Elyana gave the Sheriff a polite nod and a smile and said, "I am Elyana Faervald, I lived here for a few years around eight years ago or so."
"Ah yes, you were one those children taken then. If you're offering help to interrogate it would be appreciated. We don't get many criminals here. Especially like this."
Elyana nodded and said, "Yes, I was one of them. If you get them bound I can heal them for you, it is not a problem." She looked around and then said, "If there are any others that are injured please have them come nearby as well. I might as well make the spell count."
"They'll both be in the same cell, so no problem there. Follow me please." The sheriff turned and followed the two being dragged away.
The prisoners were dragged inside and placed inside one of three cells.
Turning to the elf Sheriff Auburn said, "Do your thing Miss Faervald."
Elyana let the wedding couple know she needed to go with the sheriff temporarily before she returned to their place and the followed the Sheriff to restore the prisoners.
Once they were inside and the prisoners secured Elyana began to chant and gesture as she drew upon the power of life in nature and ended her spell with a twirl that made her skirt flare out and almost reveal her butt causing the power to spin out from her in a burst of green-gold light to encompass the prisoners and everyone else nearby in healing energies.
When she was finished Elyana was slightly flushed by the out rush of magic and seemed to almost glow for a moment before returning to normal. "There,: she said, "that should be enough so you can question them." She looked to the Sheriff and said, "If you wish I can stay and try to magically charm one of them into answering if needed."
Sheriff Auburn looked off to one side as Elyana twirled. Two of the other guards had a clear look of hunger in their eyes, but properly restrained themselves.
As the healing energies washed over the prisoners, they came to consciousness but their movements became disconcertingly erratic. After looking about the cell with the reaction time of a fly their eyes locked on Elyana. A creepily malicious smile crossed both of their faces and they spoke in unison with otherworldly voices, "Souls of the marked, so juicy and sweet. But first you must ripen until we meet. My children of many will make sure you’re fed. To save the Swamp, you must first go to Red."
Simultaneously, long daggers of shadow appeared midair in front of them, then thrust upwards by an unseen force through the underside of their jaws and out the top of their heads.
Both bodies fell limp before anyone could react.
Hearing Alric’s words about the mark makes Cardren clench his fists. He relaxes them then breathes deeply, while looking at his cousin and companions from that long ago night. ”Chet, have there been any threats before this? Any warnings or strange occurrences?”
He unties the bracer from his wrist and traces the mark. ”I thought this was behind us. I don’t remember the last time I thought about it.” He brings it closer to his eyes. ”Has anyone noticed it change?”
”I’ll stay with you,” he tells the groom and bride. Before the group splits he makes sure everyone knows where he and the couple is going to be.
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Each one of the assailants beared the mark of the dreaded Piper, the one who had created such a nightmare for them when they were younger. Despite the chill he had felt in his stomach at initially seeing the mark upon the wrist of the dead bowman, there was a sense of excitement there as well. This was the first clue in years to that monster's activities and now he had a lead to try and finish what they started so many years ago. Moving towards the others, he gave nod towards the newlyweds.
"I will join you all after the interogation. I want to hear what they have to say." Alric's hand finds its way to Cardren's shoulder, gripping it firmly in a friendly embrace. "It was never behind us friend. Perhaps we'll be able to finally end it though." Turning towards the others, he waits for only a little bit to see what Zaranna and Feldrimala want to do. Regardless though, the ranger quickly follows behind the elven woman and the sheriff while the town guard gets to work about setting things to order once more.
Remaining in the back, Alric's eyes watch as the men suddenly begin to animate again. Their movements were strange and erratic though, moving less like men and more like...
"Puppets..." Alric murmurs, hearing that wretched thing's voice once more spoke. Standing up, Alric began to move to the front when those black blades manifested and pierced the brains of the imprisoned. Lifeless bodies fell over to the side, a gasp escaping one of the men who had stared longingly at the elven beauty beside him. "There can be no doubt now. It's returned." The low simmer of anger was visible on the young man's face as he stared down at the bodies below, knuckles tightening harder and harder.
Elyana noticed the way the two guards eyed her but didn't let it bother her. She'd received much stronger reactions before so it wasn't a huge concern. She did not mentally who they were though so she could keep an eye out for them, just in case.
Her thoughts were quickly refocused when the men in the cell began to move. The voice they spoke in was hideous and horrifying and familiar and caused Elyana's eyes to widen in fear. She knew that voice, she knew what it was, and who these men served, it was back. When the two men killed themselves Elyana winced but knew that they were better off...or were they?
The elven woman's gaze shifted to Alric and Carden as Alric said it had returned. Elyana nodded, paler than normal, and said, "You're right, it is..." She smiled slightly and said, "But it made a mistake, now we know it is coming and we can prepare for it."
After Zaranna changed out of her wedding guest attire and completely geared up, she returned to help Fel, and told Fel about her plan to guard the newlyweds that evening.
"What did they mean though? 'To save the Swamp, you must first go to Red'? It almost sounded threatening." Sheriff Auburn interjected.
Alric nods softly and offers a weak but sincere smile to Elyana as she mentioned that it had revealed itself to them. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was a misplay on its behalf, like a wolf showing itself to a deer across the field while the rest of the pack quietly flanks. They were on the backheel and they needed more momentum to try and move forward.
The sheriff's words earn a grunt from the ranger as he ruminates on the words. They sounded like they were familiar but he wasn't sure from where.
You figure out that Swamp most likely means Swampwood, and if that's the case, then Red might refer to Ruby Hollow. A small mining town to the north at the base of the Talon Mountains.
”Do you think it was waiting for us all to be in Swampwood together? Would it be wise for us to separate, to leave Swampwood?” Clearly by the sound of his voice Cardren is uncertain if separating is in fact wise.
I think we should stick together, at least as far as staying in town. We're more vulnerable if we're separated. We need to talk about figuring out how to stop this from happening again. Maybe a good conversation for the morning, after we gather whatever information we can tonight and then get some sleep.
Hmm. True, true... perhaps the purpose was actually to sow fear rather than to accomplish something... a distraction? You don't think that children will be / are being abducted tonight, do you?
Once at the house, Cardren tells the others he will meditate for ten minutes to clear his mind and prepare himself for another attack. He finds a corner in the main room, near a window, and sits with his legs crossed and palms gently pressed together. The rhythmic sound of breathing soon fills that corner of the room.
After ten minutes, Cardren asks Feldrimala and Zaranna, ”I hope children aren't disappearing tonight. Is there a spell for deafness? Could that prevent hearing the music again?”
After they returned from the jail and had filled Zaranna and Feldrimara in on what had happened and hearing their reactions Elyana nodded and said, "I agree, I hope it won't happen, but we should be prepared for it. As for the riddle they gave us, I'm not sure what it means. It sounds like "Red" is a place not the state of the swamp. Can anyone thing of a place that could be called Red?"
"The only 'red' I can think of might be in reference to Ruby Hollow. It is a small mining town to the north at the base of the Talon Mountains. A little further than I've travelled but it is all I can think of. Maybe the others will know better." Alric rubbed at his chin for a moment, wondering what such an evil would be doing in a quaint town like that. "We don't even know exactly what it has been doing to the children it captured. To us. Never underestimate evil." Alric though to himself before nodding towards the sheriff. "I am going to meet up with the others at Chet's home. They're keeping an eye on the newlyweds." With that, he moved out of the jailhouse and followed after the voluptous elven maiden. It was not difficult to find her, one just had to look for the gawking faces.
Alric would help lead Elyana through the various homesteads, arriving at Chet and Peyra's home. The ranger remained quiet as Elyana filled them in about what terrible events had occurred in the jailhouse. His skin crawled remembering the monster's voice, his memories almost making him forget to speak up.
"There is a mining town to the north called Ruby Hollow. It may be what it was referring to. Any one else have any other ideas?" It was strange to be discussing these things once again. When they were younger, at least for a little while, it seemed it was all they could talk about. Planning defenses, codewords, how they'd keep themselves and everyone else safe. The horror had disappeared though only to emerge again so much uglier later.
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Chet brought blankets out for everyone, "Sorry we don't have more. We're still settling in. Just finished building it a month ago."
At the mention of Ruby Hollow he asked, "Wait Alric, didn't Kristoff go looking for work up there some months back?"
Replying to Cardren, Zaranna says
There is a spell for silence, but I don't know it... and it wouldn't last long enough to sleep through the night. Would just mundane earplugs work do you think?
Alric tenses for just a moment at the reminder from Chet. His little brother had made his way up to Ruby Hollow looking for work and to break away from the family a little. His brother had the same exact mark that those men had on their arm.
Alric's stomach drops inside of him for a moment.
"Y-yes. Yes he did. We will need to see if he has heard anything." There is an unmistakable waver in the usually resolute ranger's voice as he takes the blanket from Chet. Forcing a smile, he nods at him. "Thank you for your kindness. I'll take first watch." The house felt too small at the moment, too tight. He needed fresh air to think things through.
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”Wool, maybe soft wax, or clay could work,” Cardren says to Zaranna. ”Though impairing our hearing too much wouldn’t be smart.”
After hearing about the events in the jailhouse, Cardren stares again at the mark on his wrist. “‘But first we must ripen.’ That doesn’t sound good. His children?”[/b] he asks the group. ”Are there any local legends about the Piper’s children?”
Cardren studies his companions, their body language, clothes, and weapons. ”Ruby Hollow, how far away is that? The message and the fact Kristoff apparently went there warrants investigation. When should we leave? Are there any towns or villages along the way for supplies?”
He puts his hand on Chet’s shoulder, ”I hope you stay here. Don’t let the events of tonight mar your marriage.”
Cardren nods to Alric, "Wake me when you need to rest."
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Elyana gave Chet a polite nod and said, "Thanks you Chet but I have my pack at the inn so I will go grab my things and return here. That way I can use my bedroll."
Elyana considered what Alric said about watches and decided he was right to do so. "I can take the last watch since I don't need as much light to see by," Elyana said. She looked towards the door and headed towards it, "I will be back as soon as I have gotten my things from the inn. It won't take me too long." With that Elyana slipped out of the door and headed to the inn to get her belongings.
Other than the eerie feeling of being watched, you make it to the inn and back to Chet's house with out incident.
When she reached the inn she grabbed her things from her room and put her cloak on before slinging her pack on her shoulders and strapping on the sheathe for her curve blade. Elyana quickly made her way back to Chet's house, ignoring the eyes on her, and knocked before entering.
There was a knock at the door and Elyana said, "I'm back," before opening it and coming inside again. She shrugged off her pack and set it on the floor then removed her cloak and hung it up. She looked at Peyra and asked, "Where should I lay my roll out and is there a place I can have some privacy to change?"
He puts his hand on Chet’s shoulder, [/b]”I hope you stay here. Don’t let the events of tonight mar your marriage.”[/b]
Chet weakly smiled, "Little hard not to do given our past."
"...is there a place I can have some privacy to change?"
Peyra, still slightly shaken by what happened at the reception, said, "Yes, this way."
Leading Elyana to the bedroom, she let the Elf in then closed the door.
When Peyra showed her into the room to change Elyana grabbed her bag and followed. She could tell the woman was still shaken up about what had happened. She gestured to the bed and asked, "Do you want to talk about what happened Peyra? I don't mind if you stay in here while I change," before Peyra could shut the door.
With the two of them now alone Peyra sat on the bed and started sobbing uncontrollably. Regaining some composure she managed to say, "It wasn't supposed to start like this."
Elyana closed the door once Peyra entered and sat on the bed. She knew this wouldn't be a pleasant time for the newly wed woman and she was proven right when Peyra began to sob uncontrollably.
Elyana pulled a kerchief from her pack and sat next to Peyra on the bed, twisting so one leg was beneath her and she could face the young woman. Elyana held the cloth out to her before reaching out and pulling Peyra into an embrace. She gently stroked the woman's back and murmured soothing words to her as she tried to help calm the distraught bride.
When Peyra had calmed enough to speak Elyana let her go and reached out to hold one of her hands as the woman spoke. "I know Peyra, no joyous occasion should have this happen to it, let alone a celebration of Marriage. Perhaps the only thing worse would be if it happened when you were giving birth."
Elyana reached a hand out and brushed Peyra's cheek gently, "Just remember," she said, "This can only truly ruin your wedding night if you let it." Elyana's expression turned more than a bit naughty as she said, "If it were me," she leaned in close to Peyra and whispered some very naughty suggestions for what Peyra should do to her new husband that night and then giggled when she was done.
Peyra's eyes went wide as her cheeks turned a deep red. She sat there stunned for several moments before sputtering, "I....I....how....I mean....I've never been that way with anyone."
Elyana smiled in amusement at Peyra's blush and stammering and said, "I didn't figure you had, but it distracted you from your troubles didn't it?" Her tone was teasing as Elyana added, "And you're a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e. when you blush Peyra."
Elyana squeezed Peyra's hand and said, "You don't have to do anything special, just don't let what happened earlier or the fact you have guests in the house, ruin your wedding night. Enjoy yourselves alright? And if the others complain about any noise I will personally make their lives a living hell for it."
Peyra smiled weakly, "We'll see what happens."
Out on the porch, Alric sat there quietly. He had watched as Elyana left and when she returned, his face mostly hidden in shadows as he kept the dark hood lifted over his face. His bow sat beside him as he rested in a rocking chair, his right foot lazily pushing himself back and forth. There was only the faintest nod from him as she came back and disappeared inside.
The attackers had the same mark on them like his little brother, the same brother whose twin was still learning the beginning talents of how to be a ranger like his father and older brother. Was he being manipulated by the Piper as well? Was this some kind of great conspiracy? If his brother was possessed by this evil spirit, how could he save them? Would he take him to a nearby monastery to be kept imprisoned until this evil could be expelled? It was these thoughts that consumed Alric's thoughts. He could hunt down a monster. He even considered that he may have the will to free Shadei by the point of a blade. Could he offer the same to his own blood?
With her nightgown on Elyana looked at Peyra as she took off her jewelry and asked, "In the morning would you be willing to help me brush out my hair? I can do it on my own but it is a pain sometimes."
When Elyana came out of the bedroom she had shed her wedding clothes and jewelry and now wore her blonde hair in a loose fall down her back and a sheer pale green silk nightgown that ended at midthigh. She looked for a spot away from the door and began to unroll her bedroll then climbed into it and said, "Night."
Chet bid everyone good night and headed back to his bride.
The next morning came without incident. Peyra made a lovely breakfast for everyone while Chet went out back to chop some more wood. The food was very well seasoned and cooked to near perfection. While the newlyweds were pleasant, it's clear that yesterdays events still was somewhat on their minds.
There soon came a knock at the door. Upon Chet answering it, you see Sheriff Auburn standing there, the morning light making her Half-Orc frame more imposing.
"Good morning everyone, I come bearing some.....disconcerting news. The bodies of the attackers are.....gone."
Gone? Was someone watching... did they just disappear, or were they carried off by someone?
"Disappeared according to one of my men last night. He went to the cell for normal rounds and the bodies were just gone, only the clothing remained."
Elyana had just finished eating when the knock came on the door. She'd changed back into her regular clothing by then and gave the Sheriff a smile. The smile turned to a frown when she heard what had happened to the bodies and she looked at the others. "Doesn't this sound like what happened to the Piper after he died. Before he..." She trailed off and shuddered at the memory of that horrid sight and wondered if the others thought the same.
That's a good possibility, Fel... and to address the obvious parallel that Elyana brings up, how do we stop this? The town had been living in fear for many years before we were born, and although we, as children, maybe delayed the Piper's plans, recent events prove that we obviously haven't stopped them. I think that is something that all of us here have an interest in, but is it possible? How can we bring justice to someone who can just disappear like that? Can anyone think of a way to *end* this?
"We don't know enough about our prey." Alric says in-between eating the warm, delicious meal that had been laid out for them all. "We only know this evil as The Piper but powerful, dangerous things likely have many names. We just have to find out what it truly is so we can end it." Finishing a glass of juice, Alaric would stand up and look at his assembled friends. A look of momentary sadness passed over his face as he imagined it all; this was not how their great reunion was supposed to be. There was supposed to be greater laughter, stories of their lives and their futures. The ranger's quiet anger grows as the monster of their past continues to steal their time away. "I am going to go to Ruby Hollow. I saw all of you yesterday; you fought when others fled. While others froze, you acted. Add in the fact that you all bear the same mark I do, you all know I trust you."
"My brother went to Ruby Hollow and, out of all of us, he was truly marked by that bastard. I-I worry for him. I need to make sure he is safe or that he is not the cause of problem there. Will you help me?" The question rambles out of Alric's mouth as he looks away outside for a moment. Asking for help does not come easily to the man. He had imagined he would hunt his foe down swiftly but he had never imagined it would be like this.
Elyana considered what Zaranna said about bringing the thing to justice and she said, "I think we need a way to contain it, trap it, so that it can't flee. How we do that I don't know."
The elf's gaze shifted Alric as he spoke and she didn't hesitate to agree, "Of course Alric, we are already involved in this. I will need to send word to my people about what is going on before we can go."
Sheriff Auburn spoke up, "I believe our courier service have ravens for Symeshara. It may be good to getting word to them faster."
Elyana gave the Sheriff a bright smile as she said, "Yes, that was exactly what I was thinking." She looked at her friends and said, "While I work on sending the message why don't you make sure we have everything we need for the journey ahead?"
Zaranna went home to pack, finishing up the sword she had been working on for one of her father's clients and then telling her parents what they were going to attempt.
Fully geared up, she went to check on Fel and make sure she was ready too.
Not exactly the journey we were talking about, but it's a way to start anyway...
Cardren has some difficulty getting to sleep that night. The rush of combat still takes him time to process, but the revelation that the Piper was back in his -- their -- life keeps his mind spinning. He starts to breathe through his nose slowly and deeply, focusing and refocusing when his concentration breaks on his mantra. In time he slips into sleep. After his turn as guard, he repeats the breathing exercises to fall asleep.
In the morning, he fries eggs for breakfast for himself and anyone who wants them, serving them with a sprinkle of salt and chopped herbs. ”Chet, what are your plans? I hope you stay here with your bride. It is your decision and will support you.” He washes the dishes and cutlery with an air of ease.
Cardren listens to Alric ”Thank you for asking,” the monk says. He bows while covering his heart with his hands. ”I will help you as I would any of us. We’ll find your brother.” He places his hand on the man’s shoulder and gives it a slight squeeze. ”I will prepare.”
There is little to do other than arranging for the two donkeys and their supplies to return to Freeport with the rest of his family. The farewell to his parents and siblings is difficult. He doesn’t want to say that he might never see them again, but at the same to not acknowledge that is folly. He is heading towards danger in a way he hasn’t before. ”I am sorry for my failings and wish I had been a better son,” he tells his parents as he hugs them, their heads close. ”I love you and have so much gratitude. I can’t express it very well.” He leaves them with laughter, a grin, and sad eyes. What a complex blend of emotions a heart can hold, he thinks.
The backpack feels comfortable as he approaches the departure meeting site. he breathes deeply and claps his hands once. ”Yes! Let us go with resolve and dedication.”