"We had to get our hands a little dirty, but justice was served.  And we learned a bit more about the politics of the three baronies than I had wished to.  Now, it only remains to be seen what Baron Gilbert wants of us," Claire says.  "It's good to see you back, Salazar!"

"Killed some people. Found some coal. Camped out in a town hall. The usual." Vaclav says with a shrug. "Good to have you back."

You greet the returning Salazaar warmly and settle down for an enjoyable breakfast.  The food is plain but decent.  Fasts broken, it is time to make the short walk up to the manor house.

The day is lovely and dry, crisp and a little chilly this early.  It promises to be another glorious spring day in Northern Ibini.   You quickly arrive at the gates to the manor grounds and are ushered in by the enforcers there.  "Nevil's expecting you, up at the guest wing," they tell you.   Moving past them and into the grounds you again marvel at the vast difference in living quality that the baron experiences compared to his subjects.  Where the houses in the town are mostly small and a bit run down, indicating the impoverished nature of this region, the baron's gardens are well maintained and beautiful in their spring bloom.   You approach the huge, sprawling house which speaks of opulence but does show signs that it's in need of some repair in places.

As you approach the northern, guest wing, a familiar figure glides out towards you in greeting.  Nevil is approaching.

"He's so put together all the time," Claire says admiringly, suddenly aware of the the scruffiness of her appearance after their adventure down the river.  "... I hope they're not expecting this finery back, not after I put a few holes in the clothing," she mumbles.

"Greetings noble travellers," welcomes Nevil, his face a smile.  "I am truly glad to see you returned well and safe.  And successful too from what I hear from Master Varnell."  He turns and indicates the great manor house ahead.  "Please, follow me.  Your rooms await you."

Louis tromps in, trying to kick the mud off his boots as best he can

"I'm guessing we're expected to freshen up again?" Vaclav looks suitably apathetic but waves a hand and the mud on everyone's boots disappears.

"Ah yes, the last time I was here I got a bottle a lovely red, and I was wondering if I could get another glass?  Also, who is your tailor?  Their work is exquisite!"

Claire looks more than eager to partake of the Baron's generosity once again, following Nevil eagerly.  "It would only be proper," she says.  "It would be a shame to face the Baron as we are now, fresh from the fields, so to speak."  Though her words are circumspect, Claire knows she's being fairly transparent about wanting another round of the pampered lifestyle.  Considering how shrewd Gilbert seems to be, however, she's guessing that Nevil won't mind.

"The baron sends his apologies but he is temporarily indisposed," Nevil tells you as he leads you back into the guest wing and up the stairs to your old quarters.  "For the time being, he provides you with the hospitality of his house once more."  You have your old rooms and they are all cleaned and tidy.  Clothes appropriate to your build and gender are available and hot baths are already run.

"Please, make yourselves comfortable.  Clean up as you wish and when you have had a moment meet me in the central drawing-room on your wing.  I will await you there."

To Salazaar he adds, "Thank you for the compliment.  My tailor is in far-off Olympia, capital of distant Athena on the Rodinian continent," he tells you.  "I have a new wardrobe shipped here each spring.  I am hoping a new shipment will arrive soon."

Louis goes to his room to do his laundry in the tub again

Nos Heliwr contemplâtes picking Neville’s pocket but shrugs mentally and goes to his room.

Vaclav simply heads off to the room again after sending Chernobog to sit on the roof.

As a bit of practice, Nos Heliwr will go over his room with scrupulous care, looking for secrets: Spy holes, false panels, thin walls that would allow a secret ear to better hear voices in the room, marks, signs, unusual scratch marks and so on and so forth.

Investigation  16

Claire smiles and hurries to her room, trying to be as quick as possible as she freshens up.  She makes no attempt to rush through her wardrobe choices, however, again choosing an outfit fitting for both company and the road.  Feeling a little shameless, she digs through the closet to find another set of clothing, this one more suited to ‘polite company,‘ and stows it away in her pack, nervously checking the door all the while, as if someone might walk in and accuse her of petty thievery.  As she makes her way to the door, she stops and glances back at the bed longingly.

“When is the next time I‘ll get to sleep in such comfort?“ she wonders.  Given the group‘s attitude of wanting to move on before becoming too familiar, she can‘t blame them.  But it is a nice bed...

Sighing regretfully, she pockets one last souvenier: a small down feather from the lush pillow on the bed.

Nos Heliwr finds nothing unusual or suspicious in his surroundings but it feels good to be practising his skills.   The rest of you freshen up and get ready for meeting the seneschal.  A short while later you all convene in the drawing-room nearby where there are fresh fruits, sweetmeats and drinks laid on.  The room has plenty of shelves with more books than you are used to seeing.  Nevil is standing patiently near the huge bay windows, waiting for you.

"Ah, welcome, welcome," he greets you all.  "Please, help yourselves to some refreshments and we'll get down to business."   He waits for you to grab some food and drinks and settle into the comfortable chairs before he begins.  Once you are all comfortable he begins to speak.

"Firstly, allow me to tell you that the Baron is quite pleased with you.   You are free to use the rooms you have been given for the time being.  You can remain living here until the Baron is ready to speak to you about the Delicate Matter, which could be a few days.   There is a dining room on the ground floor of this wing.  You can take your meals there; three will be provided each day and the bells will ring in this wing to inform you when they are served.

"For the time being, please do not wander into the Baron's private quarters at the other end of the mansion.  But other than that you are free to come and go as you please, and of course to wander around town as you see fit.

"Any questions?"

OOC:  This equates to a Comfortable standard of living in the PHB.

“Can I ask what’s got the Baron so preoccupied?”

Claire's mood improves visibly at the thought of spending a few more days in hte lap of luxury.   When Nevil makes his offer, Claire replies:  "I do have questions... but they're more of a political nature, I guess. Namely, I'd like to know more about the barony of Ilsa, and the Gilbert barony's relationship to that area of the world.  There is a certain individual I would like to contact in Barusi, you see, but I'm not certain how difficult it would be to eventually travel there.  Still, these seem like issues to be dealt with at another time, so long as I'd have the opportunity to inquire later on."  She pauses.  "Also, if you happen to know when the Church of Light will be holding morning services, I would very much like to attend," she adds.

Four total days of simple luxury for the price of hearing out a proposal for work?  This man must be extremely wealthy.  I must get my hands on his books.  Of course, they're probably in the master's quarters...  that could be a problem, and could get me thrown on my ear, which would be an utter waste... Might be worth it to just keep quiet and continue trying to figure out his patron's gift.

Quote from Enkida >>

Claire's mood improves visibly at the thought of spending a few more days in hte lap of luxury.   When Nevil makes his offer, Claire replies:  "I do have questions... but they're more of a political nature, I guess. Namely, I'd like to know more about the barony of Ilsa, and the Gilbert barony's relationship to that area of the world.  There is a certain individual I would like to contact in Barusi, you see, but I'm not certain how difficult it would be to eventually travel there.  Still, these seem like issues to be dealt with at another time, so long as I'd have the opportunity to inquire later on."  She pauses.  "Also, if you happen to know when the Church of Light will be holding morning services, I would very much like to attend," she adds.

 

Nevil looks at Claire carefully.  "Northern Ibini is in a state a flux," he tells you after a considerable pause.  "The queen and her representatives have not been seen in the region for a considerable time.  As you will have heard, some rumours even speak to her death.  It is unsure quite what happened after her daughter and the Jade Assassins turned against Lord Ferrand on the island of Granita, but since that time things here have been somewhat ... unstable."  He smooths the front of his tunic in an action that speaks of discomfort.  "It is, perhaps, not my place to speak of the baronies and their relationships.  I would prefer such a question was asked directly to the baron.  And, indeed, I believe he will speak of this when he talks to you about the Delicate Matter you will soon be told about."

"As for the person in Barusi you wish to contact, may I ask whom?"

Finally, he tells Claire that the Church of Light holds weekly services, the next one of which is tomorrow at dawn.