Chapter 17 Politicos and executions

 
 
I find myself back at the forge where I met the old woman. Where I met Daja. She is not there this time, just the forge itself. No tools or projects lay in the forge, just the Fire. But as I watch, The fire gets smaller, and smaller, and I get the feeling from somewhere that I am the one to keep this fire going, and if I do not, the will be extinguished. I try to feed the flames, try to keep it alight so I can continue my work, but darkness takes me, and I wake up panting.
Putting my dreams behind me, I get up and get dressed for the day. As a representative of the Cerulean sanctum, I feel obligated to look y best, even if I don't want to be at an execution, So I pull out my old Army uniform, the one for semi-formal occasions, and make usre all my buckles are straight, armor polished as usual, and weapons sitting properly. Rorin has arranged to pick Aurane and I up, so when he arrives I get in. On the way to Aurane, I tell Rorin about my dream, and how worried I was about it. I don't really want to go to the temple about it, as they will want to ask questions about me, and Rorin has more station, he should talk to them about it. The last time I wanted to talk to them, I had to ask 3 questions which really caught me off guard, it was a bad time. Aurane climbs in to the carriage at the end of my request, and I fill him in on the dream. He says that he too was having odd and ominous dreams. Great more problems.
Before we can get into that any further, We arrive at the military fort, and a makeshift arena that has been set up. Guards stand post around the area, and as we enter we can see that all of the Guild leaders and heads of Temples are here as well. Dove Grayson, the head of the town militia, is also there, and looking absolutely exhausted, almost defeated, but pulling ahead by sheer force of will. Something I have seen before. I don't see anyone I don't recognize, meaning I don't see Vandrin, our mystery witch hunter. Curious. Someone must know what they look like. Most everyone is already seated, wearing somber expressions, a serious time for a serious occasion.
Coming up to the assembled heads of state from behind, I am able to observe them for a time before I must get into the crowd. I can see Garnet is here, With Holden Cockswell, and his assistant Oliver. People are giving sympathetic glances over to them, but upon closer looks, some of the glances are with different emotions. Indifference from Gromley, and Ravenswood looks like he has better things do do, reading paperwork in the early light. Although, he does have a good amount of work to do, fixing up everything that was damaged in the attack, and riot afterwards. Others, like the High priests of Zits and Lord Terrance are looking are Garnet as if she was a pile of filth someone had just told them to move, And Lady Lavender is not looking at Garnet at all, and is instead talking with Master Steeldust. I can't see what they are talking about from here, and wanting to talk with Holden anyway, I walk over to the empty seats around Holden and Garnet, and start talking with Holden about the modified crossbow plans. He seems to perk up a bit, and looses track of what we are here for. I can see Oliver being a bit appreciative of that, as really Holden is out of place in this situation. Over his shoulder, I can see that Lady Lavender is still talking with Steeldust, and reading her lips, I can see that she is using some disgusting language talking about the Bard's guild, and how they should not be allowed to exist. That woman is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. It appears that Steeldust does not want to be a part of this conversation however, as he shortly gets up and talks to someone else.
Melfina had come over to sit in the middle, muttering something about getting a good view, and Aurane had gone over to check in with Lady Constance and Lady Diligence. I take the chance to whisper to Melfina What I noticed from Lady Lavender, then everyone grows quiet as six guards, three in front, and three behind, guide Warrenthall into the arena. Seeing enough of this type of thing, I don't need to watch the dead man, so I watch the crowd instead. All of the major power in the town is here, or nearly so, and whoever is behind some of the things happening in town should also be here. They as Warrenthall for any last words, and I glance his way, but nothing came out of his mouth. For a second I had thought he was looking for someone in the crowd, but looking back at those gathered there, I gleaned nothing, and heard the Snik of the blade, and a thump, and the deed was done. A loose end, and a local high ranking member of the Crimson dragons gone. But who benefits the most from it?
With Warrenthall dead, the council and temple leaders get up to leave, and while we could take the time to talk to them, it just doesn't seem the time, not do I know what I would say. Silence fills the arena behind us, Silence is the only thing we will get for the answers we need, and one of the people leaving has those answers.
We spend two weeks getting ready to leave for Ravenswood. In that time I am able to finish the commissions that were set up during the festival, and teach Leona a good bit of the trade. I could have gotten work done a bit faster on my own, but it wouldn't have been nearly as fun. Max is able to complete the daggers for Melfina, complete with chains from my design. She should be able to reach much farther, than normal with them now, and they are very fine quality. Rorin was able to get our supplies together in good time, and he ran a tremendous fundraising event for local public works, to rebuild from the damage. Aurane was able to get most everything done, but had some problems with the pricing. Due to the damages, raw materials went way up in price, and I was lucky enough to already have what I needed in stock.
Marda and Melfina were able to volunteer with the militia and do some patrols, and we all decided that they should also see into the information we had gathered, see if anything connects. Marda, working near the docks, found the sailors to be less than thrilled about any bards moving in to town. A good amount of bards used to be sailors, keeping the crew entertained, while also working on the ship. But with talent, comes price, and eventually the performing sailors didn't want to work, just entertain. Dead weight on a ship. A rift had grown between them.
Melfina, on the other hand, was able to follow Lady Lavender around, learning her routines. She lives in the uppity part of town, and at several points she had tried to approach Lord Ravenswood. He made every attempt to avoid her, clearly not wanting anything to do with her. Is that corruption seeking it's own kind, and being rebuked, or is Lord Ravenswood on the up and up? When she goes to talk with Gormely however, he seems to tolerate her. Not sure what to make of that. He may just be looking to play some pranks, and not caring who he pulls them on. Or he may be into what she is offering. I'm not sure what accountants could do, but I wouldn't want to mess with the hunters guild. That could be bad news. Melfina also saw her talking with the Leaders of the temple of Zits, something about organizing the dismissal of the Bards guild altogether. We are going to have to make good time getting to the forest and back to make sure nothing else happens before we get back.
With the acquisition of Mittens the magical murder mystery kitten, and all of our supplies, we are set to head off I worry about what may happened while we are gone, but we need to take care of what is happening to Marda and Melfina's home forest. It will be good to see what all is going on in the world again, and see what else can be done.