Chapter Three - A Modest Proposal

[Trogdor]

Two and a half weeks have passed since the bullywug attack on Vanderboren Manor, and things are pretty much back to normal. The estate has been scrubbed stem to stern, a secure grating has been placed over the underwater passage where the bullywugs entered, and repairs are progressing to deal with the damage from the attack. Lavinia has also finally hired a proper staff for the semi-retired Kora Whistlegap to supervise. She now has a cook, a housekeeper, a butler, and two footmen - the latter being as much guards as footmen. The lady of Vanderboren Manor has also started to replace some of the furniture she'd been forced to sell when times were rough. In short, the place looks better than it has since before Verik and Larissa Vanderboren died.

The Sea Wyvern is also looking good. With Lavinia's word behind it, the transfer of official ownership to the Sea Wyverns as a group goes off without a hitch. The authorities in Sasserine known of its former life as a pirate ship, and know that it's unlikely that the former owners will ever come to complain. You have the ship cleaned and outfitted, at least for short runs, and begin the process of interviewing potential crew members.

On this fine morning, Lavinia has called the Sea Wyverns together for a late breakfast at Vanderboren Manor. You are each ushered into the dining room by Hobson Buckberry, the new butler, a friendly, but slightly serious halfling. Breakfast is on the sideboard, while Lavinia is on the far side of the large table poring over a number of nautical maps, sea charts, and a large journal that Berek and Daerith recognize as the journal that they recovered from the Vanerboren vault, all those weeks ago.

"Good morning," she greets each of you. "Have something to eat and we'll start when everyone has arrived."

OOC

I'll let everyone post their arrival and then get going.

[Chanur]

Chanur saunters in with his usual smile and wide brimmed hat. He is dressed in his fashionable clothes, he is clearly dressed to be out on the town making lady friends. His rapier hangs from his hip. He bows respectfully to Lady Vanderboren.

"Lady Vanderboren, it is good to see you again, thank you for having me over. I take it you have kept Daerith out of trouble? I have enjoyed the last few weeks, made several new friends. That smells wonderful whats for breakfast?"

With that Chanur sits down and greets any friends that are here, winking at Daerith after his little quip about trouble.

[arkahm]

Sindu arrives in his usual accouterments with the exception of wearing finely crafted handwraps that he must have acquired with the gains from the last venture. Politely he bows to the Lady of the House, greets the others, and thanks Hobson for the escort in. "You have done great things with the Manor I see. I was expecting to be summoned from the temple soon. It has been a while since our last venture and I knew our search was not over." He takes his seat curiously, "I take it you have gained new information since our last outing, My Lady?"

[Chanur]

Chanur smiles at Sindu's arrival.

"Sindu good to see you friend! You look positively pious. New wraps? "

[arkahm]

Smiling back at Chanur, "And to you also my shipboard friend. They are just something to help in our future endeavors, Wee Jas willing." He then turns his attention to the meal knowing the quicker it is finished the faster they will get the information they need.

[Vardaen]

Daerith comes down from upstairs, he lives at the manor now, full time and without any sort of question about his presence. Over the last few weeks he's kept busy assisting with the clean up of the manor through magical means. He's also spent some time working the magical item market for the Sea Wyverns, helping to secure magical weapons, potions scrolls or other items from contacts he has through his magical training at the Academy. At one point he locks himself in the second floor alchemy lab and doesn't come out for three days. When he does he is holding Torothalion in a way far more reverently than before. His bond to the "Cherry Dawn" is now like that of a brother, and the weapon is infused with new and lingering magic; a power that the heirloom has willingly unlocked for the Magus. He spends much of his time without his armor or other items, but never without Torothalion, even at breakfast time.

He comes down the stairs with a big yawn, "Smells excellent Mr.Buckbery, my comliments to yoru sister." He is still wearing his nightclothes and his bathrobe is sinched about his waist, showing just a sliver of barechest. A smile and a wave at Lavina first, he grabs a plate and fills it with some grapes, eggs and bacon and two pieces of jellied toast. "Sindu! I almost forgot what you looked like you shouldn't stay locked up in that temple all the time, we missed you." He nods to Chanur, and eventually to the others as they arrive or make themselves known.

As he pops his third grape into his mouth he calls to Lavina, "I had a chance to read over those materials you gave me the other day, rather fasinating, enlightening too. I supose since you've called the Sea Wyverns together, today is the big day?" He winks at the woman and breaks off some toast and stuffs it into his mouth without a seeming care in the world.

[Trogdor]

"It's good to see you both as well," Lavinia says to Chanur and Sindu. "Please, help yourselves." She gestures at the sideboard filled with fresh fruit, bread, five different kinds of cheese, bacon, sausages, a heaping plate of scones, a large fritata with onions and peppers, pots of tea and coffee, and large carafes of several kinds of fresh juices. "Pansy, the new cook, is looking to put Kora to shame." She smiles and takes a sip of her coffee, the only thing she's taken from the sidebar so far.

Then Lady Vanderboren's face darkens slightly at Sindu's question about new information. "Regarding Vanthus?" she asks rhetorically. "No." The answer is quick, immediate, and definitive. "If I took that matter any farther, it would have moved too close to obsession." She shakes her head. "Vanthus is gone and is unlikely to be returning to Sasserine now that his plans have been so categorically foiled. I've washed my hands of him and I'm turning to the future now. He nearly ended my life. Now that I have it back, I won't have him consume it."

Lavinia's mood seems sedated for a moment. But then Daerith arrives and asks it today is the big day. Immediately the lady of the house smiles and her face brightens. "It is indeed," she replies. "But I want to wait until everyone arrives before I start." With half the group here, she now rolls up the maps and charts and places them on a side table. Standing, she gets herself a plate, which she fills with fruit, a large slice of the fritata, and several pieces of bacon. Adding a glass of fruit juice, she returns to her seat to await the others.

[veritas]

Fin arrives from a guest room shortly after Daerith, dressed in his standard attire of worn, sturdy leathers and a chain vest. He looks as he always has, save a slight nervousness about his demeanor. Though he's been staying here for over two weeks now, it's obvious he hasn't grown any more comfortable being on dry land.

Fin gives a curt nod to the group and issues a gruff "Morning." as he prepares a plate of food for himself.

OOC

I'll try to get around to posting in the character thread later on tonight.

[arkahm]

Sindu fills his plate with a more healthy variety of foods. He avoids foods with excess grease. To wash it down he chooses tea. He returns to his seat, "I apologize for bringing up a foul subject such as Vanthus, but he still must be stopped. I do not believe he will give up his revenge on you. He still must be stopped." He pauses for only a short minute to take a bite of fruit, "But then why is it you have called us here, My Lady?"

[mackaber]

Berek arrives his mood gloomy as always these last few days. He has a marvelous Dwarven Waraxe which glistens as it had magic about it strapped to his belt but clearly this new toy can not fill the void Berta left behind in his soul. He greats everyone in attendance with a mumbled "Mornin..." as he moves to the kitchen to fetch himself a tankard of ale. The Dwarf drowns it in one draught before refilling and moving to fill himself a large piece of fritata, sausage and bacon. He then sits down at the table starting to eat and not talking too much in the process.