Saya Rosewell + Ahrem Grenstone
The Fairview estate loomed over the pair. It was a three story building surrounded by a low stone wall. The gate was open, leading to a winding path that might have been a sight to behold a decade earlier. At present the manor grounds were invaded by brambles that threatened to overcome the path. The door opened as they approached, as if they were expected, and they were greeted by a man with close cropped blonde hair, a clean white shirt, and carried an air of dignity. "Greetings, and welcome to the Fairview Estate. I am Renold, valet to the Master and Lady Fairview. How might I be of service?"
Saya wordlessly gazed her eye upon the more unkempt estate within the city of Haven. With leaves and twigs still strewn about and the shaking brambles as a light breeze went by she herself didn't think of it as bad since nature was free to do as it pleased. Yet, she knew it was a sign of the family's possible turmoil but how long ago was the daughter even taken? She had forgotten to ask, but a strange thought in her mind was that the family likely was going downhill already for it to already be this overgrown on their arrival. However, there seemed to still be an air of some pride as the valet revealed himself before the duo. Saya kept quiet at his greeting for now to allow her unhooded compatriot to introduce them and their cause.
As he walked up the path, Ahrem couldn't help but disapprove at the estate's state of disrepair. Before today, he would have offered to cut these gardens for them if it meant he could raise more funds to take care of himself, and his mother. Now, he couldn't help but feel like this was left out of carelessness. If he were a lord, he thought, he would make sure to keep at least his own lands pleasing to look at. At the same time, though, Ahrem did understand why they were in such a state... if his child ever did go missing to something nefarious, he would have fallen into despair, after all. But now is not the time to think of having children, especially if you have a curse that also affects said children.
"Hello, and thank you for welcoming us." Ahrem began, digging the scroll of recommendation from his belt. "My name is Ahrem... Grenstone. My associate, Saya, and I, know of your Master's plight, and wish to help. We have the good graces of the City Watch to work on this case, if you would so allow us to speak to your Lord. Here's the scroll detailing so." Ahrem completed before handing the valet the scroll.
Renold took the scroll, inspecting it carefully. "I shall submit to the good master. If you will please wait here, I shall return, post haste." Without awaiting a reply he shut the door, disappearing inside with the scroll of recommendation.
With the door shut Saya turned her glance back to the yard they had passed through. Gazing at it in silent thought for a brief period before she spoke to Ahrem. "They don't even seem to have the wealth to keep their yard clean right now... Even if their daughter had gone missing, that wouldn't stop paying their servants unless something was up." Her observation was slightly solemn, as this news could mean a few things for them and none of it felt like it would be good. At least, she also hoped they were servants not slaves, but if they had slaves they didn't even need to pay them to keep them cleaning which made it unlikely.
While waiting, Ahrem crossed his arms in thought, putting his hand on his chin, in thought, for a moment. That was, until Saya began to speak to him. Turning towards her as she spoke, he gave her analysis thought. He didn't even think of some of the clues she had been talking about to such length until now, and nodded in agreement. "Hm... fair point. It might be wise to ask if we could see their business ledgers and recent dealings with other parties. If they won't relent, then one of us might just have to sneak in and find any evidence on such shady dealings. Lords and Ladies tend to have a significant amount of pride, and as such, may not share such scandalous information with us at the get-go, even if we ask nicely and have the best intentions."Ahrem replied, quietly.
Saya glanced to Ahrem and quickly stated. "There wouldn't be too much use in that however.... if it was business why would other women such as escorts been taken? Some of them had no connections to wealth."
Ahrem gave it thought, before leaning close to Saya's side, whispering. "They may have dealt with someone who may be selling illegal or otherwise questionable substances. I've heard it many times before, that some... escorts tend to use their money on such vices, growing up in this city, and all."
"....I hope it's just that," Saya responded.
After a while the door opened once again. Renold returned the scroll to Ahrem before stepping aside and motioning for them to come inside. "The good master shall see you." Much like the exterior of the house, the main hall of the manor must have been a sight to behold at one time. At its present state, it left much to be desired. Sheets were draped over furniture, a large chandelier hung over head unlit, and shadows loomed over every corner of the hall. Renold looked over the pair with a degree of superiority... "May I take the lady's cloak?"
Ahrem given a quick glance into the scroll, once more, before stuffing it back into his belt. Once they are inside, Ahrem made it a point to try not to stare at its state of disrepair. When Renold asked for Saya's cloak, Ahrem couldn't help but feel suspicious why he is asking only for her cloak.
Saya once again found herself taking a moment to use the peripherals of her eyes to gaze at the state of the estate. With everything together, it was even clearer how bad their finances were. It didn't look like ransom, usually pay once and be done with it was that, but right now it looked like a long downfall was the correct answer to her question of time. Uncomfortable was the word that most matched how the interior made her feel, and as the man asked for her cloak she turned her head in his direction and nodded almost immediately as a response. Her gut instinct for now being that she needed to be approachable for the family if they didn't have anything to hide, or to be able to get them to talk more to her. "Alright-" she quietly replied as she threw the hood off and carefully took it off to hand over. It wasn't a nice cloak by any means either, so at least if she didn't get it back there wasn't a monetary loss to associate. Keep optimistic- she told herself.
Renold draped the cloak gingerly over his arm before turning to Ahrem. "And the gentleman?"
Ahrem gazed at Renold, quietly removing his cloak before handing it to the valet. Might have just been manners, after all, he though... Chivalry isn’t as dead as they say it is, huh? “... Thank you,” he mentioned, a few seconds after handing over his cloak.
"The good master is in seclusion in the east wing," Renold said with a sweeping motion of his free hand. "If you'll follow me." the valet strut out in front, leading them across the hall to a doorway, where he picked up a lantern to illuminate the hallway ahead.
Saya once again nodded in affirmation and began to follow the valet through the darkened halls. The fact they didn't even have lights on in their halls was difficult to get past. Considering how there was no sun, candles and oil had become commonplace for one to own and purchase frequently, but they didn't have it. The feeling this estate wasn't going to be theirs for long came across her body, but she refused to ask anything of the valet and seem intrusive yet.
Ahrem followed quietly, sneaking a quick glance at Saya without her cloak. She looked... manlier than he thought, at the very least. Then again, perhaps it is just the armor she was wearing, of which he didn't expect. He always pictured priestesses as wearing more... robe-like chain mail, after all. At the very least, it seems his suspicion of her racial heritage has been brought to light. She was a half-elf, as expected... not that this was any problem, to him. As they traversed the dark halls, Ahrem seemed more relaxed than earlier, seeing that Renold was nothing but courteous towards the two. Still, though, he couldn't help but feel the slightest suspicion that they were walking into a trap. Leaning closer to Saya, once again, Ahrem began to whisper a few things to her. "You can see better than I in the dark, right?"
Renold led them down a long corridor. To the left they passed a series of doors, along with dust outlines where paintings used to hang. To the right, long windows offered a view of the grounds, however they were overtaken with the brambles, casting thorny shadows across the hall.
Saya kept her eyes forward now that they were traveling through, beams of moonlight or city lamps going through the gaps in the branches illuminating what they could, but the dark was still fairly oppressing outside of the lantern their guide held. In the eerie silence of their walk Saya carefully tucked her necklace away under her armor and kept her ears keen of other movement that may be occurring in the lone halls. Wondering if any other servants such as the valet were left.
At last they come to a door at the end of the hall. Renold hangs the cloaks up on the wall before turning back to Ahrem and Saya. "I ask that you keep your voices to a hushed tone as the Lady Fairview is at rest, and do try to keep your business here brief." With that Renold turned and opened the door and announcing, "Master Ahrem and the Lady Saya to see you, good master Barot of Fairveiw."
Beyond the door is what appears to be a study, looking much more lived in then the other rooms they've seen. A fire burns warn and bright in the hearth, book cases line the shelves, and a door on the far wall is shut. There is a table where maps and scrolls are strewn about, and the good master stands facing the fire, leaning up against the hearth with his back to them.
Barot Fairview spoke with a gravely voice, tinged with sorrow. "A man loses his daughter, pays all that he has to see her returned but it is not enough, and now, as a final humiliation, must endure hosting brigands and peasants whom deem they know more then the City Watch." he nods his head toward the table. "Might as well have some wine." A bottle lay on its side on the table, a small pool leaked out
It wasn't hard to catch onto the dark clouds looming over the room and tension thick enough to cut through. Saya easily forgot about the strange feeling she got being introduced as 'lady' as her gaze towards the fire caught the exhausted lord. While she had thought his fortunes were bad before his daughter was taken, it seems his daughter may not be the most recent missing woman and that it was going on for a while for this to occur. When he indicated wine, all thirst was lost as the drips of wine trailed from the table to the floor melodically. With every beat in time, Saya felt a little more tense in approaching the man as she took a step forward and bent over in a bow. Even if he didn't look, the formality remained for her to act on as she spoke up in her soft voice. "The City Watch can only fulfill what they are ordered, but we can act on our own experiences and instincts they do not have." Her response aimed to simply get him thinking about it rather than fight back against his words. Getting back to her upright position she then added on. "And, if I could start by asking.... what is your daughter's name?"
"El.... Elonna," Barot choked out.
"Elonna, she has a nice name. How old is she?"
Barot turned to face them. His hair was an unruly mop of black and grey, his face unshaven and an unruly mustache covering his mouth. He had an unkempt shirt, unbuttoned, and a dirty vest. His eyes were bloodshot and weary. The look of a broken man. "She would have been twenty four next moon."
Lord Barot looked completely distraught, his negative words further adding on to that assumption. The look on his face reminded him of his own mother’s when she found out his father’s cursed had passed on to him. Knowing how terrible he felt, Ahrem chose to stay silent, for now. He was never good at these delicate situations, and Saya seems to be doing well, so far.
Saya took another step forward and quietly responded. "She will be twenty four, at least she may be if you could help us find her." Looking up into his eyes to show sympathy, she noted how ragged the man looked and felt any suspicion she had for the man fade since for now it seemed clear that he genuinely cared and was giving his all for her. "With everything you have given up to find Elonna have you been able to uncover anything of her disappearance, and if there is anything that relates her to the other women who are missing?"
"Not a Godsdamn thing!" He said, clenching his fist and turning back to the fire, pounding it hard against the mantle. Dust and soot sprinkled down the chimney from the impact causing the fire to brighten for a moment. "Like my Elonna all were beautiful, so says the Watch. Yet I am not entirely convinced they are connected. I believe this to be the work of the Bloodwines. They stand to gain the most for my ruin! And I am ruined.... utterly and completely."
Saya tilted her head after almost jumping from his lashing out. Carefully moving slightly closer again to say "Please, tell us more about your daughter then. What she did, where she went, and the last time you saw her. If you haven't found anything, they we simply need to look elsewhere. You have already eliminated so many theories, which means you have helped find the solution in more ways than you beleive." Barot slumped over, falling quiet as he stared at the fire.
Ahrem crossed his arms as the Master of the estate lashed out. The Bloodwines, he said... they do sound awfully familiar to him. Ahrem remembers reading about them during his restless nights spent in the library, although his memory was rather hazy on their history, aside from what they have influence over.
"I will say no more of this," Barot sighed, waving to the closed door along the wall. "Feel free to check her room. We left it exactly as it was when she disappeared. "Renold," Barot summoned
Renold stepped forward. "Of course, good master. Follow me, if you will." Renold led them across the room to the door, opening it up and stepping through.
Ahrem nodded, turning for the door at once. He had nothing else to say to the lord, as well, in his current state, knowing that words of comfort and assurance may have a chance to further anger him.
Saya glanced back to Ahrem as it seemed the man was about to be done with her, but she didn't want to give up just yet as she looked back and moved to kneel down next to the Lord. "Silence is what allows secrets to be powerful. The more you can tell me the more that silence is able to be broken through and unlock the mystery. Please, even something small can be the key that fits."
Barot slammed his fist against the mantle yet again, sending a shower of soot into the flames. "I'VE SAID MY..." He inhaled sharply, steadying his voice. "I've said my peace. Look if you must, then Renold will show you out."
Ahrem bowed his head down at Saya’s recent attempt. He didn’t blame her for it failing, as he has seen mad grief, before, and what it can do to a person. He stood near the exit of the room, silently waiting for Saya to stand and join him.
Saya flinched slightly as he let his anger out again, finding her words futile on the man that seems to be on the edge of breaking. He was hanging on to a small hope, but to her at least she was worried he had grasped to many threads and doesn't have the strength to pull one more. So many times the threads only brought in disappointment. "Yes, my lord..." she politely said in a whisper as she stood up and carefully moved away. Failing once again to get the information she wanted as she turned back around and moved to follow the valet once again. Hands gently being formed into a fist waiting for anything more.
The valet led them down another hallway, around a corner and up a staircase. Stepping inside a large bedchamber, Renold set to work lighting a wall side brazier just inside the door, along with candles in the corners of the room. "I will be just outside, should you have need of me." Renold gave a bow and closed the door behind him.
The chamber was well kept and clean. Tapestry partitions formed a barrier around the large canopy bed in the center of the room, with a desk and book shelf opposite the bed. Two large armoires flanked the bed, and a large window and door led out to a balcony overlooking the manor grounds.
Ahrem took a quick glance at the room before starting at one of the more obvious places. He walked forward, inspecting the window to see if it has opened recently.
Saya slipped inside behind Ahrem and quickly began gazing around. More somber notions filling her mind as the room was left without it's proper owner. As she carefully moved about to not disturb anything laying about less it looked promising, she simply wanted to find anything that may be a lead. If that means looking under the bed or checking drawers and more so be it.
The two begin combing the room. Sticking out in contrast with the rest of the manor, a large painting hangs overlooking the bed. It is a portrait of, presumably, Elonna of Fariview. Blond and beautiful, the blue eyed lady offers a hint of a smile in the portrait, her eyes seeming to follow the pair as they go about the room. Looking over the balcony door, Ahrem finds what appears to be a new lock fastened along both the top and bottom. In the armories an assortment of fine clothes signal an impeccable sense of fashion. Within the drawers there is parchment, letters, jewelry and Elonna's personal journal, fastened with a locking mechanism.
Ahrem took note of the new locks, keeping that in mind before shifting his gaze for the painting. It seemed quite... offputting, to him.
Saya, looking at the lock, sees that its not a traditional lock requiring a key. Instead, it has a series of radial mechanisms that together, spell out a four letter word. Currently it reads DEAD.
Saya carefully cycled the letters of the locked journal, noting that a message had been left behind. Her first instinct was to change them to LIFE.
Nothing notable happens, and the book remains locked.
Without currently further clues, Saya kept the journal in hand to possibly find out more later. If they got a clue for it she would take it, and that's really what she focused on now. Looking for letters or words on plaques, titles of books that may indicate a word or anything in letters she had.
Ahrem inspects the painting hanging over the bed. The eyes do seem to follow him. There doesn't seem to be much more to find, except on closer look, an amulet draped over the girl's neck catches his eye. It depicts a white bird.
"Ahrem, there's this journal I found... it requires a four letter word to unlock."
“Hold on a moment...” Ahrem held a hand up to Says, gesturing her to wait as he tried to recall what sort of bird this was.
“... Try ‘Bird’ or ‘Dove,’ maybe.”
"Alright." She responded as she moved the letters to attempt both. Nothing happened with the attempt at bird. With dove, a faint click is heard ,and the book opens. "It worked-" she stated as she carefully opened it, looking more towards the last pages of course.
“Let me know what you find in that journal.” Ahrem replied, his lips curving slightly at the new breakthrough, making his way back to the window. “Renold! Have the locks on the balcony window change, recently?” No answer came from outside. With growing suspicion, Ahrem breezily marched towards the door, a hand hovering over his sword. While he approached the door, the sound of conversation became apparent. Ahrem puts his ear by the door, attempting to listen in on what’s being said. One voice he recognizes as Renold, the other from a woman.
"My lady, please. The good master has asked you to retire for the night."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Renold, last I checked I am the Lady Fairview, and you're a mere sycophant of my darling husband. Perhaps you're jealous.... Perhaps you wish it was you who shared his bed and not I?!"
"My lady, you are drunk."
Meanwhile, Saya flips through the pages of the book. Two of the more recent entries catch her eye... 'I cannot help but fret. Something Aunt Chara said. A jape perhaps, but it got me thinking.... Will I age like mother? I can't bear the thought. She is wholly insufferable, and their poor excuses for suitors they keep bringing to my door only ensure I will live under their roof forever! I must see this herbalist in Hero's Square. Although Becca made a good point. If this miracle cream worked, then how is it the herbalist is so frightfully ugly.'
The second entry... 'I've had it with my parents! They have insisted on grounding me and keeping me confined to my room. I thought father was going to kill poor Gentry. So what if he's a Bloodwine, I love him! Slaves are not real people anyway. They're lower then baseborn. Yet Father only grew angrier when I said this. If he catches Gentry sneaking through my balcony again, I fear he will kill him.’
Ahrem decided it would be best if he didn’t go outside. In order to protect their investigation, he went over to lock the door. After a few minutes the voices cease, and the hall outside is quiet once more. Ahrem then unlocked the door and checks outside.
Renold is stood outside the door. "Everything in order, master Ahrem. Shall I see you out?"
“Ah, not quite. I was wondering if the locks have been changed on the balcony window, recently.”
"Ah, yes. That's right. A matter of routine, you see." Renold said quickly.
Saya had been intently reading the journal for a time, feeling several emotions course through her at the comments on slaves and her views. However, she did her best to contain her displeasure as the pages turned and turned. The lead for the herbalist didn't sound like much until she thought about how beautiful women may have used it to try and stay that way, but the bloodwine entry almost seemed to imply she would run away. Which one was dated later she supposed may be more prevalent.
“Routine? Tell me about this routine, please, and how recently the locks were changed.”
Saya could see that the entry about the herbalist was most recent by a day
"Ahrem... I found a lead. And I get the feeling it might mix in with one you had made- We need to go before the markets close."
"I'll have you know that we change the locks reg..." Renold began, stopping at Saya's interrupting and tilting his head. "You found a lead, really?"
Ahrem feels like this is suspicious. The locks are changed regularly, yet the rest of the house is left in disarray. Renold could be telling the truth, seeing this is a more lived in area of the manor, but Ahrem couldn’t quite be sure he was.
Its clear to Saya that Renold is lying, and when pressed he caves. "Very well.... I suppose the good master has trusted you enough to let you search, so I will be honest. We had a break in several days after Lady Elonna disappeared. Someone had entered her chambers and defaced a family portrait. So we changed the locks."
Saya blinked as he explained and checked towards the window in thought. "Why would they come deface a painting... did it have a message?"
Renold looked down... "No message that I could decipher, merely black ink scratched across the portrait, covering the face of Lady Elonna.”
Ahrem then spoke up, “Very well. Thank you for your cooperation... What was that lead you were talking about, again?”
"The Hero's Square, there is an old woman selling a supposed cream that would keep her looking youthful. She was afraid of turning into her mother- And I suppose other beautiful women have been looking to purchase it as well. I think it may be the link and could drugged. The only other connection may be the bloodwine, but I want to look into this first."
“It adds up. Why else would someone break in only to vandalize a painting by blocking out the young Lady’s face...” Ahrem thought, before turning back to Renold. “Very well, send us out, but I need to speak to you before we go.”
"Very well, milord." Renold spoke before he lead them back down the stairs, taking a different door to avoid the study, where the sound of arguing can be heard, followed by broken glass. "This way, if you'll please. I'm afraid the good master and Lady Fairview are at their breaking point. I pray the Gods have brought you here."
Saya wanted to turn back to the sound of glass, and even more so wanted to get it to stop but knew her intervention wouldn't be welcome. The answer to that would be saving their daughter, so the only path was forward on that front. "Thank you, Renold." She said to the valet as they moved to leave. "I hope we can finish this soon."
“We’ll need to make haste, then...” Ahrem agreed, as the made their way down the hall.
Renold leads them back into a familiar corridor on the other side of the study. The shadow of thorns seemed to have deepened in the hall. The valet hastily grabs their cloaks as more shouting can be heard from the study, followed by a woman crying. "These are ill times indeed. Follow me please!" Renold stepped out in front, leading them back to the main hall, away from the study.
Saya gritted her teeth with the sounds of more fighting, noting how Renold seems to be used to ushering people out from their battle. "Yes, with haste."
Back at the front door, Renold sets his lamp down on the table, holding up Saya's cloak to drape it over her shoulders. "So you're both headed to the market then... I shall pray you make progress."
Saya gladly put on her cloak and put her hood up quickly as she gave a nod, letting Ahrem get his and really feeling the desire to almost run at this point... but restraining herself from doing it.
Similarly, Renold holds up Arhem's cloak.
Ahrem grabbed his cloak, as well, leaning to Renold, to confide in him.
“Thank you, once again, Renold. When we’re gone, and when the Lord and Lady of the Estate have calmed down, I need you to tell them that we know where Lady Elonna is, and that we will bring her back. I know it may be dishonest, but I’ve seen the grief they’re going through. They will need the hope.”
Saya turned to Ahrem quite wide eyed, especially since they didn't know anything for sure and the fact the hope might be crushed within the next 24 hours.
Renold looks doubtful. "I will tell the good master you have found a promising lead, my lord."
Renold opens the door with a bow. Outside alarm bells are heard in the distance, coming from the Slaver's Ward. "Ill times indeed," says Renold, before shutting the door.
