Fenro listened as Alan shared what he knew of the incident. It made sense that the payment was split, but to still expect to be paid after a failed attempt was very naive. It was a possible lead though so it was worth following up. "You say you were going to get the other half today? Here? As in, here at the temple? What time were you supposed to meet? And how were you going to recognize the man with George gone?"

Aramae and Fenro: Alan shrugs. "I'm just following the plan. Not much else I can do. And yes, this was the meeting point. It's where we all met in the first place. Common ground I guess." 

Lyrika and Oryxis: Make a history check.

History: 7

“No not really. I have followed up on plenty of clues in the past but not going anywhere. But this one is different. It takes me back to the place where the old man had heard the story from his master. I guess he was some sort of magician.” 

"Was there a time set for to meet with this person?"

(History check 4 )

"I wonder if the blue has anything to do with the blue fabric we've seen on the bad guys," Lyrika says.

Aramae: Alan shakes his head. "Just sometime today." 

Lyrika: You've never heard this story before but you have heard the story of a woman called the Snow Maiden. She supposedly lives in a temple in the far north, on a spit of land north of Coldhope. The legends say that people who go to the temple don't come back. 

Aramae casts Message to Fenro.

'With this man placated now, do you believe you can handle him on your own for a while? There is something I must do but I should not take long, least not before our meeting at the bridge this evening. Perhaps you could bring him to the others? Now that we have left that so-called temple, it should be easier to avoid suspicion. I have no reason to doubt your judgement on what to do with this fellow.'

Fenro replies, “I believe so. He seems to have settled, though the spell will wear off eventually.”

Turning to Alan, Fenro extends a hand, indicating the door back into the temple. “Why don’t we head back inside. You can wait for your contact and we can continue to talk.” As they walk he says, "Do you really think he will be coming back, knowing  that the job wasn’t complete? I know if I was him I would be long gone.”

As Fenro walks Alan back inside the temple, Aramae leaves to go find the Negotiator's Corp, looking for a Tulcanis representative, talking with Ambassador Terevan first if he happens to be there.

You would know that there is no formal embassy for the Negotiator Corps to work in in Bolope. You make your way back to the Knights Rest and see one of the Ambassadors assistants sitting at a table.

Lyrika's face crinkles in concentration. "I think I've heard of a 'woman as pale as snow.'  It was in a song that was sung in a remote church in the mountains, where I was snowed in with a bunch of travelers. They called her the Snow Maiden, and said she lives in a temple in the far north, on a spit of land north of Coldhope. I think the song also said that nobody who goes there ever comes back. I can't be too sure of the details, because at the time I was trying to cheer up the travelers with a juggling act and dance. And was a little drunk. And was trying to keep from being thrown out by the church's priests."

Edgar looks eagerly at his companion “I knew you had to be part of my group the moment i saw you! I could kiss you! We have to look deeper in to this!.. speaking of which were we not supposed to go to the halls of records to look something up?” He cringes “Ara is gonna be so mad at me!” 

((You would remember that to Hall of Records is in Thurnak. With the city on lockdown and a 5 day journey between the two cities, it would be a little hard to check those today.))

Aramae approaches the assistant.

"Excuse me, but perhaps you might remember me? I had met you and Ambassador Terevan earlier today. I have some information that may be of use. Should we speak privately?"

The assistant looks up. "Yes, hard to forget a face like yours. I'm afraid the Ambassador is busy right now but you can speak to me and I will pass it along. And I would think here would be fine. Having a conversation in a crowded place like this will draw less attention to it than if we were to leave." 

"Very well. Myself and another from my group had entered the mysterious new temple to this 'God Above All' here in the city and I had spoken to a man who claimed that this new religion originated from Schirit. And that apparently their deity seeks to 'save the world from themselves' or some such. He claimed that those in power from Domain, Schirit's capitol, had given orders to the followers regarding this deity's goals. I think you can see where this is going. Another thing, we had found apparently the last of the would-be assassins at the temple and questioned him. He had said they were all hired to assassinate the Aethling, not expecting any resistance at all, much less any from myself and my new friends. I naturally suspect Schirit because of this, but there is more. A count Jerek of Schirit had been present in the tent as well, and had made a n unusually calm but quick exit the moment the assassins made their move, sparing not a thought of anyone there to aid even slightly. I admit I have nothing that outright proves any sort of guilt of him, but a man in his position, both physically and politically, would certainly at least be aware of such shady dealings. I would like to know yours, and the Ambassador's thoughts as well. Have you come across any information that I might be able to use since we last spoke?"

He looks flabbergasted and visibly pales as you lay out your facts. "Schirit you say? This is very serious, very serious indeed. Come with me. The Ambassador needs to be told and I'm sure the Baron will also want to know. They're meeting now so we will go there and speak with them both." 

He stands up and leads you out of the inn and around the walls of the Keep to the entrance. He speaks with the guards there and one quickly leads the two of you inside and to a larger chamber than you met in last night. Inside is a large table with the Baron sitting at the head, speaking with the Ambassador who's seated to her left. The assistant apologizes for the interrupt but says that you have discovered something very troubling. He then motions for you to speak.

Aramae will bow his head slightly to the Baron before speaking.

"Miss Baron. Ambassador Terevan. I believe Schirit to be the culprit behind the international assassination attempts. And here's why."

Aramae relays the information he heard from both the gnome and the surviving assassin.

"And we learned those blue armbands came from that new temple. We saw a pile of them inside. It is my opinion that either Schirit is involved or someone has gone to great lengths to implicate them."

The Baron sits still for quite a while, seemingly shocked. "That bastard, that utter bastard. The new Baron of Schirit, Gunther Holston, is a follower of the Church. He's been a big part of helping them spread, makes sense he would use them." She waves over a servant. "Find General Ragnar, tell him to call the banners. War plan Blue. He has one week."