Norm comes along and uses the opportunity to perform a new song he wrote with a catchy melody, about a plague of rats that gets heroically vanquished by a troubadour. In a vain attempt to win the heart of his inamorata.
Next day.
As told she shows up at the House of Flame, where she receives an envelope and a description where and to whom to deliver.
As there is nothing to do but wait, Menan and Arawyn stay in their room at the Fat Goose. Shortly before noon someone knocks at the door three times.
"Persephone? How did you know where to find us? What is it that you need?"
Persephone chuckles shortly, but manages to supress it to make a straight face. "I am here to deliver a letter."
She pulls an envelope out of her coats inner pocket and hands it to Menan.
Bless you in whatever course of action you choose.
Menan accepts the envelope and opens it. He grumbles a tone of displeasure and gives the impression he is thinking matters through. "This Merileth Híril -o Naur does nothing at a discount. But, she is quite effective. Bahhh....I do have a response for her, Persephone. One moment." He digs into his backpack and places the required sum in platinum into the envelope. "My response."
"I'll return that message immediately. Maybe see you at The Pig's Whistle later?" She puts away the envelope and leaves.
A short back and forth later Persephone is on the street again.
Persephone sighs. She hates those delivery jobs. Why does the girl with the limp get to walk all over town. On the other hand, a gold is nothing to sneeze at. And she got an idea, how to not walk the same way, and save a lot of steps. She returns to The Pig's Whistle.
"Hellooo. I'd take the cooking job for a meal." Persephone offers.
"I take that offer. But you have to do the groceries shopping first." Isabella replies.
"Nooooo. Not walking again. I'm done with that for today." Persephone whines and slumps onto a corner bench.
After a couple of hours Arawyn says "It seems our messenger has shirked her duty. We should be able to find her easy enough. I miss the animals, Menan. Can we get them and make camp?
"Certainly. I miss them too." The pair check out of the Goose and head to the stables to gather their friends and gear. Menan addresses the stable master "Thank you sir for watching after our animals. I had no idea our business would resolve itself so quickly. Please keep the coin as my thanks to you for being here when we have need for you."
The party now one again, they head to the same place outside of town and set camp. With camp set, the party heads to the Pig's Whistle to see the coat of arms.
Menan opens the door for Arawyn.
Arawyn glances around for Persephone. She will go directly to her if she is visible.
"Hello again. Take a seat." Persephone offers and the discreetly shoves another envelope over the table. This one thick and heavy.
"Thank you, Persephone." Arawyn inspects the plaque and shows it to Menan.
Still studying the plaque."Marinelli. Marinelli. Do you know this name, Persephone?"
"Not for that." Persephone waves it off. "It's sad. From your descriptions I had something much more shiny in mind."
"Marinelli? Our favorite protection racket guy? Yes I know that one. Not personally though."
"A thief stole this from Marinelli. Is he a collector of sorts?"
"I find it odd that no suspicious that she would provide you with a name like that."
"As do I. As if pointing a finger. But why? He could have come about it many other ways than being the actual grave robber. I think it would be interesting to meet this Marinelli. I would assume there is a family of Marinellis, so which one to approach? Or, just drop the whole thing."
"Perhaps she has something against this Marinelli and is using you as well as spending your gold."
"That cannot be ruled out, Arawyn. I do need some time in this town to recuperate the expenses she incurred. We can ask around about this family. Maybe even approach depending on the gossip we acquire. And, Arawyn, two strangers appear in town asking about a 400 year old plaque and she has it in hand the next day. That took skills or magic that is beyond my imagination. This one is powerful, I suspect. Easy on the eyes as well. Too easy on the eyes."
"So you noticed, did you. I am surprised you heard a word she said. I heard every word and had no idea what she was talking about."
"She spoke?"
"So your wisdom failed you, and you added to the temple that was built with wealth that would have been better spent by those whom it was taken from?"
"If it's any consolation - your money or parts of it keep me fed."
She takes a sip from her ale to counter the dry throat. "Well, this Marinelli is a merchant with his warehouse and office at the docks. And those who cross him find their health challenged by some brutes. He also sells overpriced wine to the local establishments. You can ask Isabella about it."
"MarinellI? That son of a donkey and a dead squirrel! If he died, half of the town would have him raised, just to kill him again. And the other half would piss on his grave! I have to pay 100 gold for ten bottles of wine every week, that I could buy for half the price elsewhere just as 'insurance' for my furniture." Isabella fumes.
"It's a pity there are only so many torture methods you could apply before he dies..." Isabella keeps going on with the insults, but talking mostly to herself mumbling into her non-existent beard.
Menan takes in Persephone's words. He reacts to Isabella saying "If he is doing this to you, he is surely doing it to others. Have you no law enforcement?"
"Sure. Once they took the tavern apart, I can call law enforcement. You see where that isn't any help?"
"I do see that. Men like that tend to garner many enemies. Perhaps an alliance is in order. You giving that much gold so regularly cannot continue. What a useless thug."
"So you want to join the resistance?" Persephone inquires.
"You have a resistance. Good. Is it strong enough? Do you have a plan to shut him down for good?"
"Nah, we're just annoying him. But since then the wine served at my house is much better. We lack someone who can hit hard with a weapon."
"But most we lack people interested in joining. Someone who could come up with a plan would be good too."
"The last plan was to find in his books whom he has on his list for fishy business. To find people willing to support a resistance. But so far we failed to find the books."
"I don't like the idea of annoying him. I will give this some thought and research over the next few days. We plan to be here a matter of days before we move on. I could use some coin and you could use more allies and a good plan." Menan raises his mug to Persephone before taking a drink from it.
"The worship of lust and revenge. I do not know about that, Menan. There is a time and a place for lust but all the time and your purpose for being.... Revenge indicates you were weak or unaware and allowed someone to do you ill will. Best allow no one the opportunity to deserve revenge. Her powers are great but I do not think I will end up respecting her other than that."
"Judge not an ally too harshly."
"One day life will come at you and then you're in for a surprise. If you believe you are strong enough to be always on top, you're a fool. And if you get the chance to get back at those who did you wrong,... you could choose to be the forgiving type. But you don't look like that's you."
The couple end their evening and the next morning head to the marketplace. They separate. Menan is looking for anyone selling magical items. Arawyn is just browsing.
The market is a lively place with the local farmers offering their produce. The chefs of the local taverns buy the ingredients for today's menu. The housemaids do the same. The craftsmen who have their shops in the buildings around the market have put some warez in front of their shops. No shop advertises magic though.
Menan moves into town looking for a magic shop.
Unable to locate a magic shop he heads to the city guard. "I am Menan Variel. Where might I locate the person who hires investigators?"
"I don't know. Ask in the offices." The guard replies and points in the general direction of a building.
Inside the office and asking around some more, Menan ends up in front of the desk of an officer. After short introductions and Menan repqating his request about who hires investigators Kasadei iquires "You want to apply for a job on the watch?"
"Not exactly sir. I am Menan Variel a traveler originating in Kyonin. The duration of my stay has yet to be determined. I offer you my service as an investigator on a contingency. Should you have a particular need, we can work out a price to be paid should I be successful. Otherwise, you would owe me nothing."
"Well, in that case..." Kasadei replies with a smile. "We have a nutjob in prison who murdered her little son in bright daylight on the market place. Many witnesses, even the guard was there, so no doubts about what happened. But she told, the devil made her do it, or something along the lines. And that has made some people nervous."
"I need something to calm some peoples nerves. If you can find evidence that she was crazy would help. Or if she was a witch who dealt with the devil, that might work too."
"Just having that hanging in the air with the rumors running wild, that's not good. Five gold on that. But proper evidence and witnesses. No hearsay."
"I typically work for much greater sums. But this sounds safe enough and no expense other than my time. We have a deal. I would like to study your law books so that I am familiar with the law of the land. Where might I locate these texts? Do I need an official seal of some sort as investigator? If my word is needed it may not suffice on its own."
"There is a library at the temple of Abadar. They should have a copy available to the public."
"There comes no authority with that job. I'll tell one of my guards to bring you to the culprit for an interview. Otherwise, you ask nice and hope people cooperate."
"I will need a list of witnesses and where they may be located. All documented facts that have been gathered so far will need to be reviewed.
"You're funny." Kasadei laughs.
Seing Menan not laugh, she stops "Oh, you are serious." She laughs even harder.
"I'll send you with a guard who has seen most of it. If you're lucky he recognized some of the people around."
She gets up, walks to the window and shouts out "Carl, I need you up here."
Turning to Menan again she asks him to wait in the corridor.
Some minutes later Carl arrives. Inside the office of Kasadei he receives instructions. When emerging again he introduces himself to Menan.
"I'm Carl. I'm assigned to answer your questions regarding the case and lead you to the prisoner. You can ask on the way. Follow me." He obviously hopes to get this over with fast.
"Did you witness it Carl? Who else was present?"