The Fall of Arden Fair
Rayni said:
"I would hope perhaps there was somewhere closer--Sheny's friends, do you have a holdfast or safehouse anywhere nearby that we can use?"
The three people look at each other for a moment, and Rayni has the feeling more than looks is being exchanged. "
Yes, we have a safe place. We can examine Opal there... and figure out our next plan. Perhaps they might fear to tread in your dreams, but there are other, more mundane ways to take their revenge," the noblewoman says. "
I am Febratari. These are Tuharath and Sebekmelk," she adds softly, and then jerks her head for you to follow her.
She gestures for Bail to pause for a moment, then has him tip Opal's head back. "
This will render her invisible for a few minutes, enough for us to reach a safe place," she explains, before pouring a thin gray liquid down the woman's throat. Opal's body fades into nothingness, and Bail shoulders his eerie bundle again. After a few minutes of slipping through the streets, and then going down and over at least one ward, they finally enter a small residence with a stout door and small windows, which, once inside, Febratari locks and bars.
Something Fishy at the Drunk Duck!
Tondrek cocks his head to the side, like a dog listening to something strange. "
I make things! I make 'em better! For a bit. Old man called it artimifice." The half-orc then looks to the girl, and cautiously approaches. Shyly, he says,
"You 'k, fishy lady?" The young woman is still crying hysterically, but after a few minutes manages to gasp out, "
Yes!"
Someone said:
"Ah. Cool."
"Magic must be easier than I though, then"
He turns to Querzana, and slips on the bloodied floor, almost falling down. Using one sword as cane, he walks unsteadily to the walls, where he cleans his weapons with some cloth he finds there and puts them back in their sheaths, then helps the swordwoman to get out of the kitchen -even when she needs less help than himself-
"Never thought I´d find you down here. Are you hurt?"
Querzana takes a few steps outside with him before pausing in the hallway. "
I'm not much worse off than you! I come down here sometimes because the company is usually pretty funny and the food is fresh... though not usually that fresh! You were magnificent Harolk!" she says enthusiastically, giving him a shamelessly hearty kiss.
"Anyone for some fish?" says Hxaptos laughing at the rugelt. "I am pretty sure it's dead now."
Someone comes clambering downstairs, and shortly the frantic man and his daughter are reunited on the blood-slick floor of the galley. "
Oh thank you, thank you, thank you! Little one, I thought I'd never see you again. Where is Loreth, that wretched dog? How dare you put my daughter in such danger-!" he says, first hugging his daughter, then whirling on the unconscious chef. He stops before pummeling the man when he sees his unconscious and bruised body. He takes a deep breath and exhales, trying to get his temper under control. "
Thank you, all of you, for helping my daughter. I... you're hurt!" he says suddenly noticing the bruises on Tondrek and Hxaptos, then looking out in the hall at Harolk and Querzana's pulped flesh. "
Come, please, I'll put you in our private dining room. I'll send for a House Jorasco healer to tend to you, and then I shall personally make you the finest rugelt steaks Sharn has ever seen!"
