The man's eyes widen.
"Stoutspear? The archer?"
His hands, previously raised for hitting Lief, drop to his sides.
"Well, you are a hero... but my daughter. Her honor! We must save her honor!"
Strangely, some music starts to be heard in the room.
Clasping her hands in front of her, she waits for the Madame's arrival.Many minutes pass without any changes.
Then the first thing M'ara notices is the smell.
A unique smell. The only thing she can match it with is old flowers, their sweet fragrance just before they rot.
The old woman that arrives moves very slowly. Very purposefully. As she has to plan each muscle and each bone movement before she commits to it.
Her eyes... there is something different with her eyes. She has sat before M'ara realizes the white on her pupils means she has gone blind.
Shoanti usually dies young. Even the old ones, they normally die before the "normal" age of "civilized" people. Their lifestyle wears people out fast. And it is very hard for a tribe to care for old people. Old people with... issues.
So M'ara, as a child, wasn't exposed to very old people. To sick old people.
Later, on her travels, she found them, here and there. There were some fascination and pity mixed up with some fear when they appeared. They were a novelty to M'ara.
But she wasn't ready for this. She never thought a woman could be that old. Her back completely bent. Her skin dry and wrinkled. Toothless, her lips sunk in her own mouth. Almost bald, with only some white hairs here and there, uncombed.
Her dead eyes.
Her voice was very low. Heavy accented, maybe an old varisian dialect. M'ara needs to stop moving and stop breathing so she can hear and understand her.
"You have learned to wait, my child. You have learned patience. That is unexpected in someone as young as you. Welcome to my house. I am Madame Mvashti."
She smiles, almost sweetly, extending a trembling arthritic hand across the table, in your general direction.
** spoiler omitted **
M'ara is a bit too much engrossed in her fascination with just how old Madame Mvashi is...taking in all of the features of old age that she's never seen up close.
Realizing she was staring, she stammers a thank you to the old woman's compliment, extending her own hands and gently taking Mvashti's trembling had into hers, pressing gently to convey her thanks for seeing her.
Zomeraand looks up from his reading to see the shopkeeper closing, and locking away his ledgers.
"That time, is it?" he says, closing his own book, and stretching his arms. He rises from the chair unsteadily, waiting a moment as the prickling sensation of the blood returning to his legs subsides.
He walks gingerly over to the front counter and sets down the book.
"Thank you, Master Haladan. Your shop is a most pleasant place. I will very likely be back to visit sometime tomorrow. If you see Master Quink, please let him know that I am interested in speaking with him. Until then, I wish you a good evening."
He gives a respectful nod to Master Haladan and leaves the shop, making his way back to the Rusty Dragon for dinner and rest.
”Yes, Lief the archer, that’s right...” the shirtless ranger replies with some relief, ”and I certainly have no desire to bring any dishonor on your beautiful” and talented ”daughter, sir...how do you propose we avoid that?”
”Yes, Lief the archer, that’s right...” the shirtless ranger replies with some relief, ” and I certainly have no desire to bring any dishonor on your beautiful” and talented ” daughter, sir...how do you propose we avoid that?”
Ven Vinder shifts somewhat uncomfortably.
"Marriage. You would need to marry her."Shayliss crying stops suddenly.
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...shoot, maybe I should have fought him after all...
When he realizes that the crying has stopped, the stunned Lief turns to look at Shayliss.
I suppose I could do a whole lot worse than waking up to that view every morning... what would we even do though... would she live in the inn with me, and what if get killed by the next band of goblins... that’s unlikely, but I could get killed by something else and then where would she be... does she even want to get married... she did stop crying...
After a moment of stunned silence, the young Ulfen answers, ”that’s a... very involved plan... I’ll need some time to discuss it with your daughter, privately, if you could please give us a few minutes... sir?”
Shayliss eyes look wide and...
... Hopeful
... Scared
Ven Vinder seems confounded.
"But... but... her honor! The family honor"
After a couple of seconds, he agrees and leaves you alone with Shayliss.
Her beautiful eyes are still fixed on Lief.
When the door closes, Lief sits on the side of the bed and takes Shayliss’ hand. ”Don’t be scared,” he says with a soft smile, ”I’m not worried about your dad’s pride, but I’ll do whatever you want to make this right for you...”
Shayliss face makes a scowl, and pulls back her hand.
"Then find a way for us to get out of this mess!"
"Which mess?" Lief asks, disappointed at the way she pulled away.
"That's what I'm trying to figure out when I say 'whatever you want'... Do you want out of this house? Do you want to avoid people gossiping about what we did? Do you want to be rid of me? I can work out solutions for any of those messes, but I need to know which mess you're trying to get out of..."
"Your mess! I don't want to marry! Much less marry someone like you!"
"Whoa, calm down," Lief replies, clearly hurt, "I'm not trying to get married either... but you don't have to be spiteful about it."
He rises and gets dressed in silence. Once his backpack is on and he's gathered up his sword and bow, he turns back to Shayliss. "Getting rid of me is the easy part... do you want me to try to do anything about any of the other messes on the way out?"
She seems alarmed.
"If you leave me alone to deal with my father I will say you raped me! Be a man, and deal with him... tell him whatever you want so he gets out of my back!"
"This would all be so much easier if you would just calm down and have a normal conversation with me," Lief says shaking his head.
"So... you want to stay here in you father's house? But you don't want him to be mad at you about what happened? And, you don't want to sleep with me anymore, or have any kind of relationship with me? Am I understanding all these things correctly?"
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Anton stretches lazily as he wakes up the next day with zero regrets. Calisthenics, kata-practice, grooming. Time for a fresh day. Maybe the home town wasn't so bad.
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Delin didn't feel too much like investigating, but watching Zomeraand thumb through a few interesting texts piqued her interest. As he pays for the chance to partake for an extended time of these texts she was quick to dole out gold as well. She might be living here in the future, and if she did this investment would pay dividends.
She lets the mage have first pick, second pick, and so on until he was satisfied before she selected a few books to read as well. She still had work to do transcribing her own book as well. Some might find the silence between the two over hours of study to be awkward, but as time wore on a slight smile worked it's way across Delin's features.
Delin keeps behind Zomeraand as he says his goodbyes to the shopkeeper, and before slipping out she favors him with a nod. "Thank you for the wonderful afternoon." she says. As Zomeraand starts to walk away she takes hold of one sleeve near the mage's wrist. "Are you hungry?" she asks.
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Zomeraand stops and turns to face Delin with a look that combines expressions of confusion, surprise, and the flushed embarrassment that comes with an unexpected, undeserved compliment.
"Why...uh...yes...I was just about to return to the Rusty Dragon and see what's left in the kettle. I...uh...would you," he takes in a breath as if he had just recovered from a fit of coughs, "would you care to join me, Mistress Delin?"
His expression changes to one of a simple, warm smile.
"So... you want to stay here in you father's house? But you don't want him to be mad at you about what happened? And, you don't want to sleep with me anymore, or have any kind of relationship with me? Am I understanding all these things correctly?"
Shayliss cross her arms in front of her, seemingly unashamed of her nakedness. She smiles wickedly.
"I wouldn't mind getting off this house, and stop hiding and faking around my dad. Why? Are you proposing something? I wouldn't mind some more nights like yesterday's, I mean, you are very good... Not the best, but you are worth the while. But I am not ready to settle down with one guy yet. But if you take me out of this house, and don't mind me having some friends over now and then, I can be very discreet. And I can make it a very good deal for you."She drops her arms at her side, making her point amply evident.
Lief can't help but stare for a moment as Shayliss drops her pretend modesty.
this girl is crazy, think about how hysterical she was a moment ago... but more nights like last night... no, no amount nights like last night will be worth the trouble... but...
"I have a room at the White Deer..." he offers as blood moves from his brain to... a lower part of his body, "you can come stay there with me and we'll see if I can become the best with some practice. No commitment. You can bring other girls over anytime you want, especially if you're willing to share, but you can only bring other men over if I'm away on an adventure or something, or maybe if you want be shared, I guess that would only be fair if we were sharing women too... if you want to meet another man somewhere else, though, that's fine with me... How's that for a proposal?"
...what could possibly go wrong...
Shayliss makes a mock surprise face.
"Other girls? Whatever for? Is this not enough for you?"
She stands, in all of her glory.
"So we have a deal, husband!"
Anton looks around for the Tian proprietress, who surely knew all the major families and what was up. He had research to do.
”I don’t know yet,” Lief answers with a mischievous grin when the beautiful redhead protests that she must be enough, ”we’ll have to see if you can keep me satisfied on your own.”
When she calls him husband he laughs and answers, "Then we have a deal, wife."
He extends his elbow to escort her and as they head off to tell her father the happy news he quietly asks, "So, if I do bring another woman home would you prefer to join us or should I try to do that when you have other plans?"
He extends his elbow to escort her and as they head off to tell her father the happy news he quietly asks, "So, if I do bring another woman home would you prefer to join us or should I try to do that when you have other plans?"
Shayliss winks.
"I say we take it one day at a time, dear husband."And with that, we go back to our regular programming.
Delin looks briefly confused at Zomeraand's startled reaction, not understanding why asking him to dinner was so surprising. Perhaps it was a custom she was unfamiliar with. She nodded and smiled to his offer of dinner, fingertips clutching at her money pocket through her clothing. As they began to walk she gave it a measure of thought.
"I remembered to thank the store owner right?" she thought to herself. Her delicate features pursed slightly as she went over her actions.
Zomeraand moves offers his arm to Delin as the set off towards the Rusty Dragon. If she doesn’t accept it after a few moments, he lowers his arm and continues to walk with his hands at his sides.
”Master Halan’s shop is wonderful; quiet, full of books, no boisterous drunks or tavern brawls. I’m looking forward to spending more time there.” He turns his head slightly and looks to her. ”Did you find anything there to aid in your research?”
After making arrangements with Ven Vinder, Lief helps his bride-to-be up onto Thora (his new warhorse) and whistles for Ingrid. He chats with Shayliss about whether she likes riding and what hobbies she has as they trot down the street. When they arrive back at the White Deer he helps her get settled in and enjoys celebrating their new arrangement before he has to rush off. ”I have to go meet the Mayor,” he tells her while hastily getting dressed again, ”You’re welcome to join me, if you want, or you can head down to the common room and get some breakfast... or lunch... or whatever meal it’s time for?”
With or without her, he heads out for the city hall, hoping to still arrive in time.
Delin freezes, much like a deer caught in the headlights as Zomeraand offered her his arm. This was something she was entirely inexperienced with in her years of caravan life. As he starts to lower his arm though she lurches forward awkwardly to take it and curl her arm through his. She tries to bring her other hand across her body to place it over her palm, but forgets she still had her book out.
As the weather binding smacks over her thin fingers she accidentally drops her treasured book, and in a panic she abandons her hold on the friendly mage to retrieve it. "Oh, I'm sorry." she excuses. Rising, she can't help the slight reddening of her cheeks. "...I've never done that before." she admits quietly before walking off ahead of Zomeraand.
”Miss Delin,” Zomeraand says, quickening his pace to catch up with her. ”If you’ll permit me, I know a useful bit of magic that will clean the dirt your book without harming the pages or binding.”
"Oh?" she asks as she pulls up a bit, "I suppose that would be fine." She holds the book out away from her, holding it carefully with both hands.
Zomeraand places one hand on the book, and with the other makes a motion as if winding twine about his free hand. Flecks of dirt and dust pull free of the book and are trapped in a miniature whirlwind hovering just beyond Zomeraand's shoulder.
Once all the dirt has been whisked away, he releases waves his hand, sending the little dirt devil spinning off into the night.
"There," he says with a small smile. "All clean again."
"Would you still like to join me for dinner at the Rusty Dragon?" he asks.
You all go together to the town hall. Along the way, you are cheered by the crowd, especially Anton Ionescu, now recognized as a heroic child of Sandpoint, and their new "adopted" son, Lief Stoutspear, the archer.
It seems all the town has heard about his "conquest" of Shayliss Vinder. Many a lady seems sad about it, and many a man angry because of it.
You arrive at the town hall, at the center of town, and a guard takes you to the mayor's office. In there you find the mayor, Kendra Deverin, the main priest, Father Abstalar Zantus and the big shoanti sheriff, Belor Hemlock.
They thank you for what you did for the town and hear worriedly about the desecration of Ezakien Tobyn's tomb and the stealing of his ashes.
"He was my teacher, and like a father to me. I cannot fathom why the goblins, and that mysterious humanoid you talk about, would like to steal his ashes from his eternal repose. Only an evil mind, for a nefarious purpose, would need such a sacrilege. I pray for his soul rest, and for the safety of everyone in town."
They ask you if you have any idea on how to find the ashes, or why they were taken.
M'ara is a bit too much engrossed in her fascination with just how old Madame Mvashi is...taking in all of the features of old age that she's never seen up close.
Realizing she was staring,...
Madame Mvashti's hand feels dry and coarse. You fear it will break or fall down.
She sighs.
"Such youth! Such potential! I see you. I see what you are, and what you can become. I am glad you came to me, as I can help you see yourself as I see you. Like a mirror. Please, my child, take out your cards and let us ask them what we see."
--- At the Town Hall ---
M'ara raises an eyebrow at the rumor of Lief's conquest...or was it the other way around, murmuring to the big Ulfen, "Hmmm, you work fast!"
She matches gazes with the sheriff, inclining her head with respect, then turns to the priest.
"The obvious path forward would be to follow the trail out of town, see where they took the ashes.." she suggests to the notables and her own companions.
--- At Mvashti's ----
M'ara smiles at Madame Mvashti's compliments as the old woman requests a 'reading' of the cards, trying hard not to show how happy they maker her.
Pulling her worn Harrow-deck from her pouch, M'ara shuffles them automatically, but without any of the fanfare or flair she might for someone on the street.
Breathing deeply, her eyes fluttering, she surrenders to whatever force or power compels her to seek her destiny through these strange cards of the Varisians.
Sneaking a peak to her left, she can see Shivi watching on avidly...as she quickly plucks a card and places it in the first position...
Anton chuckles at Lief, a weird sense of relief overtaking him. But he totally pays attention.
"There were tracks when we found the whole thing. Can we hope they're still there?"
Lief chuckles and whispers back to M’ara, ”it’s not exactly what it seems, but so far being one of the heroes of Sandpoint has definitely been good to me.”
When the conversation turns to the ashes and the trail, the ranger adds, ”Yeah, trying to follow the trail might be our best bet, and between me and Anton we might be able to do it, but, in case that fails, you might want to have the watch start asking around about the person that left with them... if we can figure out who that was that might lead somewhere too?”
---At the Town Hall---
"There is a fair chance that a trail of some sort remains, unless someone has walked over it. There wasn't any rainfall last night, so it wouldn't have washed away,"Zomeraand says speculatively.
---The Walk Back to the Rusty Dragon---
Pulling her worn Harrow-deck from her pouch, M'ara shuffles them automatically, but without any of the fanfare or flair she might for someone on the street.
Sneaking a peak to her left, she can see Shivi watching on avidly...as she quickly plucks a card and places it in the first position...
Card 1 - The beating
Card 2 - The mountain man
Card 3 - The dance
Card 4 - The survivor
Card 5 - The mute hag
Card 6 - The waxworks
Card 7 - The theater
Card 8 - The juggler
Card 9 - The lost
Madame Mvashti does not follow M'ara's hands or turns to see the cards.
"I am glad you know when showmanship is important in a reading. And when is not. You are wise, my child. You can learn.The first card is what happened to us in the past that moved us forward. That taught us. That helps us grow. Can you imagine getting attacked on all sides like something good?"
She smiles. How can she know what your first card is?
"Now the second card. What happened. Not what helped us or hinder us, but what actually came to pass. What do you see there? What has just happened to our little town?"
Kendra stands and looks you intently.
"To offer your help, without asking for reward, without being asked. I see you are real heroes, as the people of my town consider you already. Yes, I will be in your debt if you can go and find more information about the goblins and his master. And for it, and the stolen ashes, I am ready to offer you a 100 GP reward each, even if you haven't asked for it."
After some more courtesies, you depart the town hall. But you before you leave, Kendra smiles while talking to Lief Stoutspear.
"And congratulations on your engagement!"
You exit the town by the north gate, and it's easy to see where the goblins and his companion descended from the wall, with a rope, possibly.
Zomeraand looks around for anything that might seem out-of-place for the environment.
Lief wonders for a moment if he should simply help Anton after what happened last time, but he decides that he should at least try to find the tacks in his own first, to hone his skill if nothing else.
Crouching down he carefully examines the area at the bottom of the rope...
Anton Ionescu leads again. It seems the Goblins and their "leader" stood around for a short while, after which the goblins moved north next (but not on) the lost coast road.
But the "leader" did not. He turned back and went into Sandpoint again by the north gate!
Sadly, once inside Sandpoint you are unable to follow his tracks among all the townsfolk's.
"Based on our previous encounters, it seems clear that the goblins themselves are virtually useless for interrogation purposes. Hunting them down would serve vengeance, but would likely not provide us with any answers. We know the perpetrator is in town somewhere, but how do we find him? We need more to go on..."
He scratches his chin in a gesture of contemplation. "Has anyone looked in the tomb where they removed the ashes? Maybe they left evidence on the door, or inside."
"We looked inside the tomb when we first noticed the theft," Lief answers, "but we could have missed something?"
"We could also try talking to the guards who were on duty at the gate yesterday... I'm sure they were probably distracted at the time, but there probably weren't many people coming into the city during the attack, maybe they saw something?"
Pulling her worn Harrow-deck from her pouch, M'ara shuffles them automatically, but without any of the fanfare or flair she might for someone on the street.
Sneaking a peak to her left, she can see Shivi watching on avidly...as she quickly plucks a card and places it in the first position...
Card 1 - The beating
Card 2 - The mountain man
Card 3 - The dance
Card 4 - The survivor
Card 5 - The mute hag
Card 6 - The waxworks
Card 7 - The theater
Card 8 - The juggler
Card 9 - The lostMadame Mvashti does not follow M'ara's hands or turns to see the cards.
"I am glad you know when showmanship is important in a reading. And when is not. You are wise, my child. You can learn.
The first card is what happened to us in the past that moved us forward. That taught us. That helps us grow. Can you imagine getting attacked on all sides like something good?"
She smiles. How can she know what your first card is?
"Now the second card. What happened. Not what helped us or hinder us, but what actually came to pass. What do you see there? What has just happened to our little town?"
M'ara's eyes flutter open and looks from the second card to Madam Mvashti, "An attack....and obstacle to overcome? Peace can only come from answers..." she responds, trying to allow the words to come as the are ,and not force anything.
She looks to the thirds card...
Concern moves over M'ara's face as they follow the track back to the front gate, "Indeed, hopefully guards saw something, if nothing else re-examining the tomb is a good idea..."
M'ara's eyes flutter open and look from the second card to Madam Mvashti, "An attack....and obstacle to overcome? Peace can only come from answers..." she responds, trying to allow the words to come as they are, and not force anything.
"And what is attacking Sandpoint? Is it big or small? What does it want?"