After the party returns to the Stonehill Inn after Thundertree and Cragmaw Castle with Gundren, Vala Silverton retrieves Sister Garaele Xil'oama to heal him and joins her to help after bathing. While they're tending to passed out Gundren, Vala realizes she really trusts this woman. Between her cleric ties, the harper ties, and Sildar's camaraderie with her, she can't not be trustworthy. Vala kinda pauses and, nervously twists the linen in her hands and spews in a somewhat breathless rush.
Vala: Sister... I know we haven't known each other long and I hate to ask you for anything- I know there are many here who find themselves in far worse situations than I- but I had hoped I could ask after someone who I believe may be hunting me. I would prefer, obviously, to know his identity before he tracks me down, as I know you will understand.
It's not a particularly original tale for a noblewoman, but my father rather doggedly attempted to sell me for most of my life, more doggedly than most lords even. I believe my grandmere breaking my betrothal to the prince rankled something fierce.
In any case, the twenty-fourth time he succeeded. The morning of the Ruining he told me there was a contract signed, sealed in Waterdeep, but wouldn't tell me who. Tomlin was sent to retrieve my intended, but then mountain erupted and... well, he never found him. He knows little of the man except that he was a child of questionable lineage in Waterdeep. I fear what he suffered under my father's tutelage, and what he may have become after, Garale.
I know little of him except that he hails from Waterdeep, has claim to noble blood, but is perhaps not of noble name, and was unknown to the nobles in the city before the ruining. His family were likely artisans, but it seems many in Waterdeep were. He's likely 30-35 now.
The most useful piece of information I have is probably that he came into a great deal of wealth and comfort just before the mountain erupted and Neverwinter fell.
Sister Garale: Oh, my girl, I am sorry to hear of your troubles. It seems that they have been long and mighty both before and after the tragedy of The Ruining. I regret to say that I doubt I will be much help to you there. Unfortunately, 'The Harpers' as we refer to ourselves today are a poor likeness to those of old. She leans in close to whisper I tell you this in confidence being that I have entrusted you with a Harper token and believe that you may have a future with Those That Harp...
Vala: Truly? Vala gasps, I would be honored and hope to prove worthy.
Sister Garale: But, to my knowledge, there are only a handful of us active on the Sword Coast. Personally, I have only met or been informed of 3 in the Sword Coast North. One in Luskan and two in Neverwinter.
I have heard tell that there is a small but highly active contingent in Neverwinter, but I cannot imagine it would be more than a handful. And I also know there is a cell in Waterdeep, but I have no idea of their numbers, nor their identities.
Vala: Ah and I suppose that’s what I’m after. Smart to keep you all in the dark with regards to one another’s identities.
Sister Garale: The little that I can offer you is given freely though. I will reach out to my known contacts and see if they can get any information on someone living in Waterdeep who fits the description you have given me. I have to say, it's not much to go on though.
Waterdeep is also a place where many can both make and then lose large fortunes all within the turning of a single season, so I'm not sure how much that information will help.
Vala: It’s truly not much to go on. And you needn’t bother! I’ll simply keep hiding. I find I’m getting used to it
Sister Garale: "Oh, it's no bother, Lady! Digging for lost truths in the face of near-impossible odds is what The Harpers DO. Or did. Or will do again? One of those, I'm sure." She smiles both warmly and smirkingly.
Vala: (Laughs) Much of my life these days is ferreting out the distinction between the three. I understand you well, sister.
Sister Garale: I must ask though, you believe this man may be HUNTING you? As in literally?
I know that verbiage seems a tad bit... strong, but I've seen the kind of adventures you get into... and those that you adventure WITH, so I do not question your meaning.
Vala: I suppose not quite so literally, though I do… I don’t know, almost know he will seek me. My Grandmere warned me of him incessantly before her death and father was quite vicious about it. I’ve had visions of him finding me.
Vala says kind of detached, sometimes he kills me. I can never see his face
But he was just a child when father got his claws in him. I feel I’ve failed him, I suppose. I should have seen it. Prevented all of it. I hope to know who and what he is before he finds me, but I may not be so lucky
Sister Garale: Do you have any feeling of whether these threatened feelings or visions regarding this unknown man were true to his nature and intent or are rather inextricably alloyed to those of your father?
Vala: I suppose I don’t. I hardly trust my visions at all anymore. They’re… wrong since I woke. Contradictory. But Grandmere warned against him and I never knew her to be wrong. She never warned of death specifically, though
Sister Garale: I see. Well I am troubled to hear that your art is not working to your expectations or your benefit, as one would expect. Although, it is not uncommon since the onset of The Blue Fire. Magic was truly wild and pernicious for some time after, and while the worst of its effects have lessened, the Weave and the tapping of it can still be unpredictable at times. Much of the downfall of The Harpers can be traced back directly to the Spellplague. Many of the most powerful mages aligned with The Harpers were killed outright and even more went mad. Those loses combined with so many other struggles and curses of Beshaba were simply too much for the organization to handle."
Vala: Truly and thank you, it is quite frustrating. In any case, thank you for looking into it with what little I have found. It is truly a gift to have found light in times such as these, in both the Harpers and in you, sister.
Sister Garale: I thank you for your kind words, Lady. I feel much the same, The Lady of Luck has truly been shining her countenance in our particular direction as of late. If it weren't for her influence and, frankly, the force of good that you and your companions have brought to Phandalin, I don't believe our fair settlement would have survived. And if it did survive, I do not believe it would be in such a promising place as it is now.
Vala: I hope to leave it somewhere better yet, and bring back the rockseeker brothers. And thank you. (Vala definitely flushes under the praise a bit.) I means much from you Garale.
Sister Garale: That would be another blessing and a service to our community. The promise of reopening the Mines of Phandalin could bring considerable wealth and stability here. Which will come with their own risks, but that is true of any risky venture. And The Smiling Lady favors those who risk much with all the greater reward!
Your friendship is all the thanks I could ask for Lady. I, too, am thankful and humbled by your grace and beneficence. And your help in healing! My work would have been so much more the load to lift, had I not had aid from yourself and from Quelline! We three shall have Gundren (and Rig) back on their feet in little time.
Vala: I am certainly happy to help! More hands make less work. And I would be very pleased to call you a friend, Garale. Strangely, all this misfortune has put me in the path of more genuinely good people like yourself and Ser Hallwinter than I've ever encountered in my life and I find myself much better off for it in the end.
Vala she smiles at Sister Garale and helps her out with whatever she needs while she works.