Episode 29: Playing Polo

The group takes a long rest at the Crimson Drum. They are awoken by a strange rumbling noise overhead, followed by the sound of the bookcase being moved at the top of the hidden stairway. The group discusses their next move, realizing they have been discovered. Kika insists that the hidden room is impenetrable, but Ridley argues that the door probably wouldn't withstand a Fireball. As the door is assaulted, they eventually agree that Kika and Ridley will teleport up onto the ground floor of the inn using the Ring of Dimension Door to distract whoever is outside, while Fan and Milla guard Luciana and Frederick in the hidden room, waiting for the all-clear from their teammates.

Kika and Ridley are immediately spotted by a guard and engaged in combat by a heavily armored blue tiefling wielding a glaive. Kika calls for help from Fan, who picks up their captives and barrels out of the hidden room as Milla opens the door. The group defeats the tiefling and his four guards - four of the five shot dead by a Frightened Kika. They discover a Sending bracelet on the tiefling, indicating that he was sent by the Enforcers.

Kika apologises to Ivana for bringing this trouble to her home. Ivana reveals that the tiefling told her the party were kidnappers and had brought two abducted law enforcement officers into her inn behind her back. Kika admits doing so, and leaves when she realizes she betrayed the friendly woman's trust. She apologises once more to a closed, locked door, before the group leaves, taking the bodies of the defeated guards with them to dump elsewhere.

After dumping the bodies along the road to Gladeston, the party discusses their next move. Kika expresses concern that they only have 10 days of rations, and no idea how far their destination outside the Barrier may be from Panterra. Fan agrees that they should probably acquire more food and water, especially considering how their vision of the outside of the Barrier resembled a barren desert. Ridley is nervous about stopping anywhere else, but agrees Kika has a point. They agree to stop in Gladeston so Kika can get advice from Faelan and the group can stock up on supplies.

On the road, Kika continues to investigate the violin and Frederick, eventually realizing he resembles the Lady Blanka du Blois, the patron of the orphanage at which she was abused. He refuses to answer her when asked if he knows the Lady, though, and Kika drops it.