I am still awaken by dreams of fire since the goblin attack on the Inn.
That was a bad night. I woke coughing to a gagging smoke. Kelyn refused to even put anything on but his small close, so cute. Really we had no time to get much of anything on. Kelyn was gathering what he could and tossing it out the window. He dipped a rag in a bowl of water and tied it so it covered his mouth. He dipped a second rag and handed it to me, I did the same and then started tossing items out the window again. Then after assuring ourselves that everyone on this floor was at least on their way out, we both deftly made our escape. Windows were the only means of exiting the Inn from the second floor. The fire had spread so rapidly it was imposable for anyone to make it from the second floor to the first or the third. In my mind that made the biggest impression. I was thinking those people already had succumb to the smoke or had jumped to their death to escape the flames but there were also goblins that needed our immediate attention. The thought of those on the third floor had to sit in the back of my mind, and they did. Kelyn and I ran towards the front of the Inn, fighting goblins the whole way. We could tell the Inn was a total loss but the stable and horses looked as if they could yet be saved. The fire hadn’t spread as quickly there, even though there were several horses with goblin fire bombs that had caught them on fire. Birgun shouted to me that someone was getting everyone out of the third floor. I asked how but he was to busy to answer. Good I thought.
That’s a big Orc.
I saw a couple of our troupe putting them out with water. There was also a water brigade that was doing a good job of putting out the fire on the stable especially after we started killing the goblins and keeping them away from the scarni. There were two huge Orcs as well but nothing scared me like that fire.
It’s been just over a day now and we’ve arrived at Sandpoint, a very nice and well kept town, I was surprised at how home like it felt. Not in it reminded me of Magnimar, far from it, it just felt comfortable. And the smell of food when we were unloading at the stable, was overwhelmingly delightful. That’s where we all headed as soon as we were done at the stable. On the other side of the road from us was a clothing boutique, I’ll need to visit there along with Felu and Oona. Others went on into town but the troupe had no intention on missing out on the food. Even the boutique would have to wait.
The Rusty Dragon with its large iron dragon looking down on us from the roof was where all the wonderful smells of food were coming from. We walked in and were greeted by the owner, Ameiko Kaijitsu, a Tean, by the look of her. Birgun, Lugh, Macer and even Atz had smiles on their faces when they saw her. And I’m sure Kelyn and Sam did too, I just didn’t look at them. Men! After welcoming us to her establishment she introduced herself and sat us at a large table. Birgun inquired about her name and said that we had escorted a couple of wagon-loads of goods for the Glass-works. She indicated that indeed that was her business as well but that others actually ran it, she was the last of the family since her father and brother’s deaths, some five years ago.
We ordered drinks and she recommended different selections off the menu for each of us asking us to try a little of everything so we did. Best meal ever!!! We thanked her and acquired rooms for the night. Kelyn and I went up to our room and ordered a bath. After a wonderfully hot bath with perfumed soap, much to Kelyn’s chagrin, We moosed around a bit before going out. To the boutique, just to look I told Kelyn and that’s what we did. He made me look from the board walk through the window, saying that he knew I’d be back with the girls later and we needed to get “regular” gear first. Spoiled sport. He was right though because I saw the prettiest boots as I gazed through the window. And that short dress would just drive Kelyn crazy. Off to see the rest of this absolutely wonderful town.
Up by the Garrison, between it and the Town Hall, was a stone paved courtyard with monument dedicated to the Fallen Hero’s of Sandpoint. There were eight figures - a Dwarf, a Halfling, an Elf, three male Humans a female Tean and even a half Orc. It said they defended the town from Goblins and an attack by giants and a dragon. Wow, I was thinking this was a sleepy little town, I was obviously mistaken.
We continued our walking and went into a very nice three story tavern and inn named The White Deer but unfortunately because of the owner we didn’t stay long. What a sour puss. It was a pity because I would have liked to stay there, very posh. Kelyn doesn’t care for that kind of place but I think it would be nice to stay at a place like that, especially after being on the road for three days, okay maybe a day but still.
We gathered some necessaries and went back to the Rusty Dragon for supper. Yummy.
The troupe was slowly but surely arriving and we sat at the same large table as before. After we had eaten and drinks started flowing the tavern started filling up with patrons. Then this gorgeous little gnome woman came in and the crowd erupted with applause and cheers. I heard the name Moxie shouted several times as the gnome waved to Ameiko, who grabbed a stringed musical instrument of some sort and headed out into the crowd to join the gnome in song. Ameiko played amazingly but the gnome, Moxie was just over the top with her wit and stories. She played the crowd like a professional actress working them into frenzy after frenzy. There was a time when she was telling a story without Ameiko’s accompaniment and Ameiko was standing closer to us laughing and nodding her head to the story that was being told. Then in walked the man from the road by the halfway inn. I looked around at the troupe and even though they saw him everyone was ignoring him. Except Kelyn. He pointed at him and said is that the guy you were talking about.
Lugh almost spit out his drink and burst out of his chair and walking towards the man and bumping into just about everyone, started talking to the guy. The man was asking about Kiara. The woman who had saved the people on the third floor when the inn had burned. She was known to some as an assassin from the Night Scales, an organization from Magnimar. And this Fhalkahn fellow it seemed was too. Anyway Lugh was explaining to Fhalkahn that someone had indeed seen Kiara and was rambling on and on. It was so unlike him to do so. Then Macer started asking all kinds of questions, like who the hell were they all talking about. Kiara who, when did you see her, he asked Lugh. I didn’t said Lugh but others have. The conversation between Macer and Lugh didn’t go long as this Fhalkahn fellow shouted at Lugh and said “Stop! Have you seen her or not?”
I could tell that things were heating up and thought about the crowd but when I looked at them they were unaware of the shouting match that was at our table and instead they were all captivated by the little gnome, laughing at something Moxie was saying. Moxie was keeping the crowd from noticing anything else that was going on in the tavern. Ameiko, on the other hand, was very much listening to what was going on at our table so much so that she was even facing Fhalkahn and had that look about her that she was ready to spring. It was only then that I realized that she had been armed the whole time. Even when we first met but I didn’t ever feel she was a threat. I could feel it now though. All of a sudden my view of her changed, I think she’s a very capable woman and one that was about to defend her patrons.
That’s when Birgun stood up and said, “I have seen the woman you described. Kiara. She saved my life two days ago so I don’t think I’ll be telling you any more about her. I don’t think she would like meeting you anyway so why don’t you just leave, now. I don’t want any trouble in this inn and you wont get any information from me concerning her anyway.” Everyone at the table and even Ameiko was looking at Fhalkahn like they were about to pounce. Fhalkahn nodded his head towards Birgun and slowly backed out of the tavern never taking his eyes off the troupe. When he was gone I felt a weight lift and saw Ameiko give Birgun a nod as well. That’s when we all found out about Kiara and Sam and Felu. That’s not even the best part.
Later that night, I had another dream about the fire, okay nightmare. Anyway I decided to go downstairs and see if I could get something to eat or drink to settle me a bit. I went to the kitchen and there was Ameiko, Felu, Moxie the gnome, a lady I didn’t know named Shalelu and Kiara. All talking in almost hushed tones. They were to excited to be to quite. They startled at first but smiled when they realized it was me. Kiara and Felu were talking about what Felu had done to defeat the demon that was trying to kill Sam the night of the fire. Felu was nervous and embarrassed for not knowing what she had done. Kiara said she could still sense the demons taint in Felu but that it didn’t feel like anything she had ever known. Moxie was offering to have her husband come and try to figure it out. He was evidently a follower of Desna and very good at this kind of thing. Felu agreed and Shalelu headed off to get Moxie’s husband.
Why not just go to the town priest I asked but Moxie said that Xandu, her husband was better for this kind of thing plus he just loves adventures and this is as close to one as I will allow him right now. Then she laughed. Her eyes were bright with mischief. She could barely contain her excitement. It wasn’t long before Shalelu showed back up with this strange looking Varisian half elf with a wide brim hat and brightly colored clothes, definitely a follower of Desna. But what could he do for Felu that a priest couldn’t do. He came in and kissed Moxie first and thanked her for asking him here. He took off his hat and bowed to Ameiko as if she were a queen. “Who is in need of my services? You all look quite capable to handle any demons that might be around.” He looked around the room and I felt a little nervous as his eyes fell on me. I realized I was not properly dressed for a man to be ogling me, not that he was but I do think he enjoyed our “attire” or lack there of, should I say. His gaze didn’t last overly long. I didn’t get “That Feeling” from him. I was just acutely aware of my lack of proper clothing. When he looked at Felu though, there was a definite pause. “Oh“, he said, “I see. You’re the one.” He then took Felu’s hands in his and said this will not hurt and it will take but a minute, relax, you’re fine. He closed his eyes. After what seemed a long time, he opened his eyes and said, “Whatever you did to that demon is just fine. The important part now is what you do with it now that you have it.”
Felu and the rest of us just sat there in silence. “What do you mean, Do with it now that you have it. Have what?” Moxie asked breaking the silence. Xandu replied “You see, sweetie, somehow this young lady has absorbed a demon. She didn’t kill it or destroy it or even send it back from where ever it came from. She kept it and is holding it inside her and can use it to do wondrous things but she still needs to be careful of what she does with it. Smaller task’s will use less of the essence but large task’s will take more of it’s essence and using it all at once would be most disastrous.”
“Like what? What can I do with it and why do I need to be careful.” Felu asked, letting go of his hands. His voice was calm as if he was talking about sunshine. “You could heal someone or hurt someone but the point is the more of the essence or power if you will, you use at one time, it can change you. And not in a better way. If you were to use it for instance to heal a small cut there would be no backlash or if you used it to be get an edge on a dealing with another, like bargaining, again there would be no backlash but if you tried to do something beyond that like healing a dieing person or a giant fireball, those kinds of things “would” result in that demons essence reflecting back to you. You would take on a more demonic tone and or appearance.”
“You mean I would become a demon?” Felu asked. “Yes“, was Xandu’s reply. “But who knows, what ever you did and I would love to know what is was that you did, but whatever it was, you can still do it again. If you needed to. Do not worry for you have been given a wonderful gift use it. Just be careful. Just because it was a demon doesn’t make you any different. You have to believe me on that point. You are still you.” With that he turned to Ameiko.
“You have kept my wife out late again. What ever am I to do with you two.” Again he took his hat in hand and gave Ameiko a sweeping bow. Then with much more grace and flourish so did Moxie. Saying, “Until next time. Thanks for a great evening.”
“No. Thank you for that quick move and keeping the rest from seeing the trouble that about took place. And you two don’t you have some place to be right now, other than in my inn.” She said with a smile to Shalelu and Kiara.
“Wait!” Felu asked “Why is Fhalkahn looking for you, Kiara?”
“Because I quit an organization that doesn’t allow you to just quit. I went rouge on them and they feel the need to “eliminate” any lose ends. Thank that huge friend of yours for standing up for me. That is uncommon but I appreciated it anyway.” Shalelu punched Kiara in the arm. “Hey don’t even think it. I saw him first.”
“ Actually, I saw him first.” Said Kiara.
“Alright. Out with the both of you. Or I’ll go right up to his room and ask him which one of you is to his liking.” Ameiko said as she shoed them from the kitchen. Giggling we all said our good-nights.
I felt better. I was a little worried for Felu but that little Varisian didn’t seem to be to worried and he warned her so maybe it will be fine, I hope so. Now those two with their talk about Birgun. I’m going to have to wake Kelyn. Giggle, he won’t mind.
In the morning the troupe decided that we should get a wand of healing because we were going after the goblins in their lair so yeah there’s that. It didn’t take long because there was a big market thing happening and it was easy to find just about anything that one could need. Now we’re going to fight goblins when there could be bargains galore right here. Are you kidding me, lets shop for a while. All I got were stares from the troupe. Well, Felu and Oona at least smiled.
Oh! We were attacked on the very first night of goblin hunting, thank you very much.
