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Dotting
For such a sleepy town, any news from the outside is exciting, provoking much discussion and gossip through the early spring nights, even news that affects Outside and not the residents of Lyon's Brook.
It was Galdron Tem, the first peddler of the year up from Crossbridge (the small waystation town at the convergence of the Brokenbridge and Falling Rivers) who first brought the news of the escape. Bonita, the crazed Shoanti barbarian woman, who (along with some undisclosed incidents of theft) had murdered ten people, including children, and sucked the marrow from their bones, had escaped a Skathen prison in the early winter. Authorities were convinced that, rather than flee for her native Varisia, she has slowly been making her way down the Brokenbridge river, perhaps even through Crossbridge itself, though no deaths or cannibalism had been reported there as yet. Maybe she was planning to head west into the wilds of Verduran, or maybe not. Everyone should just lock and bar their doors at night, is all Tem is saying. Of course, most people in Lyon's Brook don't have locks on their doors in the first place.
Still, it was enough to make folks nervous. Farmers began jumping at shadows, shepherds saw movement out of the corners of their eyes, and even Martus Iullus, out on a hunting trip to the notheast, clearly saw a woman in wild clothing carrying a small, wriggling bundle through the woods, but before he could get a shot off at her, she vanished without a trace. Not even Flavino could find a trace. Whispers of moonshine began to circulate with the others, and folks looked at Martus funny for a couple weeks after that.
But the news kept coming. The first merchant from Maheto confirmed that a massive manhunt was underway, and a bounty of 500 gold pieces is offered for the fugitive, dead or alive. The second merchant brought tales of Imperial Naval ships up the Brokenbridge river and a bounty of 1,000 gold pieces. Of course, everybody knows that things this exciting never happen in Lyon's Brook.
So it was a surprise when, late in the evening the day before last, Cohortes Mallond Finchus rode into town. The Abadarian inquisitor, cohortes for the northern parts of Krearis prefecture, has come to form well-armed search parties to scour the wilderness around Lyon's Brook for signs of the fugitive's presence. He also brought a wanted poster with a 2,000 gp reward for her capture.
The burgomeister and his deputy will be each forming a team, as will Martus Iullus. Of course, the teams are full, but that doesn't stop almost the entire town from coming out to the steps of the Church to see the heroes off and wish them well.
"Now you remember what mom and dad said," Benji chimes in. "We watch the send off, but no trying to help. Man, wouldn't it be a fun adventure, though?"
You might agree or not, but something else catches you eye: another stranger has arrived on foot from the direction of Last Bridge. A man of average height, with short-cropped black hair, a large flowing beard, and the look of a man who's just walked a long way.
As people bustle about, Elrith stands still and serene, as a wizard should. Many folks, most of them farmers, tip their hats to her as they pass by, then turn to glare at you, but you're used to it by now. How you got to be hated even more than Naso Triarius...well, you know how.
The solid wall of shoulders poses no problem to you as you slip unseen and unnoticed through the crowd to find yourself right across the steps from the cohortes himself. He doesn't seem like a strong man, but the beauty of a darkwood heavy crossbow propped up next to him earns an appreciative whistle. The man certainly knows how to dress to impress, even garbed as he is for a week of living rough in the woods, but you'd expect no less from a member of Abadarian clergy. Banker Silus certainly seems to be impressed with the man, though not as much as his wife! The cohortes eyes seem to take in everything about the crowd around him--he even clearly takes a moment to notice you, which makes you a bit uncomfortable. He was nice enough, though, at the Public House last night, and even tipped you 3 silvers for your troubles.
Having arrived, you help the old man down the steps, though he's still quite spry for man of his years. Halvers climbs down from his driver's seat and fetches a folding chair for his master. The man is a bit stuffy--well, the man is a full-on, stuck-up prude--but he serves the old knight well and loyally, and he withdraws back to the carriage, ready and waiting for Sir Eustus' next need.
"My dear," Sir Eustus says to you, "I feel that I will have Halvers drive me back as soon as the groups here have left, but why don't you take the day and enjoy yourself in town?" He hands you two gold coins. "That should do you for a bit of shopping and lunch--I'm sure you will enjoy a chance to eat something other than old man food for a change--and I'll send Halvers in the carriage to pick you up before the supper gong rings so you can change."
Reaching the bottom, the road intersects another at roughly right angles. To your right, the road leads along the waterfall's pool towards a bridge and gristmill. To your left, the road follows the stream past several once glorious manor houses (the one directly across from you a burnt out rubble). Straight ahead, another bridge leads, first along a large village Green, and then into the centre of town.
The town seems abandoned. Even as early as it is, there should be somebody out on the Green or walking the streets, but what you can see is empty, save for a wizzled old woman asleep in a rocking chair on the porch of her cottage across the Green from you. Once around the Green and away from the roar of falling water, you hear the dim buzz of voices down the street and see that some sort of gathering is taking place at the steps of a local church: the Church of Abadar, if you're not mistaken. No other faith would have a building so opulent (others might say garish, but you know better) in such a small village.
@Gunnar
”Something seems to be up, Gunnar. Would be good to know if it affects us. I’ll get us a room at the inn, if anybody’s there.”
"Thank you, Sir Eustus," she replies with a smile as she straightens her armor and checks that her dagger is properly secured. "I helped Leeka with some orchids last week and I'd like to see how they're doing anyways. And maybe I'll run into her too."
Never great with niceties, she accepts the two coins and wanders off without a proper goodbye. Sticking to the side of the road, and often choosing to duck around things rather than move to the middle of the street where she might bump into someone, she heads towards the shops to see what smells good today.
@Eudamonia
Sadly, all the shops are closed up for the moment, as everybody’s at the church steps.
hmm… why did Sir Eustus tell me to get food and go shopping if everything’s closed…
Plotting her course to pass by the orchids, Euda heads back to the church to watch the ceremony unfold. When she arrives back there, she finds a tree to lean against where she’s mostly out of sight and settles in.
@Eudamonia
Eudamonia finds the orchids doing well. Making her way back to the church steps, she spots Leeka perched on the front steps of Threefold Hall across the street.
Standing towards the periphery of the crowd Maria was watch as her mistress was standing at attention in front of the church of Abadar's steps. She'd ignore the obvious disdain for her that usually followed, even after almost five years the common folk of Lyon's Brook still resented her for the simple burning of a farmer's shed. These people knew how to hold a grudge.
She didn't like staying in town for long, preferring the tower and the surrounding nature to the show that this was, however she respected her mistress Elrith's wishes for her to be here and she would do so without question. Even if she was soon to be less of an apprentice and more so a partner wizard she still considered her words wise and from a position of experience. The quicker this was over the better she was for it, feeling her familiar Jervis, a small bat stir under her cloak. He must have only just awoken from his nap.
Robert ignores his siblings talking to him for the moment while he searches the crowd, looking for Rebecca. After searching the faces he says to Benji "I heard what was said, but I am an adult now and if I think that for the good of the town I should help I will. I made no promises when we left. Now do you see Rebecca or Randal for that matter?"
@Robert
Benji bounces on his toes, looking about the crowd. He shakes his head, but when he looks back at big brother, a huge grin breaks out across his face. Still, Robert has no time to react before hands reach around to cover his eyes and a familiar feminine, if artificially deepened voice asks, ”Guess who?”.
Robert smiles as he hears the voice, familiar even if disguised and says "Hmmm, Maggie. No wait. Modia? No I got it it's Randal!" He then takes his hands and places them on Rebecca's and lowers them and turns around. Mock surprise fills he face as he says "Uuuhhhhh. I was wrong! It's Rebecca." He then gives her a big smile and takes her hand.
Euda quietly makes her way over to Leeka and sits down next to her on the stairs. ”The orchids look nice,” she remarks. ”And, everyone seems very interested in this hunt… do you really think that woman could be around here, and that she actually did the things they say she did?”
Fezzan gives the cohortes a smile and nod, while wracking his brain for any reason he might have drawn such an important man's notice. Deciding it was just his guilty conscience playing tricks, he ducks under the elbow of someone trying to push forward and gives an elbow jab of his own. There was no way he was going to give up this great a spot.
As impressive, and imposing, the cohortes was, Fezzan was even more curious to see how the other members of the hunting parties were equipping themselves to go take on such a dangerous fugitive.
@Euda
Leeka shakes her head. ”Unless she’s an idiot, she wouldn’t come here. Nowhere to run if she’s tracked down, and a person can’t live in the woods near even a small village like this without attracting notice. Folks are probably just jumping at fey like normal. As for did she really eat children and all, who knows? Bad news always doubles with every telling. Just ask her what I mean,” she finishes, nodding across the square at the young half elf Maria, standing awkwardly by herself. Eudamonia has certainly heard the stories about her, even as manor-bound as she has been in the past.
”Flavino! Paxo! Syllus! You are vith the cohorts,” Nickolai the sheriff calls out. ”Cleric and Betto are vith Brother Martus, Burria and Marius are vith Papus, and Lady Elrithrathiel and Andrei are vith me!” Those named are already standing next to their assigned leaders, so Nickolai just nods approvingly.
As Banker Triarius steps forward onto the podium built into the steps of the church, another carriage arrives on the scene. ”This morning, you embark on a holy mission. The Laws of Taldor have been violated. The fugitive for whom you seek has violated those laws: she has defied authorities, she has stolen property, and she has murdered.” From the tone in his voice, it’s clear he views the second as the worst offence of the three. The new carriage comes to a stop and a bent-backed old man climbs down from the driver’s seat to open the door. ”You embark on a mission to protect our town, laws, property, and citizens. Many will say that it is a fools errand, as this woman must be nowhere nearby: that is possible, of course, but we cannot afford to be so lax in ensuring our security not to undertake this holy quest anyhow.” An old woman in very fine, if out of fashion, clothing steps out of the carriage, clearly distraught. Locals recognize her as Mrs. Pumpherus, the widow of one of the two mine owners, a wealthy, eccentric woman who lives in a Brookside manor west of the village centre. ”I charge you today: to search diligently, and thoroughly, for this fugitive, not returning to the comforts of hearth and home until your conscience is certain that she will not trouble our village, its persons or its prosperity.” The old woman pushes forward, unaware or uncaring of the speech currently underway. ”Sheriff! Dear sheriff! I need your help!” she calls out, practically in tears. Banker Triarius glares at the interruption, but smooths out his voice and continues, just a bit louder to be heard over the intrusion. ”If you should find her, and you bring her in peacefully for justice, Abadar will smile upon you and bless you with His fortunes. If she does not come peacefully, you are authorized to enact our nation’s laws and justice, and Abadar will smile upon you and bless you with His fortunes.” Banker Triarius concludes his speech, awaiting applause that doesn’t come as all eyes are focussed on the distraught widow nearly crying into Sheriff Androv’s arms.
”My dear Mrs. Pumpherus, vatever is the…”
”Oh sheriff, it’s Tricia. She is missing! Gone! You must help me find my darling baby! She has never been away from home, but this morning, she was out doing her exercises with Brus, and…”
”Mrs. Pumpherus, I am sorry, but I and Papus are about to leave on the manhunt for the fugitive. Ve have no time to search for your Tricia. I am sure she vill return to you in no time. You know she could not bear to be avay from her mother. Perhaps she is already there at home?”
Mrs. Pumpherus starts to sputter down. A few local women come over to offer comfort to her as the sheriff extracts himself from the widow’s clutches. The other search parties have already begun to head off and Banker Triarius has returned inside the Church.
”I just don’t know what I would ever do without my darling Tricia,” Mrs. Pumpherus declares to nobody in particular.
Maria didn't really seem bothered by the sudden arrival of Mrs. Pumpherus and her panic over stupid fattened dog. She doubted it had gone far and would have ignored it if it weren't for her master coming over to whisper into her ear, sucking in her lower lip to lightly chew on it for a moment. It didn't seem like she was happy about what was said but gave no other indication.
She'd then watch her mistress take her leave, pulling down the long brim of her hat to block the sun from her face before making her leave to the outskirts of town near where Mrs. Pumpherus's home. She tried to at least be a little discrete, the worse thing is for them to blame her for the dog to have run off or worse, however she wasn't much good at the stealth and would continue on.
Robert watches Mrs. Pumpherus for a moment and then turns to Rebecca and smiles at her and says "It looks like she needs some help. I'll go get my things and head to her place but first I'll have a word with her. I am sorry to not get to spend a little more time together. I will see you later though." He then squeezes her hand and walks over to Mrs. Pumpherus.
When he gets to her he says "I will look for your Tricia. Why don't you calm down and tell me exactly what you know and when you last saw her. Then I can start from there and find her for you."
Euda watches the scene unfold before her, torn between amusement at the old woman’s utter lack of concern for how everyone expects her to act and concern over what would have her so distraught. When the sheriff finally leaves the woman standing there so he can go off on his hunt, she turns to Leeka and asks, ”the poor puppy, do you think it’ll be alright?”
Mrs. Pumpherus turns to Gunnar at his offer of help. ”Oh thank you very much, Mr…why, I don’t believe I know your name. I am Mrs. Pumpherus. I am ever so grateful. Oh, Robert, my dear boy. I should have I known I could count on you. I would be happy to tell you both all about it in the carriage ride back to my home.”
Leeka shakes her head. ”Not likely. That fat mongrel wouldn’t know the first thing about surviving out here, between wolves and six-toes lynxes.”
Robert sticks his hand out to Gunnar and says "My name is Robert. Nice to meet you." He turns to Mrs. Pumpherus and says "I'll need to drop by my place to pick up my things and drop my siblings off. I don't know we can all ride in the carriage."
”She is a little fatty,” Euda agrees, “but I don’t really like the idea of her getting gobbled up by wolves or lynxes… maybe I should go and help her?” The sentiment sounds like a question but the young woman doesn’t really wait for an answer before standing and starting towards the old woman.
She awkwardly hovers behind the two men speaking with Mrs Pumpherus until there’s a lull in their conversation. ”Excuse me, ma’am,” she interjects meekly, I’ll help you look for the dog.”
Once sufficiently away, Maria would coax out her familiar with a piece of dried fruit, opening a portion of her cloak to let him stir about and perch on an outstretched forearm, "I need you to find a dog Jervi, a small fat one, see if you can spot them?" she says as she watched him eat, a smile forming on her face.
The bat would fly up in to the sky and do as it was commanded.
”Oh, you are such kind, wonderful young people! You’re right, you won’t all fit. Perhaps Robert can show you all where I live, and I shall go on ahead to prepare luncheon for you all.”
Not really waiting on an answer, she’s already slowly hurrying back to her carriage. ”Brus? Brus! The carriage door!!”
Maria looked towards the carriage, watching as it stopped by her on the road. Is was Mrs. Pumphrey and and the young wizard gave a somewhat unamused expression as they rode up and stopped the carriage.
"Mistress Elrith has asked me to render aide in searching for your dear lost pet," she'd speak in a taught professional manner. She couldn't recall if Pumphrey was one those that seemed to scorn her.
"Mrs. Pumpherus needs some help?" Fezzan says popping up at Robert's elbow and munching on an apple acquired from somewhere in the crowd. "I could do with a free lunch and I've always wanted to see inside her manor." Confident in his self invitation, Fezzan pitches his apple core and wipes his hands on his pants.
"We could all meet outside the public house and head over together. I need to pick up a few things and I should probably let Auguster know what I'm doing anyways. Can't imagine he'll object, he likes Mrs. Pumpherus."
As if that settled everything, Fezzan darts off to collect his 'adventurer' gear.
@Maria
”Oh isn’t that nice! You didn’t wait for your friends? Never mind, why don’t you hop up in here next to me and ride with me.”
"Friends?" Maria questioned. There was few people here that she could call that, "If you insist madame I will humbly accept." she responds in proper, tapping her staff made of oak and varnishes in reddish color that she walked around with on the ground. The signal for Jervis to flutter back in the air above the carriage before Maria would enter.
Robert says "We will wait outside the pub and then head to my farm. I need to pick up a few things too and drop off my siblings. After that we can head to Mrs. Pumpherus'."
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say Robert, I was just saying my father is at the inn and I need to let him know I will be helping you. Do you mind if we stop by so I can grab my gear and let him know what I am doing? Then I am happy to wait at your convenience and head over to the ladies house. Gunnar smiles and shrugs as he states again what must be done.
Robert takes his siblings home, who are not happy that their day off in town has been cut short, knowing that if they’re back in the farm, there are chores. John and Melinda are worried that he’s heading off but searching around Pumpherus Manor for a fat dog seems pretty tame, so they wish him luck.
August’s is quite happy that Fezzen wants to help out Mrs. Pumpherus and wishes him luck also, sending him along with a small cask of port that she favours.
The shops are starting to reopen now that the ceremony is over, so Eudamonia can spend half an hour browsing if she so chooses.
Gunnar finds the inn and his father, who reminds him that the coach leaves in three days and that, according to his uncle, Lyon’s Brook folk are shifty, so watch himself.
Meanwhile, at Pumpherus Manor, Maria enjoys a soothing cup of tea on her back terrace, overlooking the gardens. Brus, the gardener, tends things nearby, shooting nervous glances her direction when he thinks she isn’t looking.
Eventually, the rest of the group walks up to the sprawling manor house and are shown around back, where you find Mrs. Pumpherus and Maria sipping tea.
Maria had been drinking tea at the Pumpherus mansion, her hat tucked away in her satchel bag and her familiar Jervis having been brough back under the long and somewhat baggy cloak that she wore, occasionally sneaking a piece to him as her clung to the inside of its fabric. She payed no mind to Brus, unsure wither once again it was a curse or a blessing that townsfolk both feared and scorned her residence here.
She'd watch as this group of apparent "friends" of her's came. She doubted Pumpherus was privy to most local talk of the town.
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Gunnar walks up and takes a minute to roll his chain shirt and put it away in favor of his leather jerkin which he stops and puts on prior to arrival. He also puts the light crossbow on his belt and slides the dagger and quiver for the twenty quarrels in place. He takes up the polearm as well and hangs the mace on the other side and then checks the bedroll and small tent, the rope, and the travel rations and two water flasks. He is used to travel and carrying this load was not too difficult. He says Robert am I all tucked in and presentable to the Lady? and nods and makes his way to the manor.
When they arrive he nods to the two ladies with a smile and reintroduction: I am Gunnar Vryce, here to assist in the finding of your lost dog.
Euda does her best to keep smiling as she's suddenly overwhelmed at being dragged into a group effort to hunt for the dog.
so many people to look for a dog... she's a chubby little puppers with stumpy little legs, how far could she have gotten... maybe I should just get lunch and head back to Sir Eustus' manner like he told me to... I did tell her I would help, though, I suppose I better follow through...
As the group breaks up, she heads towards the shops to kill some time before meeting at the pub. When the time comes to gather the plain young girl is sitting in the grass near the front doors; she has two white carnations tucked into her hair and she's eating a warm sweet roll. Rising, she gives a timid little wave and hopes that the others will remember that she had volunteered to help too.
On the walk out to the manner, she quietly follows the others, looking with great interest at the foliage they pass by. She also occasionally eyes the well-armed man that she's never seen before, but doesn't venture to ask who he is.
Robert leads the group to the manor house and smiles at Mrs. Pumpherus; her guest he avoids eye contact with. He then says "We are all here to find your Tricia. If you would point us to where she was last seen, we can start trying to track her down."
Arms wrapped around the cask of port, Fezzan trundles up to Mrs. Pumpherus, wearing an ill-fitting suit of worn and patched leather armor, a couple battered kitchen knives in his belt and an ancient and creaking crossbow dangling at his side. He gingerly puts down the cask, "Complements of Master Auguster. He shares his deep concern for your missing Tricia and hope for her swift return."
Maria didnt much pay attention to the newcomers besides a small glance. Why they were so armed was beyond her, it was just a s al dog, not a wild vicious feral wolf on the moor.
”Oh, how very nice. Please send him my thanks, Mr. ummm, Fuzzy?” she finishes weakly.
”And Brus can show you where she disappeared. He was out with her here in the back garden doing her morning exercises. She always likes her morning exercises in the back garden. Brus?”
Brus ambles over, looking unimpressed with, well, life in general, and he beckons you to a hedge near the back. A pair of wooden rings with little teeth marks lies in the grass.
”Eh. Fat little runt was waddlin’ after one dem rings. Went too far in hedge. Runt go in, not come out.” Brus continues to mutter in a lower voice, something about a lot of bother and stupid dog and maybe finally having peace and quiet.
If anybody would like to examine the hedge itself, you can attempt the following (see discussion thread).
Robert gets down on his hands and knees and has a look under the hedge. He then stands and says "I can see the tracks but something has been dragged along the same way. I think we should get to the other side and see where they go."
Maria put down her tea, speaking, "Is that so, is that all that occured?" she says before walking over toward the bushes with her staff in hand. It would immediately catch her eye that what appeared to be meat was strung on branch.
"Was he eating something? There is a piece of... meat on the bushes?" she says to no one in particular.
Fezzan bobs his head, "Close enough, Ma'am."
Fezzan shrugs off Brus' gruff demeanour and tags along after the others.
"Meat? No wonder the little pupper was so interested in those rings, being covered in meat and all."
"Good eye Robert. If you have the trail, lead on, let's go find poor Tricia."
While the others talk to the butler and each other, the unfamiliar girl who’s been staying with Sir Eustus places a hand on the hedge and mutters, ”Hi, mister bush, I’m Eudamonia Solanis. What happened here, and why did this man put meat in you? You don’t eat meat do you?”