Chapter 30 A Whole Lota Nothing.

By the time the council meeting was coming to an end, I was ready to burn the Temple down just for some excitement. From the look on other people's faces, they were thinking about various degrees of destruction as well. Having gained nearly nothing from my attempt to glean information at the beginning of the meeting, I had try something else. The question was, what tool would I want to use in a situation like this? Something like a light hammer to get the perfect response out of the material, or a rhythmic beating to move the subject around. Well, may as well try something.
Going over to intercept Vlad before he is gone, I ask him to introduce me to Garmele before he leaves. Giving me a look that screams exhaustive loathing, he sighs. With a flare of his nostrils he didn't even turn around. Just simply stretched his arm down and behind him, grabbing some hapless individual by the collar, and hauled Garmele in front of me.
“Talk.” and with that single word, he turned on his heel and left.
Ah. Sledgehammer then.
Garmele was coming to the realization that he was standing in front of someone, and when he found it to be me, a slight frown appeared briefly on his face before going neutral again. As Aurane and Rorin make it through the crowd to us, the small Council member greets us all in turn, expressing congratulations to Rorin of the coming merging of the dwarven houses.
Without further preamble, I launch into the reason I wanted the introduction. “What does the hunter's guild benefit from if Zits takes over as leading temple?” He lets out a small snort, probably thinking my lack at political finesse humorous.
“If Zits takes over, the hunter's guild would have less problems with funding. As it is, we don't have enough to cover costs. War is about to break out, and with war, hunters will get better jobs in the armies rather than working in the guild. You know better than I that trackers and scouts are required for the advancement of any Army trying to march. Do you really think the Temple to Lady Constance could lead us to victory?”
I stood there with my mouth open for a short time, blinking several times. “War with who?” I asked. But Aurane said something louder than I did.
“Peace should always be an option. We can not just leave it off the table and become fatalists.” He counters.
A dismissive guffaw is the only thing Garmele has to express about that. Seeing my opportunity to repeat myself, I do. “Who are we going to war with?”
The small man looks at us for a long pause, then opens his mouth. “Dawn's reach and Cherwood would be teaming up and attacking Terrytown.”
The sheer amount of problems that this would start would be massive. Assaulting a well established Port town would be a very costly thing to do. I'm not even sure what sort of Naval forces the city has, but it would take at least a naval and ground assault at the same time, and that would cost more than just money.
He saw the incredulous look on my face, and started to explain. “the people of Terrytown are more loose with how they do things, including how they treat casters. Dawn's reach thinks the opposite, and if dawn's reach has an idea. It will do whatever it wants, regardless. If we can take Terrytown, we can set whatever taxes we want on them, at that will fund the Hunter's guild.”
Yeah. While we are at it, why don't we take on the dwarven kingdoms, and the Elvish ones, and go visit Dragon Island too, I thought to myself. The amount of pain and destruction they were wanting to do was just ludicrous for the end product. There has to be a better way.
“Well, how much would you say you need to keep the hunter's guild happy?” Rorin asks.
With barely a thought, the Halfling councilor replies, “about three Thousand gold more a year.” I could feel my eyes get bigger, and then they got even bigger When Rorin gave his reply.
“I could probably cover that.”
“Is that an offer to fund the guild Sir Dwarf?”
Rorin looked to me. I'm not sure why, it was his family money he was putting up. Thinking quick, I switched to draconic again. “Don't promise it, he is a politician. Make a vague offer, then if it doesn't work out for you, no big deal.”
Rorin did just that, and with that promise of maybe probably helping out, We made our goodbyes, Garmele made his in both common and draconic. Trying to hide my surprise that apparently everyone and the bum outside speaks draconic, I told him that I meant what I said about politicians, and we all attempted to leave this Temple as fast as we could. Getting Elon in tow, we finally pile back into the security carriage.
Going back to the estate, we stop to get some food for the staff at the estate, and I ask the others about having a nice dinner out. I explain that Mr. Corbin will be leaving town soon, and I would like to treat him to a nice dinner at an Inn before he leaves. After that dream, I am tired of hiding, and I want to spend some time happy before Max's Father leaves again.
Leaving Elon at the estate, we let Garfield know about the dinner plans, and to meet us at the babble brook inn if he wants to join us. We head back To Aurane's shop, and parting ways with the carriage, collect everyone and head to the Babble brook. Upon arrival, Bridgett is happy to accommodate the group, but asks us to wait for a time. Ordering drinks at the bar, some of the group starts getting a bit mellow while waiting for our table. I imagine we are going to have a private part of the bar, but I am a bit surprised when we are shown our table. Bridget takes us out the back door, and past a garden where fresh vegetables are always available. Into a small stand of short trees, I start to hear a small trickle of water before we come to an area reserved for just a few trusted folks. In a gazebo a large table has been set up for us, with various sized chairs to accommodate some of us who happen to be larger than others. Small lights hover around the area, not anchored to anything. I feel like we are all slightly under dressed for the occasion, but only for a moment.
Sitting with our drinks, we ask for meals for the group, and after a short wait, a platter of meat pies are brought out, crusts still steaming. A cauldron is brought out by two men, with the delicious scent of Beef and barley stew coming out of it. A Large bowl of banana pudding complete with whipped cream is set on the table, and two loaves of fresh bread. With all ten of us here, it quickly gets portioned out, and set upon.
Melfina shows us the map of the sewers that has been updated, and informs us of the problems the Myconid people are having. Filling us in on Mallow the mighty, she tells us that when she and Marda had contacted them, they were being set on by the previous keepers of the sewers, and the problems they are still having. Thinking back on the fight with the urine scented folk we first fought, I am suddenly glad I stayed home that day. We fill them in on what we found out after the council meeting, and the possibilities we have.
But now what? Even if we convince the council to not side with Dawn's Reach, will that keep Terrytown safe? Or will Dawn's reach just go after them anyway? With this asked of the table, it quiets down a bit as we all think. It looks as if we are going to have to start looking at ways of changing votes, and hope for the best. The proposal to warn Terrytown is put into the air, but we don't know anyone there and when asked, Mr. Corbin says he knows some people, and he has been there recently. On further thought however, he says it has been about thirty years, if not a bit more, since he was there, and he isn't really sure if anyone he knows still lives there or not.
Thinking about who our host is, I ask Mr. Corbin if he knows anything about the undertow, and when he gets a look like he is trying to melt butter in his mouth I quickly correct myself and ask about the faction claiming to be the undertow. The ones that were kidnapping people. He tells us of how they used to specialize in stealing people and selling them into various forms of slavery. Normally targeting the more exotic races, like Dragonborn and Tabaxi, they would capture their prey and sell them to the highest bidder for whatever purpose intended. Not a pleasant group.
Mr. Corbin also is not overly happy with the Sanctum, explaining that they employ a good amount of killers for assassinations. I'm only slightly surprised and thinking about Melfina and Marda and seeing what they can do in action. The idea that the sanctum may have other ideas as to the war also comes up, and Even Melfina starts to question them. Unbeknownst to me, there are other Sanctum outposts across the Ocean, and Dawn's reach has one as well. With the Silver Sanctum in Terrytown, and the Citrine Sanctum in Dawn's reach, Marda says we can communicate with them both if we need to.
So we could talk to Terrytown. Warn them of the coming attack. No one deserves an unprovoked war against them. The question is, Will The Sanctum deliver the message? Is there a chance that the Sanctum would want something out of the war that seems inevitable. The entire night, Rorin has been playing with a set of metal knuckles that he recently got from his Fiancee.
I suddenly remembered that she is on her way back to her Clan, and she has to go through Terrytown to get there. We could message her, and send her a letter through the Sanctum to test the Sanctum. A bit heavy handed, but it should work, if we can make the message short enough that Melfina could Send it. The others set me on the task of properly wording what we are going to send. Figuring out the short and sweet message quickly, I find that everyone has gone back to talking with each other, although a good bit of the talking is being interrupted by yawns. With Max asleep, his huge hand dwarfing the tankard that is still ensconced in his hand, and the others tired, we settle up the tab. Bridgett brings us a small sack with another meal for our “bedridden guest” she hands it over with a wink. Still in hiding, Dani couldn't have joined us, but Bridgett knew she would appreciate a good meal again. Discussing it with Marda and Rorin, we decide to split the bill. Before any of us can gather the coins together, ten Platinum pieces hit the table in front of Mr. Corbin. Paying no heed to our protests, he says it has been a treat being able to spend time with his sons again.
Standing, Charles puts on his long coat, and hands me his hat. Moving to Max's sleeping form, he simply bends over, and lifts the Hulking body of his son over his shoulders. With stunned looks following us out of the Inn, and up the street, Max was carried home like that the entire way. Charles never seemed to get winded, and talked almost as if he were simply carrying laundry over his shoulder. Only when we get back to Aurane's did he hand his son over to Leona, Kel, and Melfina who dragged a mostly sleeping Minotaur into the shop.
At this the aged Elf turns to me, and grabs my hand. “It has been a pleasure son, but I must make my leave. I have spent enough time in the city, and there are some people I just don't want to be bothered with. Besides. It seems you are going to be busy the next few weeks, and I'd rather not have to try stopping another war.”
“Were you able to stop wars then?” I ask, but he sadly shakes his head.
“No, I never could stop them from happening. I could end them though. Let me know what you are able to do. I'll give an address to write to so we can keep in touch better. If you need advice, or simply want to write more, just send it there, I'll get it.” Giving me an address, and shouldering his satchel, he starts making his way down the empty street. No guards, no passerby, and no one to know. From what I have been able to piece together, the most powerful being in the city simply walks down the road, turns the corner, then is gone. When my own father died, Max's father didn't hesitate to step into the role. He could never replace my father, but the fact that I know I can turn to him does leave something to grasp onto. Thinking about the timeline, he would have been around at the time of the actual undertow. The one that helped people. At this point it isn't a question of If he helped. But How many did he save. How many can I?
Going into the shop, I can hear soft accordion music playing upstairs, and as I make it up, I find Dani enjoying her meal, her accordion serenading her on it's own while she eats. While she isn't looking back to her usual self, she has been able to get healthier in the last couple days here.
Once she finishes her meal, we get down to talking. Obviously, she doesn't want to stay in the city, and we all agree. It is far too dangerous for her to staying the city, and staying here in the shop is just a different type of prison. When the question came up as to how she could leave the city without being spotted, she told us that wouldn't be a problem. With a snap of her fingers, and a quick trill from the accordion, her appearance changed into that of an old human crone. Deciding to go to Garnet in the morning, and also sending the messages while at the Sanctum, we decide to call it a night. We slowly all drift to bed, leaving Dani plucking absently at a lute. I wish I could stay up and talk with her, but the atmosphere just doesn't seem right.
Kel is also tired of being stuck at the shop, but mostly because she hasn't been to her own home in some time. Leona decides to escort Kel home, and will just stay the night there so no one has to go out into the city alone. Worrying about them both, I almost say something, but decide against it.
Morning finds me anxiously looking to the door at every creak of wood, and shuffle of the chairs. Without Kel in the morning, Aurane is a bit lost as to what to do, and Marda steps in. Finding pre-made pancake batter in the fridge, and instructions as to how to make them. Aurane tries to make coffee, but leaves it to Max after a failed attempt. With breakfast ready, and the Apprentices not yet back, Max and I are sharing looks. Ready to start a search party, the two finally show up at the end of breakfast, saying that they decided to eat at Kel's place. With them both back, I find that my shoulders seem to loosen up, from the stress that was building there. I know very well Leona can take care of herself, but I still worry.
Laying out the proposed message to the others, they all agree the wording is right, and Melfina prepares to send it. Wiping blood across her lips, she closes her eyes, and talks into the air around her. “Rorin sends: Dawn's Reach may attack Terrytown. Trying to Prevent Zit's coup. Message at Sanctum Should be Duplicate. Test of Sanctum. Warn Terrytown. Yours, Rorin.”
Kel's face is a mixture of horrific curiosity, and skeptical disbelief. Melfina waits for a moment, then her eyes almost unfocus. She then relays that Ophelia wishes Rorin the best, and she will let us know when she gets the message from the Sanctum. With that small task done, We gather our things to go talk to Garnet. Aurane chooses to stay behind to start catching up on work, as do Max and Leona. With the now comforting weight of my Battleaxe on my back, and everyone else ready, we head out onto the streets. Eyed by the guards on the streets we walk confidently up to the gates, where we are checked by the sanctum monks. Once we are permitted inside, we ask a helpful Monk an audience with Garnet. With a order to follow, we are shown to a great library when Rorin and I are watched, and told to wait. This may possibly be the largest library I have ever seen in my life. Melfina says she has to go research something, and I can see her clutching something in her pockets.
After a wait, Garnet pops up from around a corner, gesturing towards a private room while also dismissing the guards. The room, while large enough for someone of Garnet's stature, simply won't fit all of us inside, so as the bulkiest, I wait just outside the door frame while the rest talk. Discussing various ways to secret Dani out, none seem to be very helpful. Garnet explains that if Dani were to come here, it probably wouldn't turn out very well. And since the Great tower they used is out of reach, Garnet can't use the teleportation circle to get Dani out. Over all the options to get her out are rather limited. Stating that I need to check in with Holden, the idea is thrown out that we can get her out through the gate while I go out at some point. Leaving Garnet, she points out that if we want to thwart a coup, we will need communication throughout the city.
Thinking about who can help us with everything, Melfina and I head through the city to go talk with Holden. While we are out there, Rorin and Marda will stty inside and watch the gate guards, see when they are the busiest. My mind races trying to figure out who may be willing to help us, and how we can raise funds for the hunter's guild. With scrutinizing looks from the guards we pass, we walk through the cool day, with a purpose.