Pendar - Session 7

42 Merrysest, Earthsday -
The party regroups in town the next morning, after a proper rest, to decide on their course of action.

Atremis looks around from within Sana's hold, taking in the local atmosphere.
Maximilian: "Right, so there's two things we can do. I found a local wizard who might be able to tell us what we found, or we could hunt in that cave some more."
Sana: "I shall leave it up to your opinions, for what we will do today."
"But... perhaps the wizard might be better, and..."
"There is something I want to discuss with you as we journey to this "wizard"."
Atremis tilts his head in confusion.
Maximilian decides to have another go at reading the spoils' magic before the group moves on.
Atremis hops out of Sana's hold and wanders over to the laid-out items, moving cautiously.
Maximilian: "Well, I solved one of the coins, so that's a little gold saved."
Sana: "What is it, Maximilian?"
Maximilian: "Odd little trinket. Can be used to pass secret messages."
"...maybe there's one on it already."
Atremis tries putting his ear to the coin.
Maximilian scratches the fox behind its ears.
Maximilian: "Doesn't work like that, sadly."
"We'd need a wayfinder."
Sana: "And now... to this "Wizard"?"
Maximilian: "I suppose he might even have one, if we're lucky. Yes, let's go."
Maximilian hops on Marigold and treads off towards his given directions.
Sana: "Um... space for one more and a fox, Max?"
Sana looks up expectantly at Maximillian.
Maximilian: "Perhaps if we weren't all wearing this heavy armour."
Looking around the buildings near the inn as directed, one house seems to stand out from the others, with a sign on the door reading "Jen of Xanthas".
Maximilian: "Yes, this almost certainly going to be his house."
Sana: "How can you tell?"
Maximilian hops off, and knocks on the door.
Maximilian: "Self-labelled title, for one."
"And look at that name!"
Sana: "Jen... of Xanthas..."
Maximilian: "(And, I suppose, it's what the guard told me...)"
Sana: "..I don't get it, are these "Wizards" self-obsessed?"
Somber Woman opens the door, looking over the group.
Somber Woman: "Here to see my husband, I suppose?"
Maximilian: "Yes, ma'am! We encountered a couple of magical goods on our ventures, and wanted assistance finding out what they do."
Atremis sits down a fair distance from the party, looking somewhat distracted as he chews on some grass.
Sana: "(I read in a book once that Wizards lose their magic when they...)"
Somber Woman: "Oh, if that's all. Some of the townsfolk in this backwater do so overestimate the limits of ordinary magic. Come inside, then."
Overhearing the conversation, a surprisingly normal-looking half-elven man steps away from a cluttered desk to stare down Max.
Jen: "Magical goods? What sort?"
Maximilian: "This bag, here, and a coin. We found them in a harpy's den."
"Additionally, on a limb, I was wondering if you traded at all."
Jen: "Interesting. Could be from anywhere, in that case."
"Perhaps I do. Do you have anything noteworthy to offer?"
Maximilian: "Other than a respectable cache of gold, not really. (Though, if I'm seeking...)
...ah! Actually, we might not even need to trade. We found a coin that plays a message when placed on a wayfinder."
Jen: "Is that so? Just wait a tick..."
Jen looks through the mess of his desk briefly, pulling out a small compass-like item.
Jen: "You can borrow it for this, so long as I can hear the message myself."
Maximilian: "Works for me!"
"Maybe it'll be a hint to a legendary cache, or a maiden in captivity, or..." [Will save: 15]
Maximilian manages to get control of himself, and places the coin on the compass.
The coin floats briefly, before beginning to speak in a masculine voice.
Coin: "{On the road to Iranri. Pemmat. Search the basement. Beware undead. Goodbye, Orielle.}"
Maximilian scratches his head.
Jen: "Pemmat? Doesn't ring a bell..."
Maximilian: "Nor any of my memories of the courts... undead in a basement?"
"I wonder if they were at a church or something."
Somber Woman: "Orielle? That name sounds familiar. From when we stopped by that little hamlet, I believe."
Maximilian: "Oh dear, if there's trouble at a small hamlet, they may not be able to rally any help."
Jen: "You had more goods like this?"
Maximilian: "Three other coins. None of them quite the same. Well, maybe this last one is."
"One of them lets people of human blood alter their talents for a short time. The other is a coin that can always be found by the person who owns it."
"This message-storing one and the tracking one seem like cunning little devices."
"But, if the harpies had it..."
"We may be too late."
Sana: "(...it might be worth trying to help, if there's a chance it might be worth it, right?)"
Maximilian: "(I agree with that. There's a mystery, and it tickles my boots.)"
Jen: "From that 'goodbye', I expect you're right in any case. And the harpies having it means it didn't get to the right person, likely."
Maximilian: "Mmhm. Well, we plan on clearing the rest of that harpy nest today, so I'll let you know if we find anything more."
"Still, identification - I had almost forgotten."
Jen: "Let me see what you have, then?"
Maximilian palms the fourth coin and places the bag on the desk.
Maximilian: "These two, sir."
Jen looks over the items, his eyes glowing with magic.
Jen: "Aha. The coin's got an enchantment to be used as a bribe. It increases temptations. And that's a simple bag of holding you've got there, if on the small side."
Sana: "(Atremis... are you okay?)"
Maximilian: "Ah! Nary an adventurer goes far without one of these."
"Do you wish for recompense, sir?"
Jen: "A favor, which you seemed willing to do anyway. Keep me informed if you come back here after finding what that message leads you to,"
Sana sits down next to Atremis.
Sana: "(...Atremis?)"
Maximilian: "Righto, thank you sir!"
"I daresay that's all we needed, really."
Jen: "You have other tasks already, do you not? Something Ulandal wants of you?"
Maximilian: "We're investigating the group that went after his daughter. But we cannot travel far until our new armour is forged."
Atremis looks at Sana, coughing out a little of the grass he was chewing on.
Maximilian: "Hmm, if we're stocking up... you said you did trade. Is coin good?"
Jen: "Depends on what you want for it."
Maximilian: "...and by that I realise I should be saying gold. Though I would probably be happy to be rid of this last scheming coin you found."
Atremis shakes his head, looking back at the grass.
Atremis: "(I think... one of the pastries from last night is disagreeing with me.)"
Sana: "(Oh dear...that isn't good at all.)"
"(Hum...)"
Maximilian: "Hmm. Quite frankly, we're open for a number of ideas. My companion and I both dabble in divine magic, though I personally prefer the blade."
Jen: "So you lack for arcane magic, don't you?"
Maximilian: "Aye, sir. Hence needing a little help with the goods."
Jen: "Come back tomorrow after the kid finishes work on your armor. I'll see what I can find."
Somber Woman: "(It'll take that long, with all those trinkets lying around.)"
Maximilian chuckles sheepishly.
Maximilian: "Thank you both. I'll return after our quest."
Sana: "(Atremis... I think I can help you)"
Sana channels restorative magic through her hands, and places her hands onto Atremis. [Lesser Restoration: 1
Jen: "I'll be expecting you then."
Maximilian salutes Jen, as he steps out of the door and returns to the others.

Maximilian clears his throat conspicuously.
Atremis leaps up in surprise.
Sana: "(...do you feel better, Atremis?)"
"AH!?"
Maximilian: "Back, with some news."
Sana leaps back in surprise.
Maximilian: "Firstly, we have a bag of holding!"
Atremis looks up, as Sana tries to hide behind his meagerly tiny form.
Maximilian makes sure the bag is tied tightly, and tosses it to Sana.
Sana manages to catch the bag!
Maximilian: "These lovely blighters will carry things for you. You could put a spare set of armour in there and it'd weight nothing!"
Sana: "...um..."
"...Maximillian..."
Maximilian: "Yes?"
Sana: "Don't scare me like that!"
Maximilian: "A-ah!"
Sana: "I-it's not polite to sneak up on a lady..."
Maximilian: "I-I-I'm dearly sorry, miss."
"I-I was just trying to get your attention!"
Atremis barks, somewhat coarsely.
Sana: "Maximilian, please go a little ways ahead, I need to see to Atremis."
"We'll catch up, but this poor fox seems to be ill..."
Maximilian: "Oh, that is a shame."
"Very well, I'll do just that."
Maximilian hops onto Marigold and trots ahead, scouting out the area.
Sana: "(Atremis... how are you feeling... did the magic help any?)"
Atremis: "(Head... hurts...)"
"(Stomach okay... but hungry...)"
Sana: "(I have some food in my bag, would you like some as we journey?)"
Atremis: "(Please?)"
Sana sits down and opens her bag.
Sana: "Would you like another pastry or... my special honey bread?"
Atremis yips.
Sana: "Um... Atremis, I can't tell from a yip: do you want both?"
Atremis: "(Anything with meat?)"
Sana: "The pastry has meat, the honey bread does not, but it's very sweet, and, well... I have this "bacon" as well."
"Apparently it's fried strips of pig..."
Atremis yips!
Sana extends a hand with this "bacon" item on it to Atremis.
Sana: "Try some~"

The party sets out for the cave again, finding it seemingly still quiet.
Maximilian remains on Marigold's back this time, recalling the errors of his past venture in the cave.
Maximilian: "Okay, two paths to go."
"Atremis, perhaps you'd like to choose for us? I imagine you have excellent senses for this."
Atremis steps forward, looking between the paths.
Atremis looks indecisive.
Atremis starts walking down the center path, looking wary and cautious. [Stealth: 30]
Maximilian watches the fox carefully, keeping an open eye and ear as it moves ahead.
Another harpy is curled up on a rag for a bed, looking very weak and showing no sign of a reaction to Atremis.
Atremis runs back towards the party, making sure to keep quiet.
Sana: [Speak With Animals] "{What did you see?}"
Atremis: "{Harpy. Sleeping. Doesn't look like treasure.}"
Sana: "There's one sleeping harpy, Atremis says... what do you wish to do?"
"Apparently there's no treasure to be found there."
Maximilian: "We were asked to clear all of them out... while I don't like killing it in its sleep, if we leave it here, it'll likely rampage in fury."
Atremis whimpers.
Sana retracts into her armour.
Maximilian: "You don't have to do it, Atremis."
Sana: "...I don't have to do it either."
Maximilian: "Marigold and I could bear the burden, for you two."
Atremis nods quietly, then starts going down the third passage, trying not to think about Max. [Stealth: 28]
Maximilian takes a deep breath, and trots down the route until he can get a clear path to the harpy.
Sana waits at the crossroads and thinks about the sanctity of life.
Sana doesn't think too often on it, before focusing her mind on more practical matters.
[Maximilian : Lance Charge, Attack: 24, Damage: 35
Marigold: Bite, Attack: 22, Damage: 9]
The harpy hardly even stirs as Max slays it.
Maximilian dismounts, muttering a quiet prayer that in hope that this act saves many more lives than it harms. He reflects on the message coin they found yesterday.
Atremis pauses, taking a peek down a narrow passage.
Maximilian returns to the entrance, quietly relieved.
Despite not looking too closely, Max noticed that the harpy looked like it was already close to death from illness.
Maximilian: "Sana..."
"I think these harpies were ill."
"It might be best that we burn the bodies."
Sana: "...ill, bodies?"
Maximilian: "Seriously ill. The one down there was already dying. Between sickness and grief, I almost wonder if I did it mercy."
"Burning them would be a gesture of some decency, as well as also prevent whatever sickness they had from spreading."
Sana: "...I don't have magic that can do that."
Maximilian: "You don't need magic, silly!"
Sana: "...Atremis said he was feeling ill, he might've contracted that disease..."
Maximilian: "That is... worrisome. Maybe we shouldn't be having him go ahead alone."
Sana moves quickly down to where Atremis is recklessly.
Sana: "...ah, there's nothing else here... we should get you out now, Atremis."
"Atremis? We're going to leave now... this place is dangerous."
Atremis nods and follows, looking uneasy.
Maximilian: "If Atremis is already sick, I'll shoulder the burden of burning the bodies."
Atremis: "(Burning the bodies...?)"
Sana: "The bodies carry a horrible sickness, Atremis. If they are burned then the sickness won't spread to anything or anyone else..."
Sana leaves the cave with Mister Foxy with her, leaving Maximilian to the hard work.
Maximilian raises an eyebrow, but turns to start his operation.

After finishing their exploration of the cave, the party returns to Seskesa, weary in heart as well as body.
Sana: "(...We need to find you some medicine to heal you, Atremis.)"
"Maybe it's best to take Atremis to the home for the day..."
"Tomorrow I can prepare spells to focus on bringing him up to full strength
Maximilian: "Well, we may as well pick up a few herbal remedies on the way. If the armour is done tomorrow, we'll want to head out on our main journey."
Sana: "Yes... tomorrow."
"...then there is something I must do tonight."
Maximilian: "I see. Very well. I'll relay the news to Jen."
Sana returns to the house, and seeks out Valdya.
Maximilian dismounts at the guard post, saluting the doorman.
Sana is admitted inside to see Valdya, Atremis in tow, and greeted with her usual cheerful attitude.

Guard Captain: "Back again?"
Maximilian: "Yes, we finished the job."
"There was one last one... but she was already dying from illness. I suspect the group were carrying something nasty - so I burned the bodies and made sure to wash thoroughly."
Guard Captain: "Good thinking. I shouldn't be surprised they caught something, filthy things."
Maximilian: "The roads should be much safer now, at least."
Guard Captain: "It's a weight of my mind, yes. Thanks for the work."
Guard Captain hands Max another pouch of 100gp.
Maximilian: "No problem, sir. I've spent enough days idle of late."
Guard Captain: "You're leaving soon, aren't you?"
Maximilian accepts the coin in earnest.
Maximilian: "Yes, I believe our new kit should be ready on the morrow."
"I gave Jen a visit, too. He might be able to sell us some interesting wares for the journey, too."
Guard Captain: "Interesting, I'm sure they'll be that. Well, good luck with it, lad."
Maximilian sets off on a trip around the shops, looking for food, medicine and other things to pack for the journey.

Sana: "Hello, Valdya?"
"I... need to talk to you about something very important."
Valdya: "Sana! You're back! ...important?"
Sana: "Yes, very serious and very important... can I take a seat, please?"
Valdya: "Okay~ Sit wherever you want. Foxie can, too."
Atremis wanders in with Sana, looking tense and worried.
Sana seats herself near Valdya.
Sana: "Now, um... we're likely going to leave, tomorrow."
"And, well... what do you want to do?"
Valdya: "I want to... have a picnic, find a fairy pet, go back to Karaminia, play with all of you!"
"What do you want to do?"
Sana: "So... in short, you want to come with us, right?"
Valdya: "Come with you? Yes!"
Sana: "...then if so, there are things you need to do before I allow you to come with us."
"...Because... um... I'm going to be frank with this."
We'll be on the road, traveling, Valdya, fighting, even sometimes killing, bad people for good causes. I will protect you as best I can, but I cannot guarantee your safety. and you could be hurt, even die, while traveling with us..."
"...do you understand this?"
Atremis whimpers.
Sana: "I need you to be aware of what you'd get yourself into while being with us... it won't be a picnic or a nice stroll... rewarding yes, adventurous yes, but..."
"...hard, all the same."
Sana pets Atremis while explaining.
Sana: "...Valdya?"
Atremis pulls away from the petting, looking worried.
Valdya watches Sana, looking a bit lost.
Valdya: "Like more kidnappers?"
Sana: "More kidnappers, yes, or just more bad people that might want to hurt us."
Valdya: "Blood and stink and people getting bashed in the head again?"
Sana: "Yes, that stuff... less of it if we are able to help it."
Valdya: "Why are you doing that?"
Sana: "Why are we fighting bad and evil people? Because we want to make the world a better place."
"I want to make the world a better place, as much as I can."
"Lady Taelia entrusted me with this mission.."
Valdya: "Is it okay?"
Sana: "It is okay to do these things... I think."
"(Ever since... then, it has been my goal...)"
Valdya: "Okay for me?"
Sana: "Okay for you to join us?"
"...I would love you to join us, as long as you understand what you are getting yourself into."
Atremis whimpers a little more, his mind still on the thoughts from the cave.
Valdya: "I don't know... I want to be with friends. But I don't know about any of that."
Sana: "It's worth a try, isn't it? You'd get a taste of what pure freedom is, somewhat safe with us."
"Though... I will need to teach you how to defend yourself."
Valdya: "Defend myself? Like armor?"
Sana: "Armour, and... maybe weapons, or... other things."
"...since you are, well... inexperienced in combat, you would take a support role... unlike me, on the front lines."
"...there are ways of providing support in many ways, be it bows or Magic..."
"Though...I don't know whether you could use magic or not... I'm only able to perform the magics Lady Taelia gives me."


Looking through the market, Max finds his attention called to one of the merchants.
Maximilian peers into the store, drawn to its lining of bookshelves
Merchant: "Anything you need, sir?"
"Interested in the books?"
Maximilian: "Yes, ma'am. I do enjoy a good dose of history or literature."
Merchant: "Thank you kindly for the business, sir."
Merchant helps fetch a few of the items from the shelves, bowing slightly to Max as he leaves.
Maximilian eagerly stows the history book on his own personage, taking the traveling gear to Marigold's saddlebags.
Maximilian: "These shall serve excellently in our venture ahead! You have my thanks."
Maximilian hums to himself as he wanders off in search of pastries for the road.
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Hey, you!"
"Hey, knight man! Heard you've got more to do. Good thing your armor'll be done tomorrow, eh?"
Maximilian: "Ah, good day!"
"Yes, I look forward to it greatly."
"During the last two days, Sana and I hunted a local harpy problem."
"But we'll definitely need your armour for the long road."
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "You tell Pop I did good work on it so he quits nagging me to learn magic instead, alright?"
Maximilian: "Ah, do you mean Jen?"
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Yeah. He said you stopped by."
Maximilian: "Hmm. Well, in your situation, I'd learn the basics. Imagine the gold you could rake in making enchanted armour!"
"Either way, there's no point teaching an unwilling student. I agree to that."
Maximilian pauses reflectively momentarily.
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Sure, sure. But it's no good putting magic on armor that doesn't work right. I gotta learn the basics first."
Maximilian: "Aha! Now I like your line of thinking!"
"I-I'm not the best at confrontation, but I think I have one way I might be able to convince him."
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Yeah? I'm listening. You got a plan?"
Maximilian: "It wasn't long ago that I was in a position like you, getting in trouble with my family, going against their ways."
"It got to the point that I was mucking out stables for a while, but look at me now, eh? And Max is just getting started!"
Blacksmith's Apprentice laughs heartily at Max's story.
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "What changed things?"
Maximilian: "Time working, doing my own thing. Learning what I needed as well as what I wanted."
"Without my old codgers breathing down my neck, I could think clearly, you know?"
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Right! I just want to practice. It's at least better here, people don't think working with your hands is useless."
Maximilian: "If I may, where are you from?"
"As much as I wish it were true, we can't attain our dreams from within libraries."
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Falsher, over in Karaminia. Stuck out here thanks to some kinda magic guild politics, but it's not so bad after all."
Maximilian: "I like the simplicity of Ataleta. You do a good job, you earn respect."
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Right! And I think I've spent all the time in libraries that I could ever want to."
Maximilian chuckles.
Maximilian: "Of course, it's less easily for those too sick or burdened to do what they need."
"But that is one of many reasons I champion Ivanda's cause."
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Now that's something I don't hear too often out here."
Maximilian: "She's a worthy goddess. One of my old mentors saw my love for the arts and told me about her."
"Then I heard about her tragic tale, and well... those sorts of tragedies I wish to ease."
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Huh. You know, you don't sound so bad at all."
Maximilian pauses in thought.
Maximilian: "Thank you, sir. Honestly. It's taken me a while to find myself someone I like."
Maximilian: "If there's anything I've learned from the last few years, it's that doing the work you love does a lot for any man's soul."
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "I'm no sir. Don't you outrank me any way you look at it? 'Least you're right about that much. So I'll keep doing my own thing, whatever Pop thinks."
Maximilian: "Oh, right, I do... I'm not used to that.
"Well, it's been a pleasure to speak with you. Good luck on your apprenticeship."
Blacksmith's Apprentice: "Yeah. And you keep safe with whatever you're doing."
Maximilian: "I'll do my best."
Maximilian returns to the manor, content with his travel.

Valdya: "Magic and bows? ...I don't know about that either. Teacher used to use magic."
Sana: "...maybe the Wizard who lives here might be able to help you if you wanted to study the other sorts of magic..."
"...or music? I have heard of spellcasters able to encourage their allies, and perform spells, too."
Valdya hums a short tune, glancing at Sana questioningly.
Sana: "...and if you don't know how to use a bow, or any other weapon, then I would be able to teach you."
Atremis looks around the room for a pillow or something similarly soft to rest his aching head on.
Sana: "...what I am... um, trying to say is that we want you to be with us, we all really like you, but being able to defend yourself and assist us would help us a lot..."
"And I liked your humming, too, but you might need more than just that to aid in combat."
Valdya: "You could teach me? Even if I don't learn it well?"
Sana: "I could teach you, yes~"
"I know how to use a bow, and I'm sure you could too, with practice."
"I would be perfectly willing to teach you how to fight. It might take some time but I will do all I can to help."
Valdya: "Am I allowed? Not gonna get yelled at?"
Sana: "...I don't know if you're allowed , persay."
"If you aren't allowed... we may have to plan a daring escape or sneak you out in the dead of night."
Valdya: "Okay! Sneaking out~"
Sana: "So it's decided! You will join us on our adventure, to wherever we go, with myself training you in the use of the bow... possibly I could teach you the power of divine magics, too."
Valdya: "Tomorrow? With Max too?"
Sana: "With Max too."
"And Atremis... but I've been neglecting him while we speak of this..."
"...so... um... I think it's time I let you in on a little secret... maybe..."
Valdya: "A secret?"
Sana: "...Atremis, could you tell me what's on your mind, please? Don't be afraid of Valdya, you don't have to be silent this time."
"She's our trusted friend now, she can know if you want her too."
Atremis whimpers.
Sana: [Speak With Animals] "{Please tell me what is wrong, Atremis... I'm sorry for not listening until now, I needed to have the serious discussion with Valdya...}"
Atremis: "{Burning the sick... I'm sick, I'm going to be burned too... afraid...}"
Valdya watches Sana, seeming to ignore the parts of the conversation she doesn't understand.
Sana: "...No, no you won't Atremis, no one is going to burn you."
Atremis whimpers more, sticking his head underneath a pillow.
Sana: "I'll heal you, make sure you get better, okay? I promise we will never do any burning of the sort to you..."
Atremis: "(Don't... want to die...)"
Valdya: "Burning?"
Sana: "The little one is sick... but we burned the bodies of the dead harpies to stop the illness spreading."
"Fox... fox... I promised I would never let you die... I won't let you die.."
Valdya: "Hmm~ Your ears are pretty, I wish I had pretty ears too..."
Sana: "Atremis will get better within a day or two..."
"...my ears?"
Valdya: "Mhm! Pretty."
Sana: "I-I..."
Sana looks ashamed of herself.
Valdya stares at Sana, tilting her head in thought.
Sana: "I... I don't think I like them..."
Valdya: "Don't like them...?"
Sana: "I... um... it'salongstory..."
Valdya looks down as well, fidgeting silently.
Sana: "Sorry, I didn't mean to be awkward, just... well... very bad things happened to me because I am..."
"U-um... half-elven."
Valdya: "Bad things? Kidnappers?"
"That's no good, you're pretty that way!"
Sana: "bad things like..."
"...like my own Father hating me, hitting me..."
Valdya: "To keep you safe? That doesn't make sense...?"
Sana: "Worse things... much worse things..."
Sana: "He didn't want to keep me safe, he wanted to hurt me as much as possible... because I am half-elven... t-there are some people like that, who hate others just for what they are..."
Valdya: "Bad people. The ones you kill?"
Sana: "We don't always kill bad people... we can beat them up and put them in prison, or reason with them... not all of them, though... not many..."
Valdya: "Reason with them?"
Sana: "As in... talk to them and try and make them good..."
"...it's complicated, and depends on the situation."
Valdya: "Is that how you got the foxie to talk to you?"
Sana: "Foxie was good from the start."
Atremis whimpers a little, digging himself further into a pile of pillows
Sana: "Foxie is a good fox... and my most favorite thing in the world."
Valdya: "Why's he scared?"
Sana: "He... is scared of being burned for being sick..."
"We burned the diseased bodies, back in the cave, he thinks the same will happen to him..."
"...but it won't, not ever."
Halfling Servant knocks on the door of Valdya's room, after leading Maximilian inside.
Halfling Servant: "Lady Valdya, Sir Maximilian is here to see you too."
Sana: "...let him in, I need to speak to him too..."
Valdya jumps up from the bed, running to the door to open it.
Valdya: "Ah! Max!"
Maximilian: "Lady Valdya!"
Sana: "Max, come inside, I need to speak with you."
Maximilian turns to the servant.
Maximilian: "Thank you for the assistance."
Halfling Servant: "Think nothing of it, sir."
Maximilian: "I'm here. What's the matter, Sana?"
Sana: "U-um... well, quite a few things."
Valdya sits back down, fidgeting but clearly trying not to interrupt Sana.
Sana: "First, you with your burning the sick bodies business, you've gone and terrified poor Atremis..."
"...He's sick too, he thinks you'll burn him too."
Maximilian: "Oh..."
"Poor fox, we wouldn't do that. No good person would burn another alive."
Sana: "...secondly (and keep this quiet, but Valdya is joining us on our wanderings.)"
"(...and it's a vote of 2 to a possible 1.)"
Maximilian: "It is to help one move on to the afterlife, when -
Sana: "So she's in."
Maximilian pauses, struggling to grasp what Sana just said.
Atremis whimpers a little at Max's lines.
Sana: "...don't worry, Maximillian."
Maximilian: "You... you're serious?"
Sana: "I will be training Valdya so she is an asset, not a liability."
"I am deadly serious."
Valdya: "I'll be good, I promise!"
Sana has an aura of steel resolve around her.
Sana: "I've told her the dangers, she knows what she's getting into."
Maximilian tries ineffectively hide the deep horror on his face.
Sana: "I will be training her so she can hold her own amongst us."
"...and no, you do not get a say in the matter, the majority have passed it."
Maximilian: "This is not even fair..."
Sana: "...would you deny a young girl's freedom, Maximilian?" [Intimidate: 16]
Maximilian: "V-Valdya... do you understand what we're going to be doing?"
Valdya: "Mmm... Sana said lots of fighting..."
Maximilian: "There won't be freedom if you get hurt. Get bashed up in the leg and you can't run around any more."
Sana: "She knows there's risk of hurt, injury, and death."
"...she'll be in a support role, not the front lines."
Maximilian: "Sana, don't forget that her freedom is one of the things we're fighting for."
Atremis seems to have climbed his way into the pillow pile deep enough to be completely obscured, now.
Valdya: "Sana said she could teach me so I'll be okay. I want to be with friends..."
Maximilian looks visibly pained.
Maximilian: "It's true, time here must be very lonely for you."
Sana: "I'll teach her the bow... and try my best on the magic front..."
Sana looks visibly fatigued for reasons other than Maximilian's.
"...she doesn't want to be all alone again, she wants friends..."
"...I... I know how hard it is to have a life without any friends..."
"(I've been living it for 16 years...)"
Maximilian: "And I know how hard it is to be at odds with one's family."
Valdya: "(Can't friends do things besides fighting...?)"
"(Just sneak out to someplace no one gets hurt?)"
Sana: "Friends provide support, encouragement, companionship, advice... these friends stubbornly want to help the world though..."
"Lady Taelia entrusted me with this task... I will do my best to carry it out..."
Maximilian: "(If we don't go out and fight, there won't be many places to sneak out and not get hurt.)"
"(It would be nice to see some of the other towns and places, but that might not be easy.)"
Valdya: "Mallery said wait for the bad things to stop and then I can go more places. Are you going to make the bad things stop?"
Sana: "...yes, we are."
Maximilian: "That's exactly it."
Sana: "That's our role."
Valdya: "Are you gonna kill the princess instead? Or... put her in prison or reason with her?"
Sana: "...the... princess?"
Maximilian: "Did you listen to the political story her father mentioned, Sana?"
Sana: "Ah, um... yes..."
"...forgive me, I'm...."
Valdya: "Mallery said the bad things will stop after the coronation, and the bad people are trying to kill the prince so he doesn't become king."
Maximilian: "The princess wants war, the prince wants peace."
Sana: "Then... mng... we would put the Princess in prison, yes."
Valdya: "Mmm... okay. And then I can play with you and nobody gets hurt, if I wait?"
Maximilian: "That's right."
Valdya puts a pillow over her head, trying to hide like Atremis.
Sana: "What is the matter?"
Valdya: "Don't want to get hurt."
Maximilian: "It's a painful situation, isn't it?"
"Thinking about it, there's one even bigger problem with this."
Sana: "...from personal experience, I think that being with friends is better, no matter what."
Maximilian: "Sana... I can understand her anguish, being chained here and without those she can play freely with."
"But, let's say we take her with us."
"Her father will notice she's gone. We're not on a day trip like the cave, we're going to be gone for weeks. Months, maybe."
"There will be search warrants for her captors."
Valdya: "Am I being a coward? Captain Parez yells at the guards that people hate cowards..."
Maximilian: "No, I don't think so. Staying here and going are both difficult options that require bravery."
Sana quietly doubles over in mental pain.
Maximilian: "I'm sorry, Sana, I really am. But if we're found to be with Valdya. Will we be seen as the heroes we wish to be?"
Sana does not appear to hear, trying to fight the fatigue off.
Valdya: "Sana? Are you sick too?"
Sana: "I... (haa)... don't want her to be alone anymore... but I want to continue my role... I can't stay here (ngh...) ...I... need to go on..."
Valdya: "...I'll wait if you promise you'll come back. I'll know if you break a promise, even if Mallery thinks I forget."
Maximilian smiles.
Maximilian: "I like that attitude."
Sana: "Valdya..?"
Valdya: "Sana?"
Sana: "I-if you stay... I want you to train and get stronger, s-sti..."
Maximilian: "Sana?"
Sana: "It's... hard, being brave, confident, assertive..."
"Talking firmly, frankly... that's hard..."
Valdya looks at her, concerned.
Maximilian: "You did well. I was ready to give in."
"Either way, let's take a break from this."
"At the market, I found a deck of playing cards."
Sana: "...playing cards?"
Maximilian pulls out a packed set of cards.
Maximilian: "Want to spend some time playing games, you two?"
"You could watch too, Atremis!"
Sana: "Um...."
"...if you could give me a moment."
Atremis doesn't respond, still completely buried by pillows.
Sana wearily shifts over to the pillows, trying to be close to Atremis.
Sana: "...I feel better when I am close to Atremis."