Odelai readies herself for the day, thankful there are no other rivers to cross.
Oh Gods and others that hear prayers, lets f+#*ing Rusalkas happen to other people, may social influencers from the Abyss be busy on other planes, and please, for the love of all that is not messed up, no liquoer made from dretches.
Svetlana gives a rather unusual prayer.
"What's a dretch?" Penelope asks, slightly distracted, in her hopes to get moving. She imagines some kind of exotic fruit filled with copious amount of juice.
Awakening to greet the sun, Elowen dresses and gathers her gear, ready to make the last leg of the trek back to the town with the cure.
Feeling energetic with the knowledge that you have the things needed to hopefully eradicate the blackscour taint. That the risk of the river should be worth the saved day of travel. Not to mention the threats encountered in the woods. But perhaps you were lucky or maybe adventurers over embellish the dangers of these woods.
Three hours walk finds the edge of the Darkmoon Woods. The few miles around the edge is often a gamble in threats due to the loggers. All that's left is a few miles in the gently sloping hills and tall grass that will bring you all back to Falcon's hollow. In the distance, near the River Foam sits the little plagued town.
Always taking note of the occasional presence of a familiar face or fey agent in the woods, Elowen smiles at the glimpse of Nikaia, feeling the reassuring knowledge of Chrysopeleia's eyes on her.
Oh, she looks like nice tummy rubs?
Sir Pounce notices something, but since he is presenting his tummy for some rubbing its probably not hostile.
Assuming nothing happens, Sir Pounce returns to his normal stance after about a minute, sauntering as if he didnt just get rejected.
Dretches are the lowest social strate of demons, in a way demons of sloth and rahter weak. I killed one before I left Irrisen, it didnt leave a body so it probably was a summon. Their skin resists weapons not made from cold iron, and they tend to be lazy and cowardly. They can hower use several spell like abilities involving noxious vapors, which makes them able to seriously annoy and nauseate even experienced groups of fighters. They have a fair bit of offensive power in melee, 2 claws and a bite, but their cowardice is a great weakness and exploitable.
She pauses
Most demons eat mortals, and it is hardly uncommon that one would wish to return the favor. Making liquor out of demons, who are as I may note physical manifiestations of evil, is well... A mildly less stupid idea then actually eating them boiled, let alone raw. I have some apprehensions about... biting cetain adversaries, including most demons. As for the liquor? I drank some as a dare, had the s~*$s for the next 2 weeks. Dont do it.
She speaks utterly matter of factly.
Penelope's eyes grow wide, as she listens attentively to the answer. Which has become the young paladin's typical reaction when Svetlana responds.
On the trip back, Penelope takes her normal position in the rear, knowing by this point, as a look out, she is leagues behind the others. The position is hard today, since she wants more than anything to rush.
But No no no, pace properly leads to missed mistakes. She never did like the missed mistakes part of that saying, since it felt more that the mistake still happened and no one saw instead of the mistake never happened.
She chewed on her lip instead.
Jenkin nods sagely as Svetlana describes the crafting of Dretch Liquor, and the perils of consumption. "Ayuh, I had something once called Bilge Barge Brewery Lager, had much the same effect..."
And speaking of places he liked drinking at... "Oh, look, it's the Hollow!"
Even with the Hollow in sight it is still a solid four-hour walk. The gently sloping plains and the distance are what has provided safety from the dangers of the Darkmoon Woods. But it doesn't take to long to find the well-worn paths leading to the little town.
Its midafternoon when you reach the opening in the wall. One very tired guard looks up before returning to their lean against the wall. At this time of day the town should be noisy and filled with movement. Instead, it is silent and still.
Concerned with the lack of the usual noise, Elowen was used to experiencing when approaching the town, she picks up the pace. "If it's this quiet, it sounds like many more have fallen ill or worse."
Penelope quickly goes to the guard "How bad has the sickness gotten?" dread smothering all else. She wants to run into the town, find everyone she loves to make sure they are alright.
One way to find out! Lets move quickly!
The guard looks up at Penelope, dark circles under their eyes. Blinking slowly, "Most folk are either sick or taken care o' someone that's sick."
Yawning and forcing their eyes open widely, "Laurel said yall should be back today or tomorrow. Go fix people so I can go home" Clearly thinking better, "Please."
Luckily Roots and Remedies isn't far. Moving down the road the little shop that had a massive line a few days ago is quiet now. But the door isn't locked and peeking through the window shows a brown haired figure at the counter napping on folded arms.
Odelai raps lightly on the window to wake the woman... better than storming into her place unannounced.
Laurel's head lifts and she squints at the window. Feeling around to grab her glasses and rushing to the door. Flinging it open and looking at each of you quickly, "Did you find it all?"
"YES!" Penny practically bursts in saying. She pulls out anything she is carrying, and hurries any of the others to do the same. Hoping all the items are right.
"We found everything you need, in some cases, an abundance of it." Elowen adds, stepping into the doorway and moving to the nearest table to set the bag with the stored ironbloom mushrooms down, along with the jar containing the rat's tail.
Waving you all in, "Wonderful! I should be able to have it finished if I stay up through the night." Laurel grabs a few bottles and pouches as she leads you all into a back room. Gesturing to a table, "Put it all there."
Moving around with practiced ease. Not looking up from her preparations, "Most folks are starting to get sick so I would avoid the locals if you can. I should have this ready in the morning. Hopefully this works quickly. You can stay here if you want. But you'll be sleeping on the floor."
Pausing, "Don't panic Penny but don't go to the temple. Sick folk are more welcoming of Iomedea at the moment." Looking over to catch the half elf's gaze, "I'm sure she is fine but I was told to tell you to not go home till this is all over."
Penny had been moving toward the door. Love and fear pulling her, but her hands stops at the handle, her blue eyes getting caught by Laurel's. "She would be helping..." she sighs, a warm on but tired,
After a moment, she removes her hand, leans against it with her arms crossed, looking at the others "I'll take the floor then."
While they wait, Odelai putters around the shop inspecting spell ingredients and the contents of every beaker and flask that Laurel isn't actively using.
She also seems to be carrying on a very quiet and quite animated conversation with the cockroach in her hair about some of the ingredients.
Ahh, an exiled hero who saves the community that took her in. I approve. A clearly female voice speaks in Svetlanas head
The f*+~ who are you? Lady Mysterious voice in my head? Svetlana mentally replies
You will eventually figure out, it appears your knowledge of the religious increased after all? Of course, it is prudent for an oracle to align herself with the source of her powers.
I may as well hmmm.... you have in you the desire to be an extremely attractive singer. I can approve of this as well. Both your singing, and your sense of fashion I have just improved, enjoy. Heck, you can now even ward of attacks with your prettiness! I am clearly the bestest and coolest mystery patron ever! The voice continues
I am pretty sure its the best not the bestest, are you the deity of ignoring grammar rules? Svetlana tries to answer
Ignoring rules yes, grammar I just never cared much for! Until later! Svetlana hears a chuckle as the voice fades.
Svetlanas movement patterns subtly change, she seems to do her hair a bit differently, and take to strategically polishing certain parts of her armor, singing some Irriseni song in the process.
Song cover of Voina
Irriseni:
Покажи мне людей, уверенных в завтрашнем дне,
Нарисуй мне портреты погибших на этом пути.
Покажи мне того, кто выжил один из полка,
Но кто-то должен стать дверью,
А кто-то замком, а кто-то ключом от замка.
Земля. Небо.
Между Землей и Небом - Война!
И где бы ты не был,
Что б ты не делал -
Между Землей и Небом - Война!
Где-то есть люди, для которых есть день и есть ночь.
Где-то есть люди, у которых есть сын и есть дочь.
Где-то есть люди, для которых теорема верна.
Но кто-то станет стеной, а кто-то плечом,
Под которым дрогнет стена.
Земля. Небо.
Между Землей и Небом - Война!
И где бы ты не был,
Что б ты не делал -
Между Землей и Небом - Война!
Show me people with confidence in the future,
Paint me portraits of those who died along the way.
Show me someone who survived alone from the regiment,
But someone has to be the door,
And someone the lock, and someone the key to the lock.
Earth. Heaven.
Between Earth and Heaven is War!
And wherever you are
Whatever you do
There's a war between Earth and Heaven!
Somewhere there are people who have day and night.
Somewhere there are people who have a son and a daughter.
Somewhere there are people for whom the theorem is true.
But some will be a wall and some will be a shoulder,
under which the wall shakes.
Earth. Heaven.
There's a war between Earth and Heaven!
And wherever you are
No matter what you do
There's a war between Earth and Heaven!
Elowen helps Laurel as much as possible, lending an extra set of hands in the process of creating the vital cure.
As she slumps against the door, morose in her anxiety, Elowen starts to help. It takes Penelope a full minute to register her own selfishness (meaning she REALLY felt bad), making her quickly straighten and offer to do anything. Clearly flustered she was putting her own worries ahead of the welfare of those in need.
If helping with the cure is something she would only get in the way of, she will start doing chores around the place, since Laurel will undoubtedly have fallen behind on since she was concentrating on the lives of everyone else.
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Laurel is happy to put Elowen and then Penelope to work. Fetching things, stirring, and cleaning but after an hour she drags out some paper, ink, and a few quills, "Make notes to put on everyones doors telling them to come to my shop when they can. Then go get some rest so these can get put out. Might have to bang on a few doors."
Hours are spent watching a kind of soup being made and maybe an hour before the sun will rise she starts straining it an splitting it up to cool down. Her task completed Laurel wakes those who slept instead. Handing them stacks of notes, "Divide up the town and pass these out. Do not go into an house and keep distance if you can but I'll keep a dose for each of you anyways, just in case. And whoever heads to the Perch should grab the Sheriff. He is sick but can make sure the snobs don't kick you out."
---
It is nearly all-day task letting each house know to go collect a small vial from Laurel throughout the day. And sheriff, Deldrin Baleson, is needed to gain access to the Perch. And the wealthier folk have to also stop being sick so it comes to total stop. It takes some time for people to start feeling better. And only two folk died from the blackscour taint, best anyone can tell, but they were old.
Lady Cirthana of the Temple of Iomedea has a bit more favor in town, at least for now. Laurel is everyone's favorite person, or at least almost everyone. Though she earns some scorn from a few folk when she demands repayment from Magistrate Vamros Harg for her materials used and the dangers those she sent out to collect what was needed. Some don't like the lack of charity and others don't like how loud she gets about it. But the majority of the townsfolk are on her side.
About a week after everyone has received their doses Laurel calls each of you, "It's not alot cause this town only has so much in its coffers and Vamros can't be bothered to do the taxes the right way."
Wrinkling her nose as if she smells something foul, "But in his vast generosity that surely won't have an strings that a+~%+%# Kreed offered to chip in. Cause he want's people to stay under his boot and to many people like you all now."
Dropping down a heavy bag, "I took my part to restock and get some extra things, but Varmos came up with 100 gold and Kreed gave 500. I'm gonna take 75 gold and the rest is for you all. But to make sure everyone knows Kreed paid in a fair amount of platinum. Which most folk have never seen much less will have change for."
Shrugging, "But he is an a*#&~~!."
---
After a week children start playing again and the various shops have begun to open up again. Another danger survived and Falcon's Hollow again scraps by.
Lady Cirthana is beaming once she finally lets Penelope come home. A mixture of worry and pride. The gaggle of children lead by Kimi are thrilled to track down Svetlana and Sir Pounce. Eager to hear about the newest adventure and to give belly rubs. The Sitting Duck is happy to offer each of you a free ale for about a week and reduced prices otherwise. And locals are eager to buy drinks for a few days. And Jak Crimmy, the owner of ak’a’Napes does not offer free rooms cause he needs to make a living but does offer free breakfasts for a month to each of you, and his cinnamon-crusted flapjacks are legendary in town.
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Jenkin, knowing his limitations, steers clear of the elixir-brewing, quietly thinking that f he were to lend a hand, that would wind up being the bad batch that poisons people. Still, he can write well enough, so he takes part in the scribing of notes to stick to people's doors, and helps to deliver them around town.
In the days to come, while life around town isn't as interesting, what with people recovering from a life-threatening illness, he takes some pride in whatever part he may have played (even if it was mostly hitting things) in bringing about that recovery.
And at week's end, when Laurel hands out rewards (meaning Penny won't have to buy him a drink a day for a year...) he smiles as he takes his share. "Platinum won't be a problem, it just means I can set up a big tab down at the Sitting Duck... a free ale a week is nice, but really just a start on an evening..."
Things have been peaceful the last few days. Free food and a free drink if its wanted. Children hanging on your every word as they beg stories of new places and daring adventure from any of you that will let them monopolize your time. Kimi Eavewalker is the loudest and clearly the leader of the mismatched group that all very attached to Sir Pounce. But all five sit quietly and listen.
Lady Cirthana is rushing to the door a little behind you. And when the door is opened you see a unlikely face. Red faced and swearing you see Thuldrin Kreed, Gavel of the Lumber Consortium. Short blonde hair and built broadly. Dressed in simple brown pants and a nice black shirt which is far less opulent than is normal.
Pushing his way into the doorway and hiss, "Where is Jurin? You and those idiots have been filling his head with your stupid adventures! And he isn't home!"
They do not stop until you open the door. Ralla Hebbradan, a pretty redhead, looks panicked and is crying. She is the older sister to Hollin. Hollin is part of Kimi's gang that have been wanting to hear of your adventures. Hollin is a quite freckled 10 year old.
Sorry! Hollin wasn't at home when I got back this morning. He isn't with his friends. All five of them are gone."
Buring her face in her hands, "He is all I have left!"
But the calm never lasts and there a is a tension in the air this morning. The sun is up and the parents are roaming around and catching their children to take them home despite how early in the day it is.
Running up the main road towards the wall, the same one you all entered from is a raven-haired half elven woman in a dressing gown. In a high pitched voice she is screaming "Kimi! Sweetie where are you! This isn't funning! Kimi!"
Coming from the middle of town is a wide eyed and panicked Colbrin Jabbs, the town butcher, is running around in a loose shirt clearly having not bothered to get dressed, Mikra!
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Penelope has spent one hour every day in the Sitting duck, buying Jenkin a drink because that is what she promised. No amount of reward will ever stop her from fulfilling her promises. The time is not... unpleasant... correcting the wildly expanding stories about their heroism. "The Snake fled as soon as you hit it with an arrow. And it was not three yards long with seven heads!!" the half elf laughed, through the description of fire breathing combined with excessive gas was very creative.
It was nice. The time in the duck was of course, but also helping people, knowing she made a difference. It felt prideful to feel that but it was truly nice.
Then... "Jurin? He... he's missing?!" the alarm spikes in her voice. "Where was the last place you saw him? What about the rest of his group?"
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Over the past few weeks, Jenkin had adjusted to a... somewhat hedonistic late night lifestyle, with long nights out drinking and long mornings sleeping in. He told himself it was just him adjusting to the same sleeping habits of his new friend/pet. The little fennec had taken some convincing to come indoors, and Jenkin had gone so far as to chop out a fox-door into the actual door of his home, just to let the little fellow have ready access to the outdoors as needed, but after a few times spending the night inside he'd discovered an enjoyment for human beds. Even comfier than sleeping curled up next to the big furry bear-man that it had adopted.
So, being awakened well before noon, as was his wont these days, and having a grumpy sleepy fox to stumble over on his way out of bed, didn't put him in the best of moods as he pulled on some clothing. "Alright, hold your riding dogs..." he grumbled as he fasted the drawstring on his breeches and stumbled towards the door. "Yeah?" he grunted by way of response to Roaming Ralla when the door opened. Frankly, he'd assumed she was the sort that liked sleeping in when possible too. Seemed a given for her career. Not that he judged, hey, he knew how hard it was to get by when your parents passed.
All his grumpiness evaporated when she revealed what brought her out this early. Hell, Hollin and his pals were some of Jenkin's favorite audience members from the past week. Kids couldn't tell if you... exaggerated by a bit. And if he and Door-Knocker had sliced up an entire pack of wolves to save Falcon's Hollow, well, who was going to contradict hi? (Penny, of course, and, well, some of the other ladies were on the prim n' proper side, which had led to Jenkin making a point of holding his boasting to when he was by himself...) "Missing? Where d'you think they'd have gone?" he asked, automatically, although almost immediately a worst-case scenario began bubbling through his head. Starstruck kids, a dashing hero coming back rich from his adventures in the woods, two plus two equals... aw crap, you did this, didn't you, Jenkin? "We can find them..." he said, trying his best to reassure Ralla. "Svetlana's tiger can... probably sniff 'em out, they can't have gone too far..." Not as far as the tatzlwurm that we let get away. I hope...
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Elowen enjoyed the goodwill that came with saving the town from the sickness, not as much as the actual satisfaction of having saved lives, but it was still nice. While there were always those who welcomed her occasional foray into the town when she brought rare herbs for Laurel, it was different seeing the expressions of genuine welcome in the eyes of most of the townsfolk...though the lumberjacks were still less than enthused at the sight of one who clearly sided with the trees and the forest itself.
Heading back into town for the first time in a little over a week, she is shocked to see a raven-haired half-elven woman in a dressing gown, running up the main road towards the wall, and shouting for her daughter. If she remembered it right, Kimi was the leader of the little band of kids that followed Jenkin and Svetlana around every chance they could.
"What's wrong? Is your daughter missing?"
Pounce to me
What is this, drugs? Confusion? Magic? Where is your daughter?
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Taking a deep breath and seeming far more human than how monstrous he come across, "He is my only son."
But with Kreed the malice can never not seem to put on full display. He moves closer to you. Like a looming bugbear, "You and those other idiots are going to go find my boy and then never come near him again assuming you want this ugly building to keep standing. I assume that stupid girl led him to sneak out. You understand?
And you can feel Lady Cirthana move closer to you. Out of the corner of your eyes you see her hand gripping the longsword no one ever seems to notice she always has with her. And that you know she is skilled with.
Quickly pulling back and rubbing at her eyes, "I can grab some of his clothes for the tiger to track him with. Where do you want me to met you?" She still cannot stop the tears but there is hope written all over her face.
Looking over your shoulder towards the wall and then back at you, "Kimi came home and then this morning she was gone. She wants to be a hero and children are foolish. I never thought she would actually try anything outside the wall."
Whipping her head around, and you can faintly hear someone yelling, "Great! It wasn't just her!"
Taking a deep breath when she notices Svetlana rush up, "Kimi snuck out and I am thinking she may have gone with her frie.." Wincing, "Hopefully not all of them."
Penelope hates bullies, and this man was one. But there is a child missing, and that is more important. "So you have no idea." There is frustration in her voice at a parent too blind to truly pay attention to their child. Penelope places her hand on her guardian and smiles softly "I will look for him." she tells Lady Cirthana, not Kreed.
There is no time to get changed, so she slips her armor on over her simple purple dress, belts her long sword on her hip, and then grabs her bow and quiver full of arrows.
Then she levels a gaze at the still looming bugbear "Are you coming?" shw didn't want him anywhere near her, but this was his child.
"I'll go and round up the others. Meet us by the North gate in half an hour with his clothes." He finishes throwing some clothing and gear on, including an item he had custom made for him after he had acquired his new friend, and heads out into town, the fox now awake and trotting along closely at his heels, thinking this is some new game. His first thought is to head to the shrine and find Penelope, but Elowen winds up being the first person he sees, in hot debate with a half-elf whose name he's blanking on right now. "Elowen, a bunch'a kids have gone missing! I think... um... they might be trying to be heroes and stuff, we should find 'em before anything bad happens!"
Odelai listens to the shrieks of worry that seem to share a common theme...
"Yes, it looks as though Kimi is among them as well. Once we fid out who all is missing, we'll go looking for them." Elowen replies to Jenkin. Turning back to the half-elven woman she rest a comforting hand on her arm. "We will find her, we'll find them all."
While you are collecting your things she glares at Kreed and does not let in past the doorway. Both are seemingly pretending the other doesn't exist when you return. Kreed nod and follows you but doesn't say anything.
Along the way you do hear the local butcher, Colbrin Jabbs, yelling for his son. He is a fair bit ahead of you though.
Pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration, "Damn.. So I don't know where they went but some of the other kids in town might."
Looking at Jenkins and she is about to say something but her mouth hangs open seeing Corbrin in a long shirt come running up. Half bending over with his hands on his knees. Talking around gulps of air, "Mikra's.. gone. Kimmi too?
Swearing when the elven woman nods. He straightens up a bit and looks around, [b]"I can keep looking around town. Will you all help?" His gaze settles on Svetlana.
There might be some validity to that as her daughter, Kimi is the ring leader of the little group.
Ralla is rushing up the road with a bundle in her arms but she comes to a stop in the middle of the road when Kreed starts yelling. Very much looking like a doe staring in fear of a pack of wolves. Not far behind her the dark skinned half elf sheriff, Deldrin Baleson, with his hands resting on the axes on either side of his waist. He stops to speak quietly with Ralla before leading her to the group.
"" the half-elf ward of the temple shouts just as loud but without the blame-filled malice in Kreed's voice.
She is clearly angry though, and wants nothing more than to find the kids "What matters is finding them. That is all." her tone and the glare she sends Kreed's way spoils her attempt at calm mediator.
Odelai hustles over to back up Penelope who she couldn't imagine yelling at anyone. She lines up alongside the tall half-elf - a gnome-sized obstacle trying her best to appear Formidable. She pulls the creepy head from her pocket, whispers to it, and places it atop her head. Tendrils of hair secure it in place.
She hadn't forgotten what happened to the fey in the forest or Kreed's reputation... and she'd been looking for an excuse to get the measure of the man up close. So her motives in backing up Penelope weren't entirely selfless.
Lets focus and find the kids.
"Ralla... that's Hollin's mom... said she'd meet us by the north gate, with some clothes he's worn. Maybe Ser Pounce can get his scent off of them?" Jenkin offers as a suggestion.
Kreed glares but before he can start yelling again Ralla and the sheriff have joined the growing group. Sheriff Baleson keeps an arm around Ralla to make sure he is between her and Kreed, "Ralla here tells me you all are gonna look for her little brother. And from the yelling I figure a couple kids have gone missing."
Holding an hand up pointing towards kreed, who looks furious, "Now missing kids is a big problem. Im gonna start looking in town and the families are gonna help me. You all wonderful people are gonna help?"
By now a bit of a crowd is forming. Ralla hands over a shirt and some wooden animals that can hopefully help with tracking him. The gaze of nosy neighbors is likely a large contributor to Kreed not yelling any more.
But the Sheriff waits long enough for at least one nod before turning his attention to the guardians of the missing kids, "Now you four are gonna come with me." Waving a hand at all of you, "They are very capable and its good to have multiple groups looking." A glare at Kreed gets him moving and the other three follow. Ralla looks back and mouths thank you.
"Alright, how should we start the search? We have clothing to try tracking them by scent, and I can look for tracks leading out of the gate." Elowen points out.
Penelope is out of touch with the 'youth' of the town. At least enough to have little idea where the kids might be headed. "The parents and sherrif will be talking for some time about where they think they might have gone. If we join, I think it just might take even longer. So... I think that is a good idea."
Elowen begins the process of searching for tracks, or any other signs of the children's passing, trying to determine where they might have been headed and how long ago.
Penelope takes sometime to track down another of the local kids, the honest one who most of the other kids don't like. The tattle tale named Rose. A nine year old with freckles and red hair who looks up at the paladin in front of her in awe. "I think they might done the secret dare."
Looking over at her father who is watching the whole interaction with a look of irritation. "The burnt orphanage
night. Screams they say. Terrible screams. Some even claimed Elara lost her mind, took to torturing the children in the dead of night. That’s why she built the place outside of town.”
"Oh..." Penelope's heart drops low at the declaration of where they might have gone. "... fiddle and the sticks" she curses in her way, knowing that place is no good for a group of children. Maybe not good for anyone. Ever.
Penelope gives the little red head a quick strong hug "Thank you, Rose."
Quickly turning to the others, not Jenkin of course, because he knew about all the dark little places she knew about as well. Still there were SO many stories about that place, so he might not know the real ones. Maybe the ones about the men with two long arms and legs, with sharp wide smiles and would EAT any kid they could catch. Or ghosts with pits of darkness in their eyes searching for the mommies who would eat any kid they could catch. Always with the catching and eating though. Lack of imagination, Penny had to admit.
Pushing that thought aside, she told what she knew "The orphanage burned down ten years ago. It had been the home of many of the kids that needed a home after the Wars and ran by a lady named Elara. She seemed nice." Penelope herself was abandoned, not orphaned, and had played with the kids the few times they were in town. Plenty of other kids saw both categories of suffering as the same and to be avoided.
She paused, her breath catching as she remembered their faces, all the ones that she could. "The fire... it was fast, so so so fast, too fast, they say. No one survived."
She hated saying this other part, but a quick look at Odelai made her continue "There were other rumors. Just rumors. But since we will be going... In those last few months before the fire they said there were screams coming from the place, and that the lady, Elara, was torturing the children." Penelope put her hands on her hips "But if that was the case, WHY didn't anyone investigate? Screaming children had better be the best reason in the world to investigate something. But instead, all we have was rumors about the screams and no one do anything about them."
Apparently this has bothered her for years.
"So what is this 'secret dare'? Spending the night in the burnt out orphanage?"