After her vision, Zee looks up from her cards.
"I see success tempered with danger. You will get what you want, but blood will be spilled. Whose blood I cannot see. I then saw another vision... of myself wading through a swamp toward a distant barn... and insects... swarms of insects... Perhaps we are there in search of more artifacts from lost Thassilon."
- you haven't heard of a group calling itself 'The Sleeping Snake'...
Nalathi raises an eyebrow. "What? Is it special? I noticed Lady Heidmarch has a few like this too."
Kyrot scrawls something on a parchment, rolls it into a tiny scroll tune and then attaches it to the leg of the raven. Whispering gently to it, he feeds it a few crumbs before releasing it into the mid-afternoon sky...it swoops and soars around the balcony for a minute or so before flying to the north...over the harbour and out to sea...
"Well, it seems that we have a mutual employer", Kyrot smiles and, from a decanter on a sideboard, pours a glass of wine for everyone. "There is little to be done now before you get your more detailed instructions from the Fairfaxes - maybe you should familiarise yourself with the auction listings? My master... had identified the pieces that he was planning on bidding on". Kyrot gestures to a leather bound booklet...
"Oh, and as one man to another, I shouldn't let on to Lord Fairfax that you and your artist are close...I think he had ideas of his own..."
- the man smiles, "Course you can stick yer bag on me trolley...that's safe enough...come on, let's get loaded up...got to get these barrels over to Lowcleft before sundown or Jaster Frallino will be spitting..."
As you chat, a waiting boy leaves a bottle of wine and two glasses on your table - if you look up, you notice the barkeeper smile at you and mouth 'on the house'...
"Thank you, sir," Joanna says with a slight bow before hurrying to stow her gear on the trolley then picking up a barrel of the foul smelling fish.
"If you don't mind me asking, what use does this Jaster Frallino have for rotting fish? The only things I can think of is using it for chum."
Those kind of rings are really personal, Nalathi. They are proof that you are a member of certain families, either rich, noble or powerful, sometimes all at once. You should try to give it back to its rightful owner, if possible.
After the new and free bottle is given by the waiting boy
That's strange, isn't it...Why would the bartender offer us a free bottle? We're not even regulars customers. Could this bottle be poisoned or am I too melodramatic?
"I see" Teldon responds to Kyrot's advice with what sounds like a hint of jealousy, "Thank you for the warning."
He hesitates for a moment when Briana sits with the book but fairly quickly sits down next to her. Trying to hide how keenly aware he is of their proximity, he leans in to share the book with her. He scrutizes each entry and commits as much as possible to memory, trying desperately to ignore the way her arm softly grazes his when she turns the page, and the sweet floral scent that lingers in her hair.
She furls her brow. "I don't know... Do you know that bartender? I know I don't." She shrugs and pours herself a glass from the bottle offered. "But hey, free drinks."
The booklet is, as indicated by Kyrot, a catalogue detailing the artefacts and items to be sold at the Aspis Consortium auction in two days time. There are hundreds of items, many identified as being from independent collectors (you recognise the Fairfax collection) and some from anonymous sllers - the majority though, are being sold from the Aspis Consortium's own archives. It is these items that have the most notes scribbled against them - the Fairfaxes clearly having interest in some of the larger pieces...
...and, turning to the latter items, you see a rendering of the medallion that you have been seeking. Entitled 'Ceremonial Medallion, Jorgenfist, Ventari Expedition', there are several annotations next to it...Devlin Fairfax has scribbled a suggested bid price of 5,000 gold next to it and encircled the 'Ventari Expedition' text alongside a number of question marks...
As you are perusing the catalogue, one of you suddenly realises that the corpse still in the room...
As he starts to move the barrels onto the cart, the man looks at Joanna with a slightly raised eyebrow, "Chum? Feeding the fish? I guess so... Look, Frallino pays good money and, if you know what I mean by this, he's the kinda guy it pays to be on the good side of... So, I bring him fish... He pays me good coin... I don't ask too many questions". Pushing the final barrel in to place, "That's the last of them...you better pushing or pulling? If we put our backs into it, we'll be done in no time..."
As he takes a position to start shifting the heavily laden cart, he glances over at Joanna, "Seriously...don't go asking any weird questions when we're over at Frallino's caravans yeah?"
There doesn't seem to be anything untoward about the bottle that just came to your table nor do the intentions of the barkeeper seem to be anying more than encouraging you to drink. A few minutes after the bottle arrives, a reasonably well presented menu is placed on the table...
"I can do either. I'm stronger than I look," Joanna says as she flexes one arm and pats it. She takes her place wherever she's needed, "I'll be sure to keep my mouth closed. That would be the best way to avoid making a fool of myself."
Joanna puts her back into the work, but the man's words struck her as wrong. Every so often, she'd reach up to the holy symbol of Iomedae hanging from her neck and rub it with her thumb.
I hope this Jaster Frallino isn't taking advantage of this one, Iomedae, and I pray that you'll protect us both!
how do we discuss things with Kyrot always around now... Teldon wonders, Brianna knows Celestial...
Without looking up he says, "Փակցնելուց առաջ խնդրում ենք արձագանքել , եթե դուք խոսում այդ լեզվով." Then waits to see who all responds.
It is hard work pushing the heavily laden cart through the streets, the distance to Lowcleft seeming farther than you previously thought...the one ray of sunshine is that folk seem to be falling over themselves to get out of your way - such is the stench from the barrels...
From up front, your erstwhile colleague shouts back, "So what's your name and what in Desna's name were you doing stumbling around the Shadow?"
"Call me Joanna," the paladin answers, "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, and didn't even realize I had wandered into the Shadow until I bumped into you."
"Ես չեմ. Ես սովորեցի, քանի որ դուք խոսում է այն." Teldon answers, then realizing how that might have sounded he hastily adds, "Ես ... Ես նկատի ունեմ, այնպես որ ես կարող եմ խորհրդակցել ձեզ հետ մասնավոր , ինչպես ես երբեմն նրա հետ ..."
"I... I mean... so that i could consult with you privately like i sometimes do with Zee..."
Looking up at Kyrot he pauses for a moment to check for any sign that the tiefling has learned Celestial. he scowls slightly and says, "I'm terribly sorry to task you with something so unsightly, particularly so early in our working relationship, but would you please be so good to dispose of this corpse? I'll trust your discernment in determining the best method for disposing of it discretely."
Arsith looks at the menu, her interest piqued
Are you hungry, Nalathi? Some of these dishes looks tasty. Who know when we'll be able to enjoy a good meal next? The soldier in me knows to take pleasure whenever he can, when he's not on the battlefront. Not that I have participated to many battles so far... But I've been told so times and times again by grizzled veterans, so it must be true.
Unperturbed by ‘Pellius’ and ‘Eudomia’ talking in an alien language, Kyrot responds to Teldon’s request with a toothy grin, ”With pleasure…” Dragging the body into the neighbouring room, the sound of hammering and sawing follows – and, if anyone were to go and take a look, they’d see the Tiefling constructing a crate sized for the corpse.
The late afternoon sun warms your back as you trudge through the streets, ”Pleased to meet you Joanna – the name’s Birt by the way… thanks for helping out, you’ve made a day long job into an afternoon’s work. By the by, you really should watch yourself down the Shadow… ain’t you heard about folks going missing of late? Underbridge isn’t safe for a young woman to be walking around on her own at the best of times”
She brightens at the mention of food, having forgotten just how hungry she is. Their excursion had taken the place of breakfast. "Sure! What's good at places like this?"
Kyrot turns around, slightly surprised by Briana's interruption, "Er...yes? Oh, okay... I don't see why not. I was planning on taking him out after sundown...feel free to say your words any time before then". Grabbing another bunch of nails, he turns back to the task at hand...
I've disappointed her... Teldon reflects with sadness... I still have so much to learn... dare I risk saying any more?
"Ես պատրաստվում էր սովորել իր լեզուն, բայց այս հնչեց այնքան գեղեցիկ է, երբ դուք խոսում է այն ..."
When Briana returns from checking on Kyrot, he takes advantage of the noise the tiefling is making to speak privately with her and Zee, "we do not have enough money... Lord Fairfax estimates that the amulet will fetch 5,000 gold... the items we put up aren't likely bring us more than 700-800 gold... add that to what we have in the coffer, plus the Thassilonian coins, and we're still about 3,000 gold short. We could try to contact our benefactor to see if more funds can be secured? There is another possibility too, but it wouldn't be easy- based on the estimates offered on Lord Fairfax's statue, the life size one we saw in the Crow should more than cover the amulet... but we'd have a very small window of opportunity to secure supplies, find the other girls, hire a boat, retrieve the statue, and get it back to the bronze house..."
"Well met Birt, and helping's the least I can do after nearly knocking you over," Joanna says with a laugh. She sobers quickly though when Birt mentions people going missing.
"I have heard about that, but I thought most of those who had gone missing had been found. Is that not what's happening?"
As the Arvensoar looms above you, your hard and putrid-smelling journey across Magnimar is nearly at an end. "Sure some come back but they're changed...some have no memory of being taken or where they went, some can't even remember who they are and some are babbling madmen. It's a bad business Joanna, you should be careful..."
Turning a corner, the tight streets give way to a brightly decorated settlement of caravans - flags and pennants flutter in the breeze and the sound of children at play fills the air, "Ah, here we are...we're headed for the large blue caravan up against the cliff"
Whilst you peruse the menu, which seems to be focussed towards seafood amd is reasonably priced, a young girl - probably no older than five and dressed in an elaborate skirt and bodice - hops up on the bench next to Arsith. Looking at the Pharasmin with wide open eyes, "Hi, I'm Princess Alabaster...Who are you? How old are you? What do you do? Who's your friend?"...the questions come quick and fast...
The Pharasmin answers with a smile
My name is Arsith. I'm twenty three, Princess Alabaster. My friend Nalathi and myself are travelers.
"Good idea. If we're going to do this we'll need a boat- Zee, do you think you can get the one we left with your friend on short notice? A stone statue that size should weigh about 600 pounds, so that boat should be strong enough... We'll need to carry it too, though... That means tracking down some potions and/or scrolls of the ant haul spell... and it would be safer if we could find the other girls." Teldon says quickly in a hushed voice.
"If Briana and I go up to the upper city to check the shops there and speak with our benefactor, could you speak with your friend and check the shops down here? Maybe even check a few taverns to see if the girls are still down here somewhere? We'll see if they've checked in at the manor..." he asks Zee.
"Arsith? That's a funny name... Your friend looks funny doesn't she? I'm a traveller too... My mother is from Taldor and that's why I am a princess only my Father says I'm not to tell anyone otherwise the Grumpkins will get us...". Idly playing with her hair, she asks, "Do you think I'm pretty?"
"Well where I come from, they would say you look funny. And your father's absolutely right, the Grumpkins like to snatch up little princesses. But don't worry... I won't tell them." Nalathi whispers the last part loudly and smiles.
"Yes sir," Joanna says quietly as she pushes the cart. Soon they are in sight of their destination and Joanna breaths a sigh of relief.
"I can see why you wanted help, that'd be quite the trip for only one person."
I honestly haven't seen any princess prettier than you.
Moving through the garishly decorated camp, a gaggle of children run towards you to see what is on the cart and then, with exaggerated behaviour of disgust, turn away complaining at the smell, ”Birt…Birt…Stinky Birt…Why don’t you ever bring fresh fish for us Birt?” Birt merely smiles at them before turning back to Joanna, ”Don’t worry, they’re always like that…the fish ain’t for them anyway…aaaah, over there…one last push”
Pushing the cart into a circle of gathered caravans, Birt nods at the leather clad man sat upon the steps of the very large blue caravan, ”I’ve got Mister Frallino’s delivery here…he ordered extra for this week”. The man, putting his pipe to one side, smiles back, ”Normal place Birt, if you don’t mind… No idea why Jaster’s wanting more this week, Verna and Big Mal have had quite a few treats… Boss has been busy”.
Birt motions to Joanna to help get the job finished, ”Come on…let’s get the barrels unloaded…sooner we’re done, sooner I can buy you a drink”
Princess Alabaster giggles nervously when Nalathi suggests that she can talk to Grumpkins, ”Don’t tell them.. Oh, you mustn’t tell them… Promise you won’t and I’ll tell you a secret”, without waiting for a reply, she carries on talking at high speed, ”Do you see that man over there? Yes, the one with the eyepatch… He’s got special powers – that’s why he’s got an eyepatch… if he takes it off, there’s a little imp in his eye who can see your secrets…” And then, without waiting to see your response, ”And the barkeeper? Yes? He’s actually a shapeshifter…a werewolf or a rat or something… that’s what my father said…” and then, incredibly, ”And those sailors at the bar? Pirates… Yes, Pirates… Can you believe it? They sailed all the way from Port Peril with the Chelish fleet at their heels… I heard there’s going to be an army of Hellknights here tomorrow – they’re going to drag the pirates back to Cheliax and teach them a lesson”.
Whilst you are debating your next move, a voice calls out from the neighbouring room, ”I’m going to find somewhere safe for our ‘friend’ now… if you want to say a few words, you are more than welcome”
Joanna lets out a laugh at the children's antics, "So, should I call you Sir Stinky, Knight of the Rotten Fish, my good sir," she asks as they make their way through the caravans.
As they get closer, Joanna sees Birt getting more and more nervous.
"Birt? Is everything okay," she whispers as they head back to the trolley.
Teldon stands and dutifully follows 'Eudomia' into the next room for her words over the corpse. He wonders as he walks, Kyrot thinks us lovers... how will he expect me to act... the girls all seem deeply effected emotionally by death, perhaps some form of comforting gesture...
When she begins speaking, he places his arm around her back with his hand sitting gently on her hip. He then proceeds to miss every word she says as his senses are overwhelmed by the soft curve of her hip, that sweet floral smell he's growing so fond of, the warmth of her body, and the strange warmth spreading through his...
When she finishes he mutters, "beautiful..." then rends his attention away to Kyrot. "Thank you for dealing with this... situation. Alika has personal business to attend to around dockside and Eudomia and I are headed up to the summit for dinner. We'll call on you tomorrow to discuss plans for the auction."
Huh. Teldon and Brianna! I did not see that coming...
After Brianna's short funeral service, Zee mutters, "I never thought that collecting old artifacts would have such a high body count."
When Teldon suggests going back to the Crow for the statue, she agrees that it would be a bold, though risky, move.
Thank you for this treasure of information, Princess. We will forever cherish the day we meet you, pretty one.
The smile on Arsith's lips is genuine
Shan't I escort you back to your father and mother, Princess Alabaster? I would be very honored. This seems to be a perilous place, full of pirates, werecreatures and thought reading imps as you said yourself, and I wouldn't dare starting to eat before I know you are safe.
"This is a Sczarni camp Joanna...we will do well to keep our heads down, do our job, get paid and then find somewhere to have a drink...look, they pay well and I just don't ask", Birt is clearly justifying something to himself.
"Oh thankyou...you don't need to take me anywhere though, they're just sat over there", the princess points out two weary looking Varisians sat in a window seat, "Anyway...it was fun to talk to you, maybe when I am queen you can come to my court... That's if you don't get carried away by Hellknights tonight...". With a hop and a skip, the little girl returns to the table where her parents are sat...
After Briana's words, Kyrot grunts some kind of an acknowledgement and starts to manoeuvre the crate towards a trolley in the corridor, "Until tomorrow then Mr Pellius Crispin...be safe and trust no one"
"I don't think he meant to be menacing at all," Teldon offers, "his mind is still racing from the discovery that what he thought was his employer was a magical construct... and then add to that the revelation that Nalathi, Arsith, and Joanna were not who they claimed to be and its no surprise he's feeling paranoid. It's been a rather eventful day..."
After pausing a moment to consider Briana's words he continues, "I think that's a good idea. I suspect the Heidmarches won't have thousands of gold pieces on hand. The tide will be with us at 11:30 tonight... I think we should have enough time to carry out our tasks and rendezvous at the docks by then, shouldn't we? We'll need at least 4 potions or scrolls... 6 or even 9 would be better... Zee, why don't you take 400 gold to buy as many as you can and we'll take the rest."
"What a funny little girl," Nalathi comments, though she's hardly bigger than the girl herself. "Wonder if anything she said was true. About the others in here, I mean."
"Birt, I can help you. I find you something that isn't so dangerous or soul-wrenching," she whispers, her heart reaching out to his, "if we hurry after we're done, I think I can find you a job that pays well and won't have you lying to yourself."
Retrieving the chest, Teldon hands Zee about 400 gold and says, "Luck be with you... and stay safe. We'll see you around 11 on the dock where we returned your contact's boat." As he speaks he checks her over to make sure she's wearing her bladed scarf and carrying her cards; satisfied that she will be alright, he gives one final nervous nod and adds, "and if you do find any of the other girls while you're out please tell them I'm sorry for throwing them out... it seemed the only course with a high chance of success..." before turning and heading quickly towards the inn's common room.
Ignoring the growing clamor as mugs and plates are filled and served, he walks with Briana over to the counter and says, "We are in need of a carriage quickly, do you have one available for hire?" The unfamiliar man behind the bar replies, "No, but there's one nearby... I'll send a boy for you." The carriage arrives a short time later and 'Pellius' arranges with the driver for them to be taken quickly up to the summit before the shops close and dropped in Bridgeward, and then to be picked up at one of the gates to the Alabaster district around 10 pm.
The carriage's speed is a bit faster than seems comfortable at times, and the ride is made all the more uncomfortable by the deafening silence. Briana is left to let her mind wander as Teldon stares distractedly out the window. Several times he turns towards her and she's certain he's about to say something but each time turns away in silence again. They both seem somewhat relieved to step out into the still fairly crowded streets of Bridgeward when they arrive. Teldon tosses the driver a few coins and confirms the time and place of their pick up while Briana surveys the nearby shops and spots Tomlin's Tinctures.
Inside the peculiar smelling shop are a dizzying array potions and alchemical compounds. Teldon's curiosity is immediately piqued and Briana has to remind 'Mr. Crispin' that they are looking for something specific. With her guidance, they clear out the shop's stock of ant haul potions, 3 in total, and get directions to The Arcanium- a 'cozy' shop where a middle aged gnomish couple sells scrolls and wands. There they are able to purchase 2 more scrolls moments before it closes. As one shop after another begins closing it's doors Teldon offers, "This should be enough... but I'll feel better if Alika is able to find a few as well..."
Walking over into the Alabaster district, the two take a circuitous route to Heidmarch Manor in order to shake anyone who might be following them, on the off chance that someone might be. When Jacane greets them at the door they slip into the manor and ask after the Heidmarches. "I am sorry," Jacane replies, "but Sir Canayven is away in Korvosa, as I believe he mentioned when last you were here, and Lady Heidmarch is out tonight on business of her own." Briana and Teldon both frown slightly at the realization that there will be no 'plan B' now, and Briana asks if any of the other girls has been by. Jacane seems surprised by the question and, after informing her that they have not asks why... she and Teldon go back and forth explaining what happened before asking him to convey that report to the lady when she returns.
Their business at the manor complete, they slip back into the street and begin walking towards the gate where they're supposed to meet the driver, with an hour or so to spare... "I..." Teldon unexpectedly breaks their silence, "that is, we... umm... there's a, uh, very nice restaurant close by... if we're going to tell people that we were up here going to dinner, we should maybe... I mean, if you're willing... perhaps, we should have dinner... together?"
Well, I don' think so. I hope not, in fact. I could do with pirates, I would run away from a werething, but thought eating imps are downright nasty.
She sips the rest of her wine
Hungry, miss Nalathi?