War for the Crown #4 - The City in the Lion's Eye

Game Master Kittenmancer

"But my lady! Wouldn't you prefer the comfort of your own tent to a stranger's bed?" Lotti wrings her hands worriedly, though her glance towards the taller woman is steady for the fleeting second it holds. "Though... I must admit it would be lovely to share our supper."

"...Of course, should it inconvenience you and yours to host us, we can see to our own means, Baronet, with no hard feelings," Rose continues, trusting Lotti's advice. "We understand your struggle to make ends' meet and did come here unannounced. Though if you insist providing for us as guests, perhaps we could at least combine our resources and talents to put forth a nice dinner for all involved? I have been looking for an excuse to cook more often, away from the servants, and am just way more familiar with my own ingredients, you see," She suggests, smiling pleasantly.

Diplomacy to bring it smoothly and friendly, persuasive, Rising star: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (1) + 25 = 26

"I don't know how much they have and can afford to lose, even on a single dinner. Lotti has a point there. But to call them out on their inability to spare or assume they cannot feels impolite at best. I think the best I can do is offer him a gracious way out as a compromise."

Cooking?: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"Oh, no inconvenience at all! We do have an empty house at the moment that could sleep two, or even three if that's not too cramped for your taste. Calia and Dratus have gone to Lotheedar to the temple there, as Calia's time is very near and we have no midwife here." Baronet Vort returns Rose's smile. "And I would be delighted to experience your cooking, Lady Talbot. I try, but I'm afraid my recipes are nothing spectacular."

Within a short time, beds are found in the thorp for any who wish to use them, and people begin bringing their contributions to a potluck dinner - steamed grains with herbs and nuts, roasted mushrooms with wild garlic, some venison, sweet yellow onions, buttered turnips. There is even some drink - a fermented grain alcohol with a harsh aftertaste. The villagers seem curious to try Rose's cooking, some of them complimenting her on it, and the togetherness of a communal meal seems to lift their spirits a little.

"Three at most?" Lisa cringes visibly at the thought of stuffing herself into such tight chambers out here in the boonies with the potential for all manner of bugs or even rats to serve as bunk-mates. "I'm sure we ladies can make due..." She attempts to put on a pleasant smile despite her obvious distaste with the situation.

"Marius, pardon, Lord Erallan may have to find lodging elsewhere for the night... but where? Hmm?" The courtesan places a hand to her cheek thoughtfully as a nefarious smirk begins to curl her lip. "Perhaps he could bunk with you dear Baronet? Oh! Now wouldn't that be fun? It would be like a slumber party. You could stay up late telling stories, gossiping, doing each other's hair, truth or dare..."

"maybe spin the bottle."

-----

Later that night, Lisa politely samples the food though it is not to her taste.

"Oh! Now wouldn't that be fun? It would be like a slumber party. You could stay up late telling stories, gossiping, doing each other's hair, truth or dare..."

"maybe spin the bottle."

Rose does her best to retain her compusure as she imagines Marius and Baronet Vort doing very girly things the way Sepsinia and herself did, when it was her turn to play big sister. The same was probably true for Lisa and the girl, she imagined.

"...Wait. Truth or dare and spin the bottle? Aren't those drinking games? What has she been teaching Sepsinia!?" Rose wonders, as her smile takes a slightly nervous edge and freezes in place. "Surely not? But it's Lisa. Oh goddess. I'll have to check! What if she ends up roaming the halls of Stachys drunk at night and runs into the wrong person!?"

Later...

Fortunately, dinner passes without complications and she's soon caught up in studying the miniature village and the produce they used to cook. But while that was helpful in determining what sort of seeds they could use, it wasn't what was weighing most heavily on her mind.

Thus, when Lisa, Konstiantina and her were about to retire into the cabin assigned to them, she excuses herself, swallows heavily and walks up to him. "Marius? There's something I wanted to discuss with you, but... I haven't really found a good moment. Would you care for an evening stroll?"

"Marius, pardon, Lord Erallan may have to find lodging elsewhere for the night... but where? Hmm?" The courtesan places a hand to her cheek thoughtfully as a nefarious smirk begins to curl her lip. "Perhaps he could bunk with you dear Baronet? Oh! Now wouldn't that be fun? It would be like a slumber party. You could stay up late telling stories, gossiping, doing each other's hair, truth or dare..."

Marius rolls his eyes, then gives Baronet Vort a wink--and immediately feels guilty about it. I really oughtn't tease him, he's going through it. Lisa is a bad influence on me, that must be it. He considers the little shantytown and shrugs. "It's been a few years, but the Phalanx is no stranger to sleeping rough. I'll make do."

As the cooking gets underway, Marius talks to a few of the locals to get additional insight into ways they can be helped and taking a rough census, scribbling notes into his little book before it disappears back into his coat. After dinner and making his polite excuses, he steps away to find a likely spot to sleep for the evening and is surprised to find Rose at his elbow.

"Marius? There's something I wanted to discuss with you, but... I haven't really found a good moment. Would you care for an evening stroll?"

"Oh! Um, yes, Ro--ah, Lady Talbot. Few things would please me more." Marius clears his throat and offers her his arm a trifle formally. Ease up, you fool. You're chastened, remember?

After the meeting, Konstiantina excuses herself from her companions to walk amongst the settlers. She knows hers can be an intimidating presence, so she moves slowly, hands interlaced behind her back, pausing here and there to observe as the people work or go about their business.

When opportune, she inquires as to their well being; it's an artless question, but she follows it up with an offer to lend Iomedae's divine healing to help those who have fallen sickly or injured.

In this manner she goes from home to home, healing where it's needed, exchanging quiet words of reassurance to those who look haggard and exhausted, and offering time and again to lead those who are interested in a small prayer to Iomedae so that they can receive her blessing and guidance in the weeks and months to come.

Konstiatina spends the hours before dinner amongst the settlers, and will willingly use her x8 Lay on Hands on those who need it. She seeks to bolster their morale and offer spiritual guidance to those who are open to Iomedae's wisdom.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

"Marius, pardon, Lord Erallan may have to find lodging elsewhere for the night... but where? Hmm?" The courtesan places a hand to her cheek thoughtfully as a nefarious smirk begins to curl her lip. "Perhaps he could bunk with you dear Baronet? Oh! Now wouldn't that be fun? It would be like a slumber party. You could stay up late telling stories, gossiping, doing each other's hair, truth or dare..."

Caphridius Vort positively beams at that suggestion. "What a splendid idea! Lord Erallan, I would be honoured if you would share my humble accommodations! I will go right away and make everything ready." The baronet disappears with alacrity inside his shack, and soon enough frantic noises of house-keeping can be heard, together with some muffled humming.

"Oh! Ah, I'm flattered but that's hardly necessary, I'm certain I can fend for...aaand he's gone."

"Oh! Um, yes, Ro--ah, Lady Talbot. Few things would please me more." Marius clears his throat and offers her his arm a trifle formally. Ease up, you fool. You're chastened, remember?

Rose blinks at first, but then slides into it gracefully. "Um, thank you. Though there's no need to be so formal, I believe. After all, the settlement's 'head servant' refers to local nobles among the lines of 'Lord hot Dad' and 'the other hot one', if memory serves. The people here are quite colourful and refreshing."

She smiles at the earlier events, then looks up to him and frowns. "Are you all right? You *are* rather stiff; is it the Baronet's offer that troubles you? To be fair, I was a bit surprised to learn he... how do they call it here - 'Swung that way' as well. But he seems the friendly and jovial sort, and a polite explanation would probably get you out of it." A misschievous twinkle shines in her eyes. "...Though if you feel the need to disappear into the woods, I'm sure we can miss a tent and come up with a story of how you prefer to hunt bears alone in the blind of night. After the manticore one, he'd probably buy it."

She sighs softly. "Poor Lisa, though. It seems she just cannot catch a break."

"Are you all right? You *are* rather stiff; is it the Baronet's offer that troubles you?

Am I alright? Yes! No! You make me feel turned around and upside down, and I can't think clearly when you touch my arm and I know I'm not thinking clearly so I second guess everything I say and do when you're around--and I can't get a read on you, I don't know if you want what I want.

"I'm well, thank you for asking. It's just...been a strange day," he lies smoothly, forcing himself to relax. "And the Baronet seems sweet, but he's young and under a lot of stress, and I think he's grasping for something that isn't there. You're right that an honest conversation in private should smooth things over."

"...Though if you feel the need to disappear into the woods, I'm sure we can miss a tent and come up with a story of how you prefer to hunt bears alone in the blind of night. After the manticore one, he'd probably buy it."

'We'? Gods save me, are you doing this on purpose?

"I don't know that I'm persuasive as the rugged wildman type, but thank you for the vote of confidence." He chuckles at Rose's lament on Lisa's behalf. "I don't think she's likely to take it badly, 'easy come easy go' seems more her style. But on the subject of Lisa..." Marius' tone takes on an exaggerated air of nonchalance. "You two have been thick as thieves lately, giggling together like schoolgirls. What's the story there?"

"The Baronet seems sweet, but he's young and under a lot of stress, and I think he's grasping for something that isn't there."

"Ah. I see. That's... good." Rose remarks, inwardly relieved, as she took a strategic moment to regard the fields surrounding the village in what little remained of the day's light. "But tell me, is the same true for me, then? We've been here for *weeks*. Surely if you *were* interested then you would have tried something? Any sort of clear intent or signal? Am I really so undesirable? There was endless opportunity! My room was but five paces away! And now! Now-" She looks up and tried to gauge him, but he was just too unreadable, or too smooth a liar.

"Now... maybe this was just a bad idea..."

Sense motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

""I don't think she's likely to take it badly, 'easy come easy go' seems more her style. But on the subject of Lisa... You two have been thick as thieves lately, giggling together like schoolgirls. What's the story there?"

"Please don't make ill of her, not even in jest," Her tone is... unusually solemn? Defeated? You don't know what she does for you. Us. "I... think she's more lonely than she lets on. It's only been... two months? Three? Since her partner died." She follows quietly. "But she does her best. Tries to give me advice. It's just... I think it's not working," She shakes her head and looks at Marius directly, seemingly studying him intently. "No, that's a lie - I know it's not working."

Marius pauses, turning to meet Rose's eyes, and nods slowly. "You're right, that was unkind of me to say. I'm sorry, I'll not do it again." He hesitates, starts to say something, then stops, never taking his eyes off her. "And I'm sorry that her advice isn't working--I hope you know that I'll help if I can, whatever it is. There is something else I wanted to discuss, if you'll forgive the chance of subject." Marius takes a deep breath.

"Rose...I would like to ask you something." He reaches over and places his hand atop hers where it rests on his arm. "When we spoke at the gala, I told you how much I admire you and every word of it was true--but it wasn't the whole truth. I've been skirting around this for a while, hoping to get to know you better, hoping to get an answer to a question I haven't worked up the courage to ask. I suppose I'm afraid of what that answer might be, you're so damned brave and capable and smart and you always seem busy so I--I..." Marius sighs and lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head.

"I'm doing it now, aren't I. Babbling, skirting around it. Gods, my heart is racing! But I've come to realize that I care about you, for you--a great deal--so I have to ask:" He glances down at his hand resting atop hers and slowly, gently intertwines their fingers before lifting his gaze to meet hers once more.

"May I kiss you?"

There’s a myriad of emotions, from sadness to confusion to bewilderment to happiness-

-And then he takes her hand in the sweetest of ways and stumbles through his words, just we nervous as she. Her tears form and fall, but she still chuckles through it.

It wasn’t quite how she’d have imagined it, in the middle of nowhere, out of nowhere, with barely any light, warmth or even that much privacy for that matter. It wasn’t planned in any way, nor even what she’d meant to discuss. She didn’t even get to put on one of her favorite dresses.

And the timing… the timing almost couldn’t be any worse.

But she’d forgive him for making a mess of things. Just this once.

It was perfect, after all.

”May I kiss you?”

There’s another half-laugh half-sob as she smiles and tries to convey the feeling of sheer joy. "Are you asking me to love you the way I love complicated intrigue? Because if so, you still haven’t paid me back…”

Yet the words were soft and warm, the token poutish glare more cute than anything as she grips his hands in return and slowly inches forward…

If Marius does anything other than kiss Rose, Rose takes the initiative instead.

"Are you asking me to love you the way I love complicated intrigue? Because if so, you still haven’t paid me back…”

Marius grins and lets out a sound that's half-laugh, half-relieved sigh. "I promise to make it up to you."

He reaches out for her, fingertips tracing the line of her jaw as he gently cups her cheek and pulls her closer. As her lips touch his he would have sworn he felt sparks and everything else in the world fades except her.

End Scene?

Everyone else seems to have disappeared somewhere doing gods know what in this dingy little 'town,' if so it could truly be called, and Lisa is left more or less alone and to her own devices. So she tours the dusty fruitless land, greets the dirty peasants politely' declining any handshakes offered, and samples the meager local offerings of porridge, and oddly spongy porridge, and... oh, would you look at that... more tasteless, watery porridge.

Eventually, fully satisfied that she has explored everything this shanty town had to offer, Lisa sits by herself propping up her head with a hand and wearing the most dreadfully bored expression she can muster as the rabble move to and fro about her.

Oh Raesilia darling, how could you abandon me to this doldrum? It's, quite frankly, inhumane, possibly a war crime - I'll have to check with Marius - But honestly! No fashion, no style, nothing a person of any measure of sensibility would even call 'food' in this entire place! Really, we had better food at they Nymph's Kiss and that's setting the bar lower that Lord Erallan's sense of self preservation and that alone is an accomplishment in its own right!

Lisa huffs and gets to her feet, slapping the dust from her couture dress as she marches off towards the woods for a private smoke. It was just too noisy here, she could hardly even hear herself think.

Upon her arrival at the edge of the forest Lisa gropes for her box of tobacco in the dark and pries it open with annoyance, rolling her eyes as she stuffs the substance in her tobacco pipe and summons a small spark from her fingertips to bring it to light. She has hardly moved the pipe to her lips when she hears voices just slightly deeper in the woods.

Lisa is about to groan in annoyance at being unable to escape the rabble even here when the familiarity of the voices catches her ear as well as the breath in her throat.

"May I kiss you?"

The courtesan's heart flutters in her chest like the wings of a swallowtail butterfly. She couldn't have heard that right... could she?

The woman careful removes the pipe from her lips and smothers the flame before stepping gingerly forward and peering through the foliage as a voice that sounds an awful lot like her dear friend Rose makes its playful response.

The intrigue, now well past boiling was beginning to bubble over as Lisa careful pushes a branch aside to get a better view, is almost too much to bear and when her amber eyes take in the sight of the two locking lips the courtesan has to bring her own dainty hand to muffle a potential cry of shock and delight at the sight that had felt like it had been so long in the making.

And as she stands there watching Lisa feels happy for her friend. And as she sees them kiss she feels pride in her part whatever that may have been, in making this happen. And as she witnesses them holding each other so close she feels the coldness creeping in once again. And as she steps away and realizes she's all alone all the color seems to drain from the world once again and suddenly she craves the racket of the strangers to the silent whispers of the forest.

Turning quickly on her heel Lisa makes her way back to the festivities, blinking back hear tears, and drowns her bitterness in the rancid spirits the townsfolk provide, its own bitter bite nothing in comparison to that of her mind's own making.

Soon enough Lisa's cheeks burn bright as her red hair which sits messily upon her head as the woman sprawls out over a shoddily made, splintery bench misshapen ceramic mug she nicked from the baronet still in hand when her eyes raise at Konstiantina's passing form.

Suddenly, the courtesan springs up from her slumped posture and begins waving frantically at the passing paladin. "Your Holy Grasshhhhh! Your Holy Grassshhhh Lady Mokei come here! Come heeeerrreeeee! Shhhhit down! I shaved a spot fer you right here shee?" Lisa slurs drunkly and slaps the unrefined wood beside her beckoning the paladin to sit.

"Welcome, welcome! Let me pour you a driiiink! HahahaHAaaa!" She chuckles as she pours a drink for the angelic woman and another for herself which she takes a deep swig of before continuing. "Sheee? Allsh good! Allsh good! I feel like we neeeever talk anymore you and I."

The courtesan laughs and fumbles the drink in her hands. "Whoopsie! HAHA! How are yoooouuu doing thish lovely night Our Lady of Keelhauling? Ish a new title I got in the worsh for yaou. Like it? No? Alright, alriiight it'sh a work in progresh okay? Anyways... I been meaning to ashk you..."

The woman's tone suddenly becomes somber as she stares into the depths of her drink. "How do you do it? Like, what are you getting out of all of this? You always stand... alone or with others and you just... you seem so untouchable, unfazed even... Don't you ever... Isn't it lonely at the top looking down on all us mortals?"

Baronet Vort reappears, wearing a different shirt, and looks around in puzzlement. "Miss Qeb, are you all alone here? Would you like more tea? " He settles down next to the gnome, reaching down to scratch Wobblekins between his ears. "You must be very attached to your cat, to take him with you while travelling. But he seems very obedient and tame, doesn't he?"

Lotti alternates between bobbing and shaking her head in response as Wobblekins oozes his way into the baronet's lap. "Yes, your lordship, I mean, no, he's not obedient in the slightest, your lordship, elsewise he'd still be back home with the other cats 'stead of out on the road where a coyote could snatch him in the dark, or an eagle swoop down from the sky and snatch him like a fish, or, or, or..."

She wrings her hands and does not meet the nobleman's gaze, not making any effort to raise her voice over the rumbling sound of her familiar's purring. "But I'm sure my simple worries are no concern for your lordship, what with you having to take care of everyone here all by yourself. What would happen to them without you?"

"Oh, Miss Qeb, I'm sure they'll be fine, they're very capable people. Resilient, strong... even a little stubborn, if I may say so." Baronet Vort wastes no time in finding that spot under the chin and scratching it expertly. "I have no illusions of competence or leadership, Miss Qeb. I'm pretty sure Felsha does a lot more for New Towne than I do. I'm just... a figurehead. They can take care of themselves, but I do feel responsible for them." He glances at Lotti, and chuckles wryly. "That's a little paternalistic. But, enough about me. I am very curious about yourself, Miss Qeb, and your companions. I have to say, I've never met a group like yours. I am intrigued."

Konstiantina is making her way back though the village after finishing her rounds when a cheerful, brazen voice hails her - Lisa. For a moment the paladin simply stands there, genuinely taken aback, and then she gives a rueful smile - though what she's rueing can't be told - and settles down beside the courtesan on that rough and homely bench.

At first there's no space - or need - for her to interject. She listens to Lisa's drunken slurring with something that's north of bemusement and west of concern. She's about to excuse herself after taking a single polite sip, but then Lisa's voice turns somber and her words lose their slur, lose their false festiveness, and still Konstiantina where she sits.

"How do you do it? Like, what are you getting out of all of this? You always stand... alone or with others and you just... you seem so untouchable, unfazed even... Don't you ever... Isn't it lonely at the top looking down on all us mortals?"

Konstiantina sits there, eyes wide, completely taken aback. Then her brow furrows and she reaches out to place a callused palm on Lisa's shoulder.

"I'm sorry if I have been remote." Her voice is low, husky, tinged with a noble accent from the courts of Oppara, but her concern is obvious. "But I promise you I stand on no peak. Far from it. Even with my goddess I often feel as lost and confused as anyone else. But are you all right, Lisa?"

The shift from jocose to morose was too abrupt. And never in the past has Lisa hailed her in such manner. Do her questions about Konstiantina instead reveal what she herself was going through? "Has something... happened?"

At first Lisa seems to accept or even drunkenly lean into Konstiantina's gentle comfort but then the courtesan shrugs her shoulders and slips out of the paladin's loose grasp and waves off the woman's apology dismissively, "Has anything happened, she asks. Ha!" The red-headed woman laughs ruefully over her drink before bringing it to her lips once ore and imbibing more of the bitter fluid.

"How to answer that." she frowns as she wipes the remaining liquid from her lips.

"Yes? No? The same thing that always happens I suppose..." Lisa swirls the contents of her mug thoughtfully, her amber eyes set on the movement of its contents and yet somehow also a thousand miles away. "All part and parcel of women in my line of work, people are always coming and going in and out of our lives fast as their coin hits the counter... We often spend our whole lives completely alone all the while surrounded by passing strangers."

Lisa sips some more of her drink, closes her eyes and nods her head to the bite of the bitter fluid as though remembering a good point. "That's... That's the problem you see? I- we're just a stopgap relationship... Until someone can find something real, then we're left behind like yesterday's garbage alone once more.' Lisa huffs blowing a stay strand of hair from her face.

"Loneliness... That's something that never seems to bother you 'my lady,' though I suppose that would be because you 'walk with your goddess everywhere you go' or something like that. Must. Be. Nice." The courtesan scoffs but swiftly shifts her demeanor to a smile.

"I didn't ask you here to ripe bout my own problems though. I wanted to ask you what you want out of all this. Sure, sure it's 'for the good of the nation' and 'Iomedae's will' and all that but surely there's something you want of a more selfish variety. Something I can help you with perhaps hmm? Everybody has something. Something I could help you with perhaps?"

Lisa sighs wistfully gazing out in the direction of the forest. "It seems my latest project has born fruit and well... 'idle hands' and all that."

Konstiantina's gaze is considering and grave, and her expression remains still and focused as Lisa answers her question. An evening breeze lifts a curl of metallic golden hair and blows it across her lips. She gently teases it away, but otherwise remains unmoving.

When Lisa winds down, Konstiantina takes her time in answering.

"We are more similar than you might think. I was raised by a venal family who saw the resurgence of our angelic forebear's blood in my veins as a means to grasp at our long gone glory and power. My earliest memories are of being dressed like a doll so as to be presented at court in the hopes of earning a powerful suitor. You say that loneliness is part and parcel of women in your line of work, but so was it in mine. My childhood and early teenage years were more lonely than I care to remember. I never trusted anybody."

An old pain resurfaces, but it's a glimmer of its former self. The aasimar smiles tiredly. "I thought I was trapped. That such was my lot in life. After all, I was born a noblewoman, I had to marry, my family would make the decision, and that was that. Such was drummed into my skull from the moment I could speak. The path of my life seemed foreordained, and sorrow and solitude my only constants. Until, one day, I decided otherwise."

Konstiantina reaches out and takes Lisa's hand in both her own. "In the end, whomever we are on the inside we are by choice. Even if it feels like we have no alternatives. If you do not wish to be so transient, so easily replaced, then... don't be. You need never feel like yesterday's garbage again. All you need do is change. I left my family manor, gave up my dresses and jewels, my supposed heritage and obligations, and took to living in a garret with no coin to my name. It was hard, but I was never happier."

Her smile is genuine, warm, like the sun breaking free of cloud cover.

"And yes. It is nice to be close to Iomedae. To not be alone. To know that I am loved for who I am and whom I wish to be. To know in my heart that I face all the varied and terrifying darkness of this world with an endlessly burning brand of love in my soul."

She gives her words a moment to sink in, words that resonate with the power of her faith.

"At any moment you can make a choice, Lisa. You can choose to accept that pain and solitude, fear and sorrow need not be the whole compass of your life. You can make room for something more. Something true, something profound, something life changing. It need not be Iomedae. Perhaps Calistria would call to you more. But once you accept a god or goddess into your life, once you dedicate yourself to something immeasurably grander than you can ever understand, life - pain - our travails - all of it is contextualized, and you realize how much room we had within us for infinite new vistas."

"...But, enough about me. I am very curious about yourself, Miss Qeb, and your companions. I have to say, I've never met a group like yours. I am intrigued."

"Oh I could never speak of my lord and ladies behind their backs," Lotti answers quickly, but her sidelong glance at the nobleman and suddenly-calm hands send a rather contradictory message. She holds steady for a few seconds before caving in. "Well, no ill speech at least."

"His lordship Erallan, he's a navy man. Loves his rules and regulations and 'the letter of the law'. Runs a tight ship, if you know what I mean. He keeps himself awake at night fretting over the state of Stachys and the surrounding lands - I know it's true because he requires at least two cups of strong coffee in the morning to feel like himself, no matter how hard he tries to deny it. He's just as hard on himself as he is on others."

"Now her ladyship Mokei, she's a right angel she is. You look at her long enough and you'd swear on your mother's grave there's a gaggle of winged babes holding a halo over her head. Why, just the other day she caught me frowning and asked if we could pray together - and you know refusing such a thing would be like spitting in Heaven's face, it would - and I swear she poured some of that holy light into my very soul. Left me feeling like I was walking on clouds for the rest of the day!" As if realizing her flushed face and breathless voice might give someone the wrong impression, Lotti clears her throat and quickly changes the subject.

"As for, erm, her ladyship Talbot, she's a bit too familiar with the inside of a tailor's shop from a craftsman's perspective. Not that it's my place to say where and how she should be spending her time." She sniffs, then relents. "But if his lordship's sleep is troubled by the state of things here, her ladyship's heart is breaking, it is. She cares so much for the common folk - like your lordship."

"And her ladyship Lombardi..." Lotti shivers visibly. "Oh, she frightens me sometimes. The way she looks at you with those eyes, and that smile - makes me think of those crocodile monsters in the zoos, it does. I do whatever I can to stay on her good side, bless my heart and hope to..." She doesn't finish the thought, staring pensively into the darkness beyond the ring of firelight and wringing her hands.

Lisa raises a brow in a surprise display of shock to hear such intimate details of the usually stoic aasimar's past. After the woman's story reaches its conclusion and its point the courtesan can't help but smile and shake her head in disbelief. "It's hard to believe that you, a noblewoman of angelic blood could sympathize with a thrice damned street whore like myself but... I suppose even the rich and the famous have their problems."

"And yet, there is one difference between the rich and the poor that cannot be so easily changed." There is a deep sorrow in the woman's eyes as she squeezes the paladin's hand in her own before pulling it back.

"Choice. You had the choice to just walk away from it all... That's something that I and many girls in my position growing up lacked... And when we prayed to the gods for salvation we were granted only suffering. And when we were hungry and begging for food from the people all they had to offer from the 'goodness of their hearts' was derisive stares. And when the plague swept through the Nymph's kiss and we went to the Abadarians they would only save those who could afford their 'help.' And when I buried my mother in the most humble of fashion all the Pharasmin's had to offer was their condolences. And throughout all of this... I never had a choice." Lisa turns her head away from Konstiantina so she doesn't see the tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"No... I was given one decision in my life and I took it... I took it so no girl, or boy for that matter, would ever have to go through what I did again... not in my city, not in Oppara. So, while I appreciate your advice Lady Mokei, I'm afraid it's too late for me to dedicate my soul to any god or goddess as I am already dedicated completely to another cause. Even if that means I have to walk this road all alone in the end." Lisa stands still not facing her drinking companion for the night.

"Thank you... for the chat tonight Lady Mokei. I shall be headed to my nights rest but, you did help put things in perspective for me. And... perhaps... as you have said... perhaps we are not so different, you and I.... Goodnight my lady." With that Lisa heads off to bed, head full of thoughts of what could have been and where her soul could have ended up... had it not already been sold in pursuit of her lofty goal.

Marius doesn't know how much time passed--more than a few minutes but less than half an hour, he guesses--but all good things must end, even this.

"To be continued," he promises, brushing Rose's cheek with his thumb and smiling down at her. "Once we're back in Stachys, please, allow me to court you--" he glances around at the copse of trees on the outskirts of a refugee camp and shakes his head ruefully. "--A bit more properly, hm?" He can't resist the urge to claim one last quick kiss before they head back. If Marius' feet touch the ground on the return trip, he couldn't tell.
Returning together or separately?

He arrives just in time to wave at the retiring Miss Lombardi, though he doesn't think she sees him. Fighting to keep the silly grin off his face, he sits down by the fire opposite Konstiantina.

"You were right," he tells the paladin.

Konstiantina listens with a frown; even as this moment draws the pair of them closer than they have yet been, she's never felt so far from the courtesan.

Several times she has to restrain the urge to interject. To correct an assumption, or ask for a clarification. Is the other woman speaking in metaphors about her soul, or literally?

No matter. It's obvious there's no room - as of yet - to change Lisa's mind or convince her that things could be otherwise. And through painful experience Konstiantina has learned that few things are as painful to others than having people of virtue drone at the about salvation when they're not ready to listen.

So she sits still and watches the other woman depart, not once having spoken, only to turn her attention to the fire once Lisa is gone and frown into its flickering depths.

Worse yet is how Lisa's words struck a chord; she has seen for herself the terrible iniquity and oppression that rules the streets, the poverty and disease, the brutality of common life and the pain that is everyone's lot. And for every good priest who struggles to do better, ten more are content to count their coins and turn a blind eye.

Konstiantina's frown deepens into a scowl, and the firelight dances in her eyes. Even now the nobility accommodate matters after the Senate hall massacre. Even now the poor groan and collapse as the manor houses are filled with festive fools.

Konstiantina blinks when Marius appears before her and sits down, his fatuous smile and levity completely at odds with her mood.

"Is that so?" Her tone is harsh. She stands. "Then that's a first."

So saying, she stalks off into the shadows.

"To be continued," he promises, brushing Rose's cheek with his thumb and smiling down at her. "Once we're back in Stachys, please, allow me to court you--" he glances around at the copse of trees on the outskirts of a refugee camp and shakes his head ruefully. "--A bit more properly, hm?"

Rose lets out a cute giggle at the eagerness of the second to last kiss. The reprociation, however, is warm and fierce and just a little needy as she pulls him in and seems to melt fully into his frame. "And you are going to persuade me - how?"

The actual last kiss comes and goes too quickly, and she's left fondly admiring his features as he loosens his hold and makes to steer them back. She chuckles as they do. "Wait, wait. We should probably make ourselves just slightly more presentable. Your hair is a complete mess. To say nothing of your shirt," she remarks, deeply amused, as she tries to straighten his collar in the moonlight and brushes some of his hair back. "What's with that look? Are you saying I look just as bad? Well that would be your fault then, hm?" She pouts and gives a melodramatic sigh. "I swear, Marius, you are such a Cad..."

A few minutes of playful banther later and they are back at the outskirts. "...In all seriousness, I don't mind telling the others right away. But I am a bit worried about Sepsinia, when we get back. Given what she's been through, we, or I perhaps, should probably talk to her first. Find out what she's comfortable with seeing. Though, I imagine that in the worst case, we can still be discreet, right?" She grins slightly, then lingers behind to douse the lantern as Marius greets Konstiantina, wondering how she would react the news.

Further ahead on the road, she could see Lisa's retreating frame disappearing in the night, if walking just a bit unsteadily? Though the lingering elation and excitement of being able to share this great news with her friend outshone that concern. It had been a long day, and perhaps she was just tired.

Except...

Konstiantina blinks when Marius appears before her and sits down, his fatuous smile and levity completely at odds with her mood.

"Is that so?" Her tone is harsh. She stands. "Then that's a first."

So saying, she stalks off into the shadows.

"What-? Was that really Konstiantina? Did I miss anything?" She asks, stupified, as she hesitantly comes up behind Marius.

...Only to see a veritable graveyard of empty bottles and cups, reeking of cheap ale - or perhaps not even ale - on the empty tableseat opposite of where the paladin had just been.

"...oh. Oh no," She says, evidently worried, as her mind puts two and two together makes the connection to Lisa just now. "What should we do?" She reflexively asks her new paramour.

His grin fading as the paladin stalks off, Marius shares a concerned, puzzled look with Rose. "I don't know. Something clearly happened..." He squeezes her hand then rises. "Would you check on Lisa?" He moves off in the direction the paladin went, not having the slightest idea what he would say, or even what was the matter.

He almost doesn't spot her at first, kneeling in the shadows, head bowed in prayer. In the end, he doesn't say anything at all, slowly approaching to kneel down beside the paladin, the two of them sitting in prayer and (he hoped) a companionable silence. Blessed Kelinahat, please help this foolish mortal. I've taken on a task far larger than myself, but if this is Your will I would see it through.

Konstiantina's prayer pauses only briefly as she hears the man kneel beside her, and her grimace is almost perfectly masked. She resumes her silent communion with her goddess, but gives up after another few minutes.

Rising to her feet, she inhales deeply, powerfully, and then exhales all at once, letting the air go.

To fixate her stare on her companion and his effort at solidarity.

Her failure to connect with Iomedae and Marius's willingness to simply pray beside her diffuse the last of her anger. It washes away, leaving her tired and emotionally weary.

"I'm sorry," she says, before Marius has a chance to address her. "You caught me in a foul mood, but that's no excuse for me to take out my..." She trails off, trying to find the right word. What had she been feeling? Not quite anger, not quiet irritation, not frustration either... but...

And such a sharp contrast to what she'd felt just before speaking with Lisa. The elevated emotions she'd enjoyed while tending to the village. She thinks of Aiza's skinny frame, her fierce determination, her willingness to throw herself into a violent life in order to escape this poverty. Had Aiza multiplied in her mind, become emblematic of the millions of such desperate youths that peopled their continent?

Lisa's own words had been the hammer to drive that nail home.

"I find myself growing impatient with the march of progress," she says at last, choosing a different tack. "I would that everything improved immediately everywhere for everyone."

Only then does a slightly self-mocking smile quirk the corner of her lips, and the last of her anger leaves her altogether.

His grin fading as the paladin stalks off, Marius shares a concerned, puzzled look with Rose. "I don't know. Something clearly happened..." He squeezes her hand then rises. "Would you check on Lisa?"

"Maybe they had an argument? Lisa and Konstiantina, I mean. But as for why...?" Rose wonders, trying to make sense of it all. Was there some bad blood between the two of them? But Marius' squeeze pulls her from her thoughts, and she returns the reassuring gesture. She briefly glances at their linked hands - strange, how very new yet comforting that already was. "Okay, good luck. If I can help with anything later, let me know! I... maybe don't know Konstiantina that well," She continues with obvious regret, "But if you think I can do so, I will."

They part and she walks off in the direction of Lisa, eventually finding the courtesan in their shared Cabin. Seeing her in bed, she freezes halfway through opening the door, doing the rest of it as quiet as possible, and tiptoes inside. Was she awake? It was hard to tell in the dark. There was a clear waft of booze in the air and she decided to just as stealthily open a window to the side, mosquitos be damned.

"Um, Lisa? Can you hear me? I... know it's been a long day, so I'm not going to wake you if not. Or maybe you don't feel like talking right now - that's fine too," She says softly, sitting down on a simple wooden chair near her bed. "We saw Konstiantina; Marius and I. She was... pretty upset about something. I don't know what happened between you two, or why, but I... wanted to apologize. I've not been a very good friend, have I? Here I am, constantly bothering you with my worries and troubles, but never asking you about yours..."

She looks away, ashamed. "So... this might be too late, and maybe unneccesary, but if there is ever something bothering you, I hope you know that you can share it with me, and that I'll help you - whatever it is. It's the least I can do."

She rises, and moves to readjust the blanket so that it covers Lisa better, then stands there for a moment, wondering if there'd be a reaction.

If Lisa is asleep or otherwise doesn't respond, Rose will go to bed. She stays awake a little while in case Marius or K need her, then she goes to sleep.

"I find myself growing impatient with the march of progress," she says at last, choosing a different tack. "I would that everything improved immediately everywhere for everyone."

"Goddess knows, I've felt the same more often than can count," Marius sighs. "There are days when I'm at peace with the knowledge that our efforts will never be more than a drop in the ocean--for what is a sea but countless drops? Other days I'm filled with anguish, rage even, at how little the needle moves when it isn't actively moving against us. Those days it feels like trying to hold back the tide, but instead of wet boots the consequence is suffering and misery." He looks up at Konstiantina and smiles a trifle sadly as he stands up too.

"You walk a hard road, paladin. But you don't have to walk it alone, at least."

Rose's words hang in the air for a moment before the sound of Lisa's snoring fills their space.... Seems she must have passed out immediately after hitting the hay... It also seems that a drunk Lisa is heavy on the snoring side so tonight is likely to be a long sleepless one for everyone else.

Konstiantina regards Marius. It's a flat, level stare, no emotion in her handsome face. As if she's truly listening to him, or, more accurately, gauging how sincere he is being, and how much might be platitudes.

When he stands, however, she gives him a grudging nod. "Aye. It's a hard road we all walk, those of us who give a damn."

She looks across the impoverished village, its ramshackle homes, its blighted fields beyond. "But no. I don't walk it alone."

For a long, aching moment she simply stares up at the sky, at the low hanging moon, and then, with visible effort, she puts aside her concerns and gravity and links her hands behind her back. "You said I wasn't wrong, and were smiling like a prisoner who's been handed down his pardon. I take it things have moved forward with our Lady Talbot?"

A sidelong glance reveals the slightest of smiles; it's clear she's both amused and pleased for him.

Marius can't stop the grin that rises at Konstiantina's question. "I'm delighted to report that she reciprocates my affection. Enthusiastically."

The next morning, Konstiantina rises first, and as she makes her way out of the stuffy cottage, almost stumbles on a small form asleep over the threshold. At the accidental nudge of her boot, the form stirs, rolling over in their patchwork blanket and mumbles something, then freezes. A muffled curse, then they jump to their feet - or try to, as they get tangled up in the blanket. After some struggle, Aiza emerges, her hair an absolute rat's nest, but her eyes are sharp and alert.

"G'morning! I washed your horse! Fed her, too! I didn't have any apples, but my mam's been saving some raisins for the harvest feast. What's her name?"

She has a small satchel that she's clutching tightly at her side. The buckle broke some time ago, and the satchel is now held closed with an imaginative weaving of string.

Konstiantina's smile grows wider. "I am shocked. What an unexpected turn of events." She then reaches out and squeeze his shoulder, her tone turning warmer. "Truly, I'm happy for you both."

She rakes her metallic hair back and then sighs. "I think I'm going to turn in. Can the two of you try to not interrupt our sleep too much? It would be most appreciated."

And with that she turns away, her smile growing wry, and enters their cabin.

In the morning, after a breakfast of porridge and tea, the group is ready to depart, heading east along the road towards Gold Canyon and Stachys. Baronet Vort and Felsha comes to say their goodbyes and see them off, both of them looking markedly more hopeful.

Konstiantina takes her farewell from Vort and Felsha with her customary gravity and good will; her face reflects none of the prior night's emotions, and she wishes them both safe keeping in Iomedae's light.

Rose inquires after the town's precise needs one last time at the parting, noting down any critical goods to import via the waterways on short notice. She seemed to be in a rather good mood and would have agreed to a credit arrangement for one shipment depending on the price, rather than demand the payment up front if such was not possible for Vort.

Afterwards, she bids farewell to the Baronet with a polite smile and a strangely misschievous smirk and nod to Felsha right after.

The below is assuming Aiza follows K back to the rest of us.

She was in the process of waxing her crossbows' drawstring in the morning sun when Konstiantina returned to the group with a young, or rather, even younger follower in tow. She waits for introductions to be made and gives the new girl a warm smile. "Welcome, Aiza! I'm Raesilia Talbot, a Lady at the Opparan Courts, but you can call me Rose. So, Miss Mokei is going to be your teacher? Well, you're lucky. She's both really strong and wise - and a dear friend to me, so do your best for her, all right?"

She holds up her hand for a handshake, high-five or whichever other gesture passed for a friendly greeting among the commoners in the countryside here - but pauses and gives the paladin a questioning look, wondering if such informal behavior was still permitted to her charge?

Aiza shakes Rose's hand enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear and looking generally ecstatic to be going with them. She offers to carry people's luggage, although she clearly struggles under the weight, but seems determined to not give up or complain.

They all set out eastwards on the road, and before noon they reach the remains of the Golden Canyon bridge. From that vantage point, it becomes apparent that Gold Canyon is not a natural formation, but rather the remains of a strip mine that followed a winding vein for miles through rugged, rocky terrain - a staircase-style ditch some 30 feet deep, 80 feet wide, and nearly 10 miles long. The stone bridge that was once the only crossing point has collapsed, leaving only the watchtowers on either escarpment. Steep stairs are carved into the rock next to the old bridge, likely the locals' workaround to be able to more easily traverse the canyon on foot.

Stagnant water has gathered at the bottom of the canyon, but it does not look to be very deep. Smooth river stones peek out of the water here and there near the remains of the bridge, glinting with golden flecks.

Grinning at the girl's enthousiasm and subsequent struggle, Rose takes back her backpack with a chuckle soon after. "My, you're a lively one! But you're not my squire, so I'll carry my own. It helps keep me in shape and I'd rather have my things in reach if we need to fight."

When they reach the bridge, she squints against the sun and overlooks the small valley of sorts below the once-bridge, along with its pool of water there. "Oh! Now that we're here, I think I recognize this place. It's an old stripmine, the gold of which was used to mint Taldan coin. Supposedly it has religious significance to Abadarrans for that reason. Hm, but how to best cross..."

She glances along the roughly hewn stairway down and up on either respectively end of the crossing as well as any possibility to walk around the edges of the water below. When Aiza is distracted, she lowers her voice for the others nearby to hear. "There's also a body along the western shore, dressed in what looks like modern expensive Revanette garb, but I'd have to get a closer look. Probably a pilgrim? I'd suggest investigating, but should we let Aiza see a potentially decomposed corpse this quickly?" She wonders, throwing a slightly concerned look at the new squire. "To say nothing of what might have potentially killed them and where it could be hidden."

Lotti refrains from asking Rose when exactly the best time for a person to see their first decomposing corpse would be. Through great self-control, she also refrains from asking the noblewoman why she would think this is Aiza’s first encounter with death. Instead she raises her voice, gives it a bit of extra dryness and crackle to emphasize her age. “Oh no! Your Grace, don’t run off! You know these old legs can’t keep up with you!”

Wobblekins takes off on a flash, pausing a short distance away atop a tree stump and yowling loudly. One leg twitches, as if eager to propel him further at a moment’s notice. His tail thrashes back and forth with only short, irregular pauses.

Marius mouth tightens when he spies the body, staring intently for a pool of blood, broken arrow haft, or other signs of violent end, and scanning their surroundings for possible dangers. He glances over at Rose when she quietly voices concern about Aiza, eyes briefly flickering to the girl before he shrugs very slightly.

"She's Konstiantina's charge, but I don't disagree. If that girl's actually fourteen I'll eat my boots. But we can't very well leave that poor fellow down there..."

Shrugging off his coat and travel pack, the ex-soldier efficiently withdraws a coil of rope. "Shouldn't be too difficult to lower me down and examine him, I don't suppose you've got a spare coil in your magic bag? To bring him up and get him a proper burial."

"All right, if you think that's best." Rose quietly responds, then listens as Marius indicated the body and states his desire to be lowered alone.

Except...

She raises an eyebrow and smirks. "Wait, you mean to tell me you don't have a rope? And here I was, thinking you were an experienced field agent of sorts..." She trails off slightly dramatically and hands Marius the item, then moves to follow. "Best to keep an eye on you then. Wouldn't want for whatever might have gotten them to get you as well. I'm sure someone would be sad," She playfully finishes as she approaches the edge and observes the pool and shoreline from above, electing very much not not to climb straight in.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Should she not find anything, she takes a hump of bread and throws it into the lake from above, wondering if something would respond.

Rose is too late in trying to spare Aiza the sight of the body, for the girl has already noticed it. Her face is closed as she looks at it, then her eyes begin to move to the body's surroundings, searching.

"Do you think they fell?" Her tone is a mix of hope and doubt at once.

Noticing Wobblekins' antics, she turns her attention to the familiar. "Oh no, are you scared? Don't worry, we'll protect you! Nothing will hurt you while I'm around!" She strikes a valiant pose, then kneels by the tree stump to offer chin scritches.

As she hears Marius ask about rope, she rushes to pull a tightly packed coil out of her satchel, offering it proudly. "My da twisted this one, some of his best work!"

Steadying himself on the rope, Marius finds it easy to descend to the bottom of the canyon and look at the body from up close. The unfortunate young woman's body is half-devoured, and before Marius can inspect it further, the still water suddenly ripples and swells.

A huge snake, its stony scales flecked with gold, lunges towards him with frightening speed. Only Aiza, high up on the embankment, has any time to react, giving a shout of warning.

The snake sinks its fangs into Marius's thigh, then coils its body around him. Now that most of it is out of the water, the others can see that it easily 12 feet long.

Marius needs to roll a Fortitude save, and he is grappled. Everyone but Marius gets +1 to attacks and saves for 1 minute, from Aiza's warning.

Initiative: Aiza, Snake, Marius, Lisa, Konstiantina, Lotti, Rose.

Partial retcon due to crossing posts, see Discord.

It happens too quickly, when Rose peers over the edge and sees something move under the water, she calls it out immediately - but Aiza already helped Marius down. She freezes in the split second moment of being unable to find him - just as the gigantic snake bursts from the lake and begins eating him!

"Marius!!" She calls out, and reflexively fires at the snake!

single shot surprise round, warning +1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
damage, bomb 1 of 4: 1d8 + 3d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + (2, 4, 5) + 4 = 18

This is Rose's surprise action. I'll wait to see what Lotti and Lisa do and whether their magic somehow enables invisibility/hiding opportunity.

Lotti doesn’t have time to “encourage” her familiar to be another distraction before pandemonium breaks loose in the pit. Peering over the edge, she sees Marius locked in the coils of a large snake. Serpent? Adder? Viper?

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 (+1 if Planes, +4 if Arcana)

A glance to the side confirms that Rose still has her crossbow from the vault below the Senate. Good. Lotti digs in her pocket for some sand, then pauses and surveys the ground beneath her feet. With an awkward kick, she sends a spray of sparkling, gold-flecked dust over the lip of the canyon and towards the combatants below.

Casting glitterdust to hit the snake and not Marius, spending the Reservoir point to boost the DC to Will 19.