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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ruined" data-source="post: 1260873" data-attributes="member: 113">13th of Chardot, yr. 150 A.V. “The door was unlocked, I tell you,” Tréan said as she drizzled honey onto a crusty heel of bread. The trio was seated at the same table they had the night before. Breakfast had been laid out before them, a luxurious meal of black bread, poached eggs, and pork sausages. “You’re sure you just didn’t forget to lock it?” Gerad asked. Tréan set down the piece of bread and looked at Gerad as if he had foregone his armor to wear a flowery dress.“Darling, in all of the times we’ve spent on our travels, have I ever let my guard down?” Gerad chose not to respond. “We locked that door last night.” “Anything missing?” Gerad mumbled as he stuffed another sausage into his mouth. “No,” Surielle said. “That’s what makes it so disturbing.” “Well, if Snowmelt didn’t hear anything, then I wouldn’t worry too much. She’d eat anyone alive that tried to attack you.” Gerad slyly glanced at the patrons before flipping a sausage to the wolf. The group continued to eat in silence, pondering their course of action for the day. Surielle had suggested inquiring with the vintners around town, the older the better. Long-lived residents may know more about their legendary wizard than the younger villagers. They looked up as a halfling approached their table. “Good morning, folks,” he said, smiling. “How have you found Oakdale so far?” “It’s been pleasant so far. We just arrived last night.” Tréan replied. “Good to hear. My name is Liam.” Casual introductions, first names only, were spread around the table. Liam pulled up an offered chair and sat at one end of the table. “So what brings you to our quaint little town?” “Simple travelers with an interest in history. We thought we’d tour your town and inquire about tales of the past.” Another lie. She hated to tell so many, but it was necessary. “Truly so?” Liam asked. He had helped himself to a bowl of almonds the serving girl had brought with their food and cracked them open with relish. “Well, you might be in luck. My employer is well versed in the history of Oakdale. In fact, he’d probably be willing to talk to you should you have the time.” “And what is your employer’s name, dear?” “Ah, names are never that important, now are they?” Liam looked up from the table and smiled. Tréan was about to answer that indeed they were when she caught sight of the shape Liam had formed on the table. It was the letter ‘K’ formed out of cracked almond shells. She met eyes with Surielle, who also was looking at the letter. Could he be an agent of Kelkarrin? “No dear. I suppose they are not.” “So you will join us, then? Excellent. Just find me over by the bar when you’ve finished breaking your fast,” said Liam as he brushed aside the shells. He hopped from the chair and sauntered over to the bar, quickly engaging in conversation with Erich Thimbledown. “You think he knows Kelkarrin?” Gerad asked. He too had noted the letter Liam had drawn. “It’s the best lead we have had so far.” “But can we trust him?” Surielle asked. “Doubtful,” Tréan said, “but it hasn’t stopped us thus far.”***Their halfling guide led them out of the city to the East. It was another scorching day, with no sign of rain anytime soon. They could see the vineyards begin to stretch out before them, but Liam turned off of the main road before they got too far. He carried them up a Northern path that seemed well tended but seldom traveled. Tréan watched Liam with caution. She didn’t fear violence from the halfling, but her senses were sharpened for any sign of ambush or treachery. They engaged in simple conversation as they walked, never touching upon the serious topics that burned in all their minds. As they crested a hill that placed them beyond sight of the village, Liam slowed to a stop. The grass-covered area was away from the wealth of vineyards and farmlands. Liam searched the ground for something while the others waited patiently. “Here is the part you might have problems with,” Liam said. He smiled at the trio and took three steps forward. He reached out into the air and grasped something. He twisted his hand and pulled, revealing a door. Tréan could hear gasps from those beside her. Her own eyes wanted to slide away from the door and look elsewhere, as if they were being coerced. “Yes, an invisible tower, just like in ‘tales of the past’,” Liam said, subtly reminding Trean of her earlier falsehood. “As you’ve probably guessed by now, Kelkarrin values his privacy. Come on, follow me.” And with that, he stepped into the doorway and disappeared. “Should we?” Tréan asked. Surielle kept her eyes fixed on the doorway as she responded. “I think this is what we’ve been after all along.”</blockquote>

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