Known for its rich gossip and strong drinks, you thought it appropriate to enjoy drinks and a meal at the Bailer's Retreat. The choice turned out to be wise as well: rumours of a riot were on everyone's lips, and when the ground began to tremble, you were all but certain it occurred. The guards that occupied the tavern left in a hurry, giving you all a stern order: "Stay inside, if you value your lives!"
The first scream was not the last. The innkeeper, a known former guard, barred the door. When a severed head was thrown through an open window, the turmoil of the streets was not just a jest. The innkeeper scurried all the patrons down into the basement, you two included, when the riot outside started to smash the door - and in the darkness, you listened to the muffled screams as the streets of Korvosa were tainted with blood.
It was morning when the door down to the basement was opened. A pair of guards, survivors, ushered you out of the tavern, where several dead bodies and dismembered limbs were about. As you prepare to step outside, Gethric finds that one of his daggers have gone missing - and in its place is a card; as Chavakala tightens her scarf, another card flutters out - and on the back of both cards is a message. . .
Having visited the Theurmanexus College earlier today, you both found yourselves headed to the same place after some errands; not moments later after entering Leftover's did the thundering begin in the streets. It was on insistance of the innkeeper, one-armed Portenus Gaskelinni, that you stayed inside. He closed the windows and barred the doors. "Been a nasty couple o'days. Lots o'talk about His Highness and th' Royal Queen. Been a few people who's died to this already, each death bloodier than th' last."
It was just the three of you; the sound of the chaos outside only grew louder. The march of men clad in heavy armour could be heard. It was a long pair of hours until silence struck...
"Don't reckon you should head out t'th' streets yet," Portenus told you shortly after. "Best you stay here for th' night, rooms on me. As thanks for keepin' me company."
Given separate rooms, the night went by quietly - a stark contrast to the havoc that had occurred outside.
When morning comes, and you prepare to leave your rooms, you find a card stuck to the door - and on the back of it, a message. . .
As the night took a violent turn, it was desperation that brought you to the Wise Dragon - and several younger people, students at the University of Korvosa, thought likewise. While the establishment is quite large, you were still cramped together with other students. When the first scream rang through the street, Yenrry was almost trampled to death by the panick that spread throughout the building. The innkeeper guided you both to the small library, asking Milena to look after Yenrry. Left in peace, it was a long pair of hours until silence struck...
Nobody was allowed to leave until the next morning, and you spent the night in the library. Yenrry's condition improved rather quickly, and by morning, you are both feeling well, if not slightly tired. The innkeeper arrives shortly after. "I apologise for having you stay the night in the library. Last night... it was horrible. Well and truly horrible... I have arranged breakfast for you both. On the house."
He leaves shortly after, allowing you both to get your bearings. The atmosphere in the building is tense, though the sight of good food lessens it somewhat. When Milena sits down, a card drops out from her sleeve; when Yenrry settles down in his chair, another card comes aflutter from above, landing on his nose. On the back of both cards is a message. . .
Outside, the streets are tainted with blood. Guards are heaving bodies onto great wooden wagons - though from what you can see, those who joined the dead are not as numerous as the bloodshed suggests. Priests of Pharasma are walking the streets, their heavy hoods cast over their heads. People have dared venture into the streets. There is no conflict, only mourning and grief. Some have started scrubbing the blood away. The morning sky is still crimson, with dark clouds heaving across the horizon. Yesterday has been given a name:
The Bloody Oathday.
Picking his way through the body parts dispassionately Gethric makes his way outside. They were the lucky ones, at least their pain was fleeting. Raising his collar against a momentary chill that swept his body, Gethric noticed his left sleeve felt empty and discreetly checked where one of his daggers usually nestled. Finding the card in its place he read it and pondered its origin.
Re-gathering himself Gethric glanced around and noticed a pale Varisian reading a card not unlike his own. He stops to regard her reaction to it's contents careful to leave his own card in clear view. This is a queer turn, though not just for myself it seems.
Settling to eat a small amount, Yenrry looks to ensure that all of his gear is still on his person or in his bag, rubs his head where a large knot has protruded in the back and attempts to smile through the immense pain shooting through his head. "It could of been worse, right?" Yenrry says to Milena, lifting a small glass of water. "At least we have our health. What in the gods names happened last night? I don't remember much after leaving our previous tavern - thanks in no small part to the amount of ale consumed and the several boots that found their way to my head."
At that moment, the small card flutters down, hitting his head before landing in his lap. He looks up to see where it came from.
After looking, he notices the writing on the back of the card. I don't believe it. A fool finally takes action against him. I wonder how he - she? - knows of me?
"I was about to ask you the very same thing, m'lady. What does your card say?" Comparing the cards, they discover that they say the exact same thing. "This feels like a trap, does it not?" Yenrry asks. "What do you know of Lamm, Milena? What wrong did he commit against you?"
Vyshael emerges from the room, card in hand, and a puzzled look on his face.
What manner of trickery is this? After months of wanting revenge, it supposedly drops into my lap? Surely this is too good to be true... perhaps a trap when Lamm 'ties up loose ends'. I do not wish to end up dead like his false witness...
Vyshael's eyes narrow as he scans the area, looking for any sign of where the card came from, or the innkeeper or a member of the staff he can ask about it.
Vesera had only gone into this inn to get a drink before heading home and get some sleep, before all hell broke loose outside. She would have gone outside, tried to talk them down or see if anyone was hurt, but the innkeeper had already barricaded the doors.
Not that she could blame him, and there wasn't much hope that she could actually stop this just by herself, so she stayed.
As she wakes up in the morning a small bird is sitting on the foot end of her bed, cocking it's head as it watches her.
"About time you wake up, sleepyhead" it says in an almost musical voice. It was Leilani, her familiar, and she usually made such jokes at her expense.
"What did you see outside, what was that yesterday about?" she asked the bird in the same language. She was almost sure Leilani understood Common, but so far she had refused to even acknowledge anything being said in any language other than Celestial. One day she'd catch her though, she was sure of it.
"I was in her with you, so I know as much as you, which is not much. Now get up, I have the feeling in my tailfeathers that it's going to be a long day."
After her usual morning ritual she prepares to leave her room, when she finds the card stick in her door.
"Gaedren Lamm." She hadn't heard that name in a while, which was strange actually, considering the part of town where she lives.
It had been 10 years, and so far she had survived, but she'd lie to herself if she'd say she never had any thoughts of revenge or justice.
"It could be a trap" Leilani chirps, saying what she herself thought just a moment ago "Maybe... but that's not his style. If he'd wanted me dead, I would be. So why such a trap?"
She opens the door, to see if she might spot whoever put the card there, or inquire with the innkeeper. That's when she sees Vyshael standing infront of the room next door - and he's holding such a card!
"You! Do you think that's funny, do you?" and glares at him sternly.
Yenrry shudders at the offer to help with the corpses. "Uh...no. Thank you. I will rest for a bit here before heading home to sleep. Until sunset, it appears." He pauses for a moment, then says, "You know, perhaps I should accompany you. The dead aren't great tippers, but they aren't overly critical, either. Perhaps I can try out some of my new characters?" He smiles and says, "No. I think it best that I return home for a bit. Do you intend to make the meeting this eve?"
He stands from his chair, wavering slightly. "Whoa. A little too quick to rise," he says. Turning to Milena, he says, "I am sorry - I didn't adequately thank you for caring for me. I suppose I should be doubly grateful since you're a follower of the Lady of Graves." he says with a wink. "Truly, sincerely, I am in your debt for tending to me. Thank you."
Vyshael turns to face the source of the harsh tone, What in blazes?
With a somewhat cold tone, he replies, "Thus far, I would say that nothing in the last day or so has been funny. First the riots, then probably more bloodshed resulting in a rather poor night's sleep, an inability to find any black tea to try to wake myself properly... and then the added fun of a secret message on what looks like a Harrow card... If this is comedy, I am failing to see the punchline."
He stops, realizing that something has been tugging at his attention even as he spoke, finally noting that Vesera seems to hold a similar card. He winces slightly, and then says in a softer tone, "Ah. I apologize for my tone, I see you're enjoying the same sort of whimsical day as I am."
He pauses, clearly debating whether or not to say more.
I wonder, is hers an invitation as well? I suppose I could ask... but maybe this is just another part of the trap...
Feeling the pause building, he sighs and says, "I assure you, I am usually much more pleasant when not woken from fitful sleep by an enigma... and especially after my tea."
Vesera looks at him a bit longer, then her look softens somewhat, as she's still frowning, but it doesn't seem directed at Vyshael anymore.
"My apologies as well, I saw the card in your hand and thought it might have been you who left this one for me."
She looks up and down the hallway to see if she missed anyone. It doesn't seem like there's anyone beside them. "I know you, you arrived here at nearly the same time yesterday that I did. Now, I wonder, who would play such a trick on the two of us?"
Vyshael nods, "Indeed... and if I am not mistaken we two and the innkeep are the only three people here.." His voice trails off as he considers something, speaking his thought aloud, "I wonder if that was why he was so keen to lock us in last night? To deliver these... invitations... assuming your secret message matches mine? I note the card face seems to...." With that, he trails off again.
Realizing that he's shifted slightly from his main point, Vyshael shakes his head slightly and says in a more direct voice, "I was going to ask Portenus about that... and about some tea." He then nods his head in a more formal greeting, and adds with a smile, "Would the lady care to join me?"
She looks at the face side of the card and then his, and they indeed seem to match. They're one of those harrowing cards, but she has no idea what they actually mean.
"I don't know, how would he know we'd be here? But it should still be a good idea to ask him. As for the message, does your's involve the mention of... a certain individual?"
"I don't know, how would he know we'd be here? But it should still be a good idea to ask him. As for the message, does your's involve the mention of... a certain individual?"
Vyshael's eyes harden for a moment at the mention of a certain individual. This lady seems to be in the same predicament as you are... There is no need to lash out at her. His expression softens and he responds in as even a tone as he can manage, "It does, indeed."
He looks around the area again, assuring himself that they are alone, and then steps a little closer and says quietly, "I suspect that we may find our time more productively spent if we cease being quite so coy. We have no reason to trust each other, but we seem to be in the same... predicament, shall we say?... and I think there might be strength in numbers... and while I do admit that you might be a plant, I cannot think of what purpose that could serve. If someone wanted me dead, they could have snuck into my chamber as I slept rather than placing this card there...."
You're rambling on again, fool. Either you're willing to trust her and you mean what you just said, or stop wasting everyone's time.
Vyshael sighs, and then says, "I've been invited to a meeting at sunset to discuss striking at Gaedren Lamm. The man ruined my life about half a year past, and so I intend to go and hear this mystery person out... And you?"
Vesera gulps as he repeats nearly the exact words that show on her own card. 'Maybe they just plant those cards randomly all over the city. And whoever shows up, gets killed?'
While he was talking, she regarded him closely, looking for any kind of deceit and subterfuge, that would indicate that he's trying to lure her into a trap. Accusing her of being the plant might be his way of diverting suspicion from himself.
After a few moments and listening to the rest of his tale, she decides that he seems to tell the truth, and she simply flips the card around, letting him read the text on it for himself. "Maybe we shouldn't talk about it here though"
Vyshael hands his card to Vesera, revealing the identical text on his own.
He nods at her suggestion for additional discretion, but then gets a pensive look on his face.
"Considering the chaos we're sure to find out there, post-riot, I'm not really sure where a safe place to talk would be. Unless you care to retreat to one of our sleeping chambers?", he asks completely earnestly, his expression slowly shifting as he realizes what he just said.
"Only to discuss the cards, I assure you."
Vesera grins a bit as the young half-elf almost stumbles over his own words, hastily assuring her that he has no ulterior motives to invite her to his room.
'Young... he doesn't seem much younger than yourself, but you can see he's not been on his own for long'
"Yes, I think that would be a good idea, in there we can be undisturbed."
The smirk she's giving him, as she walks past him into his room could mean anything.
Vyshael almost sighs in relief at Vesera's response, until he notes the smirk.
What does that look mean?
There really should have been a course on women at the Academae...
He follows her into the room, trying not to look nervous. He turns to close the door behind him, using that moment to compose himself.
"And so... Vesera, was it? I apologize, I do not normally forget names, especially of those I get locked up in inns with for my own safety. I blame the riots and the cards."
Rambling again, idiot! Focus, as if you were casting a spell...
He takes a breath before continuing, "In any case, as I was saying before you wisely pointed out the value of discretion, the man ruined my life half a year ago... and I think that I will have to attend the meeting if only to avoid having burning questions tear my mind apart afterward. Still, I do worry it might be a trap... People seem to have a disturbing habit of winding up dead when Lamm is involved, and I certainly did not specialize in necromancy."
Yenrry leaves the room a few moments after Milena. Stepping into the morning light, he is shocked by the scene that greets him. I knew it got nasty last night, but this is beyond what I anticipated. I hope mother and father are ok.
Heading to his parents home, he watches the priests of Pharasma go about their business, but doesn't see Milena. On his way, he asks some of the people who are wandering the streets if they know exactly what transpired the night before.
She looks around the room, which was furnished similar to her own, pulls a chair from the table and sits down, as if it was infact her room, and looks at him.
"Half a year ago, you say? Well, my story starts around 10 years ago, but I've seen many more lifes touched and subsequently ruined and ended by him. Let's hear yours first"
Vyshael nods, accepting that he should tell his tale, and sits on the bed. He is quiet for a moment as he considers his words before beginning, "I was in my final year at the Academae when I began having problems with one of the instructors. His name was Fortin, and he was a remarkably poor teacher -- and one I had a history with. Years before, when I was but a boy coming into my abilities, my mother attempted to hire him to train me... but, as I said, he was a terrible teacher, more concerned about rote memorization than anything else. My mind has always been one that seeks a deeper understanding rather than superficial facts, and as such, I was unprepared for such teaching methods.. especially at such a young age. Fortin convinced himself I was too stupid to be taught and left - leaving me to learn to develop my talents from others."
Vyshael smiles at the memory of a happier time, remembering both the motivations and the lessons he got from the foxlike eidolon that had basically been his best friend growing up. Ah, Rakesh, you were far more clever than Fortin could ever be...
Vyshael's smile fades as he continues, "In any case, years later, despite my having passed years of training and having clearly developed magical ability, Fortin could not accept that the failure was his. Despite the ease with which I was able to master most lessons and the fact that I needed less study and practice than many of my classmates, I was still too stupid to learn. Therefore, he decided that I must have been cheating somehow.... and he vowed to find out how and expose me. There were, of course, arguments along the way when he made those accusations and I refuted them. Those arguments and that history would not have mattered so much, except that the idiot managed to get himself murdered the day before I was to take the Test of Summoning."
The cadence of Vyshael's voice increases as he tells his story, as if it is building up its own momentum, "Of course, I was immediately suspected of it. After all, he'd been found near one of the taverns where I used to go out to throw dice while my fellow students locked themselves away in their books. That might have been trouble enough, but there was also a witness who claimed to have seen me kill him... and, somehow, a bloodied longsword made its way into my sleeping cell at the Academae. It wasn't my sword - which is to say the blade that once belonged to my mother - that blade was still clean and sheathed. Asking why I would be so foolish as to keep the blade and not clean it, something a simple cantrip could have done, made no difference. I was arrested, and, of course, expelled."
Vyshael's voice hardens, a note of anger deepening, "I likely would have followed Fortin in death had my mother's former squire, now a paladin in his own right, not been here to celebrate my success at passing the Test. He started doing some investigation and found their witness... apparently she was a liftskirt who worked in that area. Compelled by a paladin of Sarenrae, she told him the truth: she had been hired to bear false witness, and in fact, given a bonus to sneak into the Academae as a maid and plant the weapon. Stagren took her story to the authorities, but she was dead before they got to question her. However, with the sworn testimony of a paladin, they had accept my innocence, if only grudgingly... The Academae, however, felt no such need."
Vyshael stops and takes a breath, his hot anger barely masking the pain in his voice, "It was my mother's last wish that I graduate. The tuition, her blade and signet are all I have left of her. She spent her entire life in Sarenrae's service, putting those needs ahead of those of her son, and died doing so. I spent years of my life working toward that, and toward having a bright future -- all of it wiped away by lies spoken by someone that I'd never even met.... In any case, I still had a small measure of coin left, and once I'd secured access to the texts I needed to complete my training, I funneled what was left into making inquiries of my own... It took nearly three months, but I finally got the name of the bastard responsible, and it was Lamm."
Vyshael pauses, and then looks up at Vesara, "And that is a tale that leaves a bad taste in one's mouth... especially when one cannot wash it down with tea or wine... but it should explain my distaste for the man. And you?"
Vesera just sits there, listening attentively to his tale and even once he is finished doesn't say anything for another few long seconds.
"Surprisingly my story is not entirely different from yours. I told you already, that it happened almost 10 years ago now. Actually, I would be surprised if you hadn't heard it before, from what I remember the students at the Academae like nothing more than to gossip."
She sighs as she goes back in time, to a different life, but continues "However you most likely heard it from a different point of view. I was in my first year of training at the Academae, still learning my first cantrips, when it happened. A man I had never met before was killed in a rather horrible way, his heart cut out of his chest, down by the waterfront just behind the Academae, I'm sure you know the place."
"It was known I was there sometimes, buying fresh fish or other things at the market there. Anyway, a fisherman there claimed he had seen me, apperently I enchanted him into cutting his own heart out. I didn't even know you could get a person to do something like that against their will back then. Well he gave them a description and that I was a student, so they came to check it out, and sure enough found me alright, as I wasn't hiding." she sighs again but then shrugs a bit before going on.
"Under my bed they apperently found a bloody knife, which they say was used in the crime, a knife I'd never seen before either. I told them, it couldn't have been me, and two other students confirmed I was with them the entire time, but apperently the statement of the fisherman meant more to them than two young girls. Well, long story short, I got arrested, but lucky for me the fisherman himself showed up dead the next day, before he could identify me, and without clear proof they had to let me go. The knife alone apperently wasn't enough, as they couldn't tell if the blood really was from the victim."
"Unfortunately as I got back to the Academae, I was informed that during another search of my room, they also found a book on demon summoning, which as you know is a forbidden subject till the very end. So they said, even if I didn't kill the guy, which they weren't sure I didn't, I had apperently dabbled into demonic magic, and therefore they wouldn't allow me back"
She adjusts her hair, hoping it will buy her another few seconds to decide if she should tell what happened then.
"Well that's pretty much it. Till this day I've not figured out why that man was killed, or the fisherman, or how they planted the knife. But what I did find out was that the man killed was someone deep in debt with Gaedren Lamm, and so was the fisherman. I assume he had him killed as an example to those that don't pay, and preasured the fisherman into a false testimony."
As the card hits you when you attempt to break your fast, you cannot tell where it came from - it does look to have been stuck between the ridges of the candelabra hanging above your table, but what compelled it to blow in your face the moment it did eludes you.
On the streets, you find it difficult to discern what did happen last night - many are crying, mourning the horror and bloodshed - but you are eventually informed by one of the many priests of Pharasma that are sending the dead to rest: the recent unrest in the royal court is starting to spur the extremist followers of King Eodred II, who are actively fighting for their rightful king, demanding that the 'Queen Whore Ileosa' be put to the sword. Queen Ileosa's followers, in turn, responded violently, as the bloodshed suggests...
On the streets, you hear from one of your fellow Pharasman priests what supposedly had happened last night: the recent unrest in the royal court is starting to spur the extremist followers of King Eodred II, who are actively fighting for their rightful king, demanding that the 'Queen Whore Ileosa' be put to the sword. Queen Ileosa's followers, in turn, responded violently, as the bloodshed suggests...
Vyshael cannot hide the shocked expression on his face as she speaks, "I had heard of the demon-summoner, indeed. I did not know it was you, and I had certainly no inkling of the true circumstances. Perhaps I should have expected that there was more to it, especially after what happened to me."
He pauses, then adds with a chuckle, "It may please you to know that your legend has grown over the years, such that you had taken twelve victims and were about to take your thirteenth when you were caught and your ritual was ruined....I wonder what they'll say of me in a decade."
He laughs a second more before sobering, "Apparently, Lamm's plan worked so well once he was not afraid to repeat it... and you've given me much to think about, now. Were we deliberate targets? I had always assumed I was merely convenient, that Fortin was the target and I a simple scapegoat, but now you have me wondering..."
She stares at him for a long time agian before replying "I... never thought of that. I also always thought I was just a convinient scapegoat. I was merely 16 at the time, all but a child still, why would Lamm had any interest in me?"
She frowns as if thinking about something "Do you know of the Arkona family? Oh of course you do, everyone does. Did you have any dealing with them?"
She stares at him for a long time agian before replying "I... never thought of that. I also always thought I was just a convinient scapegoat. I was merely 16 at the time, all but a child still, why would Lamm had any interest in me?"
She frowns as if thinking about something "Do you know of the Arkona family? Oh of course you do, everyone does. Did you have any dealing with them?"
Vyshael frowns as well, "I have heard the name Arkona, but few details... It is not an exaggeration when I say that I grew up in a cottage in the woods before coming to the Academae... But, yes, the why of your selection -- and mine - does seem to the important question. To my mind, there are just too many similarities for this to have been accidental... Or perhaps I should say an important question, consdering this person--", he says, holding up the card, "--seems to have somehow learned our stories.... And so, the more important question, at least today, is what they intend to do with that knowledge... and with us."
"Maybe it was truely a coincidence" she doesn't sound very convinced though "Maybe he got away with it once, and when he had to kill someone else, he used a scapegoat from the Academae again. Apperently they're not very interested in the truth and like to sweep it under the rug to not blemish their reputation"
She looks at her own card "As for this... At first I thought it's just a trick. Spread those cards around to enough people, eventually you catch someone that had bad experiences with Lamm in the past. If they show up at that adress then, you know they're interested in revenge and you take them out. But what are the chances that the two of us are here at the same time? I usually don't stay in inns overnight"
Vyshael laughs bitterly, "You mean, having found a working plan, it is easier to repeat it every few years? If that is the case, I'm sure we'd have heard other stories of expelled murderers from the Academae, but the only tale I recall is the demon-summoner... and my own, I suppose. Still, I suppose attributing intent and malice to what might be laziness may be overstepping..." As he speaks, his tone indicates that he is clearly trying to convince himself of that.
I'm sure that's true.... as true as the testimony that got me expelled...
He flips his card in his hand, "An interesting idea, that. We all show up like lambs to the slaughter, pardon the expression, and are culled by his allies. A tragedy to be sure, but easily explained by the bloodshed and rioting... Suddenly I wish there was a third guest here last night, so we could check them for a card... and see if we can't collect a whole set."
He stands from the bed, stretching out and adds, "Since my expulsion, I had been renting a small bording room. I come here for dinner, but really only on occasion, and not by any pattern I've ever noticed. The odds of this being random happenstance are lower than the bottom layers of the Abyss.." He drops back to sitting on the bed as a thought strikes him, "But if this is not random, then someone has been tracking our movements, through either mundane or magical means."
"Who knows, maybe it was just a freak coincidence. Maybe the others he framed weren't as high profile and were dealt with silently. I don't know. Maybe there was no other. I just have a hard time imagining that I was actually his target."
She slowly gets up from her chair, and walks towards the door. "As I said, I have my own place, I don't stay in inns. I will go talk to the innkeeper now, see if he knows anything."
As she opens the door she looks over her shoulder "You coming?"
After a few minutes, Yenrry arrives to his parents' home. Barging in, his relief is immediate. His mother is standing in the kitchen preparing some type of meal and his father is sitting at the table, reading an old issue of the Courier. "Ah, you're both well. That is good," he says, striding to his mother and planting a large kiss on her cheek. She embraces him tightly and he lets out a small groan of pain. "Easy mother. I acted as a welcome mat for hundreds of feet - a role for which my body is not suited," Catching her worried glance, he says, "I am fine, but I am still a little tender."
Turning to his father, who still hasn't risen to greet his son, he says, "Father, I trust you were able to avoid the fighting last night?" Yenrry's father was tough, angry, bitter and had a bad habit of running with tough crowds. Yenrry hoped he wasn't involved in any nefarious actions last night.
Well, she seems upset... hopefully that's a result of the situation, I would hate to think I offered offense.
Vyshael stands and follows Vesera, "Indeed. How could I not?"
Vesera smirks again as she feels that she irritated Vyshael once more. 'Playing mind games with the boy is just too easy. I should perhaps stop being so mean to him.'
She makes her way down the stairs into the inn's common room followed by him. She stops at the bottom of the stairs, letting her eyes wander around the entire room, but as she sees noone she calls out.
"Hello? Is anyone here? Master Gaskelinni?"
As you enter the common room, you find that it is much like you left it last night: tidy and quiet. There is a weak fire in the hearth, but no-one is in sight. After Vesera calls out, the response comes ringing momentarily. "Yes? Who's calling? Oh, you two," Gaskelinni comes trodding in from behind the bar, with a pail of water in his one arm. "Hope you slept well - though won't blame you if sleep was the last thing on your mind. Afraid I ain't got time to cook anything for you - my cook's in a sorry state, he is. His husband died last night."
He sighs - his eyes are heavy and it is clear he barely slept as well.
When you return home, your mother is as overbearing as she always is. "By little Yenrry, I was so worried! They found a corpse on our roof! I was terrified! What if that corpse had been you? Thank the Dawnflower you are alive..."
She sighs quietly as she lets you go with a warm smile. "Genrry, your son's all right, aren't you going to say something?"
Genrry looks up from the brim of the Courier, his eyes studying you carefully. "Yes, good job, you're alive."
In the advent of your question, he rolls his eyes with a grunt. "Of course I stayed clear of the fighting - [i]I tend to not draw attention to myself."
He returns to his paper, but you can clearly hear him mutter under his breath about 'disappointments' and 'foolish games'.
"I am sorry to hear about the loss your cook suffered, but I'm not here to ask you about food. Instead I would like you to tell me what you learned about yesterday's events. What happened, and how bad is it this morning?" she does seem genuinely concerned about the state of the city, and decides to find out about this before pressuring the innkeeper for information about these cards.
Vesera & Vyshael
Gaskelinni puts the pail up on the bar, and rubs his forehead. "Truth be told, I ain't got a clue. Too many people have already asked me the same damned thing - been out there scrubbing blood off of the building, bloody difficult with one arm, I tell ya - all I've heard is something about extremists taking it too far. Couldn't say how many's wounded or how many's dead - guards are loading up trolleys outside."
He grabs the pail again and heads towards the door. "Don't mean no disrespect, but I reckon I should get to scrubbin'. Like it or not, having blood splattered on the building is a sure way to lose patrons."
Vyshael nods and says, "One last question, if you please... Was there anyone else here last night? We seem to have had a ... delivery.."
That was not been the answer she had hoped for. For once it doesn't tell her anything at all about what happened, and why. And second it seems to be alot worse than she had thought.
"Of course, we won't keep you much longer, but there is one question I ought to ask of you. Were the two of us and you the only ones that were here this night? Could anyone else have gotten in and out during the night?"
Yenrry clenches his fists at his father's words, but doesn't allow his anger to show any more than that. He simply smiles and says, "Well, it's a pleasure to see you both, as always. I have some foolishness to attend to, and I would hate to disappoint those who are dear to me, so I will be off." Leaving his parents home, he heads to his own, not far away.
It is a small, simple apartment he shares with his best friend, Caroline, a young human female. She's a tailor and helps Yenrry craft the numerous costumes he wears in his performances. She is also responsible for healing and caring for him during his recovery from the overdose. They aren't romantic at all, but are deeply committed to and love one another.
Stepping into the apartment, he is nearly tackled as Caroline rushes to embrace him. Yenrry is surprised and relieved. "I didn't doubt it, but it is a relief to know that you are well, Caroline. But do squeeze gently, as it is possible I have a cracked rib or two."
Vesera & Vyshael
He looks at both of you with a puzzled look on his face. "Not sure I follow you. Far as I know, nobody could've gotten in after I barred the door."
Vyshael nods, That was what I expected..., but then says in a puzzled tone, Then was it you who attached this Harrow card to my door, and a similar one on the lady's? If not, then we're facing quite the mystery..."
Vesera & Vyshael
"What in the blazes are you talking about? Harrow cards? Why would I be sticking them to people's doors?" Gaskelinni looks confused and frustrated. "Look, these walls won't be scrubbin' themselves, so I need to get to workin'. With the sorry state the city's in, best get it done now. You two have a good day now."
He leaves for the streets. Faint rays of sunlight creep in through the crack of the door...
Yenrry
"By th' Nine bloody 'Ells, Yenrry, when you di'n't show up las' night I though th' worst..." Caroline sighs and squeezes a little harder, almost as if to spite you. "Earnestly, am glad t'see you're alright. Jus' finished on a new costume, for that newest play of yours. I loved that part about the almighty patron...what was his name? Hatcher?"
She drags you over to one of the two chairs in your apartment and promptly sits you down, as she goes into the bedroom. When she returns, it is with a magnificent coat, jet-black with white and dark-blue threads to give all the seeming of a great raven.
Vesera turns towards her new acquaintance "It would seem our dear friend here either really doesn't know anything, or he is hiding it. But it would seem to me that he isn't exactly willing to speak, at least not without further persuation."
She walks towards the door as well "However I will give it my best try" she says before she opens the door and steps outside.
Outside it is worse than she feared. There truely was alot of violence here, even though most of the dead bodies had been carried away already, blood on the ground and walls bear grim testimony to the events of last night.
She looks around for the innkeeper who's already busy scrubbing the walls.
"My apologies Master Gaskelinni, I did not mean any disrespect, and I'm sure neither did my friend here. He's just not very gifted with words, you understand? Sometimes speaks before he's done thinking." As she says that she gives Vyshael a short, apologetic look "I'm sure you won't hold that against him. After all, you did let us stay the night, while outside the riots started and I'm very grateful for that, and so is he. More yet, it shows you have a kind and decent heart." She gives him a warm smile as she says that. "However he was not wrong in the matter, since we both found a strange note pinned to our doors. That really only leaves two possibilities when you think about it. Either someone who was at the inn after we went to sleep did it, or someone entered and left again during the night. I believe you when you say you don't know anything about it, but would there be any chance someone else was at the inn when you locked it up, or could have entered during the night?"
Vesera & Vyshael
Gaskelinni doesn't cease his scrubbing when you approach, and as you continue speaking he seems to ignore you. He sighs eventually, turning to you. "I'm sorry, miss, I don't mean to be crass. I have no clue about them cards. I barred the doors and locked the windows. Might be I didn't lock a window proper, or somebody snuck in, but if so, t'all happened without me knowing."
Vyshael nods behind Vesara, I expected as much...
He steps forward and whispers to her in Elven, "Perhaps you could thank him for me, since I seem to have stepped on his toes? I would have offered to clean the wall for him, but I did not prepare Prestidigitation this morning."
She stops in her tracks, already she had turned around to leave the poor innkeeper alone, then replies in the same language "That is actually a good idea. Why didn't I think of that."
"Master Gaskelinni, I just wanted to thank you again for your kind hospitality, also in my friends name here, who fears he insulted you somehow and would like you to know it was not deliberate if that was the case. And as thanks for your kindness, we'd like to offer our assistance with the cleaning of your wall here, if you'd allow."
She immediately begins moving one of her hand infront of her, like drawing ancient runes into the air, while speaking in a strange language. All this takes maybe 2 or 3 seconds at most, then she places her hand against the wall, and you can see how the blood literally vanishes around the spot where she touches it.
Yenrry takes in the costume. He is duly impressed. "You have, truly, outdone yourself. Thank you."
Yenrry reaches into his pocket and withdraws the mysterious card he received. Concealing the cryptic message on the back, he shows her the front of the card bearing the image of the Juggler. "You're familiar with Harrow cards, are you not? Tell me, what is the meaning of The Juggler?"
Vesera & Vyshael
Gaskelinni is at first alert when you weave your spell - yet as it is clear you are helping clean the blood off of the walls, he can't help but chuckle warmly. "Ah, blimey, this brightens my day! You have my sincerest gratitude, the both of you. I wasn't offended," he adds, giving Vyshael a hard clap on his back - surprisingly hard for a one-armed man - "It's just been a tense day, I shouldn't have been so crass."
Yenrry
Caroline is all smiles and thank yous when you compliment the outfit. She's fetched an apple for the both of you when you pull out the Harrow card. Puzzled, she looks at you, and then the card. "You, 'Arrow cards? Ah, I need t' think, I don't know t'much, jus' dabbled in it for a bit. The Juggler... Juggler... somethin' about fate. Either it's on your side, or it's not. I'd wager it is. You survived last night an' so did I."
"Oh I understand, it's not easy today." It doesn't take too long to take care of the wall, and remove most of the blood from it with the little cantrip. One of the few useful things she took with her from the Academae. After she's done she says "Well I need to be going now, I have quite a distance to walk, but I have the feeling my help might be needed there as well."
After taking some steps away from the innkeeper so he can't overhear, she speaks in elven to Vyshael "Well, I truely believe he doesn't know anything. Maybe someone slipped into the inn to place the cards, or even used magic... Hmm, you didn't happen to look for any lingering magical auras upstairs? Not that I think any would persist long enough"
Vyshael pales slightly at the question, and then answers in elven, "To be honest, I was so shocked by the card I never thought to try."
He concentrates briefly and gestures, "You are probably right that it is too late... but it never hurts to be sure... Besides, for all we know, the cards are cursed... I should just be happy that the back of the card wasn't covered with explosive runes..".