[September 17]
The rain continues on into the night, but by morning, things are beginning to dry up. The sun still has to fight with clouds to dry the ground, but the struggle looks like one that might be won by mid-morning.
Uplander looks over those who had sustains injuries against the Orcs. Using her prayers, she gives her healing touch to Olaf, Sapient and Si Wai, and all of them feel up for the half-day of walking Bronwyn has told them is ahead of them to make it into Mere.
Leaving the village, giving thanks to those peasants who helped house them during the storm, the peasants also return their own thanks. It is clear to them that the pillaging was cut short by the groups entrance upon the scene. Not willing to face an armed contingent, the Orcs pulled out to leave only a few behind.
The half-day trek to Mere is mostly uneventful. The party is held up briefly as they come across a peasant whose cart wheel had become hopelessly mired in the mud.
Entry into Mere is not unlike entry into the city of Gulluvia. Unfriendly guards bond their weapons for a fee, warning them of the panoply of laws which they must heed while staying within the city. They are, at least, directed toward an inn, the Madcap, located ahead upon the same road.
Mere does rest upon the plain, but it is elevate higher than the lands through which the group has just passed, allowing them to see a bit of the surrounding territory. The city itself is marked only by three noticeable features. Providing a backdrop to the city is a looming mountain range, one which begins shortly north of the city. Within the city, there is the mansion upon the small hill in the northwest quadrant of the city, and then there is the black spire that emerged from the center of town.
[The Madcap Inn]
The sign out front, a small wooden affair that flaps easily in the wind, depicts a once brightly-colored harlequin. The crowd inside is easily as motley as the sign and name might imply. Although most of the people on the street coming from the south have been Human, there are quite a few Halflings in the tavern as well. The sky clouding up again outside, the bar seems to have attracted a crowd a bit earlier than might be expected.
[Vituss]
"Welcome, friends," bellows the rotund man behind the bar as the companions enter the inn. He is not wearing an apron, instead dressed a bit to fine compared to the guests currently present. He holds out a large hand to Bronwyn, who happens to be closest to him as people file through the door. "Name is Vituss, and this here is my establishment. Can I set you up with food or drink, or even a place for the night. You do seem a bit road weary."
Responding to their request, "you are in luck. I've got two decent size rooms remaining with Human beds. They contain only two bed apiece, but there is enough floor space to accommodate the odd man out. They are only five silver apiece."
[Si Wai]
Taking a gold piece from a money pouch she hands him the coin. Her fingers absent-mindedly move over the pouch. She looses herself thinking how different dwarven leather feels. It takes a moment for her to shake the feeling of loose. Then she heads up stairs.
As everyone puts away their gear in the rooms, the rain can be heard as it starts to hit the roof. It seems the timing could not have been much better.
Downstairs, a man rushes in out of the rain. He carries an oddly-shaped pack on his back as he shakes off the water dripping from oily hair.
[Vituss]
"Ah, Larryn, you have chosen a good day to come early." The innkeeper offers to hold Larryn's pack as the man dries off. He also signals to the bar, at which the barmaid immediately grabs a mug from the shelf and fills it to slide it down the bar in their direction.
[Larryn]
Taking the mug handed him, he uses his other hand to remove a lyre from the pack Vituss now holds. "Thank you, young man," he jokes pleasantly with the innkeeper. He then holds out his arm for Vituss to lay the sack over. "My sunny-day affairs have come to naught, so I thought I'd find an early welcome here." He then retreats to the hearth-side, where an empty chair awaits him. A place on the low mantle seems to await the mug as he sets it down.
As the group takes seats around a large empty table, another individual comes through the door. The Halfling is thinner than might be expected, though fit. A long, black pony tail falls down his back, and he shakes it slightly once in out of the growing cold. He also wipes off his bare feet on the rug set aside for just that duty. Taking the last of two rooms Vituss has with Halfling beds in them. He heads upstairs to put down the small amount of gear he carries, then returns to the main room.
Another woman, sitting at a smaller table by herself, is hard not to notice. Her beauty is striking, and she has a somewhat regal air to her. Her green eyes stand out strongly behind curling lashes, and red hair frames her face. For the moment she enjoys a drink and listens to the bard as he starts a tune.
One conversation, somewhat hushed but occasionally raising its volume, is hard to miss. A man and a woman, dressed decently, sit opposite each other. Their mannerisms tell that they are not intimate, only friends.
[Man]
"... stolen ..." is hard to miss. Shortly thereafter, "... and they did nothing."
[Woman]
"You were lucky..." she starts her response expressively and then trails off. "... accused me of stealing my own stuff..."
Many of the other people in the establishment do not draw much attention, since they engage in light conversation while their eyes focus often upon the bard as he plays.
At the bar, two figures are hard not to notice. They sit at the end of the bar, near the stairs leading up to the rooms. The man, sitting at the end, attacks his food ravenously, as if he had not eaten well in a very long time. He stands out more so, however, because he constantly has to stop and cough. The cough is deep and sickly, though it does not seem to be bringing up any phlegm. He also mops his brow occasionally, and the sweat is obvious on his forehead, although the room is not nearly that warm, yet. The woman is attentive, and only takes lightly of the food in front of her.
[Barmaid]
"Is he alright? I hope he isn't going to get other people sick!" she says to the female companion.
[Woman]
"No, it's alright. His condition is stable, and not contagious." She leans over and tips her companion's mug to see that it is nearly empty. "Please refill his glass though, he's been quite thirsty."
As the traveling companions take in the scenes around them, another barmaid approaches.
[Second Barmaid]
"Are any of you interested in a drink or food, yet?" She scans the faces at the table. "Our house specialty is Anterian Brandy, unlike anything you've likely tasted before." She smiles, seemingly proud of the establishment. Without a band around her neck, it is uncertain whether or not she is a slave, but her lot is clearly not too miserable.
[Olaf]
Entering the Inn, Olaf sinks into a nearby chair, exhausted from the days journeying. He speaks little to the folk on the road, as has he done to his companions, his wound clearly exhausting his small frame beyond its endurance. He watches as the others take to stowing his gear, and feebly indicates to the barkeep for a mug of warm goats milk, sipping it quietly when it arrives.
The arrival of the bard is the cause of a small smile to appear on Olaf's face, the only indication that he is recovering, bringing along with it a small look of determination that indicates he is unwilling to move to his room until satisfied that he has heard the music man play.
[Carrot]
Take a moment to glance around the inn, and feeling a bit overwhelmed by the place, and quietly hums to himself a country song that always reminded him of past days. Alone, for the first time in all his years, it begins to take hold and every laugh because aimed towards him. Every accidental bump comes with a purpose, and any stare means whispers behind his back. All of this isn't happening, of course, so he tries to calm himself, but gradually fails. He can't hide the sweat from anxiety, though he mops his forehead with his sweaty, cold palm.
Upon hearing the bard play his lyre, a familiar song, it makes him think of his times before Grand Master Zhu, and gradually he comes to his senses, having the "I must get this job done" attitude. He glances around and notices a strikingly beautiful woman, but a random thought of a human-halfing hybrid flashes into his mind, and he moves away. He, then, notices a group of adventurer's, or se he thinks. Their garb and overall aura/appearance give him this impression. He moves towards them, thinks differently, and, instead, moves towards the bartender.
To Vituss, he says, "Hello, ser. I'm Carrot Fieldplanter and I have need of the monastery near this town. Might you know the direction?" As he awaits his answer, he periodically glances back at the group of adventurers.
[Vituss]
"Aye," he responds, leaning against the bar where he had been talking with the barmaid, "I have heard that there is one, north of the city. I've not been there, so I cannot tell you more than that as far as directions go."
[Woman at Bar]
Pulling her attention away from her sickly friend, the woman turns to look at Carrot, whose question she overhears. Looking him over to assess him first, she then says to him, "The innkeeper is correct. It is one day's journey to the north. There is but one, barely-used road from the north of the city, so there isn't much opportunity to get lost. If you haven't been there, there's little hope of you finding it." She pauses, judging the Halfling's response to what she is saying. "But, if you make it that far, they will find you."
She absent-mindedly fingers the rim of her own mug, not looking at it. "I'd warn you though, as you clearly aren't from these parts with a name like that, the mountains are no place to be alone. Ogres don't take kindly to anyone entering their territory, and they are very protective of their borders."
[Bronwyn]
The weathered Ranger looks around the table at his exhausted companions and then back to the waiting barmaid.
"I think we will indeed have food and drink now," he says gruffly. "I'll have whatever roasted vegetables you have and some wine or ale."
The Ranger shakes his long hair, ridding it of road dust. "Well, my friends? We are in Mere ... what now? I would suggest we eat and make plans now. Then, those that need can retire and rest. Whatever plans we finalize can be undertaken in the morning."
"By the way, what are the sleeping arrangements tonight?"
As he speaks, Blackrose continues to scan the busy room, cautiously taking in the actions of the various patrons.
[Sapient]
"Well, it looks like there's to be a room for the ladies, and one for the men. Olaf will need the bed in his condition. As for the remaining bed... I'll arm wrestle you for it," he says, and smiling at the ranger, he leans his arm across the table.
[Bronwyn]
The Ranger frowns slightly and narrows his deep brown eyes as the Half-Elf leans his arm across the table.
"I don't think so, Sapient," the grim woodsman says quietly.
With that, he turns his gaze in order to scan the room. Blackrose pays particular attention to the more interesting people in the room. He watches the halfling, as well as the attractive red haired woman and the coughing man, with keen interest.
[Si Wai]
Turning to the pair [Woman and Sick Man], Si Wai takes a moment to look them over.
"Yes, is there something I can do for you?" asks the woman in a sarcastic tone.
"I am sorry for staring," Si Wai apologizes, "I was just curious what afflicts the man. I've never seen anyone in that condition before. Are you a doctor?"
[Woman]
"No, no, I am not a doctor," the woman replies. "I'm just a friend of his and hoping to get him to someone who might be able to help him. I don't know exactly what it is that afflicts him, though I've been with him several days now, and neither myself or anyone we've come in contact has caught it."
She is guarded in her posture, uncertain of the young woman's motives. "You needn't be concerned that he might infect others. I feel sure of that.
While she speaks, the man does not turn or look at Si Wai in the least, but simply continues to eat his food.
[Si Wai]
Reminding herself to be friendly she gives her warmest smile and continues, "So you are trying to find him someone who can cure this affliction. Who in Mere might have the training? Or are you headed somewhere else?"
[Woman]
"I know of someone here in town who might be able to help. I'm going to talk to her, but I fear that we may have to leave the territory to find the proper assistance." Her voice is calm and soft, not projecting any farther than it needs to.
"And what is it that brings you here to town?" she inquires of Si Wai. "Your clothing style and slight accent reminds me of a territory I have visited in the past."
[Si Wai]
"I am form Xiyan. Have you been there? What do you do that takes you to such faraway places?"
[Woman]
"Ah, that's it. Although it has been twenty years since I've been through those lands. I am a trader in exotic and rare goods, particularly art. Every so often a lead will take me to far and interesting places."
[Si Wai]
There is a heavy sigh in Si Wai's voice as she answers in a hush voice, "I fear we have seemed to have lost our reason for coming to Mere. You see one of our travel companions, a dwarf, wanted to find out more of why his people left this land, and where they might be. I doubt anyone in the group really cares to learn much of the truth about that. I for one am a bit more than just curious."
[Woman]
Although perhaps Si Wai is mistaken, she thinks she sees the woman's companion pause in his eating when she is talking. "Dwarves? There haven't been such creatures here since the times of legend. I hear that their mines still riddle the mountains, but that no one dare explore them since the Ogres have taken them over."
[Si Wai]
Si Wai rubs her chin as she thinks to herself; those mines could hold some clue to the dwarves, assuming we could find one and more importantly assuming I could convince the rest of the party. Turning to the companion, "What are the symptoms of this disease?"
[Woman]
"It seems to be affecting his heart and lungs." Her answer is noticeably clipped, and it is clear that her companion is not something she wishes to talk about in great detail.
She looks over at the table of people Si Wai call's companions. "So, if you have no business in Mere, where is it you head next? Leaving the Gulluvian duchy?"
[Si Wai]
Si Wai bites her lip in frustration, "I have no love of Gulluvia, but I'm not too sure what our plans are. I've over heard my companions talking about heading North. We were originally going up to the Palace Ruins."
Shifting in her seat Si Wai tries to shift the conversation away from her and her companions, "If the healer here is unable to heal your friend where else would you go? He does not seem strong enough to travel far."
[Woman]
"Ruins? I suppose that could be interesting. Since you're not going there to search out these legendary Dwarves, what's your idea in going there? There may still be something of value in the old place, though as far as I know it has been sitting there for nearly five hundred years. It seems unlikely that in all that time no one else has bothered to venture in."
Behind her, her companion finishes up his meal. He goes into a coughing fit, but then smothers it with the last of his drink. When he is finished, he pushes his plate away then folds his hands and places them on the bar, focusing his gaze downward and ahead.
[Si Wai]
"You said you are a trader? Do you know of anyone in Gulluvia who may be particularly interested in things from Xiyan?"
[Woman]
"Likely not," the woman tilts her head slightly to indicate an apology. "My customers look for more high-end goods. Xiyan goods aren't much in vogue these days, either."
The woman glances back to grab her mug and sees that her companion is finished. She takes a sizable gulp of the remnants of her drink and then sets it on the bar with a thump.
"Well, it's been pleasant talking with you. I hope you find what you are looking for up in the Palace. We need to be heading out now."
The man, hearing these words, steps off his stool and picks up a rain jacket he had set at the end of the bar. Pulling it around him, he looks towards the door and then at the woman. She places an arm on his shoulder in a motherly manner as he starts coughing again. At the same time, she scans the room slowly, taking in the faces about. Satisfied, they begin to move slowly towards the door.
[Si Wai]
Si Wai notes their paranoid exit. Once they leave the inn, she joins her companions at their table.
[Carrot]
With a bow and a "thank you," to both the bartender and the strange woman at the bar, he turns on his heels. While he was in the conversation, he felt a strange set of eyes upon him, but when he scanned the bar, he saw nothing, save the adventurers. He cocks an ear towards their direction and gradually glances over to them. He heard a name, Olef, Olaf, or Oliff he wasn't sure on the pronunciation. Perhaps, he thought, perhaps they can aid me?
He took a deep breathe and walked over to the table surrounded by a motley crew of individuals. He turned towards the man who was speaking of Olef, Olaf, or Oliff, and, before beginning, glanced at a wounded individual. "Greetings, my name is Carrot Fieldplanter. Might you be traveling through, to, or near the Northern Mountains?"
[Bronwyn]
The ragged Ranger watches as the Halfling approaches. "We have company," he mumbles to his companions.
"Greetings, Fieldplanter," the Ranger says, nodding slightly and narrowing his eyes as the Halfling makes his introduction.
"Where we are, or are not, going," Bronwyn says, rubbing his many days growth of beard thoughtfully, "is no business of yours, it seems to me ... until we know quite a bit more about you."
Although his words seem rude, there is no malice in his deep brown eyes. By all accounts, the Ranger comes across more as a man who is used to being cautions and coming straight to the point.
Although mindful of the conversation with the Halfling, Bronwyn also catches something out of the corner of his eye. A man enters the tavern, a rather rough-and-tumble looking fellow. He takes a seat near the door, and when he is sitting, Bronwyn is looking at him closely enough to see that his tunic folds a little out of shape as he sits. It may be a dagger hidden beneath his clothing, though once the man is sitting, there is nothing noticeable.
Without staring, the occasional glance over at the fellow makes Bronwyn think that the man's attention is focus a little too much on the people at the bar, though perhaps he's just being paranoid. Suddenly the man's eyes dart over to catch Bronwyn looking at him, although the man does not turn his head. Bronwyn has to subdue a shudder of unnatural fear that the icy look spawns in him.
[Carrot]
The small halfling is taken back by the shrewd words said by the burly man. Apparently not all are so generous, he thinks. Hmm, perhaps he has some truth to what he speaks? He shakes his thoughts away with a slight nod, searching for some way to "get in", so to speak, with this hardy bunch of adventurers. As an afterthought, he thinks, there's always that woman..., but quickly banks it away.
Looking at Olaf, Olif, or Olef, though know in his mind is Olaffi, he glances back at the shrewd man with new reprise. "Perhaps...you have some truth to what you speak. After all, you seem to be a hardy bunch of adventurer's, so I assumed you would be up to the task." He slightly bowed, but stopped in mid action, and thought better of it. Yeah, like these folks like manners...
"Ok then, how about a but of hospitality? I see you have a wounded man, Olaffi is his name, yes? Well, I have a room, though...its more suited towards my own kind. I would gladly give it up to whomever needs it,"--here, he motions towards the wounded man as a signal that the room should go towards him, but he signals that it is up to the party--"all I ask is that you take me to the Northern Mountains. Through it or near it is up to you, but perhaps when you here my tale along the road, you'll travel with me? I cannot offer treasures beyond your wildest dreams, or fighting dragons in some distant land, but you will be able to aid me in my...quest...more or less." He awaits the reply, from any of the members, but secretly hopes the burly shrewd man doesn't say anything.
[Anomalie]
The beautiful elven woman, Anomalie, sips at a goblet of wine, her pale features regarding the newcomer. She directs a glance at the Ranger....over the limited time she has known him, she has found him to be direct, and forthright. It was refreshing to her....the velvet clad beauty tired of the moralizing of her companions. Her icy, glittering gaze seems to suggest that she would deal with the newcomer directly, and that perhaps, the Ranger might observe, and counsel wisely.
To the newcomer, she says, in her whispering, serpent's voice, "Small One, traveling with our group is not necessarily traveling in safety. The Half Elf fights with everyone, including the Ranger, and thus far, we have lost two of our number....both diminutive in stature."
"I would ask," she sips her wine, the blood colored fluid staining her lips, "what this quest of yours might be? Certainly, that would be a deciding factor in whether our paths are best traveled in the same direction."
Her eyes glitter as she awaits the answer.
[Sapient]
"Well, now what have I done?" says Sapient, offended. "Pleasure to meet you Carrot," he nods to the halfling. "My name's Sapient du Xianin. And I apologize for my friends' lack of manners."
[Carrot]
A bit stunned by the elven response, but not overly surprised. He knew he would have to tell some folks about his quest, of course, but...would Grand Master Zhu approve? Yes, he decided. It was Carrots quest, it was his choice to tell who, as it was his choice to find the third part of his training by himself. Grand Master Zhu, he thought, my quest begins.
"Ah yes, its a quest of a spiritual sense. You see, I am a monk...in training," he quickly let off a few punches, "and I must visit all of the monastery's in the region. The closest one was north of this...humble town...but the bartender told me the path is wrought his ogres and other ilk." With a slight bow, one more motioned towards Sapient du Xianin, he continues, "but, we don't have to go now, I suppose. A monk trains his whole life to attain...the qualities needed...so I suppose, if you allow me to travel with you, and if we happen to go past the monastery to the north, and any other we come across, we stop for a few short hours..."
He slowly nodded his head towards the elf, "so now you know my quest."
[Anomalie]
The slender, icy elven beauty nods her head at Carrot's response. Resplendent in her velvet finery, she brushes her raven hair back from her face, and replies. "Truly, I could not say where our travels take us. I certainly do not speak for the lot of us. If Master Bronwyn feels you are useful to us, I would defer to his armsman's knowledge, and allow you to travel with us."
She sips her wine. "We recently lost one of our own diminutive combatants, and require someone to replace him. Perhaps you might fill that three foot void, Small Monk." Her expression is cold as ever, but there is a hint of icy mirth in her eyes.
Glancing to Bronwyn, she seeks the armsman's opinion silently.
[Olaf - Carrot]
Olaf gestures to the small man, marveling at his stature as though demi humans are still a source of fascination to him. "Sit" he calls gently, his eyes twinkling as he speaks, "Rest for a moment while m' friends here decide your fate, as 't were." laughing quietly, he sips delicately at his mug before timidly extending his hand in a gesture of friendship, "Thank ya for your words," pausing uncomfortably, "...an' it's Olaf."
"I would say t' travel with this merry band," he giggles, "may not be beneficial t' ones health, some of us, myself included, tend t' cause more trouble than good, though our intentions seem t' be sound." He laughs at his own humor, coughing as he trails off. " an' if ya be looking for dragons, you've found the nest."
Saying this he shuffles aside, wincing as he pulls on his wound, before glancing around the room and resting his gaze back on the Halfling.
[Sapient]
Then, at one glance from Anomalie's icy stare, the half-elf goes back to silence. He does however, focus on the man and woman at the table nearby. ~~They said something about a stolen item~~ he thinks, and tries to hear the rest.
[Carrot]
Whilst awaiting from a response form the burly scary ranger, whose name he wont even utter, he turns his attention towards the wounded, Olaffi. "O-oh, your hospitality is too kind, especially of one of your...health." He doesn't move to sit, but he shifts his weight and crosses his arms in front of his chest. "Do tell me," he says to Olaffi, Olefo, or (now he is convinced), Oliffanto. "What've you seen on the road? You don't look in...proper health, if you don't mind me saying. I would love to hear whatever tales you all have."
[Olaf]
"Tales of our deeds, are not one for th' table 'round strange company," Olaf replies glancing at those who may be listening, though he begins to warm the Halflings nature, "Yet, if you need t' hear a tale..." he trails off his voice gently rocking to a melody which seems to be of his own making, some of the others recognizing bits and pieces as those he has hummed throughout the quieter periods of their travels.
Picking up the tune he begins to add words of the deeds of a small rat, "who took fancy with a piece of cheese, too large to carry on his own. Yet his duty clear he began to follow as it was taken from him, not knowing where he was headed, nor whom he would meet, aware of the need to help to himself to fill his hunger. He hid during the day, from prying eyes of those he followed and at night sulked through the shadows in search of his fortune." He looked about him as he whispered his words quietly, unaware of those who listened but eager for a small audience. Coughing, and wiping his dry mouth he continued, "Til, one evening he came across a fearsome dragon, her breath as hot as winds from the north, her claws as sharp as steel." He looked conspiratorially around himself glancing at the others, raising the tempo of his tune. "She spied him shaking in the brush, letting rip with her talons she skewered him high, releasing him only when bargain had been struck." Laughing out loud he stopped the tempo suddenly, "and together, with other creatures of the moon and sun they wander still, chasing their fortunes."
Giggling to himself, pleased at his tale he picks up his mug and sips the remainder of his drink, burping to himself and hiding his head from embarrassment as he does so.
[Carrot]
Amused by the story Oleffitionoa has just told--now, the name has been completely scrambled--he began to imagine a rat and a dragon fighting. Taking him from his thoughts were the evil shrewd man, who, now in Carrot's opinion, is a kind and warm hearted fellow.
[Bronwyn]
The Ranger sits quietly, listening as the conversation takes shape. Also, he continues to scan the busy room, obviously more than a little uncomfortable in such closed quarters.
"Master Bronwyn's opinion," the ragged woodsman says sarcastically, his eyes on Anomalie, "is that we need to remain cautious. However, the Halfling seems harmless and may be of some use. I would say let him join us if he wishes."
[Carrot]
A large smile beams on to the halfling's face, "Thank you, Bronwyn was it?" He scanned the room and saw an empty stool, and he quickly retrieved it and sat atop it. "I hope you don't mind if I join you?" He tags down a barmaid, "bread please. And some water."
[Bronwyn]
As he speaks, Bronwyn's eyes to drift to the door. The Ranger seems to observe something for a few moments and then looks down at his mug.
"It may be nothing," he says quietly, rubbing his chin in order to further conceal his words, " but a man just entered and is now seated near the door. I think he has a concealed weapon ...and he seems very interested in the couple that lost some valuables seated at the bar."
[Carrot]
"Hmm?" He scans over the bar, towards the direction of the door and passed, and notices, too, the strange man. He gradually comes back to the table. Secretly, he begins to form a plan should a fight break out, the best places for him to be, to worse, if he, indeed, pulls a weapon. Never hurts to be careful, he thought. He is always thinking, of different ways to do battle, even if none take place.
[Sapient]
Sapient thinks to himself. He is tempted to go over and interrupt the conversation at the bar, but decides patience will serve him better. He turns his attention back to Carrot.
"Excuse me, I might go and check on the rooms," Sapient says, excusing himself from the table. ~~Or rather to gather some information,~~ he thinks, heading to find Vituss...
[Annelise]
"If only Celina were here..." Annelise thinks, as she listens to the dry coughing of the man at the bar, wondering where her mentor could possibly be. She turns away from the bard, leaning forward to catch this conversation, and after a moment, she rises from her seat and approaches the two.
"Please do not think me rude, or intrusive", she says quietly, "I am a stranger in this city. But I could not help but overhear some of what you were saying. If some injustice has taken place against you, it is my calling to offer whatever assistance I may, little though that be at the present time."
[Woman]
When Annelise interrupts them, they fall silent for a moment, looking upon the interloper. They do not notice the attentive ears of Sapient nearby, who is paying enough attention to catch their conversation now, though none of his other companions are.
"Please sit," the woman motions towards one of the two empty chairs at the table, scooting her own chair slightly away so that she can look more directly at the newcomer. She examines the young woman's clothing a bit before speaking. "We both run businesses. I'm something of an apothecary, I trade in herbs and simple medicines. My companion here is a jeweler. We've had some trouble lately with thieves."
[Annelise]
Annelise takes the offered chair, and sits down next to the woman.
"I am Annelise" she says, resting her glass of wine on the table with a gentle smile. "I am pleased to make your acquaintances."
[Man]
"My shop was broken into, someone coming in through the second floor while I was in Gulluvia on an errand. I had three moralla stones, something fairly rare in the north, but also not in much demand. Those and some cash were all that was stolen."
[Woman]
"And the authorities wouldn't even do anything. Said that they didn't have any proof that there was anything stolen. Me, when a couple batches of herbs came up missing, they accused me of stealing them myself. One of them suggested maybe I was loosing my memory and had forgotten where I'd put them."
[Annelise]
Then she shakes her head sadly. "Theft can be difficult for the authorities. But there's no cause for them to belittle trades people in good standing. Tell me, what is it that these moralla stones would be used for? And why is it, do you think, that someone would make an effort to steal the stones when I assume you would have sold them for a fair price?"
[Man]
"Oh, it's Pozyn, by the way," and the man extends his hand. "It feels like the authorities have it in for us, though perhaps I'm just being paranoid. A cobbler just up the street from me had some problems recently, and they managed to track down that thief. I guess it just made me think they'd be able to do the same for me."
[Annelise]
Annelise takes the hand and shakes it. "The authorities here... reliable?" she asks, raising an eyebrow. "I've saw the shrine to Hextor, and that set me to wondering what sort of rules that make this place work."
[Woman]
"If you know anything about that church, you'd know that they have more rules than anyone. Problem is, you don't want to end up on the wrong side of those laws."
[Pozyn]
The man takes a draw from his mug, it's pungent odor wafting over Annelise's nostrils. "As for moralla, well, it is usually used for pendants or brooches. Many feel it looks nice around the neck, rather than on the ears or fingers. The thing is, it is rare enough around here that if anyone showed up at a social event with a piece of it, it would be too obvious. I've talked to the other jeweler in town and plan to send a message to my associates in Gulluvia to be on the lookout for the stones. It certainly wasn't the most valuable thing in my shop."
[Annelise]
"Well" says Annelise shaking her head. "I don't know anything about jewelry, apart from the things all women know. I don't think I've ever seen moralla. But often gems have uses other than just decoration - for example in the highest quality tools, or I've even heard..." she leans forward and lowers her voice "that wizards use them in spells and rituals."
[Pozyn]
"I know of no tools, moralla is just ornamental as far as I know." He looks about as before he continues to speak, leaning forward slightly. "And if it were for that latter purpose, I'd assume that the authorities would have been more interested, not less, for that is a more serious crime than theft."
[Annelise]
She turns to the woman "What sort of herbs was it that were stolen from your place?"
[Nammole]
"Nammole, by the way," the woman starts, realizing her faux pas. "Arjuna bark, which is used for weak hearts; tamarind, which has a number of uses; mulethi, known for its rejuvenating qualities; and black piper, something not so common in these parts, but good for coughs and colds. It was the latter that I noticed first, since I'd just got the package recently, in anticipation of the coming colder months. Although useful, none of these combine for any particular effect that I'm aware of." She shakes her head. "I'm bothered because I think that whoever may have stolen these did it in two separate trips. I'm sure I still had the arjuna when I noticed the piper gone."
[Pozyn]
"Have you talked with Pakson? I don't see why he'd have any troubles, but his shop is next to your," Pozyn asks of his companion.
[Nammole]
"No, I haven't had a chance yet. It was this morning that those two officials come over to inspect my place. I'll let him know as soon as I can, though."
[Annelise]
Annelise shakes her head slowly. "Very strange" she says. "Targeted thefts, of things which could have been bought anyway, in a manner certain to attract attention."
She takes another sip of her wine, and stares into the air for a moment or two, thinking.
"I don't suppose anyone's been around offering to protect your goods?" she asks. "Some people who do that prefer to make sure there's a healthy market for their services."
[Pozyn]
"Nope. No one's been dumb enough to even try to start a protection racket in this city for at least fifteen years." The man shakes his head at the idea, clearly not a viable one in his view.
[Nammole]
"At this point I'm not sure what to do," the woman muses. She then leans forward, closer to Annelise. The eavesdropping Sapient is only barely able to make out what she says. "We'd appreciate your help, but I have to ask what brings you here? We haven't seen any of you," and when she says this, she looks at Annelise's brooch," around here in a very long time." It is clear that she isn't comfortable speaking openly about it, at least not in anything but the vaguest of terms.
[Annelise]
"Well, to be honest" replies Annelise in the same low voice "I came here with a friend, also of my order. She came into the city a few days ago to have a look around and she didn't return, so I've come to try and find her. I've asked around if anyone's seen her, but I've discovered nothing."
She sighs. "It's not like Celina wouldn't be noticed - she's tall, taller than me though a little slimmer, blonde and blue-eyed. Quite striking in her appearance, and she'd have been carrying a large sword on her back, one most people would need two hands just to lift. But if anyone's seen her they're not saying."
[Pozyn]
"Well," Pozyn begins, "I dare say that if your friend was carrying around such a sword in town, the first place I'd check would be the stockades. She would have landed there forthwith. Of course, going up and asking probably wouldn't be the strategy of one interested in self preservation." His tone is still somewhat hushed.
[Nammole]
"If she's come into trouble, you'll not likely find answers very easily." She pauses, clearly thinking something through. "Listen..." and she looks about with her eyes, though not moving her head, "if you think you can help us with our problem, I might be able to find someone who can help you with yours."
[Annelise]
"Oh, I'm sure Celina wouldn't have been carrying a sword around in a way that would get her arrested" Annelise reassures Pozyn. "We're all trained in how to follow the local law."
She listens quietly to Nammole's proposition, then thinks for a moment. "I'd dearly like to find my friend again" she nods. "But I'd be willing to help you even if you couldn't do anything for me in return. So long as it contravenes neither the local law nor the spirit of our order, I'll do whatever I can. Where do you suggest we start?"
[Nammole]
"Honestly, not being all that aware of how the authorities even carry out their investigations, I'm not sure. We can both take you to our shops so you can look around. I haven't moved anything, since I closed the shop today, so there still may be something there that might give you a clue." She thinks a moment before continuing. "We don't want any kind of vigilante, but if you can find some kind of proof linking it to anyone? Or perhaps the guilty party can be set up so that they are caught in the act? The authorities would have to act upon it then."
[Annelise]
"If only we knew what it was they were going to steal next, or what they were going to do with the gems." She nods thoughtfully "Obviously if you could catch them red-handed..."
She stares into space for a few moments...
"Well, why don't we go back to your shop and see what we can find out?" she asks. "Let me just leave my something in my room."
She drains her cup, disappears upstairs, then comes back a few moments later.
"Alright" she says briskly. "Shall we?"
[Nammole]
"Sure," and she finishes off the last of her drink. Pozyn had already finished his while Annelise was upstairs.
[To the Jewelers]
As Annelise leaves the inn with the two merchants, it seems to her that a few other people in the inn are preparing to leave or, oddly enough, retiring early - heading up to their rooms. Outside, the rain falls down, not hard but not misty either.
[Nammole]
"Our shops are not in the central marketplace, but instead up in the northeast part of the city, near the eastern gate. Most of the more selective shops are there." Nammole has an umbrella, an item not all that common in this area where most people will just have a straw rain guard to hold around or over themselves.
There aren't many people out right now, most preferring to stay in out of the rain. Walking along the main road heading north into the center of the city, pairs of guards are seen every so often, typically standing under eaves watching the streets.
[Annelise]
Annelise walks along beside the two merchants, watching curiously to try and accustom herself to the attitudes and behaviors of the people of this city, and also to memorize the route should she have to return on her own.
She shakes her head occasionally to flick the raindrops from her hair, but beyond that the weather doesn't seem to bother her.
"You must like the Madcap Inn" she says, conversationally. "It's a long way to come on such an inclement night."
[Pozyn]
"Oh, the Madcap is a nice place and Vituss is good people," Pozyn responds. "Thing is, there are only two Human taverns in town, and the Red Arrow is where all the guards hang out. Not the most sophisticated of places, let me tell you."
[Sapient - to Vituss]
"Hello, I would be most grateful if you could help me with something," He asks, and offering a silver piece, pulls him aside. "Now, please cautiously observe that man who just entered, seated near the door. Can you tell me anything about him?"
[Vituss]
"Sorry, sir," Vituss replies, maintaining the smile on his face. "He looks vaguely familiar, but I cannot say that I even know his name." Vituss does palm the silver piece, however.
"My place is respectable, though, not prone to fights like the Red Arrow Tavern, so I dare say that anyone enjoying my drinks will probably be amenable to a bit of conversation." Ever the businessman, he also has to add, "I notice your hands are empty, sir. Would you care for a bit of my Anterian? It's quite famous in these parts, despite its slightly higher price." He makes a small motion with his hand in the direction of the bar.
Looking up, Sapient can see that the liquor the innkeeper speaks of is listed at a price of five silver a mug, quite a steep price for any beverage.
[Madcap Inn - Roughly 6 PM]
Si Wai, who had been engaging the woman at the end of the bar in conversation, returns to the table as the woman and her sickly companion make their way out the door and into the falling rain outside.
Sapient still stands at the middle of the bar, talking to the innkeeper about something. The Half-Elf has drawn close to the innkeeper, as if he doesn't want their conversation to be overheard.
At the table closer to the hearth where the attractive red head had sat down with the man and the woman discussing, the red head leaves for upstairs and returns shortly. They gather themselves to prepare to leave.
The bard's lyre playing fills the room, though he is only playing softly right now. The tune is not raucous, and he is not singing along. He occasionally responds to a question or two from people sitting nearby, his playing uninterrupted.
The man seated near the door, who Bronwyn had brought to the attention of everyone else at the table, gets up and leaves the inn about fifteen seconds after the woman with the sick companion leave.
The three people at the neighboring table stand up to take their leave as well, though they do not seem to be paying attention to the rest of the room to any great detail.
[Bronwyn - to those still seated at the table]
"The man I spoke of a moment ago just left, and I'll wager he's now following that woman and her sickly companion," the Ranger says quietly. "Getting involved may not be the prudent thing to do in a town we just arrived in, but my gut tells me those two people are in grave danger. If we don't do something, I think they're as good as dead ... "
[Si Wai - to Bronwyn]
"Agreed." Watching Carrot bolt of his chair Si Wai continues, "Why do you follow him and I'll wait 10 second and follow you."
[Carrot]
Not thinking on the same lines, though certainly thinking of helping, Carrot nods his head towards Bronwyn. He hops off of his seat and rushes towards the stairs as Sapient rushes down. He quickly enters his small room, grabs all of his gear--pack, banded kama--and heads downstairs. Likewise, he says nothing on the way down and quickly rushes out into the rain, silently thanking Yondalla that he knows how to fight without a weapon...
[Vituss]
As the Halfling heads for the door, the innkeeper calls out, "Are you not staying the night, sir?" With only one room left available for the night, the man would surely be happy to make a few extra coins by renting the room out a second time.
[Bronwyn - to Si Wai]
Checking that the dagger he keeps hidden in his boot is secure, Bronwyn nods once and then rises from his chair. The Ranger crosses the room quickly and slips out into the night ...
[Uplander]
"I cannot imagine a caravan of us will be subtle," Uplander comments as Bronwyn gets up. "If you don't return quickly, I'll come looking for you, but I think I'll stay here for now. How soon do you think you'll be back?" The cleric takes a drink as she waits for someone to reply.
[Bronwyn]
As he makes his way to the door, the Ranger glances back over his shoulder.
"If we're not back by morning ... worry."
[Into the Night]
As Bronwyn leaves the inn, the rains begins to pelt him in the face. To the north, he catches sight of a figure rounding a corner, heading west. There are a few other people out on the street now, but they appear to be regular townspeople out on necessary errands. There is no sign of the woman and her sick companion. Bronwyn makes for the corner.
Looking around the corner, lights from within homes and a few lanterns hung outside under eaves provide enough light to see the man moving west in the shadows. The figure is not trying hard to hide, but isn't making himself obvious, either. Bronwyn thinks he catches sight of someone rounding a corner to the north well ahead, but the distance seems to be too far for the woman and her companion to have traveled since leaving the inn.
Si Wai, leaving the inn, sees Bronwyn looking around a corner to the north. He slips around it out of sight, and she follows.
Carrot, delayed from the trip to his room, comes out to see Si Wai walking casually ahead, and then turn to the left and head down a smaller side street.
[Carrot]
As he exits the inn and see a familiar, yet unfamiliar person, casually walking down the street, and then vanish down another. He cocks a brow, "perhaps I should follow her? Surely some action is to be had!" he said in a low voice. He walks quickly down the street and vanishes around the same corner. He trails Si Wai, his body in the shadows, he's crouched, and uses his agile frame and innate dexterity to silently slip behind random objects.
As he is doing these things, he silently wonders what is going to happen. Should a fight break out, he would quickly deduce whose side he should join, though secretly, he knew, he would back up his new found friends. Or, perhaps, the man they were trailing isn't the captor? But a warrior for hire sent to thieve the sickly man and his mistress, simply because the two stole something of value? Or, the two companions who fled the bar are fugitives from some crime never committed and it is a higher power seeking to even the score? Such where the ways of the poor little halfling's mind as he jumped from shadow to shadow, doing his best to keep covered.
He didn't mind is Si Wai noticed him, in fact he began to form wild fantasies of saving the woman from some peril none could defeat but him. He quickly sent those thoughts away as he concentrated, and finally, came to an answer.
Questions can always be asked to the dead.
[Bronwyn]
The Ranger sinks deep into the shadows, moving quietly and stealthily after his prey. He remains far enough back to ensure he is not seen, using his tracking skills along with his rogue skills.
Periodically, he will glance behind him to make sure Si Wai is still behind him
[Tailing a Stranger]
When the object of his interest disappears around a corner, the stranger creeps forward for a moment, and then makes a quick run to the corner where they disappears at, not concerned for stealth beyond the light footfalls that cannot be heard in the rain.
Bronwyn, looking behind him, sees Si Wai slowly approaching, and another figure trailing behind here, probably the Halfling, though visibility isn't the greatest in the dark and rain.
When he reaches the corner at which the stranger turned, he's just barely in time to see him turn a corner some two blocks ahead. With no one else in sight this evening, he rushes ahead until he figures it is time to slow and be cautious of his own movement. Peering around the corner, he sees nothing. He relaxes his eyes a moment, then tries to take in the dark, to see if the figure is hiding. Nothing. At that rate, he would have had to turn at the next street, there wouldn't have been time to make it farther. Bronwyn presses ahead and then slowly peers around the edge of the building at the corner. Again nothing.
Pressing forward slowly, in case he had been spotted, Bronwyn moves up the street.
Si Wai, rushing to catch up, is barely able to spot Bronwyn on the street ahead of her. He is walking cautiously, but does not seem to notice the figure step out of the shadows behind him. The distance too great for Si Wai to intercede physically, she shouts just loud enough that she thinks Bronwyn will hear.
Turning around at Si Wai's shout, Bronwyn hears the stranger mouth some words. He wears some sort of goggles that protect his eyes from the rain, but otherwise looks the same. As Bronwyn moves towards him, the man presses both palms against the air towards the ranger. Bronwyn thinks that he sees a black energy erupt from the hands, but cannot be certain.
Then a shudder shakes Bronwyn from the spine. His pulse begins to race and his breath suck in quickly. He doesn't know why, but he must get away from this stranger. Without a second thought, Bronwyn turns and runs in the opposite direction.
With Si Wai's shout, Carrot abandons stealth and quickly rushes ahead, certain that something must be wrong now.
The stranger turns and faces Si Wai. He stands ready. There is a look of anger in his face that even at this distance Si Wai can see, despite his bespectacled eyes. This is no petty thief, and Si Wai can see that he is not afraid of combat, though he does not make any moves to close the distance between them.
[Si Wai]
Quickly pulling out her dagger as she approaches the bi-speckled figure. Weary of his arcane talents she watches ever ready to throw her dagger if he begins gather his magic. Once close enough she hopes to charge the figure to erase the last bit of space between them.
[Stranger]
Seeing that the meddler is foolhardy enough to approach, he draws a short sword from somewhere within his cloak. He tilts his head down menacingly, looking almost upwards towards Si Wai as she approaches. Closing the distance, the young woman charges. Taking advantage of her brash move, he deals a serious wound to Si Wai's chest, and immediately the woman feels weak.
Si Wai's momentum does allow her to press an attack, but the damage seems very slight and Si Wai curses herself for such a sloppy attack. Luckily, the slick stones under her feet let her slide a bit more than she expected, barely dodging a second attack from the stranger.
"Why are you following me?" the man asks, reading himself for another attack against the young woman if necessary. There is a confidence in his voice, as if he knows that his first blow should be enough to make it clear who has the superior ground.
Carrot rounds the corner to see Si Wai's chest open up in a very unnatural way. Blood immediately starts falling.
[Carrot]
Carrot rounds the corner, and gapes at the horrific site: Si Wai, gasping for air and loosing blood. His eyes narrow as he views the attacker, a queer cretin indeed, he thinks while looking at the strange goggles protecting his face. He gets into a stance, his weight on his right leg, bent, and a but in front of him. His left leg is straight and to the left, his right arm sticking straight out, palm flat and vertical, while his left is bent to resemble a crabs claw, which is positioned similar to his leg. He gets into this position quickly, for it is a reflex for him to do so.
He looks up at the enemy, breathes in, and rushes for an attack...
[Si Wai]
Feeling the blood run down her chest, Si Wai knows she needs time to stall. Retreating to a more defensive stance, Dragon Crossing the River, she thinks Uplander is going to be busy tonight, not to mention the harassment she'll get from Anomalie... assuming she survives. Trying to buy herself more time she responds, "What did you do to my friend?"
[Stranger]
"Answer my question," the man commands, not making any aggressive move towards Si Wai when he recognizes that she is drawing back slightly, though he still remains on guard. He can see that the third member of this crew intends to take the same approach that failed the young woman before him.
Si Wai, for her part, feels consciousness draining away. The wound is not natural - no sword should rend so widely - and she can feel her energy sap from her as she tries to focus on this man before her. Judging her own strength, she doesn't think she can make another attack. She's not even sure she will be able to stand upright much longer.
There is a clear look of disgust on his face as the Halfling charges in. As soon as Carrot is within reach, the man strikes out. His skill with a sword is evident, and a deep gash opens down the monk's side. He swiftly hefts the blade for another strike, but Carrot, partly reeling from the first blow, dodges it.
Carrot attempts to counter with a blow of his own, but luck is not on his side, and the stranger moves out of the way. The Halfling tries to gather himself, taking all of his strength just to keep upright. This man's blade is deft, certainly not that of an amateur.
"Why were you following me?" he repeats the question, perhaps to open the floor up to the Halfling as well. He is careful not to allow either of his young opponents to gain better positioning against him.
[Carrot]
Carrot performs the similar action as Si Wai, moving back and getting into a defensive position, all the while cursing himself and his cockiness. His vision began to blur as blood poured from his side, perhaps the worst wound he has ever suffered even while at the hands of Count Corset!
He tries to stand up straight, fails, and quickly falls to his knees, but he looks up at the man, "We...truly...meant no harm, though I suppose you would beg to differ..." he chuckles at his own joke, though the laughter isn't in his voice. Each word is a struggle as the pain shoots through his entire body. "But when a fellow of your skill, and appearance, follows a sickly man..." he trails off, half because it was obvious, and half because his energy was escaping him. He shook his had, hoping the pain would go away for just a minute. "There, I have told you why I was following you, now, answer my companion's question."
[Si Wai]
Everyone's words begins to wash over her like the rain. Her legs start to feel weak. It takes her full effort to keep standing. What foul work is this; poison, magic? The pain from the wound nearly engulfs her for a moment. Looking at her foe, she does her best to mask the pain she is in and hide how hurt she is.
[Stranger]
Realizing that he may have cut these opponents too deep to get any information out of them, the man lets things remain at their standoff. He doesn't answer any questions, for there is no need. Si Wai is the first to collapse, while Carrot struggles to keep his footing. When the stranger approaches Si Wai, she is conscious enough to see him wipe off his blade on her clothing before sheathing it. She can feel his hands pat around her neck for any necklace or pendant and then move to her pockets and pouches, though that is when consciousness leaves her.
Carrot, now matter how badly he wishes to react to this behavior, is helpless, and soon falls to his knees and then onto his side as well. The stranger approaches him next, but the blackness takes over before Carrot even feels his touch.
Bronwyn huddles behind an outcropping in a small alley, hidden in darkness though not from the rain. Although it feels like a long time that the fear grips at his heart, the tension relaxes slowly after a while. Fighting embarrassment, he timidly stands up, cautiously looking around. When his full wits are about him, he returns to the spot he so recently fled.
He arrives at the spot of the confrontation to find Si Wai and Carrot lying with their blood mixing with the rain water. In the distance, he hears a horn blow, but it cannot worry him. The wounds look quite vicious, as if they were rended with some jagged weapons. The flesh on both wounds curl outwards. The ranger can do little for the wounds here, but it would be quite risky to drag both their bodies in their condition. The inn must only be a minute away.
[In the Inn]
With so many people leaving the inn in such a short period of time, nearly everyone takes some notice. The bard begins to play a song of parting, to which several people look around at the now half-empty table and laugh.
[Vituss]
Approaching Uplander, Anomalie and Olaf who remain at the table, the man maintains a smile, but the worry is just beneath the surface. "Is there something wrong? Your friends do understand the curfew laws, do they not?" Vituss, despite his concern, also checks on everyone's drinks to see where they stand.
[Olaf - Uplander]
"I think its best if I stay behind also" comments Olaf, wiggling comfortably in his seat, "I can't say that fellow has acted any more suspiciously than our lot."
Indicating to the bar keep, he calls him over to order a small plain dinner, marveling again at his new fortunes and change of luck, silently giving thanks to any god within hearing distance but grumbling about the pain in his stomach.
"Anyone else for a bit of grub?" he asks of his remaining friends as Vituss arrives, cocking an eyebrow in Anomalies and Uplander's direction.
After enquiring of the cost and paying the man Olaf stands tentatively, stretching his muscles a little before casually resuming his seat at the table. Leaning back in his chair his focuses his attention once again on the Bard and his music waiting quietly for a lull in the tune before again standing and approaching the man.
"Sir, do you know a tune about the Silver princess?" he asks innocently, "It is a favorite of mine and my companions and is a local story, is it not?"
[Larryn]
Taking a moment to re-tune his lyre, the bard then picks up his drink before answering. "I dare say you cannot get a more local tune than that one. It has been a while since I've played it though, so you'll have to excuse me if I'm a bit rusty."
He starts a tune, and then stops, mumbling something to himself. He does this again. Then a look of realization fills his eyes. He starts with more confidence, playing a verse full through before starting in on any lyrics. The song is different from the tale Olaf and Uplander remember from the inn in Glantri. The gist of the story is the same, but this bard tells it with more emotion and flare.
[Anomalie]
The ill tempered, haughty elven beauty puts her icy eyes on the man, Vituss. "I for one, do not know the curfew laws. What are they in this town...at what point must one be in, and how is travel and conduct restricted."
She sips her wine, irony entering her whispering voice. "I will relay these rules to my companions...although, it will avail them not. They are eternally contrary. Even now, I guarantee the beginning of unrestricted pugilism in favor of rational discourse..."
Although her expression is icy, it is clear that she is using her great beauty, and poise, to influence Vituss.
[Vituss]
The innkeeper shakes his head slightly, disappointed that the visitors to his fair city were not properly informed. "Well, only women are allowed out on the streets at night. Men can be out, but they must be accompanied by a female companion, else they face arrest. That's pretty much it." He shrugs is heavy shoulders, as if he was thinking to himself if there was something more and then concludes there is not. "I hope you are only kidding with your pugilism remark, m'lady. Fighting will land a person in some serious trouble as well."
Behind him the door opens, and two female Halflings enter the inn. They are both dripping with water and dressed in travel gear with packs upon their back.
"If you'll excuse me," Vituss finishes with the companions and goes to see what his new customers might need.
"Do you weary travelers need a place for the night?" Vituss inquires.
"Yes," responds one of them. "We'd like two rooms if at all possible." They both stand near the doorway, wringing water from their person upon the rug designed for such purposes.
"You are in luck," Vituss replies, "a room just freed up, so I do have two rooms."
[Olaf]
Listening intently to the tune, Olaf is disappointed not to pick any further information of value from the bards tune, at times tidbits of information could be gleaned from different telling of the same tale, but it was not to be so this time.
Returning to his seat with the others he sits catching the last of Vituss's comments.
"You are in luck," Vituss replies, "a room just freed up, so I do have two rooms."
[- Vituss]
"'scuse me sir," Butts in Olaf, looking about for other travelers who may be leaving, "Which room has just bin freed, surely not th' ones that m' friends have recently paid?"
[Vituss]
"Oh no, sir. I wouldn't do such a thing. I can see that the three of you are still here." He motions towards Uplander and Anomalie, who sit at the table paying little heed to the conversation. "Another Halfling, however, left out of here dressed to leave town. He did not answer my question, so I have to assume that he has left town for the night." The innkeeper smiles broadly, then turns his attention back to his new guests.
[Olaf - Uplander]
Olaf nods sagely (If possible to do so at his age) and sits back in his chair. A short time later the meal he had previously ordered arrives steaming to the table, which is shortly devoured by the boy. Looking around he casually takes stack of those still in the inn, noting in particular the new Halflings.
"What do you know of these Halflings, Uplander." he asks curiously, a small look of amazement and genuine curiosity in his eyes. "I know little of th' other races of these lands." he states in between bites of food.
[Uplander]
"Well, Olaf," she replies, taking in food herself, "I cannot say that I know much more than you. I can see that they are clearly of a different stock than the Halflings I am used to. If you take that fellow from earlier, Carrot, his skin tone is different and much more like what I am used to seeing. I know that many of them follow Yondalla, the Halfling goddess. In an environment such as this, that will be curious, though the followers of Pelor seem to be healthy enough in Gulluvia. With so many of their kind here, it would be odd that they don't have their own government. They tend to be somewhat insular."
[Olaf]
"Mmm, Yondalla" Olaf wrinkled his brow, "Th' provider?" he questions. "We met a Halfling on th' road th' other day, a tree friend, on his way t' th' city. He mentioned something 'bout trouble with th' land and that he was sent from th' Druidic council. Perhaps they govern these people t' some extent, d' you think?."
Finishing his plate, Olaf pushes it from him satisfied for the time being and feeling a little better from the meal. Sitting satisfied he muses upon the encounter with Maxim, curious of his words as he looked back upon the encounter that the others had seemed to pass over.
[Uplander]
"I'd not heard of your encounter with this fellow. Did he look like he was local? Or did he look more like Carrot?" Uplander is intrigued by this. "It would be unheard of to have a city governed by a Druidic council, but they might be of some importance."
[Olaf - Uplander]
"Dunno, whether he was local or not, yet he did have look sorta like that Carrot fellow. Sapient seemed to pass off what this fellow seemed to be saying as.....seasonal? yet I don't think this weather is too abnormal for this time o' year." Saying this he cocks his head and listens to sound of falling rain that can just be heard outside. "He seemed t' believe he was on urgent business anyway, that itself is worth investigating."
[Olaf]
Looking about, the inn is filling up. Besides the two Halfling women who returned to the tavern area after putting their gear away in their room, there are four other Halflings in the room. Three of them sit together at a table near the fire, listening to the bard and enjoying drink. The other Halfling sits with two Humans at another table. The remaining tables are filled with Human guests. A large number of them must be staying the night, accounting for the shortage of rooms Vituss spoke of. Some of the guests are clearly local, rain jackets thrown over the backs of their chairs. Others are probably merchants, either up from Gulluvia or from lands farther away.
[Sapient's Evening]
[Sapient]
When Sapient turns around, he sees that Pozyn and Nammole are leaving with the inexperienced paladin. Cursing his slowness, Sapient decides to find the room and change clothes. Then, hiding his sword amongst other things in his sack, he heads out to seek an adventure.
He wears the dark green tunic with gold trim, and fashions the headband around his ear tops again. ~~At last, a bounty~~ he thinks.
Going out to the street quickly, he asks some passersby, "Where might I find a jeweler? I am interested in some fine moralla stones... for my lover."
Sapient, taking note of the movement around him, disappears into the passageway that heads upstairs. When he comes back down, he is wearing his backpack, which is quite large and noticeable. The more than four foot long sword that he has attempted to hide inside peaks out of the top of it. He doesn't stop to say anything, but rushes outside into the rain.
[In the Rain]
An older woman, huddled inside her rain jacket stops and gives Sapient a queer look. "Funny time to go shopping, stranger," the woman says, her voice tainted with a bit of crackling. "There is the Halfling jeweler in the marketplace," and she points towards the barely visible spire at the center of town. "There's another one, in the wealthier quarters," and here she points more directly north, "but I don't know where that one is." Once she has said this, she continues to walk on in the direction she was originally heading.
The roads are bathed in some light, as many merchants and homes set lanterns under the eaves before their homes to light the path. The sun is hopelessly gone, probably set by now. A pair of people walk towards Sapient from the north, their feet clacking slighting as they hit the cobblestone. Another individual walks away to the east. The roads are not very crowded.
[Sapient]
"Yes, well love makes one crazy." replies Sapient with a smile, as she walks off. "Thank you." He runs north along the cobblestone, to the wealthier district, hoping to intercept the trio. At least, he hopes to find the jewelers shop before it is too late. The main road is sufficient for him, but he decides that upon seeing a patrol guard he will discretely attempt to turn down a side road, remembering the local law's disdain for him.
~~Nonetheless, I am a bounty hunter... they should thank me,~~ he thinks. ~~I will try to explain myself from a professional standpoint.~~
[In the Rain]
Sapient, ducking into a side street, feels he missed the gaze of the two guards on the main road ahead of him. He makes it to a side street and continues north in the same direction, keeping an eye on the street to the west for any pedestrians.
As Annelise and the two merchants turn east on a smaller road, there seems to be a little less light from the various lanterns about. After a couple blocks, they hear a sound coming from one of the streets feeding into this one, the sound of someone moving at a faster than normal pace. This does not strike them, as many people run in the rain in a futile attempt to keep from getting wet.
[Sapient]
When he finds Pozyn and Nammole, as well as the paladin, he greets them with his full introduction, "Sapient du Xianin, bounty hunter. I am pleased to meet you, and I heard about your little problem." He bows slightly, revealing a sword hilt that peers from his backpack.
[Nammole]
The stranger and his odd introduction is unexpected, in and of itself, but when the merchant sees the sword the man is carrying, she lets out a startled shriek. "Dear me, we're being mugged!" She jumps backwards slightly and holds her hands out to indicate that she does not intend to offer any resistance.
Pozyn's reaction is not dissimilar, and he edges slightly backwards with a submissive gesture, his life more important than anything a petty thug might steal from him.
[Annelise]
Annelise steps forward squarely in front of the two merchants to confront Sapient. She nods. "I thought you seemed to be paying us undue attention in the inn" she says.
Gazing into his eyes, her voice firm but not confrontational, she asks "Tell me, Sapient... what are you hunting today?"
[Sapient]
"Well, paladin, I am glad to see you have sense enough to scream at a man who merely desires to help you," says Sapient calmly, frowning. He hopes that his calm voice will soothe the irrational fears.
"I repeat myself: I am Sapient du Xianin, bounty hunter, and I am here only to offer my services, which are legitimate, legal, and affordable. I will hunt this thief who has stolen from your stores and hand him over to the authorities. This is my offer of assistance."
He folds his arms, thinking for a moment, "Also, I apologize for alarming you. Please understand. A man in my profession must never be without his arms. I did not approach you at the inn for I feared that we were being observed. Fortunately, I was wrong."
[Pozyn]
Still standing back timidly, unsure of this newcomer, Pozyn responds to some of what Sapient has to say. "I dare say that there is nothing legal or legitimate about you, sir. Openly carrying around a weapon like that at night and violating the curfew. It sounds like your kind of assistance might cause us MORE trouble!"
[Nammole]
"Indeed," the woman says, more to Pozyn than to anyone else. "A vigilante carrying a weapon in our peaceful city." Her voice is barely loud enough to carry to Sapient's ears.
[Annelise]
Annelise stares at Sapient. You carry a weapon, in open breach of the law." she says flatly "And when I step in front of these people to defend them, and reasonably ask your business, suddenly I am... " she raises an eyebrow as she imitates Sapient's tone "... screaming."
She shakes her head, sending little raindrops flying from the tips of her hair. "Any profession that requires you to flout the law is necessarily not a legal service. And eavesdropping and then approaching us in the dark puts its legitimacy in grave doubt. An honest businessman would not accost his clients in the street at night."
Casting a brief glance behind her, she gestures to Pozyn and Nammole to stay back. Then she looks penetratingly at the man.
"Well, you are not evil, that is at least something. Then again, if you were in my position, what is it that would incline you to trust an armed stranger at this late hour?"
Backing away, she rejoins the two merchants. "If he is who he says he is, he could be a valuable ally." she says quietly. "Bounty hunters are often expert in the art of thief-taking. Unfortunately, they are also just as expert in the art of service to the highest bidder. It is your choice, but... it is dark and he is armed. If you turn him down and he attacks, I will delay him, and you must run and find the guards. On the other hand if he is honest, he can return in the morning without his sword."
[Sapient]
"Look... it is common knowledge that bounty hunters are entitled to certain privileges so that they may carry out their work. I take these privileges only to serve law abiding citizens such as your selves, and to earn my bread," says Sapient. His words are felt deeply, and he speaks sincerely.
"If I can bring this thief to justice, it would give me great satisfaction. Nonetheless, if you refuse me, I will understand." He pauses, letting the rain sprinkle his dark green tunic, awaiting their answer.
[Annelise]
Annelise looks skeptically at Sapient. "If you were licensed to carry that sword" she says "You would carry it openly. Or if you prefer, we can ask the city guards to confirm that you do indeed have these privileges."
She shakes her head. "I do not think it would be a good idea for us to walk with an illegally armed man this evening. Your ability to waylay us suggests you know where we're going - if you want to help, come in the morning, either without your weapon or with your permit to carry it."
She continues to back away, still covering the two merchants. "But tonight, you could make your potential clients happy by simply going on your way without violence."
[Sapient]
"It is true, I am not registered with the local authorities. Nor do I plan to, as they are dishonorable cretins who would lock me away for being half of an elf! You have made your decision. I apologize for startling you, but I do not apologize for who or what I am."
Sapient looks at the paladin and shakes his head. ~~She'll learn like I did... the hard way~~ he thinks.
"I'll be staying at the Madcap. You know where to find me... with my sword, that is." He bows again, and walks away... into the dark rain.
[Annelise]
Annelise watches Sapient walk away, and shakes her head in puzzlement. "You would think" she says sadly to her companions "that a man who calls himself Sapient would be wiser. And that a bounty hunter would be more socially aware."
She turns to face the two merchants, and continues in a reassuring tone "When I return to the inn tonight, I will see if I can find out more about him. In the meantime, let us not permit the unexpected interruption to put our plans awry."
[Investigation]
Shortly thereafter, the three of them arrive at Nammole's shop. She enters first, shuffling around in the dark to light a candle, and then using it to light up the place more appropriately.
[Pozyn]
"Mind if I start making tea?" Pozyn asks, to which Nammole offers no resistance. He heads towards the back of the shop and then his footsteps can be heard ascending the stairs.
[Nammole]
Once she has the place lit, she hands Annelise a candle of her own to see by. "Here is where I keep those herbs and powders that I don't deal in every day," and the older woman opens a door at the back of the shop, opposite the door through which Pozyn just went. She quickly points out three empty spaces on the shelves, one of which is wide enough for two bottles. "This is where the missing herbs were kept. As you can see, I don't have a lock on the door to this room." She thinks over something for a moment, his look distant. "Oh, and the area the thief came in through is in the back, in my living quarters. A window there was forced open."
The woman settles back out of the way. "If you have any questions, just ask."
[Annelise]
Annelise takes the candle and peers into the cupboard. "I'm not exactly experienced at this" she says, looking into the darkness. She examines the floor of the cupboard carefully, and then the door handle. "What do you know about when the thief broke in?"
[Nammole]
"It was two nights ago. I reported the incident yesterday, and then a couple officials came to give it a cursory look this morning." She looks about the storage area as she speaks. "I'm a very deep sleeper, unfortunately, so they probably came in while I was here. I noticed the draft when I came downstairs in the morning, since they left the rear window ajar."
[Annelise]
She looks to see if the bottles are labeled. "There's a lot in here" she says. "Is there a system? How would a thief know what to look for?"
[Nammole]
There are labels upon each bottle, as well as upon the top of the shelf where each jar sits. The entire room is very well organized and neat, but there is no system clear to a casual observer, as they are clearly not placed in alphabetical order. "It is a system of my own design, based in part upon the primary use of the herb and then upon name." Looking about, Annelise can see that there are stretches of four or five jars in a row that have labels in alphabetical order.
"Even with herbalist knowledge, one would have to spend some time to find what they were looking for or to figure out my system. I keep everything clearly labeled though, so it isn't such a daunting task."
[Annelise]
Then she turns to Pozyn. "You say you were burgled while you were in Gulluvia. Any idea what time the thief would have come to your place?"
[Pozyn]
The older man returns to the room carrying three cups of tea upon a small tray. He offers them to the two women before taking hold of a cup himself and them placing the tray upon a small table in the center of the room, currently clear of anything else.
"Well, since I don't have a horse, it takes me two days to get to Gulluvia. I was there for a couple days, so I was gone six days in all. I have no way of knowing when in that time a thief may have broken in. None of my neighbors noticed anything peculiar, so I don't have anything else to place the time."
[Annelise]
Annelise takes the mug, and smiles her thanks at Pozyn. "Well, let's have a look at the window where the thief got in" she says. "And then perhaps we could visit Pozyn's shop in the hope that some clue may be found there."
Leaving the storage room, Annelise is struck by a sense that she is missing something, but doesn't know what it is. Another set of eyes would have probably been useful, although the bizarre behavior of Sapient certainly had to make one doubt his reliability.
Arriving at the window, it is clear that things have been changed recently. The latch is set to the left of center, but at the center of the bottom frame, there is a patch where the latch used to rest. The wood there is lighter in color, not having aged from exposure. The right hole where a screw held the latch in place is ripped open wider than the left hole.
[Nammole]
"I had to repair the window," the herbalist offers, noting how Annelise is looking at the changes.
Annelise unlatches the window and raises it. The marks of a forced entry are clear. The wood is pressed and scratched from some sort of crowbar forcing the window up, obviously breaking the old and weak latch in the process. Outside the window is a small drop to the ground, into a sewage hole covered by a small grate. The next building is right there, and Annelise can touch its wall without hardly leaning out the window.
This small open area is certainly not something a larger person could have fit into. Annelise, quite strong for a woman, might even have trouble herself navigating the narrow stretch. The ends are blocked off by ten foot high walls that prohibit easy entry from the street. The sewer grates, however, are clearly too small for even a slight Halfling to fit through, so the thief would have had to enter from the rooftop or over the wall on either end.
[Annelise]
Annelise sticks her head out of the window and looks up and down. "Quite tricky" she says. "I can see why you didn't expect that anyone might get in this way."
Frowning in frustration, she shakes her head. "I wish I were more experienced at this. Knowledge about thieving just isn't something I've accumulated much of." With a sigh, she adds "If only Celina were here! She's so much more experienced than me at all sorts of things."
Annelise turns from the window and closes it. "I'm missing something." She begins to pace back and forth "I just get this feeling that there's something here I've missed."
Then she turns to the two merchants. "I'm truly sorry, but I think you need someone who understands these things better than I do. What I propose is this: I will go back to the inn and see what I can find out about this 'Sapient'. If I think he can be trusted, I will ask him to help us. With me here, he is unlikely to try anything. What do you say?"
[Nammole]
Pozyn and Nammole look at each other thoughtfully, a touch of worry in their glances. "Well..." Nammole is a bit hesitant, "if you think he can help. I feel I can trust you to keep him under control."
[Pozyn]
"I'm not too comfortable with paying him, though," Pozyn says. "I'll be glad to help you out, but I'm afraid that if money changes hands, it could get us into more trouble than we hope to solve." His voice does have a reassurance, though, that he trusts Nammole's judgment of Annelise as a person. Then he adds, aware of Annelise's limited knowledge as an outsider, "The law does not look favorably on vigilantism. I cannot imagine they would be kind to one of Elf-blood, either, should he violate the laws."
[Nammole]
The woman nods in agreement with her friend's assessment. She finishes off the last of her tea before speaking again. "It is getting late now. Perhaps we'd better continue tomorrow, since it may take you some time to track this fellow down and figure out if he is trustworthy. You can find your way back here, I'm sure. Pozyn's place is just up the block. I'll open my shop tomorrow, but I'll be careful about not disturbing too much, in case there is something else to be seen."
[Annelise]
Annelise nods. "Perhaps I could return tomorrow, early, before you open up your shop. That way we'll be sure to see as much as possible?"
[Nammole]
"Oh, that should be easy," and the woman lightly touches Annelise on the arm as she smiles, "I usually don't open my shop until ten in the morning, anyway. Many of the peasants who come into town for my goods cannot make it here until then anyway."
[Mere at Night]
Making his way back southward along side streets, Sapient encounters one other person who give a startled though slight jump when they see Sapient's face. They then focus their attention on their goal and continue on at a slightly faster pace.
Figuring that he should head back onto the main road upon which the Madcap rests, else miss it, Sapient heads toward the street cautiously. There is more traffic there, as two middle-aged women make their way with a lantern toward the south. The dark backdrop of their lantern light lets Sapient miss noticing someone else that stands nearby until it is too late.
"Stop!" a stout feminine voice comes from behind as Sapient rounds the corner, looking ahead to see the two women turn their heads at the sound of the authoritative voice.
[Sapient]
"I can't, darling!" says Sapient, in his most amorous tones. And, [if she is unarmed] grabbing her he bestows a long, passionate... kiss.
[Guards]
Turning to face the voice, Sapient sees two guards, both with saps on the ready, though they also have swords at their sides. They do not seem amused at Sapient's jesting reply.
[Sapient]
With a wink and a smile, he is gone... in the old game of run, hide, and seek. Part of him hopes she will find him: perhaps he is developing a death wish? At least he may find a place to hide the falchion: and leave it there if they arrest him.
Nonetheless, Sapient makes no effort to get any sleep or to return to the Madcap Inn until the earliest morning hours. He will definitely have to do something about the visibility of his weapon.... perhaps by rolling it up in his cloak? If he survives the night.
~~So the hunter becomes the hunted,~~ Sapient thinks wryly. ~~Tis tough to be me, indeed.~~
[Guards]
When Sapient darts back into the side street, he can hear the sound of their footfalls behind him. He is able to stay ahead of them, but only slightly, rounding a couple corners. Not sure where he is, Sapient comes out onto the main road upon which the inn lies, south of it. The two middle-aged women are approaching from the north, chatting between themselves until they look up to see Sapient emerge from the side street.
And then the pain comes. One of the guards hits Sapient in the back of the head with a heavy sap. The blow is hard, but Sapient is able to shake it off and stay on his feet, at least. The other guard cannot be far behind, as he hears the sound of a small horn blow.
Not wanting to confront the guards openly, Sapient continues to flee. For a few seconds, if feels like he is gaining against them, but then when he tries to make a sharp turn on the wet cobblestones, he is barely able to keep his balance and the female guard catches up to him. She crashes into him with a solid blow of her sap, catching the Half-Elf almost in the throat with her broad swing. The air explodes from Sapient's lungs and a fiery sensation fills him, speckles of black and white tingling before his eyes.
Dizzy from the blow, but not feeling the guards' hands upon him, Sapient tries to slip away. He trips, though, as the world around him grows darker than normal. By the time the next blow hits him from behind, consciousness is already fading. Few dreams come to him after that.
[An Interruption]
As the three companions relax in the inn, two middle-aged women burst in through the door. They seem frightened.
"Ladies," Vituss asks, concerned at their manner of entry, "is there something the matter?"
One of the women, holding a lantern which she lets hang at her side once she realizes it is no longer necessary inside replies, her voice shaking, "Some crazy man has fled from the guards when they asked him to stop. He ran into a side street, but then returned to the main street just south of the inn. The guards caught up with him, it seems, but we didn't want to stand around lest we get hurt. You don't mind if we stay in here until they have apprehended him, do you?"
"Certainly not," Vituss replies, patting the one woman on the shoulder to help lead them to a couple empty chairs at a table near the bar. He then hesitatingly approaches the door, opening it enough to look outside to see if he can observe the commotion.
[Olaf]
The crash of the door startles Olaf from his seat, nearly tipping him on the floor. Looking up he catches the words from the women and watches Vituss approach the door. Cocking an eyebrow at Anomalie he jests, "I'll wager a copper that it one of ours!"
Smirking he rises to his feet and joins Vituss to peer out into the dark, trying to see the commotion himself trying to identify the crazy man.
Outside, there isn't much to be seen to the south anymore. Two guards run from the north, drawing Vituss' attention.
[Guard]
"Do you know where the horn came from?" the guard shouts out to Vituss, seeing the man standing in the doorway.
[Vituss]
"Just south of here, I'm told. There was some sort of chase. They cannot be far off." Vituss is concerned, but still friendly towards the guards.
[Guard]
"Thank you," he replies.
The two guards slow to a walk, and begin peering down the side streets. One of them pulls out a small lantern and steps under and eave to light it. As they stand there, they start to hear talking coming from the west.
Two guards, panting, emerge into the main street dragging a heavy weight. It doesn't take long to see in the lantern light of the second pair of guards that it is a body. The body is limp, but doesn't appear to be bleeding.
"This bastard ran from us when we tried to question him," says one of the panting guards.
"Here," the new guard without the lantern offers to drag the body, as his compatriot is clearly fatigued. "At least in this rain he isn't so hard to drag."
The four of them make their way north, towards the town center. As they walk by, Vituss and Olaf can see that it is Sapient.
[Vituss]
When this is noted, Vituss looks down at Olaf with a worried look in his eyes, his brow knitted together. "I hope that this is not the kind of behavior to expect from the rest of you."
[Olaf - Vituss]
Olaf looks up to the Innkeep with an equally concerned look, "I have known th' man a short time, yet I have no reason to believe this is trouble of his own making." Turning to face the man directly he continues, "What was the penalty for being armed and outside after curfew without an escort?"
[Vituss]
"Well, given that he's violated two laws so blatantly, there will be a hefty fine. If he or his relatives cannot pay, then he'll likely become a government slave." Vituss' response is rather matter-of-fact.
[Anomalie - Olaf]
Anomalie hisses in her harsh, grating whisper of a voice. "Small One, you should know at this point! It is obvious that the rules of this township are the same as those in Gulluvia. Our...companions....may very well have knowingly purchased themselves a large share of trouble."
She collects herself, and then says icily, "Concern yourself with other things...things that you can control, Small One. Have you had any portentous conversations as of late? Potentially, such things within the Dreaming?" The beautiful elven woman lets the comment hang, with little explanation to Olaf.
[Olaf - Anomalie]
Anomalies comments confuse Olaf, and a small look of consternation crosses his face. Shaking his head he returns to his seat, "Dreaming?" he asks, confused by the abrupt change in conversation. Olaf tries to think but it seems as though a fog clouds his thoughts, again he shakes his head ,unsuccessfully attempting to shake the lethargy from his mind. "What night visions I have fade quickly with the morning sun, but..." he trails off.
"Shouldn't we at least go and see what trouble our friend has gotten his-self into?" he asks, more concerned with Sapient's welfare than night visions that nag at his subconscious.
[Anomalie - Olaf]
Anomalie's cold, but beautiful features show high levels of legitimate scorn. "And land yourself in the cell next to him? All of them left brandishing weapons, unescorted....illegal in this town, and obvious to all."
She sips at her wine, and smooth her fine velvet clothes, her hood falling about her shoulders. "I ask you this...would you be called upon to help them, and wish to do so without all the means at your disposal? We are not warriors, you and I. If you want to help, it is best to unlock that which is hidden within you."
With that, she makes a surreptitious gesture, and a group of gothic, darkling fairies leap about her fingertips, ducking beneath her cloak, and hood, before dissipating. Her point, she hopes, is clear.
[Olaf - Anomalie]
Although surprised by Anomalies use of her power within the current local he shrugs "Perhaps your right. Sapient seemed not t' be hurt, and we can get him in th' morn without risk to ourselves. I ain't too sure whether we should leave him longer than that though."
He looks towards Anomalie fearfully, though trusting in the Elven beauty explicitly, "What have you seen? an' what of this?" he asks dumping the small ring on the table which had been examined a couple of days earlier.
In one of his furtive glances, Olaf thinks he sees two Humans looking at the direction of him and Anomalie. When he looks again, they are not looking, but the feeling nags at him as he waits for Anomalie to respond to his inquiry.
[Anomalie - Olaf]
The woman shrouds herself within her cloak, the folds of it covering her as she assumes her more mystical aspect. "Small One, the spark of the Dragon Power burns within you. Fan it, and it will grow. Oft, the secrets to unlocking the Dragon Way are revealed in your travels through the Dreaming, that place of the endless wherein mortals spend a third of life..."
She trails off, regarding the ring. Her icy eyes glitter dangerously, and she narrows her eyes. "Deal with that not. Put it on a chain, and keep it until it might be sold...but wear it never!" Her voice warns, hissing. "It takes considerable skill and power to craft such a thing, and I cannot be sure what hidden Ways lie embedded in its metals. Suffice it to say it is an item potentially of great peril..."
She shivers, and turns from it.
[Olaf - Anomalie]
Again Olaf is surprised by the 'casters reaction, and snatches the object of her abhorrence from the table, secreting it back within his small pouch.
He cast an eye over the patrons of the inn before turning back to Anomalie, "Tell me of this Dragon Power you speak of," he shivers uncontrollably for a second before resuming, an unconscious reaction to what arts he knows little of, "and what makes you so certain that I contain such magics, I have seen no evidence of such." Saying the last he half flourishes his hands, though he looks about expecting some reaction from the air about him and sighing in relief when nothing appears to happen. Instantly feeling foolish he hides his head, mumbling a quick apology to the Elf mage.
[Anomalie - Olaf]
Stowing her stony expression, the Elven woman takes a moment to counsel her reluctant student. "When you asked me to use the Dragon Sight, to use the Source to view the enchantments embedded in your babbles, the Spark Within revealed itself to me. Quite simply...it can be seen as plainly as the touch of Wizards upon your ring, Small One."
She sips her wine. "Further...over time, it will grow, whether you wish it to or not. You must learn to shape and expel the Power...less it consume you with a wasting disease, madness, and death." She shrugs her delicate shoulders, an eloquent gesture of indifference.
[Olaf - Anomalie]
"Madness!" Olaf exclaims, rocked by Anomalies revelation and her coolness to this outcome, "Is this sure t' happen?". With an aghast look he turns to Uplander seeking confirmation of Anomalies words, "Does she speak the truth?" Nearly to the verge of tears he returns his look to Anomalie beseeching her help to save him from this madness, "Teach me. " he calls quietly, his clammy hands clasping hers across the table, "Save me from madness." as he looks towards her awkwardly, as if it was futile to fight the inevitable.
[Uplander]
With a wry smile, Uplander simply responds, "She's the expert." She has moved her chair so that her body is between the two conversants and the bulk of the people in the room. Feeling certain that tomorrow is going to be a busy day, perhaps even this evening, Uplander is anxious to avoid any more trouble than necessary.
[Anomalie - Olaf]
In her hissing whisper, the elven beauty continues, haughtily tossing her raven tresses. "I have never lied to you, Small One. As it is...the priestess is correct on two fronts. Firstly...you must keep your voice hush, as I do...for in this land, as others, the Source is a method of power that is forbidden. Speak not so loudly, Tiny Dolt!" Her anger flashes across her icy eyes.
"Secondly...the priestess knows little of such things. Would you have a dancer teach you astronomy? No." She scoffs, and her face darkens, her ivory features flushed for a moment. "You saw how the touch of her God's Blessing affected me...interacting unfavorably with the Dragon's Blood burning within me. Her methods...they take Power from a wholly unrelated source then the Source." The reverent capitalization can be heard in her words.
"When next you travel through the Dreaming....listen carefully to unknown languages. The Words that shape the Source will be within..."
[Olaf - Anomalie]
Looking up at Anomalie, he removes his hands from the table, folding them in front of him defensively, "This dreaming.....is this how your magics came to you?"
The next time he speaks his voice is lowered to barely a hushed whisper as he bends his head towards his chest unable to look Uplander square in the eye. "Do th' Gods scorn this Power? Is that why they forsake you so?" he asks curiously sighing in resignation, "Must I forsake them so t' save me from madness?". Olaf takes his beliefs seriously and the thought of straying from his beliefs clearly upsets him, the turmoil evident upon his face.
[Uplander]
As Anomalie and Olaf continue their discussion, Uplander looks up to notice that the red-headed woman is returning to the inn, alone. She approaches the innkeeper at the bar and asks him something.
[Annelise]
After waiting for Nammole to answer, she bids the pair goodnight, and returns to the inn. Approaching the innkeeper if he's awake, she gives a tired little smile, and asks "There is an elf here named Sapient, who offered to help me with a difficulty I'm having. His approach was a little strange, and I'm inclined to wonder whether to trust him... do you know anything about him, or whether there's anyone here who could tell me whether he's a good man?"
[Vituss]
Vituss' usual smile fades a little when Annelise begins to speak. "Elf?" he asks, more to himself. He looks down to each side, thinking to himself, then looks up sharply at the table where three individuals sit talking amongst themselves. When he looks back into Annelise's eyes, his is trying his best to show a smile, but is clearly a little flustered. "Um.. if this fellow.. is who I think he is.. well, he's not here anymore. I'm not sure what kind of help he could be either." He swallows a bit, though not hard. "Those two women over there with the short fellow," and Vituss points toward a table near the back of the tavern, "they came in with him and they sat together for a while. I think they planned to share a couple rooms between them. You might ask them." By the time he has finished speaking, his broad smile is in full bloom again.
As Annelise draws away from the bar, Vituss turns to one of the two barmaids. He says something to her quickly, and the barmaid shakes her head in response.
[Annelise]
Annelise returns the innkeeper's smile gratefully. "Thank you. I shall certainly do that."
She approaches the three at the table near the back.
"Excuse me" she asks, with a small but hopeful grin "I wonder if I might sit with you and talk for a few minutes?"
[Olaf - Woman]
Looking up Olaf smiles towards the tall red head approaching the table, risking a quick glance towards Anomalie before gesturing towards a nearby chair. Sitting back he resumes the defensive poise that he had adopted before this newcomers arrival, looking on passively as if expecting some type of response from the Elven beauty in front of him. Composing himself he turns focusing his attention on the woman who has just arrived.
"Yes?" he asks simply, his accent rough and ill-bred, but with a slight hint of mischief hidden within.
[Annelise]
Her small smile growing a little, she nods, and takes a seat next to him.
"Thank you" she says. "I am Annelise AvCarenne, of the order of the White Rose." Then she waits to see if the others will introduce themselves before she continues.
[Uplander]
"Uplander," the brawny cleric replies as a means of introduction. Her face is friendly, but Annelise cannot help but notice that the woman looks stronger than her, a rather uncommon thing to see.
[Olaf - Annelise]
"Olaf" the youngster replies with a half curt nod.
[Annelise]
"A little while ago I was approached by an elf named Sapient, who offered to help me. I was rather concerned by the fact that he was walking the streets alone after curfew, and because he was carrying a weapon in clear violation of the law. I could tell he was not a bad man, nonetheless his demeanor made it hard to trust him."
She pauses and takes a breath. "But his expertise would be useful. The innkeeper said you were acquainted with him, so I was hoping you might tell me your impressions - what kind of man is he?"
[Olaf - Annelise]
"Expertise?" Olaf queries, "What would you require from this Sapient? Though it matters not." he wrinkles his brow, in worry and suspicion.
[Annelise]
"I offered to assist some merchants with some thievery problems, but I do not have much experience in that direction." replies Annelise ruefully.
"Sapient gave me to understand that he was an experienced thief-taker."
[Anomalie - Annelise]
Sitting next to Olaf, it is something of a chore for the slender, cold maiden called Anomalie to fail to hear the question. She lifts her attention to the attractive redhead...her gaze predatory, and appraising. She seems...oddly satisfied by the figure of the woman, and hisses her answer. "Sapient? He is as skilled in the arts of battle as he is foolhardy, and as hard to kill as the liver of a Dwarf. He is honorable to a fault, and impetuous...leaping into battle at the slightest wronging. A bit high minded for one who so flagrantly breaks the laws of this land, but overall, and honorable, if hypocritical sort."
She sips her wine, and looks over the woman before her. "Trouble follows him like a cat follows a fisherman."
[Bronwyn]
The Ranger looks down at his badly wounded companions and then in the direction of the horn blast.
"Damn!" Blackrose says softly.
Quickly running through his equally poor options, he makes a decision. He turns and runs in the direction of the Inn.
[Bronwyn - Entering the Inn]
Moments later, the Ranger hastily enters the common room of the Inn. Although he tries to appear calm to the other patrons, it is obvious to his remaining companions that he is very shaken.
Bronwyn quickly slides into a chair at the table, his face tense.
"We have trouble," he says quietly but urgently. "We were ambushed ... Si Wai and the Halfling are hurt badly and I don't think they can be moved!"
With that, the Ranger quickly rises from his chair and turns toward the door.
"This way!" he urges ...
[Anomalie - Bronwyn]
The dark haired woman's eyes flash momentarily with her eldritch power, as she seeks to gain mastery over the situation. She hisses out her opinion, her breath between her teeth like a cold, biting wind. "Hold, Ranger! I will not run off into the street to meet whatever foul end awaits beggars and scoundrels!"
She sets down her goblet, and rises, drawing her tattered purple velvet cloak about her...a clear sign that she is willing to act... at least for the moment. Anomalie's scornful ways are known to all, however, and a miss step in dealing with her could turn the tide of her loyalty to her companions.
"Where are they? Who has waylaid them, and for what cause? The lot of them were breaking any number of laws, Ranger...there may be little we can do." She pauses, and looks about her. "Is the Town Guard involved?"
From her posture, it is clear that Anomalie believes she can be of assistance...but that the time for combat, as usual, is not in actuality upon them. She folds her arms after raising her hood...her icy eyes glittering within the cowl, as she listens to the ranger and prepares to act...or not.
[Bronwyn - Anomalie ]
The Ranger's eyes widen, his brows furrow - the only outward sign of his anger and frustration.
"From the looks of it, we were jumped by thieves. I don't know what laws we broke, but we went out there to HELP those people!"
Bronwyn takes a deep breath and lowers his voice.
"There were no guards when I left, but I did hear a horn sound in the distance. Listen ... I realize there may be nothing we can do to help Si Wai and the Halfling, but we owe it to them to at least try!"
The ragged woodsman takes a step toward Anomalie and speaks even more quietly, so that only she may hear.
"I know that underneath that cold exterior, there lurks is a decent person. Helping them is the right thing to do! We need you, Anomalie," Bronwyn says, looking her directly in her eyes, "will you help?"
[Anomalie]
The cold woman narrows her eyes, showing only icy slits. She sets her mouth in a hard line, and speaks in a slow whisper. "You know little to nothing about me... and clearly, little about the 'right thing to do'. The right thing, as it were.....is to follow the laws. I will assist you, certainly....however.....no weapons. That is the law here. If we present a lawful demeanor, I may be able to extricate the fools from their predicament....skulking about like brigands in the night!"
She leaves her offer in the air.
[Annelise - Bronwyn]
Annelise rises from her chain to face the newcomer, small drops of water falling from her hair. "I am Annelise AvCarenne, of the order of the White Rose" she says. "If you have wounded, I will help, so long as there is no taint of evil upon them."
[Uplander]
The woman tilts her head back and drains the rest of her mug. The mug hits the table with a solid thud, though not with too much force to draw the room's attention. She scoots her chair back, places a hand on each thigh, shakes her head slightly and then stands up.
"If you are White Rose, then you've skills that will be useful," Uplander says to Annelise, clasping her on the shoulder. Standing next to her, Uplander is an inch or two taller. "I've never prayed so much to Kord as since when I met these folks," she says with a twisted smile. "But at least I won't get rusty."
The cleric then adds to all, "If they are injured, we should hurry. I have already used up my most powerful prayers today recovering us from the last battle. Hopefully Annelise here and I can work together to get them on their feet, at least. If we wait too long, though, they may have to be carried."
[Annelise]
Annelise places her hand on Uplander's shoulder in return, sensing the muscle "As strong as I'd expect" she says "And Kord is a worthy god."
With a decisive nod, she heads for the door. "Let's go" she says to Bronwyn. "Time is always a factor where injuries are concerned."
[Olaf - Bronwyn]
A look of shock crosses Olaf face before he can react. Standing, he tests the wound in his side, satisfied that the rest has done him some good he turns to Bronwyn before heading towards the door.
"There may be little I can do to assist, yet I will offer my hands where needed." The urgency in Bronwyn's voice spurred him to movement, but as he stepped into the cold he began to feel a little naked without the cool steel that he had grown accustomed to wearing recently.
[Uplander]
Before heading out, Uplander heads over to the innkeeper. "Excuse me," she says to grab his attention. "It seems we have to go take care of something real quick. We will be back shortly. I didn't want you to worry that you were driving off customers or anything." She smiles at him, and Vituss is appreciative of the information.
The rain outside doesn't appear to be letting up anytime soon. Bronwyn leads the way, retracing his steps to the site of the encounter. Along the way, Uplander talks with him.
"I wasn't thinking about it when you three left out earlier, but the laws here are the same as in Gulluvia. If you are caught outside at night without a female accompaniment, you will be arrested. It seems that Sapient has already run afoul of this law, but that is for tomorrow." Uplander shakes her head. She privately prides herself on her maturity, and it colors her assessment of Sapient - clearly her senior - with his brash and reckless ways.
"When Carrot is back on his feet, we must warn him as well. He ran out of the inn with his weapons openly displayed. That sounds like a fine waiting to happen." Her words almost disturb her, not the kinds of things she likes to have to say. "I don't like the laws of this territory any more than you do, but I also realize that they are armed well enough to enforce them no matter what I think. I like a good challenge, but I'll climb the hundred foot cliff before I climb the mountain." She likes the reference, though she realizes that the reference to Morrain is lost on this companion who barely knew the Dwarf.
Arriving at the spot where Si Wai and Carrot lie, Uplander begins tending to them immediately. She says a prayer over each of them that stops the bleeding and helps close the wound, at least superficially.
"Were they attacked by an animal?" she asks Bronwyn, after examining the wounds.
"Annelise, I've stabilized them, but can do little more tonight. Are you able to do anything further for them?"
[Annelise]
Annelise kneels by Si Wai and casts an eye over his injuries, then does the same to Carrot.
"I can do a little for each of them. Perhaps enough to bring them to consciousness, but not to heal all the damage. Still, it seems fairest to split what little I can do between the two of them."
She lays her hands first on Si Wai's chest and closes her eyes, breathing deeply then slowly chanting the incantation which focuses her healing abilities. Turning to Carrot, she repeats the incantation a second time, then pushes herself slowly to her feet.
"That's all" she says, suddenly tired. "At least until I've slept again."
[Si Wai]
Consciousness slowly grips Si Wai. Opening her eyes she sees a new face. "Thank you stranger," she whispers as strength starts to enter her muscles. Looking about, in a horse voice she says, "Let's get back to the inn, so we can talk more freely."
[Annelise]
Annelise smiles wearily down at Si Wai. "You are welcome" she says, summoning her concentration a moment to determine that neither is obviously evil. "It is the privilege of my order to assist those who are in distress."
[Olaf]
The sight of the two prone figures lying messily in pools of blood sickened Olaf, who quietly snuck off to be noisily sick in the street. Recovering his wits, he creeps back to the others as the Dragon comes around to consciousness, smiling dully into the air as he sees she is relatively healed.
Scooting under the woman's arm he lends a drenched shoulder for support as she stands unsteadily, though because of his short frame he is unsure whether he is causing here any more harm than good with his help, though he attempts it regardless.
[ - Si Wai]
"A wise man does not fix his hat in an apple orchard or tie his shoes in a pumpkin patch. Likewise you do not follow a stranger under cover, less you expect to be attacked." Olaf quotes with mockingly, a grim smile on his face, as he staggers slightly under Si Wai's weight.
[Carrot]
The healing powers of both clerics flourish through his body, though not fully healing him, as he expected the divine magic to. The stories he heard while growing up spoke of the healing powers of priests and clerics, and always everyone spoke of the instant healing. He snickered at the fact; he rose and pain shot through his body, though bearable, it made him twitch and flinch with every movement. He slowly got to his knees, and then stood hunched over gripping his side.
He stares at the group, some members he faintly knew by face, but one he recognized. The beautiful woman form the bar had joined them, interesting, he thought. He couldn't help but notice the detesting look on the elven woman's face as she hulked back towards the inn.
[Si Wai]
Trying to get as much weight under her, she staggers along. "I was prepared for him, but he threw some magic at Bronwyn and I under estimated him. His blade..." Si Wai's voice trails off as she watches Anomalie.
[Anomalie - Group]
At the scene, the slender elven woman looks about, with furtive, darting eyes. She has little interest in the bodies...they will recover, or not, without her intervention. Skilled though she is, there is nothing that she can do for such injuries.
She mutters words in the spidery tongue that constitutes the summoning of her One Power, and surreptitiously, a group of translucent red fae creatures, darkling things with wings and Gothic dress, begin to search the area high and low.
She has little concern for the goings on about her, as her search continues. She finally disregards the tiny faelings, returning her attention to mundanities...the results of her search unclear to those about her.
She hisses her words. "Enough dallying! We have enough problems without staying here...we must alight to the inn, and there...stay put! Trouble follows this party of travelers like a disease....!"
She turns her heels, and stalks back to the inn, her purple velvet cloak blending with the night. Over her shoulder, she hisses again..."Tomorrow morning, I shall deal with the matter of Sapient. Unlike the majority, I can be civilized, and deal appropriately with authorities...."
[Si Wai]
Si Wai is caught a little dumb founded, "Did we just see Anomalie blatantly break the law?" A small smile crosses her face, well at least I won't have to her, in that sanctimonious tone of hers, say, 'am I the only one who has not broken any laws?', she thinks to herself.
[Carrot-Group]
He nods, "yes, the blade..." he closes his eyes as if recalling a long distant memory, "it was a queer thing--" his eyes suddenly widened while his heart skipped a beat. The pain seemed to vanish, though he knew it was still there, but his thoughts were so far away. He grasped at his neck, gasping for air, though he was actually stuttering. His eyes moved around, his body, ignoring the pain, twisted and turned, though a violent streak of the injury on his side reminded him of his predicament. He grits his teeth, holding back tears, and denying the large lump welling inside of his throat.
"The...p-pendant...it's...g-gone..."
Silently cursing himself for being so foolish, for trying to be brave even though he lacked the skills to defend his person. To defend the only keepsake to physically remember his mentor and friend, he stares at the group, and slowly begins to limp towards the inn, not saying a word to his fellow companions, his thoughts scattered on every possible subject...
He stopped a few feet away from Bronwyn, "the strange thing is, he didn't seem to want to fight, though I know it sounds odd..."
As an afterthought he noted, "though, the look in his eye..."
[Uplander]
As the injured parties gather themselves to return to the inn, Uplander speaks to Carrot. Noting the two sickles clearly designed for combat tucked into the Halfling's belt, she say, "Carrot, right? Those weapons of yours should not be displayed so proudly. I dare say that we do not know you well enough to bail you out of jail or buy you out of slavery should the local constabulary take note of them."
Walking through the door of the inn, Uplander immediately orders a drink. The table where the group had been sitting early is now occupied by four Humans. A sole empty table sits in the middle of the room, though there are only six chairs around the table.
Taking one of the empty chairs, Uplander asks of the three who had went out together, "Well, after all the trouble, did the guy turn out to actually be following the woman and her companion? And, if so, did they manage to get away?" She takes a drink of her ale, waiting for a reply.
[Uplander]
When the next lapse in conversation arises, Uplander takes the opportunity to bring up the next issue of concern to her. "Well, what are our plans for tomorrow? We'd come to Mere mostly because Morrain had wished to stop here before heading off to the Palace. It appears that someone has to look into what happened and what can be done about Sapient, a task to which I believe Anomalie has volunteered. We also need to reprovision; I know that I'm out of food, though I'm also about out of money. And Annelise here actually came looking for Sapient. We don't know yet why you were looking for him, but perhaps another of our small party here might be able to assist you, as I cannot imagine Sapient seeing the light of day until tomorrow afternoon at the luckiest."
[Annelise]
Annelise makes her way to the bar and orders a goblet of wine, then returns to the table. "I was looking for Sapient, it's true." she says. "He approached me with an offer of help, and since he's ..." she exchanges a knowing look with Uplander "another one who likes to walk around alone after dark with a sword, I didn't know whether to trust him, so I thought I'd ask about his reputation."
[Si Wai]
Si Wai just shakes her head, "He has a good heart and good intentions, however, his judgment has not been his most favored quality."
[Annelise]
She takes a sip from her goblet. "Sapient claimed to be a bounty hunter, and although that doesn't inspire my trust, his skills would be useful. You see, I am assisting some merchants whose property had been stolen, and my knowledge of the ways of thieves is not really very deep. I had hoped that Sapient would be able to examine the scene before it is further disturbed when the shop opens tomorrow."
She leans back with a small sigh of exasperation, and looks at each of the others in turn. "But that now seems unlikely. I don't suppose..." she continues with a hopeful look "one of you would be in a position to help me? I'm afraid I can offer you no more than the merchants offered me, which is the satisfaction of helping those in need. But if there is a reward from the authorities, you would be welcome to it."
[Anomalie - Annelise]
The cool, elven woman sits once more in the inn, sulkily wrapped among her swaddling purple velvet cloak and hood. She sips at her wine once more, listening intently. Her feelings are that the injured ones have most likely gotten what they deserved, with their penchant for running headlong into battle.
She looks at the fiery haired woman. "Indeed...the prospect of profit is compelling. The bills for many things, such as lodgings and road rations, must be paid, and I cannot imagine that it will be from the thin air." She says this with a cool glitter to her eyes, as if she could indeed make payment come from thin air.
"I will investigate this crime scene with you. My own skills from surviving in Genea may be of use. Afterward, we will attend the local jailers, and attempt to ascertain whether our foolish, headstrong companion, Sapient, may be released."
She sips her wine once more. Glowering at the group, she whispers, "I grow tired of enduring the consequences of our number being unable to observe the rules of this land. Perhaps...we might agree to do so?"
She sighs. "It is clear enough that I will have to further bend the laws of this place, in order to settle matters. Do not ask for me to compromise my ethics much more..." With the last, her eyes linger on Si Wai.
[Annelise]
Annelise smiles. "Thank you" she says to Anomalie. "I appreciate your offer very much. And I agree with you about the importance of obeying the local law, although..." she leans in close and lowers her voice "In a town whose patron deity is Hextor law and justice may not enjoy such closeness as I might wish."
[Si Wai]
"I'll help." Turning an eye to Olaf, "In fact Olaf here, may have some skills useful for this. What say you ratboy?"
[Annelise]
Annelise nods. "And thank you, Si Wai, you would be most welcome. But please... you seem a most obliging company, and before too many of you make offers I would feel graceless to refuse, I should say that with more than four it would be very crowded."
[Olaf]
Looking about the small crew surrounding the table Olaf shrugs, turning his attention to Si Wai before replying, "No, my skills would be better served helping in other areas, I'm sure you can investigate these others of obscure morals without my help."
"There are some investigations of my own which I would like t' follow up, though, perhaps we could meet back here at lunch-time t' provision and find if we can release Sapient?. In the mean time I think we deserve t' respect Morrain a little and see if we can complete his little quest. He deserves that at least."
Remaining standing he allows others to take the remaining seats, preferring to allow the injured parties time to rest. "Carrot," lowering his voice a little, while glancing at Anomalie, "Perhaps you would care to assist me, I have a plan which you may find....interesting." He looks squarely at the monk, awaiting a reply before he turns in to bed.
[Si Wai]
"Quite right you are." Si Wai pauses briefly as she pulls her hair from her face, "Can you tell me about the crime. What was stolen? From whom? From where?"
[Anomalie]
The irritable mystic elf, Anomalie, blanches at the exchange, and scowls. She sips her wine, and her cold eyes glance about. "Perhaps then, it would be best if I stayed here...as you say, the numbers are large, and I have little to contribute."
She sets down her goblet, and removes her small carving, and wicked looking knife with which she shapes the soft wood. "I certainly am not impulsive enough to handle the methods of investigation that seem to exist outside the Blight."
She takes some time to carve further, and then says in her whispering, outland tones, "Perhaps then it is best. If I do not handle the matter of Sapient, I am less troubled to flex the boundaries of legality here. The elf knew his way, after all, and his choices were his own. Certainly, one with repute as a Bounty Hunter can assume risk, and does not need an artist to come rushing to his aid, eh?" She carves further, and adds, "I am certain that the problem solving methods of the rest will suffice....a large party of petitioners is too much for my methods, in this."
Sliding back into the shadows she perpetually sits in, she works.
[Annelise]
"Two merchants were relieved of a small number of gems and herbs, one while he was away on business for a few days, and the other at night while she was asleep. Strangely, these weren't the most valuable items in their shops, but the authorities don't seem inclined to do anything."
"Why would anyone want moralla stones, arjuna, tamarind, methi, and black piper?" she muses aloud. "Almost as if stolen to order, by someone who could not simply walk in and buy them, yet had sufficient restraint not to steal anything more valuable.
The Paladin takes another sip of her wine as she thinks back over what the merchants told her.
"You know, now I think about it there's something odd about Nammole's story. She says there were two thefts, that she's sure she had the arjuna when she noticed the piper gone. But the thief left a broken window-frame which she couldn't have failed to notice..."
[Si Wai]
"So the thief entered through the window? Where was the window?" Noticing the ambiguity of her question, Si Wai rephrases it, "Where is the window in relation to the house? Do you think the thief exited through that window as well?"
[Annelise]
"That's wh