After seeing some of the people from the wall disperse and head to the tavern she makes her way inside to set some things up. Poppy pushed together some of the table and collect enough chairs, if she counted heads correctly. She clasped her hands together to conjure up some tea and kettle. Content with what she gathered she made herself a seat and waited for the inevitable bad news her friends who had spoke to those paladins would probably bring to her. Knowing the conversation that was know certainly unaviodable with the presence that had just moved outside of her town.
"Hello, Marloff, and Yes, of course that why I set it out." The fae said with a soft smile. " And yes you would be correct." she chirped." I figured this would be a good public place you guys may want to collect after talking with them."She said nodding. "What did they say?" She inquired.
Marloff tried to keep the worry from showing on his face but could not help losing the smile he had worn into the tavern.
'We all have dark things hidden in our past, Poppy. Some of these things come back to haunt us in out present days.'
Obviously trying to stall the inevitable unpleasant news, Marloff depletes his cup before continuing.
'I have come to know you as a friend, Poppy. I am sorry to say the have come to find you, among others. They want to put you to trial and asked that we hand you over to them.'
Taking a quick glance towards the door and then other to survey the bar area, Marloff checks for any Paladins.
'I told them I would not. I needed to discover the truth behind the happenings the night that child was killed.'
...
'I have watched the heavens in their dance. Some things are difficult to see... clouded if you will. I can not help but believe things are not as the town's murmuring suggests.'
Poppy nodded stirring one of the cups of tea with her nails. "I figured as much them being crystal fist and all." She said looking towards the empyrean but seemed to look through and past him. "I don't attend to give town problem with such things, taken care of some things and attend to go on if I must trial. I do not forsee it being avoidable." Poppy finishes taking a deep heavy breath. "That night, well I guess it easier to start with what you have heard.. I suppose."
She raises her eyebrow at the Marloff hearing him bringing up the stars. "Ah Interesting to hear little bit of everything is muddled" she said laughing lightly. " Do they seem to be pointing in any direction even in there hushedness?" she asked curiously
'I feel as though you may not have intended for the child to die. It is as if... you wanted to help the babe. I will not let knowing who you are and what tendencies plague your soul cloud my judgment. If you can explain how the child came to its fatal blow, I will listen.'
Marloff pauses......
'I will not make use of any magics. I will take only the words you supply freely.'
Esgir was just finishing up another meeting in thetower, seeing his guests out. While the runesmith no longer drank, he still enjoyed going to the tavern to try and relax and socialize. Amidst his other dealings it had slipped his mind to inquire with either Weylyn or Marloff as to the details of their meeting at the gate the other day.
As Esgir entered the tavern he spotted Marloff and Poppy at a table that looked as though it was set for a gathering. Making his way in their direction, standing a bit off until Marloff had finished speaking.
"Ev'nin' Marloff, Poppy. Is this meant t' be a private gatherin' or may Aye join y' both?"
Poppy nods at what Marloff said to the dwarf. "I have no objections. Any can sit if they wish too. We are just talking of what had happened with the child." The fae leaned back taking a sip of tea before starting. "Well we were approached that night by someone, claiming they need help with restoring balance. And was very adamant about that. He gave us a meeting place to meet the informant." " When we got there we were met by the king's brother, mind you. That he need use to take the child. The notion that it would be killed or any of that was not laid on the table. All we were told was that he need the child brought to him, His brother said that the birth of the son would cause mishap on the paladins order." She said pausing to take another gulp of tea. " So we make our way through the castle and to the child, we acquire him, broke the crystal the brother gave us and were then teleport to an unknown location. "
She paused for a moment. " Following so far?"
Esgir took a seat, listening as Poppy continued.
"You'll have t' f'rgive me, Aye feel that Aye've come in abit late. Aye'd heard o' an incident regardin' a royal child, somewhere in Upper Metsar was it? Is that what you're speaking of? An paladins? Th' same paladins Marloff an' Weylyn met with at th' gate jest th' other day?"
Poppy turns to Esgir and shakes her head. "No it is fine Esgir it is a lot of things that happened many mests ago." She said pausing more a moment. "Which bothers me alone, they have since know where Jastery was and those involved.. why now." "But yes the Paladin order of Crystal fist that are in town are under the same command as the king whose son was Killed in the name of Herald of Twilight. That do in fact hail from upper mestar" she said nodding in his direction.
Poppy leaned back in her chair looking towards the ceiling in thought. "Maybe that may be true. Actually I am certain that is true seeing how that night unfolded. The order and its elven Motherhood was infested with followers of the Herald of Twilight, I have no doubts now the child has some roll to play between the battle of those two immortals." The fae paused for a moment leaning back forward. "The role of that child will play and one whose side, I am not sure of anymore. Fate has a funny way of pulling strings as I am sure you know." "However the child has been brought back to life by members of this town none the less, so why not kill me then? why they have chosen now to come here makes me wonder as well if there are other ulterior motives exist."
"Aye'll admit, Aye'm not familiar with paladins or dark forces in more than passin' knowledge. I may need some time t' study up at th' tower afore Aye'm much use here. Unless you kin explain it t' me a bit more Poppy - or Marloff."
Thinking for a moment, rubbing my forehead.
"From what Aye know of paladins, they cannae be knowingly deceptive. Perhaps we kin speak with them again an' try t' get some better idea o' what they may have in mind."
'Yes, as you say, fate is... fate. It has its strings that guide it to its own end, for sure. But if one carefully cuts ones of those strings the end falls somewhere to one side of its intended outcome.'
'If the need arises, I will stand with you Poppy. I will vouch for you as a voice for the innocent.'
Turning to Esgir...
'Yes, wise thought, we should return to the Paladins.'
Poppy smiled softly towards. "Esgir that is fine it is a lot of info. I have had many years to get familiar with such things. The Crystal Fist are a legion of paladins that follow Lemsin that at odds with fighting Dhuroscht and his followers. Both in a arms race of sorts to find the heart of twilight once again." "Both devote their life to fiends in an odd way." she said with a light laugh trying to brighten the mood.
"That is good to know Marloff I will remember. Well I afraid both groups seem to be making fast cuts. Lemsin was involved in the Childs resurrection as well. Yes, that sounds good to me. I will accompany you back I assume who guys spoke was head of the camp?"
'He did present himself in that fashion. Yes, likely the head of the camp. You do realize that if we are seen approaching the camp with you by our side, it may seem like we are delivering you to them.?. Yes, you should come, I just wanted to be sure you understood what may happen when we get there.'
Poppy chuckle lightly. "No it is not wise, but hiding from then is not either. I have seen paladins tear apart towns looking for something." she said shaking her head. "And with the tempers of this town I forsee that going poorly... very poorly on both ends. It is one thing to fight bandits, an royal army.... er that is very different."
She nodded "I do an understand, and such thing may very likely result in me having to leave with them. But I have weighted other options, and none of them have.... settler results. I know the hornets nest I am stepping." she said with a heavy sigh.
Esgir's face was hard to read, conflicted again, as was his lot of late.
"If that be your choice Poppy, Aye'll accompany y' t' meet th' paladins. If you've for anythin' t' put in order afore we go, take your time. Howe'er, we should try t' avoid attractin' a crowd; lest good meanin' folk try t' intervene on your behalf."
Marloff, now understanding that ears may have heard all of this, lower his voice.
'I will wait for you on the ground floor of the Tower. Come and get me when you are ready and we can talk with the paladins.'
After standing from the table, he adds: "Thank you for a tea and a talk. Until we meet again."
Marloff spends a few moments making room tidy. He stands back and runs his eyes over his quarters. Satisfied with the job, Marloff heads off towards the tavern. After descending the staircase, he notices the small group of docents still gathered around Rune. "They seem to have things well in hand' He thought to himself.
Out side the tavern things were quiet. Nothing but the crickets could be heard. 'Not the usual hustle and bustle of the Shady Corner tonight.' Marloff says out loud to no one as he makes his was inside.
'Poppy, greetings to you. Looks like you have prepared for a meeting. Might I assume it is to discuss the Paladins outside our gates?'
Marloff motions to the heavy pot of tea and nods towards Poppy. 'May I?'