Transcribed by Peter
Gantt is absent, having strolled out from the house three or four hours before - with no one knowing the possible whereabouts of him.
Roland shows the note to Gertie, and having no clue who Kersey was, Roland would get the idea to ask Gantt and if Gantt might know who Kersey is and how Roland is related to Kersey. Thus, Roland wanders over to Lome's house after flipping the sign on his door to "Closed".
Verbes, meanwhile, receives the note from his apprentice as he is working on a flute in the back room. He reads it with a slight frown on his face, and tells Vorst "Go ahead and close up for today." He grabs his coat, pauses for a second, straps his sword on, and walks out into the snow.
Lome is at her shop when the note arrives. Lome chooses not to close the shop early, and instead sets the note aside, deftly slices the steak of the carcass (being very clean and not getting any blood on the note). After she closes up shop, of course, she heads home to start on dinner.
Roland arrives at Lome's house. While Lore is wandering in the city, Nars is actually home for the day, taking a nap. "Where's your mother?" Roland asks Nars.
"At the shop, of course, Uncle. It's just a normal day. Any One can see that."
"Where's Grandpa then?"
"Out walking somewhere. He took his coat, and I haven't said a word to him today. You wanna go hunting late tonight, Uncle?"
"Maybe later - when your mom comes back, tell here I'd like her to come by the shop later today too. If you want, you can come with and we can talk about hunting then. Maybe tomorrow, on the weekend. If your grandpa comes back, too, tell him to stop by." Roland strolls back to his shop.
Verbes, having headed towards Roland's shop rather than Lome's home, arrives just before Roland, and is let in by Gertie. Roland walks in a minute later. "Greetings, Verbes."
Verbes holds up the note and cocks an eyebrow. Roland says "Oh, you got one too."
"Kersey?"
"I must admit, I found it curious as I don't know a Kersey. But apparently, he shares our name. I stopped by Gantt's house to see if he might know how we are related, so we'll have to ask him later. Did you know this gnome?"
Verbes shakes his head, and seems a bit preoccupied. "So…"
Roland pauses for a moment. "I've heard of gnomes doing some strange things, but it's a curious prank indeed that there's no location given for this funeral, and no contact information to find out more. I mean, I'm executor of his estate and don't even know where it is!"
"More surprising that they knew to come find me" comments Verbes. "I'm not exactly a Kelethor."
Roland pauses and thinks for a bit, and strokes his beard (a well-trimmed beard, perhaps half an inch to an inch - Lore apparently likes it). "I'm assuming Lome got one too."
"If I did, certainly."
"Yes - but I'd be very surprised if she knows who Kersey is, I was just hoping Gantt would. If you would like, you're welcome to sit here for a bit; I'm just working. Have some tea."
Gertie walks in - "Would you like some tea?"
"That'll be fine" Verbes says distractedly, and then pulls out his flute (his finished personal flute) and peruses it. Dog sees him pull it out, looks at it, and wanders into the backyard. Verbes follows Dog out, and plays a jaunty flute melody." [[Ed. note: Perform check of 8, sorry about that getting shared, but it's much easier than e-mail right now]] The dog is unimpressed and wanders back inside. A sadder melody begins to play. About that time, Gertie comes in.
"Tea's ready." Verbes comes back in.
"Here you are, Mrs. Finkelpearl" says Lome, handing her a neatly wrapped package. Lome smiles, while Mrs. Finkelpearl chuckles and walks out into the street. Lome neatly cleans all the knives and surfaces and arranges them in their places. She notes the sunlight streaming in through the windows, illuminating a few dust particles. She was admiring the shine off of the knifeblades (one of her longest, slender knives). She smiles, turns towards the door, and notices the note she placed by the side counter. She picks it up and heads home.
Walking through the streets, she sings softly a song to Lystra. She reaches her house, and walks in. Nars is still there, looking at the ceiling. "How was school today?" Lome pointedly asks.
"Restful."
"Indeed. What did you learn?" Lome begins to prepare the dinner.
"It was physical fitness today. I ran a lot. Hurdles."
Lome smiles. Nars can't bluff her, of course. [[Ed. note — +20 to sense motive against children.]] But there's not much she can do - an understanding that Nars is old enough to decide himself. Lome goes about preparing dinner. "Find anything interesting in the forest this afternoon?"
"I actually rested this afternoon. I'm planning on going late tonight - a couple peop - err, animals I want to see."
"What kind of animals?"
"I'm starting to make friends with an owl who lives slightly north of the path I usually wander. An interesting creature, but Lagim doesn't like him too much, so I'm not so sure yet. No, actually, I'm not quite sure what I'll be doing tonight, I feel like starting something new soon. But I always like the forest at night - you know."
"It should be a clear night tonight. Be sure you wear your fur-lined cloak, honeypoo." (The last said with a sarcastic smirk.)
"Yes, mother." (Nars hides his annoyance. He knows Lome trusts him in the end.)
"Is grandpa here?"
"Nope. Probly went walking somewhere earlier today. Haven't talked to him."
"Hmmm. I don't suppose he said where he was going?"
"Like I said, haven't talked. Oh, Uncle stopped by though."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. Wanted you to head over to his place. Is something the matter?"
"I don't think so. Well, I got a note today. Something about one of our relatives - the ones we've never heard of that grandpa never talks about. It might have been about that. Did it sound urgent?"
"Yeah, I would think so. It was during business hours, and he seemed a little… maybe not worried, I dunno, worried or confused."
"Well could you watch this pot for a while?"
"Sure."
"Just make sure it doesn't boil over."
"I'm 14, mother. I'm not a little kid."
She smiles. "Thank you." And walks out. She makes her way over to Roland's, where Verbes and Roland are chilling, enjoying the brisk winter air and the tea. Lome walks into the shop after ringing the bell, as it is after hours. She is invited in, and Gertie offers her tea. "Thank you." She accepts the cup.
Roland holds up the note. "Thanks for coming. I was wondering if you had gotten one of these."
"I did indeed. About the middle of the afternoon - an odd-looking fellow in black."
"Must have been the same man. And Dad wasn't around to fill in any details?"
"Nope. Still hasn't come back yet."
Roland grunts. The four sat in silence for a number of moments.
"One hopes that this Kersey lived close enough that we can actually make it there by Tuesday" Verbes comments, "Though he seems to have forgotten enough details that I'm not sure we can assume that."
"Well I'm not sure if they'd be around tomorrow, but I can visit a few of my friends who are gnome craftsmen and see if they knew the man or where such a thing might be taking place, but I'm not sure I'll see them until Monday" Roland says.
"Didn't all Dad's relatives live in New Perth?" Lome wonders. "Perhaps we could charter a boat."
"Not from Doerstadt - you know ships don't sail in and out from here" Verbes points out.
Gertie chimes in. "Well you won't make it there by Tuesday if it's in New Perth" she notes with a slight smile.
"We'll have to start as soon as possible then" Lome comments.
"But we don't even know where it is!" Roland counters.
"Let's not assume too much" Verbes concludes.
Lome nods to Verbes.
"Well, let's ask Gantt when he gets back. In the meanwhile, I told Nars I might go hunting with him tomorrow. I'm not keen on dropping everything for the funeral of a third cousin we didn't know, especially if his final trick was to have a funeral that no one could come to, even if he did make me executor - I mean, I'll sort things out" Roland finishes.
"Tricksy as gnomes are, if he is family it is only our duty to attempt to follow his last wishes," Lome points out.
"Yep, it's true," Roland agrees.
"Then hopefully your father will know. If not, I can check the genealogies - I mean, Kelethor is a family of some prestige, is it not? Perhaps he will be on record," Verbes notes.
"Perhaps. I'm not sure if their fame would have reached Doerstadt," Lome says.
Roland calls things to a close. "Well, we'll let you get back to your dinner, Lome, and likewise Verbes. Lome, tomorrow morning I'll stop by your place and see if the old man is around. We'll see if he has any more answers for us."
"Very well. Goodnight." Verbes walks out the door.
Lome empties her cup. "A sound plan." She follows Verbes out the door.
A rustle sounds behind Lome. "I can be ready to go by tomorrow morning!" Lore exclaims. Verbes hears as well.
Lome smiles. "We'll see what Grandpa has to say." Verbes just frowns.
Lore walks back home with Lore. Lome pats her daughter on the head affectionately. Verbes heads home as well.
Lome arrives to find the pot well-tended. "Well it sure took you long enough, dinner was ready a while ago!" ("Aww, my little brother can cook!" Lore interjects.) "Did you decide anything about the note? And is Roland going hunting with me tomorrow?"
"That depends on what Gramps has to say about that note. We may be going on a long journey, if we can figure out where to" Lome replies.
"I'm up for journeys with no destination, as long as there's a forest or nice animals."
"As long as there's a forest, yes, you'd be happy, Nars" Lore mocks.
"No sign of Gramps yet?" Lome asks.
"He's actually standing there, invisible, in front of you. How did you ever not notice?" Nars asks Lome.
"As much as he's given to solitary walks, it's not like him to miss dinner" Lome says, quippingly.
"Are you nervous? I can find Lagim and ask him to look around" Nars replies.
"Perhaps that would be a good idea. He's been gone awhile" Lome replies.
"O.k. We'll see what happens. I'm sure Lagim will enjoy the flight" Nars replies.
The family eats dinner, quietly - a low table, with cushions on the floor rather than chairs.
Nars walks out, enjoying the outdoors rather than watching the pot, and blows his signal whistle. Lagim takes a little while to arrive, and when he does there's a mouse in his beak. "Lagim, you want to see if you can find my Grandpa? You know what he looks like, friend." Nars sits outside, contemplating what he might do in his wanderings tonight, and watching Lagim ascend.
Lome, in her private thoughts, is somewhat concerned about Gantt. She considers going out to find him, perhaps on a nighttime excursion with the children too. As she does, the sun sets and the stars come out - a clear night, as promised.