Lucky Days was sitting in an intimidating room with two very scary people standing over her. She wasn’t sure why. She hadn’t done anything wrong, but these people were treating her like she had. “And precisely why did you chase down and attack that man?” Jagrin Grath asked, menacingly.
The girl took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “He was dressed like the person who had been attacking Jazz Hands.”
The two figures exchanged a glance. “And that was enough to slash him with your weapon?” Halgra asked, her tone dangerous.
“Well, no. I was just trying to catch him to find out if he was working with the bad lady. I didn’t plan on attacking him, but then he pulled out one of those icy knife things and I knew he had to be working with her, so I figured it was too dangerous to try to disarm him.”
“There were four of you. Why not surround him and force him to surrender?”
“The others were very far behind, so I didn’t know if they’d get there in time.”
“Right. That agrees with the grippli’s story. He says that you run very quickly?” Jagrin asked.
“Yes. I’ve been training all my life.”
“I see. But surely he’s mistaken when he says you run as fast a horse.”
She nodded. “Yes, he’s definitely wrong there.”
“I knew his size would cause him to mistake –“
“I’m faster than a horse.”
The two shared an incredulous look. “Step outside and send in the man in the suit.”
Glenn was unhappy with how his night was going. But at least he could sit down now, even if he was facing an inquisition. “Tell us what happened.”
Glenn moved his fingers and motioned with his hands in a pantomime. <We were having dinner when we needed to go out. I thought it was a terrible idea. But no one ever asks me. So we went out…>
Several minutes later, Glenn finished his pantomime. Jagrin pulled Halgra aside. “Did you understand any of that?” he whispered.
“No,” Halgra admitted. She turned back to the man in the pelican suit. “You may go back out. Send in the big man.”
Valbrand’s lips were pulled back in a smile. It had been a very good night. First he had bedded a beautiful woman – well, almost two, but the first one started crying and he’d only half bedded the second – and then he’d gotten into a good fight, even if he hadn’t had a chance to swing his axe.
“And what precisely were you thinking?” Jagrin asked, annoyed by the skald’s grin.
“At which point?” Valbrand asked, puzzled by the man’s tone. Were they not here to be congratulated for defeating the assassins who had entered the walls? Were they that upset because they had let the third one escape?
“When you hurled your friend through the window.”
“Oh. Yes, I figured that was the fastest way to go assist the person inside.”
“And how did you know he needed help?” Halgra asked.
“It seemed likely. It was dark, so it was possible I was wrong, but I figured if I was, worst case scenario involved us apologizing and paying for the window. And if I was right? Well, Lenn taught me that ‘When you see something that needs hitting, HIT IT! Don’t wait and let it hit you first, stupid.’”
“I see.” Halgra turned to Jagrin, who wore a pained look. “And what if someone had been injured from the shattering glass?”
Valbrand shrugged. “I still retained the ability to cast a few healing spells for the day. I doubt a little glass could have done enough harm that I couldn’t heal it.”
“And what of your friend? What if he’d been injured?” Jagrin asked aggressively.
Valbrand laughed aloud. It was a deep, amused sound that rumbled through the whole building. “You have a great sense of humor, friend.”
“I’m not joking.”
Valbrand’s brow furrowed. “You aren’t? Well, that is simply because you do not understand my friend. His magic suit protects him from all danger.”
Halgra’s eyes narrowed. “I have reports of him using some kind of suit,” she told Jagrin. “His story rings true.”
“Go back into the hall and send in the grippli,” Jagrin said.
A few moments later, Kermit was in the room. “Tell us about this suit of yours,” Halgra said to him.
“Oh, the Guyver? I got that during the Witch War.”
“You fought in the Witch War?” Jagrin asked, surprised.
“Not exactly. I was simply in the vicinity when the star fell from the sky. I was just past my tadpole stage, having gone on my great journey to see the world before returning to my people as a full adult. I had come to a place called Riddleport when I heard the witch’s army was approaching, so I decided to go back south towards Magnimar. A full day into my trip, I saw a star fall from the sky. It looked like it landed in the middle of a village, so I went to investigate.”
“What did you find?”
“There was a smoking crater in the center of the village. When I approached, I found a big black rock. When I touched the rock, which was a perfect sphere, some slime came out and engulfed me. I thought I was dead as the sphere opened and clamped over my head. But then it disappeared.
A few moments later, as I tried to make sense of what had happened, it spoke to me in my head, and told me that there was an enemy nearby and I was needed to help. So we went and looked and found a beast attacking the people. So we fought and killed it.”
“I see. And it has been with you ever since?”
“Yes. Only its creators could possibly remove it from me.”
“And it speaks to you?”
“Not very often. It lets me do what I will, though it warns me if one of its enemies is nearby.”
“You may go for now. Send in the wizard.”
Jazier was annoyed. His luck was holding out as usual. “Tell me what you want to know and I will tell you,” he said curtly.
“Good. Then let’s get to business,” Jagrin said. “Why were you attacked?”
“I do not know. It might have been my brother’s work, or perhaps these people serve the demons that intended to use the graffiti to coordinate their search. I suspect I did not make them happy by removing their handiwork.”
“Demons?” Halgra asked, startled. “Why do you think demons are involved?”
“Demons are always involved. But specifically this time, I was told that they were by an old half orc named Katrezra.”
Halgra was startled once more. “Katrezra?! You’ve seen him?”
Jazier gave her a puzzled look. “Yes. Just this afternoon.”
“Where was he?”
“He is being hidden by the blacksmith. He seems to believe that you will blame him for the death of the young man.”
“I will arrest him at once,” Jagrin said angrily.
“Jagrin,” Halgra called out. “Send someone, don’t go yourself. Tell them I want him brought in unharmed, if possible. Alive, at least, even if he resists.”
“Fine,” Jagrin growled. “I don’t think he was the mastermind anyway.”
“Is there anything else you can tell us?” Halgra asked after Jagrin left.
“He gave me this,” Jazier said, pulling out Rodrik’s journal.
Halgra skimmed through it. “I see. And have you read it?”
“Yes. He seemed to think there was something important about the Plague House. I suspect that the demons are hiding something there. I would like to investigate.”
“I will direct Gwen to assist you. Tonight, I want you to stay at the Longhouse, so none may choose to attack you again.”
“I thank you,” Jazier said. “I will go immediately.”
“Not yet. I want to have some men escort you for safety. Here, take back the journal, you may need it. Just wait in the hallway until I can get some men here. Send back in the girl.”
Lucky Days was nervous still. “It’s okay,” Halgra tried to reassure her. “We just want to know what happened. You seem like a good kid. It’s a shame that you’ve been caught in two fights today. That’s no place for such a pretty girl.”
Lucky Days’ lip quivered. “Chief Chief!” she said, hugging the older woman as she began crying. “Both of my favorite skirts have been ruined by all that blood! And then that woman pulled down my skirt! What if Valbrand saw my panties? I’d be ruined forever and will never be able to get married!”
A confused Halgra cautiously hugged the crying girl. “Um, there, there. Maybe you can talk to Jazier about your skirts? I hear he’s really good at cleaning things. Maybe he can save them.”
“You really think so?” Lucky Days asked with a sniffle.
Halgra offered her a handkerchief. “Maybe.”
Lucky Days blew her nose. “Thanks, Chief Chief. You’re the best.”
“Tell me about Glenn, Kermit and Valbrand.”
“They’re friends of Coach. He wants me to stay with them for a bit so I can train. He says I could become the fastest woman in the world, praise Kurgess.”
“Is that so?” Halgra asked as Jagrin returned. He nodded at her unasked question, indicating that men had been sent. “And what do you think about them?”
“They’ve been very nice to me. Glenn’s very sweet, Kermit’s very kind, and I’ve never known anyone as religious as Valbrand who wasn’t a cleric.”
“Religious?”
“Yes, that’s what we were doing tonight before we got back. We had to go with Valbrand to the temple so he could pray. He spent a long time praying.”
“Really?”
“Yes, he was in the back with the clerics for a long time. I think maybe he was too embarrassed to pray in front of us.”
Halgra gave Jagrin a look that told him to immediately send someone to the Sanctuary to ask about it. He nodded and stepped back outside. “Is there anything else you can tell me?”
“I can’t really think of anything. Do you think that last assassin will come back? She shot me with a crossbow in the back and I want to tell her how mean that was.”
Halgra considered it. “It’s possible. I’m having Jazier stay at the Longhouse for his safety. I will arrange for you and your companions to lodge there tonight as well.”
“I won’t have to sleep in the same room as all the boys, will I?” Lucky Days asked, worried about the potential scandal if people heard about that.
“We have a women’s barracks,” she said. “Or perhaps I can have you use the spare bed in the private room used by Gwethlantithwen.”
“Bless you,” Lucky Days said reflexively.
Halgra let it pass. “Perhaps we’ll use the women’s barracks for tonight. I don’t think Gwen would appreciate being woken up after her long day.” She patted the girl’s head. “You did just fine, girl. Go back out into the hall and send in Valbrand once more.”
Lucky Days passed Jagrin as he returned and sent Valbrand back into the room.
“I hear that you’re quite religious,” Halgra said to him.
Valbrand was puzzled. “No more than most, though I do thank my god for the great strength and prowess he has gifted me.”
“Then what were you doing in the back rooms of the Sanctuary? The girl says you were back there for quite some time.”
A look of realization crossed over Valbrand’s face. “I was performing religious outreach,” he said with a hearty laugh. “The gods want us to reach out and make contact with others of many different faiths. I spent some time praising the gods with the local clergy.”
“We will check your story,” Jagrin said. “If we find that you broke any laws while you were back there, know that you will be punished harshly.”
“No laws were violated,” Valbrand answered.
“I think we’ve asked all we can for now,” Halgra said. “You and your companions will stay at the Longhouse tonight.” Jagrin appeared about to protest, but Halgra’s look silenced him. “In the morning, you will assist Jazier in his search for clues to the attack. Gwen will come with you to supervise your efforts.”
Valbrand looked at her shrewdly. “Are we being paid for this?”
“You involve yourself in mischief in our town, and now you have the gall to ask for payment?!” Jagrin roared.
“Calm yourself,” Halgra chided. “How much do you think is fair?”
“I apologize if any offense is given,” Valbrand said to Jagrin. “It is simply one of the rules of the Adventurer’s Guild. We’re not supposed to perform potentially dangerous work for free unless it crops up in the heat of the moment and we decide to help.”
“That is understandable. As I understand it, the going rate is five gold per adventurer per day with twenty gold as hazard pay any day in which you face life threatening danger?”
Valbrand nodded. “I’m glad you understand our customs. I am willing to agree to that if you are.”
“That’s fine. Jagrin, have some men escort them to the Longhouse.”
“We need to swing by the inn first,” Valbrand said. “Glenn left most of our stuff there.”
Less than an hour later, Tyari Varvatos was led into Halgra’s office. Halgra saw the proud cleric’s face and was immediately concerned. “Tyari, have you been crying?”
Tyari’s resolve immediately faded. “Oh, Iomedae! Is it obvious?” she wailed.
“Your eyes are red. What’s wrong?”
“Was this Valbrand’s doing?” Jagrin asked, reaching for his sword. “Did that monster harm you?”
“No,” Tyari said, sniffling. “Well, yes. But it’s not as you think. Oh, Iomedae! My sister is going to kill me when she finds out. How could I do this to her?”
“What did you do?” Halgra asked.
“I-I’m pregnant.”
“What?!” Jagrin – a rather conservative follower of Erastil who believed that sort of thing should not happen outside of marriage – asked.
“Jagrin, calm yourself,” Halgra – a much more cosmopolitan woman – cautioned. “What happened?”
“I- um, Valbrand came by my quarters tonight. In a moment of weakness, I agreed to lay with him.”
Halgra put her hand on the upset young woman’s shoulder. “Tyari, the gods know I’ve made that kind of mistake in the heat of the moment myself. But it only happened tonight. It’s entirely possible that nothing will come of it. At the very least, you can’t be certain that you will become pregnant so soon after your indiscretion.”
“Karna said she was sure that the child had already quickened within me.”
Jagrin’s eyes narrowed. “Who is Karna? I’ve never heard that name.”
Tyari looked down at her feet. “She- No, we are lovers. Ever since she came to town a little over a week ago, I’ve found her presence intoxicating. We’ve spent every night together for the last week,” the priestess admitted shamefully. Jagrin was aghast at the admission of his town’s holy woman, but one look from Halgra made him hold his tongue.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” Halgra said. “But how could she be sure?”
“I don’t know,” Tyari admitted. “But she was certain.”
“It’s okay,” Halgra said, comforting the woman. “Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone. Just answer me one more thing. What happened was completely consensual? Valbrand did not force himself on you? And he didn’t get you so drunk that you could not control yourself?”
Tyari shook her head. “I agreed to it, and while I did have a drink, it was only the one. The mistake was mine, and I cannot hold him to blame.”
“Okay,” Halgra said. “Don’t worry, Tyari, you’ll get through this. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call on me.”
“Thank you,” the young woman said before leaving to return to the temple.
Once she was gone, Halgra turned to Jagrin. “I want to talk to this Karna,” she said. “Find her.” She had never known the chaste young cleric to be anything but entirely true to her vows. For her to break them not once but twice in such a short time was concerning.
“I’ll have my people look out for her. Though I cannot spare too many, as I have to keep someone watching Brinya. She will reveal her true nature eventually.”
“Do not harass the girl, Jagrin. I agreed to let you keep tabs on her, but do not approach her.”
“Understood. But when we confirm that she was behind my son’s death, I will be the one to swing the axe.”
“As long as you do not attempt to swing it before I’ve told you to. Has Katrezra been taken into custody?”
“Yes. Sara was pretty upset, but they did not resist.”
“Good. If he and Brinya are innocent, then perhaps Gwen and the others will find something at the Plague House. If not? Well, at least we’ll have them both where we can easily get ahold of them.”
The next morning, Gwen woke up as usual and attended to her hair. It always took a bit of work to get under control. She wanted to cut it shorter so it would be easier to manage, but her mother had loved her hair, so she couldn’t bring herself to cut it shorter than shoulder-length. But the brush she had been given by Uncle Zil was excellent and made quick work of any tangles.
Once her hair was under control, she changed into her clothes and headed to the Longhouse’s dining room for breakfast. It was rarely good, but it was always hot and plentiful.
To her surprise, Gwen found strange faces seated at several of the tables. “What are you guys doing here?” she asked.
“Oh! Hi, Gwen!” Lucky Days said, her mouth still a little full of oat porridge. She swallowed with a big gulp and washed it down with some milk. “After Jazz Hands got attacked by assassins, Chief Chief told us to stay here for our safety.”
“Jazz Hands?” Jazier asked, confused.
“Well, your name is Jazier, so ‘Jazz’, and you have magic hands.” Valbrand choked on his ham at her words. Kermit hopped over and hit him on the back. Glenn just sat there, sipping his coffee.
“I see…” Jazier answered, dubiously.
“You were attacked by assassins?” Gwen asked the wizard.
“Yes. They came into my room while I was falling asleep. I nearly died.”
“Who would send assassins after you?”
“My brother might, though there is the possibility of demons being involved. Your chief defender wants me to look into a lead. I am to secure your aid.”
“I can’t,” Gwen protested. “I’ve already been tasked with locating Katrezra.”
“I believe he is already in custody. The guardsman Omast and I ran across him yesterday. When I told your leaders of this, they sent someone to collect him.”
“Oh, then I guess I can help, if that’s truly what Halgra wishes.”
“We’re coming too!” Lucky Days said happily before shoving a spoonful of porridge in her mouth.
“Really?”
“If demons are involved, I want a chance to face them,” Valbrand boasted, flexing his taut muscles in an attempt to impress the young woman.
“Right,” Gwen said with a sigh, grabbing the plate that had been prepared for her and sitting down to eat. The plate contained several of her favorites – a piece of sweet melon, some ham and a couple fried oatcakes. They had likely been chosen specifically to help her take her mind off of Rodrik’s death. “So, what’s our lead?”
Jazier pulled out the journal. “It seems that the poor dead man was interested in the Plague House. I suspect he found something he wasn’t supposed to and the demons wanted him silenced before he realized what he had found. Then, when they discovered I had stumbled upon his notes, they came after me next.”
Rodrik’s Journal?! Gwen reached out and took the book from him and began reading through it. She knew her cousin well enough to easily separate what was relevant and what wasn’t. She quickly came to the same conclusion as Jazier, more or less. There was something at the Plague House that Rodrik had been killed over.
“We’ll go just as soon as I’m done eating,” Gwen said. “We can’t wait-”
“What’s that?” Lucky Days asked, indicating the sound of a horn blowing in the distance.
Gwen shot to her feet and grabbed her gun. “That’s the sound of the alarm. We’re under attack!”