If you want to guarantee a reward, your best course of action is to speak to the guards at Castle Korvosa. You'll probably be forced to wait for a while, but as long as you have legitimate business, you'll eventually be able to speak to someone who can handle the return. Of course, due to the fact that the city's rioting, they probably have more important matters to focus on at the moment.
"If we think we're not going to get the attention we deserve, we might just wait a day or two until the situation cools down. I think I could preserve the corpse until then."
Nodding at Macaria's suggestion, Ril says, "In which case, maybe we cool our heels at Zellara's house? In addition to it being someplace we wanted to go anyway to look for clues, Torsten and I have nowhere else to go," her face falls as the young woman has managed to bum herself out.
Zellara's house looks very different when you return. The wall hangings, rugs, and food are gone. The furniture is in pieces, scattered throughout the room under a thick layer of dust disturbed only by your footprints. The building has clearly been empty for weeks. One thing is noticeably out of place, though: a Harrow deck sits in the middle of the floor in pristine condition.
”The fook...must have been a ghost.” Walking forward Torsten said ”Oi! We killed the bugger! Found yer remains as well, gonna be turning them over to the authorities. Nay reason to be haunting us next!”
Yhrrilka scowls at what she considers boorish behavior by her friend. "Torsten, that's enough of that. Even if Zellara is dead, there is no need to talk to her that way."
Ril takes the Survivor card she was given, puts it back into the deck, and motions for the others to do likewise. "Zellara, can you hear us? It is done, but I think you already know that."
She thinks back to what she said in this very room just a few hours ago. "They say folks that pass on aren't concerned what happens here in the world anymore. But they have left their marks in the world." She shakes her head ruefully. If I had died without avenging Zohruk, would I have lingered like that? She looks again at The Survivor. If I had, would that be devotion or weakness? I suppose it doesn't matter. He is gone, and we have seen to it that Lamm has paid for it. Now it is my duty to live on, come what may.
Macaria let's the others speak, staying silent herself. She still thinks this con involves the living and not the dead, and hopes to find out in the future. For now, however, it's time to check how the situation is developing and either show or hide.
"Let's have a lolok around, see what we find and go away. This place is starting to unsettle me."
As you place your cards back into the Harrow deck, the air blurs around it, and Zellara appears in front of you. This time, her figure appears insubstantial, and you can see the marks of torture and decay on her body. "I apologize for my previous deception. In truth, my story is much the same as I told you, save that my attempts to bring Gaedren to justice resulted in ... this. My spirit remains in my cards, but my ability to affect the mortal world is almost nonexistent. If not for my sensing a trio of people who share my grief and pain, I would have lingered here for an eternity. But now Gaedren is dead, and my mission is complete. For that, you have my eternal gratitude. I have no remaining possessions save for these cards. You are welcome to them; they're infused with my spirit and may occasionally aid you."
Yhrrilka nods at the spirit, a bit overwhelmed at the many turns the past two days have taken. "Thank you, Zellara. We'll try to use your gift wisely. I hope you and your son find peace in what lies beyond the Boneyard." She looks a little uneasy as she continues, "We found your head but, um... not the rest of you. We'd like to see to it that you get a proper burial; do you know where the rest of your remains might be?"
Macaria confirms she was wrong when Zellara's spirit appears. It seems some feelings are stronger than death, and what could be stronger than a mother's love for her son?
Letting the spirit talk, she thinks about herself. What will she do now? Probably go back to her caravan. Her people need her. But what of all the little rascals that will now run errand in the streets? Most of them were exploited by Lamm, but they also had a meal and a ceiling assured. Lamm took advantage of their crimes, but also protected them when they were caught, if only because he considered the children his own property.
Someone should take care that they didn't run into their doom the very first day of their freedom. They should not be set free from Lamm today just to be abused by a new tyrant tomorrow.
As Zellara finishes her speech, Macaria realises. They must not end up like Zellara's son.
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Suitably chastened, Torsten remained quiet. He was glad that Ril was the one holding the cards, as he had a bad feeling about them. It was a nagging sensation that by holding onto them they were getting themselves into something far more complicated than just killing Lamm. But without any proof, and with a ghost still nearby, he felt it wisest to keep his peace.
Zellara's spirit shakes her head as she fades into the cards. "I can't sense it, but I think you for all you've done. Farewell...."
"Proshchay, Zellara..." Yhrrilka shakes off a chill, and looks to the others. "The streets are madness, and neither you nor I have an actual place to stay," she nods at Torsten, and then looks around the house. "Staying the night in a formerly-haunted house, I don't know, it doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?"
"It's not something we do often but... I could arrange you a place by the fire if you don't have somewhere else." After all, they're partners in crime, and the caravan whereabouts might be safer than anywhere in the city of the guard is stirred like it seems it is. "For one night only."
"That's most kind, Macaria. Thanks." Ril smiles weakly. "No offense to the dead, but I wasn't looking forward to spending a night here. Torsten, this plan, is it good with you?"
”Aye, I’ll feel much better sleeping...bah, ye get the point. And come the morrow we can sell what we have and will be back on our feet!”
At the caravan, Macaria indicates that she's cashed a debt from the past. "These two have helped me and they need to stay low for tonight. We should find then a place by the fire."
Thanks to swift action by the Korvosan Guard, the Sable Company, and the Hellknights, the initial chaos is mostly quelled by morning. A thick tension remains in the air, though, and although the streets appear relatively safe to walk, you still spy occasional fires, riots, and looting. Best not to linger overlong in the street - especially in the poorer parts of the city.
Rumors
"The Acadamae's closed its doors and says they will stay closed until the troubles in Korvosa die down. Can't say I blame them!"
"King Eodred didn't die of old age - he was made sick and thus murdered by someone he trusted! My money's on the castle seneschal, Neolandus. Why else would he flee Korvosa after Eodred's death?"
"Rumors that King Eodred was murdered are false; he died of old age, and anarchists are using the tragedy to damage Ileosa's reputation and perpetuate unrest in the city."
"This sounds bad," Ril says to her comrades in a low voice as they head toward the palace. "I hope we'll be allowed to speak our piece."
"Yeah, let's be possitive." Macaria gets ready early, just after breakfast, to go talk to the guard. She doesn't press Torsten and Ril, she just wants to be prepared for when they decide to go.
”Well the city isn’t that much on fire, and it seems like the Queen’s getting order back. Can’t see why they’d turn us away. Let’s be off to get our reward.” Torsten said, eager to offload the jewelry.
"Indeed, I'll be ready to go in just a moment, Torsten." Before they leave the caravan's campsite, Yhrrilka takes out Zellara's Harrow deck and does a quick reading to try and forecast the day's events.
"There." Ril puts the deck away, stands up and arranges herself. Turning to Macaria, she smiles and says, "Thank you so much for arranging this. Shall we be off?"
Castle Korvosa's walls and spires rise high as you approach. Normally petitioners would approach from a broad ramp that leads to a public courtyard, but it's currently bristling with well-armed guards preventing entry. The small crowd of protesters chanting "Down with the usurper!" from a safe distance away probably isn't helping matters. They leave you alone, though, at least for now. Both protesters and guards keep a wary eye on you as you carefully approach. At the bottom of the ramp, one of the guards stops you. "Stop right there, citizens! State your names and business."
Torsten strode forward confidently, his head held up high. Looking the guard in the eyes he said "Torsten of Clan Runeforger, with Yhrrilka and Macaria. We come to claim a bounty for work done in the name of the law. We have proof on us, but would prefer to be allowed inside so that ye can properly verify our deeds and pay us for our services."
The guards converse among themselves for several minutes before one nods you forward. "Step forward to be searched. No weapons allowed in the castle."
A group of heavily-armed guards then escorts you inside and leads you up to the castle's third floor. There, a STERN-LOOKING WOMAN dressed in magnificent full plate armor looks you up and down. "Greetings. They tell me you're here to claim a bounty. Is that correct?"
”Aye. Heard that a thief stole from the queen. Well, we’ve recovered her brooch.” Torsten said, taking out the brooch that they had recovered from Lamm. ”Wasn’t easy, I’ll tell ye that.”
Seeing the brooch, the woman smiles and steps aside, holding out a hand to welcome you to Castle Korvosa. She makes a quick gesture to the guards. "You may return to your posts. These heroes pose no threat to the queen." As she walks toward the throne room, she motions for you to follow. "You've done a great service. How would you like to be introduced?"
Macaria follows, though she doesn't like the sudden change of mood. Suspecting they might be tricked into a trap, she looks for details to confirm her theory.
"You've done a great service. How would you like to be introduced?"
Ril follows the woman. She knows she's not versed in palace etiquette, but figured she can just fake it enough to avoid disaster.
Asked her name, she responds, "I am Yhrrilka Embersoul, of the Burning Sun tribe." Gesturing towards outside, she asks the woman, "Will the Queen be getting this settled soon?"
"Eh...Torsten, Clan Runeforger." After a moment's pause he asked "Introduced to who?"
"Introduced to who?"
Ril cocks an eyebrow in concern as she realizes she hadn't quite thought that through herself, and awaits the woman's answer intently.
The answer to your question is revealed a moment later as you round a corner and find yourselves in the throne room. Sitting on the Crimson Throne in a black mourning dress and veil is QUEEN ILEOSA herself. "Presenting Torsten of Clan Runeforger, Yhrrilka Embersoul of the Burning Sun tribe, ... and their friend," proclaims the guard before ushering you forward.
Macaria has little idea of what to do before a queen, so she looks around from side to side and bows. Her surprise is so big that she doesn't even noticed her name wasn't mentioned.
Torsten’s eyes went wide as he saw none other than the queen standing before them. He hurriedly bowed his head in deference to her authority, lest they cause offense. He waited for either the queen or her representative to take the first step.
Yhrrilka's eyes go wide for a moment when she realizes the situation she's in. She notes the mourning dress, She too has lost a loved one. Ril goes into a bow; she knows nothing of court etiquette but this seems a safe course of action.
The guard takes the brooch and hands it to the queen with a flourish, then takes up a position at the throne's left side. Queen Ileosa smiles sadly as she fastens it over her heart. "This brooch was stolen from me some time ago - I had not expected to see it again, truth be told. And yet, here on my darkest day, you come before me with kindness. The return of this brooch is much more than an honorable deed. It is inspiration. It is hope.
"I love Korvosa, as my husband did before me. His death has shocked the city as it has me, but I will not see his legacy destroyed in death, and I shall not see my city torn apart. All Korvosa stands at the precipice of a disaster wrought by her citizens - these riots cannot continue. You have already done my heart a great service in returning this precious heirloom to me on this dark day, and you shall be rewarded. Yet perhaps you can serve your city more.
"The Korvosan Guard is stretched thin, and it could certainly use the aid of heroes such as you. If you so choose, I shall have Sabina see to it that you have an escort of guards when you leave here - they can see to your safe journey to Citadel Volshyenek. I shall send word ahead of you to Field Marshal Cressida Kroft to let her know you are on the way. Now, I need to retire to my chambers - my grief has drained me. Again, I thank you for the kindness you have shown me, and I hope your days of serving the crown are only just beginning."
The guard (Sabina, apparently) retrieves a small silver chest and hands it to you. Inside the red-velvet-lined interior rest 12 gold ingots imprinted with the royal seal of Korvosa.
Torsten was left stunned by the grace, poise, and generosity of the queen. He kept his mouth shut, but when he bowed before her he did so with feeling, hoping that she would understand that he was indeed a loyal subject of the crown.
"The b%*+#..."
This Queen is indeed a cunning one. She's managed to get them three involved in a matter they don't know and possibly don't care about. Truth be told, Macaria is interested in having the situation cooled down, and mantaining the favor of the Queen as long as possible would also do wonders if she wants to keep the children safe, but now she's entangled within this matter and her moves will be more restrained than she would have wanted to.
Though maybe she can turn it into an advantage.
"Thank you, Majesty, your generosity matches indeed its reputation. This bit of wealth and the fact of being working under your name will greatly improve the chances of our current endeavor, which is to bring some protection to the orphans of Korvosa under this unsettling situation." She bows even deeper. "I'm sure no one would dare touch them knowing they're under your wing, and the people of Korvosa qould respect you even more when they see their Queen really cares for their children."
A really dangerous move, but what does she have to lose?
The Queen smiles. "It is truly noble of you to care so much for the most downtrodden of our citizens. I, too, know what it is like to feel unwelcome and unloved, and I fully intend to make alleviating their plight a priority once order has been restored. A royal orphanage, filled with competent staff and plentiful enrichment activities will set those in need on a path to success and prosperity."
Yhrrilka's head is practically spinning with the developments at hand. "We're just three people, Your Majesty, but if we can prevent further bloodshed, we will do what we can." She tries to surreptitiously eye her comrades, noting Torsten's deep deference and Macaria's insistence on seeing to the needs of the children.
"My queen, it has been an honor to be in the presence of your royal personage." Torsten said. "We will make haste to speak with Field Marshal Cressida Kroft and will do what we can to ensure the safety of our city."
The trip to Citadel Volshyenek is tension-filled but uneventful. While the people clearly are upset about the current state of affairs, nobody's feeling brave enough to actually attack royal guards. As the queen promised, the citadel guards are expecting you, and you're quickly escorted into the central keep. There, a TIRED-LOOKING WOMAN IN RED ARMOR is waiting for you.
"Ah, yes - you are the ones sent by Queen Ileosa. Greetings! My name is Cressida, and heroes of your caliber are exactly what Korvosa needs now. You've been on the streets. You know better than me how bad things are out there. It's breaking my heart to see Korvosa tear itself apart like this. Every little bit of aid we can get from upstanding citizens like you helps. If you're willing, I'd very much like to retain your services as agents of the Guard. You will, of course, be well-compensated for these services."
After explaining to his caravan fellows that she has found something important to take care of here, Macaria reunites with her new found friends and sets on for her new post.
She receives Cressida's welcome and nods. "Macaria, a pleasure. What are we expected to do, exactly?"
"Well compensated, eh?" The dwarf asked with a smile. "I like the sound of that. Name's Torsten, Clan Runeforger. And aye, the lass asks a good question."