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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7171510" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 59</p><p></p><p>Bredan tried not to think about the persistent twinges in his belly as he made his way down the stairs. His wounds had all been healed, but apparently even divine magic could not fully erase the lingering effects of what had been done to him. But those persistent pains were offset by the feeling of relief at not having the weight of his armor bearing down on him. He was going to have to talk to the local smith tomorrow about repairing the gaping hole in the front of the armor, but for now he allowed himself an hour’s freedom of not worrying about the next day.</p><p></p><p>The common room of the inn was busy, but he spotted Kosk at once. The dwarf sat alone at a table that had a generous breadth of extra space around it. Bredan could have chalked that up to the monk’s splendid personality, but he thought he sensed something else in the crowd of villagers, a current of wariness and alarm that seemed to pervade the general mood. He supposed he could not blame them for being worried. It was one thing to know that you lived in a dangerous world, and another to learn that not one but two bands of hostile enemies had been living less than a day’s walk from your home.</p><p></p><p>He went over to the bar and asked for a mug of ale. Several of the locals sent respectful nods his way, but none tried to start a conversation. He handed over a few coins for the drink and made his way over to the table where the dwarf was seated.</p><p></p><p>“Mind if I join you?”</p><p></p><p>“Suit yourself.”</p><p></p><p>Bredan pulled back a chair and settled into it, ignoring the twist of protest in his gut. It faded quickly, however, and he was able to relax before he took his first sip of the rich local brew. “That is nice,” he said.</p><p></p><p>Kosk didn’t respond. A mostly-full mug sat next to him on the table. “Where’s Quellan?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>“He said he had an errand in town.”</p><p></p><p>Bredan nodded and settled back comfortably in his chair, focusing on his drink. The silence stretched out between them, untouched by the low din around them, until finally Kosk’s face twisted up like he’d swallowed something unpleasant and he asked, “How’s your girl?”</p><p></p><p>“She’s all right,” Bredan said. “She said… she needed some time alone. I think what happened… it was hard for her.”</p><p></p><p>“You know that it’s only going to get rougher in the north,” Kosk said quietly.</p><p></p><p>“I know,” Bredan said. “She does, too. Said as much when I tried to tell her the same thing, when we got back.”</p><p></p><p>He thought for a moment. “I don’t regret leaving,” he finally said. “Everything that’s happened… even our decision to stay here and help these people.” He glanced around to make sure none of the locals were listening, then leaned forward across the table and added, “Even if we don’t find that missing boy, I think we’ve done something important here. I feel like… like we’re getting ready for something. Something important.” He snorted and leaned back in his chair. “I guess that probably sounds pretty stupid to you.”</p><p></p><p>Kosk’s expression was a neutral mask, but after a moment he shook his head. “No, it doesn’t sound stupid.”</p><p></p><p>“I suppose you were right before, about us not being ready. I mean, I almost got myself killed taking on that bugbear.”</p><p></p><p>“You did all right,” Kosk said. For a moment it looked like he would say more, then he looked up past Bredan and frowned. “Bloody hells,” he said.</p><p></p><p>Bredan turned just in time to see the front door swing open and a familiar figure come into the common room. From the soft titter that filled the room it was clear that Nordrum’s reputation among the village council extended to the rest of the village as well.</p><p></p><p>The sage saw them and made a beeline for their table. “Gentlemen,” he said. “I heard you got back. Your companions?”</p><p></p><p>“Busy,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“Well, you can impart what I have to say to them.” Without asking permission he took the last free chair and sat down between them.</p><p></p><p>“Look, Master Nordrum,” Bredan said. “If this is about the missing boy…”</p><p></p><p>“I must be honest with you and say that I do not think that the poor youth is at the old ruin,” the sage said. “Though I believe that my fears about the site remain justifiable.”</p><p></p><p>“Hostile magic,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“Not hostile per se, but certainly dangerous,” Nordrum said. “Please… I know that you have already made a significant detour from your objective to help the people of this town, but the ruin is not far, it would only take another day, perhaps two, to verify what I say is true.”</p><p></p><p>“We know something about ancient magic,” Bredan said. “What is it that’s at this ruin?”</p><p></p><p>“I am not certain,” the sage said. At Kosk’s look he quickly added, “Please, I beg you, hear me out. Yes it is true that the people of Northpine consider me to be touched in the head, obsessed. You will likely join them in that assessment if I tell you all that I know, how I was drawn to this place. Maybe I am mad, I don’t know. But if I am right, then this village may be in danger.”</p><p></p><p>“You didn’t answer the question,” Kosk said. “Okay, you’re not certain. But what do you <em>think</em> is there?”</p><p></p><p>“Power. Lore of a bygone age. Writings… inscriptions, engravings, old books centuries old. Perhaps an artifact, something small, yet potent…”</p><p></p><p>“A crystal?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>Nordrum gave him a steely look. “Perhaps. Why, do you know…”</p><p></p><p>“This is the first time we’ve ever heard anything of this place,” Kosk quickly interrupted, as much to forestall Bredan as to answer the sage. “If this power is so dangerous, how do we know that you can be trusted with it? Or for that matter, that we won’t simply take it and be on our way?”</p><p></p><p>Nordrum blinked in surprise. “I… you wouldn’t do that? Would you? As for trust… I know people who understand this power, and can keep it contained. It would be safe, both to the people here and from those who would use its power for evil.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, that eases my conscience,” Kosk said dryly.</p><p></p><p>“Please. I can pay you for your time,” Nordrum said. “Even if the ruin is empty, it would be a relief… just to know.”</p><p></p><p>“Just for reference, how much are we talking about here?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>Nordrum took another look around and then leaned forward conspiratorially. “I’ve been here longer than I expected… drew down my resources… but you’re going to Adelar, yes? I can give you a writ you can cash out at the Mercantile Guild in the city for… five hundred golds?”</p><p></p><p>Bredan coughed and quickly took a sip of his drink.</p><p></p><p>“We’ll need to talk it over with our companions,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“Of course. You know where to find me, if you need any more information. Here is a map to the ruin.” He drew out a tightly folded square of parchment and slid it across the table toward the dwarf. The sage waited until Kosk had picked it up before he got up and quickly left the way he had come.</p><p></p><p>“Well,” Bredan said. “That guy doesn’t seem all there.”</p><p></p><p>“He remind you of anyone?” Kosk asked. He held the parchment in his hand, but he didn’t unfold it.</p><p></p><p>“Who… Starfinder? She wasn’t like him.”</p><p></p><p>“Intensely dedicated, even obsessed. Willing to turn over huge sums to virtual strangers to brave a location they could easily walk to themselves.”</p><p></p><p>“Well… the shrine of the Eth’barat was dangerous.”</p><p></p><p>“I expect we’ll find the same if we go hunting this ruin,” Kosk said.</p><p></p><p>“I know we just found those sacks of coin at the mansion… but five hundred is a lot of gold. Assuming he was telling the truth about having the money in Adelar.”</p><p></p><p>“It’s not uncommon in the south for sums to be transferred that way,” Kosk said absently. “Even up here a man could find himself in a lot of trouble, throwing around the name of the Mercantile Guild without the credit to back it up.”</p><p></p><p>“So what do you think we should do?” Bredan asked.</p><p></p><p>Kosk looked down at his mug, and picked it up. “Like I told the sage. We need to talk it over with our companions. But first I think I am going to finish this drink.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 7171510, member: 143"] Chapter 59 Bredan tried not to think about the persistent twinges in his belly as he made his way down the stairs. His wounds had all been healed, but apparently even divine magic could not fully erase the lingering effects of what had been done to him. But those persistent pains were offset by the feeling of relief at not having the weight of his armor bearing down on him. He was going to have to talk to the local smith tomorrow about repairing the gaping hole in the front of the armor, but for now he allowed himself an hour’s freedom of not worrying about the next day. The common room of the inn was busy, but he spotted Kosk at once. The dwarf sat alone at a table that had a generous breadth of extra space around it. Bredan could have chalked that up to the monk’s splendid personality, but he thought he sensed something else in the crowd of villagers, a current of wariness and alarm that seemed to pervade the general mood. He supposed he could not blame them for being worried. It was one thing to know that you lived in a dangerous world, and another to learn that not one but two bands of hostile enemies had been living less than a day’s walk from your home. He went over to the bar and asked for a mug of ale. Several of the locals sent respectful nods his way, but none tried to start a conversation. He handed over a few coins for the drink and made his way over to the table where the dwarf was seated. “Mind if I join you?” “Suit yourself.” Bredan pulled back a chair and settled into it, ignoring the twist of protest in his gut. It faded quickly, however, and he was able to relax before he took his first sip of the rich local brew. “That is nice,” he said. Kosk didn’t respond. A mostly-full mug sat next to him on the table. “Where’s Quellan?” Bredan asked. “He said he had an errand in town.” Bredan nodded and settled back comfortably in his chair, focusing on his drink. The silence stretched out between them, untouched by the low din around them, until finally Kosk’s face twisted up like he’d swallowed something unpleasant and he asked, “How’s your girl?” “She’s all right,” Bredan said. “She said… she needed some time alone. I think what happened… it was hard for her.” “You know that it’s only going to get rougher in the north,” Kosk said quietly. “I know,” Bredan said. “She does, too. Said as much when I tried to tell her the same thing, when we got back.” He thought for a moment. “I don’t regret leaving,” he finally said. “Everything that’s happened… even our decision to stay here and help these people.” He glanced around to make sure none of the locals were listening, then leaned forward across the table and added, “Even if we don’t find that missing boy, I think we’ve done something important here. I feel like… like we’re getting ready for something. Something important.” He snorted and leaned back in his chair. “I guess that probably sounds pretty stupid to you.” Kosk’s expression was a neutral mask, but after a moment he shook his head. “No, it doesn’t sound stupid.” “I suppose you were right before, about us not being ready. I mean, I almost got myself killed taking on that bugbear.” “You did all right,” Kosk said. For a moment it looked like he would say more, then he looked up past Bredan and frowned. “Bloody hells,” he said. Bredan turned just in time to see the front door swing open and a familiar figure come into the common room. From the soft titter that filled the room it was clear that Nordrum’s reputation among the village council extended to the rest of the village as well. The sage saw them and made a beeline for their table. “Gentlemen,” he said. “I heard you got back. Your companions?” “Busy,” Kosk said. “Well, you can impart what I have to say to them.” Without asking permission he took the last free chair and sat down between them. “Look, Master Nordrum,” Bredan said. “If this is about the missing boy…” “I must be honest with you and say that I do not think that the poor youth is at the old ruin,” the sage said. “Though I believe that my fears about the site remain justifiable.” “Hostile magic,” Kosk said. “Not hostile per se, but certainly dangerous,” Nordrum said. “Please… I know that you have already made a significant detour from your objective to help the people of this town, but the ruin is not far, it would only take another day, perhaps two, to verify what I say is true.” “We know something about ancient magic,” Bredan said. “What is it that’s at this ruin?” “I am not certain,” the sage said. At Kosk’s look he quickly added, “Please, I beg you, hear me out. Yes it is true that the people of Northpine consider me to be touched in the head, obsessed. You will likely join them in that assessment if I tell you all that I know, how I was drawn to this place. Maybe I am mad, I don’t know. But if I am right, then this village may be in danger.” “You didn’t answer the question,” Kosk said. “Okay, you’re not certain. But what do you [i]think[/i] is there?” “Power. Lore of a bygone age. Writings… inscriptions, engravings, old books centuries old. Perhaps an artifact, something small, yet potent…” “A crystal?” Bredan asked. Nordrum gave him a steely look. “Perhaps. Why, do you know…” “This is the first time we’ve ever heard anything of this place,” Kosk quickly interrupted, as much to forestall Bredan as to answer the sage. “If this power is so dangerous, how do we know that you can be trusted with it? Or for that matter, that we won’t simply take it and be on our way?” Nordrum blinked in surprise. “I… you wouldn’t do that? Would you? As for trust… I know people who understand this power, and can keep it contained. It would be safe, both to the people here and from those who would use its power for evil.” “Well, that eases my conscience,” Kosk said dryly. “Please. I can pay you for your time,” Nordrum said. “Even if the ruin is empty, it would be a relief… just to know.” “Just for reference, how much are we talking about here?” Bredan asked. Nordrum took another look around and then leaned forward conspiratorially. “I’ve been here longer than I expected… drew down my resources… but you’re going to Adelar, yes? I can give you a writ you can cash out at the Mercantile Guild in the city for… five hundred golds?” Bredan coughed and quickly took a sip of his drink. “We’ll need to talk it over with our companions,” Kosk said. “Of course. You know where to find me, if you need any more information. Here is a map to the ruin.” He drew out a tightly folded square of parchment and slid it across the table toward the dwarf. The sage waited until Kosk had picked it up before he got up and quickly left the way he had come. “Well,” Bredan said. “That guy doesn’t seem all there.” “He remind you of anyone?” Kosk asked. He held the parchment in his hand, but he didn’t unfold it. “Who… Starfinder? She wasn’t like him.” “Intensely dedicated, even obsessed. Willing to turn over huge sums to virtual strangers to brave a location they could easily walk to themselves.” “Well… the shrine of the Eth’barat was dangerous.” “I expect we’ll find the same if we go hunting this ruin,” Kosk said. “I know we just found those sacks of coin at the mansion… but five hundred is a lot of gold. Assuming he was telling the truth about having the money in Adelar.” “It’s not uncommon in the south for sums to be transferred that way,” Kosk said absently. “Even up here a man could find himself in a lot of trouble, throwing around the name of the Mercantile Guild without the credit to back it up.” “So what do you think we should do?” Bredan asked. Kosk looked down at his mug, and picked it up. “Like I told the sage. We need to talk it over with our companions. But first I think I am going to finish this drink.” [/QUOTE]
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