[dice=Spellcraft]1d20+8
[dice=Knowledge Arcana]1d20+10
[dice=Knowledge History]1d20+8
[dice=Knowledge Local]1d20+9
[dice=Knowledge Planes]1d20+8
[dice=Knowledge Religion]1d20+8
Myrandya happened to be inside the tavern and saw the confrontation go down from the doorway. Like everyone else, she screams bloody murder and retreats into the building when she sees the apparition.
"Vhat vas zhat?!" she cries, when she is able to calm down. "Did you shee it? Like shome kind of shpirit, a night-geist as my fazzer might have shaid. How fery disturbink! I sink I shall need a shtiff drink to calm my nerfs." She looks around for the proprietor, and frowns, unwilling to pour for herself and not wanting to seem to be stealing.
Vhat vas zhat? she wonders. A ghost?
[dice=Knowledge (religion)]1d20+10[dice=Flash of insight]1d6
Sheriff Freson turns slowly, his gaze following the perimeter of the Circle. "All right now, folks. Seems like all of the excitement out here is over. Come on back and pick up after yourselves and let's call it a day."
Maverick hadn't yet met the sheriff and watched him work for a while, while slowly strolling back to the Circle and picking up his revolver. Like everyone else apparently. He smiled as he noticed the accumulation of derelict firearms.
As the fear passes from her eyes, she heaves her dress up and makes her way cautiously back outside and carefully down the stairs just in time to hear the sheriff welcoming people to come back.
"Sheriff Freson," she nods a greeting to the gruff woman with a ruffle of her dress in hello, as if saying she is dissatisfied that she ran. "Glad you are here now, and Deputy Macrosh...glad to see you too," she curtseys to the man.
"I believe an apparition of none other than Captain Roderic himself manifested at the trouble that arose between them no good Nightthrush Boys and Gildersleeves." She shivers in thought. "Scared the dickens out of me." It wouldn't be uncommon for a powerful, protective deputy or sheriff to comfort a citizen in their time of need, would it?
With curious eyes, she looks for her businessman. Did he leave entirely? She also looks about for the remnants of the gangs reforming in the area.
Wes flees into Creekside with the others as chaos engulfs the town. She finds herself in a room cowering with some others, including someone he remembered from the poker tables and a striking elf.
Heading back as the panic subsides, he picks up his abandoned rifle, then heads to the man who appears to be the sheriff, meeting the elf again. "So, yer sayin' that's the ghost o' the fella who this town's named after? Well that's somethin'. Keeps folks in line, that's fer sure."
He tips his hat. "Names Higgins. Nice to meet you folks. If yer lookin' fer help with somethin' a bit more solid, I'm yer man."
Eunice has only taken a few steps through the buildings toward the circle when she hears angry voices cut off by a frightful wail, followed by general cries of dismay and a rustling of feet.
She turns, noting in Lonny's face the boyish interest in anything that seemed exciting or dangerous, and the wide eyes of concern in Raqi.
"You go on. Get," she says, waving them in the direction of the blacksmith, with an extra bit of emphasis toward Raqi, as he's the one she has more influence over. To the boy, she adds,"Whatever happened is over, and I'm sure you'll hear all about it in no time flat."
She walks back to push Ragi's rump away, as if in emphasis, but she makes sure to pull the shotgun free as he leaves, then makes for the circle with quick, long-legged strides
The Deputy moves to put his arm around the fetching Nempura, making sure that she feels secure.
Freson takes her cigar from her mouth with her left hand and expels a bit of tobacco with a quick burst of air. "Captain Roderic himself, eh? Haven't seen hide nor hair of his spirit for 10 years. Reckon the violence has drawn his attention. What with the trouble here, I don't have time to go chasing a ghost. But maybe you lot would be willing to look into the matter. What say you come to dinner at my place tonight, say around 7:00. I'll invite Audrahni. She and Babblebrook knew the Captain. Maybe they will have something to say about his feelings in the matter. And Deputy, I believe the lady is feeling settled now, best to give her some space."
At that, the Deputy blushes and puts some space between himself and the sea elf.
Eunice has only taken a few steps through the buildings toward the circle when she hears angry voices cut off by a frightful wail, followed by general cries of dismay and a rustling of feet.
She turns, noting in Lonny's face the boyish interest in anything that seemed exciting or dangerous, and the wide eyes of concern in Raqi.
"You go on. Get," she says, waving them in the direction of the blacksmith, with an extra bit of emphasis toward Raqi, as he's the one she has more influence over. To the boy, she adds,"Whatever happened is over, and I'm sure you'll hear all about it in no time flat."
[dice=handle animal]1d20+14
She walks back to push Ragi's rump away, as if in emphasis, but she makes sure to pull the shotgun free as he leaves, then makes for the circle with quick, long-legged strides
Lonny and Raqi move off to finish their errand. Eunice arrives just in time to hear the Sherriff talking about the ghost of Captain Roderic, his gaze taking her in with his invitation to dinner.
"Don't vorry bosh, your frriendly neighborhood medical exhaminer vill be zhere, viz bells on so to shpeak!" Myrandya speaks up from slightly below the sheriff's sightline, puffing up a bit in self-importance and smiling a toothy smile that looks more hungry than friendly or neighborly. "Jinglies! Is zhat zhe phrase off enthusiashm and figilance againsht zhe shupernatural? Anyvay, yesh, ve vill get to ze bottom off zhis myshtery ffor you, you may mark my vords!"
Nempura does actually look comforted by the deputy's arm about her. Her timid heart, while brave had been quite shaken. As the sheriff invites her deputy to head off, Nempura gives him a look of appreciation and a bow of her head.
"I am not a ghost hunter, sheriff, but I have had experience in my youth in the arcane arts. I think there are some here also who have shown bravery who might be willing to help out?" she asks, giving a look to those who are amassing and recovering their weaponry. She looks to the brave Wes and John in particular who stood up to the gang, but also to those approaching who she may recognize. Her eyes then settle on the small creature approaching with a toothy smile.
"Oh interesting, it's been many years since I've seen a being like that."
"I will meet those interested in going outside of the Creekside at the evening hour and will show you all the way to the Sheriff's home if you don't know it. Those who aren't interested, well, ya don't have to show."
She raises a hand to the sheriff in question.
"Oh sheriff, dear. Perhaps it would be more enticing if those present knew they were not working for free? And if I could persuade you to have a word with my boss here in a few moments? I am working tonight and may need your lovely words to excuse me from my duties..."
"That is an intriguing offer, to have dinner with you. It was not the evening activity I had planned, but I am flexible and will be here for a few days."
Meeting the sheriff could make a profitable connection.
Wes eyes the strange little medical examiner with the exotic accent. She looked kind of like a gnome? "Well, like I said, I'm no expert in chasin' ghosts, but maybe you folks are, and I can keep trouble off your backs."
He then turns to the sheriff. "'Preciate the offer, Sheriff. Wouldn't mind the company." And maybe a job--could be fun. "Meet you folks Creekside tonight."
Freson nods to Nempura, "I'll make sure there's no trouble for you taking a night off, Miss. Not going to be much business for the Creekside if her doorstep is overrun with angry spirits. As for the rest of you, the town coffers are full enough. I'd prefer to discuss such things in a more civilized fashion than over the wreckage of an overturned apple cart, but rest assured we can make it worth your while. I'll send the Deputy here to escort you to my place."
The sheriff lives in a house at the edge of the graveyard (currently marked on the map with a yellow arrow in the slides).
A DC 10 Knowledge Local is enough to know that the Sherriff built her house largely on her own (with the occasional hired hand for heavy lifting) out of local timber. While she is a fine lawman and a good enough cook, she is not much of a carpenter, and with the frequent rains the house is known to leak).
Maverick watches the slowly regrowing crowd for a while. He also carefully checked out the blue-skinned lady that was obviously more than a simple Creekside girl.
As noon passed, he got bored and decided to take a large nap. There was usually not much else to do for him during the day.
He woke up a few hours later and got ready for the evening. Which wasn't different from any other evening preparation, that is. At last he holsters the trusty revolver, to which he apologized once again for throwing it away, and two sets of fresh playing cards.
With her time being commandeered for the evening, she was forced to work earlier at the Creekside. Those who stopped in would see her flirt and smirk, making eyes at any who desired her attentions. She also would be occasionally retired to her room with gentlemen or ladies who desired her "social skills" on a more intimate level. By the time evening rolled around, she would have put on a new dress, done up her reddish hair, and readied to be escorted by the handsome deputy.
This time, the gang will see that she wears a corset with her dress, and on her hip, hanging loosely is a belt with a revolver. On her back is a beautifully compact buy classy backpack in case the group wishes to set off tonight. Her skin seems to have a wettened shine to it, as does her hair. It would be easy to imagine her having just risen from a lake or pool to entice wanderers to the depths.
"Is everyone ready? For those of you who don't know me, my name is Nempura Babblebrook. Some here call me Bella, or Bella Blue. I believe the deputy will be along shortly."
When everyone is set and ready to go, and their escorting deputy arrives, she will take hold of the crook of his arm and will follow to the sheriff's home.
Wes spends some time kicking himself about having run away from the ghost. In the evening, though, he's ready to go. He's got a black stallion with him.
He tips his hat at the elven lady. "A pleasure, Bella. Nice to see a lady who knows how to take care of herself," he adds, eyeing the revolver. He regards the others as well. "Right, let's get goin'."
To prepare for the meeting, Myrandya collects some of her chemicals and mixes up a special powder. When the group gathers to set off, she holds up a wineskin. "A toasht? To zhe shuccessh of our endeafforsh? I haff added a compound to zhish shaltvater zhat vill sharpen our vits and our shenses." She waggles the end and squirts a mouthful into her toothy maw, before wiping off her lips with the back of her hand. "Uh, I am Myrandya, ish my name."
Eunice had planned to lunch with her brother, who occasionally worked for the Creekside’s owner. Instead, she had to search for him: He, too, had run off at the sight of the apparition.
So she’s pretty hungry by the time she arrives to dinner, the newly shod Raqi following in her footsteps. She’s positive he’s kicking up his feet to let the evening rays of sun glance off the horseshoes.
She nods to the others as she strolls up, hands buried deep in the pockets of a waxed canvas coat. “Name’s Eunice Flint,” she says. She rarely set foot inside the Creekside — far too noisy — but recognized the Elven woman, who’d been in town since Eunice was a child, and manages a small smile for her. ”I guess I missed the excitement earlier.”
Deputy Macrosh shows up promptly at the appointed time, walking you to the Sheriff's house. The sounds of town fall away as you move toward the church and the adjacent graveyard.
The Sheriff's house is about as far from the center of town as you can get and still be in town. The planks of the house are relatively fresh, much of it unweathered and lacking the mossy growths that cover many of the roofs in town. The house is also...not exactly plumb or square. There is a covered porch that wraps around three sides of the structure, and it is elevated enough for a trio of dogs to lounge under, all recognizable as a local breed known as covehounds or Roderic's Ridgebacks. As you approach, they rise from their resting place and race toward you. Any concern you might feel at their approach soon falls away as they catch Macrosh's scent and their tails wag violently. Once they have checked you out, they flank you in your approach.
At their barking, Sheriff Freson appears on the porch, her gaze taking in your approach. She welcomes you and thanks you for coming. "Come in, come in. I don't often host large gatherings, so I hope you will forgive me for going a little overboard. Come in. Let's enjoy our dinner an then we'll discuss business on the porch afterwards. "
The house is two stories, the first floor featuring a parlor, kitchen, dining room, and study. The proper series of events in the East would be to offer drinks of some sort in the parlor before moving to dinner, but the Sheriff doesn't know that, and she ushers you quickly into the dining room. There you find a massive table carved from what appears to be a single piece of live wood. If you are the sort who thinks of such things, you realize that the walls must have been built around it; it could not have come through any of the windows or doors. At the table sits a tall, pale, black clad elf who you recognize as Audranhi. She stands by her chair, clearly she has just risen at your approach.
You take seats around the table. Some of the seats wobble a bit, and you aren't sure if that is because the floor is uneven or the chairs a uneven or both. "I brought in Blackberry to help out with the meal. I enjoy cooking, but with all the trouble in town I spent a fair portion of my afternoon dealing with the mess."
At that, a dark haired halfling woman enters with a wooden tray.
The food is excellent. Waiting for you there are devilled duck eggs with pickled vegetables and seaweed. Then fresh oysters with mustard and crisp bacon paired with smoked mushrooms. Then a 5 foot smoked salmon with some sort of flat grilled bread, more mushrooms, tubers, and for dessert blackberry pastries with clotted cream.
As you begin to eat, Audrani sighs and says, "We should get to business. Whatever is riling up Sir Roderic's spirit should be settle as soon as possible."
The Sheriff replies, "The ghost isn't going anywhere. We can enjoy a moment of peace and company. Most of these folks might need some time to adjust to such talk. Give them a moment."
"Sure thing. Me and Ruby go way back."
Nempura pats her revolver. In the pearl handle can be seen a setting of rubies which now may make more sense.
To Myrandya, not to be insulting, Nempura casts a detection spell first regardless and then smiles.
"I add saltwater to mine as well when I make this little concoction. Look all, we have a smart cookie here, now don't we? Take a drink. It's safe. Nice ta meet ya, Myrandya."
"Ah, miss Flint. Yes, you did. It is good to see you all grown up. My golly you look like your parents..." She pauses a moment before snapping out of some distant thought. "We could use someone of your quality with us, I dare say!" She brooks no opposition. "You are comin' with us to the sheriff. Got a job for ya."
------------
"I swear, that house leans a bit more to the left every time I see it. Is it a trick of the eye?"
After being greeted, Bella makes her way inside and takes a precarious seat at the table, and gives a little wave to Audranhi before resting her hands in her lap over a crossed leg. Under her dress, a sexy pair of lace stockings and beautiful shoes can be seen poking out now, enticing those who look.
Nempura does eat, and delightfully thanks the sheriff for the fish in particular, as salmon is one of her favorites, but when they get down to business, her cheeriness drops and she certainly looks more serious.
"Dear sheriff, I've learned in my many years to trust Audranhi's sage-like council, and if she says it should be deal with post-haste, then by golly, we should!"
"I would never refuse a drink. Let's see where it leads us". He did take a very careful sip, just to taste for any strange effects, before pouring it down. Maverick was hoping Myrandya's flask contained a good punch, but was surprised by the magical effect. Weird stuff, but then again, look at her...
--------
"Howdy, John Maverick. My pleasure." He adresses the room, while carefully examining the architecture. Out of habit, he also looks for any mirrors.
"That's really good" he complements with a half-full mouth. Manners have never been an issue in his circles...
"I'm with the sheriff. Pleasure before business."
Higgins lets the dogs sniff him and gives each a friendly pet. He was definitely more comfortable with the dogs than all the people that've gathered. He usually preferred to work alone, but now it felt like he had a big posse.
He settles down for an enjoyable meal. "Regards to the chef, this is some fine food you have." Though he seems to still be looking around for some liquor. "How 'bout more of that drink ya had, Myrandya? That was some good wine."
"Well, happy to talk about the ghost or not, don't matter ta me. But I'm sure curious what leads you've got on those killings in the Circle, sheriff. Rumor has it that that one of them had knife wounds and the rest just up and died. Pretty wild if ya ask me."
Myrandya waves to Audranhi, hopeful that the elven woman hasn't forgotten her in the weeks since they last visited. The tiefling is fidgety and awkward at dinner, though she seems to appreciate the food immensely and takes much more than she can eat. Several times she starts to speak and then thinks better of it to eat some more. Once, she says "Sho zhis ghosht--" but then takes another bite and mumbles the rest of her sentence unintelligibly.
She magnanimously passes the wineskin and its dregs to Wes when asked for it. "I, I do not know how much longer it vill shtill be potable, Herr Vesh, but you are velkom to vhateffer is lefft until zhe alchemy kompletely dissholvesh. But vhat about theshe killinks? Kniffe vounds, you shay? Vhy did you not kall for me, Frau Sheriff? I should like ffery much to exshamine theshe injuries ffor clooooosh."
Hungry or not, Eunice can't abide oysters, but she eagerly digs into the rest. The hillsides where she spends most of the year aren't much for growing, so fresh food of any kind is a special treat.
"I think it's a lovely house," she ventures, as the conversation touches on the teetering home. "My father built ours; it's mostly of earth and not half as big."
She'd heard stories of Roderic's ghost as a child, though she'd never seen it and only half-believed the stories. "What's brought the ghost before?" she asks. "Were there killings then too?" She stops herself and murmurs, "Sorry, I suppose that's porch talk."
The Sheriff holds firm, even though Audrahni pushes. "Better that we all get to know each other first. When the lead starts flying, or the ec-to-plasm or what have you, it's good to know who has your back. Blackberry here made her famous pies, and the cream is from my own goats. Eunice, I know you aren't eating anything like this on that mountain of yours. For the rest of you, I spect it will be a while before you have the option of such a repast again."
That said, after dessert, she moves you quickly to the gallery of the wraparound porch. There, the halfling woman known as Blackberry serves apple brandy and a blackberry port. For those who wish, there are fine cigars from Absalom or loose tobacco to roll your own cigarettes.
The Sheriff smokes a tight rolled cigar that emits blue gray smoke and drinks blackberry port in a small crystal glass, which surprises you given her tough reputation around town. You've never had a sense of her as dainty, but she is certainly particular about her drink and tobacco.
"Now, to your questions, I'll let Audrahni answer what she can."
The black eyed pale skinned elf almost seems to glow in the faint light of dusk. Her features are sharp, and her dark suit and hat make her pale skin make her seem almost like apparition herself. Looking across the road at the cold iron fence and the graveyard beyond, you can imagine that she is a wayward spirit, vampire, or some such.
"Some of you may know that I have been here in the Cove from the start. I rode with Captain Roderic in the war. Well, in a war. So many of those lately. We rode up here to get away from things. The Captain had money, his father had invested in one of the first railroad companies out east, but he never wanted any part of that. We came up here to get away from all of that and settled in what he wanted to call Cove Town, but by the time there were a hundred folks living here they had come to see it as Roderic's Cove. Of course, he had seen so much of the bad side of people that he didn't ever want to be too close to them, so he built his own house outside of town. He went back East for a time an married there, something about duty and past agreements. He brought his bride out here and they had a couple of kids. They all died in tragedy, but that doesn't matter too much, I think."
There's a bit of a frump when the sheriff clearly ignores her suggestion and continues on. With a bit of a sly smile, she relents and enjoys the pie. When they head out to the porch, she settles in a rocking chair that lets her gun hang free and easily graspable.
While others may partake of the cigars, smoking has never been something the sea elf has enjoyed. The sensation is a bit odd to her and is infinitely harder to stop being absorbed by her body. She will enjoy some of the blackberry port with the sheriff though.
"Audranhi, dear, so you are tellin' us that the captain never had too keen an interest in the people here in the first place? If then his spirit has been angered by what he saw in the center, then might we be expecting more troubles in the near future?"
Maverick smiled and sat down next to the sheriff, gratefully enjoying the offered cigar and the company. He put a small lounge table next to his chair and took out an unpacked deck of cards and also his Harrow Deck.
While the elf spoke, he didn't actually offer to play a little game, but his gestures made it clear that everyone was invited.
"I appreciate the history lesson. It's always nice to get to know the places you pass through. Why do you think, the tragic death is not the reason for his ghost still being around? I know, you're kind of an expert on the topic, but to a layman like me, this sounds like the perfect reason for a haunting. Do you want to ... explicate on the matter, or is that maybe too personal?"
After downing a shot of port, Higgins takes a much longer time savoring the cigar. He sighs hearing the story and lets out a long puff of smoke.
"So Roderic don't like people and lost his lady and the kids? Would've figured he'd be ready for the hereafter, not hauntin' this ol' town." He waits patiently to hear more of the story.
The way that Audrahni sips her port might suggest to some of you that you aren't consuming it correctly, but maybe not, and maybe you don't care. Regardless, she doesn't smoke. Her pale skin and black eyes glow in the light of sunset. "I'm sorry, it would be wrong of me to give you the impression that the Captain didn't like people. He loved the idea of people, the possibilities of what an unfettered populace could achieve. But he did find the press of actual persons too much sometimes after our sojourn in the Southern Territories. The reason you see so many halflings here in town is on the count of his heart and desire to give such folk a new start away from their captors. Blackberry herself who helped out with dinner was enslaved, and the Captain brought her here to make her own way. But the man had a strong sense of duty more than anything else. It's a tough thing to understand, maybe, but the Captain was a master of warfare who hated violence. His gift and his curse at the same time, I guess. He worked hard to keep the influence of Riddleport out of his town, and abhorred the violence that various gangs brought to the town. But he would definitely be protective of the town. He saw this place as his greatest achievement."
Wes nods, perhaps starting to understand. "Alright, I hear what yer sayin'. Roderic's a fella who wish folks would be better than they are when left on their own. Sometimes it takes a bit of force ta keep the peace. When that little gang fight started in the circle, me and Maverick here were doin' our level best to stop it, 'til that ghost did us one better."
Myrandya frowns, as if she is having trouble following. "Are you sayink you sink zhe ghosht of zhe town's ffounder vants to drife zhe ganks from zhe town sqvare? Zhat is sort off offerkill, vouldn't you shay? It's a goot impulshe, but it's a bit like usink a shotgun for a startink pistol." She laughs at her own joke to fill the uncomfortable silence that usually follows her speaking.
Eunice sat quietly, letting the port sit in her mouth while se watched the cigar smoke swirl above them.
This Roderic reminded her of her own father — a man famous for something he wanted no part of, and who sought to build something worthwhile that would outlive him.
She swallows the wind. "How did Roderic die?" she asks. "Was he buried?
"Yes, you may be right...," she comments to Myrandya, who was stating that the ghost's reaction may have been overkill in the realm of effectiveness. "...or at least keep them from harming folk."
When Eunice speaks, she takes a drink of her port and considers the question.
"And what did you have in mind for us to stop this from happening again, my friends?"
Audrahni nods. "Roderick himself would have said it was "like using a shovel to kill a cricket," but yes, a ghost breaking up a gang fight is over the top. But something has the Captain all aflutter. The sheriff is tied up dealing with those same gangs. She was thinking you lot could go out to the Captain's place and see if anything there could shed any light on his thoughts.
"As for the history lesson, the Captain was gunned down by a group of bandits out of Riddleport that were raiding, rustling, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. He asked not to be buried in the grave yard. His wife and children died in the water, and he wished that we commit his body to the Gulf."
Myrandya sniffs at the tale of Captain Roderick's burial. "Ach! Zhat is so sveet! How rromantic!" she swoons. "Vell, ve vould cerrtainly be villink to explore zhe houshe vhere he vonshe liffed, vouldn't ve? I vonder if it ish alsho haunted?"* She looks around at the faces of the rest of the group, peering devilishly up from her seat.
Maverick raised an eyebrow. "Visiting a haunted house? Sounds like a carnival attraction to me. Except, it's not. The spirit world is not to be taken lightly." He pauses and draws a card from his harrow deck...
The Betrayal
... and flinches. Something is up..
"Should we now anything more about that house, before you EMPLOY us to give it a visit?" he asked slowly for everyone to understand every single word. He also made it clear that he would like to be compensated for his time.
Upon seeing the harrow deck, she gets very interested, and despite the conversation going on, she gives "eyes" to John, as if communicating to draw for her. To then show she is still committed to the conversation, she responds.
"I'm for it. It's been a while since I've been out that way. There are some nice streams if I recall."
"And praytell how well would that employment sustain us?"
Her question having a playful tone, paired on the back of John's.
Wes is no stranger to working for bounties. He doesn't want to pile on, though, so he just keeps enjoying his cigar as he waits expectantly for the sheriff's offer.
The sheriff puffs on her cigar. "Of course I'll make it worth your while. How about 10 bucks for the day, and double that if you run into the ghost himself?"
Myrandya is so delighted she almost bounces in her chair. Dinner AND an investigation job? How did she get so lucky? She tries to keep her cool, but a little cackle erupts from her giddy expression. "Vell I'm shold! You'ffe hiahed yourshelf a detectiffe, bossh! Vhen do you vant us to get shtarted? To-night? I must shay, wiss zhis incredible meal inshide my shtomach, I feel I could take on zhe ghosht shingle-handed!"*
Some good coin. I can afford to stay here a good while longer if needed with this... "That's very generous. I'll accept. Though, I wouldn't be sad if we did not run into the ghost." he said with a grin.
To Myranda he answered "How about we sleep over this fine meal and meet up tomorrow morning. The last thing anybody needs is a visit to a haunted house at night."
"Sheriff, is there anything we should know about the house? Known or unknown occupants and visitors? Is it a maintained or a run-down hazard?"
Higgins has to think about it for a second. Not quite as much as I was hopin' for, but that's the trouble with workin' in groups. Might be worth it if they ran into the ghost, though.
"That's a deal," he says a bit later, spitting to his hand and then offering it to the sheriff.
"I'll agree to the 10 bucks, as long as the mission is just a simple walk to investigate, but if this turns out to be something intensive and quite dangerous...naturally beyond our already capable means...then I expect there to be some additional wages in your mind, miss!" she states with a wink to the sheriff.
"If we aren't going tonight, I may have to sneak in. They'll expect me to work if I'm done here. Last thing I want to do before an adventure is to be roughed up by strangers the night before."
"Are any of you staying at the Creekside?"
The Sheriff smiles at your various acceptances. "Morning is soon enough to move things along, I think. Roderic's place is a fair piece up the Creek. If you don't have a horse, stop by Hudsten's livery and borrow a horse. The town will cover the cost. House has been empty since the Captain died. Mostly gone to rot these days. Kids will dare each other to roam through or spend the night, but that is about it."
Eunice shakes her head. "I'm staying with my stepmother, Beth Monterrey, while I'm in town. I'd expected to head back home, but I can stay a few more days while we sort this out."
"We'd appreciate it, Miss Flint. Can always use a level head in such strange times."
Myrandya looks sideways at Nempura's question. "Iss zhat an inffitazhion, frau Babblebrook?" She smiles shyly, blushing a bit. "Mein apologies, zhat vas just mein little joke, ha ha. No, I haff a shmall room elshevhere, zhat is moshtly taken up vith my alkhemikal eqvipment, or I vould gladly haff you all offer shometime."*