CH. 16 - To Catch a Killer

[GravityEmblem]

"Yes. I'm Lillian--I traveled with your daughter on a few of her escapades," Lillian says, bowing. "And this is a friend of mine, Panola."

[Daos]

Ladonna
Norm, Jacob, and Ethen all immediately stand up, although Damon remains seated.  "Ser Marche, you honor us with your presence," Norm says.  "We didn't know you were coming today, or we would have prepared a welcome for you."

"Your presence has been missed," Ethen adds.  "The Lonely Pony hasn't been the same without you.  I hope Hart treats you well, Ser Marche?"

Lillian
"Well met," Waelnod says.  "Is there something I can help you with then?"

[GravityEmblem]

"We've volunteered for a troubling mission," Lillian admits with a sigh. "A Calabrian merchant went missing a few years ago, and a Calabrian noble supposedly wants to arrest his killer--who he believes is Jherek Everfall." She shakes her head. "But the more I think about it, the more I doubt that he was responsible, or that the noble is telling the truth. I know your daughter was close to him, and I wanted to know if you knew anything that could be helpful in unraveling this problem."

[HorizonsDream]

Norm, Jacob, and Ethen all immediately stand up, although Damon remains seated. "Ser Marche, you honor us with your presence," Norm says. "We didn't know you were coming today, or we would have prepared a welcome for you."

"Your presence has been missed," Ethen adds. "The Lonely Pony hasn't been the same without you. I hope Hart treats you well, Ser Marche?"

~He is still the same Damon,~ Ladonna thinks to herself. "If I had been returning simply for a visit then I would have sent word, but I'm here for official business," she explains. "But I do thank you for the thought all the same," she adds. "And I didn't know that my presence here made the Lonely Pony livelier," she adds in amusement. "Please, sit down. I'm glad to see that all of you seem to be doing well."

[Daos]

Ladonna
The three councilmen do as bidden and sit back down.  It was a little surreal to see the leadership of this town suddenly deferential to her.  But she was now a knight, meaning that only Derica, Mereida and other knights were her peers and only the baron was above her, as far as Buho was concerned.

"Ah, is that Ingot?  Good to see you lad," Jacob says, recognizing the genasi behind her.  "You should pay a visit to Myra, I'm sure she misses you."

Lillian
"I cannot speak for the Everfull boy, but I can tell you with certainty that my daughter is innocent of any crimes," Waelnod insists.

[HorizonsDream]

~That is doubtful,~ Ladonna thinks to herself, but she doesn't dare voice that opinion. "Ah, yes, Ingot is here," she says. "And this is Oskibar a Minter from the Church," she explains. "We are here to escort a Calabrian dignitary and investigate the murder of one of his merchants. I'm sure the council members know of who I'm speaking about because he has apparently spoken to the council numerous times."

[Daos]

"Yes, he's been a frequent visitor to this town over the past year," Norm admits.

[HorizonsDream]

"So I've heard," Ladonna says as she pulls up a chair. "I was hoping you guys could remember what sort of questions he might have asked."

[GravityEmblem]

"I don't doubt it," Lillian says--though after that "plague" stunt Katya pulled, she wouldn't put it past her. "But I fear that she'll be considered guilty by association. If you know a way to contact her, I can give her a warning."

[Daos]

Ladonna
"Questions asked by...Amodeo?" Norm asks to clarify.  "Uh, well, mostly about who remembered this merchant he was looking for, who was seen interacting with him, and stuff like that at first.  Later, it was mostly questions about the Everfall kid.  Where he is, who he associates with, and so forth."

Lillian
"If that is the case, I imagine it wouldn't be in my best interest to say anything," Mereida says.  "Not without certain...assurances."

[GravityEmblem]

"Then assure you, I will. I'd gladly deceive our noble 'friend' to protect Katya," Lillian says. She considered replacing "deceive" with "kill," but decided that was a bit...hyperbolic.

[HorizonsDream]

The council member's answers were all matching up, but she didn't think the council of Buho was going to hide anything from Amodeo. Instead, she looks to Damon, who has been quiet this whole time. "You took out the Wyld Boys. Was Jherek with them?"

[Daos]

Ladonna
Damon casually crosses his arms and leans back, then idly inspects his fingernails.  "Yeah, he was.  But he escaped before we could take him.  On the back of a flying horse, no less."

Lillian
"I want a bit more than that," Mereida says.  "My Katya...she is clearly under some kind of influence or control, possibly magical.  I want her returned to me, safely and I want any and all charges against her dropped.  She is innocent...clearly, she is being coerced or charmed into acting this way," the old knight says with a knowing tone.  "And I want you to use your new connections at Hart to find her a suitable husband.  Someone of good standing, better than that rotten outlaw turned out to be."

[HorizonsDream]

"Excuse me?" Ladonna says in surprise. "A flying horse?" she asks. "What was your final conflict with the Wyld Boys like? Was it at their base?"

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian somehow doubts that Katya would need to be charmed to become a bandit. But nonetheless, she promises, "I will do everything in my power to achieve that."