---

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“You must attack low when your opponent guards high.”  The dark-skinned man and Kerr faced each other in the training yard, wielding wooden swords while stripped to the waist.  “Or high when he protects low.”  He swept his sword to the side in an acrobatic salute, then leapt to attack.  “You must use the openings given you.”  At this the bald-headed older man drove the younger back across the yard with a flurry of well-placed blows, ending with a yelp as Kerr suffered yet another bruise on a body that seemed purple with them.  “Every man will leave such openings—it is up to you to find them.  Your technique must be fluid.  Like water, your attack must flow to the place of least resistance.”

A thin sheen of sweat glistened from both men despite the coolness of the autumn air.  Kerr nodded, trying not to grit his teeth, and took up a classic dueling stance, ready to resume combat.

Liseth looked on as the swords’ sharp clacks signaled the bout’s resumption.  She thought Kerr had been doing much better of late, in relative terms; the first bout she’d seen had found Kerr spending the majority of his time receiving minor injuries at what seemed like a record-setting pace.  Now he could actually go toe-to-toe with the bigger man for a bit—sometimes a whole half-minute!—before suffering some sort of ignominious defeat.

Ser Minton Klerris, paladin of Iomedae from the temple in Magnimar, had arrived in Sandpoint with the express mission of training Kerr in the ways of his holy order.  The imposing man had almost immediately taken over Kerr’s tutelage from Father Zantus, keeping him late into the evening most days as he drilled the former acolyte on everything from the proper way to interact with nobility to Iomedaen theology to unarmed combat.  And when Kerr was done for the day, the young man was so mentally and physically exhausted all he wanted to do was fall into bed.  Liseth felt like she hardly ever got to see him!

But Ser Klerris wasn’t a complete tyrant.  He allowed Kerr one afternoon off per week, an event both the paladin-in-training and Liseth looked forward to with great anticipation.  This week’s free afternoon was scheduled to start right after Kerr’s swordsmanship lesson.  Liseth had packed a lunch.

When Liseth refocused on Kerr, he was bowing to Ser Klerris.  The older man nodded, said something unintelligible, then pointed at Liseth.  Kerr bowed again, then turned and strode toward his girlfriend, grinning broadly.

“That was better!”  He leaned up against the wall that shielded Liseth from the training area.  “I mean, wasn’t it?  Don’t you think?”  He paused, then laughed.  “On the other hand, maybe you shouldn’t answer that.”  He walked around the wall to retrieve his pack, where he took a long pull from a waterskin, used a clean white cloth to towel himself off, then struggled into his shirt with visible wincing.

“So,” he said, now fully dressed.  “What should we do today?”  He looked hungrily at Liseth’s knapsack.  “Lunch, maybe?  I’m starved!”

---

---

"You're the best, Kerr."  Liseth giggled when he was finally given permission to end his training session.  "I'm glad that you decided to go so easy on Ser Klerris!"  She giggled again.

Everything was so great now that there wasn't one catastrophe after another happening in Sandpoint.  Even if Kerr had to spend most of his time training with Ser Klerris.  But Liseth knew that his training was very important if he was to be a Paladin; and she was happy just being able to watch and support him.

It reminded her of when she was just a little girl and she would watch her brother training with her father.  And then later when she would train with her older brother and her father.  Of course, now that she thought about it, Liseth was almost positive that they had been going really easy on her during her training.  The girl certainly didn't recall ever being as exhausted as Kerr at the end of the day!

"Well, I was thinking that we might hold off on lunch for now..."  Liseth managed to keep a straight face for about two seconds; the look on Kerr's face was priceless!  She snickered, "Oh, okay!"

The small blonde reached into her knapsack and retrieved a peach for Kerr.  "I think you might need an extra bit of energy just to make it to lunch.  Because we have to walk all the way over to the beach before I can set up our picnic!"  Liseth giggled; Kerr was so much fun!

"But don't worry!"  She slid her arm into Kerr's, "You'll love what I brought for lunch.  There's even a surprise!"

---

---

“Yeah, I’m sure he’s grateful I held back.”  Kerr grinned as he rolled his eyes.  “You would have been so impressed if I had really been going full bore!”  He flexed.  “I’m sure I could have gone, oh, almost a full minute without embarrassing myself!”

“Wait, no lunch . . .”  Kerr sighed as he saw Liseth’s grin.  “Haha.  You’re so very funny, Liseth Thoradin.  Hilarious.  Really.”  He was interrupted by his girlfriend’s peach presentation.  He grabbed the fruit possessively.  “But I’ll forgive you as long as you continue to bring peaches.  As you know,” he eyed her suspiciously, “they’re my favorite.”  He took a big bite.  “So good,” he grinned, mouth full, peach juice running down his chin.

Kerr suddenly realized it was a good thing Ser Klerris was not around to see this very un-paladinesque display.  He was sure the man would have a few stern things to say about propriety and Kerr’s lack thereof.  But that just made him grin all the more.

“A surprise, you say?”  Kerr wiped his mouth clean with a cloth before taking Liseth’s arm and beginning their leisurely stroll to the beach.  He craned his neck, trying to get a glimpse inside her knapsack.  “Do I get a hint?”

But hints were not forthcoming.  Curiosity unassuaged, Kerr resolved to just enjoy the short walk to the beach.  Not that such enjoyment was very hard to come by.  The sun was shining, there was hardly a cloud in the sky, and the cries of hunting gulls punctuated the crash of the waves of the shore.  It was a perfect day—the trials and tribulations of Thistletop seemed very far away.

Kerr waved at a few people he knew as they walked but mostly he just enjoyed talking and being with the most amazing girl in the world on this beautiful Sandpoint afternoon.  When they arrived at the beach, Liseth handed him a blanket and they spread it out on the sand before lying down on it.

“So here we are,” said Kerr, stomach growling.  As good as the peach had been, it hadn’t been very sustaining.  He grinned.  “What’s the surprise?”

---

---

"If I gave you a hint, it wouldn't be a surprise!"  Liseth playfully batted Kerr when he tried to peek into her knapsack.  Then the girl giggled, "Besides, a little curiosity is good for you."

At the beach, Liseth produced a blanket from her knapsack and had Kerr help her spread it out on the sand.  She loved being near the water, and with the warm, pleasant sun it felt as though the whole world was smiling at the two of them them.  This was going to be a good day, and Liseth was certain that it could only get better.

Her knapsack saw itself set upon the edge of the blanket before Liseth layed next to Kerr with a contented sigh.

"Not yet!"  She laughed when Kerr asked about the surprise again.  "Everything else has to be set up first."  Liseth sat up and moved towards the surprise-containing knapsack, "You're really hungry, aren't you?"

First she removed three small plates and set them next to herself on the blanket.  Next was a cut of roast beef wrapped in paper, "Merrith let me have that after I said that I was looking for something to prepare for lunch today.  She's really nice; make sure to thank her when you see her!"  The beef was set on to one of the plates.

Next followed a loaf of fresh bread; baked that very morning.  Then a small knife from the amateur chef's cooking kit saw the bread sliced up.  Then the roast beef beef sliced and placed onto the bread slices.  From the knapsack now came a tomato, then a small sweet onion, followed by a small wedge of cheese.  Each of these were sliced and placed on the forming sandwiches; Liseth hummed as she worked, trying not to smile as she pretended to ignore how intensely Kerr was watching the food be prepared.

Last to go on the sandwiches was a bit of lettuce, and finally there were three big sandwiches right there on the blanket with them.  Kerr could eat a lot more than Liseth could ever hope to, so she had the foresight to assume that he might want seconds.  They then separated onto the plates; two on one and one on the other.  "But wait!  That's not the surprise!"  She giggled at Kerr again; he looked desperate to start eating!

Once more going into the knapsack, the diminutive blonde produced a wicker basket; complete with carrying handle and lid.  "This is the surprise..."  She opened the lid, "Dessert!"

Inside was two slices of cake; complete with red sides, pink frosting, and half a strawberry sliced on the top of each one.  "Strawberry cake with strawberry frosting!"  She exclaimed happily.

"I told Ms Kaijitsu that you said it was your favorite, and that I wanted to bake a strawberry cake but had never made one before.  She was so happy to help!"  Liseth giggled, "It was so much fun to work with her in her kitchen.  The rest is still at the Rusty Dragon; I only baked a small one this time, but I don't think that Pisca would ever forgive me if I didn't save her and Kellan and Cato a slice."

"You'll have to tell me what you think.  I had to practice before baking that giant cake we talked about.  So I can give everyone a slice."  She smiled; it looked like Kerr couldn't decide where to start eating now!

---

---

“A little curiosity is good for me.  But a lot of curiosity is not!”  Kerr gave Liseth his best puppydog look, using his soulful brown eyes to their best effect, and tried not to be impatient as she set up the picnic.  “I’m ravenous!”

In short order the food was revealed.  “You know,” opined Kerr, watching from his end of the blanket as his girlfriend set out the roast beef, then started slicing the bread.  “This sandwich preparation process is really.”  He drew out the word.  “Really slow.”  He paused.  “Agonizingly slow!”

At long last, the sandwiches were prepared.  Kerr gazed at them hungrily, but was quickly distracted by Liseth’s production of the wicker basket and . . . .

“Strawberry . . . cake.”  Kerr looked at the frosted-pink dessert.  He was stunned.  “It is my favorite!”  He laughed.  “Wow, you were really paying attention!”  He grinned at Liseth and gave her a quick kiss.  “Thanks Liseth!”  He stared at the dessert as if he were afraid it might disappear.  “Desna, I haven’t had strawberry cake since,” he paused, then laughed, “you know, I can’t remember the last time I had strawberry cake!”

Finally—after the two acolytes said a short prayer thanking the gods for their food—it was time to eat, and Kerr wolfed down one of the sandwiches before Liseth even had time to pick hers up!  He blushed as his girlfriend looked on in awe then, hunger somewhat sated, started on the second sandwich at a more-civilized pace.

“This . . . this is amazing, Liseth.”  Kerr finished the sandwich, hunger mostly banished at this point.  “So I guess it’s time for the moment of truth!”  He took his slice of strawberry cake and the proffered utensil, taking a bite and putting it into his mouth.  His eyes closed as he savored it.  “Wow, Liseth,” he said as he finished chewing.  “This cake is amazing.  You and Ameiko did a fantastic job of it!  And you say there’s more?”  He rubbed his hands together greedily, chuckling.  “I don’t think anyone else needs to know about that.  It shall be mine, all mine, I tell you!  Hahaha!”

“Ahem.”  Kerr’s best attempt at an evil chuckle was interrupted by a polite cough from Derren Poliska, the Scarnettis’ majordomo.  Even Derren seemed to realize that his extremely-proper finery stood out terribly on the sandy beach—he looked awfully uncomfortable.  He seemed to be trying to stand an inch above the sand so as not to get any on his fancy-looking shoes.

He was not succeeding very well.

“Mister Poliska!”  Kerr said, his surprise causing him to give the butler a not-very-polite greeting.  “What are you doing here?”

“My master’s business, as ever.”  Derren’s thin, reedy voice reeked of both propriety and condescension.  “In this case, it is to tender you an invitation to dinner this evening, seventh bell, at Scarnetti manor.”  He gave Liseth a pointed look, then turned his attention back to Kerr.  “You are to attend alone.  My master wishes to hear an account of your adventure to Thistletop, a matter of no small interest—and no small expense—to both Sandpoint and the Founding Families.”

Kerr gaped at Derren, his mouth open.  The strawberry-cake crumbs adorning the side of his mouth might have made the scene comical if it weren’t for the young paladin’s obvious distress.  It was clear that he had never been invited to such an event before and equally clear that he had no idea how to respond to the invitation.  He looked over at Liseth.

“I . . . I have plans for tonight.”  He responded weakly.  “If you could offer Mister Scarnetti my apologies?  Maybe I could meet him later, if he talks to Ser Klerris?”

Now it was Derren’s turn to look shocked.  “You are . . . declining?  No one declines . . . very well.”  He turned in a huff.  “Perhaps I shall talk to Ser Klerris.”  He shot a look back at Kerr before marching off towards the cathedral.  “Perhaps I shall!”

---

---

Kerr's reaction to the strawberry cake was everything Liseth had hoped for and more.  She beamed as he laughed and continued beaming even as her boyfriend kissed her.  Then she giggled happily once Kerr performed a disappearing act on his first sandwich.

"Don't eat so fast just because you want dessert; you'll give yourself a stomach ache!"  The girl giggled again before starting to nibble on her own sandwich.

Before long, the time came for Kerr to try his slice of cake.  Liseth watched intensely as he took his bite, and was absolutely thrilled at his reaction.  "I don't know Kerr," the blonde acolyte snickered, "Ms Kaijutsu already knows about it, and..."

Interrupted suddenly, Liseth stopped mid sentence.  It was very unexpected for someone to come find them while she and Kerr were on their picnic.  It wasn't as though they had an incredible amount of time to just be alone!

And the girl had no idea who this Mr Poliska was either.  Except that she did recognize the name Scarnetti.  They owned the mill in town where she and Pisca had searched for Katrine that day.  And there was something else...

It hit Liseth suddenly when Kerr's invitation to dinner with Mr Scarnetti was revealed.  And that he was supposed to go alone.  That was exactly what Cerlynne had said she would do...why else would Mr Scarnetti want Kerr to tell him about Thistletop when someone like Cato could do such a better job of it?

There was a surge of emotions that Liseth didn't know what to do with going through her.  "Umm..."  The small teen watched Mr Poliska leave, her afternoon suddenly disrupted terribly.  "Why would he insist that you go to dinner alone?  There were five of us at Thistletop...shouldn't Mr Scarnetti want everyone there to tell him about it?"  She looked at Kerr, her eyes almost frantic, "Or he could ask Cato...Cato knows the most about what was happening there.  Or even Pisca...she's good at telling stories, and she knows about goblins..."

"Kerr...I don't..."  I don't want you to go, Liseth stopped herself from saying; she didn't want to tell Kerr what he could and couldn't do.  "I don't...think that it's right that only you were invited.  I think it's rude to say that no one can come to dinner with you as a guest, especially while we're having lunch."

That sounded better.  How could they tell Kerr not to bring his girlfriend to dinner?  While his girlfriend was sitting right there?  These Scarnettis didn't seem like nice people...

"Maybe we should tell the others about this invitation...ask if they've already invited Kellan or Cato or Pisca."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Tue 16 June 2015.

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Kerr looked pensive as he watched the Scarnettis’ majordomo stalk off towards the cathedral, then turned back towards his girlfriend.  “Who knows why the Scarnettis do anything?”  He responded.  Seeing her distress, he swept her up in a hug.  “It’s nothing to worry about,” he reassured her, misinterpreting the source of her anxiety.  “While Mister Scarnetti is, um, well, maybe not the most upstanding leader among the five families—you’ve heard the rumors, I guess?--he’s never had anything against me personally.”  Kerr laughed.  “I mean, why would he?  I’m Kerr Mollin, not anyone who might challenge his influence.”

He released Liseth from the hug and held her at arm’s length, looking into her eyes.  “So there’s really no danger or anything.  Although you’re right, it’s strange that you weren’t invited as well.  That was kind of rude.  Although gods know the Scarnettis aren’t renowned for their courtesy.”  He looked back towards the cathedral.  “Maybe Mister Poliska didn’t know who you were?  Although,” he cocked his head to the side and looked over her shoulder, eyes unfocused, as if thinking, “that’s hard to believe.”  He laughed.  “Sandpoint’s a small town.”  He gave her a grin.  “Everybody knows about us.  We aren’t exactly keeping it a secret.”

“Or maybe they just wanted someone they knew and thought was trustworthy?”  Kerr’s eyes snapped back to Liseth, as if he felt he’d solved the mystery.  “They can be provincial like that.  I mean, I’ve known the Scarnettis all my life.  So has Kellan.  But you, Cato, and Pisca are relative newcomers.”  He nodded, then hugged her again.  “That’s probably it.  See?  Nothing to worry about.”

“But,” Kerr suddenly spun away, thrusting one finger up in the air and striking a heroic pose, “there’s no way I’m going to let Titus Scarnetti ruin our only afternoon together!  Mister Poliska can go bother Ser Klerris about taking up some of his training time.”  He chuckled.  “I wish I could be a fly on the wall during that conversation.  I can’t think of two more different men.  Maybe Mister Poliska will persuade Ser Klerris, and maybe he won’t.”  Kerr stretched, suddenly aware of the soreness in his muscles.  “I could certainly use a break!”

He wrapped an arm around Liseth, snuggling comfortably.  "So, did you want to go track down the others?  Or should we continue with our afternoon?"

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This message was last edited by the player at 19:45, Thu 18 June 2015.

Liseth snuggled against Kerr, letting him pull her against him with his arm.  She felt like he was drawing the wrong conclusions about her distress; which was probably correct. Kerr was too sweet to even think about ulterior motives behind this invitation to the Scarnetti house.

Liseth saw the way that Cerlynne glared at her; and talked as though Liseth wasn't even there.  And those things she said to Kerr.  The girl could not picture anything other than Cerlynne Scarnetti behind Kerr's invitation to come to dinner; there was no other reason why he'd be required to go alone.

But how could she let Kerr know that without sounding jealous?  Or needy?  Or even controlling?  She should trust Kerr, but that did nothing to keep the tiny blonde from being scared to death of letting him go to dinner with that dissolute Cerlynne girl.

So Liseth just sighed gently as she rested her head against Kerr's chest and stared out into the ocean.  As though the horizon stretching before her might somehow present a solution to her unexpected problem.

"We'll see Kellan and..." Kellan, "the others at the Rusty Dragon tonight, I'm sure."  Kellan was there when Cerlynne ambushed Kerr that time, he would know what this dinner was really about.  "Can we just stay her a while longer?  I like the ocean."

"Then maybe we should go and find Sir Jaspar.  We still need to tell him about Father Gabriel."  She smiled and wormed her way even closer to Kerr, managing a short laugh "And you need to spend more time around Paladins who aren't drilling you so relentlessly.  Before you get soured on the whole idea!"

---

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“Oh, Ser Klerris isn’t so bad,” Kerr demurred as Liseth snuggled up to him and they leaned back to watch the ocean.  The surge of the waves to the shore was calming, and the sun glinted cheerily off the ocean surface.  “I think he actually has a sense of humor.  It’s just dry.”  Kerr paused, thinking.  “Very dry.”  He grinned.  “Deadpan, really.  But I think it’s there!  I’m going to make him laugh one of these days.”  Kerr looked down at Liseth.  “What?  You think I can’t?  You just watch!”  He snuggled back up against her.  “A man’s got to have goals.”

The two watched the ocean for a while longer, enjoying the sunshine, the sea breeze, and the occasional greeting from persons walking down the beach.

But all good things must come to an end.

“Well,” said Kerr, struggling up on an elbow.  “If we want to get to see Ser Jasper before we meet everyone at the Rusty Dragon, we’d better get going.”  He moved up to his knees, dusting off the sand.  “He’s a busy guy, so hopefully he’ll be available.”

The walk from the beach to the building occupied by the Sandpoint Mercantile League was just as pleasant as everything else—sans the meeting with Derren Poliska—had been that afternoon.  Soon enough the couple arrived at the League building.  Kerr opened the door for Liseth, who stepped through to find a well-organized space filled with shelves filled with what looked like they might be ledgers, tables, and maps.

Ser Jasper Korvaski sat behind an oaken desk, looking over a parchment.  His expression was intent—even solemn—but he broke into a smile as soon as he spotted the two acolytes.

“Liseth!  Kerr!”  He said, rising from his seat and bowing slightly.  “I’ve rarely been more pleased to be interrupted.  To what do I owe the honor of this visit?”

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This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Thu 25 June 2015.

"Hello Ser Jasper."  There had been plenty of time for Liseth to calm down again from her stressing over the Scarnettis.  It didn't hurt at all that much of that time had been spent in a very relaxing manner; snuggling with Kerr on the beach and watching the ocean birds play about.

"Sorry for interrupting you, we know that you're really busy."  The slight girl glanced at the parchment Ser Jasper had been looking over; no doubt important business for the Sandpoint Mercantile League.  "But we actually wanted to ask you something.  Regarding Thistletop."

The tiny acolyte glanced up at Kerr next to her, then back to Ser Jasper, "Well, you see, while we were there we met Father Gabriel.  He's a priest of Abadar.  But we never expected to meet someone like him in a place like that!"  Liseth thought a moment, "He said that he was sent there by Abadar to convert the goblins; Ripnugget even showed us a golden symbol for Abadar that Father Gabriel had given him."

"Well, we were wondering if, since you're one of Abadar's Paladins, you might know something about Father Gabriel?  He seemed very odd for a priest of Abadar; but I don't know many of Abadar's priests after all."

"Because I was thinking that if you can get together with Father Gabriel, you would be able to help him convert Ripnugget and his goblins to the worship of Abadar."  She paused; did Ser Jasper even approve of that idea?  There was no going back now, "Maybe even help to set up peaceful relations and trade with the Thistletop goblins!  Wouldn't that be great?"

---

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Ser Jasper Korvaski was always prepared.  For everything.  But apparently that preparation didn’t extend to news of meeting Father Gabriel—the administrator looked as shocked as Kerr had ever seen him.

“Father Gabriel?” Repeated the former paladin, apparently dumbfounded.  “Father . . . Kyton Gabriel?”  He leaned forward for a moment, both hands on his desk, looking downward.  An instant later he was looking at his visitors again.  “He’s at Thistletop?!?  Doing what?”

Ser Jasper crossed his arms and shook his head.  “This is, well, it is unexpected news.  Father Gabriel has never been the most . . . orthodox of Abadar’s priests.  He’s been given to strange ideas.  Which lead him to do less-than-intelligent things.  Like arguing forcefully with Abadar’s high prelate.”  Sandpoint’s chief administrator gave them a sober look.  “You can imagine how well that went over in my church.”

“I’ve only met the man in passing, and I haven’t made it a point to keep up with him, but last I heard he was on trial for heresy.”  He frowned slightly.  “So I can see why he would be more interested in working with goblins than humans.  And if he is truly bringing actual civilization to a goblin tribe, especially in influential one like Thistletop, that would be,” Ser Jasper whistled, as if he was just now realizing the import of what Father Gabriel might have accomplished, “that would be astonishing.  Possibly astonishing enough," he pondered, "to cause people to doubt the wisdom of a high prelate who’d forbidden the attempt."

"If he has indeed converted goblins to the worship of Abadar, and started them on the road to peaceful trade relations?”  He nodded at Liseth.  “That would be great.  But he could also be using them for his own ends.  How sure are you that he’s being straightforward about his purposes?”

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This message was last edited by the player at 20:03, Fri 26 June 2015.

"Umm..."  Liseth hadn't known what to expect from Sir Jasper when she told him about Father Gabriel, so she was unprepared for just how strong of a reaction he had.  "Heresy?"  The acolyte said with wide eyes; heresy was a very serious accusation.  But heresy was also a crime which was different for every religion.  There was no way she could have known that Abadar's church politics would be so prevalent regarding Father Gabriel.

This was Abadar they were talking about though.  Rules, laws, and structure were what he was all about.

"I don't know if all of the goblins in Thistletop have been converted to following Abadar.  Nualia showing up and bringing Lamashtu with her hurt Father Gabriel's attempt greatly.  But I honestly believe that Chief Ripnugget is trying to change that."  Liseth paused, considering, "He's a very smart goblin, and he knows that Lamashtu will only bring him and his tribe to ruin.  He wants to follow Abadar so that his people can thrive with order and actually make a society."

One thing she had never considered, though, was any possible ulterior motives that Father Gabriel might possibly have.  But he was so nice to them while they were there, a he couldn't believe any terrible dishonesty from the eccentric priest.

"Father Gabriel was very helpful to us.  I'm sure he's honest.  He even gave us Abadar's blessing to help us after we rescued him.  That must mean that Abadar approves of what he is doing at Thistletop, right?  Otherwise, He wouldn't grant Father Gabriel any of his divine power.  Right?"

---

---

“Yes, heresy.”  The former paladin confirmed soberly.  “I don’t know the details of the charge.  But if you believe in him, Liseth Thoradin, I trust your judgment.”  The administrator seemed to be over the shock of hearing Father Gabriel’s name and returned to his normal equanimity.  He glanced at Kerr.  “And what do you think?”

“He seemed straightforward enough to me, Ser Jasper.”  Kerr said honestly.  “But to tell you the truth,” he shot a confirming glance to Liseth, “I think we all had a lot more on our minds than whether an, um, unconventional priest was playing us for fools.”

“Well, there’s certainly no crime in that.”  Ser Jasper comforted them.  “I don’t think anyone would expect you to conduct an investigation into a suspect priest whom you didn’t even know was there in the midst of your assault on a threat to the entire town.”  He tapped his desk with a pen.  “I think we’ll have time to unravel the mystery of Father Gabriel at our leisure.”

“But you raise an interesting theological issue, Liseth,” Ser Jasper sat back down in his chair and took on what could only be described as a lecturing tone.  “What does it mean that priests are able to call down the blessings of their gods?”  He tapped his mouth with the pen, looking thoughtful.  “Is it a power the priest is gifted with, to be used at his discretion until his deity deems he has strayed too far and defrocks him?  Or must the deity approve every use of its power?”

“I tend to think the former, which places a great deal of responsibility on priests.  They must actively seek their god’s will, not just take comfort in the fact that their god would not empower their prayers if they did not act within that will.  There is more freedom, yes, but also temptation.”  He gave the acolytes a wry grin.  “But aren’t freedom and temptation always found together?”

“But there is yet a third, darker possibility.  What if a priest has fallen away from his god, but is unaware of that fact, either due to,” Ser Jasper tapped his head, “mental incapacity or,” here he tapped his chest, “a deficiency in the soul?  Could they be misled by another deity, one at odds with their chosen patron, who is now powering their prayers?  Prayers that, even though offered in the name of one god, serve the purposes of another?”

The ex-paladin frowned.  “Not a question with easy answers, but one with some troubling repercussions, depending on the answer.”  He picked up some papers on his desk.  “And probably far more than you wanted to hear about the subject.  Was there anything else I could help you with?”

---

---

"No...thank you Ser Jasper.  You've already helped us a lot."  Abadar's paladin had risen many topics that Liseth had never considered before.  At least, not at length.  She had always assumed that the gods had direct control over the power that they had granted to their priests.  Surely they must at last be able to tell who is using it, and when and where.  There have certainly been priests before who had their divine blessings taken away.

But then there was the other possibilty, "At least we know that, even if he is being misled by another deity, they are still opposed to Lamashtu.  Anyone has to be better than Her, right?"  That wasn't saying much, however.  Liseth knew that Lamashtu was enemies with every other deity.

"Thank you again!"  The girl thanked the busy administrator.  "We'll make sure to share what you told us with Kellan and Cato and Pisca; maybe they picked something up about Father Gabriel that we missed?"  Liseth glanced at Kerr; she really hoped that Father Gabriel was as trustworthy as he seemed to her.  Even the young acolyte had to admit though, that finding him where he was, in Thistletop, without anyone else having known?  Well, it was pretty suspect.

"Let's go back to the Cathedral, Kerr.  I have to store my picnic things and knapsack before we meet everyone else at the Rusty Dragon."

---

---

"I can't believe you're going to let everyone else eat my strawberry cake," said Kerr as he opened the door to the cathedral courtyard for Liseth, giving her a look so mournful she knew he must be faking it.  Unable to keep up the facade, he grinned.  "They definitely won't appreciate it like I do!  But if you want to waste such excellent cake on those who can't truly appreciate it, well," he sighed, "I guess that's okay."

The two acolytes stopped by Liseth’s room to stow her knapsack and the picnic gear, then strolled out into Northchurch Square arm in arm, drawing smiles from most of the townsfolk they passed as they began making their way down to The Rusty Dragon to help with the dinner preparations.  "I'm just really happy we get our afternoon together," Kerr brought his far hand over to cover Liseth's, which was holding his arm for balance as they walked.  "There's only so much training a guy can take before . . . ."

"Before what, Mister Mollin?"  Ser Minton Klerris' voice made Kerr start so badly that he nearly knocked Liseth over.  Kerr overreacted to her loss of balance, reaching out to keep her from falling just when she recovered her equilibrium, an act which resulted in his nose suddenly being smooshed against her cheekbone as she brought her head back around.

Kerr sighed at the indignity of it all.  "Nothing, Ser Klerris," he said, rubbing his nose ruefully as he straightened up and tried to pretend he hadn't just been startled half out of his wits or nearly given himself a concussion.  "Just saying it's nice to have an afternoon off every so often."  Kerr greatly hoped that his afternoon with Liseth wasn't being cut short for some reason.

"And so it is.  Downtime is very valuable.”  His eyes flicked to Liseth.  “And maintaining your relationships is very important.  They—along with Iomedae’s grace—are what sustain you in the difficult times.”  The paladin’s posture was ramrod-straight, as always.  “But,” Ser Klerris’ voice took on an instructor’s tone with which Kerr was very familiar, “there are all sorts of relationships you need to maintain.”  He raised a finger.  “And there is no reason to needlessly antagonize influential members of the community.”

Kerr’s face fell.  “You talked to Mister Poliska?”  He asked without much hope for response to the contrary.

“I talked to Mister Poliska.”  Ser Klerris confirmed.  His voice softened slightly.  “Kerr, there’s no reason for you to alienate one of Sandpoint’s founding families simply because you’d prefer to spend time elsewhere.  I know you don’t like the Scarnettis.  Truth be told, I don’t like them much myself.  But their help and support could be critical for your further activities.  If you are standing up for your principles, that is one thing.  But sometimes you have to do things you’d rather not do for the greater good.  Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”  Kerr tried not to sound despondent.

“Good.  So you’ll need to attend their dinner tonight and give them a report on your recent activities.”  He held up a hand to forestall Kerr’s objection.  “But in return, since you’re having your afternoon and evening spoiled, and I realize how important this is to you, you can have tomorrow afternoon and evening off from training as well.”  The paladin suddenly noted Liseth’s distressed look.  “And you can spend it all in the company if Miss Thoradin if you so desire.  Do we have an agreement?”

"Yes, sir.  Thank you, sir."  Kerr responded.  That was something, at least.

"Good.  I'll look forward to hearing about your successful presentation."  The two acolytes watched Ser Klerris stride off.

Kerr sighed as he turned to Liseth, looking unhappy.  "I'm sorry about that, Lise.  But at least we get another afternoon tomorrow!  Right?"

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 18:52, Wed 22 July 2015.

As surprised as she was at Ser Klerris' sudden appearance, Liseth herself still wasn't certain whether her gasp was in response to him or to nearly being thrown to the ground.  Both were unwelcomed surprises.

"Eep!"  As was the collision she had with Kerr as she attempted to regain her balance.  She could only release a startled squeak; he seemed to be even more shocked than her anyway!

The small blonde's heart sank as she realized why Ser Klerris had come to find Kerr.  "But..."  Her barely audible protest went unhindered.  It was the Scarnetti's again; using their privilege within Sandpoint to get things their way.  They were the ones who had been rude!  How could Ser Klerris take their side?  Even Liseth could see that Mister Poliska was only acting offended in order to make it seem as though Kerr was in the wrong.

"But..."  Liseth tried to find her voice, except that she was suddenly so overcome with anxiety that she felt she might throw up.  It looked like there was nothing they could do!  Ser Klerris essentially told Kerr that he HAD to go to the Scarnetti's dinner; if he didn't Kerr would likely be in trouble with both the Scarnettis and Ser Klerris.  Maybe even Father Zantus!

She felt trapped, panicked, and desperate.  Her eyes searched frantically as though some answer lay within sight; even as the young acolyte's face blanched.  No answer was to be found.

"But...Ser Klerris..."  Liseth tried to say something even as Iomedae's Paladin strode away.  You don't understand, she wanted to say.  He hadn't even asked about Kerr's side of the story.  The Scarnetti's had invited him to an unexpected dinner this very night when they knew he already had plans.  Why else would Mister Poliska have looked for them together on the beach?  That just wasn't right or fair.  There was no consideration at all for Kerr, or her, or anyone else.

"Kerr..."  The slight girl's words came out in a croak and she could feel her eyes watering.  She did her best to hold back her tears as everything came crashing down.  "I wanted to...we were supposed to...everyone was going to be there..." she spoke in broken fragments, unsure what to say.

"Tomorrow..."  Liseth sniffed and nodded.  She didn't know what they might even do tomorrow; the girl was in no state of mind to even think about making plans again.  She had put so much effort into tonight!

"Just..." What could she say?  Warn him about Cerlynn?  That would only make Kerr feel worse.  "Just...remember what Ser Klerris said."  Her brain was scrambling, but this seemed to make sense.  "Stand up for your principles."  She sniffed again, "Just because you have to go to their dinner doesn't mean that you have to let them treat you badly.  You're a Paladin, Kerr.  That means you can see through any...any evil that one of them might try."

Liseth sniffed again, she had to get off of the street before she started crying.  Or threw up.  Something felt like it was going to happen.  "Alright?"  She said, looking sorrowfully up at Kerr; blue eyes brimming with tears.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Fri 24 July 2015.

---

---

“I know, Lise.”  Kerr looked as miserable as Liseth had ever seen him.  He sighed again.  “I know.  I was looking forward to it too!”  He frowned.  “It’s totally unfair.  And,” he ventured some levity in a half-hearted attempt to lighten the mood, “now everyone’s going to eat my strawberry cake, and I won’t even get another piece!”

He drew her close for a hug.  “I don’t think anything will happen that will require standing up for my principles.”  He gave a slightly-bitter chuckle.  “The Scarnettis want what they want, and everyone else has to cater to them.  That’s just how they are.  So I’ll show up, give them their precious presentation, then leave.  Who knows,” he brightened, “maybe I’ll even be done with it soon enough to meet up with you all at the Dragon.”

“I think they’re treating me badly just by making me attend,”  Kerr gave a little laugh, “so I kind of do have to let them treat me that way!”  His brow creased with concern.  “But I don’t think any of them are going to try any evil, at least while I’m there.  I mean, the Scarnettis are definitely unprincipled.  They’re reputedly unscrupulous.  But I don’t think they’re actively evil.”  He paused.  “Probably.”

Kerr drew back a bit, looking down at his bereaved girlfriend.  “Wait, Lise, are you crying?”  He looked completely flummoxed and even more miserable than before.  “I’m really sorry that I can’t be there when you’ve been looking forward to this so much.”  He leaned down and gave her a kiss.  “But you heard Ser Klerris.  There's not much I can do about it."  He gave her a puppydog look.  "I’ll do my best to get out of there and back to the Dragon as quick as I can, all right?”

---

---

This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Sat 25 July 2015.

"Okay...okay."  It was hard to not feel at least a little bit reassured after receiving hugs and kisses from Kerr.  Even so, Liseth still felt depressed that her planned evening was ruined and anxious about Kerr's invitation to the Scarnettis.  Not that she didn't trust Kerr; he was a paladin and a hero.  She just didn't trust the Scarnettis, not after the way they seemed to treat people; and after the interaction she had had with Cerlynn.

"I'm sorry Kerr."  Just as she had thought, her reaction had made him feel worse.  She hadn't wanted to do that; let him see her cry.  The girl just couldn't hold it in.  "It isn't your fault.  Like Ser Klerris said, sometimes you just have to do things that you don't want to do..."  She sniffed one last time, "Don't let them keep you longer than you have to stay.  I don't...trust their motives for inviting only you to give them a report on our actions as the Sandpoint Saviors."  That was one way to say that Cerlynn was behind Kerr's invitation.

"I'll wait for you at the Rusty Dragon."  Liseth hugged around Kerr's waist; his shoulders were so high!  "And...I'll even try to save you a slice of cake."  She forced a smile for Kerr's benefit.  "I'll see you later tonight...in a few hours then."  She took a step back and swallowed the lump in her throat.  These were going to be the most difficult hours she'd ever waited.

As Kerr departed for his dinner with the Scarnettis, Liseth turned and hobbled on her way to the Rusty Dragon.  She had no idea what would happen now; with Pisca and everyone on their way to share dinner.  All she wanted to do was find a table to lay her head on and cry her eyes out.

---

---

“Trust me, Lise, I won’t stay one moment longer than I have to.”  Kerr affirmed, chuckling slightly, a wry look on his face.  “You know I’d much rather be with you at the Dragon.”  He leaned in to give her a kiss.  “I’ll be back before you know it.”  He paused.  “And I don’t think you have to worry about their motives.  I’ve never done anything to cross them.  And even if I had, it’s not like they’ll be planning to waylay me at a dinner that so many people know about!”

Kerr grinned as he returned Liseth’s hug.  “You’ll save strawberry cake?  For me?  How can I resist?”  He dropped to one knee while holding her hand.  “Milady,” he intoned, using the faux upper-class voice she knew so well, “I assure you that I will return as soon as my pressing engagement reaches its conclusion.”  He placed a kiss on the back of her hand, looking up at her all the while.  “Um, did you get that?”  He inquired.  “A ‘pressing’ engagement?  Because I was pressed into it?”  He gave her his goofiest grin.

“Okay, I have to go get ready.”  Kerr sighed, giving her a final hug and a kiss.  “I doubt Ser Klerris would be happy if I showed up like this.”  He gestured to his casual clothes.  He turned and headed back up toward the cathedral.  “I’ll see you later tonight,” he promised, calling over his shoulder.  “I’ll be expecting some of that cake!”

After Kerr departed, Liseth meandered morosely towards The Rusty Dragon, bereft of boyfriend.  Everything seemed a little darker, and not just because the sun was about to go down.  After what seemed like an eternity, she arrived at the inn.  As a stranger held the door open for her, she limped inside—it seemed like her walking problems had gotten even worse in Kerr’s absence.

“Liseth!  Good to see you!”  Ameiko Kaijitsu’s voice boomed over the noise of the inn’s common room.  The Tianese woman’s good-natured look quickly devolved into one of concern as she saw the young acolyte’s clear state of depression.  “Oh, honey” she said, hurrying over to give Liseth a hug, before pulling back and looking down at her.  “What’s the matter?”

---

---

Kellan listened attentively as Shayliss outlined the history of the trouble brewing withing the Vinder clan. Kellan did not envy Venn raising his beautiful daughters in the heart of a little town like Sandpoint, they were bound to get a lot of attention, and had over the years. Most of it was good natured of course, just as most of the folk in the area were good natured, but the man had been watching them like a hawk for some time.

At the least it seemed Kellan had passed the first trials, those dreaded moments in the basement of the general store, the almost unbelievable gall of Pisca delivering her little gnome punch to Venns leg and the warnings of Shays sister. Now he just needed to keep it all together.

Kellan suddenly felt himself a little homesick for his own family, and while they only lived a half days journey away, all his new responsibilities had meant that his free time was now more rare then ever. Feeding, hoof picking, mucking and curry combing Hakon took an hour or so, then two hours of training, one for his weapons drills and the other for conditioning, breakfast, donning his armor, work, lunch, work, dinner, doffing his kit, and maybe an hour or two to handle errands like laundry, letters or the wall project.

"These are hard times for any family" he shrugged "I see it all the time...so it's not just you. I bet that in a few years everything will start to get back to normal...so just keep your head down till then" he smiled and  squeezed her just as she made her proclamation about enjoying her evening regardless.

"Right! for the next few hours we can just forget about all that and..." Kellan trailed off as he entered the Rusty Dragon with Shayliss on his arm and saw an obviously distraught Liseth being comforted by Ameiko, and stood there near the door as he took in the situation.

Liseth felt numb.  After Kerr left in order to attend the Scarnetti's dinner, she barely registered her surroundings.  She had been heading towards the Rusty Dragon, and that was where she wound up; even though the distraught girl didn't recall any of the slow walk there.

Someone held the door for her, Liseth didn't even know who.  She hardly acknowledged them.  There was no real reaction from the girl until Ms Kaijitsu rushed to try and comfort her and ask what was wrong.  Finally Liseth stopped with her mostly ineffective attempts to hold back and burst into full sobs; clinging to the Tian woman's apron.

It didn't seem to matter that she happened to be right in the middle of the inn's common room at the time.

"They're so mean!  They ruined everything!"  She continued to sob into Ms Kaijitsu's apron, "Kerr didn't even want to go to their dinner, he told them so!  But they made him; after they told Ser Klerris he said that Kerr had to go."

"Mister Poliska was so rude; we were on the beach and he knew we had plans tonight but he told Kerr that he had to go to the Scarnetti's dinner all alone and he looked at me so mean because he wanted me to know that I couldn't even come with him."  Liseth heaved as she gained her breath amidst the sobbing, "He said it was because Mr Scarnetti wanted Kerr to give him a report on what the Sandpoint Saviors did at Thistletop, but why would he say that none of the others should be there too?"

"It's all because of Cerlynn."  The girl tried to sniff back her deluge of tears to little effect.  "She was so mean and dismissive to me; it's because she wants to take Kerr away from me because he's a hero but she didn't even ever talk to him before and she said that she was going to tell her father to invite Kerr to dinner at the Scarnetti manor because she wants to make him her boyfriend but Kerr doesn't even like her he said but now he has to go to dinner anyway but he doesn't even know that Cerlynn is the reason why he was told to go alone and she is so mean!"  The small blonde gasped for breath for several moments.

"And I was going to cook dinner for everybody and I made a cake and now Kerr isn't even going to be here!  He has to have dinner with that mean girl Cerlynn!"  She sniffled and continued to cry against Ms Kaijitsu, breathing deeply and out of breath.

---

---

“There, there,” Ameiko said, patting Liseth and trying to ignore the stares of her other patrons as the girl sobbed out all of the Scarnettis' terribleness and skulduggery into her apron.

“So the Scarnettis are having a dinner, and they invited Kerr but not you?  Despite your plans for tonight?”  Ameiko sounded sympathetic.  “I don’t know if it will make you feel any better, but you wouldn’t be the first person the Scarnettis were rude to.”  She hugged Liseth, trying to brighten her spirits with a bit of humor.  “And you should really feel sorry for poor Mister Poliska.  Imagine having to actually work for them!”  Ameiko shuddered.

“But you’re right, Cerlynne Scarnetti hasn’t fallen far from the tree; she’s a Scarnetti through and through.  So if she sees something she wants, she’s going to take it.”  Ameiko’s voice took on a sour note, as if she was remembering some particular instance where this very thing had occurred.  “But I don’t think you need to worry, do you dear?”  She continued comfortingly.  “This is Kerr we’re talking about here.  You know, Kerr?  The charmingly earnest acolyte?  If there’s anyone equipped to resist Cerlynne’s dubious charms, it’s him, don’t you think?”

“I know how Kerr looks at you,” Ameiko went on, “that boy adores you.  And he’s got a level head on his shoulders.  He’ll probably be back here before you know it, wondering if there’s any strawberry cake left.”  She winked.  “You know as well as I do how much he loves strawberry cake,  And I’m pretty sure the Scarnettis don’t have any!”

---

---

---

---

Shayliss’ smile faded a little as she witnessed LIseth’s very-dramatic scene in the middle of the public room.  Her features darkened still further as she looked up to see Kellan watching what she viewed as the excessively-dramatic goings-on.  Liseth got to spend all sorts of time with Kellan, and now when she had Kellan to herself for one evening the girl was still taking all of his attention!

“Come on, Kellan!”  She nudged him, trying to recover her smile.  She didn’t want to be a jealous scold, she really didn’t.  She pointed to the opposite side of the taproom.  “There’s a table open over there!”

---

---

Sniff.  "I know...I trust Kerr.  He wouldn't ever do anything that might...might hurt me."  Liseth frowned, she was making a mess of things again.  But she had put so much effort into tonight; and she was desperately anxious about what Cerlynne Scarnetti had planned for Kerr.  Or what her dubious father might even do should Kerr spurn his daughter at the dinner.

"I just don't trust Cerlynne.  What will she do if Kerr tells her no?"  Liseth looked up at Ms Kaijitsu, "she's so mean, and if her family is anything like people say they could do anything!"  The thought brought another frown to her face; Kerr couldn't take on the Scarnetti family!  They were one of the most powerful families within a hundred miles!

It was a no-win situation for everyone involved.  Except maybe that Kerr would have people like Ser Klerris and Father Zantus on his side; once they realized the ruse that this dinner really was.

Now Liseth was mixing herself all up, thinking up a long stream of plots and conspiracies.  That wasn't healthy.  "Ohhh..." she groaned, releasing Me Kaijitsu's apron.  "I wish my brother was here...Nivlak always knows what to do."

Sniffing again, Liseth noticed that all eyes were on her.  Everyone, it seemed, within the Rusty Dragon.  She looked down to hide her face, whatever good that might do.  "I'm sorry Ms Kaijitsu..."

"Um..."  the girl felt a little better.  Not a lot, and now she was incredibly embarrased as well.  Her stomach still hurt from the butterflies in there, and a few stray tears worked their way down her face.  "Ms Kaijitsu, is there a room where I can...freshen up?  Before all my friends get here...I promised them that I was going to share the cake I made.  And I'm a mess..."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:09, Fri 14 Aug 2015.

Kellan resisted Shayliss's urgings for the moment, concern clearly written on his face as he watched the girl unburden herself on Ameiko. There were some things that were hard to explain, things that you just had to be there for. Shayliss would need to understand, if not tonight then eventually, that Liseth and himself had risked their lives together, literally saved each other from a painful death on numerous occasions and that the bond there was a deep one.

Shayliss had nothing to fear of course as far as romantic matters were concerned, Kellan counted loyalty as one of his hallmarks, even if the situation had involved a different girl. Explaining that however he thought to himself, was probably going to be a lot more difficult than it sounded.

"Just one moment...just want to make sure everything's alright" He explained as he moved over to Liseth , giving her a small wave as he approached.

"Hey...you doing alright?" he asked softly, leaning in to allow her to reply in a more private tone.

Liseth visibly jumped when Kellan approached her.  Had he been there the whole time?  She hadn't wanted any of her friends to see her break down like she had...

Or all of those strangers either.  The girl was feeling very self-conscious now; it didn't mix well with the rest of her tumultuous emotions.

"Kellan!"  The name came out in a surprised gasp.  Liseth quickly attempted to wipe some of the wetness from her face.  "I...ummm..." she didn't known what to say to him.

But then, he likely already heard everything she had said just now.  And, actually...Kellan was there too that time Cerlynne spoke to Kerr.  Right after they had gotten Kerr his armored breastplate.

"It's Cerlynne again..." the girl started; hoping Kellan would understand.  "She made Kerr have to go to dinner with her, just like she said she would."  Liseth wiped her eyes again, she was still crying.  "He couldn't say no...even See Klerris told Kerr he had to go, since it's supposed to be a dinner put on by Mr Scarnetti..."

"I don't...I don't want Kerr to be there.  And he doesn't want to be either.  I had so many plans for tonight!"  The girl sniffled again,  "But what can we do?"

She then noticed that Shayliss was there with Kellan, looking less than happy herself.  But in a different way than Liseth.  "Oh, hello Shayliss..."  Things kept getting worse!  Now Liseth was getting in the way of Kellan and Shayliss' plans for tonight.  The last thing she wanted was for Shayliss to go and tell Katrine how awful she was; how she was causing such a scene...

"You mean Cerlynne Scarnetti?"

The gnome had entered the Rusty Dragon through the kitchen, hoping to spy out just what kind of surprise it was that Lysa had planned.  Unfortunately, Pisca very quickly discovered that when attempting to spy out surprises, it is unwise to inform the cooks that this is what you are intent upon.  The curious gnome had been summarily shooed from the kitchen without so much a glimpse at any cake, strawberry or otherwise.  Just as well, as things worked out.  She was ejected from the kitchen, straight into a situation that was far more interesting.

Human's often fail to look down.  Not as often as they rather famously fail to look up, but enough that a gnome can go un-noticed even when she doesn't intend to be.  So, when such a gnome finally speaks up it might seem as though she appears from out of thin air, when in reality, she had been standing nearby listening politely all the long.

"And Kerr is at this dinner put on by Titus Scarnetti even now?  At this very moment?" asked the gnome as though she'd been part of the conversation the whole time.

"Oh, hullo, Shayliss.  How's your father?  And your sister Katerine?  Well, I hope.  Please give them my best," she said cordially to the Vinder girl as though she hadn't punched her father in the leg not but a few days ago.

"If he's there at that dinner, Lysa," Pisca continued, shifting from one human girl to the other without missing a beat, "there is most certainly something we can do now.  We can go get him.  He's gone to the dinner.  Right?  No one said how long he had to stay, did they?  This gnome is thinking not.  Am I right?"

"So, we march up there and say that we're picking up Kerr Mollin for a prior engagement that he had with his rightful girlfriend.  Right?  Politely, we excuse ourselves, and then we come back here.  That doesn't sound too hard to me."

"Does it?"  A rather self-satisfied grin invited both Kellan and his current girlfriend of choice to agree.  But it was a grin that quickly turned to a look of momentary consternation.  "Oh, I'm so sorry," began her apology.  "Did you two had plans with Lysa?  Would I be taking her away?"

---

---

“That everything’s alright?!?”  Shayliss spluttered indignantly, her eyes narrowing as Kellan completely ignored her invitation to sit and went straight for Liseth Thoradin like a dog after a bone.

She couldn’t believe this was happening!  Her special date, the one she’d looked forward to for ever so long, the one where she and Kellan would laugh and talk and spend time together just like the couples in the stories, was being ruined!

Tears sprung to her eyes, unbidden --apparently she wasn’t special enough for Kellan to pay attention to her rather than Liseth and her damsel-in-distress routine.  The auburn-haired girl felt like some giant hand was crushing her chest.  She had as much as begged Kellan to stay, and he had completely rejected her.  After all the time she’d spent getting ready, and she had even done up her hair!  But no sooner had they arrived at the Rusty Dragon than Kellan’s attention was on some other girl.  Was that all it took?

She felt like crying as Kellan leaned in towards Liseth, sharing some private moment—a moment that should have been hers.  She looked away, only to meet the eyes of Dyna Bevuk, the butcher’s daughter.  The blonde-haired girl had always had something of a rivalry with Shayliss, and here she was sitting at a table with her beau, Tam Deverin, witnessing Kellan’s rejection.  Dyna smirked at her, as if to say I’m sitting here with my adoring founding-family member, and you can’t even hold onto your Guardsman.

Shay quickly looked away from Dyna only to see once again the tender moment between her man and Liseth Thoradin.  Some girls always had to be the center of everyone’s attention.  And wasn’t Liseth supposed to be with Kerr?  Who was nowhere to be seen.  Exactly how many men did she have wrapped around her finger?

Maybe she and Kerr needed to have a talk.

Shayliss’ fiery hair could match her temper, and she was Ven Vinder’s daughter.  “Hello, Liseth,” she said as politely as she could, although the frost in her voice cooled the room several degrees.  “I hope you two,” her voice caught; she seemed to be having trouble breathing, “have a wonderful evening together.”  She was proud of herself that she didn’t cry.  And with that, she stormed out of The Rusty Dragon, escaping from the scene of her humiliation back to the safety of the General Store.

---

---

---

---

Surprisingly, the Rusty Dragon’s door did not slam as Shayliss departed.  Everyone in the public room could see Belor Hemlock standing there in the doorway, looking discomfited as he watched the girl flee down the street, stifling sobs—his gaze was full of heartfelt pity.  The public room’s customers took note of the Shoanti lawman, but he did not draw stares.  Sandpoint was a small town; it wasn’t that unusual to see Sheriff Hemlock out and about.

“Kellan.  Liseth.  Pisca,”  the sheriff said, using their names as a greeting, offering them what might have been an attempt at a smile, but came out a grimace.  “I’m glad to find you here, although,” he craned his neck to look around the room, “I was told Kerr and Cato would be here too?”

He shook his head slightly.  “No matter.  But we’ll need to find them shortly.”  He lowered his voice, so that only those in the immediate area could hear him.  “I’m, well, I’m here to ask for your help.  Each of you did well by Sandpoint during the events following the Swallowtail Festival.  You showed discretion, foresight, intuition, courage, and skill.  Sandpoint again finds itself in need of champions with those qualities.  Would you mind accompanying me somewhere quieter where we can talk in more detail?”

“Also,” he said, glancing around the room again, “I’m really going to need to find Cato and Kerr.”  He paused.  “Especially Kerr.”

---

---

Her hands went to each side of her head as the situation for Liseth continued to spiral downward.  First Kellan was there to see her misery, even though the girl was sure that he had only the best intentions.  Then Pisca was there too, saying how they need only retrieve Kerr from the Scarnettis.  They couldn't do that!  They had as much told her that she was unwelcome and not to show up.  It would only get Kerr into trouble.

And Shayliss; Liseth didn't know what to make of her 'wonderful evening' comment.  But she did know what it meant when the other girl ran off; Liseth had ruined everything.  Again.  Her greatest skill seemed to be getting other girls to hate her.

Now though, she had also managed to ruin Kellan's evening, and his plans with Shayliss.  Now Kellan wasn't going to want anything to do with her either.  The young blonde wanted to just curl up and disappear...

Sheriff Hemlock's arrival could not have come at a worse time.  Already crying and red in the face, she started shaking and her breathing increased rapidly.  "No..." it came out just above a whisper at first.  No more monsters, no more undead, no more demons and evil gods and rituals.  No more crises and emergencies!  Not now...the small acolyte couldn't handle everything that was happening at once!

"No..." her hands gripped the hair on each side of her head.  She had to get away before she ruined anything else, somewhere that she wouldn't be such a public spectacle.  "No..."  What a wretch everyone must think of her by now anyway.

"No, no, no no no nonono..." Liseth cried as she ran off.  Ran as best she could, straight to the stairs where she stumbled and fell, then picked herself up to race upstairs as fast as she had ever done before.  Making a beeline to the room that Ms Kaijitsu had let her use those times before, Liseth got inside, closed the door, found a corner and sat with her knees up against her chest and her arms wrapped around them.

And she hid from everything.  Rocking back and forth while crying the tears of a girl whose world was crashing down all around her.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:11, Tue 18 Aug 2015.

Cato entered the Rusty Dragon shortly after Sheriff Hemlock.  He looked for his companions, raising a hand to wave in a friendly greeting, still feeling elated from his meeting with Alergast and Pisca when he finally took stock of the emotions in the room.  The Sheriff looked...concerned?  Kellan and Liseth both distraught, and then the small girl ran upstairs.  Cato quietly walked over to the guardsman.

"Hmmm...does that have anything to do with a very angry Shayliss who passed me on my way here?"

The gnome leaned out, turned her head and craned her neck.  From this perilously precarious position she could just barely see beyond the door jamb of the Rusty Dragon's main door for a glance of Shayliss Vinder and her flying skirts as she rushed off down the street - presumably in the direction of the General Store and home.  She came near to losing her balance as she whipped about to see Lysa rushing upstairs pursued by a chorus of trailing No's.

Humans could be very peculiar.

"Hullo, Cato."  The gnome greeted the mage with a smile still awash in light shades of bemusement.  "You're just in time," she added.  What he was just in time for, however, was not something that Pisca continued on to elaborate upon, though he had a rather full selection from which to choose should the mage wish to do so.

"Well, Sheriff Hemlock, you're just the perfect person to stumble upon at this particular time.  Consider yourself very handy that way.  Lets go."

Pisca fit her small hand into the larger, weapon-worked hand of the town sheriff and began to lead him back toward the doorway through which he had just come.  "You'll lend an added air of officilarity to things when we get to Scarnetti manor."

"We're going to rescue Kerr Mollin," she tossed over her shoulder at Stomper and Cato.  "We shouldn't be too long," she added.  "Unless you want to come with.  Then we won't be any time at all."

"You see, Sheriff Hemlock," Pisca explained, "Kerr Mollin has been conscripted to dinner there.  Apparently by Cerlynne Scarnetti and through the force of the Scarnetti name.  I had intended to simply show up and rescue him, as he's already executed his obligations by attending for this short time.  But, if you have official business with him, well, all the better.  Yes?  This is perfect.  Don't you think?"

"By the by, remember that murdered guest at the White Deer Inn a few years back.  I have a theory about that.  Maybe we could talk about it some time."

Kellans expression was hard to read as Shayliss stormed out of the Rusty Dragon. It could have been a mixture of frustration, confusion, disbelief or perhaps even faint amusement, but in truth the boy was quietly caught up in living out the moment Alergast had always assured him would come.

Kellan had been lucky, he had been able to pursue his career, his identity and purpose in life with a single minded focus up to this point. Sure he had hobbies, interests, friends...but being a guardsman and being good at what he did was all that he generally had to worry about up until recently.

Now, he was being forced to choose between a stunning girl who really seemed interested in him and his responsibilities to his friends and the city. It was an easy choice to make really, but it did not make him feel any better as he sighed and turned to Cato.

"Yeah" he said in a tired kind of way "It does..."

He put a comforting hand on Lisheths shoulder, or rather one that he hoped would be comforting in a brotherly sort of way as he spoke to the Sheriff.

"Ready when you are sir". He managed to hide any sort of frustration in his voice, but his eyes looked awfully hard for the normally care free guardsman..