Split Up And Search For Clues

Posted on 11 Apr 2023 @ 11:28pm by Mage Kalian Winter & Warrior Rhiannon Cadash & Warrior Katya Charbonnet (Shar-bon-ay) & Warrior Skeld & Rogue Nazri Arisant & Mage Kithris Sabrae

830 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Hall of the Phantom Shadow
Location: Imperial Highway
Timeline: Bloomingtide 7th, after 'Are We There Yet?'

The open area around the bend in the road bore the bloodied and trampled evidence of their encounter with the bandits: two prisoners, three recently-dead bodies, and the shattered remains of two skeletons. Just down the road were the scattered remains of the merchant's goods, where the bandits had plundered his cart.

Though Kalian asked with all of the persuasive charm he could muster, the merchant flat-out refused to transport the bandit prisoners and bodies back to Jader, even when offered the collected contents of their purses – 24 royals - which he insisted was owed to him regardless because of his lost goods. Moreover, the merchant strongly implied the two prisoners would soon be corpses if left in his care alone. In the end, Martin decided to take the living and dead bandits back to Jader in the wagon, intending to return as soon as possible, hopefully with more city guardsmen.

Once the bodies and prisoners were sorted out, Kalian turned to his friends. "So, shall we split up? I'm inclined to investigate the mansion. That could be where the blood mage is hiding."

Rhi had helped get the prisoners and bodies together. She agreed that the group would have to split. When Kalian suggested that the mansion might be where the blood mage was hiding, she knew that he would want to go after them. He would need protection. "If you are going after the blood mage, you are not going alone."

Responding to her pledge, Kalian grasped Rhiannon's forearm as a fellow comrade, then leaned in for a quick kiss.

Rhi did not hesitate when Kalian leaned in for a kiss. Once they separated, she gave him a smile.

"I will track down the bandits. Maybe have a few words with their chief!" Katya said.

Kithris had listened as Kalian had tried to get the merchant to take prisoners and bodies back. But the man refused. When he suggested splitting up, Katya was enthusiastic about tracking down the bandits. Tracking was something that Kit was good at. Giving Katya a smile, "I will go with Katya. They won't get far."

"Well," Nazri replied, "if forced to make a change, I'll go track down the bandits. But, I'm not so sure that splitting up is a good idea. It divides our forces and makes both teams more vulnerable."

"That is true, and the bandits will be expecting us now," Kalian acknowledged grimly. "Still, I can't help but feel the mansion is important. We'll be cautious." After a moment's thought, Kalian said, "Those bandits we fought didn't seem particularly well trained. More like bullies scaring their victims. Mind you, most people would run away from walking skeletons brandishing weapons. Those other bandits, the ones gathering up the merchant's goods... I didn't get a good look but I think some of them weren't even armed."

Kalian turned his attention to the huge warrior. "What about you, Skeld? Will you go after the bandits or investigate the mansion?"

Skeld gripped his axe hilt and grinned, turning to look at the group before he would proudly announce that he would be chopping bandits in half. But something... itched. He looked at the tattoos on his forearm, flecked with bandit blood but standing proud against his skin nonetheless. He wanted to go kill bandits. His axe wanted to kill bandits... But Kalian had a nose for trouble and a knack for attracting it. And right then, his nose was pointing him at that mansion. He sighed.

"Ah, killing bandits..." Skeld said, with a wistful tone. "I really want to go do a bit more chopping, but someone's got to keep Kalian from getting murdered by some noble. Or... whatever this big house has going on," he added, looking at his friend. "I've got your back, even if this does turn out to be just some fancy pants asses doing nothing."

Kalian's grin for Skeld softened to a smile as he faced the Chantry sister. "And you, Elinowy? You would be an asset in either confrontation."

Elinowy was inexplicably quiet, and didn't answer Kalian's question. But she joined Kalian, Rhiannon, and Skeld all the same.

At this point, Kalian had one of the amulets, and Nazri had the other, which meant each group had one. Kalian stuffed the strange thing in an emptied coin purse they'd taken from a dead bandit, then tucked it into a pocket.

Rhi listened as Skeld commented that he would watch Kalians back, she grinned. The big man could definitely hold his own, she gave him a nod. Looking back at Kalian she noticed that he was putting the amulet in a pouch and then into his pocket. To her, it was more habit but also she knew where it was at if something were to happen.

"Stay safe," Kalian said to Katya, Kithris, and Nazri. Then he headed down the road with Rhiannon, Skeld, and Elinowy, toward the mansion.
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