Three days after Rose’s departure, there was a knock on the door of the meeting hall, and a woman enters unannounced.
She was, for lack of a better word, lovely.
Deep red hair framed her lively, oval-shaped face and soft green eyes. She wore a cute yet obviously high-quality red and white dress based around ribbon patterns; one that accentuated her hourglass frame surprisingly well while straying away from revealing an immodest amount of skin. The outfit was completed by a matching plumed hat, a set of pearl earrings and necklaces and her mostly white shawl, the end which ended in the many-coloured Songbird symbol of Shelyn. The far end of the symbol, in turn, transitioned into a handful of cloth strips of various colours, which danced through the air with each of her movement.
The young woman carried a gentle smile, and something about her appearance evoked a feeling of melancholy; as if she were a living reminder of simpler, purer times. Perhaps it was her patron deity, how harmless she looked without any weapons in this day and age, or her aire of of girliness and femininity. Or maybe it was how when she spoke, it was like receiving a warm caress through her voice, carrying an implicit promise that everything would be all right. It was almost too good to be true, yet she carried her role with such confidence; ever smiling as one motion gracefully flowed into the next…
”Greetings. Are you Lord Erallan and his council of advisors?” She asks pleasantly, though faint recognition implied she already knew the answer. ”I am Valery Arlandt; my friends call me Velvet. Of course, you may address me however you wish,” She makes a polite curtsy with her introduction. ”I must say, It is great to finally meet all of you, if only to see if Rose’s stories were true.”
Her smile widens a fraction. ”And I apologize for entering unannounced, of course. While I could have taken the front door and have myself escorted for the sake of propriety, I only had one chance to see how easy it would be for a complete stranger to walk into your mansion and private meeting without anyone noticing or trying to stop them. And well… here I am.”
She frowns slightly as she notices the mood of the room seemed a bit on the tense side. ”Oh dear, is there something the matter? Please, I mean no disrespect to you or your staff – I only wish to ensure your safety as best I can, as Rose would want me to.”
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She pauses and takes a sip of tea, both to calm her nerves and to give the others a chance to speak.
Konstiantina frowns at the note, then hands it over to Marius.
"What's clear is that we need to increase security. We've grown to comfortable here over the past few weeks, and we should be grateful, I suppose, that this was a threatening letter from the Swan and not a group of assassins sent by Lotheed. What do you think, Marius? Should we set up patrols as if we were camping in the wild till this business is over?"
She considers Lotti, going over the gnomes' words, and then give a slow nod. "I think you're right in that whomever did this most likely has inside intelligence as to what's happening in the manor. I'll speak with everyone who has normal access and see if I detect anything unusual. I hope I don't, but I dislike even more the idea that our activities are being reported to outside enemies."
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Konstiantina's investigation doesn't turn up anything concrete. The few servants working at the manor seem sincere in their loyalty to the group and have not seen or heard anything during that night. The domovoi are quite perturbed by the intrusion, as it had gone undetected by them, something that does not happen often.
Meanwhile in Stachys, the construction of the new temple and the renovation of Onora Piscum's pub into something more spacious is going apace. The temple hosts shrines to the major deities, and Festo Mise offers to be the cleric in residence. The young priest even comes up with a system where villagers can pay in labour or goods instead of coin, so that everyone can afford ecclesiastical services.
Onora is thrilled to get a bigger place, and spends several evenings drafting plans for the workers to enact. The common room is now much more spacious, with a small raised platform and benches for public meetings, and there are several new rooms that house a kitchen, two separate storage areas, and a little office. Another big change is the addition of an entire floor above, containing a few guest rooms and Onora's own bedroom.
Halfway through the week, several farmers begin reporting that their animals are falling ill and their milk is souring. Some of them mention a figure moving among the fields at night, someone they did not recognize.
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Having suffered a recent intrusion with its accompanying threats, Velvet's own intrusion is met by Konstiantina with swift suspicion; the paladin rises to her feet and turns to inspect the well dressed woman with narrowed eyes, swiftly checking her for signs of evil or depravity even as she listens intently to the stranger's words for duplicity.
"Do you often take liberties simply because you can?" asks the paladin, who finds the woman's light and pleasant tone at odds with her effrontery.
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Marius pulls inward a bit after Rose leaves. It's childish, and he chides himself for it, but while his pride won't let him display open sadness and fear neither does he feel up to performing optimism or effusiveness. He takes refuge in the ongoing projects of Stachys, in particular the new temple and its numerous shrines--Abadar, Iomedae, Sarenrae, Erastil, Olheon, Zohls--and dedicates to still more. He touches the carved bird of Shelyn, and whispers a prayer that his love will be back soon safe and sound. And in the evening, when the workers have all returned home, he pries up one of the brick tiles and turns it over, carving the symbol of Kelinahat before placing it back. Unseen but still present, watching over us.
+ + + + +
The appearance of the letter, and the unsubtle threat of the break-in, sets Marius' teeth on edge. Lotti's analysis has him staring thoughtfully out the window, but he doesn't see any holes in her reasoning. He nods at Konstiantina's suggestion of patrols as he accepts the note. "Whomever we're dealing with, they're clearly talented at stealth. Whether this is a misdirection or not, I want to spread the word that we've been visited by the Night Swan--Count Lotheed may find us more sympathetic since we have a common enemy. In addition to the guards everyone be cautious about moving about alone. If the Swan decides to force the issue we'll deal with her--but for now, we continue on as before."
+ + + + +
Marius has half-risen at the sound of the nock when Rose's mentor sweeps into the room. His eyebrows climb higher as Valery Arlandt introduces himself, and his hand twitches at the desk, moving a blank sheet of parchment to cover the reports on midnight visitations and sickened livestock. His gaze flickers to Konstiantina at her challenge, but he doesn't gainsay the question or the tone as he turns a polite but cautious smile to the newcomer.
"Miss Arlandt, yes, we were told to expect you. The...manner of your arrival is most unfortunate, as the manor has recently suffered a break-in by a local brigand. Nerves are a bit frayed, as I'm sure you can understand."
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Lotti smiles pleasantly at the newcomer even as her thoughts race. Her teacher. Young - looks to be similar age to Rose, if not younger. Still possible to be retired, but less likely than not. Enough safety net to disregard potential consequences of a stunt like that. Possible sources? No noble title given. Withheld? Possible. Connections to the Talbot family? Possible. Insider information from Rose? I would hope she would know better than to discuss security measures with anyone. Self-confidence? Dangerous to be around someone when that confidence suddenly isn't enough. Ignorance? Very unlikely. Too many veils surrounding this one.
"Can I get you some tea?" she asks politely, smiling and meeting the taller woman's gaze. "Any sugar or cream?"
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The break-in has Lisa pacing throughout the manor in an absolute fit. The audacity of this thief to intrude upon their home, take their things, and threaten them in this time when Lisa was already so trouble from Rose's sudden departure... it was all too much.
Lisa would find this interloper, this cowardly fool... And she would make him pay.
When Rose's teacher arrives Lisa hand strays from her tobacco pipe to the dagger on her thigh until she introduces herself as Rose's teacher.
Lisa breaths a sigh of relief and shakes her head. "Enough with the tough act Lady Mokei. This is the teacher our darling Raesilia spoke of and if she trust's her that's obviously good enough for me." Lisa takes a drag of her pipe and reaches out for a handshake.
"Welcome aboard Miss Velvet. I am the illustrious Twilight Temptress of Taldor, Lisa Lombardi in the flesh. And you are right in time to prove yourself useful to us... How do you feel about tracking down a thief with me?"
"Do you often take liberties simply because you can?"
Rather than take offense, her features seem to soften further. "I see you are upset... whatever happened must have been quite bad to shake someone of your station thus, Miss Mokei," She responds, a touch of sadness to her tone, and she seems genuinely remorseful. "For what it is worth, I apologize for whichever part I played in this."
"But to answer your question... Normally, I would happily engage you in a witty discussion on the nature of these 'liberties', especially since I was invited here in the first place, and all I've done is walk inside. However, more seriously, I meant what I said. I was entrusted with your safety by a friend and pupil and I try to live up to my promise, as I hope your aura reading trick will affirm," She seems completely sincere at that.
"Truthfully, the nature of these posts of 'advisors' to Lord Erallan was a bit vague to me; the letter didn't specify your portfolios. While I can guess what each of you advises him on,"-Her gaze glides past Lisa and there is a flicker of amusement-"I felt I was probably best suited to be an advisor on security. Though why anyone would ever listen to someone looking like me without demonstrating my skill at least once is a fair point. So consider this an open application, if you will, should that post be open.”
”That said, my own question remains unanswered…?” She glances around the table.
”"Miss Arlandt, yes, we were told to expect you. The...manner of your arrival is most unfortunate, as the manor has recently suffered a break-in by a local brigand. Nerves are a bit frayed, as I'm sure you can understand."
She gratefully inclines her head towards Marius and locks eyes with him. ”I see. How dreadful! And the only local brigand I was informed of was the Night Swan. You mean to say she’s finally revealed herself? If so, how do we know it was her?” She asks, seemingly more curious than alarmed.
“"Can I get you some tea?" she asks politely, smiling and meeting the taller woman's gaze. "Any sugar or cream?"
”Ah, how thoughtful… and shrewd!” She answers the gnome, her eyes lighting up. ”You mean to culinarily test me with a trick question? Very well, I accept! Then I say: it depends on the brew and strength of said tea. Are the leaves oxidized? Black or green? Local or oversees? How long has it stood? In general, stronger, black teas go with milk and cream whereas weaker ones go best with sugar. So which are we working with?” She nods at this, seemingly happy with the answer, and goes back to discussing the robbery.
"Enough with the tough act Lady Mokei. This is the teacher our darling Raesilia spoke of and if she trusts her that's obviously good enough for me. Welcome aboard Miss Velvet. I am the illustrious Twilight Temptress of Taldor, Lisa Lombardi in the flesh. And you are right in time to prove yourself useful to us... How do you feel about tracking down a thief with me?"
”Why, thank you," She gives her a soft smile. "Though I understand Miss Mokei's reason for concern. And yes, your reputation is quite legendary, Miss Lombardi. I’ve heard people in Oppara are still talking about what happened to Connard,” She says, amused, before pausing to mull something over. ”Hm... I do believe I could use a warmup! It has been a while since I was at the reigns in the field, rather than playing a more supportive role. And for this investigation, I feel we should start at the third floor windows, as I noticed something quite peculiar on the way here…”
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“You mean to culinarily test me with a trick question? Very well, I accept! Then I say: it depends on the brew and strength. Are the leaves oxidized? I mean, black or green? Local or oversees? How long has it stood? In general, stronger, black teas go with milk and cream whereas weaker ones go best with sugar. So which are we working with?”
Lotti’s eyebrows remain motionless - only internally does she sigh in exasperation. Demonstrates tendency to view things as a challenge or contest. Self-confidence seems more likely. Possible cover for insecurity or need to prove herself. In someone supposed to be a teacher. Due to age? Possible. Wonderful.
“No, ma’am, no trick intended. Perhaps… I’ll fetch the service so you can decide for yourself?” Carefully she stands up from her chair and heads towards the kitchen.
Displaced from his place on Lotti’s lap, Wobblekins deigns to rise himself and observe the newcomer. He pads over to Velvet’s feet and looks up at her with large brown eyes.
Displaced from his place on Lotti’s lap, Wobblekins deigns to rise himself and observe the newcomer. He pads over to Velvet’s feet and looks up at her with large brown eyes.
"Oh, of course. You are Stachys' real defender, Lord Wobblekins, are you not?" The Shelynite chuckles as the cat looks up at her with imploring eyes. "All right, all right! I yield. It seems I will just have to pet you, won't I?"
She attempts to pick up the cat and do just that. "In the meantime, is there a chair I could take, perhaps?" Velvet asks the others while Lotti is away.
Wobblekins backs away as Velvet reaches down, then retreats to continue his observation from the safety of under the desk.
Wobblekins backs away as Velvet reaches down, then retreats to continue his observation from the safety of under the desk.
The woman raises an eyebrow at the cat, amused. "First you charm me into petting you, then when I consent, you withdraw, so I now also have to bribe you first? Well, you're certainly cunning, I will grant you that, but I'm afraid you're pushing your luck a bit far for a first meeting."
If and when offered, she would then take an empty seat at the table.
Towards the end of the week, Sheriff Onora Piscum manages to apprehend the trespassing stranger. The woman is believed to have poisoned the flocks of the Gagrus family, who have now fallen ill with the same blight, and the locals accuse her of witchcraft. She refuses to speak to anyone as she awaits judgement in a former storage shed that has been turned into a holding cell with the public house improvements.
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Doesn’t sound like spellcraft - much easier to put something poisonous in the water and let it pass from field to livestock to farmer. Lotti finishes her knots and reviews the idea knitted into the scarf in her lap.
“Given the decisions we’ve made in the past, people will be expecting continued mercy,” she explains to her companions. Her fingers touch each “dropped” stitch as they roll up her handiwork, making sure she doesn’t forget to say part of her thought process out loud. “So they’ll be unhappy if that expectation is unmet. But they’ll also be upset if what they view as a crime is left unpunished. I’ll sow some counter-rumors to this witchcraft story - perhaps she’s very shy and wanted to clear out poisonous plants from her neighbor’s fields, perhaps she was placing a protective spell over the farm to mitigate the worst of the illness. Precise details are less important than general confusion over the narrative and less agreement between folks on what to do.”
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Marius blinks in consternation at the newcomer's strange behavior. "Miss Arlandt...Wobblekins is a cat. And the tea is tea. You come recommended highly by someone I trust with my life, which is application enough. Rose vouches for you, so there's no need for any of this 'battle of wits' business." He steps around the desk where he'd been reading reports and turns one of the chairs around to where everyone can see one another and gestures to invite her to sit.
"As for security, well, it seems the Night Swan has decided to press the matter--we've had no other interactions with this particular danger to my knowledge, and we're in the process of determining whether or not we're the only ones to receive such a threat. Excepting our dear Count, of course."
+ + + + +
When the word comes in that Piscum has caught someone suspected of poisonings Marius sighs and sends messages to the others to assemble for another trial, arriving at the tavern himself shortly thereafter.
"Do we even know her name?" he asks Onora as the tavern's taproom is rearranged for trial. "Is she a known figure around here--and under what circumstances was she arrested?"
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"Miss Arlandt...Wobblekins is a cat."
Velvet, in turn, also blinks. "Why, of course he is? You mean to say you never talk to pets? He is quite adorable, is he not?"
The woman makes one more attempt to pet Wobblekins, this time waiting to see if Wobblekins came out on his own, before giving up and taking a seat at the table. "...If a little shy perhaps." She adds with a smile towards him."And the tea is tea. You come recommended highly by someone I trust with my life, which is application enough. Rose vouches for you, so there's no need for any of this 'battle of wits' business."
There is a moment of pause in which her eyes widen and it very much appears as though she would have said more on the first part - but it passes and she seems to grow more serious. "All right; business first then. Could you tell me exactly what happened?"
"Charming," She states, reading the note promising death and destruction while also making rather vulgar references to mammary glands. "My first thought is; why now? From the sounds of things, you have been spending money like there is no tomorrow, in all but the shortest spans of time. It was inevitable a thief would eventually appear. But the day after the harvest feast...? Perhaps the costs of organising such are what finally won her over, rather than Rose's departure, and referencing it is simply her trying to further capitalize on the situation."
She closes her eyes and takes a moment to think, folding her gloved hands in her lap as she does. "I agree with Miss Qeb that it seems to be the work of an opportunist, and likely a lone one in this instance. However, I don't think this was all that well-planned. That she didn't steal the most valuable jewels suggests her inside information, if she even has any, is rather imperfect. Also, your local reputations are rather fiersome following the Jubilee, having slain the Iron Lash and all the other beasts you encountered on the way here. She probably wanted to avoid running into you if at all possible. And for her to enter this place covertly, likely alone to see what she could quickly steal, suggests a rather reckless and overconfident individual. My best guess as to the purpose of this note is 'saber rattling'; to try and scare you off into not coming for her criminal organisation next."
"That said, speculation is speculation. Proof is much more valuable, and we know how she probably broke into the house. Should we not go upstairs and investigate the window and roof, to see if any trail of her remains?" She pauses to see if anyone was up for restarting the investigation just then.
"I'll try and talk to this woman in the meantime... Given the earlier tendencies towards mercy I imagine she might change her mind if we approach her personally. Or alternatively, if she has some sort of grudge against the four of you then perhaps me being an outsider might be of help here."
Velvet would have a bit of simple food and water brought to the the conversation. She introduces herself and tries to gently bring her to tell her side of the story. Did she really do this? And was there more to this situation than met the eye? She eventually pointed out that that it is in her best interest to talk, since any defense needs some information to base it on, some reasoning to be merciful. Silence, meanwhile, could be taken as an admission that everything the prosecutor said was essentially true, even if it wasn't, and all migitating factors to this wouldn't come into play.
The woman frowns at the food and water brought to her, making no move to eat or drink, then shifts her gaze to Velvet, scrutinizing her.
"You don't look like a local. I know all too well that the farmers are a superstitious and ignorant lot, but I was hoping someone more learned would be able to tell the difference between a witch and a druid."
She straightens her back. "My name is Anllel Oakleaf. I am part of the Wildwood Lodge in the Verduran Forest to the north of here. A member of our circle bought a goat from a Meratt merchant a few weeks back, and we found the animal to be... strangely diseased. Our elders sent me to investigate, and to try to formulate a cure in case the blight spreads."
"I see... In that case, what do you mean with 'strangely diseased'? What is your take on this illness then? Do you believe it originated from Stachys?"
The woman seems truthful, and she shows Velvet the sprigs of holly and mistletoe in her pouch as proof. She has not been searched yet, but if asked she shows all her possessions currently on her - a chewing stick, a small bag of salt, a bone needle wrapped in thread.
"The rest is at my camp." She watches Velvet for a moment. "If you have anyone skilled with healing, you can go look for yourself. It's none of the sicknesses common in animals, that I can tell you. It may have come from here, or that farmer might have brought it from somewhere else."
The Shelynite studies the druid, calmly watching her body language for signs of discomfort, discrepantic tells and duplicities as she makes her various statements. She finally rises to her feet. "All right, Miss Oakleaf. I will relay this to Lord Erallan and his advisors and see if we verify this. It sounds plausible and I believe you are telling the truth."
A shadow of something flickers across her features on the way out and she turns a final time near the doorway. "Though... is there any chance, perhaps, that you could inform us ahead of time for any similar future endeavors undertaken by your circle? I believe that for something as serious as a strange disease potentially able to spread all across the farming community, Lord Erallan would have been happy to work with you and support your efforts to counteract it. Now, we are unfortunately losing a lot of time having to prove your innocence to the common public... and if we fail to, I imagine that puts him in a difficult position on what to do. Still, I will try my best."
She listens to any response, then leaves and relays the information to the others back at the mansion. "I am not a healer, but I have some knowledge on animals and-" She hesitates, then sighs. "-Well, common poisons. I can try to take a look at one of these animals muself, but I suggest we ask the clergy at your temple to also help verify her story."
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The druid nods in acknowledgement to Velvet's point.
Visiting the Gragus farm, it is clear that the animals are indeed sick. The family has been taken to the newly-built temple to be cared for there by Festo Mise. Velvet can tell that they have not been poisoned, but both Lotti and Marius notice something strange - all of the animals have small nodules usually associated with ghoul fever. Fortunately, none of the sick animals who had died have risen as undead, but it is obvious that they have been somehow tainted.
Asking the farmhands and shepherds leads to another discovery - all of the animals on this farm and neighbouring farms have been pastured on lands bordering the swamp that surrounds the now-repaired pump house.
"It seems we must return to the pumphouse to see what sickness it has dredged up from the mire." Konstiantina sighs and rises from her table. "I'll reach out to our previous pilot and see when his ship is next available."
"It seems reasonable to assume there was contaminated water in the undead-littered pumping station, and that these animals then fell ill drinking it. However, we are on a bit of a timer, both for this investigation and the Night Swan running loose. Would it not suffice to take a water sample from these pastures for your clerics to investigate while we search for this druid's campsite? What do you plan to do at the pumping station at present that we do not already know, or can suspect with a high degree of certainty? Shut it down? Consecrate it somehow? If the latter is the goal, should we not first exonerate and enlist the aid of this druid who claims to have been researching the cure?" Velvet suggests as she rises.
"Just give me a moment to find a room and save this dress before we set out."
“Contaminated, yes - but if ghoul fever could be transmitted through drinking water, every large city with a sewer system would have either had their entire population turned or have documented methods of preventing such transmission.” Lotti frowns in thought. “I agree though that the pumphouse is very likely the vector for spreading this disease and warrants another investigation. I did not notice other magical effects and I believe Konstiantina did not sense any further undead in the area, but it’s always possible something changed or was overlooked.”
“As for Anllel’s campsite, I not certain what you hope to find there Miss Arlandt. We already have evidence of an unusual disease that supports what she has told us. Or are you looking to corroborate what Marius and I found at the farms?” Her voice is brisk and neutral.
“As to a timer, I’m afraid I also don’t understand. Are you suggesting that the Night Swan has a schedule to keep? My understanding from our discussions earlier was that they were most likely an opportunist, and as such reactive rather than proactive. Do you have evidence that would imply otherwise?”
"Those ghouls were living there for many years--centuries potentially--but the water wasn't poisoning the area then. Something seems to have changed, been churned up or dumped in or what have you. Checking the pumphouse seems a natural first step. As for the Night Swan, she has threatened our lives but she'll have to come seek us out if she wants to make good on the threat. She'll keep, our people's well being comes first."
He kneels down next to the druid. "For what it's worth, Anllel Oakleaf, I believe your story. We're headed to a pumphouse we recently rebuilt to see if the source of the sickness might not be there. If we find anything conclusive that will be enough to clear your name and you'll be free to go."
“As for Anllel’s campsite, I not certain what you hope to find there Miss Arlandt. We already have evidence of an unusual disease that supports what she has told us. Or are you looking to corroborate what Marius and I found at the farms?” Her voice is brisk and neutral.
The woman nods and gives her reasoning. "She stated she has been researching this disease for some time. If nothing was on her indicating her as the spreader, and nothing similar is at her camp, that would help a lot in proving her innocence. At present, were I prosecuting this case, I would claim she was responsible for introducing this disease into your pump installation, which given the shady circumstances of her lone operations and arrest is something that would have to be disproven to the commoners to quell their doubts. Lord Erallan stated the undead could have been there for who knows how long with no issue, then she shows up and there is a strange disease suddenly spreading. Sure, it could also be just repairing the pump, and for the record I believe that is more likely. But it is not about what I think, but how the people perceive it."
“As to a timer, I’m afraid I also don’t understand. Are you suggesting that the Night Swan has a schedule to keep? My understanding from our discussions earlier was that they were most likely an opportunist, and as such reactive rather than proactive. Do you have evidence that would imply otherwise?”
The woman glances down the muddy path, eyes narrowing. "It is my best guess that the Night Swan is reactive, yes, and that this break-in was an unrefined piece of work, born from opportunity and fear of your exploits. However, I could be wrong. A lot of it is conjecture, based on what very little we know of her. To my knowledge, we have never investigated her known attack of this convoy or any other of her crimes. Thus, we know nothing of her modus operandi except for the posting of this note and its threat. How violent is she? Is she known to be a killer? Does she spare innocents or not? What if she is not in fact scared, and does intent to make good on her threat? She also does not have to attack you directly to make your life miserable. You can't be everywhere at once. She could systemically attack your servants, then have you blamed by them for the lack of protection, to name just one option. That is why I would prefer to be on the offensive rather than wait and see, or at least on an active investigation. I do not like being entirely in the dark and leaving the lives of others to pure guesswork."
With Anllel Oakleaf's directions and a little searching, the druid's campsite is found in a copse of trees on top of a low hill. Her journal corroborates the information that she shared with Velvet.
Investigating the area around the pumphouse shows a rather different landscape than the marsh that were there before; with most of the water drained, the mudflats now reveal an ancient cemetery. Most of the markers have crumbled under the insidious action of the water, and the lone crypt is listing to one side. Faded carved letters can still be deciphered above the lintel, bearing the name of the family that was buried here - Sandaris.
While the pump here does not connect to the water supply - its function is to drain the marsh and turn it into useful farmland - the animals grazing nearby probably drank from the swamp in which ghouls once resided. While they did not contract ghoul fever, the tainted water still caused some sickness in them.
"...So to summarize, to our best guess, whatever was in the ground here somehow spread to the animals. It might not have been the ghouls responsible, as they presumably were here since the disappearances surrounding the pump started, a few decades ago, and this recent event was more virulent in that it also affected humans. If it were the ghouls at fault, we should have seen a similar outbreak in the past, and we seemingly haven't. There have been some, but not to this level of threat," Velvet says, frowning in concentration as she tried to make sense of the group's findings set against the information gotten from the townsfolk.
"However, while removing the excess water unveiled the graveyard, that should have made it harder to for these animals to contact this unknown disease, not easier, as there was less contaminated water to drink from and supposedly not as close to the farmlands as normal. So did something other than the water spread it from the graveyard to the other animals and humans? And if so, how did they ingest it?"
But nothing is found explaining such a connection, no monsters or aura's or even Cheese Otyughs, and eventually suspicions go back to the water itself again.
She eventually sighs, then chuckles and shrugs. "I really need more tea to make sense of this. Still, even if the specifics aren't entirely certain, all this together should be enough evidence to exonerate your druid guest. Between her and the clerics at the temple, cleansing all the water still surrounding the marsh and then curing the already affected animals should put an end to this issue."
As they are about to leave, the Vigilante regards the magnificent, highly modern and decidedly dwarven pumping installation with a fond smile. "Oh Rose, always showing off, are you?"
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Once the situation is explained to the villagers of Stachys, they relent in their accusations of witchcraft, although they still view the druid with suspicion.
For her part, Anllel refuses at first to work with a servant of Abadar, but after some well-placed arguments and a little persuasion, she grudgingly agrees to help. Between her magic and Festo Mise's, the sick people and animals are cured and the remaining water purified as much as possible. The farmers living nearby band together to fence off the area, so that no livestock can wander near the abandoned cemetery.
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The day after the group solves the trial case, Velvet glances around the table of the meeting room. "All right. You know my opinion, but this is your operation and I am only here for support. Where should we go next?"
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"A job well done," Marius notes with satisfaction as the work on the fence around the the recently-waterlogged graveyard is completed. "I have to say I'm pleased at the resolution here, no fighting and few hard feelings--it's as close to a perfect solution as you'll find this side of Heaven." A
As the entourage retires back to Betony Manor to clean up, he broaches the topic of next steps in the sitting room. "It seems to me that Baron Telus' curse is the core of this tangled little knot; how does everyone feel about a little trip up to Cassomir? We can find the Baron's sister and see if she might help us, and failing that I've already sent letters to Oppara to retain the services of a cleric. One way or another we'll see this done. Ha, we might even get the chance to ask around about Lucretia," his energy sombers a bit. "Rose will be jealous if we solve that mystery without her."
"How does everyone feel about a little trip up to Cassomir? We can find the Baron's sister and see if she might help us, and failing that I've already sent letters to Oppara to retain the services of a cleric. One way or another we'll see this done."
Hearing Marius essentially agree with her earlier suggestion, Velvet gives a slight smile and carefully sips her morning coffee. "On the note of Baron Araig, I've been thinking... maybe there is an additional option for freeing him in one of his remaining servants? Consider how dire the situation for them must be. They are stranded in an abandoned village with swarms upon swarms of ravenous spiders of varying sizes surrounding them, as their now semi-monstrous lord teethers on a thin line between madness and what remains of his sanity." She shudders and shakes her head. "Their lives seems uncertain on multiple fronts, yet they each stay by his side regardless. Is that not true love as well? I would not be surprised if for at least one of them, their feelings for the Baron went beyond simple devotion to their Lord."
"Ha, we might even get the chance to ask around about Lucretia," his energy sombers a bit. "Rose will be jealous if we solve that mystery without her."
There is a slight pause as the Shelynite sees his expression falter."...Unless, of course, she already solved it and her earlier guesswork turns out to be correct," She answers good-naturedly."Take heart, Lord Erallan. What could be a better return gift for Rose than proving her right? And if there were such a thing, who would know better than you?"
The preparations for their trip complete, the group embarks on their trip to Cassomir - about two days of travel by horse and carriage. In the city, a bit of asking around directs them to Arabella Telus's townhouse, a cozy-looking building with climbing roses on the front. The maid that opens the door widens her eyes in surprise, then quickly disappears into the house and returns after a few moments to show them into the parlour, where their host awaits them.
Arabella is a woman in her early thirties, with dark hair and dark eyes, wearing a pair of delicately rimmed spectacles. Her burgundy gown is trimmed with black lace, a freshly cut rose affixed to the front by a ruby and onyx brooch.
"Welcome, please make yourselves comfortable." Another maid is already bustling around the room setting down tea cups and plates of biscuits. "The tea will be only a moment. I am Miss Arabella Telus, and I believe I can guess who you are. Dear Vort's letter mentioned to expect you."
For a moment, her façade of polite host cracks a little, and there is pain in her voice. Her face seems drawn and tired under the make-up, which does little to hide the dark circles under her eyes.
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Lotti reaches forward and pats the young woman’s hand gently. “If there was no hope for your brother’s recovery, we wouldn’t be here,” she says simply and softly. “We are doing everything we can to keep him and everyone around him safe.”
When the tea is served, the old woman thanks both maids by name before turning her attention back to the noblewoman. “Your brother has been cursed, transformed and his reasoning taken from him by a coven of hags. To cruelly taunt him, they gave him a way to break their enchantment that they thought would never happen - a kiss from one who loves him truly and without reservation. In his transfigured state, they reasoned such a person would never approach him, or that he would not recognize them and enact violence upon them.”
“This is the crux of the matter, and all of us working together are the key to your brother’s chains the coven thought lost. Lord Marius can guarantee the safety of both your brother and anyone meeting with him, but we are all too recent of arrivals in the area to love him in a way that would end the spell. That’s where you come in.” With her explanation of the magic at work here complete, she nods to her taller colleagues to continue and sips her tea.
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Lisa barely has time to stretch her legs from the long carriage ride before snacks and tea are being served up. Still, the courtesan is not one to turn down hospitality and soon finds herself enjoy a relaxing sip of tea as her gnomish compatriot explains the situation.
Meanwhile, Lisa's amber eyes trace the figure of Miss Arabella Telus taking in the obvious signs of sleep deprivation and general weariness as as Lotti finishes her spiel there is a slight clink as Lisa sets down her cup and dabs her mouth on a proffered napkin. "Dear Arabella, it is plain to see that you are suffering... sleep must be hard to come by when your dear brother is so unfortunately hexed... You may be afraid but know that we have stood face to face with your brother since his transformation and survive today to stand before you now. If we can keep ourselves safe then we can certainly do the same for you."
Arabella sighs with a strained smile. "I do not fear for myself, I assure you. If it wasn't for the letter saying to wait for you, I would be on a carriage to Meratt right now." She pauses, swallows and looks away - whatever she is going to say next is obviously difficult.
"No, I fear... I fear that it won't be enough. I have thought a lot about it, ever since I received the letter. Do blood ties always involve love? Between parents and children, between siblings? Everyone assumes so, but is it a choice? Is it 'true' love?"
She takes a deep breath. "Araig and I grew apart when our father died and he inherited the barony. I was studying here and didn't want to leave my studies, the friends I'd made - well, my life. I didn't see myself spending the rest of my days on a country estate, taking long walks and... whatever it is that people do there." She turns her eyes to Lotti. "So is our love true? After I stopped hearing from him... I never visited. I wrote letters, of course, but when a response did not come I didn't fret too much. 'He's busy', I told myself. I was perhaps even a little envious, of the responsibilities and power he had, the respect he must command as a man with an estate and a noble title."
"What you have with Araig may not be what one traditionally thinks of when one mentions 'true love,' however..." Lisa gaze is fixed on the young woman as her hand drifts down to her black brooch. "But familial love is no less strong than romantic love. After all, you yourself have indicated that you would be willing to risk your own life to lift the curse from your dear brother. That alone is proof that your love is true."
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"Agreed." The paladin rests her teacup on her knee where it's crossed over the other leg. "There are many forms of love and devotion, and not all need be akin to those recounted in the tales. The same is true of faith; for every martyr willing to throw themselves screaming upon the foes of their religion, there are tens of thousands quietly wrestling with their beliefs even as they go about their lives, doing good works."
Konstiantina holds Arabella's gaze, her own growing kind. "Further, you were already intent on attempting it. Nothing has changed now other than our being by your side. Together we can try to break this curse, and if this attempt fails, it won't be from lack of trying."
Arabella releases a long-held breath, a smile creeping onto her features. "Thank you, all of you. You are strangers to my family, yet you have already done so much to help. I am truly humbled by your kindness."
She sets down her cup of tea and straightens up. "I am ready to leave within the hour. I have already set my affairs in order and packed a bag." Looking questioningly at the group, she adds, "Unless there is something else that you need to do here?"
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Once everyone is ready, the party begins the journey back to Meratt. Arabella Telus has hired her own transportation, a half-open, two-wheeled carriage that can comfortably seat two, and she invites anyone who would like to ride with her. Despite the dire circumstances, she seems rather excited to travel, and watches the landscape passing by with great interest. Arabella's hired driver is an affable young man who grew up in these parts and is more than happy to share stories and tales as they rattle down the highway towards Oppara.
Once they enter the Telus barony, childhood memories flood back, and Arabella is brought to tears at the dreadful state of neglect. The town of Jambis is a particularly keen blow, its decaying buildings and deserted streets shrouded in spiderwebs a far cry from the animated trading town she used to wander as a little girl.
"This is awful, awful..." she repeats as the carriages turn onto the road leading towards the Telus estate. Even the chatty driver has fallen silent, glancing nervously at the buildings on either side, where quick, furtive movements can be glimpsed sometimes.
Master Frater Mosle and a couple of the guards are waiting on the manor's steps as the carriages approach, and Arabella's vehicle barely trundles to a stop before she's thrown open the door and stumbled out into the arms of the former game warden, who is openly weeping.
"Oh, miss Arabella, he didn't want you to see, oh, I'm so glad you're here, miss Arabella, it's been so hard..."
The tearful reunion continues for a few moments before Araig's sister pulls away. "Alright, where is he? Is he..." She stammers for a bit. "...conscious?"
At Frater Mosle's sad head shake, she turns to the party, torn between hope and pain. "How- how do we do this?"
"First we need to make sure Araig is safe for you to approach - either because he's aware enough to recognize you or subdued. I trust Lord Erallan and Lady Mokei to take the lead on that, should it be necessary." Lotti smiles encouragingly at Arabella.
Nodding in support of the others' reassurances, Marius gently swears to protect Arabella as they work to break the curse--if difficult conversations need to be had later, so be it, but for now she needed a shot of hope and another of courage. As the conversation comes to an end he steps out into the city for a few hours, putting out a few feelers amongst the town guard and more "adventuring" circles about the Night Swan as well. He even stops into a salon to inquire discretely about Lucretia.
+ + + + +
As the carriage rolls through the ruins of Jambis, he reaches over to give Arabella's shoulder a supportive squeeze right before they disembark. As Lotti explains the situation to the understandably distressed woman, Marius steps closer to Frater Mosley for a quiet conference.
"She's showing remarkable courage. How is he today? We will do our utmost to protect her but a kiss carries no small amount of risk if the...predator, overcomes him. If you don't think he's up for it don't hold back--we can try again another day."
Lotti's inquiries don't turn up much, Lucretia Marthane has a townhouse in the city but no regular staff. Marius learns as much, with the additional tidbit that young Miss Marthane has been gone for the last few months, visiting with relatives in the countryside, it is said.
However, the questions about the Night Swan turn over an unexpected rock. "'Night Swan'? You mean 'Le Cygne Noir'? Oh, I love those books! Hard to get your hands on a copy these days, but I read them growing up, back when before Galt... you know." The grizzled guardswoman's eyes sparkle with memories. "I think the one where she raids a rich-looking convoy, accidentally kidnaps a Vudrani prince and they end up falling in love is my favourite." She frowns. "You know, I heard that they're printing something here, but not the books. Just pamphlets about 'The Adventures of Night Swan', but you can tell it's not the same author, the style is very different. And the themes are more political, too." She squares up her shoulders and looks into the distance, reciting as if on a theatre stage. "'She stands up to the strongest and most entrenched powers wherever she travels, bringing freedom in her wake and ushering in a new age of rebellion and independence!'" She shrugs apologetically. "Sounds like Galtan propaganda to me."
Frater Mosle shakes his head sorrowfully. "He's been getting worse. Perhaps if we feed him right before, and dose the meat with some soporific, like your friend suggested... where is that lady, she did not come with you? She was so nice. Is she well?"
Lisa shakes here head slowly and tries not to let the sadness show in her eyes as she attempts to smile casually at Frater Mosle, "I'm afraid she is away on business for the moment but she is quite well I assure you. For now though, we should focus on the matter at hand, let's get this over with... I do hate spiders... no offense."
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, perhaps the new author considers it their homage to 'Le Cygne Noir'. I thank you for your time." This interesting little tidbit uncovered, Marius turns his focus on discovering where these pamphlets are printed up, who owns that press, and who writes the pamphlets.
Marius answers Mosle with a small shake of his head. "She had vital business to attend to, but I believe she is well." He discreetly loosens Koriana's Edge in its scabbard and assists Mosle in drugging Telus' next meal.
At Frater Mosle's sad head shake, she turns to the party, torn between hope and pain. "How- how do we do this?"
Velvet turns to the probably terrified woman with a look of sympathy. The spider swarms still present in the otherwise near-completely abandoned ghost town probably hadn't done much to set her mind at ease, especially with everything riding on her being able to face and then kiss her now part-monster brother with enough love to break the curse responsible for it all.
"It doesn't have to be complicated," She soothingly says to Arabella as she takes her hands. "Try to remember your brother not how he is, but as you knew him. That is the real Araig. Remember your treasured moments together, the real affection you felt for him then, and hold onto the strongest ones. Then simply kiss him. If it helps, close your eyes and don't look. We're all here for you if something goes wrong; it is in everyone's best interest to have no harm come to either of you. Now, do you think you're ready?"
"He's been getting worse. Perhaps if we feed him right before, and dose the meat with some soporific, like your friend suggested... where is that lady, she did not come with you? She was so nice. Is she well?"
At this, Velvet throws a sad glance at the crossbow she'd strapped back on her pack upon embarking from the carriage. Dignity's Barb was silent, but a very visible reminder of Rose's absense. "I'm sure her friends are correct. My name is Velvet; I'm here to fill in for her temporarily. It seems I have rather big shoes to fill, and as her former teacher the irony of it is not lost on me."
Her wry grin at the last statement fades as she turns to Frater and the other guards. "...But on the matter at hand, there was something I'd been meaning to ask. Perhaps I overstep my bounds by breaching such a painful and personal subject so directly, but it might be very important to our success. As matters stand, we are counting on Arabella's sisterly love for her brother to count as a True Love's kiss. However, there is always the chance it may not. You four, however, have stood by him in the darkest of times despite everything that has happened here and to him. Does either of you believe your own love for Araig, whether to him as a Lord or something more personal, is strong enough to perhaps work if we need a different kind of affection to break the curse? It is never a bad idea to have a backup plan. As if the Baron has truly gotten worse and it comes down to having to restrain him, we need to act quickly."
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Frater Mosle clears his throat and looks away, tears brimming in his eyes. "'s true. I do love him. I- I'll be ready, if it comes to it."
With Marius's help, Frater drugs a goat carcass that is then thrown through the door before hurriedly shutting it again. Half an hour later, a cautious peek into the great hall shows Araig Telus sprawled on the floor, apparently fast asleep.
Arabella approaches her cursed brother, and even though she has done her best to steel herself, a small gasp still escapes her at the sight of the monstruous form. She squeezes her eyes shut and blindly reaches out to grasp Frater's hand and grip it, taking a few shaky breaths. "This is not real. This is not him. Think of his true self," she murmurs to herself before opening her eyes and kneeling on the floor by the spider prince's side. Still gripping Frater's hand, she pulls him down with her, holding his gaze for a moment before both of them bend to place a kiss on each of Araig's cheeks.
The sleeping form of the cursed baron shudders and convulses as if in a seizure, and his eyelids flutter open to reveal his eyes rolled back in his head. A choking sound emerges from his throat, and he rolls over to one side to vomit something that looks like black bile. Arabella springs to her feet in alarm, taking a few steps back.
A few moments pass in utter silence, Araig's wheezing the only sound in the vast hall.
Then he lifts his malformed arm ending in a claw, staring it at it before he raises his gaze to Arabella and Frater, horror and confusion and fear in his face. He attempts to speak, but only a feeble croak emerges, and he coughs. Frater rushes to his side, helping him up to a half-sitting, half-leaning position as he cradles Araig's head and shoulders on his lap. Tears of relief stream down the grizzled man's face, and he caresses Araig's hair and face with immense tenderness.
Arabella turns to the rest of the party. "I think... we did it? He seems... conscious."