Amelia follows her sister off the wagon. She's felt strange the past few days, though part of that could be the nightmares haunting her dreams. She wonders if the horror will lessen with time, but after seeing three of her companions cut down in battle here on the frontiers of civilization, she doubts they will.
She looks to Emre, at a loss for how to proceed now, and wondering if they would not have been better off staying in Restov or even Absolom.
"Maybe I am nothing but a counterfeit," she mutters under her breath before shaking the thought away.
Érme catches her sisters look, and her jaw hardens at the doubt wrought by events they had experienced.
She leans in, clasping Amelia's shoulder with a weak smile;
"No more than I sister. Counterfeit as we may be, we still can shine. Still have value."
The tall inquisitor guides her sister gently forward, returning Svetlana's hail;
"Our thanks My Lady, your hospitality is a welcome boon."
Amelia manages a weak smile at her sister's reassurance.
"Is there anything we can do to help," Amelia asks, "After we get cleaned up, I mean."
Antonio got washed up and joined his companions in a meal, but he was clearly distracted.
Later, he took his new blade out in the courtyard and unsheathed it.
Slowly, he executed a slash through the air. Not very well though.
He grimaced and began again, slowly relearning the what he had learned as a youth, when he was still a prince.
The woman straightens her clothing as she grabs a seat at the table. The smile from before still shines brightly from her face. Once all are settled in she takes the chance to speak, "”My name is Svetlana and I'm sure you have met my husband, Oleg.
We both are the owners of this trading post and, until lately, have enjoyed our stay out here. We like to think that we are far enough off from the main city as to enjoy some peace and quiet yet still close enough to partake in some of the conveniences."
Peering around, Svetlana sees her husband come closer to the table to join in. She defers to him to finish the rest of their story. "Oh here comes Oleg. I'll let him continue with our story while I go tidy up a few things."
The tall man takes a seat at the table and after looking around at all the people present starts talking as if he had been there for a while, "We both enjoy the life we have out here. We do not often see many people out here other than the occasional trader, hunter, or skinner. But lately some thieves have taken it upon themselves to "tax" us, if you will. This group comes around about once a month to grab a few items from us and then leaves. So far no one has been hurt but it is taking its toll on my gold.
You might have heard that we have sent letters asking for assistance and this is what those letters would be for. These fools have plagued me for too long and I want the kingdom to do something about it! If I were a younger man, I would see to it that those bandits do not see another sunrise but unfortunately I have seen quite a few seasons.
You must understand my wife's excitement when she got word that assistance would be on its way. We received word that a patrol would be dispatched to here to help with the problem and that a group of adventurers, most likely yourselves, would also be heading this way and that you could provide help as well."
Sitting back on the bench, Oleg folds his arms and stairs straight forward, not looking at anyone in particular. "Now I'd prefer that if you wanted to help, then help. Otherwise, if you feel that this is not something you want to take on, then please be on your way. These crooks should be here tomorrow and I don't need anyone getting into my way."
The man, not really waiting for someone to respond, finishes his statement then starts to eat his meal.
After a brief period, Svetlana comes back outside and addresses the group, "Please pardon my husband's attitude. He's been under a lot of stress with these bandits and it has really been quite the burden on us. He's really a nice guy!
But I must reiterate what he has said and if you don't wish to help, then I fear you might get harmed. These "exchanges" don't often times go on friendly terms."
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Amelia looks to Emre with increasing concern as the couple lays out what is going on. Her recent experiences have not been great for building any sort of confidence in their ability to solve this problem. Mush to her shame, she finds herself wondering if they'd be better off taking Oleg and Svetlana's advice and moving on before the bandits come. Her faith calls for her to see justice done, however. She can't abandon these people to lawless bandits, but neither can she agree, at least not without Emre having her say first.
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Érme catches her sisters look, and mulls the situation.
The Master of the First Vault once again gives us opportunity to bring value.
The Inquisitor nods her head in acknowledgement of both their hosts words and the unspoken duty to their tenets. Removing her hat she addresses Oleg and Svetlana;
"Good couple I am Érme Coin, Oathkeeper of Abadar. This is my faith-sister Amelia, and the swordsman is Antonio. Our god teaches us that conflict should only be the last resort."
She pauses, mulling her next words;
"However he also tells us that unlawfulness and banditry are blights to civilisation and trade... That we cannot abide. This blight of banditry will be dealt with."
Puffing from his exercise, Antonio came in and drew a tankard before sitting down with his companions.
"Hey all! I am Antonio. I understand there are bandits about hey?"