Tender looks over their host carefully, a rare thoughtful look stealing over her face as she tilts her head, tail curling around her feet in what any who know her well would know as a self-conscious gesture. To gain standing in a faerie court would be a grand adventure, but to misstep even once could go very badly. Still, there was some temptation - Ember's suggestion of trickery was intriguing, though Tender herself was terrible at such things. She had far too open a face for it, despite growing up on the streets. Best to go with the direct approach, she decided, glancing around briefly at her friends. 

"I'd be up for it, depending on what you ask of us. We knew it wouldn't be easy, after all," she grins, showing off sharp teeth. "Nothin' worth doin' ever is."

Tellior and Celesta find this Archfey very hard to read. She seems all warmth and friendliness: curious about this party of outsiders and concerned about Catherine. But it is very easy to get lost in her fascinating eyes and elegant movements, and there is an alien nature to her, even for Celesta. Lady Daneleian may be an elf, but she is unlike any Celesta has ever met, enough to seem a different species.

Lady Daneleian listens to their responses, and notes their hesitation, “Ah, I see. We speak of bargains and contracts and trickery, and then suggest that you do something for us. No wonder you are cautious. I applaud your quick adaptation to our ways. And at the same time you are all politeness and grace. Well done. I have no intention of binding you to any agreement or contract. I will simply ask you to complete a task for me, and you may attempt it or not or even try it and give up halfway. Should you achieve three such tasks of your own free will, you will have shown Hedgegrove that you can be a positive, helpful member of our community."

She pauses for a moment looking down with a self-deprecating smile, then looks up with a slight darkening blush on her cheeks and continues, “You will think my first task quite silly. But it is important to me. I ordered a pair of slippers from my favorite cobbler two weeks ago. They should have been done by now, but it seems they are not and Frendamus has become rather evasive when asked about them. I think something has gone wrong and he is afraid to tell me, the dear gnome. I ask you to go to his shop and collect the slippers or at least find out what has happened. Perhaps he will talk to you.”

"That certainly sounds simple enough," Tellior responds, looking a bit chastened by Lady Daneleian's quick realization of their hesitation.  He looks to his friends to see if they agree, "Certainly no harm in doing this, right?"  

He then addresses the Archfey woman once again, "We may need someone to help give us some directions. I'm not sure I could find my way out of this palace, let alone find Frendamus' shop!" 

“Well, if the shoe fits...  We didn’t come all the way here not to help Catherine.”  Kellen glances at the others “No harm can come out of a cobbler’s shop, can it? We can browse while we are there.  Perhaps you can pick up some dancing shoes, Ember”

(Mobile)

"Damn" ember explodes after contemplating whats going on. "Guys. I need to talk to you. Privately."

He had just realized that they had entered into an open bargain when they had eaten the food.

Ember drags his friends away and whispers "you have all entered into an open bargain with lady denalean accidentally. It would be wise to do as she asks but be wary."

(Mobile)

Tender shakes her head ar Ember's assessment, disagreeing. "No," she says, nodding back towards their hosts, "they said an open bargain is taking without knowledge or previous agreement." She pats Ember on the shoulder comfortingly. "They offered us refreshment when we arrived, so we all knew!"

She shrugs then, looking at the rest. "I think it'll be fun to go fetch these slippers for the Lady! I'd love to see anything we can of this place. It's beautiful."

Tellior allows himself to be pulled along with the others by Ember.  But after hearing him,  he nods his head in agreement with Tender. "We were clearly offered the food Ember. You really need to settle down!" His voice is a whisper,  but barely.

"So, we're all agreed on looking into this tailor? I think we'd all like to see more of Hedgegrove. Well, besides Ember."

"Yes. I agree we should find the tailor. And i would behappy to see more of hedgegrove its a beutiful place. But i would prefer to explore after we save catherine."

Celesta says “Agreed-  let’s go!” 

Once you inform Lady Daneleian that you are prepared to take on this task, she offers Parolanta as a guide. “It seems an easy task, to go to a cobbler’s shop and inquire about a commission. However, the city of Hedgegrove is a challenging place to navigate. Most of the citizens are reasonably friendly. Be cordial and you will receive courtesy in return, for the most part. Like any city, there may be those who wish to take advantage of the unwary. In addition, there are unpredictable bursts of magic that can have strange effects. And it can be difficult to find your way. Parolanta can help you avoid getting lost.”

Unless you have any further questions for Lady Daneliean, you seem to be dismissed. Parolanta leads you back out of the throne room into the hallway. As you walk along the twisting and turning passages, she explains, “We will go out the Gate of the Wind and follow one of the main roads to a ley line intersection which will bring us very close to the cobbler’s shop. As Lady Daneliean said, we must be on our guard against any surprises. If you have any questions about Hedgegrove, I would be happy to answer them.”

More than comfortable letting their friends speak for the group for now, Triss stays back and lets the others handle it. Their ears twitch a little at the simple task; surely there's got to be more to it than just retrieving a pair of slippers. But they keep their easy smile and nod along with the others. If there is a problem, after all, it'll be a brand new type of problem - they're in the Feywild, after all. That train of thought surprisingly gets Triss excited about this, and they run a hand through their hair before turning their beaming smile onto Parolanta.

"It's very nice of you to help us find our way," Triss tells her. They let out a soft laugh. "Gods know that we don't need to be needlessly wanderin' 'bout this place. Our luck couldn't hold out that much, after all."

Celesta is happy to be exploring with a guide.  “ooh,  I have so many questions!  But you mentioned magic surges-  is there any enhancement of magic or use for these regions?  Do I need to be cautious using spells?  Is there a scholarly institution like a arcana school or library here?   I’m interested in learning more about the nature of time in the true lands“. She pauses her questions to listen. 

As the group is dismissed and has made their way out of the throne room, Tellior speaks up, though to no one in particular, "So, who is going to be in charge of watching Ember? I still fear he is going to get us in trouble here." 

But he continues on, seeming to be in a cheerful mood as they navigate the complex passageways.  "Parolanta, it is wonderful to have you with us.  Do you know anything about this gnome cobbler that we are headed to visit?" 

Kellen bounces along behind Parolanta, taking in the sights and sounds of Hedgegrove and listening closely as their guide answers Celesta’s questions, and adding in a few of his own.

“I have so many questions, what is this ley line you speak of? And yes, as Tellior asked, what can you tell of us the Lady’s favorite cobbler, Frendamus?  Surely there is more to the story than a simple shoemaker?”

The pixie smiles at Celesta’s many questions. “I’m afraid there aren't any particular schools here for the study of magic. There are individuals who practice the arcane arts, but I don’t know how generous they are with their knowledge. Lady Daneliean, as you saw, is a collector of information and maintains her own library. She is interested in everything, especially anything from outside Hedgegrove and the Truelands. Although she cannot leave herself, she feeds her curiosity in any way she can. No doubt she will have many questions for all of you when you have time.”

In answer to both Celesta and Kellen, she says, “Ley lines are like the world’s arteries and veins, carrying magical energy that feeds the Truelands. I’m certain you have them in the material plane as well. But here, they are very powerful which can sometimes lead to strange effects. But not in connection with an individual using magic, so you need not worry about spellcasting.”

To Tellior and Kellen, she explains, “Frendamus Tacktallow is a good fellow, a gnome who has served Lady Daneliean on many occasions with great reliability. That is why it is so odd that he has not delivered these slippers. They are meant to be rose pink princess cut slippers, made of silk with cut gems set into the heels. A special pair for an upcoming dance, but nothing beyond his ability. Frendamus himself can be a bit nervous and fidgety--that’s just his way. You should hear his laugh!”

At this point, you finally make your way out of the palace onto a stone terrace. Steps lead down to a small garden with flowers, bird baths, and neatly tended gravel paths. But what immediately draws your attention is the dense hedge that rises 100 feet into the air. It appears to surround the palace except straight forward where there is a wide stone arch. Beyond the arch is a thirty foot wide road that is also bordered by this extraordinary hedge. The sky above is a dim twilight. “This way,” says Parolanta, flying ahead toward the arch.

Tellior listens with interest to all the explanations that Parolanta gives. He jumps in at one point, "If these ley lines don't affect individual magic what exactly do they do?  Does it change plant growth around them? Or some other effect?"

When finally out on the terrace,  the hedge obviously draws his attention. "So is this how this place gets it name - Hedgegrove?  Is all the city within such a hedge? What is beyond it?"

He continues on,  following the pixie as she heads for the arch. It is only then that his attention is drawn to the gardens.  He admires the many flowers and peers down the various gravel paths.  Though he might hesitate at a few as he glimpses something of interest, he does continue along with the others.

(Mobile)

Ember smiled at telliors comment. "Who is going to watch you? You lot are going to get us in trouble here? But i vote kellen and triss keep me out of trouble. Then i can keep an eye on those pickpockets."

Relaxed and mostly certain these fae were on his side he put his shield away and looked atound marveling at the gardens but keeping an eye on his friends "dont pick flowers"

Wow, the others had a lot of questions. Maybe Triss should have some, too. The thought makes them wrinkle their nose. Nah, they'd leave the intelligence-gathering and, well, the intelligence to the others. Triss'll just be here for a good time - and to corral them if necessary.

Letting out a laugh at Ember's words, they knock their shoulder lightly against his. "Pickpocket?" They put a hand on their chest, batting their eyes innocently. "I would never, darling." 

The grin on their face pretty much tells you immediately that they're lying, though.

The road has a slight curve, so at first all you see are the two remarkably tall hedges stretching up to the sky and lining the road ahead. To Tellior, Parolanta explains, “Yes, Hedgegrove is named for the hedges that make it. Over hundreds and thousands of years, streets have been carved through the hedges to allow travel. With some effort, shops and homes have been built right into the shrubbery. There are some other open spaces for open market squares spread throughout the town, along with gardens, small farms, and orchards. But most of the city is made of the hedges themselves.” 

After a short walk you see an opening in the hedge ahead on the right where a narrower road meets the one you are on. Tellior and Kellen hear it first, but soon you all hear the sounds of loud voices, cheering and singing and laughing. A parade of drunk gnomes and satyrs come from the side road, turn right onto the main thoroughfare, and continue their stumbling march ahead of you. They seem very happy about something. Very happy and very drunk. In fact, their inebriation manifests a cloud of alcohol fumes that surrounds and trails behind them for a while.

(What would you like to do?)

Tellior grins at Ember's comment. "Guess Tender and Celesta will have to watch me.  And I'll be glad to watch them!"

As they continue walking, he tries to take in all the sights. Seeing the revelers ahead,  he jokes, "Now those folks seem to know how to celebrate properly!" But he does slow a bit, not wanting to get caught up in their cloud of inebriation right this moment.

"Who are those folks?" he asks Parolanta. "Are there always such wild parades and celebrations here?"

If necessary to avoid the alcohol fumes,  he would even come to a halt,  looking to see what his friends wish to do.