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As she entered the tavern, the familiar sights and sounds greeted her. The bar was bustling with activity, and the air filled with the smoke and aroma of grease dripping from the roasted meats onto glowing coals, sizzling as the meat was cut; the sound of laughter and conversation from farmers describing incidents from the field involving a bull and a pond. Grimbold was already behind the counter, serving drinks to the patrons, his gruff but kind demeanour putting everyone at ease.

Three of the bar maids, who were busy setting up the final tables that needed stools and preparing for the evening, noticed Victoria's new sandals.

The first was Elara, a tall and slender woman with auburn hair and a warm, friendly smile. She had spent the day helping with the harvest, her hands still a bit dirty from the work. The second was Mira, a short and curvy woman with dark hair and bright blue eyes. She had been tending to the garden, planting new herbs and flowers. The third was Lila, a petite and energetic woman with short, curly hair and a mischievous grin. She had been helping the blacksmith, hammering away at a new set of horseshoes.

"Victoria, those sandals look amazing on you!" Elara exclaimed, her eyes widening with curiosity. "Where did you get them?"

Victoria smiled, feeling a bit self-conscious but also proud of the sandals. "I found them in my cottage. They must have belonged to a relative who knew how to take good care of them."

Mira nodded, her eyes twinkling with interest. "They look so different from the usual sandals around here. They must have come from far away."

Lila leaned in; her curiosity piqued. "Do they feel as good as they look? I've never worn anything like that before."

Victoria smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "They feel great, actually. Much better than walking barefoot or in the heavy clogs I usually wear."

Grimbold, overhearing the conversation, walked over and chuckled. "Well, if they make you happy, that's all that matters. Now, let's get to work. We've got a busy night ahead of us."

Victoria stood up and got to work, her mind still racing with thoughts of the book and the mysterious events at the chapel. As she served drinks and chatted with the patrons, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The presence of the Ithrillian rangers and the strange occurrences were all part of a larger, more complex story, and she was determined to uncover the truth.

Victoria went over to one of the tables to take an order from a group of labourers when the door to the tavern burst open, and the halfling in a pinstripe suit Victoria had noticed before in the chapel strode in, followed by two of the Ithrillian rangers.

One of the rangers was an orc, his massive frame bulging out of the tabard meant for someone half his size over his breastplate, armed with a musket and a thick axe. The other was the female human wizard who had smiled at Victoria at the chapel, her expression now serious and focused.

The halfling introduced himself to Grimbold as Aurik Fielding, the lead lawyer and manager of the investigation into the missing coaches. "Good barkeep, innkeeper, tavern official, keeper of the victuals—Beverage Comptroller, yes, Beverage Comptroller, Beverage Comptroller, I need to speak with you," he said, his voice firm but polite.

Grimbold nodded, his expression turning serious. "Beverage Comptroller, must be me. How can I help, sir?"

Aurik explained, "We're here to manage the investigation into the recent missing coaches, including one from the Crimson Bank that went missing three days ago. Four coaches have disappeared on the road between Ithrill and Aradia in the last month, and we believe the bandits might have a hiding spot in this area. We need your help to gather information about recent activities in the village."

Grimbold's brow furrowed. "The Crimson Bank? What happened to the coach?"

Aurik breathed in, his expression grim. "A few days ago, a coach belonging to the Crimson Bank disappeared, and one of the wheels was found. We are now looking for local support to help us track down the bandits and recover the stolen goods."

Grimbold asked, "What was the cargo on the coach?"

Aurik responded, "Something expensive and valuable that the Crimson Bank has put up a reward of 10,000 Barrels for its recovery." (The unit of currency in Ithrill is related to what that coin will buy you in a bar. It comes from the early days when they used makeshift currencies as a unit of exchange, and most of the coins were used in the bars and taverns.)

Aurik then turned to the bar, his voice carrying across the room. "Everyone, please gather all of the village and surrounding inhabitants to a meeting in an hour’s time outside the chapel."

As the patrons stood up to leave, Aurik turned back to Grimbold. "Beverage Comptroller, BC—please accept this small sum of coin in order to allow us a little disruption while we hope to disrupt the bandit activity in the area."

Grimbold's eyes widened at the generous offer. "I appreciate that, sir. I'll make sure everyone is informed, and the tavern is ready for any assistance you need."

Aurik saluted Grimbold, his expression grateful. "Thank you, BC. Your cooperation is invaluable."

Victoria, who had been listening intently, stepped forward. "I saw some of the rangers and yourself earlier at the chapel. They were getting some papers blessed by the statue of Kreditos. Is that related to the investigation?"

Aurik turned to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, it is. Kreditos is the god of law, trade, and contracts. Whenever we start an investigation of this kind, we ask him for guidance and counsel, so the evidence drives us to the correct course of action. It’s part of our process to ensure due process is followed, especially if murder or other capital crimes have been committed in the course of the crime."

Mira leaned into the conversation as all the patrons had departed from the bar. "What’s due process when he’s at home?"

Aurik smiled, cracked his fingers, and began a monologue explaining that Ithrillian criminals had their time in court and the evidence against them should be the most scrupulous to assure the guilt of the wrongdoers.

Mira asked, "Why go through all that for some scumbags?"

Aurik smiled again. "That is because in Ithrill, if you are convicted of a capital crime, you don’t just die. A mix of necromancers, demon worshippers, dragons, and others bid for your soul to do what they wish."

The barmaids had heard of Ithrillian justice from the school lessons, but in this village, the local constable role was to intervene in landowner disputes.

Grimbold added, "Aurik, Victoria is the caretaker of the chapel. She might have some useful information or insights."

Aurik nodded, his expression softening. "Thank you, Victoria. We appreciate your cooperation. If you notice anything unusual or have any information, please let us know."

Aurik took a step back to look over Victoria. "In fact, Luna, would you come with me now to the chapel? I need to conduct a service to Kreditos in order to provide blessed rations to the rangers while they are in the field."

Victoria wondered why Aurik had called her Luna, but he had called Grimbold BC, so who knows what this halfling meant. She thought and so went with him across to the chapel. The two rangers stayed in the bar as Aurik and Victoria walked across to the chapel.

As they wandered, Aurik asked Victoria, "So how long have you been a worshipper of Luna, then, young miss?"

Victoria spluttered, "What, sir? I've never really worshipped any of the deities to be truthful." She was in shock from what the halfling said and had started to blush.

Aurik looked at her again. "Ah, my apologies, Miss Victoria. I thought you were a devotee as you were wearing those sandals you're wearing, some family heirloom, I might suggest?"

Victoria took the way out. "Yes, well, I'm not sure as I found them today." She said, giving a statement that wasn't so much a lie, especially lying in front of a lawyer.

Aurik smiled. "Well, someone in your family must have been a devout worshipper, as those are the spitting image of the sandals worn by the main statue of Luna. I once had to serve a writ on the temple in Ithrill. From my height, the main thing on the statues I focused on was the feet and sandals. I really focused on those sandals."

Victoria couldn't help herself but ask, "So why were you serving a writ on the temple of Luna, sir?"

Aurik chuckled. "A long story, but one of the followers had gotten the hump with their fellow worshippers when during their one attempt at communion with Luna, he had gotten candles, incense, perfumes, a harem from the festhall around the corner, and a drumming band. Halfway through the ceremony, one of his rivals for the goddess’s affection then summoned a big ape, not huge but big, in the middle of his summoning circle."

"Amazingly, the disrupter had managed to get the ape to wear a pair of sandals not too dissimilar to the ones you are wearing now. Still, my client was not happy and sued the temple for the expenses and embarrassment of not seeing Luna."

"So, what happened in the case, sir?"

"My client got his expenses for the candles, incense, perfumes, the harem, and the drumming band, but nothing for embarrassment. For his shame, the temple then kicked him out. Apparently, the Temple of Luna does not like its business aired officially in public."

"Why does Ithrill allow such worship of the dark gods, sir?"

"A good question, Victoria. The main one is as a city fighting for its survival, it's best not to make any more enemies. Plus, if you are fighting for everything on the battlefields against opponents who have their reasons to take the city, it's handy to ask the gods of killing, butchery, and violence for their support while doing it. All Ithrill asks is that the people don't plot to take over the city, such as the demon and devil worshippers."

Aurik looked at Victoria as they reached the chapel. "It's a good place, Ithrill. It defends the homesteads like these and tries to be honest in its dealings. It has its bad points, but at least no one is trying to take over. My hope is one day to be a judge in the city. Now to the business at hand."

As they entered the chapel, Aurik went into the vestry to get ready into his robes. Victoria set up a trestle table in front of the statue of Kreditos and from the bag of holding, took out the trail rations and placed them on the table.

Aurik then started the ceremony, wearing the black and grey robes of justice and a woollen wig, beseeching Kreditos to guide the hands of those in service to ensure justice was carried out. His voice was steady and reverent, and the air in the chapel seemed to grow still as he spoke.

While Aurik was completing the ceremony, Victoria took the opportunity to check over the chapel. Her eyes focused on the tiny statue of Luna, and she noticed that the goddess was no longer wearing any clothes.

The statue was incredibly detailed, and Victoria felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Victoria was trying hard not to think of herself looking like the statue in case anything should happen, but Aurik had completed his blessing and quietly popped over.

"Ah, you have a different statue of Luna compared to the ones in the city of Ithrill," Aurik said innocently, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Victoria jerked, instinctively covering herself up in case the goddess struck again. Her face burst into a bright pink flush as the embarrassment hit her. "Oops, sorry, sir," she whispered, slowly moving her hands away from her breasts and groin area.

Aurik looked at Victoria and the statue, his expression softening. "Ah, now I see where the sandals came from," he chuckled. "Miss, when I started, ah, you know what, I've seen a lot of things in my time as a defender before getting involved in the prosecution. You would be surprised what gifts the gods have given in their acts of... friendship."

Victoria looked down at Aurik and smiled, her face gradually calming down from the embarrassment. "Thank you, sir," she said, her voice steady but still a bit shaky. "I guess I have a lot to learn about the gods and their ways."

Aurik sucked in his cheeks, his expression becoming more serious. "Indeed, Miss Victoria. The gods can be unpredictable, but they often have their reasons. It's important to respect their gifts and understand their intentions. If you ever feel overwhelmed or confused, don't hesitate to seek guidance. I've found that the more you understand, the better you can navigate the paths they set for you. And be wary of the devils, the demons, the angels, and other creatures who act on their deities' behalf. They often cause the most mischief and offer the best deals for a price."

Victoria smiled with a slight chuckle, feeling a sense of gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. "Thank you, Aurik. I'll keep that in mind. If there's anything I can do to help with the investigation, just let me know."

Aurik nodded, his expression warm and reassuring. "I appreciate that, Miss Victoria. Your cooperation and insight are invaluable. Let's see what the villagers have to say at the meeting, and we'll go from there."

With that, Aurik and Victoria left the chapel, ready to face the challenges ahead.