Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Afternoon
Rexus stands up and approaches Sholti placing a hand on each of her shoulders, "When I first laid eyes on you I knew no other woman. Even though it should be forbidden my desire for you is... unquenchable". He then moves in and softly kisses Sholti on the lips...
Sholti isn't quite prepared for Rexus' sudden move. She'd expected to be directing the action. His idea is a good one though, it is best to be prepared for the unexpected.
She quickly begins running through her list of things to remember as he takes hold of her shoulders.
Don't go stiff, stay relaxed. Make eye contact. Smile, but don't let it become fixed so it looks forced.... Oh! Kiss back.
Hm! That's... not unpleasant!
Afterward Sholti looks over to Tiel. "How did it look? Did we appear natural? Do we seem enamored with one another?"
Irisa decides she might as well use the time for something useful while she's away from the hideout and decides to find out more about the captain and the hellknight that she met. Especially the captain intrigues her. Was he true to Kintargo or to Thrune?
After she's done she'll return to the hideout to check out if there are anyone still there.
Kintargo - Sholti's Home - Evening
At the appointed hour Rexus arrives at your home and knocks on the door. Your father stands to get the door while your mother is in the kitchen finishing dinner.
Captain Kogaj of the Dottari - The Captain is a hold over from the previous administration. Unlike many of the Dottari brutes he is more focused on keeping up the letter of the law then on terrorizing citizens into submission. He was nearly thrown out of his job when Barzillai Thrune first took over "Leadership" of Kintargo. He asked for a performance evaluation in front of Thrune personally and slew three men before the Thrune's eyes to show that he was no push over. The Thrune decided to keep him and include him as a Dottari Captain though the man is on thin ice due to his "leniency".
Dalth Hell Knight of the Order of the Torrent - Dalth is the last Hell Knight from the Order of the Torrent to be active in Kintargo. His former Commander disappeared when Barzillai Thrune arrived. Dalth somehow survived the purge and is at the moment making the transition to the Order of the Rack.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
As evening begins to fall you all make your separate way to arrive at the Long Roads Coffee House. None of you see Zel.
Tiel and Sera do not see Sholti or Rexus either though Tiel does mention that Sholti may be late as she and Rexus had to play "house" for Sholti's parents.
As you stand in silence for a few moments Laria comes to meet you in the back, "I trust none of you were followed. We may have a minor problem that I hope we can nip in the bud tonight, well one of those problems anyway.
Zel apears to be offended by a note that Sholti gave her regarding the former's relationship with the Hell Knight. I paid the girl a visit today and implored her to come here and discuss things with us before she up and quits our little circle completely. If she comes and I think she will, she will be bringing along a few interesting gentlemen as well.
The second problem is that I have not seen Hiranno all day and she still has not arrived tonight..."
Kintargo - Zel's Shop - Evening
As night draws near you close up shop and consider what to do. The two men in the back would need your help to get to the shop. Or perhaps they don't. But what if they get caught and say they were going to the shop!
Laria made a good point today but still you made good points yourself. Who is anyone to judge you and why you do what you do. It's not as if these women are close friends, a chance encounter brought you all together nothing more. Still, maybe you should at least go and return that Silver Raven statue...
When the knock comes Sholti jerks upright. Her impulse is to go for the door. But she resists, and instead simply stands. She busies herself smoothing hints of wrinkles from the deep blue dress she has donned for the evening.
Answering the door myself would make me seem too nervous. I have to learn to trust Rexus to do his part well. I'm already trusting him to figure out all those documents. To be a part of this insane little group of dissidents of ours. So, I can trust him to handle a few minutes of conversation alone with Ferran.
Much of Sholti's anxiousness about the evening actually comes from how the event had grown, taken on some life of its own, from what she had originally planned. What was supposed to be a simple story to get her parents off her back had become a dinner, and the dinner had become something her parents were putting more effort toward than was comfortable. By the Everlight, mother is even HERSELF cooking!
Earlier, during practice, she had suggested Rexus ease away from any great displays of passion. The goal for the evening was not to convince her parents she and Rexus were possibly a lifelong couple. That impression would just goad her parents into digging around, checking Rexus out carefully.
No, this was an anti-performance she told him. "We need to bore my parents into complacency, make them forget to notice this after tonight. If we convince them this is a dalliance with no likely future, all will be well."
Her little attempt at misdirection had taken on a life of its own. In a way Sholti was less afraid her parents would discover the truth than they would discover her lie.
I should have just told them from the beginning. But it's too late to go back now.
Sholti finds a mirror and gives her hair, the kohl lining her eyes, and the henna designs on her face and hands a last check. She takes a quick sniff near her underarm to see how the rose water is holding up. Then she waits for Rexus and Ferran
Sera frowns slightly as she arrives at the shop and then promptly feels like shes missing a large piece of the puzzle. She isn't sure what the women speaking knew about her, or what had already been said, but still feels out of the loop, and this quickly translates into irritation at being treated as part of the environment.
"Oh hi, I'm Sera, can you tell me who the hell you are and why I'm here please?"
When there was an hour left before curfew, Zeldana gave the men cloaks, put up her own hair, and put on a cloak of her own. "If we leave now we'll have just enough time to get you two to safety and for me to get back to the shop." She explained as she made sure the hoods kept most of their face covered but not so much that it would draw attention. "Stay close to me, follow quietly, and do you best not to draw attention." She said before offering them a soft smile. "Don't worry, we'll be fine." With that Zeldana pulled up her hood so that it only covered her hair. She figured if they saw the face of one of them they wouldn't bother the whole group.
Once ready Zeldana ushered the men out the back of the shops and they made their way to the Long Roads swiftly but not so much to be running.
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Turning to Sera, Tiel offers a firm handshake. "Hello, Sera. Well met. I am Tiel. This," indicating Irisa, is Irisa. And this is Liara. But I think you may have already known that."
"As for why we are here..." Tiel begins slowly pacing back and forth and making explanatory gestures as she tries to explain. "A group of us have decided that the recent decrees by the new Thrune mayor are unjust and needlessly restrictive. The citizens are unhappy and the Dottari are overstepping their authority. We decided that something needed to be done before something breaks and anarchy ensues. We noticed a lack of people volunteering to do what needed to be done, so we decided to do it ourselves. I think that some of us may be having second thoughts, though. Zeldana isn't here. Maybe because she's dating a Hellknight. Sholti isn't here. She is pretending to date Rexus, who also isn't here, to convince her parents of something. I'm not sure what. And Rexus is our connection to the previous group who tried to do something. As far as what needs to be done, we haven't got that far yet."
Tiel holds up her hands, "There. Now you're all caught up. Or at least as confused as I am."
Sera accepts the handshake, before folding her arms quietly as she listens politely to Tiel's rundown of the situation.
"So, assuming I understood this correctly. One of you is dating a Hellknight, someone else is pretending to date someone called Rexus - but shes really not interested in him, and a couple of Dottari incorrectly thought Irisa was also getting into the dating scene before I stepped in today. So the secret to fighting decrees against an unjust mayor is...an elaborate dating game?"
Sera pauses for a moment before breaking out in an amused smile. "Sounds fun, I'm in!"
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
Laria chuckles, "No not exactly..."
Before she can finish her sentence Zel arrives with two cloaked men in tow.
Kintargo - Sholti's Home - Evening
After a few minutes of quiet conversation by the door Rexus and Ferran enter the living space both with a grin on their faces. Ferran speaks, "My goodness my dear, you did not tell me that your "friend" had such a terrific sense of humor".
Khatijah steps out of the kitchen and Rexus takes her hand kissing it gently, he then produces a bouquet of roses from his sleeve and presents it to her, "A Lady should always be given flowers when one first is received into her home". Mother is delighted by the trick.
Dinner goes quite smoothly thereafter. You sit on the same side of the table and hold hands but do not kiss.
As dessert is served the tension that you feared bubbles over as Ferran speaks, "Sholti tells us that you are one of her instructors. Do you believe that a relationship with a woman younger than yourself and a student of yours is an appropriate one?"
Rexus seems prepared, "Sir. No I do not wholeheartedly I agree that this is not an appropriate relationship. However, are all relationships so neat and tidy as what we wish them to be? I am fond of your daughter and she, well she thinks I am alright". Ferran laughs at the self deprecating joke. Rexus continues, "We should have come to you sooner but we did not know that our bond would grow to be more than that of star crossed lovers. If you wish this to end I shall end it as I do not wish to offend you or your family after you have shown me so much hospitality".
Ferran eyes Khatijah and he turns back to you both, "Give us a moment". They both step into the kitchen and speak in soft tones.
Rexus turns to you, "How am I doing? Or do we need to wait for the response for me to get an answer?"
Everything about the dinner has gone very well indeed, until the change in the direction of the conversation during dessert. The exchange between Ferran and Rexus takes a turn toward the patronizing, which irks her. Nobody is asking what she thinks or wants, and really it's her decision to make. She had arranged all this as a courtesy to her mother and Farran, not so they could sit in judgement.
Certainly they could agree or disagree, but Sholti is an adult. They can't just decide no. If there was a marriage in the picture it would be different and they would have a stake. A marriage would involve allocations of family assets, which is why she had been so careful to stress avoiding any hint of long-term plans to Rexus. Maybe they had gotten the impression it was a possibility somehow?
Sholti leans in toward Rexus. "You've been wonderful. Thank you. I'm confused about what they're doing right now, and why Ferran rather than mother seems to be taking the lead on this. I have some theories, but now isn't the time. They have certainly taken to you. I can't see how they would raise any objections."
Kintargo - Sholti's Home - Evening
Khatijah and Farran step back into the room, your mother speaks, "This is not acceptable. Sholti you must either be a student of this man or be in a relationship with this man you should not do both. His reputation and yours can be damaged by these actions. I shall let you decide which is more important to you. It was nice to meet you now it is time for you to both go and decide what your relationship shall be. My dear, please be home by curfew, I do not wish you to get into trouble!"
Zeldana quickly got them two men inside and closed the door. "I believe my likeness has made the rounds, a Dottari guard saw my face and turned pale..." She told them. "I am unsure how much Laura has told you but these gentlemen where once apart of a mercenary band under one Forvian Crowe. He and a few of his men where sent to the Sallix Salt Works in old Kintargo." She explained. "I wish to hide them here till we can get them safely out of town." She finished before drawing out the silver raven she had been given.
"I also felt I should come and return this personally. Most of you met Dalth today, if not saw him. He was the Hellknight I spoke of when we first met. The one I warned your all about. Since Sholti now feels this threatens her parents, though oddly she remains putting them in more danger then I ever could, I shall removed myself from the equation." She told them as she looked at the raven in her hand. "I have always believed that you could rule people by force, but that it would only be a matter of time before they turn against you. Yet, if you change their heart you've won them over for a life time. Maybe our thoughts differ too much for me to really belong... Maybe my mother's lie to keep me safe will turn out not to be so much of a lie. But I believe that Dalth is reachable! I believe that if he sees how much these laws hurt Kintargo he may change... How can I turn my back upon that? He has a kindness to him, I've seen it! If he was evil, there wouldn't be a kindness at all." She said as her hand closed around the raven. "I want to save Kintargo, as much of it as possible, but a city without its people, is just empty places of stone and wood. No better then a drawing on a map. If we start seeing it as them and us, we become no better then those we fight against."
Sholti feels her face warming as her mother pronounces sentence. It's likely her face noticeably reddens.
She stands up with a certain stiffness and replies "I see. Rexus, we have been dismissed so let's be on our way. Thank you for the meal mother, it was delicious as always. No need to worry, I will not be on the streets after curfew."
As they leave the table Sholti looks at Rexus and adds without lowering her voice at all "I will meet you outside in a moment. I should change before leaving, but I need some air right away so I will wait until later. I will fetch a bag with some extra things."
She quickly grabs the bag containing her weapons, armor, and reasonable clothing from her room and joins Rexus outside.
As galling as that was, I must keep in mind I did get what I wanted. Freedom of movement and my parents' ignorance about why I need it. After some time to cool off maybe what just happened will sting less.
"Welcome Sera." Irisa manages to say before Zeldana bursts onto the scene.
After Zeldana's speech Irisa approaches the girl. She reaches out for the hand holding the silver raven, but instead of taking it, she closes Zeldana's hand around it. "Keep it. We want you as one of us."
She looks back over at Sera. "This might not be one big dating game as you put it, but one thing is sure."
The blonde girl looks back to Zeldana and now brings both of her hands up to cradle Zeldana's hand with the raven. "Love trumps hate and fear. Love and freedom is what we are fighting for. What good is it to fight for that if we have to force our friends to chose between those things?"
Irisa let's go of Zeldana's hand and stars gesticulating. "After meeting Datlh, I inquired a bit about. Seems he is not the most usual of hellknight. He's a member of the order of the Torrent. They don't just oppress people, they rescue them instead. That's probably why their commander disappeared in the purge, just like mom and dad."
Suddenly her face get serious. "Though it's said he's making a transition to the Order of the Rack. That's one order looking to oppress people for sure. You said before you wanted to leave him completely out of it. But I wonder, can you really do that? Can you let him be converted into one of our oppressors for real?"
Her tone is gentle as she strokes Zeldana's arm. "I think it would be much better for you and for us if you converted him to our cause. If not in action then at least in spirit. Though do try to be discrete about it... If one of us end up getting captured then it wouldn't be good if he knew us to be your friend."
"If Dalth joined the Order of the Torrent in the first place why move to the Order of the Rack?" Zeldana asked as she crossed her arms, a look of worry on her face. "The Order of the Torrent was Kintargo's Hellknight order... The Order of the Rack was brought in by the Thrune where they not? With what Irisa just brought up, about their leader being missing, it got me thinking... Outside of Dalth I haven't seen any other Order of Torrent knights. I never paid it much attention because like most I don't know much about the Orders in and of themselves." She said as she opened her hand to look at the raven again.
"What if they have been quietly getting rid of them? If this Order is how Irisa said, then they would be more likely to help us then turn us in. Maybe the Order of the Rack is trying to draw those of the Order of the Torrent into their Order to get rid of them totally... I wouldn't put it past them." Zeldana said as she began to pace slowly. "We need more in formation on these Orders... I'll find away to speak with Dalth about them, maybe I can make it work over dinner. Work it in as a "getting to know each other better" kind of thing." She muttered mostly to herself as her mind started to work. Then she shook her head and went back to the task at hand. "There was something else I wanted to bring up, Forvian Crowe. It might be worth looking into getting him and his mercenaries out of the Sallix... If we can."
"Zeldana," says Tiel, "if you think this Hellknight is worth redemption, then you should try. It does put this operation at risk. But it's also at risk every time any of us knocks at that back door. If bringing him around to our side makes him an ally, it will be more than worth it." Tiel smiles at Zeldana. "And if it makes you happy in the process, all the better."
A flash of hope sparks in Tiel's eyes. "Maybe this Salt Works is where they're keeping all those dissidents that went missing!"
Irisa makes big eyes at Tiel at that last statement. "What? Do you really think so? Could my parents really still be alive? But Regus said..."
She turns towards the new men. "Sorry for not introducing earlier, but as you can see we got some issues of our own to deal with. I'm Irisa Scicilo and I'm dedicated to the goddess of freedom, Desna. If it's in my power, I'll do what I can to help free your companions. How do you know that your commander is in the salt mines? Could there possibly be others there? What sort of guards are there at the mines? I imagine Thrune doesn't want those sent there to escape easily."
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
The men shrug, "Not to worry ladies, we are grateful for the help of Zeldana and the offer of shelter by Lady Laria. I am Remulus and my friend here is Christian.
We believe that our leader was taken there as he mentioned to us before our group was attacked by, it seems no coincidence members of the Order of the Rack, that many who had disappeared were being taken there.
We were away from the Inn when the Order attacked and we saw everyone being taken away, we've spent the last several days staying in abandoned houses. We were looking for a place called the Devil's Threads as the owner was an acquaintance of Corven but we had never been there before.
If you are going to risk your lives to free our Commander we can do no less than aid in the attempt".
Christian chimes in, "We are humbled and shamed by the fact that you would do this when all we sought was escape from the city after what happened..."
As Laria is about to speak the door opens yet again and in stroll Rexus and a seemingly upset ...
"We can use all the help we could get." Zeldana said with a smirk. "If you all need everyday cover, I do need help around the shops. It use to be me and my parents who ran it. I'd really like and extra hand." She told them men with a nod. "If not I'm sure Laria can get you something."
She then looked to Rexus and Sholti. "Well, I honestly figured I'd be the last one here. I had come to take these men here to safety and to inform out merry little band that I was leaving it. Though it would seem," She turned her head to Irisa and Teil, giving them a soft happy smile. "I had a few people who where kind enough to understand." Then she looked back to Sholti. "Which means now we needs to settle things."
Sholti arrives wearing a dark blue dress of the type one would wear to some special occasion. The makeup, and hennaed designs on her hands and face, would suggest the same thing about her evening. If she seems out of sorts, it would likewise be revealing of the way her evening has gone so far.
She is preoccupied enough to only be paying partial attention to what Zeldana is saying. When Zeldana comes to the part about needing to "settle things" with her, Sholti's eyes widen with some surprise.
"Settle what?"
"Your note..." Zeldana said a little taken back. "The one you slipped to me earlier today... because of it I came to return the silver raven and leave the group... hold on Sholti are you alright?" She asked as she crossed her arms, a worried expression upon her face. "You seem... shaken..."
"As I was saying before you arrived Sholti, I've discovered that Dalth is a member of the order of the Torrent. That means he probably has as much reason to dislike what is happening as us. I think that it might not be such a bad idea for Zeldana to be involved with him after all, however I don't think we'll be able to keep him out of things. He knows of too many off us already anyway. Their relationship might turn out to be a blessing in more ways than one. Anyway, please tell us what happened to you before that discussion are you alright? "As she speaks she makes her way over to Sholti and at the end she grabs the other woman's hand.
Sholti shakes off the questions about her troubles. "It's nothing of importance, just an unpleasant family exchange."
"I don't understand Zeldana. I asked you to reconsider your relationship with him. What does that have to do with you leaving this group?"
"Your note expressed that you would not stand for it as it would put your parent's in danger. I figured the best course of action for that was to leave the group so that no one would have to worry about it." Zeldana explained. "Which is why I stated that we had things to settle."
Sholti drops the travel bag in her hand to the floor. She doesn't say anything for a few moments, looking thoughtful as if she's busy taking in and sorting a great amount of new information. Finally she says "I guess we do have some things to settle" with some surprise in her voice.
"It is possible there is a misunderstanding about the intent of my letter. If there has been, I apologize. I was writing quickly, with little time to choose my words. I simply meant to ask you to consider the great risks of your relationship with this man Dalth, and the serious consequences to yourself and all those around you if something goes wrong."
"While I think it's obvious what I hoped you would decide, I didn't make any demands of you at all. I also didn't say I would do anything in particular about the situation. I brought up the risk it places on my parents, or any of us for that matter, as a question, not a threat."
"If there has been no misunderstanding about what I meant, you are simply leaving the group because I dared write you that note? Then it seems to me you consider whatever you decide regarding the hellknight to be beyond question or comment from any of us it could affect. Unless there is some problem specifically between us in particular I am unaware of. If that is the case I can only ask why you could think we should ask nothing about it. Can you not see the risk? Does it not matter? We, you and I, and Tiel, Irisa, and Hiranno, have gone outside the law together, fought together, bled together, made commitments, I believed at least, together."
"To my knowledge Dalth has taken you for coffee, a couple of walks, and intimidated the occasional person on your behalf. And you will choose him? How can he receive greater consideration than us? I trust you Zeldana, but if you're demanding unquestioning trust as a condition for remaining, that is too much."
Sholti looks at Irisa with a certain amount of horror.
"I know the Order of the Torrent, I grew up here. He doesn't wear the armor of a Torrent Hellknight."
"Maybe he does or does not like or approve of the new government. I don't know what he thinks. But that really isn't the question to ask. All he has to do to ruin us is his job. Are you suggesting that since he already recognizes most of us, we should just invite him into the back room, explain everything to him, and hope for the best?"
"I'm sorry but that's just crazy. He doesn't need to be an evil man who kicks puppies, and takes candy from children. He doesn't need to be a bad man at all. He just needs to be sufficiently committed to the oaths he has taken to do the job he does every day. Or be careerist and ambitious enough to not care. We can't do it."
"Irisa and Tiel have expressed their feeling on my situation and agree that I should try. I believe Dalth can be made to see our side. It will take time and I do not deny that. But I feel he is worth the risk! I feel anyone who has the chance to change is worth it! People don't just come to redemption on their own. If we are not willing to reach out and change the hearts of the people of Kintargo, then we may end up no better then those we fight against." Zeldana told her.
"I was up set by your note, though by a misunderstanding, because it seemed like your where trying to lecture me about putting people in danger but none of us here have the right to make that lecture. I understand now that what you wished was for me to be careful, because you are worried. But if we just believe that everyone who happens to hold to convictions is without hope, then we're going to have a lot of innocent blood on our hands." She sighed, giving a shake of her head. "The Order of the Rack has been taking in Torrent knights ever since their leader went missing. I don't believe he really wants to join... But I do plan on finding out... And if I can" Zeldana turned and stood beside Tiel and Irisa. "I will stop him from joining. I believe in this cause, and I have two who have strengthened my spirit." She smiled to the women at her sides before looking back to Sholti. "I do not think ill of you Sholti. If I did your words would have meant nothing to me. But they didn't. Sholti, some times a great risk should be taken. I learned that from my mother, who lied to the leader of the Hellknight Order of the Rack to keep me safe. If she had been found out, she would have been killed. But she risked it all for me! Just like you risk yourself and family for a chance to see our beloved city free from the Thrune!"
Sholti almost visibly deflates, her shoulders slumping slightly. Her voice is flat, partially from suppressed anger, but mostly due to disappointment.
"Well, it seems this conversation was really over before it started. An agreement has already been reached, and this is to inform me of the outcome. I have a couple of things to say on it yet, then we might as well move on to other things."
"First, we are not a church. Deciding who might or might not be redeemable and trying to redeem them is not our concern. Our concern is the removal of a government and its replacement by the former system. We need allies and supporters, absolutely. There are hundreds of people, maybe more, who are like-minded in this city. They are the ones we should find. The people who are already with us, not the ones who maybe could be some day with the right persuasion. Especially if they are almost uniquely positioned to destroy our whole cause. If you're menaced by a pack of wolves, you don't fight them by trying to tame the sweetest looking one among them."
"I disagree completely that we must change the hearts of the people of Kintargo. There are few here who are pleased to see Barzillai Thrune replace Mayor Bainilus. Nobody likes the new rules. Most people's hearts are already there. What they must be convinced of is to act. That is what is needed. We should not confuse what we need with what we want."
"This is not an equal fight. If Thrune or his agents make mistakes it may cause them damage, but they can recover. We do not get to make mistakes. If we do, we will be crushed and we will die. After that it is over, no second chances for us. Rub that little silver raven you have now and keep in mind that the person who used to do that same thing is now either dead or buried so far down in a prison somewhere that their death will only be a formality."
"I am not sure why anyone would be reassured that Dalth was once a member of the Order of the Torrent if he alone of them has remained free and able to transition to the Order of the Rack. To me it is troubling. Why him? But, since there is no agreement with me among you to sever all connection to him, the connection will have to be managed in some way."
"I think it is extremely misguided to place ourselves in this position, and my better judgement tells we to withdraw immediately from this group. But I will remain provided two conditions of mine are met."
"First, he must know nothing at all about our activities or existence until there is proof he can be trusted. The standard of proof must be very high, not based on fond wishes or kind feelings. Actual proof."
"Second, I will never reveal myself to him until he has met the standard of proof required in my first condition. If he is present I will not be. Do not bring him to any place where I am also. Do not mention my name or reference me in any way while in his presence."
"If these conditions can't be met, or they are violated at some future time, I will immediately sever contact with this group. I am now only keeping the silver raven I have because I can't see how it might compromise me more than just remaining in contact with you does."
"Are my conditions agreeable?"
"What do you want to call proof Sholti?" Zeldana asked as she crossed her arms. "Just how much would it take to satisfy you? And redeeming people should be something we concern! Because I don't want to just toss out the Thrune and put someone else in charge Sholti! Because then nothing would stop them from coming back... But if the whole city, all of us, stand up then they won't be able to come back. That will mean changing some people's hearts Sholti." She sighed before shaking her head. "It would just seem that we must agree to disagree. Because what we wish for Kintargo to be is very different it would seem. Sholti I will never mention you to Dalth, ever. As for where he goes, if Dalth returns to this coffee house because he wanted to take me here and you happen to be here. I am not responsible for it, as I will not restrict a person out of fear. I will however full ignore you so that you won't have to worry about his attention being drawn to you, and should he ask of my friends... I shall only mention the few he's met. I believe that is only Irisa." She agreed, her arms now again crossed before her.
"If we can agree on what would satisfy your first condition I could answer that. I would suggest you talk it over with Irisa and Tiel. As right now... I don't really think I can talk to you..." She said as she looked at Sholti sadly. "I figured if anyone would even wish to try or care about redemption it would be you... a dervish dancer, worshiper of the dawn goddess... but it seems I'm wrong...better to know that now I guess..." with that she found the closet chair and settled into it. "I'll be here when you all settle on something. In the mean time I'll try to figure out if we can get into the Salt Works." She told them.
Kintargo - the Long Roads Coffee House - Evening
Laria clears her throat, "If I may interject?"
When no one objects she smiles and continues, "My dear Ladies. You are both right. There is no one way to start a Rebellion. We need different viewpoints and approaches if we are to reach the broadest audience of people possible.
For now, agree to disagree. We cannot let our differences divide us, that is what the Thrune would want. Instead we need to come together and accomplish the goals together that we can and separate that we cannot.
Now, what is it you have all learned that may be of some interest, besides the imprisonment of Forvian Crowe?"
1. A mercenary named Forvian Crowe and most of his men have been arrested and sent to the Sallix Salt Works in Old Kintargo possibly facing a sentence of execution if not hard labor.
It seems this leader was an acquaintance of Tiel's new "employer" Hetamon Haace of the Devil's Threads.
2. Hiranno, and her Silver Raven statue, have not checked in with Laria all day long.
3. Clenchjaw’s tavern has gone bad. It was always a nice place to relax but since the Night of Ashes, though, the place is crowded and talk about politics has exploded—as has the number of brawls. Whatever’s causing these brawls at Clenchjaw’s has ruined one of the last places we have to escape the violence.
4. During the Night of Ashes, three buildings mysteriously burned to the ground. No one’s saying it out loud, but the general consensus is that these three buildings (and many of their occupants) were specifically targeted by Barzillai Thrune as dens of sedition.
Those locations: Thrashing Badger, the Silver Star, and the Victocora estate.
5. The Order of the Rack has defeated and outlawed the Order of the Torrent.
Laria looks at Sera, "It seems you have joined us at an interesting time... Tell me, as the person here with the least amount of ties to the other girls, which goal would you pursue first?"
"Actually there is a third condition" says Sholti with smoldering eyes. "That you do not question my commitment to, or understanding of, a faith that you don't even share with me."
"But yes, I don't think there's anything more to be said on the subject at this time. Are we waiting for Hiranno still? And what is this about a salt mine?"
Zeldana ignored Sholti's first statement and went right into her questions. "Hiranno hasn't checked in with Laria all day, nor has her raven. She stated this while you where still away, oh and I introduced Laria earlier today to these men, Remulus and Christian, who where mercenaries for a Forvian Crowe. He, along with the rest of his men, where taken to the Salt Works. He most likely faces death or being worked to death like the rest of his men. But if we can find away in and out, we just might be able to free them from the Salt Works, along with anyone else we find." She explained. "It would be a huge undertaking however..."
Sera smiles politely at Lana, happy that see was willing to get her input on the situation.
"Well, if all of us were going, and capable of working together as a team - then I'd hit the Sallix Salt Works as a raid - its a large visible gesture, and probably increases support from the public as its effectively a rescue mission. Of course, from what I have seen tonight - I don't see unity here which makes me reluctant to go after this task at the present - its the best option, but the most dangerous and I'd want everyone to be on the same page."
Sera broods for a moment before continuing. "So therefore, if it was just me looking into something, I'd check out the tavern. It shouldn't be left unattended or ignored - sooner or later there will be a crackdown I expect, so sorting it out might be best. Its unlikely to really have a significant benefit to the rebellion - but it also prevents things getting worse or possible allies getting disheartened. I also don't mind taverns - if someone wants to hit me, the worse it is for them, so its not particularly dangerous."
Sholti picks up her bag and looks about for a place to change.
"The tavern sounds like a fine thing to look into. Hiranno may have been delayed or cannot come today. But if nobody hears from her tomorrow we should look into it. Something might have happened."
"Setting free the prisoners at the salt mine would be a great symbolic statement, and I understand that there may be family members there. But though the purpose of it is to keep people in rather than keep people out it must be well guarded. We should know something about it first. Reconnaissance or talking with someone who knows it would help. Also it would be good to know how many people are held there. They will have to go somewhere if they are freed. It might be hard to do if there are very many of them."
Just as Tiel opens her mouth to speak, Usiu chirps from his perch and shakes his little head. After taking a breath, "I don't really know anything about the tavern or the salt mine. I'm not much of a tavern goer, so I'd probably stick out like a sore thumb there. I don't know if I would know what to listen for, or what questions to ask."
"I also don't even know where the mine is. I don't know anything about reconna...whatever. I don't even know who I could ask about it. I feel kind of useless here."
Under her breath, "I don't like feeling useless."
"Wait, what do you mean by 'we"?" Sera asks Sholti, hands on her hips. "I said that I'd investigate it, why would I feel comfortable with you coming along with me when either of you cannot stop arguing with your resistance buddy for more than five minutes?"
Sholti is taken aback by the new woman's remark, a bit confused about why she is here to tell them she would be going to do something by herself.
"Oookay. Sera, right? I guess I'll just let you go do that all alone then. Apologies. I thought you were responding to Laria's question about what you thought we might most productively do tonight. My mistake obviously."
"I don't know if we can do anything. Curfew will be active soon and like Sera just said we don't have a unified group. That will hurt us greatly in the long run..." Zeldana said with a sigh. "I didn't really come with a plan since I expected to have dropped my raven off and be home. Tiel and Irisa are the ones who convinced me to remain, with encouraging words." She stated as she smiled to the two before looking to Sera. "How ever I would be worried if you went a lone. Why not take Irisa with you? She hasn't argued so you wouldn't have to worry about that. She's also the one that brought you into this group so she trusts you. This is of course if Irisa is alright with it."