Audition? Me!?
Alesta was a bit nervous about this but she finally said, "I guess an audition wouldn't hurt. It'll be temporary of course since I have other responsibilities."[b]
She shook the man's hand. When Jasper Korvaski said something about the other one, the aasimar was at first confused until she realized who they may be talking about.
[b]"Ah you mean Nualia. Yes I heard what happened to hear. A shame about her death and her adopted father's in that fire. May the empyreal lords watch over their souls."
She then shook Jasper's hand. "And just to let you know I'm descended from the azatas. She was probably descended from angels."
The Odd Couple
After wagering a few coppers, much to the dismay of Vasily, the bookie, Ahdak and Baldek settle in to watch the race. Six poorly painted cinder-lizards are lined up on teh starting line, and when the bell is rung they are loosed onto the race track.
Nearly all the lizards advance quickly to the second space, except the Blue one, and of course, the Orange one bet on by the couple. After the next round, Orange is still stalled out, but some of the others have crawled back to meet it. Only White Lizard has advanced to tile 3, and Red to Tile 2.
The third round of racing ends with Red and White sharing the lead on Tile 3, Green on tile 2, and the rest still at the starting line. The fourth round has White on Tile 4, one space from winning. No one else is past Tile 2 yet.
Finally, on the 6th round, White Lizard crosses the finish line, well ahead of the others, some of whom were not past the start line yet...
Tile 2
Tile 2
Tile 1
Tile 2
Tile 2
Tile 2
Tile 1
Tile 1
Tile 1
Tile 3
Tile 3
Tile 1
Tile 1
Tile 2
Tile 3
Tile 2
Tile 2
Tile 1
Tile 1
Tile 4
As the race ends the handler puts the cinderlizards back in the starting blocks again, setting up for the next race.
Vasily, the bettor agent, calls out. White is the winner, White! he pays out a handful of coins, but pockets many more. "Place your wagers for the next race! Winner pays 6 fold!"
Darnak nods, taking out the five gold and handing it to the man. He then awaits his turn to come up.
Nadine flips through the scrolls, taking inventory of what's present for future needs. After going over the collection, Nadine smiles. "I'm just getting in to this, so I'm not sure what I want as of yet. I'll be sure to check in with you later to see your other goods though. Is there a time that's particularly good?"
After noting the response, Nadine heads away to explore the rest of the festival. First, something to eat. Then, who knows!
Karl loved festivals...but not for the reasons other people did. With this much people around someone is bound to talk about something they would otherwise not blabber about, because they think that no one would be listening. The bounty hunter snickered as he thought back to his bigger quarry's little minions as he watched Alesta converse with the finely dressed old man Mother always said that nothing loosened lips like happy occasions and loud noises...now if only she gave more gems like those and less insults to everyone she could laid her eyes on Karl stood up against a nearby wall and continued his watch over his employer, he had gained something from this festival at least Just have to find out where this 'Feedbag' is.
"Looks like you'll be richer than before, maybe we could raise my fee from nothing to something" Said Karl the half smile on his face showing nothing save for the jest that was in the tone of his words.
Darnak
There 8 prize fighters in all signed up. Darnak's first bout is against a town guardsman. The large man is very well muscled, but moves slowly, more like an ox than a boxer. It is clear, that his blows would hurt if he could land them, and Darnak is glad that this is boxing only, not wrestling.
Nadine
The man bows low. "My shop is easy to find down by the harbor. I am there once the festival ends. I would be most pleased to discuss whatever magic you like. Perhaps we can work out some form of exchange, as there are certain items someone of your nature may possess that I require from time to time. A drop of blood, a lock of hair, for example. Call on me at your leisure"
Nadine leaves the tent, glancing briefly to the side as the cheers and catcalls from around the boxing arena build in volume. She looks around, seeing lots of different vendors, some selling the colorful scarves of the Varisians, others butterfly trinkets and medallions honoring Desna.
She finds all sorts of savory snacks for sale. From pastries to pies, and from a full hearty meal to a piece of fruit or a slice of cheese and bread. Nearly anything you can imagine is for sale as vendors hawk their wares in the crowded churchyard and beyond.
That's a big fella. This is either gonna hurt or it's gonna hurt. Hmm. Should be interestin'. Positioning his feet and placing his hands low and defensively, he swings at the brute in rapid succession in an attempt to get in the first shot.
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Alesta
Drokkus (the theater owner) nods as you begin to accept his proposal, but then when you mention Nualia's name, both the gentlemen's faces fall.
"It is quite impolite to mention that name, my dear." says the old knight stiffly. "It will quite do for now. Good day..." He turns with sniff extending his arm for the other man to join him. "Come along, Cyrdak."
The pan with the thin mustache looks at Alesta again wistfully, but thinks better about arguing and quickly saunters to the side of the former warrior, taking the extended arm. "Farewell, my angel. Thee me at the theater when you wish to thtart a new career." he calls back to Alesta, who watches them walk away, puzzled by their behavior.
The aasmiar sees a strange looking girl skitter out of a tent nearby, and seemingly search around looking for something. The girl appears to have a hood drawn over her head, which has an unusual shape to it.
Sarvo
A loud cheer erupts behind him, and Sarvo turns to see that the boxing competition has started. A stout but slow looking guardsman takes mighty haymaker swings at a doughty dwarf in the ring. The dwarf stands on one leg, his arms held out strangely to the sides as the other closes in.
Sarvo has never seen a fighting style quite like that, and turns to watch much more curious than before...
Alesta was puzzled by both men's reactions to the name of Nualia. "Well that could have gone better," she said under her breath. She saw the theater manager give her a wistful look before he mentioned meeting him at the theater if she wanted a new career. She already had one, and while it was one that fed both the heart and pocket, still it never hurt to try something new. But then again...the way people were treating her was something unexpected. Most people were thrilled to meet an aasimar but here, it was different. The townsfolk were either scared or worshipping the ground she walked upon. Sighing a bit, she then noticed the strange girl.
"Odd," she said to herself as she tried to figure out about the girl...
After wandering about smelling the smells and seeing what there was was to see in terms of food, Nadine decides on some pie to satiate her sweet tooth. Blackberry, if it can be found. Failing that, the closest summer berry will do. Nadine determinedly searches the wide variety of food vendors for her "lunch" of choice.
Ahdak watches, silently amused, as the cinder lizard's make for their crazed way along the track. It would seem there are some deeper intricacies to this game if I am to understand how one is supposed to win. No matter, there will be time for this later. Realizing that Baldek has asked a few questions of him, he shrugs, "I had thought it to be a race. And that seems to be the name by which these men call it. But if it were a race, then it is one conducted unlike any I have seen before. Perhaps that is how things are done in this city? On the Storval Plateau, this ridiculous running about of lizard's would be only to the interests of children. The lizard I chose was strongest, but it seems that the game is not one that lends itself to mere strength. The strongest rock will yield in time to soft and soothing water."
Shrugging, and disturbing his feathery companion in the process, Ahdak follows along with the crazed-looking dwarf, saying, "Yes, let us see these fighting. That, at least, should be a sport that is as sensible here as it was in my homeland."
It was interesting to Karl how he and violence were never far apart. Even in a place filled with merriment, joy and laughter, the brutality of combat always found a way to grab his attention. Sarvo did not deny the blood lust that sometimes overcame him in battle, but found it strange that it almost felt like he could not be rid of fighting even when he tried to. Yes, it was strange but not undesirable.
His employer seemed safe enough for the moment, so he walked closer to the mock battleground, his eyes focusing on the dwarf and his strange stance You don't see that every day The bodyguard looked around for anyone collecting bets.
"A silver on the dwarf" He said to the man who managed this tournament Doubt this will be like the underground fights at Riddleport...don't think the people of this town much enjoy watching executions after their sport.
The Bout - Round 1
Darnak and hulking guardsman come out of their respective corners, and the bull of a man charges right at the sturdy dwarf before he can react much.
A great right-hand haymaker is thrown and Darnak sidesteps it easily, throwing a quick combination in return, one of which lands hard, knocking the air from the big man.
Dodging the large man's swing, Darnak comes back with another round of rapid attacks.
Alesta
Fresh off her encounter with the theater owner and his companion, Alesta spies the girl with the hood and strange shape to her head. Following her a bit, she sees the girl stop at a variety of food vendors, finally selecting a pie, that looks a lot like blackberry. As the girl sits to eat, Alesta sees the wind ripple her hood back for a moment, revealing long quills in place of hair on her head. Quickly the girl, Alesta realizing now she may be more than human, pulls the hood back over, finishes her lunch and heads for a colorful tent where an old crone deals a deck of cards.
Seeing that Sarvo is still close by, Alesta considers following the strange girl, but a cheer from the boxing ring stops everyone. There the aasimar sees a dwarf standing over the prone form of a man, while others exchange coins and shout encouragement.
Nadine
Stopping by several vendors, Nadine finally sees a pie stand, where a large, apron-wearing Shoanti man busily vends pies. Asking for blackberry, he grunts and hands her a pie. Slipping him the coin, she turns and looks for a seat.
While she eats, she notices a lovely tall girl in a very revealing outfit watching her from a distance. A large imposing man stands near the girl, but he keeps one eye on the boxing ring nearby.
Just then a gust of autumnal wind blows the hood from Nadine's head, revealing her quills. Scrambling, she sets the pie down and shoves the hood back into place before, hopefully, anyone really notices.
After finishing her sweet morsels, she sighs and heads for a fortune-teller tent, where a wizened older Varisian woman deals a deck of large-sized cards, humming a familir folk tune.
"Madame Mvashti at your service," croaks the old woman in a soft voice. She smiles a gap-toothed smile and looks to the tiefling witch with rheumy eyes. "Have you come to have your fortune read, little one? Are you sure you are ready to know such a thing?"
Baldek and Ahdak
The odd pair watches the first bout and sees the dwarf with the strange fighting style move quickly and take down the big guardsmen with apparent ease, the bigger man never laying a hand on the dwarf.
Several other bouts go by and the gentlemen spectators take them all in.
At some point, Baldek realizes his leave time is starting to run out and he is due back at the Rusty Dragon pavilion to help with the dinner preparations.
Nadine quickly scans the crowd for any one who could have seen what happened. Her eyes land on the tall woman from before. Shit! She saw! She saw! With out waiting to find out what would happen, Nadine shoved the rest of the pie into her mouth and high tailed it out of there.
Disheartened by her possible discovery, Nadine searched for something to cheer her up. Out of the corner of her eye she spies the fortune teller's tent. The tune wizened woman hums is familiar and therefore comforting, so she approaches. When the woman speaks, she leans in and tilts her ear, doing her best to hear what the woman has to say with our revealing her true nature.
"How can I know if I am ready if I do not know what the future holds? the question is not whether or not I am prepared, but how I will prepare after the fact."
"Yes, he certainly seems more then proficient in his odd hopping fighting way. How he can dodge away from attacks like that is beyond my comprehension." Ahdak nods approvingly as the dwarf lays out the man with a quick snapping blow. "It was my honor too, Baldek. I wish you well on this day of festivity."
The Shoanti shaman watches the excitable dwarf as he makes his hurried way down the street, dodging people left and right as he does so. He allows himself a quiet huff in amusement, but quickly retakes his stony demeanor and continues to watch the next few bouts.
While she should tell Sarvo where she was heading, Alesta was curious about the hooded girl so naturally she decided to follow her. She was puzzled as to why the girl was trying to hide. Alesta didn't think she was another aasimar. She had never seen one with quills before which meant the girl was a tiefling. Most people assumed aasimars and tieflings hated each other and while they didn't always get along, there were just as many times where the two plane touched races got along. In fact, some of her friends at the university were planetouched of all types: tieflings, other aasimars, ifrits, undines, sylphs, oreads, and even those touched by the shadow plane. Racial diversity was something the university embraced greatly so she was curious to know why.
Alesta had almost missed the girl ducking into the fortune teller's tent so the aasimar went straight towards it.
The chaos of battle ended, it's flow from beginning till inevitable finish was lopsided towards the shorter of the two combatants. The dwarf stood victorious, the cheer of the crowd crashed against him like a wave smashed itself against a rocky shore. While the loser remained on the floor and for now at least would be dragged down and momentarily drown in the sea of the forgotten.
Karl found the whole thing entertaining, so much so that when the rest of the bouts started he felt uninterested in watching a bunch of amateurs flail around like overgrown children. While he was unfamiliar with the techniques the victor used to snatch the win from the hands of his opponent he couldn't deny their effectiveness Well Sandpoint you've yet to disappoint me yet, now let's hope that your guards are incompetent as the ones that greeted me at the gate and your sheriff is quick to issue you bounties and you may convince me to stay The right side of Sarvo's mouth rose enough that it caused the scar that ran horizontaly across his face to shift in a similar manner.
What cut into his hopes for his new hunting ground was the sight of a familiar face. Like himself Ahdak stood out amongst the crowd, and the conversation they had last night stood out in the Chelaxian's mind when he caught sight of the half-orc.
Cutting through the forest of spectators was not hard for Karl and his long strides insured the journey was not as long "You'd be hard pressed to find this many smiling faces gathering in Korvosa" Said Karl when the distance between himself and the Shoanti no longer served to impede the volume of their voices "And even if they did the guardsmen would probably send them off to their homes thinking that the the gathering was a new form of rioting"
As Darnak manages to catch the large man just right, he watches as he drops like a rock. Relaxing, he straightens his hat and stares through the fallen man for a moment. Messy, Darnak, you've got ta do better. You'd be dead if it was a real challenger. Shaking his head in disappointment, he makes his way out of the ring and watches the other bouts.
The sudden voice from his side draws Ahdaks steady gaze, though there is no hint of alarm in his demeanor. "Be received, Karl Sarvo. I have not been to your Korvosa, but it is said that the rulers of the place are cruel taskmasters who live to strip away the dignity of their people. If what you say is so, then perhaps those sayings have more truth to them then I had credited. I had struggled to imagine a people willing to live in such a condition. What brings you to observe this contest of strength? I had gathered that you were here as a bodyguard, but I do not see your charge."
When Ahdak mentioned his employer, Karl's eyes shifted from right to left. The bounty hunter watched for any sign of suspicious characters that might be around him and listen in on information he would rather not spread to too many people.
"She can care for herself, I am just around to collect the ones that make any attempt to harm her" Answered Sarvo in a hushed voice "Let's say the people that are after her would be more at home in Korvosa...you've described it like a citizen, now all you need is to spend a year there to truly hate it" A small wry chortle escaped the sellsword. Grey eyes then shifted to the avian creature on the Shoanti's shoulder.
"Tell me is he as curious and stoic as he looks to be? I've seen less inquisitive stares from sheriffs?" Karl gave the owl a smile.
Baldek
Leaving the intriguing company of the Shoanti orc, Baldek double-times it back to the pavilion occupied by the Rusty Dragon. From a distance he can see the little halfling taskmaster fuming. As he approaches he hears her sharp tongue cutting the poor servant Morris to the quick.
"About time you made it back here. Playing at the festival when there's work to be done. You dwarves are the laziest lot I've seen, with the possible exception of Morris here." she lays into the cringing dwarf just as soon as he arrives within shouting distance.
Handing him an apron and a hair net, Bethany puts him to work setting up for the dinner. "That beard is just too unsanitary. It's got to go! If only I'd brought my straight razor..." she continues. Knowing it's going to be a long day, Baldek knuckles down and weathers the storm as best he can.
Nadine
The old woman smiles again at Nadine's wit, the toothless grin that seems to scare the girl more than reassure her. "Ah, isn't she the wise one? The young always think they know better than us don't they? Madame Mvashti was young once too, eh girlie? And lovely? Oh how lovely she was." She says all this in her slow croak of a voice, while her hands move deftly, as if never touched by age, shuffling and dealing the spread of cards the Varisians call The Harrow.
Turning the cards, Madame Mvashti's rheumy eyes widen and she emits a sharp hiss of breath. "It is not right, girl! The cards tell of death and destruction all around you. Many perish. But you, you persevere and meet many new friends, comrades in arms one might say." She seems more than a little spooked by the turn of the cards, but quickly regains her composure, and tries to cover it up. "But, posh, this is only old woman talk. Who can think about death on such a fine festival day, eh little one? Forget the ramblings of old woman. Here have money back." She all but shoves you out of the small tent, where again you bump into the tall half-dressed aasimar who is standing just outside.
Ahdak nods, uncertain of what the man was driving at but unwilling to show it, "I suppose that so long as you are hunting the hunters, then your goal is completed as you desire."
He glances up at the owl on his shoulder, who is calmly watching the festive surroundings while ignoring both her master and his acquaintance. Sensing as the Korvosan mercenary begins to speak of her, Noctua turns her amber gaze on the man, silent. Seemingly oblivious to any mistake on Karl's part, Ahdak replies, "She is Noctua and she has proven to be a most helpful companion in my travels. Curious she is to a fault, though I am not so certain of her stoicism. She has not yet seen the blood and thunder of battle, but she is Shoanti at heart. She will prove worthy, doubtless." The owl on his shoulder ruffles her feathers, hooting in what almost seems to be agreement.
"Doubt you'll see much blood and thunder here" Karl casually points with his thumb towards the area "This is as close to a storm as we'll get" Karl gave a wry smile as he looked towards the only place that saw something that was close to a real conflict.
"This is place is too big for a bandit raid and as for a conquering army...I doubt Magnimar would just sit by and watch as someone takes over one of its towns" The grin grew smaller when Karl looked back to Ahdak "It is as peaceful as town could get, but if life's taught me anything its that towns are no different from most people; they always have something to hide" Sarvo shrugged his right shoulder "And while it may not be battles or massacres it may be something just as sinister"
Ahdak and Sarvo
The pair meet and discuss many things while watching the boxing bouts. They ready to watch the interesting dwarf fight again, his crane style unlike anything in either of their experiences.
Darnak
The dour dwarf's next fight is against a smaller man. Without the beef and brawn of the other man, this fighter doesn't look as imposing, but he is wiry and clever. In his last fight he was quick like a cat and able to punch and dodge more easily than the big bruiser.
As the bout is announced the fighter's circle each other, the clever man taking in the odd stance of the dwarf and clearly calculating ways to defeat him.
Alesta
Spying the interesting girl with quills for hair, Alesta can't help but follow her. When the girl ducks into a fortune teller's tent, Alesta stops and listens carefully outside the closed tent flap. She hears the croaking voice of the crone telling the girl how special she is, and the fate that awaits her. Now motivated more than ever to meet this person, Alesta is considering how to approach her when the girls rushes out and they bump clumsily into one another.
Darnak sizes up the smaller combatant. This one is quick. He's quicker than meself. Good. Maybe I'll learn somethin'.
Reeling backwards in an effort to maintain balance, Nadine tries to take a better look at whatever it was she bumped into. Rubbing her head where she smacked into something, Nadine is surprised to see that something is a person. Nadine's sharp senses tell her that there's something off about this woman: closer inspection reveals that her hair is not in fact hair, but feathers! Nadine stops and stares, her surprise getting the better of her manners.
Alesta had wanted to ask the strange girl with quills for hair when said girl came out of the tent and they bumped into each other. Rubbing her head bit, the aasimar noticed that the tiefling was now looking at her intently. Deciding to introduce herself and show the girl she meant no harm, she spoke in her melodic voice.
"So what brings a tiefling here? And don't worry I'm not going to smite you or discriminate you because you're a tiefling. My name's Alesta and I'm an aasimar, and trust me I think you would be able to get along with the townsfolk much better than me. Seems the people here either don't like aasimars or they worship the ground I walk on."
An aasimar. That made sense. That would definitely explain the hair and the weird voice. Despite her words, Nadine was wary. In Cheliax, there were two kinds of aasimar: the overly righteous, who would try to "convert" or "correct" those they saw as evil, or the one's who didn't agree with how the world treated them, and turned out the worse for it. This one could be either one, or maybe both. Best to be on guard. And even better not to let her identity be known. If they don't like aasimar, they sure as hell aren't going to love a tiefling.
"I'd, uh, appreciate if you kept that aspect of me to yourself. Is there something I can help you with?"
Nodding Alesta said, "Understood, but again you don't have to worry about me. So what brings you here?"
While Alesta was a bit more open minded than other aasimars when it came to tieflings, she still was a bit wary around them. The one in front of her not wanting people to know she wasn't a tiefling didn't help things out much. Still, from what Alesta had experienced in Sandpoint was probably a good reason to not wanting people around here to know if you're planetouched. So the aasimar could understand.
Who is this holy lady? Why does she care?!?
"Nothing much, just minding my own business. Enjoying the festival." Nadine paces nervously from foot to foot. Hopefully this person wasn't in a position of authority.
Darnak
The quicker man circles Darnak, then quickly makes a feint, catching the dwarf off his guard on the defensive. The speed of the counterpunch is quick enough to take the monk flat-footed and he gets walloped for it.
Taking the shots in stride, "Hm," he mutters to himself. Will be sharper next time I run into the likes of another like this one. Darnak brings forth his own attacks.
Ahdak's gaze follows Karl's gesture, looking first past the ongoing dueling. Perplexed, his gaze drifts over the people standing in celebration before he finally realizes what the mercenary meant. Returning his gaze to the man, he nods, "Your appraisal is no doubt correct. As you said, however, there is darkness that lurks in the hearts of all men. Even if it doesn't leach out to poison the very air here as it does in Kaer Maga or in your Korvosa, it is still there. To fight and struggle against that darkness, though, is the mark of the honorable. Do you see so little of this struggle in your searches?"
"If there more people to fight against the darkness you mention" Karl rapped the flat blade of his axe lightly "There wouldn't be much need for bounty hunters" A short chortle left his lips. Karl's eyes wandered towards the fight for mere moments before returning to Ahdak.
"Maybe it's because of my work but I've noticed more dishonest men than honest ones, but more doesn't always mean better...most of them are low-wit punks that think that breaking the law is simple, they think that they'll never be caught" Karl's grin widened "Poor idiots don't know that they are just making it easy for me to put bread on my plate" Another low volume laugh escaped the tall man "The smart ones, the ones that can inspire men, the ones that can make a grown man shiver in fear" Karl halted his laugh and looked somewhere between bitter and angry "These are best killed off before you go after the idiots"
Ahdak studies the man a moment, puzzling over everything he said with little expression to indicate what he is thinking. "This is true. When a man would fail to fight the darkness at his own soul, it falls to his fellows to set him to rights. If it is with his last breath, then it must be so. But do you not find a place for words in your work? If a man can be turned from walking a darkened path, then the tribe will be safer for it. The pack that fights itself soon fails. I do not think I have seen such twisted men as you speak of. A man who can inspire others to turn from a path of light, even if they would not otherwise think so, is a man to be wary of. You have met such a man before?"
"Words can find a place in all kinds of professions and places. Even battlefields" Replied Karl. His face turning neutral "Even talked a few men into giving up myself...well scared them into giving up but no blood was spilled so that counts" The Chelaxian checked the straps of his right gauntlet and made sure it was holding with just enough strength.
"As you said though it isn't easy turning a man from an honest life" Karl motioned with the hand he adjusted the gauntlet on towards Ahdak "Lets take you as an example. The men I speak off wouldn't attempt to turn you to their side, no matter how much cunning and wit they may have. Why? Simple, you're an example of a man who can't be bought, a man without any clear weaknesses or vices...nothing they can take advantage of, you'd be too much work for them, but a man who's weakness can be found at the bottom of a bottle" The bounty hunter motions towards a man happily guzzling down a whole bottle "Or one who only cares for how much round metal pieces he can fill his pockets with" Next his hand went in the direction of a merchant with a greedy gleam in his, shoveling coins of his counter and into a pouch.
"Or a desperate man, or a man in debt, or a man who's hunted...or young men who know little of the world but believe that they have solved it's puzzles and mysteries since before hair started growing on their chins and chests" A wry grin appeared on Sarvo's lips "Easy marks for men with pretty words, practiced tongues and few morals" Karl turned his eyes towards the fight briefly before refocusing on the Shoanti "You could find these men in all cities if you looked hard enough...but they are in plain sight at Riddleport. They think themselves untouchable there" Karl let out a sinister snicker "They're not untouchable. That's just something men with plenty of enemies tell themselves so they can sleep at night."