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True wishes them well with the hunt then accompanies Feldspar to see Ameiko. "I think you could help us work out what truth there is with her father's involvement in all this. Maybe she will not wish to explain this openly so perhaps a private discussion would be better."
"The Creedy's location shouldn't be told at all."
True considers Idrian's question and shakes her head. "My cousin is a judge of character and he does not wish to see this situation escalate in any way. His need for negotiation and peaceful resolution show his strength and we would do well to follow that example. These badges show the faith he has in us." Back at the house, True hands over the 5 gold each and pendants, re-iterating the words of Sheriff Hemlock for caution and care. "The hunt is something I would like to take part in, however the work here is far more important. I am no investigator but the Kaijitsu deserve our attention now. Should we confront Ameiko? Stake out her father?"
True counts out the coinage into two piles and looks at Feldspar, "to do with as you willed. Half for the people of Sandpoint, half for our needs. I am sure my Church would understand."
"Master dwarf, do you have bolts sufficient for your unnamed yet stylish crossbow?"
"I do not mind what happens to the Creedy's gains. Their source is dubious and much of it probably should be shown to the Sheriff to check if it can be returned to its owner. The crossbow is a fine looking weapon, but I have no great interest in it."
True agrees with Idrian and accompanies him to ensure that the discussion includes details of the Creedy's willingness to surrender and lack of resistance, specifically the boy. She makes certain of the facts - that Sheriff Hemlock knows of the circumstantial ribbon, and their plans for the Creedy's too. She waits to see if he is happy with the plan or has any suggestions to add, such as providing a daily guard. Once the legalities have been observed, True returns by about nine in the evening to discuss how the next step happens.
True waves for Idrian to lead off once the hoods are firmly over each shadowy face.
True suggests that the group form an open scouting group with one ahead of the prisoners by some thirty or forty feet to run interference and lookout, maybe Feldspar and herself front and back of the three. Then one ten foot to the left and right and the sixth person twenty feet behind. "If we meet anyone we head down an alley while the front or side man deals with the person, and we re-arrange but keep going until we get to Jo'No's always with a front man. If someone is left behind then they can hurry up to meet us there. Well?"
"Good."
True weighs the suggestion of Jo'No against his previous desire to see the Creedy's free. Then she looks at Feldspar as she tries to find a way through all this. "My faith in the strength of law relies on obedience and justice, not fairness, however I can understand that the ignorance of the Creedy's would appeal to some. So I have conditions to what you say, my friend.
True face shows little emotion but she looks back to Feldspar to see if he agrees to her bending the law so flagrantly.
"Perhaps the two of you could sort out your differences outside. It is poor form to discuss these matters before the Creedy's." Not angry but more than a little annoying by the openness of this argument, True nevertheless continues, "Jo'No, too many people died in the burning tenements and other buildings for us to let them go. It is not your decision or Idrian's or mine, it belongs to the law officers and that means Sheriff Hemlock. Any other way leads to chaos and makes us no better than the goblins picking and choosing which laws to follow when we like." "Idrian, whatever your anger or issues with this now is not the time. No one will be set free and your threats only make things more heated. Calm down and realise that the Creedy's will face punishment for their crimes. That is not for us to decide here and now. But you are right, we must take them in."
"That is a matter for the authorities, Creedy. But the truth is that the law demands you go to jail and then Sheriff Hemlock will take care of you until you face judgement. However I will vouch for you as far as the willing help you have given and explain that your son really had no choice in the matter as a minor. You did not kill anyone directly, that was the goblins but you did place the incendaries and for that you should stand trial. Idrian may be right but that is not for me to say, is it? That is for the law to decide. Forget Magnimar and think of your son's future. Come with us back to Sandpoint and the jail. I promise that I will do all I can to confirm your story and show who was truly behind the attack on our town." True stares steadily at the leader of the family. Waiting.
True's turn to get half or less, . That's better. 1 rank in Heal and Sense motive and another level of holy warrior variant priest. +1 Fort and Will saves. Cheers
"Do you have the poisoned wine still? The payment can you show it and what it came in?" True takes a seat opposite them.
True uses the question as a moment to pull off her back her shield as she answers, "Mr Creedy, I promise that if you do not give me that name, then you will not leave this cave without a fight. By my honour as a knight of Iomedae I give you a chance to help our inquiries."
True walks forwards twenty feet after that, "Well?" It is plain as the nose on her face that she does not lie, embellish or make deals where the law is concerned.
True opens her mouth to correct Tania, then thinks better of it and waits for a response from the Creedys.
True runs forwards twenty feet and draws her sword in readiness for an honourable fight between good and evil...for once. "Out with no weapons, Creedy's, or face justice for your crimes!"
True leans back against the wall to let everyone charge passed, if they wish to.
Now that the battle is joined, Iomedae calls to the heart of True and she marches forwards 20 feet to get a clear shot at a dog.
"By Rovagug's teeth!" she mutters at the wide shot, dropping the bow in readiness for melee. "The blessing of honour only lasts for several heartbeats so be strong and brave, take heart warriors of Sandpoint."
True takes out her light crossbow and carefully and quietly loads it waiting for battle. She grasps her holy symbol and calls on Iomedae to help the party in their endeavours to come.
True guards the rear, keeping everyone in sight in case healing is needed.
"Alive, remember if we can. One or two Creedy's would be good. I would like to know what this goblin raid was all about. It was very involved."
The priestess assesses the lay of the land and listens to the more preceptive members of the party as they point out how well sited the guard is. "So we only get close to the cave by entering the woods here and staying beyond that guards hearing as we travel round to the far side with the winding path that leads down to the entrance. I'm no woodsman but is that the right of it?"
True ties the kit onto the rope before the dwarf armour and hers is dragged up to the top. Then she follows last of all on the end of the rope, whispering a silent prayer to duty and honour.
"I'll wait here until you are sure its safe up top. It will give me time to take off this armour for the climb." True begins to unstrap one shoulder of her chainmail.
True nods and heads north towards the cliffs.
True shakes her head at Feldspar, "I have spoken to my mother once and her heart lies with Manius. There is no point in trying to change that without some hard facts, my mother is like me in that respect." True gets up from the table, "please can we let it lie until I have a chance to speak with my cousin? Sandpoint and its people must be our priority over one woman. The Creedy's owe us some explanations so that we can track down the instigator of the goblin attack, before it happens again." "Ameiko, thank you for such service and I too owe you an apology. Sorry for the disturbance."
"There is some danger in this and the captain seems a dangerous opponent. I appreciate what you all have said but what real evidence do we have to assault his vessel? Just the words of Jeddik and a strange shaped and smelling hold perhaps. This smacks of the vigilante and I do not work outside the law. Maybe we can obtain more evidence aboard the Vestrit but ..... I cannot allow my mother's part in this to influence my decision. It is good to have your support but I should discuss this with the sheriff first." "Meanwhile the Creedy's hideout should be our target."
True writes a factual account, leaving nothing out. She does not give Jeddik the benefit of the doubt and takes pains to detail his attempts to escape and evade capture and jail.
Kenan bows his head and leaves, thanking the Guard and Donia for their time. Then he travels back to the party.
"Yes, Jeddik is first mate on a ship that is trying to organise a pesh deal, moving the drug with Sandpoint as the base. Unfortunately the ship in question is the Vestrit and the captain is Manius, my mother's close.....friend. Tell me sheriff why would his hold smell of sweat and blood, with strange dimensions unlike most others. I am no salty seadog but perhaps you know why?" "Jeddik, tell me again what was the name of your vessel and its crew? You are helping us with our inquiries but the pulling of a dagger in the Rusty Dragon and attempting to run twice makes you look bad. Tell us more and I am sure that the cells may need someone else. Otherwise I will make a case against you that sees you staying in jail for a long time."
True launches herself again aiming for his lower back.
True smiles at the man. "Did you know that the Sheriff is a relative of mine? No?" She waits to see what the others want to do.
DM
Spoiler:
Is pesh illegal in Varisa? Feldspar, Tania and Jo'no
Spoiler: True shakes her head at the others. "I do not like what I am hearing. What do you know of a man called Manius?"
DM
Spoiler:
Is pesh illegal in Varisa? Feldspar, Tania and Jo'no
Spoiler: True shakes her head at the others. "I do not like what I am hearing."
"Somewhere! Someone! Something!" and a not-so-gentle squeeze with each word.
True charges, dodging and weaving past a couple of bystanders before she throws herself headlong at the man, attempting to tackle him just below the hips and grip tight onto both legs.
True calls out help as she plods at dwarf speed, "someone stop that man. He is wanted for assault!"
With a nod to Feldspar, True hustles after Tania at best speed, which isn't any faster than a dwarf in full plate.
"Yes, lets do it! Idrian, Algus good luck with your search. See you later at the Rusty Dragon perhaps?" "I hope Jo'no has good news. It would be hard to find that the Captain is a con man, hard for my mother that is."
True nods to the sheriff and before they part makes sure that he realises that Banger volunteered the information, even if under duress and that he seemed to be being truthful. Afterwards True moves outside to Feldspar and shakes her head. "how do we find a trio of needles in this haystack. I doubt their mother will talk so what next? Frankly I do not feel suited to this." "Idrian and Algus seem far better suited to the seamier side of Sandpoint."
True makes a mental note to remind the Sheriff of all this, especially how readily Banger helped them. Maybe the man will not be punished so much since his help could be valuable and his part so minor.
Never one to sit on her laurels, True decides to make something of the day. "There must be something we can do, Feldspar. I shall follow the others to this Banger and observe his reactions to their questions. Just to see if it helps find the hidden leader of those goblins. Coming?" True does indeed follow and will take a back seat using her skills to observe and learn what she can.
True agrees quickly.
True is grateful for the kind and helpful words of Feldspar and especially Jo'no. "My brother is young at heart and needs my help with this. But I am not subtle. I will go down to the docks to see what I can learn, it is what he would expect. Maybe Feldspar, Zanthus can help but he is sorely busy at the moment but my intention is to be direct and face this man on his own turf, I would like your support. Then perhaps Jo'no you can separately follow up on this in a more careful way." "I do not like trickery, but you are right this could be a a time such."
True slides onto the bench next to Feldspar, weary from her lack of proper sleep and too many problems to solve at once. She mechanically eats and drinks listening to the others discuss what they saw and did during the night and day before the noble arrives with his purse and offer. True opens the purse and sorts out the money into piles pusihing each towards a person. "I intend to give half of this to the Church so that our Father can use it to care for the sick and homeless at this time. The other half I shall keep so I can better find out who started this and stop this from happening again. Ameiko, thank you for that fine meal. Here is a gold piece for this and the next few meals I intend to eat with you and these new friends." "As for your hunt Feldspar is right as usual. The town of Sandpoint comes first, hunting for meat second, but if I can I would enjoy accepting your offer. Thank you, my Lord." When and if the noble leaves, the warrior priest settles back and tries to maintain her focus, rubbing her face.
"I have another problem in this town, one which my take me away from the rest of you. Feldspar knows some of the details but my brother has filled in the blanks. Essentially my mother is being taken for a ride by a smooth talking captain, she is under his spell and has now given him her money for his own business ventures. How do I find out on the quiet if this one is to be trusted. I have my doubts. If I walk onto the docks and start asking questions I think it will all end in tears and jail."
True offers to help the sheriff in any way she can after that comment, thanking him for taking the time to help her. She will agree to meet up with Feldspar in the Rusty Dragon to discuss the day and blow the froth off a beer or two.
Once the trickle of injured and worse stops, True takes a corner and sits down to rest. Her head in her hands, she hides the terrible pain of losing Dashiell until now and shoulders heaving True lets go. Before long the tears descend into sleep. In the morning, True watches to make sure that the care is being maintained then she tries to find the Sheriff and Father. All the time she tries to spot Feldspar to include him in her discussions with Zanthus. The holy warrior seeks out the Father to talk through the words of the blind woman but she will only go into detail if Feldspar is there. With the sheriff, she tries to get corroboration on Honar's story. Although he has always been a truthful lad, this matter is too serious without checking everything. Naturally if the Sheriff proves helpful, True uses the opportunity to talk about how to find out more about the merchant seaman in question, his past and present behaviour.
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