The group currently stands in a dinning hall; the King and his company having just departed from their presence. The table is laden with fruit and breads free for the take. The castle’s atmosphere is downcast and quiet. The group must decide what they wish to do next.

 

Kansu ponders the situation.

 

<+Goroh> "Hm."

 

Mina looks around "So what do we do?"

 

Gorland is munching calmly on a piece of bread.

 

<+Kansu> "Question those closest to Lilith before she dissapeared most likely."

 

<@Soren> "No kidding." Soren crosses his arms. "Where do you want to start?"

 

<+Kansu> "We should locate that servent. She said she was getting cookies for Lilith. Obviously not."

 

<+Gorland> "That would be Miss Pepki..When the King released me, she took over."

 

<+Goroh> "I would like to suggest that we work together in this in order to improve chances of finding the princess quickly."

 

<+Goroh> "And by that, I mean, let me tag along with your group and help when I can, not that I'm trying to set myself up as the new boss."

 

Kansu shrugs, "Gorland seems to know a lot about what's been going on. And Goroh, you seem... Yeah. I don't see why not."

 

@Soren shrugs. "In that case, I might be better off searching on my own. Way less crap to deal with that way."

 

+Kansu eyes Soren, "Scared of other's opinions?"

 

@Soren glares back at Kansu. "Done with trusting random people and having everything go to hell later."

 

<+Kansu> "Gorland was Lilith's personal guard. Far from random. Goroh... Yeah, he's random."

 

<+Goroh> "Well, apparently, King Shakaku believes I'm trustworthy, since he did ask me to help."

 

<@Soren> "Frankly, I don't care if the king of Ramadamadingdongland finds you trustworthy."

 

<+Gorland> "Soren is wise to be distrusting..I was trusting, and look where I am?...Left worrying about the only friend I had," he said, standing up from his seat. Gorland chuckled softly, shaking his head.

 

Mina cuts in while standing up "Soren you want to do this on your own fine, but can we get on with search?"

 

<@Soren> "Fine. Whatever. Let the dreck tag along."

 

<+Gorland> "I've been promoted from random people, to dreck, then?"

 

<@Soren> "Not talking to you. You've got a reason to be here, I respect that." Soren shrugs. "Doesn't mean I have to like it."

 

<+Gorland> "Oh, well..That's something, I suppose."

 

<+Gorland> "I don't particularly like the situation either."

 

@Soren pauses. "Gorland, was it?"

 

<+Gorland> "Aye, Gorland's my name."

 

<@Soren> "Right. You three want to go start asking some questions? I'm going to attend to the problem of a room for the night."

 

Gorland thinks that there were four people aside from Soren, and smirks mentally, before nodding.

 

@Soren frowns. "Wasn't talking to you. I don't really care what you do."

 

<+Goroh> "Sure."

 

Kansu shrugs and heads for the outside to track down Pepki.

 

Mina follows behind "Alright we'll let you know if we learn anything interesting."

 

Goroh heads to the library to track down the man that the man the king said was Lillith's chaperone

 

Gorland was heading to do exactly the same thing.

 

Kansu and Mina head out onto the streets searching for the maid that has been an attendant to Lilith. It doesn’t take long before they notice her. She is already approaching the castle with a small bag of cookies in her grasp, along with a record keeping book. Her attention seems to be focused on her steps so her downcast gaze fails to catch sight of them as they approach.

 

Goroh and Gorland reach the library in good time. The lit candles shed a dim light over the tall stacks of books. Thick velvet curtains drape over the tall windows prevents any natural light from entering the wide yet cluttered space.

 

<+Nami> There is no one in sight, but the rusting of parchment can be heard beyond a tower of books.

 

Kansu approaches Pepki, "Pardon me?"

 

Gorland peaks behind the tower of books, "Uh, hello back there?"

 

Goroh also checks behind the books

 

<+Nami> Miss Pepki jumps back a step and looks to Kansu, "Oh! You startled me..!"

 

<+Nami> Behind the tower of books a middle-aged gentleman sits at a reading desk, skimming through a book; he mumbles under his breath for a moment before looking at the newcomers; "Good-day, Gorland. Fetching a book are you?"

 

<+Gorland> "Actually, no..I'm questioning you," he said casually, leaning on the edge of the desk. "About Lilith’s disappearance  ...In short, what do you know? I'm authorized by the King, before you even ask."

 

<+Kansu> "Sorry. We were wondering what you could tell us about Lilith. The king err... 'Hired' us about the problem surrounding her."

 

Kansu looks around to make sure he isn't overheard.

 

Soren makes his way around town in search of an inn; eventually he finds a cozy looking one with decent rates; 'The King's Pillow'.

 

Pepki gasps and raises the book to her lips; "Oh? B-but why are you questioning me? I know nothing... What makes you think I would?"

 

<+Kansu> "Well, you were closest to her. I'm wondering if you noticed anything before she er... Yeah."

 

The Librarian raises his shoulders in a shrug and issues a smirk; ‘I can’t say I know much... I can tell you that her mental heath was flittering. Not suited for the Noble life, that one. My guess is she ran away. A simple explanation.’

 

<+Gorland> "Where would she have run to?"

 

Pepki turns her gaze downwards, away from Kansu; "Well... t-there were some things... after the 'incident'... things that couldn't escape notice."

 

+Mina *sighs* "We aren’t accusing you of anything we just need you to tell us what happened alright?"

 

The Librarian shrugs again; "Not a clue! None of the books she read were about travel. But that aside; I am sure she had a friend nearby..."

 

Pepki nods, "I know miss... it's just... I was told not to talk about it... you see; there was an assassination attempt... It’s hard to explain, but after the guilty was beheaded, Miss Lilith became very fragile. She stared to have hallucinations but..." she falls silent and shakes her head.

 

<+Goroh> "What incident?"

 

<+Kansu> "Do you know who the guilty was?"

 

<+Gorland> "..What books did she read? Do you have a list? And what friend nearby?"

 

 "As far as I understand..." Pepki says, "It was a Lodirian soldier; someone she knew... I don't know many details. I don't tend to listen in on conversations."

 

The Librarian shifts his gaze to his desk for a moment, and then looks back at the two. "All the books she took out recently were not returned. They may still be in her room."

 

<+Gorland> "And this friend..What do you know about that? Or was that just a suspicion?"

 

<+Kansu> "And who would know more details?"

 

"It's just a suspicion, Gorland; I am not one to pry into her affairs."

 

Soren enters and moves up to the desk. "Just need rooms for a few for the night."

 

Pepki fiddles with the bag in her hand, shifting it slightly before saying; "Sir Lyndian, one of the royal advisers... he looked after most of her affairs."

 

<+Gorland> "Everyone else seemed to..Weren't you her chaperone? didn't keep much of a close eye on her for one did you?"

 

The innkeeper asks Soren; "How many rooms in total?"

 

Soren takes a second to count. "Four should be fine."

 

<+Kansu> "Do you have any idea who might want to take her?"

 

The Librarian frowns and says; "I did not shirk my duties; I have simply forgotten some of the minor details."

 

<+Gorland> "How convenient."

 

Pepki says; "There was some trouble with the church... they are not fond of the Princess. Not fond of any elf really; but most certainly not Miss Lilith."

 

The Innkeeper pulls four keys off the wall and holds them out to Soren; "I will need a deposit of six gold."

 

Gorland cannot tell if he is being honest or short on the truth.

 

Soren shrugs and fiddles with a bag, tossing six gold on the counter. "No problem. There a postmage around somewhere?"

 

<+Gorland> "There is nothing more of value you can offer me?"

 

The innkeeper smiles and says; "Certainly; at the public library of Fross Road. There is always one up and about there."

 

The Librarian shakes his head; "Nothing that comes to mind."

 

<+Gorland> "Fine then," Gorland stated before heading out of the library...Before quickly moving to a vantage point, such as a window, through which he could observe the librarian for a moment.

 

<+Kansu> "Anything else you can think of, Miss Pepki?"

 

Miss Pepki shakes her head for a moment, and then pauses; "Well..." her face starts to redden. "I'm sorry... I don't think I am allowed to say this; but... I'm not sure if she really was seeing things."

 

<+Mina> "Pardon?"

 

<+Kansu> "Oh?"

 

"You see..." Miss Pepki starts; "One of the things she claimed to be seeing was a man at her window." she blinks; "Her room is very high up on the tower; and mine is right below hers; I can hear almost everything that happens. I have excellent hearing... And the one night I heard a 'thunk' so I lit a candle and went to see what was wrong..."

 

"And sure enough..." she adds; "There was a man speaking to her through the window."

 

The Librarian seems to ignore Gorland as he returns to reading a letter spread out on his desk.

 

Gorland continues to observe him for a few moments, discretely. And if nothing were to happen, then Gorland would have moved on back to the castle to gain access to Lilith's room

 

<+Kansu> "Did you get a good look?"

 

Pepki turns her gaze away and says; "The room was dim; and I could not hear their argument. So I left."

 

<+Mina> "I see, is there anything else, anything at all?"

 

Pepki shakes her head; "No... miss. Nothing."

 

<+Mina> "Alright, thank you."

 

Gorland moves up the tower towards Lilith's room; however when he arrives he finds the door is locked.

 

Soren nods and works his way over to the library; more than one way to go about things.

 

Gorland pouts at the door and considers his options. He could try to pick the lock, and be accused of a crime if caught. He could bust open the door, and be accused of a crime if caught..Or he could take the tim to deal with the distasteful Sir Lyndian. "...Beaurocracy..Ugh."

 

Gorland heads to look for the closest guard or castle staff.

 

Soren reaches the library in good time; it appears to be quite busy as scholar citizens flow in and out of the entrances, carrying with them parchment and scrolls. A beggar sits on the steps holding a wooden bowl to those that pass by; but it appears he has received few donations today.

 

Gorland soon stumbles upon a guard on his way down the staircase; he seems to be sitting on a step enjoying his lunch.

 

Pepki looks nervous for a moment, then starts to head away from Mina; "Good day to you."

 

<+Gorland> "You, sir Guard. When you are done your lunch, or at your otherwise earliest convenience, would you mind seeing to letting me into the Princess's room? I am conducting business for the king."

 

Mina keeps her eye on Pepki until she goes out of sight "Hmm" *Mina begins to head back to dining hall to await the others*

 

The guard looks to Gorland as he chews loudly on his bread; "Hmfff..." he swallows; "Don't have the key." he frowns; "Do you think they hand it to just anyone? You will need to find Sir Lyndian or Miss Pepki for access." he takes another bite and then says; "The room was cleaned and locked just the other day actually..."

 

Gorland frowns at this, sighing audibly. "Where is Sir Lyndian now? "

 

The guard shrugs; "I've been on guard here all day. How am I supposed to know? He hasn't come this way."

 

Soren works his way straight into the library, wasting no time; he keeps a close eye out for whichever postmage is on.

 

Soren does not find one mage, but rather three. They seem to be clustered around a letter, laughing and chattering away.

 

Gorland sighs and walks off to try to fire Mr Lyndian.

 

Gorland is able to recall that the kind had another audience to attend to; He heads to the throne room and upon arrival finds the door slightly ajar, through which he is able to see Sir Lyndian, the King, and their guest, a man with long red hair pulled back in a ponytail beneath his brimmed hat; they all have a rather grievous look on their face and they speak quietly amongst themselves.

 

+Gorland stands quietly to the side and attempts a listen.

 

One of the mages looks to Soren as he approaches. He smiles lightly; "Are you in need of service?"

 

Gorland wishes desperately he could hear more, leaning towards the door crack just a little bit more, not really confident that would help.

 

Soren nods. "Just trying to decide what to say is all. Can I have a moment?"

 

Gorland's action doesn't seem to do anything for his hearing; but Sir Lyndian seems to spot him from the corner of his eye. He removes his hat and nods to their guest, then approaches Gorland. "Is there something I can help you with?"

 

The mage nods; "Certainly."

 

<+Gorland> "Ah, yes..I have two requests for my investigation. Access to Lilith's room. I'd like to retrieve the books she checked out of the library recently, and look around ..Also.. Can I have the journal I kept? I'd like to analyze it for anything. Who knows how far back any of this started."

 

Sir Lyndian glances over at the company; who is watching intently. He looks back to Gorland and smiles; "Certainly; I will bring them along once I am finished here, as they are in my quarters. Meet me in the dinning area in a good half an hour."

 

<+Gorland> "Hrm..Very well.." was all he said before leaving Sir Lyndian to his guest.

 

Soren finally takes a seat and starts scribbling out a letter quickly.

 

Soren stands and moves over to the postmage. "Sorry about that; should be all good to go."

 

The mage nods; "And who might I be taking this to? Do you have any information or item to aid my search?"

 

Soren nods. "Think I can help you there. Name's Duke 'Dek Londil, he lives...lived? I can't be sure. Pretty sure he lives in Telflamme."

 

The mage smiles; "Wonderful; a home address. I should have this delivered in no time. And your payment, please."

 

<@Soren> "Right..." Soren shrugs and hands over enough for a quick delivery. "That should be as quick as possible, correct?"

 

"Certainly." the mage tips his hat; "Wonderful doing business with you sir. If you are still in town, stop by tomorrow to confirm it reached its destination."

 

Soren nods again. "See you then."