Seeing that the people are terrified, Etzagith makes a special effort to move calmly and gracefully, doing nothing that would be perceived as threatening.  He puts on the persona, one that doesn't actually feel real to him, of a member of the nobility, a calm assurance that there is nothing to fear, here.  It's just a role, like any other.  Etz spoke to the stranger, not asking permission but just informing him, "I'm going to go check on the children."

He turned and strode towards the crowd with an air of confidence that he didn't really feel, maintaining the non-threatening air.  He looked at the little girl with concerned eyes.  "I believe he will be ok, little one," he said in that way that adults give platitudes to children.  Squatting by the man, he touched the side of his neck, checking for a pulse, but his eyes were scanning the children, searching for the twins.  Etzagith didn't really know enough medicine to help the man, but he knew just enough to play the role of one who knows what he is doing.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:05, Wed 15 July 2020.

Some of the tension went out of Cara's shoulders when Nathan mentioned the word "veiled," and she shot him a knowing look.

"Did you now?  Well that certainly explains what you are doing raiding here. That's quite the feat, though I would be curious to know who you upset with such a breach?  Neither the College nor the Nobles are particularly well known for their hospitality, and I would be pleased to learn who I don't have to offend yet should this prove unsuccessful."

She turned back to the crowd, her gaze narrowing.

[Language unknown: "Ng wase pr niou weeconndel re, ssll N outen artintant Ul wer Nangas om iswi.  Hatti nt Itutmonc man?  Ac ou Ainoerncedin ad Omestiday Linont, soman niriarolma ll nc asioek."]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:44, Wed 15 July 2020.

The male with the silver diadem took a step forward, laid a hand on the little girl's shoulder, trying t push her behind him, a protective gesture.

he said slowly, carefully, pronouncing each word as if the Taal tongue was difficult for him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:30, Wed 15 July 2020.

Cara tilted her head to the side, her eyes narrow slits.  She switched to the local tongue, her voice sharp and cutting.

"From where do you hail, Robert?  By your face, you could easily have been born to a Steppe Mother, and you know enough to name me Sarkano.  Yet you are far away from those lands, Clanless and unnamed, and you speak Taal like a Greenlander."

With the recognition that sparked within their eyes at his coded remarks, Nathan's shoulders relaxed a touch and he watched them work from where he stood: Cara with the apparent leader, and the rogue with the children. His own eyes flicked to where Arui tended to the wounded man, "Is his stable?"

Robert's expression was guarded, wary even.   "I am told that my family came from Lysander Grove.  You would call it Muslen's Retreat."  he said.

A valley north of Lac Lis, arguably in the Scarred Lands.  Once a fertile valley reputedly known for a special nut harvest and a thriving quince fruit. The results post-cataclysm were less engaging, though this region was also rumoured among Kumlbaren nobility to be where the addictive fruit, Pashen, came from.  Muslen's Retreat had been under Khunic protection for generations.

Cara's face hardened, which was quite a feat all things considered.

"Live, so that they did not die in vain."

She added with solemnity.  While she doubted the refuges from the Scarred Lands would appreciated the Khunic expression, they would likely understand the consideration with which it was given.  Those of Fallen Khadid had seen horrors like no Greenlander had ever imagined.  While as a people they had fallen, any survivor of that calamity deserved at least a modicum of respect.  She nodded once, and turned to face the others of the Veiled Hand.

"How do you wish to continue the investigation?"

It wasn't clear if she was addressing Arui, Nathan, or Etzagith.  Any could answer.

"I will want to see to my man, and hope he has not bled out.  I need him hale."

She thrust her pointed chin in the direction of the room from which she had initially emerged, from where the fight had originated.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:04, Thu 16 July 2020.

Etz was frustrated that he didn't get a good enough look at the faces of the children.  I would think that the twins would speak out, if they're here, but what if they're brainwashed into whatever this cult thing is they have going on?  I need to get a better look without scaring them off.  He stood up slowly and calmly.  "The man is not in immediate danger, that I can tell, but we should get him to a healer."

Etzagith started by smiling at the girl who seemed a little braver than the others, and touched her gently on the shoulder.  Then he stepped very calmly, still smiling, towards the other children, and reached out for them as if to comfort.  He knelt in front of each child and patted their hand.  If a child made a real effort to hide their face, he reached forward to wipe away their tears, moving the face enough to see.  Could this be something altogether unrelated going on?  Maybe this whole scheme has nothing at all to do with the twins, and we just stumbled into it.

Nodding once, mostly likely to Etagith's report on the wounded man, Nathan then watched him tend to the children. Everything else was ignored, his eyes boring into the hand that wiped away tears, his own expression warring between a turmoil of emotions. His eyes glistened, wet with unshed tears, and one hand slipped to an empty belt rung

When he spoke, his voice was colder, dispassionate, "Deal with them, then... the bloodied man" and his eyes finally sought the leader of the refuges, Robert of the Grove, "You were borne here, Embers upon the wind? You owe nothing to those whose flame fanned beneath you"

Cara saw that Etzagith was checking each of the children to see if any were the twins, and turned to walk back deeper into the warehouse.

"Not to discount your wisdom a second time, but I did poison the blade that cut him. Do any of you have any talent for piercing through veils, seemings, or illusions?  We need to be absolutely certain that those who we seek are not hidden by some sorcery."

She moved back to the man whom she had cut down, hoping beyond hope that he had not crawled away.

@ETZAGITH

The adults in the group were cautious and protective, but not to the extent that they prevented Etzagith from doing anything as he walked among them.

The second child he checked was of the same age, a young boy with pale skin, and pitch black hair shorn roughly across the brow.  The guardians closest ho him were obvious Cyreni--from the island just outside Druvir.

The third child, though, was definitely Lucas, the younger prince.   The woman standing nearest was ancient, bearing Khadiden tattoos of the Medallon cult.  But she wasn't serving to protect him... And she didn't show much any any concern or agitation upon Etzagith getting on the children's level.  In fact ,she looked on encouragingly. The third child, near Lucas, was also just as obviously Liam.

They didn't seem brainwashed into any kind of cultist fervor, but they did seem overly docile.  Neither moved unless prompted, and did not evince much n the way of emotion.   They each stood--rarely more than a few feet from each other--eyes downcast and quiet... and without a shred of recognition.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:44, Fri 17 July 2020.

Although he had hoped to find the princes here, and half expected it, Etzagith was surprised that it had really happened.  He kept the shock off of his face, however, and looked around at the number of adults surrounding him.  They all have that dreamy cultish look, but who knows what that could turn to if their cult master orders them to violence.  He leaned closer to Liam, using the boy's hood for privacy, and whispered "Prince Liam."  He leaned back just enough to see the boy's eyes, to see if there is any recognition or if he is too far gone.

Standing again, still moving slowly and calmly, Etz continued to hold Prince Liam's hand.  He looked across the crowd of cultists for any that don't have the dreamy look, ones who are more aware, and maybe getting worried about his close interaction with the prince.  He looked also at the bystanders, knowing that if there was someone controlling these cultists, they possibly have disguised themself that way.

Etz locked eyes with Cara, speaking without evident concern, "Cara.  The Queen's business we were concerned about -- I have the solution in hand right here."

She'd made it maybe a dozen steps when Etzagith's first words stopped her, pausing to let him speak his piece.  By the time he finished, she was already striding back, sheathing the small knife she'd drawn back into her boot in a practiced bow.

"Do you now?"

She said as she stalked back, her voice low and cautious.

"Then you have the lead, how do you want us to play this?"

Her gaze fell on Nathan and Arui, sweeping to also capture the assembled refugess of Fallen Khadid, the children whose hands he grasped, and the warehouse that surrounded them.  If any new threat struck, it was clear she intended to be ready for it.  She had not drawn her blades, but her hands had most assuredly moved to the hilts.

Arui shook her head when asked about sorcery. "I know the ways of common folk, not those of magic," she told Cara.

Cara hadn't gone a dozen steps when her companion spoke of the queens business which halted her.  This caught Arui's attention.  He had spoken of the Queen's sons earlier. Cara had her hands on the hilts of her blades again.  Arui's bow was still nocked, but held loose in her left hand,  She gave Nathan a look to get his attention, then looked quickly over at Cara again, then Etzagith, and casually took a step back.  Something was about to happen and she wanted room to shoot.

moving to 3G

With the two princes brought forward, hands clasping those of the rogue of shadows, Nathan's eyes narrowed. His focus narrowed, discarding the rest of those surrounding the two boys and studying them intently. Upon his brow, a frown emerged and then deepened as he took in their vacancy. Beneath, his eyes tightened, a mix of fury and sorrow, that spilt into his taut voice as he asked as softly as those raging emotions permitted, "What have they done to you"

Such was the restraint needed, it was hard to tell if it was a question or not, and to whom it might be addressed. Certainly, it seemed he expected no response as he continued to speak, kneeling to ensure his eyes were at the same level as theirs. One hand he rested upon the shoulder of each as he continued, "Lucas. Liam. Tell me what happened?"

Almost off-hand he pitched his voice to the others, "We must take them to their mother, swiftly and without commotion"

He said nothing of their titles, nor that of their kin

Cara let out a sigh, staring at Nathan as he let the secret out.  Then she was moving, striding past them to place herself bodily between the group of hooded refugees and the twins.  It put her at an awkward angle, as she had to keep looking over her shoulder to try and keep Arui and Nathan within her line of sight as well.  Trust was hard earned, it seemed.  Between the two, she was more worried about the Aren with the bow.  Her Mantle still thrummed with power, but she didn't know if it would be enough should things quickly go to hell.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Sat 18 July 2020.

When Etzagith whispered Liam's name, the boy cocked his head to one side, his eyes  showed a spark of recognition, but it was more like a polite interest rather than an awakening.

When Etzagith brought them forward, and Nathan questioned them, neither Lucas nor Liam offered anything by way of response.  They simply stayed with Etzagith, went where led.  They recognized when they were spoken to, but they did not speak.  Only turned to face whomever it was who addressed them.

"We must take them to their mother, swiftly and without commotion" Nathan said.

"Robert!" the woman with the little girl said sharply, her voice stressed.  "They're going to take the boys!"

"But, their mother entrusted them to my care."  Robert said.   He was not aggressive, but he was very clearly not just letting these strangers (you) take two of his group away...  "She claimed she'd be dead in a couple of weeks and wanted them to avoid the orphanage."

You may, if you wish roll, to see if your character believes Robert is lying.  It's a Mediocre(+0) target.  If you Fail, you believe he's lying.  Act accordingly.  If you succeed you believe that Robert believes what he's saying.  I see drama in either direction.

Cara made sure she stayed between the crowd and the recovered children.

"Bound Investigator."

There was a hint of a question at the end of her words, but the harshness still made it more a statement.

"While I agree with you that we need to act swiftly on what we have found, these people remain the key to how this occurred.  I have no authority here except by reputation, as the nature of my service has always been Veiled, yet you possess it in great abundance.  Given the urgency of what has occurred, I suggest we divide our forces.  There are four of us here, you and either myself or my companion remain here to question these people."

She looked back at Robert and the group, making sure none fled.

"And the Aran and the other return the children to their family."

Her hands had never left the hilts of her two long knives, but she chanced a glance backwards to Etz and Arui.

"Do we have an accord?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:24, Sun 19 July 2020.

When Etzagith heard Robert claim that Queen Jia had entrusted the twins to his care, he stared at the man in disbelief.  That isn't possible.  Why would Stefan have pulled us into this whole intrigue?  The note I got that brought me here was from Jia, I'm sure of it; it had our own code.  And yet, he thinks he's telling the truth.  Clearly he's been deceived.  He spoke to the man, "I appreciate all you've done for the queen, but I am going to see these boys returned to their rightful place.  Something is not right, here."

Etz looked at the man Cara referred to as "bound investigator."  He had said that he wanted to return the twins to their mother.  Keeping good hold on both boys, he continued to move towards the man, counting on Cara to guard their backs.  Etz nodded to Cara, adding, "I'm staying with the twins.  I agree that all these people need to be brought to their homes, but my duty is to the Queen, first."  It pained the rogue to leave Cara in charge of people who might be escaped slaves, but it did not seem as if she was looking to pull them back into slavery.

The rogue looked down at the odd bracelets that all the cultists wear.  Looking at Cara, he asked, "Do you think there's some ritual bound into these bracelets keeping them all docile?  There's still something fishy going on, here."

Still concerned about what could happen if these cultists are turned violent, Etz kept a tight hold on the boys and walked them through the warehouse towards the office.  He did not avoid the two new strangers who seemed to be aiding, but he wasn't going to hand the boys over to them, either.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:16, Sun 19 July 2020.

Cara nodded, the motion tight and strained.

"Cover me while I look."

She said at last, moving beside Etz and dropping down into a crouch.

"Let me see that, my friend here is going to make sure you're safe."

She said to Lucas, gesturing for him to raise his arm.  She tried to avoid touching the thing, instead withdrawing a pen knife from her coat.  Removing her left glove, she pricked her fingertip, drawing a drop of blood.  This she used to hastily trace a glyph upon the top of her right glove, the blood disappearing into the blackened leather.  Once she was done, she closed her eyes for a moment, extending her right hand over the bracelet without making contact.  This close, Etzagith could feel the power radiating off of her mantle as she tried to detect even the barest whisper of what had happened to the twin.

Describe the Action:  Casting a Ritual Divination to detect magic.

Roll the Dice: 20:42, Today: Cara rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice ((0, -1, -1, 0)).  Ouch

Determine Approach:  Notice, which brings my total to +0

Choose an Action:  Looks like Overcome to Notice any magic.

Nathan hesitated, eyes haunted something more than the manner of the twins. For a long moment, as Etzagith walked away with them he remained where he was crouched upon the ground. Words washed over him - the Oathsworn's - but she moved on without waiting for a response to crouch as he had, with the twins, and so he stood and turned to the man who had claimed the Queen's demise

"Describe their mother", he began, head cocked to one side and eyes intent. His tone was weighed by his broach and his cloak, the authority of the city

"No."  Robert said to Etzagith in a soft voic that nontheless carried the weight of certainlty and command behind it.   as he attempted to take the two boys away from the group.  Robert reached out and clasped Etzagith's arm in a firm grip.  It wasn't painful, and there wasn't any other intention but to stop Etzagith from moving away.  "The boys stay.  With their family."

Robert faced Nathan, "They were entrusted to my care." he said plainly.  The was no aggression, only grounded certainty.   He glanced at Cara, already busy with her circle. "I made an oath.   I may not be bound by blood rituals and eat souls for breakfast, but my honor is just as important."

"And you, sir,"  Robert addressed Etzagith "Will you identify yourself, please, so I may address this grievance with the proper authorities."
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:34, Sun 19 July 2020.

Lucas lets you remove the hemp bracelet.  He makes no move to stop you, and nobody else evinces any concern whatsoever.

Cara extends her senses but there just isn't anything worthy of note...  the bracelet was made of hemp, still vaguely oily, or possibly imbued with Lucas' sweat...  but  there ere no signs or symbols, no aura, nor even the suggestion o energy wound into the fibers...

As Robert sands his ground, Bardan moans low and soft. "Sweet Mother." he whispered.  "That was brutal.   Feels like I went three rounds with a cave-lice sow." 

Then he stopped, his eyes flickered to Arui, then the Nathan and the others.  He closed his eyes, and Arui was close enough to see him swallow back a big gulp of emotion. "Oh no... no.  Tell me everyone made it out all right.  "


I figured, you could use someone on-scene who could actually answer some of your questions...

"Your honour is not under question, Robert", spoke the investigator plainly, picking his words carefully, "But I know their mother and these boys, and I fear you have been misled"

"Tell me - us - how they came into your care", he urged, his focus on the man, "Tell me who you sat and had tea with"