Just rewards

Walking out into the streets of Faquorian was far less jovial than it had been the day prior. The imps and other lesser demons didn't create any dramatic damage to buildings, but there was alot of mischievous destruction of stalls, boxes, windows and the like. The cost of repairs would probably be a sink in the economy for a while you surmise. Of course, that wasn't the biggest loss. The real damage was loss of life; that was Diamant's goal after losing Trevolia. A triage had been established outside the small cities sole church. Lacking supplies and training, it had been mostly a place to gather the dead and the dying. A few souls of strong moral character who had sustained minor injuries were providing assistance. Compelled, you walked slowly to see this all to yourself. Your friends follow suit in quiet respect. The princess, having been protected from such calamities and nearly anything bad her entire life, is visibly shaken. You're not much better off, perhaps only more skilled at masking.

"Silve?" Trevolia asks "are we doing the right thing?"

"What do you mean?" You ask

"Well, this is all on us. I caught you, I fled and got wrapped up in the first whif of familiarity I could find; you save me and everything goes to the Ten Hells, literally, because of it. Because of us. Is what we're doing worth it? For all we know, Skald could be preparing to wage war because we ran away."

"No" you reply softly but confidently "If that is happening, Skald is preparing to wage war because of the promises your family made."

Joan piped in "Promises, I would add, that would strip you of your autonomy and what little voice you had in order to maintain appearances and power."

Trevolia nodded "You're right, I guess. I just can't help but feel like we're doing more harm than good. I love being out of the castle and the things I've learned, and I love all four of you, but, maybe we're going about this wrong."

"What would you suggest?" You ask humorously "Get a plot of land, work a farm like some strange family, work dawn till dusk, make love to each other every night?"

Clodagh interjects "I don't think we'd ever get anything done."

"It would be a waste of our talents." Lita added "most of all, young princess, seclusion would rob the world of your caring heart and your great intellect. What we did last night was a net gain. Lord Diamant's outburst was inevitable. Had you secluded yourselves or not been here, the destruction would have been far, far worse."

"Thank you all" Trevolia replied with a smile, gently patting her eyes with her sleeve "You're right. So what if we never have a home again? We have each other, and we have the promise of adventure. Wherever we are, is where we need to be."

Slightly alarmed, you all turn as one of the city guards rushes towards you "Ey, I remember you lot. You helped put that bastard Diamant down! Saved the whole bloody town"

You feel a squeeze on your arm, and look to see that Joan was responsible. Looking in her eyes, you see her implied point.

"Let's keep it down, okay? Yes, that was us. It doesn't need to be a big deal, especially in front of all of these people. We were just passing through."

"Well, don't go anywhere. The governor needs to speak with you."

Obliged, you stay still, and see the guard run off again to the other side of the pavilion. He gets the attention of someone in an ornate purple robe, pointing in your direction, the senior woman walks slowly, gingerly to me.

"Good morning" She says with a gentle bow "I've been hearing quite the story over the course of the evening and into the morning. There was a demonic cult in my city this whole time, that one of you knew about, and another of you was to be a victim of, and in the marauding chaos, I have an orcish bard, a drow archer, a tiefling sorcerer, and two beautiful human women to thank for killing the leader of the cult, Diamant, who in his madness proclaimed himself a demonic King Diamant."

"Ya, that about sums it up" You reply simply. What they don't know is probably for the best

"I wouldn't believe the story had I not heard it from my Captains, who were told emphatically of the story by their guards. Such a story would scarcely be believed by anyone else. We cannot thank you enough here, which is why I wish to send you to Lien, to meet our young King. Your story will be documented for the annals of history, and he will grant you a reward far greater than anything I can grant." You notice Trevolia look at Joan slyly. She for her part made no outward sign of having remorse for theft under the auspices of no reward. All eyes turn to you, being the one most suited and trained in diplomatic and persuasive speaking.

"That is gracious, Governor, but our business leads us elsewhere, and we wouldn't wish to bother the King for a reward."

"Nonsense," The governor replied, calm but insistent "The lad is but a year away from becoming a man. He is inexperienced but wishes to learn, and to eager to show his subjects that he is as much the capable leader his father was. Your presence before him will be well worth the trip, for all involved. Besides, saving a town is no small feat, especially from the peril that you faced. Walking away empty handed would be a crime in of itself."