Doing the work

While you wait for your scouts to arrange the meeting, you and the girls get settled in. You find that most of them can move about the city with no problems, especially with the Order’s presence gone. You yourself stay hidden, as the bounty notices calling for your capture are still up. Though you doubt you would have any trouble escaping a capture attempt by the locals, you would rather avoid causing the disturbance.

And so, you stay inside, sparring with Ferra and chatting with the girls. The others take advantage of their relative anonymity to explore the city a bit, and they keep you informed as best they can. They all tell you much the same as the scouts, that tensions are high, and the noble troops are on edge.

On the third day, you receive word that Lira will see you. She doesn’t know who she’s meeting with, just that it’s someone high up in the resistance hierarchy. She also insists that you come unarmed, though you can bring a guard. When you’re told that, you laugh, knowing Ferra can protect you better than you could.

You send word back that you will meet with her the next day. In the meantime, you talk with Melora, to ensure that you’re not walking into some kind of trap. The seer assures you that she sees no problems arising from the meeting, though she can’t see many details. Still, you’re reassured, and so are the girls.

The next day, you make your way to the Gitanna house, wearing a deep hood to hide your face. You get a few strange looks, but no one seems to take much interest. Ferra, meanwhile, is dressed normally, and the redhead golem girl gets plenty of attention from people passing by, as always. In the end, you arrive at the walled manor with no issues, and when you inform the guards at the gate that you have an appointment with Lira, they let you inside. One of them leads you to the house, and at the door you’re met by a middle aged woman. She waves the guard away as you and Ferra approach.

Clearly, this is Lira Gitanna. She doesn’t cut a particularly impressive figure, being nearly as short as Ferra, and quite thin. She has clearly aged gracefully, however, and is still quite attractive, with long brown hair and intelligent, piercing brown eyes. She crosses her arms and looks at you.

“Remove your hood. I would know who I am speaking with. I’m taking a big risk even allowing you here.”

You chuckle, pulling your hood back. “I could say the same, walking unarmed into your compound.”

Her eyes widen as she sees your face, clearly recognizing you immediately. She recovers quickly, however. “So, the leader of the rebels himself. Interesting. Come inside, let’s talk.”

Without another word, she turns and walks into the house, and you follow. Despite her surprise, she apparently is ready to talk, which is a good sign. And there’s not an ambush waiting inside, so you hope you’re on the right track.