The Race Is On (PLOT/MINIPLOT FOR MERCS)

[Skittlebug]

Lin grins. Good, someone who might actually be able to help. "Anything that might have gone to him, yes."

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"Something big and heavy, for cold weather." Tanu supplies.

[Kender Bard]

"One moment," the man said and walked to a back room. It took several moments, in fact--about five minutes total by the clock in the main room. But he returned, five sheets of parchment in hand. "He was specifically requested for ten patients," the man said, looking through the papers. "We have a lot of detail, but most of it is in relation to what was wrong with the patient or notes that the healers jotted down for each other. How much do you want to know?"

---

Nani chewed her lip thoughtfully a moment before nodding. "We have a few things that would have sufficed," she said. "Certain kinds of canvas. Wool, but that's not as common here. It'd help if I knew how expensive the garment was. Some animal skins make absolutely lovely, warm cloaks and clothing but they're quite expensive."

[Skittlebug]

"Places mostly, where he might have been called to."

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Long, warm, finely made. Likely new as well. That's about all we know."

[Kender Bard]

The man flicked through the list quickly, glancing at the relevant information. "Eight were seen here at the House of Healing. One was seen in the market around the noon day, and one was for a priest at the temple near the end of the day."

---

"Finely made," Nina murmured as she considered. "Hmm. Well there are some nobles and rich folk who request that sort of thing closer to winter. And the priests tend to wear material similar to that in colder months, if they're high ranking enough or come from a rich background."

[Skittlebug]

"Near the end of the day, that one."

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"Were there any nobles or priests in buying something like that recently?"

[Kender Bard]

"Last night... Seems we had a runner from the temple asking for Keshet by name to see a priest who had suddenly collapsed, suspected of overdosing on an unknown substance," the aide reported.

---

"Not winter wear, not lately," Nani replied. "Although... Rather odd... There was a priest who was in here looking for hot weather clothing. Specially tailored, in fact, for heat far greater than anything you can expect in Ronduin. Isn't that odd?"

[Skittlebug]

Lin narrows her eyes, "Do you know the priest's name?"

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Tanu glances to Sashi, something odd might be worth looking into. "You didn't get his name, did you?"

[Kender Bard]

The aide shook his head. "That wasn't given. Just that he was in the Soahcian wing."

---

Nani raised a brow. "Of course, darling. His name was something fairly common--Wendel I believe--but he went by his temple name which struck me as being rather pompous. Royal."

"So he was a Soahcian," Sashi pressed.

"That's right," Nani agreed. "They're terribly fun to design for. You get to try all sorts of new and crazy ideas and usually they love it."

Sashi nodded and poked at Tanu. "We're going to the temple," she said.

[Skittlebug]

"Good enough, thank you." Lin heads back to find her group and let them know what she's found.

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Tanu thanks Nani and holds the door for Sashi with a mock gentlemanly bow. "After you."

[Kender Bard]

Vali listened carefully to Lin, nodding in intervals until the woman had finished her story. "Excellent work, Lin," she said with a wide grin. "We've got a starting point. Come on, men, let's go to the Soahcian temple."

---

Sashi snorted and followed Tanu out. The two had an edge on their competition and got to the temple first. Sashi made a beeline for the Soahcian wing, immediately accosted by Curious and Generous. She gently shoved the Curious aside and spoke to one of the Generous. "We're seeking a man named Wendel, or Royal."

The Generous was eager to please. "Oh! Royal! I am so sorry miss, but he's gone. Has been for some time. He left a note saying he'd go on a trip. Kind of funny, too, since it was right after he'd collapsed after taking something from the Addict here. The healer came and looked at him but I guess he must have been perfectly fine because he left with nary a word to anyone. Just up and disappeared really. I think he's gone to see family."

[Skittlebug]

Lin grins and falls in.

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Tanu sighs and rubs at his forehead, looking to Sashi. "What options now, talk to the Addict? Search Royal's rooms?"

[Kender Bard]

"Both," Sashi told Tanu. "I'll search his room. You go talk to the Addicts, unless you'd rather switch."

[Skittlebug]

Tanu nods and looks back to the Generous, "Could you introduce me to this Addict?"

[Kender Bard]

"Sure," the Generous agreed. "His name is Kahir.

The Generous led Tanu towards the knot of people towards the back shrouded in smoke. Most were not Addicts but dabblers in the path. The Generous looked around, and frowned. "Has anyone seen Kahir?"

The inebriated priests stared at their templemate blankly but one ventured. "Huh. Not for a few days now actually..."

[Skittlebug]

Tanu frowns, that can't be a good sign, but it makes him suspect they're on the right trail at least. "Who was the last one to see him?"