Quoted By:
"Okay, my Lord," you say. "I am open to being honest with one another. First of all, I would actually like a castle tour."
He stays silent for a moment, the nods. "Most of the castle is unavailable to guests, but there are a few locations I can show you, if the history of my keep is truly interesting to you. What else?"
You take a deep breath. You are trusting Lady Wachter now, in this moment, that Strahd truly is the right person to ask for help. If you're making a mistake, the time to change your mind has long since passed already. "I am here because I am looking for my sister," you say. "She disappeared when I was a child, and I tracked her here, to Barovia. Her name is Joannus."
Strahd stares at you for a few seconds, as though trying to see if he may recognize the resemblance. At first he has no reaction, but then his face turns to disappointment. "Ah..."
Does he know her? Is she alive? What does "ah" mean? Your mind is racing at the possibilities.
"Yes, I can help you with this," he says.
"Really? Are you sure? Do you know where she is right now?"
"Slow down, now. You wanted a tour, remember? We can speak on the matter of your sister afterwards."
"Yes, of course, my Lord. It's just... I have spent so long wondering whether she is even alive."
"Oh, I believe she is," he says. "I thought you looked familiar, but I couldn't place it. Your sister is alive."
Hearing this coming from Strahd leaves you with some apprehension, as he isn't the most trustworthy authority on the definition of "alive", but wow! Not even the Vistani at the Tser Pool encampment were able to give you such a definitive answer, and his confidence fills you with an overwhelming sense of joy. If Strahd has actually <span class="mu-i">seen</span> your sister as he seems to be implying, that would make him the only person you've met who has come into contact with her since she disappeared.
"Now come with me," he says. "I will start by showing you the chapel."
"Wait," you say. "But my sister. Am I to understand you have actually met her? And you are sure that is who she was?"
"Yes," he says. "I would not make that mistake. But I would like to give you some perspective on a few matters before helping you locate her, but you have my promise, as Lord of this land, I will see that you are be reunited with her in the coming days."
"There is nothing I need to do? What about the nature of your curse - maybe there is something I can do to help?"
He shakes his head. "I need nothing from you."
As he said, you are his guest. But something about this whole thing doesn't sit right with you. You can't put your finger on exactly what it is, though. You have no reason to believe he isn't being honest with you right now, it's just a little notion in the back of your mind that something logical isn't adding up. If you sat down and went over the events leading up to this meeting, maybe you would be able to figure it out, but for now, you will just go on the tour and keep your eyes peeled.
(cont.)
