The next morning, Malusk, Skrie, and Theren sat in the common room of Ermina’s and broke their fast. Garrick had stumbled in near dawn, stinking of ale. He lay passed out in the room. Ermina, seeing Skrie’s worn vestments, directed the group to the Temple Square.

“If’n yer lookin’ ta pay yer respects ta th’ goddess, Sister, th’ temple t’ Tymora be a few streets to’ards th’ center o’ town. Ye cain’t miss all them shrines an’ temples sittin’ ‘round th’ gardens.”

The trio set out toward the square. Skrie had never been to a town as large as Irewick before. Suncall was about the size of Blackford, the village in which Skrie had been raised. Irewick had Skrie’s head awhirl.

“There,” said Malusk, pointing to a member of the Cult of The One preaching on a podium in the Temple Square.

They listened as they passed the man.

“The One brings peace to all…”

“Sure he will,” muttered Skrie under her breath. “The peace of eternal rest. We heard that drivel before.”

When they reached the Temple of Tymora, Prior Olgath Brightwater greeted Skrie with open arms.

“Greetings, Sister,” said the Prior, a grin splitting her broad face.

“Well met, Prior. I have news of events north of here.”

“I heard rumors of a farming community destroyed by fire.”

“Ah, yes, well,” began Skrie. “Here’s what we saw,” she told the Prior the tale of what happened at Nemeademore.

“I understand your concerns, Sister,” said the Prior. “Irewick is a free city, and the city council allows anyone to speak in the square but watches the area for trouble. The heads of all orders agree that we must deal with the cults, but we cannot move against them. Until a cult breaks the law, we cannot act.”

Skrie frowned at that.

“I see you are guardian to your companions. For your information, I reward you with these.” She handed Skrie three healing potions.

After speaking with Prior Olgath, they asked about, and got directions to, the nearest bathhouse. When they had scrubbed off the worst of the road grime, they went to meet Geordo at his home. Geordo looked over the items the group brought, listened to their story, and paid them well for the many items and information they brought.

“It will take me some time to discover anything about the books and other items,” said Geordo. “Come back in four days if you would like to know what I find.”

Upon their return to Ermina’s, they saw Garrick hunched over a plate of stew at a corner table.

“G’mornin’,” said Malusk.

Garrick winced.

“G’morning,” said Ermina, approaching the table. “Can I get yer summit?”

“Aye,” declared Malusk. “I’ll take a dozen eggs, a thresher o’ bacon, a loaf o’ bread, and a mug o’ ale.”

“I’ll have what he’s having,” Skrie pointed at Garrick’s meal. “And a mug of cider.”

After they finished their meal, Ermina approached.

“A merchant vacated th’ suite we keep. If ye want it, I’ll charge th’ lot o’ ye three gold a day. It gots two private rooms an’ a central room with a table. Ye can order yer meals an’ have ‘em brought up if’n ye don’t wanna deal with th’ riff-raff.”

Skrie reached into her belt pouch, pulling out enough coins to rent the suite for four days.

Garrick, looking like he still felt the effects of the night before, took a key from Ermina and went to recover his belongings. The others followed, gathering their gear and moving to the suite. They spent the rest of the afternoon discussing how to spend the next four days.

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