Session 36 - No Rest for the Wicked
General Summary
33 Amberspell - Contd.
Asking around, Janora and Denye learned that the best food in town was at the Lazy Root. On the way, they met up with Vellikar and Ranunkel and the four of them enjoyed a tasty lunch of strips of beef sautéed with onions and mushrooms, served atop roasted purple tubers doused with a thick brown gravy. Thick crusty bread and a crisp pear cider finished the meal.As they were all discussing some of what they had learned, Denye asked, "So what does everyone have planned for the afternoon? I'm very excited, I am planning on disassembling the broken pistol and seeing if I can get it working again."
"Honestly," replied Janora, "I'm not sure what do with myself in Duskcairn at the moment. I might just go out for a walk and check-in with the land, see if there in any interesting to see in the local forest."
Vellikar piped up, "I'm not sure what to do this afternoon, but do you think you all could listen to a dream I had and help me decode it. I've been thinking about it all morning and I'm still not sure what it means."
"I don't know a great deal about dreams," admitted Denye, "But I do love codes and secret messages."
Encouraged, Vellikar began, "So in this dream I was near Verbrona Bay and I heard voices telling me 'Darkness is rising.' See at first I was a bird and I heard voices in the wind telling me to stay with the group, with you all, because you may need me. And then there was a comet...I don't know, I'm trying to remember."
"Wait," said Denye raising a clay, "which one? Can you describe the comet?"
Vellikar shook his head, "Not really, all I remember was that it was red in the night sky and seemed to have a large dust cloud around it. As it passed over the sky, and as I watched it, it was putting out the stars. The stars, they were going dark." The firbolg druid stopped to shiver, "That's when I heard the voices from the dying fire say that the darkness was rising. And then I woke up, knowing that I needed to remember something."
Rankunel put in, "Well, what is it you are supposed to remember?"
Vellikar threw both hands up in reply, "I don't know. That's why I'm hoping you folks can help me make sense of the dream. Is this comet meaningful? Have you encountered anything like this before?"
"Vehacarro," said Denye nodded," It's a comet coming back around next year. I'm not sure if it is the same one from your dream, but I know that Master Bluff was quite excited about it. I've been looking for information or prophecies connected to it, but I haven't had a whole lot of luck as of late. There are also a pair of planets, Igniuc and Olrade, that will be in a conjunction at the time. So there is likely something of import that will be happening. And what with huge armies in the north and these Gulthias trees, it's clear something is happening in the world." Suddenly looking deflated, Denye slumped into her seat and said, "But it's hard to do research when everything is blowing up."
Janora snorted a laugh and that statement and even Vellikar smiled. "Maybe," he said, "It was by the sea, well it changed a lot but it started by the sea. I don't know, maybe that's a sign of where we need to go next?"
"Sounds like we should spent our afternoon in Ell's family library," suggested Ranunkel. "Could be we could find something on this comet."
"Maybe," replied Denye, "I didn't find much the other night." Pulling a book out of her bag, she held it up before starting to flip through it, "I just got this at the bookstore. I haven't really had a chance to dig into it deeply."
"What was the name of the comet again," asked Vellikar, "and how did you hear about it?"
"Oh, it a study of one of my mentors, Secret of the Bluff. I spent a few weeks studying at his school in Arborlisle Harbor this summer and he had a particular passion for astronomy. That could be by the sea...but that's down on the west coast of Umberfell. It's a looong way from here."
Vellikar shook his head, "I'm just not sure. This isn't the first time I've had these sorts of dreams, it was voices from a dream that led me to Cliffside where I met all of you. But I've never had one that rattled me quite this much." Looking down at his hands, he sighed and added, "It was unnerving, but it didn't seem immediate so maybe it was a just a warning."
Janora cackled a bit at that and said, "Vellikar, dear boy, we have had so many warnings and fucking prophecies surrounding all of us, it is absurd. Just try not to let it get to you. We're enjoying your presence, and you have proved yourself quite helpful, if you are feeling like you should stick with us...there is no reason to feel bad about that."
Vellikar blushed a little and mumbled a thank you. That seemed to be the signal for the end of the meal and the four adventurers split up for some solo afternoon pursuits. Janora elected to make their own way back up to the manor house, wanting to get a feel for the nearby land. Denye, Vellikar, and Ranunkel elected to take the road back up to the house. As they crossed through the town square , Vellikar caught sight a sparkle of magic alone a blank stone wall of the butcher shop. As soon as he saw it, the druid stopped and pointed it out to the others.
The sparkle quickly became the outline of a door which solidified into a red wooden door. Ranunkel squinted at it clearly nonplussed, "Well, that is definitely unusual."
The door opened and a woman with long purple hair stepped out. Wearing a forest green ball gown with a bright yellow apron covered in purple polka dots, she scanned the street until she spotted Denye and began waving them over. Thinking quickly, Denye sent a mental message through the link, "Hey Janora, you may want to get back here, Eskarina Price just showed up."
Janora replied a moment later, "Speaking of useless prophecies. Alright, I'm only a a few minutes outside of town. Just keep her talking." Acknowledging the message, Denye turned to Ranunkel and Vellikar, "Don't worry, we know who she is, we've had dealing with her before.
Jilken has spend the morning cleaning and checking over Ironheart's tack. Finding only one strap that had popped a few stitches, which was quickly repaired, the Aiel mounted and the warhorse trotted out to explore the estate. The pair spent several hours roving the walled section, finding a number of outbuildings along with a few servants here and there on the grounds.
As lunch time approached, Jilken found herself riding through the woods at the back of the estate. She only though about it when her stomach rumbles. Deciding that she might as well do some hunting while she was out here, she pulled her crossbow.
It was well she did, for not more than a minute or two later, Ironheart spooked a pair of deer by stepping on a branch hidden under leaves. Without a good line of sight it was hard to tell, and Jilken released her bow on automatic. There was a sharp bleat and then a tumble in the bushes ahead. Pulling the bushes aside revealed that her crossbow bolt had gone through the back of the skull of a yearling buck. Retrieving her bolt she quickly began to skin and dress the deer.
The fighter was half-way through skinning the animal when through the mind link she heard Denye say that Eskarina Price had popped up again. Looking down at her blood-soaked armor, Jilken added to the conversation, "Should I get Ell and ride down to town? I'm kind of in the middle of something."
"I don't think so," replied Denye, "She's promised no immediate quests or peril. We can always fill you in once you get back."
As Denye, Vellikar, and Ranunkel crossed the street, Eskarina Price looked at the two newcomers with a bit of confusion. Once they were near enough to speak, Esk said, "Ell, when did you get so tall..and grow fur? Have you always had that beard, Jilken? You're also looking a lot shorter than I remember."
At Vellikar's confused "beg your pardon", Denye clicked her beak a few times and bobbed her head in avian laughter. Turning to Esk she said, "No no, these are new friends. Jilken and Janora are both out on rides and Ell is up at the house doing...something."
Eskarina looked thoughtful for a moment before asking, "You did just destroy the second Gulthias tree, didn't you? And....I think, brought the Ell's brother back home, yes?" At Denye's confirmation, the woman with lilac hair smiled, "Good, good, well then come on in. Yes, yes, come in and have tea." Breaking into an even wider grin she added, "I promise no immediate peril or quests, just a nice cup of tea...and a gift or two."
The room beyond had changed since the last visit, instead of a warm study, it was a low-domed room of a pale green marble. Three brass braziers burned at points near the edge of the room and the center was dominated by a heavy plush rug of swirly oranges and reds. A half-dozen large wing-backed chairs, all worn and comfortably plush but none of it matching, sat on the rug with a small low table with a tea set already waiting.
As everyone settled, Denye asked, "Could you leave the door open for a few moments? Janora was only a little outside town and should be back shortly."
"Of course, of course," replied Eskarina, "that would be excellent as one of the things I wanted to speak to you about was a gift for Janora."
As if summoned, the witch stepped through the door and asked, "What's this about a gift for me?" As Eskarina turned, Janora took off their hat and bowed before saying, "Eskarina Price it's good to see you. I do hope you don't have another mess that you are expecting us to clean up."
Taking a seat, Denye picked up the conversational thread, "Well I suppose introductions are in order. Ranunkel and Vellikar, this is Eskarina Price. Eskarina, this is Vellikar and Ranunkel."
Vellikar held out a hand to shake, "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Vellikar Rainguard. I understand you've worked with Denye and her friends before."
Eskarina smiled broadly, "Oh yes, they helped to quell an ancient hunger and broke a curse centuries old. Did quite well as a matter of fact. The rift is practically sealed and things are quiet. Last I heard Dana was trying to convince Panna that they should travel for a year or two." Taking Vellikar's hand, Esk gave it a firm shake before holding tightly and staring slightly past the firbolg druid.
Releasing the hand with a muttered, "Interesting," Eskarina turned to the dwarf and said, "So that would make you...Ranunkel was it?"
The stone druid nodded, "Ranunkel Stienschmeid at your service. I hail from the mines of Bel Redon, in the Summerburgs to the east."
"Bel Redon, Bel Redon, why does that name sound familiar," said Esk, tapping her lips lightly with a finger. Shurgging she said, "Well maybe it's a pre-echo of a memory. Funny things, feelings." Giving the dwarf the same penetratingly stare/not-stare, Eskarina's eyes widened and she broke the look trying to suppress a grin.
Picking up the teapot, a small ceramic dog with the tail as the handle and the spout being the mouth. Offering tea or other refreshments, everyone chose tea and she quickly poured them each a cup. Each cup was different, being what each drinker considered the perfect cup of tea. When she poured a cup for herself, it became not tea in a teacup, but rather a cold, bubbly champagne flute. Waving a hand over a silver tray nearby, it quickly filled with a number of different fruits and pastries.
Eskarina settled back in her chair and toasted the party. After a moment of polite sipping and nibbling, Vellikar asked, "So last time you had a quest, but you promised no quests. Surely you wouldn't have traveled...however you traveled, just to have tea.
Janora leaned forward, "Yes, you mentioned a gift."
"Indeed, indeed. It's not really a gift, more in that it is something you will have given me at some point and this is when I am supposed to return it to you. I believe the last time we met, you showed me the bell that you had found." At the name Janora's hand reached into their bag as if to touch something, but nodded. "Well I was curious as to why Dralloe had surfaced again...so I have been doing some research and looking down possible potentials. There is something, a darkness that rattles the chains of the Lost Kingdom has begun eating potential timelines. It is also not a certainty that it will come to pass...but those timelines are also vanishing into potentiality. So I looked at the timelines that survived, those that faced the darkness and lived. In the majority of those you and your friends are able to stop the Dark Titan once more using the eight bells to bind him once more. And this was the causality nexus that best insured you found the bells, so I asked future Janora to write out a message and here it is."
Handing a folded piece of paper to the witch, Janora glanced at it before asking, "Do you need a copy of this? Or should we read it here?"
Esk replied with a silvery laugh, "No, no that was a message to you, I was only the messenger. You will have given it to me in the future, and Now is when I would have delivered it, so I am."
Janora looked slightly perplexed, but nodded anyway, "Well thank you Eskarina for returning my message...before I have written it or sent it."
As the party made ready to leave, Esk tapped herself on the forehead and said, "I almost forgot. Denye, would you be a dear and return this to Wayfinder Brightfinger." As she spoke, the woman pulled a long thin rod of metal out one pocket. About a foot in length, it spilt after the first three inches becoming three long points and was covered in carvings of stars. Handing to the wizard, Esk added, "Just the next time you are in Haven. Tell her to look to the past to understand the future." Denye looked uncertain but nodded agreeably and took the rod.
Making their farewells the group stepped back into the street. As the door shut behind them two things happened almost simultaneously. The first was that the door vanished in a puff of lilac sparkles. The other was that Helenwye, who had been resting on the back of Janora's dog, suddenly flew up and began bombarding Denye with images of following Ell through a secret door and down a spiral staircase, watching him read books for a while, Ell walking into a room and falling face first toward the carpeted marble floor."
Panicked, Denye tried to call Ell through the mental link. Getting no response, other than questions from Janora and Jilken, the wizard passed on the images Helenwye had seen. Quickly explaining to Vellikar and Ranunkel about what had happened the four rushed for the Darnet estate. Realizing that both he and Ranunkel would be slower, as they were on foot, Vellikar Wildshaped into another pony, solving the problem for both.
Once finished harvesting the dear, Jilken wrapped the meat up in the skins and leaving the carcass, found a small lake where she was able to wash most of the blood off. With this sketchy wash, the elf headed to the kitchen to deliver her bounty.
The cook took the meat with a cheery smiled and said, "Oh thank you dear. I sent the boys fishing this morning, but I suppose we can already call that dinner tomorrow."
"You are quite welcome," replied Jilken, "and thank you for the hospitality of the house. I understand you are the head cook here.
"Indeed, I am," announced Cook proudly. Wiping a bit of flour off her face, she added, "Been here more years than I'd rather count or say."
Jilken laughed, "It does seem to be a good job. I met Ell a season or two ago, he seems like a fairly reliable person."
Cook chuckled, "I always knew Ell was a good boy. He was never as self-centered as his brother and sister." Looking around the dwarven woman leaned in and whispered, "Can you keep a secret?"
Jilken smiled and replied simply, "Quite well."
"Ell was always too sensitive, too good for this family," said the Cook in a whisper, "Now, I'm not one to speak ill of my employers but the only way to truly work for them is to make sure you stay useful and not be underfoot as it were. Ell just needs a bit of encouragement not to follow his parent's example."
Jilken nodded, "Well, like I said, he has been extremely useful as a traveling companion. Even saved my life a time or two. I'm pretty happy to have met these crazy folk."
"Really?" asked Cook, her eyes getting big. "So how exactly did you start traveling with Ell and these others?"
"Well," replied Jilken, "I met Ell, Janora, and Denye (that's the witch and the bird wizard) last spring. I'm out traveling and seeing more of the world in attempt to prove myself and my leadership. Anyway, we met up in Wexwood, taking a job to stop goblin raids. And then we saved each others lives, and then we did it again...seems we're pretty good at it." Smiling, Jilken added, "I bring the muscle...if you couldn't tell."
Cook laughed and smiled back, "You certainly do. And would you be wanting something to feed those muscles? The venison will have to wait for dinner, but I'm sure I can find something." Before Jilken had a chance to reply, her stomach did it for her, gurguling loudly. Cook laughed again, "I'll take that for a yes. Go sit down at the table over yonder and I'll bring you something." True to her word, the cook quickly slid a quarter of a pigeon pie with stewed greens and a light ale, before returning to her work.
Jilken had almost finished the simple, but tasty meal when Denye's panicked cry for Ell came through the earrings followed by the images of Ell falling somewhere within the manor house. Standing quickly enough to knock over the stool, Jilken rushed over to the cook and demanded, "How many spirals staircases are in this house?" The dwaven woman looked at Jilken confusedly, and catching Cook by the arm, Jilken repeated, "This is serious, Ell fell down somewhere and he might be hurt. So again, I ask how many spiral staircases?"
Cook shooke herself and blinked a couple of times, "Several. Each of the towers has it's own, then there is the one here to the wine celler, and there is one in the mausoleum that leads down to the crypts."
"Too many," growled Jilken in frustration, "Wait a minute, the mausoleum was where we left the body of his brother. Maybe I should go check it out?" Over the telepathic earring, the elf said, "There are too many staircases. Cook is getting servants to start looking now. Should I go check out the mausoleum?"
Janora snapped back, "No, just wait for us. We aren't far from the gates now."
True to their word, it was only another 15 minutes or so before the four of them were riding up to the house. Coming into the kitchen, they found Jilken pacing back and forth as Cook fretfully kneaded bread dough. The party quickly began to discuss how to find Ell. Denye had just asked Helenwye to show her where the secret passage was when a pageboy burst into the kitchen shouting, "Cook, Cook, we found Master Ell. He was in the library asleeping."
Still curious, Denye insisted on having Helenwye lead the way. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the familiar led the way almost to the library, stopping to crawl along a section of nondescript hall. Leaving Denye to investigate, Janora led the others into the library, where they found Ell sitting up from where he had been lying on a couch. Rubbing his eyes it looked at the others and said, "I must have dozed off, what time is it?"
Janora looked at Ell and then back at the others before turning their attention back to Ell and saying, "I think it's time to find Denye and Helenwye and get to the bottom of what's going on. The familiar gave Denye a panicked image of you falling down stairs."
"Oh wow," replied Ell. Rubbing the side of his face, he said, "I did trip and fall at one point, but it wasn't down the stairs. I was already down them and on level ground. I did hit my head, but it's just a bit of a bruise. You said Helenwye saw this, where is Denye and her little friend."
Janora pointed back out the door, "They stopped to look at something in the hall."
Shooting up from the couch Ell said, "Well we should go reassure them that I'm fine," and began making his way towards the door.
With the few moments Denye had in the hall, the keen eyed Corvum had quickly spotted the outline of a door in the stone wall. There was no obvious opening mechanism, but before she had a chance to investigate further Ell popped out of the library and began walking toward her. Backing away from the wall, Denye stammered, "Oh hi Ell, hi Janora. So is everything alright then?"
Ell shurgged, "It was just a bump. Are you okay?"
Vellikar moved to stand next to the wizard, "Yes, you seem a little worked up. Did you find something else?"
"No, no, no, I'm fine," Denye protested, "Helenwye must have gotten confused about what she saw. I'll have a talk with her. I'm glad to see that you are okay. I think I am going to go check out that lab you mentioned and see what I can learn about those force pistols." Backing down the hall, Denye waves and added, "Hey, Janora, after your walk why don't you stop by the lab. I'll walk back to the house with you. It will be a good reminder that I should eat." With a tinny laugh, the bird wizard turned and bolted down the hall and around a corner out of sight.
Vellikar looked troubled at the wizard's behavior, but Janora shrugged and said, "Let's go back into the library. Ell, I think you need to give us a fuller explanation. I know you said it wasn't a big deal, but it got Helenwye panicked."
"Sure," replied Ell head back to the couch where he had been sitting before, "I'm quite sorry that the lizard got worked up. I hope she is not too distraught."
"Well then, what happened?" asked Ranunkel.
"So this morning," began Ell, "after you all left, I was doing some more research. Deciding to consult some of the family records, I went down to the private rooms. The entrance is actually right about where Denye was standing. Anyway, I was down there reading for a time and I spotted something out of the corner of my eye, through an open door. There is this lintel on the door, and I always forget it's there. So I tripped and hit the carpet." Shrugging a shoulder, he added, "That's probably what Helenwye saw. It knocked the wind out of me and I saw stars for a moment. But after a minute or so, I got up and came back up to the library. I didn't want to go all the way up to my room, but clearly I needed some more rest. So I fell asleep and woke up when young Benjy came in and shouted that he'd found me."
Janora shook her head, "Well that is certain a mix up. I am glad you were not seriously injured. Between Eskarina and this fiasco, I think I need a walk in the woods more than ever." Standing, the witch swept out of the room heading back to one of the doors leading outside.
Filling the silence, Ranunkel turned to Vellikar and asked, "Well, should we look and see if we can find anything on that comet of yours?" The pair of them began search but the stone druid only found a couple of astronomy texts before distracted but a text on mineral stratification in the Eskar region.
With Vellikar's height putting his eyes at level with the tops of the bookshelves, the druid spotted a bundle of paper covered in thick dust laying atop one of the shelves. The slim volume turned to be a handwritten manuscript called Starweaving: A Lost Mystery. Much of the book talked about the constellations and stars, but Vellikar did find a page or two on the Vehacarro comet. The book spoke of the comet as being a harbinger of change and a powerful energy that could be used to make long term change a reality.
Jilken and Ell both stayed in the library as well. Ell pulled out a note book and began writing at one of the tables. Jilken picked up a book or two, but was mostly keeping an eye on Ell to see if he was acting any differently. The young noble became engrossed in his writing and would occasionally look up and stare into the distance for a moment or two. Eventually Jilken gave up and became engrossed in a book about the Muspait Desert. It was fascinating to see her homeland described by outsiders.
Denye had found the lab, just as Ell as had described it. There were a number of workbenches, two of which were free of alchemical instruments. Otherwise, the place looked neat and tidy tho low on useable chemicals and compounds. Pulling out the broken force pistol the wizard began cleaning and examining the broken pieces and how they might fit together. With the pistol broken, Denye was able to see the back of the crystal that housed the biomatter gel and trace out the spell structure etched in minute silver lines.
Losing herself in the work, Denye eventually had the entire magitech weapon laid on a clean cloth and had quickly discovered how the pieces fit together. It turned out that there were two structural pieces that would need to be fabricated. After taking a number of measurements, the wizard began drafting the missing pieces.
Denye had just finished her sketches when Janora knocked on the door frame and said, "Ready for some company?"
"I am", replied Denye setting down her sketchbook, "I'm at a good stopping point. What's up?"
Janora chuckled, "I was about to ask you the same question. You seemed fairly ruffled earlier...is everything okay?"
Denye looked down at her claws and signed before carefully saying, "If Ell doesn't remember what Helenwye saw or remembers it different. It makes me concerned that someone tried...I'm a little concerned that something is going on, and I don't know what it is, and it's making my feathers itchy." Waving her wings toward the house, "This entire place, the whole estate, something is going on here. I don't know what it is, but I've gotten nothing but bad vibes since we got here. It's creepy."
Janora sighed and nodded, "Honestly, even after all these months, I'm not particularly comfortable in cities or large groups of people crammed together. But you are right, there is something empty about the hall. Either way, we talked to Ell and he seemed fine. Vellikar examined his head and neither he or Ell said anything that was concerning. I wouldn't trust any of his family members as far as I could throw them."
"I accept that," said Denye slowly, "And I trust Ell, mostly, but if he doesn't remember it doesn't prove there isn't a missing chuck of time. Maybe someone in Ell's family, maybe Ell's the one in danger. I just don't know...and that's a problem."
Janora leaned back in thought for a moment or two before replying, "Really, I think it just comes down to we have to trust Ell, and if he starts acting strangely to call him on it. I also think you should share your concerns with him. It doesn't have to be the whole group, maybe just the three or four of us."
Denye hung her head and sighed, "You are right. I'll find some time to bring it up. I still want to get out of here soon." Stacking her papers, the wizard began gathering her things, "We should go find the others, I am basically done here, the rest is just design work...and that's a lot like math."
Heading back to the main house, they found that the rest of the party was also migrating toward the dinning room. Making their way in, the party all took chairs and Ell rang a small bell. A servant popped a head in and in moments was back followed by another servant, both carrying trays of food.
A large venison roast dominated the meal with a number of sides and dense fresh bread. A red wine paired well with the meat and pouring a glass Ell held it up in toast and said, "I understand we have Jilken to thank for our dinner this evening."
"Oh," said Denye, grateful for something to talk about, "Did you get a bit of hunting in?"
Jilken nodded, "I did indeed. Ironheart and I went out for a good ride around the estate this morning. Happened to scare up a pair of deer and I caught a nice buck."
Glancing around to check that all the servants had left, Janora pulled out poem that Esk had given them. Unfolding it they held it out to the others, "While we are all here, we should look at the poem we got from Eskarina." Catching Ell's puzzlement, they added, "Wait, did we tell Ell that we ran into Eskarina Price again?"
"Wait, Eskarina?" said Ell, "the weird lady with the door?"
Denye tired to laugh a bit, "Yeah, she's back. Visited rather unexpectedly...but I suppose everything she does is unexpected, except she always seems to expect to do it. She is so confusing."
"Agreed," said Janora passing it off for Ranunkel to read through, "But yes, she apparently needed to give me a poem that I will have written for her to give to me now. She also that there was a rising chance that the Dark Titan would return and that if we want to survive we will need all eight bells. She was unclear on how exactly we got chosen for this honor, but probably because we found the first one."
"What do you think they mean by 'L-space'?" asked Vellikar. "Liminal space maybe or maybe L is a person?"
"That's a good question," said Janora with a laugh, "Ell, know of any golden bowers?"
Ell shook his head, "I know of a grove of goldenoak on the property. There is also a lot of gold in most of the house, including bedrooms...other than that I am at a loss. Maybe L-space means library."
Vellikar nodded, "That's a possibility. The Dreamer...I wonder if has anything to do to with my dream from last night."
Leaning forward, Ell asked, "You had a dream? What was it about?"
Vellikar waved it off as Janora asked, "Is it just the name or something else about the stanza."
"Just the name," admitted the druid, "it's probably nothing."
"Okay," said Janora, "Let's put a pin in that, how about the next one. The Rouser sees through walls of glass. Does that ring any bells for anyone?"
Denye and Ell groaned at the pun. After a moment of thought Ranunkel said, "There are stories in the mountains of a spectral glass castle, or crystal citadel depending on the tale, that would appear on the occasional night and be gone by morning. Legend says that somewhere in the Summerburg is half a bridge made from precious metal, and if you are there when it appears you can enter."
Ell leaned forward again excitedly and asked, "What's inside? Do you know where this bridge is?"
Ranunkel shook his head, "Stories don't say exactly. What they do say, is that you have to be out before dawn when it disappears or you will be trapped forever."
"Well that sounds exciting," grunted Janora, "So possible location in the mountains. The Mover we already have and the Speaker..."
"The Speaker is almost certainly in Alderheart," said Denye, "Nests within a tree, high up in a canopy. The leaders are even called the Canopy Council. Or Dawn's aerie could be the Dawn Chapel."
"Sounds like we'll have to visit your home at some point," said Janora.
"Oh yippie," replied Denye flatly, "You can meet my uncle. I can't wait what he has to say about you all."
Ell shrugged, "Just tell us how you want us to act."
"You are my friends," snapped Denye, "and I don't want you to act any way other than yourselves."
"No, no, no" said Ell waving a hand placatingly, "tell us what you think would get the best reaction out of him."
"How do I want him to react?," said Denye slowly, "I don't know, that needs a lot of thought..." and turning inward she got lost in thought for a minute."
"Good enough," said Janora, determined to keep the conversation moving, "As for the Charmer, I have no question where that bell is and I'm rather surprised that I didn't spot it when I was there before. Clearly it is with Baba Yaga. We will figure out a time and place but I can go back and talk to her about it. Frankly, she is too unpredictable and I would worry for your safety if any of you joined me." Both Jilken and Ranunkel uttered protests, but the witch continued, "Moving on then, the Reasoner, a sphinx sans nose among the sands.
Jilken shrugged, "I mean my home is a desert. We got a lot of sand."
"You do," agreed Denye, "Sphinxes were also frequently used imagery from the Bur'aiel empire. I've read that a variety of them have been found in burial sites in the Muspait."
"So ocean voyage," said Janora grimacing, "what could go wrong? So how about the Binder falling to watery grave?"
"Well," said Ell, "We did meet someone who makes their living searching for things under the waves. Didn't she tell us about something mysterious under the water? I think it was Aveila, right?"
"Oh yes," replied Janora, "I don't think I ever told any of you but she's a sand witch. I don't remember anything mysterious tho, just that she had been attacked by seaweed blights."
"We should go back to Cliffside anyway," said Jilken, flashing a feral grin, "we should go say hello again to Grol."
Denye shrugged, "The bay was carved by a magic blast. That certainly seems like folly."
"So maybe that's our next step," said Janora, "but before we make any plans we have one more bell. The Ender lies in folded halls, to seek the sun find the Son."
Ell looked surprised at that one and said, "The leader of the Caisian Theocracy is called the Son of the Sun. I bet the bell is somewhere in the Temple in Sunhame."
Janora looked equally astonished, "How do you remember that?"
Ell leaned back nonchalant and said, "Politics, mostly. It's the one thing my family is good at. Dealing wit hthe church ought to be great fun." Shaking his head at the list before then, "Talk about going from having nothing to do to a pile full of quests."
Janora sighed, "Well we knew that there was likely something else coming and at least Eskarina was kind enough to give us all of the clues. But from what she said, we have some time. For all of my teasing Jilken I do think going back to Cliffside seems like a good next step. We're right here after all." Turning to look at Ell , they added, "That being said, do you still need more time here at the manor?"
Ell shook his head, "We don't really go in for ceremonies so we don't have to worry about my brother and I'm pretty sure I've learned everything I'm going to learn for now. I sent a letter to Haven to let my parents know, but I will probably need to stop by Haven eventually. Cliffside seems like a good first step."
"Sounds like we are agreed," said Janora nodding. "It's dinner time now. Do folks still have things they need do here in Duskcairn or should we plan on leaving in the morning?"
Jilken chuckled, "I could leave tonight if you wanted, but I'm going to guess that most of you want to sleep in beds this evening."
"Yes I would," said Denye. "Tomorrow morning will be soon enough." Sighing, the young wizard focused on Ell and said, "Before we leave though, Ell, do you have a moment to talk? I need to share something."
Ell nodded and flashed Denye a bright smile, "Of course. Can I hazard a guess that it is about this afternoon?"
"Sort of," replied Denye," I need to show you something first." Warning that,"this might be a little weird," she sent the images she had gotten from Helenwye through the mental link again. "That's not just you stumbling and falling."
Ell shook his head, "Helenwye was up near the ceiling and all she can see is my back as I went into the room. And she took off as soon as I fell forward, if she had stuck around for another minute or so she would have seen me get up and go back up to the library where you found me. Look I will show you." Setting down his kava cup, Ell pushed back his chair and let the way out into the hall.
Leading the party back to the secret door, Ell looked over the others and said, "So...my friends, you probably aren't supposed to even know this is here but I trust you all. Let's just call this our little secret." Using Mage Hand he opened the door and ushered everyone inside. A spiral staircase let downward for 50-60ft before opening in a medium sized room with a few tables and bookcases as well as three doors leading to other rooms.
Leading the way over to the double doors that still stood with one open, Ell pointed to lintel of the doorway, "See, here where the floor transitions from stone to marble, it's just high enough to catch your foot if you aren't paying attention." Flashing another smile, he added, "I do tend to trip a lot..weren't one of you reminding me of that this morning."
Denye stepped up to Ell and looking him in the eye said, "Ell, I'm not telling you because I want to hurt or accuse anyone, I am telling you because I am worried about you. I don't think I saw what you said happened, but I have no real reason not to believe you beyond I'm concerned. If you're not concerned, then it's no big deal. Really."
"That's...that's very heartwarming," said Ell blushing a bit, "thank you Denye. I'm not really sure what else I can say...although, we will likely be going back to Haven at some point soon. Perhaps you could come with me over to the Healer's Collegium and we can get somebody there to look me over."
"Okay," said Denye nodding slowly, "Thank you for hearing me out."
Ell smiled at her again and said, "Of course, that's what friends do." Turning to look at the others who were not so subtly going though the papers and books scattered around, "How about the rest of you?"
Janora clapped Ell on the shoulder and said, "Ell my friend, you have to start picking up your feet."
As they were talking Vellikar picked up a book and started flipping through. It seemed to be some sort of discussion or teaching on using charm, personality, and persuasion to sway others to your side. Looking up from the book, Vellikar asked, "What's the Voice?"
Looking puzzled, Ell walked over and said, "I don't really tend to spend a lot time down here. What are you reading?" Taking the book Ell scanned a few pages before nodding, "I'm fairly sure it's an older way of talking about some of the family lessons we Darnet's are forced to learn. You haven't been traveling with us long, but you can ask the others, there is a particular tone of voice that I use occasionally that can be very persuasive."
Vellikar recognized a seed of truth, but also that there was much unsaid. Shaking his head he asked, "But I don't understand, what is there to hide about all of this?"
Ell, looking a little perplexed, shrugged, "It's not really so much that we are trying to hide it as that we don't tend to talk about ourselves to outsiders much. Besides these are the family records, they need to be protected. Flashing a wry grin he added, "There is nothing my family loves more than secrets...and power."
Vellikar nodded sadly, "I'm sorry to hear that. My family has always been very open about their emotions."
That provoked a loud laugh from Ell, "Emotions. Your family shares emotions?"
Denye, who had been watching Ell saddly nodded, "Yes, most families do. They aren't always great emotions but we have them."
Ell shook his head, "Oh we have them too...we just don't ever talk about them."
"Well then what do you talk about?" asked the wizard.
Ell cocked his head to the side and after a moment's thought, chuckled and said, "If I was honest...power mostly."
Denye shook her head, "Power, huh. Seems like a magic ability to persuade people would help you get real powerful."
"That it would quite useful," agreed Ell, his face going wooden.
"I know I haven't been traveling with you for very long," said Vellikar, "but it saddens me to hear that you can't share with your family. What about this group? You all seem fairly close...maybe you could share with this family. You can tell us if there is anything troubling you."
"And what line of business was your brother in?" asked Denye in a small voice.
"Well," said Ell protesting, "There's always things that trouble everyone, I'm sure all of you have them, but I'm not, I don't , I think I've told all of you I don't really appreciate or agree with a lot of my family's outlook or what is done under the family name. It's pretty clear that Gorscha wasn't doing something good..."
"Ell," said Denye reaching out for a hand, "No one is mad at you, or accusing you. I'm just saying that things are starting to stack up in ways that look really troubling."
"You said he was up to no good," asked Vellikar, "Do you think he was doing something with this Voice?"
"I, I don't think so," stammered Ell, "I was talking about the drug running."
"So what is that you were hiding?" asked Vellikar. "When you said the Voice was a technique, that wasn't the whole truth. Is the Voice a person or an entity?"
Growing red with frustration, Ell looked at the book again, "I don't know what my ancestor of 150-200 years ago is talking about. I'm guessing that is what it's about." Getting heated he threw it on the table and said, "If you want to know what I think about the Voice, I think it's a lie we all tell ourselves. My family thinks that we have a right to power and money, that we are above the law. And now I have a brother who is dead, and was apparently in the drug trade and that has been killing people. That's all really upsetting, and I, I'm not even sure if I want anything to do with it anymore."
"Well," said Ranunkel soothingly, "it seems like we've all had a long day. Maybe we should turn in."
Vellikar put his hand on Ell's shoulder and said, "I apologize for questioning you so intently when you should be mourning your brother's loss. That was tactless of me."
"That's quite alright," said Ell, shaking the hand off. Managing a weak smile he said, "And maybe it's for the best. At least now we don't have to worry about him doing stupid things like drug trafficking. I don't really know who else in the family is involved...as Denye would say, that's an active quest."
With that declaration, the rest of the party agreed that it was time for bed and began heading back upstairs. Agreeing that they would head back to Cliffside after breakfast, the team sought their beds and a peaceful long rest.
Report Date
19 Nov 2021
