All Adventures are Local - Chapter 1

"Indeed, Lady Elayne. You have my sword! If we are to deal with these threats, I say we start with the ones closest to our doorsteps. The robberies/stabbings or the wolves should be our first foray." Eli says as he thinks on what the Lady Elayne has just said.

"Of course, I'm sure everybody is ready to help. First we have to sort out our priorities... The goliath-forged weapons can probably wait, nobody seems in danger. The attacks on the caravans already made victims and will probably make more. I hate to say this but the dwarves are a hardy bunch, they can probably wait a little more. As for the merchant problem, as Lady Elayne already pointed out, another guard can probably be appointed to the investigation. For the wolf problems, if they are over-aggressive, it could mean they are pushed by something more dangerous... I think the attacks on the caravan or the wolf problem should be our priorities..."

Glenk smacks the table rocking the cups and candles, Rohmner my boy you’ve taken my lessons to heart! I agree!. If we can’t protect what’s ours first we have no hope to protect others. A few sheep and goats is also a common loss. I must continue to attend to these robberies and deaths first and foremost, Ladee Elayne. After that I will take an envoy to Glitterhall depending on what we hear, spirits are harder to handle then the average road bandits.

Nàdair remains silent and very focused on the Lady's words. As she listens to the roll of threats that plague the land, she considers what she would prefer to do. Obviously she concludes that the best course of action would be to enjoy the Spring Festival! Such a lovely time of the year in town that is... She sighs and hears what the others have to say with dreamy eyes. Suddenly, she stands up "What did those boys do to the puppies to get them so angry?". Nàdair catches the attention of everyone the instant she ends her unexpected sentence, the room going completely quiet. She waits a couple of seconds as the silence settles and then asks Lady Elayne "What sort of goliath-forged weapons are we talking about here? I guess Glitterhall is not far from Mistspire... Maybe we can check these troubles in town first as Elijah suggests..." she pauses and then adds with a childish smile "...preferably for the next day or two". She looks at Mandrake, considering his points. "How bad is the situation in Hadrigan's Swamp? Two reports in a month doesn't seem frequent enough to justify the long travel to the Far Outskirts does it?". She looks at Glenk and then each of the knights, Elijah and Matthew. "Can't you boys muster a small scouting party between your Orders and Guards to check out the area as we focus on something else?" she makes a brief pause to give them some time to consider the idea.

I believe me and Mandrake can have a little chat with Fegstaf and the boys to find out what's up with those cute little puppies while the shinny boys here find out what's up with the Swamp from Belfleur and the Olgarch's runner. Glenk, it may be better to get that replacement assigned and..." she looks at Leviticus before continuing "my guess is that those skills he can bring are useful to solve those problem at the merchant ward, no?" She sits down again, grabs her glass of wine and finishes by saying "Lovely wine my Lady" raising the glass.

Glenk coughs on his watered wine, at Nadairs outburst. Pups! she calls wolves pups!. Ha! he settles himself The guards can’t spare much. The festival demands a fair share of attention. It is true we could ask of the knights (3 at least) in attendance to the spring festival to travel to the swamps if the coffers can afford it Ladee and after we talk more to the caravans. The Lass has sense. he catches the look to Leviticus, Replacement? Leviticus? I’ll not appoint a man until I know the man. if he can help I’ll let him be the one to tell me.

Leviticus acknowledges Nàdair I would love to help whatever the other party members decide. Lady Elayne does need our help. I am at your service Lady Elayne.

Glenk stands, to garter some attention. My Ladee, I do not wish to argue with you. he motions to the others You've asked us all for our expertise. That is what we have given. If you have more information or urgency about Glitterhall we would come to hear it! We have yet to talk to the the traders and the runner, if you have, please tell us what we need to know. If not I will talk to them myself, but if nothing of matter comes to light, I will continue to guard my town from the most immediate threats! A murderer is that threat!

Glenk waits for a moment.

Nàdair stops eating as a spectral hand floats in the air. That is a nice touch! she thinks as she carefully follows its movements as it pours the wine on Lady Elayne's glass.

"Hey Glenk! Is it true you're hiring? Town guard actually sounds an exciting job!" She jumps out of her chair gesturing as if in a sword duel. "Particularly if the mayoral mansion patrols are up for the taking!" she winks again at the dwarf before turning to Lady Elayne. "My Lady, with all due respect, spring has just started, the flowers are now blooming, it is the season to relax and breath in the notes and colours of the newly sprung life". Having the feeling this argument may not move Elayne, Nàdair adds (persuasion here ?)"And I would tempted to believe that no one present would like to have the lovely Spring festival dubbed as the Bloody Festival for years to come". She points at Elijah and Glenk "The boys are probably right! With criminals lurking in the merchant ward, this could quickly take a turn for the worse". She waits and lets the thought sink in. "And Mandrake's vast wisdom is to be taken into account. If Mandrake is right, those cutie fur-balls might just venture deeper into town any day now" (end) she says as she gently places her hand on the chair, almost as if petting it. "But my Lady is right. We lack information on these pressing matters and I agree with Glenk that we should find out more about these threats. We cannot face them all at once and we cannot make an appropriate decision unless we have the appropriate information. Maybe I can take Mandrake to find out what's up with Fegstaf's boys and what those seasoned hunters can tell us" she quickly adds in a hopeful tone "and maybe that new guard of yours could escort us in our dangerous quest!".

"Since we lack information, would you agree with me Lady if we used the rest of the day to gather some more information and meet again tomorrow morning at first light to take a better decision ?"

Matthew listens in on what people are saying "So... we are looking for a murderer/robber?" He seems a little slow on the uptake like he has only been half paying attention.

Nàdair eyes Lady Elayne, slightly jealously. So... Piet is it? she considers as she walks up to Mandrake, lute in hand, soft sorrowful music flowing as the illusion flowers on the table wither and die. "My lady, all is forgiven. It is your duty to protect Bromwich", Nàdair bows once more, preparing to leave. "It is a tough and emotional burden after all..." she adds as a sudden fire rises from the table, burning the dying illusory garden.

Nàdair turns to Mandrake, ignoring the rest of the room, a little wolf poping up on her shoulder, as a clear message to the healer. "Mandrake, would you be so kind as to accompany me out?" she gives him a warm smile. Before leaving, she looks back one last time happily saying "I shall see you at dawn", almost as if singing.

"Perhaps, we are looking for both. It very well could be that the murders were a result if robberies gone bad." Eli says as he hears Matthew's question.

Thank you Ladee. We will await Klaas-Jan outside. Glenk salutes and bows Rohmner! Stong! Come with me we’re going to find the traders and that runner see what they have to say about those attacks! If we find something we’ll inform everyone. If not we’ll look into the robberies and murders.

After her dramatic exit from conservatory, Nàdair waits for what felt like ages to her. She pops her head back in, shortly after leaving "Hey Mandrake, are you coming or is the wine that good?". Nàdair leaves for good now as (I assume) Mandrake tries to catch up with her. She is now single-mindedly focused on finding out about that pack of wolves Lady Elayne mentioned, so she rushes straight out through the mansion. "Byeeee Piet, I'll see you again tomorrow" she radiantly smiles at the guard as she continues to walk to Fegstaf's hunting lodge.

"Have you heard about any other animals behaving strangely?" she asks Mandrake as they walk through the town. "I wonder what could be causing it?", she pauses briefly to recall the conversation in the mansion "You think the wolves could be running from something else?"

"Sorry, I was lost in thought... I don't think anything natural would be pushing all the wolves out of their territories, so I'm afraid something else is pushing them out..." Mandrake follows Nàdair around, trying to remember from his elven teachers stories what could appear around ...