent Petros from being buried there. Accusing him of being a necromancer, if you recall correctly.
"Yeah? He has the look of sleep in his brown eyes. The sides of his face are covered with bushy, greying sideburns. The hair on top of his head has receded to the back and the sides. He wears a simple set of white and grey cloth pajamas, the neck hanging open. His feat are bare.
Behind him you catch a glimpse of a simple living arrangement. There is no light other than that which comes in through the window and the doorway.
As the door opens, Ezra quickly casts guidance on Cassiel. Hope he negotiates before he kills the old man. . . "
Cassiel focuses. The memory of the man interrupting the professor's funeral procession is still fresh in his mind. Ezra's spell settles in, providing him with some more confidence.
Well, here goes nothing...
"Good morning, sir. I'm working with Sheriff Caeller, investigating a case of vandalism here in town. A monument to Warden Hawkran was found this morning, covered in sheep's blood, with a 'V' scrawled into the dirt, also in blood. May I ask you a few questions?" Cassiel says.
Ezebelle waits off to the side, her fingers twitching on her bow.
Don't say anything. Don't say anything. He might not be guilty... Even though he was at the graveyard, the path leads directly to him, and it looks like he has the tools to pull this off.
Actually, He's probably guilty... Maybe I should shoot him, protect Cassiel from this murder's knife.
"Vandalism? Blood? I wouldn't know anything 'bout that. But sure, you can ask a few questions. Aren't you that fellow from the Restlands? One in Ms. Lorrimor's party?" He says and tries to wipe the sleep from his eyes.
You must have just woken him up.