ADVENTURE LOG XXII

ON THE MOVE

After the jail break, The Flowers found themselves in an incredibly frustrating holding pattern. Eager to be off, but unable to leave until they had completed preparations, they had a few days to keep themselves busy- and unseen. The attack on the prison had enraged the queen, and her Grey Maidens were more brutal than ever as they combed the streets searching for signs of where they had escaped to. No one could enter or leave Korvosa without Maidens searching them, claiming to be looking for signs of bloodveil, but fooling few. There seemed to always be at least one heavily-armored Maiden within sight of Carowyn Manor, but between their practical and magic skills they were able to come and go as they pleased in spite of the watch. Madame Devlin had reassured Byron that the Maidens had raised the place multiple times while The Flowers had been in Old Korvosa, and they’d developed an air-tight routine. A lookout would warn when they were being raided, and anyone who shouldn’t be found made use of trap doors, hidden exits, and the secret panic room in the basement to get out of sight. Ausio Carowyn had gotten good at running interference, and seemingly enjoyed doing anything Devlin asked of him.

There was a tearful reunion as Gina rejoined the others from Ruby’s Rest.* No one cried harder than little Greta, who latched on and could not be parted from her side until she’d fallen asleep that evening, still clinging to the hem of her tunic. After tucking her away in bed, she sat down with Byron to explain what had gone wrong. Gina’s story revealed that she’d gone to the Maiden tryouts, succeeded at showing physical prowess, but there had been a strange series of questions over her loyalties to Queen Illeosa and the citizens of Korvosa. They hadn’t liked her answers, and one moved behind her before she blacked out and woke up in the cell with the other hostages. Everyone’s story was the same. They’d shown more concern over protecting the people than unquestioning loyalty to the queen, and it had sealed their fates. While imprisoned, they were taken out for torturing and re-questioning until they either died, or they broke down and pledged fealty. Those who agreed to join had their faces scarred, and given their gear and assignments. The woman under Sabina Merrin who ran the Maidens was named Kordaitria Destaid, and she’d seen her occasionally overseeing the proceedings. Byron recognized the name as the woman who’d been leading the Maidens against the quarantined mob when they narrowly avoided a massacre, and who had assisted when Calli, Gale, and Taylan cleared out the ghoul nests. The latter seemingly at odds with the other more nefarious activities of the queen’s henchwomen. Gina thanked him again for saving them when they did, as her captors were almost finished with a larger and more secure underground complex that they would’ve been moved to.

The effect of the drugs Miss Cooper had been on kept her largely confused, until Byron consulted Travis for his experience with such things, and the half-orc was able to brew a successful anti-toxin that would help purge it from her system in record time.

Relieved of his mission to protect Miss Cooper, Brother Winter asked them what his next task was. He continued to refer to them by the pseudonyms they’d made up when they met, and The Flowers had to gently explain to him, previously known himself as Tesh Zobbadin, that they weren’t the dutiful Brotherhood they’d originally introduced themselves as. His resolve surprised them all, as he vowed to keep up his title, and carry on as one of the Brotherhood of the Sword. He understood why they’d misled him, but the results spoke for themselves, and with his family deceased, having a purpose gave him comfort. He believed whether they knew it or not, the order had been created by powers on high, and he swore himself to it. Out of their accumulated loot, Byron found him some armor and a new weapon, and tasked him with finding more people to join the Brotherhood in their cause of protecting the people against the tyranny of the current ruler. They didn’t entirely trust the new man’s capabilities, though, so they also told him he reported to Gina and she had final say. They gave her the full set of Grey Maiden armor they’d kept, told her where to find the blacksmith they had saved who would alter it enough to hide the provenance, and gave her some new weapons as well. Travis let her know Otto and Sirius would also be good fits for the mission, and she promised to coordinate with them.

Nightingale pulled Calli and Taylan aside that night and asked them for assistance with a series of pranks he intended to play in an attempt to unlock powers from the mysterious smiling badge he’d been gifted. The trio snuck off into the dark, and in the morning Korvosa woke to find the giant statues of Queen Illeosa being built had been vandalized. Some emphasized her true nature as a monster: an iron weather vane arrow through her stone head- a reminder of the crossbow bolt Endrin had fired into her but failed to kill her, sharp teeth painted across her face, hands painted red with fake blood, while others simply belittled her: imitation phalluses placed in her hands, slurs written across her form, and covered in piss. All of them had large blooming flowers painted across the base, so there could be no mistaking who it was who taunted her. As the news spread like wildfire, the Nightingale’s badge did indeed reveal something new to him. Once a day he would be able to cast dimension door.

Over the days other images appeared on various walls in the city pairing flowers with phrases of rebellion, warnings against the queen, and hope for the people. While some had been initially placed by Calli, eventually others appeared without her aid as an underground resistance began spreading in the town. Cressida had mentioned in her written reply to Nightingale that things within the resistance were in motion, but she didn’t want to reveal too much to them just yet, as the party were one of the main targets on the queen’s hitlist. If they got captured, there’d be no risk of exposing what they didn’t know. She also sent along a wand of sending and two scrolls of dream with the letter, so that on the upcoming journey he could update her as soon as they found out anything useful. They weren’t the only ones on the hitlist, however. They heard that one of the other vigilantes, The Fallen, had captured a couple of the Grey Maidens, and left them trussed up to be found with “Remember the fallen” written across their armor.

Travis continued hunting for information about his own gifted magic armor, asking at libraries and docks alike for any news about the strange vanishing ship The Dauntless. Some sailors swore to have seen it, but none could give him anything useful, aside from a recurring theme that who he really needed to be asking were the Varisians. The nomadic group held all manor of strange lore, and would likely have clues he could follow.

Byron needed information on how to care for his griffin egg, so Calli asked her usual go-to for information, and Nif sent word that the most important thing was just to keep it warm. The egg was only a few weeks from hatching, they surmised, so it would be important for him to keep it nearby as the due date neared so that when it hatched it could imprint upon him. He spoke with one of the women from Ruby’s who had given birth in the past, and she showed him how to wear a simple loop of cloth so that he could carry it snuggly against his body while they travelled.

Byron and Calli returned to Trail’s End to once more, and thanks to Taylan’s teleporting they were able to bypass the Maiden’s at the town gate. Taylan- with his Alice on his arm- went to inquire about potential horses and a cart for their trip and visit some of their allies, while the other two stopped at Decca’s to receive the tattoos they had previously discussed with him.** Byron’s tattoo succeeded in unlocking extra damage out of his magic ring. Calli’s succeeded in making her very happy.

Late in the afternoon the four reunited, and Taylan popped them all back to the manor. Taylan shared the news that Grau Soldado had packed up, and he and his family were leaving Trail’s End, feeling that even being outside the walls of the city was too dangerous at the moment. They were headed somewhere North-East, and would send word when settled. He also let the party know that he’d learned a horse could take them 28 miles a day, while with a cart they’d only travel 16 miles a day. The urgency of their trip, and their frustrating at having spent three days waiting to leave, made the cart seem entirely too slow. Nightingale suggested without the cart, instead of having to worry about feeding and keeping real horses alive, that he summon his arcane mounts for them instead, as his familiarity with the spell had increased enough that they could ride for just as long together. Byron acquired a grooming kit, anyway, determined to practice his handling on them.

Even later that final evening, word reached Calli that her family had not yet left town. It takes time to mobilize a noble household, and there were two of them. Nightingale hadn’t gone to say goodbye to his own parents, knowing his mother Clara would be busy getting them ready for the move, and not wanting to risk putting his father Adam in danger. She agreed she shouldn’t speak with any people, but against better judgement, she snuck out alone and headed towards her mother’s house. She returned hours later after a tearful goodbye to her beloved birds, and having grabbed a few of her things for the trip.***

*This scene is expanded upon within Character Log “A Pause”

**This scene is expanded upon within Character Log “Drawn Together”

***This scene is expanded upon within Character Log “Flying the Coop”

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The next morning, the 27th of Gozran, everyone reported all their individual assignments had been completed to the best of everyone’s ability. It was still too difficult to sell off their loot in town, it would have to come with them, but rations and travel supplies were acquired, repairs and improvements made to weapons and gear, and people they loved had instructions to keep them as safe as they could be in their absence. The Flowers of Korvosa gathered in the large central room of the manor, stood in a circle around Taylan, and he raised an elegant hand. As he swept it across them, snowflakes began pouring from his palm, delicately swirling through their vision until it was all they could see, becoming a thick wall of spinning snow, that suddenly stopped all at once sending snowflakes scattering away from them all in an outward blast. They were no longer in Carowyn Manor, they were at the far side of Trail’s End. There were some cries of surprise as people saw them appear, but no one came near.

Nightingale drew his rapier, and with his customary forms and slashes outlined and empowered into being the five steeds they’d grown familiar with. “Gypsy!” Byron greeted his, always the happiest of them all to see her in particular. They adjusted their gear, saddled up, and left Korvosa behind them. When they were completely out of sight, they removed the heavy hooded cloaks, revealing what each of them thought to be ideal travelling gear. Travis settled a sturdy wide-brimmed hat on his head, and wore a multicolored poncho to help keep the sun off him. Byron’s hat was a simpler straw number that had seen better days, and he’d ripped the sleeves off his guard coat for a perfect combination of fine braiding and tattoo visibility. Nightingale was still in a black suit, but the cut was slightly looser to allow for more mobility while riding, and it also featured some decorative braiding up the sides. His coat was much shorter, but he still wore his usual bowler hat. Calli wore a woven hat with a brim so wide as to nearly be comical, with decorative flowers bunched along the band on one side, and her usual full-sleeved blouse was replaced with one featuring decorative slashing along the shoulders, the woven strips of color allowing for more airflow. She’d also donned a large pair of dark glasses, the lenses artisanally shaped into those of playing-card hearts. Taylan surprised everyone the most, as he was just wearing the same white suit he’d been married in. He protested that he hadn’t much else to wear, and Calli vowed at the next town she’d make him pick up some alternatives. The only change was that his hair was now bright red, a side effect from his having used his Chameleon Ring to be invisible.

The weather was with them, and they rode for hours excited to be on the move. When they past Trots Inn where they’d left Trinia Sabor, they’d gone farther than any of them besides Taylan had ever been. The scenery, though beautiful countryside in every direction, did leave them plenty of time to discuss how to best use their time. They decided they should, among other skills, work on teaching each other a new language so they’d all have ways to communicate in public that were less likely to be picked up on. As Calli, Nightingale, and Taylan already spoke Draconic, they offered to teach it to Byron and Travis. Besides using as a code, it might come in handy in the confrontations with multiple dragons in their future. Shockingly, Byron knew Shoanti from his time fighting their maulers in the pits, and he agreed to teach the rest of them as much as he could, seeing as their destination was to ask the Shoanti for assistance.

As the sun of the first day began to dip, Byron and Taylan found a suitable place for them to make camp for the evening. The spring evening was still quite chill, so Taylan taught them how to dig a fire pit so that it would be less visible to anyone further away, and gave pointers as they set up the party’s two tents. He was enjoying being the capable one for a change. Calli was confused why there were only two tents. She’d gotten one for herself, but apparently the rest of the party had planned on all sharing one. She wished them joy, but she’d sleep in her own. They set them up next to each other, in case of trouble, and turned in for the night.

It hadn’t gotten too far in to the first watch of Byron and Lil Focker, when Nightingale and Travis were woken by sharp pains. They felt something leathery attached to them- on Gale’s neck and on Travis’ side. Strange cat-sized bat-bug things were attached to them with long proboscises, draining the blood of everyone while they slept. Before they could react, the wasp-like monsters convulsed, draining again. Their heads spun a bit, and they got the sense they were losing more than just blood. Gale wrapped his long fingers around the body of the one on him and cast vampiric touch, taking back some of the health lost and killing the creature. Travis reached out to his side where his great axe rested, snatched it up, and severed the one attached to him with a fluid motion. The two men shouted to alert the rest of the party.

Focker was closest to the tent where Calli was sleeping, and unconcerned with the modesty of people immediately swooped in to check on her. One of the horrid monsters was wrapped around her face, leathery wings smothering her in her sleep, probuscus deep in her neck. He dove into it claws first and began mauling at it, trying to get it to detach from the plump meal. Her eyes flew open in terror, and she was unable to scream. Nightingale opened the flap of the mens’ tent, and hearing Focker frantic inside the other tent, kicked into her entryway so that he could see both half-elves at once, and began hurling bursts of energy between the one on her and one of the creatures on Taylan. The later exploded in a small pop of gore, leaving red splotches across his already filthy white suit. Byron had been patrolling the outskirts of their camp, but sped back to the tents. Seeing Gale and Travis were closer to Taylan, he made a quick apology before storming into Calli’s tent. He grasped the beast in one hand, steadied her head with a large hand on her forehead, and ripped it off of her. The creatures claws tore at her face, but with her airways cleared, she was able to gasp for breath. She saw Nightingale holding open the tent, concerned, and pulled her blanket up further so the party outside the tent wouldn’t notice the silky slip she’d been sleeping in. Focker continued stabbing at the monster in Byron’s hand until his tail burst through it’s chest, narrowly missing spearing Byron’s palm in the heat of it. Travis warned Taylan not to move, and chopped the final leathery bug in half, causing Taylan to make a high-pitched squeal at the proximity.

The immediate danger past, Byron scooped up Focker and retreated from the tent, closing the flap behind him. Calli got dressed while the party discussed the attack and took stock of the damage done. Taylan was terribly pale, so both Byron and Travis gave up their potions of restoration to the young man. Calli still had one left of her own that she downed before cautiously testing her voice and feeling relief stronger than any before in her life when it was unscathed. She rejoined the others to find out what the monsters had been.

Nightingale recognized the pests as stirges, which prey upon animals or unsuspecting travelers while they sleep. Taylan asked if their vermin repellent would be of any use, and Gale said that while people refer to them as vermin they technically are not, but it was worth a try. They smeared the outside of their tents with some of their supply, and tried to get back to sleep- Gale joining Calli in her tent this time.

The watch changed, Byron and Focker swapped places with Travis, and the night carried on. Before too much longer, the party began having alluring dreams of loved ones singing gentle lullabies to them. The bard of the party, being naturally more resistant to tricks she herself can play, was woken by what was very real singing. Outside the tent she heard figures moving about, and thwacked Gale sharply on the gut to ensure he could break out of the spell. He woke and a hand flew to his rapier before he fully understood what was going on. Calli crept to the flap of her tent and peeked out where she saw Travis wandering towards the source of the singing, and Byron leaving his own tent in a similar trance. Her eyes narrowed and she began belting out a countersong, her powerful diaphragm carrying the quickly-paced growling vocals over the campsite and disrupting the effects of the hypnotic attackers. Byron and Travis halted, and shook their heads as they regained their senses.

Their trap interrupted, three harpies descended into the camp. The lithe forms resembled attractive human females at first glance, if you could overlook their large wings and bird-like legs ending in massive talons, but their predatory eyes and sharp teeth were less than welcoming. Gale, who’d joined Calli at the tent entrance, gestured at the trio and a massive fireball erupted upon them. One of the intruders were immediately incinerated, and her two sisters screamed in agony, clawed hands twisting in pain as feathers and flesh were seared. Travis unholstered his axe and closed the distance before they could recover, neatly decapitating one of the survivors. Taylan, who’d been woken by the countersong and stuck his own head out to see what was going on, focused his eye beams on the final foe, and her body rocked violently from the magical assault.

Calli, not wanting to give it a chance to recover, wove hold monster into her countersong, causing her own throat to glow a soft golden color. The throat of the harpy began glowing in the same way, and it frantically began grasping at its neck, unable to sing or scream, and then unable to move at all. It focused it’s hateful gaze on the woman and concentrated until it could regain control, but by then Nightingale had unleashed another fiery ball of death upon it, and it joined her sisters as smoldering ash. Before they could take in what had happened, they all heard a polite cough coming from behind them all.

An androgenous elf in green livery stood with two dire wolf-dragons, and many common wolf-dragons. They recognized them from their tea with Putrifax, and knew these were all more of the green dragon’s hybrid children. They inquired if they were in need of any assistance, and introduced Themself as Visidian, Putrifax’s middle child. They explained they were all avoiding the city due to Blue, they all understood them to mean the blue dragon possessing the queen, and had been watching and waiting for them to leave town for a chance to converse again.

They said he came with good news. They found Taylan’s father, the White Maw, and have brought him as requested. A regal man with white eyes wearing monk’s robes moved forward from behind the others. He was a bookish, and seemed nervous, but also seemed to be telling the truth as he addressed Taylan. “Taylan, my son?"

“I think he’s my boy, actually,” Byron said as he and Travis joined the others at the tents, and Byron made sure to step slightly in front of Taylan as he spoke.

The stranger claiming to be the White Maw looked a bit confused, “Really? I don’t really know who you are. How you’ve grown!”

Taylan had not moved from his spot by the tent, “Yes.That’s what happens to babies.”

“Well, I’m confused,” and he looked at Visidian, “I thought this was supposed to be my son?”

“A father has to be present,” Byron declared.

“We’ve all become his family, and you are definitely not his family.” Nightingale moved over to the other forward side of Taylan, and Calli and Travis took up positions behind, completely surrounding their sorceror.

“You must understand. I was under some-” he paused to find his wording.

“Go on, then, let’s hear the excuses,” the pit fighter was the one doing battle with his words, tonight.

Gale added, “We heard you were dead.”

“No, no, merely ostracized from dragon society. It’s as good as dead, to them.” The more he spoke, the more Calli could tell there was something off about what he was saying. There were definitely untruths being told, but she was having trouble discerning to what level. “I was under some duress to get away, which is why I was forced to abandon you.”

“But you could have come and found me, afterwards,” Taylan himself seemed unsure.

“I thought you must have been safer where you were.”

“I was in a circus being kept in a cage,” the young man’s voice turned hard.

The old man looked regretful, “Ah. I didn’t know that.”

Byron and Gale began lecturing again, and the man looked at Visidian, who tilted their head and said, “Tell them the rest.”

Calli stepped in, trying to counter their judgments with a more neutral respect- just in case, “If you are his father, were you the one who dropped him off personally?”

“No, that was his mother.”

“But you met him?”

“Of course, I was present at the birth.”

This was the first clear lie she sensed from him, and it emboldened her. “Then you’d have a memory of giving him his amulet.”

“Of course I gave him his amulet, and the casket it opens.” Visidian immediately reacted as the man said this, and she knew he wasn’t meant to have mentioned the casket. The Flowers didn’t know anything about a casket.

“Then it should be a simply matter for you to let me witness that memory magically, which would verify your story and fulfill the bargain.”

Visidian didn’t like the idea of this, and as they and the ‘White Maw’ squirmed Travis gave them an ultimatum. “Look, it’s real simple mate, we need proof.”

Byron backed him, “You put up or you shut up.”

The elf sternly ordered the man, “Tell them more of the truth.”

“I was not present at the birth,” he admitted.

“But you are his father?” Gale queried.

“Yes.” It was another lie.

“If it’s the truth, than why wouldn’t you share the memory?” The magus pressed.

“It’s quite a personal thing for a dragon to share memories.”

“It’s quite a personal thing for any person to share their memories,” Gale snarked.

“Being someone’s father is quite personal, to most people,” Calli added.

Travis pointed at Visidian, “I think we had a deal where if you could provide proof that this was his dad, then the transaction could be made. You’re refusing to give us the proof, so without it, the deal’s not been upheld, The Lady Putrifax adheres to her deals, right?” The entire group on both sides looked a bit dubious at this claim, but he continued, “We don’t want the reputation of your lady to be marred, so we’re just asking for the proof we were promised.”

“So what memory where you looking for,” the old man asked.

Calli said again, “A memory of you giving him the amulet and casket.”

He claimed that he had mispoken before, that he did not give them personally, only ensured they had been provided. The Flowers all spoke out at once in objection, pointing out he’d lied multiple times now and it was getting silly.

Taylan again spoke up, “Okay then. What was my mother’s name?”

The man looked at Visidian, who openly shrugged. The man then stumbled over an excuse that he was merely a librarian who had worked for him, he never bothered to learn her name.

Taylan gave him another chance, “What was the date you abandoned me? I know it, I treat it like my birthday.”

He plucked a random time of year out of the air, and at this new obvious lie, the elf smacked themself in the forehead.

The half-orc scoffed, “Look come back when you’ve got the real White Maw, stop wasting our time.”

“And tell your mother that this will weigh against the final decision we make,” Calli added.

The elf glared daggers at the imitation Maw and gestured for him and the wolves to stand back. They then stood to their full height and addressed the party, “I understand where you’re coming from. But my mother expects us to return with the talisman. If we return without it, it will upset her. This is not a threat on my part in any way, I’m just imparting knowledge of my mother to you.” They sounded genuinely apologetic.

“Have you considered,” Calli kindly offered, “being your own person?”

They grimaced. “It’s not really possible.” A few additional questions clarified Putrifax would simply kill them if they ever tried.

Travis had a thought, and asked if there was a particular time frame, and suggested Visidian simply delay for a while. Visidian nodded, and said they’d return to their mother with that news, and then said should the party decide they want to make the trade sooner, their mother lairs far to the north on the Storval Plateau. Any barbarians they run into should be able to give them directions, it’s marked by two great pillars over a burial site.

Byron tucked that information away, as the final stage of unlocking his ring involved visiting a particular graveyard that sounded exactly like that.

They again encouraged Visidian to tell the green dragon they hadn’t found them yet, or just to delay returning, but with a pointed glance at the wolves behind him, they explained word would get back to her anyway. But they did agree to take their message that it was time, and proof, that might bring her the amulet.

Taylan took a few bold steps forward, “Bring me my father.”

A pause, and then Visidian whispered something to Taylan quickly in elvish, so that their backup wouldn’t catch it. “That’s would be an impossiblity.”

Calli, sensing the meeting drawing to a close but reluctant to lose a source of information, spoke up, “In order for us to let you go without a fight for trying to trick us, tell us about this casket. What is it we’re not being told?”

They were confused. “Casket?”

“The amulet apparently opens a casket. What’s the importance of it? What’s inside?”

“Do you not know?” Visidian was truly surprised. “Does he not have it?”

Taylan searched his memory, but had no recollections of any casket. “I was in a casket when I was a baby, I suppose, but Master Roshi would have that.”

The elf’s eyes snapped to Taylan as he said this, and they made a gesture with his hand that caused the pack to begin retreating away from the group. “My mother would have more information for you, I’m not always given all the information. But we will leave you to your rest. I bid you adieu.” The wolves having taken flight, the fake Maw turned into a small white dragon, and green wings extended from Visidian’s back and they flew off after them.

Uneasy at all that had transpired, exhausted from the eventful evening, but relieved to be returning to their bedrolls, the group managed to make it through the rest of the night without further interruption.

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On the next day’s long hours of travel, when she was certain they were far enough from town, Calli filled the others in on what Vencarlo Orisini had wanted to speak to her about after they rescued him in the labyrinth. It seemed he had plans to retire from his role in a long line of people who had played Blackjack, the vigilante hero. He needed to find a replacement, and he’d offered her the job. Everyone was as surprised as she had been, all agreeing they’d have thought Nightingale the obvious choice. She said he had been considered, but her instinct to try and find a diplomatic resolution to problems was preferred over his hard-line capital punishment. Orisini explained they had secret methods he could teach her that would alter her abilities, and mold her into the ideal candidate. And while it was tempting- stepping into the boots of a living legend- she pointed out they were already doing so much good as The Flowers of Korvosa, and getting the credit for it, so why would she do extra good in secret? No, Calli explained she was going to turn him down. But it had been exciting to think about.

That evening over the campfire, away from the others, Nightingale approached Calli with trepidation. He had a confession of his own to make. Not wanting to lie to her any longer, and feeling this was the best change he’d get, he explained that he had been moonlighting as the vigilante the people were calling Blackheart. Calli was surprised, and angry, and worried, but ultimately she trusted him more than possibly anyone else alive. She warned this would be the last lie forgiven, but forgive she did.*

Much to their relief, the second night passed uneventfully, and they were able to get a decent night of rest.

*This scene is expanded upon within Character Log “Blackheart to heart”

The third day of travel they made a slightly slower start, as their bodies were unaccustomed to travelling by horse for such long hours and they were feeling pains top to sore bottom. But on they went. Late in the morning Calli and Taylan spotted something flying towards them in the distance. Byron spotted it right after, and steered them all under a copse of trees to hide away. Three hippogriffs gradually came into view, and as they came near one parted from the others and circled briefly overhead, seemingly scenting something on the air, before rejoining the others and carrying on into the distance. The party had briefly considered surrendering their egg to it for the good of the creature, but weren’t sure if the beasts would understand or just attack, and so stuck to their original plan to let Byron have it for his own.

The sun was beginning to set as they reached the small town of Harse, and Travis got directions to Blackbird Ranch from a ferryman at the river crossing. He let them know they didn’t need to cross at all, it was five miles down the river on this side. It doesn’t take them very long before they saw familiar figures working in a large field. Trinia Sabor, the bard they rescued from the queen’s hunt, and Jasan- the man Orisini sent her to- dropped their equipment when they saw the Flowers riding up and rushed to meet them. Calli dismounted and hugged her fellow performer tight, glad to see her alive and well.

Jasan led them all back to his home where Neolandus Kalepopolis and Orisini were chatting amiably in the foyer. Jasan’s wife immediately busied herself making refreshments for everyone, and she sent her excitable children up to bed after introductions, so the adults could discuss serious matters in peace. Jasan was polite, but nervous. The bigger the group got, the harder it would be to keep them all safe, and he regretfully asked that they stay no more than a night. The Flowers were quick to reassure him they didn’t mean to linger, they were intent on finding the Shoanti as soon as possible.

Vencarlo said that to better keep the seneschal hidden from the queen, he’d like his amulet of nondetection back for Neolandus to wear. Calli was hesitant, she had her own desire to keep the queen from learning about her secret identity at least until her parents were safely out of the town, but she knew it didn’t belong to her. As she was reaching up to undo the clasp, Nightingale was swift to encourage her, and she was hurt he didn’t think she’d have done the right thing on her own.

The seneschal settled the amulet around his own neck, and some tension seemed to release out of his shoulders as he felt a little safer than he had previously. He started telling his story, how he had had some concerns about the nature of the king’s death, and when he confronted the queen she set the Red Mantis Assassins after him. This had been proof of guilt enough for him. He managed to escape, narrowly, through luck and knowledge of the castle layout. He had sought shelter with Salvator Scream, and after he’d healed up but before Scream convinced him to move to the Arkonas, he’d been conducting clandestine interviews and pouring over records at Endrin Academy, trying to piece together what had caused the Ileosa to change from a petulant queen to a scheming tyrant. He knew she’d been borrowing the treasury key to look through Korvosa’s treasures for some time, and he knew rumours of hidden rooms deep below the castle’s chambers used to hide something of great power or terrible danger. He’d heard mention of something called “Midnight Teeth” believed to be a sacred relic of great importance to the Shoanti hidden away down there. His research revealed that centuries before a blue dragon agent of Zon Kuthan named Kazavon brought the orcs of the Hold of Belkazan to their knees for attacking Ustalav and Last Wall, until he was finally defeated and his remains scattered. According to legend some of his parts retained some of his essence, including his fangs, and he suspected that those fangs and Midnight Teeth are one and the same. The description of the queen’s new crown sound as if she’s wearing those same teeth upon her brow. Information beyond this is sparse, as Korvosa’s founders didn’t find it important to preserve much of the Shoanti culture they displaced, but they have a strong oral tradition, and he believed if anyone still knew the stories, it would be the Shoanti historians up in the Cinderlands.

He warned them that the Shoanti are naturally suspicious of anyone from Korvosa. There are three main tribes they may encounter. The Clan of the Moon- the Lyrun Kua- are nomadic followers of Desna. Though they travel, they do have some settlement in a place known as the House of the Moon. The next is the Sclar Kua- Clan of the Sun- the largest and most warlike of the tribes. Their people must conduct dangerous trials before they become warriors, and their historians would be the most likely to hold knowledge of Kazavon’s defeat. Finally there’s the Clan of the Skull- the Skoan Kua- who dwell in the easternmost area of the Cinderlands. Many of them have worked to restore peace with the Korvosans, and the Shoanti leader Thousand Bones they had met previously belongs to this tribe. Their willingness to reconcile with Korvosa has led the other tribes to increasingly shun them, but they all believe the Clan of the Skull have the closest connection to the land of the dead and protect their ancestors from evil spirits, so they refrain from fully ostracizing them. Neolandus suggested their best approach would be to speak with Thousand Bones and have him convince the Clan of the Sun to share their lore. He gave them general directions that he’d been able to acquire from other pathfinders, and apologized he couldn’t help them any further.

Taylan asked if they had any restoration to spare, and Jasan offered two vials that Calli and Taylan tucked away for potential future need.

They had a few hours to relax before turning in for the night. Calli asked the lady of the house if she could purchase six small pastries of some sort, and she happily bundled up some apple tarts she had made that Calli tucked deep into her bag, before retiring to make long use of their bathtub and then gratefully falling unconscious in a real bed. Byron spent his free time out in the stable, getting more familiar with horse care and handling. Nightingale and Orisini spent some time sparring with their blades, and Gale was surprised to find he was evenly matched with his teacher, even outpacing him occasionally. Taylan, smelling the baked goods, had also taken a few for himself, but felt they weren’t as good as Adam’s. Travis went right to bed, enjoying the rare time alone before a peaceful watch-free sleep.

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The Flowers woke on the 30th of Gozran to the sounds of farm life in motion. The laughter of children and indignant squawks of chickens as they gathered eggs, the smell of cooking bacon, and friendly conversation, let them have a few moments to remember what life could be like before they remembered the mission they were on. They joined the residents for a hearty breakfast, and began saying their goodbyes.

Calli pulled Vencarlo to the side. “I’ve thought about it, a lot, and I’m going to have to decline. I’ll forever be honoured that you considered me for such a legacy, but I set out to make my own.”

He gave her an understanding smile, “That’s a shame, but I know you’ll do great things regardless. In that case, tell me, have you heard of The Flame?”

Memories rushed through her mind of the beautiful redheaded thief. She narrowed her eyes, “Yes. I have encountered her twice.”

“What is your opinion of her character?”

The reason for the question- finding a Blackjack successor- was too important to lie. “She’s a cat burglar, an opportunistic thief, but incredibly skilled and not out for blood. She fought through a crowded room and took care not to harm a single bystander. Greed, not Evil. She’s capable of being reasoned with, and has helped me out in a tight spot when she could’ve left me behind.”

He nodded appreciatively, “Thank you for your candor.”

With a renewed sense of purpose and fresh directions, the Flowers crossed the river and continued on their way. The long hours passed, camp was made, and they were winding down for the evening when Calli’s lyrakien Rune asked if she had any cake to spare, as she needed to ‘make tea with Desna.’ Calli was hesitant, as she had plans for the apple tarts, but the small fey creature was so sweet she was unable to deny her. She gave her a palm-sized pastry that the creature could barely carry, and Rune excitedly thanked her and fluttered off into the trees.

Rune had previously claimed to be on personal terms with the goddess Desna, but Calli had chalked it up to exaggeration and whimsy of a devout follower. Curiosity overtook her, and it wasn’t long before the bard went seeking her tiny companion. She was shocked to find Rune sitting in a clearing with a large amorphous shimmering figure of smoke. A small tea set was laid out between them, and Rune was preparing a cup for it.

“Would you like some tea?”

A deep voice from the smoke replied, “Yes.”

“Sugar?”

“Yes.”

“Milk?

“Yes.”

“Would you like some cake?”

“Yes.”

“We have jam but no cream, is that acceptable?”

“Yes. Have you anything of more importance to ask me?” It was not an unkind in the asking.

Calli’s jaw dropped as she realized what she was watching. Rune was using a commune spell to actually chat with the goddess of travelers. Rune noticed her watching and called her over, “Would you like to join us? This is my friend Desna!”

The half elf moved forward as if in a dream, and unsure how to properly address a goddess at tea, gave a regal curtsy. “I am honored to meet you! My name is Calliandra.”

Rune gestured, “I’ve been asking her lots of questions but I think there’s-”

The powerful voice confirmed, “There’s one more question.”

“Thankyou, yes, there’s one more question if you have anything you’d like to ask? It must be a yes or no question. And then she’ll go away again until our tea party next week.”

A storm of possibility nearly overwhelmed her. There were many things the party, and her, could use a certain answer on, but of all of them, the one weighing heaviest on her heart was for Taylan. “Is it possible for us to locate Taylan’s father alive?”

With a depth of sorrow Desna replied, “No.” It began moving, and continued, “Thank you for another lovely tea party, Rune, such delightful guests. Until next week.” And with that the shimmering form burst into a million tiny points of light and dispersed into the sky until they were no longer discernible from the stars above.

Calli returned to camp, found her fellow half-elf, and took his hands in her own. “So, apparently Rune has the ability to speak with Desna, and I asked her about your father. It’s not going to be possible to find him alive. I’m so sorry.”

He seemed to deflate a bit. “I kindof figured, really. It’s not a very big deal.”

“It does mean that we know whatever the green dragon brings to us, it will always be a lie.”

“Yeah. It would be nice to know what my purpose is, but I’m sure we’ll find out more in the future.” He turned away to compose himself, and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close for a moment to let him know that father or no, he was loved.

That evening Taylan confided in Nightingale while on watch together, and Gale helped the young man begin to process his grief- having plenty of experience of his own. He then distracted him with talk of what they might get up to after-hours when they return to Korvosa, and together they tried to think of a nom de plume for Blackheart’s new sidekick.

————————————————————

The morning of the 1st of Desnus was only remarkable to the party in that Calli presented the others with the tarts she had purchased. Nightingale looked as if he was going to say something, but at a shake of her head, he left it until later when they were alone.

“Happy birthday, Calli.” he whispered.

She took watch with Byron that night, to steal a few private moments for the two of them. His sense of duty kept it brief.*

*This scene is expanded upon within Character Log “Just Watch.”

Two more long days of travel pass with little of interest. Occasional wild animals menaced the camps, but whomever was on watch made short work of it. Everyone ached from the hours of riding, and the initial excitement had turned to impatience.

Nightingale used the wand of sending Cressida Kroft had sent him to update her that their mutual friends were safe at the farmhouse, and that The Flowers were on the way north for answers. She was relieved to hear it, and urged expediency, as the queen’s rage was more evident than ever in the town.

Finally the green surroundings began looking familiar to Taylan, who perked up, and explained there was a small forested spot further down the river that Romboni’s Circus used to stop and practice. The party detoured on the off chance the timings would line up, giving Taylan a chance at some closure with his exlover, and to learn about the child of his she had carried. The sun was dipping in the distance, colors reflected in the flowing river, and following the colourful water they found six brightly painted caravans; a gathering of Varisians, however, not the circus.

Having heard many warnings about the dangers of the people of the road, as Varisians were sometimes known, they all also recalled the goodness of the woman who brought them together, and chose to approach warily, but as potential friends. Calli and Taylan quickly gave the others pointers on how to stay on their good side. Music and stories are highly valued, but don’t call them Sczarni- it’s a bone of contention to be tarred with the same brush as the Varisian ruffians.

Once close enough, Calli played a tune on her Eagle Harp while Byron called out a hello. The eccentrically dressed people they could see looked at them suspiciously, and a few of the larger men approached to ask where they were headed. Taylan explained he was on his way to his old camping ground for nostalgia’s sake, as he used to stop here with the circus when he was the Dragon Boy. At mention of the circus, they seemed excited, and one ran off to ‘bring Mother and Father.’

An elderly woman adorned in pearly beads and smartly dressed stern man wearing a pork-pie hat approached whom the others treated with reverence, and were indeed introduced as the Mother and the Father. Hearing Taylan’s story, and Calli’s magnificent playing, Father proclaimed, “We give you an offering of salt, do you accept?”

Calli knew this to be a traditional way for Varisians to ask if they came in peace, as friends, and gratefully accepted. The Varisians brightened, and the camp sprang to life as preparations were made to make room for the newcomers. A young man and woman stepped forward and gave elaborate bows, introducing themselves as Peter, representing Father’s group, and Eska, representing Little Mother’s group. The Flowers gave an account of their adventures thusfar- Calli fully playing the bard to great advantage.

In return the pair explained their own presence in the area. The two families normally travel separately, but come together a couple of times a year. Father’s group had travelled from Farshore, and Little Mother’s from the Isles of Cease. Two months prior Mother’s family were near this area, when a great storm arose. They had sent a few to check on the well-being of the circus, but did they not return. A larger number went and found only one of their scouts, dead from a poison sting of some sort, clutching a flyer for Romboni’s. Eska produced the paper and passed it to Taylan for inspection. The flyer held names familar to him, but where his own spotlight had been- “See the Amazing Dragon Boy”- ‘Boy’ had been crossed out and replaced with ‘Baby.’ His guts churned, and all of The Flowers recalled the child he’d yet to meet, but he kept his reaction off his face. The Varisians continued that the two families decided to join together to do a more thorough search of the campgrounds, recover their missing fallen if possible, and scavenge anything useful. They asked if The Flowers would be interested in joining their expedition in the morning, as they seemed to be capable adventurers.

The Flowers all turned to Taylan. Byron laid a hand on the younger man’s shoulder, “This is your call. If you go, we will follow.”

Emboldened by the support of his friends, he nodded. “We’ll join.”

The Varisians cheered, and declared they must spend the night in celebration of their joining forces. A series of competitions were held, one entrant from each of the three groups participated.

Nightingale handily took the fencing competition in only two rounds, much to the admiration of all in attendance. His prize was a small wooden talisman of wound closure, that would give him some healing the first time he suffered enough damage to trigger the magic within- but only once.

Calli faced off in the music competition, and with her voice alone secured her victory, though not as easily as Gale had done. Her prize was a similar one-time wooden talisman, but hers would grant her featherfall should the need arise.

While the main competitions carried on, the small wizened woman they all called Mother beckoned Travis away. “You have an air of someone who might know something of alchemy?”

“Might do at that,” Travis affirmed, “Yeah.”

She led him into one of the caravans. It was cluttered, but the space was expertly used. On a small counter were three bottles, each with a different liquid inside. “We’ve acquired these potions, if you can help identify them for us you may keep one as a prize.”

“Certainly, I’d be happy to do that for you.” He began inspecting the contents closely, swirling, smelling, even dabbing a bit of one on his tongue. He determined the third bottle was one of Fire Breath immediately. The first one took a bit more, but he did pin it down as a Lesser Restoration. Unfortunately, the middle bottle eluded his grasp. He knew it was some form of healing, but couldn’t be more specific.

“Thank you for your assistance, anyway,” she said, “and if I can offer you a boon of any sort please let me know.”

“That’s very kind of you, but I was only doing this because you asked. I don’t need anything. I’m just happy to help out,” the half-orc demurred.

Her eyes softened as she smiled, “That’s good of you. We’re not often shown such kindness.”

He scratched the back of his head, “Now that’s a shame. To be fair- I’m not like yourself, but I’ve always felt like an outsider, so I kindof understand where you’re coming from.”

She seemed to make her mind up, and dipping a hand in a pocket briefly, she took one of his large hands in her own and placed a similar talisman to the ones being one outside into it. She closed his fingers around it, and patted it gently. It was Lesser Poison Protection, and would give him one extra chance to resist something toxic.

“You didn’t have to, but it’s greatly appreciated. I did want to ask, though. Your people love stories. Do you know of one about a ship that appears and disappears-”

“You speak of The Dauntless.”

“You know of it?”

“I know it well. Come speak with me tomorrow, I’ll tell you all I know. Let’s get back to the festivities!”

They rejoined the party, and Travis began counting the hours until he would get more information on the key to unlocking his enchanted armor.

Taylan took part in a test of illusion magic, but though he was the famed Dragon Boy, his skills were not enough to best one of the opposing Varisians. Their family took extra pride in the victory.

The final contest was a wrestling competition. It stretched on, rounds going back and forth between the competitors, muscles straining and sweat glistening as each focused on their task. The entire camp cheered on in raucous joy, and when the dust settled, Byron was triumphant. His prize was a talisman of freedom, granting him a temporary freedom of movement the next time he encountered a need for it.

Feasting, drinking, jokes, and stories carried on into the evening as the three groups got to know each other. As things began winding down, Eska tapped Calli on the shoulder, and led her to where a bath had been set up and filled with heated water behind a privacy screen. She gratefully thanked her, and soaked blissfully until bedtime. Some of the Varisians kindly offered their own caravan beds to the Flowers, and they all got a night’s respite from the hard ground outside and the need to keep watch, as the families had their own posted.

Morning came, some heads groggier than others after the festivities, and all prepared for the unknown to come. While the families packed up the camp, Little Mother explained all she knew of the Dauntless to Travis, including the best way to call it to you- by presenting a totem of a large creature you’d bested at the edge of any body of water large enough. Even landlocked lakes had reported the strange ship upon their shores, should the offering be deemed worthy.

As they all formed a train and began the journey to the circus campgrounds, Calli asked Little Mother if they had ever known a Varisian fortune-teller named Zellara from Korvosa. The older woman confirmed they were distantly related, so the younger explained her role in bringing them together, and the unfortunate fate of hers. Little Mother thanked her for the knowledge, and suggested that after their mission they try to commune with the departed’s spirit.

Before long they reached the wooded area Taylan had spoken of. Between the trees Byron spotted a strange creature with a long tail that walked on two legs, with two small arms at its chest, but it vanished back into the woods nearly as soon as he’d seen it. Taylan said it sounded like the velociraptor the troupe had, Yasmina’s dinosaur, and that it was friendly enough as long as it had been fed.

The caravans hadn’t gotten far into the path within the woods when they were swarmed by a large number of huge ants from all directions. Taylan was shocked, as they had been so well trained previously, he couldn’t imagine how they’d gotten out- and so much bigger. The Flowers lept into action, dispatching them in great numbers, but there were simply too many and the fireballs Gale and Taylan unleashed had set many of the surrounding woods aflame. A few unlucky Varisians were grappled in the large jaws of the creatures and spirited away. Between the relentless ant attacks and the dangerously hot surroundings, the convoy were forced to separate. Those at the back retreated with Father and Little Mother, calling out that they’d return to their previous camp and await news. Taylan dropped another fireball to clear the path and those at the front surged forward with the Flowers. He directed them when to turn onto the secret path, which while overgrown was exactly where he’d said it would be.

They charged forward through the trees, surprised as the ants fell back instead of pursuing them, and were surprised further when they burst into the large clearing that had been the circus training grounds. Before them was a burned-out ruin. The smell on the air was slightly acidic, and the Flowers began to piece together exactly what had happened. The big top had no top, scraps of tent fabric clung to poles around the sides still, but only the tall center poll remained to show where it had once been strung up. Nearly at the top, in a sort of crows nest, a single figure slumped unmoving. Around the wide clearing were a few battered and abandoned caravans to one side, brightly colored but in bold blocks rather than the intricate designs of the Varisians, a few empty and open cages on the opposite side, and the river creating a border on the far side. The Varisians stayed within the tree line within their caravans for safety, letting the Flowers explore on their behalf.

Calli summoned Rune and sent her to sweep for survivors, Byron sent Lil Focker with her, and the two flew off together. Calli and Travis went towards the cages, Gale and Taylan headed towards the caravans, and Byron remained central to stand watch.

The first caravan the arcane pair entered was a gruesome sight. The roof had been ripped off, and inside were a dozen well-decayed bodies of people armed with various weapons who had seemingly tried to defend themselves and failed. At the cages more bodies were found who had opened the cages seemingly trying to enter for shelter. Skeletons of the larger beasts remained inside. The flying pair returned to their respective owners to report the body at the top of the pole was deceased, intact, but had tied himself to the pole before he went.

They had originally suspected Putrifax to have been responsible for the devastation in her search for Taylan and his amulet, but some of the clues didn’t fit. Why would the body have tied itself up and remained unburned? What shelter from a dragon’s breath could their be in a barred cage?

Gale and Taylan entered the next caravan, and Taylan recognized it as Romboni’s own. Compared to others it was mostly intact, though completely tossed by someone searching for something. They began poking through the chaos, and Taylan quickly discovered Romboni’s diary and began skimming through it.

Meanwhile Byron, Calli, and Travis had moved towards the main tent to discuss the body above. Travis decided he needed to get up to the body to learn more about it, and possibly lower it down to the others. Calli passed him her Featherfall talisman, just in case, and he began the long process of climbing up the rungs of the 50 foot pole. He made it without much trouble at all, and it simultaneously dawned on them the ledge must have been the central stand where the high wire acts began their death-defying stunts.

The dead man at the top was thin, without a single mark of damage upon him. From what Travis could tell, he had died of dehydration. Travis gingerly removed the man’s bag. Within he found a journal that held notes and diagrams for rigging up the big top, but towards the back were some frantic scribbles. “They come from below, they eat the ants, I don’t know what they are. As long as they have the ants, they may not go further. Will tried to run across the campground but they got him. I can’t get away. So tired. So thirsty.”

Finding this damning information, he looked down and saw to his horror two massive mounds of earth rising at speed headed directly towards where Byron and Calli waited below. He screamed out a warning, hoping they could react in time.

Calli cast haste on the few of her crew within range, and used the burst of energy to begin racing towards the cages, hoping her luck would hold better than the skeletons they’d found who’d had the same idea.

One of the mounds turned to chase Calli, and the other reached Byron. It exploded from the ground, launching itself towards him. The monster was an enormous worm, with a thick leathery hide similar to a reptiles. It had no eyes, but a prominent hooked beak at the front of it that when opened segmented into one main top half and three smaller bottom mandibles. Inside the mouth three long, muscular tentacles each with their own teeth and horns, extended out to grapple its prey. Unfortunately for it, the massive pole was between it at Byron, and it slammed into it at speed, stunning itself in the process. This told the Flowers that they were not reliant on visual queues, and that it must be movement that they were sensing. One of the tentacles scraped against his arm, leaving a comically tiny wound from such a large monster.

Up in the nest Travis focused, and the tattoo around his eye flared to life.

Nightingale and Taylan had heard the screams, and Gale cast fly on the two of them, and activating a personal haste on himself, zipped towards the retreating bard.

Byron punched into the tough hide of the worm with one hand, and followed up with another into the beak, but it was even harder than he expected and the force of the impact jarred up his arm and staggered him.

Taylan flew off after Nightingale, rushing to try and catch up to the action.

Calli managed to get into a cage, just as the second creature crested and tried to reach her. Having failed, it dove back into the earth as easily as if it had been water. The one by Byron bit into his side with one of its unsettling tentacles, but failed to cling to him.

As Gale sped by, he saw the effect of Travis’ tattoo take hold. Travis’s muscles bulged, veins stood out all along his green skin, and he lept from the ledge directly down on to the worm below. The half orc brought his two handed axe down with all his weight and it managed to cut through the armored skin, but even with all his enhancements the beast still lived.

Nightingale, seeing Calli momentarily safe, joined in the fight, and stabbed down into the open wound Travis had made, pumping massive amounts of electricity into the creature. It screamed in pain, but did not fall.

With the open and screaming mouth in front of him, Byron aimed his spiked gauntlets into the roof of the monster’s mouth, and with two bloody uppercuts broke through into something vital, and the worm spilled gore over the pit fighter before shuddering to a halt in a final death throe.

Under Calli’s cage the creature emerged at speed, lifting it high into the hair and sending it crashing back down to the ground. She managed to grab hold of the bars and brace herself to reduce the impact, and keep from tumbling out. Denied a meal a second time, it again dove back into the earth.

Taylan spotted a new mound headed towards the small cluster of Flowers in the center, and cried out a warning.

Calli pulled out her last thunderstone and tossed it away from the cage, creating a burst of sound in hopes of drawing it away from where she was trapped. The loud noise seemed to be too much for the worm’s delicate sensors, however, and it began fleeing in the opposite direction- directly towards the men.

Travis began jumping up and down, wanting to draw the beasts. Nightingale cast ice storm near them, and the worms heading in their direction reangled towards the new repetitive vibrations being made by the falling hailstones. The guys all prepared to attack whichever monster surfaced first.

Calli took the opportunity to begin chasing the fleeing monster to try and rejoin her party.

The third worm surfaced, and Travis chopped into it, finding this one slightly harder to hit than the last, as if in taking down one the others had learned somehow, but his enhanced might still broke through into the leathery hide.

Byron found the same, he managed to get a couple of hits in, but the worm was not as pliable as the previous.

Nightingale focused on the second monster yet to resurface, and as he lined up a shot Calli had a flash of divine insight and called out for him to aim a bit ahead of where he thought it would be. Her gallant inspiration allowed his strike to find purchase, and he managed to send lightning into it from above. She kept running, preparing to attempt a hold monster when the one she was chasing reared.

The third monster turned on Travis, who’d done it the most harm, muscly tentacles wrapping around his limbs and pulling him into its enormous mouth.

The second monster burst out of the ground and Calli’s spell went off, but she was unable to take control of the unnusual creature.

From within the mouth of the third worm Travis wielded his magical axe to great effect in spite of the tentacle restraints, using blade, acid, and electricity in tandem to open a new exit for himself through the back of its head, leaving it motionless around him.

Byron pounced on the final monster, raining a succession of jabs into it, chipping away at the sturdy creature. From his close vantage he noticed some of the wounds actually began to heal themselves as he created new ones.

Nightingale stabbed down into it with his rapier multiple times, it screeched in agony as the massive amounts of electricity coursed through it, leaving it charred but still twitching.

Taylan, reaching the action, used beams of magic from his eyes to blast the worm, and it finally succumbed.

Thinking of the Dauntless, Travis severed one of the tentacles from within the mouth of the worm he’d killed to take as a trophy offering. Calli pulled an unguent of timelessness from her handy haversack that they’d found many adventures ago and offered it to him, so that it would stay fresh until needed.

Landing and looking around at the devastation, Taylan recalled Romboni had kept a strange stone egg in his caravan that everyone had just assumed was a rock, and realized he had seen it broken open when he found the diary. One or more of these must have been within.

The Flowers gathered around Taylan as he filled the others in on what he found within said diary. Over the 25 year time period it recorded how Romboni had fallen for an acrobat named Antonia De la Hoy and had a daughter with her, Roné De la Hoy. Around the time of her birth, nearly 20 years ago, a white wyrm dragon had landed, injured, carrying a tall fair-skinned elven woman, a basket with a baby inside, and a backpack. The elf wore white robes clearly designed for colder regions, and her speech was laced with archaic words he recognized as draconic. She requested from Romboni a private audience, and then explained she needed a safe environment to leave her son. She offered a sack full of gems as payment, and there was a small golden casket she said belonged to baby Taylan. Romboni was to protect them both. He agreed, and she remounted the wyrm and flew clumsily away. Inspecting the child, he found it was no more than four months old, and wearing a dragon-shaped amulet that clearly fit into the top of the casket. He tried to open it, but failed, and surmised it must have been important to be so impenetrable. Even getting one of the elephants to step on it didn’t make a dent.

Over the years his own daughter and Taylan grew up playing together. When he cried, his amulet would bring him enough comfort that Romboni left it with him to keep him quiet. He considered leaving the child behind somewhere, but feared ‘Ice Flower’ would return for her charge. As the years passed, he worry lessened, and he had made up his mind to abandon him when Taylan began displaying his abilities. Having long since frittered away the gems, Romboni jumped at the chance for the new revenue and made him his own act. His daughter he trained to be a contortionist.

One by one members of the circus moved on and were replaced, until there was no one left who remembered Taylan’s unusual arrival besides Romboni himself. As he came of age Romboni noticed Taylan and Roné developing a growing affection for each other, but took no notice of it, as he did not have any particular fondness for his illegitimate daughter. However, when he discovered she was pregnant, he became enraged that Taylan would dare mingle his worm blood with his own, and cast him out in Korvosa. Roné was upset, but Romboni was unmoved, stating that suffering builds character.

The journal went on to say that when his daughter gave birth it was another girl, whom she named Rosemary Grace De la Hoy. He said the baby was happy and healthy, and he wondered if she’d grow to be a good circus act. He was glad he only had to make minor adjustments to existing promotional material, and not make up whole new signs. They had been on the way back to Korvosa when he heard of the death of the king, and diverted them to the training grounds while he waited to find out what kind of a welcome they’d get after the regime change.

The dates indicated this wasn’t long before they’d heard about Lady Constance Del la Verte arriving in town, and knew Putrifax must have stopped here on her search for Taylan. They searched the grounds again, paying closer attention to the dead they discovered, but none seemed to match with Taylan’s description of Romboni, Runé, or a child. As the casket was also missing, they all agreed he must have gotten them away, as if the monsters or ants had taken them for food they’d have no need of a golden box.

They wouldn’t entertain the grim alternatives. For Taylan’s sake, they all hoped the trio had escaped.