“Well” Pitre says, standing up from his seat. “I should round up the children. It’s almost time to eat”
“I’m with him” Marcy says. “We kinda skipped lunch today”
“Right, I forgot about that” You say.

“I’m surprised Selene hasn’t come and complained yet” Marcy says.

You look over and see her still going full steam with the other children, having the time of her life. “I’m not” You reply with a smile.

Father Pitre walks across the yard and gathers up the children, before ushering them all back into the manor. Selene looks ready to follow along with all the other kids, but then she remembers that she doesn’t actually live here and she skips over to you.

“Hi!” She says, coming to a stop in front of you. She’s completely out of breath, and her hair and clothes are an absolute mess. Nonetheless, she raises her arms to you in a silent demand to be lifted.

“You have fun?” Marcy asks as you pick Selene up and put her in your lap.
Selene nods enthusiastically.
“Must’ve been, if you completely forgot about your lockpicking lessons” you say.
Selene freezes and droops. “Sorry…” She says.

You ruffle her already messy hair. “Don’t sweat it” You say. “You have a while yet to learn this stuff, and you’re still a kid. You should play whenever you have the chance”

“So, about food” Marcy says. “You think Melissa would mind if we raided her kitchens?”

>[ ] She’ll get over it

>[ ] Maybe there’s somewhere in town

>[ ] Other

>>40719019
>>[ ] She’ll get over it
Where the butler at?

>>40719019
>[ ] She'll get over it.
She restock it when she gets back.

>writing

“She won’t mind” You say. “Probably…”
“Probably?” Marcy asks.
“If she gets mad, I volunteer to take the brunt of the punishment” You say. “Let’s go see what we can dig up”

You pick up Selene and walk back into the manor. Marcy and Kuma follow.

“It almost sounds like you’re looking forward to ‘being punished’” Marcy says.
You look back at her and smile. “What ever gave you that idea?” You ask.
“Nothing” Marcy says.

Selene looks in confusion between the two of you.
“Don’t worry about it sweetie. That was not the kind of thing you should understand” Marcy says.
“Oh” Selene replies.

Inside the manor, you realize that you have no idea where the kitchens are…

>[ ] Look for them

>[ ] Look for someone that works here

>[ ] Other

>>40719637
>[ ] Look for someone that works here
That butler!

>>40719637
>[ ] Look for someone that works here

>>40719637
>[ ] Look for someone that works here

>writing

You stop and listen for footsteps, hearing them just down the hall. That’s the wonderful thing about honing that sense to avoid people: it works just as well when you need to find someone.

“This way” You say, leading your group to where you heard the footsteps.

You go down the hall and find Coswell. You think he’s a butler, but you never really asked.

“Oh, it’s him” Marcy says.
“Yes, M’lady?” Coswell asks.
“We were looking for the kitchens, could you point us in the right direction?” You ask.
Coswell gives you an odd look.

“On second thought, we are kind of guests here” Marcy says. “Could you see if something could be brought up to the dining hall?”
Coswell bows. “Yes M’lady” He says, and then he makes his way down the hall.

“Huh” You say.
“What?” Marcy asks.
“I still haven’t heard him say anything but that” You say.
“Maybe he doesn’t know how to say anything else” Marcy says.
“I doubt that” You say.

The 4 of you head down to the dining hall, where you sit and wait…

And wait…

Oh boy, this might take a while. You should…

>[ ] Talk about your next destination

>[ ] Talk about how long you’ll be staying here

>[ ] Ask Selene if she likes having other kids around

>[ ] Other

>>40720151
>[ ] Talk about your next destination
>[ ] Other
Ask Kuma if there has been word from her brethren

>writing

“While we’re waiting, I had something I wanted to ask you guys” You say.
“Shoot” Marcy replies.
“Well… you know we can’t stay here forever. Any ideas or preferences on where to go next?” You ask.
“We aren’t staying here?” Selene asks.
“We will for a little while, sweetie” Marcy says. “But Giles is right, we should stay mobile”

Selene pouts.

“We’ll come back here once this is all over” You say.
“Promise?” She asks.
“Promise” You say.

She smiles. “Kay”

“If destinations are up, I suggest going to Denton” Kuma says.
“D-denton?” Marcy asks. “Why there?”

Kuma pulls out a small map. “It’s out of the way, without being too far” Kuma says. “And it’s closer to our HQ which would make communications easier”

>[ ] That sounds good

>[ ] Look for a better spot

>[ ] Other

>>40720778
>[ ] That sounds good

>writing

Slow thread tonight

“That sounds good” You say.
“It does?” Marcy asks.
“Well yeah” You say. “The only real reason we came here was so I could talk to Father. Now that that’s done…”

“Yes, but why Denton?” She asks.
“You have a problem with it?” You ask.
“Not really…” You say.
“That sounds like you have a problem with it” You say. “What’s up?”
“It’s nothing… really” She says. “I’d just really like to go somewhere other than Denton”
“Why?” You ask.

“Marcella grew up in Denton” Kuma says.

You and Marcy both stare at Kuma.

“How did you know that?” You ask.
“Why would you tell him?” Marcy asks.

“It was in Marcellus’s profile” She says to you. “And he asked” She says to Marcy.
“You guys had a profile on Marcy?” You ask.
“And Laura, and Dalen, and Zen and almost everyone else in the Palace” She says.

“Was that because you had to get in there?” You ask.
“No, we keep profiles on all people of interest” She says.
“So why didn’t you know about my… y’know… gender?” Marcy asks.
“You were not a person of interest before you became Laura’s guardian” Kuma says.

Huh… you kind of knew about the profiles, since you’ve already seen Johann Pitre II’s. You didn’t think they had one for everybody though…

“So do I have one?” You ask.
“It’s being compiled” She says. “I have kept secret the things you wished to be kept a secret, though”
“Thank you Kuma” You say.
“I live to serve” She says.

>[ ] Ask Marcy if she can recommend another place

>[ ] Settle on Denton. Marcy can handle it

>[ ] Other

Also

>Request any specific profiles?

>>40721424
>[ ] Ask Marcy if she can recommend another place
if not then to denton

>>40721424
>[ ] Ask Marcy if she can recommend another place

>Request any specific profiles?

Cassandra, though I don't expect anything truly revelatory from it. Any other candidates they considered for Laura's guardian. Maybe Melissa, mainly to get a better idea of what people keeping and eye on her were able to find out. Other notable generals and leaders.

>writing

HOLY CRAP finally made it back for the thread. Sorry, Smiley, was stuck packing.

“Would I be able to get my hands on a few more of those profiles?” You ask.
“Of course, master” Kuma says. “Just tell me which ones you want and I’ll have them sent over”
“Well… Roderick, for starters. You probably don’t have much on Cassandra, but I’ll take hers too” You say. “Other than that… Melissa? Maybe some other people of interest?”
“I will request them once my bird comes back” Kuma says.

“Sorry to interrupt… but” Marcy says.
“Still unwilling to go home?” You ask.
“I wouldn’t really call it my home anymore” She says.
“I don’t suppose you have a better location in mind?” You ask Marcy.

Marcy makes a face and studies the map. “Uhhhhmmm…” She says. “He-here?”

Marcy points to a small town on the map, a little hamlet called… Hamlet… wow. You’re not sure if that’s dumb, or great.

“It’s out of the way, just like Denton. It’s near the action, just like Denton”
“It isn't closer to HQ” Kuma says.
“And how could I pick somewhere closer to your HQ if I don’t know where it is?” Marcy asks.

Kuma considers this seriously. “You could guess where it is” Kuma says.
“You couldn’t just tell me?” She asks.
“No” Kuma replies.
“How about me?” You ask.
“Still no” She says. “My apologies”

You look at the map, and the placements of Denton and Hamlet. They’re pretty far apart, though Hamlet is closer to here than Denton is.

If it’s closer to Kuma’s HQ, then Denton would probably be the better choice. But if Marcy doesn’t want to go there, you should at least try to accommodate her…

>[ ] Denton

>[ ] Hamlet

>>40722082
>[ ] Denton

>>40722082
>How much longer would communication take with HQ if we went to Hamlet rather than Denton?

>>40722082
>Denton

think we need to play hard ball on this one.

>>40722082
>>40722162
Good question, supporting.

>writing

“How much longer would communication be if we went to Hamlet?” You ask.
“Unsure” Kuma says. “It’s taking longer than I thought it would to get information here, so chances are that the delay would be enough to make a difference”

You consider this for a while, but eventually… “Sorry Marcy. Denton is still the better option” You say.
She sighs. “I had a feeling you would say that” Marcy says. “I guess… I can deal with it”

“You sure?” You ask.
“A bit late to be asking that now that the decision is made, isn't it?” She asks. “I’ll be fine. And if I’m not…” She snatches Selene from you and hugs her. “I know a little girl that’s practicing her hugging”
Selene giggles and hugs Marcy back.

“Well, at least we know you’re in good hands” You say.
“Pun intended?” She asks.
“Of course” You reply.

>[1/2]

A few minutes later, some of Melissa’s servants come in with the food you asked for.

The four of you eat in silence… relative silence. The sound of forks and eating is pretty hard to ignore. Selene finishes first, as usual, and as you’re cleaning off your plate you hear a knocking at the window.

“That’ll be my birds” Kuma says, walking over to the window and opening it.

Three birds fly in, 2 blackbirds and a raven.

“There’s one more…” Kuma says.
“What do you mean?” You ask.
“Nevermind that” She says, taking the papers off each bird. “This one is the report on Barrowlen, this is the report on Feldown, and… I’m not quite sure what this one is… Which do you want first?”

>[ ] Barrowlen

>[ ] Feldown

>[ ] The unknown

>>40722726
>[ ] The unknown
its going to be from cassandra or something

>>40722726
>>[ ] The unknown

<opens note>

NEVERMORE

>>40722726
> unknown
we're made, dollars to donuts.

>writing

“The unknown” You say. “I don’t like not even knowing what it’s about”
“As you wish” Kuma says, unfurling the message and reading it.

“You couldn’t let me do that?” You ask.
Kuma shows you the note. It’s encoded. “A necessary precaution” She says.
“I see, carry on” You say.

Kuma continues reading, and her faces sours as her eyes make their way down the page.
“Bad news?” You ask.
“Very” She says.
“What is it?” Marcy asks.
“In retaliation for the blockade on Feldown, Laust’s forces are gathering to lay siege to Searise” She says.

You blink several times. “When?” You ask.
“I didn’t get a timeframe” She says. “All the letter said was ‘imminently’” She says.
“Well… hopefully that gives us time to prepare” You say.
“We’re staying?” Marcy asks.
“Well… yes” You say. “I assume ‘imminently’ means ‘too late to get away’. Our only recourse is to prepare”

“You think Searise can take the hit?” Marcy asks.
“Searise is mostly water” You say. “Melissa said that in a pinch, the citizens can be evacuated to the island, and the island can be disconnected from the mainland”

“So… what do we do?” Marcy asks.

>[ ] Inform Pitre I

>[ ] Shoot a letter off to King Julian/Melissa/Laura

>[ ] Hear the report on Feldown to see if Melissa’s fleet can be called back

>[ ] Hear the report on Barrowlen to see if Pitre II can be called on for assistance

>[ ] Other

>>40723266
>[ ] Inform Pitre I
>[ ] Shoot a letter off to King Julian/Melissa/Laura
>[ ] Hear the report on Feldown to see if Melissa’s fleet can be called back

>>40723266
>[ ] Inform Pitre I
>[ ] Shoot a letter off to King Julian/Melissa/Laura
and whatever we don, don't call back the fleet, that's probably what they want us to do.

>>40723266
>>[ ] Inform Pitre I
>>[ ] Shoot a letter off to King Julian/Melissa/Laura

Also

>[ ] Hear the report on Barrowlen to see if Pitre II can be called on for assistance

>writing

You consider your options for a moment, before shooting out of your chair.

“Kuma, I want you to read the other two reports” You say. “I’m going to go tell Father what’s happening, I want to hear them when I get back.”

“Yes master” She says, unfurling the second sheet and setting to reading it.
“What about me?” Marcy asks.

“You…” You say. “Already have a job”
“I do?” She asks.
“Yes” You say, pulling her sword from your cloak. “You’re still a guardian, remember?”
Marcy smiles as you pass her sword to her. “Gotcha” She says.

You nod to her and Kuma as you leave the room.

Father Pitre will probably still be with the children, either downstairs or out in the back. Since the yard is closer, you check there first.

“Well, he’s not here” You say. Downstairs then.

You do find him in the basement, reading a story to a room full of children…

>[ ] Let him finish

>[ ] Interrupt

>>40723813
>[ ] Let him finish

>>40723813
>>[ ] Let him finish

>writing

You move into the room as quietly as you can and sit down among the children.

Father is telling one of your old favourites: Gerrick’s Mountain.

It’s a story about a man named Gerrick, who was climbing a mountain. Along the way he met a rat, who tried to convince him to turn back, but Gerrick persevered, and the rat fell down the mountain.

Good riddance, you say. Fuck those creepy little things.

When Pitre finishes his story, the children plead to hear another. Pitre refuses, choosing to send them all back to their rooms.

“You want to speak to me?” He asks you.
“I do” You say. “Good choice of story by the way. I’ve always liked that one”
“I know you do. It was your arrival that gave me the idea of telling it” He says. “I know you’ve always disliked rats”
“’disliked’ is nowhere near a strong enough word” You say.

As the last of the children file out, you decide that now it is business time. “Searise is in danger” You say.
“From whom?” He asks.
“Laust” You say.

“I had a feeling they might retaliate” He says. “I honestly expected it to come sooner. Closer to when Melissa left for Harthren”
“Is the city prepared for a siege?” You ask.
“Depends on how large the force is and how long the siege lasts” He says. “But yes, we are prepared”
“Think you can go make sure of that?” You ask.
“I can” He says. “I could do better if I knew what we were dealing with”

“I’ll work on that” You say.
“Good. I’ll go inform the garrison, you do what a spymaster does and see what you can find out” He says.

“Got it” You say.

>[1/2]

You and Pitre leave and head up into the manor. Pitre goes outside, while you head back to the dining room.

“Alright, let’s hear what you’ve got” You say as you enter.
“Barrowlen is untouched, Johann II’s wife is alive and unharmed. Harth’s armies were diverted to a fortress further east. They were successful in taking it” She says.

“And Feldown?” You ask.
“Complicated” She says. “They did not go through Honoue as we had hoped. But our saboteurs were successful in blocking the ravine, and Melissa’s navy was successful in blockading the port, so they went through the mountain pass”

“Shit…” You say.
“But” Kuma continues. “The pass is being hit by the same storm that forced us into the mines. When they emerge from the pass they will be demoralized at worst”
“Best case scenario?” You ask.
“They do not emerge at all” She says.
“Let us hope for that, then” You say. “Why wouldn’t they go through Honoue, though?”
“Our leader believes that there is a traitor among Harth’s council” Kuma says.
“Any idea who?” You ask.

Kuma shakes her head.

You sigh. “It was worth a shot” You say. “We still have work to do, though. Get your pen out”

>[2/3]

You have Kuma pen a letter to Laura and a letter to King Julian, outlining the situation and the actions you intend to take. You write a letter to Melissa personally, since there are other, more personal things you want to ask and say to her.

Before you finish, you have some decisions to make…

>Have Melissa pull her navy out of Feldown? [Y/N]

>Send a letter to Pitre II asking him for assistance? [Y/N]

>Ask Laura/Julian if any forces could reach Searise? [Y/N]

>>40724882
I can't remember whats the point of Melissa's navy being in Feldown?

>>40725136
I think it blocks their ports, and cripples their navy.

>>40725136
Initially it was to keep their army from taking to the seas.

>>40724882
>Have Melissa pull her navy out of Feldown? [N]

>Send a letter to Pitre II asking him for assistance? [Y]

>Ask Laura/Julian if any forces could reach Searise? [Y]

>>40725136
It means they have to go the long way around through Honoue, or take the treacherous mountain path in stormy weather. If the blockade is lifted they might be able to send their reserves by sea.

And it looks like the attack coming here was meant to bait us into pulling them back, maybe they intend to intercept Melissa's navy on the way back.

>>40724882
N
Y
N
keeping their ships in port seems like a better use
Pitre II isn't known to be traitor and has an element of surprise should help us
they probably want to bait Julian into sending forces

>>40724882
>[N]
>[Y]
>[Y]

They might be baiting us into withdrawing the fleet, and no way they know that Pitre II's gone turncoat.

>writing

You tell Kuma to ask King Julian if there are any available troops that could reach Searise, but tell her to inform them that it could be bait.

In your own letter to Melissa, you tell her that she is under no circumstances to send her fleet back.

You then write two more, one to Pitre II asking for his assistance, and one to the brotherhood requesting more information as well as those profiles you asked for.

You send all three birds back out, one to the Brotherhood, one to Pitre II, and one to Harthren.

“Alright, that’s done with” You say. “Let’s hope those make it where they’re going in time”
“They will” Kuma says.

“Considering that we don’t even know what ‘in time’ means right now, I just hope they make it at all” Marcy says.

“Hopefully that info will make it here before the enemy does” You say.

“So what now?” Marcy asks.

>[ ] Go find Pitre

>[ ] Take a look around the city

>[ ] Other

>>40725786
>[ ] Go find Pitre

>>40725786
>[ ] Take a look around the city

let's see what we can see.

>>40725786
>>[ ] Go find Pitre
>>[ ] Take a look around the city

>writing

“Now…” You say, pondering your next move. “Now I’m going to go see how my Father’s preparations are coming along”
“And us?” Marcy asks.
“You still have a job” You say. “And Kuma, you wait here. If any birds come back while I’m out, come find me”
“Yes master” She says.

“What about me?” Selene asks.
You lean over and ruffle Selene’s hair. “You need to wash up and get ready for bed, little one” You say.
“I can’t help?” She asks.
“You can help by staying safe and not giving Marcy a hard time” You say. “I will personally breathe easier knowing you’re safe and sound”

“Okay” She says.

You plant a kiss on her head. “Don’t worry, your time will come” You say.

Then you turn and leave, heading out of the manor towards the garrison… wherever that is…

>[1/2]

You’re glad you wear a cloak all the time. In the summer it gets a bit hot, but summer is over. The combined chill of both autumn and the oncoming dusk would be uncomfortable without it.

Your cane taps along on the ground as you look around for the garrison. Luckily it’s easy to find, being the only fortified building on the island.

You find Father Pitre inside, discussing the defense of the city with the Garrison’s commander, and you slip inside.

“Uhhh… should he be here?” The commander asks.
Pitre turns around and sees you. “Don’t worry about him. He’s the one who found out about this” He says.

“I see” The commander says.
“Care to bring me up to speed?” You ask.
“Certainly” Pitre says. “The evacuation of the mainland has begun, as well as the work at separating the island and readying the garrison”

“Good” You say. “Carry on”
“Where are you going?” The commander asks.
“Out for a walk around the town” You say. “I’ll return in a few”
“Very well” Pitre says, turning back to the conversation he was having when you arrived.

Now then, where to go…

>[ ] See how the evacuation is proceeding

>[ ] Head to the outskirts to see if you can see any signs of an army approaching

>[ ] Walk around the island

>>40726793
>[ ] See how the evacuation is proceeding

>>40726793
>[ ] See how the evacuation is proceeding

>writing

You walk down to the docks to find your little boat right where you left it, hop on, and start poling your way into the town proper.

You pass several boats going the other way, and get odd looks from the townspeople they’re carrying. They must think it’s odd to see someone like yourself heading into the town at a time like this.

Well, let them be confused. It beats being frightened by a mile.

When you reach the part of the boardwalk that connects back to the mainland, you tie up your boat and step on.

Down the boardwalk, you spot Kevin and call out to him.
“Giles? What are you doing out here?” He asks.
“I could ask the same of you, Kevin” You say. “Not going to evacuate?”

He scratches his nose. “I’m helping with the evacuation” He says. “you?”
“I’m here to see how that’s going” You say.

“It’s crazy that this war is coming here…” He says. “Any idea when the enemy will show up?”
“Not yet, but I’ll be the first to know” You say.
“Why?” He asks.

>[ ] Tell him

>[ ] It’s a secret

>>40727318
>[ ] It’s a secret

>>40727318
>[ ] It’s a secret

>writing

File: The Shadow Broker.jpg (63 KB, 900x563)

63 KB JPG

>>40727318
>>[ ] It’s a secret

“It’s a secret” You say.
“If you don’t want to tell me, you can just say so” He says.
“I mean it. It’s actually genuinely classified” You say. “Sorry kid, but thems the breaks”
“Fine” He says. “You willing to help out down here?”
“I don’t see why not” You say. “What needs to be done?”

“It’s mostly underway now, and the garrison is handling the bulk of it” He says. “Me and a few others are just going around making sure everyone got the memo”

“Alright then” You say.

You and Kevin spend about an hour going around to all the houses and businesses, knocking on doors and ushering anyone still left in the city onto the boats. All the while talking about how life’s been for the two of you.

Kevin was pretty excited when Melissa came back and Pitre announced that the orphanage would be leaving Tulia. Rightfully so, because Tulia sucked pretty hard.

Back then Searise wasn’t much better, but unlike Tulia, Searise improved over time. To the point where he now sees it as his real home, and hopes to settle down and start a business of his own one day.

“What kind of business?” You ask him.
“Dunno” He says. “I was hoping I’d have it figured out before I had to leave the orphanage”
“I’m sure Melissa wouldn’t mind if you worked for her” You say. “You could even be a captain one day”
“I thought about it, but I think Melissa’s done enough for me” He says. “Besides, I wanna make it on my own”

You ruffle his hair. “Commendable” You say. “Let me know how that goes”

>[1/2]

With the boardwalk district clear as far as you could tell, the two of you head back to the mainland where the boats are being loaded.

“I guess that’s it” He says.

The only real issue is that the process is slow. Too slow. There seems to be a lack of boats, with the fleet gone.

“Nothing to be done about that now” Kevin says when you ask. “Lets’ just hope that this attack doesn’t happen right now”

Almost as if on cue, you see smoke rising towards the outskirts of town.

“You had to say it, didn’t you?” You ask.
“Say wha-“ Kevin starts, but his jaw drops when he sees the smoke. “That’s not it… is it?”

“No” You say, pointing to the fireballs flying across the sky towards the town. “That is”

That's all for tonight, I hop you guys still enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it!

Next thread will be sometime during the week. I apologize for the lack of thread last week. My days ended up being busier than I expected.

As always I will stick around in case anyone has questions/suggestions.

On an unrelated note, how would you guys feel about me splitting my time between this and a 2nd quest?

>>40728029
thanks for running

>>40728029
a second quest is fine but dont be like chuckles and try to run 5

>>40728029
Thanks for running! In any case, only do a second quest if you're confident that you can give equal energy to both.

>>40728069
Oh fuck no. 2 is my limit, and even that may end up pushing it a bit.

The only reason I want to run another is because ODW is starting to get a little stale in my head.

This probably won't happen for another few weeks, at least. But I figured I'd start asking about it now to see what you guys thought.

>>40728360
What kind of quest?

>>40729106
I had 2 in mind, but I settled on the modern fantasy.

Partially because of the interesting mechanics (very lethal combat, but MC has an object that revives him when he dies. Breaks upon use, regenerates after a few minutes)

Partially because the MC has a more interesting power (speed/slow time, with a twist. Quick time becomes more difficult to use the further ahead of normal time you get, and slow time vice versa)

And because this one is more fleshed out at the moment. My other idea is a much longer story overall as well.