CH. 16 - To Catch a Killer

[Daos]

"So we are just to sit around and wait until then?" Amodeo asks, frowning.  It's at this point, Ladonna, Ingot and Oskibor enter.  "Ah, perhaps you have had better luck in finding a lead?" he asks.

[HorizonsDream]

"Unfortunately, no," Ladonna says. "Your merchant died over a year ago, so finding any clues that way is going to be impossible," she points out. "According to Damon, Jherek and Katya escaped on a flying horse off to the west, so there is absolutely no way to track them down," she explains. "There is a possibility of looking for clues as to where they have done at one of their old hideouts, but from what Damon was telling me those places were pretty much wiped clean. The only other option I see is to find a way to lure Jherek here which will be difficult."

[Daos]

"So you are giving up then?" Amodeo asks.  "I suppose we shall have to return to Hart and petition the count for more aid."

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian frowns. "And how long will that take?" she retorts. "We could pursue the leads Ladonna and I found, or we could follow you back to Hart, having wasted days of travel. I sold my soul for that information--figuratively--and I'm not leaving until we've achieved our goal!"

[HorizonsDream]

"I never said anything about giving up," Ladonna says. "I was just telling you our situation," she points out before looking to Lillian. "What do you mean you sold your soul for information? What information?" she asks.

[GravityEmblem]

"Katya's been sending her mother letters--letters that just appear on the doorstop overnight," Lillian explains. "She's also got ideas of revolutions swimming in her head, apparently. I gained Ser Waelnod's cooperation, but only at the cost of signing a rather unfair contract promising to get Katya the fate Mereida wants for her."

[HorizonsDream]

"How often does she receive the letters?" Ladonna asks. "And Katya is a criminal now. She even tried to kill us, so what kind of fate are we talking about here?"

[GravityEmblem]

"She's received three, so far...perhaps once a week," Lillian answers. Dropping her voice to a whisper, she tells Ladonna, "Full acquittal on the grounds of being enchanted...and finding her a husband. I...well, didn't realize what I was scribbling on a scrap of paper would be legally binding, so I placed Ser Waelnod's request in the most...optimistic terms," she says, feeling very annoyed. And embarrassed.

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna takes a step back away from Lillian and stares down at her with her mouth slightly agape. Did she say full acquittal? It takes her a moment to regain her composure. "We'll talk about it later," she finally says to Lillian softly. "So is Ser Waeland expected to receive a letter soon then?" she asks. "Because, that seems to be our best bet at this point."

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian nods, cringing. She's of the same mind as Ladonna. "Yes, within the next night or two."

[HorizonsDream]

"So, we stake out their her place, and wait for the person to deliver the note," Ladonna says. "Then we follow the person that delivered it."

[GravityEmblem]

"Precisely," Lillian says.

[Daos]

"And what are we all to be doing until then?" asks Amodeo, sounding bored.

[HorizonsDream]

~It isn't exactly our job to entertain you,~ Ladonna thinks to herself. "Personally, there is something I need to do around town," she admits. "But I'm sure Lillian can keep you entertain until then," she says.

[GravityEmblem]

"Certainly, I can," Lillian says, bowing deeply (and giving Ladonna an annoyed glance while she does). "I'm proficient in song and the lute, and would happily play something to amuse you and your...entourage."