"It really is," says Aiko in reply to the question about the view. "I never realized that cities could get this big."
She leans against Ameiko and says, "You know if anyone tries anything, I'll always try to protect you."
After a few moments she asks, "... do you think you'll go home to Sandpoint after this adventure? Or... does it feel more and more like you want... something else?"
"I know you'll always protect me. You've always been my dearest friend." Ameiko looks Aiko straight in the eyes and gives her a big hug. "I'm not really sure about what comes next, but it's starting to feel like something else. Does that sound strange?"
"No... our whole world is changing," says Aiko. "We're learning more about your family... and by extension, mine... and we're seeing and doing things we've never seen or done before. It's dangerous but also... thrilling," says Aiko.
"I feel like I understand better why you wanted to have an adventure before... the need to do something unexpected, something that takes you away from what you were used to."
"That's exactly it! You always did understand me. I wonder what we are going to find in Brinewall. There is so much about my family's history that I need to discover."
Ameiko sighs and continues to look out over the city. After a few minutes of enjoying the view she exclaims "Whoa! How long have we been gone? The others are probably worried about us. We need to get back."
As she begins to stand up, an arrow from a nearby rooftop lodges in her left arm. The bar owner cries in pain as the wound in her arm begins to bleed as she pulls the metal tip from her bicep.
"...and we better hurry."
"I think we'll..." starts Aiko, but she trails off when the arrow comes out of nowhere. "Hurry! Let's get down and use the alleys for cover. If we get back to the group, hopefully whoever is doing this will break off!"
Aiko takes a defensive posture, ready to leap whichever way Ameiko plans to go, but also ready to launch herself at an unseen attacker that might appear from the shadows at any instant.
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Ameiko rolls over to the rooftop edge and begins the climb down. She quickly descends the building and when Aiko reaches the ground the two sprint down the alleyway towards a busy street. Once in the open they mingle in with the crowd keeping an eye out for potential attackers.
Her eyes darting from person to person, Ameiko spots two men approach through the crowd. In such tight quarters, she draws her dagger and prepares to strike. However, rather than attack, one of the men speaks in a quiet, yet harsh tone
"The rooftops are for guild members only! Consider that arrow your only warning. Next time, you won't be so lucky."
The men move off and blend in with the crowd and after a minute you can no longer spot them.
Aiko's eyebrows come up, then she gives a shrug after the guildsmen move on.
"Now we know, I guess? C'mon, let's get back to the wagons so that Mother Koya can have a look at that scratch on your arm."
"I wonder if they use the rooftops to facilitate their stealthy activities. Or maybe they get paid to protect the wealthy houses from that sort of thing? Probably both."
The two women return quickly and meet up with the rest of the group.
"Ameiko! What happened to you? Never mind, you can tell me later. Let's get that wound taken care of."
The old healer calls on Desna to help and a light blue glow spreads from her hands over Ameiko's arm.
Caine looks at the two women as they approach the wagons. The Magus jumps up when he notices Ameiko's wounds!
What happened? Do you know where they are?
The youth seems a bit too ready for some action.
"Yeah, no, just local thieves, we think," says Aiko, waving a hand dismissively. "This was a warning not to use the rooftops unless you're a local Guild member. It'll be fine as long as we don't go up there again."
Still, she hovers protectively near Ameiko while Koya uses her healing spell.
"I know Hector doesn't usually travel with a single wagon. Perhaps he got separated from the rest of his group. I suggest we return to the spot where we found him and start a search from there. We weren't really looking for tracks when we first went through the forest."
"If we find any kind of tracks to follow, I can help in that area."
"Good thinking. At least we won't have to worry about using the roofs for this search." His eyes couldn't help but wander at the area where the wound once stood. It was too close for comfort for him.
"Tracks? What did I miss?"
"We delivered the cargo Hector was carrying. It was two engagement rings for the son and fiancée of one Master Weatherly - a prominent citizen of Riddleport. They were traveling with Hector and are overdue. He has asked for our help in locating them and escorting them back home. I told him our group would need to discuss the matter first."
"A rescue? Of course! Why wouldn't we help this family?"
"We would need to backtrack to where we found Hector's broken wagon. It will delay us at least two days."
"I don't think a few days delay will change whatever we find in Brinewall. Let's go see if we can find these missing family members."
"I agree. A couple of days isn't a big deal, we're not in a hurry, as far as I know. Doing a good turn for someone is worth the side trip," opines Aiko. "But I'm open to hearing other opinions."
It has been a while since Ameiko has last ridden a horse. Her life at Sandpoint has fallen into a routine that can be boring at times, although she did enjoy having the time to play her samisen. The rituals Koya presided over that occurred every moonday evening gave her a chance to hone her singing skills while gazing at the stars above.
She began to sing a song taught to her by her mother when she was just a child.
Flower of jasmine, so fair!
Flower of jasmine, so fair!
Budding and blooming here and there,
Pure and fragrant all do declare.
Let me pick you with tender care,
Sweetness for all to share.
Jasmine fair, oh Jasmine fair.
She pulls out her samisen and loops the horses' reigns in such a way as to continue to control the mount while she strums. She continues the song accompanied by the stringed instrument sounds.
What a jasmine flower!
Of all the fragrant flowers and grasses in the garden,
there is none as fragrant as it.
I want to pluck one and wear it,
but the gardener would scold me.
What a jasmine flower!
When jasmine blooms.
not even snow is whiter.
I want to pluck one and wear it
But I'm afraid those around me would mock me.
What a jasmine flower!
Of all the blooms in the garden,
none compares to it.
I want to pluck one and wear it
But I'm afraid it wouldn't bud next year.
With a nod, it everything was set for their rescue effort. Adrian used the time to close his eyes and immerse himself in the song.
"That was amazing."
"I see signs of a struggle this way." she cries while pointing to the south.
The direction is off the trail you followed on the way to Roderic's Cove and not that far from where you were ambushed.
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You follow in the direction of Shalelu's indication and after approximately 200 feet you spot the corpses of two dead horses. In addition you find some torn clothing and a well made, very fashionable shoe.
Further investigation of the area results in another two bodies located. These appear to be men of arms, although they have been stripped of their armor, their clothing shows signs similar to the guards at the Weatherly estate.
Aiko sways back and forth to the time of Ameiko's song, though she doesn't sing herself (she doesn't have Ameiko's kind of singing voice). This at least helps her to enjoy the trip until the team finds the bodies at the raided caravan.
She hops down off the wagon and immediately goes to ground, checking for signs of how the struggle went down.
Caine stays on his horse, as he hasn't a clue at wilderness lore.
Shalelu descends the tree she had climbed and joins the group as they discover the dead bodies.
"There's got to be a clue to what happened to them around here somewhere. Everyone keep looking."
Caine jumps off the horse. He begins roaming about the woods.
After an hour of searching, Caine throws his hands up into the air.
Adrian had no better luck in finding anything useful, leaving him frowning.
Ameiko pulls out her samisen and begins to sing inspiring competence in all who hear.
Sandru looks around for any signs that might help them.
"Hey, I think I found something. There is a trail of blood here, I think it is heading that way." The caravan leader spouts as he points to the west.
Oh thank the gods.
Adrian sighed in relief. "Thanks for the help. I may not have been that long ago if it's still there." The monk would pick up the pace in the case that they might make it in time.
Caine rushes off in the indicated direction.
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You follow the trail of blood and the floral scent from what you can only assume is a woman's perfume. You expect to reach the end of the trail quickly, but as soon as you are about to give up, the trail is reacquired. The trail is much longer than you expected as it continues for several miles. After a few hours of following the trail, the sounds of chirps and hoots get louder. It is as if there is a huge flock of birds and other creatures of the forest up ahead.
As you emerge from the forest, you spot an enormous tree-like growth hundreds of feet in height. At its center is what appears to be several tree trunks twisted together. The trunks are surrounded by an arm-deep shell of vines. Numerous birds scatter and fly away as you approach.
Adrian puts his arm out to the side to signal the others to stop. "Let's see if we can find a way through without poking ourselves."
"Anyone want to take bets that the missing injured woman is inside of that vine-shell?"
Caine looks at the twisted fey foliage in front of them.
So, some fey creature took her here? For what; dinner? Experimentation? Ransom?
The Magus looks at the Tree.
I suppose that we go in and find her.
Caine begins looking for a safe..ish way inside.
Zaraleva just stares awestruck at the tree. "What...IS that?"
She also tries to help track.
She is pretty bad at horseback riding so she dismounts as soon as possible.
Caine grabs a sturdy tree branch off the ground, cast Light on it, and enters the Cave entrance.
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You descend down into the cave and make a right turn after 30 feet. The tunnel continues for another 50 feet before it opens into another cavern. You have entered the cavern from the west. There are multiple openings two to the north, one to the south and another to the southeast.
There are pieces of broken wooden chairs and tables scattered around the cavern. A pool of murky water lies against the eastern wall. The room is otherwise empty.
Adrian hears what Aiko said and smiles. "I'm not much of a gambler, but I'd say otherwise." He pointed to the initial trail.
"The trail circles around, meant to throw us off track. Probably wants us to face whatever monstrosity is in there. What we should be following is this trail." He followed where the trail branches off where it ends at the cave. Once he saw what was inside, he frowned.
"Does this look like caravan equipment to you?" Adrian took point this time, turning the corner to his left.
"I guess we can try the area to our left first before working our way through the other side. Any objections?"
"Hrm. No, might as well," says Aiko. She takes a hunched stance and checks the trail one more time... just in case.
Caine nods in the affirmative to Adrian. The Magus takes the lead with his Light producing branch....