Representatives of the Dawn Council have been all through the underground complex, despite any protests you may make. It's impossible to hide the existence of the Lotus-Dragon's lair now, and you decide that since you can't avoid it, you might as well not fight it. You are able to clear the place out of anything valuable before they arrive, however, not being fools. At present the authorities aren't sure what should be done with the place, and might be amenable to suggestions.
Initially the Dawn Council looks a little curiously at your timely bill of sale for the taxidermist's shop. But in the wake of your being lauded as heroes, and a desire to quickly put the matter behind them, you are able to register your purchase in record time, removing any possibility of questions about the ownership of the building and its contents. Berek starts working on liquidating the stock and expects that within a few weeks he should be able to get rid of most of it without taking too much of a loss.
Eventually government investigations and celebratory banquets are over. In fact, the city is already preparing for the next big festival by the time the group of you are starting to become old news. The Wormfall Festival begins in just a few days and will last most of a week. Officially it celebrates the defeat of those who would have brought about the Age of Worms a year ago. Most of the events involved in this took place a thousand miles away. But it was also responsible for an undead attack on the city that was defeated by some powerful adventurers from Cauldron. Really, though, you know its as much an excuse to celebrate, build up morale, and increase business for the city. As you make your way to the Vanderboren estate, criers loudly announce the coming festival, in the streets and canals, posters go up on blank walls, and you know more are up in the local taverns, and everyone is abuzz with what the first Wormfall Festival will be like.
Daerith and Berek arrive at the Vanderboren Estate and are let in by a new doorman, Lavinia finally having started to rebuild the staff. Kora ushers them into the study, where Lavinia is waiting.
"I think it's time to plan our next move against Vanthus," the lady of the house says, rising to greet you. "We can't give him too much of a headstart. Unfortunately, I have some bad news. Knarra has asked for my leave to depart my service. She feels more of a call to tend to Berronar's faithful right now. I suspect that there's more. But I don't want people to feel they're required to serve me, so I told her that I'd be sorry to see her go, but understood the need to put her faith first. Then Shumba also spoke to me. He has apparently received word of some family issue that requires his immediate attention. I'm not sure of the details, and frankly am not certain I want to know them. But he too will not be rejoining you. I'm not sure where Sindu is, but I expect that matters at the temple have kept him."
"But I'm getting ahead of myself," she continues. "Kora, please bring us some refreshments." She smiles at the two of you. "I'm afraid that things might be a little difficult for a time. But I've sent word for someone that's worked with my parents in the past. He's a sailor and very clever. He might be just the sort of person that could help with finding Vanthus."
"But I should ask first whether you both feel that you can go forward as things stand. I wouldn't want you to feel that I'm asking too much without you having enough support."
.. 
