Nostrum: Tales of Valor

Earnest Guidance

Walking with haste through city streets and tucking away when strangers appear, the party attempts to keep themselves concealed in the darkness of a still lingering night sky. Dodging streetlights and lit-up windows, they press on. Leaving Lee to guide their way. As they brush through an alley, Lee puts up a hand, signaling for them to stop. He then presses himself up against a cold cobble wall and the others do the same. Soft clops come from where the alley meets the main streets once again, and shortly after it is heard, the sound comes to pass. Marne studies the figure as it passes, and two others that do so shortly after. Each wears a similar attire to their own.

"Bethel Nostrum?" He asks in a hushed tone. He receives nothing more than a nod from Lee, who gives him a swift glance before motioning for them to follow once more.

Stepping out of the shadows and onto a sidewalk, they pass a horsedrawn carriage, then another. Each with their animals still fastened at their fronts. Yuler pats at the last they come to pass then runs her hand down the length of its body while making a shushing sound as their presence begins to spook it.

"Here. Quickly!" Lee opens one of two doors at the front of a rather tall building, which stands one floor higher than all those around it.

As Marne and Yuler look over the structure, a plain, simple sign over the door reads "Acies Inn". Asking nothing and simply doing as they're told, the pair follow Hael inside. Finding their feet planted on floorboards, they take the tricorns from their heads and look around an empty lobby. A desk at the far end sits vacant and many shelves of books line the walls. The only light source to be seen is a candelabra, which sits in front of the inn's forward-facing windowsill. As Lee pulls the door shut, a small bell atop it rings out, sending chimes through two opposing stairwells at either side of the desk. Now removing the hat from atop his head, a voice stills his motions.

"Lee? Hael? Is... that you?"

The party, excluding Lee, turns to face the desk. A door from just beyond it has been opened partways and peaking out from behind it is an older man. His white, wispy hair and a deep blue eye surrounded by aged skin are all that can be seen of him for a moment before he pulls himself out further to face the visitors.

"I... I can't believe it."

"It's good to see you again, Master Parcely."

"You are familiar?" Asks Yuler, looking about the disheartened faces of Hael, Lee, and the innkeeper.

"Indeed." Lee sighs deeply before coming to face the man and approaching the desk.

"What brings you back to Maciofim?" The older man steps further into the room, allowing the door behind him to remain ajar as he rests his shakey palms against the desk. "Last I heard you had fled The Bethel's ranks and ventured off to join some... resistance."

"That is true." Confirms Lee, now resting his knuckles against the same surface, opposite of Master Parcely. "Unfortunately, even those days have come to pass."

"I... could have only assumed so, but why have you returned? This city is no safe haven to those who betray The Bethel."

"Perhaps not," Lee begins with a hint of shame in his voice, "but you are."

Master Parcely slides his hands back towards his body, allowing himself to stand entirely upright as he questions Lee's words.

"We're in need of a place to take shelter. Our visit will remain as brief as we can make it, I assure you." Hael holds her head up high as she speaks to the man, offering him her respect. Yet, pity is all she is given in return.

"Oh... what became of you, Nostrum Hael? Why do you wear bindings over those eyes?"

Hael falls silent and a visible gulp is seen just as her chin begins to fall once more. Noticing this, Lee brushes her arm and she takes a step back.