Tensions Rise and Fall

Skamos, Floran and I left the church after speaking with both Krox and Kobalt about our plan for the evening and as we left we were surprised by another member. We were all shocked when Skamos was grabbed from behind until we heard a voice that seemed to be playful at best. We learned that this was his old-time friend from the Ancillary. She introduced herself as Sylveon at the time and seemed rather keen on talking to Skamos. I pulled him aside as he began talking to her because it felt like he was letting out far too many secrets at once. Upon asking him on the matter he seemed terse; I had obviously pushed a little hard given the context, but I wanted to be sure. Ever since I had learned about the price on my head I hadn't been too keen on sharing what wasn't necessary, but I trusted him so I would have to trust her as well. When we reconvened we decided to go around as a group and gather more information on the townsfolk regarding different members; maybe we could suss out some leads before having to rely on Kobalt. During the walk about town we were able to talk to a few townsfolk who seemed to have a bone to pick with one dwarf named Tommy; the very dwarf that had accosted Kaden earlier that day. Aside from this, we didn't seem to proffer much from our investigations. The ten gold kept rolling around in my mind; there was no reason for Skamos to have needed to bribe him. I was going to get the gold back even if it ruffled a few feathers.
 
As the day began to wane we decided it was time to head towards the Doppel Twin Inn to get the festivities going as we had heard earlier that they had moved the preparations due to some incoming rain. It was understandable, but it made me uneasy. The great torrent of rain we had faced the past few days seemed to have some eerie connection with the Boneclaw, but not to the same degree as the fog. Upon entering we were invited to sit at a place of honor and Kobalt requested that we keep any distractions at bay so he could focus for the evening. During the night I realized I had let my guard down somewhat as I drank my ale and had a fill of elk; Kaden seemed to appreciate the food with vigor as he devoured it in seconds. At some point there was a bubbling squabble between Skamos and his reunited friend of which Kobalt and I requested a pause (if not an end). We were also approached by old Ehmyr Killigan himself, a frail old elf that looked more like a pale mummy than a man, and was quite sour to boot. I gave him some customary well wishes; mother was always one for etiquette and diplomacy. Half way through, Kobalt finished with his scans and had the opportunity to eat what I had ordered him, which was pleasing to see. I haven't seen too many men that gaunt, and I'd rather keep it that way. We kept going with the festivities for a while, waiting until everyone had left and the party fizzled out for the night.
 
At the end of the night, Krox and Kobalt had singled out five people of interest: Ehmyr, the shopkeep Ralph whom we had dealt with upon entering town, Tommy the lead of the mines, Poppy the baker and miner, and Kaden. I was somewhat surprised, but upon hearing some remarks out of the boy I could sense a great level of malice underneath his naivety. I decided to get everyone drinks, and even humored the old elf with his wine-pouring traditions. After a chunk of talking we had learned a few things. Ehmyr, Ralph, and Tommy were all bigots for their own reasons, Poppy was a follower of Paracelcus, and almost no one knew what a Boneclaw was. Ehmyr seemed much more informed, but claimed that he would command it elsewhere (implying to me that he knew how the whole scheme worked, which was suspicious). Ralph follows he silver hand and Tommy is an atheist. Finally, we had seemed to figure out that the Boneclaw was attached to Kaden as our inquiries turned from probing to threatening. Sylveon first noticed the appearance of fog when we had turned out attention to the boy. From what I understand, she seemed to have known about them based on lectures from Nasamos. Luckily, he had deigned to repeat the lecture for Skamos and we Celia to confirm and dig deeper on the subject. Upon pressing Kaden further and we all prepared to strike, all hell broke loose.
 
The Boneclaw acted first, piercing through the window to snatch up Skamos's friend who fired an arrow that pierced between Kaden's eyes, taking the light from them easily. After he had been snuffed out she was hauled into the darkness. Skamos and I made a break out the window for her but were too late as the Boneclaw disengaged to pick on Floran and the suceptible townsfolk still in the bar. We made our way back in time to drive the Boneclaw out, but it had taken Kaden's corpse with it. Luckily, Skamos was able to chase it down and deal the final blows, taking its vile hands off before smashing its head in. Learning from my previous mistake with Iluna, I snatched the scroll from my belongings and ran to Kaden. Celia got back to me about my inquiry during the height of the fight, noting how it was possible to bring the boy back while leaving the 'claw behind. Skamos needed to sanctify the body for such a retrieval and return of the soul and was expertly lead by Krox and assisted by Floran. He uttered words to Athanasios, who in return spoke his will through Krox. I didn't know how to help aside from having the scroll, but I couldn't do nothing. I whispered a quick line, trying to pull on anything I knew. Before I knew it, Krox spoke again with two voices; I couldn't mistake either of them since I had addressed them both directly. Floran was able to deftly take the scroll and perform the revival of the child. Kobalt managed his way to us and confirmed that the evil had left; we had saved Kaden.
 
I took it upon myself to take the child back, minding to wet his gills with the rain as I had seen him do earlier. Upon bringing him back to the room Krox had provided me, I laid him out and set to work mending. I wasn't the best at it and I knew I had a higher pain tolerance than most, but luckily the kid was out cold and graciously healed by she who had slain him. He seemed to be running a fever so I found some clean cloths to use as cold compresses. It seemed a considerable amount of time had passed, but I felt easy enough leaving him alone. I had some questions for Skamos, considering what had happened upon bringing Kaden back. I managed to ask him about the speaking through Krox; some small part of me hoped it had been a fluke or a common practice. Luckily, it seemed he couldn't place the second voice. I didn't feel comfortable sharing more on that yet. He seemed as pleased as I about the outcome, and I asked about Sylveon, who I learned preferred to go by the name "Silver." I wouldn't press it; I knew the importance of an alias or nom de guerre. It seemed that she would be traveling with us for some time as he seemed pleased with her work. I expressed that I had also planned on killing Kaden and hoped she had no hard feelings over the matter. I decided to ask him about learning celestial, especially since it sounded much more formal and apropos if I were ever to deal with the Gods again. If. After deciding on trading language lessons (Celestial for me and Elvish for him), he then asked me an odd question about having children. With that classic smirk on his face (though... did it look softer this time?), I don't really know what came over me. It seemed my time had run up, as I had no way to respond nor counter his playful accusation. I'm not proud of my exit but... What had that been about? Well, he hadn't seemed too upset about Kaden, so I'm lucky for that. Hopefully we can get him reunited with his parents soon, or he's yet another vessel for the Ancillary.
 
For some reason, Kaden and this whole event brought me far back in time. Brought me to Nyana. Maybe Skamos was right... I had been prepared before, but now? I didn't even know what I would do if I had a kid now, especially with the shit show Aknir has become. For now, I wish only to focus on returning Kobalt to Celia and Kaden to his parents, reporting back to Aterfodden and getting our favor all so we can find and return Yonaton's daughter Lareina. I hope we haven't tarried to long, but of course Paracelcans wouldn't kill her outright; they would do worse. From there, maybe we can finally get into the belly of the beast and end this uprising of Paracelcus before the government catches wind of it. Which reminds me... If Agustria is right (and I have no reason to not believe her, especially given how close she and my mother were), the King has also identified himself as a potential problem.