LSG Summaries

[Daos]

Chapter 16:  To Catch a Killer

A month after the winter ball, the party assembles in the courtyard. Ladonna invites Ingot and Oskibor, while Lillian invites Finbul and Panola. Ladonna also brings her pony, Blossom, but this causes problems as she seems terrified of Lillian for some reason. This problem is compounded when Amodeo arrives in a horse-drawn carriage, and the horses refuse to come closer.

Eventually, an arrangement is settled on. Ladonna and Oskibor ride along in the carriage, Finbul and Ingot follow on foot with Blossom, and Panola and Lillian take up the far rear, so as to not upset the horses. Ladonna meets Amodeo's staff, and she questions why he needs so many servants on an adventure, and gets some background info on their previous attempts. Meanwhile, Panola tells Lillian she followed up on those leads, but they were all dead-ends. It turns out someone is kidnapping children, and Lillian realizes it must be her old master. She also tells Panola her deepest, darkest secret.

When they reach Buho, they find it largely unchanged, but with more goblins walking the streets than expected. The entire party heads into the inn and while Amodeo gets rooms for him and his staff, Ladonna and Lillian question Hazel and Shanson. They learn Amodeo has been to town several times over the past year, and nobody seems to like him. Largely because he is a foreigner and a half-elf noble.

After getting rooms, Ladonna decides to speak with the reeve, Derica Walls. She doesn't learn too much, so heads to the Lonely Pony (which Damon now owns, after Rebekah was arrested for being an illegal mage) to find Damon. There, she finds him speaking with three council members--Jacob, Norm and Ethen. They are oddly respectful toward her now that she is a knight, although Damon treats her the same. She tells them why she is here and asks what sorts of questions Amodeo asked about the murder, but it turns out he just asked things like who was seen with the missing merchant, and so forth.

Meanwhile, Lillian decides to go speak with Katya's mother, Mereida Waelnod. There they meet Finbul's sister, Ninda, who isn't sure if she should let them in. Lillian claims to be there to help Katya, not harm her, so Ninda lets her in to see Mereida, whose health is failing. Lillian tells Mereida why she is there and that she is hoping to find Katya, in order to find Jherek. Mereida insists Katya is innocent and wants (in writing and motorized) that in exchange for any aid offered, Lillian will promise to bring Katya home, get all charges against her dropped and find her a new husband. Without thinking, Lillian quickly wrote up a contract and signed it, not understanding that it would be binding.

Ladonna speaks with Damon at length about the final raid on the Wyld Boys' bases. Apparently, Jherek and Katya escaped on the back of a flying horse, of all things. Ladonna learns that those who were taken alive were interrogated under a truth spell, but none knew where Jherek had gone; and thought either he betrayed them or he was coming to rescue them. They were all executed for their crimes, and no rescue took place. Damon also told her that the Wyld Boys had two bases--one in the Hartwood which had been occupied by the Ruaran refugees Ladonna had rescued in the Sunwood, and the other was an old cave between Buho and the capitol, alongside the River Dark. Ladonna felt investigating these bases was their best lead, despite the fact that they had already been searched weeks ago. She also learned Damon might be obtaining a knight title of his own soon.

Feeling she had no choice, Lillian agrees to do what Mereida asks. Mereida publicly claims that Katya is not herself and must be magicked in an attempt to protect her family's reputation, although Lillian seems to think she is serious. She tells Lillian that she has received a few letters from Katya since she disappeared; they show up mysteriously on the doorstep in the middle of the night, and it's unknown how they are getting there--or how the responses are being picked up. Lillian looks over the letters, and it's clear Katya has gone completely mad. She claims Crizza speaks to her personally, and that she will overthrow the queen somehow. Even Finbul is disturbed by the letters' contents. Lillian decides the best course of action is to stake out the Waelnod ranch and wait to see who is accepting/delivering these letters.

The two return to the inn and report to Amodeo, but he seems less than impressed with their efforts. He even wonders if they should just give up and return to Hart again. The party is determined to see this through, though. Ladonna takes Lillian aside and learns about the contract Lillian wrote and sign. They then decide to split up, with Ladonna heading off to run some errands while Lillian is stuck watching over Amodeo.

Ladonna heads for the Auger place, to speak with Sennah. She informs her she is helping Amodeo investigate the missing merchant. She also asks if Sennah will consider adding Jonas to the Council, since Rebekah is gone. Sennah is skeptical, as Jonas is unemployed and was a pretty big mess when she last saw him. Ladonna suggests rehiring him as a guard, but that would mean he'd work for Derica, which would cause the same problem as before. Ladonna then goes to visit Jherek's parents at their butcher stand.

Lillian offers to keep Amodeo company, but he recognizes she is just trying to 'baby-sit' him. They have a brief discussion about the differences between Hart and Buho, and war tactics. Amodeo offers to buy her a drink, and she asks for an apple cider (apparently confusing it with apple juice). She gets slightly buzzed, which upsets her, and she decides to go hide up in her room. Disgusted, Amodeo and his men depart. Lillian hides out in her room for a time. She considers visiting Finbul, but remembers he's with his family at the moment. So instead she goes to the cemetery so she can be outside but alone.

Ladonna asks Jherek's parents, Drundor and Thessila about his location. But they aren't sure, either. He disappears for weeks at a time on hunting trips into the wilderness, so that's not terribly unusual. When Ladonna reveals she is working with the barone, Thessila insists that Jherek is innocent and the barone is working some kind of scam. Ladonna asks to search Jherek's room to find proof of his innocence. She hopes to find a journal, but as Drundor points out, Jherek is illiterate. Thessila agrees, but only with her supervision.

Ladonna searches Jherek's room, but there isn't much there. She does find a locked chest, but no key to it. So she runs off to find Tavos and ask him to pick it for her. Tavos is reluctant, as he's trying to stay out of trouble, but Ladonna assures him it will be fine. He returns with her and manages to pick the lock, but then gets poisoned by a trap and falls into convulsions. Ladonna rushes to the temple and grabs Oskibor. He is able to slow the poison down, but not cure it. Ladonna reasons that Finbul might. But first, she checks the chest that Tavos has risked his life to open, and just finds a mismatched suit of armor (the same Jherek wore back in the day). Searching further, she discovers a hidden compartment with a dagger with blood stained on it and a ruby necklace. Ladonna proclaims this is proof of Jherek's guilt and confiscates both, against Thessila's objections.

Meanwhile, Lillian heads for the Goblin's Tooth tavern and asks Bula for some strong tea, because she is hung over, because she had one drink. Bula thinks she is kidding at first. Who's ever heard of a bard who doesn't drink? Lillian admits she's a terrible bard, but she had no choice as she can't be a fighter, mage, thief or cleric, either. Bula points out those are not the only career options open to people, and asks why she became a bard if she hates being a bard so much. Lillian admits she only learned because her adoptive father taught her. Bula wonders if Lillian might consider living her life for herself, instead of others. But Lillian counters that stagnation is her whole characterization,and growing or changing would conflict with that. Bula points out she used to be a slave, and now she's free, so one never knows how life will change you. Lillian asks her about her past, having never really spoken to the half-orc before. Afterward, she returns to the Waelnod ranch to report to Mereida and see Finbul (who is visiting with his family).

Ladonna takes Tavos to the temple, but the kohen can't heal him, either. So she heads to the inn to find Lillian to ask where Finbul is. But she finds that Lillian is not there, and neither is Amodeo or his people. She learns from Hazel that the two apparently had an argument and both left. Ladonna heads all the way to the Waelnod ranch only to learn she just missed them. Frustrated, she heads for Anara's, figuring a druid is a druid.

Lillian finds Finbul in a large family gathering, including extended family. He asks her for help in getting out, as he is something of a black sheep. Lillian concocts a lie about a medical emergency. Once the two are out, they head for Anara's place, as Finbul wished to visit her. They stop by her place and talk a bit. She is having trouble finding a new apprentice, as Gontorians tolerate druidism because it is useful, but they aren't comfortable about it, and nobody wants to be a pariah.

Ladonna arrives at Anara's and recruits her, Lillian and Finbul to rush back to the temple with a cure. Anara manages to concoct a way to save Tavos, but he remains unconscious for the time being. Ladonna reveals to Lillian she found an old bloodied dagger and a ruby necklace, which she believes is solid proof that Jherek is a murderer. They decide to return to the inn to find Amodeo. He is laughing and drinking with his entourage. The two join him and each take a glass of Calabrian wine. He asks them about Hart, and they in turn ask him about Calabria.

Amodeo explains that in Calabria, power comes from money, not bloodline. Anyone can be successful, if they work hard and have clever ideas, regardless of their race. But he laments that Tardiff will never be like this, as long as the Church of Gonto and Queen Rhonwen are in charge. He mentions that there are rumors the queen intends to shut down trade with other nations, which would make life in Tardiff quite bad. But there is nothing they can do about it, since there are no dukes to oppose her, only counts and barons who do not wield enough power to stand against her—unless they united together as a whole, which is pretty unlikely.

Amodeo drops a few hints that he knows Ladonna and Lillian far better than he should, and Laodnna changes the subject to the ruby necklace she found among Jherek's things. Amodeo does not appear to recognize it, which surprises the party. Amodeo admits he never even knew Don Metizio but just believes strongly in justice and is a patriot. He then asks about the Equalists, since the party met with them on Ladonna's land (also admitting he bribed a number of servants at the winter ball to report anything they overheard to him, and Lillian took no special care to avoid being overheard).

Amodeo puts his cards on the table. He wants to use the Equalists as a catspaw to help destabilized Tardiff so Calabria can invade and 'liberate' it. If the party agrees to help them take Hart by reporting intelligence and making sure their defenses are down when the armada arrives, they will be rewarded after the regime change with titles, wealth, or whatever else they could want. Ladonna seems skeptical, but Lillian appears enthused. Amodeo even points out a loophole to get Lillian out of her contract with Waelnod (namely, no time limit was given, so she just has to wait it out, as Waelnod is on her deathbed anyway). He also promises to tell the count they were very helpful on the mission and return to Calabria, so they will appear to have succeeded on their mission. He also warns them that if they betray him, they will deeply regret it.

The following day they return to Hart and give the count their report. At once, Ladonna speaks the truth, telling Solan everything. Lillian is annoyed, but cannot contradict her now, so goes along with it. The count promises to reward them for their honesty, and also makes preparations for an incoming invasion.

Ladonna and Lillian step outside and have a private discussion. Ladonna wants to know what Lillian's problem with her is. Lillian admits that her anger is just as much directed at herself than toward Ladonna; but she mentions she doesn't like the way Ladonna treats her serfs, something Ladonna doesn't really understand. Lillian offers a deal—rather than work against each other, they should try to work together to accomplish their respective goals. Ladonna agrees, although this means she will need to reveal her goals to Lillian. She decides she will do it at a later date, as she is still worried Lillian may accidentally blab them to someone.

[Daos]

Chapter 17:  Spring Fling

A month or so later (Saffir 10th), rumors of war are growing and everyone is busy with wedding preparations. Ladonna and Lillian both depart from the castle into the courtyard just as Relken approaches, distressed. The wedding has been called off! Ladonna is thrown for a loop by this, as is Relken. Apparently, the count himself has ordered it canceled. Ladonna and Relken decide to go see the count for answers. Lilian, meanwhile, goes to the stables to visit Sidhanar.

Ladonna and Relken find the count in a council meeting, along with Baron Ainsley, who is concerned that his lands in Bri will fall without protection if the Calabrians attack. Noticing Ladonna and Relken, Solan dismisses the council for a recess so he can speak to them privately. He admits the wedding is canceled, by order of the church. They want Relken to marry someone else. The count apologizes, but there is nothing he can do about it. This confounds Ladonna even further.

Lillian arrives at the stables and all of the horses within immediately go nuts at her presence, becoming very agitated. Fortunately, she is able to calm them a bit with her music. She asks Sidhanar about Ruara, and what the people there are like, and what their art and music is like. Sidhanar explains that music and art are integral to Ruaran society. She asks that he teach her a few Ruaran songs next time he can.

After the meeting, Relken goes to the docks to meet his new betrothed while Ladonna heads to the chapel to speak with Winters. Winters has no idea about the canceled wedding, and seems a bit put off she wasn't at least informed about it. She deduces that it must have been Voltera Sern behind it. She's probably at the docks now. Ladonna goes to find her.

Lillian then goes to meet with Henna, who is still stuck working as a guard because she lost all her weapons when she helped the party on Ladonna's land, and now she cannot afford new ones and her reputation as a mercenary is in the gutter. And she's pretty salty about it, too. But Lillian agrees to cover the costs for her, handing over 100 gold pieces. Henna is stunned, but grateful and eagerly quits her job as a guard.

Ladonna finds Sern at the river docks, along with Relken and Jonas, both who appear confused. When Ladonna approaches, Voltera tells her that everything is in place now, and at that point a river boat arrives. Stepping off the boat is Stenn Syndrig and none other than Ladonna's mother, Amanda, although she looks radically different with fancier hair, clothes and makeup. Amanda is quite pleased to see Ladonna and hugs her, but Ladonna is bitter about being abandoned. Amanda insists she tried to take Ladonna with her, but the previous version of her refused.

Lillian wanders back into the town of Hart, to the elven quarter, and roams aimlessly. She heads into a tavern and orders breakfast, but is disappointed when they serve a standard Tardish breakfast instead of a Ruaran one. But most of the elves in the city are Tardish, not Ruaran. She tells the tavernkeeper there will probably be war soon, then heads back to the castle to find Ladonna.

Relken escorts the Syndrig family to the guesting house, and Ladonna chews out Voltera for ruining everything. But in Voltera's view, things are finally back on track. Relken is supposed to marry Ladonna's sister, not her. And now they need to get her parents back together, too. She offers Ladonna a potion to ensure that they are agreeable to the idea. It's at this point Lillian arrives. Voltera recruits her to help.

The two split up, with Ladonna taking the potion and going to find her father, while Lillian went to speak with Amanda back in their room. She introduces herself as Ladonna's friend, and asks several questions, including how she met Stenn.

Ladonna, meanwhile, is introduced to Kohen Edgar Llywelyn, a new recruit in the Order of Historians assigned to serve her needs in fixing the timeline. The pair of them find Jonas in his room, drinking. Ladonna joins him. Jonas admits that Amanda's life is better without him, and accepts blame in driving her away. But Ladonna is insistent they both go see her, and he finally gives in.

Meanwhile, Lillian abruptly ends her conversation with Amanda to go speak with Stenn. But it's clear he isn't interested. He's also annoyed because he did not know Amanda had a previous child or that she was about a decade older than she originally claimed to be. He is quite dismissive of Lillian and makes it clear he isn't interested in chitchat. So Lillian goes out into the hall to wait for Ladonna.

When Ladonna and Jonas arrive, Lillian fills them in on the rift between Stenn and Amanda. Ladonna suggests Lillian gets Stenn alone. She asks Relken to take the kids to the guesting garden, but Stenn remains behind. Ladonna asks him for privacy, and with annoyance, he walks away. Lillian stops him and casts Charm Person on him, then suggests he find a 'release' from his wife. Stenn is intrigued, thanks to the spell, and suggests they find somewhere more private to speak.

Ladonna orders a glass of wine and when a servant arrives bearing it, she slips the potion into her parents' glasses. She claims she is here for forgiveness, but then continues to chastise her mother for leaving. However, after Jonas and Amanda drink the wine, they both begin choking and fall to the ground. Confused, Ladonna is almost caught unawares by the servant, who draws a sword and tells her Amodeo sends his regards. Fortunately, she is fast enough to magically hold the assassin before he can strike. But she discovers her parents are both dead from the poison that was in the wine. While Edgar summons the guards, Ladonna has a minor breakdown.

Lillian and Stenn find a secluded spot in the manor garden. He explains how he only wanted a young, pretty wife to show off to other merchants and to raise his heirs. He considers Lillian as a replacement, as her youth would last forever, but he doesn't want to deal with the scandal of taking an elf for a wife. So he comes up with a plan where he will hire Lillian as a handmaid to his daughter, and they can have an affair in secret. It's at this point Haywise comes running forward, and throws a serving tray that blocks an incoming crossbow bolt fired from the nearby southwest tower. Lillian makes herself invisible, but Stenn, who is still charmed, tries to protect her and gets hit with a poison bolt instead. Haywise and Lillian climb the wall of the tower to reach the assassin. Haywise gets into a sword fight with her, and Lillian attacks, dispelling her invisibility, which gives the assassin the opportunity to stab Lillian, poisoning her. Lillian ignores this and tries to just stall until the guard arrives, until it eventually dawns on her that she will probably die from the poison. At this point, she then tries to defeat the assassin in hopes of finding an antidote on her. However, the assassin is quicker and leads her on a chase up the wall to the roof.

Ladonna eventually becomes aware of her surroundings again, and realizes Voltera and Edgar are present. Voltera reports that Stenn was found dead, as well, a poisoned crossbow bolt in his shoulder. The guards are currently looking for the killer. But Lillian is nowhere to be found.

Once on the roof, the assassin fires a ballista with a rope tied around the bolt toward the river, then ziplines down to a small boat there. Lillian follows, and manages to take down the assassin at literally the last second before she escaped. She finds two vials of unknown liquids on her, and making a choice, downs one of them before blacking out. When she comes to, she feels ill but is alive and is in a guest room with two guards. Voltera, Ladonna and Edgar arrive and they fill each other in. Although Lillian claims she did not recognize the Halfling who saved her. But she gives enough of a description to make it easier to track her down. She also learns that the poison bolt that hit Stenn killed him.

At this point, Ladonna and Lillian split up again. But both get an honor guard (two guards) to follow them around just to be safe. Ladonna goes to find Relken and her siblings, while Lillian goes to speak to Panola and Lady Joy. Ladonna learns that Felix is being handed over to Voltera to be raised to be a cleric so Blythe can take over her father's business. Ladonna uses cantrips to change Blythe's clothes and hair color, under the guise of cheering up Felix. She cries to Relkn, who admonishes Ladonna for acting childishly. Ladonna storms out, and Relken goes after her. In the hall, he reminds her that Blythe is just a child still, and whatever she thinks of her, she and Felix are the only family Ladonna has left now. Relken reminds her that he, too, is still going to be her family, just not in the way they had first imagined (brother-in-law instead of husband). Ladonna hugs him in a moment of vulnerability, and he returns the gesture. She then leaves to find Zesk.

Meanwhile, Lillian sits down with Panola and Joy, and some other ladies in waiting, to knit. She brings up Panola being born in Ruara, which makes Panola uncomfortable. Joy asks Panola to fetch some more green yarn from her room, and Lillian accompanies her. The two speak in Ruaran so Lillian's guards cannot understand. Panola admits that she actually is a spy sent by the Forest Queen, but she would not admit why. Only that it would not lead to anyone's harm, like Amodeo's assassins. Lillian takes that in stride and questions Panola about Ruara and life there.

Ladonna finds Zesk in the library and asks him for some booze. He has an old bottle of blood wine his mother sent him that he's used for cooking in the scullery, so he escorts her there. As they walk, Ladonna asks Zesk what he was reading, and he answers Picardian poetry, which helps calm him. Ladonna is surprised Zesk is ever In need of calm, but Zesk explains he suffers from a form of anxiety. When Ladonna asks what Zesk was anxious about, he admits that the guard picked him up for interrogation during the lockdown as a possible suspect. The two sit down to drink, and Ladonna asks Edgar to join them.

Lillian seeks out Finbul, finding him in the guest garden, working. She is disappointed when he reveals he had no idea about the assassin attack, as she was enjoying the attention she was getting from it. Finbul chews her out, pointing out that's serious business, and not something to milk for attention. Even more so when he learns that Ladonna's parents were killed. He also admits that his own family is in trouble. With Waelnod dead and having no available heirs, the ranch will be shut down and his family will lose their jobs and their home. Lillian manages to communicate to Finbul that she knows the identity of the Halfling that saved her, but he isn't sure what to do with that information. Then she goes to see Miranda.

Ladonna questions Edgar about his past, and he explains he was born the son of two miners. While hunting, he found a wounded noble and carried him home to be nursed back to health. It turned out that noble was the son of a nearby baron, and his family was given a valuable gemstone in thanks. They used the money from that gem to put Edgar into school, where he eventually decided to join the clergy so he could help put Gonto's plan into action and keep it on course.

Lillian finds Miranda in her office and asks her to teach her a few new spells. The two work together to learn Magic Missile, Hypnotism and Uncontrollable Hideous Laughter, but Lillian only succeeds in learning Hypnotism.

Ladonna asks Edgar about his family, and learns he has a wife and son but he seems uncomfortable discussing them. She instead asks Zesk for ideas on how to find a human for Liala to marry.

Lillian leaves Miranda's office and wanders aimlessly, until she runs into Mannan. He takes the time to remind her how important he is, and how she should not have blown him off. Lillian wonders if it was a mistake to make an enemy out of him, although her guards assure her he's probably harmless. She then seeks out Unakite, finding her in the trophy room, looking at the mounted heads of animals. Lillian suggests she take up taxidermy, and Unakite notes Lillian could have been her first subject had the assassin succeeded. Lillian doesn't like that idea, and wants to become immortal through deed, specifically by changing the world for the better. Unakite claims that Lillian must first face her destiny before she dies, and since she has done nothing with her life up to this point, she is essentially immortal. Lillian finds that a bit insulting.

It's at this point it's getting pretty late, so they both retire for bed for the night.

[Daos]

Chapter 18:  Desperate Measures

Two months later, the party are having breakfast when Ardis Sabris approaches them with a note from Liala. Apparently, she had gone missing and they were supposed to be married that very weekend. The note read, 'Sorry Ladonna, but I've waited long enough. If you aren't going to help me with this, I'll head to the Sunwoods and take care of it myself. - Liala.' Lillian isn't sure what to make of it, but Ladonna seems to and says she'll take care of it. The two leave, and while walking Ladonna explains to Lillian about Liala wanting a human husband. Ladonna speculates Liala is doing to do something desperate that will somehow transform her into a human.

They gather up Edgar, Ingot, and Henna and meet at the front gates. Ladonna questions Ingot as to when he last saw Liala, and he tells her it was yesterday. Meanwhile, Lillian's presence freaks out Henna's horse, Lissa,and Liala tries to play a song to soothe the terrified beast.

The party discusses some possible reasons Liala might be heading to the Sunwoods. Henna speculates that it might have something to do with the witch that is said to live there. Lillian goes into town to try and find more information, but after an hour comes back empty handed. With Liala already given a head-start, they decide to just head to the same place they went into the Sunwoods last time, and hope that Liala chose the same path.

Henna laments that the others didn't bring horses, especially as they are wealthy and can afford them. Ladonna disputes this, claiming she is not wealthy (despite having over 700 gold pieces back in her room). Lillian asks Henna where she got Lissa, and she answers it was from her (human) father who is a soldier in the count's army. Henna wonders how they will catch Liala on foot, but Ladonna is sure she is on foot, too.

After traveling awhile, Henna notes they are being tailed by someone. At some point, she tries to shoot at their pursuer with her bow, but they manage to avoid the arrow and disarm her with a sling--it turns out to be the Midnight Bandit. She shouts at the party in a strange accent, before switching to her 'normal' one. It's discovered that she is actually Amarantha Haywise, the 'simple' maidservant they have encountered multiple times, and the one who saved Lillian from the assassin.

Amara claims she is on hard times, because the Equalists kicked her out and now she can't be seen in the castle because Lillian ratted her out to Voltera. So because of this, she's been forced to eke out a living in the wilderness. She feels the party owes her, especially after rescuing Lillian, so demands to be let in on whatever they are up to. The party insists they aren't looking for valuables, just helping a friend, but Lillian agrees to hire her as a bodyguard and 'expert tracker.' Amara seemed to know what she was doing, and led the way. The party questioned her a bit about her past, and she told them a story about her old Equalist days, but she seemed unable to get the details straight.

They head into the Sunwoods and come across what used to be Sidhanar's cabin. Amara claims there are tracks leading deeper in, so they follow. Ladonna wonders aloud what she might say to Liala once they catch her. Rather than apologize, she intends to tell Liala she has 'a couple of ideas' on how to solve the issue. Lillian suggests charming her, but is reminded that elves cannot be charmed--a fact she forgot about, despite being an elf. They are interrupted when a pair of stag emerge from the brush. The party suggests killing one to eat, but Henna misses with her bow; which is just as well, considering what the count does to poachers in the Sunwoods.

They continue onward until they smell a campfire. They send Amara alone to investigate; she returns claiming a kobold is cooking up a jackal. Lillian comments she's never seen a kobold before, but Ingot reminds her that they fought them last time they were in the Sunwoods. It's possible it was one of the same kobolds that they released after capturing. The party considers speaking with the kobold, to see if it knew anything about Liala, but opt not to and continue on, ignoring the creature.

The party presses on until nightfall, then makes camp and sets a watch. Henna and Ingot take the last watch. When the party wakes up the next day, the two are discussing something, and when asked about it, claim they saw a giant owl circle overhead before move on. Lillian wonders if it was the witch, shapechanged, something Henna had not even considered. The party moves on and eventually finds fresh horse prints in the mud. They follow them and find a horse that has been tied off to a nearby tree, suggesting the rider continued on foot. They find footprints and follow them to a clearing, where a nice looking cabin with smoke coming from the chimney stands.

Ladonna detects for magic on the cabin, but senses none. She knocks on the door and an old human woman answers, surprised to have 'more' guests. The party asks if her other guest was an elven woman with dark hair. The old woman is suspicious, because that is true, but she said she came alone. But Ladonna persuades her to let the two of them enter the cottage.

Inside, they find Liala, who is pretty upset. She points out that Ladonna couldn't find the time to help her for over a year, but then at the last minute, when she decides to take matters into her own time, suddenly Ladonna has the time to track her out into the woods and try to stop her?

The two question her, and learn that the old woman and her two sisters (who are on their way now) will perform a ritual that was transform Liala into a human. In return, they will receive Liala's firstborn child. Lillian is disgusted by that, but Liala insists it's worth it, claiming Lillian wouldn't understand what it's like to be born in the wrong body.

Ladonna criticized Liala for believing elves were lesser than humans, but Liala pointed out there was a reason only Ladonna has earned a title so far, despite all the deeds they've done as a group. Ladonna conceded that point, but insisted Liala just needed to wait for social change to happen on its own. Liala, however, did not have that kind of time. So then Ladonna offered to use all of her gold to send Liala to another country, one that treated elves better. Although Ladonna didn't know enough about any of the other nations to be sure which one might treat elves better.

Liala claimed that if they were really her friends, they would support her dream, not try and stop her. Lillian left in disgust, rejoining the others outside while Ladonna continued to argue. She then joined the others, as well, and they talked about how to stop Liala from going through with this. Ingot pointed out Liala isn't a bad person, just desperate and afraid. Henna also pointed out that no matter what nation Liala was sent to, she'd be just as miserable for one reason or another.

Ladonna returned inside and offered the witch her future in lieu of Liala's firstborn child. She had the witch write up a new contract for it. Liala balked at the idea, demanding to know why Ladonna would sacrifice her entire future just to protect a child that had not been even conceived yet, much less born. Ladonna claimed it was so Liala would owe her (and to try and manipulate her into not going through with it), but as far as Liala was concerned, she would not owe Ladonna anything.

The witch brought out a new contract, which the pair looked over. It was thick with legalese, but Ladonna was able to parse it well enough. She realized that they would actually switch bodies, meaning Liala would be a human knight and Ladonna would be an elf who would be expected to marry Ardis. Ladonna tries to guilt Liala, claiming she is forcing her fate onto Ladonna. But Liala points out Ladonna was the one who butted in. Ladonna tears up the contract and tells Liala to never return to Hart. Then she leaves, leaving Liala heart-broken.

Once outside, she gathers up the others and they start walking back to Hart. Ladonna states that Liala is on her own, and she washes her hands of any consequences of her actions. Lillian is glad to see Liala go. Amara is worried she won't get paid now. She points out she saved Lillian's life. Lillian asks why, and she admits she was just in the right place at the right time. Lillian asks her about the Equalists and their philosophy. They also discuss the Revolutionaries, a previous group that was wiped out thanks to centralized leadership and that's why the Equalists remain in disconnected cells.

Ladonna and Lillian seem to both agree that without centralized leadership, the Equalists would never succeed, which annoys Amara. Ladonna also brings up what would fill the power vacuum if the nobles were overthrown. Amara replies the people would vote and choose their own leaders. Lillian likes that idea, but Ladonna thinks the commonfolk are too stupid to determine their own leaders. Amara counters that they should instate free public education then, but Ladonna changes tactics and says that a change in leadership would weaken the nation, allowing foreigners to move in. Amara points out that's already nearly happened once, when Calabria attempted that coup. Ladonna finishes by saying she has no worry the Equalists will ever do anything, so she doesn't worry about them.