When Stryn sees Georgi he runs up to him "Spooky ghost yes? You ok?"
"Ah! I mean, uh, hello Stryn."
Georgi recovers from his start and endeavors to give the goblin a thin smile.
"I agree, that was very spooky. I suppose that's a nice way to put it. Better than terrifying, bone chilling, mind-breaking..."
Georgi shakes his head.
"Anyway I am unharmed. If not exactly ok. You alright? You seem little worse for the wear."
Georgi casts an eye towards the Circle Market.
"Beyond being scary, what happened here is worrisome. I feel like we should go back and make sure everyone is alright. Besides the tavern is that way and we've silver to spend."
Having finally made it back to the Circle Market, Renae scanned the town square for anyone she recognized.
They're were a few stragglers here and there, a few which we recognized as town locals, but she saw no sign of her family at their stand, which seemed to have been abandoned in a rush.
They probably fell under the same influence as I did and ran for it. If that's the case I could try to find them back home. It's not as if Kyra or Henric are still—
Just as Renae was about to complete the thought, she saw Henric entering the town square with an elven woman who seemed somewhat familiar.
Quickly grabbing the revenue that was left on her parent's stand and pocketing it away for later, Renae walked up to Henric and his elven companion.
"Henric!" She exclaimed. "I'm so glad you're alright."
Renae could have hugged him right there but social etiquette and a fear of another strange reaction of her part made her do otherwise.
Looking towards the elf, and seeing her more closely now, Renae finally recalled her name. "Audrahni? It is you. It's been so long!"
Renae knew the gravedigger from her youth in the Cove and though she never knew her well seeing a familiar face after her panic was more than welcome.
"It's me, Renatus. Well, its Renae now." Renae paused. This wasn't exactly the best time for over-explaining. Sir Roderic was the concern not her.
"Nevermind. It's a long story that I'll explain later. What's important right now is Sir Roderic's return. Do any of you know why he'd make an reappearance?"
Kiley spots Renae, Henric, and an elf that was naggingly familiar to her and tugs on Kera's sleeve to get her attention.
"I guess we could go get Renae and Henric first since their right over there," she says before taking a hold of the other woman's hand and dragging her along. "There's something going on here and I want to see who that is with them. She seems familiar."
Stryn nods to Georgi's suggestion "Yes, we go back to market. Good you ok. Stryn is good, just tired from run." He steps up next to Georgi to walk with him back to the market making sure the man keeps pace so they can get back and check on the others.
"Oka--woah!" Kera allows herself to be pulled along by Kiley, struggling to keep pace with the much more athletic girl. Her cheeks flushed, her hair strewn wild about her, she approaches. "Renae, Henric! Y'alright?"
What's important right now is Sir Roderic's return. Do any of you know why he'd make an reappearance?"
"Well," Kera chews her lip. "Ghost's known to rise when they've faced unpleasant ends, or when there's unfinished business. In this case Roderic seems upset about th' conflict 'atween these gangs, the Roadrunners and, and... anyone know th'other?"
"Beats me. I didn't even know there was a gang in this town until I heard about the murders."
Seeing Kera's state, Kiley at least has the good graces to blush.
"Sorry Kera. I tend to get carried away sometimes."
Henric nods in greeting to the ladies in turn that run up to greet them, tipping his hat. It seems to come a little more natural to him than talking.
He is about to introduce Audrahni when Renae nearly bowls him over to get to the elf woman. He is able to deftly avoid the over-exuberance, though, and instead bends down to pick up his discarded staff. "I see you know each other," he casually remarks. "Turns out I fled straight to her house in my, um... panicked state." He clears his throat a little as if to change the subject.
"Did you say Sir Roderick? As in the found of this place? Something must sure have disturbed him to disrupt his rest in such a dramatic fashion." He turns to Audrahni and asks, "Would you have any information that may help?"
Audrahni nods and says, "Hello. It's nice to meet you, Renae."
Audrahni looks troubled as Renae mentions Sir Roderic's Ghost, and nods in agreement with Kera's assessment of the nature of ghosts, and Henric's speculation. She says, "You've been well taught. It gets even more complicated, as there is no one reason for a soul to linger after death. Every ghost has a different reason, and it can be difficult to determine why a ghost is restless, and how to quiet it."
At this point, Georgi and Stryn return to the Circle Market. As they do so, Captain Julit Freson and a couple of guardsmen show up and begin looking over the mess. Captain Freson sees you talking to Audrahni and comes over, saying, "Good morning, Audrahni. I don't suppose any of you can tell me what happened here? Someone ran into the Guardhouse babbling about a ghost in the Circle Market, and it certainly looks like something happened here. I just hope it wasn't another gang fight."
Stryn goes to grab his weapon that he dropped in his panic and then moves to greet the others again "Stryn sorry to run... Spooky ghost man. First time, seeing ghost..."
Renae turned from Henric and Audrahni to see Kera and another woman who seemed oddly familiar come their way.
"Yes." Renae answered with a relieved smile. "We both are. I'm glad to see that are as well."
Reunited now, Renae took in everyone's words. With what she knew, it only made sense that Sir Roderic's spirit was being stirred up by a conflict brewing in the Cove again and Kera's assessment only strengthened that theory further.
"Off the top of my head, I can't say who the other gang was," admitted hoping that Audrahni or Freson would. "They're almost definitely new given how the Roadrunners reacted to him, though," she estimated, remembering that initial confrontation between them before Sir Roderic showed up on the scene.
Still not sure if mere gangs were the town's only problem, Renae continued with her thoughts. "If Sir Roderic is trying to warn us of some kind of danger would it just be gangs? The last time he appeared it lead to the reveal of the corrupt activities of our previous port-governor, Jess Gildersleeves, who used the town's tax collections to pay off criminals in Riddleport. Perhaps another conspiracy is afoot?"
"Stryn sorry to run"
"I knew't!" Kera squeals with glee, running over and embracing the little goblin with reckless disregard of his weapon. She takes a step back, beaming down at him. "Stryn! D'ya 'member me? We met in Sandpoint after m'mom Arya and them others raided the goblin village!"
"If Sir Roderic is trying to warn us of some kind of danger would it just be gangs? The last time he appeared it lead to the reveal of the corrupt activities of our previous port-governor, Jess Gildersleeves, who used the town's tax collections to pay off criminals in Riddleport. Perhaps another conspiracy is afoot?"
"That's right, you're from 'ere! So, Roderick seems t'be th'towns protector, hmm? I wonder if there's a way t'speak t'im? Audrahni, is there a burial plot, or a tomb 'o some kind?"
Henric is caught off-guard slightly as the sight of a goblin wandering towards them, along with a troubled-looking young man. Taking a queue from the others, some of whom seem to be familiar with the diminutive creature, Henric doesn't immediately go on the defensive. He does, however, keep the goblin within his peripheral vision, watching his movements with interest.
Despite that, Henric turns his attention to the conversation at hand.
Still not sure if mere gangs were the town's only problem, Renae continued with her thoughts. "If Sir Roderic is trying to warn us of some kind of danger would it just be gangs? The last time he appeared it lead to the reveal of the corrupt activities of our previous port-governor, Jess Gildersleeves, who used the town's tax collections to pay off criminals in Riddleport. Perhaps another conspiracy is afoot?"
"I agree with your assessment. It seems unlikely that a minor skirmish between gang members would be enough to cause the restless spirit enough concern to reveal himself. Not unless the issue were tied to something bigger. Did anyone happen to see if the gang members had any kind of symbol or marking on them?"
The young Talden man's posture and demeanour seems different to anyone who has gotten to know him. His usually nervousness and anxiety seems to have been overshadowed by his curiosity and intellectual drive to solve a mystery.
At the approach of Captain Freson, Henric nods in greeting. When the Captain asks for an accounting, Henric provides the information that the groups has pooled together, including the scuffle between the gangs and the appearance of Sir Roderick's ghost.
Stryn is a little shocked at first as the woman comes over and embraces him, as she starts explaining though he realizes why she looked familiar but he hadn't seen her before. It had been so many years back and Kera was just a young girl then, she had grown up so much but the Kera he knew was still there. With a big smile he asks "Kera?"
"Of course!" Kera steps back and gives Stryn the secret handshake they'd perfected so many years ago. Finishing with wiggling her earlobe, she claps her hands, laughing. "What're th'odds we'd see each other 'gain here'n now? What're you doin' in town?"
"Yes, Cap'n," she says as Henric tells the tale. "D'ya know anythin' 'bout these rival gangs, or why th'ghost o' Sir Roderic'd be so upset he'd rise from th'grave?"
Stryn is overly excited at seeing Kera again, but hesitant to say too much around strangers. He returns the secret handshake and then simply replies "Long story. Meet later and catch up yes?"
As the others turn their attention the Captain Stryn lets the others do the talking, but listens in intently.
Seeing the others are busy filling in the local arm of the law, Kiley steps away and sits on her heels next to Stryn.
"So you and Kera know each other," she asks quietly to keep from talking over Kera and Henric as they explain what happened.
Stryn nods to Kiley "Old friends. Stryn didn't know at first, been long time, back in Sandpoint."
"Sandpoint? I guess next you'll tell me you were a part of the raid that happened when they were consecrating the new cathedral," Kiley said with a chuckle.
The Captain sighs and says, "That's all we need. A ghost wandering around in addition to gang violence. The Road Runners usually keep to outside town - engaging in petty banditry, extortion, and the like. The other sounds like it was one of those involved in the altercation last week. If the Road Runners start pushing in, this could get bloody fast. I don't know why the ghost of Sir Roderic is showing up." Turning to further survey the scene, Captain Freson says, "Well, it's obvious that you weren't involved in any of this, that's for sure. If you think of anything else or hear anything, feel free to contact me at the Cove Guardhouse. Thank you for your assistance, and have a pleasant day - what's left of it, at any rate."
At this point, a few other people have returned to the Circle Market. Captain Freson gives Stryn a suspicious stare, but she knows he's been in town a few weeks and hasn't caused any trouble, so she moves towards the other guards and asks them to start questioning some of the other people.
After Captain Freson leaves, Audrahni, quiet while you explained the situation, says, "You know, this has been something of a harrowing experience for you. Let me buy you all lunch at the Creekside tavern. Perhaps we can talk some more there."
Reminded by his grumbling stomach that he hasn't eaten anything since the night before, Henric abashedly agrees. "Lunch would be welcome." He smiles at Audrahni in thanks. "I always do my best thinking on a full stomach."
"Sure.." Kera whispers back at Stryn, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"You know, this has been something of a harrowing experience for you. Let me buy you all lunch at the Creekside tavern. Perhaps we can talk some more there."
"Aye, maybe there's more of that frog leg stew they serve! I'm in!"
While still not hungry, especially after her encounter with Sir Roderic, Renae nodded her head in agreement with the others. If anything else, the tavern provided their growing party a better venue to discuss what had happened than standing around in the town square.
"That sounds like an excellent idea."
As they started to make their way to Creekside, Renae made sure to greet all the new arrivals. She quickly caught up with her melancholic drinking companion Georgi, somewhat awkwardly asked Kiley if she was from Sandpoint, and introduced herself to the Goblin Stryn with a, "Well met."
Stryn shakes his head to Kiley "No, but Stryn meet heroes later."
When the elven woman mentions food he nods happily "Stryn always eat!" He skips along with the others his thoughts turned to free food to come. When Renae introduces herself Stryn nods a hello as he hums some off-beat tune to himself. Obviously his skills at humming do not match those of his dancing...
"Oh," Kiley replies as she realizes that her joke wasn't too far from the truth. She goes silent for a long, awkward moment but thankfully has an offer of food to take her mind off things.
"Lunch sounds fantastic right now. I'd already danced up an appetite before the ghost showed up."
Audrahni nods and says, "Then it's settled. Let's go have a bite to eat."
You go into the Creekside Tavern. It's clear that some of the people there are shaken up from the appearance of Sir Roderic's ghost, based on their hunched body posture and the way they clutch their ale. Garleena Knodston, one of the owners of the tavern, sees you come in and comes over, saying, "A large group, then? Well, we've got the big table in the corner open. Grab a seat, and I'll bring you all a round of ale." It's clear from the pale cast to her face and the slight shake of her hands that she's still shaken from the ghostly encounter earlier, but has decided that the best way to deal with it is to try and get back to normal. As you move to the table, she heads behind the bar, and she and her brother, Thevin, start pouring mugs of ale for you.
Audrahni takes a seat at the designated table, then says to you all, "Please, be seated. I think that during our meal we should talk about something besides what just happened. That way we don't unsettle our stomachs and can enjoy our food. What brings some of you to Roderic's Cove?"
Kera takes a seat between Stryn and Renae. "Hi, I'm Kera!" she says to Georgi, offering a handshake. "Yer a friend o' Stryn?"
"What brings some of you to Roderic's Cove?"
"Oh, I'm part o' th' caravan parked just outside th' town. We travel all up and down th' coast, wherever th' wind takes us," Kera says of her caravan. She takes a sip of her ale, leaving a foamy mustache on her lip. "Spent a lot o' time in Sandpoint. That's how I know Stryn! But I was just a babe when last we's in th' Cove, so everythin's new t' me 'ere. Seems real nice..." her voice trails off a bit, unsure if "nice" is the best way to describe an obviously haunted town. She wipes her mouth with her sleeve.
"What 'bout you, Audrahni? You been here long?"
Henric makes sure to take a seat next to Audrahni, pulling out the seat for the elven woman before taking his own. While the proximity of so many people makes him a little on edge, the familiar smells bring back fond memories of being with his teacher in similar taverns, and a small smile crosses his face.
"What brings some of you to Roderic's Cove?"
Thinking to himself that he's already had this conversation with Audrahni, he almost doesn't answer. But after the recent ghost scare, Henric feels an odd sensation that is a bit foreign to him: the need for companionship. The fact that his friend is sitting right beside him seems to help to bolster his courage. "As we've discussed before, I came here with the hope to further my research on the Thassilonian era. It somethings that I've been drawn to for some time, now. Unfortunately, I haven't found as many clues as I'd hoped, but I'm not ready to give up just yet." His voice grows a little with his conviction, but he quickly settles down as he realizes what he doing, looking around the room to see if he's made a scene.
When he gets a chance to talk Stryn takes a deep breath and replies to Audrahni's question "Long story... but short is Stryn's boat sunk, swam to shore. Meet new friend Georgi in big trees. Find way back to town, now Stryn works docks and likes not being forced to steal..."
Settling into her chair beside Kera, Renae took a few sips of her ale while everyone else told their stories. She savored its frothy taste, which compared to the punch she had earlier might as well have been a fine wine.
Her nerves now firmly calmed, Renae told Audrahni her story. Some of it anyway. "I've been away from the Cove for some time now studying ancient Thassilon at the Cypher Lodge in Sandpoint," she said, giving Henric a nod of recognition from one Thassilonian scholar to another.
"I left though when I realized that the Cyphermages had no intention of sharing any of its findings with the people. Things got... complicated after that." Renae stopped and sighed sadly. She looked towards her unfinished glass as if it would save her the trouble of talking about what happened.
When it obviously didn't she continued her tale. "Let us just say that I ran into some very bad people afterwards, people I was foolish enough to trust and who could not immediately escape from when I realized my folly. When I was finally free of them I spent some time in Magnimar to recover. After that, I returned to the Cove to tell my parents what had happened to me and too explain all the changes I had went through while I was away.
Renae liked Kera and Henric but she didn't quite trust them, or anyone else at the table for that matter, with what exactly she might by changes. Instead, she just finished her story with a somewhat theatrical motion of her arm. "And now, here I am. Back home."
"Oh. Well, I just blew in from Riddleport. There's nothing special about me. I'm just waiting to see where the journey takes me next, y'know," Kiley says once she realizes the others are looking at her. "Nothing special about me or anything."
At least nothing that I want to share. If they knew what I was hiding, it'd make it a lot easier for them to find me.
As Renae relates part of her story, you realize why it was she looked so familiar to you. She is identical to images and statues you've seen that depict the Runelord of Lust, Sorshen.
"What 'bout you, Audrahni? You been here long?"
Audrahni replies, "I've lived here for about a year. I'm the groundskeeper for the cemetery at The Lady's Chapel. We can talk more about that later, though."
Georgi, having drained half his tankard already, says, "I'm from Ustalav, from a family that was once counted among the nobility but now is no longer. I...sometimes write and play music, and left home to learn more of Thassilonian history." He mumbles softly, "I wish I hadn't been so curious." He then takes another long pull of his ale.
The food arrives as Renae starts to tell her tale, including the delicious frog leg stew Kera was hoping for. Stryn is given a sharp glance and told to mind his manners by Garleena. As Renae finishes, Audrahni studies her, a curious look on her face. Renae gets the feeling that Audrahni knows at least something of what hadn't been said.
Audrahni nods as Stryn gives the short form of his tale, and she already knows at least some of Henric's, but as Kiley says there's nothing special about her, Audrahni's eyes clearly show she knows better, and that Kiley's attempt to hide her ears and tail haven't deceived the Elven woman.
She doesn't push at Kiley, however, instead turning to Kera and Stryn to say, "I remember being in Sandpoint for a short while. It's a lovely town. I'm surprised that a goblin would have lived there - as I recall, Sandpoint was attacked by goblins about a decade or so back."
Stryn nods as he stuffs food in his face. While he learned a lot from his friend Jess, his goblin table manners and stuffing his face with food was one thing he never quite shook. In the middle of eating something he nods to the elf. Trying to speak with food in his mouth he notes "Yuh... no Styrn thu...uffer oblins..." He swallows the bite before he continues "Same tribe, but Styrn not stupid. When Gogmurt left fort because chief all lovin' new longshank friends, Stryn knew goblins just being used. Stryn surrender when more longshanks came. Made friends with little longshank named Jess. Good friends, she forgive Stryn and help him start new life in Sandpoint. Lots people not trust, but over time saw Stryn was good. Made promise to Jess to be good, so that what Stryn does."
Henric listens to the conversation aptly between bites of food. While his gaze wanders back and forth over the small group, it lingers on Rena a little more than the others, which bothers him a little. It's not attraction, he muses to himself silently, though she has a certain charm, but it's more than that....
Georgi, having drained half his tankard already, says, "I'm from Ustalav, from a family that was once counted among the nobility but now is no longer. I...sometimes write and play music, and left home to learn more of Thassilonian history." He mumbles softly, "I wish I hadn't been so curious." He then takes another long pull of his ale.
Henric takes notice of the young bard's interest in history, though he seems to have completely missed the personal regret. "Really? You study Thassilon as well? We should compare notes!"
She doesn't push at Kiley, however, instead turning to Kera and Stryn to say, "I remember being in Sandpoint for a short while. It's a lovely town. I'm surprised that a goblin would have lived there - as I recall, Sandpoint was attacked by goblins about a decade or so back."
Piping up again, Henric adds, "I've heard about that! My former mentor took me through Sandpoint briefly. Despite the hardships they've had, they seem to stay strong and growing." He suddenly seems more interest in Stryn and his history.
After a moment, though, his attention turns back to Rena and his eyes go a little wider. He almost literally bites his tongue to keep from blurting out his thoughts rudely. All this talk about Thassilon has brought an image to memory from a book he read some time ago. His thoughts are spinning, and he doesn't realize that he hasn't stopped staring wide-eyed at her.
Kera has a big helping of the frog legs. "Mmm, I could eat these every day!"
"I remember being in Sandpoint for a short while. It's a lovely town. I'm surprised that a goblin would have lived there - as I recall, Sandpoint was attacked by goblins about a decade or so back."
"Oh, aye, but it's seen its share of human criminals, too, 'n it still keeps them 'round." Kera smiles at Stryn, but her expression wavers. Why's he talkin' like 'at?
"Are you alright?" she asks Henric. "Look like you've seen a ghost. Oh, haha! You 'ave!"
The question from Kera bring Henric out of his trance, though the stunned expression seems to have made camp on his face. "I ah... yeah." He coughs to clear his throat. "Sorry," he adds. Guess exposure to the spirit is still having an effect on me."
Stryn just quirks a brow at the whole thing and goes back to shoveling as much food into his mouth as possible. With as much as he is eating it begs the question, with his small size, where he puts it all...
Catching the knowing looks that came her way, Renae took an another sip of her ale to momentarily hide her discomfort.
Audrahni knew something, she suspected. Or at the very least she was suspicious about her story. How a gravedigger would come to know of Sorshen or any of the runelords was beyond her, but Renae intended to find out.
As for Henric, his sudden gawking was pretty hard to miss. Renae had hoped that even with his knowledge of Thassilon that it would take him a little bit longer to match her visage with Sorshen's, but alas, Desna's luck didn't seem to be on her side.
She'd have to talk to him later, alone if possible, but until then she would play coy."Of course, Henric," she said nonchalantly. "Just Sir Roderic's lingering magic, I'm sure. Still, if it persists further know that I'm more than willing to help dispel it."
Kiley's usually cheerful demeanor disappears as she notices Audrahni looking at her intently. She looks away from the elf and focuses on eating while only partly paying attention to what is going on around her.
She knows something's up with me, but how much does she guess.
The mention of Sandpoint and goblin raid brings up memories she would rather have left alone. Soon, Kiley finds her appetite gone. She drains her tankard in one long gulp and sets it down as her eyes focus on things hundreds of miles and a decade past.
"Goblins weren't the only ones attacking Sandpoint, neither," she mumbles as she waves for another drink.
Henric finally forces himself back to a neutral expression, though his mind is whirring with possibilities. After taking a few more bites of food, he turns back to Audrahni, "Perhaps we should discuss the main point of order here." His comment almost sounds like a question with a slight raise of pitch in his voice.
"After we eat. I find talk of ghosts to be most unsettling to the appetite," Audrahni says, with a slightly mournful look on her face. She keeps the conversation light, turning to things such as clothing choices and the food.
Once everyone has eaten their fill and is finished, Audrahni seems to come to a decision. She says, “Thank you again for taking the time to chat with me. You seem like capable sorts — certainly not the type who’d be content to live out lives of comfort in a small town like Roderic’s Cove. I don’t mean that as an insult — far from it. I’ve been in town for the past year and I think the Cove needs people like you: heroes. The stink of violence is in the air. The near confrontation you were just involved in isn’t the first we’ve had recently... surely you’ve heard of the slaughter that took place last week? Something strange is going on here in Roderic’s Cove, and someone needs to do some investigating to figure out what that is. I’m hoping you’ll be up to that challenge.”
"After we eat. I find talk of ghosts to be most unsettling to the appetite," Audrahni says, with a slightly mournful look on her face. She keeps the conversation light, turning to things such as clothing choices and the food.
Despite being eager to move past some of the uncomfortable silence, Henric nods in agreement. He had to agree that the whole situation was still a little settling, though the warm food did some good to ease his mind and body.
Soon enough, he realized that he was done, and everyone else was too. He listens intently to what Audrahni has to see, and once more realizes that he has to agree with her assessment. She's a very wise person. Someone worth heeding.
The talk of investigation snaps him out of his musing again. "Investigate?" he inquires, possibly a bit too eagerly. "I'd be more than happy to! My research seems to have nearly hit a wall, so anything to get the stew boiling again, in a manner of speaking, would be welcome. Did you have anything in particular in mind?"
Stryn keeps eating as long as he can and is the last to finish. He notices the others waiting on him and decides that he's had enough. When the elf mentions investigating it peaks his interest but then he quirks his brow "What about the captain? Is captain from before not investigating? Stryn not want to get on bad side of law. Stryn try to be good..."
"Well, sure!" Kera agrees eagerly. "Who wouldn't wanna help put such bad business t'rest? It sounds like you know more'n most, Audrahni. Where d'ya think we should start?"
"Don't worry," she says to Stryn. "We ain't gonna do nothin' bad. We'll keep on the up'n up! It'll be fun!"
Stryn shrugs and nods "Okey dokey!" he listens in intently to what the elf has to say.
Though Renae's order of bisque had come she left untouched it and instead listened to Audrahni words. By the time the elf had said her piece Renae was utterly convinced that she was no common gravedigger. Who were you before you came to the Cove, she eagerly wanted to ask.
Necessity came before curiosity and Renae put the question aside for later, focusing on the task at hand. "The Cove is my home, Audrahni. Of course, I'll do whatever I can to protect it," she declared faithfully, but not without looking to Stryn making an amendment. "Though hopefully our investigation can be done within the law."
Kiley's mood lightens a bit as the conversation turns to other topics, but there's still an air of tension about her, as if she were a coiled spring or a bent bough ready to snap back. When the subject turns from fashion to current events, the young performer leans in a little and listens a little more closely.
"Well, I'm in. Anything that helps keep this town free of gangs like they've got in Riddleport has to be a good cause, right," she asks. "And don't worry, Stryn. Kera and I'll help ya with not doing nothin' bad."
Turning her attention back to Audrahni, Kiley leans back and twirls her finger around to indicate the six of them at the table.
"So you want us to investigate what's going on? I don't suppose you have something in mind. If not, I have a couple of ideas on where to start, though we'll probably be putting ourselves at risk."