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Tales of the Legacy - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Delemental" data-source="post: 2749205" data-attributes="member: 5203"><p>It took several drinks before the cansin started talking.</p><p></p><p> The Flaming Cauldron was located, not unexpectedly, near Grabâkh’s Temple of the Flaming Eye, and catered to the orcish patrons in the region with a variety of spicy dishes. The proprietors, however, offered milder versions of orcish favorites that were more palatable to non-orcs. It was over two plates of such cuisine, as well as a few glasses of potent greenish liquor, that Kyle and Lanara sat. Most of the meal had passed in relative silence, which in itself was very odd for the cansin bard. But it was oddities such as these that had brought them there in the first place.</p><p></p><p> When she finally started, it was obvious that she intended to speak without interruption, without questions.</p><p></p><p> “I left the docks, and turned my horse east into Medos,” Lanara began. “That much you know. But after a few days, I found I had a sudden urge to visit my father. Though I haven’t seen him in years, I knew that I might be able to find him in the area. My father has been a wanderer my whole life –I think he’s still looking for my mother, in some ways – and we’d spent our lives with the various hin clans in the Steppes. But as Dad got on in years, he began to spend more time on the Medos side of the Great River; it’s a bit safer there. So, I went off the main road, and began asking some of the hin clans in the area about him.”</p><p></p><p> Lanara paused to empty her glass before continuing. “It was about four days out of Miracle that I ran into the bandits. There were a lot more of them than I knew I could handle, even if I were Arrie. But I’ve traveled alone plenty of times in my life, and there’s more than one way to get around bandits. So, I pulled out every trick I knew. Figured that once they ‘understood’ that I was a friend, they’d let me go. It’s always worked before.” She stared out past Kyle’s shoulder into the crowd at the restaurant. “It’s always worked before.”</p><p></p><p> Lanara swallowed heavily. “I don’t know how they did it, but none of my abilities even seemed to faze them. It’s almost like they were ready for me. When I realized that it wasn’t working, I went for one of my wands – figured I could blast a couple to confuse them, then take off. But as I reached back for my haversack, it suddenly wasn’t there, and suddenly I was being pulled off my horse.</p><p></p><p> “They took me back to their ‘hideout’ – the kind of place I’d never be caught dead in, worse than any two-copper dive in any dock ward in Aelfenn. What happened after that…” Lanara took a deep, shaky breath. “To be honest, I don’t remember much. This coming from someone whose livelihood depends on remembering details. I’ll spare you the details of what I do remember, though if you tell this story to the others later you can assure Maddie that I wasn’t violated. I think that would have broken me. And I think they knew that, and they needed me somewhat sane.”</p><p></p><p> “I was tortured, Kyle. In more ways than I care to think about, and for how long I don’t know. But what I do remember is that they were asking questions about the party; about us. Where were we going, why were we going there, what had we been doing lately. I don’t remember the details, and I don’t remember what I told them. Past, present, future – it all became a blur to me. The only thing I know for sure I didn’t say was about Kavan becoming Madrone. It was like… there was something blocking me from saying that, from revealing her secret. So there’s something else you can tell Maddie to reassure her.”</p><p></p><p> Lanara picked up her glass, which had been refilled while she talked, and drained it in one swallow, wincing as the potent liquor flowed down her throat. “I don’t know how I escaped. Maybe a guard fell asleep, maybe they forgot to lock the door – maybe they just let me go because they were through with me. I managed to grab most of my gear, as well as this,” she pulled the rapier at her side halfway out of its scabbard, then let it fall back in, “and a couple other odds and ends, then grabbed a horse and went. Not even sure if it was my horse or someone else’s – I’ve never been a good judge of animals. I just rode and rode until I ran into a merchant caravan on their way to M’Dos. I gave them a very abbreviated version of the story I just told, and they let me ride with them into the city. One of them even gave me a little training with this rapier, just in case I was ever in that situation again. But it wasn’t until that night that I learned the worst part.”</p><p></p><p> Lanara set her glass down, her fingers visibly trembling. “I tried to play a little tune for the merchants – payment for the hospitality. But I found that I couldn’t remember any of my songs. The lyrics, the tunes… just gone. I haven’t been able to recall a single one since. And what’s worse, since then I find that I can’t stand being around other people. Can you imagine, Kyle? A bard who can’t sing and hates people? It’d be like if you suddenly forgot how to read.”</p><p></p><p> Lanara fell silent, and the noise of the Flaming Cauldron was all Kyle heard for the span of a minute or so.</p><p></p><p> “The thing I’m afraid of most,” Lanara finally said, very quietly, “is the next time we get ourselves into a situation. Without my music, I’m useless to you all, and I don’t think suddenly knowing how to poke holes in people is going to be an acceptable substitute. I don’t know what to do. I’m too old to learn a new profession. Should I just leave now?”</p><p></p><p> “No,” Kyle said firmly. “You stay. You stay, and we find a way to fix this. And you could never be useless, Lanara. We just have to find different ways to use you until we get you fixed.”</p><p></p><p> Lanara smiled, and chose not to comment on the fact that Kyle’s statement, while meant to be reassuring, made her sound like a service animal or a tool of some sort. “Thanks, Kyle,” she said.</p><p></p><p> “I’ve never heard of any kind of mental blocking like you’re describing,” Kyle said. “But it seems to me that it’d have to be either magical or psionic. I’m leaning to the latter, since we know psionics are very efficient at manipulating the mind. When we get back to the Whistling Mermaid, I’d like to take a close look at you though my staff, see if I can pick up any lingering auras that might explain this. Unfortunately, even if I find something, I doubt I can fix it, especially if it’s psionic. But maybe we can find someone who can fix it.”</p><p></p><p> “Yeah, that Aran seemed a decent fellow when we met him. Problem is finding him.”</p><p></p><p> “One step at a time. Let’s figure out what we’re dealing with first.” Kyle’s brow furrowed. “You sure you can’t remember anything specific? A name, a familiar voice, a symbol of any kind?”</p><p></p><p> Lanara shook her head. “I’ve tried, believe me. It’s maddening.”</p><p></p><p> “Well, maybe whatever’s affecting you will fade with time and it’ll get easier. Let me know if you remember anything.” Kyle paused to finish the last few bites of his lunch. “You know that I’m going to have to tell the others,” he said. “Normally I’d let your personal business be yours to deal with. But if these bandits were asking about all of us, then everyone should know that. For all we know, these people could be in the city now.”</p><p></p><p> “Tell the others whatever you want,” Lanara said, “if you don’t mind, this is one story I’d rather not recount myself.” Lanara finished off the last swallows of her drink, then held the glass up to the light, examining it. “This is pretty good stuff,” she said. “I may have to get a bottle to take back to the inn.”</p><p></p><p> “Allow me,” Kyle said with a smile.</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center">* * *</p><p></p><p> The party sat and listened as Kyle relayed Lanara’s tale. They all sat in the women’s room; Lanara herself had gone downstairs to the common room to nurse her new bottle of alcohol.</p><p></p><p> “I tested Lanara when we got back. There’s no magical or psionic auras on her that I can detect. Which means that whatever did this to her has done its damage already; it’s not some sort of block.”</p><p></p><p> “Or, she’s simply suppressing her memories of whatever happened to her because it was so terrible,” Arrie suggested. “That may be why she can’t get to her bardic abilities, too.”</p><p></p><p> “Well, whatever the reason, now we know we have people after us,” Kyle said.</p><p></p><p> “We have always had people after us, Kyle,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> “Yes, but these people seem to be serious about finding us and knowing everything about us. Problem is we don’t know who ‘they’ are.”</p><p></p><p> “It is probably the psions,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> “Or the church of Qin-Chu,” Kyle added, “or the church of Fiel, or the church of Estranë, or the church of Grabâkh, or someone associated with Sauroth, or with Neville, or two or three thieves guilds I can think of.”</p><p></p><p> “I didn’t think Grabâkh had reason to be displeased with us,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> “Um, Tolly?” Osborn chimed in, “remember that undead orc warlord we destroyed? The one that was supposed to be imprisoned in his tomb forever so that he couldn’t go to the afterlife and be in Grabâkh’s presence?”</p><p></p><p> “Ah, yes.”</p><p></p><p> “Look, we’re not going to figure this out tonight,” Arrie said. “Besides, we have more pressing concerns.”</p><p></p><p> “I agree,” Autumn said. “For one, no one goes anywhere alone from now on.”</p><p></p><p> Everyone nodded their agreement. They also made some last-minute changes to their list of questions for Erito, to reflect the new situation with Lanara.</p><p></p><p>“So, Tolly,” said Autumn, “speaking of questions, what did you find out at the forges today?”</p><p></p><p> The cleric sighed. The party had originally planned to attempt communing with Erito and Ardara that morning, but Tolly had asked to wait until he’d spoken to some of the other priests and novitiates at the Cathedral to see what facts were known about Jerome’s death.</p><p></p><p> “I learned very little,” he reported. “There is a rumor that a resurrection was attempted, but that it failed. No one is certain why. Beyond that I can get nothing. That in itself is unusual; the church of Ardara has a very active network of information between its novitiates and lower-echelon priests.”</p><p></p><p> “So things are being kept quiet,” Arrie summed up.</p><p></p><p> “Indeed. Unfortunately, it means that I was unable to answer any of the questions we proposed to ask Ardara. So, we can proceed with the commune rituals. Though I would ask that we consult Erito first.”</p><p></p><p> “Not a problem, Tolly,” Maddie said. “Someone should go get Lanara, though.”</p><p></p><p>Just then, the door to the room opened, and three figures strode in. Two of them were golden-haired elves, who looked exactly alike and had longbows slung over their shoulders. The third, following behind them, was instantly recognized by everyone.</p><p></p><p>“Herion?” Arrie gasped.</p><p></p><p>“Ariadne,” he said, nodding. “It’s good to see you again. And all of you, as well.”</p><p></p><p> Behind them, Lanara came into the room and sat in the corner. “I saw we had company,” she said.</p><p></p><p> “Herion, what are you doing here?” Arrie stood and walked over to him, reaching up and lightly touching the mithral laurel on his head that signified his status as the crown prince of Tlaxan.</p><p></p><p> “Official state visit,” he said. “I’m here to extend the sympathies of the Empire of Tlaxan to the Church of Ardara for their recent loss. And to return this to you.” He reached into a pocket and retrieved a tiny silver bird statuette, which he gave to Arrie.</p><p></p><p> “I wondered why you asked what inn we were staying at in your last letter,” she said as she put the bird away.</p><p></p><p> Herion turned and nodded to Autumn. “A pleasure, as always,” he said to her.</p><p></p><p> Autumn smiled and bowed her head in return. “As always.”</p><p></p><p> Kyle smiled. “Well, at least she’s not trying to deck him this time.”</p><p></p><p> Autumn turned her smile to Kyle. “I haven’t been alone with him yet,” she said, though she clearly meant nothing by it.</p><p></p><p> Herion, by this time, had turned to address Maddie. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I assume you are Madrone?”</p><p></p><p> “Oh, right,” Arrie said. “Herion, this is Madrone, a favored soul of Erito. She joined us shortly after we lost Kavan. Madrone, this is Crown Prince Herion of Tlaxan, my husband.”</p><p></p><p> “A pleasure to meet you,” Maddie said, bowing her head. When Herion bowed his in return, Maddie smiled knowingly at Arrie.</p><p></p><p> “I was sorry to hear of your recent loss,” Herion said. “May Kavan’s soul find peace with our Goddess*.” Herion then turned back to Autumn. “It may please you to know that news of your own misfortunes has not reached the ears of the Covieres or the Verahannens. Nor any other news regarding your affairs.” At this Herion made the slightest of nods to Kyle.</p><p></p><p> Herion crossed the room and took an empty chair; his guards remained standing by the door. “I do hope I’ve not arrived at a bad time,” Herion said.</p><p></p><p> “Actually, your Highness,” Tolly said, “we were about to attempt communion with the gods.”</p><p></p><p> At Herion’s arched eyebrow, Arrie explained briefly their suspicions regarding the Archprelate’s death.</p><p></p><p> “Interesting,” he said. “Well, I have a few days before I’m expected to attend any official ceremonies. If there is anything I can do to aid you, please let me know. I would be remiss were I not to offer aid to a princess of Tlaxan.”</p><p></p><p> Arrie blushed a bit at being referred to as a ‘princess’, not because of embarrassment or modesty, but because the title simply seemed ill suited to her. “Why don’t you stick around and hear what Erito and Ardara have to say? Another mind on the problem can’t hurt.”</p><p></p><p> “Very well, I will stay.”</p><p></p><p> “Should I go downstairs and arrange for another room for you, Arrie?” Autumn asked.</p><p></p><p> “No, why? I’m fine here in the room with the rest of you.”</p><p></p><p> “I thought perhaps with your husband in town, you might find this room a little crowded.”</p><p></p><p> “Oh. Oh! Sweet Tor, no! I mean, we’re not…”</p><p></p><p> “I have already obtained lodgings elsewhere,” Herion said, stepping in. “I see no reason to disrupt your arrangements here.”</p><p></p><p> “All right, then,” Autumn said. “Maddie, I think we’re ready now.” </p><p></p><p>Maddie nodded, and got up from the edge of the bed where she had been perched. She sat cross-legged on the floor in the center of the room, adjusting her headband. The golden band was one of Erito’s relics, and allowed occasional contact with the goddess for guidance. This was only the second time the party had utilized it. Maddie concentrated for a moment, then closed her eyes. Nearby, Kyle sat at a desk over a sheet of parchment with the questions written on it, ready to record the answers. With a nod from Herion, the two guards slipped out of the room, closing the door behind them.</p><p></p><p>“Erito, hear me,” she began. “I beseech your wisdom.” Maddie took a deep breath, then asked the first question.</p><p></p><p>“Is it possible for us to determine the location of the area shown on my back using commonly available maps?”</p><p></p><p>The answer flowed out of Maddie’s lips as soon as she was finished speaking, seeming to cause the walls to shake even though it was very soft. <span style="color: DarkOrchid">NO.</span></p><p></p><p>“Is the location depicted on the map on my back on the continent of Affon?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrchid">NO.</span></p><p></p><p>“Was the staff that Kyle carries created in pre-Cataclysmic times?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrchid">YES.</span></p><p></p><p>“In regard to the message given to Kyle of ‘your family’s staff is older than you realize’, does the word ‘family’ refer to the Goodson family or direct ancestors thereof?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrchid">YES.</span></p><p></p><p>“Will the meaning of the message given to Kyle become clearer if our party goes to the location shown on the map on my back?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrchid">YES.</span></p><p></p><p>“Is my transformation into a female a permanent change?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrchid">UNCERTAIN.</span></p><p></p><p>“Are the bandits that abducted Lanara on her way to M’Dos in any way associated with other enemies of the party?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrchid">YES.</span></p><p></p><p>“Is the condition currently affecting Lanara’s abilities able to be repaired or healed?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrchid">YES.</span></p><p></p><p>“Are the bounty hunters pursuing Xu currently in the city of M’Dos or within two weeks of arriving?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: DarkOrchid">UNCLEAR.</span></p><p></p><p> Maddie opened her eyes, and held out a hand. Kyle gave her the parchment he’d been writing on, and she glanced over it. In the midst of channeling Erito, she herself had been unable to hear the answers. Once she read the parchment, she handed it back. “So, what does it mean?”</p><p></p><p> “Well, it means one thing to me,” Kyle said. “Before this, I was going to say we should go look for that place on Maddie’s back. But it doesn’t seem likely we’ll find it.”</p><p></p><p> “Well, at least not easily,” said Osborn.</p><p></p><p> “Perhaps next time we should ask if this location is even on this planet,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> “If I may,” Herion said, “I have had the opportunity to observe similar communes when my late father consulted with the Imperial Priests. It was explained to me once that because the connection to the Goddess is imperfect, that only the most literal interpretation of the questions are possible, even if the Goddess would wish it otherwise.”</p><p></p><p> “Meaning…?” Lanara asked from the other side of the room.</p><p></p><p> “Meaning that wherever this map you refer to leads, it may not be on Affon itself, but could be on an island just off its shores.”</p><p></p><p>“Or in an underground cavern,” Osborn added. “Somewhere that wouldn’t necessarily get charted. So maybe it’s not as far as we think.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, at least we know that Lanara’s problem has a solution somewhere,” Kyle said. He grinned at the bard. “See? Told you it wasn’t permanent.”</p><p></p><p>“I was displeased to hear that Erito is not able to tell if the hunters are nearby,” Xu said.</p><p></p><p>“Well, in a way she did,” Kyle said. “If there were hunters already in the city, then she’d of answered ‘yes’. So we know they’re not here now. Though, they could arrive any day now.”</p><p></p><p>“Or later this afternoon,” Lanara offered.</p><p></p><p>“Or they’re in a ship in the harbor right now,” chipped in Arrie. “I think leaving you in disguise is a good idea.”</p><p></p><p>“So, what about all those questions about your staff, and your family?” Osborn asked.</p><p></p><p>Kyle shrugged. “Not much clearer. It was a message Maddie gave me from Erito shortly after… we met her. ‘Your family’s staff is older than you realize,” was all it said. Well, I knew the staff was old, and I suspected pre-Cataclysm just because of the psionic stuff, so I guess that’s confirmed. But that doesn’t really make it ‘older than I realized’. And as far as the family thing, well, at first I thought Erito was speaking more broadly, like ‘family of wizards’. But it seems like the Goodsons had a spell-slinger in the family tree at one point. Not that I see what good knowing that does me. Probably was a waste of questions.”</p><p></p><p>“I’m still not sure why you didn’t ask about where your family is,” Autumn said.</p><p></p><p>“Autumn, dearest, we talked about this already. Those kind of questions are kind of hard to phrase in a ‘yes-no’ format. And it’d be rude of me to take up questions about that when we only get so many at a time. Besides, if I took the time I could find them myself.”</p><p></p><p>“How?” Autumn asked.</p><p></p><p>“A <em>scrying </em>spell,” Kyle answered.</p><p></p><p>“Well, why haven’t you done it?”</p><p></p><p>“For one, I don’t have the spell. And my family's probably still in Targeth, and their sheild blocks divinations. Also, it requires a really expensive mirror to scry with.”</p><p></p><p>“How expensive could it be?”</p><p></p><p>As Kyle was about to answer, Arrie cleared her throat. “Children, perhaps you could argue about this another time?”</p><p></p><p>They both nodded and fell quiet. Arrie shook her head in mock exasperation. “Lovers,” she sighed. “Shall we move on, then? Tolly, are you ready?”</p><p></p><p>Tolly nodded and took his place where Maddie had been sitting. Without the benefit of a relic, he had to expend a portion of his own life-force to establish the interplanetary connection to Ardara.</p><p></p><p>“Was Archprelate Jerome murdered?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">UNCLEAR</span>.</p><p></p><p>“Were psionics involved in Jerome’s death in any way?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">NO</span>.</p><p></p><p>“Were other persons involved in the death of Archprelate Jerome?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">INDIRECTLY</span>.</p><p></p><p> “Is Jerome’s death related to other instances this party has seen of attempts to take control of powerful groups?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">NO</span>.</p><p></p><p>“Do the people indirectly involved in Jerome’s death intend to cause harm to other prominent figures within the next month?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">UNCLEAR</span>.</p><p></p><p>“Was the death of Jerome caused for political gain or an attempt to gain power?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">UNCLEAR</span>.</p><p></p><p>“Did Archprelate Jerome have information that he wished to pass on to Tolly Nightsleaving, which he was unable to communicate due to his death?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">YES</span>.</p><p></p><p>“Was the selection of Archprelate Frelarr influenced by powers outside of the Ardaran church itself?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">UNCLEAR</span>.</p><p></p><p>“Can the Ardaran Inquisition be trusted by the party?”</p><p></p><p><span style="color: Sienna">YES</span>.</p><p></p><p> Kyle sighed as Tolly opened his eyes. “We’ve got to get better at phrasing these questions.”</p><p></p><p> “At least we can eliminate the psions as suspects,” Arrie said. “And it has nothing to do with anything we’ve seen before.”</p><p></p><p> “The part about Ardara being ‘unclear’ about Jerome’s murder is not reassuring,” Tolly said.</p><p></p><p> “Well, Ardara isn’t omniscient,” Maddie said. “None of the gods are. She can’t know the intent of those involved. Someone may have caused Jerome to die, but was it an accident, or was it intentional?”</p><p></p><p> “The fact that so much about his death is uncertain would imply that there is something going on behind the scenes,” Tolly said. “I think my initial suspicions were correct.”</p><p></p><p> “Okay, so, what does that mean?” Lanara asked.</p><p></p><p> “Before we go any further,” Kyle said, “I think we need to remind ourselves of something here. Technically, we came to M’Dos to be on vacation from adventure. This city’s chock full of priests and holy warriors who the Ardarans can call on. It’s possible, just possible, that maybe they’ll figure this out all by themselves without our help. So maybe we should back off, and wait for someone to ask for our help.”</p><p></p><p> “Are you implying that I should turn a blind eye to the suspicious death of my Archprelate?” Tolly asked accusingly.</p><p></p><p> “I’m implying that your Inquisition is already looking into it, and maybe instead of getting all worked up solving this ourselves, we let them do their job, and if they want our help they can tell us. We don’t have to fix every problem out there, Tolly. What you do on your own is your business, but I don’t think this needs to be a group focus until someone steps up with some information and asks us to be involved.”</p><p></p><p> “I agree with Kyle,” Lanara said. “Let them come to us.”</p><p></p><p> “Hey, where did Osborn go off to?” Arrie said, looking around. The hin was nowhere to be seen.</p><p></p><p> “He probably got bored,” Lanara said. “Why don’t we follow his lead and take this up tomorrow?”</p><p></p><p> “I will return to the Cathedral tonight,” Tolly said, “and will try again in the morning to learn what I can of Jerome’s death. The rest of you can do as you wish.” He stood, and walked out of the room.</p><p></p><p> “Okay, then,” Kyle said, standing up and offering his hand to Autumn. “I think I’ll head to our room.”</p><p></p><p> Autumn took his hand and squeezed it, then let go. “I’m going to stay here for a while longer.”</p><p></p><p> “All right, then,” he leaned over and kissed her. “Don’t be too long, sweet angel.” He turned and left the room.</p><p></p><p> As soon as he left, Arrie turned to Autumn and looked at her curiously. “And you’re staying here why, exactly?”</p><p></p><p> “It would be improper of me not to stay and converse with my sister’s husband and a member of the Imperial Family,” she replied.</p><p></p><p> Arrie grinned. “You know, proper behavior doesn’t keep the bed warm at night,” she said, winking. She got a pillow thrown at her in response.</p><p></p><p> “Well,’ said Herion, brushing an errant goose feather off his shoulder, “perhaps I should return to my own lodgings and allow the two of you to finish this conversation in private. Ariadne, I would appreciate the chance to spend some time with you, if for no other reason than to catch up in person rather than through letters. Autumn, you would be invited as well; I have news from Merlion that may interest you.” Herion then cracked the tiniest of smiles. “As long as you allow me to stand just outside of the range of ‘that mean right’ that Arrie has told me about.”</p><p></p><p> Autumn returned the smile. “Of course, your Imperial Highness.”</p><p></p><p>----------------------</p><p></p><p>* Herion does know that Kavan and Maddie are the same person, he's just playing dumb for the benefit of the guards.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Delemental, post: 2749205, member: 5203"] It took several drinks before the cansin started talking. The Flaming Cauldron was located, not unexpectedly, near Grabâkh’s Temple of the Flaming Eye, and catered to the orcish patrons in the region with a variety of spicy dishes. The proprietors, however, offered milder versions of orcish favorites that were more palatable to non-orcs. It was over two plates of such cuisine, as well as a few glasses of potent greenish liquor, that Kyle and Lanara sat. Most of the meal had passed in relative silence, which in itself was very odd for the cansin bard. But it was oddities such as these that had brought them there in the first place. When she finally started, it was obvious that she intended to speak without interruption, without questions. “I left the docks, and turned my horse east into Medos,” Lanara began. “That much you know. But after a few days, I found I had a sudden urge to visit my father. Though I haven’t seen him in years, I knew that I might be able to find him in the area. My father has been a wanderer my whole life –I think he’s still looking for my mother, in some ways – and we’d spent our lives with the various hin clans in the Steppes. But as Dad got on in years, he began to spend more time on the Medos side of the Great River; it’s a bit safer there. So, I went off the main road, and began asking some of the hin clans in the area about him.” Lanara paused to empty her glass before continuing. “It was about four days out of Miracle that I ran into the bandits. There were a lot more of them than I knew I could handle, even if I were Arrie. But I’ve traveled alone plenty of times in my life, and there’s more than one way to get around bandits. So, I pulled out every trick I knew. Figured that once they ‘understood’ that I was a friend, they’d let me go. It’s always worked before.” She stared out past Kyle’s shoulder into the crowd at the restaurant. “It’s always worked before.” Lanara swallowed heavily. “I don’t know how they did it, but none of my abilities even seemed to faze them. It’s almost like they were ready for me. When I realized that it wasn’t working, I went for one of my wands – figured I could blast a couple to confuse them, then take off. But as I reached back for my haversack, it suddenly wasn’t there, and suddenly I was being pulled off my horse. “They took me back to their ‘hideout’ – the kind of place I’d never be caught dead in, worse than any two-copper dive in any dock ward in Aelfenn. What happened after that…” Lanara took a deep, shaky breath. “To be honest, I don’t remember much. This coming from someone whose livelihood depends on remembering details. I’ll spare you the details of what I do remember, though if you tell this story to the others later you can assure Maddie that I wasn’t violated. I think that would have broken me. And I think they knew that, and they needed me somewhat sane.” “I was tortured, Kyle. In more ways than I care to think about, and for how long I don’t know. But what I do remember is that they were asking questions about the party; about us. Where were we going, why were we going there, what had we been doing lately. I don’t remember the details, and I don’t remember what I told them. Past, present, future – it all became a blur to me. The only thing I know for sure I didn’t say was about Kavan becoming Madrone. It was like… there was something blocking me from saying that, from revealing her secret. So there’s something else you can tell Maddie to reassure her.” Lanara picked up her glass, which had been refilled while she talked, and drained it in one swallow, wincing as the potent liquor flowed down her throat. “I don’t know how I escaped. Maybe a guard fell asleep, maybe they forgot to lock the door – maybe they just let me go because they were through with me. I managed to grab most of my gear, as well as this,” she pulled the rapier at her side halfway out of its scabbard, then let it fall back in, “and a couple other odds and ends, then grabbed a horse and went. Not even sure if it was my horse or someone else’s – I’ve never been a good judge of animals. I just rode and rode until I ran into a merchant caravan on their way to M’Dos. I gave them a very abbreviated version of the story I just told, and they let me ride with them into the city. One of them even gave me a little training with this rapier, just in case I was ever in that situation again. But it wasn’t until that night that I learned the worst part.” Lanara set her glass down, her fingers visibly trembling. “I tried to play a little tune for the merchants – payment for the hospitality. But I found that I couldn’t remember any of my songs. The lyrics, the tunes… just gone. I haven’t been able to recall a single one since. And what’s worse, since then I find that I can’t stand being around other people. Can you imagine, Kyle? A bard who can’t sing and hates people? It’d be like if you suddenly forgot how to read.” Lanara fell silent, and the noise of the Flaming Cauldron was all Kyle heard for the span of a minute or so. “The thing I’m afraid of most,” Lanara finally said, very quietly, “is the next time we get ourselves into a situation. Without my music, I’m useless to you all, and I don’t think suddenly knowing how to poke holes in people is going to be an acceptable substitute. I don’t know what to do. I’m too old to learn a new profession. Should I just leave now?” “No,” Kyle said firmly. “You stay. You stay, and we find a way to fix this. And you could never be useless, Lanara. We just have to find different ways to use you until we get you fixed.” Lanara smiled, and chose not to comment on the fact that Kyle’s statement, while meant to be reassuring, made her sound like a service animal or a tool of some sort. “Thanks, Kyle,” she said. “I’ve never heard of any kind of mental blocking like you’re describing,” Kyle said. “But it seems to me that it’d have to be either magical or psionic. I’m leaning to the latter, since we know psionics are very efficient at manipulating the mind. When we get back to the Whistling Mermaid, I’d like to take a close look at you though my staff, see if I can pick up any lingering auras that might explain this. Unfortunately, even if I find something, I doubt I can fix it, especially if it’s psionic. But maybe we can find someone who can fix it.” “Yeah, that Aran seemed a decent fellow when we met him. Problem is finding him.” “One step at a time. Let’s figure out what we’re dealing with first.” Kyle’s brow furrowed. “You sure you can’t remember anything specific? A name, a familiar voice, a symbol of any kind?” Lanara shook her head. “I’ve tried, believe me. It’s maddening.” “Well, maybe whatever’s affecting you will fade with time and it’ll get easier. Let me know if you remember anything.” Kyle paused to finish the last few bites of his lunch. “You know that I’m going to have to tell the others,” he said. “Normally I’d let your personal business be yours to deal with. But if these bandits were asking about all of us, then everyone should know that. For all we know, these people could be in the city now.” “Tell the others whatever you want,” Lanara said, “if you don’t mind, this is one story I’d rather not recount myself.” Lanara finished off the last swallows of her drink, then held the glass up to the light, examining it. “This is pretty good stuff,” she said. “I may have to get a bottle to take back to the inn.” “Allow me,” Kyle said with a smile. [CENTER]* * *[/CENTER] The party sat and listened as Kyle relayed Lanara’s tale. They all sat in the women’s room; Lanara herself had gone downstairs to the common room to nurse her new bottle of alcohol. “I tested Lanara when we got back. There’s no magical or psionic auras on her that I can detect. Which means that whatever did this to her has done its damage already; it’s not some sort of block.” “Or, she’s simply suppressing her memories of whatever happened to her because it was so terrible,” Arrie suggested. “That may be why she can’t get to her bardic abilities, too.” “Well, whatever the reason, now we know we have people after us,” Kyle said. “We have always had people after us, Kyle,” Tolly said. “Yes, but these people seem to be serious about finding us and knowing everything about us. Problem is we don’t know who ‘they’ are.” “It is probably the psions,” Tolly said. “Or the church of Qin-Chu,” Kyle added, “or the church of Fiel, or the church of Estranë, or the church of Grabâkh, or someone associated with Sauroth, or with Neville, or two or three thieves guilds I can think of.” “I didn’t think Grabâkh had reason to be displeased with us,” Tolly said. “Um, Tolly?” Osborn chimed in, “remember that undead orc warlord we destroyed? The one that was supposed to be imprisoned in his tomb forever so that he couldn’t go to the afterlife and be in Grabâkh’s presence?” “Ah, yes.” “Look, we’re not going to figure this out tonight,” Arrie said. “Besides, we have more pressing concerns.” “I agree,” Autumn said. “For one, no one goes anywhere alone from now on.” Everyone nodded their agreement. They also made some last-minute changes to their list of questions for Erito, to reflect the new situation with Lanara. “So, Tolly,” said Autumn, “speaking of questions, what did you find out at the forges today?” The cleric sighed. The party had originally planned to attempt communing with Erito and Ardara that morning, but Tolly had asked to wait until he’d spoken to some of the other priests and novitiates at the Cathedral to see what facts were known about Jerome’s death. “I learned very little,” he reported. “There is a rumor that a resurrection was attempted, but that it failed. No one is certain why. Beyond that I can get nothing. That in itself is unusual; the church of Ardara has a very active network of information between its novitiates and lower-echelon priests.” “So things are being kept quiet,” Arrie summed up. “Indeed. Unfortunately, it means that I was unable to answer any of the questions we proposed to ask Ardara. So, we can proceed with the commune rituals. Though I would ask that we consult Erito first.” “Not a problem, Tolly,” Maddie said. “Someone should go get Lanara, though.” Just then, the door to the room opened, and three figures strode in. Two of them were golden-haired elves, who looked exactly alike and had longbows slung over their shoulders. The third, following behind them, was instantly recognized by everyone. “Herion?” Arrie gasped. “Ariadne,” he said, nodding. “It’s good to see you again. And all of you, as well.” Behind them, Lanara came into the room and sat in the corner. “I saw we had company,” she said. “Herion, what are you doing here?” Arrie stood and walked over to him, reaching up and lightly touching the mithral laurel on his head that signified his status as the crown prince of Tlaxan. “Official state visit,” he said. “I’m here to extend the sympathies of the Empire of Tlaxan to the Church of Ardara for their recent loss. And to return this to you.” He reached into a pocket and retrieved a tiny silver bird statuette, which he gave to Arrie. “I wondered why you asked what inn we were staying at in your last letter,” she said as she put the bird away. Herion turned and nodded to Autumn. “A pleasure, as always,” he said to her. Autumn smiled and bowed her head in return. “As always.” Kyle smiled. “Well, at least she’s not trying to deck him this time.” Autumn turned her smile to Kyle. “I haven’t been alone with him yet,” she said, though she clearly meant nothing by it. Herion, by this time, had turned to address Maddie. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I assume you are Madrone?” “Oh, right,” Arrie said. “Herion, this is Madrone, a favored soul of Erito. She joined us shortly after we lost Kavan. Madrone, this is Crown Prince Herion of Tlaxan, my husband.” “A pleasure to meet you,” Maddie said, bowing her head. When Herion bowed his in return, Maddie smiled knowingly at Arrie. “I was sorry to hear of your recent loss,” Herion said. “May Kavan’s soul find peace with our Goddess*.” Herion then turned back to Autumn. “It may please you to know that news of your own misfortunes has not reached the ears of the Covieres or the Verahannens. Nor any other news regarding your affairs.” At this Herion made the slightest of nods to Kyle. Herion crossed the room and took an empty chair; his guards remained standing by the door. “I do hope I’ve not arrived at a bad time,” Herion said. “Actually, your Highness,” Tolly said, “we were about to attempt communion with the gods.” At Herion’s arched eyebrow, Arrie explained briefly their suspicions regarding the Archprelate’s death. “Interesting,” he said. “Well, I have a few days before I’m expected to attend any official ceremonies. If there is anything I can do to aid you, please let me know. I would be remiss were I not to offer aid to a princess of Tlaxan.” Arrie blushed a bit at being referred to as a ‘princess’, not because of embarrassment or modesty, but because the title simply seemed ill suited to her. “Why don’t you stick around and hear what Erito and Ardara have to say? Another mind on the problem can’t hurt.” “Very well, I will stay.” “Should I go downstairs and arrange for another room for you, Arrie?” Autumn asked. “No, why? I’m fine here in the room with the rest of you.” “I thought perhaps with your husband in town, you might find this room a little crowded.” “Oh. Oh! Sweet Tor, no! I mean, we’re not…” “I have already obtained lodgings elsewhere,” Herion said, stepping in. “I see no reason to disrupt your arrangements here.” “All right, then,” Autumn said. “Maddie, I think we’re ready now.” Maddie nodded, and got up from the edge of the bed where she had been perched. She sat cross-legged on the floor in the center of the room, adjusting her headband. The golden band was one of Erito’s relics, and allowed occasional contact with the goddess for guidance. This was only the second time the party had utilized it. Maddie concentrated for a moment, then closed her eyes. Nearby, Kyle sat at a desk over a sheet of parchment with the questions written on it, ready to record the answers. With a nod from Herion, the two guards slipped out of the room, closing the door behind them. “Erito, hear me,” she began. “I beseech your wisdom.” Maddie took a deep breath, then asked the first question. “Is it possible for us to determine the location of the area shown on my back using commonly available maps?” The answer flowed out of Maddie’s lips as soon as she was finished speaking, seeming to cause the walls to shake even though it was very soft. [COLOR=DarkOrchid]NO.[/COLOR] “Is the location depicted on the map on my back on the continent of Affon?” [COLOR=DarkOrchid]NO.[/COLOR] “Was the staff that Kyle carries created in pre-Cataclysmic times?” [COLOR=DarkOrchid]YES.[/COLOR] “In regard to the message given to Kyle of ‘your family’s staff is older than you realize’, does the word ‘family’ refer to the Goodson family or direct ancestors thereof?” [COLOR=DarkOrchid]YES.[/COLOR] “Will the meaning of the message given to Kyle become clearer if our party goes to the location shown on the map on my back?” [COLOR=DarkOrchid]YES.[/COLOR] “Is my transformation into a female a permanent change?” [COLOR=DarkOrchid]UNCERTAIN.[/COLOR] “Are the bandits that abducted Lanara on her way to M’Dos in any way associated with other enemies of the party?” [COLOR=DarkOrchid]YES.[/COLOR] “Is the condition currently affecting Lanara’s abilities able to be repaired or healed?” [COLOR=DarkOrchid]YES.[/COLOR] “Are the bounty hunters pursuing Xu currently in the city of M’Dos or within two weeks of arriving?” [COLOR=DarkOrchid]UNCLEAR.[/COLOR] Maddie opened her eyes, and held out a hand. Kyle gave her the parchment he’d been writing on, and she glanced over it. In the midst of channeling Erito, she herself had been unable to hear the answers. Once she read the parchment, she handed it back. “So, what does it mean?” “Well, it means one thing to me,” Kyle said. “Before this, I was going to say we should go look for that place on Maddie’s back. But it doesn’t seem likely we’ll find it.” “Well, at least not easily,” said Osborn. “Perhaps next time we should ask if this location is even on this planet,” Tolly said. “If I may,” Herion said, “I have had the opportunity to observe similar communes when my late father consulted with the Imperial Priests. It was explained to me once that because the connection to the Goddess is imperfect, that only the most literal interpretation of the questions are possible, even if the Goddess would wish it otherwise.” “Meaning…?” Lanara asked from the other side of the room. “Meaning that wherever this map you refer to leads, it may not be on Affon itself, but could be on an island just off its shores.” “Or in an underground cavern,” Osborn added. “Somewhere that wouldn’t necessarily get charted. So maybe it’s not as far as we think.” “Well, at least we know that Lanara’s problem has a solution somewhere,” Kyle said. He grinned at the bard. “See? Told you it wasn’t permanent.” “I was displeased to hear that Erito is not able to tell if the hunters are nearby,” Xu said. “Well, in a way she did,” Kyle said. “If there were hunters already in the city, then she’d of answered ‘yes’. So we know they’re not here now. Though, they could arrive any day now.” “Or later this afternoon,” Lanara offered. “Or they’re in a ship in the harbor right now,” chipped in Arrie. “I think leaving you in disguise is a good idea.” “So, what about all those questions about your staff, and your family?” Osborn asked. Kyle shrugged. “Not much clearer. It was a message Maddie gave me from Erito shortly after… we met her. ‘Your family’s staff is older than you realize,” was all it said. Well, I knew the staff was old, and I suspected pre-Cataclysm just because of the psionic stuff, so I guess that’s confirmed. But that doesn’t really make it ‘older than I realized’. And as far as the family thing, well, at first I thought Erito was speaking more broadly, like ‘family of wizards’. But it seems like the Goodsons had a spell-slinger in the family tree at one point. Not that I see what good knowing that does me. Probably was a waste of questions.” “I’m still not sure why you didn’t ask about where your family is,” Autumn said. “Autumn, dearest, we talked about this already. Those kind of questions are kind of hard to phrase in a ‘yes-no’ format. And it’d be rude of me to take up questions about that when we only get so many at a time. Besides, if I took the time I could find them myself.” “How?” Autumn asked. “A [I]scrying [/I]spell,” Kyle answered. “Well, why haven’t you done it?” “For one, I don’t have the spell. And my family's probably still in Targeth, and their sheild blocks divinations. Also, it requires a really expensive mirror to scry with.” “How expensive could it be?” As Kyle was about to answer, Arrie cleared her throat. “Children, perhaps you could argue about this another time?” They both nodded and fell quiet. Arrie shook her head in mock exasperation. “Lovers,” she sighed. “Shall we move on, then? Tolly, are you ready?” Tolly nodded and took his place where Maddie had been sitting. Without the benefit of a relic, he had to expend a portion of his own life-force to establish the interplanetary connection to Ardara. “Was Archprelate Jerome murdered?” [COLOR=Sienna]UNCLEAR[/COLOR]. “Were psionics involved in Jerome’s death in any way?” [COLOR=Sienna]NO[/COLOR]. “Were other persons involved in the death of Archprelate Jerome?” [COLOR=Sienna]INDIRECTLY[/COLOR]. “Is Jerome’s death related to other instances this party has seen of attempts to take control of powerful groups?” [COLOR=Sienna]NO[/COLOR]. “Do the people indirectly involved in Jerome’s death intend to cause harm to other prominent figures within the next month?” [COLOR=Sienna]UNCLEAR[/COLOR]. “Was the death of Jerome caused for political gain or an attempt to gain power?” [COLOR=Sienna]UNCLEAR[/COLOR]. “Did Archprelate Jerome have information that he wished to pass on to Tolly Nightsleaving, which he was unable to communicate due to his death?” [COLOR=Sienna]YES[/COLOR]. “Was the selection of Archprelate Frelarr influenced by powers outside of the Ardaran church itself?” [COLOR=Sienna]UNCLEAR[/COLOR]. “Can the Ardaran Inquisition be trusted by the party?” [COLOR=Sienna]YES[/COLOR]. Kyle sighed as Tolly opened his eyes. “We’ve got to get better at phrasing these questions.” “At least we can eliminate the psions as suspects,” Arrie said. “And it has nothing to do with anything we’ve seen before.” “The part about Ardara being ‘unclear’ about Jerome’s murder is not reassuring,” Tolly said. “Well, Ardara isn’t omniscient,” Maddie said. “None of the gods are. She can’t know the intent of those involved. Someone may have caused Jerome to die, but was it an accident, or was it intentional?” “The fact that so much about his death is uncertain would imply that there is something going on behind the scenes,” Tolly said. “I think my initial suspicions were correct.” “Okay, so, what does that mean?” Lanara asked. “Before we go any further,” Kyle said, “I think we need to remind ourselves of something here. Technically, we came to M’Dos to be on vacation from adventure. This city’s chock full of priests and holy warriors who the Ardarans can call on. It’s possible, just possible, that maybe they’ll figure this out all by themselves without our help. So maybe we should back off, and wait for someone to ask for our help.” “Are you implying that I should turn a blind eye to the suspicious death of my Archprelate?” Tolly asked accusingly. “I’m implying that your Inquisition is already looking into it, and maybe instead of getting all worked up solving this ourselves, we let them do their job, and if they want our help they can tell us. We don’t have to fix every problem out there, Tolly. What you do on your own is your business, but I don’t think this needs to be a group focus until someone steps up with some information and asks us to be involved.” “I agree with Kyle,” Lanara said. “Let them come to us.” “Hey, where did Osborn go off to?” Arrie said, looking around. The hin was nowhere to be seen. “He probably got bored,” Lanara said. “Why don’t we follow his lead and take this up tomorrow?” “I will return to the Cathedral tonight,” Tolly said, “and will try again in the morning to learn what I can of Jerome’s death. The rest of you can do as you wish.” He stood, and walked out of the room. “Okay, then,” Kyle said, standing up and offering his hand to Autumn. “I think I’ll head to our room.” Autumn took his hand and squeezed it, then let go. “I’m going to stay here for a while longer.” “All right, then,” he leaned over and kissed her. “Don’t be too long, sweet angel.” He turned and left the room. As soon as he left, Arrie turned to Autumn and looked at her curiously. “And you’re staying here why, exactly?” “It would be improper of me not to stay and converse with my sister’s husband and a member of the Imperial Family,” she replied. Arrie grinned. “You know, proper behavior doesn’t keep the bed warm at night,” she said, winking. She got a pillow thrown at her in response. “Well,’ said Herion, brushing an errant goose feather off his shoulder, “perhaps I should return to my own lodgings and allow the two of you to finish this conversation in private. Ariadne, I would appreciate the chance to spend some time with you, if for no other reason than to catch up in person rather than through letters. Autumn, you would be invited as well; I have news from Merlion that may interest you.” Herion then cracked the tiniest of smiles. “As long as you allow me to stand just outside of the range of ‘that mean right’ that Arrie has told me about.” Autumn returned the smile. “Of course, your Imperial Highness.” ---------------------- * Herion does know that Kavan and Maddie are the same person, he's just playing dumb for the benefit of the guards. [/QUOTE]
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