Alex watches in anger as his friend goes down. "I'll deal with the pretty boy after I knock you on your ass, whore."
William starts to panic and finds a loose shingle to throw.
"Whore!?" That had gotten her attention. She was Olfren Sarini, daughter of a noble house and forged of noble blood. Once again, anger welled in her, bubbling up through her fists as she tries to slam them into Alex. She would not be called a whore, and certainly not by a little brat that couldn't fit into the big britches of one actually loyal to Thrune. She had lived that life, had seen what it entailed. Who was he to even speak to her?
Gotta remember that Mage Armor with the +4. Let's also hope these attacks hit.
Round 4 Recap:
Alex is unable to touch Olfren.
William is still pathetically throwing loose bits of building.
Olfren knocks Alex unconscious.
---------------
Round 5 Initiative and Status:
William (healthy)
Olfren (healthy)
---------------
Alex (unconscious, out of initiative)
Trent (unconscious, out of initiative)
Caiphas (bleeding out, out of initiative)
William looks at his fallen comrades and his face goes pale with understanding. He drops his mace and backs up in disbelief that these two people were able to take him and his friends.
"Y...Y...You can't.... do that... it's... not possible..." He realizes the folly of his words almost as he says them and begins to run for his life.
Rexus, who has come to, sees that his assailants are gone and pulls a potion out of his belt and quaffs it. He stands shakily to his feet and picks up his sword cane, sheathing it upon his belt. "And might you give chase to that man, or shall we grab what we can, including your friend, and leave before he reports to the dottari, sweet Olfren?" he says as flippantly as he can muster.
Cornelius gets up from the stone floor of the prison and moves over to the old man, seating himself back down next to the man. "I have no cards, but I'd be willing to have a chat if its all the same." She says as he smiles to him.
He was unconscious by this point and was not aware that Olfren had stood her ground and defeated the second man, leaving the third to flee. If he had, certainly he would have congratulated her with hearty words and a pat on the back.
As it was, he was slowly bleeding out on the ground, sprawled out face-down.
The old man smiled and nodded. "My name is Thomas Gowan. I used to run a small butcher's shop in Old Kintargo. That is until my only daughter married off and left me alone. It's a sad state of affairs when an old man is stuck in jail just because he wanted to see what was happening in the city." The old man had salt and pepper hair, thick pronounced wrinkles all over his face, and gnarled arthritic hands. His cold blue eyes, however, still showed a spark of youthful vigor. "So why were you on the wrong end of a mace today, young sir?"
A few prisoners coughed and shifted uncomfortably. Some tried to sleep despite the early time of day. A guard walked by the cell and stared at the two talking men. "Hey, I don't mind you folks talkin, but if you get too loud I'll have to come in there. So don't go yellin or nothing unless you want trouble." He set a bucket of water down with a large ladle-like spoon and several clay mugs for the prisoners.
"There is no need for a hunter to give chase when a lowly weasel flees," she answers, silently eyeing him up and down. For the moment, it seemed he lacked any need for immediate care. Then, she looked over the two thugs that had assaulted her and the man she knew as Caiphas. "When we get to a safe place I'm going to look over the both of you in more detail," Her eyes flicker from Rexxus to Caiphas, her snout receding into the soft features of a young woman once more. She props the thugs up against a wall, checking to make sure neither of them would die without care.
She moved over to Caiphas, gently pulling him up into her lap, murmuring a soft, "Upsies," and sighing, "You know he refused this earlier and look where it's got him." She shakes her head before silently moving her fingers over his body, quiet, gentle words seeping from her lips. His wounds begin to heal, a soft glow emanating from her fingertips onto the wounded Aasimar.
He had missed the conversation but he was not going to argue with either the healing or the view once he woke back up. Admittedly this was not the first time he had woken up in such a position but usually he was not as wounded once he did so.
The healing magic provided him enough strength to wake up. Blinking with those golden eyes he smiled up at Olfren.
"Mmm...I take it by the pounding in my head that this is not the fields of Elysium. Although the view is just as nice."
He spoke with a honeyed voice and sweet words, giving a flirtatious flutter of his eyes. There was a bit more than gratitude in his eyes as he gazed up at the woman.
But that was enough lingering about and he got to his feet a little slower than he would have liked. He was apparently still wounded, but well enough to stand. He looked about and saw two of their assailants down on the ground and their intended victim back on his feet again and nodded.
"Well I see that you took care of the remaining man and with no sign of the third I assume he ran off. Well...good riddens and gods speed to him. And that is a damned bit more than he deserves.
He turned to the gentleman and gave him a bow.
"Ah I am glad to see you are okay Sir. I do hope you were not as mistreated as I was.
He spun back to Olfren and bowed to her as well.
"And I thank you M'lady, for that much needed assistance. I owe a boon for the great service."
Rexus placed two impatient hands on his hips. "That's all well and good sir, but we really should be moving before the dottari are called." Rexus then moved to the two unconscious men and searched through their clothes. He found two coin purses and tossed them to Olfren. "Let's call this compensation for your healing services and be gone from this place. I have much to arrange today and not much time to arrange things."
Rexus then sheathed his can sword and gave the two loyalists a good kick for extra measure. He began walking very briskly and looking back at the two would be heroes. "Come along now, friends. We shall find a room for the night. My treat."
Cornelius gives a soft smile to the old man, knowing that he himself was not that young "I was there to keep my friend, Zachrin, from getting involved in a potential riot, there were a few beforehand and I insisted I came along..." He got up and managed to get a mug of water, which he brought back for the old man and offered him. "Then he tasked me with helping to get as many people as possible out of the chaos if one happened, which I did to the best of my ability. Would have been working on handaxes otherwise."
He reflected on his luck in that fleeting moment, when he was outnumbered and hurting, still hurting now, the woman didn't have to stop attacking.
This woman, Hannah, who exactly is she...and why was she there? Maybe I will find out tomorrow.
"Quite noble of you. I saw you fighting. You performed that duty well young man. I think you allowed about a hundred people to flee with their lives." He sipped the water slowly and settled into a reclining position on the cell bench. "So what do you do for a living? You said something about handaxes. Are you a smith?"
The man reached into his cloak and brought out a pipe and some tobacco. He tapped the pipe empty and began to fill it with new plant matter. He lit the antique smoking paraphernalia on a nearby candle."Would you like a drag? I have this particular blend imported from Varisia."
Cornelius gives his head a shake, passing on the smoke while he reseated himself and continued to talk to Thomas. "Yes, I work at Olmer's smithy from time to time, helping to fashion weapons and hope to finish my apprenticeship, though the current war effort has made it difficult to keep up with the workload."
He once more reflected on those usurpers, throwing dung at the very man they hated, or perhaps intended to upset to the detriment of everyone there. "I hope they are willing give back my longsword once I am out, I spent a good amount of time working on it."
Olfren caught the two purses and frowned, "I'm not sure it's considered compensation when they're unconscious.." she murmured, glancing back towards the unconscious bodies of the men. If they had not attacked her and nearly brought Rexxus to death, she would have put the coin purses right back where they had been. However, as they had attacked and not the other way around, and she had checked to make sure they would wake up fine-sore and with bruises, but fine-she reasoned that it was reasonable compensation. Still, though, she had tried to make their wake as comfortable as possible.
"You owe me no boon, she speaks softly to Caiphas as she follows Rexxus, "Thank you for helping save my-" there's about a split second of hesitation as she puts the coinpurse into her bag, "My friend." She gave a slight bow of her head before easily moving and catching up to Rexxus, her long legs carrying her swiftly.
A frown decorates her features, one of deep worry, "You have many questions to answer. I've been looking for you since the fire." She looks away from him, forward, as if trying to think of exactly what she wanted to say next, "I was worried." She finally murmurs, glancing back at Caiphas, "There is so much to worry about in this town, now."
Rexus looks at Olfren with an exhausted smile. "Soon my old friend, soon. Right now we need to be off the streets. I know of a bookstore but it's some distance away still. We can talk there. At least of my recent activities. How have you been?"
How do you tell your best friend your family was assassinated?
Rexus picked up the pace so much his heels clicked on the cobblestone of the streets. He was headed toward Old Kintargo, as the smell of sea salt and clay got stronger in the wind.
---------------
Elsewhere, and old man replied "They usually do give people back their weapons and valuables. Say what you want about Thrune rule, but at least even the guards follow the rules. You never did introduce yourself." The old man took another slow sip from his cup.
"Worried," she answers gruffly, eyes roaming around suspiciously. She continues glancing behind them as they walk, "I had thought you might have perished in the fire... I was close to giving up hope," she sighs softly, shaking her head. That didn't matter, now. He was fine. She takes a deep breath, long legs easily keeping up, tugging her cloak against herself.
Her head was swimming with various thoughts. Should she tell him of her realization? Certainly not now. What happened? Where was his family? What on Golarion happened?
The questions swam and danced around her head as she looks towards him, wishing they were already at the bookstore, walking faster for it. "..I was glad I spotted you at the protest, barring what happened after. I must admit I was tempted to force my way through the crowd but I didn't want to hurt anyone." She gives a weak smile, though it's marred by the obvious memory of innocent people being beaten and taken prisoner.
He coughed a little and shied back from the pair, allowing them to walk side by side while he hung back and still followed. It was for the best that he find some souls to band together with.
But it did not take him long or much though to realize that he was the low spoke in this little triangle. Clearly this woman's eye was cast upon this man and he knew enough to bow out. Could not hardly blame the woman. He cut a dashing figure after all.
He coughed and rubbed his shoulder, shaking out the stiffness.
"Ah, very well. You are most generous M'lady. And no thanks are necessary. And you are both very kind indeed for letting me accompany you. And yes...there is much to worry about now. I quite agree."
There was an understatement if there ever was one. That was a full blown riot and considering all that were taken captive, the wounds would be felt for a very long time. Yes, this might be the beginning of the breaking point. While he walked with the pair, he was keeping his eye open for danger.
As Caiphas looked about for signs of danger, he noticed something moving across the skyline. A black silhouette with a thirty foot wing span flying above. While giant birds were not strange in Kintargo, this shadow of a beast looked vaguely humanoid. Not a few seconds after, Caiphas heard the distant call of "My purse! That tiefling stole my purse!"
Rexus noticed Caiphas looking around. "Ah but my manners. I am Rexus Victocora. This fine young woman is Olfren Sarini, an old friend of mine. But you sir," He said as walked. "what is your name? I don't believe I've seen you around much before now. Its odd for one to be so gifted with words and not be known by me. I fancy myself a poet some days." He thought for a moment. "Oh how rude, Olfren. I should have let you introduce yourself. I apologize for my brashness but I have been quite flustered as of late."
"I've already had my introductions with this gentleman. We met running from the riot," she shrugs her shoulders lightly, looking away. A way with words she definitely did not have. Well. There was a definitely a way. Not particularly a good way, however.
She adjusts the otter lightly on her shoulders, frowning, [b]"We really have to discuss what has you so flustered and what you've been doing for the past ten days, Rexxus. I don't like all this mystery. How long was it til the bookstore?"[b]
Seeing Caiphas look around, she follows his lead, out of paranoia if nothing else, her eyes scanning around.
Flusters a bit at his own neglect of manners. "My apologies sir, I am Cornelius Brund, I should really know my manners by now." He gives a slight smile before going on with their conversation. "It's good to know the guards retain their senses in all this, I would have thought my end was coming back at that protest."
Olfren also hears the distant cries of "My purse! That tiefling stole my purse!" but nothing else comes to her attention.
"You know me, Olfren. Always an avid reader. I find myself enjoying copper dreadfuls and mystery novels as of late. Especially works by the famed Allison Kindler." He smiled back at her and she recognized two emotions play along his face. That old tomboy spirit he had when he was a child, but also an underlying fear. "We'll be there soon, but even if we get there I can't answer everything. I must get a few people out of prison. Namely that man who took up his sword against two thugs at once. We will need men like him in the days to come. There was also another hopeful arrested as well."
---------------
The old man laughed at Cornelius' embarrassment. "It's quite alright. Though, if the dottari are directly commanded by the Lord-Mayor, I sense bloody times ahead. This city has never had a dictator before. Even you should remember the good things our last Lord-Mayor accomplished." The old man squinted his eyes in thought. "Her last proposed act would have been to let the tieflings of Redroof begin holding their own plays and operas in the opera house to raise money for basic repairs to the streets. It didn't go over well with the nobles, but the Court of Coins didn't seem to mind as long as they didn't have to pay."
The old man pulled a piece of chalk from his coat and began drawing a grid on the floor. Then he took out his coppers. "How about a friendly game of checkers? We each get to keep the coppers we take from the opponent. I'll take soldiers, you take scales."
He did know of that last act before the takeover of the city, the last good thing to ever be announced in public in his opinion. He decided to take up the game Thomas proposed, as there was not much else that could be done. "Sure, it'll pass the time." He says before withdrawing some of his own coppers from his pouch, setting them up upon the makeshift grid.
Thomas looked at the board with seriousness for a few moments. "You should move first."
Cornelius can only smile after Thomas had beaten him in this simple but tactical game, though it certainly helped to forget the time passing. Perhaps there was a sort of symbolism in how the scales had lost after much tactile movement to the soldiers, having to rely on sacrifice to do anything of worth. But he brushed such ideas aside. "That was a good game old man, it is not often I get to play games like this."
Thomas laughed. "You should have asked for a draw when there there six kings. You wouldn't have had to lose on purpose." He claimed, still pocketing the two copper despite the game being thrown at the end.
"You just wait and see, though. This won't be the kind of thing people will have time to play in the coming months. Kintargo's a good city with good people, but that Thrune man... people are going to get violent."
There's a groan, and it takes her a good minute to realize that she's the one making the noise. ”Unconsciousness via bludgeoning. I'd like to say that it's not the first time, but, surprisingly it is.” Of course, to whose benefit saying something like that, is only known by her.
A lithe, female figure rises up from her previously prone state, running her hand through a shock of navy blue hair. That's not the only thing blue about her, what modest amounts of skin showing almost glowing with a soft, pale cyan.
Without any weapons, the only way to discern the fact that she's not a simple townsfolk is the studded leather adorning her form. It seemed to have a very particular motif, that being a nautical one; the studs themselves seemed to imply a scaly texture, and whatever bits that could be dyed, are dyed various shades of blue. It could arguably be said that the whole thing is a little garish, but then again, that's usually under the purview of worshipers of Shelyn.
Giving a quick look around the room, Enkata tries to get a bearing on her surroundings.
Thomas looks over behind Cornelius' shoulder. "Finally awake are you? You're not the only one the guards beat into a stupor this morning. I'm Thomas Gowan, this is my new friend Cornelius Brund. Where you a part of that tragedy earlier as well?"
Enkata noticed that there was a bucket with drinking water and a couple of cups by the cell bars, and that she was sharing the cell with the two older men and roughly fifteen other beaten and bruised souls. Some coughing with sickness, others still moaning quietly in pain. No one, however, was grievously wounded or dying. That included her as well.
She saw the old wrinkled man pocketing two copper coins and a makeshift game board drawn in chalk on the floor. The man introduced as Cornelius was also putting his money away.
”Tragedy it was, and I was most certainly in the thick of it. In hindsight, the whole 'Thrune is a buffoon' chant probably didn't help me any, yeah? But it was just so damned catchy, I felt a little jealous that I hadn't come up with it myself.”
Seeing as the other “patrons” of this cell weren't nearly as lively, she decides to move closer to the pair of older gentlemen. Though, Undine longevity being what it is, it's terribly likely that she's at least close to their age. She always finds it funny when she tells people she's seventy two.
”Well, we're all sisters and brothers in bonds now, so I guess there's no helping it until they let us out. I am a bit perturbed by the incident that happened. Didn't see too much of it, myself. All I caught was someone did something, and Dottari poured out of the buildings like there'd been a murder. Either of you see anything?”
"Start a what, now, Rexxus?" The agitation and anxiousness was thick in her voice and if she could frown any deeper, her mouth might fall off. She shakes her head quietly, looking forward, and it was clear, to Rexxus, at least, that the silence and the somber look on her face was only masking anger at not having any of this explained.
Olfren had always been one to know things last, and in her recent years, had become quite agitated with anyone who kept secrets from her. This was part of the reason she'd had a bit of a falling out with her family. Learning secrets about one's birth and the circumstances thereof, not to mention the nearly fanatical allegiance to Thrune, had pushed her over the edge. This is why she'd been staying with Rexxus, up until the accident. Of course she'd just had to fancy going swimming that day.
Deep, dark golden orbs flickered towards Rexxus and if she had not had manners ground into her from birth, she would have given a growl of annoyance. Not knowing things meant that things could so easily get so horrible and misconstrued. Things could go wrong. People could die. Idly, she pulls the otter from her neck, holding onto him quietly and scritching under his chin.
"We need to get to this bookstore quickly," as she speaks, her voice is soft, deceptively so. A sign that she was only becoming more agitated. She kept her eyes forward, chin gently nuzzling the top of the otter's head.
He watched the silhouette fly across the sky with deep concentration. Whatever that was, it was big and too far away for him to be sure of what it was exactly. Was the body humanoid? It was hard to tell at this distance. But he watched it go by and only barely paid attention to the direction he was walking. He was alert enough to avoid bumping into the two he was walking behind but only because he could sense his distance from his form.
Only once the figure had gone by and there was a break in the conversation did he interject.
"Oh well...I'm no real wordsmith. I just play at satire and are pretty good at the odd limerick. Nothing more. It is...a hobby mostly, but I admit it has its uses. Getting within the minds of your foes can be most beneficial.
He moved up a bit closer but careful not to interject himself directly between the two, who he thought made a rather charming pair. He faced Rexxus and offered an introduction.
"The lady is correct, we have introduced ourselves but for your benefit, I am Caiphas Attmari, wanderer of the wilds and thinker of witty limericks, at your service Sir. And I am at your disposal."
It wasn't until Olfren and Caiphas were standing in front of a bookstore called Crissali's Fine Tomes. They had made a long and winding circle through Old Kintargo and back to Jarvis End behind the Opera House where all this started. "M'lady, Good Sir, I must depart. Go in here and ask Crissali about the Back Door Policy and offer to buy a rare tome on my credit account. I promise I'll answer the questions as soon as I'm back but I must go bail some friends out of jail. It'd be better if I could explain everything to everyone at once."
Then before Olfren could stop him, Rexus was off to the east towards the guard towers.
---------------
After the blue-tinted woman woke up, and the checkers game had finished, a finely dressed man with a walking cane, well groomed beard, and wind tossed hair appeared with two dottari at his side. "This is him guard. I wish to fully pay his bail, as well as the woman in the studded armor."
The dottari shrugged and held out his hand. "Forty golden imps if you please." The well dressed man nodded and paid.
Cornelius and Enkata were dragged out of the cell and handed their weapons back. The well dressed man bowed and introduced himself.
I'm Rexus Victocora and I'd like you to come with me for a conversation and some coffee."
He had heard enough and had been able to read between the lines and had a very good guess at what was going on. And it pleased him greatly. Did more than just that really. He had been positively frothing and champing at the bit to get a fire lit under the collective rears of the city and it looked like finally it was really happening.
He gazed at Olfren and offered her a smile while he approached the door of the bookstore and made ready to push it open for her to politely enter first while he held it for her. He would enter after she did.
"Well M'lady Olfren, shall we?"
At that, she bristled. A soft squeak was heard from her little otter as she pushes him back onto her shoulders, which he clings to for dear life. Like Hell was she going to wait around and sit in the dark while Rexxus was off gallivanting around. Long legs carried her easily after him, and she barely spared a look back at Caiphas, though it was apologetic. He didn't deserve to be left, either.
Something told her she wouldn't get a chance to speak privately with Rexxus for a while, and this walk would serve as that, even if he didn't say anything informative.
"You've got some nerve sometimes, Rexxus. Leaving me to a bookstore and a stranger-albeit a helpful one." In a sense, this was her way of saying she wasn't letting him out of her sight. Not again. She'd just gotten him back, she wasn't about to let something else happen to tear him away once more.
She was still wildly relieved that he wasn't dead. She'd begun to give up hope before today. Despite her annoyance at being kept in the dark, when she looked down at his usually-smiling features, everything about him made her calm. In a way, she was a bit disgusted by her own affection. In another way, she had always sought to be a protector and care for those in need, was this not just that?
Quietly, she walked just a bit closer to him and gave a soft sigh, letting herself be silent until they made it to their destination.
Rexus cocked an eyebrow and shot her an annoyed look. "Okay, but I only have enough gold left to my name to bail out the two souls I'm after. Then... nothing. I lost my entire fortune. If any guards recognize you, well, I can't stop the arrest." He sighed. "And yes, I'm keeping secrets, for now. Once I gather all the players, I will tell you of the job I want done."
They walked quickly across town. The sun was already low in the sky and businesses were closing due to the curfew. Rexus picked up the pace into a jog.
Once the pair arrived at the guard tower, the two watchmen at the door looked at each other with curiosity. "Sir, madame, you know that according to the new proclamations that there is a legal curfew in place. You should be headed home."
Rexus, who was panting and exhausted smiled. "I'm afraid some dear servants of mine where arrested during that awful bit of riot this morning on their way to market. I trusted one of them with my home key and I could not go home if I wanted to."
The guard sighs. "As long as you can pay the bail, we'll escort you where you need to go. Where are you staying right now?"
Rexus nods, still panting and putting on a show. "I am staying at Crissali's Fine Tomes. I recently lost my home to debt and she kindly gave me and my servants a place to stay, along with a key to her place of business." The guard then led Rexus to the cell where he pointed out Cornelius and Enkata.
Olfren stayed silent the entire way. She had no argument and he was right, but she was fairly well tired of being kept in the dark. Not to mention, what if the guards recognized HIM from the riot? He'd been there just the same. She kept that to herself, however, and simply followed along with him.
However, at the 'job he wants done', she shoots him an annoyed look right back, "I couldn't care less about the job you want done at the moment. I want to know what happened to you. She snorts in annoyance and at this point pulls her otter from her neck, tugging the hood up. Perhaps it would help her not be recognized, not to mention the cold chill that the night air in Kintargo could create, sometimes.
She knows when there's a plot brewing, especially when a complete stranger pays off your bail. As she makes her way to the person in question, her arms loop around one another, before giving her back a bit of a stretch.
”Enkata, at your service. Enchanté. I'm sure we have business elsewhere, yes?”
At this point, she turns to the guards, and gives a nod of her head. “The stay was lovely, dears, keep up the good work. Come visit the Redroof district sometime, you can find me performing in Hell's Kitchen, yeah? Try to hold off on the concussing this time, though. Oh hoh hoh hoh hoh hoh!”
Well it looked like Olfren was not willing to leave the good Rexxus's side. He just shrugged, fairly sure that the woman was more than a little attached to the man and could not be pried away with a sturdy crowbar. So he'd let her go with a shrug and a slight wave of a finger as the pair vanished.
As for him, he was going to take Rexxus's suggestion and go inside the bookshop. He shoved open the door and ducked inside and examined his surroundings. Satisfied enough he approached the counter where surely there was someone sitting. Confidently striding up, he slapped the counter with his open palm a few times in a friendly manner and spoke to who or whatever was currently manning...or woman'ing the counter and responded in a vivacious manner.
" Good Evening...fine place you have here. Very fine indeed, I think...I will inquire on your rare tomes...and I wish to use Rexxus's account. He is a very fine fellow indeed."
Rexus looked indifferently at the woman and sneered down his nose. "Listen, servant. I'm already displeased with you as it is. I don't need to know your name. Now grab your dour friend and let us depart. This is the last time I'll leave my key with you two."
"Just because I offered you coffee does not mean you are now my friend. It is simply a cold evening and a dead servant is a useless servant."
---------------
A disheveled mouse of a woman with brown hair, brown eyes, and thick glasses that sit askew on her face comes up from under a stack of books. "That bastard still owes me for his last tab. Those books he gave me were worthless and had no cited sources. What am I going to do with a mwangi legend if none of the intellectual guilds have vetted the information, hmm? No, no more books for that bastard. But, if you need a place to rest for the night I can let you into the lounge. I owe the man that much."
Cornelius watches the scene before him unfold, giving a cocked eyebrow for a moment as he briefly wonders what this man's intention was. The he looks over to the old man who had been his companion for the prison moment, talking in a low voice to him. "I must go now, I hope we can meet and chat some more in the future. I'll usually be at the smithery."
He gives the old mans' gnarled hand a good shake before he gets up and approaches this robed man, giving a rather odd glance towards the blue skinned female, wondering why he did not notice her before now and why she was so blatantly chatty and optimistic. He gives a polite bow as he palyed along with this act. "My apologies, it won't happen again." He said to Rexus.
A dark, thick eyebrow raises at Rexxus' words, but she pays no mind to the lies he tells. Obviously, he needed these people out for something. And if lying was what he needed to do to get them out, then she supposed it was for the best. Not to mention the fact that she had seen the gentleman at the riot. He had been taking every precaution not to hurt someone else, and didn't seem like he'd wanted to fight, either.
The blue woman, however, she had no idea about. She was certainly... something. She does well not to say a word, shifting a bit and ready to play the part of a servant, or bodyguard, if she needed to. Of course she had little hope that would work and she was just trying to stay silent, which was something she could definitely handle.
There's a small moment of contemplation, no longer than, say, six seconds at the most. It's during this that she stares at Rexxus as though the pain of Hell itself were about to boil over. But, it's gone as quickly as it comes, and she sweeps her arm out in front of her, bowing at the hips.
"Pardon me, my liege. I mistook your kindness as familiarity, and it shan't happen again. Please direct me to where I may be of the most use."
There's that stare again, unamused, though she assumes he has a good reason for trying to "pull rank". Straightening herself out, she looks over to the Cornelius, wondering if he's the "dour friend". Either way, she moves to stand next to him, like a good pair of servants should, and waits to be escorted by the Dottari.
The brown-haired woman led Caiphas through a maze of bookshelves until finally reaching a wall with a bookshelf labeled Fiction. She picked up a book "The Night-hag Incident" and pressed a button on the wall. The bookshelf slid up into the ceiling to reveal a posh and comfortably furnished sitting room. "I'll prepare some coffee. Wait here for your friends."
---------------
The dottari begin to escort the four people from the guard tower and across several blocks until they came upon the book store. Caiphas had already been ushered to a semi-secret back room and served a light cinnamon coffee.
Rexus sighed as the bookstore doors close. He led the ragtag band into the back room and sat down himself. Exhausted. Rexus smiled at caiphas and served himself a carafe of the coffee from the pot on the table.
"Everyone, please have a seat. Have some coffee. I would like everyone to be relaxed while I explain the whole situation."
Rexus then waited for everyone to get comfortable, or not, as they pleased.
"Firstly, my dear Olfren, I owe you an explanation specifically. I have been in hiding because I believe the new Lord-Mayor tried to kill my family. Secondly, I must apologize to you Enkata, and our silent friend here." He nodded at Cornelius. "My name is Rexus Victocora, and until recently I was a noble of this city. Now my name means very little."
"Thank you again for that timely rescue." He said looking towards Caiphas and Olfren. "Truth is, our meeting was no coincidence. I followed you from the protest earlier today, but in the panic that erupted I lost track of your group. You proved yourselves to be people of uncommon skill," He spread his arms to encompass all the people in the room. "and I am a man of uncommon needs. During last week's Night of Ashes my parents’ estate burned to the ground—I escaped simply because I was studying at the Alabaster Academy during the fire. There were other fires that night, as you know—fires that many believe were started by Barzillai Thrune or his agents in an at tempt to squash any spirit of rebellion Kintargo might have. Now more than ever we need that spirit of rebellion to stay strong, but Thrune’s actions have driven into hiding those who would stay strong and resist. Those who could once rally the city to a cause, such as Lord-Mayor Jilia Bainilus and my parents, are missing at best, and are more likely dead. I cannot do this on my own, but with the aid of talented citizens such as yourselves, I have hope that we can. Will you aid Kintargo? Will you save the city from the devil?"
The entire trip back, the eight-foot-tall woman was silent, taking a seat beside Caiphas and wondering what could possibly be happening next. She adjusts her cloak quietly to cover herself a bit more, finding such a crowded little room not to her tastes. As Rexxus mentions her name she looks up from beneath her hair, pulling it to the side to listen to what he has to say.
His beginning words make her stiffen, and the continuation makes her tense. Her fingers curl against the table and her eyes flicker down towards the wood as she listens. She grits her teeth, and his words only continue to light a fire within her heart. Perhaps she had been naive, or perhaps she had wanted to think that Thrune simply WAS a buffoon. It appears that he was a cold dictator who would murder and destroy innocent lives to hold his power.
Both pain and anger mingled, dancing in her chest, intermingling in a swarm of grief and rage. She could scarcely think how Rexxus was taking it. She had lived with him, even for that short time, and now those wonderful people were no longer.
At the end of his speech, cold, calculating eyes looked up and she let out a low growl, "We'll need more than four miscreants to illustrate such a feat, but we are going to tear the city from beneath his royal throne and watch him thrash as he falls into the Hellfire abyss he's created for himself." She clears her throat, speaking more than she's spoken in quite a while, "We shall have his pretty neck shackled within the year for the crimes he's committed."
Her anger was a rare thing, and she was not quick to it. The last week and a half, however, had been more than taxing on the woman. She'd lost the home she was staying at, she was running low on funds, she'd lost those that cared for her, and now, today, she'd saved Rexxus from near-death. She would meditate long and hard on it, this night, but for right now, she was ready to burn down the opera house. She was no fool and knew there was no way they would survive two seconds on such an outrageous feat, but that didn't clear away the anger and hurt she was experiencing.
"We must do it intelligently, though. We must keep our heads and wits, now that we might as well be hunted. And you can guarantee we'll be hunted soon, as soon as his dogs sniff out any hint of a rebellion." She shakes her head quietly, having said her peace. She will not, however, look at Rexxus, or any of the other members of this pitiful little group. Her eyes instead focus on a spot on the table, silent, now, and possibly silent for the rest of the night.
He had been waiting calmly sipping coffee and waiting for the others to arrive. He had been figuring something like this was going to happen once he spoke the phrase to the store owner. And it could not have come soon enough in his opinion.
Once the rest of the figures came in, he took note of who was in this little rag-tag group. There was Olfren of course, she he knew. Then there were the other two, an older human man whom he did not know and could not remember seeing at the protest. But it had been a very big crowd indeed so a single figure could have been missed. The other...well now...a pretty blue lass and fine one indeed. He would give that lady a special smile when she came into the room.
But now that the were all here, he leaned back and listened to Rexxus speak, nodding and tenting his fingers as he leaned back in his seat and crossing one leg over the other.
He listened to Olfren as she spoke and he nodded here as well. While he was more than capable of causing chaos. Here it needed to carefully applied. Here at the outset, there was precious little resources and even less manpower. For here was the bulwark of their forces. And there was no doubt that these people were just as capable as him, there were only five against the storm. But he was sure they could get the job done. As long as they were careful and did not muck it all up.
He clapped his hands together once and bowed at the waist to the group. He then started in with his hale and hearty voice speaking in a highly animated manner.
"Ah Sir, you have my aid in any and all parts of this endeavor. But I quite agree with you as well Madam. With as few as we are now, we must go carefully about this thing. I am sure some if not all of us will be watched now and we must take care to hide if not all our actions, then at least our grand intents. But to you good Sir...I pledge myself to you and your cause, until the bitter end. Let the buffoon swing for his crimes!"
Enkata would find the prospect of all this to be daunting, at the very least. Her fingers begin to tap along the table in front of her, as she watches the man, Rexxus, explain his plight. She doesn't seem to be angry, anyways.
"You ask for much, dear, but I do know that what you ask for poses a risk for yourself as well. Allow me to start with this; as far as your identity, and the many secrets you've already divulged, you have my word that I will not share them, so long as your cause is good and just and devoid of malicious machinations. From my perspective, to be clear. And let me also be clear about this; my word is not so freely given that you may assume it to be tawdry. Should I fail to keep it, I will suffer greatly indeed."
She then looks at Olfren, then Caiphas, noting their stances on the matter, before turning towards Cornelius.
"Before I come to my decision, however, I'd like to know how you feel about all of this Cornelius. After all, brothers and sisters in bonds are a bit more trustworthy, yes?"
Rexus nodded and looked toward Cornelius as well. "So the warrior has a name." The ex-noble smiled.
He pulled out a small box of tobacco and began wrapping a cigarette. "Do pardon me but this is stressful business." Rexus lit the cigarette with the tip of his finger. A magical spark created from arcane energy.
"Let's give our silent friend time to think on it. Caiphas, Enkata, why don't you two tell me more about yourselves as we wait. I already know Olfren, though we haven't seen each other in a while. Feel free to introduce yourself properly, Olfren, as well. I'm sure our new friends would like to know who you are."
Caiphas put a aire of humbleness on around him. He did not like to blow his own horn too much. He'd much rather if others did that for him. He had a prideful streak a mile-wide but he was no grand braggart. He would much rather if others spoke of his name with honor...if not a little fear.
But he waved his hands and started to speak.
"Oh there is not much to tell. You have all heard my name and I admit I am none too well known about these parts. Although I have lived here a good many years. My words have been seen written upon walls in secret places and spread upon the lips of those lucky enough to find them. I have a small gift with word but I am no fool with them. I know it is dangerous to use such words in full daylight. No, my words are often best whispered and spread like wild fire. If not,then best sown among willing ears and lifted upon the winds in unified cries."
He had been leaning eagerly forward as he told his tale, gesturing with his hands in an animated manner. But he stilled as he suddenly came back to rest in the chair. A smirk growing upon his face.
"But enough of my words, about me...I am a mere wanderer of the wilds and the alleys of the urban sprawls. I know my way among the shadows and my eyes see very far and my ears catch most whispers with ease. I also...understand fear and very intimately at that. It is a tool for me to use and I hope it will serve us well in these days to come."
He finished this with a flourish and settled into stern seriousness although his body posture indicated a relaxed state.
"But enough bluster and talk. In all seriousness I am willing to give myself fully to this cause and be not only at your service good Sir, but to all who would lay their cards with mine. So...what say you then...been very quiet sir...?"
He had turned his gaze to Cornelius and had addressed this last question to him. He had not spoken up yet and Caiphas wanted to hear his story.
Cornelius sat there after Rexus' speech and throughout the banter between these unlikely individuals, pondering what had transpired over the day that had led to this point.
This man had certainly followed them as stated but how could I have not noticed or have been aware of him? Why did Zachrin ask me in this particular protest to help the people? Why did that woman find interest in me after the fight was done? In a matter of hours, a thousand questions had arisen, but they are only so clear now, here...
He then ended the moment by standing up out of his seat, looking at each of them with no malice or enthusiasm, silently judging them before he began to speak.
"My full name is Cornelius Brund, I am a protector of my faith first and Weaponsmith second, I strive only to follow the laws stated by the city and by my deity. I have people I need to protect from further harm in this occupation, and I have doubts on whether joining this rebellion will keep them safe, or put them at even greater risk. So before I can make a decision, I must pray for some guidance and consult with my people."
He then sat back down and awaited what they had to say.
Rexus smiled at Cornelius and Enkata. "Of course. We all have those we wish to protect, do we not?" Olfren saw Rexus reach for and fondle an old locket. She knew of that locket's importance, it was given to him by his mother at birth.
"If you must take the time to seek your soul, your faith, and your loved ones, that is fine. Know this, however, my dreams are for a bloodless revolution. One in wich the sanctity of life is preserved as much as possible. I do not wish to start a war of blood and death. That is the last thing I'd wish on my beloved city of silver. At the same time, can we truly let an unjust tyrant rule over us?"
He sighed and let go of his locket. "Thrune says that Lord-Mayor Jilia Bainilus abdicated her role and fled to the continent of Arcadia. The people say that she broke her neck falling down some stairs after praying too hard to Cayden Cailean. Others say Thrune has the old Lord-Mayor in his torture dungeons. With the actions of this morning... letting loose a hellhound on the populace? I am likely to beleive the latter. If that were true, that would mean for this city," Rexus thought hard before stating the end of his thought. A play of emotions on his face from anger, confusion, fear, and determination revealed themselves quite obviously.
"that would mean that Barzillai Thrune is an illegitimate authority."
Rexus coughed uncomfortably. Well, Rexus old boy, you've committed yourself fully with that statement. They can excruciate you for treason now. Time to grow a spine. This can't be harder than those old days of ridicule, right?
"Olfren, why don't you help me with my medicine hm?" Rexus looked very ill all of a sudden and was sweating profusely. He opened his coat and took out a box that held vials and needles. Most of the vials were empty except for one. It was filled with a strange orange concoction that glowed softly in the dim room. "I apologize for the gruesome display. I am quite weak of constitution and I need these alchemical treatments to keep my health up. If you are squeamish, please turn away. No harm, no foul."