1st adventure: the fallout

"There's nothing that can be done for the dead," he says. "As for their friends and relatives who are still alive, the rest depend on them."

Mihai goes quiet for a second. Then - "I've found the first Adjunct party yesterday. Is it alright to talk about what we found, at this time?"

"What did you find that would warrant this kind of secrecy?" he asks with curiosity.

"A letter written by a man named Jacob. Much of it is too bloodied up to read, but it strongly implies that he was the one behind - or at least involved, with the Journal's theft. Apparently, the Oracle had been somehow in league with him for some time, but something happened and she went rogue, so he needed the Journal back from her. He sent the team to retrieve the item and kill the Oracle, but they clearly underestimated her."

He takes a moment's pause, then continues.

"The next is conjecture on my part, but whoever Jacob is, he seems to be involved in something highly important. Most likely, some kind of magical research, if the Oracle's abilities were anything to go by. The things i've seen her do these past two days defy common sense."

At the mention of the name Jacob, the commander's subordinates look at each other with worry. Tom Blackcliff doesn't seem fazed by it, as he simply take a pipe out from one of his pockets, lights it, and keeps listening with attention to Mihai's report. He exhales a few puffs, and once Mihai has stopped talking, he takes a moment to ponder his next words. There's an unusual long pause, then finally;

"It was no magical research."

Mihai takes a pause of his own. Then - "What was it, sir?"

He looks directly at the party.

"The political unification of Lofell and the Free Feathers, which would be made possible by the blackmail of the five ruling families of Lofell."

A puff of smoke escapes his mouth.

"The Oracle's abilities came after she went... rogue."

OOC:

Mihai goes silent for a second. Then - "What.... happened to her? She didn't just get greedy, i take it. It was like she wasn't even Human."

Conveniently, Konrad is no stranger to the motivating political maneuverings driving most of his exploits on the high seas. However, he liked to have both feet in the water, both feet on the ground, etc. Half outside the circle when already half inside was not how he liked to play it. All the way in, or all the way over his head, no in-between.

"Commander, this is in stark contrast to the information provided with our orders. I can speculate that because they include two who speak Lofellian Lorinthian, the thieves wanted to fight this blackmail in some way. From what you tell us, though, they only attempted theft on the rebound, and it's even dodgier whether they were in the wrong, 'official story' notwithstanding of course. I think we're owed an explanation. It wouldn't be efficient for us to retain this conflict of information. Do you know how these 'thieves', formerly, are really involved, or what were they trying to do? Or should I ask them myself?"

He avoided calling it an "error", as it was clearly never in error at all - rather, their ignorance was intended to be beneficial to their contract's completion, and to the Coins.

ooc:

To Mihai, Tom Blackcliff replies, "I will tell you what happened to Marie Lavoie when the three of you are ready to commit your lives to our cause." A severe expression pass on his face. "For now, you only need to know that she went rogue."

To Konrad, he shrugs and replies, "We hired them to retrieve this journal, just like your colleague implied. They didn't know we were involved since our agreement had been made through a secondary agent. We arranged for the exchange to be made here, in this village. Obviously, this whole affair got a lot more complicated when the Oracle herself came after the journal and hired us to retrieve it for her. We had to improvise. However, the first Adjunct was killed, and she asked for another one to be sent as a replacement, to which we complied. It was meant to give me and my group enough time to reach Waterglass. And yet, it seems it we underestimated your resourcefulness."

The smile he gives you tells you that he is impressed. "It appears that up until the end, she had no idea about our involvement in this matter, which makes me wonder why she would kill Vydorn and his people." He pauses. "Any clue?"

"Yes. Their team offered the Fairy to take her under their wing. She was a kept by the Oracle as a specimen. Then the Wolf snuck up on them." - he quickly replies. Then - "Also, your cause?"

"Wolf?"

Konrad gives Mihai a stern glare. I'm through sidelining this issue. "An exchange between us and Waterglass officials: help and additional coin for killing a cursed wolf for them. Turns out that she, or her Aspect, had been controlling it, no doubt to keep the locals out of the woods while she tasked the adjunct with fetching the...fairy. Shiver me damn timbers, have some bloody tact about the matter, you idiot mate," he snaps at Mihai. "In any case, I would happily be contracted by the Coins in service to their illustrious cause."

The icy stare Mihai shoots back at Konrad says exactly what mood he's in to be scolded by him.

"Commander, if you'll excuse me, i have matters i must attend to. My colleague will tell you everything you want to know."

ooc:

The hand on his chin, the commander takes a moment to think. He looks up when Mihai addresses him.

"You will take care of such matters later, private."

After a short pause, he asks, "I noticed that some villagers were wearing the armors of the previous Adjunct we sent. I assume you know where their bodies are?"

"North of here. We took the armor to bluff the thieves into surrender. Then covered the bodies."

"No."

His rejection tells you that his decision is final. He looks at the other three Coins' members, and they nod at him. One of them brings out a flask of oil from one of the saddlebags, along with a small metal box of unknown make. They leave the stables, and walk towards the forest.

"Now, it's time I meet this fairy. Please, take me to your colleague, Steve Oldturn."

"I could bring them here. Most of the town doesn't know about the Fairy yet."

"Very well."

Mihai leaves and goes off to find Steve.