Tellior nods at Celesta's words to Frendamus. "Yes, I have the slippers here."  He indicates the bundled up blanket he carries.

"I suppose you could have a look if you really want...  but we must be VERY careful that nobody touches them."  He makes no move to unwrap the blanket. 

“Yes, Frendamus, it is your lucky day.  You are not ruined after all”  Kellen is in joyful spirits and speaks to the other gnome in an encouraging and helpful manner.  Taking the cue from Tellior, he warns the cobbler “Oh, I don’t think we should unwrap them here.  The curse is very dangerous.”  Kellen shudders at the memory of watching the endless dance.  “She admitted that she stole them, we can be sure they are the right ones.  Would you like to accompany us back to see the Lady?”

Turning to the others “Should we do something about these pies first, I would hate for others to think we have stolen them.  Parolanta, how far are we from the bakery?”

Tellior gives Kellen a long look. He responds slowly. "Normally. I'd agree about returning the pies first.  But it would be really bad if something happens with these cursed slippers."  There is again a pause as he mulls it over. He then says reluctantly. "No. If it isn't too far, let's take care of the pies first."

The gnomish cobbler seems delighted at first that the slippers have been found. But as they explain that they are cursed and that Lydia confessed to stealing them, he begins to frown. “Excuse me, but how did my very fine work for our benevolent leader Lady Daneliean end up with a curse upon them? You say this elf here, this Lydia is behind the theft and the curse? And she stands here, cool as a Paroxian cucumber? I hope you are very comfortable, young lady, standing here in my shop! But of course, you have been here before, to steal from me! Shame on you!” 

Lydia flushes a bright shade of red and won’t meet his eye as she answers, “No, sir, I am not comfortable at all. I have done you a great disservice. I am a craftsperson myself and I recognize that you must have spent many hours making those slippers. I am not proud of what I have done.”

“Hmph!” says Frendamus, crossing his arms. “Well, don’t expect me to forgive you, just because you properly feel your guilt. I have spent quite a number of hours thinking that my whole career was over.” He turns back to the group. “I must say, I am not confident in taking her word that these are the correct slippers. Maybe she had these cursed ones already and has hidden away mine. She wants me to look a fool in front of the Lady as I present the wrong slippers. Why don’t we put the bundle on the counter and, if they are so dangerous, Lydia can open it to show me that they really are my slippers? Furthermore, I’m not sure what all this talk is of pies and bakeries, but I hope you understand that just as soon as we confirm that these are my slippers, we must go directly to Lady Daneliean. Again, my life’s work is at stake!”

Parolanta says quietly, “The bakery is on the opposite side of the palace, so I’m afraid it really is out of our way. I’m sure Lady Daneliean will give you time to take the pies there after we report to her.”

Tellior nods to Frendamus. "Of course you want to see the slippers. I certainly understand. Let's find somewhere to set this."  He looks around and finds a spot with open counter space to place the bundled up slippers.

Once it has been set down,  Tellior unwraps it himself.  "Please, do take care to not touch. Lydia in fact has already learned form that mistake.  Her feet were rather bloodied by the time we came along."

As they unwrap the package, celesta says “oh good- pies after slippers.  I want to get the slippers back to the lady first, and tell her all the other things we saw today” She watches carefully to ensure no one is ensnared by the powerful curse.

Tellior is able to safely unwrap the blanket, so that Frendamus can inspect the slippers. The gnome’s grumpy demeanor does improve when he sees that these are in fact the correct slippers. He smiles broadly and says, “I really thought my life’s work was over when these went missing. Thank you so much for recovering them. I hope it wasn’t too much trouble to get them from this burglar.” He gives Lydia a dirty look and then smiles again. “Let’s get to the Rose Palace, so we can present these to the Lady!”

He locks up his shop as you all proceed out. When you arrive at the same leyline intersection that you used before, Parolanta stops to ask you all what you would like to do. “What do you all think? It is twice as far to go if we don’t use the intersection to teleport, but I know you weren’t all happy with it last time.” She glances at Tellior with a little trepidation. (By the way, Tellior, if you check again, your missing teeth definitely seem to be growing back, but they are certainly more pointy than they used to be.)

There is a pause as Tellior kind of runs his tongue over the formerly missing teeth to check them.  "Yes, well they do seem to be growing back Parolanta.  I think, perhaps, they might get back to normal?"  He tries to hide any uncertainty he might have, giving the fairy a smile. "Thank you for asking, but I'm ok with using the ley line again. Let's get back to the palace as quickly as we can." 

Celesta says 'i agree, lets take our chances.  Maybe the Lady can fix anything we need fixing."  

Kellen looks tentatively up and down the streets around the ley line.  “Yes, the quicker we return to the palace, the better.  The streets have been full of distractions and mischief this morning”  he shudders thinking about the Wild Hunt and the fight with the Dryad.

He gives a small smile to Tellior “I am sure it will be fine this time, Tell.  I think.”

Tellior tries to force a laugh. "Yea, you aren't the one missing his teeth!  But sure Kellen."

"hey tell, if your worried it makes you look silly i can make both sides of your face match" ember grins

Ginning back at Ember, Tellior says, "Yea, thanks but no thanks Ember."  His mood does seem to have lightened somewhat after the joking by his friends. 

Parolanta smiles with relief at the group’s willingness to use the leyline system. “Okay, gather round everyone.” She again recites and incantation quickly and the stone glows orange. Everyone steps on it and through to the intersection where multiple roads meet. Now you just need to retrace your steps along the road where you found the smashed pie cart, the Cultured Cow, and the drunken parade.

(Everyone roll a d100 and d20)

56

13

Celesta closes her eyes and hopes for the best as she proceeds...

Taking a deep breath, and just a little anxious, Tellior steps onto the stone...

(d100: 84, d20: 8)

Triss steps up after their friends. The memory of Tellior losing teeth last time is all but gone from their head, so they practically bounce up and beam at everyone. "Let's go!"

d100: 21

d20: 5

Glaring threateningly at the stone almost daring it to harm him ember stepped up his eyes unfocusing

99 

2 

Kellen gives a little smile of encouragement to the others and steps up onto the stone.

D100 56

D20 3

Your journey through the leyline doesn’t seem to have any strange effects, as far as you can tell. Ember shudders for just a moment, as if a cold wind had blown around him, but the feeling passes quickly. 

You travel toward the palace without incident for a short time, but as you pass an opening in the hedge, you see a small group in the shadows of the narrow alleyway. There are two shorter humanoids wearing dark cloaks and wraps around their faces with a satyr in similarly dark clothing. A fourth figure with elven features and rich robes sees you all come into view, snatches a small package from the satyr, and runs off down the alley, hissing, “There can be no witnesses!” The satyr stuffs a pouch into his vest and draws his shortsword as the other two draw their daggers. Frendamus sees this and immediately makes a run for the nearest shop. Lydia follows him.

(Please roll for initiative and tell me if you think you would have been walking in the front, middle, or back of our group)