A Matter of Faith - part II

Boudica

"Oh! Then… then things will get better now , won’t they?" the still rather naive Moryana wholeheartedly believes Boudica when she said someone will now 'set everyone straight' "The mice told me the man who killed the child looked exactly like the young priest. He smelled differently, though. The Sheriff told me 'mice aren't reliable witnesses', but now that you're here, maybe you can find the real killer" she looks upon her with hopeful eyes.

The older Traladaran woman doesn't require anything from Boudica. After you said your goodbyes, she calls Morayana back into the house, so she can get started on dinner.

"You should take care, Hunter. We have seen evidence that goblin attacks have increased on the road." Miyana excuses herself and joins Thea, Will, and Barns at their table. "We need to find out what has happened in our absence. I worry for the priest who was accused of killing the boy. Hopefully, the Patriarch will put things straight. Still, there is naught more to be done tonight. Innkeep, I will require a room, please."

Will accompanies Miyana to the Innkeeper for a room, for the eve!

Seeing that Will & Miyana and our kind innkeeper has place lots of bowls and mugs of brew for dinning, Barns is happy. Eating a hot meal always does that for him as well as drying out. He thinks butter would have been king.

Purchasing a room is soon to be on Barns agenda. Be nice to shed these wet clothes and let them dry out properly. He so much needs to learn a spell for doing that. Would save so much time. And appears it is also on other's thoughts.

Seeing that enjoyment of just a meal isn't possible. Chatter rises here from hunter inquiries. Somehow, he just knew it wouldn't wait till morning and if he is rather fortunate it will interfere with him receiving a good night's sleep. He somehow figures the matter will become worse when a soaking wet Boudica arrives if she isn't accosted for being past curfew.

Barns asks Miyana, "Being late here, would not such matter wait till daybreak. Hopefully the storm will pass. And the hot soup is fine right now."

Boudica returns to the inn and greets her fellows, as well as Thea, Jorgen, Hunter, and the innkeeper. She also nods a greeting to the elf, whom she does not recognize. To her friends, she says, "Moryana is doing well. The young priest, however, was hanged, a few days before the Crystal Order arrived. According to my friend, the mice saw the killer. He looked like the young priest but it was not him...the killer smelled wrong, she claimed. Unfortunately the sheriff ignored her. So the real killer is still at large." Boudica then turns to the elf and says, "Well met, friend. I am Boudica, priestess of the Old Faith."

"Miyana Dradov," Miyana replies by way of introduction. Turning to Barns, she says, "It will have to wait until daybreak, I guess. With the curfew, I doubt we'll be going out again tonight." On Boudica's return with the news, she sighs heavily. "Boudica, would you like to share a room with me? I do not take this news lightly. We should not have left, and now an innocent has suffered. In the morn, I would speak with the patriarch. I hope, for their sakes, that he was given a fair trial, though I doubt it."

Barns says to the helpful innkeeper, "A room for the night would be a blessing." Barns fathoms that he has sufficient coin for meal and a room at a minimum. He glances over to Will, "Sharing a room?"

---

Barns notes the new incomer and give an affirming nod to sit at our table, "Barns. More soup and brew will have to be ordered. And who do we have the pleasures of being siting with?" Barns is easy about making new friends. He wonders what the cat dragged in. He thinks, "This getting to be an interesting evening."

---

It appears something that arriving Boudica has mentioned caught Barns's simple interest, "I believe pursuit of this killer to be rather important tomorrow." as he enjoys the last of his soup. He thinks, "Wizard Edmund Bryson may have been right. Nosferatu exist. Hopefully those two new spells may be useful. He will need study time."

Boudica looks concerned and asks, "I will help if I can. What is the artifact? And who is this sorcerer?"

Alarmed, Boudica says, "We met this man! He tried to sell us magical artifacts but we saw he was illegitimate. I can tell you exactly where and when we saw him, though it as been some time. He tried to sell us a magic horn, and he offered to get something he called living wood, as well. I will help you when I can."

Miyana raises a curious eyebrow. "So it's true, then. There is such a device. He claimed that his horn could collapse buildings, but I believed none of it."

Our fightery bods in heroically- minded agreement!
Yes, he was dubious. Clearly working in secret, became embittered when we questioned his business model. Wasn’t the greatest of salesmen.

Boudica explains whereabouts they had encountered him. And when.

Boudica looks to her friends and asks, "So, what now? The Patriarch will hopefully reign in the Thyatian zealots and the town can return to normal, but there’s still a murderer out there… Someone who can change their appearance. Wait…. " she pauses and then looks at the elven woman preparing to leave.

She speaks up and says, "Excuse me, before you go. I’d like to ask a sensitive question. Please know we mean no offense, but… do you know an elven woman named Velassilirilwyn? You see, someone murdered an innocent child and framed a Thyatian priest. And now everyone here is suffering because of it, and the priest who was framed was recently hung. Well, we met Velassilirilwyn and she made it clear that she wanted Thyatians and Traladarans — all humans — to suffer as a punishment for crimes against nature, in her words. I know she can change her shape into an animal… Could she change her shape to resemble a human man? Could she have framed the priest, in order to punish the people of Threshold? Please… an innocent child is dead and many more could be soon if we don’t find that murderer."

Upon hearing this Barns interrupts, "Where did you last see this Velassilirilwyn? And tell me everything you know of her."