Q'Barra: Facing Truth Chapter 2

[Pebele]

The adolescents silently nod their assent to Trebuchet, and resume following him, until he completes his task. At which point they disperse towards their homes.

Darrick also earns a few smiles as he shows the boys how to wield a club.

Once everyone is gathered in the meeting hall for dinner, it seems as if the students have been accepted by the vast majority of the settlement. They are treated to smiles and waves this time, much different than before.

Once the meal is done and things are being put away, John Kassel approaches the group again. "I wish we had some way to thank you folks. Unfortunately, we don't have much here. I'd be happy to write to someone at the school and tell 'em how grateful we are fer the help ya'll gave us."

Before Kassel could finish, the door opened and Viktor and the other two villagers entered the common room.

Viktor looked each of the group in the eyes, then returned his attention to Catherine. "I know how to admit when I've been wrong. And I was wrong about you people. I know you come from a military school, so I know that you must be able to see why we didn't trust you. This is our platoon. These people are our only allies. No one else ever gave a damn.

But I was wrong. You killed them. More will probably come, but that can't be helped. At least we know they ain't invincible.

We found a little camp set up not far from where we found their bodies. They had this chest there." Viktor motioned for one of the other men, and he sat a small chest on the table.

"Don't know what's in it, but I figure that whatever it is, it belongs to you now." He turned to Kassel then. "Old man, I'm sorry. Your way was right, after all. This time."

 

[Shayuri]

"Happy to be of service!" Trebuchet announces earnestly. "The connection seems to be that the lizardfolk are occupying a place that the Children deem holy. They didn't have the power to displace them, and so they blackmailed you! Have any of you heard anything more to this? What is so holy about where the lizardfolk are now? Determining this will help determine future threats."

 

[BRP2]

Charles smirks at the sight of the chest. He waits until everyone is finished speaking, then in a low voice says Why don't we find out what's inside?

 

[Yeoman]

Why don't we find out what's inside?

"Indeed. Perhaps it has something to clue us in on their motives, besides the apparent monetary value it represents."

 

[EvolutionKB]

Kaelan

Kaelan sighs, then gives the group a grin. "Perhaps the Children did not have everything they carried. Let's see what is inside."

I'd be happy to write to someone at the school and tell 'em how grateful we are fer the help ya'll gave us."

"I am sure the school expected no less out of us, but if you insist..."

But I was wrong. You killed them. More will probably come, but that can't be helped. At least we know they ain't invincible.

"They bleed just like us. If more come we'll take care of them too, but first we should find out what we can about the supposed holy site the lizardfolk are sitting on."

 

[Rookseye]

Sepoto eyes the small chest warily.

"Use care, Friend-Catherine, though the Angry Children are no more, they may have left behind a trap of some kind on this chest. It may contain much more than the wealth or truths we seek hidden within."

Sepoto frowns slightly while looking at the container from all sides.

"If you would like, I will open it in your stead, I have knowledge of such things, the lizard-folk are cunning in the traps they make..."

[SBLOCK] Sepoto will be checking the chest for traps if nobody else has any objections, and will open it if he finds it proves to be safe. If not, he will advise everyone to step away while he attempts to disable the trap. Search check = 21 Disable Device check (if needed) = 24 [/SBLOCK]

 

[Yeoman]

"Use care, Friend-Catherine, though the Angry Children are no more, they may have left behind a trap of some kind on this chest. It may contain much more than the wealth or truths we seek hidden within If you would like, I will open it in your stead, I have knowledge of such things, the lizard-folk are cunning in the traps they make..."

"A wise precaution Sepoto. Please proceed."

 

[Pebele]

After placing the chest on the table and speaking his mind to Kassel, Viktor turned to Trebuchet. "All's I know is that they said the lizards had to go, or we did. The three of us," He motioned to the two silent men behind him. "Figured that it was better the lizards than us. We were in the middle of planning how to attack and making traps when you all showed up. The druids didn't tell us why. And we didn't care to look in to it."

Viktor turned toward the door, and before he exited Kassel spoke up. "Viktor, I think the town will benefit by having us both here. We will speak about this whole thing later, if you will meet with me at my house." Viktor simply nodded his head and left the meeting house.

Sepoto studied the chest, but he found nothing to indicate that it was anything other than a simple chest. He easily opened it to reveal 200 gold pieces, part of a map and what appeared to be a letter. Sepoto and Catherine recognize the letter as being written in Draconic, and it is in a different hand than the previous letter they found.

[sblock=The translation of the letter]

"If you are to be allowed to know our secrets, you must prove you are worthy. The lizards occupy a land that is believed to be one of the missing sites. They must be eliminated, and we must see if the site is truly holy.

However, we do not operate openly. You must not take out the lizards yourself. I will repeat: You are NOT to harm the lizards. You must figure out a way to get rid of them. We do not care how.

But do be aware, there seems to be a force that will move against you. How and why, I do not know. I know they number six, and they are untested and inexperienced. They are young and fool-hardy. I expect you to be able to deal with them easily.

I look forward to hearing of your progress."

The letter is unsigned.[/sblock]

 

[Rolzup]

Darricks sighs, rubbing his forehead. "So a prophet, rather than a spy? Not an improvement, I'm afraid. Magic's rather more difficult to counter than mundane espionage."

He flushes a little, and adds "Or...ah...so I've read."

Smiling a little sheepishly, Darrick continues, "I rather think that we should seek out these lizard-folk, and learn what we can from them. Approach them honestly, openly, and peacefully...and with luck, we can resolve this without further danger to the town.

"That said, we should also get word to the academy of what we've learned so far. In case the worst happens, they should not be taken entirely unaware."

 

[Yeoman]

Catherine ponders the note and Darrick's observations. "While we can't rule prophecy or the like, conventional espionage is still a possibility. I believe the current threat has been eliminated for both the town and the lizardfolk. Whomever wrote this letter is obviously not going to move directly against the lizardfolk, and with their minions thwarted. I believe our best course of action is to return to the academy and report in, as Darrick mentioned."