CH. 16 - To Catch a Killer

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna is surprised to see goblins walking around the town. That was a huge change from when they left, but a positive one honestly. "We should head to the inn," she says.

[Daos]

Ladonna
"Agreed," Amodeo says.  "Once we have some rooms, we can resume our investigation.  Hopefully, the rooms are a bit cleaner this time."

Lillian
"I've no idea, I've never been here before," Panola admits.

[GravityEmblem]

"Ladonna recommends the inn," Lillian remarks to Panola--as she's now in earshot of her and Amodeo. She is briefly surprised that he has been to Buho before, but soon realizes that he had probably stayed here for a while investigating, before going to Hart for help.

[Daos]

The party makes for the Buho Inn, where Lillian once lived for twenty years, making this something of a literal homecoming for her.  Once they pull up, Amodeo steps out of the carriage, along with Arola and Zannini.  He orders Arola and one of his guards, Ronchetti, to see that the horses are stabled and the carriage is safely stored in the stables.

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian smiles at the old inn. She happens to know every nook and cranny of the place--which could come in handy.

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna gets out of the carriage, and looks around. It has been awhile since she has been to Buho, but aside from the few goblins walking around, it didn't seem like anything had changed. Amodeo's comment about the inn being cleaner made her smile a little bit. This wasn't some luxury inn. It was a small town place, but she was sure the place was clean. Though, she quietly walks inside the inn.

[Daos]

While the carriage and horses were being taken care of, the others file inside, past the covered porch with rocking chairs that extends across the front of the inn.  Shanson and Hazel Frye are both here, and don't look any different from the last time the party saw them.  They stop short at the sight of Amodeo, though, not even noticing the others yet.  "Oh, you're back," says Hazel with a forced smile to the barone.

[GravityEmblem]

"Hello, Hazel! Hello, Shanson!" Lillian greets. "It's been a year, hasn't it?" She's feeling very at ease with the innkeepers--perhaps more so than she was in the twenty years she lived there. "We're assisting the Barone in his quest--then he can return home."

[HorizonsDream]

"Shanson, Hazel, it is so nice to see you again," Ladonna says with a smile. She is hoping to get their attention off of Amodeo.

[Daos]

"Ah, Lillian.  And Ser Marche," Hazel says, in surprise, just now noticing the two.  "It has been awhile now.  You're here with this...man?" she asks, casting a suspicious glance toward Amodeo.

[GravityEmblem]

"Yes--the sooner he finishes his mission, the sooner he leaves Tardiff," Lillian answers. "I...sense you had some trouble with him, when he was last here?"

[Daos]

"'He' does not appreciate being spoken about as if he were not in the room," Amodeo snaps in annoyance.

Clearing her throat, Hazel turns her attention to Ingot.  "Oh, Mister Tenhammer, good to see you, lad.  Do your parents know you're here?  I'm sure they'd love for you to drop by," she says, clearly trying to change the subject.

"As it so...happens I...had hoped to...perhaps make...a brief vis..," Ingot begins.

"We will need rooms," Amodeo interrupts.  "My staff and I will take two of your doubles."

"Of course," Hazel says with a strained smile.

"...it," Ingot finishes.

[HorizonsDream]

Ladonna looks to Lillian as if she wants to kick her, but she manages to control herself. With that said, she looks to Amodeo with a smile. "I apologize for her," she says. "Why don't you all get settled into your rooms?" she offers. While Amodeo was gone, she could start asking around about Jherek and learn about what Amodeo did the last time that he was here.

[Daos]

Amodeo pays for rooms for him and his staff, then takes the two keys and heads upstairs with them, leaving Ladonna, Lillian, Ingot, Panola, Finbul and Oskibor in the common room with Shanson and Hazel.

"You're really working with that half-breed foreigner?" Hazel asks after they are gone.  "You poor things, I can't believe the count would be so cruel as to saddle you with such an unpleasant task."

[GravityEmblem]

Lillian also looks to Lillian as if she wants to kick her. But she shakes it off.

She's a bit taken aback by the way Hazel refers to Amodeo. "We volunteered for this mission, Hazel," Lillian corrects. "A chance to come into favor--and to return home for a bit."