Tuesday, April 11, 1491, continued ...
Fleeing the Spider, they take refuge in the Forge of Spells with the Nundro the dwarf, Gundred Rockseeker's brother. The Spider and his cronies arrive, and negotiations quickly fail. An assault is launched, and Nundro betrays them, seeking the Guardian on them. After defeating the Guardian, they dig a hole through one of the wall, and find no one waiting for them ...
Tuesday, April 11, 1491
Through further exploration they finally discover the Forge of Spells, and encounter a Spectator wearing dwarven armor. The Spectator is tasked with guarding the forge of spells, and has defeated many enemies over the years, with lots of dead bodies in front of the doors.
They finally encounter the Spider, but combat proves deadly as Kyrdean falls. Shifty and Shady betray the group, and they withdraw back to the Forge of Spells.
Monday, April 10, 1491, continued
Continuing their exploration, head down several corridors. They defeat ghouls, then discover a flesh golem in one of the dormitories. The golem reveals the mind flayers are returning, and are building an army ...
Thursday, June 23, 1066 SE continued ...
With most of the guests now in attendance, service begins in the Palace's dining room. The guests are served a royal meal, complete with eleven courses. While Marigold bakes the puff pastries for dessert in the Palace's kitchen, Branna and Mon anxiously await the actual ball once dinner is finished. Zoryany's reaction has Mon worried. Who could possibly have such an effect on Sir Paul Stal's trusted assistant?
Mon decides he will take a position on the east side of the balcony in the ballroom, so he can watch all three entrances. He tells Branna and Zoryany of his plan, and exchanges duties with one of the other servers. From up here, he will observe the guests as they enter the ballroom.
Utensils hit glass, requesting silence throughout the room midway through dinner, and both Mon and Branna can clearly hear the King's speech:
I have heard whispers of division, of a desire to sever the ties that bind us. But let me ask you this: what is Katarina without Sezja? A lone ship in a storm, tossed by the currents of a fickle world. Sezja offers you strength, a mighty harbor in which your island can flourish!
Some may preach a gospel of isolation, but I say isolation breeds stagnation. Together, we can achieve more than we ever could alone. Sezja offers Katarina not just protection, but opportunity! Trade flourishes within our borders, knowledge is shared, culture is spread, and innovation thrives!
Is that not a future worth fighting for? A future where Katarina's children can dream big dreams, knowing they have the backing of a united Sezja?
Let us not be swayed by the siren song of division. Let us stand together, Sezja united! Let Katarina remain the jewel in our crown, a testament to the strength we find in unity!
Thank you! Long live Sezja! Long live Katarina!
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Marigold notices one of the pastry workers stealthily altering the icing going on the little puff pastries by pouring a liquid from a small glass vial into a porcelain bowl, then thoroughly mixing the.contents with a wooden spoon. She notifies the Palace's head chef, who comes over to the dessert station and tastes the icing. Finding it bitter, he tells the pastry chef to get rid of the puff pastries. He then asks Marigold to bake a new dessert, using any recipe, since they only have half an hour before the dessert trays must be brought out to the dining room. Marigold tells him she will make puff pastries twisted together and dipped in cinnamon sugar.
A few minutes later, the head chef grasps his chest and collapses on the floor. Marigold is convinced there is poison in the icing, and it just killed the chef. As he receives first aid, one of the cooks has the presence of mind to notify the Palace chamberlain, who comes to the kitchen accompanied by Dr. Sadistik. He lays his hands on the chef, and takes three long breaths. The head chef's chest suddenly raises as he gasps and sits up. When Dr. Sadistik asks him how he feels, he tells him he's never felt better.
Following the incident, Marigold notes that the altered puff pastries have been moved to a back counter instead of being thrown out, as the head chef requested. Heading towards that area with a few large cooking sheets, Marigold "accidentally" trips and spills the deadly pastries on the floor. She picks them up and disposes of them in the furthest trash bin, much to the chagrin of the pastry chef who gives her the evil eye. Marigold inquires who the pastry chef works for. One of the other cooks tells he she will check with the Chamberlain to see who his regular employer is. Soon, Marigold's new dessert is ready, and after being plated, it is sent to the dining room.
While dinner winds down, a few of the younger folks enter the ballroom and begin drinking and mingling. The band, which is composed of musicians from the four theaters and from the city guard, begins playing some of the local favorites. As more people enter the ballroom, the band's tempo becomes more lively. The band switches to the Sezjan national anthem when the King and his son Prince Yegor enter the room to loud applause. The King is followed by the Archduke and his family, to louder applause.
The Archduke and his wife, Archduchess Yeva perform the opening steps of the first dance, and soon the dance floor is crammed with people moving to the sound of the music. Dr. Sadistik is also in the ballroom, greeting people and exchanging words. Branna notices he has a lengthy conversation with the Cardinal before heading up to the balcony. The Cardinal soon follows him. Mon, who is busy delivering drinks on the balcony, takes a moment to observe the scene when a cheer goes up, and sees Prince Yegor dance with Yula, the Archduke's youngest daughter.
With the party now in full swing, both Branna and Mon are busier than ever fulfilling drink orders. Marigold and the rest of the kitchen staff cleans up the kitchen, and begins preparing the breads and dishes for the next day. As the band switches to a new song, Branna scans the front of the room, and realizes that both the Archduke and the King are gone. She tells one of the bartenders, who suspects they might have gone to use the facilities. In any case, he didn't see them leave, and he doesn't have time to ponder what happened.
As Marigold is ready to hang her apron for the night, the chef comes to her, and asks her to prepare a small tray with tea for two and several small desserts. He then gives her directions to a study on the second floor of the West wing of the Palace at the end of the corridor heading west from the stairs' landing. Following the directions, Marigold arrived at a closed door. She can hear an argument taking place on the other side. She timidly knocks on the door twice, but when there's no answer, she puts the tray down, and slowly opens the door before picking up her tray and entering the room. The Archduke is sitting at his desk, while the King is pacing in front of him. He seems angry. The King tells the Archduke that
They will commit an action to make me look weak. This, they calculate, will force me to react. And they are right, I will have to react otherwise the political ramifications will be intolerable. This reaction will then be perceived by many, as it rightly should, to be overbearing and of a magnitude greater than other steps I could have taken, regardless of the actual course I exert. And, of course, this will fan the flames of resentment, gaining the other side more support in thought, if not in action.
Unfortunately I need to let the course of events they have set in motion play out, because I need them to think they hold all of the winning cards. Only then will they reveal their true purpose. Then I will strike so hard all of their hopes and ambitions will crumble into the same bitter ash that fills their minds. I shall have my revenge, and I shall protect the kingdom of Sezja from those who would seek to divide us, you mark my word!
Marigold coughs, and the Archduke notices her for the first time. He motions h
her forward, and she places the tray on the study desk. Both the King and the Archduke thank her. Marigold leaves the study, but remains in the hallway with the door cracked open. She hears the conversation resuming, with the Archduke attempting to convince the King to act now, instead of waiting. The King tells him it's a delicate balance, but things must tip over enough for those hiding in the darkness to come out in the light to claim their prize. Marigold closes the door, and returns to the kitchen.
Marigold remains in the hallway with the door mostly open, and she hears the conversation continuing, with the ARchduke attempting to convince the king to act now, instead of waiting, and the king telling him it's a delicate balance, but things must tip over enough for those hiding in the darkness to come out in the light to claim their prize. She then closes the door and returns to the kitchen. The chef informs her that the pastry chef she was inquiring about came from the Nazar estate. The Nazar own the Starlight Theater. The Archduke's chamberlain enters the kitchen, and hands out purses to all of the temporary employees. Marigold is paid 4 golds and 10 silvers, and is then sent to help out the bartending staff in the ballroom.
As Mon is delivering drinks, he has a creepy feeling as he's taking orders that something threatening is behind him. He avoids turning over, and instead head straight for the bar to get a few drinks, where he sees Marigold and the other two bartenders. Mon asks her who was standing behind him. Marigold tells him that the Cardinal and Dr. Sadistik are standing next to the balcony railing, as the Cardinal points out various people on the ground floor. Mon turns around, and sees the man, and though he feels ill at ease, no memories are triggered.
On the ballroom floor, Branna sees that both the King and the Archduke have returned. Instead, now both Prince Yegor and Yula have disappeared.
Mon returns with drinks, only to be intercepted by the Cardinal. He takes a good look a Mon, but evidently does not see through Mon's disguise. He orders gin on the rocks. Dr. Sadistik then orders a Bloody Mary, Dr. Sadistik looks intently at Mon, then addresses him by the name Arkady and inquires as to his health. Mon has visions of himself laying on a cold hard table, with Dr. Sadistik standing over him and telling him the part he put in is faulty, and he will replace it. He has several similar memories of a well lit dungeon room, and going under Dr. Sadistik's knife. Dr. Sadistik also tells him he saw his sister earlier, and she too looked well. Dr. Sadistik seems genuinely pleased with Mon, which creeps the actor.
Returning to the bar, Mon tells Marigold what he remembers of Dr. Sadistik and the memory flashbacks he just had.
On the ballroom floor, Branna runs into the Marquess of Sidorov, who is inebriated. She is thrilled about the success of her dress. She tells Branna she has been singing her praises to anyone who asked her where she had purchased her dress, and she fully expect that people will be knocking on her door to order their own amazing dresses. The Marquess takes Branna to the front of the room, and introduces her to the King. When she states her last name, the King looks pleasantly surprised, and tells her that his favorite outfits are from the Gwend family clothier. Her father is his favorite clothier, and he knows him well. The King is thrilled Branna is here, making her own mark. He then asks her about the situation on Katarina, inquiring about her perception of the political situation on the island and her thoughts on the separatist movement. Branna and the King then exchange views, and he asks her a few more questions before the King shakes her hand again and greets another group. Branna then returns to her station.
Later, Mon descends the stairs, and heads towards the Archduke. He wants to relay important information to Katarina's ruler, but he's intercepted by the Marquess, who requests a drink. Mon tells him it is her favorite actor, and the Marquess is impressed with his disguise, but she is loud enough that everyone around can hear her. Mon asks her to keep his real identity quiet, but too late, the Cardinal is standing behind him. The Cardinal is not thrilled to see Mon, and tells the actor he will soon find himself under arrest. Mon's despicable nature is an affront to any follower of the faith, according to the Cardinal, who walks away from Mon. Concerned that the Marquess has now had too much to drink, Mon tells her he will be more than pleased to escort her back home to ensure she arrives there safely.
As the party wraps up, Branna runs into Lady Sirenko, and the two talk with each other. Branna mentions that the Marquess misses her terribly, and Lady Sirenko lets her know she and the Marquess will be meeting for lunch tomorrow at Khoroshim to talk about what happened, and how they can move forward.
Mon finally meets the Archduke and tells him he has information. The Archduke would prefer that Mon pass this information to Dima, captain of the city guard, but he reluctantly agrees to meet with the actor in his official study in thirty minutes.
As the last guests depart, the Palace's chamberlain gathers all of the servers and bar staff, and he distributes purses of 3 golds each. Branna sees the Marquess standing with difficulty near the main entrance. She tells the Marquess she will escort her to her carriage. Olehiv, the Marquess's butler, tells her he is concerned the Marquess will be in no shape for her meeting with Lady Sirenko tomorrow.
Meeting with the Archduke in his official study with the Archduke and several guards, including Dima, Mon tells him he has a way of listening to the Cardinal, and reports that the Cardinal is planning a coup. The Archduke thanks him for this information, and once again requests that any future information should be given to Dima and not directly to him. With his meeting over, Mon steps outside the Palace. He turns invisible, and shadowsteps back to the Legendary.
As Branna and Marigold walk back to the Legendary, Herald catches up with them, and he tells them that Prince Yegor and Yula came into the stables and spent some time kissing in one of the stalls. He also tells them Sir Gregory had to rent a carriage for tonight, which he thought it was strange since Sir Gregory already has a carriage. He proudly displays the two gold coins he earned working in the stables. Marigold shakes her head.
Back at the Palace hotel, Marigold tells Branna and Mon about the incident in the kitchen and reports that the pastry chef was a servant of House Nazar ...
Thursday, June 23, 1066 SE continued ...
As Mon swings for the Cardinal, he thinks better of it, as it would remove his invisibility and reveal him to the Cardinal and all of the people currently gathered on the Cathedral Plaza to witness Dhuka's whipping. The Cardinal points at Dhuka, and tells Anya, his captive, that if she does not reveal where the book is, her sister will be whipped, and her pain and suffering will be her fault. Having seen enough, Mon quickly shadowsteps back to the Plaza and positions himself between Dhuka and the executioner ready to whip her. His body will receive the bite of the whip, but he will protect the girl.
Taking one more glance up the Cathedral's north tower, the executioner finally winds and releases the whip's bite, but instead of hitting Dhuka's back it bites into Mon's. As the whip lands, Mon casts major image and displays the church's religious symbol high above Dhuka's head, to the collective gasp of the crowd, which falls silent. The actor then uses motivational speech and prestidigitation. The five people who hear Mon will be inspired by his speech. Mon chooses the King, the executioner, and three high ranking guards. He disguises his voice, and announces to them that Dhuka is an innocent puppet, and that her sister is being kept in chains by the Cardinal himself, who wishes evil upon this land.
The image then transforms into the scene Mon witnessed up the South Tower, showing the Cardinal and his prisoners. The crowd looks up the tower. Meanwhile, upon seeing this visual display, Marigold insinuates to those who stand near her that the girl is not being punished by a decision of the Church, but rather on orders from the Cardinal himself, while Branna yells that it is a miracle, that Dhuka has not been touched by the whip, and that God surely must be displeased with the Cardinal! Pandemonium breaks loose on the Cathedral Plaza and angry murmurs quickly spread.
The King confidently steps through the crowd and walks straight to Dhuka. Motioning the crowd to quiet down, the King announces loudly that the child is hereby pardoned, and that her offenses are wiped away by the crown. The crowd cheers the King enthusiastically. Mon, who is still invisible, steps next to the King and whispers that her sister should also be freed. Without a hint of surprise, the King whispers back that Anya's release will happen in its own time, that at the moment things must play out. The King motions to the executioner for the key to the iron binding Dhuka, and he removes the cuffs from her raw wrists.
Branna steps forward and wraps Dhuka in the cloak she brought with her, before bringing her back to the Legendary. She takes the child up to the staff doctor, who checks her out and pronounces her healthy, if hungry and sleep-deprived. Marigold, who followed them, tells Dhuka that when she goes out in the daytime, she must wear appropriate clothing. Dhuka replies she doesn't like to wear dresses. Nevertheless, Marigold tells her, she will need to wear them in public. Marigold further tells her she's valuable to the Cardinal, especially if he has Anya with him. She needs to bring someone with her at all times. Branna tells her she will make Dhuka several pretty dresses she will love to wear.
Mon takes the occasion to reappear, causing a fright to the doctor, who collapses to the floor clutching his chest. Mon cures wounds on the doctor, then the doctor heals Mon's backside wound. Dhuka is finally escorted to her room. Mon suspects that the Cardinal is looking for Anya's diary and that he has sights on the crown. They talk about what they should do with the diary if they found it, and how they could keep Dhuka safe from the Cardinal's hands. Marigold convinces Dhuka to give up her and Anya's journal, for her protection. Mon confirms the Cardinal has Anya, and Marigold promises to bring another journal for Dhuka to write in. After a few more minutes, Dhuka is fast asleep.
Branna, Mon and Marigold discuss the possibility of asking the Marquess of Sidorov and Lady Sirenko to welcome Dhuka with them for a while, which should protect the child should the Cardinal be motivated enough to look for her again. The Cardinal was temporarily outwitted, but will seek to regain the upper hand. The Marquess and Lady Sirenko would need to solve their current fall-out, and Branna mentions that perhaps, with Dhuka now free, the two women should be reunited to have a frank discussion on the subject. Mon wonders if the two ladies would also be willing to adopt Anya, now that they know she is still here on Katarina.
As they return to the Legendary's lobby, Mon receives a message from Sir Gregory about volunteering at the Archduke's Palace for the party this evening. He sets off to find others from the Second Crew who could help, and he talks to several of the page boys to make sure they will be in attendance. Unfortunately for him, Herald is the only one willing to help. The cad seems to think that this will be a great opportunity to curry favor with the local nobility.
Mon sends a message to Sir Gregory that all girls working as page boys should have a specialized uniform for them to wear that would be based on the page boys' outfit. Sir Gregory replies that though he generally loves Mon's ideas, this one is pretty far fetched, as the Legendary would never employ girls as pages ...
Marigold dispatches a pageboy to Fabled Pages to purchase the pinkiest and sparkliest journal the pageboy can find to replace Dhuka's journal. The pageboy returns with something that meets the prop creator's standards.
With Dhuka currently safe, Mon sets to disguise himself so he can serve at the Archduke's Palace but not be recognized by the Cardinal. He returns to meet Marigold and Branna dressed in a fake wooden leg. Marigold tells him to go back and change, no one would send a servant to help out at the Palace. Mon returns a short while later wearing a long black waistcoat, black trousers, a white shirt, and a black tie, completing the look with an eye patch.
Readying themselves to head to the Palace, Marigold brings a set of tinkering tools hidden in her pettycoats. They could be useful as weapons or to disable a bomb. Arriving at the Palace with Herald, they are surprised to meet Zoryany, who tells them Sir Paul Stal graciously lent her services to assist the Archduke and his staff organizing the greatest social event ever to take place on Katarina. Greeted by the Archduke's chamberlain, Mon and Branna elect to work the ballroom, where they will be serving appetizers and drinks after the welcome banquet. They are joined there by Zoryany. Marigold heads to the kitchen, where she's assigned to the baker to get the breads and desserts ready. Herald is sent to the stables, much to his disappointment.
As the noble guests begin to arrive in the grand hallway, Mon and Branna can hear the various titles being called out by Sir Anatoli. Zoryany has secured a spot by one of the large windows, where she can see the guests as they disembark their carriage. The Cardinal's arrival is followed by that of Sir Sergeii. The King's arrival is greeted with loud applauses. Mon notices Zoryany turn a shade of green, and as she hurries out of the room, she tells the actor through clenched teeth that a nasty surprise is in the wings, and he should prepare himself to be shocked. Then the official greeter calls out the name of the King's traveling physician, Dr. Sadistik ...
Wednesday, June 22, 1066 SE, continued
With the King now on the island and having departed for the Heights, Captain Popov who is still standing on the balcony of the Anchor's Luck mentions to his friends Branna and Marigold he's surprised no troops have come off the warships at anchor in the bay. He's also curious that the King did not bring a bodyguard with him. Branna wonders if it is a double. Marigold suggests that perhaps some of the King's men are already here and were part of the crowd.
Captain Popov then asks a huge favor. He suggests that it would be extremely useful for a group of people to infiltrate as many of the balls and other royal events that will happen over the next few weeks to observe and gather as much information as possible. He's worried that conversations will take place that will shape the future of Katarina. Marigold suggest to Branna that the very effective and efficient network of pageboys throughout the city of Katarina could be put to good use for this mission. Most people would ignore the presence of pageboys, allowing the kids to hear conversations thought to be private. With most of the crowd now departed, Branna and Marigold head back to the Legendary.
At the same time, Mon climbs the stairs up to the Heights and nears the Cathedral. After becoming invisible, Mon enters the Cathedral. The long rows of pews are just about empty, with only a few elderly individuals praying during the noon service. An aged priest stands at the altar, conducting the blessing of the bread and wine. Using mage hand, Mon breaks a bottle on the altar, and uses the confusion the shattering creates to enter the administrative quarter of the Cathedral. Exploring the ground floor that is currently empty of activity, Mon quickly locates the Cardinal's own office.
As he nears the closed door, he overhears a conversation taking place on the other side. He recognizes the voice of Tarasenko, one of the Cardinal's men, talking to someone clearly in charge. With the Cardinal currently welcoming the King on the dock, he deduces that it must be the Captain of the Cardinal's men. The conversation centers on current security arrangements and the religious court session that was supposed to occur today.
Tarasenko departs, and Mon stealthily moves inside the largest office he has ever seen. Over a quarter of the administrative part of the Cathedral is occupied by an office featuring 25 feet high ceilings, large southern windows letting the sun in, a massive fireplace in the middle of the western wall, and an equally massive desk near the southern wall underneath a large cross. A small sitting area, featuring two couches, a small coffee table filled with daily newspapers, and a small cabinet with drinks and snacks are the only other furniture in this room, which echoes while the Captain paces as he's reading a file. After a few minutes, the Captain signs a few sheets of paper, closes the folder and, holding it under his arm, departs the room, locking the door behind him.
After examining the room, Mon places the listening device he acquired from Orest inside the fireplace, before shadowstepping outside into the small garden behind the Cardinal's office. He heads back to the Legendary.
Once she's back at the theater, Branna sends a message to the Marquess of Sidorov letting her know she will be over in a few hours with a replacement dress to substitute for the one Dhuka stole from her. She puts the finishes touches to the dress, then heads to Sidorov Manor. The Marquess tries on the dress, and Branna puts the final touches to ensure that it is the best fit. The dress looks amazing, but the Marquess is still sad at the loss of her other dress. During the conversation, Branna discovers that Lady Sirenko has left Sidorov Manor and has not returned. Instead, she went back to her own townhouse. According to the Marquess, Lady Sirenko was upset that the Marquess had pressed charges, and the Marquess admits she overreacted. She talked to her solicitor this morning, and asked him to withdraw the charge of stealing the dress. The religious court had agreed, but the charge of cross-dressing still stands. The Marquess is worried Lady Sirenko will never forgive her, and she misses her friend terribly.
Marigold is eating a late lunch in the Palace when Mon joins her. Marigold mentions her need for a spy network of pages to have them report to as many events attended by the King as possible. Mon agrees this is a good idea, and he will approach Nadie to make sure the page boys don't get in trouble. He stops one of the pageboys passing by, and questions him on being a page boy, pretending he is preparing for a future role. Mon quickly realizes that around the island, all pages are boys, or at least pretend to be, and the overwhelming majority are orphans who appreciate the opportunity to earn a decent living and not live in the streets. Mon asks the page boy to meet with him and a few of his friends around 8 tonight to further discuss the role of being a page. He promises them fudge and cider.
Mon then switches the discussion to Dhuka, and he tells Marigold she should receive leniency because she was wearing a traditional page outfit. Marigold agrees, but the fact remains that Dhuka was still wearing a male outfit, which goes against the morals the Cardinal purports to enforce on Katarina. Marigold then wonders whether Dhuka actually owns girl's clothes, and she suggests to Mon they should ask Branna to make her a wardrobe the child would like to wear.
At dinner time, Pavel walks through the Palace's cafeteria, distributing a copy of the Katarina Chronicle, and mentions Sir Gregory has requested an all-staff meeting tomorrow morning at 10. Not having heard about Dhuka, Branna and Marigold head to the Cathedral after packing clothes for the child and a few smoke bombs in case they need to make a quick exit. One of the guards at the Cathedral informs them that the religious court did not in fact meet today, but will be meeting tomorrow at 11 am.
While Mon performs in front of a half empty theater but with Captain Popov in attendance, Marigold and Branna meet with the page boys at the Palace. They report to Nadie, the head of Legendary security. Each organization hires its own pages, and the pages know who they can trust to deliver a message, and who is not dependable. Nadie does not tolerate pages who are poorly dressed, who are drunk, or who are late. There are three page work stations in the Legendary, and one at the Palace. At the Legendary, the statiosn are located in the administrative wing, off the main lobby, and backstage by the dressing rooms. Branna and Marigold explain to the boys what they are hoping to accomplish. the page boys agree to pass the word to other pages to report back information to the Anchor's Luck and the Captain, and if he's not available, to Ivan the bartender there.
Marigold tells them that if they see something, they need to say something, especially after what happened at Khoroshim and at Sir Gregory's estate, villainous people might be out ready to sabotage open house or cause chaos. One of the page boys shows them the newspaper's listing of events in the next two weeks, thinking this is a fairly long list of possible targets.
With the page boys gone, Branna wonders to Marigold if Dhuka had been drugged so she would fall asleep by the pond. Perhaps she had been set up.
After the play, Mon stops by Captain Popov, who thanks him for the free ticket, and tells him it was a lovely play. Mon agrees to meet with the Captain at the Anchor's Luck later in the night. After checking in with Marigold and Branna, Mon heads down the Slope, only to catch up to the Captain. Unfortunately, three of the Cardinal's men coming up the road stop the old Captain and shake him down for 6 coppers. After letting the old man go, the men continue up and stop Mon as well. Mon offers them a gold piece each, and the Cardinal's men thank his lordship for the mighty gift, and they depart laughing. As Mon heads down, he also notices that the two warships appear to have sailed away at high tide.
Catching up with Captain Popov, Mon tells him he planted a listening device inside his office. Accessing the device, Mon hears the Cardinal in discussion with another voice he does not recognizes. The Cardinal states they are running low on incense, and a new supply must be procured immediately. Mon suggests to Popov that perhaps the incense currently in stock could be replaced by a concoction that smells like skunk. Captain Popov eventually confesses that he had just been shaken down by the Cardinal's men, and Mon commiserates with him. That night, Mon loses 1 silver playing cards with the Captain and his mates.
Thursday, June 23, 1066 SE
In the morning, Branna and Mon travel to Lady Sirenko's townhouse. She welcomes them and offers them breakfast. She tells them that the only person aside from Dhuka that visited them on the day the dress disappeared was Ekatarina Vasyl, the widow of Lord Petr Vasyl, who was killed in the Khoroshim attack. The two of them talked about staffing issues for the upcoming parties and devised a plan to borrow each other's staff to ensure they had enough servants. Otherwise, no one else was there and had the opportunity to steal the dress.
Lady Sirenko explains that after the Marquess first mentioned the possibility to adopting Dhuka after getting to know her, she was taken aback and scared to lose the Marquess' affections. However, she came to appreciate Dhuka's wit and intelligence that afternoon, and saw the potential the girl had to be an excellent heir for the Marquess. To then have the dress go missing, and the Marquess press charges was too much for her, and she returned to her own dwelling. She misses the Marquess terribly, but she's still upset at her for overreacting.
Returning to the Legendary just in time, Mon notices that the warships are back in Spokoya Bay. They hear Sir Gregory introduce his friend, Sir Sergeii, who announces that the Second Crew will be presenting Masha and the Bear at the Grand Royal Opera in Sezja, and they will sail out on Tuesday, June 28. They will be in Sezja for three weeks. There will be no performance tonight, so that the theater can once again be cleaned and readied for opening night and the King's visit, as the King has asked to tour the various ateliers and work sites of the Legendary to gain a better understanding of how a successful theater works.
Rushing out of the Legendary after the meeting, Mon, Branna and Marigold cross Svetozar Plaza and join the large crowd on the square in front of the Cathedral. The Cardinal's men are there, forming an inside square currently empty of people. The city guard has also been deployed, keeping the peace on the edge of the square. At precisely 11, Dhuka is escorted out under heavy guard, and is brought inside the square. There, the charges are read, and the religious court's decision that Dhuka is guilty and will have her bare back lashed ten times for the offense of cross-dressing.
But enforcement of the decision seems delayed. The King emerges from the Cathedral with his Chamberlain, but the Cardinal is notable in his absence. The executioner of the sentence several times uses his whip in preparation, but seems reluctant to inflict punishment. Then Marigold notices him looking up the north tower of the Cathedral. Thinking there's an assassin, she urges Mon to do something.
Turning himself invisible and using his shadowstep ability, Mon climbs to the top of the tower, only to see the Cardinal standing near the bells' opening, holding Anya in chains with a perfect view of the square below where a pitiful Dhuka is about to be whipped. Mon swings at the Cardinal ...
Saturday, April 8, 1491
After returning to Phandalin, they head back to Wave Echo Cave, leaving Kaine behind due to sickness.
They pursue their exploration of the cave, encountering a ochre jelly, a goblin trap, and a giant constrictor snake. They discovered a barracks filled with bugbears, and after they were eliminated they found the space easily defended, so they spent the night to recuperate.
Sunday, April 9, 1491
After healing, they head down a corridor and discover the mine's forge. A flameskull and eight skeletons attack them. The flameskull unleashes a fireball, knocking Kite and Shifty out. Valiant efforts destroyed the enemy, and the party retreated to the barracks to heal.
Monday, April 10, 1491
Returning to the forge, they are surprised to see the flameskull has returned. Another fireball forces them to withdraw.
