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Whatever sleep was clouding his senses before, the sight of a woman - his friend! - crying in front of him brought everything to crystal clarity.
A sense of (probably unfounded) chivalry comes over him and pushes all other concerns into the depths of his brain. "Oh gods! Of course, Kiley. Please, come in." He drops his staff, all but forgotten, from his hand as he swings the door open wider, nearly tripping over it as he does so. While he recovers his poise, he grabs the blanket from his bed, almost reflexively, and offers to drape it over her shoulders as she enters the room.
"Please. Take a seat where ever you like," then, seeing the state of his room, starts picking up discarded books, stacking them on the little writing desk, and pulling his discarded shirt over his head, all at the same time. The act nearly causes him to run into the stool and go crashing to the floor.
Kiley shuffles in, accepting the blanket and barely noticing the mess as she makes her way to the bed and curls up on it, bringing her knees to her chest and watching nothing in particular until Henric nearly trips over the stool.
"Th-thank you," she stammers, "I-I would normally see Renae about this, but she... she isn't here. and I... I couldn't..."
Her eyes fall to the tops of her knees, covered in the blanket that Henric had given her.
"D-do you remember how scared I was whenever we'd fight something that should have been dead," she asks in a soft voice after a long pause.
"Th-thank you," she stammers, "I-I would normally see Renae about this, but she... she isn't here. and I... I couldn't..."
Recovering from his blunder, Henric stares at Kiley a moment before remembering the books in his arms. "Wait...." he says, putting the books down on the desk. "Renae's gone?" He shakes his head suddenly and adds, muttering aloud to himself, "Not important right now, dummy."
He stands there, looking down at the floor, steeling his nerves before he moves the stool over so that he can sit to the side of the bed."D-do you remember how scared I was whenever we'd fight something that should have been dead," she asks in a soft voice after a long pause.
"I... didn't want to pry. You always seemed so strong to me, but I know that everyone carries some fear in them." He hesitates briefly before continuing, "Is... does that have something to do with your nightmares?"
"Wait...." he says, putting the books down on the desk. "Renae's gone?" He shakes his head suddenly and adds, muttering aloud to himself, "Not important right now, dummy."
He stands there, looking down at the floor, steeling his nerves before he moves the stool over so that he can sit to the side of the bed.
Despite the emotional wreck she is at the moment, Kiley can't help but snort in amusement at Henric's misunderstanding.
"She's with her parents," she explains, "couldn't go out 'n' about in a nightshirt."
"I... didn't want to pry. You always seemed so strong to me, but I know that everyone carries some fear in them." He hesitates briefly before continuing, "Is... does that have something to do with your nightmares?"
Henric's question douses any flickers of amusement, though, and she slowly nods after a few heartbeats of silence.
"I-I saw my brothers and sisters. They had t-turned into g-g-ghouls," she shudders and fights to keep her voice calm, but the image was too vivid and even though ten years had passed, the horror of that awful nightmare had never faded from her memory. "I-It was Sandpoint," she blurts out, trying to tell Henric of it before she lost control and fell into a sobbing fit as she relived that night, "T-ten years ago. W-we were on our way from Magnimar, then th-those m-m-m-monsters came and... and..."
She couldn't finish. She curled up and wailed softly into her knees as the tears came hard and fast. Henric could likely guess the rest of her grim tale.
While Henric's scholar brain was itching to ask her to go into as much description as possible, he mentally chastises himself. Don't be an idiot. She's obviously already suffering enough.
Unsure what else to do, he awkwardly transfers his butt to the bed beside her, and pulls on her shoulders gently, providing his shoulder to cry into.
After a minute or so of wondering if he should be patting her head, or just keeping his hand to himself, he speaks, softening his voice so as to not jar her. "I can't say that I know much about this. After all, I've got my own fears and worries to deal with. But, I had a pretty good teacher. And he taught me that the only way forward was through the pain. And if anyone has the strength to push through, I'm pretty sure that it's you. I don't think I've ever met someone as strong as you, Kiley. And I know that you've got the ability to make it through this."
The smell of exotic spices like cinnamon, honey, and wood smoke fills Henric's nose as he pulls Kiley close. She accepts the comfort and after a few minutes has cried herself out. His words calm her, soothing the raw, emotional pain that she'd never had a chance to heal.
"I don't feel strong," she mumbles into his shoulder, "It still hurts."
She leans into Henric for support. Her emotions played out, she finds it hard to keep herself awake. Each breath comes more slowly and calmly as she sits there next to Henric.
"It's nice to have friends who think that though," she mumbles more quietly this time. "You're a good man, Henric. Sorry for stealing your blanket."
A few moments later, she's asleep.
"Sure Kiley," Henric responds, a small smile slowly makes it's way onto his face. Yeah, he thinks to himself. I have friends now.
It takes him a moment to notice the slowness of her breathing in her sleep. Uh oh...
Not wanting to wake her up, he tries to reach around for a pillow or something to lean against, but it's just out of reach. He sighs in resignation, then catches sight of a book at the end of the bed that he missed. Grabbing it, he flips it open and starts reading. "Guess it's a study night," he says softly to himself.
Kiley wakes up shortly after the sun rises and blinks a few times as she tries to figure out where she is. She sits up to look around, then spots Henric.
And her face goes beet-red.
"ohmigosh!sorry!sorry!I'msosorry!Ididn'tmeantostealyourbedorkeepyouupor-or- or-eep!"
the words come out in a rush that ends when she lets out an embarrassed squeak and throws the blanket over her head to hide.
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Despite his thoughts on the contrary, Henric didn't last more than an hour before succumbing to sleep himself. Luckily, he'd learned the talent of not moving when he slept early on. Even the book was still held in his hands, if loosely. The only signs that he was asleep was his drooping head and half-closed eyes.
That, of course, came to an abrupt end when Kiley woke up. "Wha?! Who!?" he startles awake, jolting just enough to cause his book to fall out of his hands to the floor. It takes him a moment to jostle his brain back to wakefulness before he realizes what's going on. "It's okay. You don't need to apologize so much. If it was a problem, then I would have said something...... probably." he gives her a grin that speaks volumes of irony.
Henric stands up and stretches the cramps out of his muscles before he picks up the book he dropped. "I wasn't exactly going to kick you out. So don't worry so much. We're friends, remember?" He offers Kiley his hand, and helps her to stand.
"We should get some breakfast, then do some shopping the the square. We seem to have gathered a collection of equipment and supplies."
Kiley accepts the offer of assistance with muttered word of thanks. Seeing Henric was just grinning it off helped a lot.
"Yeah, breakfast and some shopping sounds good," she says as her face cools and returns to something more like her normal tone. "Just give me a bit to get into something less scandalous than a nightshirt," she laughs as she sweeps some of her hair out of her face.
A few minutes later she meets Henric dressed in an outfit he hadn't seen before, a red shirt and brown pants with red and gold scarves to hide her ears and tail while red stockings and simple, brown leather shoes covered her feet.
"So, sweet? Savory? Or both," she asks with a grin that carefully hides her too-long canines. "Oh, and do you mind if we get something for Maximus? I think he could use a treat after we drug him to a goblin lair."
"Maximus...?" Henric responds a little confused before cluing in. "Oh. Sure. Donkeys' gotta eat, too." At the mention of eating, the scholar's stomach rumbles loudly. "I'll eat just about anything put in front of me, at this point."
"Well, let's see if we can find something good then," Kiley laughs as she tugs on Henric's arm and leads him to Blackberry's Bakery and the smell of freshly baked goods.
Kiley and Henric head towards Blackberry's Bakery for some breakfast. Kynae, the boy who witnessed the fight at the Circle, is once again in the corner reading a book. Blackberry, the halfling woman who owns the bakery, looks up as you come in and says, "Well, good morning to you. What can I do for you today?"
Within the glass counter before you is a wide variety of different pastries, confections, and other manner of sweet, made with the blackberries that are so easily found around Roderic's Cove.
"Good morning, Miss Blackberry," Henric says in greeting. "We were just hoping to ruin our appetite with some of your delicious goods. Anything that you can recommend?"
"Mornin'," Kiley says in a chipper mood, the memory of the nightmare fast fading as she sees Blackberry and Kynae again. She sees no reason to not go with baker's choice and looks to Kynae.
"How have you been, Kynae? Have you had breakfast yet?"
You approach Audrahni's cottage this morning, looking to pay her a vist after breakfast. You knock on the door, and Audrahni answers, a worried look on her face. Upon seeing you, the worry fades and she exclaims, "Esmaralda! Your timing couldn't be better. I know you make your way traveling from place to place, but could I ask you to do something that may help save Roderic's Cove, and put a spirit to rest?"
You'd heard about the incident at the Circle Market, of Roderic's ghost appearing, although you hadn't witnessed it yourself.
The vision had been clear. You stood at the base of a massive tower. Atop it was an inferno unlike any you have ever seen, sending a massive blast of fire into the distance. As you stood there, you heard footsteps. Turning, you saw a woman with vibrant red hair, resplendent in red and gold robes, wielding a ranseur with an actual skull on the center tine. She spoke to a red-robed man in a language you don't know, and yet you understood her perfectly. "Take it and the gauntlets to the armory and lock it away. That prideful fool will never know what happened to it." The man had a rapier sheathed at his side - well-crafted, by the look of the hilt - and was wearing a pair of gauntlets etched in runes.
The vision faded, and the spirits had whispered to you, "Go. Go to the village of Sir Roderic. Find that which you have seen."
Now you stand at what you're sure was the base of the tower you saw, yet there is only a low ring of stones with holes throughout. This place is the Circle Market, in the village of Roderic's Cove, across the bay from Riddleport. You do not know why you are here, save that the spirits have told you there is something here you must find.
This contract had been fairly easy - a simple matter of escorting a merchant up the coast from Sandpoint to Roderic's Cove. There hadn't even been a skirmish with goblins to liven things up. Now you were here in Roderic's Cove, a small town. Riddleport was across the bay, and a place where you could get some work, depending on your willingness to break the law. Rumor had it, however, that a group called the Road Keepers were causing some trouble, and it might be worth a bit of coin to try and track them down.
"Good morning, dears. I simply must suggest the blackberry danish. It's particularly good this morning."
Kynae looks up from his book shyly and says, "Good morning, miss. Blackberry already gave me something, thank you."
Danishes in hand, Kiley and Henric begin walking back to the inn, reminiscing over the past few wildly crazy days.
----------------------------------------------------
It all started in the Circle Market, when they'd noticed a group of Road Keepers move to accost another group calling itself the Horned Fangs. Just when it looked like things would get violent, the ghost of Sir Roderic himself appeared, howling about the danger to his cove. Most people ran and scattered to the winds, fleeing the ghost. After overcoming their fear, they returned to the Circle Market and were asked by Audrahni, the local gravedigger, to look into the cause of the appearance of Sir Roderic's ghost, as well as whether he was involved in the deaths of several members of the Horned Fangs in the Circle Market.
After asking questions of the Sheriff and the witnesses, you were able to find a lad named Kynae who may have seen the whole affair. Thanks to Renae's skill with words, she was able to convince the boy to tell what had seen. The Horned Fangs had had words with a group known as the Order of the Resplendence, a group of scholars who operate out of Peacock Manor. The leader had accused the Horned Fangs of propagating a Runelord's mark, and stabbed one of the Horned Fangs with what looked like a broken rapier - at least, one that didn't have a blade. It still bled, however, and then a bunch of ghosts had appeared and Kynae had run away, for fear of seeing his old man among them.
After that, at Audrahni's request, you had investigated Roderic's Home, now in the company of an elf named Hal, who worshiped Groetus and was very odd. There, after facing undead vermin and ghosts, you spoke with Sir Roderic's Ghost, who told you to travel to the Stone House in the Churlwood and complete that which he could not. He told you to save his Cove.
As you prepared to do so, you found out that a pair of Dwarves had been kidnapped by the Bramblemouth goblins, as well as three missing guards who had been sent to find them. Traveling into the Churlwood, you encountered Lullaby Vancaskerkin, and after defeating her and two Road Keepers who tried to shake you down, let her go in exchange for leaving the area. You then found the bodies of the three guards, who had been slain by an undead called a trailgaunt which you fought and defeated. Burying the guards by the road ensured they would not rise as trailgaunts as well.
Finally, you got to the Bramblemouth Den, where, through several forays, you were able to defeat the Bramblemouths and free the captive Dwarves, who were being held for their mining skills (of which they have none), because the goblin Chief had wanted miners to excavate the ruins down there because the humans on the other side of the hill the Den was on, a bunch of humans were doing the same.
---------------------------------------------
As you approached the Circle Market, eating your danishes, you suddenly spy a woman who looks to be Renae's sister. She's almost perfectly identical - she looks stronger than Renae, true, and her hair is short and she's a little scarred, but otherwise she is exactly the same as Renae.
You also spy what looks like a slightly purple-skinned Shoanti woman, standing at the edge of the Circle Market, looking over it.
As they're walking along the Circle Market, Henric cocks his head to the side as he examines Renae's doppleganger. "Curious," he mutters, then points Kylie in the direction of the look-alike. "Did she ever mention having siblings?"
Camellia just finishes a danish of her own along with a dark coffee. Nowhere near as good as Mama’s baking, but what is? Coffee is good though. Never realized how bad Mama was with coffee until she got a taste of the real thing. She notices the shady trenchcoat man point her out to a petite woman with a bunch of scarves.
What’s that guy’s problem? He never seen a Gray Maiden before? Or is he telling that girl about how we are horrible people who murder sweet kids like her.
”Don’t go assuming the worst right off, Ira. They could be just curious about the new person in town.”
Yeah sure. If you say so.
”I can go ask ‘em if you prefer.” Camellia looks them over quickly, noting their clear adventurer looks. ”Like they may be looking to hire someone.”
Heh. Sure. Why not. I could use some entertainment watching ‘em squirm.
Camellia saunters right on up to the two observers, her helm in the crook of her arm. ”Howdy. You two looking for a mercenary? Or their something else I can help y’all with?”
Looking a little taken aback from the direct confrontation, Henric stammers a response, "Oh! Umm.. I'm s.. sorry. You just look very similar to a friend of ours. Do you have a sister in the area?" He looks to Kiley for a bit of backup before adding, "Actually, we, uh, very well might need some extra hands, right?"
"It's the least I could do for the help you've given," Kiley says before taking her danish and leaving with a promise to tell Kynae about their adventure so far when she has more time.
Kiley blinks in surprise as she sees the woman that Hal is talking about. She could certainly pass for Renae's twin, even if she was more heavily muscles and has shorter hair.
"I don't think she ever mentioned a twin, no," she says as the woman comes over and asks if they need a mercenary. She gives a shrug when Hal looks at her with his silent question.
"Another sword is always handy," she adds, affirming Henric's suspicions before she takes the lead. "So what kind of experience do you have with bandits, ruins, and creepy monsters," she asks, "oh, and do you mind fighting along side someone shorter than you?"
Audrahni motions Esmaralda to stand and says, "No time to sit. I'd like to introduce you to some people." Audrahni ushers you out the door and starts walking towards the Circle Market. "I suspect you've heard that Sir Roderic's ghost manifested in the Circle Market a few days ago, as well as about the murders of the Horned Fangs a few days ago. I had asked a group of people, among them another friend of mine, Henric, to look into the murders and see if they could find out why Sir Roderic's ghost was manifesting in the area. There was a very odd and fickle Elven priest of Groetus in town who I had befriended that was helping them with the investigation, but he left last night, and I suspect they could use some help. I know you aren't an adventurer, but you've traveled far and wide, and have picked up a varied set of skills over the years. I believe that Roderic's Cove may be in danger, and if we can resolve that danger, it will help placate Sir Roderic's spirit and let him find rest. Will you help them?"
The tattooed woman stands quietly, and watches the people as they shop. She seems to be mouthing words to herself, unobtrusively. She seems like she’s looking forward someone, or something. Sometimes she smiles or chuckles to herself.
She especially seems keen on the small group chatting together though she does not approach yet.
As they begin to walk towards the Circle Market, Esmaralda closes her eyes and tilts her head towards the sky for a few seconds. Moments later, a small yellow finch lands on her shoulder, chittering happily. After petting the bird for a few seconds, she says, "Good morning Sunshine! Audrahni and I are going to the Circle Market. There's been quite a few strange things happening in town in the last few days... would you mind picking a few good hiding spots near the Circle Market and other high points in town, and keep an eye on things? let me know if you spot anything strange."
The bird chirps happily in answer, and Audrahni momentarily thinks that she hears a small "Yes. No problem!" reply intermingled with the bird's singing.
Now that is interesting. Someone who looks like she might be her sister? That's a new one. She thought she'd be the only one to have that particular accident. Then again, woman like that might have a left herself some descendents. Or it could evenly be...nah.
"Well that's pretty funny a' you to say, Mister, considering I ain't never met another woman with the same look as me. Only siblings I ever had wouldn't look a thing like me."
She gives a polite nod to Kiley. "Depends on if you're good with fighting with somebody taller'n you. As for experience--" She appears to cut off for a moment as if she just heard something.
Oh monsters! We haven't gotten to fight monsters in a while. The bandits and ruins are meh, but monsters! Find out more about that one
"I'm working on it, Ira." She raps her gauntleted knuckles against her breastplate. "Sorry 'bout that, folks. My armor's a bit more occupied than you might think at a look. Anyways, I'm well acquianted with the ins-and-outs of combat and have had my run-ins with ruins and monsters and bandits. I'm hard to hit, so if you stand behind me, you will be, too."
Why do you always have to do that line? It's so corny.
Camellia ignores Ira for the moment, realizing she forgot something important. "Oh my stars and garters, my Mama would have my head for forgettin' my manners. My name is Camellia Gray. Last name came before the armor, but the armor fits better."
There you go again. Why do you have to do the folksy sayings?
Camellia raps a knuckle against her armor again. "It's just my way, you know that, Ira."
"Well that's pretty funny a' you to say, Mister, considering I ain't never met another woman with the same look as me. Only siblings I ever had wouldn't look a thing like me."
"Oh, I hope I'm around when you and Renae meet. It'll be fun," Kiley replies with mischievous grin.
She gives a polite nod to Kiley. "Depends on if you're good with fighting with somebody taller'n you. As for experience--" She appears to cut off for a moment as if she just heard something.
The short, auburn-haired woman quirks an eyebrow as Camellia cuts off for apparently no reason. She has fast gotten used to Hal's brand of craziness, but this is something different. She almost starts to reply, but then Camellia starts talking again, but to her armor?
This is indeed a different flavor of crazy.
"I'm working on it, Ira." She raps her gauntleted knuckles against her breastplate. "Sorry 'bout that, folks. My armor's a bit more occupied than you might think at a look. Anyways, I'm well acquainted with the ins-and-outs of combat and have had my run-ins with ruins and monsters and bandits. I'm hard to hit, so if you stand behind me, you will be, too."
Camellia ignores Ira for the moment, realizing she forgot something important. "Oh my stars and garters, my Mama would have my head for forgettin' my manners. My name is Camellia Gray. Last name came before the armor, but the armor fits better."
Camellia raps a knuckle against her armor again. "It's just my way, you know that, Ira."
She gives Henric a worried look as the woman continues talking to her armor at odd intervals. Almost like she really is being interrupted. Hearing the introduction, she realizes she's the one being rude and refocuses her attention.
"Well met, Camellia. I'm Kiley Sherrow, and this is Henric," she says gesturing to the scholar. "I'm used to being the short one, but we do have someone in our little band that is shorter than me. I hope I'm not being too rude, but who's Ira," she asks, hoping to suss out what's going on here.
Camellia shrugs as she explains, her attitude suggesting that this is far from the first time and that every other time has been just as casual. ”You ever meet a ghost before? ‘s kinda like that ‘cept she’s stuck in the armor, seein’ how it used to be hers. Psychic resonance and such, if you know how any of that kinda thing works. We make it work. I always call her ‘my worse half.’ She kinda likes it, to be tell the truth.”
I never said that I like it!
”You were thinking it though.”
You have no way of knowing that! Er, dammit.
Camellia smiles to herself as turns her focus back to the two adventurers. ”Sorry again ‘bout that. ‘s her way. Don’t you worry none about her though. Sure you think I’m a few chickens short of a henhouse, but I don’t mind. Either one ‘a you’s a magicky type you can confirm I got full rows of ‘em all lined up. Much as anyone does, anyways.”
Wait... ghosts in her armor? That sounds a little like..
"I know a few magic tricks," Henric responds, "Though I'm not what one would call a 'classic' practitioner. In fact, my magic is also channeled through relics and oddities." He lifts up one of his sleeves and points to an old bracer on his arm. Almost more of a bracelet, really. "Though I can't say that they've ever talked back to me. It's more of a focus, really, to channel my own energies through. I don't think that it'll be necessary to test your mental faculties, either. If we could learn to deal with Hal, we can learn to deal with anything."
He looks around a moment, as if a thought had just occurred to him. "Speaking of which, where is that lanky loon?"
She nods a few times. "I know exactly what you're talkin' about, and it's definitely in the ballpark. Gotta few magic tricks of our own, the two of us. But it's all Ira for me, don't need any other pieces. She can do it all. Can't break her either. Guess it's a bit stronger connection, probably accounting for some unique circumstances, but that's nothing you need worry about."
Camellia follows the direction of Henric's gaze as he looks around, curious to see what has distracted him.
"Need some help findin' him? I got nothing else to do at the moment, and I'd take kindly to learning more about the work you got lined up for me."
"Thank you, Esmaralda. I knew I could count on you!"
Audrahni leads you to the Circle Market. In just a few minutes, you are there.
As Henric looks about for Hal, he spies Audrahni walking towards them, with a a gorgeous woman of average height and weight walking by her side. The woman carries herself with poise, holding her head high, not holding any false humility about her charms. Her long legs and strong core muscles are typical of those of a professional dancer. Her green eyes accentuate her brown-red hair tied back and fair skin.
Audrahni approaches you and says, "I'm glad I found you before you went off into the Churlwood again. I wanted to let you know that Hal left in the night. He felt a call to spread his gospel beyond the town, and wanted me to say good bye for him."
Giving you a moment to react, she then gestures to the woman next to her, "This is my friend Esmaralda. If you'll have her, she is willing to accompany you back into the Churlwood while you investigate."
Henric's gaze is transfixed by Audrahni, Camellia's words seem to just drift pass without notice. Something about the elven woman has fascinated him ever since he first met her, not the least of which the fact that she was intelligent and wise, in spite of the work that she has set for herself. She could easily have been a scholar in her own right, he feels, and is grateful for the times that they have sat through the night just talking about various topics.
The pair are practically right in front of them before he realizes that he's staring... probably with a dumb grin on his face. He tries to regain his composure before he greets them. "Hello, Audrahni. It's good to see you. Well met, Esmaralda. You say that Hal left suddenly? Somehow, that doesn't seem out of character for him. These events have left us with new companions on a regular basis, it seems. Have you heard from Renae? She was apparently going to check on her family, and we haven't heard from her either."
Chastising himself silently for forgetting his manners, he motions to Camellia, "We've come across this mercenary woman who also seems to be looking for work. Her name is Camellia."
"Hello everyone. I would be happy to assist you in my best capacity. May I ask why you all need to venture into the Churlwood? how is this going to help with the strange events besetting the town these days?" Esmaralda asks while shaking everyone's hand, listening to their names one by one and nodding with a smile.
Kiley goes oddly quiet when Camellia explains that Ira's basically a ghost. Henric takes the lead in the conversation as she starts to slide behind him. Even without seeing it, just knowing that a ghost is only a few feet from her is enough to spark Kiley's phobia. She's so focused on Camellia that she doesn't see Audrahni and Esmaralda approaching until the elf speaks up and causes Kiley to nearly jump out of her skin.
It takes a moment for her to compose herself and turn to the newcomer that would apparently be joining them instead of Hal.
"S-sir Roderic's g-ghost told us to go looking into a stone house for some gauntlet," Kiley says with a shudder as she remembers the encounter and the one soon after that sent her fleeing the wreck of a house they'd found the ghost in.
"You are the ones who have seen Sir Roderic's ghost? remarkable. The founder of this town has deemed fit to trust you with a great endeavor. Your hearts must be noble and true. It would be an honor for me to join you. Ms. Sherrow yes? would you be so kind as to expand on that gauntlet? what does it look like specifically, and what significance did it have for Sir Roderic?"
Kiley shakes her head sadly when asked about the gauntlet.
"He didn't say what it looked like or why it was so important other than it'd help save the town," she answers before adding, "I'm afraid you know as much as we do now. I won't go back into that horrible place. I can't."
She's almost hiding completely behind Henric, the talk of ghosts having dampened her spirits quite a bit.
Noting Kiley's returning fear, Henric absently puts a hand on her head in support. "It has been an odd number of days, to be sure," Henric adds to the conversation.
For some reason, Henric's gaze is drawn back to the odd-looking Shoanti woman in the Market Circle. Without allowing his gaze to turn away, he asks Camellia, "Do you know that one?"
Camellia motions as if tipping a hat to Audrahni and Esmeralda, respectively. ”Ma’am. Ma’am.”
The Churlwood, huh? And a ghost? Sounds like these people are wrapped up in something big, girl. Those two new ladies are also quite fine.
Camellia stays quiet, just nodding along.
The short one is scared of ghosts. What if I just do a little pop-up scare on her? Would you mind that?
Camellia shakes her head “yes.”
Cool. Well I’ll probably do it anyways eventually.
Camellia splits her focus between this intriguing conversation about the ghost and some gauntlet as she deals with Ira’s chattering. She follows the direction Henric is looking in. ”Can’t rightly say I’ve met that one. Why’d you ask?”
"Hmmm?" he asks. He finally pulls his attention way. "No reason. I just recall seeing the two of you at the same time. I guess I assumed that you might be associated."
The tall, tattooed woman had been watching as the various people spoke, and she tilted her head slightly and concentrated. She hesitantly took a step towards them, and then looked around a little, almost as if she was wondering where she was. She shook her head slightly, her hair spraying out a little, but she blinked. She took another step, and another. After a short time, she approached - a tailor of the circle market. She bowed slightly, in an old-fashioned way, and seemed to ask them a question. The shopkeeper looked at her oddly, and then shook his head. She smiled prettily at him, and nodded. She then turned towards the small group of well-armed people, and approached, walking past them to speak to a dwarven weaponsmith. She bowed again, slightly differently. The dwarf looked extremely confused and shook his head.
She looked around, seemingly confused. She opened her mouth, and nodding, turned again towards the well-armored and armed individual, approaching them again, and passing, again to speak to a half-orc armorsmith. She politely asked her a question as well, and was laughed at. The woman was obviously confused. She frowned after a moment, she turned again towards the people bristling with the signs of adventurer and finally, approaching them cautiously, stopped.
Politely, she excuses herself, "pardon, you wouldn't know where I can find a place where old things may have been, be now, and may be in the future? An armory - or it was an armory? It may not be now." She smiles. "I must find it - I am told. Or I have already found it, yes, but do not know."
ellanya is a tall, muscular, and attractive woman with dark greyish brown skin, black hair, and violet irises. She typically wears her hair in braids, bound together with a fabric band that keeps her elven heritage (ears) hidden. She has a number of shoanti tattoos on her back and upper arms showing bones, a vulture skull, and the Sosmo and Graxt runes (all signifying membership of the Skoan-Quah). These are frequently covered by her clothing, which is loose-fitting but not revealing. She stands tall as she walks, keeping a thoughtful gaze on the areas she enters, and speaks as quietly as the people of the Skoan-Quah are taught. She sometimes frames her thoughts in terms of historical events. She can also be a graceful dancer despite her injury, though she rarely indulges in the process. She is can be a little quick anger when challenged, and especially hates pureblooded dark elves. She is prideful and does not back down from a challenge, but does not go out of her way to seek them. She tends to give quarter to the fallen.
Audrahni smiles as you welcome Esmaralda. "Thank you, Henric. No, I haven't seen Renae. I'm sure she's alright, though."
"These ones...they have knowledge we will need. They are...friends? Companions? We see..."
Suddenly, you see yourself standing before a vault, a large stone insignia in the shape of a seven-pointed star before you, and these individuals around you. The vision fades...
The woman frowns slightly, shaking her head, "we know each other, yes?" She looks at the others. "or - we will? It is not clear." She smiles slightly, "the spirit of uncle wolf? has said that you know where the vault is." Her violet eyes are luminous. She stands calmly, and it almost looks like she recognizes everyone. There is an odd familiarity about the woman, who on closer inspection is half-elven.
Camellia makes that same hat-tipping motion to Tellanya. ”Pleasure to meet you, Ma’am. Name’s Camellia Gray. Name came before the armor. What’s all this about an armory and wolves?”
Henric's gesture of support helps calm Kiley a little, enough at least that she's not acting like a child trying to hide behind their father.
"I don't think we've met," she says quietly to the newly arrived woman, "and I don't think we've found any armories of note, but if you're willing to help, I think we'd be more than happy to have you along."
Looking to the others, she takes a step up beside Henric and gives a bashful look to the women, the tall, compared to her anyway, and beautiful women, and she can't help but feel a little self-conscious about her own appearance.
"Sorry, just remembering some stuff I'd rather not," she apologizes before glancing at her half-eaten danish, "I don't suppose y'all'd like to find someplace to sit and talk about what's going on? Have y'all had breakfast yet?"
Having an actual hat to tip, Henric does so to Tellanya in greeting. "Uncle wolf, you say? I'm not so sure that we've met him, or this armory, but there are definitely things going on in the area that we are looking into. Could be that you'd find what you're looking for on the way."
Audrahni leads the group over to a table outside the Creekside Tavern, where Thevin comes and brings you some bread, cheese, and cold milk to drink as you sit and talk. After a short while, Garleena comes out and says, "Renae stopped by while you were out, and she left his for you two. She also said to tell you, 'Sorry,' although I'm not sure why. Well, if you need anything, let me know."
"Kiley, Henric, and Stryn,
I'm sorry to have to do this, but my mother has fallen ill and I'm not going to be able to continue helping with tracking down the Stone House and finding the gauntlets Sir Roderic's ghost spoke of. I need to help take care of her. Please don't think too badly of me.
Your friend,
Renae"
The woman nods at Camellia, and seems to clear her head, "it has come to me, a vision and a whisper, that there was once an armory here. Or there will be. I am charged by the spirits of the world to investigate this - this vault - with a seven-pointed star. The Sihedron. The symbol of Thassilon." The woman smiles and holds up a corroded, but obviously once high-quality ring with runes on it.
She bows respectfully as the others greet themselves, and adds "I do not know why but the spirit I am channeling now, that of Uncle Wolf - has said that you know about this - or will know about this - or knew about this and perhaps have forgotten?" She cocks her head inquistively.
As they head over to the tavern, Henric shuffles himself closer to Audrahni as they talk, trying to make it seem like a natural movement. He offers her a seat, as well as the others, as he is able, before taking a seat himself.
The note seems to trouble him even before he opens it, and his frown visibly deepens on reading the contents. "I suppose someone is watching out for us," he says as he passes the note to Kylie. "It is good that you all showed up when you did."
Over the course of some food and drink, Henric fills the others in on what they have found since being tasked by Sir Roderic's ghost, and their next destination.
"I can't say that I blame her, but it's hard not to take it
personally after Hal left," Kiley says after reading the letter.
"So. Audrahni said you need help. Where is this Stone House and what do these gaunlets represent to Sir Roderic?"