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The crowd murmured as the “Sandpoint Saviors” joined Mayor Deverin, Alergast Barett, Father Zantus, and Kerr Mollin on the dais for the town meeting.  Rumors regarding recent events had been spreading through the town like wildfire, and those flames had been fanned by both the militia call-up and the cordoning off of the Glassworks.  Whatever was happening, people knew it couldn’t be good.  Mayor Deverin had been smart to try and get out in front of the rumors as soon as she could, but the townsfolk were still extremely on edge.

The crowd quieted as the Mayor stepped up the podium.

“Citizens of Sandpoint!”  She began.  “I know you have been concerned about recent events, and I wanted to share with you what we knew as soon as possible.  For we now face what is perhaps Sandpoint’s darkest hour.”  The mayor was a practiced speaker.  Her face was the very picture of sincerity as her eyes traveled slowly across the crowd, making it seem as if she was talking personally to every single person present.  Her voice brimmed with sincerity and conviction.  Still, her opening statement caused a nervous muttering amongst the crowd.

“We have learned,” the Mayor went on, and the crowd quieted.  “We have learned that the goblin tribes have united, and may be targeting Sandpoint for attack.”  She held her hand up to quell the surprised reaction to this news.  “The Guard and your town council have been working hard since the Swallowtail Festival to discover exactly what the goblins were up to, and it is indeed fortunate that we have uncovered those plans.  Just today, in fact, we foiled and defeated a goblin attack on the Glassworks!”

A wave of shock and disbelief crashed upon the podium, but Mayor Deverin stood tall, a tidebreak against the incipient panic.  “Yes.”  She nodded, looking as if she truly understood the fears and concerns of those listening, “we have been attacked.  And we have lost friends,” the Mayor’s voice took on a note of deep sadness, “both during the Festival and at the Glassworks.  And Father Zantus,” she gestured to the prelate, “will be commemorating their sacrifice tomorrow evening.”

“We will not forget the friends we have lost!”  An edge of steel entered Kendra Deverin’s voice.  “And we will not forgive those who imposed that loss on us!”

“The goblins,” She made the word into an epithet, “have had the advantage of surprise.  BUT THEY WILL HAVE IT NO LONGER!!”  The mayor slammed her fist into the podium, looking for all the world like a crimson-haired angel of vengeance.  The atmosphere was electric.  “These goblins and their leaders think of Sandpoint as SOFT.  They think of us as UNREADY.  BUT WE WILL SHOW THEM HOW WRONG THEY ARE!!!!”  A few cheers rose up from the audience, but most of the townsfolk were still coming to grips with the town’s status as a target for attack.

“As you know, Lieutenant Barett and the rest of the Guard have started training up our militia.  Even now, Sheriff Hemlock returns with support from Magnimar.  And Shalelu Andosana roams the Hinterlands with Dav Hosk, disrupting the goblins’ movements and discovering their plans.  When the goblins come, IF they come once they see the bulwark we have made of this town, WE SHALL BE PREPARED!!!!!”

Mayor Deverin waited a beat for the chorus of agreement from those gathered.  “But Mayor Deverin, I hear you ask.”  She swept her arm across the podium, indicating the crowd.  “How can we, who are shopkeepers and farmers untrained for battle, defeat this evil?  What can we possibly do?  And to answer that question I give you Liseth Thoradin, Kellan Storval, Cato Crispin, and Pisca Neep Freemish!”

The mayor gestured at the four to stand, then turned back to the crowd.  “These four,” she said, pointing back at them, “two teenagers, a scholar’s assistant, and a gnome no bigger than your youngest, Maver,” Maver Kesk was in the front row of the crowd, listening raptly, “not only saved the cathedral during the Swallowtail Festival, but drove a specially-trained unit of goblins from the Glassworks BY THEMSELVES.  These four are HEROES!!!”  Her last statement elicited shouts of agreement.

“But WHY are they heroes?  Are they heroic because they have some special abilities that you or I do not possess?  Are they heroic because the gods have blessed them in a way they have not blessed us?!?  NO!!  I tell you that they are heroes because when Sandpoint suffered, and her need was great, THEY STOOD TALL AND ANSWERED HER CALL!!!!  THEY STOOD AGAINST EVIL NOT BECAUSE IT WAS EASY, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS RIGHT!!!”

The crowd was getting excited now.  “The Sandpoint Saviors!!”  Someone shouted.

“That’s right, the Sandpoint Saviors!”  Mayor Deverin seized upon the shout.  “Now I want you to imagine.  Imagine what it would be like if we ALL stood tall.  Imagine what will happen when the Sandpoint Saviors are not merely this group of four, but consist of us ALL, working together, fighting together, helping each other.  THAT, my friends, is what I am calling you to tonight!!!!  THAT, my friends, is what I believe we can accomplish together!!!  THAT, my friends, is why, that if these goblins attack, WE SHALL THROW THEM BACK INTO TURANDAROK IN  A VICTORY THAT BARDS WILL SING OF FOR AGES TO COME!!!

We shall NOT BE DEFEATED!!!

WE SHALL TRIUMPH!!!

WE SHALL TRIUMPH TOGETHER!!!!

FOR SANDPOINT!!!!!

Mayor Deverin’s last word hung in the air for a single moment, floating out above a crowd stunned silent by the force of her delivery.  Then it happened.  A wave of applause and cheering that grew and grew and crescendoed until every single person in the crowd was yelling their defiance of the goblins, their commitment to the fight, and how they would stand side-by-side with the Sandpoint Saviors in the days to come.  Mayor Deverin raised her arms, a fierce expression on her face, as if signaling that victory was already theirs.

As Alergast Barett stood to join the ovation, he elbowed Kellan, winked, and grinned.  “Guess that’s why she’s the mayor.”

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In contrast to what one might expect, the gnome felt little in the way of heroism.  Nor did she feel much in the way of veneration or honor, despite the really very terribly nice things that the mayor had just said about she and Lysa and Cato and Stomper.  Instead, faced with the sea of humans who'd just been whipped into an frenzy of aggression, Pisca was feeling more on the uneasy side.  Her face was held in a rigidly controlled mask of deep concern within which her eyes roved from one edge of the crowd to the other in search, possibly, for the beginnings of froth from a mouth here and there, the first signs that these hummies were going to break into a violent frenzy.  The gnome's feet began to shuffle, and she raised a hand up to slip it into Liseth's.

She'd never imagined kindly Chask Haladan with wild hair and blood-shot eyes, his teeth moving about as he cried out for the evisceration of all peoples smaller than himself.  Neither had she pictured Sabyl Sorn rending her clothes as she capered and leapt about, scratching at the dirt.  But she did now.  Her eyes scanned the crowd for those faces, hoping that they would not be as she thought they might.  And, as she searched, she gripped Lysa's hand even more tightly.

Archaeologist's Luck 1/7

Kellan couldn't help but grin at Alergast's observation and jibe. Here was the Sandpoint they were fighting for! Friends, family, neighbors and even enemies united in the defense of their homes. They had not asked for this war but by the gods it seemed that they were now set on finishing it.

The boy had been lectured on end by Alergast and the Sheriff on the importance of symbols. Legitimacy and a few scraps of cloth and steel could lend one guardsman more strength than an entire mob could muster, the Mayor just a woman now once and now the catalyst for the mobilization of an entire town thanks to her title backed by natural talent. So it appeared that a few gangly teenagers, a curious gnome and a Sages apprentice would become something to rally around.

He would do his utmost to ensure that they found him worthy.

Kellan clapped and smiled, but beat down the desire to cheer and brandish his weapon with the others, Vorvashli's speech was still too fresh in his mind to allow him to take the Mayor's words to heart. They would go tomorrow and try to kill this Quasit, then Erastil willing they would find a way to drive back the goblin menace and allow everybody to get back to life as normal. He would go back to patrolling the streets as usual and all this would become a tale for his grandchildren some day.

He hoped at least
This message was last edited by the player at 02:06, Sun 16 Feb 2014.

Cato stood uneasily on stage, looking out across the sea of people that made up Sandpoint as the Mayor started to speak.  He quickly was impressed by her jingoistic harangue.  This woman had real potential.  He idly wondered why she was here, a mayor of a tiny town on the end of Varisia.  She'd make an excellent politician on a larger stage.  Cato took an uneasy swallow, realizing his throat was suddenly parched.  At least the Mayor seemed to have good intentions.  Had she wished something...darker, Cato had no doubt she could turn the town to that path as well.

When Deverin named him, Cato looked up, startled.  He wasn't sure how to react, but suddenly felt exposed.  The Mayor was laying the future of the town in their hands?  Yes, they had triumphed so far, but barely.  And mostly just by not dying.  Tsuto and most of the goblins had survived.  Would it be equally their fault if the town was attacked and the goblins triumphed?  Would the survivors of Sandpoint lay the blame at the feet of their failed Saviors?

Cato thought these thoughts as the roar of the crowd's approval filled the stage, and the humanity of Sandpoint thundered back its agreement to the Mayor.  He hoped his uncertainty didn't show on his face.  He tried to smile, but could barely manage to move his face.  He raised his hand, uneasily watching as a dozen eyes in the crowd followed his every move.  Cato looked around, wanting nothing more than the quiet of his room, and time to prepare for tomorrow.  He had to make sure they didn't fail.

Liseth knew that she shouldn't be nervous, standing up on the dais while Mayor Deverin made her impassioned speech.  But that did little to keep her anxiety down.  Everyone was there for the speech and she was standing right in the center of their attention.  The Mayor even singled them out, Cato, Kellan, Pisca, and her, as heroes; the Sandpoint Saviors as somebody in the crowd called them.  It seemed as though the name was stuck on them.

The young blonde had never claimed to be a hero.  She didn't even feel like a hero; especially now that she was flushing from all of the attention.  Admiration even, from the people in the crowd.  Her heartbeat quickened along with the people's cheers; it was a rousing speech after all.  But Liseth didn't like all of the loud, shouting, cheering, chest-thumping emotion.

It was good to be positive, to look at the battle that was certainly coming soon with optimism.  Liseth though, she couldn't stop thinking that what everyone was cheering for was a massacre.  A bloodbath like Sandpoint had never seen before.  People were going to be killed, that was inevitable.  As well as all those goblins that were being led against them.  Scores of goblins would be killed; she didn't think that the goblins had any idea how fiercely Sandpoint's citizens seemed intent on fighting them.

Cheering for people dying just wasn't something that Liseth could do.  But she did try to smile for everyone's benefit.

As her own hand tightened around Kerr's, Liseth looked down to see Pisca taking her other hand.  She seemed even more concerned about the rabble rousing than the acolyte herself was.  Liseth didn't know what to say, so she merely squeezed the gnome's hand with her own when she felt Pisca's grip continue to tighten.

After Mayor Deverin's speech ended and the crowd was still cheering and shouting loudly, Liseth glanced at the others up on the dais with her; from her position holding the hands of Kerr and Pisca.  Her eyes landed on Father Zantus and Liseth tried to get his attention.  After all, they still needed to prepare; and Father Zantus could definitely help.

With the one thing that the Mayor's speech had not mentioned.  Had not shared with the people already cheering their victory over the goblins.  Something that, if they really were expected to win would have to be taken care of.  In secret, apparently.  By them, their heroes; the Sandpoint Saviors.

The demon beneath the Glassworks.

Despite the sum of all fear, doubt and deep concern, a gnome knows what is expected of her.  Mayor Deverin's speech was, if nothing else, very clear in all of its parts.

Pisca nudged her face.  It was a subtle nudge that started at the worried look in her large violet eyes.  Huh?  What? became Oh, right.  And the eyes relaxed, loosing some of that pinched look of distress.  This was felt in the mouth, which quested upward at the corners, the better to find out just what had happened around the area of the eyes.

Soon enough, the face of Pisca Neep Freemish actually wore what might pass as a convincing smile.  Her lips parted to reveal pleasantly even white teeth, and her eyes even took on something of a twinkle.  The gnome looked to her other side and lifted her freehand to take Cato's, forming a chain.  The gnome tugged at Liseth and gestured using her chin to Kellan on the acolyte's other side.  Then Pisca raised her hands fully over her head.  For the two humans on either side of her the effect was a mere rise to elbow height, but the symbol was unmistakable.  Still bloody and dust-covered from the battle of the Glassworks, the gnome managed to spark a glow.  She was one of the Sandpoint Saviors, and her arms were raised in victory.

Archaeologist's Luck 1/7
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

Kellan stood, arm in arm with his new friends as they displayed their commitment to the defense of these people. It felt good, if a little intimidating to be the center of attention for that many and it caused him to wonder how the Mayor had so effortlessly pulled off her speech. As he stood there scanning the crowd he found himself trying to pick out individual faces from the small sea of Sandpointers.

His own close family would be too far away to make it over this soon, they would be still be in the outskirts and would probably hear of all this tomorrow. There was Das Korvut of course, an island unto himself as he towered over his section of the crowd, and it appeared that Vorcashali had stayed for the speech, but he was truly looking for Shayliss if he was to be honest with himself and sought out a hint of her crimson hair or hulking father.

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The resounding cheers of Sandpoint’s assembled populace washed over Liseth as she stood steadfast, watching Mayor Deverin raise her arms.  The cheers redoubled when Pisca, of all people, removed her hand from Liseth’s to clasp it with her free hand and raise them above her head, signaling victory.  Victory for the Saviors.  Victory for Sandpoint.

Victory for them all.

But the sudden tightening of Kerr’s grip on Liseth's other hand distracted her from the victorious gnome.  She looked up to find that the crowd, Mayor Deverin, and the other individuals on the platform had all gone dim and misty; only she and Kerr stood out clearly.  The crowd’s raucous shouting faded into the background.

Liseth started as she suddenly saw four glowing figures standing in front of her.

The first figure was a tall, athletic woman in full plate-mail.  A longsword hung from her hip and she wore a shield slung over her back.  Her dark hair was close-cropped in a pixie cut; it did nothing to hide her serious expression as she examined the two acolytes, as if even now she was determining their worth.

The second figure was an older human dressed in battered leather armor, a well-used longbow in hand.  He wore a cloak created from the pelts of various trapped animals, and a quiver of arrows hung from his back.  His beaten leather boots were stained with mud and worn from travel, but his salt-and-pepper hair was neatly combed and his clean-shaven face wore a paternal smile as he crossed his arms and gave Liseth and Kerr a conspirator’s wink.

The third figure was a beautiful elven woman, but not one like either acolyte had ever seen before, at least in person.  She had butterfly wings, wings containing all the beauty of a clear night sky.  Her dark hair and silvery eyes were perfectly matched by her diaphanous gown.  Several butterflies flew around her, and she gave both acolytes a warm, affectionate look.

The final figure was a bronze beauty, with golden hair composed of flowing flame.  One of her hands emitted a light which trickled down like liquid luminescence, while the other held a scimitar emblazoned with radiant fire.  This figure sheathed her scimitar as she moved forward and reached out her hand; she had eyes only for Liseth.

My child, said the fourth figure to the blonde-haired acolyte, smiling as tears brimmed in her dark eyes.  My sweet Liseth.  You have done so well.  None could ask for a more-devoted follower.  She caressed Liseth’s cheek with her outstretched hand.  I am truly sorry for the pain and distress I caused you when I did not accept you into my priesthood.

But your sacrifice was necessary, the fiery-haired woman continued, so that you would be here, in Sandpoint, where I need you now.  She fixed her eyes upon Liseth, and the young girl saw a depth of compassion, and understanding, and love that she could hardly comprehend.  You are here, my beloved, not because I rejected you, but because you, above all others in Varisia, are the one that I need most.

She gave Kerr, who was standing there stunned, a nod and a smile before returning her attention to Liseth.  I will share something with you.  The gods, good or evil, are only able to influence the affairs of men through their willing followers.  We can guide, but never compel.  It is only through an act of free will that we can impart our blessings or implement our designs.  She looked at Kerr again, then back at Liseth.   And of all my followers only you have the purity of spirit, the selflessness, and the willingness to follow those designs no matter the personal cost.

A cloud passed over the woman’s face.  For costs there will be.  I will not lie to you; you will face trials and hardships undreamt of in your worst nightmares.  I will set you against evil in its purest form.  Your opponents will not be out to merely harm you, but to destroy you and everything for which we stand.  Be on guard!  Our enemies are devious, and their attempts to lead you astray will be many and varied.

But you are not without friends.  She smiled at Kerr and gestured to Pisca, Kellan, and Cato.  These three cannot see us because they do not have the same attunement to the divine that you and Kerr possess.  But yet, they are as instrumental to our plans as the two of you are.  Help them, Liseth.  Help them to fight the good fight.  Help them do what they know is right.

Her face clouded again.  For dark forces are at work in Varisia, my beloved.  I cannot tell you more now.  But the dark gods have seen a chance to defile this area, and they have seized it with a will.  They have many followers willing to implement their plans, to sell their souls for a glimpse of power and glory.  They will set these followers against you; your way will be difficult and strewn with hazards and dangers of every kind.

But fear not!  You shall have our blessing as you go forward.  Indeed, Liseth, the woman caressed her cheek again, by the time you reach the end of the journey on which I am setting you I have no doubt you will be the most accomplished healer that Varisia, and perhaps Golarion, has ever known.  She gave Liseth a small, secret smile.  And I have a sneaking suspicion that your Kerr will prove to be every bit the shining holy warrior you always hoped he could be.

Liseth snuck a glance over at Kerr, where it looked like the older man, butterfly-winged woman, and armored warrioress were having a similarly-serious conversation with the dark-haired acolyte.  She saw the three figures guide Kerr’s hand to the older man’s longbow, then all three placed a hand upon him as he closed his eyes and bowed his head.

Liseth looked back at the glowing woman, who leaned forward and kissed her forehead.  Then she backed away, giving Liseth the most disarming, honest, and open smile she had ever seen.  I have always loved you, Liseth, the woman said as she began to fade from view, and no matter what happens, I always will.

Then they were gone.

As the thundering cheers of the gathered masses crashed again on the two acolytes, they turned to look at each other in wonder.  Kerr’s hand again found Liseth’s, and he gave her a smile.  Then he turned to the crowd and raised their conjoined hands in the air, signaling their joint defiance of those dark gods whose corrupted followers sought to harness Varisia to their hellish yoke.

OOC:  Both Kerr and Liseth gain the feat Skill Focus:  Knowledge (Religion)

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This message was last edited by the GM at 20:40, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

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As Kellan surveyed the crowd, he was finally able to spot Shayliss, mostly because she was standing next to her hulking father, a man who would never be too difficult to pick out from a crowd.  The two were standing about a third of the way back and off to one side near the edge of the gathering.  Ven had his arms crossed but was looking at the stage and nodding his approval; when he caught Kellan’s eye he inclined his head respectfully towards the young man.

Shayliss, on the other hand, seemed completely enthralled by the proceedings.  Her lips were parted and one hand was in the air, defying the goblins who wished to burn Sandpoint.  When she locked eyes with Kellan she burst both into a radiant smile and an incredibly deep blush; she immediately lowered her arm and looked down at the ground, glancing quickly back up at the young guardsman to see if he was still watching her and giving him a small wave and an almost-shy grin when she saw that he was.

As incredibly involving as Kellan found Shayliss and her reactions, he was distracted by the sight of Ven talking to a stern-looking man wearing dark, nondescript clothing.  The conversation was particularly interesting because Kellan had never seen the man before.  Ven didn’t seem any more familiar with the man than Kellan, his crossed arms had gone from approving to indifferent in the space of a few seconds.  That said, the Vinder patriarch was the proprietor of the town’s general store and dealt with strangers on a regular basis.  Ven’s eyes narrowed slightly as he listened to the man; in response, the big shop proprietor turned and pointed up on the stage.

Kellan followed the line begun by Ven’s pointing finger to where it terminated at the stage.

He had been pointing directly at Cato.

But when Kellan looked back at the big shopkeeper, the stern-looking man was gone.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 21:15, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

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Pisca stood, hands clasped over her head, allowing the crowd’s adulation to wash over her as she scanned it for any sign of Chask Haladan.  The man was almost painfully average in appearance, so it wasn’t like he would be standing out from the gathered mass of people in any way.  Well, there was Lunk, who DID stand out in the crowd . . . and THERE was Chask, standing right next to him.

Chask was busy talking to Lunk, who looked slightly taken aback by the crowd’s yelling.  Lunk was bending over and listening intently to the bookseller as the man leaned close to the big man’s ear and earnestly spoke into it.  After a few moments, a broad smile broke out over Lunk’s face and he enthusiastically joined the cheering, waving at Pisca and then imitating her by clasping his own giant hands over his head in victory.

Chask, meanwhile, gave Pisca a somewhat-inscrutable smile and a small bow, raising an eyebrow in a what-can-you-do? sort of expression before raising his own two hands clasped over his head and joining in the cheers for the Sandpoint Saviors.

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This message was last edited by the GM at 21:40, Mon 17 Feb 2014.

Kellan felt a little blush come to his own face despite himself and gave a wave and a beaming smile to Shayliss in return. He did not think much on the man who Ven had been talking to, strangers were rare but not unheard of in town and they were all apparently minor celebrities now. He did note that both Liseth and Kerr looked a little spacey but that was certainly understandable given the scope of the event and the amount of attention they were all getting.

It was around this time that the first wave of fatigue hit the young guardsman, the morning's fight coupled with the days frantic preparations and a little hunger as well all conspired to drive him towards bed, he would need a good nights rest before they departed bright and early for the expedition into the tunnels.

It was something of a relief to see Chask Haladan as he always had been, and not devolved into a wild, dirt grubbing, trog.  Even more pleasant was to see him with Lunk.  Lunk would guard her faithful Librarian, keeping him from both harm and mischief.  Pisca had every confidence in Lunk.  Her giant would handle things until she could break away and brave the crowd of hummies.

It would have to be soon, though.  There were still so many things to do this evening.  Mayor Deverin hadn't mentioned the tunnels.  But, if Jubrayl knew anything about them then the mere mention of the Glassworks had likely put him on the alert.  But would he know what the gnome knew?  And would he be willing to trade that for what he knew about the White Deer Guest?  And ... maybe ... just maybe ... he might require a favor.  Maybe.  Regardless, it would be interesting to find out either way.

Then there was the promised dinner at the Rusty Dragon.  The very thought of it remembered Pisca of the uneaten samwitch in her pouch and the lunch that she had skipped entirely.  And then, depending on whether or not she could convince Chask Haladan to speak with Sabyl Sorn, she might have yet another meeting before bed.

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The gnome gave Lysa's hand another victory shake, but she and Kerr Mollin seemed to be off in some dream of hummie boy and girl friend bliss.  How nice it would be to drift away.  It would be ever so pleasant to lay down amidst the bunnies and the clover ...

... but I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
Miles to go ...

Archaeologist's Luck 1/7

Cato looked out at the crowd, and back at his companions again. Liseth and Kerr both seemed to be...maybe overwhelmed?  For a few seconds at least, they seemed to be staring into space, then a look passed between them as they they had just shared a private joke. Cato smiled.  It was good that something was coming out of all of this that was good. For his part, Kellan seemed just as fixated on Shayliss. Cato was surprised when a look of brief concern crossed Kellan's face, but when Cato looked, he just saw Vin and Shayliss standing in the crowd. It was probably just his imagination, but Cato thought Vin gave him a peculiar look. Maybe Kellan was feeling some not quite fully healed injury from their Glassworks battle.

Other than squeezing Kerr's hand as tightly as she could, Liseth could merely stare in awe.  Everything else faded away; the roaring of the cheering crowd, the people assembled became almost shadows, even the other people sharing the dais with Kerr and her were hard to perceive.  The young acolyte could focus on only one thing, and that was the four shining figures that appeared before her; and Kerr as well.

The figures could be only one thing, but that realization awed her more.  Erastil the hunter, dressed in simple and honest garb.  Iomedae, every bit the shining, armored knight.  Desna was unmistakable, with the beautiful butterfly wings on her elven form, the smaller butterflies fluttering around her.  If only Pisca could see her standing there.

But the last of them nearly caused Liseth's heart to pound out of her chest.  Sarenrae, complete with fiery golden hair and flaming scimitar.  Even if the girl was capable of speech or action at that moment she didn't know what she might have done.  Prostrate herself on the ground?  Ask the innumerable questions that she had?

She could only listen as the goddess spoke to her.  Liseth began to tremble the first time that Sarenrae herself touched her cheek, and tears began to well up in her the second time.  Sarenrae even mentioned Kerr being a hero, and Liseth could see that he was having a similar divine moment with Erastil, Iomedae and Desna.  Did the gods bring them together intentionally?

The joyful tears flowed freely when Sarenrae said that she loved her; when the goddess kissed her forehead.  It had been almost an entire year that Liseth had felt dejected; sad, lonely, and rejected.  Turned down as a priestess for Sarenrae.  The goddess herself said that it was necessary, that she was even sorry.  And Sarenrae loved her...

"Kerr...that was..."  The roar of the crowd came crashing back and Liseth was forced into the moment again as the gods images left.  She was breathless; had she been holding her breath that whole time?  She found her arm raising into the air with Kerr's.  The tears were still flowing down her face, but for the first time in such a long time, the teenaged acolyte could finally look forward with confidence.

Sarenrae loved her...

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Mayor Deverin lowered her arms as the cheers died down.  “Yes!”  She said.  “We shall work together, and we shall prevail!  But our first order of business is to head back to our homes and get some rest.  Tomorrow is going to be a big day for all of us.”  She held up a hand as the crowd started buzzing.  “You can sleep soundly; the Sandpoint Guard will be patrolling the streets and watching both the North Gate and the bridges closely.”

“If you have been called up as militia, you will form up tomorrow in Southmarket Square at the ninth bell of the morning to continue your training with Lieutenant Barett.  If you have not, then continue to go about your normal day as much as possible, but please keep an eye out for people on town business and give them all the assistance you can.”

“The funeral ceremony for those who have passed will take place tomorrow at seven bells after noon at the Cathedral.  Sir Jasper is setting up an information clearinghouse at the Sandpoint Mercantile League.  If you have any questions, issues, or problems, please visit him and his assistants there.”  Mayor Deverin held up a hand again, this time in blessing.  “May Desna and all the gods watch over you as you sleep and provide for Sandpoint in her hour of need.  Go with the gods, and may the gods bless and keep you this night.”

As the people of Sandpoint began to disperse, talking amongst themselves, Mayor Deverin turned to those who shared the stage with her and gave them a tired smile.  “Thank you so much for your attendance and your help.  I really could not have done this without you.  I need to head back to the Town Hall and work on some logistical issues, but my door is always open to any one of you if you have a problem, an idea, or a question.  I wish you the best of luck tomorrow.  Sandpoint is privileged to have champions of your character.”

The mayor went to each person on the stage, personally thanking and encouraging them, before walking down the steps and off into the night, a lonely figure burdened by an impossible responsibility for a town besieged.

Continued in CHAPTER #6j:  DIVINE COMITY, CHAPTER #6k:  LIBRARY OF PROGRESS, and CHAPTER #6l:  ENTER THE DRAGON

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This message was last edited by the player at 09:14, Tue 18 Feb 2014.