Sapphire:Sessions:20150103

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On the morning of Change Time 21, Shawna awakens at dawn and meditates for a time. Chalker prepares his finest garments.

Rory checks the horses and hears that rumors of last night's events are spreading. He notices groups of kids hanging around the inn, seemingly busy with various small tasks, but also watching the inn. He flags down a boy of about eight whose name is Jim. Rory tells Jim what happened to waitress Kate Barlow. "Her funeral is at 11:00am at the Temple of Dara. We need a good showing. I'll pay you two coppers for each kid you bring, and whatever you give to them is fine. That [indicating his war dog] is Striker; it was his idea." Jim rushes up the street and whistles sharply. Several other kids quickly cluster around him.

After breakfast, someone hands Shawna an envelope with the address where Kate's sister, Elaine, is staying. Shawna changes into all-black clothing, her black hair in a single long braid down her back, and a scarlet-red scarf tied around her head. She goes to the address, which is the home of a merchant family of modest means. Elaine immediately gravitates toward Shawna. Shawna takes Elaine and her new foster family to a private viewing of Kate's body.

A dozen fresh-scrubbed kids, led by a thirteen-year-old named Jimmy, approach Rory. Rory slips some money into little Jim's pocket to see if the boy notices (he doesn't). Eventually, at least 75 kids appear; Jim tells Rory that Kate was well-liked by the local children. Bajeeter and other employees from the tavern join Chalker as the growing crowd converges on the Temple. A number of the cityfolk comment upon the number of people at the funeral.

The funeral service itself is simple and brief. Elaine's foster parents assure Shawna that they will legally adopt Elaine and raise her as one of their own.

Rory pays Jim; the older boy Jimmy had left immediately after the service. Rory has Jim lead him to the Merchant's Guild; Rory already knows where it is, but Jim leads him along a shortcut route.

Chalker strolls into the Temple of Asseraah, approaches the altar, and pays his respects. A priest is watching him; Chalker beckons. "How's your boss doing?" "His High Priest is in good health and in our lord's pleasure." "How's your lord doing?" "Chaos allows growth and change." The priest murmurs a prayer, "Show me this one's nature." Chalker: "You'll be sorry. My concern is for Asseraah personally. Tell him I'll be back to talk to him tomorrow. I'm not talking to Aaoo; we were getting too close. He'll know what I'm talking about."

Trace wonders aloud to which temple he should go to talk about the portal. Shawna: "I have serious bad news for you. You need to talk to Cor."

Rory reaches the Merchant's Guildhall, a huge building, larger than some villages. He invites Jim (and the other kids who have trailed behind them) in, but admonishes them, "Everything in there *stays* in there." He addresses an official-looking man, saying, "I would like to register a guild." First he pays for a full guild membership for Elaine's new family. Then he registers Copper King, "and add my liaison, Jim Bore." The registrar recommends Thomas Trivett as a mentor. "Welcome to Sapphire," he adds, shaking hands with Rory and Jim. Rory and the kids are given a tour of the guildhall, the young crowd raising many eyebrows.

Chalker is being followed by two separate groups; he figures one group consists of acolytes of Asseraah, the others are probably thieves. Thinking back, he might have seen some thieves following him before Kate's funeral. The number of Winged Folk patrolling the air has doubled, and trained falcons are circling the docks.

Shawna has a yen for seafood, so she and Trace go to a dockside restaurant, the Mast Head. There's excitement in the harbor over the two Imperial warships flanking a Modeian merchant vessel, the Far Quest.

Jim: "What's a... lazy... lizzy... liaison, and what do I do?" Rory: "You handle our guild's transactions, since I might be somewhere else. Meet me tomorrow at their shop [i.e., Elaine's new family]."

Rory joins Chalker for lunch at the Boar's Head. A woman enters, sits down at their table, and helps herself to part of their meal. She says, "You've got the kids in a tizzy." Rory: "Just wanted a good showing for the funeral." Chalker: "Who are you?" "Molly." "Are you the representative of the ones who are following me? You seem to know everything about our movements." Molly: "You're the diplomat, he's a merchant, then there's the mage and the avatar." Chalker: "That explains a lot."

Molly: "Don is the main leader of the group Jim runs with." Rory: "Any money he has is in partnership with me." Molly: "You registered a nine-year-old with the Merchant's Guild." Rory: "He has their protection if he needs it."

Molly: "I expected to see a 'procurement specialist.'" Chalker: "She left us."

Chalker: "Is the Pandemonium Dagger Guild involved?" Molly, her voice hardening: "They have meddled. Are you hunted by them?" Chalker: "We've crossed paths." Molly: "They've tried to take advantage of the situation with the guild." Chalker: "They're on their way."

Shawna and Trace enter the Boar's Head and notice the attractive (and disguised) woman seated with Rory and Chalker. As they exchange pleasantries, Chalker looks at Molly's aura -- strong-willed, methodical, loyal, not a 'classic' thief in that she has a motivation other than greed. After Molly leaves, Shawna recalls that she has seen her at various royal functions, dancing. Shawna tells the others about the Modeian ship, adding that in Modeia, "You're either a mage or you're nobody, a slave or worse."

The group goes to the palace ahead of Chalker's scheduled audience with the King. They are taken to a waiting room, where they figure out that they are being watched by two observers and a Wizard Eye.

A herald leads the group to the doors of the audience chamber. Captain Harlock steps out and greets them. Shawna: "With the injuries you sustained last night, you should be at home resting." Harlock claims he is well, thanks to Shawna's healing, and he has duties he must perform. Harlock looks over the group, then says, "I must request that the dog stay outside." Rory: "Then I'm staying with him." Shawna objects, pointing out that Harlock should be well aware of the heroism Rory and Striker displayed last night. Harlock withdraws his request.

Rory hands the herald a beautifully calligraphed list of the group's names, and the herald announces them. Within the audience chamber, Baron Melroy sits to the left of the King, and counselor Fritz Simmons to the right. The group is offered seats, but Chalker says, "I prefer to stand."