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Arulia nods and waits patiently as Kendra changes into her day-to-day clothing...probably for the first time since she'd brought her back here unconscious. She certainly hadn't seen her in anything but bedclothes when she'd come by to tend to her wounds, anyway. When she returns, dressed for the outside, she can't help but smile. This was the Kendra she remembered, and she looked right again.

"My mother and father have me go to the market every day after I see to you," Arulia says. "They're both very busy...with the army's new taxes, they have to work their fingers to the bone just so we can get by, so I see to the food. My sisters are working hard, too...even Camilla, and she's too young for it, I think! But what else can we do?" With a final bow to Norris, she leads Kendra out into the cold morning.

Once outside, Arulia leans in close to Kendra and speaks just loud enough for her to hear. "I do need to get food for tonight," she whispers, "but I also want to find an old friend of mine. You are right that the Qualinesti need to know about the armies, and I think that if anyone can, he can get a message to them. Do you still want to come?"

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Temple of Takhisis)
"If all possible, bringing in one for interrogation--their leader would be best--would prove quite useful. But if you are unable to take any alive, so be it," the high priestess says to the bard.

She then looks to Tulbas and Haahqae. "What we know for certain is that they are in the harbor district and are holding illegal services to their false god. We also know they are employing sorcery of some kind, although for what purpose I cannot say. They are using it to hide themselves, but I suspect there is more to it than that. That is why we approached Magnus. However, he doesn't seem to be very strong in the school of Divination." Tulbas can attest to the fact that Magnus views any schools of magic beyond Evocation, Necromancy and Enchantment as a 'waste of time.' "If you three managed to infiltrate the cult of the so-called Master, however...I am sure you can find the Belzorites without too much difficulty."

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(OOC: Gregeddin obtains the Weapon Permit and adds it to his inventory.)

"Duly noted, high priestess." Gregeddin confirms. He looks over between Tulbas and Haahqae, waiting to see if they had further questions. The bard's curiosity was satisfied for the time being, he felt ready to start the task, his mind loosely wandering to the spell he had in mind for Magnus to educate him in.

"Thank you highness. We will report as soon as there is a development." Tulbas says, waits for a second, then awkwardly bows not sure if that the right thing to do, then turns and starts leaving gesturing the others to follow.

"Hmm, yes, quite interesting. I'm sure we can." Haahqae agrees, bowing low.

Haahqae will follow Tulbas outside, where he'll ask the mage if he's learned the detect magic spell.

"I didn't want to say anything in front of Norris," Kendra admits softly. While speaking, she was looking over the city. It felt kind of new to her as she had grown use to having so many people in the streets due to refugees. Now they felt empty, and the city felt kind of colder than normal. "But, I have an old friend that was Qualinesti," she explains. "So, if your friend can send a message, perhaps he can send a message for me too?"

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (Temple of Takhisis)
The three head back the way they came, following the trail of purple lights until they reach the entrance again. When the guards open the doors, the sunlight is nearly blinding, despite the fact it's a fairly overcast day. Stepping outside, the oppressive feeling of being watched and judged evaporates, and they can all feel like they can breathe easier.

While the oppressive feeling of being watched may have perturbed Haahqae a little less then it did the others, he still waits for the feeling to dissapear before turning to Tulbas and asking.
"So does that mean we should go to the harbor district now? Also Tulbas, you're a pretty powerful mage, have you memorized the detect magic spell? Or do you also have a weakness of divination?"

"I have all kind of weaknesses. Have you learned Detect Magic yourself?" Tulbas says impatiently but doesn't really wait for an answer. "Let's go to the harbor district and sniff around. Darewind went public, and now that he is gone, some arrogant Belzorite might want to take his place."

Arulia nods, somewhat relieved. "I didn't know what you'd think about trying to contact the elves," she says, "but I'm glad you understand. I was very happy to hear you say that something needs to be done, and I'm glad that I won't be doing it myself. Anyway, I know a vinter that used to do a lot of business with the Qualinesti, and I'm hoping that he'll help me to get in contact with them without drawing the army's attention."

Although she had told Kendra and Norris that she planned to go to the market, Arulia sets out instead for Mill Street in the Farmers' District. "We'll stop by the market after paying Toom a visit, I think," she explains. "I hope he's still here and I haven't forgotten where he lives."

"If we start using magic around the locals it could draw unwanted attention to ourselves." Gregeddin adds as they start to walk towards the harbour district. Reading his papers for the first, of many, checkpoints, the bard continues in a chirpy tone, "We'll just keeps our eyes and ears open, and if nothing else we can enjoy the walk outside for a bit of exercise."

Haahqae, Gregeddin and Tulbas (River Way, Harbor District)
The trio head north, eventually reaching River Way. It's strange how much it's changed. Once, the streets were filled with huddled refugees. Now it's patrolled by goblin soldiers. Further east is where the Cultists of the Master dwelt, in a large warehouse. They are gone now, and instead the three are being asked to look into a different cult--one thought to have already been destroyed. And they are being asked to do so by a temple of true clerics of a real goddess.

The docks are filled with longshoremen going about their business, although now under the watchful eye of the army. Trade has opened again on the White Rage River, although now the army controls both Haven and everywhere else along the river's path. The soldiers insist on inspecting everything that is shipped out or shipped in, making sure no contraband is allowed to enter or leave the port.

It's a chilly day, despite the sun reaching its zenith overhead. The few rays that break through the crowd offer little warmth or hope to the occupied city.

Kendra and Arulia (Mill Street, Farmer District)
The women, meanwhile, head in the opposite direction--to the south, into the Farmer District. Named such because many of the farmers who own land outside of the city often live in this area of the city. It's a poor side of town, like the harbor district. And like the harbor district, it is now patrolled by goblins and their worgs. The two women have to pass multiple checkpoints to reach Mill Street, and are harassed, catcalled or otherwise given a hard time at every single one. Although while the goblins are quite crude and obnoxious, they are at least considerably less handsy than the draconians.

The vinter's home is a simple one, large enough for a couple of rooms and that's about it. It's well-maintained, though; the paint is not chipped or faded and the lawn is trimmed.

Gregeddin walks casually down the street, quietly observing the longshoremen at work, the sight of the river flowing by, and the empty doorsteps, alleys and windows where not too long ago countless people huddled and passed time.

Of the people out and about, is there anyone making small talk?
What kind of conversations can the bard hear or attempt to lip read?
Are there any people who look particularly nervous when soldiers walk by?

"Are all the checkpoints like that?" Kendra asks as they approach the vinter's home. "Because I can't promise I won't punch one of them at some point."

Arulia nods grimly. "I've often thought about punching one of them, but then they'd probably arrest me. It wouldn't matter if they deserved it or not...this army doesn't seem to be the kind interested in the good of those it rules. I guess I can take the harassment if it means I get back to my family in one piece..."

Upon arriving at the vinter's house, Arulia looks up and down the street. Although she supposes that she's not doing anything that'd catch the wrong sort of eye, she still feels nervous about her planned rebellion. After taking a deep breath, she knocks on the door firmly.