"I'm not that much older than them!" Iolaire protests, before sighing. "I am aren't I... you grow up so fast..."
She gets up and offers Roz a hand. "Do you want to stay here tonight? There's only one bed left so you'd have to share..." The shy look is back, "Or I can sleep down in the forge."
"What kind of show do they do?" Nicoleta asks, her interest piqued. She finishes off the last of the fruit she's eating. "Is it a general audience show or adults only?" She gives the woman a wink.
Adults only? What? No, no. They are famous jugglers. Do you mean you've never heard of the Flamboni Sisters, Peaches?!" the mesmerist says, completely flabbergasted at the prospect. "Do you like the circus? They are full of famous acts! Really tremendous performers, I hear."
"Never been too interested in flamboyance for the sake of attention," she says with a shrug. "But if you'd like to see them, I guess we can go."
”Honey, that’s not a question! Of course, we will share the bed. Lead the way.”
Aurelia sticks her tongue out at Nicoleta "But they have such unique and special talents! What else are we gonna do? Take a bath, drink some wine and have sex? We can still do those things later. Let's do something different."
Her mind flashes briefly to the last time she tries something different and she suddenly regrets her choice of words.
"Or not. It's fine. Never mind." she says, shrugging and suddenly not as interested. "Maybe some other time."
Nicoleta grasps Aurelia's hand tighter. "What you want is as important as what I want," she says. "If you'd like to go, we can go." She smirks. "Just tell me that there aren't any clowns." She gives an exaggerated shudder. "I hate clowns; They creep me the f&*% out."
Aurelia's grin is huge. "You mean it? Truly?" She squeezes Nicoleta's hand back and leans in and pecks her on the cheek.
She then turn sand and lies straight to her face. "Clowns? Oh GODS NO! They are the worst. No, no. There are definitely no clowns. I hate clowns."
As they walk through the crowded streets, she swings her hand back and forth, happy. "You're going to love it, it's going to be amazing."
"Good," Nicoleta says with nervous laughter. "As long as there's no clowns."
Aurelia and Nicoleta later find themselves seated in the bleachers at the show, a relatively crowded atmosphere among them. Aurelia is giddy, nearly bouncing with contained excitement as the lights come on and the clowns come out.
"OH S~~$!" Aurelia exclaims loudly, placing her palms on her cheeks and feigning horror. She keeps her hands on her face as she slowly turns her face towards Nicoleta. "Can you believe it? Clowns? Who knew?
"Oh, Sweet-Cheeks," Nicoleta says with a slow shake of her head. The dhampir's voice is calm, but Aurelia notices that her jaw is tightly clinched and her hand where it holds hers is squeezing just a little tighter than normal.
~~~~~
Later when they return to the inn, Nicoleta follows the woman up the stairs and when Aurelia attempts to move past the monk's room to her own, she is stopped by a strong arm against the door frame. Nicoleta's other hand reaches down and opens the door. "Inside," she says in a firm voice. "Now."
In the morning, you return to the Grand Vault of Abadar to meet with Ishani Dhatri. Though the scene is not quite as chaotic as it was yesterday, there is still a large crowd of people clamoring to be healed. Ishani is relieved to see you, though his expression remains worried.
"As you can see, the situation has not improved overnight. More and more citizens have been showing signs of infection. Most of the patients we’re treating have come from North Point and Old Korvosa. The disease seems to spread fastest through the lower classes. Although we here at the temple can heal some of the ill, I dread that the transmission of the disease will soon outpace our resources. The only way to stem the growing infection is to involve the entire city. We need to organize. We need to call upon the faiths of Sarenrae, Pharasma, and even Asmodeus to face this attack. Archbanker Tuttle and several of his assistants are out pursuing alliances with these other faiths, but even that won’t be enough. We need to involve the Korvosan Guard and the queen’s new agents, the Gray Maidens, at the very least. That’s where you come in. With the number of desperate souls growing, it’s not particularly safe for a priest to walk the streets of Korvosa. I hear you have a good relationship with Field Marshal Cressida Kroft. Perhaps you would be willing to escort me to Citadel Volshyenek for an introduction? I have already cleared a generous payment of 200 gp for each of you for performing this errand."
Aurelia presses her tongue into her cheek as she tries to suppress the giddiness she feels when she sees the monk's jaw clinch. She turns away from her completely so she can laugh silently to herself for a moment before turning back to the show.
After the clowns depart, numerous other acts come on to perform during the course of the show. The highlight for Aurelia are the Flamboni sisters with their amazing acts of fire juggling. The mesmerist nudges the monk excitedly "Oh! This is them!"
Later after the show was over and they are returning to their respective rooms, she tries unsuccessfully to get into her room. She frowns and says with a pout voice "Awww, come on. Are you still sore from the clown thing? Come now, that was funny. And you got to admit, the Flamboni sisters were amazing!"
-----
Aurelia's eyes turn into dollar signs Finally! Payment again!. In a soft, endearing voice she says "Oh, absolutely. Anything for the protection of the city. This is an important task and we are all in to help. Aren't we girls?" she says, turning to look at them with a nodding head.
"The fact that you're offering that much gold tells me that this isn't just going to be a stroll down the avenues," Nicoleta says with narrowed eyes, ignoring Aurelia effusive acceptance. "If that's the case, then the first thing you're going to do is to cover up ..." She waves vaguely at his holy robes and the symbol of his office. "... this. You're going to look like one of the uncountable number of mysterious figures moving through the city to attract less attention."
Ishani nods, agreeing to Nicoleta's disguise. Reaching Citadel Volshyenek poses little problem, despite Ishani’s fear to the contrary. Although many in the city attempt to conduct life as normal, whispers and quiet conversations replace the raucous chatter of any normal business day, as if noise might attract the plague’s lethal notice.
The guards at the citadel gate greet you warmly. "If you want to meet the Queen's Physicians, you need to hurry," one says, gesturing to the courtyard.
The echoes of forcefully spoken but unintelligible words resound off the imposing granite and iron walls of Citadel Volshyenek’s outer curtain. Dozens of red-and-silver-armored guards stand in assembly upon the pitted stone mustering ground here, muttering in hushed, somber tones. Before them, atop a weathered wooden platform, paces Field Marshal Kroft, her eyebrows arched sternly as she momentarily tolerates the crowd’s murmurs. Behind her upon the scaffold stand three grizzled veteran guards at attention, as well as an ominous-looking group. These newcomers wear cowled robes of oily-looking leather, supple gloves, and wide black hats. Some grip heavy canes, others dark satchels. Each of them, though, wears a dark-goggled mask tapering to a pointed beak. Among them stand two others. The first is a gentleman in a simple black overcoat with streaks of white gracing the sides of his short, dark hair. He watches the gathered guards with a soft, concerned expression, his hands tightly clasping a heavy-looking doctor’s case. The second figure is an imposing one indeed—one of the queen’s new Gray Maidens, clad in her resplendent plate armor and crimson plume.
The Field Marshal’s fierce tone cuts through the rumble of whispers as she addresses her gathered guards. “You will escort Doctor Davaulus and his physicians in their royal duties wherever those might take them. Furthermore, you are to consider orders from any of the queen’s Gray Maidens to be as binding as those of any superior officer in the Korvosan Guard. You are the Korvosan Guard. You will not balk. These are dire times, and your city needs these healers. Your city needs you. Your patrol leaders have your assignments. Dismissed!”
As the assembly ends, the guards gathered in the courtyard break up into groups, many reporting for various duties while others loiter for a few moments to quietly gripe about their new orders. Kroft and her veteran attendants begin to head into the citadel with Dr. Davaulus and his Queen’s Physicians, but you can catch her if you act quickly...
Aurelia doesn't put up any further argument, she simply nods once in acceptance at her "punishment".
She heads into the room and follows the instructions as provided, neatly folding her clothes in a pile beside her on the floor. Once they are all folded beside her, she turns and faces the corner and says "I was a bad girl, Nicoleta. I should be punished for misleading you. It was very wrong of me to do so. I am ready to count for you."
Aurelia agrees with Nicoleta's plan and builds on it. "Is anyone watching you? Threatening you? Are you aware of some threat that you are not telling us about? If you have more information it would be best to let us know now."
Later as they lie in bed, sweaty and tangled, Nicoleta nuzzles Aurelia's neck. "No more clowns, ok?" she says in a soft voice. "They give me bad dreams." A soft kiss on the sensitive skin follows.
"Hurry up!" the monk says as she pulls the others along. "I think we'd like to be in on this private meeting."
Later, Aurelia pulls Nicoleta's head against her bare neck, running her fingers through the dhampir's hair over and over again.
"Okay, no more clowns. That's not the reason I went there, truly. I really did want to see the sisters perform. The clown thing was just a bonus I couldn't resist because I didn't want you backing out if I said they were going to be there."
Ishani shakes his head when asked about other information. "I have told you all I know. My only concern is trying to help as many people as we can."
***
Field Marshal Kroft turns and smiles with relief when she sees the four of you approaching. "It's good to see you. We're going to need all hands on deck to fight this growing crisis." You can tell that the woman is acting guarded in her current company. "Ladies, may I introduce you to Doctor Reiner Davaulus, leader of the Queen's Physicians."
Davaulus smiles and inclines his head. "I am pleased to meet you. I hope our work here will help ease the concerns of as many of Korvosa's people as possible in this trying time. I must still confer with Field Marshal Kroft to form a sensible plan for combating this outbreak, but I have a writ from the queen here--one of numerous soon to be distributed throughout the city--to convey her initial expectations."
He produces the writ from his bag, which reads as follows:
Attention!
By Decree of Her Royal Majesty, the Radiant Queen Ileosa, all citizens and members of the Korvosan Guard are to aid and admit the newly established Queen’s Physicians in this time of urgency. These royal agents will extend healing to those who are ill and organize defense against the spreading affliction known as “blood veil.” They are to be allowed access to any home or building they deem necessary in the course of their duties. All those suffering from disease or disorder are to submit themselves to the Physicians for treatment. To aid in the duties of the Queen’s Physicians, know that the order of the Gray Maidens shall also provide military support as needed. The Maidens answer directly to the Crimson Throne, and will be called upon as necessary to augment and strengthen the peace where city guards will not suffice. Impeding or distracting the Queen’s Physicians or the Gray Maidens in the pursuit of their duties is punishable by imprisonment. Impersonating one of the Queen’s Physicians or Gray Maidens is punishable by death. Knowingly harboring or hiding the infected is punishable by death. Purposefully spreading blood veil is punishable by torture, then death. The Queen’s Physicians will be making rounds of every city district henceforth until Her Majesty deems this misfortune has abated.
Aurelia reads it and looks up, concerned. She has major concern about the They are to be allowed access to any home or building they deem necessary in the course of their duties bit, but now is not the time to talk openly about it. Instead, she puts on her most welcoming smile and sweeps her arm across her companions. "Nay, it is our pleasure good doctor! In this time of need, you are near royalty. How can we be of assistance?"
Iolaire, whose (normally justified) paranoia is flaring to extremes, says nothing at all during the whole situation, preferring to stay silent and watchful. The Queen's order makes her shudder and resolve to ensure that the forge is absolutely innocent - and well protected.
Nicoleta looks down at the screed and scans it quickly. She then looks up with a nod. "Order must be maintained," she says. "We'd be glad to help." She turns her attention to Kroft. "Field Marshall? Is there anything we can do to assist?" she asks, hoping the woman invites them to join the briefing.
Ishani steps forward. ”Perhaps I might be of service as well? I am Ishani Dhatri of the Grand Vault Of Abadar. It would be my honor to coordinatethe efforts of the temple with those of the city.”
Doctor Davaulus nods. ”Your participation would be welcomed, indeed. Let’s go inside and talk.”
The meeting turns out to be a lengthy affair wherein Kroft and her aides go over the reports and statistics of plague in the city, then confer about ways to contain and treat
the victims. Talk of quarantining blocks of the city and limiting movement through districts is the only news of any real import that comes of the discussion.
”I think this is a good place to start. Ladies, if you will come back tomorrow, hopefully we will have a solid lead for you to investigate,” Kroft tells you.
"Thank you, Field Marshall. We will return tomorrow." she says, before departing.
Once they are free and clear, she grabs Nicoleta's arm tightly and turns to face her. "Did you read that thing! It's atrocious!! This is a means to search the city for whatever they want, whoever they want, without laws to stop them!"
"It's a very well prepared response..." Iolaire adds quietly. "One might think they were expecting something like this..."
She speaks quietly, treason (even by implication) should never be the subject for shouting.
"Yeah, these doctor types showed up awfully quickly," Roz says in agreement.
You try your best to relax that night, but concern for the steadily spreading blood veil plague is on everybody’s mind. The mood in the taverns is decidedly subdued.
The next day, you return to the citadel to meet with Kroft and Ishani. ”We have a lead we’d like you to investigate,” the Field Marshal says. ”You have no doubt heard the rumors of the Direption, ship that the Queen’s Guards sunk several days ago. They say its lantern burned with a yellow light—the maritime signal for a ship bearing sick passengers. I do not think the timing of the sickness’s spread just after the ship was sunk is a coincidence.
“If indeed the ship was the primary source of the plague, then perhaps clues to the plague’s original source or perhaps even its cure can be found within. The problem is that the Direption now lies in the deep waters of the Jeggare, and so exploring the shipwreck requires skill, bravery, and magic. I am ieager to learn more from the wreckage, but my guards aren’t the best choice for the task. The job instead falls to you.”
Ishani steps forward. ”I can prepare two spells of water breathing each day to allow you to explore underwater. With luck, you can discover what secrets the shipwreck holds.”
"I'm not a great swimmer, by any means, but if the job pays we'll do what we can," the dhampir declares. She turns to Iolaire. "So do you or Vox swim?" she asks with a grin.
Aurelia shifts uncomfortably "Uhm. I don't know how to swim." she says in a small voice.
"Then you can stay on the shore," Nicoleta says with a tight grin.
"What? No. You're not leaving me behind. I'll use one of those scrolls then, I'll be fine."
"I'm not a great swimmer, by any means, but if the job pays we'll do what we can," the dhampir declares. She turns to Iolaire. "So do you or Vox swim?" she asks with a grin.
"What?" Iolaire asks, all innocent confusion, although she glares at the dhampir when neither Kroft or Ishani are looking. "I'm a smith. Swimming has never been on my list of hobbies if that's what you're asking."
Idiot!
"The waters of the Jeggare River are relatively calm. Swimming shouldn't prove too difficult," Ishani says.
Kroft frowns when Nicoleta mentions payment. "I had hoped helping out the city and saving lives would be reward enough. But once this whole plague is behind us, we can talk about a blanket reward for services rendered."
Aurelia seems satisfied about the reward, but still seems edgy about swimming. She shrugs and decides "Peaches will carry me."
When Iolaire glares at her, Nicoleta shrugs. "Hey, you know Vox better than any of us here and she's not here, so I asked you."
~~~~~
"If coin for services rendered is good enough for the Church of Abadar," she says with a eye towards Ishani. "Then it's good enough for us."
She rolls her eyes at Aurelia's comment, but doesn't contradict her.
Iolaire's glare doesn't abate in the slightest.
Ishani casts his spell of water breathing on you, then you make your way to the Jeggare River where the Direption went down. Having eschewed her armor, Rozalia holds an everburning torch to light the way through the murky waters. It takes about ten minutes of searching around to discover the wrecked ship on the bottom of the river, 80 feet below the surface.
When you finally discover the Direption, they find that obvious scars from fire and trebuchet strikes mar the ship’s hull, which lies on its side in two pieces amid the splinters of its masts. The ship’s hull split into these two halves over a rock outcropping, its bow fallen to one side and a larger section of the stern on the other.
Before you can get too close, you see a nest of six silt eels swimming towards you from the wreck! The spiny-faced, dark-brown poisonous eels move to attack!
Vox, the only one who generally wields an edged weapon, curses loudly (if inaudibly) and kicks forwards to stay between Aurelia, her girlfriend and the eels.
Vox misses the eels as they converge on her, but her backswing slices one of them in half! The others bite and nip at her, lightly injuring her.
Aurelia somehow manages to navigate the calm water with ease, though it is anything but graceful. She flops about and splashes loudly, but she keeps herself afloat and doesn't call out for help (yet).
When the group of eels speeds towards them, she exclaims loudly "S++@!" and tries to figure out what to do against a bunch of slippery water creatures. She stares at the one in the lead and targets as many as she can an casts a spell that will hopefully blind them.
For some reason, the dhampir seems to be having difficulty maneuvering in the dark water. She finally manages to make her way near Vox and strikes out at the creatures.
Roz shoots an eel with her crossbow, then Aurelia blinds all but one of the remaining ones with glitterdust. Vox finishes off the wounded eel with an awkward slice of her blade.
Vox the eel that can see as it moves in to attack, and it decides to flee rather than risk death. The blinded eels all scatter, swimming awkwardly through the water as they thrash about in a panic. It seems the threat is dispersed for now.
While the bow of the Direption sunk in a way that allows explorers easy access to any of its levels, the stern cleaved to the rocks it fell upon, limiting entrance to its lower decks. Upon the stern section’s upper deck, the 10-foot-square main hatch and a covered ladder lead to the berth below. Both are swelled shut, but a large hole in the side from where a trebuchet stone struck the ship provides an easier way in.
"This looks like a Nidalese merchant ship," Roz says, her voice distorted by the water.
"And it's been sunk deliberately." Vox adds, in burble. "What are we looking for exactly?"
"Anything that might be related to the plague or its cause," Roz gurgles.
Splashing about loudly, Aurelia gives the struggling swimming dhampir a playful shove and teases "Whatsa matta, not so comfortable in the water? Need me to give you swimming lessons, Peaches?"
Turning to Roz she asks "I don't suppose you have a spell that detects diseases? How are we going to find anything? What? We're not going in there?!" she protests.
Roz puts her hands on her hips and glares at Aurelia through the murky water. "I ain't that kind of spellcaster. We're gonna have to look the old fashioned way. Bow or stern first?"
Vox points to the stern and then sets off into the dark hole.
Groaning loudly in protest, she pushes Peaches under the water playfully and pushes off from her with her feet as she surges forward behind Vox.
"What's the matter, Sweet-Cheeks? Afraid of the dark?" Nicoleta chides with a smile as she swims past the mesmerist, following Vox into the dark hole.
A yawning wound in the ship’s charred timbers allows murky water to flow through this debris-cluttered hold. Loose timbers, small fish, and dozens of identical boxes float eerily in the quiet darkness.
A small jigsaw shark circles around the hold, but it turns its beady-eyes gaze on you when you enter...