<strong>~Jenya Urikas - Priestess of Saint Cuthbert~</strong><br/><br/>The woman's blue-gray eyes rested on Sera in what many would consider an unsettling gaze. Her disapproval of his comments would normally have led to him being removed from the church, unfortunately he had saved one of the church's priests today and the church might be able to use his help. "Let's remain focused on the lives in question, shall we?" The words were not as cold as the gaze which had rested on the impetuous youth, but she moved on without missing a beat, her eyes rested on Theoron.<br/><br/>Her expression was completely different when she asked the druid, "Will you help them?" She'd said she would say no more until she had all of their agreement, and she meant it. Unfortunately this meant she directed the same question at Sera once Theoron had answered.<br/><br/>Out of Character: In the interest of moving this along, I'm going to continue. If either of you chooses not to help them, feel free to contact myself or Iressi through PMs to further your own stories with details as to what you -do- intend to be doing.<br/><br/>If either the druid or the thief responded that they would not Jenya asked them to please leave, the potions the only reward she seemed inclined to offer for rescuing Ruphus from the thugs.<br/><br/>To those who remained, the priestess continued, "Specifically.. Four children have been taken from the orphanage. Their names are Deakon, Evelyn, Lucinda and Terrem. They are not, however, the only people to disappear from the city. There have been several odd disappearances lately, and odd robberies coupled with them. The church is mainly interested in helping the young children, but obviously we would like to help the townspeople too if possible."<br/><br/>Her hand rested over the holy symbol which hung around her neck as she continued, "The orphanage has two common bedchambers on the second floor. One is for the girls, one for the boys. Two of the children were taken from either room. So far none of the other children or the resident staff have been able to remember anything relevant to the abduction, which is to say they didn't see or hear anything that night."<br/><br/>"The odd part is.. The orphanage has dealt with many miscreants in its days, and it has barred windows and very good locks to keep the mischief of such children to a minimum. They even lock the children into the rooms." She paused a moment, looking somewhat contemplative before continuing, "We, the church of Saint Cuthbert, have made a vow to the public to locate the children and bring the wrong-doers to justice. Because of this I borrowed an item from the church's vault. The item in question is known as the Star of Justice. It is very important for our church. In the absence of the high priest I felt justified in consulting it to ask a question..."<br/><br/>Again she paused, her eyes passing over those gathered, and continued, "Such things are tricky, for the Divine wish to guide our actions when we are in need, but we must deliver ourselves with their guidance. The question I asked was, 'Where are the children who were abducted from the Lantern Street Orphanage?' The response was rather cryptic... I've written it here," She drew a piece of parchment from a pocket likely hidden in the folds of her robe and held it out for one of them to take while reciting what was written, "The locks are key to finding them. Look beyond the curtain, below the cauldron. Beware the doors with teeth. Descend into the malachite 'hold, where precious life is bought with gold. Half a dwarf binds them, but not for long."<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v141/ShiniNekoNi/Shackled%20City/riddle.jpg)</div><br/>She spoke very clearly as she recited the riddle for them, that those who could not see the paper might hear it while they took their turns. "It is my opinion that the first line holds a very important clue. I'm not sure which 'lock' it refers to, but my suspicion is that it might mean the locks of the Lantern Street Orphanage." She had a look of hope in those eyes so capable of displaying her emotions, favorable or not. They rested upon the group in general, putting no burden on any particular individual as she waited to see what the heroes thought.