The Stolen Candle - Chapter 2

"I'd be ready to present a formal report at your convenience, Lord Coake," Ben says. "Just say the word. Is it safe to request a little downtime for the team in the short-term?"

Lord Coake gets up. "Yes, take the time, look around. There are people who will want to meet you."

Rather then look around, Chay heads over to Echo and begins the process of a thorough check, rummaging through tools and hammering out dents.

Kai looks around for the old dragon to see if he likes boobs and buts like his grandpa and possibly a place to put his pile of stuff.

Kyron goes to mingle.

"Kai, maybe we can find a nice cave for you and your hoard in Cartouche."

Ben heads thanks to the others and then heads off to present a full briefing to Lord Coake.

What does Ben report to Lord Coake?

Tipolei is more than happy to simply follow Ana around for now...

"Sir, my report is largely based along the lines I had presented to you already. A more formal report will be filed, but as you requested a statement of accounts from myself, I am fully prepared to give them now," Ben says. "All in all, it is as I've explained. We responded to a call for help and discovered the town beset by some variety of ice demon. The locals had done their best to protect their town but unfortunately, they had come up short. They asked us to investigate for them and we discovered a fortification made of ice not too far from the town. Chay drove us there in his vehicle, "Echo" he calls it, while Kai offered aerial support in his dragon form. We were attacked en route to our destination but prevailed with minimal complications, fortunately. There is strong and useful magic in the group. The depths of which aren't entirely clear to me as yet, but it was more than small assistance. Strangely, during a battle at the castle itself, a rift opened, or was opened within the structure? It wasn't entirely clear what happened, but there was an active rift at the exact site of the ice structure. I have the coordinates for you. We left a surveillance beacon there, just in case and handed over control of it to the locals," Ben says. He pauses to present the actual coordinates to Lord Coake on a map. "My observations are that the threat has been neutralized, for now. It's not clear if the demons will return, but then it never really is clear with the rifts. However, I believe it would be strategically advantageous for us to create a relationship with Cartouche for strategic purposes. My team is fine, and I don't think there are any obvious issues with the personnel at the moment. One of them, Ana, seems a bit green and prone to hesitation during combat, but that will undoubtedly change over time. My only other observation is that I feel there might be an issue of firepower, so to speak. At least two of the group members have proven themselves to be powerful fighters, and in this world of might makes right that we currently live in, it is something I'll need to be wary of should things go sour within the ranks. Simply put, I may find myself outgunned very quickly was mutiny the order of the day. Beyond that, I have nothing else to report. Is there anything further you might like me to address, sir?

Lord Coake asks you a few leading questions, teasing more details about the environment around the rift and the capabilities and powers the ice demons demonstrated. After his interview, you feel prepared to write a solid report with the intel that will be most useful.

"Excellent. I would suggest that when your team is ready, you should return to Cartouche. As a town on the edge of our influence, we could use an outpost with firepower you described. Hopefully we can even maintain a trade route out that far. But take a few days rest here as you see fit."

Kyron spends time near the ley lines and just soaks up the good vibes.
Chatting with other walkers and wanting to meet any of the other big wigs in the legion if they are in.

"Thank you, Lord Coake," Ben says. "As always, a pleasure and an honor. I'm available should I be needed." Understanding that he's been excused, Ben heads off into town with the others looking for an opportunity to let his hair down, so to speak, and relax before heading back out. He tells the others via com that they have a few days before heading back out to Cartouche.

Two days later, you return to Cartouche. You briefly met each of the major figures of Castle Refuge, but sudden matters gained all of their attention. Soon, seeing no improvement to the situation, you left for the front line.

Cartouche is covered in a hazy drizzle as Echo drops down off of the last hill. The townsfolk are twitchy when you arrive, but quickly recognize you and cheer. They then duck back under cover out of the rain. A line boy stands in the street waiting for you. He waves to follow and runs, splashing through the growing puddles and waving you onward. He stops in front of an old building, a small hotel.

Kyron looks out of Echo, "Hey, what's up ?" he calls out to the boy.

The boy points at the building. He mumbles something, says it louder (still incoherent), then yells, "You! Here!"

Tipolei jumps out and lands beside the boy. Using his big shield as an umbrella for the kid, he bends down to be nearer and tries to smile warmly (not shing any teeth if possible), You say we sleep here ?

Chay hops out of Echo in his usual flamboyant style, making sure to pull his kerchief up over his nose, noting with a grimace that it needs washing.

What about the building? Is there something in there?

At Tipolei's appearance, warm pee runs down the child's leg and he runs full tilt in the opposite direction.