Porthca Landing I: Memory of the Sea

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Eliza held the boots at awe at their expert craftsmanship and putting them on she teied walking in them around the store and marveled she said, “Thank you very much, Mr. Isotharic. They look and feel absolutely wonderful. Thank you again and I hope you have a marvelous day!”

Noticeably limping less, Eliza walked out of the store and into the waiting carriage with what could almost be said as a spring in her step. “Ben, thank you so much. I am indebted to you and I promise to repay you back as soon as possible.” Feeling braver than she normally would have she started planning for the furture. That murderer will not get away with it if Eliza Carabelli has any breath left in her lungs! I will hunt him down to the end for what he did to Ben and his family!
 
De'Porthca Manor

Joane wrung her hands nervously on the small bow as she turned to Ander before lowering her gaze, "That ... wasn't what was supposed to happen."

Tanelye placed the quiver on the ground before standing with her hands on her hips, looking towards the arrow. "I'll have to get it down before anyone notices... Lady Joane isn't exactly ... supposed to be practicing such things." She turned to Ander, "I don't suppose you'd be ... willing to toss me up there, would you? Means I wouldn't have to explain why I'm climbing onto the roof."

With Ander's agreement, he soon found himself holding the small form of Tanelye while Joane watched nearby, every so often looking around in case anyone was watching. After a brief countdown, Anders suddenly lifted his arms -- launching the small woman onto the roof. The height was more than she expected, causing her to land awkwardly on the roof with a grunt, followed by waving over the side of the roof to signal she'd made it. After a few moments of silence her head peeked over the edge again, waving the arrow, motioning for the pair on the ground to move aside. Soon after the arrow thudded into the ground a few feet away and Tanelye frowned. "So ... now the hard part. Getting down. Think you can catch me too?" With a nod from Ander he held his hands out in an attempt to cushion her fall.

The weight of her knocked him slightly off balance, causing him to stumble, but the small gnome managed to tumble and roll, relatively uninjured compared to how badly it could have gone. She brushed the dirt and grass off her outfit before getting a quick hug from Joane, "Thank you Tanelye!" She turned towards Ander, giving him a curtsy, still holding the bow, "And you too of course, Mister Ander."

The Hooded Golem

Isotharic nods and waves as the group leaves, his expression falling back into the rough expression that got him the nickname Golem as he goes back to work.

Stepping outside James goes from leaning on the side of the carriage to standing straighter, looking slightly confused as Benito asked for an apple. He handed half of one over before suddenly trying to catch a coin flung towards him by the small gnome. Holding the gold coin he stuttered, "Er -- you're ... welcome?"

Once everyone seemed to have entered the carriage he hopped back up onto the driver's seat, once more concerned if the box with Benito's gift had been stored in something or not ... Flicking the reins he got the horses moving again.

After a few minutes of travel, the sun slowly sinking ever further on the horizon, the carriage stops once more, with James opening the doors for the passengers and announcing, "Returning home to the De'Porthca Manor, Lord Benito De'Porthca." Another servant approached, holding the reins for the horses as James bowed, "I'll go inform Madame Sidwae that you've returned, Sir, then return to bring in your luggage."

Performing one last bow, James quickly spun on his heels and moved towards the manor, entering through a side door as yet another servant came to help everyone exit the carriage. Looking at the manor, the front gate bears the same crest as the carriage, with the family motto on full display -- "Swift and Dependable" -- the blue of the crest spread across the lawn with accent flowers, and even on the manor itself here and there. The home appears to be two story, with a large sized porch in the front, a small table and chairs set outside. Heavy wooden double doors mark the main entrance, with windows spread across the building, currently curtained off. A stone pathway leads from the gate to the doorway, meanwhile a little further away a halfling watches the scene intently.
 
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Benito shook his head, "No, no. I always take care of my friends, Lizy. I couldn't bare to see you in such footware and know that I could do something about it." He finished stringing his bow and leaned back into his seat.

He spent the rest of the ride in silence, allowing the others to speak amongst themselves. He had no interest in speaking of his family or his brother any more, there would be plenty of time for that over the next few days and at the funeral. For now, he focused on being half as responsible as his family expected, which was twice as responsible as he typically was, and that meant heading to the manor not to the bar... Or a cell.

As soon as the carriage stopped, Benito was standing at the door. His bow in one hand, the half apple and purchases in the other. "We'll catch up at dinner. I need to go see someone. You're welcome to come along, or meet her at dinner as well." Joane was his favorite part of returning home, not that he did it very often or that there was much competition for that role, but she reminded him so much of his mother and they'd bonded over common interests. With a wave, he was gone as soon as the door opened and he was announced. Stepping into the manor he was greated by a large painting of his father and brother, looking down on all who entered their manor. Ignoring it, he flagged down a servant. "Lady Joane?" He inquired. "Lord Benito, a pleasure to have you back. She's been waiting by the windows for you to arrive all day. Start with the library." Liar, Ben thought, You're only pleasant because I'm armed and my family pays you. Probably take about me behind my back, Benito the Drunk or Bad Been, that's what they used to call me. Guess I'm free of that for a few days before they decide I had a hand in Cyne's death.

He rushed off down the hall, mindful of his bow around the expensive decor. Pushing the door of the library open he threw his arms out to the sides, but the room was empty. With a frustrated huff he turned, It's late and Sidwae's likely entertaining guests for the funeral, perhaps she's in her room getting prepared for dinner. He strode down the halls to the rooms at the back of the house, knocking on Joane's door. No answer. He peeked inside, but found no one.

Another, disappointed sigh was followed by his racing mind trying to think of where she may be. Finding no reasonable answers, he resigned to catching her at dinner and decided to pay a visit to the only thing on the estate left from his mother: the archery range in the back. He'd loose a few arrows, maybe "accidentally" misfire into a window, and then retire to his room for a more appropriate attire before he resigned himself to dinner with his family.

His pace was slow from the bedrooms to the backyard, but stepping out into the cool evening breeze, he saw little Joane with a tall stranger, and a new gnomish nanny. "Lady Joanne, I've returned! Did you miss me?" He tossed the half apple her direction before pulling on his new gloves and bracer, and opening his arms to receive her.
 
De'Porthca Manor | Archery Range

Hearing a familiar voice, Joane turned quickly -- her small tired face opened up into a wide smile as she saw who had turned the corner. "Ben!" Dropping the bow and running in a very unlady-like manner, she sprinted across the ground, barely managing the catch the thrown apple before barreling into Benito.

Her eyes were damp and red as she tried to hug him, her arms too small to truly wrap around, "I always miss you ... 'specially lately..." She nuzzled herself further into Benito's arms as her voice got weaker, sniffling, "Why'd they have to take Cyne, Ben...? Why would ... I don't understand and none of the books in the library ... none of them have an answer..."
 
He tossled her hair slightly, careful not to make too much mess before dinner, but still trying to comfort her. "I don't know Jo, but my friends and I are gonna find out." He wrapped his arms around her lifting her up onto his shoulders. "Now... You may have missed me, but I never miss. Why don't you toss that apple as hard as you can and cover my eyes and I'll show you." He hoped this would brighten her spirits at least a little, it was the first time he'd been home since mastering an Arcane Shot and she always enjoyed archery. He drew and arrow, nocked it, and turned slightly toward the manor, peeking that no one was in the way before drawing back on the bow, "Pull!"

Benito felt Joane toss the apple followed almost immediately by a light thud as it landed in the grass. The gnome scurried over handing it back to Ben who passed it off again. A second failed throw as she arched her back but her arm caught Benito on the head. Looking of to the large man as the gnome again retrieved the apple he offered it, "Would you mind?" The man took the apple, but barely got more air than the previous two attempts.

Benito sighed, removing the small girl from his shoulders and handing her the gift. "Well, I didn't want to do this, but it seems that I have no choice." He took the apple from the gnome a final time and placed it on his head. Closing his eyes, he drew the string on the bow, focusing on his target and loosing an arrow off towards the manor. The arrow launched from the longbow at great speed, curving in the air to direct itself back toward the archer and piercing the apple with such force that it knocked it off his head.

Hearing the familiar sound of arrow impacting apple, Benito opened his eyes with a grin and bowed before introducing himself to the new faces. "Benito De'Porthca, pleasure to meet you both. Thanks for your assistance. Please, call me Ben."
 
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As Benito vanishes out of the carriage door, Virra hurriedly stands and calls after him. "Wait, Ben, we didn't talk about my -- crap." She sighs, then breaks into a smile. "Guess we're not setting conditions on my access after all. Well, I'll see you guys at dinner, then," she chirps, nodding to Eliza and Tyrius before leaping down to the ground and hurrying after Benito. She pauses only briefly to glance up at the windows, figuring out the locations of certain rooms and narrowing down the ones she'll have to look into first.

Virra enters the manor close behind the young noble, looking as associated with him as possible. But when he's directed towards the library, she splits off from him. It's time for her to get the lay of the land. She approaches the servant Benito just spoke to and clears her throat. "Excuse me, could you please direct me to Lord Benito's bedchamber? I'd ask him myself, but..." She gestures helplessly down the hall towards his rapidly vanishing form.
 
"Wonderful, Master Benito, very increadable shot," Ander's face lit up, but not quite as much as it had for the young girl's odd shot. 'Is this a family of archery wizards?' he thought.

The imposingly large man stepped forward to offer his hand to Benito. His white and gold vestments slightly stained from sitting on the ground. "I hear you say that you plan on..." he looked to the Joane and he thinks for a moment, "solving this mystery. I come from a little island called Lokil, where a tragedy has occured, and I was hopin' to be able to help ya'll out. I'm hopin' that solving your mystery will lead to solvin' my own." He stands tall, and proud. "Oh, the name is Ander of the Morning Sun." He smiled, though a great deal of pain showed in his eyes.
 
Eliza watched as Virra followed Benito inside the manor. Looking at Tyrius she motioned towards the house, “I don’t know about you but a nap before dinner sounds like just the best thing.”

Casting prestidigitation on herself for the third time that day she hoped she didn’t look like she had just spent one month on the road. She was about to go in when she saw Benito go out back and instead of testing her luck with the strange servants she decided to follow him.

Hanging back she saw the scene unfold in front of her. Who could do such a horrible thing to this sweet family. Her heart ached for them and she wished to be useful to them in their time of need.
 
Gazing up at the manor, Tyrius was momentarily lost in his own thoughts. ‘So, this is what the De’Porthca Estate looks like. Shame my first sight of it had to be under such poor circumstances.’

Eliza’s voice brought Tyrius back to reality, “I agree there Eliza,” said Tyrius as he smiled to her. Figuring he’d let her go in first, Tyrius started following behind her as he continued to think, ‘Such a shame Benito lost his brother, especially to a murder. I hope we’ll be able to bring the killer to justice, for Benito’s sake.’
Catching the sound of voices, Tyrius stopped just beside Eliza and watched Benito interacting with a young lady.
 
"Nice to meet you Anders, I'd not heard of the tragedy on Lokil, but you have my condolences. We'll have to discuss it some time, though it's curious to find you at the estate, I didn't think Cyne was interest in business with such a small and private island." Benito left it at at that, trying not to drudge up any sour topics in front of his sister.

He looked back toward the manor and Joane, "So, what'd you think? Did I earn my pin?" He gave a small chuckle before looking up from her to see Eliza and Tyrius, "Looks like we've got an audience, why don't you be a good little Lady and let me introduce you to my friends?" He smiled placing a hand on her back and pushing her toward the others, "Lady Joane De'Porthca, allow me to introduce Lord Tyrius Silverbane of Wyford, and Miss Eliza Carabelli of Chilldrift." Benito's tone was overly formal to the point of mocking the introductions as he introduced everyone before bowing deeply as the servants had when they'd arrived at the manor.
 
De'Porthca Manor | Archery Range

At her weak attempts to throw the apple, Joane began to look sad again, though smiled faintly when even the larger Mister Ander couldn't even throw it very well. Watching Benito place the apple on his head she looked confused before suddenly seeing the arrow fly off into the air, twisting and turning only to come back at Ben. She gasped -- concerned something had gone wrong -- before the arrow adjusted and squarely hit the apple instead.

Joane grinned and clapped at Benito's display while Tanelye bowed towards him. "Welcome home, Lord Benito. I don't think we've really met -- I've been Joane's maidservant for the past few weeks, my name's Tanelye."

Joane's gaze shifted to look over the other newcomers standing by the edge of the range, before giving a delicate laugh towards Benito. "Yes! Maybe someday I can get one too?" She followed where Benito led towards the others, Tanelye collecting the dropped bow and quiver from before as she trailed behind.

Joane gave Eliza and Tyrius a curtsy, her head bowed for a moment, Benito would recognize on her face an expression of trying to recall past lessons, "Welcome to the De'Porthca Manor, Lord Silverbane and Miss Carabelli -- if you require anything please let me know what I can do." She turned back to Benito with a faint smirk, "Momma's been teaching me the 'proper phrases' as she says. She wants me to start joining her for her parties so I can learn ... but I'd rather be out here." She shook her head, "Let Robern do the parties instead..."

De'Porthca Manor | Second Floor

At first the servant looks around, expecting the voice to match their height -- a human male -- before they finally look down. "Oh? Sorry ma'am, I don't exactly recognize you, and the Lord didn't mention you. I can't direct you to his room, but I can direct you to the front hall." The servant begins to bow towards Virra as a voice speaks up.

"I see Benito has met more interesting ... people ... and brought them home. Again." A woman's voice cuts through the hall, making the servant turn and bow lowly. Turning to look, a human woman wearing dark silks approaches, her shoes making soft noises on the rugs of the hallway. She looks to be in her forties or fifties perhaps, her dark brown hair is braided and rests over her shoulder as she looks down to you, her eyes a dark green. Around her neck lays a thin silver chain with blue gems hanging from it, catching some of the fading light from the windows.
 
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Benito laughed it off, "Parties are important, listen to your mother. If you can learn to hunt and be polite, you'll get really far." He smiled. "Or, maybe Tanelye can give you some lessons on negotiation, and you can put them to use - for every party you attend, you get a weekend practicing archery." He winked at the gnome, "Pleased to meet you Tanelye, thanks for taking care of Joane. It's getting to be dinner time, she should probably get cleaned up and hide those gloves so we can eat 'proper'. I'd be interested to hear what happened to her last caretaker, if you know, perhaps not now though." He looked back to Joane, "I'll see you at dinner after I show my friends around the house."

Ben turned to Anders, "So, you come from Lokil, but you're here now so how long have you been working for Sidwae and what do you do?"
 
"Hmm," Ander thought about how to answer, "Well, to be honest, I've been here for a couple of hours, and I don't exactly work for anyone." He looked over his shoulder, remembering that everything he owned was laying in the grass behind him.

"So, my friend, I found how 'helpful' the town guard seem to be 'round here and then I happened upon some'a yer family's crew down by the docks. A nice gentleman by the name Kadaern brought me here so that I might offer my help, but then I got to watchin' your sister's wonderful skills as an archer." He realised that he was rambling at this point and he slowed down and breathed. "As far as what I do, Master Benito, I was a temple guard for my whole life, but now, I suppose I don't know what I do." He furrowed his brow, having not really thought about what his plan was, other than the obvious 'find killers, end killers.'
 
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De'Porthca Manor | Archery Range

Joane looked over the new gloves and bracers Benito had handed her for a moment as she listened to Benito and Ander, nearly about to try them on before Tanelye placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, "Maybe Lord Benito is right, we'll have to try that once things calm down again." The gnome bowed towards the guests, "Come along Lady Joane, we should get you cleaned up, I'm sure dinner is nearly finished, and Madame Sidwae would not like you arriving late."

Curtsying once more to the varied group the pair made their way into the Manor, Joane casting one last glance towards the archery targets before the door closed behind her.
 
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Before Virra has the chance to double down on some wild lie to cow the servants, a voice from behind saves her from herself. Turning, she sees the silk-clad woman advancing down the hall and smiles with real sincerity. Hello, stepmother. No time to feel self-conscious of her threadbare traveller's kit; she just has to find the right tone and stick with it.

"Madame Sidwae," she says, curtseying with all the grace she can manage. "Thank you for hosting us with such short notice. My name is Virra Nickeltooth. Lord Benito just showed me in a moment ago, but it looks like he might have abandoned me." She smiles ruefully. "I get the impression this may be something of a portent."
 
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De'Porthca Manor | Second Floor

Sidwae looked over Virra with a keen eye, the nearby servant still standing with his head bowed. "Hm... he often comes and goes. I hope he did not consider this his 'appearance' for the day." For a moment footsteps can be heard behind the group as Sidwae watches, her expression softening slightly before hardening once more as they disappear again.

"As Madame of the family it's my responsibility to host those my ... children bring home. Please, allow me to escort you to the front hall before we finish preparing for dinner, and as we walk perhaps we can discuss how you know dear Benito." Sidwae snapped her fingers towards the servant who bowed towards the pair before continuing on his own task. With a sweeping motion of her arm, she gestured for Virra to follow her, "Shall we?"
 
Virra wasn't the sort to blush, but feeling herself being scrutinised like this was a new experience. Actually, it was eerily similar to the way her mother would look at new people when she greeted them. Maybe there was some overlap between an investigator's mindset and a noble's.

Virra shook the feeling away and set off after the mistress of the house, quietly appreciating the way she'd set everyone moving with just her body language. "Of course, ma'am." The exploration would have to wait until later - if she still felt like moving after a blue-blooded dinner. But first, how best to sugar-coat her meeting with Benito...?

"I actually encountered Lord Benito just this afternoon," she said with the appropriate amount of sheepishness. "The main road into Porthca was teeming with people, and since I'm, well..." She held up her palm at what, for her, was head height. "I almost had an accident with his carriage. It threw my leg out rather badly, but Lord Benito offered to give me a lift until I felt up to walking again. Then we happened to run into some of his school friends and got to chatting, and when I explained that I was looking for work he offered to hire me, though we still have yet to actually discuss my role. I'm an investigator, by the way," she added, trying not to look too interested in Madame Sidwae's reaction to that. "Trained under the Chilldrift city watch, though I've been freelancing for about half a decade now." Virra let herself sound a little proud with that last half-lie.
 
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Seeing the curtsy that Joane gave, Tyrius responded with a bow of his head, his red hair flopping forward slightly. ‘It’s good that Joane’s learning manners,’ Tyrius thought to himself, ‘Wonder if everyone’s keeping what happened from her or breaking it to her gently?’ For the moment, Tyrius would keep his thoughts to himself, it wasn’t his place to intrude on Benito’s grief.

Once Joane had left them, Tyrius looked around, “We seem to have lost someone, or did Virra go to take a nap?” he asked.
 
Benito looked around as Tyrius pointed out that the gnome was gone. "This is what I get for welcoming a grifter into my family's home." He sighed then turned to back to Anders, "We're looking for a gnome, about this tall," He held up a hand quite low, "She's more likely to feign an injury than introduce herself. Would you mind helping us find her before dinner? Sounds like most of us are on the same path in life at the moment - find who, or what, ever killed Cyne, and bring them to justice. But we can't do that if there's a little sneak running around the manor making all sorts of grief for me." He moved toward the manor, intent to find the gnome, and forgetting he should likely change into something less showy for dinner. Though he'd remembered to wear his darkest outfit, it was still not quite appropriate for mourning.
 
Eliza was so far out of her comfort zone she couldn't even remember when she didn't feel so absolutely out of her element. Feeling homesick and in need of a break from it all she closed her eyes for a moment and imagined herself back home sitting in her favorite seat by the fireplace near her parents. I should probably send them a message now that I am staying here till this is over. Don't want to add worried about kid on their list of troubles at this time.

She snapped out of her daydream when she saw Benito move again and started following him towards the manor. She would just have to learn to roll with the punches for now and who knows, maybe the guards would catch the killer tomorrow. Yeah, because Eliza had that kind of luck.
 
Ander held back to rush over and pick up his gear, lugging the oversized pack over his shoulder. As he came back to follow Benito inside, he slowed his pace to introduce himself to Eliza.

"Hello, Miss Eliza, was it? My name is Ander. I don't think I've ever met anyone with quite that... hue before." He sounds akward and he stumbles over his words, even in common. "I'm sorry, it is very nice to meet you." He bows slightly to show his respect, but as he does, the overfilled bag drops a book onto the back of his head.

"By dawn's light," he swears as he rubs the back of his head.
 
Eliza seemed to be hearing Ander through a weird haze. She could only pick up a few random words but forced herself to say at something polite, "Hello, Ander, I am Eliza, it is very nice to meet you." Something suddenly seemed to break inside and she went on in a manic whispered babble to Ander, "Did you go to Azarad and graduate too because I went there too, for three glorious years, you know, but I dropped out because you know life happened and what can you do, man, what can you do when life, you know, just decides to just one day go up in flames except to keep on keeping on everyday one after the next keep keeping on! 1,000 gold! How will I begin to save for that and help my parents and help Ben."

Her head still whirling and slightly dazed, the half-orc quickened her pace to reach Benito's and start to wonder the how, and what, and why of it all.
 
As Eliza rushes off, Ander is left bemused and slightly concerned for this strange green lady. "Huh." he said out loud after she was out of earshot, then he continued to follow the group to the house.
 
Walking along with Benito and Eliza, Tyrius was slightly surprised when Eliza suddenly started talking very fast, almost too fast for him to understand what she was saying. ‘Wonder if she meant metaphorical flames or literal flames,’ thought Tyrius to himself, ‘Sounds like Eliza has had some bad luck in the past.’ Tyrius glanced down at his own quarterstaff as he followed the group. ‘I know how lucky I was to get through Azarad without a major incident, I wonder if Eliza is the same way? I’ve lost count of the number of times I meant to cast one spell and ended up burning something I didn’t intend to.’

Tyrius was almost completely distracted by his thoughts, following the group more by movement than any intention, ‘After that speech I doubt Eliza is lying about wanting to help Ben. Hopefully, we’ll be able to help her out with whatever is wrong with her parents. Not to mention the money issue.’

Realising after a few moments that he’d heard Ander name, and Ander had heard his, but they hadn’t talked at all Tyrius said, “Hello there,” Glancing over the newcomer, Tyrius noticed the sword that Ander was carrying, “That’s a fancy sword. How long have you had it?”
 
Ander looks to the human who just came up to him, "Hello, Lord Tyrius. Um... well, this sword, I've had it for a few days now. It used to belong to a friend of mine." He looks a bit upset by his own words.
 
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