SIDE QUEST IX

HIDDEN HISTORIES

———————1————————

The Flowers stood in stunned silence as they returned to the real world, still reeling from the chaotic events that had transpired in the dark world. The air in the room felt heavy with the weight of what they had done—the choice they had made. Each of them was lost in their own thoughts, but their attention was quickly drawn to the Half Orc, who stood at the centre of the room. He was different now. The barbarian was no longer the wild and reckless force of chaos they had known. A jagged scar stretched across his face, marking him in a way that felt deeper than the physical wound.

Shiv’s eyes, always sharp with bloodlust and fury, were now clouded with something else—something they had never seen before: contemplation. The chaotic energy that had always surrounded him seemed muted, as if something fundamental within him had shifted. He surveyed the room, his gaze sweeping over the faces of his comrades.

For the first time, he was not looking at them with aggression or mockery, but with something like understanding.

As his eyes met each of theirs, there was a long silence

Otto quickly realised something must’ve happened. But he didn’t move, not wanting to interrupt whatever mystery had transpired.

After a few heavy moments Byron broke the silence. “You with us?”

The Half-Orc finally looked up to look around the circle at the people by his side. In a voice unlike others they’d heard before- one calm and grounded, he answered, “Good Question. Yeah, yeah I’m with you.”

“Which you? Are you Shiv or Trevor?” Byron voiced the question they were all thinking.

A faint, crooked smile tugged at the corner of the barbarians mouth. “Both... but neither.” But then, his expression hardened again as he took a step forward, closer to them all. "Trevor and Shiv are gone forever," he said, his voice low and serious. There’s just me now. You can call me… Travis.”

Otto rested a steady hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Did you want to go somewhere and talk about it?”

Travis nodded, “Yes, yes I’d like that.”

The party watched the two men move back towards the manor, each quietly processing the ordeal they’d just been through. Taylan excused himself to return to his new bride, grateful he hadn’t lost much time with her. Calli turned to Nightingale, but he held up a hand and said he needed some time alone. His voice was kind, but firm. She held her tongue and watched as he exited, feeling her heart break for his pain.

Lost in her thoughts, she jumped when Bryon cleared his throat, and she realized it was just the two of them left together. Them, and the horses, that is. Her usual butterflies at such an opportunity were dampened by the resurfaced grief. Somewhere in the back of her mind she was composing a lament for the fallen rose and the mourning bird. It wasn’t fair that people so in love could have their joy cut so short. The late morning sun spilled into the air through the open stable door, tiny dust motes drifting lazily by. She was not ready to be alone. “I need to go see about this performance license, if I’m to be of continued use without drama from The Grey Maidens. You’re welcome to join me.”

Hoping there might be new word of Gina’s whereabouts, he agreed. “Lead the way.”

———————2————————

The Longacre building was a hive of activity. Groups of artistic types were already gathered to complain or submit to the latest strange demands handed down from the queen. Calli hesitated at sight of the queue that had formed, but Byron strode past them without stopping. His towering form coupled with the Drake’s Mark that they wore quickly silenced anyone who considered complaining.

The Grey Maiden taking applications did not have good news. Calli hastily filled in a sheet of paper with the numerous pieces of required information. Who she was, what she performed, a list of people she associated with (She included only the known comrades of The Flowers, not those of Calliandra), and where she resided. While she submitted to a brief physical to prove she showed no sign of the plague- which she criticized the entire time, they had helped develop the cure, after all- Byron asked around and was disappointed to hear nothing had changed in the search for his missing ally. After all the fuss they were shocked to hear the estimated wait time for a license was about a month.

Scandalised, Calli made the first round of objections. They were heroes, and the next time Korvosa needed saving they didn’t want to have to shrug and blame paperwork. Byron launched the next assault, becoming surprisingly heated on her behalf. He managed to ride an impressive line between ‘strong suggestion’ and ‘outright threatening’ until the Maiden made a large annotation on the application and swore to keep it at the front of the pile. Calli found herself hiding a small smile as she watched him speak so passionately in her defense. However, even with the special treatment, the quickest the Maiden could promise was still a fortnight. Calli asked what would happen if the she ended up having to sing in public until then in order to save citizens, and the Grey Maiden suggested she turn herself in at a guard station and explain the situation. Perhaps the penalties could be waved if it was deemed a good enough reason. The bard gave a cheeky grin as they departed, liking those odds.

———————3————————

After a heart-to-heart with the priest of Sarenrae, Travis found himself with free time and the prospect of a day without fear. He decided to hunt for more information about the magic armor he’d been gifted at the feast the week prior. Otto pointed him in the direction of a library run by followers of Desna in South Shore. Unlike the more academic libraries, this one was dedicated to collecting stories of myths, legends, and great journeys. Travis was surprised to find upon crossing the boundary into the district that it looked very little like he’d imagined it in the Dark World that he’d been trapped within for so long. Otto’s directions were good, however, and it didn’t take him long to find it. The modest building was surrounded by flagstones that hinted at an extensive underground. He entered to find a Dwarf at front desk piping out a tune on a small flute. Travis warned him about the new decree about public performance, and the Dwarf thanked him for the information. Travis slyly pointed out he saved him from potentially getting in quite a bit of trouble, so it was almost as if the Dwarf now owed him a favor. Looking a bit confused, the shorter man agreed, and asked how he could assist. Travis was more than twice his height, and his attire hinted at him being more suited for battle than books. The tall man explained what he was after and the Dwarf, whose name he revealed to be Shievin, informed him that the chief librarian Budon might be able to assist, but he wasn't around at the moment might be back the next day. Travis sensed there was something he had left out of his explanation, and pressed him on why he couldn’t assist himself. Shievin explained Budon had locked up when he left, so unfortunately no one could get in until he returned.

Travis stared the Dwarf in the eyes, who squirmed under the scrutiny and added, “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”

"How sorry?" The previous relaxed and friendly air vanished, and he was suddenly as cold as the stone underfoot.

“Pardon? I’m… very sorry?” Shievin looked past Travis hoping to see someone he could flag down for assistance, but there was no one.

“The last person who told me they were sorry was just patronizing me, so I’m asking you, how sorry are you, really?” Travis leaned on the desk, bringing his face down closer. “Because if you’re taking the piss it’s going to bring out a side of me I don’t like much. I’m trying to not be that person.”

The flute slipped from Shieven’s fingers, and he stammered as he fumbled to retrieve it, “I-I-I am sorry! Really! But to be honest, we do have a bit of a problem.” He looked around again, this time to ensure they were alone. “We don’t actually know where Budon is. The last we heard there had been a delivery of books that he took into the library and he hasn’t been seen since.”

“Now hold on, you mean to tell me he could be inside? Why haven’t you just looked?”

“He’s locked himself in. Only he has the key to ensure safe passage. Otherwise, you have to get past the riddle door to enter, and it’s a toughy. If you don’t try to engage with the door you can leave again, but it’s a different riddle every time so we can’t just go find the answer, and if you fail it summons a creature to fight you. Could be anything! We’ve not risked it.”

The Half-Orc resumed his casual posture. “Is that all? If I bring back some friends, can we have a go for access to the library?”

———————4————————

Calli had the duo stop in at the Leroung estate to see her friend Nif on the way back to Carowyn Manor. Calli knew there was a spell that could help them in their hunt for Gina, but hadn’t yet managed to access the magics needed, herself. She inquired if the young wizard happened to have access to the spell Locate Creature. Nif had them wait a moment while they consulted a card catalogue, then disappeared down the hall, returning with a scroll and a scrap of parchment with some notes in tidy script. Nif happily donated the scroll to the cause, free of charge, so that they might find some way closer to where the missing woman had gone. Nif also had some basic information about the magical items The Flowers had been gifted recently. Calli had set her friend on the hunt for information soon after they’d received them, remembering how waiting to consult Nif over the ‘dagger artifact’ had done so much more harm than good.

Nif reported Byron’s ring, given to him by a wealthy businessman who had won money on his fights, had been acquired by his adventurous aunt. It was found far to the north in an ancient burial site overseen by carved stone pillars. Trevor’s armor (here Calli updated Nif in the briefest manor that he was now Travis, and split no more. She promised to elaborate another time) was a gift from a smithy named Dinvar, whose forge was near Citadel Volshyenek. Nightingale’s badge was a Mark of Belonging for adventurous bards called Mocking Birds who were fond of pulling pranks from a distance. Taylan’s cloak had fine gold thread stitching so delicate as to be easy to miss, and was a gift from a woman named Trillian who worked for a local cat burglar operation named the Ravens.

Nif apologized for not having any more, but the place they’d normally go to investigate this sort of thing further has been strangely locked up, and the chief librarian was missing. Byron and Calli felt that was worth looking into, so they got the location and headed back to the manor to see if anyone else was free to join them.

———————5————————

They reached the repurposed Carowyn Manor, abuzz with children and adults putting their lives back together, and learned Taylan and Alice had left together to find a quieter inn just outside of town in which to enjoy their union undisturbed. Nightingale hadn’t returned, yet, but they agreed to give him his space. Travis was waiting for them, however, and the trio were surprised to learn they’d found the same mystery in need of solving. The Half-Orc filled the others in on the details of the riddle door, and felt the three of them together had a good chance at getting through. Calli was eager to progress, but admitted that information on his own armor might be found elsewhere, first. Byron explained Nif had told them where to find the smithy who’d gifted it, and as it turned out it wasn’t far away at all.

Together they made their way towards the citadel, overhearing the idle gossip of the populace as they traveled. An old man reported fires still burning in Old Korvosa. A scandalized older woman told another elderly lady that Olauren hadn’t been dead a fortnight and Ausio Carowyn had already moved in an entire harem of ladies to replace her. Byron let out a healthy chortle at that, as it was technically true. A town crier they passed reporting on the new restrictions on public performances mentioned additional penalties. Pubs and other businesses that allowed unlicensed bards to play will be struck with a heavy fine. It wasn’t just the performers themselves who would suffer, making the public less likely to support any rebellious sing-a-longs.

Calli pointed out this now felt personal, and that while she’d been trying to give the benefit of the doubt to the grieving queen, she could see no reason for this that wasn’t malicious. Travis called her on that, saying the whole time he’d been trying to say the queen might not be involved Calli had been against him. She reminded him that had been Nightingale, not her. They were close but not interchangeable, only she was starting to see Gale’s point. The claim that it was to contain the spread of a plague already being eradicated was insultingly hollow. She questioned if this was a retaliation for the massacre they prevented in the square, but couldn’t figure out why they’d have wanted to murder all those citizens. At the very best this was Sabina again, and the Queen was as unaware of it as she was with blocking off Old Korvosa during the riots. But a Queen ignorant of her city was just as bad as a cruel one.

The citadel was close ahead when they found Dinvar’s shop in the shadow of the Creaky Hammock Tavern & Inn. They’d passed it numerous times over the past month and hadn’t taken particular notice of it. The small forge didn’t look closed, but there was no one to be found within. Everything seemed as if the woman had just left in the middle of what she’d been doing. While they were poking around they became aware of being watched. Travis spotted a small child peering in the window, openly staring. Calling out a friendly greeting, he waved the urchin in.

Travis explained they were looking for Dinvar for some information about armor she’d had, and the boy said she’d been taken away. Feshten, the child, described a number of sailors who had bundled her and her tools off hours prior. When questioned further he said he’d seen them drag her off to one of the boats in dock nearby. It didn’t take much persuading for the child to lead them to it, and Travis gave him a gold coin for his help.

The Flowers watched for a few minutes from a nearby alley and could see many hands bringing crates and barrels on to the vessel. The large ship was suited for open-sea travel, and it seemed as if it was nearly ready to depart for quite a long voyage, they had to act quickly. Byron was already wearing his guard jacket open over his favored breastplate, so he buttoned it up while Travis activated the magical glamour of his own armor to create the illusion he was in full guard uniform. They kept their Drake’s Marks visible and the three of them approached the ship.

When they got near enough they could read the name along the stern: The Plummeting Angel. Calli called up to the crew until she got someone’s attention. “Good man, I need to speak with the captain, if you please.”

“What’s this about?” the man challenged. He squinted down at her pink hair, tempted to dismiss her entirely, but hesitated at the sight of the two hulking guardsmen flanking.

She kept her smile friendly, but her voice took on the air of a school teacher leading a pupil to an obvious answer, “Are you the captain, then?”

“Er, no…” he wasn’t expecting to be the one dismissed, and decided whatever this was, it was above his pay grade. He turned and shouted across the deck that the guards needed to speak with the captain. A few moments later another person appeared at the top of the gangplank, while more heads gathered along the side to watch the proceedings.

“What do you want? And make it fast, I’m preparing to shove off.” The captain who presented himself was stocky and gruff. It was clear he was used to getting his way.

Byron replied, “Inventory inspection.”

“Again? We’ve already had one!”

Calli became a picture of polite contrition, “Yes, sorry about that Captain…”

“Captain Marcus.”

“Captain Marcus. There was a bit of a snafu with the paperwork. We need to verify your crew. Please bring everyone on deck for us. Just have to make sure you aren’t leaving with anyone we’re looking for in an official capacity. Shouldn’t take long!” It wasn’t difficult for her to seem harmless and ditsy, and it worked.

The captain rolled his eyes and gave the ‘All hands on deck’ command. Within a few minutes there were about twenty people all topside peering down at the trio who waited at the bottom of the ramp. “Here they are. Satisfied?”

Dinvar was not among the crew. She called up again, “Hmn, are you sure? No one else still below? Perhaps the ship’s smith held up on a job?”

“I said this is everyone. Now if there’s nothing else, good day to you!” he leaned and muttered something to his crew nearest, and they burst out laughing.

Travis then suggested to the captain in a nonchalant way that the last thing he should do was to upset the lady - an official representative of the government. After all, if the captain were to be found hiding ‘human contraband’ for example, that could end very, very, very badly for him. Goodness knows what terrible punishments might be inflicted on him. Bryon then stepped forward and crossed his massive arms to emphasise Travis’ point. The crew closest to the plank took a step away from the captain, who looked around shocked to be thus abandoned. Travis then smiled revealing his large tusks. The captain, sensing that he no longer had safety in numbers, huffed.

“Oh, of course. You’re right, it looks like the smith IS still below. We’ll bring her up now.” His speech was forced and reluctant, and he glared at one of the people nearest as he snapped for them to do the honours.

An uneasy silence settled on the small crowd as they waited, until finally the crewman sent below returned rubbing one of their shoulders as if freshly injured. Following behind was a tall, well-built woman wielding a hammer, with a satchel of other tools at her side. She shoved people out of her way and marched straight down the ramp, not waiting for an explanation or permission.

Once she’d made it safely to their side, Byron kicked the gangplank into water below and strolled along the dock removing the ropes tethering the ship. Those on board cried out in indignation as the vessel began to drift. The woman had them wait and watch for a few moments, and soon they saw the boat wasn’t just drifting, it was sinking. She gave a self-satisfied chuckle and grumbled, “That’ll teach them to think they can strong-arm me into working without pay. Idiots left me alone with my tools!”

The group escorted her back to her shop, where Dinvar thanked them for saving her with some mugs of mead. Up close they could see that she was still young, only in her early twenties. When she asked how they even knew to look for her, they filled her in on their quest for information and the steps along the way. Travis let the guard glamour drop, and recognition lit up on her face. She didn’t even know the armor had that ability when she gifted it, but was glad it could be of use. She explained she found the armor on a ship found adrift at sea, called The Dauntless. There had been no one aboard, and it had been covered in strange runes. There had been piles of loot onboard, some of the crew picked out individual pieces that caught their eye and the rest they’d left to sort through another day. The crew she was sailing with thought they'd tow it back to shore for salvage but it was gone when they woke up the next morning. The rope they’d used to haul it was still tied off but not attached to anything, simply trailing in the water behind. They’d decided it had been a ghost ship and they were glad nothing harmful had come of it. Dinvar apologized for not knowing anything more, but thanked them again for saving her, and said if The Flowers ever needed anything she’d be honoured to assist.

———————6————————

Travis led Byron and Calli back to the library ran by the followers of Desna. Shievin was briefly nervous to see a second towering barbarian with him, but Calli and the Eagle Harp she carried, gifted by the followers of Desna themselves, helped the pieces fall into place and he recognized them as part of The Flowers of Korvosa. He ushered them down a stone staircase into a large round room with a dome ceiling, stonework floor, and two doors on the far side. One was entirely black and the other was entirely white. He wished them luck, and left them.

As the trio moved towards the doors the staircase behind them disappeared. They turned to look, and when they turned back three figures in full suits of armor had appeared before them. One was in red armor, one blue, and the last in green. The Flowers took up defensive positions, but the figures did not move. Instead they heard a disembodied voice, “There are two doors in front of you. One will allow you passage, one will summon a great beast. You may ask one guard one question to aid your decision, but beware! One of them always lies, one always tells the truth, and one sometimes lies and sometimes tells the truth.”

The red knight took a step forward and exclaimed, “The Blue Knight sometimes lies and sometimes tells the truth!”

The blue knight took a step forward and proclaimed, “The Green Knight is not the one who always lies.”

The green knight took a step forward and declared, “The Red Knight always tells the truth.”

The disembodied voice spoke again, “Choose who you will ask, and then choose your door.”

The flowers relaxed their stances as there was no immediate danger, and instead began trying to make sense of the instructions they’d been given. Calli lamented riddles were not her forte, the men pointed out it was hardly theirs, and they all wished Nightingale were with them. Travis suggested they just pick one and go, as the three of them together could fell any beast summoned. Byron declined, saying they should at least attempt to work it out. The bard played the options over and over in her head, and explains in order to get at the truth they’d have to take turns assigning each one as the truth teller and see how the statements hold up under that assumption. They began working it through, getting confused more than once, until the two physically stronger members landed on Red as being the one telling the truth. Calli furrowed her brows, and shook her head. She had come to the conclusion it was Blue who would be the honest one. The Flowers pondered over the riddle again, until Travis came to same conclusion as Calli. He explained to it to Byron, but the barbarian just shook his head. This riddle was beyond his understanding, but he trusted his companions, and so they chose Blue.

Travis asked the Blue Knight, “Which of these doors will lead us into the library?” It silently pointed at the black door. Byron moved forward and listened, hearing what sounded like faint mumbling on the other side. He knocked at the door and the person on the other side sharply ‘shushed’ him. Confident then they’d made the right choice, Byron opened the black door.

The black and white doors vanished along with the knights, revealing a single gold door. The team shared satisfied grins before continuing forward to see what new mystery awaited them. They entered a library, but instead of the clean and organised room they expected the room had an unsettling atmosphere. Cobwebs coated the shelves of books, a low mist hung along the floor, and the room was only dimly lit by a few lanterns that struggled to stay on, making it impossible to see clearly to the ceiling at least twenty-five feet above. The air was cool, but not damp. Some of the shelves had been emptied into disorganized piles of books around them. The wall to their backs as they entered followed the curve of the room they’d been in, the large room of shelves wrapped around on either side. They didn’t get far inside before the gold door disappeared as well, trapping them in the spooky library.

———————7————————

Byron led them around one of the main shelves towards the muttering he’d heard from the other side. Sat on the floor was an older human man in glasses completely surrounded by piles of books. He matched the description of the missing cheif librarian, Budon. Now that they were closer they could here he seemed to be upset that the titles didn’t match.

“This starts with D, so it must go on this shelf for the G’s… no wait, that’s not right either!” he didn’t seem to take any notice of them in his maddness.

Byron asked Lil’ Focker to do quick circuit, and he happily flew off, but returned quickly in a panic. “Boss, there are big tentacley things, two of them, with hooves and too many eyes! Invisible!!” Byron and Travis went on the alert, straining their ears to ear any movement.

Calli crouched down and tried to ask Budon about the creatures in a whisper, but he looked up at them with frantic eyes to shush them. “You must be quiet, or the interlopers will hear us!” The whispering wasn’t quiet enough, and the barbarians signal that something was coming. They hear hooves clop on the wooden floor with heavy steps.

The group quickly came up with a plan. They all lined up along one side of the large bookcase, while Calli conjured her dancing lights to attract attention on the other side. She followed with a silent image of the group sat with the librarian under the lights, and they waited. The sounds grew closer from either side of the room until a powerful stench reached their noses. Byron and Calli were particularly effected, sickened at the foul smells.

One of the unseen creatures stopped moving, but the other seemed to fall for the trap, and Focker gave a signal when it was in place. They all shoved the shelves together, minus the madman sat cowering at their feet, even though Byron and Calli were unstable from the odours. Travis thankfully still had his full wits about him, and was able to give the bookcase the muscle it needed to topple over onto the monster.

Focker whispered a small blessing and tapped Byron on the shoulder, bestowing guidance on him for his next attack. It seemed the small drake had found religion while with the party! Byron, knowing the invisible monster who hadn’t come forward would be a problem for the others to hit, tapped into his barbarian rage and moved forward to unleash a series of attacks into the space he’d last heard the hooves hesitate. Unfortunately he struck only air.

Travis ran up the fallen case and swung his axe directly down into the creature underneath it. He connected twice with the strange form covered in books underneath his feet, which gave an otherworldly roar and burst out through the shelves, sending bits of wood and pages flying in every direction.

Byron’s body jerked and twisted as invisible teeth and tentacles returned attacks. He felt the strong limbs attempting to grapple him, but he slipped out of their grasp.

With fighting engaged, Calli began playing her harp, a careful scale that sped up into frantic strums. Haste took hold of the party. Meanwhile, Focker flapped over to Byron and healed him for a bit of the damage he’d taken.

Byron used his advanced scenting to try and land his blows, but the noxious smells made even that difficult, and he still couldn’t connect.

Travis’ luck held, and he was able to lodge his axe deep enough into his foe that it exploded in a strange flash of the arcane that made it temporarily visible. The horrific creature with too many heads was mostly tentacles and covered head to toe in writing. The words then shot off down the room around the curved wall into the distance.

The yet untouched monster continued assaulting Byron, and he had multiple bleeding wounds now, but it still wasn’t able to restrain him.

Calli’s stomach dropped seeing the wounds appear on the Korvosan Bear, and she fueled the dread forming within her into her music and sent it back at the unseen creature. The Dirge of Doom she cast was dark and ominous, promising retribution.

Lil’ Focker healed Byron again, but the small good he was doing wasn’t keeping up with the damage his master was taking.

Finally able to sense where the strongest point of scent was coming from, Byron’s claws dig in to the squirming mass of the monster. Ichor bled out on to them, and the stench intensified.

Travis ran across the fallen case and leapt in to join the fray, feeling the disturbance of air as a tentacle flew by his head, but was unable to connect his own weapon.

The creature again launched multiple attacks at Byron, who began looking quite rough from the constant abuse. This time the tentacles held him tight, and he felt a strange draining sensation, but with a surge of energy broke free before taking any more damage.

Calli screamed to see him so hurt, a loud and shrill sound, that she focused on the area the attacks seemed to be coming from, but the monster didn’t seem to react much to the Sound Burst.

Angered by how the fight had gone, Byron put the full force of his power into a strike. He could feel it hit, but it also unbalanced him in the process. Watching where Byron’s claws connected, Travis aimed his next attacks at the exact location, and is able to destroy it with assured chops. Once more the creature exploded in the strange magical way that sent words flying off around the curve of the room.

Calli pulled out their strongest wand to begin healing Byron, Focker aiding with additional small cures, and the very fire of Byron’s rage helped close one of his cuts. From down the side of the room where the first monster had come, they heard another on the way.

Byron ran to next upright bookcase, ready to repeat the initial plan. Travis taunted it over towards him, and though he could tell when it was passing from stray limbs knocking things as it passed, he wasn’t quite able to get the force needed on his own to topple the shelves. Travis took a swing, but with no way to know where the creature was it hit nothing.

They heard a strange braying and another monster seemed to arrive at the far end of the room.

Calli ran after Byron to give him further curing, and told the others she suspected there must be some sort of portal the monsters were coming through. Focker, who had also followed to help heal the brawler, was sent to fly off and investigate. Moments later he shouted back that there's a book that the words are coming from and forming into the monsters.

Byron joined Travis in battle, flanking the invisible monster, and got a good hit in from behind. Both barbarians felt tentacles wrap around them followed by the awful sucking feeling, but they forced their way free.

Taking a last look at her friends, the bard took off down the hall towards where Focker had called out. She found him sitting on a large desk, with a thick tome prominent in the center, open to pictures of horrible planar monsters. It seemed a badly written pamphlet was wedged in the pages. Realizing she’d gone out of range for her Dirge to be useful, she instead played a song to Inspire Courage while she figured out how to stop the monsters reforming. “Focker, get the pamphlet out of there and close the thing!” She hoped it would be that simple. He complied, and they waited.

Back in the battle Byron and Travis found their stride. Byron would scent and strike, with Travis aiming for exactly where he’d hit, and together they made short work of the monster. It exploded and the words flew back to the book. Unfortunately, closing it hadn’t been enough. The book immediately started vibrating on the table.

The second monster tried to sneak up on Byron from behind but overreached itself, becoming tangled in it’s own form and unable to move for a round.

With the tome closed Calli and Lil’ Focker were able to read that it was about creatures of the dark tapestry. She boosted herself up on the desk and sat her ample backside upon it, hoping to delay the respawning. Taking the pamphlet she read that it’s an ad for “Spyder’s Guide to Vermin Removal” printed with cheap ink that transfered on to her fingers. The ad had runes decorating the side that she clocked as active summoning invocations, so she smeared them to avoid them causing any more trouble. The book underneath her grew more frantic, threatening to buck her off. In an act of desperation she took out one of their vials of alchemists’ fire and dumped it onto the book as she rolled off. The fluid hissed and burned quickly through the pages, warping and twisting the remaining corners, and began to eat into the sturdy wood of the desk. Calli and Focker let out a breath they didn’t know they’d been holding as the remains of the tome finally stopped moving.

Byron turned on the monster behind him and tore into it repeatedly, sending the foul-smelling ichor splattering everywhere. Travis joined him, taking a sizeable chunk out of the creature with his axe.

Calli and Focker rejoined the fighting, letting the others know the book had been dealt with. Calli attempted to spear the monster with her rapier from behind, but was unable to make contact with the still invisible menace. Around them the mist had started to clear.

Byron continued pummeling into it, until he felt it begin to go limp, and taking it into a Bear hug delivered a devastating piledriver that finished the monster off. It exploded in the same strange arcane manor, but the mystical words simply dissolved into the air.

———————8————————

The lights began to return, cobwebs vanishing, until after only a sort amount of time the room looked much cozier. Calli Prestidigitated away the foul smelling fluids covering Byron and Travis, and as they returned to Budon’s side she resumed healing up Byron’s wounds. It seemed he’d taken the brunt of the damage out of the party.

The librarian’s senses returned to him moments later and he looked about at the chaos and asked what had happened. The group explained what they’d discovered, blaming the summoned monsters for the damage to the room- and the book on the desk. Budon inspected the pamphlet and confirmed it was a devious scam. “This Spyder individual would hand out his flyers to unsuspecting marks who’d bring it home, not realizing the flyer itself would then summon a swarm of spiders. They’d predictably call him to clean up the mess. Unfortunately that rune transferred to much more dangerous literature. Oh, what a shame, that book had good information in it!” He cleaned off his glasses and turned back to the group. “Well, I’m very grateful you all were able to save the rest of the library and I! Pardon my saying so, but you don’t seem like the type to normally frequent libraries, how can I help you?

Without a pause Byron answered, “I want a library card. Lifetime membership.” The others looked at him in surprise, and Budon happily confirmed he could make that happen.

Travis then picked up the conversation, explaining each member of The Flowers had received an item that defied the usual identification, and they’d like more information. He described the pieces in detail, and Calli mentioned what little they’d already found out. Budon nodded as he listened and then rushed off in a flurry of activity. The Flowers found a study table and took a seat while they waited, watching the lean human rush back and forth through the stacks, sometimes digging through the scattered book piles on the floor, until he’d collected an armful of books and returned to the group.

He handed off some of the books to the others, and they followed his suggestions and began skimming relevant chapters for clues. After some time at their task, the chief librarian was able to hand over a small stack of notes on each of their items they’d been given. Each item had a mysterious origin, many from secretive groups, and it seemed all the items had the ability to unlock further use for the wielder if they were able to meet the magical requirements. For some this meant missions that could be completed in town, but for others it seemed they’d need to go on quests and complete specific tasks for their powers.

Budon was able to resummon the gold door and lead them back into the round riddle room on the way out. He thanked them again, and said any time they needed more information The Flowers were welcome to use his library any time. Calli made sure they’d be able to send someone on their behalf if they were otherwise occupied, and when Budon heard it would be Nif Leroung, child of one of the big five major houses of the city and famous for their Universities and libraries, his eyes went wide and he insisted it would be an honour.

Byron, sizing up the round open space, asked if they ever held events in the room, and suggested they could do quite well if they did. Budon said that due to the riddle enchantment that would prove dangerous, but asked what he had in mind. The champion pit fighter pitched the idea of underground matches. The librarian was a bit taken aback, until Calli suggested it be done as reenactments of famous battles from lore. Budon did seem interested in this idea, and he said he’d consider it, but he’d have to think of what could be done about the riddle door, first. Travis then alerted him to the queen’s new performance rules, and suggested it could be somewhere for the arts, as well. Calli loved the idea, and asked him to consider it. There’d be a lot of bards unable to play for the foreseeable.

———————9————————

The three Flowers returned to Carowyn Manor, where Calli said she’d part ways for the rest of the evening. She wanted to try and find Nightingale to see how he was holding up after the encounter with Rose in the Realm of Madness. It was hard to believe that had only been that morning. With the tragedy of their marriage heavy in her heart, and having seen Byron take so much damage, the feeling of time running out made her bold.

As she said her goodbyes, she reached out and lightly brushed Byron’s arm. What she said out loud was merely, “Heal up, okay?” in a slightly sing-song voice. What she did was cast Share Memory. Byron received a memory of Calli stood in front of an ornate full-length mirror, smiling coyly at herself, and wearing a sheer robe of a pale green. Between her long pink curls and the artful way she held the robe, the memory was suggestive but not scandalous, showing only a good deal of tawny skin through the delicate material. A bemused smile spread across Byron’s face. She took that as a good sign, nodded farewell to Travis, and walked away, resisting the urge to check if he was watching.

Travis smacked him in the shoulder when Byron didn’t move to follow him inside, “You coming or what?”