The mage's guild member nods and accepts the stack of letters. "Right. Follow me then."
He leads her back to the circle for phantom missives.
About an hour and a half later, all the missives are sent.
The mage's guild member returns to the front desk, escorting Vesta and her companion back to the front of the guild hall. "Is there anything else I can assist you with today, ma'am?"
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The barkeep slides the coins off the counter into his apron and then retreats behind the curtain to the kitchen once more.
A minute goes by before he returns with a plate. On it is a rabbit thigh and a bit of bread. He sets it on the counter and slides it over to the beastkin.
"Ain't got much since we ain't had no trade. But we got rabbit at least." He wipes off his hands on his rag and turns to head down the bar to the next customer.
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The young man stands up from his seat and slides the bag of coins off the counter. He looks into the bag and counts out the coins.
"Uh. Sure. Um. Do you have them ready or...?" His eyes shift from Vesta to Chyevo and back again.
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Eyes turn their way as they enter but whoever looks their way quickly returns to their own business.
The person sitting at the front, smiles as they enter.
"Hi. Can I help you with anything?" The person at the desk appears to be a young human male wearing the blue and silver colors of the mage's guild.
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A person wearing a favor with black and red panels enters the tavern and walks up to the missive board. He nails a missive to the board before heading out. These posters are plastered all over Volaire and Seshtau."The people effected by the sleeping curse are moving again.DO NOT BE FOOLED! They are still under the effects of the curse. Until the reason for this can be found, restrain them in a safe area.-Baroness of Seshtau,Jade"
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The barkeep's eyes look her up and down, taking in her features and dress. "Ya got coin? I got food. No coin? Go to the Guild o' Light. They may have a free meal for ya."
He hesitates and then sighs. "Dammit all. Wait here."
The barkeep turns and walks through a doorway covered by a curtain. He returns a few moments later with a steaming bowl. He sets it on the counter and pushes it towards her. Then he takes the mug and turns to a cask behind him. He fills the mug with a murky looking brew and then turns back and sets it beside the bowl.
"Here. Don' let no one say I ain't do nothin' for no one." He mumbles and watches her.
He looks around, spotting a few people looking their way, he reaches onto the counter and pretends to slide something towards himself. "Go on. Eat. Drink. Ya look like you could use it."
When she sits at the bar to eat and drink, she finds the bowl is mostly water mixed with some type of leafy plant and a few lumps of meat with the familiar scent and texture of rabbit meat. The mug is full of a murky brown ale that tastes like bitter water.
"Consider it an advance. I 'spect to be paid later." He whispers, leaning over towards her so she can hear him better over the sounds of the tavern.
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When the fox enters the tavern, she finds it busy as per usual. The people around the tables and at the bar look thin and worn, tired. But they chat, drink what remains of the liquor and ale, and eat the mostly leafy stew prepared by the kitchen. They cut glances at her and some eyes widen in shock and fear while others appear to be too tired to care much.
As she enters, a man behind the bar looks up. He is a larger man, though he looks as though he has lost weight as his flesh hangs a little loose around his arms and midsection. He has a scruffy beard and a receding hairline of dark hair.
"Oi! Welcome to tha Weepin' Rose! Ain't seen you before, little la- You ain't really a lady are ya? Got those ears and tail..." He picks up a mug and sets it on the bar. "You one a them uh... Beastfolk?"
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Marquanthis shakes his head. "Unfortunately, no. I'm not a master of binding rituals so I do not have the knowledge required to reverse a binding. Especially one designed to be permanent. And the one master I knew of is long in their grave."
He pulls the teabag from his cup and sets it on the saucer.
"I apologize that I am not more help in this situation. But if you need assistance in the future, I will do my best. We all want this famine to end. We all need this famine to end." He looks between Jade and Vesta. "Was there anything else I could possibly help with?"
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Marquanthis sighs. "None living that I know of."
His fingers trace a sentence and he tries to sound out the words listed there. He shakes his head.
"I can tell one other thing based on what I'm reading here." He looks up at the women as he reaches over and lifts the teabag, dipping it and removing it over and over while he speaks. "This ritual was written for a specific purpose. A one time use, if you will." He looks down at the pages. "I can't tell you what it did but I can tell you that we won't be repeating this ritual."
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Marquanthis takes the journal and begins reading. Or trying to. His eyes scan the page but they can tell he's reading the same thing over and over again. He tries to mouth a few words, testing them out. He clicks his tongue and lowers the journal.
Marq turns around and spots the small table by the resurrection circle. It is small enough to seat two.
"If you wouldn't mind ladies. This may take me a moment. It's incredibly... Old." He chuckles and walks over to take one of the seats at the table.
He lays the journal on the table and flips to the next page, then back again. He hums to himself as he focuses on the pages.
Not long after he sits, Claire returns with a steaming kettle. She places it carefully on the table and Marquanthis looks up. "Ah, thank you, dear."
He reaches down to his belt, where he has a holstered cup and saucer. He slides the cup and saucer out of their holder and then reaches into another pouch and pulls free a small satchel. He pours water into the cup and drops the satchel in. Then returns to the journal while he lets his tea steep.
"This is... Very very old. Nearly too old for me to decipher." He taps the page. "I can tell that this was a ritual, as you said, and that it was some... Sort... Of binding ritual? I can't read every word but yes, it definitely seems to be a binding ritual of some kind. For what purpose? I am unsure. "
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- Leib Olmaiin soldiers continue to attack people on roads and remain on the outskirts of Volaire using guerilla warfare tactics to continue their assault on the city.
- Queen Zinna’s caravan was attacked by Leib Olmaiin soldiers outside of the city. What happened to the Ramtovi in her caravan? In fact, what happened to Queen Zinna?
- Baroness Jade arrived with a massive army to annihilate the attackers within the city of Volaire. But where did this massive undead force come from? Whispers say she has been turning townsfolk against their will to serve her.
- Seshtau forces were observed defending Volaire from the Leib-Olmai onslaught. Where were the other baronies in this time of need? Can we even count on the king himself to hold his nobles accountable for the safety of the public?
- Guild mistress Lyra has passed away. Some say she was killed in the recent hostile take over of the city, but some say it was a coup of convenience. What better time to dispose of leadership and rise the ranks? Eyes turn towards Sylvia and Zuiigrii.
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- A Master Artisan came into town hauling a carriage full of funerary materials and visited the Artisan’s Guild to speak with the Guildmistress. He left several hours later with a rolled-up parchment in one hand, and a bulging coin pouch in the other.
- Baroness Charlotte is cleaning house! And opening her heart? Will we see a new and honorable Forsetidale rise from the ashes of scandal?
- The Vanguard have begun investigating the famine as well. Could this mean they will be coming to Volaire? Reports indicate that they are in the mountains dealing with a horde of beasts so they seem to be tied up…
- The Crown is currently investigating the case surrounding the recent string of gruesome assassinations that have been affecting nobles and high-born citizens around the kingdom. With the King’s best knights looking into it, the criminals responsible will soon be brought to justice.
- Master of Alchemical Sciences Professor Tannor Emberbane of Hallowseeker Academy has reported the preliminary findings of his research. He theorizes that the blight that is affecting the food may soon begin to affect water used for drinking, cooking, and farming as well. What consequences could this have on an already strained kingdom?
- Bandits raided a nearby farming village last week and broke into the grain and food stores. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, they left empty-handed as there was no useable food to steal.
- Kingdom soldiers have cracked down on crime around Volaire proper. The dungeons are filling with desperate citizens who have resorted to lying, cheating, and stealing for their next meal.
- Since the King’s decree that all knights renew their vows, knights around the realm have been taking their oaths once more. With this happening around the realm, Sir Fallin’s fate still hangs in the balance. His trial looms on the horizon and no one knows what will become of him.
- More reports of werewolves in the swamps near the village of Imyr. Traders trying to make their way into the town are having to turn back for fear of their lives.
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Claire turns to head deeper into the guild.
Marquanthis smiles at Vesta. "Ah. A pleasure to see you again, Vesta. I've been better, to be honest. But on the whole, I cannot complain. Many are suffering but I'm doing my best to help them."
He looks between the two women and holds out a hand. "May I see the notes? I'll do my best to assist."
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Claire looks over at the resurrection circle as the glowing light fades. The circle lowers and a soldier steps out before being immediately approached by another soldier. Meanwhile, Marquanthis is standing in the center of the circle now.
"Claire!" He calls out.
Claire looks to the Baroness and gestures towards the resurrection circle. "Now would seem to be the time."
She turns and speed walks over to Marquanthis. "Would you please bring a pitcher of hot water? I'd quite like some tea."
He turns his attention to Jade. "Ah. Hello, Baroness. How may I help you?"
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Claire nods and lowers the wards for them.
Once they have entered the guild, she raises the wards once more. Claire turns a tired smile to Jade and Vesta.
"What can I do for you Baroness?"
The guild is still bustling with activity. There are injured soldiers all around the common room, some are using the wall for support and others too tired to stand are sitting or laying on the floor. The resurrection circle is actively glowing while other guild members are rushing about the common room with bandages, clean water, or healing potions.
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