"Boy!"
Didiana gave a brusque shout in the general direction of Zeke as she stooped over the bleeding militia member. The young man was quick to answer the call, whether out of eagerness or fear she did not know, and was at her side before she had retrieved the vial of bloodblocker from an inner pocket. The armiger was no medic but then that was what the salve was for, and set to dabbing the gooey substance over the puncture wounds from Evander's rapier.
"I need you to look over this one. He shouldn't start bleeding again, but call me if he does. I don't want him dead. He can't be prosecuted if he's dead."
If the sentiment came of as uncharacteristically merciful or pigheadedly law-abiding, Didiana gave no sign of caring either way. She was entirely serious in wanting to see all of the CCG trialed in court for domestic terrorism. It was no pipe-dream either; the militia had to have a register. Making sure each and every member faced the full extent of the law for their actions was perfectly doable, albeit only in a distant future where they, the Silver Ravens, had actually restored Kintargo to order. But if one didn't plan for victory, then what was the point of this whole endeavor?
The sorcerer stood up once she was satisfied the bleeding had stopped. She didn't bother wiping the blood off her hands. Of course, put the law aside and that was what bothered her: the blood on their hands. Didiana had few qualms with killing when necessary. Scarplume, whose corpse most likely still wasn't cold, had been mad and needed to be ended however possible. But the militia? She sneered just listening to the one member still standing. 'We just wanted to show our loyalty to Cheliax and the Lord-mayor.' Pitiful Chelish loyalists disillusioned with liberal Kintargo and jumping on the opportunity to 'fix' it. Just as the Silver Ravens fought back for their own vision for the city. The CCG was guilty of a great many things, but the sorcerer understood them just fine.
But being willing to fight for a cause did not justify said cause. It certainly did not justify one's methods and Evander was right: the CCG were cowards and opportunists and she stepped up to the remaining thug to support him. The faster they got out of here the better.
"You are two seconds away from being remembered solely as that guy who drowned in a foot deep lake. Hand him that key."
Even as the threat left her scowling lips, there was one thought she couldn't escape. An uncomfortable idea that buzzed away in her brain, like a fly on raw meat. A small voice that said it was neither basic human decency nor dedication to the law that prevented her from killing these poor fools. No, it was actually just cold, cynical profiteering. It didn't make sense to kill the CCG here because they still had an audience watching here at the park. She had been entrusted with the public image of the Silver Ravens; the team demagogue, they had called it. The group's social relations were her daily responsibility. What would be public think if their first mission out in the open devolved into a bloodbath? If the Silver Ravens came off as nothing but murderers themselves? They needed the public's support.
Some small part of Didiana truly believed that the only thing holding her back was bad PR. And that terrified her.
The red thug cringes at the combined intimidation of Evander and Didiana. He rushes to get the key out of his pocket then hands it to Evander.
Once he’s handed Evander the key, glancing back and forth at each of you, he says, “I’m sure you can understand, right? We have to keep the hornheads in line. She was the one we picked and her propaganda campaign only made it that much easier to pick her out. Law abiding citizens can’t tolerate that kind of thing, right? The Lord-mayor hosts these sometimes, too, so it’s not like there isn’t a precedent for it.”
Meanwhile, the purple thug continues running away and screams at the top of his lungs, “Dottari! Dottari! Get the Dottari! Traitors in Aria Park!”
You see Zeke slowly trying to sneak away from the scene. He does a decent job at weaving between Kintargans as they get closer to see the fight’s aftermath.
Evander places his rapier close to the thug's neck as he takes the key. "The law of Kintargo states that the people elect a Lord-Mayor. And yet, Thrune trampled all over that law in appointing Barzillai. So tell me, who obeys the law, those who watch it trampled or those who seek to restore it? Incidentally, they are called 'Tieflings', not 'hornheads', and you don't have any authority to keep anyone in line. I suggest you try treating them with respect - after all, as far as I can tell, they are more worthy of it than you."
He then heads over to where Zea is and kneels down to unlock the chain, quietly saying, "We're going to get you out of here. You'll have to lie low to keep another group of these thugs from coming after you. Act casual."
Gilda's eyes narrow as she spots Zeke disappearing from the scene. She also seems to notice the lace of his shoes loosening...
Her whistle is so loud, it's surprising it only took her lips and two fingers to conjure it. Gilda opts for the worst repercussion for his attempted flight, she directs Didiana's attention at him.
"Red! Yer boyfriend's sneaking away!"
She then turns her eyes to the fleeing thug calling for the dottari.
"How bouts we get outta here now? Muscles, I forgot yer bird, but grab Zea and let's make a run, eh?"
She smiles and nods towards the assembling Kintargans almost apologetically, but then she grins.
"Silver Ravens are back! Kintargo will be free'a the yoke of Mayor Beetleboar!!"
With her proclamation complete, she appears ready to bolt for the nearest alleyway or sewer grate.
Ow, sh*t, my ears! What the heck, Grabapple?!
Didiana had been listening to Evander speak on tiefling equality and desperately trying not to roll her eyes at it all when a sound shrill enough to separate cream from milk blindsided her. First turning to Gilda with all the righteous fury of a hurt Cocker Spaniel, she quickly looked towards the crowd at the shaman's direction. The sorcerer was disappointed by what she saw.
"... Let the coward run."
If Zeke Crus could not even bear to see the outcome of his actions, then there truly was no hope for him. The armiger merely hoped that his craven heart would mean he stayed clear of the dottari, for his sake and their own. Hopefully the fear of being thought an accomplice to this ragtag bunch of rebels would keep him from talking to anyone. Because she was quite done dealing with him. Didiana did not want to see young Zeke until the day Kintargo had been restored to order and she brought him in to be jailed for theft.
"The woman is right!" she said, forcefully changing track.
"Let's go! Grab the tiefling if she can't run, because we need to leave now."
The silver raven figurine landed on her hand at her command and was quickly stowed away as nothing more than a pretty figurine. And with that Didiana was ready to go.
Gregor makes his way closer to the group once they have cowed the men to the point of asking for the key. As they quickly work to free the tiefling woman, he calls to his raven and suggests. "We've made a spectacle. It would be best if we away as quick as possible. I suggest we pair off to minimize risk. Reverend, you escort the tiefling to safety. Robin and I will head off one direction, Alloco and Pigeon take another. We meet later at our base of operations."
Zeke, for his part, continues running away, but he does glance back at Didiana a couple times before he’s lost in the growing sea of Kintargans coming to see the commotion in Aria Park.
Zea recoils at first when Evander approaches and it seems to take her a moment to realize he isn’t one of the thugs. Eventually she allows him to pull her out of the doghouse, but she seems to be too exhausted to be truly relieved by Evander’s appearance.
She tries mumbling something but can’t seem to get the words out. Her lips appear to be dry and cracked. Zea lets Evander lead her away on wobbly feet from the pagoda and the remaining thugs with their mastiffs. She seems oblivious to the crowd around her.
Most of the crowd gasp at Gilda and Didiana’s words. It’s doubtful many of the Kintargans know who the Silver Ravens are, but they definitely know what it would mean to be free of Barzillai’s yoke.
As you leave the area, the remaining thug on the pagoda still awake shouts at you, “I’m sure the dottari will see it my way when they get here! Just you wait, you’ll find yourselves being doghoused before long!”
You each split up as you leave into however many groups you desire. Once Evander and Zea are a safe distance away from Aria Park, she motions him toward a nearby alley. It takes her a couple minutes before she manages to whisper, “Thank… thank you. Please don’t leave me in the Nursery. I… I can’t take that happening again.”
-----
You all manage to get away before the Dottari show up in the Park. Eventually, you also make your way back to the Wasp Nest.
Laria and Rexus appear relieved to see you. Laria looks each of you up and down, then says, “Looks like you all have been busy. How’s ol’ Kintargo lookin’ now?”
"It would be best if we away as quick as possible. I suggest we pair off to minimize risk. Reverend, you escort the tiefling to safety. Robin and I will head off one direction, Alloco and Pigeon take another. We meet later at our base of operations."
"No," came the curt response.
"The Reverend is not going to the Nursery alone. Too dangerous. We haven't come this far just to let him get back-stabbed by his precious tieflings there."
Didiana made a point of not looking at either Evander or Zea as she spoke. She would not allow the writer to die for his silly notions, no matter how much he protested.
Evander calls his raven back to him as he leaves. He rolls his eyes at Didiana's insistence, but says nothing to stop her. Once they've moved a safe distance away, Evander looks at Didiana then Zea and says, "If needed, we could stay and protect you, at least for the night. I don't know if we can stand guard much past that, though. Do you have friends or family you can count on for protection in the future?"
Zea shakes her head at Evander, "I grew up as a street orphan. All I've ever known is being on my own. I... I appreciate the offer, but they ransacked my tent when they took me, so I don't actually have a place to go back to."
While she speaks, Zea occasionally glances over at Didiana. It appears she hasn't forgotten about their last incident.
"No," came the curt response.
"The Reverend is not going to the Nursery alone. Too dangerous. We haven't come this far just to let him get back-stabbed by his precious tieflings there."
Gregor wheels on the woman, "Dro... Robin," he catches himself, his voice coming out through gritted teeth, "I did not say to return her to the Nursery, I said safety. Her safety and ours lie on different paths. To avoid capture, we must break up our numbers and disappear into the crowds. We cannot do that as a group of six. If you are concerned with his delivery, you join them, I will go with the other two." His jaw is clenched tight with aggravation, his eyes shadowed by his furrowed brow.
-------------
Gregor looks pensive at Laria's question, "Well, Kintargo is still just as f#%!ed as she was before, as we unseated no power base. Moreover, it seems we may have expanded the people's awareness of us more than we intended at this stage of our efforts." He's not looking at anyone directly, his eyes darting around as he looks at the floor in thoughtfulness. "We have two choices at this point. We step back and hide our presence, for our own safety, but risk losing the significance of our gesture as the people forget faster than the authorities. Or, we expand our presence, become the Ravens we declared ourselves as at the park. We're at the point where I don't believe we can have it both ways any more."
In the Wasp Nest, Laria and Rexus listen to Gregor’s words.
It’s Rexus who’s the first one to speak. He says, “I may have a solution that will allow us to do both to some degree, in the short term, at least. I… I still need to think on it for a day or two, though. Additionally, I believe, with the help Evander and Gilda have provided, that I’m on the verge of translating the remainder of the Silver Ravens’ documents. Perhaps they will offer some wisdom on this matter as well.”
Laria says, “I think a day or two of keeping our heads down wouldn’t be a bad plan. It sounds like today was particularly hectic for you all. Kintargo won’t be freed in a day anyway. What do you say? Take a day or two to rest and recover? That’ll also give Rexus the time he needs to think about… well… whatever it is he’s thinking about.”
Matiscio nods at Laria before addressing everyone present. "That seems fair. Action and volatility are like dust that cloud the mind and only rest and quiet contemplation can help that dust settle down. Let us regain clarity and so, find our way forward."
Zea shakes her head at Evander, "I grew up as a street orphan. All I've ever known is being on my own. I... I appreciate the offer, but they ransacked my tent when they took me, so I don't actually have a place to go back to."
While she speaks, Zea occasionally glances over at Didiana. It appears she hasn't forgotten about their last incident.
Evander frowns. "We might be able to hide you in Old Kintargo. It's on the other side of the city from the Nursery, and that might provide some protection."
"No, of course the hornheads aren't willing to help their own..." Didiana muttered venomously in response to Zea's explanation of how she didn't have anyone to turn to. It was a calculated murmur too; just quiet enough to seem innocuous, but just loud enough to make sure both Evander and the tiefling could hear it.
"That seems fair. Action and volatility are like dust that cloud the mind and only rest and quiet contemplation can help that dust settle down. Let us regain clarity and so, find our way forward."
"Oooor..."
Didiana realized that a revolution was not won, nor even truly started, with a week's work. This endeavor of theirs would take time. But she also didn't deal well with downtime. She despised being passive in any way. Probably because her mind went to unbidden places when not distracted, she realized now...
Boy, I probably would be a bit more adjusted with a break now and then, huh?
Well, it would have to wait. Because she had a suggestion for how to spend those two days.
Zea nods to Evander and says, “Yes, yes, anywhere but the Nursery. I don’t know if I can go back there anymore. Too many bad memories.”
The tiefling woman seems to notice Didiana for the first time at the armiger’s murmur. Zea whispers something in Evander’s ear that Didiana can’t hear.
“Please tell her to go away. I… I’ve been through too much today already. I can’t deal with someone like her as well. Why do you keep associating with her anyway?”
-----
In the Wasp Nest, Laria says, “You’re welcome to lie low here if you need a place to stay. With the Network down, we’ve got plenty of beds, albeit small ones.”
Rexus seems to recognize there’s something on Didiana’s mind and says, “Is something troubling you? I’d like to think we’re all friends now. Please, speak your mind.”
Gilda elbows Evander.
"Maybe let Zea know our grand plans to topple Beetlebum from his Beetlethrone? She might wanna help?"
Gilda grins at Zea, having asked the question aloud standing about six feet in front of the tiefling woman.
"Betcha we could use the horns on our side!"
”Okay. We can hide you out in Old Kintargo for now. Let’s go.”
Looking at Didiana, he says, ”Robin, we’re heading to Old Kintargo. We don’t need an escort, if you want to head back to base.”
He starts walking with Zea, whispering to her, ”I still associate with her because, despite her prejudice, she does have the best interests of Kintargo at heart. And, perhaps, I can show her that Tieflings are not inherently evil.”
Didiana's eyes turned sharp in scrutiny at Evander's words. What was this now? Why was she being asked to leave? What had the tiefling just whispered to him? Was she manipulating him somehow? What was the hornhead's game? What was she hoping to gain from him? Was she swindling him for money somehow? Or worse, was she hoping to utilize the rebellion through the writer? And wait, didn't Evander live in Old Kintargo? What were they going there for together...?
Oh!
"Oh. I see."
The whispering. The private dalliances. Evander's completely nonsensical sympathy for the tieflings. Of course. It all made sense now. That succubus b*tch.
"That's disgusting."
The words were hardly necessary. The sorcerer's expression said it all, sneering as if faced with otyugh feces. Was there anything more debasing than relations with a hornhead? So clear was her revulsion, that she would have looked almost comical had it not been for the look. The look she gave Zea had changed. Up until now, when she deigned gazing at the young tiefling, the armiger's eyes had held nothing but indifference, at best the apathy one felt for a grimy dog. Now there was feeling in those eyes. Contempt shined through them. Now the tiefling was a threat. For a second she considered objecting to Evander's request, but footsteps through the alleyways made her reconsider. The dottari were no doubt looking for them right now. They needed to get off the street.
"We need to have a talk, Reverend. Later. You're making a mistake."
With that the sorcerer turned and left for the Wasp Nest.
-----
“Is something troubling you? I’d like to think we’re all friends now. Please, speak your mind.”
Didiana gave Rexus a funny look given that he was the one being all mysterious about some idea of his just a minute ago, but let it go.
"Well, some time ago we considered distributing some sort of newsletter or pamphlet to let the public know what's really going on in the city. I tried thinking ahead and learned a cantrip from Crissali that would let us produce such a letter in mass. All we need are paper and ink. And the words of you writers, of course..."
The sorcerer looked to Matiscio and Evander.
"I wouldn't be much help on that front. Perhaps we should ask Lia to contribute too... I mean, if we have a few days available, right?"
Zea perks up at Gilda’s words. She looks hopeful for the first time since you saw her today. She offers a weak smile and says, “Toppling Beetlebuzzard is definitely something I… and others of my kind… would be interested in. Some tieflings, at least. I was attracting quite a bit of interest in the Silver Ravens before I was taken.”
Once Didiana is gone and Evander whispers to her, Zea says, “If you say so. I just don’t understand why she hates us so much. I hope you can convince her… but I think you have your work cut out.”
As you travel, Zea asks, “Where exactly in Old Kintargo are we going?”
-----
Rexus nods at Didiana’s words and says, “I still occasionally speak with Lia. She continues to support our cause, albeit from a distance. I think I could persuade her to contribute some of her more… creative… illustrations. What about the rest of you? What content do you plan to put in the pamphlet?”
Gregor offers a long languid roll of his eyes, "Contribute to a pamphlet? I will reserve my efforts to that of editing any mistakes in spelling or sentence structure, as well as any mistakes in being too forward with flights of fancy. We deal in truths, subtle truths, while retaining our secrets. We do not need to become more than we can even offer, nor elevate the legend to unattainable goals." He seems a little put off by the idea in general, choosing to help for the sake of controlling the content, over much belief in the goal.
"Ha! Dottari Gr-- Falcon! Always so serious!"
Dilda smiles, entertained by Gregor's offer to serve as editor, finding that to be entirely too appropriate for the archer.
Gilda takes the opportunity to return to Old Kintargo, accompanying Evander and Zea and continuing her thoughts about stirring up tiefling support for their fledgling rebellion.
"Aww, don't mind Red! She just needs a good.. you know, cleaning of the clockwork. We just gotta find the right time and the right alchemical mixture, amiright?"
Gilda smiles at Evander, her mind already having planned out some sort of armiger social where they spike Didiana's drink and discover her hair is actually twice as long as it appears.
"So yeah, we're the new Silver Ravens. Maybe ya can get together a small discrete group'a folks and we can find somethin' to do? I think we gotta whole lotta pamphlets to distribute next week?"
Evander responds, "For now, I'm going to hide you in the tenement I live in while we work on setting up a safe house. The woman with the rather colorful mannerisms and wonderful nicknames lives nearby, as well. Once we have a safe house set up, we'll move you there." He continues leading Zea towards Old Kintargo.
------------------------------------
"I think it would be an excellent idea to begin circulation. Matiscio and I will work on it, and Gregor can help with layout and editing - it is much appreciated. Spreading the newsletter will keep our name fresh in the peoples' minds. We should come up with a creative title, though. Something that will really pop."
Zea nods at Gilda and says, “Good luck with that Red. I think she needs a very thorough cleaning of her clockwork if there’s to be any hope for her. Your mixture had better be especially powerful.”
To Evander and Gilda, Zea says, “Thank you… I… I don’t know what I would have done without your aid today. Most people don’t care about tieflings, so seeing people like you two gives me hope for a future Kintargo free of prejudice. I think I need to lie low for a bit, but I definitely don’t plan to do so forever. Again, thank you.”
-----
Huh. So that's a thing.
It was late and Didiana had found herself a secluded spot in the Wasp Nest. She was reading again. Or rather, she was supposed to be reading. What she was actually doing was holding her open hand over the flame she had brought as a reading light. While no doubt a curious thing to do on its own, what made it more curious still was that said hand refused to burn. The pale skin remained pure and unblemished, no matter how long she held it over the flame.
I'm fire resistant. That's new.
The sorcerer retracted her hand. So what she had sensed with the strix's fire missile earlier was true: her dermis now held some modicum of protection against heat. While this had undoubtedly been useful against the gang leader, Didiana was not overly excited about this development. Not when she knew the origin of said ability. She had been feeling it for a little while now. Her arcane prowess was definitely growing, little by little. The experience gained as a Silver Raven was certainly making her stronger. But she didn't want to get any stronger.
The armiger knew that whatever the arcane battery within her was, infernal energy was its fuel. Her sorcery was merely a by-product of errant devil magic. She was Pit touched. She was corrupted. And she had been restraining herself, holding back any sign of that corruption her entire adult life. It was the entire reason she had joined the Torrent. Could she allow her magic to grow? Her magic was just an evil utilized; she had been happy to use it for good within the Order, but to empower her sorcery was also to empower her wickedness. They were one and the same. Was there a point where the corruption would grow stronger than her discipline? Did she have to watch herself for physical corruption now in addition to mental corruption? A hand went up to the scandalously red hair.
No, she couldn't deal with this now. It was too late. She was too tired. Didiana tried reading the Iroran holy book for another few minutes before giving up. The metaphor laden text was giving her a headache.
Evander sat before a piece of parchment, quill and ink in hand, as he began to pen the very first Silver Lining. He had moved a chair in with Rexus, where the other was working on translating the documents, so that he could ask questions about the history of the Silver Ravens and get feedback from him on the accuracy of what he was presenting. Everything I did before this was just practice - a warmup for the importance of what I must now write. Focusing on the paper before him, Evander began to write.
Gilda leans over Evander.
"Hey! Ya should embellish on a couple points... here, here, and here! Like who wants a hero who simply defeated the baddies? He shouldda' obliterated them!"
Gilda provides several uninvited suggestions to the fledgling newsletter.
She eventually becomes distracted by Ven and even invites the fairy dragon for ideas and works to recruit an invisible assistant in their dissemination.
Didiana read Evander's first draft of the Silver Lining slowly and carefully. Her feelings were mixed. Not on the actual writing; no, Evander clearly knew his way around a pen. She was just unsure what she could possibly add to the text, glad though she was about being asked. What did she know about prose? Her day job could accurately be described as 'professional brute'.
But then again... Said day job had provided her with plenty of experience in bullying, coercing, forcing, frightening, subduing and just plain terrifying people through words and presence alone. Perhaps that too was a social skill that could be translated to writing. And as she read through Evander's paragraphs, the sorcerer couldn't help but compare it to what literature she had read. Didiana Drost was, after all, not completely uncultured. Specifically, she had been forced to read the plays of her great-grandfather, Diegorius Drost, as a child. Her mother had insisted. While she had never become a fan, she had learned enough to know that the man had been a great talent. As well as he should. After all, he literally sold his soul to Hell for it.
With this in mind the armiger felt confident enough to offer her thoughts.
"I like it. It's good. But if I may, there are parts that could stand to be less flowery and more... punchy."
Between the five of you, the pamphlet on the history of Silver Ravens is shaping up quite nicely. It’s both literarily pleasing and grammatically correct. It also packs a few punches here and there.
At Gilda's beckoning, Vendalfek flies over to see what all the fuss is about. The faerie dragon seems to have become quite comfortable in the Wasp Nest. That's made particularly evident by the increasing number of complaints Laria receives about him.
Still, Vendalfek gets a mischievous look on his face when you explain to him what you're planning to do. “Just let me know where you want ‘em, and I’ll get ‘em there. No big deal for a dragon like myself. We’re quite good at making statements. Big statements, ones with lots of breadth and depth. So assuming your thing qualifies, sure, I’ll help.”
Vendalfek looks quite excited. He eventually thinks to add, “So where do you want me to do the distributing?”
Oh cripes, I'm gonna have the worst cramp in the morning...
Didiana rubbed one weary eye whilst the other hand maintained her concentration on the dancing pen. The instrument darted and flew over the page as it copied Evander's words and Lia's illustration, faster than any scribe. Aside from the growing ache in her hand that came with the repeated somatic components of the spell, this was all working rather perfectly. Well, almost so. Due to the nature of the cantrip, any writing recreated through it was rendered in the hand of the wielder, and while Didiana's handwriting was entirely serviceable, the same could not be said for her drawing. Lia's caricatures had never been less recognizable. At least the clever imagery survived her touch, if in a somewhat poorer presentation.
I guess this will at least keep her safe from anyone who might otherwise recognize her style? Maybe? Sigh.
Wealday, the 2nd of Rova, 4715 AR
The next day, after you’ve had a chance to create copies of the newly minted first edition of Silver Lining, Rexus ushers all of you into his sideroom in the Wasp’s Nest. He looks quite excited.
Once you’re all there, along with Laria, Rexus says, “I’m very excited, but a bit nervous to inform you all that I’ve finished translating the Silver Ravens documents we recovered at the Livery. They were quite insightful, in my opinion. I thought I would go ahead and share my findings with all of you, then we can discuss them as a group."
After skimming his notes for a few moments, Rexus says, “ I mentioned that the Silver Ravens were established in 4606 AR in the chaos in Cheliax that occured after Aroden’s death. It was a female elf known as Jackdaw who founded the Ravens. Many of the Silver Ravens who fought with her worshiped Milani. Some particularly prominent ones were Amyreid, Ba, Kyda, and Brakisi.
“Now to the new information: the Silver Ravens defended Kintargo from being conquered no fewer than a dozen times during the Chelish Civil War, five times from power-hungry noble families, four times from agents of Thrune, once from an invasion of skum from the sea, once from a cabal of Nidalese vampires, and once from a blue dragon named Rivozair. Quite impressive, if you ask me.
“The Silver Ravens maintained their main headquarters in and below the Kintargo Opera House. Unfortunately, there’s no information in the documents that indicates any other safe houses the group may have maintained. And the Opera House isn’t exactly an option at the moment.
“The Ravens were said to be able to use something called the “Song of Silver” to defend Kintargo when it was attacked by enemies. Sadly, there are no further details in the documents as to what this mysterious song was. Still, any possible aid this song could provide might be very valuable indeed. Please let me know if you find out anymore information about this “Song of Silver" as I would be eager to learn what it might be capable of.
“The final section I translated speaks of how the leaders of the Silver Ravens had seen the end coming. They knew House Thrune was likely to seize control, and had come to the difficult decision to surrender should this event come to pass, hoping to prevent Thrune from razing Kintargo. Indications exist that the cache of treasure and documents hidden in the Fair Fortune Livery were intended to serve as a sort of time capsule should Kintargo forget the Silver Ravens with the passage of time.
“Perhaps the most important thing these documents contained, however, is pages upon pages of information about tactics for defending Kintargo. I think they could be very useful to the rebellion’s efforts.”
Laria is the first to speak after Rexus finishes. “Well, that certainly is a lot to take in, Rexus. What do you think, folks? Anything in particular stand out to you?”
“Well, that certainly is a lot to take in, Rexus. What do you think, folks? Anything in particular stand out to you?”
It was indeed at lot to take in, but there was one detail that stood out to Didiana as rather alarming.
"The original Silver Ravens' headquarter was the opera house? The same opera house that our lord-mayor is currently squatting in?"
The idea that Barzillai Thrune could at any time come across whatever remained of the original rebellion there, or even that he had already done so, was troubling enough on its own. However, it was the obvious implication that really alarmed the sorcerer.
"Is it possible that he knew? Could he have chosen the opera house as his residence not because he's an aficionado, but because he knew about the Silver Ravens?"
Perhaps the group's opponent was better informed then they had assumed.
Gregor takes a deep breath and sighs, "If he knows or finds it, then he may know much more about the Silver Ravens than we can at this point. That could be harmful."
In discussing the pamphlet distribution, he offers, "We need to focus on the unenlightened and downtrodden. Do not spread to the castle district, nor the Greens. I say we split them evenly to Jarvis End, Old Kintargo, Redroof, and Yolubilis Harbor. A little more to Jarvis End than Redroof, as the artists can take liberties to further spread the word, and we already have a strong presence in Redroof."
"It's a possibility. If so, he may view us as beneath his notice. That might help us survive until we get to a point where we're too big to squash easily." Evander hoped that the Silver Ravens' secrets remained secret, but the possibility of Boarzilla knowing more about the Ravens than they did was rather worrying.
Evander nods in agreement with Gregor's suggestion. "I concur - these are the areas that have felt Boarzilla's boot the worst, and it's where we can draw the most support form. There are far more people there than in the Greens and the Castle District."
Gilda scans the tactics to defend Kintargo before waving them off.
"Eh, a lotta military stuff that Gregor's gonna like here."
She crosses her arms while she muses.
"Song'a Silver eh? A whole lotta silver goin' around? Ravens, songs.. I never understood why it when copper-silver 'steada the other way around. Copper at least had a little color in it..."
"Hey lemme ask the City what it knows 'bout this Song."
Matiscio nods in agreement with Gregor and Evander. "That sounds about right. Once the population starts throwing cold looks towards the local government, more and more of the local elite might follow as they might smell the power that's up for grabs ... if Barzillai were to be gone. That's how these things go, right? Those who can push, only push because they got a reason to do so?"
Matiscio then peruses the papers and audibly hm's his approval. This will be handy. Very handy, indeed. "So what we really want is where we really can't go. Hrm, perhaps there is wisdom to be found in that and we ought to have that reflect in our deeds and actions for the coming week or two. Let us look away from Barzillai in his Opera House, and look towards the city."
Despite Gilda’s exceptional ability to gather information, it seems no one in the city knows anything about the Song of Silver. Or, if they do, they’re not talking about it.
After you’ve discussed the information for a few minutes, Laria says, “Yet another mystery to unravel. I suspect you’ll have a chance to resolve it, but it might take a bit of patience. Kintargo’s a big place. I’m sure it contains many more secrets we’ve yet to discover.”
Rexus says, “The time may yet come for you to retake the Opera House. Perhaps then we’ll learn more about this mysterious Song. Till then, I think Matiscio is correct. You should look towards the city. There’s plenty of good we can do even while Barzillai remains in power.”
“Speaking of which,” a voice says, “I’m about to do a good job of distributin’ some pamphlets.”
Vendalfek materializes from where he was hovering invisibly in a corner of the room, apparently listening to your entire conversation.
He once again gives the faerie dragon equivalent of a grin and says, “So Jarvis’s End, Kintargo’s old part, The roof that’s red, and the harbor of some Yolubilis fellow. Those are all the places you want those leaflets dropped off, right? Any other tedious and overly-long instructions for me? You could at least wish me good luck, seein’ as how I’m risking my life and all for the Ravens of Silver.”
Evander smiles. "No, I don't think we have any other tedious and overly-long instructions for you, Vendalfek. Thank you for doing this. Good luck."
"... Please take this seriously."
Didiana wasn't sure what else to tell the fairy dragon although her face, weary beyond exasperation, said plenty. She didn't trust Vendalfek with the leaflets any more than she trusted a dog with a lamb shank, but acknowledged that his natural abilities made him ideal for the job.
And on the topic of paper, the armiger turned towards the translated rebellion tactics. It seemed she had some new night-time reading material.
I'm finding an awful lot of stuff to read lately... And this was apparently written by Milanites. *Groan*
What she wouldn't do for her city.
The faerie dragon nods in approval at Evander but gives Didiana a stern “Hrmph” as he flies out of the Wasp Nest.
As he leaves, you can barely hear him say, “Please take this seriously? My middle name is serious. Well, seriously awesome, but close enough.”
Rexus sighs once the faerie dragon has left with the pamphlets. He looks at each of you in turn then says, “I still have something I need to share with you, but I think it should wait till tomorrow. Take the rest of the day to rest and prepare yourselves. I suspect you may need it.”
Laria’s brow furrows at Rexus’s words. She shakes her head and says, “Whatever he has in mind, it never hurts to take a day off. You’ve earned it after all you’ve already done. I’ll be here by 8 o’clock with some hot coffee and biscuits for everyone. No sense in being heroic on an empty stomach.”
“I still have something I need to share with you, but I think it should wait till tomorrow. Take the rest of the day to rest and prepare yourselves. I suspect you may need it.”
Well, that's ominous.
Despite the rather foreboding message, Didiana did not ask Rexus for any details. The nobleman was still a bit naive for her liking, but at this point she trusted his intentions well enough. More importantly, she knew that he trusted them. That faith was worth respecting his opinion and leaving him to his own devices for now.
"Hey, Rexus? Good job on that translation."
But then, he was also the man who had broken into tears in front of them not too long ago. For some, a little encouragement did a world of good. Not everyone was as independent as her. Then again, she reflected, she had proven a very poor judge of her own mental health.
You all leave for the day to return tomorrow for whatever Rexus intends to share with you.
That night, when Matiscio returns to his home, he finds another note has been slipped under his door.
M,
I think I’ve found where they’re holding Master Jalpur! If all goes well, I should be able to return with him and the other Masters in the next couple days. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you, as will I. As you likely suspected, Thrune and his people are most certainly responsible for Master Jalpur’s taking.
From what I’ve learned, it seems one or two of Barzillai’s lackeys had a direct hand in kidnapping Master Jalpur and the other masters. I hope to teach them a thing or two about an Iroran’s fighting abilities.
Please stay safe. You needn’t worry about me. This should all be over soon.
J
-----
Oathday, the 3rd of Rova, 4715 AR
You all return to the Wasp Nest. You see Vendalfek right away. Apparently his pamphlet distribution was successful. Time will tell what effect it has.
Laria and Rexus are waiting for you in the side room when you arrive. Laria has a tray of steaming hot coffee and fresh biscuits for anyone who wants some. Chairs have been brought into the side room to accomodate all of you.
Rexus waits till all of you are situated before he begins. Then he says, “You have all done so much already for Kintargo, but you’ve also done much for me personally. I thank you greatly for all you’ve done. But I have one more favor to ask of you.
“Ever since completing my translation work, I have grown increasingly convinced that my mother still lives. I believe she may be hiding in the stronghold for the Sacred Order of Archivists. If nothing else, I would like the return of any of her personal effects from the hideout.
“I have known for some time that the Sacred Order have long used chambers below a local museum of oddities called Hocum’s Fantasmagorium as a secret base of operations. If my mother survived the fire, she may have remained silent for so long simply because she’s been lying low in the chambers below the museum. I’ve never been inside the place, it’s actually been closed to the public for many years, but I do have a way to get inside.
“You may recall that when we first met I held onto a key. That key will get you into Hocum’s Fantasmagorium.”
Rexus takes the mithral key from his pocket before handing it to one of you. He continues, “Besides the front doors, that key supposedly opens many locks within the building. If any members of the Sacred Order still live, they would make excellent allies. The amount of information stored at the site could also be a significant boon to the Silver Ravens’ efforts.
“I know I have asked much of you over the weeks we have known each other, but I must ask of you this one more thing. Please find out if my mother and the other Irorans yet live. I must know the truth. Will you do this for me?”
Evander takes a coffee and pastry when arrives, his new rapier at his side. He listens to Rexus's request, then nods. "I'd be happy to do this. Their knowledge will likely prove invaluable to us, and hopefully reuniting you with your mother would be good. Plus, the Sacred Order's hideout may make for a good second base and safe house."
"Please stay safe. You needn’t worry about me. This should all be over soon." What was it about implying someone needs not worry that made it one of the strongest invokees of worry?! Matiscio blinked at the letter and then, through sheer force of will, encapsulated Jaya's solemn statement. I won't worry until given tangible reasons to worry.
Gods, how he'd have worried otherwise.
-----
A rather ill composed Matiscio joins his companions at the Wasp Nest and, throughout Rexus story, the man's gaze keeps drifting away to someplace not quite in this room. He nods and hmm's as if he's invested in Rexus's words, but is he fooling anyone at all?
"Yes. Of course. Whatever we can do to take your worries away, Rexus."
A rather ill composed Matiscio joins his companions at the Wasp Nest and, throughout Rexus story, the man's gaze keeps drifting away to someplace not quite in this room. He nods and hmm's as if he's invested in Rexus's words, but is he fooling anyone at all?
Who Matiscio did and did not manage to fool was still an open question, but the sorcerer certainly found his behavior somewhat off. From her chair she observed the brawler. What Rexus proposed was an alliance with an influential order of Irorans. Shouldn't he, monastic neophyte that he was, be rather keen on this? Instead he just seemed distracted. She was momentarily disturbed from her speculation when Laria offered her a very inviting cup of coffee. Didiana politely refused, as always.
"Of course we'll do it, Rexus," the armiger said, deciding to deal with the issue at hand first. "As you describe them, the Archivists could make for valuable allies. Should we find your mother there too, so much the better."
The nobleman really didn't have to make this a personal request, Didiana thought. While she was perfectly happy to help him find his missing mother, adding a secret society of Thrune-opposing Iroran scholars to the rebellion was incentive enough.
Rather them than a bunch of anarchist Milanites...
----------
As soon as the group dispersed to gather their gear, Didiana pulled the journalist aside.
"Is there something on your mind, Matiscio?"
Simple and to the point without any preamble. She was still a hellknight at heart and didn't believe in dancing around any issue. The best approach was the direct approach; bulldozing any opposition was how the knights had earned their fame. Still, despite her hard eyes the sorcerer's posture looked slightly awkward in front of the brawler. Out of the entire group, no one made Didiana feel quite so small as Matiscio. She could still present the veneer of 'Didiana the Armiger' in front of the others. Rigid, principled, determined, stubborn even; it was the role her vocation demanded of her. Gregor had caught glimpses of the person beneath throughout the years they had known each other, but no one had seen through the bluster and pierced the veil like Matiscio. He had seen her at both her worst and lowest. Her hysterical breakdown back at the saltwork, when her unfeeling code clashed with her base humanity, had been the most shameful moment of her life. She was especially ashamed of the awful words she'd leveled at the brawler. And yet he hadn't condemned her for it. Quite the opposite in fact. It was only through his decency and understanding that she was pulled back from the brink, and the sorcerer was fairly sure she would never be able to express her gratitude to him. Without Matiscio, Didiana knew she would still be on a path leading to self-destruction, and, fiercely proud and independent as she was, wasn't sure how she could express her appreciation. But if there was something plaguing the man, she wanted to know. She wanted to help; nay, she needed to help. She couldn't stand feeling indebted to him. Her pride demanded an evening of the scales.
"You know you can talk to me, right? After all, no matter the problem, I'm in no position to judge you. Not after our saltwork talk. I disgraced myself in front of you; you holding back on me now is completely unfair."
A vague weary smile threatened to break out at the corners of Didiana's lips. It was there in part for the silly argument posed, but there was also a certain euphoric liberty in acknowledging your own lunacy in front of another person, especially after so many guarded years. It kind of scared her.
Rexus looks relieved that you’ve agreed to his request. It’s almost as if the nobleman expected you to refuse.
“Very good,” he says. “There is much the Archivists may be able to tell us about the Silver Ravens and Kintargo itself. I’m sure my mother will be eager to aid our efforts. And you are correct, Evander, it could make an excellent hideout.”
“If Porcia's in there, she may have no idea about the state of things out here. So best be going, then,” Laria says. “While the going’s good.”
This sprawling, single-story structure has certainly seen better days. The building’s stone facade stands out amid the brick-lined walls of its neighboring structures, and numerous windows to the left and right are boarded up. Signs advertise rates and incredible exhibits within, and above everything a crimson sigh announces Hocum’s Fantasmagorium! A large lock hangs from the front door.
"Yes, we'll find her, definitely", was Matiscio's somewhat despondent response to Laria's closing statement.
It was then that a familiar face manifested itself in his world. Her appearance somehow manages to open up doors and windows which the man feebly had tried to keep shut. Like the surge of fresh wind upon which ride the harbingers of clarity and reality, the man came out to face the here and now, now that the then and there were no longer solely his domain. "I received a letter yesterday from a close friend. It felt great hearing from her again, knowing she's alright after everything that happened, but ..."
No good story involved a but like that.
"She is Jaya. And Jaya wrote me that she found the whereabouts of Master Jalpur and the other Masters. And that she's going to get them out of Thrune's grasp. And that I shouldn't worry. Because, after all we've seen together, what's there to worry about right?"
Jittery and skittish, Matiscio is obviously having troubles keeping his composure. From shoulders that can't sit still to fingers that twitch and wrists that tremble, every fiber of his being is screaming for action.
"So I try not to worry."
This whole talking thing, so he is finding out, is definitely easier when you're the one listening.