Chapter 3.1: The Second Expedition

Ember smiles as she shakes Ramne's hand. "It is nice to meet you," she says aloud, but her eyes show mistrust and caution.

"I expected as much," says Aanbo. He allows himself a sigh and his shoulders sag. "I confess, I had the chance to end the Constable's threat, but he was at my mercy and I could not follow through. I am sorry that I have endangered the villagers by leaving him alive. It's obvious now that he has no remorse. The next time we meet, I will show more resolve."

Straightening his back, Aanbo continues. "This priestess, Devi. What you say of her prayer sounds exactly like what we've heard others say. They speak of a common theme of enlightenment, opening the eyes of others, and access to greater knowledge through Her. I don't know if we showed you their symbol, but it is a spiral that is worn as a medallion or even tattooed on the skin." He looks at Arya, knowing she still carries one, and perhaps she might show Ramne what it looks like. "Those under Her influence wear these symbols secretly, under clothing like the Constable or on skin not commonly visible."

"We plan to sneak into the Golden Grain Inn at night. There is a cellar that leads to tunnels, and I suspect they lead to the Temple formerly of Merikka. Since the village is under increased scrutiny, it seems like we made the right decision to go under cover of darkness. However, you mentioned the watchforce; do you know of a way we can avoid them as we move to the inn?"

"I fear we've done more harm than good," Theran replies solemnly. "And I fear it will get worse before it gets better. The priest is likely dead, and this Priestess is a manipulative snake."

The wood elf's knuckles are stark white as he grips his staff, eyes narrow amd the edge of his lips hinting at a snarl.

Chase after hearing all that has went down says"I expected as much. The same rabble rousing is happening in my homeland. It is hard to get people to hear the actual truth sometimes. What of the other two we left in the cellar?"

So, we move against the priestess, then? Cut off the head, and all that."

Theran's eyes close when the hermit mentions only the merchant being found. "Were you able to see everyone buried? It would not surprise me in the least if they killed their own for failing, and added them to the tally of deaths they laid at our feet. Those two... could have attested that we were merciful. Or at least fair. And that would fly in the face of the picture of us that is being so carefully painted."

The wood elf proceeds to describe the two they had left in the downstairs in as much detail as he is able, confirming that -- while they had been restrained so as to not be threats -- the Dungeon Busters had indeed cared for them, as a matter of principle.

Theran nods. "I don't know why, but the fact they didn't just kill those two... I am hesitant to say it gives me hope, but perhaps it's a sign that not everyone involved are quite the monsters we suspect. Perhaps you are right... perhaps some of them actually can be saved."

Aanbo nods. "They also seemed unaware of some information, such as what other people were doing either for the group or for themselves. Makes me think they're blindly following, so perhaps after we finish with the temple we can show them the truth."

Looking at the large group and remembering what Ramne said about visitors, Aanbo asks, "Is there a way to remain hidden until night? Given the size of our party, we might be hard-pressed to remain undetected."

Arya listens carefully, but keep her eyes behind them to make sure they are not followed or spied upon.

Myrtha listened carefully and did not interrupt. These were grim tidings, indeed. She also felt the time pressure growing by the minute. They mustn’t be caught, and mustn’t get Ramne caught.

"You say the inn is closed. Does that mean there is no apparent movement in or out of the place at all? No lights or hearthfires?"

These wicked villains might have many failings, but stupid they were not. Hamiff and Lhari’s survival meant that the evil-doers knew that the party knew of the hidden passages of the inn. They might be expecting us to return, might have trapped the passages, or collapsed tunnels. Going that way seemed far more dangerous now than it had seemed before entering Ramne’s hut.

Then it struck her.

"How small was the smallest body they brought out of the inn, Ramne? not child sized? Not a hobniz?" she asked, with such edge of dread in her voice that she involuntarily slid into her native flan dialect, for the designation of a halfling. Her mind raced to their disappeared companion, Joseph.

Chase will nod at Myrtha comments."That is what I was thinking about the Golden Grain inn. There might be some nasty things waiting. Maybe we could have a spider check out the cellar entrance for us to se what is up." He will look at Theran.

"Or maybe we march headfirst into their "trap" and take them to task regardless," Theran replies.

Aanbo chuckles. "I admit, I would prefer that. I've noticed that bad things tend to pile up on us when we're off doing our own thing."

"We would be waiting in the barn out back behind the inn. It has served us well."Looking Aanbo"I surely don't want anyone going off by themselves." He will smile "That is my job. I could scout it out for us then?"

Aanbo shakes his head. "Even though it should be dark, I think that once we move for the inn, we all have to get inside as quickly as possible. We can't afford to wait in the barn and risk one of the patrols coming by. Back then, they didn't think to check all the buildings, but now they do since they're even coming here.

"And since the inn's doors are locked, I don't suppose anyone knows of a quiet way to get through?"

"I... uh... I might be able to help with that. I have some... experience in that area." She knew what she was risking, telling these relative strangers about her particular talents, but she also realized how dire the situation had become.