"Let's start barricading the easy access points. Put some table before the windows. We should leave a entry point for people searching for shelter but the others should be barred."
In a whisper to Ian McLaren and Kiriko Kangetsu.
"Some of you know what we are doing? I am improvising and people seem to listen, but I have no real martial training."
"As long as what we are doing is just and righteous, we will prevail."
" I know nothing about leading people, but I know how to survive"
" if you want to keep on entry point open, take one that is easy to defend and makes charging or shooting inside difficult."
Tomid hops up onto the bar and begins to take orders for food and drink. There is no reason to face death thirsty. he proclaims with some logic. And remember to tell ol' Tomid a secret as part of your tip. Its tradition in the Smiling Goblin.
"The best method is to be straightforward. Tell them if they don't help defend the tavern, every one of them will end up being slaughtered like cattle," Bennevy says in a somewhat distracted tone without bothering to lower his voice.
Sid look his companions with a bewildered stare for some seconds, then:
"Ok, you, you and you, search for some long pole.
Someone know a bit about woodworking? We need to make some makeshift spear to poke whatever is out there if it tries to enter the tavern.
You, bartender, there are clubs, rolling pins or other blunt instruments around here? We will need them.
Who has some weapon? Armor? Don them and prepare to fight.
We don't want to attract whatever is out of here attention, don't attack anything unless it tries to enter.
Block half of the main door with a heavy table, put something behind it to make it hard to move.
..."
Sid continue to give orders like he did know what he is doing.
"Keep them busy, it is the best way to keep them from panicking."
To Kiriko. "Miss, you have a sharp eye, find a position from which you can look outside without endangering yourself and keep us appraised.
If something approach we need to know it."
Sid try to prepare the tavern for defense, getting all the windows and doors barred, leaving only a small passage through the main door, a passage small enough that a person has to squeeze to pass through it.
A heavy table is moved nearby, to be ready to close the gap if it become necessary.
When all is done:
"Now we can only wait."
Kriko nods
"Tomid, where would be a good place? The second store window?"
That will work. Or take to the roof if you dare. There is an access at the back of the hall upstairs.
Krikio nods again and goes upstairs, looking for a safe hiding place, one hidden from sight not only by shadows, but also by occlusion, near the window with good view of the street leading to the entrance door.
Bennevy claims one of the Barkeep's clubs.
"A sword or bow won't fare well against a walking tangle of bones," he says to no one in particular.
Sid has his morning star in hand and stand on guard near the main door.
Tomid knows this place well and should know where at least a few real weapons are, but all he can think of now is the cudgel that is kept behind the bar. He will grab it and hand it off to one of the stronger looking NPCs. He then turns his attention to his paying customer. I find salted codfish cooked in butter and garlic to be an excellent parring for that particular spirit. Shall I prepare you a plate?
Kiriko scans the street and the surrounding buildings for any hints of enemys.
Ian stands at the ready, shield and scimitar in hand.
"How much time do we have, exactly," Bennevy asks the man; his tone suspicious.
As Tomid prepares the man's food he asks. And how might you know that good sir? Is that a guess, a hope, or some inside information?
Kiriko scans the surroundings again, after a few minutes have past.
The Kunoichi changes her hidingspot, to rob any enemy that might have spottet her of the advantage of knowing her position, and scans the envirnoment again, to take advantage of the new angles of vision.
Gving the man a sidelong, dubious glare, Bennevy moves toward one of the windows, and attempts to look out without moving the barricades too much.
What's going on out there? We SAW them coming, and yet....he's so calm...so certain...." he thinks to himself.
Ian looks intently at the man.
"He is out of his mind. I hope he will not become dangerous."
Sid peer out of the door.
"What is happening out there? Nothing is moving."
With as stern a look as he can muster, Ian squints his eyes at the man at the bar, and says "You will tell us the truth. You will not hold anything back from me."
"And why does this not concern you?" Bennevy asks, genuinely curious at the man's nonchalance.
"He is really human or some monster in a disguise?"
"Oh. f***!"
Brandishing his morning star Sid approach the man at the table. He seem agitated.
He stare him, evidently trying to confirm something.
"He has eaten? Maybe if I can look his mouth ..."
"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission. Let's try this ..."
Sid cast Create water over the head of the man.
Hold on now. This man is a paying customer here. Don't make me ask you to leave the bar. Tomid says as he steps forward defensively to stand beside the man. Its likely only a coincidence that he is also flanking him with one of the party.
|
Sid and Kiriko you fail to see anything much than a wet man with what looks to be running makeup coming from his eyes and lips, which you hadn't notice he had before
Tomid
The man looks annoyed, "That... was unnecessary"
Bennevy moves away from the window and toward the thing pretending to be a man.
He speaks softly, just loud enough for the thing and those confronting him to hear.
"Why have you come?"
If he does not react, he switches to Aklo.
"Why have you come?"
Confused by both action and languages Tomid remains firm . Indeed.There was no cause for such brutish actions. This man is a paying customer here, regardless of the dangers outside. He has been nothing but polite and tolerant of you. I'll have no more of it.
A twinkle of fascination appears in Bennevy's eyes as the thing responds in the ancient tongue.
"Judged by whom? For what transgression?"
Sid look Bennevy and the costumer with suspicion.
"What laws were broken? Laid down by which kings? How can we be guilty when in ignorance?"
Bennevy says in a plaintive tone tinged with indignation.
"Secret whispers in an awful tongue, who are these guys?"
"The people of the Block are being decimated, for unspecified transgressions against some unknown rulers. This," he says, pointing at the stranger, "is one of their heralds."
Tomid looks at the "man" with new interest. A small strait blade appears in his hand. Do you consider us such non-threats that you will come here and eat with us?