Adarion makes small talk with the rest of the hunting party as they travel back. When Aldern poses his question he replies with "Sounds like a good idea! A nice wash before dinner would be delightful, especially after the dirt of the hunt and journey back and forth."
When Sven asks about giants Aldern shrugs "I mean, I've heard tales of giants in the mountains, but not anything locally really.
**********
Once you get back to town you part ways and tend to your own tasks for a few hours before meeting back at the Rusty Dragon.
Coming to the common room of the Rusty Dragon at the appointed time, the smell of roasting meat floats invitingly on the air. The room is warm and well lit as always leading to a welcoming, homey feeling. The place is already busy though the tables have all yet to fill. Central to the room, just a bit from the main fireplace you catch sight of Lord Foxglove seated at a table with a few other men.
The young lord is dressed finely but with a rugged, huntsman flair. A long dagger hangs at his waist and a glass of wine is in his hand as he laughs at something one of his men said. Catching sight of you he promptly breaks away from the conversation and moves to the greet you.
[b]"Ah my friends! Come join me!" he says to the group. You're all seated at the table which is loaded with various appetizers and drinks. Looking about you note that many of the tables are set in a similar manner occupied by townsfolk.
"I thought it only right to share our good fortune with whomever might like to join." Foxglove offers by way of explanation.
In the corner a middle aged woman strums her lute to create a pleasant melody.
"I think Amieko was initially a bit vexed at my request but she seems to have taken on the challenge well. The boar should be coming out soon." he pauses to take a drink "Kharlbar I know you must have worked up an appetite from this afternoon's sport. You all acquitted yourselves quite impressively." Looking to Bart he asks "So those explosives, you seem to have handled it with a lot of skill. I suppose you are much more than just a hired hand then?"
Bartholomew shrugs. "My apologies for cutting the hunt short," he says, his lack of remorse (or any other strong emotion) clear on his face. "The Valdemars are well known for their efficiency, after all."
Nyx goes back to his room and spends two hours scribing his prepared-but-unused cure light wounds into a scroll .
Nyx then arrives in the common room and takes a seat at Lord Foxglove’s table, finds himself a glass of wine, and inspects the appetizers. After finding something he finds particularly scrumptious, he nibbles and listens to the table conversation.
Sven plops himself down, but as usual, only eats the vegetables. He listens to the conversation and adds very little, watching everyone.
Adarion arrives down to the common room and looks around, looking pleased. He joins the others at the table and turns to Aldern saying, "What a delightful party! I'm sure the townsfolk will be appreciative for sharing the good fortune. It should help bring the mood back up after the attack."
As you chat and enjoy some appetizers you soon become aware of a bit of a ruckus nearby as Akeimo begins regaling the room with rousing tales of your prior day's adventures through song, adding dramatic flair as appropriate. The crowd is soon hanging on every note as her voice rises along with the story. The musician in the corner also takes notice and begins weaving her tune to support the obviously talented woman's efforts.
Accomplished in her own right, and perhaps a bit caught up in the tale as well, the older woman seamlessly matches her melody to the oratory.
As each member of the group is pointed out in turn the crowd cheers and takes note of the next hero of Sandpoint. Drinks are raised and slosh about, feet and hands pound the floor and tables with each rousing victory! Drawn into the final battle half the patrons are on their feet in excitement. At the conclusion the rowdy crowd cheers and applauds not only the performance, but all of the 'heroes' as well.
This continues until Bethena emerges from the kitchen and yells good naturedly, "Enough of that you lot! It's time to eat!" With that a second cheer goes up before Ameiko steps down from the table she ended up on top of in the midst of her story. Trays of roasted boar are brought to the various tables.
"Ms. Kaijitsu is certainly the wonderful performer don't you think?" Lord Foxglove says to Kharlbar as he refills nods to the man, sipping from his wine glass.
"Aye," nods Khalbar in agreement with Foxglove. "Wonderful" but his thoughts are far away to the music of his people on the Cindersands of the plains. Today's hunt also reminded him of the time among those simpler people, where hunting really was about eating, and not just sport. The songs after those hunts were celebrations for the bounty of the earth and the joys of being alive and free. He missed those times, missed his family even more.
He drained his mug in a single pull, and ordered another trying to wash away the sadness.
Nyx beams, basking in the glow of praise. As his name is mentioned he stands and bows, and begins liberally casting guidance and shaking peoples’ hands to give them the spell. ”Praise to the All-Seeing Eye!”
When the food arrives, Nyx digs right in, washing down the delicious feast with plenty of whatever beverages are available at his table, becoming visibly and happily intoxicated, relishing the praise.
As it becomes obvious what Ameiko is doing, the Varisian pastes the entertainer's grin on again. As she seems to get to him, he gathers the plates from the shared table and stands on his chair. He puts a foot on the back and tilts the chair up on just the back two legs, balancing it there with practiced ease, one foot on the back and the other on the seat, while he smiles and begins juggling all 6 plates in a simple waterfall pattern.
As she seems ready to move on, he hops off the chair (letting it fall how it may) and lays every second plate on the table until his hands are empty again before retrieving the chair.
As Foxglove mentions how well Ameiko performs, Gudada just smiles and shrugs.
Adarion claps and cheers at Gudada's feats of dexterity as well as Ameiko and the other woman's performance. "An excellent way to end such an enjoyable day!" he remarks to his table companions as the meal is being served.
As you are eating and the crowd has settled into their own meals Ameiko comes over and puts a hand on Gudada's shoulder with a smile "Pretty impressive!" she states simply. She looks around to the others briefly and gives you all a nod "Hope you enjoyed." Focusing on Aldern a moment longer she continues "I'm sure the inn tonight will be singing your praises along with the Heroes here for the wonderful feast."
Seeing Bethena hurry about helping people she takes a deep breath and fixes a stray hair before nodding to you all "Enjoy the evening, I should get back to my actual job of running this place."
Amikeo makes her way back to the kitchen.
**********
You continue to pass the meal in polite conversation while enjoying the well cooked boar. After a time you notice an older, distinguished looking man enter the tavern. You might not have noticed him but for the fact that he begins calling loudly "Where is my daughter, I have need to speak with her." to Bethena.
You recognize the man as Lonjiku Kaijitsu a local noble and Ameiko's father
You recognize the man as Lonjiku Kaijitsu a local noble and Ameiko's father. Successful but not particularly well liked, Lonjiku has never had a good relationship with either Ameiko, whose adventuring career he considered an embarrassment, or her half brother Tsuto (a half elf that further disgraced the families patriarch). What little relationship existed between them ended with his wife Atsuii's death. Tsuto left town and hadn't been seen since the funeral while Amieko and her father rarely have contact.
The halfling woman sighs heavily before heading back into the kitchen only to return a few moments later with Ameiko who is now wearing an apron and carrying a soup ladle. The two converse in steadily rising voices but in a language you can't understand before the older man reaches out to grab her arm and receives a crack in the skull with the ladle for his trouble. Soup spatters his fine clothes and a red rage contorts his face.
"Fine then! You're as dead to me as your mother!" he spit out before turning on his heels and storming out.
Ameiko stands stunned for a moment, raw emotion visible on her face. After a moment she manages to collect herself and, noting the nearby tables attention quips loudly, "I'll need a well-cleaned ladle now, since jackass stew is not on the menu."
The comment draws some laughs from those nearby and manages to break the tension a bit.
Well, this isn't going to go well . . ..
Then the events described happen.
"Family! Always finds a way to bring you down when you're having fun." Though he keeps the comment quiet enough that the others should realize he's hoping to keep it more or less to the table.
I wonder if he beat them, too. Don't get drug into this! Not your problem!
"Hmm, interesting. Ameiko is so nice, I do not understand..." Seeing as she seems to have handled it with aplomb, Sven returns to eating a dozen carrots.
He stuffs a fair amount of food into a sack for his rhino.
Adarion lets out a small surprised gasp at the man's hurtful words to his daughter, audible to only the table. When she turns his way he gives Ameiko a supportive smile saying, "Yes. I'd imagine we'd all prefer the boar. It seems to be more palatable."
Lost in her own thoughts Ameiko is a bit startled at Adarion's comment directed at her but gives him a smile tinged with sadness.
"My father..." she stops, seeming to have too much thought and emotion to even know how to start. Finally she says simply, "He's an ass. He's never been able to forgive me for not taking to the family business or Tsuto for...being alive. Still seems to think he can order me around though." She shakes her head and takes a deep breath.
With the drama seeming to be at an end Aldern returns his attention to those around him. "Well it has been an eventful evening to say the least. I must be heading back to my manor soon. I believe I will head out in the morning since we were able to get that hunt in. Thank you all again for your aid and your company on the hunt, and of course for saving my life. Should you ever find yourselves out toward Magnimar I hope you'll look me up."
Adarion nods sympathetically towards Ameiko, pausing a moment before saying "Well...we cannot choose our family but it seems you have many friends who are happy to have you around. And happy customers too of course!" As he finishes his statement he smiles and points at the people laughing and enjoying themselves around the tavern.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Adarion gives Aldern a nod of respect and replies, "I was glad to be of assistance and it was a pleasure meeting you! Thank you for the kind gifts and if I'm ever in that direction, I may take you up on your offer and pay you a visit!"
"Yes, you have been very generous. If I find myself near Magnimar, I'll need to look you up, certainly!"
It sounds innocent enough.
Bartholomew keeps his eyes on his plate, uncertain if the lord is upset at his use of explosives to cut the hunt short. Can't taste it in the meat though, he thinks to himself.
With Aldern excusing himself and the rest of the tavern dieing down a bit after the mood was killed by the familial drama recently displayed you are left to your own devices.
Khalbar also thanks the noble as he excuses himself. He does not plan on going to Magnimar anytime soon, but doesn't mention that.
As the tavern quiets down, the big Shoanti brave soon shuffles off to bed.
Sven thanks Lord Foxglove, "Yes, thank you for your generosity. It was enjoyable going on a hunt, may Desna bless your journey."
Afterwards, he excuses himself to feed Naesehorn and go to bed under the stars.
As things settle down, Gudada will crash for the night as well.
As far as tomorrow goes, he's thinking about seeing a man about this horse . . .. And then maybe another about a bow, maybe some armor . . ..
As the evening wears on, people finish up and start to head off to bed.
"Adarion... Adarion...please I need to speak with you." comes Bethana's voice from the other side of the door. There's a fearful tone you've not heard from the woman before.
Adarion wakes groggily, hearing the knock at his door. He rubs the sleep from his eyes and approaches the door quickly, hearing Bethana's fearful tone. What now? he wonders worriedly.
"Bethana? What's wrong?" he asks as he opens the door.
The woman continues on at breakneck speed, barely stopping for a breath. "Look, I found this crumpled up near her bed."
She hands you a piece of paper with writing you can't read on it. "Oh...never mind that one, here." she hands you a second sheet written in a clear, graceful hand. "The note was in Minkaian but Ameiko has been teaching it to me so I translated it."
Hello sis,
I hope this letter finds you well, and with some free time on your hands, because we've got something of a problem. It's to do with father. Seems that he might have had something to do with Sandpoint's recent troubles with the goblins and I didn't want to bring the matter to the authorities because we both know he'd just weasel his way out of it. You've got some pull here in town, though. If you can meet me at the Glassworks at midnight tonight, maybe we can figure out how to make sure he faces the punishment he deserves. Knock twice and then three times more and then once more at the delivery entrance and I'll let you in.
In any case, I don't have to impress upon you the delicate nature of this request. If news got out, you know these local rubes would assume that you and I were in on the whole thing too, don't you? They've got no honor at all around these parts. I still don't understand how you can stand to stay here.
Anyway, don't tell anyone about this. There are other complications as well, ones I'd rather talk to you in person about tonight. Don't be late.
Tsuto
As you finish reading Bethana jumps right back in. "Tsuto is her no good brother. Her whole family is just terrible but Ameiko is a good woman and my friend. If she hasn't come back yet something must be wrong. Please, please will you get your friends and go and see what's happened?"
Adarion frowns as Bethana explains what is wrong. He takes the first note and looks at it with a confused expression until Bethana hands him the translation. He nods at her explanation and begins reading.
His frown returns as he reads through the letter and the implications therein. He looks back up at Bethana and replies to her plea with a smile, placing a hand on her shoulder reassuringly and saying "Don't worry, we should be able to assist you! Ameiko has been good to us and I'm sure the others will want to help. I'll go gather them and we'll make sure Ameiko gets back here safely!"
He holds up the translation of the original note. "Can I keep this? It could be important. You should put the original in a safe place too, somewhere where it'll be hard to take it or find it!"
Adarion heads to the room of each of his companions, knocking on their door, in a strange echo of his own early morning greeting, and asking each companion to meet him in the common room where he'll explain what's happening and the reason for his rude awakening of them. He'll also make sure to get Sven (and any others outside of the Inn) from outside and bring him back to the common room with him.
When he gets back, he'll clear his throat and start speaking to all his companions in the common room, making sure they're not being visibly overheard. "Apologies for the mysterious wake-up call but something has happened that I needed to explain to you all and I did not want to have to explain it over and over. Bethana woke me early this morning, a short while before I woke all of you. We have an issue we need to deal with..."
Khalbar is a light sleeper and is awake when Adarion knocks on the door. He grunts in reply to the summons to appear in the common room, and he unquestioningly prepares, leaving his weapons and armor behind for now.
As Adarion reads the letter aloud and Bethana explains about Ameiko's sister, he listens with dawning realization. "Her father came here last night and was very angry," he says, and now her brother leaves her a note implicating him in some sort of trouble. "And now this. I don't like it. Where is this Glassworks?"
Sven repeats what he knows, almost verbatim, the knowledge coming to him as if in a trance. He shakes his head, as if to clear out cobwebs. ”It sounds like Amiko is in trouble, probably her rotten father kidnapping her to keep her chained to Sandpoint and his business. I say we go teach him a lesson.”
"Nah, it couldn't have played out that way. Her father and brother get along LESS than she and her papa do. There's no chance of cooperation on that front. Of course, Tsuto seems to hate the entire family. He could have come up with something in an attempt to spite either or both of them. Nobody can hate each other like family can." 'Dada shakes his head. "Worse, you may remember Ameiko used to be an adventurer. If she's been captured or killed, it means there was a well-planned ambush, with a solid follow-up if she's a prisoner to keep her as one. Would have been easier to move her in the dark, though, if they wanted to capture her, so they may have left already and not still be in the glassworks. I would recommend being ready for a well-organized force, though, just in case. At least they shouldn't be expecting us to come calling."
Gudada looks at the others as he talks, his hands clasped in front of him, his knuckles starting to go white, and his eyes unfocused, while he theorizes about the group which might have done something to Ameiko.
He releases his hands, sighs and focuses on the group again. "Or there's absolutely nothing wrong, and she's simply distracted by something in the business she grew up learning. Pretty broad set of possibilities."
"Let's go and see if there is any sign of our innkeeper, or the father or the brother. We can sort out who is in the wrong once Ameiko is safe." Khalbar wonders about that. Her father was definitely the angry type, and if the brother was worse...well then anything was possible.
Unless there is more discussion, Khalbar hastens upstairs to gather his armor, weapons,and adventuring gear, and is then ready to set out for the glassworks.
"I agree with Khalbar. We should go to the glassworks and see what we find. Once Ameiko is safe we can worry about who is responsible. Gudada does make a good point though. A well-organised force could be trouble for us. Perhaps we could try and see what we're dealing with before we announce ourselves?"
Adarion does not have much to prepare. He grabs his bow and the rest of his gear and is ready to go when the others are.
”Maybe you are right, I do not know much about the people - but I do know the glassworks is famous throughout Varisia. In any event, I am ready to go whenever you all are.” Sven tightens a few buckles and cracks his neck, as he readies his shield
Nyx groggily listens to Adarion’s news, rubbing his eyes. His usual half-grin is broken by yawning periodically.
”Troubling news indeed. I agree we should go to the glassworks and see what we can find. Although I need an hour to pray to the All-Seeing Eye or I’ll be of little use if we run into trouble.”
Unless anyone objects Nyx heads back to his room to pray to Nethys and memorize spells for the day.
Bartholomew stares dead-eyed at Adarion as the elf relays the news, then shuts his door without changing his expression. A few minutes later, Bartholomew emerges in his armor with his wicker-basket contraption in hand and a smell of flowers and sulfur wafting from his clothes.
Once everyone is ready the group sets off to the Glassworks. It is still early and most of Sandpoint has yet to wake. The town is quiet and peaceful. The Glassworks sits on the western side of town near the sea where it has easy access to sand and other materials. The large stone building is one of the oldest in town. As with most days smoke can be seen rising from the furnace chimneys despite the early hour.
"Start with a circumference, checking any visible windows for what might be going on inside? I would recommend attempting to avoid the attention of anyone inside until we know more."
Sven casts shield companion on Naesehorn and draws his scimitar/readies his shield.
As they approach the building, Adarion begins casting a spell and a familiar shimmering layer of force coalesces around Adarion before fading away.
Observing Gudada and his ability to move stealthily towards some of the windows, Adarion stays back as much as possible, knowing he is not particularly good at sneaking.
"Is there any ..." Nyx titters with obvious glee, "...MAGIC about?" Nyx recites a familiar incantation and casts detect magic liberally around the area.
Gudada searches around the place. He notices that in any of the windows he can actually look into, the rooms are dark on the other side. He listens at the doors and doesn't note anything of concern at any of them.
Nyx attempts to detect magic, but doesn't find any magical auras about.
Moving away from the building and back to the group . . .. "I saw nothing. Nobody tending the fires. Nobody working. No activity at all. We see the smoke rising from the chimney, but there's no other obvious sign that this business is functioning at all. Maybe something did happen, and she was spirited away last night like I suggested. If we're still going in, does anybody have a door preference? The double doors on the North that lead down to the beach, the door in the tower-thingie, or the door closer to the main road?"
Khalbar says, "Is it odd that fire burns with no one home?" He asks Adarion, "Did the note say meet on the loading dock? Start there?"
He is fully dressed in arms and armor now, and has his axe still strapped over his shoulder. Should they enter the building, he will unsling it and take the lead, unless Guadada wants to scout ahead.
Nyx's expression becomes an exaggerated pout of disappointment. "No magic."
”What Khalbar said, we can look for tracks as we go. Maybe we will find something of interest.”
He nods at Gudada's words. "Surely it is odd for a business like this to have no visible activity? I think this reinforces what Bethana said. Something odd is going on here. Likely linked to the previous attack on Sandpoint."
Adarion pauses for a moment when Khalbar asks his question, mentally reviewing the contents of the letter. "Yes. It mentioned going to the delivery entrance. It might be a good choice to enter by. I doubt they are expecting anyone else if they invited Ameiko last night and they haven't seen anyone else yet. We should still be cautious though, they may have stationed rear-guards."