Kingston – Trading Zone Two
Prepare for the big day. Codex divines with Ioun about their plan, asking which church knows exactly where Father Clarence is located. We get a reply.
The headquarters of St. Cuthbert knows the location of Father Clarence, but beware, it is being watched.
We head off to the billet of the smaller Church of St. Cuthbert, where Karak is residing. We need him to help us get to the Headquarters, and to get a group to meet us at the well near the bazaar. We intend to teleport to the bazaar, after we get father Clarence.
He agrees to help, and confirms that an unknown group is observing the main Headquarters, they are not sure who it is connected to. He will meet us at the well near the Teleportation circle.
We get one of the church of St. Cuthbert charges, a kid named Robert, to lead us to the headquarters. He takes us through the Dwarven area (D2) and the dwarves here are different, there is evidence of poverty and the children are running around, unattended. It is hostile and wary, no welcoming faces.
We move into the northern poor quarter, and it is a rough place. There is real misery here, people suffering diseases, only one well, and people getting water from miles away. Open sewers, and stretches as far as we can see.
We make it finally to the Headquarters, which is nearby the Thieves Guild. An odd neighbor.
The Headquarters looks like a fortress, and we thank Robert for his help.
We meet with one of the St. Cuthbert Inquisitors, a man by the name of Tauren Staver. He is known as the eyes and ears of St. Cuthbert. He asks Simon for a report, and he tells him about what has been happening. Tauren writes it all down using a magic pen that does not run out of ink. Berdyn notices the pen ink changes color when we speak less than the truth. After giving the report, he dismisses us.
We speak to another paladin, named Carl. He leads us to Father Clarence.
Father Clarence is in a mission hospital, which is a medium sized tent. He’s about 50, weathered and tan skin, average build.
He is ready for us, and tells us Pelor has told him some things already. We teleportation circle him to the Bazaar, and head to the Well. Father Clarence is recognized and is given a respectful berth.
We reach the Well by the road, and a dozen fully armed paladins are waiting on warhorse, surrounding a carriage. We get in the carriage, and are escorted to the Royal palace. While travelling, Father Clarence told us of a dream he had:
“One year ago – a fox and a bear sat on a hill. Fox was well groomed, well dressed, and bear was ragged. The hunter came. The fox ran, the bear stood ground, stubborn. The hunter chased the bear, harmed the bear. The Fox fled, the hunter cornered the fox, and killed the fox, put it’s heart around it’s neck. The bear came back to avenge the fox, killed the hunter, and then retrieved the Fox’s heart.”
It is likely the hunter is Sabre Khaludz, and the Fox is Pyrros Alegan.
We take the carriage to the gates, and we are not permitted to accompany Bale any further. Bale goes with Father Clarence and a squad of six paladins of St. Cuthbert into the Royal grounds, heading to the Citadel of Pelor.
At the citadel, Bale and Clarence are stopped by Peloran guards. There is tension between the St. Cuthbert and Peloran guards, as they both stare each other down. They ask for entrance, and Stephen Wrightson, High Priest comes outside. He asks for the conformations, and Clarence reads them out. Clarence also says that “this is the child I took from the womb of the Princess”.
High Priest Wrightson sends a request for the King, and after a bit, the royal guard arrive and place themselves in a tactical position. And then comes the King, who seats himself on a chair provided for him. He stares at Bale and after asking him who Bale thinks he really is, and Bale responded, he nods and tells them to make the preparations.
With that, the king leaves. Clarence and Bale return. We are then heading to the Royal quarters of Gilbert and Emma. They will house Bale until the preparations are done for the official ceremony.
The royal quarters for Gilbert and Emma and family is in mourning for Pyrhos, but the servants are weeping in surprise and joy. They are overwhelmed by the news of Able’s return.
And then Bale meets with Gilbert, which is an awkward meeting. He comes into the Royal household and meets his Mother Emma, and hesitates. Emma is hurt, but covers it up. To Bale, these are strangers.
They are overjoyed to see him, but it is awkward. We spend time in the kitchen with them, they treat the servants with more warmth and familiarity.
Rin Bluewolf arrives and a few hours of ice breaking proceeds. Berdyn provides some 200 year old Whiskey made in Thanehold.
Eliza is head housekeeper of Able Alegan’s house. Clementine McQuarry is the cook. Coletta Harret is the maid of Able Alegan’s house.
We clean up and return for dinner with Gilbert, Emma and Rin Bluewolf. It is a lovely dinner. We leave, but Bale stays behind and tells his family that Jacquette is still alive. He also tells them that Pyrhos’ soul is being held in an object held by Sabre Khaludz. They are shocked, and promise to help him.
We return to Bale’s house nearby, and rest for the night.