Something Gentler Than a Sword

Where we stopped. On and above the cold water of the lake to the north, early in the afternoon of the day after the festival. Sirius has just burst out of the lake on his wings with a sack in his arms. There is a girl inside it, alive, just: he laid a hand on her under the water and she didn't die. We think she is Aragal's daughter. Nobody has opened the sack yet. Bluto is in the water below, hurt, and sinking slowly. Lily is swimming out from the end of the jetty, Osric is rowing a borrowed boat towards Sirius, Clancy stands at the jetty's end, and Fëanor and Drew are on the pier, Clover on Drew's shoulder. Out on the lake, a second boat full of fishermen sits perfectly still, and none of them has moved since we arrived.

What changed today. Ireena swore her oath in the roofless church, after a sermon from Sirius that he had invited the whole town to and doesn't remember arranging. Her first words as burgomistress made the Reformation Center a hospital and opened her door to everyone. Then she paid us 200 gold, called it an investment, and offered 200 more to bring the wine back from the winery. She also told us Vallaki used to fish this lake, and that fishing it again would feed the town. Urwin's wife and children went to the winery when the vampires came, and nothing has come back from there since: no letters and no wine. A letter came for "the party", left at the west gate by a Vistani traveller, about a tower on the smaller lake to the west, which Ireena says is called Lake Baratok. We went shopping, and were happy for an hour. Then the smith at Thimdul's told us Bluto had had a doll filled with lead shot so that it would sink. At the Vistani camp, two hours north, Aragal's daughter had been missing since the morning. At the lake, Bluto threw a screaming sack over the side of his boat when he saw an angel coming at him.

What we carry. Nesting dolls from Blinsky's, bought for the girl. Eighty gold each, more or less, now that Lady Wachter's chest and Ireena's 200 have finally been divided. Two mending draughts from Third Eye, a healer's kit and some mustard poultice. Tin whistles for everyone, which Fëanor can play two at a time. The letter for the party, which Drew has read. The twins' research, the orb of silence and the locket, all still with us.

The plan, in our own words. Get the sack to the shore, open it, and find out who is inside. Sirius means to try to save Bluto too. Drew wants a look at the bank and the jetty, to see where Bluto set off from and what he left behind. If it is Aragal's daughter, we take her home to the camp. The lake is still haunted, and Ireena wants it fished again. Back in Vallaki, Blinsky's two dolls will be ready in two days, the Ravens still haven't heard a word from us, and Ireena still hasn't written to her brother. Then west, for the winery and Urwin's family, with the tower on its lake somewhere on the way.

Bear in mind. We slept properly last night, at the Blue Water. Sirius has spent his shield of faith on the sermon and a little of his healing touch on the girl, and his wings won't last much longer. Drew has one more of her new spells in her. Osric has used his second wind on the oars. The girl has almost nothing left. The lake is cold enough to feel in your bones, and it is three hours' walk back to Vallaki with the light going early.

Standing orders. Never harm a raven. Nobody opens the locket. Never go upstairs in the Baron's house. Don't say the twins' words near Izek. And, from the devil himself: do not be boring.