Qhude lets the elf respond to the words of others first... but his eyes are fixed upon the weapon held and the nascent threat it poses.
Zesaste noted the various steps the group took, including Qhude's combat stance. When he spoke Tebati, Ansha and Ansha scrutinised his tone and facial features carefully and each was struck by his sincerity and a slight hint of remorse in his tone as he explained things from his perspective.
I too am loathe for any violence here, Kieran; or for my family name to be sullied Ansha. My side of the story is fairly simple. Salgarth told me he was making a play to oust Mindra from her position as figurehead of the council. He told me that Tabansi's votes would be acquired and his man Rutius Wintrish would take his place upon it- at which point we, along with Bellis Mara, would have the majority vote upon any decision. Salgarth told me that there are workers in Eleder who will work for a fraction of the cost of what the current ranchers and locals are paid- and my research and life here is an expensive one. As Mindra or one of the others might have told you, I tend to have as little involvement with town decisions as possible; I am content to simply live off the income of my shares.
When I found that a curse had been placed on Tabansi, I assumed it was a scare tactic; to make him sell. But Salgarth seems to have darker designs, or perhaps the rancher has more mettle than he anticipated. Things have gone too far.
Zesaste looked quite grave as he spoke further.
I fear Mindra will find my role as an accomplice quite a lot more incriminating than it actually was. Having realised that Salgarth intends to murder Tabansi today, I had hoped to extricate myself from the town with my possessions, quietly and without fanfare. I doubt i'll be very welcome within the town after this.
Qhude does not consider Zesaste's words to assuage his guilt in the endeavor. Hissing he barks "At least you are man enough to admit your icala elf... I will not let you leave until you stand with Tabansi... you owe him a isikweletu that only he can choose to yekela." a grimness deepening in his features as his dead eyes affix the magic user "You would do well to stow your blade and come on your own feet" his voice even, but the latent threat hanging in the air after he spoke.
Ansha's eyebrows raise in alarm. Waving a hand over her shoulder at Qhude in a gesture requesting silence, she asks, "When did you come to the conclusion that Salgarth intended to murder Tabansi today? Could you provide evidence or testimony about it? It would go a long way toward rectifying things with Tabansi."
Qhude growls as he does not take well to Ansha's gesture. He hisses in a quiet sneer "Why don't you bow as well Ansha... you are acting like his inceku" glancing to Tebati for some guidance as to whether she also thinks that he should be quiescent.
Tebati seems little moved by Zesaste's confession of selfishness and greed, but when he lets slip Salgarth's lethal intentions, her eyes widen in alarm. "Murder?! When? Where? Is he not safe in the jail? Qhude!" she turns to the Bas'o. "Run to the jail, and see that Tabansi is well. Stay to guard him until Mindra is alerted and he can be released. Cousin, your arrows here." She turns sternly to Zesaste. "Until we know Tabansi is safe, you remain in Freehold. If your word serves to defeat Salgarth's scheme, I will speak for you and recommend you be allowed to leave unaccosted for your aid, but if you try to flee, you will be hunted." Her eyes troubled, she takes a moment to reach out and squeeze Kieran's hand before following Qhude, in case blood has already been shed.
Ansha glances over her shoulder at Qhude's sneered remark, her only reaction to the jab a twitch at the corner of her lips and a nonplussed lidding of her eyes. As Tebati starts barking orders, Ansha can barely stop herself from rolling her eyes. Well, that's one way to remove Qhude's particular brand of "diplomacy" from the equation.
Jakob enjoys the quiet and wonders why someone would make a steel terbutje.
N'bellocq has his bow off his back in one swift motion. He does not nock an arrow but instead holds it, not wishing to appear too threatening to those on the streets. He turns his back to the group and starts to scan the street looking for potential trouble, much like his time on the prow of a river boat.
So much movement and bright colors overwhelm his sense of identifying potential threats.
Qhude's gaze flickers from Tebati to Ansha to Zezaste for a few moments before he grunts "Eish!" and turns on his heel to run towards the jail at pace.
Round 8 The party's over.
"Well that was fun.." Jakob moves to the cell door. "I wonder who our dance partner was."
"You had better give me that pig-sticker. You are still technically under arrest though I doubt you will be here for long. Sending a fake Matibu to kill you is a compelling argument for your innocence. I wonder what forced their hand?"
Tabansi looked perplexed but hesitantly handed over the blade.
Fake Mitabu? he asked. He moved to pick up the Terbutje and seemed to be in no hurry to put it down. Having the weapon in hand seemed to calm the rancher down.
___________________________________________________________________________
Zeaste ignored Qhude's outburst and spoke even as the Bas'o made for the jail.
He came under the guise of Mitabu. It did not take much intelligence to deduce why he would disguise himself as the guard captain. I hope Qhude finds him in time.
Zesaste heard out Tebati's offer but seemed unhappy with it. He shook his head.
I have a counter-offer for you, madam Tebati. Allow me to gather my possessions and leave quietly and I will; once I am at a distance I deem safe- give you the location of a scroll which you can use to set things right with Tabansi. Such magic is not cheap nor is it easily available in Sargava; let alone Freehold. Even with my testimony and your recommendation, Mindra will be unwilling to allow my stay here. Its best I move on swiftly and leave this mess behind me. What do you say to this offer? The villain here is Salgarth; I was merely.. led astray, shall we say, by easy money.
You can see Zesaste's grip on his sword tighten. You have the impression that he won't allow himself to be taken into custody should his offer be rejected.
Ansha turns to Tebati and Kieran, a look of quiet pleading in her eyes as she whispers, "We were to ascertain his involvement--he has told us how involved he was. We should let him go quietly, especially with his aid removing Tabansi's curse."
She turns again to her fellow elf. "Do you have any idea how Salgarth might have gotten his disguise? I had not taken him for a student of the magical arts."
"I did not suggest you be allowed to stay," she replies flatly. "I would recommend you be allowed to go with your possessions, rather than face imprisonment and disgrace." She rounds on Ansha. "What aid? That which he swears he will deliver when he is away and we have no way of holding him to his word? When he has been so honest and forthcoming in all his dealings thus far?" She turns back to Zesaste. "You knew that Tabansi was marked for death due to your own greed, and yet you made no move to alert those who might help him, merely to preserve your own well-being. And now you offer to remove the curse if we let you go, with the implication that if we do not, you would not offer the location of the scroll but would let Tabansi continue to be endangered and barred from earning his livelihood." She glares angrily at Ansha. "This is the man you are defending!"
"My answer is no," she says firmly to Zesate. "I have no faith in your words and promises. If you fear Mindra's retaliation, then save your scroll to bargain with her for terms. Your offense is against Freehold, and I have not such a high opinion of myself to substitute my own judgment for theirs."
"Since when are you such a proponent of law and order, Tebati?" the enchantress counters, her voice still low. "He is not served by your head rancher's death, so he has no reason not to assist us once his own safety is assured."
She pauses to glance at Zesaste, then looks to Tebati again. "If he does not choose to submit to your arrest, do you intend to fight him?"
"Ladies, ladies, please," Kieran quips in a placating tone before turning to Zesaste with an expression that is half apology and half mock embarrassment. "Women, yes? No matter what race they belong to, all one has to do is put two of them together and they may very well ignore... well, you in this case, in order to argue among themselves."
The half-elf's tone, having turned flippant and teasing as he spoke, changes once again. He is now a little more serious and although he is still smiling, the smile has lost just a bit of its warmth. "We appear to be at an impasse, Lord Talathel. You have to admit, your involvement in all this, however bloodless, does make it slightly difficult to trust that you will indeed give us the location of such a scroll."
The rogue sighs before continuing. "But consider this: Even though we are newcomers, our word carries some weight with Lady Macini and your possession of such a scroll does indeed make for quite the bargaining chip. And Tebati has just told you that our recommendation -and I do believe it will be heard- will be that you leave, unmolested and with your possessions."
"Please, Lord Talathel, choose wisely. You have lived for centuries, I wager. This must be an easy enough decision." And then with a wink, he adds, "But choose quickly as well. I am only half elven and all this talk... you understand."
Tabansi looked perplexed but hesitantly handed over the blade.
Fake Mitabu? he asked. He moved to pick up the Terbutje and seemed to be in no hurry to put it down. Having the weapon in hand seemed to calm the rancher down.
"Yes, that was not Mitabu. While I was rolling about with him it became apparent he was cloaked is some illusion. His supposed chainmail felt more like hard leather. Your enemies are certainly willing to burn money to kill you my friend. You should be impressed.
Pity I didn't recognize his voice....."Jakob rolls his eyes when Tabansi arms himself. "You are still...Oh never mind. I expect they will understand."
Jakob settles in to wait. Surely someone has to come by soon.
N'bellocq half turns his head when he hears Tebati's stern words. He continues to watch the street but is poised to strike if trouble breaks out behind his back.
During the talks you have had ample time to discern several auras in close proximity. In total you make out XX auras- a faint aura of abjuration just in front of the doorway you are gathered in, covering pretty much all the floor you can see. You fail to identify a second aura, apparently and ominously simply floating motionlessly, close to the door and the group...
On Zesaste himself you discern additional auras; a faint aura of Transmutation rippling through his body and a second aura surrounding him that you fail to identify. A second faint aura of Transmutation is discernible to you as well as a fourth aura you fail to discern. Finally, you detect a fifth, faint aura of Transmutation upon him.
Its clear that he used the delay in having his door answered wisely...
Oops, forgot to tell you total auras- 7.
Zesaste shook his head slowly, raising his sword threateningly with one hand while the other inched towards his spell component pouch.
I will not risk myself or my name on your recommendation to Lady Macini and give up agency in this matter. You will accept my offer and assurances- or it will come to bloodshed between us. I am more than prepared for such an eventuality, so do not condemn Tabansi with a hasty decision...
N'bellocq slowly fits his bow string to the arrow's nock and awaits the words of the others.
Perception:
Qhude has sunk deep in aggressive rumination as he runs to the jail and doesn't notice much of what goes on around him.
Ansha looks to Tebati, plotting out courses of action. "This is on your head, shamaness," she remarks, her voice quiet and tense. "What will it be?"
Tebati pointedly ignores Ansha, turning her eyes to Kieran to see what his response is to the wizard's defiance.
Kieran rolls his eyes and sighs. "Cayden's hangover, where is Jakob when you need him? Taking the lead is so... bothersome," he mutters softly before turning to Ansha, his expression one of apology. "Sorry, but I do not trust him." He realizes the irony his words carry as soon as he speaks them; a rogue, a former smuggler cannot trust a respected pillar of the community. 'Well, respected so far anyway...'
"I really am sorry, Lord Talathel," the half-elf says sincerely, "but it seems things will have to get... complicated." As he speaks, his hand is already moving to grab hold of his sheathed dagger.
Ansha nervously eyes the auras that she neglected to tell anyone else about as it seems that the situation spirals out of her tenuous control. "Uhhh," she mutters intelligibly as she attempts to move out of the line of fire.
Attacking a wizard in his own home when he's had a chance to prepare is ludicrous! If they were smart, they would have just encircled the house and prevented him from leaving, she mentally critiques.
"Shimye-Magalla, protect him," Tebati murmurs, touching Kieran to make up at least a little for the armor he left behind in the inn. She knows it will do little against a spell, but if the elf's wicked sword comes into play, it may offer a bit of protection. Not knowing what Zesaste's arsenal might contain, she quickly moves to the side, putting some space between herself and the others.
Zesaste Talathel raised his blade without hesitation and whispered words of power, apparently using the sword as some kind of focus; and pointing it in the direction of the group with the completion of his spell.
Consider this a final warning... he said quietly.
The group's last sight of the Wizard was to see him positioning himself on the stairs; just as the front door closed before your eyes, seemingly without anyone touching it.
The spell cast was Reduce Person.
To his dismay, Kieran and all of his equipment shrunk, until the young Half-Elf began to resemble a Halfling instead; half as tall and half as wide...
You have been afflicted by Reduce Person. I'll wait for you to revise your action in light of what has happened.
... where is Jakob when you need him?...
"Ansha!" Tebati demands. "What has he done?"
Ansha glances at Kieran, giving the half-size half-elf barely a look before returning her gaze to the now-closed door. "It's nothing--it'll wear off in a few minutes. The only thing it did was shrink him."
"You say that's nothing? Too reduce such a man...the wizard pays!"
N'bellocq steps forward, bow still held ready, and delivers a strong kick to the door.
Qhude keeps the firm pace of the hunt as his legs eat the ground beneath him as he makes for the jail.
The door crashed open with the firm kick N'bellocq delivered, revealing Zesaste in a slight crouch upon the stairs; eyes narrowed, knees slightly bent and sword held out in his hand, far to the side of his body.
"If he had meant to harm us, he could have already!" Ansha retorts. "Not that I expect things to remain peaceable for long."
She quickly moves away from the door toward the corner of the house opposite the direction Tebati had went.
"Well, complicated indeed," Kieran quips as he takes a couple of steps towards the wizard, drawing his dagger and throwing it at the elf in one fluid motion. "And be thankful this admittedly amusing condition is only temporary, otherwise..." There is a very brief pause as his expression turns mischievous. "Well, Tebati would have words with you, considering what such a reduction of my size entails."
Kieran's quip is far sharper than his dagger throw, the projectile flying over Zesaste's head and landing at the top of the stairs. If the wizard was concerned about the dagger hitting him, his impassive face did little to show it.
Round 2-
Ordered Initiative-
Tebati Initiative- 22
Zesaste Initiative- 17
N'bellocq Initiative- 11
Kieran Initiative- 11
Ansha Initiative- 3
Active Effects-
Notes-
Action-
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Qhude arrives at the jail with little fanfare; the streets of the town are mostly quiet as the town celebrates Archersfeast. Racing inside, he finds a confused looking Tabansi holding a steel Terbutje and Jakob, slumped against a wall and looking a little worse for wear.
Torn between annoyance that Ansha isn't taking Kieran's situation more seriously and relief that Ansha isn't taking Kieran's situation more seriously (if it weren't reversible, surely she'd evince a little concern?), Tebati now has to worry about her cousin being directly in the wizard's line of effect. Coming up quickly behind him, she touches his shoulder with a blessing. "Be sheltered from treacherous winds and hidden currents," she murmurs tensely.
Zesaste strode down the stairs as N'bellocq began to aim and the Elf was apparently still hoping to not have to shed blood. Moving far faster and with greater strength than Kieran remembered in their sparring, the spellsword feinted to one side with a lunge. Quicker than he usually was in darting aside from the blade, Kieran was nevertheless caught off-guard as the wizard pulled in the lunge and slammed the hilt of the demon-hilted sword into the shrunken half-elf's face with a graceful arm movement. Kieran was instantly knocked unconscious by the perfectly executed hilt bash.
Raise his sword...
Zesaste muttered something in Elven and Kieran's blade slowly unsheathed itself and was held up in the air beside him, as though an invisible ally wielded it.
Permit me to leave the town and nobody else needs to be hurt. I'll even give you the scroll up front if that is what it takes... he offered to N'bellocq and Tebati as he tensed, ready to try to dodge any incoming arrow.
Tebati chokes back a cry as Kieran is felled and then glares at Zesaste with a cold fury. She seems on the verge of attacking him herself with her short staff, but Kieran's vulnerable position gives her pause. "You leave his sword here," she retorts in a low voice. "I won't see it carried off by a common thief." She shifts her position slightly to make room for the elf to walk past. "Cousin, if he does anything but walk away, put two arrows into him."
Seeing Jakob's wounds Qhude glances around the jail for any lingering threat as he asks "What happened Jakob? Who has drawn your blood?" though Jakob can likely tell that his pallor is flushed by emotion as well as the exertion of running to the jail. "The others are at the elf's tower..." a flash of anger wells and plays across his face "...I will stay with Tabansi, you should go to them."
Ansha breathes a little easier as the conflict seems to have abated, at least momentarily. She walks closer, so that she can at least see Zesaste. "Grab what you think necessary for you to take, and leave the scroll with us," she says to the other elf. She looks at Tebati, then says something in Elven to Zesaste.
"Kieran might appreciate his dagger back, too--the one he threw into your house," she continues.