"Welcome, Annika, Jar'Thol," says Iris.
"In truth we weren't expecting you personally, but we knew somebody was coming when it was evident that the ice demon had been defeated. It's been winter so long here."
Salmon looks about him nervously.
"We should continue this conversation inside," he says.
Salmon and Iris lead you to one of the nearby buildings, looking a bit like a coiled shell built from wattle and daub. The plants growing outside look a lot like water weed, even waving gently as if drifting in the current of a river. Catfish stays with his boat, and you are watched by the other citizens of Heartsflow, all dressed like Salmon and Iris in a multitude of coloured, flowing robes.
Once everyone is seated around a table, Iris brings goblets of a clear, sweet-scented liquid. The reflection of the moon is in each goblet.
"These are from the village well," she explains.
"Your friend the Vashti was very taken with it."
"So you were sent by Vasu Leng?" asks Salmon. "
Or White Crane, as she called herself back then. She used to be a regular visitor here, with her young gentleman Flying Geese, back before...."
"She used to be good friends with the old River King," says Iris,
"Then one day her, Flying Geese and the River King set off on some adventure, and we never saw them again."
"The old King was wise and fair. His successor, a nephew of his, is... not so wise and fair."
"He forbade contact with the mortal realm, installed the ice demon to guard the Ropoko gate, and his children run riot in the kingdom. If his soldiers found you here, it would mean death for you, and us, probably."
"Vasu Leng said that she might not return from her quest, and she left us a scroll to give to... ' to those who come after', were her words. But..." Salmon look shifty.
"But Prince Oxbow confiscated it," says Iris.
"He's the King's third eldest son," adds Salmon.
"The princes and princesses can sense things of mortal origin."
"And the King's Edict forbade us to have it."
"So we've failed the Vashti!" wails Iris.
"And now the ice demon has gone, the King's going to be angry with us. What are we going to do?"
Salmon pats her hand absently. His thoughts seems elsewhere as he peers at Three Flowers intently.
"You know, you look just like him, Flying Geese I mean," he says.
[Sblock=Those who drink the moon-water]
The drink heals all damage, restores all spell slots, removes any conditions and restores per day powers.
[/sblock]
[sblock=Blackrat]
If you wish, Geese Flying South, a.k.a Flying Geese is Three Flower's paternal grandfather. This opens up several options and ties for the character if you want to take this connection (3F has never met this grandfather, but heard various stories of how reckless he was. As far as he knows, Flying Geese died, or ran away, before he was born. You can fine-tune the details.
If you *don't* want to take this connection, that's fine. Mistaken identity is fun too
[/sblock]
