Fetch and Tyris ended the evening early. They lost track of Surry and Dahana , the last they saw of the half elf and the Erinyes, they were talking to some big burly mercenary military types. Fetch managed to see Dietrch get into a shoving match with one of Ulla's body guards. The man with the red tunic shoved the Walrus knight across the room and into a pillar. The normally sturdy Dietrch was knocked silly in one blow while Yasmina went hysterical and tended to his injuries. Fetch thought about stopping his aide and saving Dietrch from his fate , but then shrugged. He probably couldn't stop Ferdinand's prediction anyway.
The carriage they rented earlier was again ready for them when they left . Fetch reluctantly tipped the servants at the mansion to retrieve it. He wasn't completely broke but he knew his funds were stretched to their limit. He enjoyed the estates that Reinhardt had gifted him, but he knew he could not afford them. Even after dismissing the staff at the city manor, taxes would be in a few months and he wasn't sure if he was able to keep his properties. His captain job paid well, but would not support his estates. His arena money was a nice bonus but he gave most of it away. Fetch already noticed that the interest in his matches were already waning.
"Is everything alright?", asked Tyris as she noticed the worried expression on Fetch.
Fetch nodded and gave a brave smile. The thought of adopting a tiefling child would be another obstacle to hurdle. He wasn't why Tyris picked tiefling but thought Baalphzon and sister Wayland had something to do with it. Most likely the imp donated the money in his name, the sister was overjoyed at the donation and then paid a personal visit to his household. Fetch assumed she met Tyris and they talked, and she convinced her to adopt from the orphanage he was a patron of .
Fetch looked at his wife , and she was humming and all smiles. He could see the impatience of waiting for the next day on her normally impassive face. Fetch sighed, he would find someway to overcome this obstacle. Maybe fight in the arena some more, or work for one of Clovis's companies.
As Fetch was deep in thought in the carriage, he saw that most of the revelers were still active in the streets. Everyone was in bright and decorative tunics. Entertainers of various sorts were active in all the corners of the street. There were lots of public drinking but few violent incidents during the celebrations.
Suddenly a black carriage pulled by 4 black horses and fiery hooves sped past Fetch's carriage. The driver was barely able to control the panicked horses as their cart was almost ran off the road.
The driver swore at the other carriage in a youthful voice." Damn drunks! Can't you see I'm carrying important people here!"
Tyris stared out the window at the retreating carriage , seemingly smelling the air. She then stuck her head out of the side window of the carriage. "Follow that carriage. Don't lose him", she uncharacteristically shouted.
Fetch could not see the youth driving the carriage, but he could tell he was smiling, "Yes ma'am...Let me remind you , you're renting by the hour."
Fetch wasn't sure why they were following this particular carriage. There were rumors of a black carriage kidnapping people at night, but over half the carriages in town were black. Even the one they were currently in was black. Not all used horses due to the cities effect it had on them, but magical enchantments and even construct horses were used. He watched the other carriage speed away and was amazed that their driver was able to keep up.
He turned to Tyris to inquire about her thoughts and was startled when he saw she was fully dressed in her dark combat armor. No sign of the evenings festivities were on her, save her jewelry and the make up that still clung alluringly to her face. He was about to mention her lack of weapons ,but she flicked her wrists and produced a curious pair of wooden daggers . She placed them on her belt and flicked her wrists again , producing her more familiar rapier and parrying dagger.
Fetch knew this wasn't going to end well. He took off his tunic , and put a simple chain shirt he had in his magic bag over it. He retrieved his hammer and shield from the bag and was ready for battle if it arose. He wasn't 100% ready, but knew he could put up quite a fight.
Tyris stared at the carriage in front of them, and saw them heading to the dock districts. The district was the busiest early in the evening but most of the revelers had left for safer and classier parties as the evening dragged on. Only a few whores and taverns showed any signs of celebrations. "Slow down please driver."
"The name is Zax, and if you ever need to rent my carriage again, I'll throw in a discount." , said the young man. Fetch stuck his head out and saw that their driver was just a boy. Maybe 13 or 14. He appeared unremarkable but his skin was reddish orange with a few minor scales on it. Earlier in the evening Fetch thought he was just dressed in costume for the Fall festival but he realized now he was a tiefling.
The first carriage stopped along the road, and Zax pulled and stopped a fair distance behind it. "So you want to rough those guys up for almost running us off the road, I have a grom club under the seat. I'm a member of the militia and I know how to use it. I also know some Thavate fighting from the docks. For a few gold I'll give them a thrashing for you.", offered Zax. He turned around and saw the woman was gone and the man was dressed for serious warfare. "Oh...I see...for a couple of gold I'll forget everything I saw tonight I mean."
Tyris had vanished and Fetch readied his hammer. He still wasn't sure what was going on, but he was going to back up his wife whatever she did. He chuckled at the thought of tomorrows news. " Crazed captain beats up revelers. Kidnapped driver tells his tales! "
Fetch's eyes were use to the dark, but he was still human. There were limits to what he could see. Zax sensed his passenger was having trouble seeing , and he whispered what he saw to Fetch.
"A well dressed man is leaving the carriage ...hes approaching 2 ladies of the night. One is kind of ugly ,Ludmilla ..the other is really hot, Karolina ...I know both you know, if you tire of your lady friend I can get you good rates...ummm...thats wierd ,Ludmilla fell asleep or something, and Karolina is walking towards the well dressed man. Without discussing rates...Something wierd is up.", said Zax.
"Hey , this is getting really weird. Why are we waiting here? What happened to your friend?...errr you aren't the black carriage murderer are you? You didn't get rid of her did you? Oh my god, you guys work in teams don't you? You're just waiting for your buddy !", said Zax nervously.
Fetch produced a gold coin and held his finger to his lips. Zax made it vanish in a second, and the child seemed happy regardless of what was happening.
"The well dressed man and Karolina are heading to the cart. Wait...WOW...you won't believe it . The man fell to the ground , and it looks like he's evaporating, a woman with dark armor and dark red hair is standing above him. ", said Zax nervously. "LOOK OUT!" he suddenly cried.
Even through the darkness, Fetch could make out strange hunched creatures exiting the carriage. They didn't leave through the door, but climbed from the roof, from underneath, and from behind the carriage. There were about half a dozen and they were gibbering in angry tones.
It was not a language that Fetch recognized, and he suspected it wasn't a language at all. Regardless of their tongue, Fetch knew they were up to no good. He knew Tyris didn't need any help, but the women identified as Karolina and possibly Ludmilla were probably in danger. He filled his weapon with divine power and tossed the fist of Rawk towards the nearest creature. The hammer crushed the monster and flung it against the carriage behind it. The carriage creaked and fell at an odd angle from the impact. Fetch couldn't be sure, but he suspected he destroyed a wheel as well as the creature with his attack.
The street suddenly became a battle ground, as the three of the remaining creatures charged Fetch and Zax. The horses drawing the carriage shook off their reigns and galloped towards the cleric as well. Fetch remembered the Narzugon rode horses like these when he fought the Infernal legion. These seem less impressive then the ones he fought before though.
Fetch saw Zax attempting to scramble away from the attacking horde. He had dropped both his grom club and his gold coin. "Zax? Do you worship any gods? Tell me quick."
Zax stammered nervously,"Koryis... the sisters taught me to worship Koryis."
Fetch scratched his head , oblivious to the charging impending danger, "Ummm...I forget...is he or she a good god or something?"
Zax cried "YES! Hes the god of good and healing! " , the young tiefling looked for an avenue of escape, but he doubt he could out run the grey creatures, and definitely not the horses who were practically flying.
Fetch nodded and intoned a word of holiness. The grey creatures shrieked as Fetch was bathed in a white aura. Their skin was blasted from their bones and they fell to the ground as bleached skeletons. The horses neighed and reared back, they appeared to begin disintegrating in front of the surprised Tiefling , they vanished before he could blink. Only their falling fiery horseshoes were proof of their existence.
Zax breathed heavily , a cold sweat soaked his drivers uniform. Fetch walked towards Tyris and saw the 2 other grey beasts were slain by her rapier. A shriveled corpse in a finely tailored suit was slowly dissolving on the ground. A wooden blade was plunged into his heart. Tyris was cleaning her rapier clinically and examining the carriage for any more attackers.
Fetch saw that Karolina or whatever her name was in a trance, and that Ludmila was in an unnatural sleep. He could not stir her with shakes or prods.
Tyris retrieved a box and a book from the carriage, she slapped Ludmila hard and the large whore began to stir awake. She paused next to Karolina and produced a small vial . She splashed some of the liquid onto the beautiful courtesan's face and she suddenly snapped out of her trance. She seemed to have just awaken from a light sleep.
"Vampires...", Tyris said spitefully . She severed the shriveled creatures head and anointed the neck with the liquid she used on Karolina. The head shrunk more and the cleric could see a satisfied look on his wife's face. Fetch had seen her angry before , but seldom with so much hatred. He wondered if they were an important part of her mysterious past.
Several members of the town guard had arrived after they heard the unnatural shrieking . "Stop ! Step away from those women! Wait..its Captain Fetch, the one with the evil eye! ...whoa what happened here?"
Zax had recovered his cool. " That guy stopped the black carriage murderer! He's a hero! For a gold I'll tell you how he did it !"
Fetch was annoyed. He hoped to have been able to loot the Vampire and his carriage , but the guard and a large crowd of people had arrived and swarmed the undead corpse and his vehicle. . Zax was telling the tale of their exploits. How a brave young tiefling noticed a mysterious carriage and followed it. How the mighty Captain Fetch destroyed the said carriage with a flick of his enchanted hammer, and how he destroyed the rushing hordes with a single word power. Fetch considered his words, and was surprised it was a fairly accurate tale except the part of how they noticed the carriage.
Tyris merged with the crowd, and all attention was directed to the cleric. He was pretty easily distinguishable with his tall build, his warrior chain shirt , and his massive hammer. The dead vampire and the 2 slain ghouls were proof of his deed. The bleached bones of the other ghouls and the still hot horseshoes of the nightmares confirmed Zax's tale. The young tiefling made a lot of coin telling and retelling his tale that night.
Fetch gave a quick report to the patrol leader. They were all in awe of the hero in their midst. For years the black carriage killer was unstoppable. Their new captain only arrived in town a mere 2 weeks ago , and had casually dispatched him. Fetch waved for Zax to take him home, when he saw Tyris shift nervously and impatiently. No sense getting her more annoyed when she was in a killing mood.
Zax beat back the crowds with his grom club, and happily drove the pair back. Despite the money he made, he took the money from Fetch for his extended service, then hurried back to the Governor's mansion . He hoped he would be able to make it back in time to retrieve Surry and the dark angel , if not then another customer.
Tyris took the book and the box she recovered and immediately headed for the study. She told Fetch to cast detections on the objects and she immediately began studying them. Fetch didn't notice any dangerous auras on them, but was more surprised at how obsessed his wife had become. Tyris retrieved maps of the city and began circling possible lair locations around the city. The normally passive Bard seemed determined to root them out and destroy them. She would find out if there were more, and would systematically wipe them out.
She must really hate vampires, Fetch thought as he watched his wife .
Tyris plotted through out the night . She gathered whatever information she could about sewers, graveyards, and the carriage murders. The library in the manor was extensive, but lacked much of the information she needed. When Trip returned , the tireless warforged immediately assisted her in cataloging and rating the probability of various city locations holding vampire nests.
Trip appeared to have experience fighting vampires as wells. He began modifying his crossbow bolts by unscrewing their metal heads off them . He also replaced his normal dragon golem shot with silver balls instead. He made a note to get Henrietta to enchant them tomorrow morning.
Fetch watched them late into the night. Early in the morning Surry had returned to their residence, she was tipsy but not completely drunk. She was amazed that the others were still awake, and curious about what they were doing.
"Long story short, they're making a list to hunt vampires.", shrugged Fetch.
Surry shrugged, tired and tipsy from the night's activities. "Oh sounds like you guys had a good time, you guys missed Dietrch getting drunk and making out with Yasmina giggle . I didn't expect that , I don't think Yasmina expected that too. You should have seen the look on his face. Anyways I'm crashing. I'm gonna say don't do anything stupid...but I'm about 45 years too late for that."
Fetch woke up at noon. He wasn't that tired from the night before, he had lots of rest in the library . He saw that Tyris and Trip were both gone. He hoped they weren't going to do anything dangerous, hopefully there were just investigating the local lore some more, but he had his doubts. They were both probably knee deep in undead right now.
Only a simple note saying "Out hunting, will be back for supper", indicated their intentions.
Fetch enjoyed the fact that this manor had its own bathing room, and he was quickly refreshed and dressed. He hoped to find his wife and the warforged soon and hook up with them. How hard would it be too find a woman that can vanish at will and a 3 foot wooden man in this city?
Fetch made his way to the kitchen and saw Baalphzon and Surry waiting for him. Surry was dressed in her green and white traveling tunic . Baalphzon had one of his better tunics readied for him.
"Hey , what's this? I have to find Tyris and Trip right away , they might need me.", Surry smiled at Fetch's suggestion, but Baalphzon's stare dispelled her mood.
"You're late for your appointment at the orphanage . Put on this tunic and let's go.", the imp said impatiently.
Fetch stopped, his wife was fighting vampires and his familiar wanted him to pick out an orphan instead, "Hey, I think we can pick out an orphan some other time, Tyris and Trip will need my help, last time I checked Vampires are pretty tough."
Baalphzon hissed, "Look, because of your donations, you're the patron of the orphanage. I made an appointment for you and Tyris to show up today, it would look bad if neither one of you shows up . It pains me to bring this up, but your wife just lost a child remember, and she was looking forward to adopt a child till this undead obsession reared its ugly head . We both know she's off her rocker. Though no one will admit it , for fear of getting sliced to ribbons. Now we can goto the orphanage , make you look good, make a bunch of social misfits happy, and more importantly provide something to ground your wife to a normal reality . Or we can feed her insanity and add fire to her chaotic life and go help her hunt vampires. If you think you can do this another day think again. Let me remind you of a certain package you were suppose to deliver to Veb. Its like what 40 years late now ? Also...its day time...vampires sleep at this time. The danger you believe your wife is in, is way overblown. It's your choice master."
Fetch looked at the imp, "Wait a minute...you made the appointment with Lady Wayland? Not Tyris?"
Baalphzon returned the look, with a cold edge. "Yes, is that a problem?"
Fetch threw up his hands, "This is stupid, I'm the high cleric of Rawk . I'm suppose to beat down monsters , lead armies into war. Not pick out an orphan to appease my wife and familiar. And technically the package is only three years late...Okay, okay you win...let's make this quick. I'm only doing this for Tyris."
Surry meekly raised her hand,"Do I have to come along? Like I don't even feel like a part of their family. "
Baalphzon shot her a stinging gaze.
Surry corrected herself, "I mean , lets go ...those orphans are waiting!"
Fetch , Surry and Baalphzon arrived at the Koryis home for Wayward infernal children late in the afternoon. It appeared to be a proud and well maintained structure, but Fetch could tell the locals shunned the place.
"Eww...I didn't know we were going to a Tiefling orphanage. ", whispered Surry. "No offense Baalphzon, but these guys are more poverty prone then us elves and half elves. At least people find us good looking. These guys are lower on the social strata then troglodytes. They hire trogs for garbage collection and the military. Tieflings are only employed as adventurer's and...prostitutes..."
Baalphzon nodded, "I know all of this. This dimension is actually more open then others about them. Many dimensions they are killed on sight. . Why do you think invading devil armies always have a steady stream of tieflings to hire. They are normally disenchanted and bitter about the societies that cast them out. Only certain planar cities treat them with a measure of respect. And even in those places they are at the bottom of the heap. That's why we are here. We're gonna give one miserable little brat a chance and see if he can make something out of this opportunity."
Surry looked at Baalphzon and his speech, "Wow, you really are passionate about these guys? You have some tiefling kids or something? I'm not going to ask if you fell in love with one, because we both know that's impossible with you. Do you need a protegee to teach your special skills to or something. Want to climb onto a basket on ones back and bark orders, when Fetch isn't around? "
Baalphzon ignored the elf , as they approached the building.
"Your assessment isn't entirely true Baalphzon. I met a tiefling yesterday , he was running his own carriage business or something. ", said Fetch.
"I'm sure he's doing a good job and gouging all his customers too,"said Baalphzon," I didn't say they couldn't run their own businesses. I'm just saying nobody else would hire them. Not even other tieflings . Follow the logic here, I know its hard for you, if you can't get a legitimate job how are you going to afford your own business? You'll most likely end up broke, get recruited into the next lower planar horde that attacks, get their asses handed to them, and if you're lucky enough to survive, you head back to the slums. Its an endless cycle of poverty, war, defeat and more poverty. "
Fetch sighed and hoped their business here would be concluded quickly. He would pick the least offensive looking tiefling here, and get him to work with Trip or something. Maybe he could make him self useful and clean the manor .
Lady Wayland awaited them at the top of the steps. She was as radiant as she was last night, and all three companions were taken back by her beauty. She was not amused at their tardiness. " You're late. Even after I reminded you last night about your appointment. The children have been waiting all morning , and most of the afternoon. This is why they are cynics about the rest of the world. People give them hope, then take it away from them. Where is your wife, I would have expected her to come at least."
Fetch began to point at Surry and hope for the ruse to work , but the elf shot him a "I'll kill you if you point to me look." , "My wife is busy with unexpected errands. This is my familiar Baalphzon, and my dau...err my friend Surry. She's a distant relation or something, and decided to help me pick out an orphan."
Lady Wayland shook her head, "You aren't here to pick out a puppy or something like that. There are real children in there. They've been kicked around by society for the entire lives. I 've heard tales that you've dismissed your staff from your manor in town. If I find out that you are adopting children only to have cheap labour, I'll bring the wrath of Koryis on you."
Lady Wayland stared menacingly at the trio. An uneasy silence filled the room.
The cleric of Koryis then took a deep breath, "I'm sorry . I'm being disrespectful. I thank you for your time and hope you choose a child that will bring you and your wife, err companion happiness. Even if you make them clean stables its still a better life then they would have here. I hope you serve as an example to other nobles to help those in need. Whatever you do, please try to act civil to them. Even if you make one child happy. I have at least 30 more who will go to sleep heartbroken. "
Fetch and Surry considered the clerics pleas and nodded.
Fetch entered the orphanage, and was surprised to hear children playing. He expected some sinister pit of vipers or something, he did not expect the children here to be acting so much like ...children.
"Sinister pit of vipers...only full blooded devils grow up in those.", laughed Baalphzon mentally in his mind.
Despite their normal behavior, they were clearly tieflings. Most sported scales or horns, some were odd colored, some even had tails or vestigial wings. The most warped tieflings had beaks , extra shriveled arms, and one even sported a tentacle. Despite their deformities they acted like normal children . He expected doomed filled children from the way Baalphzon and Lady Wayland talked , but they seemed quite normal and happy to Fetch.
"We thank you for your generous donations for the last 2 weeks. We've been able to properly clothe and feed them . We even fixed the roof. Winter is coming soon. I'll leave you alone with the children for awhile. I'll be in the back room if you need me or if you decide on a child .", said the cleric of Koryis.
Fetch wondered how much of his winnings actually went to these orphans. He didn't think the Lady Wayland was taking advantage of them, but he wondered if Baalphzon kept a larger then expected portion. He had won 6 thousand or so from his battles in the arena. That seemed more then enough for these 30 orphans.
"You wound me master, but I appreciate that you still regard me as a force of evil, but trust me I'm big E evil, not small e evil. Stealing money from orphans is beneath me. ", laughed the imp mentally,"To answer your question, You actually donated 8500, from your match winnings and your share of the original bets we placed on you. I did some investigating of my own , a large portion of your donation went to debt repayments the orphanage has incured over the years, also back taxes and a fund for future taxes. Tax season is only 4 months away you know. I suggest you get ready yourself."
As Baalphzon and Fetch mentally communicated. Fetch could hear several of the children converse amongst themselves.
"No one wants us...no one is gonna adopt any of us...look at us ...we're ugly!"
"We're not ugly. Sister Elanor said we're all beautiful !"
"She's a saint , of course she'll say that. She say's shes not beautiful either. She's too humble to be a judge of good looks."
"I bet Insector wouldn't care how we look . I bet he's a tiefling under that mask!"
"Insector is great. No one pushes him around. I bet that evil Warmaster and his buddy Frank wouldn't push him around."
"The warmaster isn't evil! He's a hero! Isn't he?"
"Hero to everyone but us. He kills tieflings ! I never heard of him killing halflings or elves...he just kills monsters and tieflings!"
"Booooooo...we hate the warmaster."
Surry looked at Fetch and winked, "Wow, they're angels! Now I want one!"
Fetch feigned a shrug , but she waved a hand over his face. Suddenly he was wearing his Insector mask. "They were waiting all morning for you. At least entertain them ! "
Before Fetch could protest, she entered the room, "Greetings children! I have a special guest for you! Direct from the arena, the terrible and bloodthirsty INSECTOR!"
The children gasped as Fetch fumbled into the room and waved meekly. They immediately swarmed him and asked him for questions and autographs.
"Are you a tiefling?"
"I'm from parts unknown .I can not reveal what race I am."
"Can you spit poison?"
"No, but I've had poison spat into my face before.
"Who would win in a fight? You or the Warmaster? "
"It would be a tie."
"How many guys have you killed?"
"More then I can remember or count."
"What's the scariest thing you've fought?"
"Yeenoghu demon prince of gnolls."
"Can we touch your hammer?"
"Sure you can even hold it, but be careful its heavy."
The children gathered around the hammer, and struggled to lift it. Their mood was definitely lifted from this encounter. As Fetch watched them, he felt a bit ashamed . A little while ago he considered selecting a child based solely on his looks and his ability to clean. He looked at the happy playing children and wondered what they were like 2 weeks ago. Without food, proper shelter, or even proper clothing. He disliked his role in the arena, but was glad some good came out of it.
Fetch looked at the orphans and wondered if he was actually going to chose one. Baalphzon was right, if he avoided this decision it would be like so many other important things in his life he ignored and never got done. Visiting the church of his god, delivering the package to Veb, even actually marrying his wife. He wanted to do all of them, but his time always seemed directed elsewhere. Tyris had talked to him about adopting for almost 3 years now, but it was always put off. His typical excuse was "wait till they moved to Lower Lueders and their life settled down ."
"Good one master...life settle down indeed...haha..", laughed the imp.
Fetch reluctantly agreed. Trouble always seemed to follow him. Last night he went to a party, the next thing you know his daughter is making out with a devil consort, he's battling a mass murder in the streets, and his wife ran off with his mechanical butler to hunt vampires. The madness never ends it seems , best to choose a child now and hope for the best.
Surry seemed to be having great fun with the children. It didn't surprise Fetch, she grew up under similar circumstances as most of the orphans here. They were all victims of poverty. Fetch was painfully reminded how he inadvertently abandoned Brita and her children. He wasn't sure, but he guessed he probably slew some of these children's relatives when he battled the Great Horde, and Duke Ari's legion.
As Surry led the children into a song about some mythical fiery unarmed specialist dwarven halfbreed troll, Fetch noticed a small girl off to the side sitting by herself, oblivious to the song of the other children. She was drawing something on it. Fetch was curious and walked to the waif to see what she was drawing . He guessed a picture of Surry or even Insector. The girl looked up as she felt Fetch approach, she looked normal save light bluish hair, a small tail and minor horns. She looked up and smiled and continued her drawing. It was a crude sketch of a boy holding hands with a girl with a tail and horns, like herself.
Fetch asked her what it was, but she just smiled and continued drawing. Fetch wasn't sure why but she reminded him of Tyris. He brushed her hair and she half expected her to leap onto his head and punch him with lightning swift blows. She instead smiled at him and continued her art.
"Her name is Sharliss. ", said Lady Wayland behind him. "All the other children call her Hush for obvious reasons. She's lead a particularly hard life. I personally rescued her from a brothel, If you can believe that. I've been in wars , battles, dungeons, but the depravity of some people still manage to surprise me. "
Hush smiled at the cleric of Koryis , and reached up for her. Lady Wayland picked her up and lifted her up for Fetch to get a closer look. "Say hello Hush. Show the nice insect man you can still speak."
"Hello.", she said with a smile.
Fetch's heart melted and his decision was made.
Before they left Surry planted a seed in the middle of the orphanage's courtyard . She sprinkled some glowing dust on it and a fruit tree sprung from it. Fetch was in awe, he didn't really take this elven Treekeeper buisness seriously but Surry's power was plainly evident for all to see.
"Being Treekeeper, has its advantages .", winked the half elf.
Fetch told the children that he would get free tickets to the arena delivered to them. Baalphzon personally guaranteed that he would deliver the tickets by tomorrow.
The children cheered at their 3 new heroes , but Lady Wayland was against taking her wards to watch people kill each other. It seemed to make the children happy though and she relented to the gift.
The papers were quickly drawn up , and Fetch took the quiet girl back to his manor. Surry took an instant liking to the orphan , and proudly declared her as her new sister. Even Baalphzon was charmed by the child. He wondered what type of demonic or infernal heritage she descended from. Upon closer inspection , not only did she have a small tail and small horns, but odd powder blue eyes. Also 4 small vestigial wings were on her back but they were easily concealed.
When they reached the manor, Fetch was disappointed that Trip and Tyris had not returned yet. Normally Trip or Tyris did the cooking, but it looked like it would fall upon him. He dreaded having to cook. He was not a good cook, but was much better then Surry or Baalphzon. The elf and the imp were busy preparing Sharliss's room while Fetch prepared their meager supper.
The 4 ate without their 2 companions. Baalphzon took his leave to get the orphanage the tickets he promised them. Surry left as well to attend to her Grove.
Fetch waited with the small girl in the study for Trip and Tyris returned. The girl seemed to adjust fairly well, she was curious about her surroundings but at least wasn't running amok or getting into too much trouble. The evening dragged on , but no sign of the warforge or his wife appeared.