"No apology necessary, Captain,"
he nodded and bowed. It was comical, really, as he still sounded like a small child. He wondered how powerful the caster was that brewed this potion and when the enchantment might finish. Fortunately, the spell chose that moment to end and he grew to his full height.
Almost relieved, in his usual, high tenor, he continued, "I'm happy to help those who keep Bluffside safe."
"Well, its good to hear that someone from your empire on Bluffside's side," Ela replies.
To Ela and the captain.
"Bluffside also owns to Thamir of Caean at the Temple of the Sky Travellers for this potion of lesser restoration."
"I will make sure the temple is compensated," Captain Ela de la Camoys says.
Vincenzo address Rockhorn with a now much stronger bow well done on dispatching that beast. "Your arrival was very timely and much appreciated. Can either of you tell me which way Commander Oakfirst went?"
To the Sectarian Captain he turns and says, "By your leave, of course. Unless you have other orders for me?"
The elderly woman nods to Vincenzo.
"I would walk with you to hear more about your time with the Exemplars, but I'm sure it will be in your next report to Commander Ivosorin." She keeps her focus on helping the guards move the dead to The Palace.
"I must stay here and make sure nothing is overlooked."
She notices the bracers she still has tied to her belt.
"I tried to give these to the Loremaster just before the ranger killed the creature." She hands them to Vincenzo.
"I think you're earned these today. They are like mine." She points to the magical bracers on her arms.
"I'm sure you'll make good use of them. That damn woman, the enchantress, she will not be needing them anymore."
Ela points towards The Palace.
"Lord Commander Oakfirst is carrying Captain Camburn's body to The Palace. It's not surprising. They are old friends." She looks at the other Exemplars gathered on the other side of the Golden Gateway, after she, Vincenzo, Vitus, and Rockhorn walk back towards Candle Street.
"Your friend, Custodio went with him, as did the commander's personal Elites."
OOC: Bracers of Armour +4.
Akos comandeers a cart and its owner with couple of guards to load the heart of the beast and transport it to...
"Hmmmm, where would be a good place for vivisection?" he thinks "Safe, and yet we don't want to destroy a home."
Aloud, once the heart is loaded
"Lets go to The Alchemist. He might have supplies needed and probably a space for gross things. I'd prefer a mortuary, but I don't trust the heart from the renegade. And hospitals, temples and unfortunately, mortuary, will be swamped right now."
"Tuck, Sobla, will you escort us? Tuck, you know the alchemist where we got that boy."
Tuck nods.
"Spindle."
"I will have to go back to work," she says. "But right now, I'm sticking with you."
Mutt barks and wags his tail. The big dog is back to his normal self.
Tim thanks Vitus with a friendly smile, firm handshake, and hearty slap on the shoulder.
Tim says, "Good on ye, lad. That's some healing talent you have there!"
Tim nods in the direction of Stormgrove, "I'm headed to the manor to have a proper rest, unless any of ye have need of me."
Tim leads the way with Akos, Tuck, and Sobla right behind him. The apothecary is near the manor, so all the Exemplars walk together.
I'm going to see if anyone else needs help and then go see Praefectus Casca. I'm sure the Praefectus would be happy to host you at the Embassy. But before you go, let me bless you - for protection! And you, good Sir!" he says to the warrior he just healed.
Tim says, "If the embassy is closer, and if they'll have me, I'd gladly accompany you there. I just want the chance to rest; I'm not too particular about where, as long as I am within response distance of the rest of you fellows, should the need arise. And along the way, if we can find a place, I'd like to find somewhere to buy a new shirt. The beast's fire breath ruined this one. And this was made of giant trapdoor silk, from the spider of the same name. It was so comfortable. It took the tailor two weeks to sew it."
"Your embassy is close to Stormgrove, young man," Ela notes to Vitus.
"You and Ranger Mosswood should go with them. Safety in numbers. And, I have a feeling they'll need your help." The elder Sectarian Captain looks around.
"I think we have this under control now, although getting rid of that carcass is going to be smelly work."
"We're up to the challenge," Petronille adds while watching the Exemplars depart. "It's the least we can do considering what they did for Old City." She looks at Rockhorn. "You as well, Ranger Mosswood."
The other guards nod.
Zenpher remembers the belt that the Sectarian Captain gave to him. He unslings it from his shoulder and catches up with Tuck. "Captain de la Camoys wanted me to give this to you. She took it off the enchanter."
Tuck looks back to the captain. She nods to the kobold urban ranger. He takes the belt and slings it over his shoulder.
"Thanks."
One by one, each of you begins to walk with Tim as he leads the way east to the Blade Gate. You get a full view of what The Beast did in the ward. The Golden Lantern is a smouldering ruin. Many other buildings around it are also burnt or have collapsed. When you approach the gate that leads into the Sword Ward, you can see that the creature tore through Gold Park. Beyond the park are the ruins of Wyndlasmere House next to the Old Growers' Tower. There are dozens of dead guards and hundreds of dead or wounded citizens being tended to by the city's fire brigadiers.
Your presence bolsters the people and Vitus is true to his word. He helps all he can. All of you pitch in as best you can, but there is more to be done than even your group of heroes could ever handle on their own. The people are helping each other, as well. The wounded are taken back through the Golden Gateway to the Sublime Bazaar, which is turned into a makeshift refuge. The few high-priced merchant that were still hiding there have retreated to their homes or several nearby taverns.
The remaining guards have gathered around the Blade Gate, which is closed. The Elites salute the Exemplars and let them pass into the Sword Ward. On the other side, there are
fifty Regulars guarding the gate. At first, they seem to want to block the way, but as Tim strides forward, they part and let the Exemplars through. The entire ward is on edge.
"This isn't good," Sobla whispers to Tuck. "Why are they acting so weird?"
Tim leads the way through the Sword Ward to The Narrow. The Regulars there are just as wary and very nervous. But... they seem glad to see the Exemplars, unlike some of those guarding the Blade Gate. They happily let the Exemplars pass into The Trench, which stands completely empty. It is eerie and unusual. When you reach the square between the northern Silver Gate and the southern Quill Gate, a familiar voice rings out.
"Let them through!" Captain Haulfrun Breedon yells from the top of the Quill Gate.
"And be quick about it!"
The gate opens just high enough for Tim to walk through without ducking his head. The captain rushes down to the street to greet the Exemplars. "Peace, and be well, my friends," he says to them. "We heard what happened in the Lantern Ward. When the fighting started, I tried to send Elites through to help, but the Regulars in Sword Ward wouldn't let them through. It's turned into a vicious pissing match. They blame the Elites for what is happening in Old City. Bah! It's a mess. I would have stormed The Trench if I had enough soldiers.
"Have they all turned traitor?" Vincenzo asks.
"No, that why I'm holding my position. While blades haven't been drawn, words have cut many in that ward. Plus, there are four embassies to worry about. A street battle wouldn't help the situation. Several Elites have gone to talk the Regulars down before they make the situation in Old City worse. Lady Émilienne is taking the lead. She cast a
Sending to let the lord commander know what is going on. The Regulars are angry. They have heard the rumours that they are all corrupt and traitors. It's not sitting well many of them."
"Sounds serious," Vincenzo sighs. He starts checking his spell components just as the Quill Gate begins to close. The Sectarian looks back towards the gate.
"Whoa! Don't be going back in there!" The captain says. "Lady Émilienne's got it under control. The Regulars respect her. Yes, she's an Elite, but's also a devoted follower of Sky and Air." He can see that you're all really tired. You've done your part for the Old City today. You all look like you're going to fall over. I'll have word sent to you if the situation gets worse. For now, go... rest. Trust in Émilienne."
Neurotic said:
On the way he discusses his plan and the plan of the companions for the following day.
"I need to hit the library, there is something I'd like to check. Sobla, can you tell us what you saw in the thicket?"
Sobla senses that all the Exemplars are considering whether or not to intervene. "You wanted to know about the thicket, right?" She waits until she has the attention of all the Exemplars, not just Akos. She moves down the street. "Well, come on."
"It will be okay," Captain Breedon assures you all. He puts his hand on Vincenzo's shoulder. "I promise, she'll handle it. She can be nearly as persuasive as the Loremaster." He smiles at Akos. "I'll keep you up to date."
Sobla begins telling you what she and Mutt discovered in the thicket. "It's really a tangled mess in that thicket... lots of brambles. It didn't take long to find the well." She pauses in the middle of the street. "Actually, the well found us. Around it, the thicket was alive with vines and bushes that seemed to sway without any wind."
Mutt whines.
"It made us both really nervous. Then, I heard a woman speaking to me, no to us," she tussles Mutt's head. "She sounded very far away, but I could hear her as clearly as if she was standing right in front of me. The vines moved towards us. I thought they might grab us, but instead they caressed my face. Then, flowers bloomed on them and
poof, the air was filled with misty pollen. We fell asleep. It seemed like forever."
Sobla takes a deep breath and keeps walking. "Oh, and when I woke up, I was surrounded by starlight for as far as eyes can see. An ocean of stars under my feet and a sky of shadowy starlight above me."
"The Eternal Waters of Light and Shadow," one of the captain's Elites says. He looks at Sobla. "I remember it from my studies in the Wizard District."
"This is Tendian," the captain says. "He one of my tower wizards."
"Your friend was taken to the Shadowstar Sea," Tendian adds.
"Mutt was there too!" Sobla says excitedly. "We were walking on the starry waters. It was so weird." She looks at Tuck. "There was both light and shadow as far the horizon. There wasn't anything but stars, so many stars, so pretty. But, then, there was the Lady. She was tall. At first, she looked human, but then she was this beautiful kobold queen. I've never seen any of our people who look like that."
Mutt barks happily, as several youngsters come to see the big dog. He is very happy to be back in Bluffside.
"She told me that I would need to come back here and tell you all about the stars and about her message." She looks at Akos. "Hmm, what did she say again? It feels like it was a week ago." She shakes her head and laughs. "Ah yes! She told me that the key to victory is in the heart of the people. Win the people. Win their hearts and the darkness will not claim Bluffside."
Many citizens have begun to gather around the kobold girl. "She also said to trust the sky's light, whatever that means."
Sobla notes the people gathered around her. The streets are murmuring. She looks back to Tuck. "Did I say too much, out loud? She told me it wasn't supposed to be a secret. She said that the people will seek the well and pray to the old gods of the city. And, when the time is right, the well will find its way to the Gardens where a new temple will be built. A temple dedicated to her and to all the fey ones of Mystic Glades."
"Oh, and she said that Gerey and Sylemis are with her... but, then, she was gone, and I woke up. Mutt was licking my face. We were back a Stormgrove. Then, we rushed to find you, ran to that Breva guy, and made our way to where I found you. It was quite the adventure. Are all your adventurers like that, Unca Tuck?"
