By early morning the following day, Hammer 22, they had arrived back at the Gatereach guest house in Westgate, cold and tired from their journey. Belle and Melissa preferred to rest immediately, while the others got some oatmeal from the inn before retiring. Early afternoon, the party regrouped at the inn for lunch, catching up with Jandrico Swift. Aerikoth finished early and indicated he would go see the wizard Gondeth, in case he wished to accompany them to Turnton.
Later, Aerikoth returned from visiting Gondeth and encountered Rahnee and Belle in the main guest house room. Aerikoth informed them that Gondeth would not be accompanying them to Turnton. Although the mage had interrupted a somewhat intense conversation between Belle and Rahnee regarding recent events in Reddansyr, he was invited to stay; Rahnee promised that a “cat fight” would not break out. Rahnee turned back toward Belle and reassured her that she and Brok-Tul were not angry at Belle. Rather, Rahnee was annoyed at herself for being taken as easily as a newborn puppy.
The companions turned toward discussing the aftermath of the incident at the well. In response to a question from Rahnee, Aerikoth said he thought he had seen at least one person escape, although he was not sure. Rahnee reviewed with Belle what was known of the bandit leader Jonas, who apparently was still in the Westgate prison, and Jonas’ brother, who may have been Rahnee’s captor. Belle said that his brother Marcus had departed Reddansyr some time ago, taking ship from Teziir for parts unknown. Their family, the Mynolts, had a reputation as minor, albeit crooked, traders.
Belle explained that she had originally become involved in tracking down Jonas because of a bounty put on his head for killing another Reddansyr merchant. She had found him holed up at the Spitting Cockatrice in Westgate and turned him over to the Reddansyr merchant representative in the city. When she returned to Reddansyr, Belle was warned by Ian Gryphonhawk that she was being talked about in relation to Jonas’ capture. He'd heard that the last anyone had seen of him, he had been with a blonde haired wench, that Old Tam's palomino horse was missing its mane and tail, and Belle had been seen near old Tam's farm. Belle assured a laughing Rahnee that she had not cut the horse’s tail off, just the hair, for her disguise. The three then discussed possibilities for approaching Jonas in prison, in order to gather more information from him.
Veran at this point entered the guest house, prompting Aerikoth to say that he had to check on his familiar Zeluth, but first had other information to impart to his companions. The wizard said he had heard a few things that might be of interest. First was that Jamal, the Harper bard, had not been seen in a tenday and there were whispers that she was either in hiding or deceased. Aerikoth noted that he had previously warned of this possibility. Next and perhaps not as surprising, the mage continued, House Thalavar had declared itself behind Audara Imryth in the election for the position of Croamarkh, while House Bleth intended to back their ex-Cormyrian counterparts, House Cormaeril.
Veran then mentioned he had news as well, saying that he had received a return missive from his monastery. He set a small amulet down on the table, along with the letter, explaining that the amulet was a gift sent in the hope that it would reach him in time to help combat the evil they had faced. In response to concerns expressed by Belle and Rahnee, Veran said that the letter indeed contained instructions for him to report back to the monastery once his task was completed. However, the monk continued, it would be necessary to define “completed” before complying; he did not feel that his task was done. (It is interesting to observe Brother Veran's interpretation of the Order's message. This is again an illustration of how outside the monastery walls, members must be able to think for themselves and take initiative when necessary. Veran, being on the scene and not many miles away in Archendale, was in the best position to judge the import of his own actions. --C)
Belle expressed regret that the amulet had not arrived in time for their battle with the lich, but Veran said stoically that such was the way of things sometimes, and that he did not believe it would go wholly without use. With that, Aerikoth took his leave. Brok-Tul arrived a short time later and caught up with Belle, Rahnee, and Veran.
Later, Aerikoth returned from visiting Gondeth and encountered Rahnee and Belle in the main guest house room. Aerikoth informed them that Gondeth would not be accompanying them to Turnton. Although the mage had interrupted a somewhat intense conversation between Belle and Rahnee regarding recent events in Reddansyr, he was invited to stay; Rahnee promised that a “cat fight” would not break out. Rahnee turned back toward Belle and reassured her that she and Brok-Tul were not angry at Belle. Rather, Rahnee was annoyed at herself for being taken as easily as a newborn puppy.
The companions turned toward discussing the aftermath of the incident at the well. In response to a question from Rahnee, Aerikoth said he thought he had seen at least one person escape, although he was not sure. Rahnee reviewed with Belle what was known of the bandit leader Jonas, who apparently was still in the Westgate prison, and Jonas’ brother, who may have been Rahnee’s captor. Belle said that his brother Marcus had departed Reddansyr some time ago, taking ship from Teziir for parts unknown. Their family, the Mynolts, had a reputation as minor, albeit crooked, traders.
Belle explained that she had originally become involved in tracking down Jonas because of a bounty put on his head for killing another Reddansyr merchant. She had found him holed up at the Spitting Cockatrice in Westgate and turned him over to the Reddansyr merchant representative in the city. When she returned to Reddansyr, Belle was warned by Ian Gryphonhawk that she was being talked about in relation to Jonas’ capture. He'd heard that the last anyone had seen of him, he had been with a blonde haired wench, that Old Tam's palomino horse was missing its mane and tail, and Belle had been seen near old Tam's farm. Belle assured a laughing Rahnee that she had not cut the horse’s tail off, just the hair, for her disguise. The three then discussed possibilities for approaching Jonas in prison, in order to gather more information from him.
Veran at this point entered the guest house, prompting Aerikoth to say that he had to check on his familiar Zeluth, but first had other information to impart to his companions. The wizard said he had heard a few things that might be of interest. First was that Jamal, the Harper bard, had not been seen in a tenday and there were whispers that she was either in hiding or deceased. Aerikoth noted that he had previously warned of this possibility. Next and perhaps not as surprising, the mage continued, House Thalavar had declared itself behind Audara Imryth in the election for the position of Croamarkh, while House Bleth intended to back their ex-Cormyrian counterparts, House Cormaeril.
Veran then mentioned he had news as well, saying that he had received a return missive from his monastery. He set a small amulet down on the table, along with the letter, explaining that the amulet was a gift sent in the hope that it would reach him in time to help combat the evil they had faced. In response to concerns expressed by Belle and Rahnee, Veran said that the letter indeed contained instructions for him to report back to the monastery once his task was completed. However, the monk continued, it would be necessary to define “completed” before complying; he did not feel that his task was done. (It is interesting to observe Brother Veran's interpretation of the Order's message. This is again an illustration of how outside the monastery walls, members must be able to think for themselves and take initiative when necessary. Veran, being on the scene and not many miles away in Archendale, was in the best position to judge the import of his own actions. --C)
Belle expressed regret that the amulet had not arrived in time for their battle with the lich, but Veran said stoically that such was the way of things sometimes, and that he did not believe it would go wholly without use. With that, Aerikoth took his leave. Brok-Tul arrived a short time later and caught up with Belle, Rahnee, and Veran.