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Shackled City Epic: "Vengeance" (story concluded)
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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 989556" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 7 </p><p></p><p>The High Priest’s office was as plain as most of the quarters in the temple complex, furnished in spartan fashion with a wide wooden desk, a few wall-mounted shelves, and several chairs. A bright open flame that burned brightly on the desk illuminated the room. Jenya was sitting at the desk as they entered, and Ruphos was there, standing at her shoulder with his hands clasped behind his back. Illewyn did not enter with them, instead departing back for the rectory after closing the door behind them. Jenya gestured for them to sit in the chairs that faced the desk. </p><p></p><p>“Ruphos has told me what happened,” the cleric began. “It would seem that we owe you a debt of thanks, for scaring off his attackers.”</p><p></p><p>“Do you have any idea of who it was who attacked him?” Zenna asked. </p><p></p><p>Jenya glanced up at Ruphos, and the two clerics exchanged a brief look. “Cauldron is normally a quiet city, but street crime is not unheard of.”</p><p></p><p>“But this wasn’t a run-of-the-mill mugging,” Mole prodded. </p><p></p><p>“No. The way those thugs painted their faces... it is a symbol of a secret organization that calls itself “The Last Laugh.”</p><p></p><p>“A thieves’ guild?” Mole asked. The cleric nodded. </p><p></p><p>“And you think they’re the ones who are behind these abductions?” Zenna asked. </p><p></p><p>She and Mole had learned a bit more of what was going on in Cauldron from Illewyn, although the cleric knew little more than the vaguest outline of the facts. The disappearances of people had been going on for several months now, with both the Town Guard and the city’s various churches utterly stymied in terms of tracking down whoever or whatever was behind them. But what had the town in an uproar was the recent—only a few nights’ previous—abduction of four children from the city orphanage. The four had simply vanished from their rooms one night, without the faintest clue as to who had taken them or why. </p><p></p><p>“I... I just don’t know,” Jenya finally admitted. “The Last Laugh is certainly not an upright stalwart of Cauldron, but they’ve never done anything like this before. But tonight...” she glanced again up at Ruphos, who shifted slightly. “Ruphos had gone to the orphanage earlier, to offer consolation to the other children. Tell them what your attackers told you.”</p><p></p><p>Ruphos looked a bit uncomfortable as their attention shifted to him, but he cleared his throat and said, “They jumped as I was walking home, and dragged me into the alley. At first I though they were just thieves after my purse, but as they were beating me, one grabbed me and said, ‘Stay away from the orphanage!’”</p><p></p><p>“Well, that seems like a pretty incriminating bit of evidence, I’d say,” Mole said. </p><p></p><p>“We appreciate what you’ve done, offering us your hospitality, healing Mole,” Zenna said. “But why are you telling us all this? We’re just a pair of complete strangers who have only just arrived in town.”</p><p></p><p>Jenya didn’t respond immediately, only regarded them with an impenetrable gaze. Finally, she leaned forward across the desk, folding her hands before her. The desk was a bit too large for her, and she nearly had to stand to do so. </p><p></p><p>“I don’t know what brought you to Cauldron,” she began. “From what Ruphos told me, you had some trouble on the road, but overcame a difficult encounter. And you handled yourself well against those Last Laugh thugs. Clearly your skill in the arcane is significant.”</p><p></p><p>“My talents approximate those of a full apprentice,” Zenna said plainly and truthfully. </p><p></p><p>“Let me be completely frank with you. The Church has been placed in a very difficult position by these abductions. The people are scared, and they want answers. We’ve done what we can, used our resources to their fullest potential, worked with the other churches, and the guard... and yet those answers have not been forthcoming.”</p><p></p><p>“I still don’t see how this concerns us,” Zenna said, though in truth she was beginning to see where this was going. </p><p></p><p>“Whoever is behind this, they clearly know enough about the churches—ours and the others... the churches of Lathander and Tempus, while of divergent faiths, have been cooperating with us on this—to avoid detection. What we need is an outsider, someone who can poke around in the shadows, and hopefully uncover a clue that we’ve missed.”</p><p></p><p>Even though she’d suspected it was coming, Zenna was still surprised to hear the words. “So you want us to work for the church of Helm? And what’s more, to work for the most lawful and disciplined church in Faerûn as... I don’t know what word to use, ‘spies,’ ‘agents’?”</p><p></p><p>Jenya’s mouth tightened slightly as an expression of displeasure. “As I said, these are difficult times. And we’re willing to compensate you for your help, if you’re able to find out anything that can help us.”</p><p></p><p>Mole had perked up noticeably with the cleric’s last statement, but Zenna continued before her friend could chime in, her voice soft but earnest. “You have gotten a good look at me, I assume. Who is going to trust someone of my blood?”</p><p></p><p>Jenya did not back down. “I have no doubt that you’ve had a difficult time, and have learned to adjust for the reactions that you must constantly get. Cannot you see, that this experience makes you even more suited for such a task?”</p><p></p><p>Zenna blinked, and opened her mouth before she realized that she couldn’t think of a ready response. She felt Mole’s hand on her arm, and subsided. Her friend asked, “What other leads do you have?”</p><p></p><p>Jenya’s gaze shifted to the gnome. “I... there is a clue, though I have not yet been able to make meaning of it.” She glanced up at Ruphos yet again, just for a second, but in that glimpse it seemed as though the cleric’s face had held a hint of—what?—embarassment? </p><p></p><p>“The Church possesses a weapon of great power, the Star of Justice. This device is rightfully within the custodianship of the High Priest, but in his absence... Late last night, I called upon its power to cast a <em>divination</em>. As is the way with such magics, however, the information I received was cryptic.”</p><p></p><p>Mole was sitting on the edge of her chair, clearly fascinated. Zenna, however, was feeling quite less sanguine. “What did the spell tell you?” the gnome asked. </p><p></p><p>“It was a riddle, of sorts,” Jenya explained. She took on a focused expression, then recited,</p><p></p><p><em>The locks are key to finding them. </em></p><p><em>Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron</em></p><p><em>But beware the doors with teeth</em></p><p><em>Descend into the malachite hold</em></p><p><em>Where precious life is bought with gold</em></p><p><em>Half a dwarf binds them, but not for long</em></p><p></p><p>“Ah, a riddle indeed,” Mole said. </p><p></p><p>“What was the question that you posed, specifically, when you cast the spell?” Zenna asked. </p><p></p><p>Jenya blinked, surprised by the question. “As I recall, I asked, ‘Where are the children who were abducted from the Lantern Street Orphanage?’”</p><p></p><p>“Below the cauldron... it could be that they’re being held somewhere under the city,” Mole suggested. </p><p></p><p>“I thought of that,” Jenya said. “But the locks? The locks of the orphanage, perhaps?”</p><p></p><p>“I spoke to the headmistress of the orphanage today, when I visited,” Ruphos said. “There wasn’t any sign of forced entry.”</p><p></p><p>“Perhaps an inside job, then,” Mole suggested. </p><p></p><p>“A question that I hope you will be able to answer,” Jenya broke in. “In any case, it cannot hurt to have another group of eyes and ears joining the search.”</p><p></p><p>“We have not yet agreed to help,” Zenna said. </p><p></p><p>“Say we did agree,” Mole said. “What support could we expect from you guys?”</p><p></p><p>“The Church can provide healing, and other divine aid, but it would be best if you did not come here, at least not openly. It would defeat the whole purpose of having a group of outside investigators if you were seen to be connected to us. You can work through Ruphos, who will be your contact, and will help with your investigation.”</p><p></p><p>Zenna raised an eyebrow, and glanced up at the priest, who fidgeted slightly under the scrutiny. “Him? Forgive me, but Ruphos doesn’t exactly seem like the ‘covert operative’ type, and as you said, people here would recognize him easily.” </p><p></p><p>“Perhaps not,” Jenya said. She reached into one of the drawers under her desk, and drew out a small cloth object. It was a hat, a simple and rather worn device of faded green fabric with a peaked front and a felt liner. She handed it to Ruphos, who shook it out and placed it onto his head. </p><p></p><p>As Zenna and Mole watched in fascination, Ruphos’s features began to twist and reform, shimmering slightly before settling into the appearance of a new man. He was now a good deal older, perhaps in his forties, with a thick beard and dark eyes that seemed almost black. The hat was now a wide-brimmed leather teamster’s cap. </p><p></p><p>“What about his clothes?” Mole asked. </p><p></p><p>“This particular <em>hat of disguise</em> only works with facial features, and of course its own appearance,” Jenya said. “But clothes can be changed. It doesn’t change the voice, either, but I suspect that few would associate Ruphos’s voice with his true identity, given a dramatic enough change in appearance.” </p><p></p><p>Mole nodded, considering. “I can see how that would be an advantage. Now, we were talking about gold...”</p><p></p><p>But Zenna had not taken her eyes from Ruphos. “We’ll help you find the children,” she interjected. “In exchange for the hat.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 989556, member: 143"] Chapter 7 The High Priest’s office was as plain as most of the quarters in the temple complex, furnished in spartan fashion with a wide wooden desk, a few wall-mounted shelves, and several chairs. A bright open flame that burned brightly on the desk illuminated the room. Jenya was sitting at the desk as they entered, and Ruphos was there, standing at her shoulder with his hands clasped behind his back. Illewyn did not enter with them, instead departing back for the rectory after closing the door behind them. Jenya gestured for them to sit in the chairs that faced the desk. “Ruphos has told me what happened,” the cleric began. “It would seem that we owe you a debt of thanks, for scaring off his attackers.” “Do you have any idea of who it was who attacked him?” Zenna asked. Jenya glanced up at Ruphos, and the two clerics exchanged a brief look. “Cauldron is normally a quiet city, but street crime is not unheard of.” “But this wasn’t a run-of-the-mill mugging,” Mole prodded. “No. The way those thugs painted their faces... it is a symbol of a secret organization that calls itself “The Last Laugh.” “A thieves’ guild?” Mole asked. The cleric nodded. “And you think they’re the ones who are behind these abductions?” Zenna asked. She and Mole had learned a bit more of what was going on in Cauldron from Illewyn, although the cleric knew little more than the vaguest outline of the facts. The disappearances of people had been going on for several months now, with both the Town Guard and the city’s various churches utterly stymied in terms of tracking down whoever or whatever was behind them. But what had the town in an uproar was the recent—only a few nights’ previous—abduction of four children from the city orphanage. The four had simply vanished from their rooms one night, without the faintest clue as to who had taken them or why. “I... I just don’t know,” Jenya finally admitted. “The Last Laugh is certainly not an upright stalwart of Cauldron, but they’ve never done anything like this before. But tonight...” she glanced again up at Ruphos, who shifted slightly. “Ruphos had gone to the orphanage earlier, to offer consolation to the other children. Tell them what your attackers told you.” Ruphos looked a bit uncomfortable as their attention shifted to him, but he cleared his throat and said, “They jumped as I was walking home, and dragged me into the alley. At first I though they were just thieves after my purse, but as they were beating me, one grabbed me and said, ‘Stay away from the orphanage!’” “Well, that seems like a pretty incriminating bit of evidence, I’d say,” Mole said. “We appreciate what you’ve done, offering us your hospitality, healing Mole,” Zenna said. “But why are you telling us all this? We’re just a pair of complete strangers who have only just arrived in town.” Jenya didn’t respond immediately, only regarded them with an impenetrable gaze. Finally, she leaned forward across the desk, folding her hands before her. The desk was a bit too large for her, and she nearly had to stand to do so. “I don’t know what brought you to Cauldron,” she began. “From what Ruphos told me, you had some trouble on the road, but overcame a difficult encounter. And you handled yourself well against those Last Laugh thugs. Clearly your skill in the arcane is significant.” “My talents approximate those of a full apprentice,” Zenna said plainly and truthfully. “Let me be completely frank with you. The Church has been placed in a very difficult position by these abductions. The people are scared, and they want answers. We’ve done what we can, used our resources to their fullest potential, worked with the other churches, and the guard... and yet those answers have not been forthcoming.” “I still don’t see how this concerns us,” Zenna said, though in truth she was beginning to see where this was going. “Whoever is behind this, they clearly know enough about the churches—ours and the others... the churches of Lathander and Tempus, while of divergent faiths, have been cooperating with us on this—to avoid detection. What we need is an outsider, someone who can poke around in the shadows, and hopefully uncover a clue that we’ve missed.” Even though she’d suspected it was coming, Zenna was still surprised to hear the words. “So you want us to work for the church of Helm? And what’s more, to work for the most lawful and disciplined church in Faerûn as... I don’t know what word to use, ‘spies,’ ‘agents’?” Jenya’s mouth tightened slightly as an expression of displeasure. “As I said, these are difficult times. And we’re willing to compensate you for your help, if you’re able to find out anything that can help us.” Mole had perked up noticeably with the cleric’s last statement, but Zenna continued before her friend could chime in, her voice soft but earnest. “You have gotten a good look at me, I assume. Who is going to trust someone of my blood?” Jenya did not back down. “I have no doubt that you’ve had a difficult time, and have learned to adjust for the reactions that you must constantly get. Cannot you see, that this experience makes you even more suited for such a task?” Zenna blinked, and opened her mouth before she realized that she couldn’t think of a ready response. She felt Mole’s hand on her arm, and subsided. Her friend asked, “What other leads do you have?” Jenya’s gaze shifted to the gnome. “I... there is a clue, though I have not yet been able to make meaning of it.” She glanced up at Ruphos yet again, just for a second, but in that glimpse it seemed as though the cleric’s face had held a hint of—what?—embarassment? “The Church possesses a weapon of great power, the Star of Justice. This device is rightfully within the custodianship of the High Priest, but in his absence... Late last night, I called upon its power to cast a [I]divination[/I]. As is the way with such magics, however, the information I received was cryptic.” Mole was sitting on the edge of her chair, clearly fascinated. Zenna, however, was feeling quite less sanguine. “What did the spell tell you?” the gnome asked. “It was a riddle, of sorts,” Jenya explained. She took on a focused expression, then recited, [I]The locks are key to finding them. Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron But beware the doors with teeth Descend into the malachite hold Where precious life is bought with gold Half a dwarf binds them, but not for long[/I] “Ah, a riddle indeed,” Mole said. “What was the question that you posed, specifically, when you cast the spell?” Zenna asked. Jenya blinked, surprised by the question. “As I recall, I asked, ‘Where are the children who were abducted from the Lantern Street Orphanage?’” “Below the cauldron... it could be that they’re being held somewhere under the city,” Mole suggested. “I thought of that,” Jenya said. “But the locks? The locks of the orphanage, perhaps?” “I spoke to the headmistress of the orphanage today, when I visited,” Ruphos said. “There wasn’t any sign of forced entry.” “Perhaps an inside job, then,” Mole suggested. “A question that I hope you will be able to answer,” Jenya broke in. “In any case, it cannot hurt to have another group of eyes and ears joining the search.” “We have not yet agreed to help,” Zenna said. “Say we did agree,” Mole said. “What support could we expect from you guys?” “The Church can provide healing, and other divine aid, but it would be best if you did not come here, at least not openly. It would defeat the whole purpose of having a group of outside investigators if you were seen to be connected to us. You can work through Ruphos, who will be your contact, and will help with your investigation.” Zenna raised an eyebrow, and glanced up at the priest, who fidgeted slightly under the scrutiny. “Him? Forgive me, but Ruphos doesn’t exactly seem like the ‘covert operative’ type, and as you said, people here would recognize him easily.” “Perhaps not,” Jenya said. She reached into one of the drawers under her desk, and drew out a small cloth object. It was a hat, a simple and rather worn device of faded green fabric with a peaked front and a felt liner. She handed it to Ruphos, who shook it out and placed it onto his head. As Zenna and Mole watched in fascination, Ruphos’s features began to twist and reform, shimmering slightly before settling into the appearance of a new man. He was now a good deal older, perhaps in his forties, with a thick beard and dark eyes that seemed almost black. The hat was now a wide-brimmed leather teamster’s cap. “What about his clothes?” Mole asked. “This particular [I]hat of disguise[/I] only works with facial features, and of course its own appearance,” Jenya said. “But clothes can be changed. It doesn’t change the voice, either, but I suspect that few would associate Ruphos’s voice with his true identity, given a dramatic enough change in appearance.” Mole nodded, considering. “I can see how that would be an advantage. Now, we were talking about gold...” But Zenna had not taken her eyes from Ruphos. “We’ll help you find the children,” she interjected. “In exchange for the hat.” [/QUOTE]
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