"So that's where we should go next", Neide nodded, "I see a problem, though: if the witch is capable of manipulating the minds of others, then how do we protect ourselves from her? We need to be sure we won't have any spell put on our thoughts... especially as the witch might not want just to let us go back to spread falsehoods. We've already caused enough trouble for the conspiracy..."

"When we get there, I can ask Veles for guidance," said Kerran. "If Veles says we should go in and investigate instead of go back..."

"I've got a Detect Magic spell that might help..." says Ondreya.

But it is Aden who speaks with the most confidence. "We know about witches in the isles," he says. "Trust me-- when we get there, if witchcraft is being used, I can help."

"Alright then", Neide rubbed her neck with her hand, "It's settled, I think? The journal mentioned a witch that is connected to the conspiracy, the witch might be hiding in that old house... let's go and see what's happening there. Unless anyone else has some other idea..?"

Everyone looks at one another. "Feels like the only question right now is, do we go right now, later today, or first thing in the morning?" said Aden. Kerran and Ondreya nodded at his words.

"I say we go as soon as possible", Neide said, "The more we linger, the more time we give the conspiracy to react to us discovering them. If everybody is feeling ready, I say we go now"

OOC: The question is - what about meals? Shouldn't we be getting hungry? Not sure how much time passed since the party last ate anything?

"Er, tell you what... Let's buy ourselves a meal, and then go immediately afterward...?" Kerran suggests.

The Chief Constable reaches into his deck, and brings out a small bag with a drawstring. He tosses it to Neide. From the weight, feel, and sound it makes when caught, the bag obviously contains coins. "Lunch is on me," he says.

Neide seemed to weigh the bag in her hand for a brief moment, then pocketed it.

"All right", she nodded, "Let us go. Lunch first, then we go check the wizard's home."

She gave a farewell nod to the Chief Constable, then headed out.

OOC: Feel free to fast-forward through the lunch if nothing of importance is going to happen there. I don't think Neide has anything to discuss with her friends.

OOC: Moving back from the witch's house...

As they were walking back to Bredon, Neide pondered on everything she and her friends learned there. At last, the going-ons in the town became clear to her. The question was, how could they stop all of this..?

"Aden", she turned to her Westerner friend, as they were nearing the town, "You mentioned you might have a way of breaking the enchantment that protects Arno's men. So... what is it?"

"A chant... I don't have to do it very loudly, though..."

"Hmmm", Neide wondered, "And do you have to do it in a specific place? How does it work, exactly?"

"Place? No, just wherever I happen to be. I start chanting, and as long as I chant, I should be able to see anyone using that kind of witchcraft spell, even though the whole point is for no one to notice them. It won't be very clear-- like seeing someone by the light of a crescent moon-- but I should notice them anyway. If I'm louder, anyone else who hears the chant will see them, too-- but if I'm that loud, we may very likely scare off who we're trying to catch..."

"So, you chant and are able to see them", Neide nodded, "That means we'd need to patrol the town as you do so - because you need to be at the same place as they are to spot them. This could be a long night, then... Still, with some luck, we should be able find them"

As they talked, Bredon rooftops could be seen nearby.

"I wonder if we should inform the Chief Constable of our plan", Neide continued, "I think he's trustworthy - not sure of his men, though. Still, I think he should know... but what do you think?"

Kerran and Ondreya share your concerns, but lean toward informing the Chief Constable.

Aden leans away from doing so... he takes a dim view of Sefonian constabulary, in general.

"I say we go and meet Chief Constable, then", Neide decided, "What we've learned is too important to keep from him. Let's just make sure nobody will be listening to our conversation..."

OOC: I think it's all Neide has to discuss with her friends. If there's nothing they would like to discuss, let's have Neide and friends enter Bredon and head to Chief Constable's office.

Aden agrees to trust the judgement of his allies, and soon you arrive at the constables' offices-- the chief constable is in the doorway, as if waiting. He seems quite pleased to see the group of four. "...You four look like you've had a more interesting time than walking out of town, looking at an empty house, and walking back. What'd you find?"

"Interesting things", Neide replied, "Can we talk inside your office?"

Once they were inside, she asked her friends to keep watch at the door to make sure nobody was listening. Then, she relayed the happenings at the old house to the Constable.

"So that's it!" he says, excited. "Sorry you had so much trouble, but glad none of you were seriously injured-- and also, I'm sure you'll understand, glad that I didn't send you out there for nothing. So... I could keep talking, but... what do you see your next move as being...?"

This, it seems fairly clear, is a check to see if the party is still willing to help (not that he's not grateful for all they've done so far!)...

"We do have a plan", Neide admitted, "I'd prefer not to speak of the details - the less people know, the better. What I'd like to ask you is that you give the word to your men that they should not obstruct the actions of me and my firends. Don't tell them any specifics - just that you know there's an Alaran in town, along with a group of associates. And that you spoke with us and gave us the permission to go on our business. Could you do that?"

"Sure, I'll do that. Anything else I, or we, can do to help?"

"<GreenYou can be there, when we call out for aid</Green>", Neide gave a slightly wry smile, "If our plan works, we might need some help in actually corraling these thugs..."

She paused for moment, then added:

"With all due to respect to you and your men, I need to ask this: can you trust all of them? I wouldn't want to be stabbed in the back by some constable who happens to be in Rollo's pocket..."

"Where do you want us to be? Or... should we just be spread out through the town...?"




The chief constable paused. "...They say that every man has his price. I don't believe that's true... but even my disbelief must admit that most men have their price. Still..." He thinks. "...I wish I could tell you that I do trust them that much, but... I'd still watch my back if I were you. And I'm glad that you're wearing armor."

Neide nodded thoughtfully.

"I see", she replied, "We will be watching our backs, then. Let's hope that none of your men actually do, as you put it, have a price... As for where we'd like your men to be - spread around the town, as usual. I suppose you have some men on a night's watch - so, let them act as they normally do. Just make them know that, if we call for assistance, you want them to come and help us."

"Understood. We'll do what we normally do. But start shouting loud, and we'll all come-- me included.

...So far, nothing has ever happened until sundown..."

Neide nodded thoughtfully.

"I think that would be all, then", she said, "I appreciate that you're ready to help. Hopefully, our plan works and we put a stop to this whole mess..."

OOC: If the Chief Constable or Neide's friends have nothing to add, Neide will lead the crew out of the constables' headquarters.

(Yeah, go ahead and exit the constables' building...)