Journal of Rollo Lavius 1

Entry #21 - The Ladies

(G21 - KT)

And finally we came to another corridor that lead to another set of rooms. As usual it was all quite cramped down here, so Raz and Shifty were first into the next room where they met the Lady Lotus Dragon herself, a hired mercenary woman called Rita and the Ladies pet crested drake.

Initially she engaged Raz in conversation, mainly about getting us to change sides and work for her, but that didn't really go anywhere (I think she used big words and sometimes big words confuse dear Raz!) so she ordered Rita and her drake to attack.

Well, it was pretty one sided. Raz hacked the drake to bits pretty quickly and Rita also went down quickly from a hail of blows. The room was packed with bodies though so it was a confused melee. Swords and axes flashing in and out, blood splashing onto the floor.

I feather the Lotus Lady a couple of times, but when Raz advanced with his axe, she used some devious magic and turned into a mist, then escaped out a ventilation pipe.

After that, while Raz and Shifty explored what I assume was the treasure chamber, I bandaged up Rita, who was about to pop her clogs, and had a little chat with her. A local lass, she had been hired as extra muscle. She seemed, well, not a particularly nice person but not evil so I convinced the others to give her some of her stuff back and let her go on her way. I even mentioned that she could pop by the shop some time, but I doubt she will. People like her are born to hang.

DAY 20

At about 4 am we exited the lair and sent Mashai off to get a cart so we could properly loot the place - and there was a lot! We got it all loaded up and went to Lavinia's mansion.

The stuff we took back included a chest full of treasure that Vanthus hade taken from their family vault. I'm surprised at Raz and Shifty for giving it ALL back so willingly!

We had a chat with her, washed up and had a rest until the afternoon. I was utterly exhausted.

Healing magic is rather like a stimulating drug I feel. Surely, at the time you feel invigorated and ready to take on anything, but being injured, then magically healed, then injured again, over the course of a very strenuous night, well, after all that you feel like a crumpled up piece of parchment that has been flattened out then crumpled up again and again.

So, sleep when it came, was fitful but very welcome.

In the early evening we were up and about again, although I wasn't of much use. Shifty seems to have boundless energy though, at least when it comes to making money! He was already in town contacting dealers to sell all the weapons, armour and other objects even before I woke up.

The drake had been wearing a rather fine magical collar that we decided should go to Mr B as no one else would have a use for it. He has not worn a collar before but seemed to be happy to wear it.

That day I also passed on some letters written by her brother we had found in the Lotus Ladies apartments to Lavinia. I had read them so I knew that she would find them upsetting.

She asked to be alone for a few days and to consider her options, so we all discreetly moved along and back to the shop.

We had only been away a day, but it felt like a life time. I dealt with the exotic birds tonight as well, the ones that had come from the dungeon and let most of them go. We kept the cages though.

DAY 21

There were a few things to consider today. Mashai went off to arrange her sisters funeral and we heard that the Dawn Council (rulers of Sasserine don't you know!) had taken charge of the thieves' lair and cleaned out all the corpses etc.

I've also been considered what to do about the Padesh problem. He supplied us with two corrupt guards, namely Dek and Hulog, now both deceased. Did he do it intentionally? Is he corrupt? He always seemed a decent sort, if somewhat plodding. I will think more on the matter. I don't think the others care all that much, Raz certainly thinks killing him the is most logical solution.

Also today, I realised that I am yet again advancing in Druidic power and can now change into certain animals at will! Just once a day, I can hardly wait to try!

In the evening we all had a celebration at the Gulls Nest.

DAY 22

Today Shifty went around the town and talked to a few people about 'Kraken Cove'. This is the place Vanthus mentions in one of his letters.

DAY 23

Today we got an invitation to Teraknin Hall to be feted by the right honourable members of the Dawn Council as thanks for our services in dealing with the Lair of the Lotus Dragon thieves.

I got a chance to wear my new local style outfit. During the evening I talked to nearly everyone and often mentioned our enterprise at the Pie Shop and my interest in being the guild master of the Taxidermists Guild.

Shifty and Nobby kept to themselves mainly but I did noticed that young Raz spent most of the evening surrounded by a gaggle of debutantes and he took great delight in telling and retelling the story of our recent adventures and making them all shriek at the gory bits!