- Job Details:
- Job Title: Finding the Link
Rank: B
Player Requirements: 4500 word requirement if solo. 7500 if more than one wizard. Must have at least 1 Rank B+ wizard in the group. At least one wizard must have completed prior Questline: The Plague
Job Requirements: Search for clues and open the locked chest in the underground room.
Job Location: East Forest
Job Description: You’ve received word that the robed figure was identified as a hermit who lives in the East Forest, and are sent there to investigate. If your character is known for not having detective skills, it is suggested that you bring someone who does. In the forest you discover a hut of sorts. Inside it looks like any other hermit hut, but you know it isn’t. You need to look for any clues, hints, or evidence that might help you discover exactly who this man was, as well as what he was a part of.
Hut description: Looking from outside the hut you see what appears to be a flower bed against the wall that is filled with weeds, and other overgrowth. There is some damage on the structure as well that hasn’t been fixed, including small holes in the roof. There’s a well with moss overgrowing, though the well itself seems to be fully functional. All in all it seems as if it hasn’t been used for a while. At least, it would if it weren’t for the door. Opening it you find that it’s been used frequently, and inside you see pots where the rain would fall in.
There is enough room to move around in, with few furniture. There is a thin bookshelf, a small bed, a small desk with no chair, a chest, and curtains blocking the windows both outside the hut and inside. The material of the house is not very strong, and appears to be outdated. Outside weather has damaged much. Most of the books in the bookshelf have been damaged, as well as all the notes on the desk.
Findable Clues:
Spell tome (Easy to find Clue): There is one book that is slightly damaged but you are able to make out the cover and it’s title, somewhat. The color of it, although dulled from weather, appears to have been some shade of purple with silver designs. You can see some of the letters and although you can’t make it out, it is clear that this book is related to magic.
Ingredients (Difficult to find Clue): In the chest, on the desk, and completely surrounding the hut itself whether in the flower bed or forest around, there are many different ingredients used for alchemy. Some easily known, some ordinary items, and some rarely known used for alchemy. If the wizard is an expert in alchemy, or at least the knowledge, it is possible for them to determine that most of the ingredients are used for paralysis or sleep. If the wizard is extremely knowledgeable in alchemy, then they’ll know that some of the ingredients are key to creating a memory erase potion.
Pink Slip (Difficult to find Clue): Buried and covered in the many ruined papers on the desk, lies one piece of paper that perhaps had more durability than the others. It states that the man is terminated from something, effective immediately. The reason appears to be downsizing. A curse word is written over the entire thing, showing that the man was enraged upon this notice. Whether it was from a job or a guild he was terminated from is unclear.
Dark Poem (Hard to find Clue): If the wizard is skilled enough, or lucky enough depending, they’ll discover a section of the floor that seems a bit… Too stable for the hut. There is a way to open up the secret compartment, revealing what appears to be a key as well as a poem. The poem reads:
Fate guides the willing, and drags the unwilling
Today I hear the bells, the sound clear as they ring
How could I be unwilling? With the life I’ve lived?
Hated and scorned. The tears I’ve shed.
Drawn to a new family, only to find nothing.
No one to hurt or leave. No one to sting.
I walk willingly with fate, with no regrets.
There is also a rather solemn tune written on the back of the poem.
Eventually, if your character is skilled or lucky enough, you discover that there is something off with the well. If the poem is read in front of the well, certain stones will glow different colors. Touching one emits a sound of different pitch than the others. If the tune on the poem is played, the well activates on it’s own, the water draining and the bottom of the well opening up, the rope being pulled up by mechanic systems.
After being lowered down you see a doorway that opens into an underground room with dimly lit crystals. Besides a fresh cult robe, There is a single chest in the room with a lock on it. The chest and lock are indestructible. Once the lock is removed you find inside the chest four items: Two books, and a key. One book is the man’s journal, explaining how he tried to get a job and family as a wizard, but his magic was rather weak and pathetic and thus he was shunned by everyone. It then explains how a cultist found him and gave him hope, yet he didn’t feel a part of them either. Thus he offered to take on a suicide task and that is where his journal ends.
The book is a copy of the one you found on the man. The key’s purpose is unknown. There’s a passage in his journal that doesn’t make sense but after deciphering it, it tells you the location of the cultist’s place of residence, explaining how the entrance is near spooky woods.
Enemies:
Weak: The lock is a normal lock. Rather easy to pick the lock.
Normal: There are two key slots on the lock, and both have to be picked for the lock to open.
Strong: The lock is a complex puzzle, forcing even the smarter wizards and thieves to take their time in order to figure it out fully. This process takes at least one full post to solve.
Reward: 10,000 Jewel. x1 Cult robe/hood per participant, not armor, rp specific.
Unlocks the quest Infiltrating the Temple
Finding The Link
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°1
Finding The Link
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°2
Re: Finding The Link
Leona had spent a few days in Desierto with her family to make certain that Joshua did not try to kill her family. She did not have to worry about him because the chief's son had avoided her during her entire three-day stay. Instead he sent a letter carried by Erica that stated he no longer had any intention of harming Sophia, Samuel, or Leonidas. Leona vowed that she would hold him to his word. If she came back to Nebdoui and found out that her family was dead, Joshua's door was going to be the very first door she kicked in.
Family time was not the only thing she had gained during the trip. Leona had gotten stronger in the ways of magic. Now the blonde could theoretically stand on even footing with most guild Aces. She still had a ways to go before she was as strong as the average Guild Master, but she would one day reach that level. She just had to keep putting in time and effort to reach that level.
When she got back to Silver Wolf Guild Hall she was greeted by a senior staff member bearing a letter for her. Leona took it and opened it. It was a letter from Amanda Barnsworth, the young woman she had worked with during the incident in Beanstalk Village.
Amanda had contacted an old college friend who had become a detective and secured his services for the next step of the investigation. The Magnolia police had found a dilapidated hut in Magnolia Town's East Forest that had belonged to the cultist from Beanstalk Village's forest. Leona was requested to investigate the hut alongside the detective. The blonde recalled her pledge to help stop the cult's plan and was eager to fulfill it. She hurried and took a shower.
She then put on a blue t-shirt and khaki cargo pants with clean socks and boots. She put on her Argent Gloves and backpack. She carried her Nightshade Machete in case trouble came up. Once she was wearing her familiar outfit, Leona walked briskly to the foyer.
"I'm going to Magnolia Town. I'll be back as soon as possible." Leona said to an older male staff member, who nodded in acknowledgement. The blonde then walked out the door and set off for Magnolia Town. That was Fairy Tail's home territory. She was not worried about guild friction because she was on fairly good terms with Guild Master Sorano, Ace Mura, Nessa, Arcadia, and other Fairy Tail members.
-Magnolia Town, East Forest-
Leona walked into the forest until she came across a hut guarded by several police officers in a roughly square perimeter. One of them soon approached her.
"Are you Leona Jarnefeldt?" He asked.
"Yes Officer." Leona replied before producing the job notice and letter from Amanda Barnsworth and presenting them to him. The officer looked over both and nodded.
"It's not every day that we get the help of a Rising Star." The officer commented as he returned the documents to her. Moments later a stern-looking man with short black hair in a brown trenchcoat walked up to them.
"You are Leona Jarnefeldt?" He asked her.
"Yes." Leona answered.
"That is good. I am Roland, a friend of Amanda's. She said that you would need my help since you are not an investigator." He said.
"That's true. I'll need all the help I can get." Leona admitted to Roland.
"You are to have complete access to the hut. I will need your help, for there is much to be done, much to be seen." Roland said to her.
"OK. I'm ready when you are." Leona said to Roland.
"Good. Let us begin." He said before guiding Leona into the hut.
[Word Count: 624]
[Total Word Count: 624/4,500]
Family time was not the only thing she had gained during the trip. Leona had gotten stronger in the ways of magic. Now the blonde could theoretically stand on even footing with most guild Aces. She still had a ways to go before she was as strong as the average Guild Master, but she would one day reach that level. She just had to keep putting in time and effort to reach that level.
When she got back to Silver Wolf Guild Hall she was greeted by a senior staff member bearing a letter for her. Leona took it and opened it. It was a letter from Amanda Barnsworth, the young woman she had worked with during the incident in Beanstalk Village.
Amanda had contacted an old college friend who had become a detective and secured his services for the next step of the investigation. The Magnolia police had found a dilapidated hut in Magnolia Town's East Forest that had belonged to the cultist from Beanstalk Village's forest. Leona was requested to investigate the hut alongside the detective. The blonde recalled her pledge to help stop the cult's plan and was eager to fulfill it. She hurried and took a shower.
She then put on a blue t-shirt and khaki cargo pants with clean socks and boots. She put on her Argent Gloves and backpack. She carried her Nightshade Machete in case trouble came up. Once she was wearing her familiar outfit, Leona walked briskly to the foyer.
"I'm going to Magnolia Town. I'll be back as soon as possible." Leona said to an older male staff member, who nodded in acknowledgement. The blonde then walked out the door and set off for Magnolia Town. That was Fairy Tail's home territory. She was not worried about guild friction because she was on fairly good terms with Guild Master Sorano, Ace Mura, Nessa, Arcadia, and other Fairy Tail members.
-Magnolia Town, East Forest-
Leona walked into the forest until she came across a hut guarded by several police officers in a roughly square perimeter. One of them soon approached her.
"Are you Leona Jarnefeldt?" He asked.
"Yes Officer." Leona replied before producing the job notice and letter from Amanda Barnsworth and presenting them to him. The officer looked over both and nodded.
"It's not every day that we get the help of a Rising Star." The officer commented as he returned the documents to her. Moments later a stern-looking man with short black hair in a brown trenchcoat walked up to them.
"You are Leona Jarnefeldt?" He asked her.
"Yes." Leona answered.
"That is good. I am Roland, a friend of Amanda's. She said that you would need my help since you are not an investigator." He said.
"That's true. I'll need all the help I can get." Leona admitted to Roland.
"You are to have complete access to the hut. I will need your help, for there is much to be done, much to be seen." Roland said to her.
"OK. I'm ready when you are." Leona said to Roland.
"Good. Let us begin." He said before guiding Leona into the hut.
- Roland:
[Word Count: 624]
[Total Word Count: 624/4,500]
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°3
Re: Finding The Link
Roland led Leona into the hut. The pair looked around and found that it had seen better days. Nondescript clay pots had been collecting water that came in from the leaky roof and the hut itself was sparsely decorated. There was only a bookshelf with a dozen books in it, a small and worn-out bed, a small desk with no chair, a worn wooden chest, and brown curtains barely worth calling curtains blocking the windows.
"This is a strange place." Roland commented.
"Tell me about it. Something's off. Way off. Who else besides a hermit would willingly stay in such a run-down hut?" Leona asked him. The whole place looked worn-out. It looked like a stiff breeze could bring the hole-riddled roof down on their heads.
"That is what we must find out. There is something that our deceased hermit was guarding. Something important." Roland said to her. His eyes turned towards the bookshelf. Leona's eyes followed his and found a book with a purple cover that stood out among the other books. She walked over to the bookcase and picked it up.
It had a purple cover that had faded somewhat due to exposure, but it had intricate silver designs that were still able to be made out. They were silver spirals that looked similar to a whirlpool. The letters had faded away in some places and made determining its title difficult, but what remained was enough to point out that the book was about magic. She handed it to Roland.
"This book has something to do with magic. I'm sure of it." Leona said before Roland bagged the book as evidence.
"All right. We found the book, but that alone is not enough to answer our questions. Perhaps we can find something else of value?" Roland asked. Leona looked around. Where could she start looking next?
"Good question." Leona replied as her eyes made their way to the small and cluttered desk. The desk was littered with papers. That would be a good place to start. Part of her was afraid to move them because most of the papers were in such bad shape that they might disintegrate upon touching them. Something had to give... the clues were not just going to jump out in front of her.
"You are thinking what I am thinking. We should examine the desk." Roland suggested to Leona.
[Word Count: 396]
[Total Word Count: 1,020/4,500]
"This is a strange place." Roland commented.
"Tell me about it. Something's off. Way off. Who else besides a hermit would willingly stay in such a run-down hut?" Leona asked him. The whole place looked worn-out. It looked like a stiff breeze could bring the hole-riddled roof down on their heads.
"That is what we must find out. There is something that our deceased hermit was guarding. Something important." Roland said to her. His eyes turned towards the bookshelf. Leona's eyes followed his and found a book with a purple cover that stood out among the other books. She walked over to the bookcase and picked it up.
It had a purple cover that had faded somewhat due to exposure, but it had intricate silver designs that were still able to be made out. They were silver spirals that looked similar to a whirlpool. The letters had faded away in some places and made determining its title difficult, but what remained was enough to point out that the book was about magic. She handed it to Roland.
"This book has something to do with magic. I'm sure of it." Leona said before Roland bagged the book as evidence.
"All right. We found the book, but that alone is not enough to answer our questions. Perhaps we can find something else of value?" Roland asked. Leona looked around. Where could she start looking next?
"Good question." Leona replied as her eyes made their way to the small and cluttered desk. The desk was littered with papers. That would be a good place to start. Part of her was afraid to move them because most of the papers were in such bad shape that they might disintegrate upon touching them. Something had to give... the clues were not just going to jump out in front of her.
"You are thinking what I am thinking. We should examine the desk." Roland suggested to Leona.
[Word Count: 396]
[Total Word Count: 1,020/4,500]
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°4
Re: Finding The Link
Acting on Roland's suggestion, Leona began sifting through the decaying papers on the desk. The top layer was all the usual junk like mail-order catalogs, credit cards, debit cards, and past-due notices for bills the person did not actually owe. All of it was not worth the paper it was printed on. She suspected that the pertinent papers were underneath all the junk, but getting to them would be the challenge. There was so much junk mail that sifting through it all would take awhile.
Leona took a breath and continued sorting through the junk. More credit card offers, some vacation club offers, timeshare offers, even a few subscription offers to magazines of an adult nature. There were so many envelopes and papers, but Leona had to examine every last one of them because one of them just might be a clue that she needed. She was a quarter of the way through the pile and she had found nothing of value. No one said that being an amateur detective would be easy.
She began sorting through the middle of the stack and only found more of the same... junk papers upon junk papers. This time there were a few new items to read, but they were still useless trash like magazine subscription offers and item-of-the-month club memberships. How did the man find anything important in all this rubbish?
"Are you getting anywhere, Leona?" Roland asked.
"Not really. I'm halfway through the pile and I haven't found anything good." Leona reported.
"Keep looking. I will start examining the hut itself." Roland said to her.
Leona continued the dull task of sifting through the papers. She was now three-fourths of the way through the dwindling stack. She was nearing the end and that gave her the energy to continue searching. The blonde had somehow dug all the way to the bottom and had been about to give up when she found a pink slip with an expletive scrawled on it. This was definitely important.
"I found a pink slip." Leona reported laconically. Roland walked over to her and took the small document into his hands. His eyes skimmed over it.
"It is a termination notice. The man was fired from an organization. From what organization I cannot tell, but it is clear that he did not take his dismissal very well." Roland commented. He bagged the pink slip as evidence. So far the pair had found two items that had given some insight into the hermit's life, but the mystery was far from being solved. They would have to keep looking.
"Let us examine the wooden chest." Roland offered another suggestion.
[Word Count: 440]
[Total Word Count: 1,460/4,500]
Leona took a breath and continued sorting through the junk. More credit card offers, some vacation club offers, timeshare offers, even a few subscription offers to magazines of an adult nature. There were so many envelopes and papers, but Leona had to examine every last one of them because one of them just might be a clue that she needed. She was a quarter of the way through the pile and she had found nothing of value. No one said that being an amateur detective would be easy.
She began sorting through the middle of the stack and only found more of the same... junk papers upon junk papers. This time there were a few new items to read, but they were still useless trash like magazine subscription offers and item-of-the-month club memberships. How did the man find anything important in all this rubbish?
"Are you getting anywhere, Leona?" Roland asked.
"Not really. I'm halfway through the pile and I haven't found anything good." Leona reported.
"Keep looking. I will start examining the hut itself." Roland said to her.
Leona continued the dull task of sifting through the papers. She was now three-fourths of the way through the dwindling stack. She was nearing the end and that gave her the energy to continue searching. The blonde had somehow dug all the way to the bottom and had been about to give up when she found a pink slip with an expletive scrawled on it. This was definitely important.
"I found a pink slip." Leona reported laconically. Roland walked over to her and took the small document into his hands. His eyes skimmed over it.
"It is a termination notice. The man was fired from an organization. From what organization I cannot tell, but it is clear that he did not take his dismissal very well." Roland commented. He bagged the pink slip as evidence. So far the pair had found two items that had given some insight into the hermit's life, but the mystery was far from being solved. They would have to keep looking.
"Let us examine the wooden chest." Roland offered another suggestion.
[Word Count: 440]
[Total Word Count: 1,460/4,500]
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°5
Re: Finding The Link
Leona attempted to open the chest but was unable to. It was locked and the key was nowhere in sight. She stood up and faced the detective.
"I can't open it." Leona said.
"Allow me." He answered. He knelt down and pulled out a tool that he used to pick the lock. It opened and revealed some kind of dried plant matter laid out on a nondescript brown cloth. It looked like tiny purple flowers that had been dried.
"It looks like alchemy ingredients." Leona stated the obvious. She had dabbled in alchemy while creating her Nightshade Machete. She was far from a master of the craft. She needed an alchemy text just to avoid botching her own weapons creation project.
"That is likely." Roland affirmed. He wrapped the ingredients and then bagged them with care. He stood up.
"Let us go outside, Leona. I believe that I spotted a garden. Perhaps it has some clues." He suggested. Leona was no detective herself, so she was following his lead. The pair then walked outside and walked to the garden where an officer was standing watch. Roland made a beeline for the plants.
"Hmmm. These plants look similar to the samples we found inside the hut. And over there are different plants. There must be some reason the garden consists of nothing but those particular plants." Roland commented. Leona took a look. He was right. The garden was nothing but two or three different kinds of plants, including the same kind as the dried-up plants.
"Do you think they're plants that can be used to make poison?" Leona asked Roland.
"It is possible. But why bother with making poison unless it has some special property to it?" Roland asked in return. He raised a good point. The plants had to have something else in common. He knelt down and examined a small gray flower.
"This flower. It is Petra Flower. I have heard alchemists say that it can have memory-altering effects." Roland said aloud. Leona leaned down to get a closer look. It was as nondescript as the purple flower.
"Only highly trained alchemists know about this flower. It is a rare one, one that grows only in a few regions of Earthland." Roland added. Leona was not a highly trained alchemist. She had never even heard of the Petra Flower before today.
"So if it's not lethal poison, do you think someone's trying to make something that tampers with memory? Like something that can alter memories to whatever the poison's user wants by making the victim open to suggestion?" Leona asked him. Roland's eyes met hers.
"Close. I am thinking that they were attempting to make a serum that could completely wipe memories." Roland opined. Leona could see Roland's point. A cult up to sinister plans would have need of a serum that could wipe memories. Doing that would be easier and safer than just killing witnesses and leaving a trail for police to find and follow. The detective then turned to the nearby officer.
"Officer, I would like for you to return to Magnolia Town and get some officers to help gather these plants as evidence. Leona and I will stay here and watch over the place until your return." Roland made a request.
"Of course, Detective. I'll be back as soon as possible." The officer said before leaving for town.
"Where should we look next?" Roland asked of Leona.
"I think we should look in the hut again. I don't think we've found everything yet." Leona answered.
"Indeed. When the officers return, we will go back inside the hut. We will resume our search for clues." Roland voiced his agreement.
[Word Count: 612]
[Total Word Count: 2,072/4,500]
"I can't open it." Leona said.
"Allow me." He answered. He knelt down and pulled out a tool that he used to pick the lock. It opened and revealed some kind of dried plant matter laid out on a nondescript brown cloth. It looked like tiny purple flowers that had been dried.
"It looks like alchemy ingredients." Leona stated the obvious. She had dabbled in alchemy while creating her Nightshade Machete. She was far from a master of the craft. She needed an alchemy text just to avoid botching her own weapons creation project.
"That is likely." Roland affirmed. He wrapped the ingredients and then bagged them with care. He stood up.
"Let us go outside, Leona. I believe that I spotted a garden. Perhaps it has some clues." He suggested. Leona was no detective herself, so she was following his lead. The pair then walked outside and walked to the garden where an officer was standing watch. Roland made a beeline for the plants.
"Hmmm. These plants look similar to the samples we found inside the hut. And over there are different plants. There must be some reason the garden consists of nothing but those particular plants." Roland commented. Leona took a look. He was right. The garden was nothing but two or three different kinds of plants, including the same kind as the dried-up plants.
"Do you think they're plants that can be used to make poison?" Leona asked Roland.
"It is possible. But why bother with making poison unless it has some special property to it?" Roland asked in return. He raised a good point. The plants had to have something else in common. He knelt down and examined a small gray flower.
"This flower. It is Petra Flower. I have heard alchemists say that it can have memory-altering effects." Roland said aloud. Leona leaned down to get a closer look. It was as nondescript as the purple flower.
"Only highly trained alchemists know about this flower. It is a rare one, one that grows only in a few regions of Earthland." Roland added. Leona was not a highly trained alchemist. She had never even heard of the Petra Flower before today.
"So if it's not lethal poison, do you think someone's trying to make something that tampers with memory? Like something that can alter memories to whatever the poison's user wants by making the victim open to suggestion?" Leona asked him. Roland's eyes met hers.
"Close. I am thinking that they were attempting to make a serum that could completely wipe memories." Roland opined. Leona could see Roland's point. A cult up to sinister plans would have need of a serum that could wipe memories. Doing that would be easier and safer than just killing witnesses and leaving a trail for police to find and follow. The detective then turned to the nearby officer.
"Officer, I would like for you to return to Magnolia Town and get some officers to help gather these plants as evidence. Leona and I will stay here and watch over the place until your return." Roland made a request.
"Of course, Detective. I'll be back as soon as possible." The officer said before leaving for town.
"Where should we look next?" Roland asked of Leona.
"I think we should look in the hut again. I don't think we've found everything yet." Leona answered.
"Indeed. When the officers return, we will go back inside the hut. We will resume our search for clues." Roland voiced his agreement.
[Word Count: 612]
[Total Word Count: 2,072/4,500]
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°6
Re: Finding The Link
A group of twelve officers arrived with tools and a cart bearing a large numbers of pots and potting soil. They arrived and began gently removing the plants from the soil. Roland and Leona went back into the hut and resumed their search. They noted the well-worn door, a clue they had missed the first time around.
Inside the pair looked over everything again. They had searched the wooden chest. They had searched the bookshelf. They had searched the pile of papers on the desk. Despite all of that something did not feel right... it felt like the hut had another secret to yield.
Leona was walking along the floor to search under the bed when her foot hit an unusually sturdy part of the floor. Leona paused, doubled back, and stepped on the part again. It was surprisingly firm for such a run-down shack. Roland looked at her.
"It seems you have stumbled across something." Roland said to her. He lowered himself to his knees and knocked on the part of the floor. He ran his fingertips along the floor and tried to find a way to access what was underneath.
"There is a way in to this part of the floor. Help me find it, Leona." Roland commanded. Leona's eyes turned to the bookshelf. She used the strength granted by her Argent Gloves to easily shove the wooden bookshelf aside until it was pushed into the corner. Behind it was a small square button that was colored gray.
Leona pushed it and the floor panel dropped down, then opened in the middle. Both sides retracted to reveal two items.
"Well done, Leona!" Roland complimented her. He reached down into the secret compartment and fished out a sheet of paper and a large black key with a square handle. Leona looked at them both. Roland examined the sheet of paper and read aloud its contents.
Fate guides the willing, and drags the unwilling
Today I hear the bells, the sound clear as they ring
How could I be unwilling? With the life I’ve lived?
Hated and scorned. The tears I’ve shed.
Drawn to a new family, only to find nothing.
No one to hurt or leave. No one to sting.
I walk willingly with fate, with no regrets.
"It is a poem, and a rather somber one at that." Roland commented aloud. Leona saw what looked like a musical scale with notation. Within the scale were crudely squiggled notes.
"Hey Roland, what's on the back of the poem?" Leona drew his attention to the back of the sheet he was holding. Roland obligingly flipped it over and saw what she had seen. He examined it.
"It is a tune of sorts. It has musical notation. But there are no musical instruments anywhere in the area." Roland opined. Leona was stumped. What did they do now? Leona recalled seeing a well in the area near the garden that was being dug up.
"Hey Roland, what about that well near the garden?" Leona asked.
"Yes. Perhaps we should focus our attention there. I feel that we have exhausted every possibility in here." Roland expressed his agreement. The pair left the hut and went to the front of the well. There had to be something of significance around it.
-Outside, in front of the well-
"We are here. Now what?" Roland asked.
"Mind if I see the poem?" Leona asked. The detective obligingly handed over the sheet with the poem written on it. The blonde looked at it. She recited it to herself.
Fate guides the willing, and drags the unwilling
Today I hear the bells, the sound clear as they ring
How could I be unwilling? With the life I’ve lived?
Hated and scorned. The tears I’ve shed.
Drawn to a new family, only to find nothing.
No one to hurt or leave. No one to sting.
I walk willingly with fate, with no regrets.
Moments later some of the stones began glowing in the colors of the rainbow. Leona involuntarily stepped back. What had she done?
[Word Count: 676]
[Total Word Count: 2,748/4,500]
Inside the pair looked over everything again. They had searched the wooden chest. They had searched the bookshelf. They had searched the pile of papers on the desk. Despite all of that something did not feel right... it felt like the hut had another secret to yield.
Leona was walking along the floor to search under the bed when her foot hit an unusually sturdy part of the floor. Leona paused, doubled back, and stepped on the part again. It was surprisingly firm for such a run-down shack. Roland looked at her.
"It seems you have stumbled across something." Roland said to her. He lowered himself to his knees and knocked on the part of the floor. He ran his fingertips along the floor and tried to find a way to access what was underneath.
"There is a way in to this part of the floor. Help me find it, Leona." Roland commanded. Leona's eyes turned to the bookshelf. She used the strength granted by her Argent Gloves to easily shove the wooden bookshelf aside until it was pushed into the corner. Behind it was a small square button that was colored gray.
Leona pushed it and the floor panel dropped down, then opened in the middle. Both sides retracted to reveal two items.
"Well done, Leona!" Roland complimented her. He reached down into the secret compartment and fished out a sheet of paper and a large black key with a square handle. Leona looked at them both. Roland examined the sheet of paper and read aloud its contents.
Fate guides the willing, and drags the unwilling
Today I hear the bells, the sound clear as they ring
How could I be unwilling? With the life I’ve lived?
Hated and scorned. The tears I’ve shed.
Drawn to a new family, only to find nothing.
No one to hurt or leave. No one to sting.
I walk willingly with fate, with no regrets.
"It is a poem, and a rather somber one at that." Roland commented aloud. Leona saw what looked like a musical scale with notation. Within the scale were crudely squiggled notes.
"Hey Roland, what's on the back of the poem?" Leona drew his attention to the back of the sheet he was holding. Roland obligingly flipped it over and saw what she had seen. He examined it.
"It is a tune of sorts. It has musical notation. But there are no musical instruments anywhere in the area." Roland opined. Leona was stumped. What did they do now? Leona recalled seeing a well in the area near the garden that was being dug up.
"Hey Roland, what about that well near the garden?" Leona asked.
"Yes. Perhaps we should focus our attention there. I feel that we have exhausted every possibility in here." Roland expressed his agreement. The pair left the hut and went to the front of the well. There had to be something of significance around it.
-Outside, in front of the well-
"We are here. Now what?" Roland asked.
"Mind if I see the poem?" Leona asked. The detective obligingly handed over the sheet with the poem written on it. The blonde looked at it. She recited it to herself.
Fate guides the willing, and drags the unwilling
Today I hear the bells, the sound clear as they ring
How could I be unwilling? With the life I’ve lived?
Hated and scorned. The tears I’ve shed.
Drawn to a new family, only to find nothing.
No one to hurt or leave. No one to sting.
I walk willingly with fate, with no regrets.
Moments later some of the stones began glowing in the colors of the rainbow. Leona involuntarily stepped back. What had she done?
[Word Count: 676]
[Total Word Count: 2,748/4,500]
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°7
Re: Finding The Link
"The stones are glowing. That is something significant." Roland stated the obvious. Leona was too surprised to say anything. Several of the officers gathered around the well.
Roland hesitantly touched one that glowed red with the toe of his right shoe. The glowing stone emitted a sound. He touched another one that was glowing blue and it emitted a different sound. The orange stone emitted yet another sound, a deeper one.
"Hmmm. The stones make sounds. How interesting." Roland said to everyone present. Leona remembered the notation on the back of the poem. She had a theory.
"You said that they make sounds. Do you think the stones have anything to do with the notation on the back of this poem?" Leona asked Roland and the officers. Roland motioned for the paper. Leona obligingly gave it back to the detective and let him study the stones.
"You may be right, Leona. It is of some importance if the author bothered to write it down." Roland agreed with her. Everyone around looked at the glowing stones. No one seemed able to decipher the right order in which to touch the stones. Nothing was occurring to any of them. No sudden flash of inspiration struck any of them until a young female officer walked up to Roland.
"Do you mind if I see that, sir?" The female officer requested. She had shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes.
"No, not at all. Go right ahead." Roland answered while handing over the paper. She studied the notation and looked at the stones. She tapped them all a few times to learn how each one corresponded to the written notation and how each one sounded. The young woman behaved like she was familiar with music.
"All right, I think I have it all down. Let me see what I can do." The officer said before using her foot to tap on each of the stones in an order only she knew. As each stone was touched the sounds blended as they began to play a tune. The tune sounded like a funeral dirge... it certainly matched the contents of the poem it was paired to. Once she had tapped the final stone, the water in the well drained and the bottom of the well opened up.
"And there you have it." The female officer said with satisfaction. Everyone around her stood amazed. Even Leona was speechless.
"My parents are both musicians. My mother plays the piano. My father's a fan of the cello." She explained how she was familiar with music and musical notation.
"Have you applied to be a detective?" Roland asked her.
"Not yet, Sir. I just joined the force three months ago." She answered.
"When you can, apply to become a detective. You have a future in the field." Roland complimented her.
"Sir, there's a rope mechanism that raises and lowers a platform!" One of the male officers reported. Leona peered down into the darkness. The officer was right... there was a platform.
"I'll go first. I can see in the dark without a flashlight." Leona said to Roland. She stood on the platform and used the rope to lower herself into the darkness. She was not afraid. She had went into the darkness before and had come out victorious. This time would be no different.
-At the bottom of the well-
"What do you see, Leona?" Roland asked as he stepped off the platform.
"A doorway. I'm don't know what's inside. Get ready." Leona said to him. Roland nodded. Leona went first and crept into the room. Roland braced himself for a fight, but no enemies presented themselves. That was a relief.
Inside was a robe and a chest. There was no sign of enemies. Leona looked at Roland. Roland looked at Leona. It seemed that they were close to solving this mystery.
"What do you see?" Roland asked the mage.
[Word Count: 650]
[Total Word Count: 3,398/4,500]
Roland hesitantly touched one that glowed red with the toe of his right shoe. The glowing stone emitted a sound. He touched another one that was glowing blue and it emitted a different sound. The orange stone emitted yet another sound, a deeper one.
"Hmmm. The stones make sounds. How interesting." Roland said to everyone present. Leona remembered the notation on the back of the poem. She had a theory.
"You said that they make sounds. Do you think the stones have anything to do with the notation on the back of this poem?" Leona asked Roland and the officers. Roland motioned for the paper. Leona obligingly gave it back to the detective and let him study the stones.
"You may be right, Leona. It is of some importance if the author bothered to write it down." Roland agreed with her. Everyone around looked at the glowing stones. No one seemed able to decipher the right order in which to touch the stones. Nothing was occurring to any of them. No sudden flash of inspiration struck any of them until a young female officer walked up to Roland.
"Do you mind if I see that, sir?" The female officer requested. She had shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes.
"No, not at all. Go right ahead." Roland answered while handing over the paper. She studied the notation and looked at the stones. She tapped them all a few times to learn how each one corresponded to the written notation and how each one sounded. The young woman behaved like she was familiar with music.
"All right, I think I have it all down. Let me see what I can do." The officer said before using her foot to tap on each of the stones in an order only she knew. As each stone was touched the sounds blended as they began to play a tune. The tune sounded like a funeral dirge... it certainly matched the contents of the poem it was paired to. Once she had tapped the final stone, the water in the well drained and the bottom of the well opened up.
"And there you have it." The female officer said with satisfaction. Everyone around her stood amazed. Even Leona was speechless.
"My parents are both musicians. My mother plays the piano. My father's a fan of the cello." She explained how she was familiar with music and musical notation.
"Have you applied to be a detective?" Roland asked her.
"Not yet, Sir. I just joined the force three months ago." She answered.
"When you can, apply to become a detective. You have a future in the field." Roland complimented her.
"Sir, there's a rope mechanism that raises and lowers a platform!" One of the male officers reported. Leona peered down into the darkness. The officer was right... there was a platform.
"I'll go first. I can see in the dark without a flashlight." Leona said to Roland. She stood on the platform and used the rope to lower herself into the darkness. She was not afraid. She had went into the darkness before and had come out victorious. This time would be no different.
-At the bottom of the well-
"What do you see, Leona?" Roland asked as he stepped off the platform.
"A doorway. I'm don't know what's inside. Get ready." Leona said to him. Roland nodded. Leona went first and crept into the room. Roland braced himself for a fight, but no enemies presented themselves. That was a relief.
Inside was a robe and a chest. There was no sign of enemies. Leona looked at Roland. Roland looked at Leona. It seemed that they were close to solving this mystery.
"What do you see?" Roland asked the mage.
[Word Count: 650]
[Total Word Count: 3,398/4,500]
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°8
Re: Finding The Link
"I see... I see a robe and a chest." Leona said to the detective. Roland pulled out a flashlight and began sweeping the room with the piercing beam of yellow light. There were some stones providing dim light, but nothing that was sufficient to completely illuminate the room. Leona did not need a flashlight.
"I think that the key we found earlier should open the chest." Roland opined. Leona was inclined to agree with him. He had been right on everything so far. She was certain that he was right about this. Leona produced the black key with the square handle and placed it into the padlock, then turned right.
The lock disengaged. Roland pulled it off and the lid of the chest opened without any issue. Leona reached inside and pulled out a black key with an octagonal handle. Roland reached inside and pulled out two books. Leona recognized the one with the black cover and silver writing.
"You recognize one of the books." Roland stated.
"Yeah. The black one with the silver writing. I found it on the cultist who killed himself in Beanstalk Forest. He bit into a cyanide capsule because he swore not to give up any secrets to me. He kept his word and didn't give up anything." Leona explained where she had seen the black book before.
"Amanda told me that you had found such a book by taking it from a cultist near Mt. Hakobe. That was brave of you to confront the necromancer and his creations. It was also brave of you to confront him in such hostile territory. Not many who journey to the woods near Mt. Hakobe return alive." Roland complimented her. Leona was glad she did not hang around to find out what the humanoid figures she had spotted after she defeated the cultist wanted. Chances were she would not have returned alive if she had remained where she was.
Roland thumbed through the other book. It was smaller than the black one. It also had a brown cover.
"It is a personal journal. It tells much about the man." Roland started.
"It tells about how he tried to apply to a guild in order to get lucrative jobs. His magic, Sparkle Magic, was deemed weak and almost useless. Mages who were supposed to be his fellows shunned him because of that. The dispirited man saw no point in staying where he was not wanted and left the guild." Roland started reading off a summary of the story. His eyes darted across the pages as he thumbed through the journal. Leona suddenly felt some sympathy for the man. When she first joined Silver Wolf, she had wondered if Silver Wolf really wanted her or if Leila took her in just to keep her out of another guild's hands. Thankfully Leona had learned the answer to that question... Silver Wolf really did want her as a member.
"A month after leaving the guild he met a cultist. The cultist told him that the unlike the elitist mages, the cult welcomed anyone willing to serve a higher cause. Happy that someone actually wanted him around, the man joined the cult without hesitation." The detective continued.
"A few months after that the man felt like he did not belong with the cult either. He sank into a deep depression over the course of several months, six to be exact. He could not find happiness no matter how hard he tried. He considered taking poison or jumping off Serene Cliff to end it all but could not bring himself to do it." He continued the story.
"Finally he had an idea. He offered to go on a suicide mission on the cult's behalf, one he was certain that he would not return from. The cult's leadership accepted. And that is where the journal ends." Roland finished reading from it. His eyes jumped to a passage in the book. His eyes narrowed. That did not escape the blonde's notice.
"What? What is it?" Leona asked him.
"It is a passage in the journal talking about snarling trees. Something about how snarling trees are watered with blood." Roland said to her. Leona thought about it for a moment. Snarling trees. Snarling trees. That sounded familiar.
"Do you think it refers to Spooky Forest?" Leona inquired.
"I believe you are right. If I understand what I am reading, something of importance is near Spooky Forest." Roland answered.
"And by finding those last few items, I believe that we are finished here." Roland said as he gathered the books and the octagonal key. Leona picked up the robe. She was sure that it would be needed in the days to come. The pair left the room and ascended to daylight via the platform connected to the rope mechanism.
[Word Count: 802]
[Total Word Count: 4,200/4,500]
"I think that the key we found earlier should open the chest." Roland opined. Leona was inclined to agree with him. He had been right on everything so far. She was certain that he was right about this. Leona produced the black key with the square handle and placed it into the padlock, then turned right.
The lock disengaged. Roland pulled it off and the lid of the chest opened without any issue. Leona reached inside and pulled out a black key with an octagonal handle. Roland reached inside and pulled out two books. Leona recognized the one with the black cover and silver writing.
"You recognize one of the books." Roland stated.
"Yeah. The black one with the silver writing. I found it on the cultist who killed himself in Beanstalk Forest. He bit into a cyanide capsule because he swore not to give up any secrets to me. He kept his word and didn't give up anything." Leona explained where she had seen the black book before.
"Amanda told me that you had found such a book by taking it from a cultist near Mt. Hakobe. That was brave of you to confront the necromancer and his creations. It was also brave of you to confront him in such hostile territory. Not many who journey to the woods near Mt. Hakobe return alive." Roland complimented her. Leona was glad she did not hang around to find out what the humanoid figures she had spotted after she defeated the cultist wanted. Chances were she would not have returned alive if she had remained where she was.
Roland thumbed through the other book. It was smaller than the black one. It also had a brown cover.
"It is a personal journal. It tells much about the man." Roland started.
"It tells about how he tried to apply to a guild in order to get lucrative jobs. His magic, Sparkle Magic, was deemed weak and almost useless. Mages who were supposed to be his fellows shunned him because of that. The dispirited man saw no point in staying where he was not wanted and left the guild." Roland started reading off a summary of the story. His eyes darted across the pages as he thumbed through the journal. Leona suddenly felt some sympathy for the man. When she first joined Silver Wolf, she had wondered if Silver Wolf really wanted her or if Leila took her in just to keep her out of another guild's hands. Thankfully Leona had learned the answer to that question... Silver Wolf really did want her as a member.
"A month after leaving the guild he met a cultist. The cultist told him that the unlike the elitist mages, the cult welcomed anyone willing to serve a higher cause. Happy that someone actually wanted him around, the man joined the cult without hesitation." The detective continued.
"A few months after that the man felt like he did not belong with the cult either. He sank into a deep depression over the course of several months, six to be exact. He could not find happiness no matter how hard he tried. He considered taking poison or jumping off Serene Cliff to end it all but could not bring himself to do it." He continued the story.
"Finally he had an idea. He offered to go on a suicide mission on the cult's behalf, one he was certain that he would not return from. The cult's leadership accepted. And that is where the journal ends." Roland finished reading from it. His eyes jumped to a passage in the book. His eyes narrowed. That did not escape the blonde's notice.
"What? What is it?" Leona asked him.
"It is a passage in the journal talking about snarling trees. Something about how snarling trees are watered with blood." Roland said to her. Leona thought about it for a moment. Snarling trees. Snarling trees. That sounded familiar.
"Do you think it refers to Spooky Forest?" Leona inquired.
"I believe you are right. If I understand what I am reading, something of importance is near Spooky Forest." Roland answered.
"And by finding those last few items, I believe that we are finished here." Roland said as he gathered the books and the octagonal key. Leona picked up the robe. She was sure that it would be needed in the days to come. The pair left the room and ascended to daylight via the platform connected to the rope mechanism.
[Word Count: 802]
[Total Word Count: 4,200/4,500]
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)
Leona Jarnefeldt-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Lineage : Nemean Lion
Position : Saint of Courage
Faction : The Luminous Covenant
Posts : 3685
Guild : Silver Wolf [Guild Master]
Cosmic Coins : 215
Dungeon Tokens : 0
Mentor : N/A
Experience : 11,529,025
Character Sheet
First Skill: Wind Strike Magic
Second Skill: Wind Summon Magic
Third Skill:
- Post n°9
Re: Finding The Link
-Magnolia Town police station, briefing room-
"Well done, Leona. You were a great help to us." Roland praised Leona. The pair were in a briefing room with a chalkboard and a rough sketch of a map of the hut. Marked on the map were the hut, the garden, and the well.
"You did most of the thinking. I was just the muscle. That female officer helped too. I don't have any musical training, so we wouldn't have solved the puzzle without her." Leona said to him.
"Let us just say that it was a team effort." Roland suggested. Leona could agree with that. She was not the smartest mage in Earthland. That shortcoming was particularly ironic considering that she led a guild devoted to magic and science.
"Now... there is more pressing business at hand." Roland said before taking a breath. A few officers entered the room, including the female officer from earlier who helped save the day at the well. She was holding the robe that the pair had recovered.
"We need you to infiltrate their headquarters. It would be too suspicious if a large number of converts were to come to them, so you must go alone." Roland informed her.
"Do not feel pressured to make a decision right away. What we are asking is dangerous, even for a Rising Star. No one will hold it against you if you decline." Roland said to her. Leona's mind was made up before the detective even spoke. She would take the job.
"I'll do it. I'll go to Spooky Forest and infiltrate the cult." Leona affirmed to Roland.
"I had a feeling you would say that. So take this robe. It will be of great help to you." Roland said to her. Leona accepted the robe and looked at it. It would soon be time to add the role of infiltrator to her ever-growing list of roles that she had taken on.
"Thanks Roland." Leona said to him.
"Amanda was right about you, Leona. You are the right person for the job. I trust that you will succeed." The detective said to her. Leona took her leave of Roland and the Magnolia Town police. She would need to prepare for the challenging task that loomed ahead.
[Word Count: 376]
[Total Word Count: 4,576/4,500]
"Well done, Leona. You were a great help to us." Roland praised Leona. The pair were in a briefing room with a chalkboard and a rough sketch of a map of the hut. Marked on the map were the hut, the garden, and the well.
"You did most of the thinking. I was just the muscle. That female officer helped too. I don't have any musical training, so we wouldn't have solved the puzzle without her." Leona said to him.
"Let us just say that it was a team effort." Roland suggested. Leona could agree with that. She was not the smartest mage in Earthland. That shortcoming was particularly ironic considering that she led a guild devoted to magic and science.
"Now... there is more pressing business at hand." Roland said before taking a breath. A few officers entered the room, including the female officer from earlier who helped save the day at the well. She was holding the robe that the pair had recovered.
"We need you to infiltrate their headquarters. It would be too suspicious if a large number of converts were to come to them, so you must go alone." Roland informed her.
"Do not feel pressured to make a decision right away. What we are asking is dangerous, even for a Rising Star. No one will hold it against you if you decline." Roland said to her. Leona's mind was made up before the detective even spoke. She would take the job.
"I'll do it. I'll go to Spooky Forest and infiltrate the cult." Leona affirmed to Roland.
"I had a feeling you would say that. So take this robe. It will be of great help to you." Roland said to her. Leona accepted the robe and looked at it. It would soon be time to add the role of infiltrator to her ever-growing list of roles that she had taken on.
"Thanks Roland." Leona said to him.
"Amanda was right about you, Leona. You are the right person for the job. I trust that you will succeed." The detective said to her. Leona took her leave of Roland and the Magnolia Town police. She would need to prepare for the challenging task that loomed ahead.
[Word Count: 376]
[Total Word Count: 4,576/4,500]
![Finding The Link KjmbioC](https://i.imgur.com/kjmbioC.png)
Golden Lacrima is valid until 10/10/2024. The General Store: Page 10, Post Number 244 (Request), Page 10, Post Number 245 (Approval)