---

---

You awoke in the morning to find the town of Sandpoint as yet un-menaced by invaders, goblin or otherwise.  The skies are clear, the breeze is blowing in off the ocean, and the weather is glorious.  You hear the murmuring of the crowd in the taproom and the sound of the kitchen putting together what you are sure is a fine breakfast.  Outside in the street workers are heading through the streets and merchants are beginning to open for business.  The sound of Sandpoint is largely the sound of disciplined, productive people going about their ordinary lives.

After you dress, you make your way down the stairs to discover that the Rusty Dragon isn't quite operating at peak efficiency.  You are not sure what it is, but it seems that the service is somewhat off and the staff is out of sorts.  When you ask around about what the matter might be, it seems that no one has been able to find Ameiko Kaijitsu.  When one of the staff members went to wake her they found her room empty and her bed un-slept-in.  From what you are given to understand, this is very unusual for Ameiko, and her employees seem worried . . .

---

---

Kellan was up before the dawn attempting to rig up us new equipment in such a fashion as to not impede his movement. He had managed to hook his new crossbow to his belt from a ring, the leather tether  keeping the short pistol gripped weapon dangling at about the right height. The flail had been coiled up to one side while his dagger remained where it had been before. The new set up felt heavy but he was sure that he would become used to in time.

He took a stroll over to the garrison for a quick warm up on the training pell, the sounds of the impacts from his pole axe echoing in the foggy morning glow. That accomplished he took a stroll around the perimeter of the city before coming back to the inn to check in with his friends. When he heard tell that Ameiko had not been seen, he grew obviously concerned. He was sure that the others would want to go and check on her and as such he went to go find them immediately.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 14:33, Fri 22 Nov 2013.

"Maybe not today, but definitely soon."  That's what Ameiko had said.  Pisca woke to the new day with the thought that this today, into which she had now awoken, was not the today to which the troubled keeper of the Rusty Dragon had been referring to when she had said it.  As such, this today may very well qualify as the vague but enticing soon.

She pursued her toilet with brisk efficiency and then dressed quickly for the day.  Today, Pisca left the hat behind, opting instead for the headscarf to bind back her strawberry blond curls.  Using her new steel mirror, Pisca pinned her Gold Badge of Protector Status to the headscarf, positioning it up and to the left at a jaunty angle.  Things to do today.  But the gnome paused at the door.  She turned, and with a look of hesitation, glanced back at her hat.  "Don't look at me like that," she said to the forlorn piece of headgear.  "You might not even be real."

Today was to be a day of many tasks.  People to see.  Questions to ask.  Things to investigate.  And, this evening, maybe ...  But it was not to be.  Things wandered off-plan from very near the beginning.

"Stomper, she's gone," said the gnome when Kellan arrived with the news that Pisca herself had just discovered.  "Ameiko is gone."

"She must have left -or have been taken- last night," she said when shown to the room of Ameiko Kaijitsu.  "When's the last time anyone remembers seeing her?" Pisca asked of the staff.  "And is there anybody here who knows this room well?  Can you tell me if there's anything that you think is missing?"

Cato entered the Rusty Dragon, as surprised as everyone else to learn that Ameiko was missing.  His mind immediately plunged into thought.  There were so many explanations.  First, of course, was her father.  Had the old man sought revenge?  Whether or not the rumors about killing his wife were true, he certainly could fall into powerful rages.  But it seemed unlikely such a thing could happen here without disturbing anyone else.  Cato looked around the room, wondering if any of the customers of the inn might have heard anything.  What else could it be?

Lost in thought, he almost bumped into Kellan.  Which was quite a feat in and of itself, since Cato had not heard the jangling made by the walking arsenal.  Pisca was right beside the guardsman, and seemed to be likewise already pursuing questions similar to Cato's.

While Pisca asked her questions, Cato went around to the patrons of the inn, and asked those who had stayed at the inn if they heard anything unusual during the night.  He debated keeping it quiet, but the disappearance of a popular, public figure like Ameiko wouldn't stay quiet no matter what they tried.

The new morning found Liseth in much higher spirits than the one previous.  She still felt some distress over the fact that Katrine made no attempt to contact her yesterday; but had decided that the other girl simply needed a little time to cool off.  Liseth hoped that Katrine merely needed a little time to cool off.  Seeking her out might just make Katrine feel harried and get her even more angry.

Liseth dressed in her white robe and greeted the sunrise with her morning prayers.  The first thing pressing on her mind was still Katrine, of course, and Liseth continued to pray for her.  She prayed that Katrine was in no danger from her illicit relationship, that everything would work out for the better for her, and that she didn't harbor any ill will towards Liseth.  The young acolyte then prayed for the safety of Sandpoint, success in their investigation, peaceful rest for Father Tobayn despite the abduction of his remains, and reconciliation between Ms Kaijitsu and her father.  Finally, following through on her promise, she prayed for a safe journey for Sheriff Hemlock and Mr Foxglove on their trip to Magnimar and success in the Sheriff's attempt to acquire assistance from the city's garrison; followed by a prayer for the safety of Shalelu Andosana and success in her own investigation into the goblins.

When she met the others and finally heard the morning's startling news, Liseth was just as surprised as everybody else.  Ms Kaijitsu was gone?  The fact that her room was still organized meant that it couldn't have been goblins hiding in her closet.  That was good.  But what could have happened?

"Maybe Ms Kaijitsu left last night with Ms Andosana?"  Liseth dutifully followed Pisca and Kellan as they went to investigate; letting Cato ask the patrons what they had heard.  "Didn't she say that she used to do some heroing, years ago?  Like an adventurer?"  Liseth liked this explanation.  Not only would it mean that nothing bad had happened, but that Ms Kaijitsu was with Shalelu Andosana; so she would have to be safe.  "She could want to clear her head after what happened and decided to help out with the investigation.  Although it is strange that she wouldn't tell anyone.  Unless she didn't want to be talked out of it."

Liseth really hoped that she was right.  If not, it could mean any number of bad things.

---

---

As you talked to the patrons and the staff, it was clear that no one had heard anything and that they were all as mystified as you were; speculation ran rampant.  That is, until a timid elderly Halfling woman approached the group.  She smiled hesitantly at Pisca, whom she apparently found less intimidating due to their shared smaller stature.  She was obviously upset and asked to speak to the party somewhere in private.

The group moved to Ameiko's room and closed the door.  The woman looked down as she began to speak, when she looked up again you could see there were tears in her eyes.

“My name is Bethana Corwin.  I'm Ameiko's maid.  When I got up earlier this morning, Ameiko wasn't in the kitchen starting breakfast for the first time since I can remember.  I was concerned, so I knocked on her door, but I didn’t get a response.  I normally wouldn’t do this, but I was worried so I went into her room and found her bed unslept in.  I also found this,” she held up a crumpled piece of parchment, “near the bed.”

Bethana handed you the note, but as it was written in Minkaian none of you could make heads nor tails of it.  As you passed the note back and forth in confusion, the Halfling continued.  “I think it was written that way in order to keep prying eyes from reading it.  But Ameiko has been teaching me the language  over the past few years.  If you look on the other side,” she pointed at the document, “you can see my translation.”  The old woman looked proud of herself.

When you flipped the paper over, you found the following translation written in common:

Hello, Sis!

I hope this letter finds you well, and with some free time on your hands, because we’ve got something of a problem.  It’s to do with father.  Seems like he might have had something to do with Sandpoint’s recent troubles with the goblins, and I didn’t want to bring the matter to the authorities because we both know he’d just weasel his way out of it.  You’ve got some pull here in town, though.  If you can meet me at the Glassworks at midnight tonight, maybe we can figure out how to make sure he faces the punishment he deserves.  Knock twice and then three times more and then once ore at the delivery entrance and I’ll let you in.

In any case, I don’t have to impress upon you the delicate nature of this request.  If news got out, you know these local rubes would assume that you and I were in on the whole thing too, don’t you?  They’ve got no honor at all around these parts.  I still don’t understand you can stand to stay here.

Anyway, don’t tell anyone about this.  There are other complications as well, ones I’d rather talk to you in person about tonight.  Don’t be late.

All my love,

Tsuto

The Halfling maid looks at you with frightened eyes, but an flicker of hope begins to dawn in them as she looked at you.  “I know what you did against the goblins during the Festival,” she says.  “I was hoping you’d be able to help Ameiko.  “Her father and brother have been at each other’s throats for years.  I don’t want her caught in the middle.”  She wrung her hands.  “I just want her home safe.”

---

---

The last thing that Liseth ever expected was that somebody would find her stature intimidating.  But then, even as small as she was, Liseth imagined that she must look as big to a Halfling as someone like Kellan is to her.  She never thought about things that way before.  However, that all seemed unimportant right now considering the particular news that Ms Corwin was bringing them.

Liseth's feelings were mixed after everyone had a chance to read the translated note.  On the one hand, it meant that Ms Kaijitsu had not been abducted.  And that she had not left with Ms Andosana after all.  But that didn't mean that she wasn't in danger.  It didn't sound from his letter that her brother wanted to harm Ms Kaijitsu; but if what he said about Lord Kaijitsu being involved with the goblins was true then anything might happen.  Especially after that display he put on within the Rusty Dragon the other night.

"I don't like what's in the letter," Liseth did look very concerned; especially given the amount of fright being displayed by Ms Corwin.  The Halfling obviously knew more about Ms Kaijitsu's family than the young acolyte did, "Could Lord Kaijitsu really have had something to do with the goblins?  Isn't he the head of one of the five founding families?"

"Also, I don't think that it is nice of Ms Kaijitsu's brother to say that everyone in Sandpoint is an honorless rube.  That's just rude.  But what could these other complications be that he mentions at the end?"  Liseth looked over the letter's translation once more, running her finger over the last paragraph, "He seemed to think that it is important Ms Kaijitsu come see him right away."  Liseth frowned, "You don't think that he would drag her along on some kind of scheme that he already planned out, do you?  Surely Ms Kaijitsu wouldn't do something like that just to get back at her father for what he did the other night.  Right?"  Liseth didn't sound entirely certain; compounded by the fact that the proprietor of the Rusty Dragon had not yet returned from the meeting with her brother.

"I just want to see Ms Kaijitsu home safe too, Ms Corwin."  Liseth reassured the distraught old Halfling as best she could.  Trying her best to not sound condescending.  "She is one of the nicest ladies that I've met here in Sandpoint.  Besides,"  Liseth looked around at all of the others, "If this does have something to do with the goblins, we have to investigate.  We promised the Sheriff that we would keep everyone safe while he was gone.  And," She indicated the letter one final time, "I'm sure that if Ms Kaijitsu didn't want someone to follow her, she would not have left her brother's letter behind as a clue."  That last part sounded hopeful on Liseth's part.  Her last attempt to help with another person's affairs ended disastrously; the girl hoped that Ms Kaijitsu wouldn't feel that they were interfering or meddling by trying to help her too.

Cato's face took on a grim expression as he read the translated note.  Lord Kaijitsu involved with the goblins?!  It defied the imagination.  Then Cato's face took on even more of a puzzled expression.  It did in fact defy the imagination.  Something else was going on here.  What reason would one of the founding families of Sandpoint have to stage an attack on the town?  From everything Cato had heard, the family's glass-blowing business was nothing short of extraordinary.  So Lonjiku would have no obvious reason to hire goblins to attack the town...

But someone else did.

Cato stopped suddenly, a horrified realization plainly evident on his face.  He swallowed, trying to speak.

"We..."

He stopped, and swallowed again.

"Of course, Ms. Corwin.  The Sheriff entrusted us with the safety of the town.  This is something we must immediately look into."

Cato waited, the seconds crawling by as his companions spoke with the helpful halfling.  Finally, their conversation trailed off and he was able to speak to his companions in private after Bethana left the room.

"Of course we have to investigate this as soon as possible.  But we're walking into something dangerous.  I don't think there's any reason for Lonjiku to ally with the goblins to attack Sandpoint.  He's got too much tied up with the town.  It'd be like Mayor Deverin or Sheriff Hemlock destroying the town.  Whatever he might gain, he'd lose the Glassworks, and the workforce, and the trade caravans that carry his goods to Magnimar and Korvosa.  It doesn't make any sense for him to do this."

Cato looked around at his companions, his face taking on a serious cast.

"But you know who might hold a grudge against this town?  Who would be glad to see it hurt, and its honored dead defiled?  Someone who fled town, never to be seen again.  Who holds one of the founding fathers responsible for his Mother's death.  Someone like Tsuto.  Now, maybe he does want to get his sister out of Sandpoint before something else bad comes this way.  Maybe he even tried to get his father to leave, which is why the man was so upset the other night.  But something's going on with Tsuto, and I think we need to be extraordinarily careful when we investigate the Glassworks."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Sun 24 Nov 2013.

 Kellan thanked Bethana several times for her willingness to come forward, and her translation of the note before seeing her to the door and assuring her that everything possible would be done to see Ameiko home safe. With the halfling on her way Kellan turned to listen to Cato's synopsis, nodding here and there at his points.

"Sounds about right to me" he agreed, crossing his arms. "No reason for Lonjiku to suddenly get a bur in his craw, Tsuto on the other hand...chased out of town in the first place, now he is writing letters and back in the area." He shook his head "I don't like it"

He sighed softly "I see no reason not to head over right away, unless anybody has another idea?" Looking around as he asked.

The thought of a local organizing goblins against the town caused Kellan's blood to run hot. How would a person get so broken? So lost that they would rather treat with bloodthirsty monsters over decent folk. It just made no sense to him,

Halflings were so cute.  "Thank you, Bethana.  It was very brave of you to bring this to our attention."  Pisca embraced the elderly halfling lightly and with affection, and in doing so, it came to the gnome how good it was to hug and be hugged by someone who was of a Right-Size.  It had been a year or more since she had said goodbye to Aunt Hattie.  That had been the last time.  Since then, it had been life among the Bigguns.  The thought echoed with loneliness, and, it woke in Pisca a many faceted pang of longing for the crowded streets of Kaer Maga.  And so it was with a bit of wistfulness that the gnome released the halfling and turned to the letter left by Ameiko Kaijitsu.

Pisca turned the letter over and over, and then over again, examining each side many times after turning Bethana Corwin over to Liseth for greater comfort and reassurance.  "Yes, we'll get her back, Bethana," Pisca said, buttressing the human girl's optimism.  She took the elder halfling's hands and guided her to a low box upon which she could sit.  "But we'll need just a little bit more help from you, alright?"

"How long have you been working for Ameiko?  That is to say, how much do you know about her brother Tsuto?  Was he a big man?  Did he train in weapons?  Did he ever show a talent for magic?  Can you describe him to us?"

"I don't necessarily want to lay accusations at his feet before we know much more about him, but from the letter alone, I don't think I like him very much.  And you're familiar with Ameiko's room, right?  Do you see anything missing here?  I'm thinking in particular of weapons and armor.  That, in and of itself would be telling.  If Ameiko went armed and ready to meet her brother.  If not ... if she didn't, and Ameiko has weapons and armor, maybe we should take it along.  Stomper, you can carry it, can't you?  She may want it once we find her."

"Oh, and Bethana?"  Pisca held up the letter.  "Do you mind if I keep this?"  Even in the midst of the concern and speculation that swarmed around the missing owner of the Rusty Dragon, it did not escape the gnome that what she held in her hand was a partial key to the Minkai language.

"Thank you."  Along with Kellan, the gnome walked the halfling to the door of Ameiko's room.  The looks on the faces of the others spoke to thoughts best spoken in private.  "We'll need a moment alone to discuss our preparations.  And, if you could look about the Rusty Dragon and see if everything is in order, we'd appreciate it.  None of us know much about running an inn, and I think that it would ease our minds just that little bit more to know that the daily operations here are in hand while we fetch back Ameiko."

"Yes, I think so too, Cato," agreed the gnome once the four of them were alone.  "A goblin massacre of Sandpoint would be decidedly bad for Lonjiku's business.  It doesn't make any sense for him to ally with the goblins.  Unless ... "  And here the gnome raised the Finger of Dramatic Emphasis™.  "Unless he did so under duress.  In which case, it would not be unreasonable to think that he might be driven near mad with guilt, would it?  A guilt that might cause him to lash out with irrational fury at three innocent humans and a gnome who just happened to be the heroes of the goblin attack.  Yes.  I think this explains a lot."

"But, where I think you're right about Tsuto, I also think that you're wrong.  Whereas a single human might build so much hate in him to drive him to work with goblins against his own people, gobbies, on the other hand, wouldn't accept a hummie so easily.  It takes power to make gobbies work together.  Enough power to create the fear that drives them to discipline.  There would have to be enough power there for them to overlook the fact that Tsuto is a human.  Or even a half-human half-elf.  There just seems something wrong here.  There seems like there should be something more.  We're not talking a small band of goblins here.  We're talking about all five tribes of the Lost Coast!"

"And I wonder what Tsuto would have wanted with Father Tobayn's body?" she mused.  "Well, we're not going to find out by standing around here.  Lets look in at the Glassworks.  If the meeting was scheduled for midnight we're several hours behind.  I only hope that what Tsuto had planned for Ameiko didn't involve killing her right away.  I only hope we're in time."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Mon 25 Nov 2013.

Her feigned optimism vanished once Ms Corwin left and everyone made their comments.  Liseth deflated at all of the sense that they were making; it did seem very unlikely that Lord Kaijitsu would have anything to do with the goblins.  And this mysterious Tsuto Kaijitsu showing up now of all times, and specifically mentioning the goblin attack...well, it made him very suspect, to say the least.

"I can't imagine any reason that Ms Kaijitsu's brother would go to the extra trouble of stealing Father Tobayn's remains.  He would probably be more interested in his own family; he even put in his letter that he thinks that the people here are a bunch of rubes.  I don't think that he would care about anyone else here, let alone even think to sneak into the Boneyard and take the priest."  Liseth sighed, everything kept getting worse and worse, "Which means that, if he did have something to do with the goblins, then he wouldn't be alone.  There has to be another person, or even a group of wicked people, each with their own reason for wanting to hurt Sandpoint."

A frown found its way onto Liseth's face when Pisca mentioned that Ms Kaijitsu's brother might even intend to kill her; or could have even done so already.  "He couldn't do that...murder Ms Kaijitsu.  She's his sister."  The words came out in a whisper and the girl rubbed her hands together nervously.  "We have to hurry."

"Should we go to the Cathedral first?  If things are...bad, I might need my new Healer's Kit..."

---

---

"Oh!"  Bethana looks back and forth as the idea that Tsuto might have hurt Ameiko is broached.  "That can't be it at all!"

"Now, there is no question that Mr. Tsuto CAN be very rude," the old halfling agreed with Liseth, "but I can't believe he would do ANYTHING to harm Miss Ameiko!"  She shook her head emphatically, then paused.  "I CAN, however, believe he would do something to his father.  His father is a mean, spiteful man who has never given Tsuto anything but hatefulness."

The woman's eyes glazed over as she recalled events from the past. "Tsuto was born a year before Miss Ameiko, and it was something of a scandal, let me tell you!"  The woman was losing some of her shyness now that she was relating events obviously unknown to some of her listeners.  "Because Tsuto is a HALF-ELF," she went on with big eyes and an conspirator's voice, "and NEITHER Mr. or Mrs. Kaijitsu had ANY elven blood at all!"

She looked slightly disappointed, as if this revelation should have elicited more of a reaction from her audience.

"I can't describe Mr. Kaijitsu's fury when he discovered poor Tsuto's heritage; it's only a testament to what a stubborn old bastard that man is that he remained married to Mrs. Kaijitsu at all.  But that stubborness did NOT extend to Tsuto.  Lonjiku HATED that child.  He actually gave him up to the Turandarok Academy to be raised outside the family!"  Bethana looked sad.  "He forbade the boy's mother to see him and completely ignored the child himself."

"The ONLY family Tsuto EVER really had was Ameiko.  She found out about him when she was about ten or so and started visiting him at the Academy in secret, always bringing him food, or clothes, or some other useful present, and promising him that someday it would all get sorted out.  I was a housekeeper at the Kaijitsu mansion back then," she said proudly, "and I helped that girl see her brother.  They really loved each other, despite their father's best efforts to banish Tsuto from the family.  I think,"  she said with a catch in her voice,  "I think she was the only person Tsuto EVER loved."

"Ameiko had a huge argument with her father about Tsuto.  That's when she left to become an adventurer.  She returned to Sandpoint a year later to attend her mother's funeral.  Tsuto was QUITE public with his accusations that Mr. Kaijitsu had PUSHED his mother off a cliff to her death.  When Tsuto confronted Lonjiku with these allegations during the ceremony, Lonjiku hauled off and nearly broke the lad's jaw with his cane!"

"At that point, Tsuto cursed his father and left town.  Miss Ameiko has tried to establish contact with him ever since, but that," she pointed at the letter, "is the first response she's had, to my knowledge.  Oh, you're welcome to keep it, Miss Pisca.  Just don't lose it."

The halfling looked worriedly at the assembled group.  "I'm afraid of what Tsuto might have planned for Lonjiku.  And I'm afraid he might try to get Miss Ameiko caught up in it.  As you could see from their fight, she has no real love for her father either.  I myself can't believe that ANYONE has ever loved that man."  She tsked.  "But he drove Tsuto to a rage, and the boy is CONVINCED that Lonjiku killed his mother.  Who knows to what lengths he might go to settle that score?"

"To answer your questions," the woman nodded at Pisca, "Tsuto was never involved in magic, to my knowledge.  Nor was he a big man.  He looked a lot like Ameiko, except for the pointy ears and his wild hairstyles."  She smiled in remembrance.  "I think he did that just to annoy Lonjiku.  But he was a slender boy.  Now, I haven't seen him in years, so who knows what he's been up to?  But his father certainly never gave him any sort of weapons training, and he didn't learn any at the orphanage, as far as I know."

She allowed herself to be escorted to the door.  "Since the Sheriff is out of town, someone needs to check out the Glassworks and see what's happened to Miss Ameiko.  She's really a good girl; I've known her since she was just a babe.  None better, really."  The old woman's eyes grew misty.  "Don't let anyone hurt her.  Please don't."

With that, the halfling seemed to age.  She hunched over and left the room, softly crooning to herself in a raspy voice that sounded as if it had once been very fine.  The song?  It sounded like an old, well-loved lullaby.

---

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 04:28, Tue 26 Nov 2013.

"Well ... " the gnome had been deep in thought as the halfling maid related some Kaijitsu family history to she and her fellow heroes of Sandpoint.  And when she rose from her cogitation what she said was, "Well, he can't have been too mad at her after Tsuto.  That is to say, they had another child not a year after.  Right?  Ameiko?  If he were really that angry they wouldn't ...  Or would they?  Maybe he ...  Or could there have been ... "

"You humans are very complex creatures," admitted the gnome finally.  Then, without segue or preamble, Pisca headed out the door.  "I'd like to stop in at the Turandorok Academy to ask about Tsuto.  It's on the way to the Glassworks, but I'm afraid we don't have time.  Doesn't sound as though Ameiko is in much trouble from Tsuto.  But if there's even a small chance that gobbies are involved, we'd better look into this right now."

"Don't you agree?" asked the gnome.  It was only at this point that Pisca realized that she had charged off ahead of everyone else and that she was now alone in the hallway.  "Where'd everybody go?"

Kellan was saddened by the halflings song, he didn't understand it all, but the tone was enough to set a lump in his throat. He felt for the Kaijitsu's, far from their native land and having to deal with customs and traditions that must seem strange. The children of course, Ameiko and Tsuto would have an easier time, but Lonjiku, having an unfaithful wife, a bastard child to raise and a daughter who ran off into the unknown. It was enough to strain a man.

It was no excuse to fly off the handle of course, and he did not exactly lead a hard life with all the wealth he had gathered, but there was still something in the young Guardsman that empathized with the man. Putting these thoughts out of his mind he focused on trying to track down Amieko's gear, if none was to be found he followed shortly after Pisca.

When she mentioned that humans were confusing he smirked, speaking as they walked "Well we don't live very long, and we are useful for maybe half of that time anyway so we have to try and fit everything in all at once" he explained "From what I have heard anyway it would seem like Dwarves and Elves and the longer lived people have plenty of time to kind of figure things out and approach things on their terms...I don't think we really have that luxury"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:57, Tue 26 Nov 2013.

Cato nodded at Pisca and Liseth's thoughts.  "Of course, it could be more than one person.  Maybe if we can catch Tsuto alive, he can fill us in on the identity of his mysterious allies.  But we need to get to the Glassworks first."  He looked to Liseth.  "And getting your healer's kit is probably a good idea as well.  Who knows what we'll find at the Glassworks.  Ameiko might be hurt, as well as any number of the workers who are normally there."

Cato grinned when Pisca bolted from the room.  "I think the gnome has the right idea!"  He quickly jogged out after her.  "You can surely wait for us quick-living, mysterious humans, right?"

After Ms Corwin's story, Ms Kaijitsu's brother sounded even more the villain.  Not that it wasn't a horribly tragic story; in fact Liseth felt very sorry for him.  His father hated him and sent him away when he was just little, that was awful.  It wasn't his fault that he was born half-elven, even if it must have resulted from a sordid affair.  And then their confrontation at the funeral of his mother...Liseth understood why he would hate his father so much; maybe even enough to work with goblins just to hurt him as much as possible.

But she was also relieved that Ms Kaijitsu and her brother were very close.  It was very unlikely that he intended to harm her, unless he changed a lot since the last time they saw each other.  More likely, his sudden arrival and secret letter to his sister was an attempt to get Ms Kaijitsu out of Sandpoint.  Or worse...try to get her to join his, and his likely ally's, scheme.  Either of which would mean that more evil was planned for Sandpoint...

Liseth sighed sadly but didn't voice these concerns.  Partly because it was mostly based on speculation, but mostly because she didn't want to believe it.  It could still be coincidence; right?  Maybe he just happened to show up in town now because he was concerned about the goblin attack, and wanted to meet Ms Kaijitsu in the Glassworks instead of her inn because...Liseth couldn't think of an innocent reason for that.  Or why he would need to see her in secret.  She sighed again.

Following as everyone left the room in which they were conversing, Liseth couldn't understand how they were so cheerful.  All that she could feel was a worried knot tying up her insides.  The girl really hoped that Ms Kaijitsu was safe, but considering the tone of the events over the last several days she couldn't stop imagining all of the worst scenarios.

"Will we have enough time to visit the Cathedral for my medicine kit?"  She understood that they needed to hurry, "I think that it is really far out of the way, and I'm not very fast..."  Following at the rear of the group, Liseth decided to continue softly along the same train of thought, "Maybe someone could run to the Cathedral to get the kit and my knapsack?  Then meet us at the Glassworks..."  She looked between Cato and Kellan; both were much bigger, stronger, and faster than she was.  But the girl wouldn't impose by asking them directly.

In reply to Liseth Thoradin (msg # 16):

Cato had taken a half-dozen large strides before realizing he was rapidly outpacing the gnome and Liseth. He turned back towards the pair, face red with embarrassment. "Liseth, I forgot about your..." The wizard's face reddened even more as he struggled for the right word. "That is, I should have remembered..."  If possible, the wizard's face keep darkening, becoming almost purple.

He settled for strict formality, relying on social codes to guide his words. "My lady, I would be honored if you allow me to retrieve your healing kit and knapsack from the Cathedral. I will meet you at the Glassworks when I have completed my appointed tasks."  Cato managed a quick formal bow, and after receiving Liseth's response, jogged quickly towards the Cathedral.

Pisca had been frowning as Liseth spoke.  But, as was true with all things, the most common interpretation was not necessarily the correct one.  The gnome nodded, grim and with a dramatic gravity.  "You're right, Lysa.  We shouldn't rush into this.  A few moments of preparation might mean the difference between life and death.  We should make sure that we're all prepared."

"Let me get some things from upstairs.  Then we'll all go to the cathedral for Lysa's things together."

"Maybe that will throw them off," said the gnome with a wry and devious grin.  "We can come down from the north.  Sneak up on them."  Then Pisca dashed up the stairs and to her room to retrieve her kits and weapons, leaving the others behind to for a few moments to imagine just how it was that one stuck up on a glass factory.