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<blockquote data-quote="xnosipjpqmhd" data-source="post: 3519345"><p><strong>Motherless Children Have a Hard Time</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="color: Orange"> Godsday, Harvester 4.</span></p><p></p><p> Tateland awoke suddenly at the sound of the front door closing. Gretchyn approached, apologising for awakening him. "As you know, it is Godsday. The children must be escorted to the temple for services."</p><p></p><p> The priest woke the others. They compared notes with Gretchyn and found that no one had experienced anything unusual during the night. All of the children still in the building were accounted for.</p><p></p><p> Oberyn watched while the orphanage staff led the children out the door and off to the temple. He seemed lost in thought, then emerged from his reverie. "Either magic has been used, the locks have been picked, or the abductor was already inside when the doors where shut for the night," opined Oberyn.</p><p></p><p> "Magic it may be," said Gretchyn, "but I cannot imagine that one of the staff was involved."</p><p></p><p> "Madam, we must consider every possibility," said Tateland. "Who are the staff?"</p><p></p><p> "There are five who help me, but Jaromir and Willow don't have quarters here, and they come only occasionally. The other three are Neva the nurse, Temar the cook, and young Patch the janitor."</p><p></p><p> "We will need to search their quarters, beginning with yours," demanded Oberyn brusquely.</p><p></p><p> Gretchyn was taken aback. "You think I would do this? Your inquiry has gone far enough." She stamped her small foot.</p><p></p><p> Oberyn was insistant. "If you are hiding nothing, then you needn't fear a search of your things."</p><p></p><p> "You, sir, are overstepping your bounds. Please leave."</p><p></p><p> Oberyn ignored her and instead turned to Tateland. "Go to the temple and fetch the priestess," he commanded.</p><p></p><p> "You are all done here," said Gretchyn, then she stepped out onto Latern Street to summon the nearest patrol of soldiers. "Guards!"</p><p></p><p> Tateland seemed torn. "Jenya will not come. She must attend to Godsday duties."</p><p></p><p> "Fetch her!" yelled Oberyn.</p><p></p><p> Tateland relented and headed off to the temple just as Gretchyn returned with two soldiers.</p><p></p><p> "You fellows need to leave," said one. "Let's not have any trouble."</p><p></p><p> Oberyn held his hands to the ceiling. "Does no one care about the missing children?" he cried, flabbergasted. "If another one is abducted, it will be on your heads!"</p><p></p><p> "We all care about the children," said Gretchyn firmly, "but who are you to claim a moral right to do as you please in their name?"</p><p></p><p> "Brother Tateland represents the Order of St. Cuthbert, your major benefactor" answered Oberyn, "For my part, I am a Tercival, a family that has made large donations to the orphanage."</p><p></p><p> "Alek Tercival has made donations," clarified the halfling headmistress. "I've not seen you before."</p><p></p><p> The guards were just about to intervene, when the orphanage staff returned, children in tow. Jenya and Tateland accompanied them.</p><p></p><p> "Brother Tateland told me there was a disagreement about the way the inquiry is proceeding," said the priestess. She listened patiently while Gretchyn and Oberyn each explained their position.</p><p></p><p> "I understand and agree with both of you," said Jenya. "I believe the staff should have a say, and with your leave, headmistress, I will address them."</p><p></p><p> When the children had received their mid-morning meal and been led off to other activities, the staff assembled outside the hallway to their quarters.</p><p></p><p> Jenya looked each of them in the eye. "Rest assured the Order of St. Cuthbert will find those responsible for taking the children three nights ago, along with all who aided in the act."</p><p></p><p> Patch shifted uncomfortably.</p><p></p><p> "Now we ask your help," continued Jenya. "If anyone is unwilling to have their personal belongings searched by the honest priests of the Order, they may speak so now."</p><p></p><p> No one spoke. Gretchyn opened her mouth as if to speak, but she decided against setting a bad example.</p><p></p><p> "Very well," said the priestess. "We will begin with Headmistress Tashykk's room." She nodded to Ruphus, who led Jack and Oberyn into Gretchyn's room. The headmistress stood at the door, watching them rummage through her things.</p><p></p><p> Jenya turned to Tateland. "I must go now, but please return to the temple as soon as you are done. I have one last resource at my disposal that may prove helpful."</p><p></p><p> Tateland nodded.</p><p></p><p> When Jenya left, Patch took Tateland aside. "I didn't hurt no one," he mumbled. "I was just s'pose to watch one of them boys, that's all. I swear I didn't know nothing about them being taken. Please don't tell no one."</p><p></p><p> "Someone asked you to watch one of the boys?"</p><p></p><p> "yeah, it was an easy 50 eagles. I just had to watch Terrem and make sure nothing happened to him. How could I know he'd go missing?"</p><p></p><p> "Who asked you to do this?"</p><p></p><p> "Little bloke name of Revis," said Patch. "Revis Twindaggers. Said the Guild of Jesters had an interest in the lad, and he was none too pleased when I told him Terrem was gone."</p><p></p><p> "What kind of interest does the Guild have in an orphan?"</p><p></p><p> "He didn't say exactly, 'cept it had something to do with his dead parents. That's all, and I weren't about to ask for more."</p><p></p><p> "Where did you meet him?"</p><p></p><p> "Cross the way at the the Tipped Tankard." Patch began to plead once more. "Please don't tell Headmistress! I don't have no place else to go!"</p><p></p><p> Tateland thought for a moment. "I cannot make any promises, but I will see what I can do."</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p> Oberyn's eyes narrowed when Tateland relayed Patch's confession. He announced to Gretchyn and Jenya, "We will search the half-orc's room now."</p><p></p><p> Patch was instantly crestfallen as he followed Jack, Oberyn, Tateland, and Ruphus into his tiny room at the orphanage.</p><p></p><p> In short order, Tateland upturned a boot, and out spilled a black cloth sack ringing with coin. The tiny profile of a jester's head was stitched into it in white thread.</p><p></p><p> Oberyn emptied the gold coins onto Patch's cot. "What do we have here?" His tone was accusatory. "You are in league with the Last Laugh, are you not?"</p><p></p><p> Patch began to quake. Everyone was staring at him.</p><p></p><p> "Tell us where the children have been taken!" yelled Oberyn.</p><p></p><p> "I don't know nothing about it," said Patch.</p><p></p><p> "You are just as guilty as if you had taken them yourself!" Oberyn drew his sword.</p><p></p><p> Patch backed into a corner and lowered a shaking hand to his belt to withdraw a dagger. "I never done no wrong!" he cried.</p><p></p><p> The confrontation ended suddenly when Patch made a break for the door, and Oberyn tripped him. Patch fell with a thump, and the group quickly apprehended him, but they could get no more answers from him than what he had already said to Tateland.</p><p></p><p> When Gretchyn saw the coins and heard of Patch's deeds, she was saddened and agreed to summon the soldiers to once more to take him away.</p><p></p><p> The search of the remainder of the staff quarters was perfunctory.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p> "Patch was told to watch a boy named Terrem," recalled Tateland.</p><p></p><p> "That would be Terrem Kharatys," said Gretchyn, "one of the four children taken three nights ago."</p><p></p><p> "What can you tell us about him and the others?"</p><p></p><p> "Terrem is a dour and temperamental lad. His parents died shortly after his birth. </p><p></p><p> "The other boy who disappeared as a young dwur of about 12 years, Deakon Stormshield. He was bright and full of energy. We took him in when he was six after his parents failed to return from a journey to the mountains.</p><p></p><p> "The two girls, Evenlyn and Lucinda, were about Terrem's age: eight or nine. Evelyn seemed quiet and sullen most of the time. She came here after her father and mother succumbed to filth fever a few years back. Lucinda by contrast was gregarious but superstitious. She was given up at age four by her poverty-striken mother."</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p> That evening, Jack, Oberyn, and Tateland returned to the Temple of St. Cuthbert to meet with Jenya. She led them into a private meeting chamber.</p><p></p><p> "I have decided to use the Star of Justice," she said, "but its clue has proven cryptic."</p><p></p><p> Oberyn and Jack looked quizzically at each other. "What is the Star of Justice?"</p><p></p><p> "The Star of Justice is a relic from the days of old, granting to the high priest of our temple insight into a vexing problem. While High Priest Delasharn is away, I took it upon myself as acting high priestess to use it's power to divine the location of the children abducted from the orphanage. I wrote down the response." She passed a fresh piece of parchment across to the heroes. On it were written the words:</p><p></p><p>The locks are key to finding them </p><p>Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron </p><p>But beware the doors with teeth </p><p>Descend into the malachite 'hold </p><p>Where precious life is bought with gold </p><p>Half a dwarf binds them, but not for long</p><p></p><p>After briefly puzzling over the meaning of the riddle, the heroes decided to return to the orphanage for one last look at the building's locks. </p><p></p><p> Gretchyn met them once again at the door, having just sent the children to their beds for the night. "As I said before, the orphanage is blessed with the finest of locks. When this place was founded, the Order of St. Cuthbert spared no expense."</p><p></p><p> "What is this symbol etched below the keyhole?" asked Jack.</p><p></p><p> Gretchyn looked. "That is the maker's mark of Keygan Ghelve. His shop is on Lava Avenue."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="xnosipjpqmhd, post: 3519345"] [b]Motherless Children Have a Hard Time[/b] [COLOR=Orange] Godsday, Harvester 4.[/COLOR] Tateland awoke suddenly at the sound of the front door closing. Gretchyn approached, apologising for awakening him. "As you know, it is Godsday. The children must be escorted to the temple for services." The priest woke the others. They compared notes with Gretchyn and found that no one had experienced anything unusual during the night. All of the children still in the building were accounted for. Oberyn watched while the orphanage staff led the children out the door and off to the temple. He seemed lost in thought, then emerged from his reverie. "Either magic has been used, the locks have been picked, or the abductor was already inside when the doors where shut for the night," opined Oberyn. "Magic it may be," said Gretchyn, "but I cannot imagine that one of the staff was involved." "Madam, we must consider every possibility," said Tateland. "Who are the staff?" "There are five who help me, but Jaromir and Willow don't have quarters here, and they come only occasionally. The other three are Neva the nurse, Temar the cook, and young Patch the janitor." "We will need to search their quarters, beginning with yours," demanded Oberyn brusquely. Gretchyn was taken aback. "You think I would do this? Your inquiry has gone far enough." She stamped her small foot. Oberyn was insistant. "If you are hiding nothing, then you needn't fear a search of your things." "You, sir, are overstepping your bounds. Please leave." Oberyn ignored her and instead turned to Tateland. "Go to the temple and fetch the priestess," he commanded. "You are all done here," said Gretchyn, then she stepped out onto Latern Street to summon the nearest patrol of soldiers. "Guards!" Tateland seemed torn. "Jenya will not come. She must attend to Godsday duties." "Fetch her!" yelled Oberyn. Tateland relented and headed off to the temple just as Gretchyn returned with two soldiers. "You fellows need to leave," said one. "Let's not have any trouble." Oberyn held his hands to the ceiling. "Does no one care about the missing children?" he cried, flabbergasted. "If another one is abducted, it will be on your heads!" "We all care about the children," said Gretchyn firmly, "but who are you to claim a moral right to do as you please in their name?" "Brother Tateland represents the Order of St. Cuthbert, your major benefactor" answered Oberyn, "For my part, I am a Tercival, a family that has made large donations to the orphanage." "Alek Tercival has made donations," clarified the halfling headmistress. "I've not seen you before." The guards were just about to intervene, when the orphanage staff returned, children in tow. Jenya and Tateland accompanied them. "Brother Tateland told me there was a disagreement about the way the inquiry is proceeding," said the priestess. She listened patiently while Gretchyn and Oberyn each explained their position. "I understand and agree with both of you," said Jenya. "I believe the staff should have a say, and with your leave, headmistress, I will address them." When the children had received their mid-morning meal and been led off to other activities, the staff assembled outside the hallway to their quarters. Jenya looked each of them in the eye. "Rest assured the Order of St. Cuthbert will find those responsible for taking the children three nights ago, along with all who aided in the act." Patch shifted uncomfortably. "Now we ask your help," continued Jenya. "If anyone is unwilling to have their personal belongings searched by the honest priests of the Order, they may speak so now." No one spoke. Gretchyn opened her mouth as if to speak, but she decided against setting a bad example. "Very well," said the priestess. "We will begin with Headmistress Tashykk's room." She nodded to Ruphus, who led Jack and Oberyn into Gretchyn's room. The headmistress stood at the door, watching them rummage through her things. Jenya turned to Tateland. "I must go now, but please return to the temple as soon as you are done. I have one last resource at my disposal that may prove helpful." Tateland nodded. When Jenya left, Patch took Tateland aside. "I didn't hurt no one," he mumbled. "I was just s'pose to watch one of them boys, that's all. I swear I didn't know nothing about them being taken. Please don't tell no one." "Someone asked you to watch one of the boys?" "yeah, it was an easy 50 eagles. I just had to watch Terrem and make sure nothing happened to him. How could I know he'd go missing?" "Who asked you to do this?" "Little bloke name of Revis," said Patch. "Revis Twindaggers. Said the Guild of Jesters had an interest in the lad, and he was none too pleased when I told him Terrem was gone." "What kind of interest does the Guild have in an orphan?" "He didn't say exactly, 'cept it had something to do with his dead parents. That's all, and I weren't about to ask for more." "Where did you meet him?" "Cross the way at the the Tipped Tankard." Patch began to plead once more. "Please don't tell Headmistress! I don't have no place else to go!" Tateland thought for a moment. "I cannot make any promises, but I will see what I can do." *** Oberyn's eyes narrowed when Tateland relayed Patch's confession. He announced to Gretchyn and Jenya, "We will search the half-orc's room now." Patch was instantly crestfallen as he followed Jack, Oberyn, Tateland, and Ruphus into his tiny room at the orphanage. In short order, Tateland upturned a boot, and out spilled a black cloth sack ringing with coin. The tiny profile of a jester's head was stitched into it in white thread. Oberyn emptied the gold coins onto Patch's cot. "What do we have here?" His tone was accusatory. "You are in league with the Last Laugh, are you not?" Patch began to quake. Everyone was staring at him. "Tell us where the children have been taken!" yelled Oberyn. "I don't know nothing about it," said Patch. "You are just as guilty as if you had taken them yourself!" Oberyn drew his sword. Patch backed into a corner and lowered a shaking hand to his belt to withdraw a dagger. "I never done no wrong!" he cried. The confrontation ended suddenly when Patch made a break for the door, and Oberyn tripped him. Patch fell with a thump, and the group quickly apprehended him, but they could get no more answers from him than what he had already said to Tateland. When Gretchyn saw the coins and heard of Patch's deeds, she was saddened and agreed to summon the soldiers to once more to take him away. The search of the remainder of the staff quarters was perfunctory. *** "Patch was told to watch a boy named Terrem," recalled Tateland. "That would be Terrem Kharatys," said Gretchyn, "one of the four children taken three nights ago." "What can you tell us about him and the others?" "Terrem is a dour and temperamental lad. His parents died shortly after his birth. "The other boy who disappeared as a young dwur of about 12 years, Deakon Stormshield. He was bright and full of energy. We took him in when he was six after his parents failed to return from a journey to the mountains. "The two girls, Evenlyn and Lucinda, were about Terrem's age: eight or nine. Evelyn seemed quiet and sullen most of the time. She came here after her father and mother succumbed to filth fever a few years back. Lucinda by contrast was gregarious but superstitious. She was given up at age four by her poverty-striken mother." *** That evening, Jack, Oberyn, and Tateland returned to the Temple of St. Cuthbert to meet with Jenya. She led them into a private meeting chamber. "I have decided to use the Star of Justice," she said, "but its clue has proven cryptic." Oberyn and Jack looked quizzically at each other. "What is the Star of Justice?" "The Star of Justice is a relic from the days of old, granting to the high priest of our temple insight into a vexing problem. While High Priest Delasharn is away, I took it upon myself as acting high priestess to use it's power to divine the location of the children abducted from the orphanage. I wrote down the response." She passed a fresh piece of parchment across to the heroes. On it were written the words: 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 After briefly puzzling over the meaning of the riddle, the heroes decided to return to the orphanage for one last look at the building's locks. Gretchyn met them once again at the door, having just sent the children to their beds for the night. "As I said before, the orphanage is blessed with the finest of locks. When this place was founded, the Order of St. Cuthbert spared no expense." "What is this symbol etched below the keyhole?" asked Jack. Gretchyn looked. "That is the maker's mark of Keygan Ghelve. His shop is on Lava Avenue." [/QUOTE]
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