Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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Bernard smiled, nodding. "Haven't we already discussed this? You were worried about staying in Marsh House because it would reflect poorly on me and I told you that I don't care what 'they' think." His thumb brushed the top of her hand gently as he took her hand. "Nothing improper has happened here, and if it had, that's between you and I and no one else. You know how I feel about you Arissa, this is no dalliance." He looked into Arissa's eyes. "It is getting colder and the floor is becoming less ideal. If it makes you feel better I can move into the church and take Jeremiah's old quarters, but I'd much rather just stay with you." Bernard paused a moment, before he bowed his head, "I had wanted to save mother so she could be told before the town, but if it will put your mind and your conscience at ease, I could make my proposal public."
 
Constabulary:

Victor tips his hat to Kallisto in the affirmative and heads out. Simon turns back after speaking with another guard to Kallisto. "There's plenty to do that's for sure but I had heard something about that snake expedition. I wanted someone to go on it from the guard, and it sounds like that might be you. Let me know how that turns out and then we can see about assigning you a specific sector or a case to work on next. Consider it your first offical assignment alright?" says Simon smirking at Kallisto. "I feel like you'll be able to handle it for some reason. Call it a hunch. Oh and don't worry too much about that Eric guy, he's been missing for five years, likely hood of him showing up is slim to none."
 
Arissa squeezed Bernard’s hand and shook her head. “No, I would never wish to displace you from your home, especially not after everything that has happened. We need you here as much as you need us. Also, Merris deserves to be the first to hear the good news. The announcement can wait.” Arissa meets Bernard’s eyes and smiles. “I will be fine. After all, I have been the subject of far worse rumors than this. I am sorry, I am still adjusting to life here. It is both terrifying and thrilling to have a future, and I am so glad that it is to be with you.”
 
"Hmm..." Kallisto glanced towards the doorway where Victor had left, "Still, if people are lost, I'd imagine those who are worried would like to know one way or the other. As you were with ..." she glanced down for a moment finishing more softly, "your nephew in Tumbledown..."

Adjusting the greataxe on her back she continued, "Hopefully the trip will go well, after I finish here I'm intending to pick up supplies for the journey. Thinking of buying a longbow ... I had one when I was younger but didn't much care for it, yet lately I'm finding many things to be further than I can reach. However -- when it comes to missing people, has there been any word on Bernan? I heard Lora is not quite herself currently -- as excitable as she normally is, it's very strange for her to be so ... apathetic."
 
Bernard smiled back, "And I you." He stood and began to move toward the hall before pausing and turning back, "Lets go speak with Bjorn and we should get you some more suitable clothes for the winter while we're out. Last night was cold, I expect the chill of the swamp will be much worse." He collected his maul and his backpack which he had emptied the plate out of. After collecting the fur off of his bed and stowing it, he attached his bedroll to the top. "I'll have to come by for my armor, before we leave, but this should do for the day." He smiled once more at Arissa, "I really don't care what others think. The opinion that matters to me is yours." He waited by the door for her to collect the rest of her things before setting off toward the smithy and Bjorn.
 
Arissa nods to Bernard. “I had hoped to speak with Sereal today as well. I am certain she sells dresses more accustomed to the weather... although I may have to lower my standards given her stock.” Arissa returns to Bernard’s room, collecting her flute before returning and linking arms with Bernard with a smile. “My opinion is that it is about time we set out for the day. Shall we?” She then led Bernard out of the house towards the Blackmith’s, mentally preparing herself to not see Jonathan behind the counter.
 
Constabulary:

"There's not much we can do about Lora, she's the way she is. We'd need a specialist called in to deal with her but the odds of finding the thing that did it are fairly low. I only have bits and pieces of cases where 'Elf-Shot' people have come back to their normal selves. It just.... doesn't really happen. Sereals probably going to have to live with the new Lora..." says Simon as he avoids the topic of his nephew. "As for Bernan there's been no word on him returning as of yet, if that's what you mean. He just suddenly up and vanished. I'll let you know if anything comes up on that by the time you get back. As for ranged, you could also use one of our spare flatbows as well."
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Stoneshatter Smithy:

Bjorn is going about his business banging away on steel. It's like he never left the forge the pace he works is almost like he is making up for lost time. When Bernard and Arissa approach he gives them a wide smile. "Aye, and who do we have here? Yer lady friend no doubt? Come to buy her a weapon to fend off ruffians in the night?" says Bjorn chuckling at his own joke holding his stomach. "But no, let's hear it. What did ye need?"
 
Having given both Bernard and Arissa a kiss on the cheek Peri gathered up her pack and grabbed her cloak and staff before heading for the manor. She hoped she wasn’t too early.

Moving through the gate then up to the door she pulled the chain only to have Grimdosh greet her hastily. As he pat her on the head she chuckled. “Good Morning Grimdosh, I delivered Arissa’s wages like you asked.”

Shifting on her feet she chews her lip a moment looking down and back up. “May I come in? I was hoping to help here today and visit.” Peri smiles, “I was hoping to find Yelcan.”
 
Bernard smiles at Bjorn, "Wow, I thought you were an impressive butcher, but you sure do know your way around a smithy. This is Arissa, and she's more than capable of fending off ruffians." Bernard grinned.

He extended his maul to Bjorn, "I was actually hoping you could take a look at this, tell me who made it. I didn't fair too well the last time I sparred and it would be nice to know who I can blame."

As Bjorn takes the maul Bernard begins to chat casually, "There were some Flakovnians in town, I hope they didn't give you too much trouble. Arissa here ended up in a bit of a scuff with them at the ball, came out the other side no worse for wear."
 
Blackburn Manor:

Grimdosh takes a moment looking up as he thinks. "Yelcan...?" then he starts to wander off through the hallways leading Perian to Yelcan's room. He knocks on the door. "Perian is here to see Yelcan." He looks down to Perian waiting for a response from the room. He seems content to wait.
 
Yelcan wakes up the next morning in a fair amount of pain. He looks at his bare chest and sees a splotchy bruise around the center of his chest where the ghost skull had flown through him. He groans as he sits up, and then looks down at Hyde sleeping. Deciding the poor fellow has earned his rest, Yelcan dresses in a white button down shirt and a simple pair of brown pants, and he heads down to the kitchen to have breakfast. Seeing Grimdosh had once again prepared breakfast, Yelcan enjoyed a meal of breads and fruits, and then cleaned up his area after.

He headed for the stairs, intending to grab Hyde before heading out to resupply for the upcoming adventure, but just as he turns the corner towards his room, Yelcan sees Peri and Grimdosh waiting outside his door. Yelcan hesitates a moment, immediately flashing back to the scene Legba had shown him late last night, and he almost turns away. Instead, Yelcan steels himself and walks over towards the pair. "Thank you Grimdosh. Perian, it is good to see you, please come in." Yelcan tries his best to sound normal, wincing as he called her Perian by accident, but he opens the door and holds his arm out in front of him to allow her to enter. Once inside, Yelcan moves over to his pack and begins strapping on his armor with his back towards her. "So, what brings you over to the manor today?"
 
Léone shrugs, looking to James as he came back out. "The last entry was from a different person, someone called 'The Alchemist' who was friends with Jamis Blackburn. I saw a vandalized copy of a book referring to him in the library once, maybe it's the same person?" She frowns. "Either way, that entry reported that the original author had died... probably, unless he was 'still out there'. The way it was worded immediately made me think of the Machine, hence why I gathered my previous notes as well," she says, chuckling with a groan as he flopped onto the bed and said another cheesy line. "Well then, I think you just have to try a bit harder." Attimer flies to her shoulder, and she pets him idly as she looks down to James. "In fact, you can ask Attimer all about my university days if you ever feeling like sating your curiosity while I'm out."

At the mention of Violette, she thinks back to the previous day and looks to the window, zoning out a bit. "She seems nice enough, and I need to try being sociable too, it was just reading her thoughts felt a bit... strange." She sighs and glances back at him, trying to blink away Azalin's gaze in her mind's eye. "Speaking of which... I don't think I ever gave you a proper explanation of what I saw, did I? I still don't really know what to make of it all, but I think I should sit you down for it if you have a free... well, more than a free minute. It's long."

Shaking her head she considers his question about the church. "Mother made us attend sermons every week when I was younger, to keep up our image. I think she even might've started taking it more seriously, but I personally drifted off after I went to college. I wouldn't mind it though." She frowns as she glances back to the notes. "I'm sure you're not a demon, but I'm not so confident on your ancestors. The journal also mentioned... striking a deal and setting down totems. I don't like what that implies, not one bit."

Having said all of that, she sighs and flashes another warm smile as she waves him off. "It's a lot to take in, but this is what I signed up for. Now go on, I shouldn't keep you all to myself today."
 
Peri startles a moment her focus on the door she hadn’t expected him to come from behind. “Good morning Yelcan.” As he opened the door and addressed her formally she watched him as she entered ahead of him.

“I just came to see how you were, I left abruptly last night, I didn’t mean to be rude.” Clasping her hands together she blushed a little. “I also wanted to ask if there was anything I can help with.” Watching him put on his armor, “If your busy...”
 
Stoneshatter Smithy:

"That's good to hear!" he says looking at Arissa approvingly before back to Bernard. He shook his head at Bernard scoffing. "Don't blame the weapon for yer loss Bernard. Most of the time ain't the weapons fault no matter who made her."

He takes the Maul from Bernard and gives it a once over. "Looks like you must had gotten this from the Einhorns or were resold the hammer from the look of it. It's got both Maria, and Jonathan's sigil.... I wouldn't go bothering them complaining about the weapon's performance lad. That families suffered enough already," says Bjorn putting the hammer back down on the counter. When the topic of Falkovnians came up he scowled a bit.

"Aye, I kept my distance. I didn't want any conflicts arising, especially ones that could end in bloodshed," said Bjorn crossing his arms. He seems to wave back and forth as if clearing that air in front of him. "Surely ye didn't come to talk about those spike fuckers. Excuse the language lass but Falkovnian's don't deserve any sort of respect."
 
Blackburn Manor:

"Nonsense, I can make time for you if you are going to be gone the next couple of days," says James instead taking a seat near the door across the room. "If you wanted to tell me more about what you saw in my head then I guess I should listen since it's in my head no? Not sure if it will trigger anything but who knows, maybe it will jog my memory after hearing it?"

James tapped his finger against the hand rest of the chair while thinking about what she had said. "Sounds like it was a rough transition from what you've said, and maybe they sought an easier way? Maybe that's what drew my family to deal with Legba? I wonder if that Hathoway's knew or if this was kept secret... I can't imagine they'd be particularly happy knowing a fiend was in their midst or at least providing some of their protection. Ezra is supposed to do that for them."
 
Finishing putting on his armor, he forces a smile onto his face and turns around to face her. "Oh, don't worry about it, I know you had other pressing matters to attend to. Arissa told me about Jonathan, how is he doing?" Yelcan shakes his head at her offer. "I don't believe there is anything that I need help with, I was just about to head over to the Curio shop to restock on supplies for hunting the Great Serpent."
 
Kallisto sighed as she ran a clawed hand through her hair, hearing how things had turned out with Lora and Bernan. Bernan maybe wasn't the best worker on the docks, and Lora could be overwhelming, but she still didn't want this sort of thing to happen to them. "What kind of specialist...? Tara, who helped me before, might still be in town, she's a cleric of Ezra ..." She thought for a moment longer, "Maybe James would have an idea. He seems to have many wonders and books in his home -- and eager to help those he can. I ... do not know how many heard what Isaiah claimed, but ... if there's low expectations, anything would be welcome, I'd think."

Kallisto shrugged, "With Bernan ... Jorman said he left some of his items at home, if the rains haven't washed things away, if anyone has any hunting hounds, maybe a scent could be found. Help narrow down maybe where he was last headed..."

Crossing her arms, she considered Simon's offer, "Hm ... if I'd be allowed, I'd appreciate a flatbow to borrow. One of the larger ones -- so I'd have good range." She gave him a smile, "If I'm going as a guard, I might as well take advantage of my resources right?"
 
Constabulary:

"Hounds loose the trail at the docks I've been told, and where he goes from there is anyone's guess. Could have swam the river, could have boarded a boat who knows?" said Simon shaking his head. "Sounds like there might be some shady business involved in that, though I will take the part about Lora into consideration. If James has anything on the fey it might be worth looking into, though I've no idea how you'd first track the fey down, and then figure out which one it was that did whatever it is they do. As said I've only heard of rare cases myself where someone returned to what they were before."

Simon leads Kallisto back to the Barracks of the place, and has them bring out a crossbow for Kallisto. "Careful with the thing, it packs quiet a punch and generally we don't need it for civilians. But where you're going.... might come in handy," said Simon giving her a smirk. "Focus on what you can do now, and save the rest for later, doesn't do well to try and take on every case at once. We'll see what develops by the time you get back."
 
Peri nodded, “Oh okay,” wandering a few paces she looked around the room. “I was going to head there too, do you mind the company?” She asked before leaning against the wall.

“As for Jonothan, his spirits are up, but he is weak.” Her frown turned up momentarily, “Even sick he is still a sarcastic jerk, he will be sorely missed by the whole community” Wiping her eye she looked back to Yelcan. “But he helped me, figure something very important out.”
 
Arissa curtsied to Bjorn, surprised by his short but stout appearance. “It is good to meet you, Bjorn. I have heard much of your forging skill in recent days. In fact, I am surprised that we had not met sooner. Oh, and I do not mind your language.” Arissa winked to him. “Someone needs to expand my vocabulary, and I doubt it will be Bernard. Besides I agree whole-heartedly, about the Falkovnian varken.”
 
Kallisto hefted the large crossbow, even with her size it was kind of an intimidating weapon. "Mmm... I had told Jorman I think, or maybe it was Thomas that Bernan might have hopped on a ship. Especially with all those that came in for the ball ... His letter said he was looking for something he was better suited to. Wonder if it's tied to Lora ... usually couldn't find one without the other."

Finding a small quiver she grabbed a handful of bolts, tying it onto her hip opposite Sulrac. "I wouldn't use this on people, be sure of that, but there's a lot of dangerous things in the swamp." Kallisto sighed as she rubbed her face, "At this point I'm just hoping the town doesn't burn down while we're gone. Hopefully when we return, there's good news on both sides." Adjusting the crossbow on her shoulder, "Though I heard you and Crooks didn't manage too well at cards? Sounded like Marcus and Thomas teamed up against you two," she teased with a grin.
 
Stoneshatter Smithy:

Bjorn points a finger at Arissa. "Ye see now there's a lass I like. Where have ye been keeping her all this time Bernard? Should have introduced me earlier," says Bjorn grinning as he scratches his beard. "A lass that doesn't faint at te sight o blood, and doesn't gawk at the first sign of improper language. Ye should marry her right now if she's free."

Bjorn laughs loudly for a moment. "Beggin yer pardon of course but I think you two might be the only customers here to yak rather than buy. Not that I'm complianin mind ye. There aren't too many people exactly friendly with my kind. If ye want to talk more ye should have drink's with me at the Roarin' Rapids later tonight."
 
Yelcan looked over in Peri's direction where she leaned up against the wall, not answering her offer for company. Instead, he gave her a little smirk, saying "I am very glad to hear that. Pray tell, what did he help you figure out?" As the words left his lips, Yelcan felt the smirk waver as he looked into Peri's eyes and he thought about the times they had shared over these past few weeks, and the sense of belonging he felt when he was with her. And he had thought that she might have felt the same way, all the way up until he met with Legba. As Yelcan saw Peri wipe her eyes, he wished that he had just heeded Arissa's warning and waited to speak to Bernard, the ignorance would have made this so much easier.
 
Bernard chuckled, "Yeah, I probably should." Bernard collected his maul from Bjorn. "I actually need to discuss some other things with you, I have been looking into Maria's death. I was hoping you could answer a few questions. Unfortunately it can't wait until drinks later." Bernard stood up straight, trying to be as official as possible.
 
Stoneshatter Smithy:

Bjorn smirked at Bernard's response until the subject returned to Maria's death. His brows furrowed for a moment but then they relaxed. "I heard about it from Derek. Killed by a stab to the back, fuckin cowards way to kill someone. If you're going to kill someone you do it up front and in their face, tis only right. He didn't tell me who the guards thought it was, but that they are looking into it. I hope they find the cock sucker who did it, because if they come after me, I'll make sure they get to meet one of the twins," says Bjorn slapping the side of one of his hand axes. "Other than what Derek told me, I'm not sure I'm going to be able to help ye unless ye found something particularly odd with the murder. I'm confident ye'll be able to solve the case if they got ye on it though Bernard. So tell me the details and don't hold anything back. I've probably seen more killin' than half of the town."
 
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