Jixel remained behind the others, listening. It was quite horrible that children apparently went missing on a regular basis. It wasn't overly surprising though, given the parts of the city that she'd been involved in thus far. Anyway, it felt like some augury might be on the cards later today, if she was allowed a little time.
Miss Catherine nodded at Illendur. "I'll tell her to expect you, then. What are your names?" The willowy kalashtar walked back around her desk and pulled out a pad of paper, quickly dashing off a note.
The ratfolk shuffled a little closer to the front.
"I'm Jixel, kind Miss Catherine. Originally from Estaby, an alchemist and fortune teller, at your service."
She bowed a little then, unsure of what kind of formalities were expected in this kind of institution.
Ash was a bit dubious, but it seemed rude not to introduce themselves. With a glance at each of them to ascertain that they wished to be identified, Ash volunteered each of their names. "Thank you," he added as she finished writing.
Miss Catherine smiled at Jixel and Ash. "What a pretty name. Jixel. So nice to meet you, and the rest of you." The kalashtar added their names to her note, folded the piece of paper expertly into a crane, then held it on her open palm. After a moment the paper animated, walking awkwardly to the edge of her hand and flapping its wings to take flight. Surprisingly agile in the air and quite fleet, the note was out Miss Catherine's window in a heartbeat, presumably on the way to Sister Narcy.
"She'll be expecting you. You'll love her. I hope you find her missing child. I don't know what I could do to help but if you need me you know where I am." Miss Catherine smiled at them all. "But hopefully when you come back it will be to tell me everything is fine. I know you'll take care of it."
She even winked at Jixel. "Next time you'll have to tell me my future, Jixel. You remember the way out?"
"If any of the little ones or da staff need any of my healin', be sure to ask for me in the neighborhood." Dok says as we leave.
"I'll be glad to help."
Jixel grinned, as "pretty" wasn't a word she'd heard used to describe her name very often. Except for a few ratfolk fellas over the years, of course.
"Thank you Miss Catherine!"
She couldn't tear her eyes away then, as a folded paper bird took flight. This was a magic and power that Jixel had never witnessed before.
"It would be an honor and my pleasure, to one day explore futures with you."
Jixel bowed then, and prepared herself to depart.
Illendur feels confident that their attempts to help have worked, and follows his companions back out into the street. Well, let us head over to visit this Sister Narcy then? We've got plenty of time till we should head over to the Yawning Portal, and it doesn't hurt to do some good for this city...
Ash nodded. "My thoughts precisely," he said, making an effort not to lisp around his fangs.
Zander simply followed along with the rest, though he had many questions, for once, he left them unspoken.
The House on Book Street looked like it had been a tenement before being repurposed into an orphanage. Squeezed into the middle of a crowded block of buildings, this House of Hope had no children playing in a yard out front or teachers keeping an eye out for visitors. It did, however, smell faintly of citrus when the group opened the door, and the floors and walls inside absolutely shone, displaying a great deal of care and attention.
This House's office was right inside the front door, probably once a flophouse's check-in desk and manager's office. Now, though, the lobby was full of comfortable, if well used, furniture, and even had a living tree in a large pot in one corner. The whole entryway looked like it had been designed to put people at ease, to denote comfort and care and reassure those coming here that this was a place of safety and love.
The stout halfling woman behind the desk looked up as the bell over the front door rang, smiling at the group. "Hello! Are you the people Catherine sent over to me?"
Illendur looks at the halfling woman behind the desk, Um yes, are you Sister Narcy? My companions, he says, indicating Ash and Dok, have been hearing troubling rumors about missing street kids, and we're wondering if you've heard anything we can assist with? Children in danger isn't something we're too likely to let pass if we can help in some way. the half-elf glances back over his shoulder, indicating Dok or Ash should share their concerns...
"Da news travel fasta' dan my feet do walk!" Dok exclaims.
"I am bein' Tarley, some do call me Dok Tarley."
Jixel remained at the back of the "helpers", astounded by the speed of Miss Catherine's paper delivery service!
"I'm Jixel, at your service," the ratfolk said when it was her time to say hello.
Sister Narcy nodded at Dok and Jixel. "Nice to meet you." She turned a skeptical look at Illendur. "Children in danger is exactly what we're here to help with. Catherine did say you were looking for a missing child, and you think they were living here?" The halfling woman shook her head. "I can assure you, none of my children are missing. What is the missing child's name?"
Ash cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I believe the children called her "Red Susie." Does that name sound familiar? She was said to be in a room with a view of the Knight?"
Sister Narcy's face suddenly broke into a wide smile. "Little Susie? Oh no, there's a rumor she's missing?" The halfling sat back in her chair, shaking her head. "No, no, no. Oh my goodness, no. Susie has a voice like a angel and is the sweetest child you'll ever meet. No, she's not missing." The former nun paused for a moment. "Though I guess I could see how some of her friends out on the street might think that."
"Susie was taken up to Lord and Lady ir'Cassalanter's manor. She's the pride and joy of the program, singing for prospective donors and taking lessons right alongside the ir'Cassalanter children." Sister Narcy laughed. "My goodness. I was so worried when I read Catherine's message. Whew!"
"You see, a few of the children, the really stand-out ones, are chosen to... champion our efforts. All of our children get the best care we can provide, but some of them, like Susie, are given the once in a lifetime opportunity to live and study at ir'Cassalanter Manor. Others, those who show a special predilection for animals or nature, get chosen to go to the ir'Cassalanter farm up in Amphail. But Susie is one of the rare ones, one of our top, top students. Goodness me! I wonder how we're going to stem that rumor. That's a problem..." Sister Narcy shook her head.
Illendur looks at the others, Well, thank you Sister. We're sorry for your inconvenience, but as you can see how the urchins may perceive this opportunity in such a way. We never meant to imply that there was something amiss here, but wanted to offer our skillsets if there was something happening, as the half-elf waves his hand out the window out there. We're sorry to have bothered you, and that sounds like a wonderful opportunity for these children.
Provided no one objects, Illendur will leave with the rest of the group to wait until Gaebler can be located.
Ash couldn't tell if the woman was dissembling, but had no real reason to believe she was. With a closed-lipped smile and a nod, he let himself be shepherded out, thanking the halfling for her time.
"We've still got a bit of time to kill. Maybe we can find the kids and tell them Red Susie's okay," he suggested, squinting up into the hazy sunshine.
Jixel didn't mind thanking the woman for her time and departing, as at surface-level it appeared the fears were unfounded. The ratfolk wasn't completely convinced though. Why expend magic to send a note preceding their arrival here? Mmm, she wasn't sure if this was all as simple as it looked, or if it was just another local conspiracy.
Once outside, Jixel asked the others for their thoughts.
"Where is Cassalanter Manor? Do we want to check the facts, to be totally sure? Or... if you will allow me a little time... I might ask the bird's bones for some answers."
Sister Narcy smiled and shook her head. "Oh no, it's been a pleasure to meet you. You don't meet strangers interested in the plight of this city's children every day. Most just see them as nuisances, at best. So many families were broken by the Last War, you know. Towns were destroyed, industries laid waste, parents didn't come back," the halfling shook her head again, sighing. "So many refugees. We had ships just full of children coming in to port, were any of you here for that? The Children's Armada. Just hundreds of little children put on boats sailing for the safest place their parents could think of. Terrible, terrible times. Good that it's all over and done now but there are so, so many to care for."
She smiled at Illendur again. "So absolutely no inconvenience. It makes me glad to know there are still people who care in this city. If you have time or money and want to help, feel free to come back and donate either. We can always use both."
The family fell on hard times a few years back, but they have since reversed their fortunes and restored their lucrative banking and money-lending business. Lord Victoro and Lady Ammalia's eldest son disappeared three years ago when the family was on the verge of bankruptcy. They have two surviving children, young twins named Terenzio and Elzerina.
Lord Victoro ir'Cassalanter is the only living heir of the late Caladorn ir'Cassalanter, a former Steward of Throneport and a hero of the Last War serving in the Brelish army.
"I know where to find Cassalanter Villa. It is in the Sea Ward, not far from the Tower of Luck." Dok tells the others.
"Don't know much about the family that lives there. Rich people behind fancy walls."
I know something of how they live, but I am often not accepted given my parentage, we could. Or just trust that these folk have done what they said, and keep our eyes open. the half elf admits, not really wanting to engage with the nobles of the city more than he has to.
"Let's go somewhere quiet and out of the sun, and you can ask your bird-bones to set us all at ease, Jixel," Ash said with a smile at the ratfolk.
Jixel smiled, not only because finding somewhere nice and cool sounded attractive, but also because maybe she could put her skill as a fortune-teller to use.
"Yes, somewhere quiet, and then if Peekee is in the mood, we get answers."
It was a complex thing, as naturally Jixel's pet wasn't going to be de-boned in order to glimpse some future truths. No. She already had some bones... it was just Peekee's connection that made them work.
Dock Ward was chock full of shady spots as long as you didn't choke at the scent of decaying fish or hot tar baking overhead. Quiet was another matter, but Dok knew the neighborhood well enough to lead the group to an appropriate, if pungent, spot.
Jixel didn't mind the smell of fish so much. Once an Estaby harbor rat, the aroma of rotting sea life kind of reminded her of the former home. The more rodent part of the ratfolk quite liked pungent smells anyway. It used to be an indicator of free food, as long as you made your selections carefully of course.
Anyway, Dok had been kind enough to find them somewhere relatively shady and private, no doubt because most citizens didn't appreciate the stench quite as much as the rat woman.
Once seated, her chicken friend was released from a backpack's confines and began to flap its wings and stretch its legs, clucking from time to time.
"Peekee, we has work to do, when you're ready."
Jixel rummaged about in her things for a while, and then retracted a grubby little pouch. A small handful of assorted little bones were collected into a clawed hand.
"Peekee... a little chicklet, a fancy hutch."
The chicken walked over to face Jixel, and the two locked eyes for quite some time. Then, the bones were tossed onto the ground, at which point the bird waddled over and picked up a tiny tibia, carrying it in its beak and dropping it in Jixel's lap. Then another, that looked suspiciously like an avian basal phalanx as selected as well.
"Two? Two... oh spirit within to master lost, thank ye! The allegiance remains, my love unending and incorruptible."
Peekee was given a pat to the head in gentle thanks, and then the bones were held up one by one.
"This, is the bone of prosperity, for it is long and strong, supportive. This other one. This is the bone of troubles and sadness, for it is cracked."
She looked around her companions and smiled.
"Does anyone have any nuts? I feel like some nuts. Anyway, in a nutshell, both good and bad will come if we proceed, and in that order. The very fact that troubles and sadness are in this, makes me think we should probably... you know... go through with it."
Jixel shrugged.
"Up to you lot. That is all Peekee can tell us at this time."
Zander had watched, fascinated, as Jixel and Peekee completed their ritual. J'r-V'zz said nothing, but Zander could feel the skepticism in the psicrystal's unexpressed thoughts.
When the results were announced, Zander began his questioning. The deluge of words was long, multi-syllabic, and far-ranging. It also didn't seem to slow down or leave gaps for answers. In essence, once he'd wound down, the basic gist of the inquiry seemed to be:
"How does the magic work," and "how can you be sure of the answers?"
Eventually, he stopped talking and stood looking expectantly at Jixel, his head cocked to one side in the way it did whenever Zander was intently curious about something.
"Well..." Jixel took a moment to formulate her answers."My divinations aren't of the detailed kind, as I still learning. You see, Peekee here ain't no ordinary poultry. Long story that one haha, but he umm... has another's spirit trapped inside. Someone far better at augury than I am. In fact, Peekee taught me this way to quickly make estimations about the future. I think..." Jixel whispered then, "Peekee's former master was a powerful witch."
"With time, I hope to get better at interpreting my familiar's choices. Something that comes with experience, and something I get plenty of with you lot."
Jixel grinned then, hoping that the explanation was reasonable enough.
Ash watched the chicken, trying hard not to think of eating it. His concentrated stare might have been taken the wrong way by the bird, though.
"How did you come by a witch's chicken, Jixel?" he asked, once Peekee had given him a dirty avian look.
"Or how did a ratfolk come by a friendly chicken?" Jixel replied, "that's a bit of story, but I should say that Peekee's premonitions are only for the soon... so I think we best go the manor before I tell it all. Perhaps tonight, over a celebratory brew?"
She looked around her companions, curious if they were up for it. That is, both the manor and the drink.
Illendur nods at the ratfolk, Lead on then, I look forward to hearing the tale once we're concluded business today!
"Damnedest thing seeing a chicken hop around while he's stirring through those bones."
Walking up Book Street to the Honorable Knight, one of the mysterious, gargantuan ancient statues scattered around Throneport, the group made a left at the unmarked border between Dock Ward and Trades Ward and then out onto Snail Street. By the byzantine rules that defined the Ward system, the intersection of Snail Street and Shesstra's Street was where three Wards invisibly met- Castle Ward to the north and west, Trades Ward to the east and north, and Dock Ward to the south.
Heading north, the group passed by Virgin's Square, the best known spot in the city to hire mercenaries and men-at-arms. With Thronehold itself looming overhead and a City Guard armory immediately to the west, House Deneith's Warrant Building just to the east, and any number of trained warriors coming in and out of the neighborhood, the area might have been one of the safest spots in Throneport. It was also very busy. Making their way up Snail Street was as slow going as its namesake. By now it was late morning and the city was crowded with merchants and busy folk on various errands and noisy with the sounds of the city's bustling mercantile industries.
As bad as the traffic was on Snail Street, though, the group could see that the broad avenues of Waterdeep Way heading west and the High Road heading north were both worse. Two-story tall drays ferrying dozens of people and heavily laden wagons bumbled along the cobblestones while hired carriages tried to zip past them, with cabbies and teamsters and bus drivers all cursing out the idiot who had just cut them off. If it weren't for the separated pedestrian walkways it would be as good as taking your life in your hands to step foot out there.
Sea Ward was a good hour's walk in the hot, sticky air, but without traffic a hired coach would be a quarter of that. With all this? Maybe half an hour instead.
The group was hot and sweaty by the time they reached the closest entrance to Sea Ward, at Mendever Street on the north edge of The Market. Sea Ward was the most heavily guarded of the Wards, and at the gate a Bone Knight stood with a quartet of heavily armored soldiers, all impassive as statues with their visors closed even in the heat of mid-day. A troop of guards in Karrnathi black and red checked papers and as the group walked up the woman in charge gave Ash and Zander both long looks before turning to Illendur.
"Papers and your business in the Ward, please, sir."
Illendur pauses a moment, drawing his papers from his pouch and handing them to the guards, We have a brief errand to run at ir'Cassalanter Manor, they are with me. he waves his hand at the others, We're only going to be there just a few moments, before we have a more urgent appointment elsewhere in the city. the half-elf says just the bare minimum to get past the guards.
Illendur pauses a moment, drawing his papers from his pouch and handing them to the guards, We have a brief errand to run at ir'Cassalanter Manor, they are with me. he waves his hand at the others, We're only going to be there just a few moments, before we have a more urgent appointment elsewhere in the city. the half-elf says just the bare minimum to get past the guards.
[dice=Bluff]1d20+1
The head guard briefly looked over Illendur's Phiarlan-issued ID and gave him a once over before nodding and handing the House member's papers to a man with a ledger. He quickly wrote down some information and handed Illendur's papers back. "Very well, sir. Move along." She waved him past, her attention already on the next man in line. The bone knight and other heavily armed, visored soldiers barely shifted their feet the entire time, displaying impressive discipline in the heat of the day.
On the far side of the gate, Sea Ward was bustling but much less frenetic than the rest of the city. The traffic was lighter, there was no shouting, and it was just generally much more pleasant than the poorer parts of the city. Which stood to reason, given the airy, spacious manor grounds and urbane, sophisticated businesses populating the Ward. The Karrnathi presence was heavy, with small, single-person "watch boxes" set up on nearly every street corner and a guard in each one, including the intersection just outside the gates of Cassalanter Villa.
The mansion's stark white walls and gleaming crimson roof and turrets stood out even among the other opulent estates of the Sea Ward. A three-story mansion surrounded by picturesque green gardens dappled with hedges and water features, the estate was surrounded by a tall white brick wall, with a single wrought-iron gate as an entrance. The Cassalanter family crest- a yellow Y overlapping a stylized goose being fed- was emblazoned on the gate, and uniformed, armored guards stood at attention on either side.
Much like at the entrance to Sea Ward, Illendur was greeted politely but firmly by the leader of the guard. "Hello, sir. Do you have an appointment?"
Ah yes, Thank you. Hot one for wearing all the armor, no? the half-elf wipes his armored, sweaty brow also, We are here to call upon young Susie, my companions were approached by some in the community they serve concerned for her well-being, and the orphanage suggested we come say hello to her, so we could report back to the community that all is well, and she's having the time of her life. he speaks, hopeful his companions will bail him out if his words begin to falter. Oh this is where it falls apart...
"Sister Narcy was quite impressed with the good work the family has been doing. We merely wanted to see her to pass on her friends' well-wishes," Ash attempted.
"Just trying to follow up on what we learned back at the orphanage."
The guard looked curiously at Illendur. "Sister Narcy sent you? I don't know the lady's schedule but I'll ring up to the house for you, my lord...?" While Illendur's appearance and Ash and Dok's contributions convinced him they were legitimate visitors, he was clearly waiting for the strangers to introduce themselves.
Apologies, Illendur D'Phiarlan, sir. the helf elf nods in thanks to the guard.
Ash ducked his head and did his best to look innocuous. He mumbled something that might have been his name, or not.
He wondered if he should mention again that they were there for the child, not the Lady, but didn't want to press his luck.
It had been a whirlwind, and Zander's head had been almost spinning as the group walked and took in the sights. He'd been about to hand over his papers at the gate to Sea Ward, but no one had seemed to want to look at them, once they'd looked at Illendur's.
Zander had been about to ask the guards why they didn't want to see his and the rest of the groups' papers, when J'r-V'zz spoke in his head, pointing out that the last time he'd spoken to guards, they'd wound up in jail overnight, and the group appeared to be in a hurry. So, Zander simply put his papers away and followed the others, making a mental note to ask about it later.
With the previous admonition about talking to guards still in mind, Zander simply stood at the back of the party while Illendur, Dok, and Ash spoke to this one. He seemed oblivious to the implications of the guard's words, tone, and unfinished question.
The guard nodded at Illendur and ducked into the guard house, where he had a conversation with someone on the end of a messaging stone. Such items- with a much shorter range than House Sivis's better known speaking stones but not requiring a dragonmark to operate- weren't unknown but they were expensive. The guard stepped back out a moment later. "They're sending a runner for you, Lord Illendur."
A few minutes later a young man- a teenager, really- dressed in ir'Cassalanger yellow and red livery ran up to the gates. Sweat shone on his brow but he was barely breathing hard, and the brief grin he shot the guards hinted at some unknown inside joke before he turned to Illendur and the others. "My lord, Lady ir'Cassalanter will be happy to receive you in her study. If you'll follow me?"