Clearwater shakes his head, "Hardly. Like I said, I think it was just unlucky. He doesn't change the patrols regularly for the same reason he doesn't keep them the same: keep intruders guessing. It's an unfortunate coincidence to be sure, but you know yer brother better'n most. After all, what reason could he have to intentionally change the patrols to create a gap? Feller'd need to have a PRETTY compelling motivation to do something like that, especially with kin as the target."

Yes, I agree; certainly a terrible coincidence, and one that I'm certain weighs heavily on him.

What other changes and goings-on have I missed since I've been away?

"Ah, that's right... High Hills does like to keep to itself, doesn't it? Let me see. Well," he grins "For starters, the White Towers have very nearly repaired all the damage your incident caused. They're even working on a new tower altogether, from what I hear. The wizards are even working on some new way to build it. Guilds aren't too happy about that idea, but since they're keeping the method to themselves for the moment and only doing it on land that they own, it's just been a lot of complaining. Doesn't hurt that the guild-masters know that the Towers aren't shy about turning uppity townsfolk into something horrible. Other than that... I've heard a lot of folks are leaving High Hills and headed down south to some backwater farming town. Apparently, there was some sort of weird ruin that got dug up. Plenty of work for miners, scholars, and the like by all accounts."

Glad to hear that local politics are the same as always. What about around the estate? Any new hires or resignations since I left?

Clearwater shakes his head, "No... and lucky for them that there haven't been. It's probably the only thing that's kept Kriv from starting an all out witch hunt. Our newest hire was Damos... eh, I don't recall if he came on before or after you left, but he's been here a while in any case. Nothing 'recent' as far as hirings or firings, though if Rufus gets much worse, we might have to change that."

Rufus? What’s he been doing?

The majordomo scratches his chin, "Either Fergus's antics have been getting to him, or the situation's just too much for the man... either way he's started taking tools out of the kitchen. Sharp ones, I've been told. Worse, I've also heard he's been getting hysterical recently. Bad combination, that. Still, there's not much I can do about it with everyone being confined to quarters. I WOULD like to get him out of the house at the very least, maybe get him to the barracks where he can feel safer and we can keep a better eye on him."

Balasar looks perplexed. Taking sharp tools out of the kitchen? Do you know why, or where he's taking them? And what exactly has Fergus been up to anyway?

"Near as I can tell, just WITH him. He says it's for protection. Maybe he believes that, but I'm not so sure. Other than taking Delmirev owned cutlery into places it shouldn't be, he's been poking about after the servants have finished with their rounds."

Clearwater chuckles, "Maybe he thinks he can run this estate better than I can. Certainly seems to think he has the run of the kitchens."

Hmmm. Well, I certainly can't blame him for wanting some extra protection after what's happened. Any idea where he's been poking around, or why? And as for having the run of the kitchens, well, depending on just how off Fergus has been, he might not be wrong about that.

Clearwater shakes his head, "That, I can't say for sure. Maybe you'll be able to talk to some of the servants about it tomorrow, but most of them are preparing to settle in for the night. Which reminds me, where has Rajan put you up for the night? Your old room, or the guest house? Are the accommodations to your liking?"

Lisette whispers to Balasar, "Perhaps we should speak with Rufus - if he thinks there is something to fear, he must have a reason. Maybe he is just paranoid, but maybe he knows something that would shed some light on the strange happenings."

Balasar nods his agreement to Lisette.

Speaking of the servants, are they all still getting along with each other alright? Any new animosities recently? The stress of what's happened could get to just about anyone.

He's put me up in my old room; honestly I'm surprised he hasn't appropriated it and turned it into something more to his liking. But everything is just as it should be; you haven't lost your touch.

Clearwater smiles, "I'm glad to hear it. As for the serving staff, if anything the situation's only made them function better as a team than ever before. Have no fear on that front, at least."

Glad to hear it!

If there's nothing else, we'll leave you to your evening repose. Good to see you again, Clearwater.

"Of course Master Balasar! Will you and your companions be retiring for the evening?"

I'd like to show them a bit more of the estate before we take our repose. Speaking of which, might I show them the view from your balcony before we leave you to your rest? It provides an excellent vantage of that portion of the grounds.

If Clearwater assents, Balasar will make a Perception check on the way to the balcony to try to get a better idea of what the thin, rectangular thing under Clearwater's bed is.

Perception: 5

Is Balasar attempting to hide his interest? If so, please roll Deception.

Balasar will attempt to keep his interest to himself.

Deception: 17

Clearwater chuckles and reaches under the bed, "A little souvenir from the Nightseige. Had a special box made to make sure the magic doesn't leak out or dissolve or whatever else being topside does to them. Eh, it's late enough..."

He pops the latch to reveal a paired falchion and dagger, both gracefully made and sharing a spider motif.