A few days before you are set to leave for Chult, you are approached by Madaline. Your time in the kitchen with her has made her comfortable with you. You can tell she doesn't really like or care about anyone in the Guild Hall, but she acts completely different toward you. "I hear you're going to Chult. Would you bring back some delicacies for me? I want to taste them, and I hear they have unique spices there. Maybe I can learn to make some of them, and bring a little of Chult to Baldur's Gate."

"No, problem. And tell me can you name at least one of these unique spices? I also want to tell you that you care about everyone in the Guild Hall; regardless if you realize it or not but, it comes through in your cooking."

"Nah, I don't know their names," Madaline said, shrugging. "I just know that they have some exotic things that you can't find here."

"No, problem. I'll keep my eyes peeled for something." Perrin says with a smile.

"Don't be gone long," she says, coldly. Then her demeanor softens. "Be safe."

“You too. There are dangers in this city; as I’m quickly learning.”

Madaline scoffs and waves him away. "No need to worry about me." She returns to the cleaning she had been doing.

You all separate for this week of downtime. Both Shanolia and Singe spend their time researching in the High House of Wonder. It takes Shanolia a bit more time to gain entrance to the High House's library, but once she does their research goes by quickly and with multiple breakthroughs. 

Woe spends her time learning more about both Lantan and the Viscardis. She learns a little about Eldon's past, but it doesn't prove to be as fruitful as she had hoped. During her excursion with Polly she got closer to Eldon's sister and gained her trust. Given time she's sure she can dig up whatever dirt it is she's looking for. 

Koll spent his time at the local shrine to Ilmater. There, his words of wisdom and odd exercises were welcome with open arms. He gained a friend and ally at the shrine and was given a cloak that bears the pain of Ilmater's clergy. 

After Perrin's adventure with Polly, he spent his time teaching Madeline the finer details of meal preparation. She learns multiple dishes under his tutelage and he leaves her in the kitchen, confidant she won't kill the Viscardis with her cooking while the group is away. 

Zamar and Lera spend their downtime carousing about the city. They make good friends and valuable contacts as they do, people they'll be able to contact in the future for any needs that may arise. 

Eldon leaves Baldur's Gate after the second day and there's an air of quiet once he's gone. Polly seems extra down that day, so Whistler allows Perrin to cook up some sweets and gives them to Polly's tutor to reward her with throughout the day's lessons.

It isn't until late into the final day that there's a knock on the door. Polly, allowed out of her room for an hour to say her farewells, rushes over to open the door. Once opened, everyone in the common room is met with Grasalfan's smiling face.

"'Ello Scarlet Dawn!" He exclaims, hopping into the Guild House. "I've got great news! We're leaving tomorrow at noon on the Blazing Sail. She's a strong ship. She's a fast ship. She's a Flaming Fist ship! I hope ye're all ready for your first real adventure!" 

After spending a bit of time with the Scarlet Dawn, Grasalfan leaves the Guild House. You learn that he has a sort of flying machine, and that he plans on flying to Lantan from Chult, stuffing all of you in the machine like dried rations in a pouch. He assures you all that you'll get a chance to look at the flying machine after it's loaded onto the ship. 

Unfortunately Koll and Perrin miss the small meeting. They're both in the kitchen whipping up a cherry pie. 

"Docks - You know the One," the note had said. It was Loro's sick sense of humour to have them meet where their father had been killed at Koll's hands. Perhaps the thief thought it would put him off guard. Koll would not let him have that pleasure. He wouldn't let it bother him. After all, he was coming to terms with it, seeking peace and redemption. What was Loro doing? Laughing and denying that he had loved their father just as much as Koll had.

Koll seeks out Perrin later that night to ask for a pie to take to the meet-up. When he does, Perrin insists on going as well.

"You sure?" Koll asks. He doesn't want to embroil others in his tangled past if he doesn't have to. Truthfully, he feels that Perrin's righteousness might be something that could get him into trouble with the Tower Wolves. "Listen," the monk says, "I don't doubt your bravery or your competence, but I feel I should do this alone. I must speak to him as a brother, not as an associate or business partner. It may seem that way if I bring you along. Yes it's your pies he loves, but I need to appeal to more than his greed."

Perrin remains insistent. "I'll let you talk to him alone. I just want to make sure that nothing happens to you. It seems like there might be members who resent you for leaving. Also, I know that the road of redemption is hard and I want you to know that I'm there to help you and support you as long as your on this road."

The halfling is as persuasive as ever and Koll agrees, actually thankful to have the stout-hearted paladin at his side. And perhaps it is for the best that things with Loro remain businesslike and impersonal. After the pie is baked, the two of them head out into the night.

There's a light haze the settles over the docks late at night. It makes the sounds of the ocean feel distant and mysterious. The creaking of the ships adds to that, making the noises seem louder than they really are. The dock in question lies near the end of the line, a dock stained with the blood and sweat of its history. No ship is docked there currently, but nearly a dozen figures are mingling there in the distance. Koll scans the shadows looking for others.

“I don’t think your brother plans on ambushing you but this is your gig so I’ll follow you.” Perrin then tries to appear as nonchalant as possible.

"It's just good to know who's out there," says Koll. "They call themselves wolves but they can be more like rats - there are always more that you don't see." Koll is also worried about other thieves, rival gangs. "And don't be too nonchalant," he tells Perrin. "It insults them if you aren't at least a little scared."

Perrin adjusts his bearing ever so slightly in a way that seems pitch perfect to Koll. As the two of them approach the group, one of the thieves calls out. Koll and Perrin both recognize Loro's voice. "That's far enough," he says. "This the rat? I was hoping it wouldn't be the one with the pies..."

Perrin and Koll feel the presence of others that they can't see in the shadows about them. Loro and the small group are still about fifty feet away, but in the haze they still look like indistinguishable figures.

“Rat?" asks Perrin "What is he talking about, Koll?”

"Didn't you know that Shanolia reported Vivicus Sharp to the Fists?" Koll whispers back.

“No. I didn’t know. I didn’t even know Sharp was in the Tower Wolves.”

"Yeah, he was at the Happy Hangman when we went there." Koll speaks louder for Loro to hear. "No it wasn't this one. It was the other one. She was only thinking of the gold at the time. You would like her I think. But she has since seen the error of her ways."

"And here I thought you brought us a gift," Loro replies, walking forward. "We'll have to deal with her another time then." The others stay back as he approaches.

Perrin reaches into his bag and pulls out the Cherry Pie as Loro approaches. “See! One fresh Cherry Pie. Just like I promised.”

He smirks as he gets closer, putting his arms out, palms showing, to indicate he's not armed. "My thanks... I missed the taste." He turns his attention to Koll, "Viv is in hiding, and we need to move our product. We're being watched, so you're our man."

"Move what where?" Koll asks. "Nevermind, I don't need to know. Why don't you take the money I promised you - I have it here - and hire someone else to do the job? I can't do it. We're leaving on a ship bound for Lantan tomorrow."

Loro laughs. "I know. My ears have already told me your Scarlet Dawn is heading to Chult." He gestures and one of the men walks forward, a large sack slung across his back. "Well brother, we have friends in Chult and coin waiting. Two-thousand gold, and not a copper less."

The Tower Wolf drops the sack on the dock in front of them. Perrin is a little confused about what Loro is asking. “Wait. So you want Koll to collect two thousand gold while he’s in Lantan?”

"Yeah, a transaction," explains Koll. "I deliver the goods and bring back the payment."

"The Blazing Sail is going to Port Nyanzaru. There you will meet our contact. Your friend sold us out, Koll. It's this or her life... you choose."

Koll shakes his head in forbearance. "Exactly, dear brother. We all have choices. But the only true choices are the ones that are difficult to make. I agree to your deal. Stay away from Shanolia. Although, as I said, you might actually like her. She is your most natural ally among our group. Sure, you and I have our history, but if and when I need to make a hard choice, know that I am committed to my path."

"Keep her on a tight leash," is all Loro says. He turns to leave, but then stops. "The pie?" He looks over to Perrin.

“Does killing her really seem necessary?" Perrin asks. "Also, what I’m the world are you going to do with two thousand gold? Oh," he says remembering the pie. "Here you go. Enjoy!”

As Perrin hands it to him, Loro grasps the halfling's arm for a second and whispers, "We all have bosses, chef. We need to please them if we're to keep our own lives." He looks back to Koll, "A flaming Fist ship is not a good place to smuggle drugs. Don't get caught."

He leaves the bag with and walks away, giving a gesture for the others follow him off the docks. When they are gone, Perrin and Koll still have the eerie feeling that they're being watched.

Koll picks up the heavy bag that feels like it is filled with bricks, and he and Perrin make their way quickly back to their guild house. After they leave the docks, however,the sense of being watched dissipates. Koll realizes that Loro is working for someone bigger than just the old gang. His bosses now are likely the Guild. That's who was watching them, and that's how serious things have gotten.

When they get back to the house, Perrin says to Koll, “I think your brother can do good. I think he can go down the same path as you. He just needs a push. And it sounds like to be cut off from a bad influence. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to do that. Until then I’ll help you out with him whenever. Just know you can always count on me for this? Now how bad is the thing that he asked us to do?”

"That depends," says Koll, "on how you feel about narcotics. To some they offer a false sense of power or happiness or enlightenment and ensnare people in their clutches, leaving them without any free will. But they can also relieve suffering for those without hope or in great pain. Some claim that they can help expand your mind and bring you closer to the gods. I don't know. Much of the harm comes from the fact that they are deemed illegal, I think. I am not terribly bothered by this task, though I'm sure the others might be. To keep them from getting embroiled too much in this situation of mine, I think it's best we keep it a secret. And thank you for your support. I don't know how much Loro will change. It seems to me he is in with the Guild now. But I agree that he could still do good even so."

“Regardless we cannot give up hope on him," Perrin says, "and your secret is safe with me. Now let’s get to bed. We have a long and exciting day tomorrow.”

When Koll is alone in his room he examines the packages, bricks of some kind of drug tightly wrapped in wax paper and stamped with the Tower Wolves' symbol. Poking a small hole in one brick, Koll is unable to determine what it is, but for the amount of money it is fetching it probably potent and likely something very addictive. He shoves the bag under his bed.
After thinking for a while, he realizes that he still has the money from his share of the diamond sale. He really hoped Loro would have taken that instead of roping him into illicit dealings. In the morning, he decides, he will give it to Mr. Whistler and ask him to make an anonymous donation to the Shrine of Suffering.

Shanolia finishes her meal and packs up the various dishes, carefully descending the rope and pulling the piton-rope contraption down, storing it in her pack.

“Can't risk leaving these and needing them.” She mutters in Abyssal.

She quickly walks to the kitchen to dispose of her dishes, before heading downstairs and trancing the night away.

Zamar awakens early on the morning of the excursion. He's been restless since moving into the guild hall, but only Woe knows why. He tries to use the ritual of packing and organizing to shake himself from his reverie. He stows his old leather armor, cleans his weapons, and tunes up his instruments. His unease does not subside. He decides to go find Lera and see how her preparations are going.

He heads to the kitchen and gets coffee, just the way she likes it. She'll be suspicious, but there is nothing for it. He is surprised to find her up uncharacteristically early. He hands her the coffee. "Thanks, Pops!" she says. "Heeeeeey. Why are you bringing me coffee?"

"I can't bring my daughter coffee on her big day?" he asks innocently.

"You *can*, but you don't," she reminds him. "What gives?"

"Just checking to see that you are ready," he says. "This is a big deal. We are going far away and into danger..."

"Pops!", she interjects, "I'm not a child anymore. You said we could do this!"

"I know, I know," he says. "And we are doing it. I brought you with me to trap some muggers. I'm doing my best to embrace this. But I am still your father. And you are still seventeen."

"I'm a mature, responsible adult!" she counters.

He sighs. This is not going how he wanted. "Look. You are capable. I have faith in you. I am proud of you..."

"But?" she says, "That is a sentence waiting for a but."

"BUT," he emphasizes, "you get carried away in your exuberance. You are so eager to become this great heroine you have built in your mind that you take risks. Unnecessary risks. We scared the thieves away. Bobbington was safe. Why tell them to fear The Scarlet Dawn? Who knows how big their ring is. We are just starting. There is something off about this house. And something Whistler is not telling us. We do not need extra targets on our backs."

"Fine." she grumbles.

"Look," he says, "I didn't come here to give you a lecture. Let's just start over." He takes a deep breath and begins again. "Good morning, daughter. Are you ready for your first ocean voyage?"

The thought of the ship perks Lera up. She is still a little sore at Zamar for being overprotective, but this has been their relationship for years. The fact that they are going on a boat to forbidden lands is kind of a big concession. She decides to let it go. Mostly. She heaves an exaggerated sigh to let him know she is not over it but is willing to try. "Xanathar's pants! Do you think we'll see any sea monsters? I have so much to do. I need to pack and I need to give Koll Jr some snacks and I have to make sure Polly is okay and..."

"Breathe, child!" he laughs. "I will leave you to it. I'm going to go see if Perrin has cooked up any breakfast. I can see this voyage is going to test me in many ways. I am going to need my strength." He hugs her. "If you need anything, please ask?"

"Will do, Pops!" she says as he turns to leave. His shoulders sag a bit at the too oft used label, but he has given up on trying to make her stop. He heads into the hall in search of Perrin and breakfast.

"It's early, I know, but we're leaving today. I quickly want to buy a couple more items. I feel I am not yet fully prepared for this trip. Does anybody want to accompany me?" Woe looks around the room and her new friends hurrying here and there to pack their bags. Only Koll stands in one corner, doing his exercises oblivious to the chaos erupting around him. Woe watches him for one moment his forehead wrinkled in concentration, his muscles tense but a picture of perfection.

"I'll come with you, I can do with some air" Zamar interrupts Woe's train of thoughts...

Woe smiles and nods, "Let's go!"

They walk for a long while in comfortable silence. Then Woe asks, "Did something else happen? I can see you're still shaken..."

"Not something. Several somethings." he says. "Something is going on here. I wonder if it will follow me to sea."

"Tell me!", she exclaims.

"This presence, whatever it is, has not been aggressive or malicious. But I see and feel it everywhere. 'She' comes to me at night, during the day. She is a ghost, a shadow. The shadow of a candlestick reaches out and caresses my hand as I lean against the table. I don't feel evil. I think something is trying to reach out. It might need help."

"Even during the day? That's not good. Do you want to walk by a temple or something? I feel unequipped to deal with shadows. I am more than happy to swing my rapier against visible foes, but ones that I can't see.... hm... I feel we need help in this. What are your beliefs?"

“Even during the day. I am not sure whether we should go to a temple yet. It would be different if others were seeing things as well. Should we meet? Bring someone else in? Since? Perrin?”

"I think, we all know each other well enough now. If you feel sure to share, then do so. Otherwise this is your last chance to get 'anonymous' help. Once we're on the boat, we cannot consult books or temples."

"That is true. I suppose we could consult a temple while we were out without telling them the where of things. If this is a benign force seeking our help, I don't want to harm it. Perhaps we should call a meeting before we head to the docks."

"We could say, we have a client suffering these 'symptoms'... Maybe there is an easy 'reveal yourself' spell or something... Which temple would suit best, you think?"

"Is there a temple to Milil around? Or Oghma? I find their temples both to be comforting."

"There is a Shrine to Ilmater not far from here. We could ask if they have ways to deal with the presence of spirits."

"That sounds as good as any," he smiles.

The pair get the feeling they're getting closer to the Shrine of Suffering when they start smelling the Baldurians and refuse of the Heapside district of the city. Woe in particular starts feeling a little bit out of her comfort zone in this section of the Lower City. The fog this morning is thicker than normal, but it looks as though its tinged yellow the closer to Heapside they get. Woe can almost feel poverty and sickness hanging in the air. The yellow tinge of the fog is not helping. She takes Zamar's arm, for her own reassurance as much as for his. "We better find a solution here. Zamar is freaking out as it is, and we don't need any other threats," she thinks to herself. Woe guides Zamar to the entrance of the Shrine and asks a monk if there is someone who could help with 'spirit sightings'.

The priest of Ilmater and his two stewards are all feeding the homeless in the area. They each have a kettle and are pouring some sort of porridge into bowls and handing them to those that have gathered for a morning meal.

“Greetings, brother,” Zamar says kindly. “I apologize for interrupting your ministrations. I have a problem that requires the wisdom of a holy man. Can I assist in your efforts while we talk?”

"Brother Hodges," he says, handing you the kettle. The porridge looks as though it lacks a lot of the finer ingredients, but none of the recipients seem to complain. He waves you to follow as he goes to the next group of homeless in the area. "How can we help you, friend?" He asks.

He takes the kettle and continues ladling the porridge. “Thank you. I am Zamar and this is my friend Lady Woe. Are you familiar with spirit presences? Visitations from beyond the grave?”

"I've not encountered many real spirits," he says. "The Elfsong Tavern is known to have a ghost of some sort that sings occasionally, but I've never been to the place myself."

“Ah. Pity. I have a patron who has been troubled by visitations. They have not seemed harmful or malicious, but neither have they credibly been who they claim to be. He has seen them in the night, in the day, and even in such mundane things as the shadow of a candle. He is at a loss and does not know how to tell if it is a malicious force or a troubled entity seeking help. Have you any guidance you can offer?”

His face scrunches up a bit in thought. "Often times it is those that are troubled that claim to see such things... you may be surprised what many people that have suffered hardships are haunted by. Like waking dreams, they are. Have you witnessed any of the things he says he sees?"

“I have not. But he has felt the touch of this entity as well as the sight of it. And it has gone on long enough that I think we can rule out fatigue. He does not have a bad life. Good friends, family, comfort. He has loss, but no worse than most.”

"The mind has a way of decaying with time," he remarks with a distant look. He sighs before adding, "I'm sorry I can't be much more of a help. I would offer to extend a visit, but I find myself busier here with each passing day." As he says this you both approach the new group of homeless. They sit, huddled, and look up at the priest. You can tell they're not all there, as their eyes roll back and their heads flop to the side when they see the priest and smile. A chill runs down Woe's back... aside from the bleeding, they look very much like the girl she saw at the gate. They look more coherent; however, and raise their bowls for food.

"Oh my god!" Woe panicks silently. She tries to keep at least a little bit of a distance between herself and Zamar and the group. "I have seen these symptoms before" she whispers to Zamar.

“Is this the disease you and Singe mentioned?” he whispers back

"Foof," one slurs, crawling over to Zamar for a scoop.

She tries again to pull Zamar and the priest backwards. She whispers: "Brother Hodges, are there many more? These people are ill! Even the temples of the upper city couldn't help heal this disease!"

Zamar stumbles back involuntarily as the sickly man reaches for him. “I am sorry, brother. Their...condition caught me off guard.”

Brother Hodges gives them a perplexed look, but nods and reaches for the kettle. "Fear not," he says. "They will be entered into the ossuary in time... as we all shall. I can take it from here." He gives you a final, parting nod before returning to feed the homeless.

Zamar mumbles an apology and follows Woe away. He continues to walk arm-in-arm, allowing her to lead through streets she is more familiar.

"I thought it was an isolated case! Well, two cases I guess." Woe is visibly shaken. "How can the priest be so calm? I should have asked him if he knows what's causing this..."

“I don’t know. But that was distressing to say the least. I wonder how far it has reached. In any case, he did not seem interested in cause or cure. Merely in comforting them to their end.”

"I need to speak with Singe. I think he was researching the disease. Maybe he has found how the disease passes from person to person." Woe shakes her head. Then she looks up again. I am sorry he had no answers for you. Do you feel scared by your wife's presence? Is she threatening you? In a couple of hours we'll all be on a boat. Probably in the same room. We'll find out quickly if we can all see her. Maybe telling the others before we leave is not the worst of ideas!"

“She is not threatening me. More like reaching out. But she hasn’t asked for anything. It’s all very confusing and disconcerting.” He sighs. “So much for fresh air. Apparently I am crazy or distraught. Hopefully we will not add diseased to the list. You are right. We’d best talk to the others when we get back. Even Lera. I may leave off the fact that it is her mother visiting me, but I need to know if anyone else is seeing things. Let’s finish our errands and get back. We clearly have a lot to talk about.”

"Yes, let's head back."

Zamar and Woe continue their errands in silence, purchasing the remaining supplies they need for the journey. And this time, the silence is much less comfortable, each disturbed by what they have seen.

Late in the morning, Zamar and Woe return to the Guild Hall and head for the common room. Nobody seems to be around, so they spend time rounding the others up, making sure not to alert Whistler to their alarm or concern. It takes time as their friends are all in their quarters making final preparations, but the looks of distress on Woe and Zamar's faces as they call the meeting helps to hasten the others along. Zamar asks Woe to collect Lera as he fears seeing him distressed may alarm her more. At last, they are all gathered. After one final check to make sure they are not being listened to, Zamar begins. 

"Thank you for making time for us, my friends," he begins. "I know we all have preparations to complete before we begin our journey. There are two things we wish to discuss. One deals with an experience in the city and one is more...personal in nature. Both pertain to our guild and the new path we are all forging." He sees he has their attention. "I am stalling. I apologize. I have been out of sorts of late and Woe has been trying to help. She suggested we visit a temple to seek more qualified advice, so we may our way to the nearby Shrine of Ilmater. Brother Hodges was kind and attentive, though ultimately he had no answers for us. I assisted him in feeding the hungry and the homeless while we talked as I did not feel right distracting him from his task. As I was serving up their porridge, Woe noticed a large group of them exhibiting the same symptoms as the diseased child Singe encountered during the scavenger hunt." He looks haunted. "There were so many. And Brother Hodges didn't seem to have any idea how to help. So he was keeping them comforted until they died. Whatever this is, it is spreading!" He pauses, letting this sink in. "There is also the matter I sought guidance on, but perhaps we should discuss this first?" He looks to Singe as the most likely to weigh in. 

Singe shrugs, "Medicine is not my area of expertise. Grasalfan said he could not recognize the disease and no clerical magic seemed to bring the girl back to health. We should help, but we can't. We don't have the power, the resources; I just hope the Viscardis stay safe. What's the other matter?"

Zamar's shoulders sag. "Perhaps we can research upon our return. Or maybe we will get lucky and meet someone in our travels." He exhales slowly. "The other matter is one I am hoping that at least some of you have experienced, because the other answer that appears to be out there is that I have lost my mind." He smiles weakly. "I have been seeing...an apparition. It started at night, but it has been growing more bold in reaching out. The first night we were there, I saw a face in the candle light and a hand reached out to touch me. The second night, I felt a...presence in my room. I looked, but saw nothing out of place. As I searched, I felt a hand brush through my hair.and heard a faint whisper. But before I could react, all returned to normal. Over the week, I've been seeing it more. During the day, at times, I've been seeing, and feeling,  more from the shadows. At one point, a candlestick's shadow caressed my hand as I leaned on a table. The shadows are never aggressive. I've tried to communicate, but they don't seem to want anything. I have never experienced anything remotely like this anywhere else, so I am convinced it has to do with this building. I asked Whistler about it and caught a reaction, though he has denied any knowledge. He knows more than he is letting on. Has anyone else had supernatural experiences in this house? Shadow related or otherwise?"

“Wow. A haunted house.” Perrin shakes a little at the thought. “I haven’t had any experiences here but I can open up my senses and smell if their are any ghosts, demons, fiends, or angels around us. If you want I can go in your room and just see if I sense anything. I haven’t done this much but it’s one of the powers I’ve been granted by Yondalla.” 

"I appreciate that. That could be helpful. How does it work? Do you have to be still? Or can you walk around and try to sense things? It doesn't malevolent, but this is pretty far outside my expertise. I don't know whether to help it or banish it." He pauses. "Or disbelieve it." 

“Well, I just have to open my senses and I kind of know if any of those things are nearby. They all have a distinct smell. It’s only for a couple brief seconds. So I cannot go around smelling the whole house but I will know if anything is within like 60 feet. It doesn’t work if I can’t see the area so like if your room is closed I cannot tell if it’s in there. Also, it’ll tell me if this land is holy or unholy.” Perrin says; glad he’s knowledgeable in his powers and hoping he didn’t say anything wrong. 

“You know, I may or may not have some information on this,” Lera bit her lip. “But I was sworn to secrecy, so you have to promise not to tell anyone. Alright?” The sorcerer took a deep breath.

“Polly has been talking to ghosts too. I saw one, a shadow that slipped away, but I couldn’t catch it. She says that the ghosts are her parents and I really didn’t know what to do but she said that they would never hurt her so I decided to leave it and I wasn’t really asking the right questions but I didn’t know and-“ Lera finally paused to take a breath, as the last run-on she had managed to say all in one go. “And I suppose that’s it really. It feels good to get that off my chest.”

Zamar turns and looks at her. "Her parents, you say? That can't be a coincidence. I hadn't wanted to say this because I didn't want to upset you. The shadows, and shadows are what have been reaching out to me, have been posing as your mother. I...I speak to her every night and tell her how you are growing. Share your story. She has never reached back, until we moved in here. Why Polly? And why me? And is she safe here without us? Do we tell Whistler, given that he knows more than he is letting on? 

A brief moment of hurt flirted across Lera’s face. To her father, it would be evident, but she was relatively good at keeping her thoughts from being painted across her face. Especially these thoughts. “I’m going to go ask Polly some more questions,” Lera turned away from the group. “I want to make sure she’ll be safe.”

She made her way out the door. Why doesn’t she talk to me?

"Lera, everyone, we really need to head down to the docks, now. We shouldn't keep Grasalfan waiting." Singe seems very concerned and uncomfortable.

"Everything all right? What is the rush? Lera needs to check on Polly."