CH. 16 - To Catch a Killer

[GravityEmblem]

"I have no objection," Lillian says, eager to avoid a confrontation about the horses.

[Daos]

"Sounds good to me," Oskibor says, and with that he climbs up into the carriage, taking a seat.

"Fine," Finbul says, taking the pony's reins.

[HorizonsDream]

"Thanks," Ladonna says to Finbul before she climbs into the carriage with Oskibar.

[Daos]

Inside the carriage, Ladonna notes there are three people--not including herself and Oskibor.  Aside from Amodeo, she sees a swarthy older man with a mustache and goatee and a beautiful woman dressed in revealing finery and covered in jewelry.

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian, the teensiest bit miffed, follows behind.

[Daos]

The carriage moves forward, and Ingot and Finbul (along with Blossom) follow after it.  Panola slows her pace to join Lillian a good distance behind them.  "At least now we have a chance to talk.  I've been pursuing those leads I told you about; but they were all dead-ends.  The dates don't add up.  One child vanished five years ago, another 10 years ago and the third one 15 years ago.  Unless you're way younger than I thought, none of they could have been you.  But...it is odd, isn't it?  Seems too much like a pattern to dismiss as random coincidence.  But I'm not sure what to make of it."

[HorizonsDream]

"Might I ask who your travel companions are?" Ladonna asks. "I'm Ser Ladonna Marche."

[Daos]

"The drivers outside are my bodyguards, Rossella Ronchetti and Zenone Venturino," Amodeo begins.  "And these are Edmondo Arola, my butler, and Irma Zannini, my personal schiava."

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian almost stops walking in shock. "Oh gods, he's trying again, isn't he?" she says.

[Daos]

"You're referring to the man who took you?" Panola asks.  "Yes, that was my initial thought, as well.  But it doesn't add up.  All of the children that went missing suffered from deformities of some kind.  Specifically, they were fiend-touched.  You look perfectly normal, though.  So I suspect someone else is behind these children disappearing.  Likely a fanatical purist, obsessed with keeping our bloodlines clean."

[GravityEmblem]

Dec 12, 2021 12:50:28 GMT -8 Daos said:

"You're referring to the man who took you?" Panola asks.  "Yes, that was my initial thought, as well.  But it doesn't add up.  All of the children that went missing suffered from deformities of some kind.  Specifically, they were fiend-touched.  You look perfectly normal, though.  So I suspect someone else is behind these children disappearing.  Likely a fanatical purist, obsessed with keeping our bloodlines clean."

Lillian pauses.

When she sees an opportunity, Lillian pulls Panola close and whispers, "I never planned on telling anyone this, but this is bigger than just me and my reputation. Can you keep a secret?"

[HorizonsDream]

"Schiava?" Ladonna asks. She didn't know his language, but she could guess what he meant. She just wanted to make sure. "You do realize we are basically going to the middle of nowhere, right?" It seemed excessive to bring all of these people for something like this.

[Daos]

"I brought no fewer people than you did," Amodeo points out.  "And the further away from civilization, the more of my staff will come in handy, I figure."

"Secrets are my bread and butter," Panola boasts.  "When your the handmaiden to a count's daughter, you pick up so many along the way."

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian breathes a sigh of relief. Not too much relief, though.

"I'm a fiend-touched, too," she admits. "And that was part of the reason the warlock took me. These leads? They're him. I'm sure of it."

[HorizonsDream]

"Your staff has experience in dealing with the dangers that may lurk in the wilderness?" Ladonna asks curiously.