Uriel

(Solar of Truth, former colleague of Nomad's from Celestia, close friend of Zariel)

"Look, I already feel like you're involving me in something I probably shouldn't have stepped into in the first place," the gnome replied, making it a point to pull the drapes over the windows of his shop after the newcomer removed her hood.  "What are you even doing here, holy one?  I've never even met an angel before. You're already nothing like I expected."

She grinned, deciding to take his words as a compliment as she watched him frantically go about closing up his shop. Or at the very least, block any prying eyes from noticing her. "My apologies. I didn't realize my presence would draw such unwanted attention."

He finished pulling the last drapes closed, then waved a bigger flame into his lantern as he set about lighting a few more candles. When he'd finally finished all of his tasks, he looked to her once more before laughing and shaking his head. The way he hung his head, sighed repeatedly...He was exasperated, she could tell. It was simply her timing that had been unfortunate.

"What happened to you, good gnome?" she tired to redirect the conversation. "I'll leave if your safety is a concern."

"No, no," he corrected her. "I like to think of myself as a goodly sort, and if goodly is what I think I am, so goodly I must be. I want to help in Celestia's affairs. It's a great honor! But you're not the first one to come asking about that one. I thought he had something to do with that massacre in the woods a few weeks back-"

"Massacre?"

"Aye, a grisly scene to be sure. I was moving my shop from Luskan to Neverwinter when I met the man. Strange sort. Bannerless, though he carried himself as a knight of some kind. Came to my aid and scared off the brigands threatening to rob me. I tried to repay him but he simply...disappeared after that. A few days later, those brigands were found, or whatever was left of them. All torn to pieces and their bodies arranged in some kind of...ritual. I didn't think that wanderer had such vileness in him, but these are strange times with strange folk. I just didn't want to end up his next victim."

Uriel grinned, shaking her head. "You're safe, good gnome. I assure you, that wasn't the man you encountered in the woods."

"You know him?"

A nod. "Once. I've been looking for him for quite some time, though he makes it a point not to be found."

"Why's that?"

Uriel held up her hand. "That would be one question too many. I won't involve you any further. I just need to know where else I might find clues as to where he went."

The gnome's eyes widened for a moment, but he was quick to compose himself and consider her request. "Well...I didn't ask too much, but when I told the story to the owner of the Diamond Dragon, that's the inn just down the way, he just laughed and said 'that poor girl.' I was just glad to get a belly full of food and ale at the time, so I didn't think too much of it."

The angel nodded, offering the gnome a smile as she adjusted her wings beneath the dense fur cloak draped across her shoulders. "That's already more than enough, good gnome. I thank you, as does Celestia. And..." she pulled a small, golden figurine from the folds of her cloak. "For the trouble. One last thing, if I may?"

"Certainly, my lady," the gnome quickly replied, his eyes wide once again as he took in the sight of the pristine, precious metal composing the figurine.

"You said I wasn't the first to ask about him. Who was the other?"

He shuddered, turning his focus back to her. "Didn't get much of a look at that one. Voice was all raspy and he kept a heavy cowl over his head, same as you when you walked in. But I told him I only met the one he described in the woods and hadn't seen him since. He didn't ask about anything else like you did."

"And you're sure of that? His fate and a few others could be in danger if you're not."

The gnome's head was bobbing before she'd even finished speaking. "Absolutely. I didn't like the look of that one. Or the sound. Or the smell. Just gave me a very bad impression, that one, and I didn't want nothing to do with him. It's why you scared me so when you came in, my lady, begging your pardon. He left quick after I didn't say what I think he was hoping to hear."

Uriel smiled back, waving off any implied offense, but her focus intensified as she registered something he'd mentioned. "Did he smell of something rotten?"

"He did," the gnome confirmed, his face going ashen. "Do you know him too?"

Her smile disappeared. She pulled her hood back over her head. "Thank you again, good gnome. Best you don't know anything else." She exited the shop, making her quickly toward the inn.