Tolus is the first to disappear into the tent. In fact, he doesn't even show down as he passes the coach.
Inside he finds a good chair and his his head in disbelief. Stupid entitled fool of a noble!
Julio heads inside and looks for some wine to calm his nerves.
"Shall I pour you one Tolus?"
Ausk gently kicks up and then straps his great ax back on his back with a flex and huff guiding it with his hands.
He made sure he was the last to enter the tent, still looking behind himself as he ran forward, hoping either the halfling or the ogre would come his way.
Well this really is going to be one hell of a game
Linli walks into the tent, looking a little miffed.
"Never seen anything like it in me life, pulling a dagger on a noble and threatening them, lucky I didn...."
looks up and smiles seeing the rest of you.
"What O team, how swings the balls."
Tolus nods at julio. This was going to be a trial.
Linli comes in and Tolus almost says something, but decades of slavery aren't overcome overnight, and he holds his tongue.
"Talk later." Dharkantia grabbed Ausk as she spoke on the field and drug him in with her as she looked around the field for the halfling to see where she had run off too. It wasn't a violent grab, just one that stated he was coming with her. Once in the tent she would check behind them and looked at the coach.
Her eyes scanned the tent as she looked at the coach. "Did a halfling run in here? About yay tall, female?"
Looking at everyone quietly she looked at Linli and walked up to him hitting upside the back of the head. (Reference Gibs NCIS ! )
"You half-witted noble twit. You just made yourself the biggest target out there on that field. You know how many lowborn people would jump at the chance to see some noble bloodied to a pulp on that field?! Secondly grow a tougher hide if a small inconsequential insult can make you react like that. I swear, hide as thick as a babes. You are lucky I got to capitalize on that or I would throttle you right now. You are our back up thrower. I wan't all of my team alive, not with painted targets on their back. And before you go on a tirade about no one insulting or standing up to you I will say this right now. We are equals on this team unless otherwise stated by the coach. So I will call you out on things."
Once done she would chuckle lightly. "Damn if it wasn't funny though. The look on their faces priceless. All right. Tolus, your eyes are sharp and your attention to detail great, did you happen to see the halfling as you ran out first? Or the most likely place she would have run off."
Looking at Throg. "I am with you though, would have preferred to make a deal but we now know who is a hot head."
Turning to the coach. "Alright coach, wanna update on what happened or the good news I got as I left their tent?"
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Pulls his head back so its a glancing blow, Then steps back hand up.
"Wow Baby! not on the 1st date, later when the kids are asleep"
He says with a smile. Then after she's done telling him of and joking about it. He Winks at her.
"Its fine I knew what I was doing. That team out there, in this game, their not going to play to win, their are going to play to get me. As you say put me at the back, long throws and they will come after me. Now I can run fast, years of running form husbands and lovers gives you that, while they do, you score score score, and IF I'm luckily ill be alive at the end of this"
He has a big smile on his face.
Throg nods as he continues eating before turning to the smaller beings.
" I see some wisdom in that, but still the whole ordeal was unwarranted. Also I believe you should be taken in for assault."he paused"But you are needed here for the game and as the contract states you are needed to accomplish it."
"Also why do you run, shouldn't you challenge your mate's mate. At least in my culture that's how it was done."
Ausk was merrily chugging another mug of ale until he heard Throg's comment to Linli.
He nearly choked on the ale as he gave a rumbling laugh
Nah, that's only if you want to KEEP the mate, Throg. Sally on the side is just that. It's the difference between fighting a man over him insulting a sword I made for him, versus fighting a man who threatens to burn down my shop. Linli isn't burning down the shop, you see- only insulting the sword.
Ausk gave a wink at Linli that told him he had his back on the matter. He then looked to Dharkantia
Oi, his voice rumbled as he flexed when he spoke at her You drag me like that again... And I just might drag you back, Dharkantia. He winked at her with a certain disturbing hunger before becoming serious again Let me know what you saw. I want to make sure I can defend Linli and our first string thrower properly.
And have a proper match with those two oafs.
Oh, yeah- and that halfling slave is mine. . It did ruin my lunch, after all.
Ausk scanned for the halfling half-heartedly, as he was more boasting than actually caring about where it went.
He also did not actually want to eat it- but figured he could most likely sell the halfling at a good amount of gold.
"No, she is not. You aren't the only one having lunch here." Her eyes look at him.
"Plus, she technically is still owned by them and being caught with her will mean you go to jail for stealing property. That being said I want to talk with her. I have an idea though none of you may like it."
To Dharkhantia's question about the halfling one of the run of the mill guys that hadnt spoke much shrugged and made a motion torwarsd the far side of the pitch back torwards the town, he mumbled something unitelligle too. . . but the gist it seemed was that the halfling lass took off that direction. There were a series of small building built over trenches to be used as close by outhouses that direction along with easily a dozen wagons all covered up.
Well Hell's thats either going to be the smartest thing, or the dumbest thing we could have done. I do hope you have pratice at running from angry gits wanting your balls in a sack boy. They will be gunning for you.
The older passer Marren Woon said chuckling and slapping Linli on the back. He at least might make it out of the game alive at this rate. The coach stood there flabbergasted for a moment and shrugged.
Sure why not, are they who we thought they were or did you notice something in there we can use? He asked the seemingly Wily Dharkantia.
Ausk grumbled under his breath at the coach with a sigh
Like I said- we won't want to play this the same way that others have. That'll mean we lose!
Dharkantia looked at the couch. "Two big bruisers, possible half ogre's. Their breath smelled like it. Not to smart and got anger issues. We can use that on the field. One member of their team, a Varisian with a thing string of hair on his lip. He has a gut wounds. He may or may not be back in the game, thanks to Linli." She looked out of the tent.
"Also, they may have lost one of their members. It was a pretty sickening thud against flesh I heard with a blood curdling scream when I pointed out to the ogre that the guy that threw the bench at Linli, and missed terribly, was taking a pot shot at him since Linli didn't have to dodge. The first swing missed and hit the other orge and then I left as they tried to settle him down. But that's when I heard the scream."
Searching the concession stands.
Darkantia would search the wagons.
Reluctantly, the out houses
Outhouses with Tolus.
"I am bring this bottle with me!"
Tolus grabs a glass on the way out. Excellent idea.
Checks under the stands
@ Suileman - The concession stands were just now starting to begin to see people, mostly workers getting ready for the game. If you were searching for the halfling slave from the tents, it would be hard to find her. There seemed to be halflings everywhere. Mostly it was food and drink stands, though you did see two stands side by side with merchandise for the teams (mostly tabards with the colors and the like, their was also carved wooden toys dressed in players kit.) Finally you saw three large fellows outside a tent with a large slate board... their were odds for different things placed there...care to make a bet?
@Dharkantia - The wagons for the most part seemed to be empty, You could assume that a lot of the tents would end up taken down in them. Some belonged to the different vendors, you watched workers rush to and fro from them... you didnt see the halfling... until the last moment, The little lass wriggled out of one of the far wagons and started to slink torwards the stands...
@Julio and Tolus - It was a dirty enough job, but some unlucky sods had to do it one could suppose. Of the halfling their was no sign, but in one of the far outhouses you glanced into you found a small purse with 10 gold in it Julio... Tolus relieving himself in an outhouse saw something gleaming in the gloom of the hole. Even in the lowlight the shiny thing stood out.
@Throg -
There was certainly no halfling here, in fact there wasnt much of anything but a few scraps of trash (mutton bones and the like mostly) a few lounging dogs and ...three different small purses laying amongst the clutter.
you find a total of:
A silver necklace chain with some sort of carved flower jet black stone
Julio gives half the coins to Tolus and then pours more wine.
"A toast to our good fortune. May it last through the day and into the night."
They continue to search until Tolus makes a stop to relieve himself. Julio waits nearby and finishes the bottle.
Looking about he thinks, "I wonder where the nearest wine shop is and do we have time to stop on the way back?"
Tolus eyes the shiny something and is locked in a struggle. To retrieve, or not to retrieve. Ahh, screw it.
He reaches down and attempts to snatch the thing it without touching anything foul.
Ausk turns to the coach
What's the winning streak of these Drakes so far?
He grumbled lowly as he ripped off a piece of mutton as if he had never been taught how to eat before.
The shiny thing turned out to be am irregular shaped stone, about the size of a marble. It was silvery white in appearance but looked a bit rough as if it were uncut.
Tolus comes out holding the stone and rotating it in the light. It's not every day you come out of the out house with more than when you came in. he remarks to Julio.
Dharkantia would follow the halfling looking around. With things starting to fill up and such she blended in with the help. She looked to see if she still had the anklet on her before stretching her stride to catch up to her.
Once up to her she would whisper quietly. "Hey, looking for a place to hide right?"
Linli stays in the tent with the couch, until the game starts
Suileman looks at the odds board, and decides to put up at least a token bet.
to
Throg takes the pouches and the necklace. He looks it over the necklace
He puts it on and heads back to the tent needing to get ready.
Suileman walks up to one of the large fellows at the odds table. "I'd like to put up 2 gold on my team."
She blurted still trembling slightly. She wasnt much taller than your waist, but her fair features probably had all the halfling boys smiling. She frowned for a moment and you could see her furtively glance about.
Its the.. the last game right? I just thought I could 'slip' by until they left if you get my meaning.
A fellow came by to a nearby wagon with several fellows who began moving some crates towards one of the booths to the side. She jumped at the sudden movement.
The coach began then frowned and grew silent as pretty lass came stumbling in clearly drunk and giggling.
Damn it girl! I told you girls to stay out of the players tent, the rest of you damned druken dancehall girls as drunk as you?
The growled moving torwards the lass who suddenly seemed to sober up a bit.
"They done left without me witches!
She looked about to throw up.
"Master Brimley was taking us all to Oppara he said.
She looked about to cry
This is a lucky find. Now lets get back before we use all our luck up and have none left for the game. I haven't seen the slave, have you?
Dharkantia looked at her calmly and spoke softly.
"I know, Ausk is grumpy when he doesn't get food. I don't blame you for running. I would have too. But as jumpy as you are right now you are a dead give away. As far as I know this is the last game and I understand you perfectly well." Dharkantia looked down at her. "I don't know if you can hide in the game tent but I know we will be watched. If you are willing to risk it I can find a crate or something to stick you in and you can hide there until game is over. Then we can figure things out." Looking over at the man moving crates she wondered what was in them and gauged the size, could they hold her and still have stuff on top.
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"it is fine we shall best them on the field" Throg said as he looked over to the women and walked over.
"I do not mind if the ladies wait here. If they are supposed to meet with someone than they need to wait. Also you never know if some unscrupulous man might take advantage of them."he said being as polite as possible after he returned from the stands.
"I agree my friend. Let's head back. We don't want to miss the start of the match."
Ausk, now relaxed, took a look over of the drunken woman with a grin
How many of you are there? I think both Linli and I will have deserved a treat after this game. How much are you? After the game, I'd be happy to escort you, if you're willing to wait.
Ausk didn't necessarily want to lay with the girl, but he felt bad as he saw her sobbing, and had a hinted feeling that the earlier showdown he had started might have a small part to play in her friends leaving her.
Ausk turned to the coach, his arms flexed as he scratched his neck with a snarl
As for this team- get ready to see them lose. They aren't the only ones who can play dirty, and I'm pretty sure they just lost a player or two.
The crates appeared to be carrying all manner of things, from quickly made team tabards for sale to little pennants to foodstuffs like dried meats and cheeses and flour. Some of the crates would be too small to hide the halfling in, some were more than large enough.
Wait... are you saying you will protect me?"
The halfling lass stared at you incrediously wide-eyed. Clearly she was unused to such niceties.
The Coach blinked for a moment.
What do you mean The owner said he was taking you all to Oppara, the match is tod... That son of a b#@@$!
He growled slamming his fist into his own meaty thigh. He stalked over to the girl who squeeked and scrambled back.
Jelson! you go run to the owners room as fast as you can, That slinking snake better be there or....
He stopped and clenched his fists up looking about to explode.
Someone get this girl some water or something, You got ten minutes to get in your uniform and get ready for the game D'arcy! Why cant anything go to plan.
He grumbled.
Ausk, still near the bar, quickly grabbed a glass of water and brought it over to this "D'Arcy". It seemed his protective side was returning back to him as his blood continued to boil less and less.
D'Arcy, is it? Sorry for the mistake. Here is a glass of water as the Coach barked out for.
Ausk now looked at the coach once more
Is she a team mate, then, Coach?
"Yes, in exchange for what information you can give me on the group that had bought you. We will be facing them on the field and we need all the info we can to defeat them. Hide here for a moment."
She would move over to one of the groups of crates and the people unloading them. "Can I buy a crate off you? She points to the one big enough to hold the halfling and still be able to stuff things around her. If she saw one that was about half empty she would point that one out in the hopes they missed it was. If it had their team pennant in it even more so. One, because most likely they wouldn't be selling that well, but also two. It sorta made sense if someone came poking around.
Once she was able to haggle down a purchase price. She would return with the crate and sets it down opening it up and going through it.
"So info and get in. I have to get back to the team. This won't be comfortable and you will have to be quiet. Who bought you, who looked like he was in charge. Did you see any plans they had on a board. Anything can be useful girl."
Throg looks at the woman and rubs her on the back trying to calm here.
"Do not fret, we shall see to it you get to your friends, well after the match is overwith" Throg said trying to be as kind sounding as possible
Tolus jumps to grab the water, but Ausk is already there. He settles back down as the coaches blood pressure spikes.
does that go for us as well, sir? He asks in the most submissive tone he can manage.
A team mate? No She is a damnable flesh peddler that the crowds seem to enjoy. Sober up girl. Listen up team Hearing what she said Im afraid there might be some bad news. That man she is referring to was the owner who hired you last night.... Who may have just absconded with the other cheerleaders.
He frowned and crossed his arms, chewing on his lip.
No listen that don't change much, play in the game and win or lose you get a purse of gold, as a prize, win and its usually more. What it does mean is the additional gold he promised to give you after the game may not be here, Nor will more work on the team. But we will cross that bridge when we get there Lets Kit up and focus on the Drakes...
He frowned as he saw the strange Dharkantia return to the tent lugging a pretty large crate. She doenst seem to be struggling that much with it, though it is a bit awkawrd to carry, She sets it down and the top pops off, the cute screaming halfling lass pops her head out. Though she crouched back down the moment she notices Ausk.
What in the... who? The coach asked Dharkantia
"That sniveling twerp you stabbed in the stomach is headed this way with the guard lieutenant and half a dozen city guardsmen. Lass you may want to stay hidden until after they get here and we send them on their way. This was the one screaming from before. They bought her to feed her to the ogre brothers. If you can find a way to cover up her presence here all the better. Last thing I want is to give them the satisfaction on finding her and we can get a little info on the other team. What little she was able to glean. We need every advantage we can get."
Looks at the others. "I didn't get her name yet. I figured warning you about the city guard was important."
Ausk waves at the Halfling
Hello snackin. Seems you've been brought here to a safer tent. Still a slave though, we'll have to find some use for you when there's less pressure from those Ogres. As far as the lieutenant and guards... We can't fight them AND go play the game. Let's hope we can bribe them and send them on their way. I'm getting eager for the game-
Ausk looked at the coach with a snarl and to see what happens after.
Throg continued to try and comfort the woman as he looked over his shoulder at the others and smiled at the halfling.
"Welcome little one" He said before he turns back to try and comfort the woman as best as he can. He did not understand why the sport needed cheerleaders for the crowd but than again he wasnt well versed yet in the ins and outs of the game.