Scarlet opens then closes her mouth, and takes a long hard look at the lad before she speaks again.

Completely clueless. And not really handsome, or her type, no repartee, too physical and with no style or panache to go with his muscular frame. But still... a boy. One she can wrap around her little finger. And there are yearnings she has known this year for the first time. Or for the first time, they are taking a different shape and feel, ceasing to be formless and undefined, refining and solidifyin around something obvious: a man. A boy. A male body. A lover. Someone to hold her, someone to take her, someone to make her a woman and really take her to the world of adults, like Mother but better, like the Lady Marano but sexier, like the lady Idalaiz but younger...

"Of course I am with someone," she hears herself laugh, and she turns around and leaves him standing there.

Of course she would, the sassy, worldly girl she longs to be. She would have her pick of lovers, by the dozen if she so wished, no need to invite some bad liar from a tavern to her rooms. What sort of pathetic wallfloer is a virgin at fourteen anyway?

Biting her lips, knuckles white, Scarlet heads for the guard, and to bed.

My original plan was that the guard was going to attack you and steal all your money.  I rather doubt that you could win this combat, so either I'd have to let it happen or have Urvan follow you after all, which has a Deus ex Machina feel to it.  I don't see how either outcome moves the story along at all, so I'm just going to skip it.  You've had a fair bit of fighting already in this chapter. 

Scarlet finds the guard, who is true to his word.  His wife is quite surprised, but he says something under his breath to her and she is suddenly all smiles and welcome.  Their son, Nish, who turned "Fwee Yeahs Owd" a month or two before is charming and seems to fall a little in love with Scarlet.  After a late supper of bread and cheese with a small slice of ham, he snuggles up to Scarlet and asks for a "stowwy" before the Mom carries him off to her own bed.  The bed Scarlet stays in is right there in the main room; it is small but it is clean.  The next morning the guard's wife fixes her a simple breakfast of porridge and eggs with a small mug of watered-down wine.  She is oddly reluctant to take the gold pieces.  Scarlet finds out later that the price was as much as the finest rooms in Ten Forward, but it was much more charming.

Arriving the next day at the Palace, there is some consternation about where the cats will be kept.  There is some talk that they should be kept in the kennel with the dogs, or in the stable.  The stablemaster, who is helping to unhitch the horses from their wagons, turns almost white at the prospect.  He mumbles, "the horses" and has a look of horror.

The Duchess says, "Well, of course, my two babies will stay in our room with me."  She turns to Scarlet, "Scarlet, dear, bring them in after you've given them a bit of a trot."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:37, Wed 19 Oct 2022.

Well this is nicer. Remind me how much it was?

Scarlet isn't one of those girls with a maternity drive. She knows a couple of her entourage who're already deciding on baby names, which gets them their royally earned ridicule. But she still has to admit the little one is cute, and she almost makes up some story to tell him. She falls asleep the minute she lays down on that humble but dearly bought bed.

Once she's back into the swing of Palace business (or catty business), she has occasion to frown and smile. The idea of having the almost-feral cats share a roof with horses (dumb, big beasts as they are) makes her wonder who took that dim-witted decision; but when the Duchess herself asks her to bring her cats personally, she beams with pride. She makes sure to treat them to an exhausting, brisk walk first, so it won't be said she lacks zeal...

BTW, random people falling for you is the benefit and the curse of an 18 charisma.  Even when it isn't about sex appeal, there is something in your bearing, your aura that makes people want to be your friend.  So this incident with the little kid is not that unusual.

On the price, I don't recall what we actually said, but I'd retcon it to be $500ish according to the exchange rate we ended up on, so hardly a dent in your new winnings.  Did you do anything to hide it or are you still walking around with a bulging purse?

So I have to admit that I didn't really have a plan for what happens next for your story.  I had more of a plan for Urvan, and I have a plan for the culmination of this chapter, but I was hoping for inspiration to strike me for the middle part.  Well, here goes.

BTW, here's the map of the palace compound:  http://zag.net/Pathfinder/Ellada/palace.png  The large building in the south is the stables; the red building is the kennel where the dogs are kept.  All of the building except the kennel are several stories high.

Scarlet takes Tigris out for a walk first, in order to learn the layout of the palace grounds and to be able to bring the Duchess's cats to her freshly walked.  She goes to check out the kennel, thinking that if it has a similar layout as the kennel in the castle she would be able to suggest splitting it by floors, to keep their nasty dogs well away from the cats.  However, she sees that it is a large, low building, and Tigris starts to hiss even as the door opens to her knock.

Inside, she sees a dozen or so of the same sort of huge dog that traveled with the hulking boy from the previous night, and they all start barking furiously when she enters.  She imagines a fight between Tigris and one of these monsters, and it isn't clear which would win.  Probably in an open space, where Tigris could take advantage of speed and jumping ability, she'd have the advantage, but in a cramped area like this kennel, it might go the other way.  After a quick word with a Lady Stilwell, the Master of the Hounds, they both agree that some other arrangement will need to be found.

Returning to the man called Zaan, with no title that Scarlet caught, she declares that the kennel will not be acceptable, to which he nods agreement.  While he clearly did not plan on refusing the Duchess, he makes it clear that the other two cats will not be entering the palace proper, and Scarlet doubts she has the political weight to force the issue.  Finally they agree on using the same tent that they had been using on the travel, and Zaan leads her and Erikus to a nice section north of the main building where they can set up.  (G4-H5 on the map)  It is away from the horses and dogs, protected from weather, and has a well nearby.

Scarlet takes the first of the Duchess's cats out, then returns to find Heger Ledath putting a harness on Archon.  He grins at Scarlet, "Hey kiddo.  You took off soon after the contest.  I was going to let you buy me a drink with all your winnings.  I heard you took the bookie for a fair bit of coin.  He accused me of sandbagging, which, of course, I did.  I pointed out that there is no rule against it."

He'll wait while you have Erikus harness the Duchess's second cat, then exercise with you.  He'll trot along, easily staying with you, not even getting winded.  His cat is not nearly as well trained as yours or the Duchess's, but he has no trouble just muscling it to behave.  He will chat amiably but is a little distant.  He will confirm that you are prepared to take care of Archon on the days he is busy with The Games.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:05, Tue 25 Oct 2022.

Scarlet isn't terribly pleased at having to sleep in a tent again, in a castle yard of all places, like some sort of itinerant freak show given temporary shelter. But there is little choice, so she sighs and carries on with it.

Scarlett walls the cats absent-mindedly, her thoughts still on the strange encounters in the city. Such a strange and wild place, and exciting at the same time, for someone who's lived her entire life within walls like these. All of a sudden she feels an urge to leave, to see what's beyond the moats and baileys. Will lady Idalaiz ever let her? She has had no instructions from her since she finessed her way into cat duty, and sometimes she wonders if she's actually secretly displeased with her, or perhaps that's all she ever meant for her to be: a glorified pretty minder?

Sir Ledath's reappearance brings her back to reality. She makes a show of being unfazed and unimpressed, gesturing indolently.

"Yes, I had important business to tend to, Sir Ledath. Unfortunately I cannot spend all my time carousing in late night establishments," she says dismissively.

Heger grins at Scarlet's remark, and continues to chat with her.  He is clearly focused on the games, and asks if she knows anything about any of the opponents -- strengths and weaknesses.  Of course, she knows less than he, but she promises to ask around.

When Scarlet brings the Duchess's cats inside, she tries to convince the door guard to allow them entrance, but her refuses.  Finally she convinces him to send a page to his superior, who returns with approval.  (Feel free to explain how you did that -- intimidation, bluff, whatever.)  Scarlet had heard that all the pages at the palace wear the traditional toga, which almost no one wears anymore.  However, that seems not to be the case -- they are just wearing normal trousers and shirts with a tunic.  Most tunics are Lexagenol colors, but some are other houses.

Once the cats are delivered, the Duchess holds out a coin for her, saying, "This is for you, dear."  Scarlet accepts it without thinking.  However, the Duchess has never tipped her before, and it would be inappropriate for her to do so.  Finally she looks at what she's been handed and it includes a tiny slip of paper with the coin.  It barely fits four short words -- the last is just a single symbol in a secret script Idalaiz has been teaching her.  It reads, "Well near tent midnight."

That night Scarlet creeps out of the tent.  Erikus is asleep, with the soft snore that he makes when truly asleep and not faking.  Tigris stands when Scarlet does.  She probably wasn't asleep at all.

Let me know if you bring Tigris or not.  There will be no one around as you approach the well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:41, Sun 13 Nov 2022.

Scarlet makes a point of answering monosyllabically and with exaggerated uninterest, only helped by the fact she genuinely couldn't give less damns about the games. It is with a knot in her throat that she carries on to the rest of her duties.

The guard proves to be a complete pushover, unequal to her charms. Scarlet has always been disarmingly charismatic, but she can't fail to notice how the way men bend to her wishes has been shifting slowly but steadily in the same direction. Those smiling eyes and the comments about 'sweet child' are all long gone now; they are still inclined to let her have her way, but now the eyes tend to follow the bulging shape of her neckline, and the comments become equivocal and tinged with barely disguised lust. It's strange, unnerving at times, but short of skewering people with her rapier, that's all Scarlet can work with.

After leaving the Duchess, she turns the little piece of paper between her fingers, mind spinning. There are many implications to this, the least important the more obvious: lady Idalaiz is still following her every step, she has a new mission for her, something more serious this time, she hopes. She never wanted to be a pet-minder for life. But other things make this more interesting: this implies that the Duchess is in on her Spymistress' secret. Dearest knows Scarlet is more than a pretty face and a cat-whisperer. That puts an extra spring in Scarlet's step.

She shows up with her rapier by her side and Tigris in attendance, just in case.

Scarlet approaches the well, looking around for Idalaiz, to no avail.  After a few minutes of daydreaming, she remembers her mentor's warning to be doing what an innocent person would do, and she starts to lower the bucket into the well.

"Careful with that, girl!" comes a voice from inside the well.  Scarlet looks down the well to see Idalaiz's smiling face.  "This place is riddled with secret passages!  I had heard about this one, but it took a while to find it from the other side.  It leads into a store room just before you enter into the dungeon."

Scarlet stares into the well and sees that Idalaiz is holding herself up with her legs on one side of the well and her back on the other side.  The old woman admonishes, "Don't just gawk.  Keep drawing water.  You're probably being watched."

After a bit, she continues, "So, my little test for you turned out to be more exciting than I expected.  I didn't expect you to win a bunch of gold and then go showing it off in alleys.  But I heard you managed yourself quite well.  I never did learn where you spent the night -- I know you didn't come back to the tent until morning.  I hope you didn't just hide in the fields or some such."  After Scarlet explains, she whistles appreciatively.  "Do be careful, though, with town and city guard.  It depends on the town, but plenty of the official guard organizations are just criminal enterprises.  I'm glad it worked out for you."

Scarlet draws up the bucket and puts it down for Tigris who laps at it thirstily.  Then she dumps it out and starts to lower it again.

"On to the mission.  Did you bring a disguise kit?  I'll get something put together and have it brought to you.

"The problem is that I suspect that at least one of the knights entering the games is a Gallic assassin.  You know that war has been brewing, and they would further their cause by assassinating one or two key people in the kingdom.  The Queen, our Duke, or Davin Chesterson would all be good targets for them, as would several of the key generals.

"I'm not looking for you to stop a trained assassin, but maybe you could at least confirm who it is.  I suspect it is one of the knights coming from Skopje, in northern Macedonia.  There are three of them, plus they've come with their families and retainers.  One of the families has a young girl maybe three or four years younger than you, just shy of blossoming.  I want you to befriend the girl and insinuate yourself in with the family, and just keep your ears open.

"Do not do this as yourself.  It wouldn't be a tragedy if they figure out who you are, but it's better if they don't.  You're higher born than they, and that will bring too much attention on you from the adults.  We want the adults to ignore you; you will just be two girls at play, and they can talk without watching their tongues.  Disguise yourself as younger than you are, and find a way to befriend her.

Make up a name you like.  I've already discussed with the Countess Brennalia Delfini, whom you might know as she is in the castle occasionally.  She is originally from Corcyra before she married the Count, and you will be her younger cousin who joined her in order to come watch the games.  Stay with the cats until you get your disguise kit, then go join the Count's party.  They are in one of the barracks buildings on the south side -- you'll find it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:32, Fri 18 Nov 2022.

[Remember that this world is assuming that the Greeks had retained power until humanity reached a technology roughly the same as 1200 AD.  Christianity never existed.  The political system of feudal Europe (that of roughly 1100 to 1500 AD) is the norm, but substituting Greek pantheon for Christianity.  I'm using ancient Greek maps, but Olympia is geographically more like Kilimanjaro, a solitary huge mountain rising out of fairly flat land (i.e. completely incorrect).]

It is almost time for the Olympic games, which happen only once every 4 years.  Knights and nobles from all around are gathering at the Palace in Olympia to compete for fame and fortune.

Meanwhile, the Galls to the north, the ancient enemy of the Greeks second only to the Persians to the East, have been gathering.  Open war has not yet started, but those in the know are aware that the Galls are gathering strength.    The winners who arise from these games of simulated warfare may be the leaders of true warfare very soon.

---

Scarlet

---

Scarlet joined the delegation from the Castle (home of Duke Ashander Rheam) as caretaker of the four Savannah cats travelling:  The duchess' two cats, the cat of Sir Heger Ledath, and her own Tigris.  She has been tasked by her mentor to inveigle her way into a group from Skopje.  The Spymaster believes that this group includes a Gallic spy or assassin, but does not know who in the group it could be.

---

Urvan

---

Urvan, has been acting as a page in the Palace for the past two years, pretending to be the son of the Count of Tamecia.  He now is in fear of his cover coming undone because of questions that Erastoo was asking.  Erastoo is the heavily tattooed leader of the Purifiers, a hyperviolent sect of Hera, who would certainly see Urvan killed if she knew his history.  He has left the Palace, intending to intercept the delegation from Tamecia, and he carries a letter from his own mentor with an offer he hopes will entice the Count to play along with his ruse.

---

Ricka

---

Ricka has a very complicated set of masters she reports to.  First is the Spymaster of the church, Deacon Levician Whyneks who is her mentor and real master.  Second is Bishop Trismegistus of Hermes, who manages the messengers -- the acolytes of Hermes who run messages through the city and even into the countryside.  Third is  Minister Stibu Womack, master of the aerie, though their relationship is cool at best.  Fourth is Archbishop Pelschion, the high priest of Zeus, who insisted that Womack live up to his sarcastic comment that he would give Ricka an eaglet if she could take one from its parents without being bitten.

Ricka's role in the upcoming games is not yet clear.  (Honestly, I'm waiting to see if the player really does re-engage before I go to the trouble of working out a plot for her.)  @Ricka, you can signal this by posting a wrap up in your Chapter 1 thread, naming your eaglet and giving a quick description of your goals in training her.  You also need to make your level 2 changes to your character, which I'll be glad to help with.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:13, Sun 01 Jan 2023.

Urvan Kron, also known as Urvan of Temecia, is perilously close to having the secret of his lineage discovered by the Church of Hera. It would be tantamount a death sentence for the boy, and so he embarks upon a desperate gamble.

If he can intercept Count Temecia without being detected, deliver a letter from his Spymaster and mentor Iwo Behyd, and convince the man to take on the part of his father, his assumed identity may survive intact.

In the mean time, Urvan had heartlessly put forward another boy, Ippéas the stable hand, who arrived about the same time two years ago, as a potential subject for the Church to focus on while Urvan rushes to the Counts side.

This morning sees Urvan riding, in his somewhat novice fashion, with his hefty Apollo Hound keeping pace, as pushes ever onward towards the entourage of the travelling Count.

Urvan buys a supper for himself and his hound at McAnally's, a pub in the center of the town of Osmeisley, where he encounters the most beautiful girl in his own age range that he has ever seen.  Just to look in her face takes his breath away.  When she flirts mildly with him, he is completely flummoxed.  (@Urvan, Please read from msg #85 to msg #100 in this thread, where you play a role.)

After the enchanting girl leaves, he heads out, following her for a bit just to make sure she is safe, but she leaves under the protection of a member of the city watch.  He looks around once again, somewhat in despair, at the incredible throng of people coming and going in this crossroads town.  He had imagined a conversation with a bartender where he received all sorts of information, but the vast crowds converging in order to continue on to Olympia for the games means that bartenders have no time beyond drink orders and payment.

He decides to try his luck at the Prancing Pony, an inn and pub diagonally opposite from McAnally's, when he spots a familiar face.  He sees Gratham, the corrupt priest of Hera, whom he and Gerro recently tormented by releasing rats into his room.  Fortunately, the man did not seem to notice him.  After a moment, he prepares to follow the priest into the Prancing Pony, a little concerned that Boreas will draw too much attention if he brings the hound in with him.

Urvan is understandably concerned about leaving Boreas alone for any length of time. Having been with the big pup for practically it's entire life, he was protective of it, and perhaps like a parent, he could not easily see with his own eyes just how formidable the animal had become.

And then, he was still thinking about the girl he had met, despite her evident disdain.

"We need to find a place to hide you for a time..." He tells the dog, and seeks out and out of the way spot near the Prancing Pony. A small stand of empty ale barrels seems a decent enough place, and with gestures commands and some emphasis, he tells the Hound to "Stay" until he returns.

That accomplished, Urvan returns to the front door and gingerly makes his way inside, his size and coloration drawing a few eyes as he comes through the door.

Urvan enters the pub and it is like walking into a wall of sound.  People having normal conversations must shout to be heard, so, of course, they do.  The room is crammed with more people than Urvan would have guessed could fit in this building, and he is only looking at half of it.  Though the door is in the center of the building, but a wall immediately on his right as he enters partially divides the room, hiding the right half from view.  He can see that the wall extends only four or five paces, though the entire room is twice that.  It's not obvious what is behind the wall, though.

To the far left is a huge fireplace.  There is a fire burning, but it is a gentle little thing for such a pit.  Along the wall on his left are several small tables, each with people crammed around them, drinking, smoking, and talking (that is, shouting).  The center of the room contains long tables with benches, with so many people that every inch of bench is used, and some people are sitting in other people's laps, some on the tables, and many just standing.

The bar is along the far wall, and it is no less crowded.  It extends not quite the width of the far wall, leaving a gap on the left edge where two huge men stand on a platform scanning the room.  The bar continues to the right, past where Urvan's view is obstructed.

After a little adjustment to the noise and chaos, Urvan spots Gratham near the fireplace on the left, talking (shouting) to a man and a woman standing there.  The tall man bends down to hear him, then shakes his head and turns away.  Gratham moves along to the next group, three men standing on the other side of the fireplace.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:05, Tue 03 Jan 2023.

Urvan, spotting the Priest early, was perhaps too distracted by the sudden proximity of the man, and in an effort to remain out of sight inadvertently bumped into one of the serving women, with his bully frame in the tight packed space.

Naturally Scarlet had been impressed by the stamina and athleticism of Lady Idalaiz, considering her old age, but made no comment of her feat in the well. Her eyes did go wide at the mention of an assassin: this way no mean thing, no more concerning herself with petty bets and teenage intrigues. Life and death was on the line now.

And naturally, just as she nodded her agreement and understanding of the lady's instructions, she dreamed of stopping the assassin herself. Hadn't she killed already? She was an assassin too. But she refrained from expressiong that out loud.

"I suppose I can be Naiada Delfini, then. I shall await that disguise kit, my lady," she says before she takes her leave. Behind her restrained demeanor, she is brimming with impatience...

Haha!  Nothing like a natural 1 on a stealth roll.  I hadn't planned on you two meeting so early, so I just rolled for his reaction.  A natural 1 on a skill is not a guaranteed failure in PF1, but his perception is higher than +8, so he's guaranteed to beat your stealth.

14:01, Today: Zag rolled 17 using 1d20.  Gratham reaction (low means attack, high means run)

Urvan accidentally knocks the poor girl flat, her tray of drinks landing on the floor with a crash.  The clatter of crockery on the floor causes a sudden hush followed by laughter.  As Urvan apologizes and reaches to help the girl up, he looks up and locks eyes with Gratham.  The man's eyes open wide, as if he has seen a monster, and he starts to push through the crowd to get away from the lad.

Idalaiz smiles up at Scarlet, "Naiada, that's a great choice, it sounds very Corcyran.  But Delfini is her married name.  She was Penapolous, I think, before that, so you could take that name or make one up and say you are cousins on her mother's side."  The old woman grabs a bar in front of her, then drops down and disappears out of sight.

Early the next morning, a page arrives at the tent where Scarlet and Erikus have made themselves comfortable.  Erikus is already up, and he confronts the boy.  "Who are you?" he asks.

"I am Gerroldivus, a page here in the Palace.  I have a package for Scarlet d'Ardelle."

"She is through there, but you can not go in.  She did not say it was OK, yet."  Scarlet is pleased at how well Erikus has learned his lesson about not barging in to her curtained-off section she refers to as her bedchamber.

Scarlet comes out, finally, and accepts the package, handing the page a few coppers.  It is a cloth bag containing a wig, some clothes, a tight, shapeless corset, some cosmetics, and a reversible cloak.  The cloak has one side a gray-brown that looks dusty and care-worn.  The other side is a rich, dark blue in a silky fabric that looks quite luxurious.

Scarlet barely represses her impulse to pat Erikus' head like he is a well-trained cat. In some way, he is: slightly feral, loyal but unable to grasp social cues, but ultimately noble in some mysterious way. She is satisfied that her murderous fit of rage has at least, it seems, won her the loyalty of the boy. With every passing night she dreams less and less of the dead stable boy, a dark blessing which she does not question too much.

Back in her "bedchamber", Scarlet sighs. She has always been secretly proud of her blond curls, so unusual in court; now she is to wear that stupid brunette wig. She has always had a... complicated relationship with the more obvious marks of her womanhood, namely her breasts. Two years ago they were close to non-existent, which was fine by her but a constant source of scorn from Mother. Now they are definitely a constant presence, occasionally a source of pride as she notices how boys and men steal glance at her bosom, but more often a nuisance as they are tender, need support, get in the way, bounce painfully at all the wrong times. That corset, which she supposed is Idalaiz's way of making her look more childish and less womanlike, is uncomfortably tight. For the first time ever, Scarlet feels squished the wrong way, not upwards but backwards, which feels vaguely self-deprecating, like a denial of herself.

So her first time as "Naiada Penapolous" she is trying to hold down a bad mood, as she heads out to see the Countess Brennalia, feeling simultaneously constrained by that corset, as well as naked, without Tigris and her rapier.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Tue 03 Jan 2023.

Something deep inside Urvan reared up as Graham took to flight. Lady Stilwell of the Palace Kennels would have called it "Prey Drive", some dogs had that innate predatory instinct, and some did not.

It turns out Urvan had it in spades.

Almost unthinking he barreled implacability after the Priest, teeth bared, the bystanders all but forgotten. What his next step was he didn't know, but what he did knew if that deep in his blood he wanted to run this man down, he needed to. It was as simple as that.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Wed 04 Jan 2023.

Urvan, I assume you are not holding back, so make an acrobatics roll for leaping table to table as a shortcut across the room.  Anything below DC10 and he'll get away (because you slipped on something).  10-15, he'll make it into the back room where you'll have another chance at him.  15-20, you'll reach him in this room and can attempt a grapple or attack or whatever you like.  20+ you'll reach him with style, which will give you +4 on your grapple or first attack.  Roll and write it up.

Scarlet, roll disguise.  This kit will qualify as a +2 disguise kit for this disguise only.  It is otherwise an adequate disguise kit for basic disguises (i.e. no minuses).  Describe what you're doing to find your "cousin," but any reasonable thing you try will work.  You can describe her, if you like -- I haven't planned anything other than she's a woman in her late 20's from the islands, and she's expecting you.  We should settle on what sort of accent she and Naiada will have -- you can decide that, too, and I'll follow your lead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:28, Wed 04 Jan 2023.

Almost too excited by the prospect of the chase, Urvan throws himself with everything he has at the fleeing priest and actually overshoots his mark, where he slams bodily into a table upsetting it in his passage. With a pained grunt and a frustrated growl, the young man scrambles to continue to chase.

13:45, Yesterday: Urvan Kron rolled 10 using 1d20+9.  Grapple Attempt .

Scarlet d'Ardelle rolled 13 using 1d20+11.  Disguise 9 +2 .

Not amazing!

Chafing because of the tight corset and constantly fighting the urge to pull off that itchy wig, Scarlet askas around town for the Baroness Brennalia, trying to fake a Corcyran accent. She sounds more like a drunken Cretan, probably. She finally finds a page who for a copper points her in the right direction.

Scarlet d'Ardelle rolled 13 using 1d20.  How nice is the baroness?

The baroness turns out to be a heavy drinking lass, who looks at Scarlet over the rim of her third glass of the morning.

"Oh, so you are the... one the lady said would come. Take a seat, and a glass, mmm? I love your hair. At least you're not a blonde, thank the Olympus. I hate blondes. They strut around like 'hey, I'm blonde, look at my tits'. Seriously. I have not met one who wasn't a slut. Pardon my Gallic, I'm not acting now, you know... Oh, acting! By Hera, that's the other thing I hate. Actresses, dancers, the whole lot! I don't know why we should tolerate such a disreputable entourage in court... well, I do. The men, of course! Any excuse to peep an ankle here, half a boob there, all with the flimsy excuse of a ballet or play! Outrageous. And to think some nobleladies are willing to let her daughters take up such rotten activities! Awful. Anyway. What do you do in your free time?"

Scarlet purses her lips and smiles, thinly.

Gratham runs behind the bar and into a door clearly meant only for employees.  "Hey!  You can't ..." the bartender yells after him, ineffectually.  Urvan picks himself up and runs to follow, causing the bartender to move to intercept the big lad.  The barkeep is, himself, a fairly big man and does not easily shove aside.  However, once he is on the receiving end of Urvan's angry glare, he decides that maybe this is a private matter and he does not need to be involved.

Urvan steps through the door just as he hears a door behind click shut.  The room is something of a kitchen, 15 feet ahead and 20 feet wide, though the only cooking going on is a cauldron of stew sitting in some glowing coals on the left wall.  There is a table beside it with stacks of bowls, and another table against the far wall neatly piled with loaves of bread.  Above and beside that are cabinets with bottles of wine and small casks of beer and ale.

An old woman sits in a chair beside the huge pot smoking a pipe.  She looks at Urvan with a complete lack of alarm, as if all the craziness in the world means nothing to her.  Perhaps the contents of her pipe might explain her towering levels of apathy.

There is a door straight ahead and one off to the right.  It's not clear which door Urvan heard close.

Such a great post, but you ended it with her asking you a question. 

Brennalia refills her wine glass, "Cat got your tongue, then?  Oh come on.  Don't be so surprised.  I know you're not really 10 years old.  She said you were working for her, so you have to at least be old enough for a glass or two.  Unless maybe ..."  Suddenly she looks filled with doubt.  "You ARE the one I'm supposed to pretend is my cousin, right?  What is this all about, anyway?"

Scarlet realizes that this person is not one to trust with any secrets.  She'll have to study her for accent and mannerisms, though, so she ought to keep her talking.

Urvan, knowing that time is of the essence, elects to go through the right door, guessing that the Priest may have diverted in an effort to throw him off the track. In any case he guesses that once they are outside, it will be far easier to see which way he might have gon, as long as he had not already put on too much distance.